“And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” (Luke 6:19 NKJV)
Before I went to bed last night, I asked the Lord for an encouragement for today. At some point during the night, my husband reached out and ever so gently grasped my hand. It was only for a moment and then he turned and rolled back into his slumber. I thought, how powerful! There is something in a touch!
A touch is a word of compassion.
A touch is a signal of love.
A touch says, “You are not alone.”
A touch is comforting.
A touch soothes.
A touch calms.
A touch fosters a sense of well-being.
A touch encourages.
A touch nurtures
A touch bonds.
A touch brings happiness.
A touch prompts trust.
A touch can inspire hope and optimism.
A touch releases the “feel good hormone.”
A touch can relieve stress and anxiety.
A touch can improve the function of your immune system
A touch can reduce diseases associated with heart and blood.
A touch can lower blood pressure
A touch heals.
“To touch can be to give life,” – Michelangelo.
It is no wonder that all who were sick sought to touch Jesus. There was and is power in His touch. He was, is and will always be hope, wholeness, completeness, healing, and love.
I enCOURAGE you reach out and touch someone. Release the power and love of Jesus in you to touch someone’s life. If you have need of healing, body, soul, or spirit, reach out to Jesus, or someone who can lead you to Jesus, and receive His healing touch. He healed all that reached out and touched Him.
“Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made whole.” (Mark 6:56 NKJV)
P.S.: The Greek word for touch in both reference verses means to fasten on to; to attach; lay hold of; to set on fire. The gentle touch of Jesus was so powerful that it set a fire in whoever He touched or whoever touched him. A touch of fire! A touch of life! Reach out and touch someone and spread the fire of Jesus!
“A man’s steps [are] of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24 NKJV)
We went to a concert the other night. I was waiting on our group outside the restaurant and taking pictures of the beautiful sunset across the Nashville skyline. Kris called me inside and said they were waiting on me. Our leader led us on a new path to the concert arena. It was short cut that wound through the block to the arena, instead of around it. It was lively, pleasant, and a fun way to go.
We had been guests of this company and sat in their box a few times before. When we got to the arena, I knew the way to their box. I knew we had to go up a big escalator and take a left. In general, I am pretty good with directions. However, we had entered the building through a different entrance. The escalator was to the left and not right in front of us. We did not take the left to go up. I chose to follow our leader to the right because I thought she knew the way and was taking us on another fun, short cut. I also thought that we might be sitting in a different area because I had not looked at our tickets. Our leader had not been in the arena as recently as we had, and she was a bit confused. We wandered left, then right, then left, then up and up, and then back down, and finally arrived at our destination.
She was the leader and I followed her because it was the right thing to do. If I had not followed her, I could have gotten there faster, but Kris would not have run into and spoken with a friend. Who knows why we had to wander over Bridgestone, but I did so out of respect for the leader?
A man’s steps are of the Lord; thus, we must respectfully follow the leader or be lost. When we attempt to go our own way, we end up wandering blindly through life. The Lord says, “For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, nor [are] your ways My ways.” (Isaiah 55:8 NKJV). He also says, ” I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV)
Who knows why we have to follow the Lord down different paths? Sometimes the path to our destination or what we want seems so clear, yet He takes a different way, like our leader did at the concert. We cannot understand His ways because they are not always the way we would take. Just remember, ” The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23 NKJV)
I enCOURAGE you to follow the Lord every step of the way. When you don’t know which way to go, wait for His leading. He will not lead you astray even though it might seem the long way around.
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, BE BRAVE, BE STRONG.Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV)
When I go to the gym, I do not like to be yelled at nor coached up. Obviously, the Lord thought you and I need a little push today. I heard the word, “audacious, ” which means, a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; daring, fearless; unafraid; unflinching; brave and courageous. I questioned, “Lord, where are You taking me and what are You getting me into?”
This is the living water that He gave US to kick start the day!
Let nothing stand in your way. Whatever life sends your way today be…
Audacious
Bodacious
Conscious
Delicious
Ferocious
Gracious
Judicious
Luscious
Officious
Precious
Sagacious
Tenacious
Vivacious
Voracious
I enCOURAGE you to be full of it! (Words that end with -cious mean to be full or have) Be full of the Lord and His word. Know who you are in Him. Stand up straight. Throw your shoulders back. Walk it out and love well. Take today by the horns and ride it out. You have got this.
COVER TENNESSEE PRAYERS (Josephine is here in Spirit but not in photo.)
by Tammy Phillips August 18, 2021
A warrior filled with wisdom (endowed with reasoning and using it) ascends into the high (proud, tyrannical) places and releases BREAKTHROUGH, bringing down the strongholds of the mighty (or demolishing their strength of confidence). (Proverbs 21:22 TPT)
When is the last time you prayed for the world, our nation, our leaders, your state, city, community, or your family? I hope it was today. One year ago, today, Holy Spirit led me to create a group to COVER TENNESSEE in PRAYER. The Lord brought a group of Tennessee women from across the state to pray weekly for our state, our world, our nation, our cities, our communities, our families, for each other and for you. If you read these encouragements, we have prayed for you. He gave us Proverbs 21:22 as our foundational scripture. Hallelujah and glory to God. We celebrate our one-year anniversary today.
We will continue to pray for our world that is rumbling, our sisters and brothers in Afghanistan, our nation that is quaking, all our leaders who are standing for Christ and for those who do not, our states, cities, communities, churches, families, children and for you! WE WOULD LOVE TO PRAY FOR YOU, today and always! Email, text, direct message, or comment on Facebook or Instagram.
We believe the Lord when He says: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)
We believe that we are warriors filled with wisdom, endowed with reasoning, and using it. We ascend into the high places of the proud and the tyrants. Through prayer and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we release BREAKTHROUGH, bringing down the strongholds of the mighty and demolishing the strength of their confidence. We boldly declare our confidence is in God alone. According to the word of God, we can do all things through Him and absolutely nothing without. AND… NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM!
I enCOURAGE you to join us and be brave warriors in the kingdom of God boldly asking and believing God for the seemingly impossible. We are praying for BREAKTHROUGH. He has proved Himself over and over to us. He is God of His word. He is faithful and true. JoAnne, one of my Cover Tennessee sisters just texted Psalm 44:4, as I was finishing up this encouragement. Thank you, God for a perfect ending! You are God of the BREAKTHROUGH!
You are my King, O God; command, set up, and appoint victories, deliverance, salvation, and BREAKTHROUGH (Psalm 44:4 expounded)
“But thanks be to God, ho gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 AMPC)
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1-2 KJV)
When Danny Cardwell, one of our good friends, was amazed, He used to always say, “GLORY DAY!” We would smile and laugh. Now, I boldly declare, “Glory Day!” I have dubbed August 17th as my “Glory Day.”
Five years ago on this day, Kris and I were blessed to be vacationing at Atlantic Beach, North Carolina at Scott Wells adorable condo. I love chasing the sunrise at the beach. Where we were staying, the beach ran east to west. I could not see the sunrise in the east over the ocean. However, if walked about a mile and half from Tar Landing Villas to the point at Fort Macon State Park, I could face east and catch daybreak. On August 17, 2016, I was determined to catch the sunrise. I checked the time for its appearance and made my plans to pursue. Now watch what God did…
Here is an excerpt from my journal:
August 17, 2016: I know my theme this week is hear and listen. I keep finding ear shells on the beach.
I left the house at 5:45 AM. The sky was so beautiful by 6AM. I was determined to walk to the point at Fort Macon to see the sunrise over the ocean. Not a soul was on the beach and suddenly one man appeared and passed me. I eventually caught up and passed him because his back was obstructing the clear view in all my pictures. As I began to photograph where the sun was breaking the horizon, a cross shape formed. As the sun began its journey to take its place in the clear, blue sky, the cross shape became crisper. It was so beautiful. I could not take a picture of the sun where the cross was not present.
I sat not only at the feet of Jesus, but at the foot of the cross. A group of rocks jutted out into the sea; I took my place on one of them to see the LORD’s performance. I believe God orchestrated it, just for me. I turned on Oceans by Hillsong. I wept. Over and over, I sang the song, loudly, as my prayer, and I took in the masterpiece that God had painted for me on this special day. AND I meant every word. On the way back to the condo, I found three of the most perfect little shells. Special, Special time!
This was my prayer:
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong
You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And there I find You in the mystery In oceans deep My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name And keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters Your sovereign hand Will be my guide Where feet may fail, and fear surrounds me You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now
So, I will call upon Your name And keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior
Oh, Jesus, you’re my God!
I will call upon Your name Keep my eyes above the waves My soul will rest in Your embrace I am Yours and You are mine
This was a defining moment in my life that my pictures captured. I had a divine appointment with my heavenly Father on August 17th. I experienced His Glory and His Presence.
This is where you need to buckle your seat belt…
On August 10, 2016, I wrote this in my journal:Holy Spirit Break*: You are going to experience something /revelation at the beach and your life will never be the same. There will be no turning back.
(*Holy Spirit Breaks happen in the middle of my studies. The Holy Spirit interjects and tells me something. I treat it like a commercial break on TV. However, when Holy Spirit intersects the flow of study, I know it is important and that I better pay attention. I did not remember writing this until I went back to my journal to read about my time at the beach to write this story.)
My life will never be the same. It was a turning point, a day of surrender and a day of commitment. It was a day when God showed me how very much He loved me. It was a day when I basked in the radiant glory of God which does not even compare to the glorious sunrise.
On the same day, Kris went for a run to the point and found a heart shaped shell on the beach. He tucked it in his pocket and had a pendant made for me for Christmas. I love hearts and it reminded me of my precious time with the Lord. I loved it! It was my Glory gift from Kris and the Lord.
I know Kris found the shell on the very same day I walked to the point. It was his last run during vacation because he got a huge blister on his foot and couldn’t run anymore that week. He knew that he picked it up the last day he ran. He picked up that one, tiny, perfect shell of all the shells on the beach. Normally, he would immediately give me the shell, but he tucked it in his pocket, brought it home, and had a pendant made for me for Christmas.
The Holy Spirit led me back to my journal and this is the Holy Spirit woven together story that unfolded. Remember my earlier journal excerpt from August 17? Look at the picture I drew on that day. It is to the right of my shell pendant. IT IS MY SHELL PENDANT. I drew it four months before I received my gift. Only the Holy Spirit could do such a thing.
The Holy Spirit led Kris to pick up my shell on the same exact day that I had my experience with Heavenly Father. It was a gift of love from Kris because he knew I loved hearts, but more than that, it was a gift of love from my Daddy! What a plan! Once again, God showed me how much He loved ME! He cared enough to deliver this priceless treasure to me.
Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders? – Exodus 15:11
This is my Glory Story! This is why I celebrate August 17th as my Glory Day. God’s presence overwhelms me. Jesus is the most precious gift God could give me, then Kris and the boys follow, and of course, family and friends. However, on August 17, after my experience at the Point with my God, I had looked for the one perfect shell on my return to the condo. I found three little shells. However, God delivered me the perfect shell a few months later on Christmas Day. It is a constant reminder of His Love, His Glory, and His Presence with me, always. I COULD NOT have possibly made it through the last five years, much less the last ten, without my Jesus. He has gone before me and with me every step of the way. Thank you, LORD!!!!
The Lord wants to give and spend these kinds of days with you. He loves you so much. He wants to be in your presence and you in His. When you enter His presence, He does not hold back. He gives you all of Himself when you seek Him. It is a secret experience that is so hard to explain in mere words. As much as I try, I cannot adequately define nor describe God’s awesome enormity and His amazing love with words.
I enCOURAGE you to seek the Lord every day. Seek His presence. He is not like a child who coyishly turns away your advances; He welcomes you in with open and enveloping arms. He is deeply in love with you and wants to have many unexplainable, incomprehensible, extraordinary days, glory days, with you. Honestly, every day with Jesus should be a glory day! Jesus says:
“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:22-24 NKJV)
This is another picture from August 17, 2016. I felt like the rays were God just reaching down and bathing me in His presence. One time, when Brayden was a very small boy, after observing the sun rays touching the mountain tops of east Tennessee, he said, “Mommy, that is how God slides down to earth.”
The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters: the God of glory thunders: the LORD [is] upon many waters. – Psalm 29:3
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. – Habakkuk 2:14 KJV
Beautiful gate in Charleston. What secret place lies hidden behind it?
by Tammy Phillips August 16, 2021
The secret [of the sweet, intimate, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. (Psalm 25:14)
What a silly question. We all want to know secrets. Secrets are knowledge. Secrets are power.
We only tell our secrets to our closest friends and confidants. We do not blurt out our secrets to just anyone and from this scripture, apparently neither does the Lord.
The intimate knowledge of the Lord is for those who fear, revere and are amazed by Him. He is the Door. He is the Way. He is the Truth and the Light. If we do not believe those things about Him, then why would He show us His covenant? Why would He share His words with us? Why would He go deep with us? We only go deep with our very closest, trusted friends.
I once had a good friend tell me that our friendship could not grow any further because I would not go deep with her and trust her with my inner secrets. The Lord wants our relationship to grow, and He always wants to take us to the next level in faith. However, we must show Him the respect that He is due and trust Him with our most intimate thoughts. He then will show us, or “know” us all about Himself. He will open up His heart and His word to us and let us see Who He really is.
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. (NLT) The LORD confides in those who fear him. (NIV) The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear him. (CSB) The LORD’s loyal followers receive his guidance. (NET)
If we do not first accept His love for us as Savior and Lord, then how can we trust any of His other words. How can he trust us? The blessing of God as OUR FRIEND is ours in Christ alone.
The secret of the Lord is redemption, restoration, renewal, and transformation. As His child and friend, He counsels us. He leads, guides, instructs, purifies, and sanctifies us. He heals, protects, provides, and delivers us. He gives us life here, now and after. He gives us joy and hope. His mercy and grace are new toward us every morning. For those of who are amazed by Him, the greatest thing He does is love us, unconditionally.
If we do not know Him and His word intimately, we cannot know Him as our friend, nor know His secrets.
I enCOURAGE you to fear the Lord. Respect Him if you want to be His friend. He wants you to know His most intimate secrets, His life saving, life directing, life changing mysteries, but He must trust you. He is an AMAZING friend. I could not have done this crazy life without Him. He will not let you down. You can trust Him with your most intimate confidences.
A beautiful secret garden was hidden. What lies behind the next gate? There is always more to be found. Keep looking.
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. (Psalm 112:1 NKJV)
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD. Blessed is the man who reveres the LORD. Blessed is the man who respects the LORD. Blessed is the man who is awe of the LORD. Blessed is the man who is astonished by the LORD. Blessed is the man who is amazed by the LORD.
The LORD did amazing things in the Old Testament. First, He created everything! He told Noah to build an ark in preparation for the flood, when man had never even seen rain. He healed the bitter waters of Marah. He provided manna from heaven every day for Israel while they were in the wilderness. He made water come from a rock, more than once. He parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River. He made the walls of Jericho fall. The sun and the moon stood still at His direction. He saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace and Daniel from the lion’s den. He led David to kill a giant with a sling shot. He gave Abraham and Sarah a baby in old age. He raised the widow’s son at Zarephath. He restored Job’s losses. And there is so much more.
When Jesus came on the scene and actually walked the earth, His followers lived in amazement and were so blessed by Him.
All who heard Him were astonished … at His understanding and answers at the age of 12 in the Temple.
His parents were amazed by Him… Because they lost him for three days and found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:47-48)
Simon Peter and all who were with him were astonished…. They had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told them to try again. They caught so many fish that their nets were breaking. (Luke 5:9)
They were all amazed… A paralyzed man was lowered through the ceiling to Jesus. Jesus forgave his sins, told him to arise, take up his bed and go to his house. They said, “We have seen strange things today.” (Luke 5:18-26)
They were astonished beyond measure… “He has done ALL things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” (Mark 7:37)
They were greatly amazed…beyond measure, and marveled… He walked on water and when He went up into the boat to them, the wind ceased. (Mark 6:51)
All the multitudes were amazed… and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” Because one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute. He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. (Matthew 12:23 and 22)
They were all amazed… …and glorified God because… Jesus said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately, the paralyzed man arose, took up his bed, and went. They said, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:11-12)
All the people that looked at him were greatly amazed. (Mark 9:15 KJV)
They were all amazed… at the mighty power of God. Everyone wondered at all things which Jesus did. (Luke 9:43)
Jesus did so many other amazing miracles. The greatest miracle ever is that He loved us so much that He allowed Himself to be arrested for crimes that He did not commit. He didn’t speak a word in His own defense. He was persecuted, mocked, hung on a cross for the payment of all our sins, died and rose again on the third day, so that we could live eternally with Him. AMAZING!
I enCOURAGE you to get to know the LORD, all that He is, all that He was and all that He will be. I am living amazed every day in Him. He is the Lord of Old Testament and New Testament miracles. He is the Lord of miracles, today. Every time a child is born with ten perfect toes, I live amazed. Every time the sun rises and sets, I live amazed. Every time I see the ocean, I live amazed. Every time I see my grown son’s toes, I am just as amazed as when I saw them for the very first time. Our God is an AMAZING GOD. I do not use the adjective amazing in reference to anything else, but Him and His works. Because the Lord tells us so many times in His word to fear Him, and nothing else, I know he wants us to be LIVING AMAZED and blessed in Him.
“Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”(Exodus 4:12 NKJV)
What has the Lord asked you to do? In Exodus 3 and 4, The LORD chose to speak with Moses through a burning bush and picked Moses to be His spokesperson for Israel. Take a look at this clip from the Bible.
The LORD: Come now. I will send you to Pharaoh to set my people free.
Moses: BUT GOD, who am I?
The LORD: I will be with you.
Moses: BUT GOD, what is your name? Who will I say sent me?
The LORD: I AM WHO I AM. Say, ‘I AM has sent me.” This is My name forever’
The Lord tells Moses exactly what to do and exactly what will happen.
Moses: BUT God, they will not believe nor listen to my voice.
Then the LORD showed Moses the power and Who was behind him. The LORD told Moses to throw His rod to the ground and it became a serpent. Moses ran. The LORD told him to pick up the snake by the tail and it turned back into his rod. Then the LORD told Moses to put his hand in his shirt and when he took it out, it looked leprous. The LORD told Mo to put it back in his shirt and it came out restored. Then, He even gave Moses another plan to prove to the children of Israel that He was God’s leader if they still did not believe Him. The LORD more than proved Himself to Moses. Moses still resisted.
Moses: BUT GOD, I am not eloquent, before nor since You have spoken to me. BUT GOD, I am slow of speech and tongue.
The LORD: Who made your mouth? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you to say.
MOSES: BUT GOD, Send someone else.
The LORD got angry and said He would let Aaron be the spokesman. “Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. 16 “So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.” (Exodus 4:10, 12, 15-16 NKJV)
Have you ever been led by the LORD to do something you did not feel capable of doing? Has the LORD ever told you to speak to someone and you did not think you had the words? You are not alone. Have you ever said, “But God…?”
When the LORD first asked me to write for Him, here are a few of my “BUT GOD’s…”
But God, it is too hard.
But God, they will not listen to me. Who am I?
But God, I write for therapy and enjoyment.
But God, do you know what I have done?
But God, I am disqualified by my past.
But God, who will read what I write?
But God, I do not have the words!
Like Moses, I tried to give the LORD every excuse in the world not to write for Him. And you know what He said to me? “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”(Exodus 4:12 NKJV) So, I went. I took on my writing assignment with this candid reply to my Lord whom I love, “Lord, I will do this, BUT, if you do not give me something to say each day, it will not be said.” It has been almost two years. It has not been easy. It usually takes a couple of hours to write each post, some days more and some days less. One day, I did not hear from the Lord what to say until, 10:30 PM.
I trust the Lord and ask what He wants to express. I want my words to be only His. I trust that He will “teach” me exactly what to articulate. I love the Hebrew meaning of this word, teach. It means to flow like water; to throw, shoot through, cast, pour, rain, point out, direct, and instruct. Each time I write, I wait on the flow, the throw, and the instruction from the Holy Spirit.
I enCOURAGE you to let the Lord use your mouth and trust that He will teach you what to say. There is nothing like “being in the flow” of what the LORD has asked you to do. Trust His still small voice that leads you. Do not be afraid. Boldly accept whatever assignment the Lord leads you to because He will lead you through.
PS…To be honest, I know there are other assignments where I drug my feet and I am sure that the Lord had to send an Aaron. I try to listen to His lead. However, I told the Lord that “I had rather be wrong than disobedient.” So, I go. I enCOURAGE you to boldly and fearlessly, step into His flow. He will give you the words.
“And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It [is] hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord [said] to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:5-6 NKJV)
Theses verses have been rattling around in my spirit for a while. So many times, we think that we are doing the right thing and going down the right path. Paul who was formerly Saul of Tarsus thought that He was boldly doing the work of God by searching out Christ followers and murdering them for their beliefs. When he had a “suddenly” encounter with Jesus and was blinded by His glorious light, Saul asked two questions: “Who are you, Lord? and Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Suddenly, Paul was brought to surrender in the presence of Jesus. He wanted to know who and what? Many want Jesus to be their Savior and keep on living their life the way that they want to. Few ask, “Who are your, Lord?” If we are in relationship with Jesus, we should be asking this question often. Isn’t this the unspoken question that we seek the answers for when we meet and marry our spouse. We want to know them. We want to know everything about them. We have so many questions: “Where did you come from? Who is your dad? Where did you go to school? “The questions are endless as we develop our relationship. The more I find out the more I realize that I do not know about our Savior. However, it is a question that I am always asking, “Who are you, Lord?” Can you answer this question? You might think that you know Jesus as Savior, but do you know Him as Lord? Does He know you? If you cannot answer the question, “who are your, Lord?” Upon Jesus’ return to earth, will He be able to say, “well done good and faithful servant” or will He say, “Depart from me, I never knew you. You never took the time to ask, ‘Who are you, Lord?’”
Have you asked, “Who are you, Lord?” and discovered a few layers of just a few who He is:
King of Kings
Wonderful Counselor Almighty
All Powerful
Giver of eternal life
Healer of the brokenhearted
Prince of Peace
Chief of Completeness
Son of the Most High
Friend of Tammy the Lowe
Master of Everything
Author of Life
Keep asking. This Jesus, this Savior, this King, wants to know YOU and me. He wants us to know Him and seek Him with all our heart. When we come to know Him, we realize that He has ALL THE ANSWERS. We should forever, be asking, “Who are you, Lord?” Like Paul, after we have encountered the Light of His Glory, our very next question should be, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” As the Author and Finisher of our faith, He knows the plans and purposes that He has for our life. I love the answer that He gave Paul. “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” He told Paul to get up and go. Keep going in the same directions that he was going. When he was obedient to get up and go, THEN he would be told what to do.
We want the whole plan laid out in front of us, every step, and every turn. Life is not like that. On our journey, the Lord goes ahead of us. He prepares the way. He prepares us for the obstacles and then shows us how to maneuver around them. We want “now” answers. As my best friend says over and over because she KNOWS the Lord. She has asked the questions,” Lord, who are you and what do you want me to do?” And He answered her by saying, “I am seldom in a hurry, but never late.” She has learned that His timing and her timing do not always align, but that He is always on time.
Have you ever asked the Lord the questions Paul asked ?
I enCOURAGE you to ask the Lord who He is and what He wants you to do? And, then…wait patiently for Him to reveal Himself to you as you seek Him out and He directs you in the way that you should go. He loves you. He wants to know you and be known by you.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” (John 14:1 CSB)
Do you think for one minute that my great nephew is concerned about the gray skies, the possible storm that might be brewing, the bird flying by or the sharks in the nearby ocean? He is snuggled in his daddy’s protective, loving arms and nothing is bothering him. Like my precious great nephew, picture yourself in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father and…
Do not let your heart be troubled. Do not let your heart be agitated. Do not let your heart be disturbed. Do not let your heart be disquieted. Do not let your heart be made restless. Do not let your heart be stirred up. Do not let your heart be caused inward commotion. Do not let your heart be moved to and fro. Do not let your heart be afraid. Do not let your heart be distressed. Do not let your heart be anxious. Do not let you heart be perplexed.
Believe in God. Have faith in God. Trust in God. Be confident in God. Rely on God. Commit to God. Think God to be true. Believe also in Me. -Jesus
I enCOURAGE you to believe in God. Believe in Jesus. Everything the Lord ever said is true and can be trusted. So…DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED! Believe or don’t believe it’s your choice. Be troubled or do not be troubled. It is your choice. Who and which way do you choose today?
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27 CSB)
Complete in Him 