Complete in Him

by Tammy Phillips
August 11, 2021

“And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name, we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” (2 Chronicles 14:11 NKJV)

Asa boldly prayed this prayer as he went out to battle with 580, 000 mighty men of valor yielding shields and bows, against an Ethiopian army of 1,000,000 who had horses and chariots. The odds were not in his favor, but his God was.  He courageously gave us a powerful prayer to echo in our own lives.  Let’s take a part his prayer

1. Asa cried out to the Lord.   He knew he could not win this battle alone.  He needed the Lords help, so he asked for it.
   
   
2. He cried to His God. He accepted that the LORD was God. If we do not believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, then why waste our time calling on Him.
3. He made a declaration. “LORD, it is nothing for you to help!”   In those words, He was declaring his faith in the Lord.  We might say it like this, “You are God Almighty.  There is no one like you and nothing that you cannot do.  This is nothing for You, Lord.” 
   
   
4. Whether many or no power, mighty or powerless…It is all God. It is He that goes before. It doesn’t matter whether we are strong or weak.  “For the LORD your God [is] He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” (Deuteronomy 20:4 NKJV)
   
   
5. Simple prayer. “Help us, O LORD our God.” If all we can pray is help us, it is more than enough to activate our loving heavenly Father to go to work on our behalf.  It is uncomplicated trust in the Lord
   
   
6. His confidence in the Lord proclaimed. “We rest on You.”  Our task is to ask and then we wait.  The Lord is our support in the matter.  We lean on Him.  We trust in Him.  We wait on Him.
   
   
7. “In Your name we go against this multitude.” It is in His name we go.  If He does not lead us, we do not go.   If He goes, we follow by the power and authority of His name. He has many names we can trust in…

El Shaddai, ALMIGHTY GOD, stronger than anyone or anything who comes against us.

Jehovah Nissi, the LORD our BANNER who goes before us to wage war.

Jehovah Jireh, Our God, and our Provider.

Jesus, the King of Kings and Savior in everything.

It does not matter how small or large our enemy, God is on our side. “So, we may boldly say: “The LORD [is] my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”(Hebrews 13:6 NKJV) And “If GOD is for us who can be against us.” (Romans 8:31)

8. “O LORD, You are our God.” He declared again his faith in the One, True God.
9. “Do not let man prevail against You!” Asa threw it all to the Lord in this one statement. He laid the responsibility of the victory into the Lords lap.  Talk about bold and courageous.  It is like Asa said, “I am not doing this.  It is you and your battle alone, Lord.  Win, lose, or draw it is yours.  I am standing on Your word!  Victory is only through You, God. Don’t let men shut You in or shut You up!”

What are you warring against?  Can you pray the bold prayer of Asa, no matter what you are up against?

I enCOURAGE you to resound the prayer of Asa in your battle. Whatever you are facing, cry to the Lord, “It is nothing for You to help, I don’t care how big or small.  Help us, O LORD God!  I lean on You, and in Your name, I go against this enemy. O LORD, You are my God; do not let man nor enemy prevail against You!”

“Thanks be to GOD who gives us the victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” -1 Cor.15:57

by Tammy Phillips
August 10, 2021

“Finally, all [of you be] of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, [be] tenderhearted, [be] courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV)

Thankfully, I am not the same person I used to be.  I was not compassionate, loving, tenderhearted nor courteous. I was impatient and super selfish.  Thankfully, the Lord has changed me and taught me to be better. 

Kris and I were in Charleston last week.  We dined at Halls Chophouse and later had dessert at Peninsula Grille, two of our favorite places.   We had excellent servers.  They spoke to us of how very difficult the last year had been.  They each had been in food service all of their lives, but they told us of how mean people had become and that they had never been stiffed on tips as often as they had been in the past year.  They said there wasn’t much gray area anymore and that people were nice or mean.   Thanks be to God!  We had ears of compassion that night. 

 I confess that there have been times in the past where I had not been like Jesus.  I just kept hearing be compassionate over and over on this trip.  I needed the reminder, so I am passing it along.  We have no clue what others around us are enduring. 

The Bible shows us that the Lord had compassion, was full of compassion and was moved to compassion.  Peter tells us that we are to have one mind, the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) We need to have the mind of Christ at all times and in all situations.  Being one minded, we are to:

• Have compassion for one another. We are to sympathize with each other. We are to bear each other’s burdens, suffer, feel, and experiences each other’s pain.   We do not know what the other person is going through.
  
  
• We are to love each other like brothers and sisters. After all, we do have the same heavenly Father.  We are to love like Jesus loved and loves us.
  
  
• We are to be tenderhearted. We are not to be hard hearted. We are to be moved to compassion and merciful like Jesus.
• We are to be courteous, friendly, and kind like Jesus.
  
  
• We are not to return evil for evil not insult for insult. We are to be a blessing.  That is hard.  When people have treated us horribly, it is hard to crucify the flesh, take the high road and be a blessing, BUT that is what we are called to.  It is what Christ did and its what we are to do to be like Jesus. 

I enCOURAGE you to remember to be full of compassion and to be moved to compassion.  Pass it on.  Have the mind of Christ.  You never know how your compassion will turn someone’s day or life around.

by Tammy Phillips
August 9, 2021

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of [those] whose heart [is] loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV)

My husband and I, along with our grown children, were at our nephew’s wedding.  The wedding celebration was a party of 150 to 200 people. We mixed and mingled and then we would look for each other and come back together.  We are better together.  The LORD does the same thing with us.  He searches out because He knows that we are better together.  His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth searching for us…

The LORD’S eyes run to and fro.
The LORD goes.
The LORD roves.
The LORD rows and lashes with sea oars.
The LORD pushes forth throughout the whole earth.

WHY?

To show Himself strong
To show Himself courageous
To show Himself resolute
To show Himself constant
To show Himself as the Restorer and Repairer
To show Himself as the One to hold on to.
To show Himself as the One who we are bound to.

He is looking for us to be our strong escort though life because He loves us, and our hearts are restored and recompensed in Him. They are perfected, whole, healed and complete in Him.  He knows we are better together.

I enCOURAGE you to be found by Jesus.  Trust in Him.  Know that you are better together with Him. He is aggressively pushing through the whole earth to show Himself strong to His beloved.  The Lord is preparing a wedding celebration like no other.  I promise you that you do not want to miss it.   You are invited.  THE LORD IS LOOKING FOR YOU FOR HIS PARTY and waiting to be your strong escort.   As much as I love my husband and he loves me, we know Jesus loves us more.  As much as we enjoyed this weekend, we cannot wait for the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
August 8, 2021

“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.” (Matthew 8:24 NKJV)

Lately, I have heard this word rise in my Spirit…suddenly.  The Websters 1821 dictionary defines suddenly as:  in an unexpected manner.  Another definition of suddenly is opening of the eyes, a moment.  Think how fast we can blink and open our eyes.  God can and will act that fast on our behalf.

I was sitting on the beach the other day and thought this would be such a cool example of God’s suddenly.  It is just like God to do things in an unexpected manner…in an instant…in the twinkling of eye.   He is God. 

Watch what happens from 11:28 AM  until 1:39 PM.  It started as a beautiful sunshiny day. 

Storms will come and storms will go just as fast as they come.  This was one crazy day when the LORD showed me how fast suddenly really is.  He enlightened me on how fast He can do anything.  When He speaks to the storms of life, the great calm will come suddenly. 

“But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:26 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to trust in God’s suddenly for your life.  There was a woman who had a blood problem for twelve years.  She was waiting on her suddenly.  It showed up in the hem of the garment of Jesus.  We never know how He is going to do what we  are  asking.  We just have to seek Him for our suddenly and let Him work it out. 

“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. And the woman was made well from that hour.” (Matthew 9:20,22 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
August 7, 2021

“Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (The LORD of hosts [is] His name):” (Jeremiah 31:35 NKJV)

We came to Kiawah Island to celebrate the wedding of my nephew, Josh Rye to his college love. Kaylee Taff.  We came a few days early to continue celebrating our 28^th anniversary and to grab a little beach time.  Sadly, the forecast for much of the week was rain.  I told my mother it did not matter that I would be sitting on the beach in the rain, if that was the case. 

The first day was very overcast.  Needless to say, I packed up the necessities, water, chair, and a good book at off to the shore I went.  To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with what the sky was displaying, but so elated to be in my happy place.  Then I heard the LORD speak to me so simply, “Gray days are ray days.”  The sun still shines and lights the sky.  The warmth of its kiss and the touch of its rays can still be felt. We cannot see the sun, but it is still hanging and shining high in the sky.  It does not bow nor concede its place to the gray.  The sun only allows the silver sky to obscure its glory for short few minutes in time.   Then “suddenly,” powerfully and ever strongly, a hole opens in the sky and the rays of the sun declare its glory. 

Isn’t that just like the LORD?  We cannot see the LORD, but He is always in our life, lighting our days. His presence can always be felt. Gray days may come, and obstacles may block our view of seeing clearly.   However, stormy, gray days of life are still touched by His rays.  Wait just a little while and the “suddenlies” will come breaking through the gray, declaring His glory, and lighting the way. While we are waiting, we should bask in the richness of the silvery, gray heavens.  All the while, knowing that the golden sky that is hidden behind is worth the wait and just a breakthrough away.   Enjoy the gray days because…

• Gray days are ray days. 
  We should realize His presence is still touching our lives. 
• Gray days are pray days.
  We should expectantly pray for the gold that is just one breakthrough away.
• Grays days are say days.
  We should declare His word and trust in His promises over our lives.
• Gray days are lay days.
  We should be content no matter where we are and layout in surrender before Him
• Grays days are pay days.
  When we question why we have to endure the gray, we are missing out on the richness of the silver days.
• Grays days are vacay days.
  We should resort to the LORD on these days and delight in His presence.
• Gray days are way days.
  We should understand that through the gray the LORD will show us the way. 

Gray days are my kind of days.   Really, gray days are days like any other.

I enCOURAGE you to embrace your gray days.  Every day really is a great day when we walk it out with our Savior.  The gentle whisper of the Lord changed my whole attitude about gray days. It gently rained most of the first day.  There were little break throughs where I could barely see the white ball of the fiery sun through shadowy sky.  When I arrived back to our villa, I could visibly see where the sun had left its mark on my skin.  It had been active and working.  I just couldn’t really see it.  Remember, gray days are still ray days where the Lord, our Dayspring, is still working, even though we might not see Him.

by Tammy Phillips
August 6, 2021

The word “blessed” has gained new meaning to me.  The word of God is so rich.  Often, we think we know what a word means but, when we discover what it truly and fully means, it is a light bulb moment.  Blessed is the Hebrew word: ‘ešer: happy.  It is derived from: ‘āšar, meaning:

• To be prosperous
• To be straight
• To be upright
• To be erect
• To be right
• To be level
• To be happy
• To go forward
• To be on the right way 

Additionally, the implied meaning could mean aligned, centered and plumb.  Everywhere the word “blessed” is used in the scripture below, one can replace it with any of the words listed above.  I love it.  Being out of line can wreak havoc on any given situation. Walking in the blessing is straight up happiness.

Blessed is the man…

…Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
…Nor stands in the path of sinners,
…Nor sits in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 1:1 NKJV)

Behold, happy is the man…

…whom God corrects. 
Therefore, do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. (Job 5:17 NKJV)

Blessed is he…

…Whose transgression is forgiven,
…Whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1)

Blessed is the man…

…to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
…and in whose spirit, there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:2 NKJV)

Blessed is the nation…

…Whose God [is] the LORD. (Psalm 33:12 NKJV)Blessed is the man…
…who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8 NKJV)

Blessed is the man…

…Whose strength is in You,
…Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5)

Blessed is the man…

…Who trusts in You! (Psalm 84:12 NKJV)

Blessed are those…

…Who keep justice and
…Who does righteousness at all times! (Psalm 106:3 NKJV)

Blessed is the man…

…Who fears the LORD,
…Who delights greatly in His commandments. (Psalm 112:1 NKJV)

Blessed are those…

…Who keep His testimonies,
…Who seek Him with the whole heart! (Psalm 119:2 NKJV) 

Blessed is everyone…

…Who fears the LORD,
…Who walks in His ways. (Psalm 128:1 NKJV)

Happy is the man…

…Who finds wisdom
…Who gains understanding. (Proverbs 3:13 NKJV)

Blessed are those…

…Who keep My ways. (Proverbs 8:32)

Blessed is the man…

…Who listens to me,
…Watching daily at my gates,
…Waiting at the posts of my doors. (Proverbs 8:34 NKJV)

Happy is the man…

…Who is always reverent,  But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (Proverbs 28:14 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to count your blessings.  Walk in your blessings.  Be thankful. Be grateful. I enCOURAGE you to be obedient to the word of God and BE BLESSED. 

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace.” ‘ (Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV)

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
August 5, 2021

“And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.” (2 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV)

Asa was King of Judah for 41 years. He did good and right in the eyes of the LORD.  He commanded Judah to seek the LORD and observe the law and commandments. When his enemy came knocking, he cried for help to the Lord.  The Lord struck and defeated Judah’s enemy. Obed then prophesied: “The LORD [is] with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. You, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” Asa took courage and removed idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin.  He also restored the altar of the LORD. All Judah made a joyful covenant with the Lord.  They swore with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul. The Lord was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around. No wars.

But then…Asa did his own thing.  He relied on his own wisdom when Israel began to rise against Judah.  He went to seek help and made peace with King of Syria instead of going to the Lord and asking for help.  The Lord sent Hanani to tell Asa:   “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of [those] whose heart [is] loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”(2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV).  Asa got angry with this message and started oppressing some of his people. He then got a really bad foot disease.  Again, relying on His wisdom, He only sought help from the physicians and not the Lord.  Two years later, he was dead.

Asa spent most of his life seeking the Lord, but in the end, he failed to seek Him in his sickness, and it ultimately led to his death.

What is the first thing we do when we get really ill?  Is it seek the LORD?  People get all “heebie-jeebies” about healing. Most run to the doctor before they turn to the Lord.  Asa was bad off, yet he did not seek the Lord. He only put trust in other physicians, not THE Great Physician.

Our God is Jehovah Rapha, the LORD who heals.  (Exodus 15:26)
The LORD who mends by stitching.
The LORD who sews up our wounds.
The LORD who cures.
The LORD who repairs.
The LORD who restores to pristine felicity.
The LORD who thoroughly, makes whole.

If we trust that God is the Creator who perfectly made all of us, shouldn’t we also trust that He can heals us?  Would you ever wish any sickness son your child to teach them a lesson?  Then why in this world do you think our all-loving Father would do that? And, if we have the odd thought that it is God will for us to ever be sick, then why would we pray to get better? Why go to the doctor?  God does not make people sick; He heals people.  Our bodies were made to heal.  Our skin repairs itself when cut.  When we break a bone, it grows back together.   When we bruise our body, it fades with time.

Who do we put our trust in when sickness and disease come knocking?  Do we rely on our own wisdom and turn first to our personal doctors or do we turn to the Lord, first?  The Lord has a purpose for doctors.  He uses them to aid Him in the healing process.  However, they are not God.  They are simply physicians, not the GREAT PHYSICIAN.   

I enCOURAGE you to resort to the LORD.  Call Him first.  He has all the answers to your health questions, then, if need be, reach out to your doctor. He will lead and guide you and your doctors. Asa made the mistake of forgetting about the Lord and putting all his trust in his physicians.  Big mistake.  In fact, it was fatal.   Do not make the same fatal mistake.  The LORD wants you whole, healed, and complete…body, mind, and soul.  Turn to Him first!  Jesus paid for our healing with his blood and death.  Take it, it is yours as a child of the King!

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
August 4, 2021

“You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob.  Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.” (Psalm 44:4-5 NKJV)

I don’t know who your Daddy is, but this is who my Daddy is…

 You are my King, O God! 

Command victories for us.

• Charge salvation
• Give orders to help
• Commission deliverance
• Constitute health
• Appoint defense
• Set up safety and rescue

THROUGH KING JESUS we will…

• Push down our enemies
• Thrust at our adversaries
• Gore our distresses
• Pierce what presses us
• Head butt our troubles
• Wage war with our afflictions

THROUGH HIS NAME we will…

• Tread them under
• Trample them down
• Walk by faith
• Reject them
• Kick them out

…that rise up against us.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

I enCOURAGE you to tuck this verse away in your arsenal.  When the enemy comes knocking, take your authority as a child of the King, Chief of Completeness and Prince of Peace.  Know through Him it is finished! Your enemies are defeated.  Don’t run from your enemy, what scares you, nor what  you are afraid of.  Face it head on.  Head butt your enemy!

by Tammy Phillips
August 3, 2021

Believe it or not, I have multiple women in my life who have defeated cancer, survived divorce, watched their husbands remarry, suffered through singleness, persevered past additional unhealthy relationships, and endured multiple trials with their children that are still standing and believing in the faithfulness of the Lord.  One of those friends was a little sad and discouraged over the weekend.  With her permission, here is our real-life conversation…

HURTING:  I am exhausted.  I slap a fake smile on my face with hope in my heart, waiting for my suddenly and then more hurt.

ME:  I hear your pain.  Sorry…keep on!

HURTING:  I will.  Just feeling a little sorry for myself.  I know my God is bigger than all of it. Thanks for letting me whine.

ME:  Always, and YES, HE IS.  Tomorrow, when your feet hit the floor.  EXERCISE your faith.  Get a word from the Lord and anytime the sad comes…throw faith at it.  You win. ✌🏼Victory.

(Fast forward 8 ½ hours to 6:30 AM…)

HURTING:  My word is “push.”  Push through to the other side of this season.  Push through the hurt and pain.  Push through to the good that God has for me.  And push back against Satan’s attacks.

(I quickly searched “push” through my Blue Letter Bible app.  I really was not expecting to find “push” in the Bible, but I did.  It appears nine times. One scripture was right on!)

ME:  Perfect!  Bam.  Drop the mike!  Watch this. 

HURTING:   Watch what?

ME:    You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob (fill in your name)!  Through You I will PUSH down my enemies; Through Your name I will trample those who rise up against me. Psalms 44:4-5 NKJV

Sadness is your enemy!  You trample sadness through His name.
Loneliness is your enemy.  You trample loneliness in His name.
Discouragement is your enemy. You trample discouragement in His name.
This verse is exactly what you are doing! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽. Praise God!

HURTING turns to HEALING:  I’m trying so hard!! 

ME:  No, you are not trying, you are doing it!  Satan is a liar! He has tried to steal everything he can from you but no more! He cannot steal your joy! He cannot steal your peace. Not today!  You are going to push and praise through the pain for the victory!

(I didn’t think push would even be in the Bible. It only appears 9 times in the whole Bible, but it was!)

HEALING:  I used to run half marathons. The last three miles were the worst. My friends and I used to talk about pushing through to the end.  It was the hardest part but so glorious when we crossed the finish line. I hope that’s where I am.

Me,COACH PHILLIPS:  Hello? That is it! You know how you told me you put a fake smile on your face, hope in your heart, waiting on your suddenly…that is walking by faith. You have to throw the expectation of hurt in the trash, but you are walking into what you are waiting for, your destiny, when you get up and go and push through!  You are overcoming. No, it is not easy, and it is hard! But… you are not alone in the race! 

ME:  YOU WIN THE BATTLE IN THE MIND!

HEALING: (Sends me the picture above)

ME:  🤣🤣🤣. There you go!!!!  Marching in your truth!

I enCOURAGE you push back on sadness, loneliness, discouragement, and any obstacle that sets itself against you.  Be strong and courageous!  Jesus died for you to live life abundantly! Ask the Lord to command your victories.  Through Him and His word, PUSH down your enemies!   Through the Name of Jesus trample anything that might dare rise up against you.  Overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of YOUR testimony. (Revelation 12:11 KJV). Push it!

by Tammy Phillips
August 2, 2021

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation [is] from Him.” (Psalm 37:7, 62:5 NKJV)

Remind me of Your word.  (John 14:26)

Renew my strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

Restore my joy. (Psalm 51:12)

Refresh my soul. (Psalm 23:3)

Renovate my inside.  (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Rebuild my ruins. (Acts 15:16)

Redirect me. (Psalm 32:8)

Refine me. (Malachi 3:3)

Revive my spirit. (Isaiah 57:15)

Repair my brokenness. (Psalm 147:3)

Relight my fire. (Psalms 18:28)

Rewrite my story. (Romans 12:2)

I enCOURAGE YOU in the wait to pray.  The Lord is faithful and ready to perform His word in your wait.

” Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14 NKJV)