Complete in Him

by Tammy Philips
June 12, 2021

Since December 31, 2020, Holy Spirit has planted me in the book of Isaiah.  It took 78 days to go through the first time.  I asked the Lord to help me share what He taught me along that journey.  Little did I know that Holy Spirit would lead me on an 85-day journey back through Isaiah, a second time.   I have never meditated on one book of the Bible for so long.  If you look back over the encouragements for the last couple of months, we have walked through the book of Isaiah, chapter by chapter, with a few Holy Spirit led detours. 

I said, “I will” to the leading of the Spirit to journey through Isaiah and in return, the Lord repeatedly revealed Himself to me.  One theme that emerged along the way is the numerous times in Isaiah that the Lord said, “I will.”  Read on and be encouraged by His will’s. 

I will strengthen you.
I will help you.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

I will hold your right hand.  (Isaiah 41: 13 NKJV)

I will help you.  (Isaiah 41:14 NKJV)

I will open rivers in desolate heights and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water.
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree.  I will set in the desert the cypress tree, the pine and the box tree together (Isaiah 41:18-19 NKJV)

I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people.
I will give You as a light to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:6)

I will lay waste the mountains and hills.
I will make the rivers coastlands.
I will dry up the pools.
I will bring the blind by a way they did not know.
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them.
I will make crooked places straight.
I will do for this and I wil not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:15-16 NKJV)

I will be with you when you pass through the deep waters and through the rivers.  I will be with you when you walk through the fire. You will not be burned nor scorched.  I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west (Isaiah 43:2,5 NKJV)

I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)

I will blot out your transgressions for My own sake.
I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43: 25 NKJV)

I will pour water on him who is thirsty and floods on the dry ground.
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants and My blessing on your offspring. (Isaiah 44:3)

I will raise up her waste places; (Isaiah 44:26 NKJV)

I will go before you and make the crooked places straight.
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. (Isaiah 45:2)

I will direct all his ways. (Isaiah 45:13)

I will carry you even to gray hairs and old age.
I will bear you.
I will carry and will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4)

I will do all My pleasure. (Isaiah 46:10)

I will also bring to pass what I have spoken and have purposed.
I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:11 NKJV)

I will give Jesus as a light to the Gentiles to be My salvation to the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
I will make My mountains a road and My highways shall be elevated. (Isaiah 49:11)

I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49: 15)

I will contend with him who contends with you.
I will save your children. (Isaiah 49:25 NKJV)

I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. (Isaiah 51:4)

I will have mercy on you with everlasting kindness. (Isaiah 54:8)

I will make an everlasting covenant with you. (Isaiah 55:3)

I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 56:5)

I will heal him.
I will also lead him.
I will restore comforts to him. (Isaiah 57: 18)

I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth. (Isaiah 58:14)

I will glorify the house of My glory. (Isaiah 60:7)

I will make the place of My feet glorious. (Isaiah 60:13)

I will direct their work in truth
I will make with them an everlasting covenant. (Isaiah 61:8)

I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. (Isaiah 66:18)

I enCOURAGE you with the “will” of God.  If the LORD says “I will” in His word, you can take it to the bank that it is His will for your life.  If you are searching for the will of God, this is not an all-inclusive list, but it is a great start!   Hope you enjoy His “I WILLS” from Isaiah as much as I do. 

by Tammy Phillips
June 11, 2021

God has given us a spirit of power!  (2 Timothy 1:7)

pow·er·house:
a person or thing of great energy, strength, or power.
a source of influence or inspiration
one having great power: such as…
one having great drive, energy, or ability

The alarm went off at 5 AM.  My eyes did not want to open.  I did not even want to exert the energy to get out of bed.  I sure did not “feel” powerful, much less a powerhouse.  It is not about feeling.  It is all about what God says. Here is what the word of the LORD says:

Power belongs to God. (Psalm 62:11 NKJV). It is His and His to give away.  He made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm. There is NOTHING too hard for Him!  (Jeremiah 32:17 NKJV)

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.THIS IS THE SAME MIGHTY POWER THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. (Eph 1:19-20 NLT)

God’s power is for us, and it is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.  Nothing should be too hard for us either, in Him.  The Lord says:

“He gives power to the weak, and to [those who have] no might He increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29 NKJV) “Let the weak say, ‘I [am] strong.’ ” (Joe 3:10 NKJV)

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19 NKJV)

 “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Act 1:8 NKJV)

The Lord gives us His power! The Lord gives us authority over all the power of the enemy.  We have to receive it. It is a given to us.  Did you know that?  He gives it to us to live and love.  He gives us His power to go to work for Him trampling the enemy and to be witnesses for Him to the end of the earth.

Because…

The good news of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Rom 1:16 NKJV)

The message of the cross is the power of God to us who are being saved it (1Co 1:18 NKJV)

He is powerful to save in every circumstance.  He overcame death and the grave.  Remember, NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM, and all things are possible through Him.

Here is GREAT NEWS!

God has not given us a spirit of fear!
God has not given us a spirit of timidity.
God has not given us a spirit of cowardice.
God has not given us a spirit of “I CANNOT DO IT.”
GOD HAS GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF POWER!  
God has given us a spirit of strength.
God has given us a spirit of ability.
God has given us a spirit of capability.
God has given us a spirit of “I CAN DO IT ALL.”
God had given us a spirit of love!
God has given us a spirit of a sound mind.
God has given us a spirit of discipline.
God has given us a spirit of self-control.
God has given us a spirit that has restored us to our senses.
(2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)

If God’s word is true, and it is, I think you will agree we got the power!   Now what about the house.   Jesus said: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4 NKJV)

Paul said: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”(1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV)

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11 NKJV)

If we abide and dwell in Him and He abides and dwells in us, aren’t abode and dwelling synonymous with house?   Plain and simple, the word of God says:

“We are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.” (Hebrews 3:6 NLT).  And 2 Corinthians 6:7 says that God’s power is working in us.  I believe that we can conclude, as courageous, confident followers of Christ, WE ARE GOD’S POWERHOUSE.  We abide in Him, and He abides in us. His power resides within, working in and through us.  

I enCOURAGE you, POWERHOUSE, to live your life boldly, courageously, and fearlessly.  Know Who is powering you all the time.   It does not matter how you feel.  A power plant doesn’t feel like a power plant.  It just is.  When you feel weak, say: “I AM STRONG.”  It is not about you.  It is about the Spirit inside who empowers you to keep on keeping on.  Remember! 

In Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead (and power).  
He is the head of all principality and power.
YOU ARE COMPLETE IN HIM.
(Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV)

(Recently, my Mom sent this picture by 11Alive StormTracer, Kristine Wilcox to brighten my day)

by Tammy Phillips
June 10, 2021

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”  (1Thessalonians 5:11 CSB)

ENCOUR’AGE, verb transitive enkur’rage. To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit.

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:13 NKJV)

EXHORT‘, verb transitive egzhort’. [Latin exhortor; ex and hortor, to encourage, to embolden, to cheer, to advise. The primary sense seems to be to excite or to give strength, spirit, or courage.]

I write to enCOURAGE and exhort  you in the Lord.  They pretty much mean the same thing.   We need courage to face this world.  To be honest, I had heard so much bad, bad news that I had gotten a bit discouraged.   I felt like I had been hit with a machine gun of horrible reports from people I knew.  One of my best friends is going through something so horrific that if I told you, it would be hard for you to believe.  It is hard for me to wrap my mind around.  One sister lost her husband.  One sister’s son had been a victim of a hit and run while trying to help clear the road from a bad storm.  Another posted that her sister and brother-in-law had lost their life in a violent attack at the hands of their own son.  Another sister posted that her niece who is a young mother had been missing for two weeks. Praise God, she has now communicated with the family.  The list continues, but I do not want you to become discouraged. 

The Bible also tells us, “David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1Sa 30:6 KJV)

I attempted to encourage myself like David did by reminding myself exactly who God is and all the answered prayers of late.  It built me up and I was encouraged, but I am so thankful to God that He also used three other people to change my whole day.  None of them even knew I was down, not a clue.

Throughout the day these are the messages I received.

Around 9 AM…

At 1:35 PM I received this text from Pam Verma, my lifelong best friend…

I picked up barbeque from Grey Smoke food truck yesterday around noon.  The BBQ was hidden in a black bag until dinner.  When I opened the bag, I found the third encouragement of the day…

We NEVER know what people are going through!  We never know how ONE encouraging word can change the direction of someone’s day.  The word of God tells us in our focus verses to encourage one another and build up or exhort each other daily!

I enCOURAGE you to change somebody’s day.  Be an encourager.  Spread a little light.  It will go a long way.  My prayer for you:  

 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.”  (2Thessalonians 2:16-17 CSB)

Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

by Tammy Phillips
June 9, 2021

Some days we just need a reminder of who our Lord really is…

The Lord is mighty to save. (Isa 63:1 KJV)
The Lord is enough.
The Lord is more than enough.
The Lord is abundant.
The Lord is all sufficient.
The Lord is large (and in charge).
The Lord is great.
The Lord is greater.
The Lord is the greatest
The Lord is very much.
The Lord is too much!

“The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save.
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet [you] with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zep 3:17 NKJV)

 The Lord is the Mighty One.
The Lord is the Mightiest One.
The Lord is the Strong One.
The Lord is the Strongest One
The Lord is the Upright One.
The Lord is the Valiant One.
The Lord is the Chief One.
The Lord is the Champion.

“I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD. I AM GOD ALMIGHTY. ” (Genesis 17:1, 35:11)
The Lord is Almighty God.
The Lord is God Almighty.
The Lord is El Shaddai
The Lord is the Most Powerful(.)

“I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE ENDING, saith the Lord, which IS, and which WAS, and which IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY.”(Rev 1:8 KJV)

The Lord is He who holds sway over all things.
The Lord is the Ruler of All.
The Lord is the Ruler of any, every, everyone, all things, above all things, anyone, everyone, whosoever, whatsoever, and everything.
The Lord is the Ruler of the whole thing!

I enCOURGE you to remember no matter what your day looks like, what you are going through, nor what you are having to endure, the Lord your God is Almighty.  He can handle  anything and everything, if we let him.   And, “he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NKJV). We join the elders is heaven and say:  “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. (Rev 11:17 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
June 8, 2021

 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace, day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isa 62:6-7 NKJV)

 The LORD’s mission is salvation.  If we have the heart of the Lord, it should be ours, too.  In the Old Testament, His quest was to save His country, Israel, His city, Jerusalem, and His people.  Ultimately, we find out His objective was to not only save the Jew but also Gentile, that is us.  The LORD says in Isaiah 62:1 that for Jerusalem’s sake, He would not hold His peace nor rest, until Zion’s righteousness brightly went forth and her salvation was burning like a bright torch.  Since we are considered Gentiles and the Lord came to save both Jew and Gentile, we can replace our name or the names of loved ones where the word Israel, Jerusalem or Zion is used.  

The LORD is passionate for all of His creation.  He will continue to call His people home.  He is resolute about the salvation of all.  It is His very heartbeat.  He will not rest until His purposes are accomplished.    Until He holds His peace and returns for us, He appoints the called to join Him.  

“A restless Savior calls his people to be restless, and to make the Lord himself restless to give him no rest till his chosen city is in full splendor, his chosen church complete and glorious.” -C.H. Spurgeon

Every Christian has a divine appointment with the Lord.   Isaiah 62:6 states I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem.  The word “set” is the Hebrew word, pāqaḏ, meaning:visit, appoint, charge to the care of, oversee, pay attention, attend to, look after.  The LORD has called us to be watchmen on the wall.   

In Bible times, cities were surrounded with thick walls to protect the insiders from intruders.  Watchmen were scattered around the wall to look out for the enemy in order to keep the insiders safe.  Watchmen had to stay awake and alert in order to see the oncoming enemy. When they saw a threat, they would warn the insiders.  Warriors would ascend with sword and shield to defend the city.

As watchmen on the wall, we are commissioned to guard and warn our families, friends, our neighborhoods, cities, states, and nation of danger.  Like watchmen of old, we are to be resolute, steadfast, and immovable in our appointment.  We are told in Ephesians 6 to stand, stand, and stand.

Watchmen on assignment never hold their peace, day, or night. Watchmen do not retreat because it is hard, or the day turns to night. Watchmen are never off duty because the battle is always roaring. My Bible says pray without ceasing.  Isaiah says we are to never be silent praying, warning, encouraging others of the threat of the enemy but, more importantly the safety found in the Lord.  

Watchmen “mention” the Lord and do not keep silent.  The word mention means remember, recall, record, be mindful.  It also is a derivative that means mark.   Spurgeon calls us the Lord’s Remembrancers.   You have heard the phrase, “mark my word.”  We are to do that exactly .  We are to mark the word/promise of the Lord.  We are to remind the Lord and His people of His promises, ever interceding for the hearts and lives of others. In fact, Isaiah says we are to give the Lord no rest.  It is not like the Lord can forget.  We are to remind God and others of His greatness, His mercy, His grace, and His salvation, continually.  Honestly, I believe this part of the appointment is to remind us of who He is and what He said.  It builds our faith to believe in what He has promised.  Note: if we don’t know the promises, we sure cannot use them.  As Watchmen, we must know His promises to remember them.  You do not remember what you do not know.

In conclusion Watchman…

I enCOURAGE you in your divine appointment to carry out your assignment from the King of Kings. The King has called.  Will you answer?

NEVER hold your peace, day nor night.  Sisters and brothers, we are on call, 24/7.  Get used to it. Always be on and alert.  Be a Remembrancer for the Lord and do not keep silent about Him nor His word. He says, “Put Me in remembrance.” (Isa 43:26 NKJV) Put Him in remembrance.  Mark His words.  Give Him no rest.  It’s not like the Protector ever sleeps or slumbers anyway.  (Psalm 121:4) Follower of Christ, I hope you see your importance in the Kingdom work of God. There are many who need to come home.  Embrace the heart and call of the Lord. Let’s get to work.

by Tammy Phillips
June 7, 2021

The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name. … 4 You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. (Isa 62:2, 4, NKJV)

When we meet the mate that the Lord has prepared for us, it is a game changer and name changer.  Our spouse will make us a better us.  Our partner will encourage us and inspire us to be better people.  They help us become the person we were meant to be.   Many say when they meet the love of their life that it is a game changer.  When we marry, it customary to take the last name of our husband.  Marriage is a game changer and  name changer for most. 

This is not an original idea. The Lord is in the transformation business.  TRANSFORM means to be changed in form or to be metamorphosed, according to Websters 1828 Dictionary.

The Lord is a game changer and a name changer.  In Isaiah Israel had been in Babylonian captivity. He set them free and brought them back home.  Where Israel had been wicked and immoral, God turned them to righteousness.  Where they had been in darkness, He brought them to the light, so that all would see their glory.  He called Zion by a new name.

Instead of calling Zion, FORSAKEN, He called them HEPHZIBAH which means my delight is in her.

Instead of calling them, DESOLATE, He called their land BEULAH, which means married.

The Lord delights in us and does the same for us.   He transforms us by the renewing of our mind and the washing of the word of God.  Isn’t that what a good spouse does?  They build us up in our mind and wash us with words of encouragement.  The Lord is our Bridegroom, and His word changes us from enemy of God into the image of God.   He is also the Author of Transformation and the great Exchange.  He will give us a new name. (Revelation 2:17 and 3:12) When the Bride of Christ officially meets the Bride Groom face to face, we will take His new name. In the meantime, He continues to transform us into His image, game changing and name changing.  For example:

Bound to Set Free
Addict to Independent
Fat to Thin
Poor to Rich
Drama to Peace
Unfinished to Whole
Sick to Healed
Broken to Complete

I embrace my marriage name change; I am proud to be a Phillips.  I more excited about the names the Lord now calls me and the name He has prepared for me as part of the Bride of Christ.

I enCOURAGE you to allow the Lord to change your game and your name.  What situation are you in that you want to change?  Are you calling yourself Offended?  See yourself the name the Lord calls you, Defended. Have you named yourself Hopeless or Desperate?  The Lord calls your Hopeful?  Are you terming yourself Hated?  The Lord calls you Loved.  Do you say I am Dead-Tired?  The Lord says you are Alive and Flourishing.  Last one, do you label yourself, “Eat Up with Cancer” or do you declare yourself, “WHOLE, HEALED and COMPLETE?”  Get into the Book and see what your name really is.  Don’t believe the Lie that Satan has fed you.  Believe the transforming, game changing, name changing, word of God! You will never be the same. 

“Let the weak say, “I am strong!”  (Joel 3:10)

by Tammy Phillips
June 6, 2021

 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (Philippians 3:13 NKJV)

Until now, I never really gave much thought to the words “never mind.”  Actually, “never mind” is great advice.  By definition, “never mind” is used to tell someone not to be concerned about or give attention to something or someone.  Personally, it means don’t think twice about it, give it no thought and it does not matter.   “Ever mind” is the opposite. It means to ever pay attention, to always have on your mind and it matters.  It means to think about it and keep it in the forefront.

When I read Philippians 3:13, I heard… “forget” or never mind and “reach forward,” or ever mind.  I began to question what matters and doesn’t matter.  What are the “never minds” and the “ever minds?”

Never mind Satan.  Ever mind the Lord, your God.

Never mind the Destroyer.  Ever mind Jesus, your Savior.

Never mind the Accuser of the brothers.  Ever mind Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

Never mind the offense of men.  Ever mind the goodness of God.

Never mind the affliction.  Ever mind His benefits.

Never mind being discouraged.  Ever mind being strong and of good courage!

Never mind being alone. Ever mind that the LORD is with you wherever you go.

Never mind the impossible.  Ever mind all things are possible with God.

Never mind the pest.  Ever mind He delivers us from the noisome pestilence.

Never mind sickness.  Ever mind by His stripes we are healed.

Never mind disease.  Ever mind Christ who heals all your diseases.

Never mind your cares.  Ever mind that God cares for you.

Never mind your sins.  Ever mind merciful Jesus who remembers them no more.

Never mind fear of the future.  Ever mind your times are in His hand.

Never mind dying.  Ever mind with long life He will satisfy and show His salvation.

Never mind the death of the body.   Ever mind eternal life in Him.

Never mind the enemy.  Ever mind the Lord is our refuge and fortress.

Never mind the evil.   Ever mind that no evil will befall you.  

Never mind the world.  Ever mind He has overcome the world.

Never mind defeat.  Ever mind that everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 

Never mind losing.  Ever mind that we are more than conquerors through Him.

Never mind timidity.  Ever mind prayers without ceasing

Never mind charges against you.  Ever mind Christ, out Redeemer.

Never mind shame. Ever mind the grace of God.

Never mind you are forgotten.  Ever mind that God will never leave you nor forsake you.

Never mind everything people say.  Ever mind the word of God.

Never mind cannot.  Ever mind you can do all things through Christ who strengths you.

I enCOURAGE you to NEVER MIND the nothings of the enemy and EVER MIND everything, every word, of the Lord.

by Tammy Phillips
June 5, 2021

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD!
My soul shall be joyful in my God!
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks [himself] with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns [herself] with her jewels. (Isa 61:10 NKJV)

Can God be taken away from us?  As followers of Christ, absolutely not!  He is always with us.  Can joy be taken away? Isaiah 61:7 tells us that everlasting joy is ours.  Our Savior did not die for us to be miserable.  Jesus said,  “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (John 10:10 AMP)

Joy is a choice purposefully made.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  Joy is a fruit of our great and good God. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines joys as a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good.  Joy is an unshakable, inflexible, steadfast, unwavering, determined, immovable, uncompromising understanding, knowledge, and assurance that good is ours from God.  Joy is the knowing that “all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28 CSB)

The prophet chose resolute joy in Isaiah 61:10, he made the determination twice to delight in the Lord.  Isaiah said, “I will…” and “My soul shall…”

James tells us to believe it a great joy whenever we experience various trials. (James 1:2). We must make the same choice of resolute joy and determine to say…

“When tragedy comes, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.”
“When offense comes, my soul shall be joyful in my God.”
“When sickness comes, I will greatly rejoice in God my Healer.”
“When death comes, my heart knows and my soul shall be joyful in God, my Deliverer.”
“When the world is spinning out of control, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. He’s got it!”

When various trials come, we do not have to give up joy.   We do not have to get upset.  It is our choice.  Our joy is in the Lord.  Our joy is from God alone and it is our strength according to Nehemiah 8:10.  The joy of the Lord transforms “all things” to good.  

Isaiah illustrates reason why we should not rejoice, but greatly rejoice in the Lord.  Our souls were naked and ashamed, as a result of our sin. 

BUT GOD!

He has clothed us with the garments of salvation. He has dressed our naked and afraid souls with everything we need to stand strong, bold, and courageous in Him.  He has dressed us from head to toe with the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, and our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace!  “I will great rejoice in the Lord.” He has dressed us in garments of salvation, deliverance, safety, welfare, healing, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, liberty, freedom, and victory!  “I will great rejoice in the Lord!”

BUT GOD!

He does not stop with wrapping us in His salvation. He then covers us with the robe of righteousness.  Only Christ is righteous.  He envelops us with Christ Himself.  We are hidden in Him.  Our great sins are forgiven by the great goodness of God through the blood of Jesus, our Savior.

This should make us throw-back our shoulders, stand a little taller and a whole lot straighter.  We resolutely rejoice in the Lord, hidden deep in His righteousness!   The robe of righteousness is so glorious and pure.  Isaiah compares it to being a bridegroom decked out as a priest to be used by God and as being adorned as a beautiful bride prepared to marry.  Who is more joyful than a bride and groom on their wedding day?  What Jesus did for us bought us that kind of joy and it is everlasting.  “I choose resolute joy in the Lord!”

When we STOP and remember what the Lord had done or us, everything else dissipates.  When we take pause and realize who we are in Him, how can we do anything but rejoice in the Lord?

I enCOURAGE you to choose resolute joy! Everlasting joy is yours in Him.  He has clothed you in Himself!  Greatly rejoice in the Lord.  It is yours for the taking.  

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
June 4, 2021

“Instead of your shame you shall have double [honor], And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.” (Isa 61:7 NKJV)

As Kris and I were driving to a baseball game the other day, out of left field, I heard the Lord question, “What was the result of the first sin?”  It was shame.

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve disobeyed the one thing God asked them not to do, “Do not eat this!”   They listened to Satan who said, like he repeatedly says to us, “Did God really say that?”    If Eve had stood in faith on the word of the Lord, she would have never fallen.  If she had not listened to the enemy and eaten what the Lord told her not to eat, sin would not have entered in the world.   As soon as we stand on God’s word, the enemy in the form of doubt will come and question, “Did God really say that? Did God really say that you are whole, healed, and complete?  Did God really tell you not to worry and that His grace is sufficient?  Did God really say that He will supply all your needs?”  As soon as we  take a bite of a doubt, chew it up and get it deep down in our system, we lose trust in God’s word. 

What immediately comes knocking at the door?  It is shame.  Shame was the result of the first sin.  In Genesis 2:25, “Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” However, by Genesis 3:7, they had taken the forbidden bite, “the eyes of both were opened, and they realized they were naked; so, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.“  Shame came. 

BUT GOD!  He showed up.  Israel had been in a dark time.  They been held captive and treated terribly.  In Isaiah 61, God was restoring them to their homeland and giving them the promise of Messiah.  He sent Jesus anointed by the Holy Spirit to end the shame game and shine light into the darkness.

No more shame.  We shall have double honor!
No more confusion.  We shall rejoice in our portion.
In the promise land we shall possess double!
Everlasting joy shall be ours.

Look at these promises!
NO SHAME! NO SHAME! NO SHAME!
THE DOUBLE!
EVERLASTING JOY!
Honor and Joy instead of shame and sorrow! 

As joint heirs with Jesus, He is the first born among the brothers and received the double portion, (Deut 21:17) and so do we.  WOW.  Double for the trouble of sin.   Don’t you just love God’s economy.  God so inconceivably forgiving.  For the trouble we created in our sin, the double.  Thank God, He is not fair.  He does not give us what we deserve, but He is just.  He gifts us based on Jesus’ sacrifice.  Hear me now!  Ask and accept God’s complete forgiveness.  Thank  God that he forgives us when we “partake” or eat the wrong things, too.   No sin is too big that the blood of Jesus does not cover it.   God is full of grace and wonder.  The shame of sin was erased with the blood of Jesus.  Accept it.  We have no shame in Him.   No disgrace.   Grace, Grace, God’s grace is our gift.

Not only that…

He promises EVERLASTING JOY!    Stop and think about that.    Everlasting joy is ours in Christ Jesus.  How giving is God.  This is our gift in Christ. 

I enCOURAGE you now and every day.  Believe God!  Take Him at His word.  Obey His word.  He can be trusted.  He does what He says He will do.  He says, “No more shame.” Accept His gift in Jesus.  He says, “double for your trouble;” accept it.  He says, “Everlasting joy.” What a future we have in Him.   Everlasting joy means no more sorrow to me!   We just have to accept, believe, confess, and stand on His word.  Easy as ABC’S!  Thank you, Father!
Can…you… wrap your head around the fact that God does not want us to be ashamed for what we have done or have not done and  that He promises double blessings in Jesus and everlasting joy?!!!  HALLELUJAH!!!

by Tammy Phillips
June 3, 2021

“And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.”  (Isaiah 61:4 NKJV)

In America, we have a plethora of home improvement and renovation television shows where neglected and run-down homes are purchased and transformed.  Look at some of the show’s titles: “Restored by the Fords, Renovation, Inc., Renovation Island, Fixer Upper, Flip or Flop, Hometown, Property Brothers” and the list goes on.

Why are we drawn to these shows?  Most of us seek perfection, balance, and alignment.  We want our house to be the very best that it can be.  These shows give us hope for our habitation.  They also provide an unlimited resource of ideas for transformation. We also like to see things saved and made better than before.

Our God is in the same business.  He is the originator of the restoration and salvation business. He is in the generative, creative, interior design and construction business, not the destruction business.  He was and is the Architect of the Ages.  His plan since the beginning has been to rebuild, raise up, repair, restore and renovate what Satan has attempted to destroy.  Once we invite Jesus into our “home” to be Lord and Savior, He begins the transformation of our temple.  “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1Co 3:16 NKJV) Since God chooses to abide inside us, it is only fitting that He choose to make a few changes in our old sin-stained inners.  Just like an interior designer, it is a step by step process.    I have heard it said that perfection is a series of small things done really well.  Our transformation is little by little, step by step, and brick by brick, until one day we are finally changed into His image.  The more we are transformed, the more we say, act, and do like our Father. 

He calls us into the renovation business with Him, “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.”  (Isa 61:4 NKJV)

As interior designers, our assignment is not to make things look pretty in the lives of others.  We are not occupied by doing simple patches and throwing paint on the wall to make everything look better.  We are to open up and improve internal spaces to better suit its purpose. Our business is to knock down the walls that hold others back and rebuild walls that support.  We are to:

Rebuild, repair, set up, erect, and restore the old ruins, the ancient dry places, and the broken down.

Raise up, stand up, build up, the former, long ago, desolated, devastated, deflowered, deserted, destitute, disheartened, the astonished and the stunned.

Repair, renew, restore, polish, the ruined, wasted, dry, drought-stricken cities, the desolation of many generations.  A generation is a revolution of time, a circuit of years of life, a cycle.

In short, our mission is to:  rebuild the broken down and dried up, raise-up the devastated and to renew and restore the disheartened in the cycle of life.  A good interior designer will always bring balance and alignment to an interior space.   

I enCOURAGE you to embrace the renovation project of your own life and then help others with their interior design.  Rebuild, raise up and restore the disheartened.  Encourage other hearts.   It is what we are supposed to do as Kingdom Interior Designers in Him.