Complete in Him

by Tammy Phillips
March 31,2025

Recently, my husband and I spent a relaxing evening on our deck. We experienced a cool, crisp spring night where we enjoyed God’s majestic creation. The air was refreshingly sharp and invigorating. The wind whispered gently through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing dance. The sky was dotted with countless sparkling stars that shimmered like diamonds against the dark canvas. The birds brightly sang their praises, providing the most melodic backdrop. Peace enveloped us.

It was in the stillness of the night when I heard Holy Spirit breathe out and ever so softly proclaim “I AM EVERYWHERE all the time! You cannot escape My loving presence. Sadly, it is you that tunes Me out. It is you that allows the noisy cares of the world to turn up the volume and speak lies into your life over My truth. If you ALWAYS BELIEVE that I AM who I say I AM, and you ARE who I say you are, you could live life unshaken in perfect peace.”

WOAH! What a word to hear from the LORD as I owas heading to bed

The LORD has given us the WORD in Jesus. He has also given us His written word, the logos. He has gifted us the rhema word, spoken directly to our heart through His still, quiet voice via Holy Spirit, or by others delivering His word, by songs or by experiences. He uses everything in all His creation to love on us and speak into our lives. The question is, “are we tuned in to His voice? Are we listening?” He is always around, but are we? Are we “the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mar 4:18-19 NKJV). Remember…

He is everywhere!

You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. ³ You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ For [there is] not a word on my tongue, [But] behold, O LORD, You know it altogether … ⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or WHERE CAN I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE? ⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You [are] there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You [are there]. (Psa 139:2-4, 7-8 NKJV)

He is near.

The LORD [is] near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. (Psa 145:18 NKJV)

He is always with us.  

I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age. Amen. (Mat 28:20 NKJV)

His name is Emmanuel, God with us.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Mat 1:23 NKJV)

He is behind us and  before us.

You have hedged me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me. (Psa 139:5 NKJV)

He holds us up.

Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. (Psa 139:10 NKJV)

He is beside us.

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (called to one’s side), that He may abide with you forever— (Jhn 14:16 NKJV)

He is in us.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [who is] IN YOU, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1Co 6:19-20 NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20 NKJV)

He never leaves us.

Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So, we may boldly say: “The LORD [is] my helper (by my side) ; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb 13:5-6 NKJV)

He is the air that we breathe.

…He gives to all life, breathe, and all things. … ²⁸ “for in Him we live and move and have our being…(Act 17:25, 28 NKJV)

He is not into separation.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come^,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:3539 NKJV)

God is love. When we accept His love, declare Jesus as our Savior AND Lord, meaning we accept His saving work on the cross AND we read, listen, and do His word. We come into relationship with Him. We are His sons and daughters. And…He is everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, never leaving us. It is only when we QUENCH the Spirit that He seems farther away. It is not because He moved. It is because we have changed the Spirit channel and tuned Him out. We have turned.

I enCOURAGE you not to quench Holy Spirit (1Th 5:19). Do not turn down nor tune out the voice of the Lord in your life. Do not extinguish the fire that is the Holy Spirit. God is there. He is everywhere, all the time. He is with you through life and death; sickness and health; hurt and pain; joy and sadness. His heart is fixed on YOU! Keep your HEART-FIXED on Him.

 

by Tammy Phillips
March 26, 2025

For YOU, LORD, ARE GOOD, and READY TO FORGIVE, AND ABUNDANT IN MERCY to all those who call upon You. (Psalm 86:5, NKJV emphasis mine)

It is our choice! It is our choice! Hear me, it is our choice! We can sit in guilt and shame or rise and walk in the life that Jesus has called us to.

We will either LIVE UP, listening to what Loving Lord says about us or LIVE DOWN heeding, hearing, and paying attention to the nagging enemy of our very souls.

Jesus gave us a master class in living and defeating the enemy when he was probably at his weakest physically in the dessert. He stood and fought the enemy with the word of God. What desert are you attempting to traverse? Do you have your tool bag full of the word of God? with you? Hear me! God is bigger than any blunder or misstep we have ever made or taken. He forgives over and over and over again. He is always ready to forgive if we just ask. He is always ready to help us get back up on track and align to His will for our lives. His will is that we would prosper in all things, be in health, just as our soul prospers, and for us to walk in truth. (3Jo 1:2, 4)

I enCOURAGE YOU to LIVE UP! Fill your arsenal with the word of God. Get to know WHO YOUR DADDY is. Pit or palace, it is your choice. The King, our Father, wants us to LIVE UP like we KNOW who we are in Him. Turn your face to Him. He is waiting on your call.

by Tammy Phillips
March 17, 2025

“Do not worry about your life.” -Jesus ( Luke 12:22)

Slow read the note from Jesus above. Repeat it out loud. Marinate on it.

One of my besties attacks worry like this, “Stop. Praise. Pray.” Fact, one cannot praise and worry at the same time. We all have much going on in our lives. It is life for goodness sakes. Sometimes the battle is a little more intense than at other times for sure. God NEVER, EVER, EVER meant for us to worry. Worry is fear of something that will probably never happen. The Bible also tells us SO many times DO NOT FEAR. AND, if the things you are worrying about do happen, the Lord will walk you through it to the other side, IF you TRUST HIM. You are still living. STOP! Think about ALL the things He has brought you through already!

Worry and fear are tools of the enemy to take our complete focus off of trusting in God. Hello!?! He is God. If we trust Him as Savior and Lord, guess what? His job was and is to SAVE US. This is not just for eternity but here and now, too.

I enCOURAGE you to stop it. Refocus on who your Heavenly Dad is, His power, authority, wisdom, and resources. HE HAS GOT YOU! He has your spouse. He has your house. He has your grands and your kids. He even has your plastic lids, IF YOU TRUST HIM. Get your heart fixed and be heart fixed. Brothers and Sisters, I can CONFIDENTLY SAY in Him everything is going to be alright.

“Breathe in Jesus! Breathe out Satan!”

by Tammy Phillips
March 12, 2025

I enCOURAGE you daughters and sons of all powerful, all mighty, most creative, innovative, and loving Architect of the universe to slow read who YOU are in HIM. Marinate over His love words to you. SELAH. Pause and just think about it. Read these confessions out loud to yourself because faith comes from hearing, and by hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17).

I am God’s child (John. 1:12).

I am greatly and intensely loved by God (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12).

I am born again through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

I have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called me…(2Pe 1:3).

I am daily loaded with benefits from the God of our salvation! Selah. (Psa 68:19).

I am chosen and peculiar, called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

I am His jewel, a very special treasure, a peculiar possession because I fear the LORD with awe-filled reverence  (Mal 3:16-17).

I AM COMPLETE IN HIM (Colossians 2:10).

I am healed and whole in Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

I am called Christ’s friend (John. 15:15).

I am established in righteousness (Isa 54:13).

I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly paces in Christ (Ephesians 1:4).

I am chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:5).

I am accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6).

I am  redeemed, forgiven, and completely pardoned  from all my sin, according to the riches of His grace (Eph 1: 7).

I am alive with Christ and saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5).

I am raised up and sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 2: 6).

I am God’s masterpiece, a unique piece of art, created anew in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10).

I am strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man ( Eph 3:16).

I am rooted and grounded in love (Eph 3:17).

I am loved with a love that passes all understanding (Eph 3:19).

I have a Father who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me (Eph 3:20).

I have the full armor of God available for battle, defeat and to quench every fiery dart of the enemy (Eph 6:10-17).

I am a citizen of heaven (Phl 3:20).

I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Phl 4:7).

I can do anything and everything through Christ who strengthens me (Phl 4:13).

I have a Supplier named Jehovah Jireh who supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Gen 22;14;Phl 4:19).

I am strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy… (Col 1:11)

I am rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith (Col 2:7).

I am hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3).

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal 2:20).

I am the salt and light of the earth (Matt. 5:13-14).

I am a branch off the true vine  (Jn. 15:5).

I am chosen and appointed to bear fruit (Jn. 15:16).

I am justified by faith and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1).

I reign in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I am alive to God through Christ Jesus (Rom 6:11).

I am free from condemnation because I walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-2).

I am a joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am certain all things work together for good to those who love God (Rom. 8:28).

I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves us (Rom 8:37).

I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Rom 8:38-39).

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17).

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; I belong to Him (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).

I am a member of Christ’s Body (1 Cor. 12:27).

I am victorious through our Lord Jesus Christ (1Co 15:57).

I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I am the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I am God’s co-worker (2 Cor. 6:1).

I have been given authority and power over the enemy in this world (Luke 10:17-19).

I am of God and an overcomer because He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. (1Jo 4:4)

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I have the mind of Christ  (1 Cor 2:16).

I am kept in perfect peace when my mind stays on God because I trust Him (Isa 26:3).

I have a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind and self-control (2Ti 1:7).

I do not have to be fearful, nor dismayed. God is my God. He is with me. I am strengthened, helped, and upheld by His righteous right hand (Isa 41:10 NKJV).

And with my God, my Daddio-O, nothing will be impossible! (Luke 1:37)

To quote my dear sister in Christ, Gina Suiter, who inadvertently helped birth this… “Believe it! Proclaim it! Live like it!” Live like you KNOW every word God says about you is true!

By Tammy Phillips
March 5, 2025

For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. ³⁰ They rejected my advice and PAID NO ATTENTION when I corrected them. ³¹ Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. ³² For simpletons turn away from me–to death. FOOLS ARE DESTROYED BY THEIR OWN COMPLACENCY. ³³ BUT all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” (Pro 1:29-33 NL-bold for emphasis from me)

One month ago, I was alone in my car, driving down a familiar, traveled road to a funeral. Hearing a word from God was not what I was expecting, but I heard Him say, out of nowhere, “DO NOT BE COMPLACENT!” I have heard Him say it many times since. The word has been like a nipping dog going after my feet. It will not go away. I have been studying and inquiring of the Lord exactly what He was saying.

I understand He was/is saying about anything and everything.

• Do not to be unconcerned; BE FERVENT.
• Do not to be at ease; be on guard. PAY ATTENTION. BE WATCHING.
• Do not to be careless; BE VIGILANT.
• Do not to be nonchalant; BE PASSIONATE.
• Do not to be apathetic; BE ZEALOUS AND ACT.
• Do not to be too comfortable; BE AWAKE.
• Do not to be self-righteous; BE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST.
• Do not be unaware of dangers nor deficiencies. BE AWARE.
• Do not be set on autopilot; BE SOBER.
• Do not be zonked out; ARISE.
• Do not to be uncritically satisfied with yourself.  STRETCH  AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
• Do not be half-hearted; BE HEART FIXED AND FOCUSED.

In the middle of the journey learning about complacency, Holy Spirit dropped this verse into my spirit:

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.(Phil 4:11 NKJV)

I heard Him say, “Do not be complacent, but be content where your are.” What is the difference?

Complacency is an unhealthy, self-satisfied, stagnant place to be.  It is a stubborn stillness that lies and says, “status quo is ay okay,” when God is calling to action. Complacency hates knowledge and chooses not to fear the LORD. It rejects my advice and PAYS NO ATTENTION.  The complacent live their own way and turn away from God.  Contentment is being ay ok where God has you, but still stretching and moving forward. Being content is resting in sweet peace and being in a healthy state of satisfaction. The truly content seek and fear the Lord. The content listens to the wisdom and instruction of the Lord, all the while paying attention.

Complacency is passive and sees no need to change, while contentment knows change is necessary. It is an active, flourishing place to be. Isaiah said this, “Tremble, you [women] who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, And gird [sackcloth] on [your] waists.” [Isa 32:11 NKJV]

The Tammy Go God Version of this verse might read like this: “Alright, Ms. Complacent! Shake! Rattle and roll. Get naked before Me and buckle up, Buttercup. Put on your big girl panties and Let’s go! “

I enCOURAGE you to be content where you are, but do not be complacent. It is a dangerous way to be about life, health, marriage, finances, prayer, relationships with God and others …anything and everything.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” (Pro 3:5-8 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips

January 23, 2025

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

“I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works…15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth.” (Psalms 139:14-15 AMP)

As a Christian, I am positive you have heard Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 139:14-15 before. You are God’s masterpiece, intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors]. Like me, you probably need to be reminded of that fact.

Recently, a dear sister, reminded me. She sent me the most beautiful star ornament to remind me that “every time the Lord looks upon us, He sees his artwork that He created.”

“So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). And, “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was VERY GOOD” (Genesis 1:31). “Good” is the Hebrew word tob, meaning, fair, beautiful, pleasant, distinguished, excellent, valuable, rich in estimation, giving pleasure and happiness. Sounds like the definition of masterpiece to me.

In the art world a master is described as someone who is recognized for their skill and mastery, who is recognized as an expert, who has created work that is considered to be of the highest quality, who has created something new or different and who has perfected their craft and creates something from that state of perfection! God is our Master and we ARE his masterpieces, everyone ever created!

A masterpiece is not something you can describe with words, but you feel. It warms your heart and your soul. You just know when you see it that you have seen the mark of the master. I saw God’s handiwork in my boys! They were the most beautiful works of art that I had ever seen! However, the Master only gets better with time. I stand in awe of Him when I see His perfect work in my grand-babies, often brings me to tears.

Tammie Lowe, my sister, her gift reminded me of how God sees us and how very valuable we are to Him! We wrongly view our imperfections, the scars left by sin and wrong choices as who we are. BUT GOD…He sees us as His masterpiece and we should, too!

The most expensive painting ever sold is Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci, which sold for $450.3 million in 2017. If it went to auction today, its valuation is $559.7 million. Hello! That is over a half a billion dollars for one painting!

You ARE worth more than that to God! You ARE worth more than that to God! You ARE worth more than that to God!

He paid a higher price for you. He paid with blood, the priceless blood, of His only son, Jesus!

I enCOURAGE you to embrace your worth. You are important to our Creator and Master. He embroidered you with many colors into the most beautiful work of art. You, I, and the rest of creation are priceless in His eyes! Be heart-fixed on your worth in Him!

by Tammy Phillips
January 10, 2025

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psa 57:7 KJV)

“O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” Psalm 108:1 (KJV)

The last five years have been wacky in the world to say the least, however, they have been some of the best for my family. We have gained two daughters-in-love and by the end of 2025, we will be blessed three grands.  We love them all so much.  Sometimes, it is hard not to be concerned about our boys, girls, grands, parents, and this world, BUT my confidence is in God. My heart is fixed on Him. Let me say that one more time, my heart is fixed on Him.  The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, His only Son, made a way for you and me to have a relationship with the Creator of the universe and our heavenly Father, God. That is a BIG deal.  Although I do not understand many things, I KNOW this, I can trust God. I can trust His word. The Bible has proven true over and over in our lives.  Thus, I can declare, “I am heart- fixed!”

I do not have any idea what 2025 will bring, nor the next five, but I know…I am heart-fixed on the Lord. “Heart-fixed” is my guiding word through this year. What does that mean? David said, “My heart is fixed,” meaning that it was immovable. (Psalms 57:7 and 108:1). It also means:

My heart is upright
My heart is erect.
My heart is standing up.
My heart is steadfast.
My heart is confident.
My heart is set.
My heart is determined.
My heart is prepared.
My heart is ready.
My heart is established.
My heart is stable.
My heart is secure.
My heart is enduring.
My heart is right.
My heart is in order.
My heart is in the right direction.
My heart is certain.
My heart is firm.

When are hearts are fixed, we do not have to be afraid of bad news because our heart is confident in the Lord.

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” (Psa 112:7)

As a follower of Christ, heart-fixed means:

God is our go-to.
God is our home.
God is where we stay.
God is life, love, and happiness.
God is joy and strength.
God is Healer when we are sick.
God is Deliverer when we are stuck.
God is Courage when we are fearful.

I AM HEART-FIXED. 

If we truly believe in the Lord, our confessions should be:

I am not moving. I will not be shaken. 
I am confident in Him alone. 
I am heart-fixed in death, life, and illness.
His name is above every name.
I am heart-fixed on His name. 

I am heart-fixed when I find out my son was in New Orleans where there was a mass shooting and my heart aches for the victims.
I am heart-fixed when my grands are ill because I know the enemy wants me to be heartsick.
I am heart-fixed when I hear one more person that I know has cancer and my heart’s wrenched them.
I am heart-fixed when “offense” comes because I know “offense” wants me to be heart broken.
I am heart-fixed when the “church” disappoints once again, and my heart strings feel like snapping.
I am heart-fixed when the enemy of our soul attempts to attack my heart or give others a heart attack.

We can all be heart-fixed because the word of God is true when it says, “Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful.” (Heb 10:23 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to be heart-fixed, confident in the Lord. Trust Him. He will take you through…ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! He will be your guide through 2025. He is Savior after all. When the trials and tribulations come, because they will come, determine not to be moved! Be heart-fixed on Him! Choose to replace every worry, fear, concern, bitterness, and angry thought with song and praise. You cannot be occupied with both when your heart is fixed.

Scribed by Tammy Phillips
December 31, 2024
(Lesson taken from Pastor Scott Sheppard 12/29/24)

As we end 2024, do you want more? The way to more is Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and life.

MORE is the 2025 word for Cornerstone Church in Athens, Ga. Pastor Scott Sheppard preached an excellent word on Sunday, December 29, 2024. I encourage you to listen through this link. (More- Why the Fast? )

Following are brief notes from the sermon to encourage you to listen….

If we want more, we need more of God in our life. If we want more of God in our life, more of God in family, more of God in our finances, more of God in our relationships, and career, we have to make room for God. We have to make room for more. We have to purge. We have to empty ourselves and get rid of the dirt.

If we want more, we have to seek God.

“But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6 NKJV)

He rewards those who diligently seek Him. God’s rewards are more. He is more.

If we want more of God, more of life, we must  ask, seek, and knock.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Mat 7:7 NKJV).

Nothing moves God like diligently seeking and pursuing God. We have to make room for God if we want more of God. One way to make room for God is to fast.

“So, we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.” Ezra 8:23 (NKJV)

Each year for many years, I have begun the year with a fast to the Lord. I have sought Him, and I have found Him. More always comes from the fast… more of Life, Truth, and the Way.

More of God, more of life, only comes from emptying ourselves.  Fasting is emptying ourselves.   We cannot be filled until we have first  been emptied. We cannot ask for more until we have made room for more.  When we attack our flesh with the fast, the dirt comes out, physically.  When we attack our flesh with the sword of the spirit, the word of God, the dirt comes out, spiritually.

The path to more is emptying ourselves. We must EMPTY ourselves to allow more of God. To be filled of God, we have to empty ourselves of our ourselves.

You might say, “I do not have a lot of dirt.”

DIRT can be…

Disobedience to God.  Not honoring parents, not loving our enemies, not being self-controlled.  If God tells us to do it and we don’t….it is disobedience.

Ignorance.   Ignoring the word of God.  Not knowing, because if you do not know, you do not have to deal with it.

Rebellion. Refusing to do what we know is right.

Tongue and Temper: Not controlling our tongue by what we say or eat. And not controlling of temper.

Dirt can be pride, doubt, fear, unbelief, unforgiveness, ego, jealousy, greed, unforgiveness, bitterness…it is in all of us. Got dirt?

Tammy thought: Have you ever prayed ? “I want to be more like Jesus. I want to love more like Jesus. Fill me, Jesus!” If we want to be MORE like Jesus, we have to empty ourselves of ourselves, so He can fill us up with MORE of Himself. We have to make room for Him. He cannot fill us until we empty us.”

We fill ourselves with things of the world, food, alcohol, entertainment, shopping, golfing….

Tammy thought: Look at your screen time tonight on your phone. How many hours have you spent filling yourself with the things of the world…traveling (by following maps), talking on the phone, sports, news, entertainment, social media, shopping, exercising, listening to music, or reading that does not bring glory and honor to God? How many hours have you spent searching?

I am embarrassed to tell you how much time my hand is connected to my device. Some of that time IS spent seeking God, but is the major percentage? We must seek Him more to get more of Him.

Fasting is tasting. “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psa 34:8 NLT)

So many times, we have lost our taste for God. We eat bread, but do we taste of the bread of Life? We go to church, but we get nothing from the sermon. Are we too spiritually fat and full of crap?

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35 NLT)

Think about this…Jesus, the bread of life,  was born in a feeding trough in the city of Bethlehem which means, “House of Bread.”  The Bread of life was born in the house of bread so that he could bring life to all that would feed on him.  Taste and see that the LORD IS GOOD. Fasting is putting away what flesh desires to taste of King Jesus.

Sinus infection takes away your taste. The dirt causes us not to taste of the goodness of God. If you feel nothing, the dirt has taken away your taste. Want to taste more? Get rid of the dirt. Sin scorches the heart like hot fluid scorches the tongue.

I enCOURAGE you to prayerfully enter the fast. If you want MORE, more of life , the only way is to have more of God. The only way to more of God is less of you. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Mat 6:33 KJV). I can attest this word to be true.

Join Pastor Scott (and me) who ended His sermon by praying : Father, I am asking you to give me the strength and the courage to empty myself from the dirt for You. Empty the DIRT. I empty myself, so you can fill me. Help me to take in Your word so I can taste and see that You are good. Help me to take in your presence so I can taste and see how good you are. I want MORE. In Jesus name I pray. AMEN

 

 

 

By Tammy Phillips
December 25, 2024

Cesar Augustus, the first Emperor of the Roman Empire, reigned during a really dark and evil time in Israel. The darkness was a lot like our present-day circumstances. Cesar was a dude who thought he knew it all. He sent out an Executive Order; big brother wanted to know who and where you were! He wanted money! And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. Everybody went to be taxed, EVERYONE o to his own city, even nine-month pregnant Mary!

Joe went up to Judea, not to New York City, but to David’s City, Bethlehem… from Galilee from his hometown, Nazareth. He was a descendant of King David, you know. He had to drag Mary along with him a top some animal. The ride alone would have been so hard. She was about to pop because she was so pregnant. It wasn’t long after they arrived that she told Joe: “IT’S TME!” It was probably the 80-100-mile hike, the 4-7 day walk, that put her into labor. You know that girl had to be worn out. Joe forgot to make reservations at the Holiday Inn-Bethlehem. Everything was sold out. There was a big crowd in Bethlehem to be taxed. You know how crazy the post office is on tax-day. Bethlehem was buzzing just like that. “No Vacancy” signs were everywhere. There was NO ROOM FOR THEM. King of all Kings was going to be born and no room at the Ritz Bethlehem awaited him.

Mary had sweet baby Jesus in the only place they could find…a cave in the ‘hood. They didn’t have barns, fyi. (Light brought into darkness. God Almighty laid aside His Glory and appeared on the scene as a baby.) She had her first son, her first child, away from home. She probably left his onesies in Nazareth, so she wrapped him up like a peanut with what she had. She swaddled him and laid him in a manger, hewn out of the rock. You know, the things that farm animals ate out of. He came to the earth just like he left the earth, all wrapped up and lying on a stone.

Out in the county there were some shepherds minding their business. They were sleeping out in the field taking care of their animals, so no harm would come to them. Out of the darkness, “kabam-shazam,” out of nowhere, a HUGE angel appeared. He had to be at least 20 feet tall. The mega angel lit up that whole field like sunrise over the ocean. It nearly scared the farmers to death. They were shaking in their boots. The angel roared, “DON’T BE AFRAID!” Look! Listen! I am bringing you GOOD NEWS!!! You have hit the lottery. It is going to make you so HAPPY. It’s good news for everybody. It is the BEST NEWS. Today. T-O-D-A-Y! In Bethlehem…Are you ready for it? Our Savior has been born, the Savior of the World. He is here! Christ the Lord is here! Our Savior, our deliverer…from Greek word “sozo” which means to save, keep safe, and sound, to rescue from danger, to save from perishing from disease, to make well, heal, restore, doctor/healer when you need him, restorer to health from the oppressor (you know the one who tries to harm and hurt you, the one who tried to keep you beat down).

Feel like you’re missing something?  The Savior will complete you. 

Anxious? He says don’t worry! 

Sick? God has no big problems! 

Need something?  He is more than enough! 

Lonely? He will never leave you nor forsake you? 

Need a constant in your life?  He will never change.  He always has been, always is and always will be. 

Want to do well? He has the keys to the kingdom. His name is I AM, I WAS, I always will be. HIS NAME IS CHRIST, the anointed. He is smeared all over, bathed-in, like suntan oil at the beach…it was/is all over Him to be who He was and is supposed to be. He was/is furnished with all necessary powers to perform his position with duties as assigned by God.

The LORD, the man of the hour, has power for decision making. He gets things done. He is supreme. He has it all under control. He is our Savior for such a time as this. He is our SOZO now. LIFE IS NOW. He is not a fire policy. He is the Son of God, and he is here.

A child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (the Chief of Completeness) – Isaiah 9:6

Get it? I AM is here!

This is the sign. You can find the Savior of the World wrapped in swaddling clothes and he is lying in a M-A-N-G-E-R. (A manger? The king is in a manger?) Don’t miss the sign boys.

The heavens could not stand it anymore- the good news!

Bam! The angel’s back-up singers the Heavenly Host (Heard of them? They were a popular group with God) I mean I am talking a platoon, a troop of hosts showed up and put on a show. They were praising God and rocking the stage saying:

“Glory to God in the highest. Peace on Earth. Good will to men!” You could probably hear them all the way in Nazareth. After the field concert (And Luke Bryan thought this was an original idea?), the Angel of the Lord & the Heavenly Host – poof- they jetted back to heaven in an instant.

The Sheps chatted and thought it might be a good idea to let the flock hang out and for them to head on to Bethlehem. They wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I mean the Lord had dropped a concert in the middle of the field in the middle of the night to let them know the good news. Talk about virtual reality. The Sheps sped to Bethlehem.

Lo and behold!  Surprise!  Surprise! Surprise!  Can you believe it?  They found Mary, Joe and sweet lil’ baby Jesus lying in the manger.  After they saw BABY JESUS, they went and told everybody about it!   Anyone that would listen, heard the story.  They didn’t go to bed for days.  Everybody they told wandered in AMAZEMENT.  You can see them just shaking their heads.

Mary was just blown away. She kept quiet and to herself. She thought…I birthed the King? He’s lying in a manger. The Savior of the world? After the long journey, the labor, it was too much. She just kept all this to herself and let her thoughts just circle in her tiny little brain. It was just too much to process.

The “Sheps”  They just kept on partying. Glorifying, praising, singing to the top of their lungs to God.  What a story, a Glory Story of the Savior of the World!

Merry Christmas!