Complete in Him

by Tammy Phillips
March 4, 2021

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you^{. (8)} Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁽⁹⁾ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ⁽¹⁰⁾ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle [you]. ⁽¹¹⁾ To Him [be] the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:7-11 NKJV) 

Below is a journey I took with the Holy Spirit in expounding the richness and treasures found in the words of 1 Peter 5:7-11.   Like me, stop at the 7-11 and get you a BIG GULP of God’s word today.   Meditate on the fullness of these scriptures. Here we go…

Fling it!  Set it down!  Quick toss!  Throw all your care, anxiety, worry, distractions, the thing that draws you in different directions, what tears you to pieces, on Him. He cares for you.  He is interested in you!

Be sober, calm and collected in spirit.  Be vigilant, watchful and awake.  Give strict attention to, be cautious, be active, take heed lest through remission some destructive calamity suddenly overcome you.  Why? Because your adversary, the devil, your opponent in the lawsuit, the false accuser, the utterer of maliciously false statements, he acts like a loud-mouth, know-it all.  He tries to make use of every opportunity and rise against you, roaring like a lion. He craves and wants to destroy you.  He wants to drown and swallow you down.

Resist steadfast, set yourself against, oppose, be strong, be firm, be immovable, be hard, be rigid, and stubborn in faith.  Be resolute.  Believe in the truth, be confident in and trusting that God is who He says He “was, is, and will always be” and that He will do what He says he will do.

Know that everybody suffers and goes through the same kind of trouble.  Everybody.  BUT GOD…of all grace, unmerited favor Who calls out loud and who invites you by name to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, the Anointed Jehovah is Salvation

After you have suffered and been in a bad way, this same Christ Jesus completes, perfects, mends what has been broken, repairs, frames, restores, perfectly joins you together to completion and makes you like you ought to be. He strengthens you.  He stabilizes you.  He resolutely turns you in one direction. He causes you to stand. He grounds you.  He gives you a foundation.

         HE PEREFECTLY PERFECTS YOU!

To Him be the glory & dominion, authority, power and rule forever and ever! Amen. So be it!

I enCOURAGE you in the expounded word of God.  It is rich and full and priceless.     

by Tammy Phillips
March 3, 2021

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. (Philippians 4:1 NKJV)

Paul had real love for the Philippians!  He loved them so much that he told them twice in this short verse that they were his dearly beloved.  I hope you know you are dearly beloved by me, but more importantly you are dearly beloved by God. You are His favorite!    

When the storms come,  I encourage you, dearly beloved, because of Whose you are and because of all He has done for you:

Stand fast in the Lord
Stand firm in the Lord.
Stand balanced in the Lord.
Stand upright in the Lord.
Stand aligned in the Lord.
Stand resolutely in the Lord!
Stand immovable on the Rock!

Never forget, you are the dearly beloved and as Proverbs 3:26 says “…the LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”  He is the one who helps you stand and persevere. Goodness, He even guards your feet so you cannot be taken, captured or entrapped!

I enCOURAGE you to PERSEVERE in the Lord. (It is just another meaning for stand.)

by Tammy Phillips
March 2, 2021

For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:26 NKJV)

The Hebrew word for confidence in this verse is kecel which means loins/flank. This is an interesting choice of words from super wise Solomon.  I know he knew exactly what he was saying in this verse.  My quest was to discover his meaning.

According to Dictionary.com, the loins are the part of the human body on either side of the spinal column, between the false ribs and hipbone. The loins are regarded as the seat of physical strength. The flank is on each side of a person between the ribs and hip.  Together the loins and flank house your internal organs and make up your core.

We all have heard how important it is to have a strong physical core. I asked my physical therapist friend, Gina Suiter, to give me some simple insight on the purpose of the loins and flank.  She said, “They are your core. Your core is your center of gravity. It is where you find your center.  It helps stabilize, support, protect and connect.”  Your core helps you remain aligned.

According to freeletics.com, the better your core muscles the better you perform. The core stabilizes the lower back, helps us run faster, enhances flexibility, improves balance, coordination, posture and brain power. Your core muscles play a huge role in your everyday activities, from getting out of bed, to walking down the street, and bending over to grab your purse-but, most importantly, they literally help you stay upright. “That’s because your core muscles are the base of support for your entire body,” says Meredith McHale, P.T., D.P.T., regional clinical director at Professional Physical Therapy.  She also said, “Think of it like the tree trunk of your body (albeit a lot more mobile): It has to hold its ground so that your branches (arms and legs) can do their thing any which way.”

So, we have learned the purpose of the core in the human body. If we apply the same attributes we learned about our physical body to our spirit body, Proverbs 3:26 says, “God is our confidence,” our loins and flank. God is thus the very core of our being.  He is our center. He helps us run our race. He helps balance us. He gives us a clear mind, the mind of Christ. He is the center of everything we do every day. He stabilizes and protects us. He keeps upright. He is our alignment. He keeps us plumb.  God is the base of our entire existence.  THE LORD IS OUR CONFIDENCE.

I enCOURAGE you to stand up straight on the inside and out. I enCOURGE you to discard the slumped posture that looks weak and defeated.  I enCOURAGE you to walk in the knowledge that the LORD is your confidence and core.

by Tammy Phillips
March 1, 2021

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.(Romans 12:12 NKJV)

I collect nativities.  On a trip, I found a Kalalou clay nativity for a bargain price.  On Wednesday night, after returning home, I discovered that my newfound treasure had accidentally been disposed of in a nearby trash compactor.  I was crushed.  I assumed my sweet nativity was also.  However, then hope, the patient, confident expectation of good was birthed in my heart.

The garbage site was closed on Thursday which gave me time to think.  I began “rejoicing in hope.”  A calm happy overtook my thinking.  Our trash had to be one of the last deposited into the crusher.  Each piece of my treasure had been carefully wrapped and packed snuggly in its box. Could it have survived?  Hope grew.

Early on Thursday morning, I determined to be patient in tribulation which means to persevere under pressure.  Hope arose!  I made a big sign and tied it over the gate of the recycling center.  “Please call me! I am looking for a treasure that was accidentally thrown away.”  It was worth the ask.  I began to seek out anyone who would listen.  I was persistent and left three massages with three different individuals at Waste Management.  I heard nothing.  I sought harder.  I found and left a message with the man who was responsible for the schedule of the dumping of the crushers.  He returned my call about 11:30 AM.  He had already climbed into the compactor and found the box that I had described in my message.

I ran and claimed it.  I thanked God and the kindhearted man.  I took my crushed little box home.  Unwavering hope and persistence had paid off.  The set included ten pieces. The gracious man had told me that some were untouched.  I carefully unwrapped each one.  I was in search of Jesus.  I first found the three wisemen. They had survived the metal ram and had persevered under the pressure of the compactor.  The baby animals endured. They had been patient in the tribulation of the trash.  Mary bore bravely through the trouble of the rubble.  Joseph’s legs had been amputated, but he did not flee from the debris. Outwardly, the angel had been shattered to pieces, but her insides were still standing strong.  Sadly, Baby Jesus had been decapitated, but I knew our Loving Father would put Him together again better than before.  Hope was in His resurrection and rise from the refuse.  He too would remain and abide with me.

I enCOURAGE you to rejoice in hope.  Have confident expectation of good.  It will come when you are patient in tribulation and persevere under pressure.  Jesus is our example.  He endured to death.  Look at the difference His life made in history and humanity.  What a difference your life will make in the lives of others when you show them how you bear bravely and resolutely hope. 

by Tammy Phillips
February 28, 2021

“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters.  Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];”. James 1:19 AMP

Once I asked our son to take out the garbage, including some broken down boxes on the garage floor.  I had broken them down for easier disposal.  I had left two full boxes on a cooler sitting near the garbage. One box contained some glass pieces for my sister-in-law and the other a nativity.  I had just purchased a greatly discounted Kalalou Nativity set from one of my favorite stores, Grace251 in Dalton, GA.  I had not put it in its proper place.

I know what happened. Parker heard me, but he was in a hurry to take trash off before heading to work.  He attempted to be thorough and take off all the trash, but he had not paid close attention to what I had said.  Both of the boxes that I had set aside ended up in the crusher at our recycling center.

Sadly, he was not quick to listen on that day.  I was no better because I was not slow to speak nor slow to anger when I realized what had happened.

How many times have we heard, Proverbs 4:20? “My son, pay attention to my words! Open your ears to my sayings!”  How many times has God tried to get our attention?  How many times has what God intended for us, ended up in the recycling bin of our lives because we did not pay attention?

I enCOURAGE you to be quick to hear. I enCOURAGE you to pay attention to what God and others say.  I think you would agree. We do not want our blessings to end up being trashed.  (To be continued)

by Tammy Phillips
February 27, 2021

The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NKJV)

Unusual images of lions have tracked across my phone screen as I perused Instagram, Facebook and even email.  Finally, a light bulb came on.  The Holy Spirit was trying to get my attention.  He wanted to teach me something to increase my faith.  I studied scripture and the traits of lions. What follows is what I learned.

I realized that I had allowed some stressors to take me to timid land, not a place where lions live.  Looking at the focus verse, “The wicked flee when no one pursues…” which to me means the guilty escape and try to hide for no apparent reason.  I was worrying and trying to escape from it all instead of facing it head on.

However, the Lord tells us over and over in His word not to worry.  He also tells us, “Do not fear.”  Scripture states that the “righteous are bold as a lion.”  Well, what does that mean?  Proverb 30 defines it perfectly: “There are three things which are stately in step, yes, four which are stately in their stride: The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and turns not back before any;” (Proverbs 30:29-30 AMPC)

A lion knows who he is!  He knows how to regally step!  A lion knows that he rules in his territory. He is mighty, brave, strong and courageous!  He is not fearful of anything nor anyone.  A lion does not retreat from enemy attack.   A lion sure does not worry because he spends most of his day just resting!

In conclusion, the righteous are as bold as a lion because the Word says, “Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 AMPC) And,  He who lives in you is the LION OF THE TRIBE of JUDAH!  He is the King of Kings!  He has overcome.  He fears nothing.  We are righteous in Him and thus, BOLD AS A LION! 

I encourage you in the righteousness of Christ Jesus to be bold as a lion in all you do, say and believe! To God be the Glory!  Hallelujah! Amen!

by Tammy Phillips
February 26, 2021

Do all things without murmurings and disputings… (Philippians 2:14 KJV)

After waking up a little grumpy, and happily expressing my discontent, I agreed to a 30-day “no complaining” challenge at approximately 10:06 am.

Fast forward to 10:45 am, the same day, I made a long trip to a doctor’s office because they would not email me a receipt.  I needed the receipt to justify a $1.35 charge on our flexible spending account debit card!  It had been suspended because I had only verified $45 of a $46.35 charge. When I arrived at the doctor’s office, I found that this was not an insurance charge, but the office had charged me their card processing fee! I cannot tell you how much time I spent chasing down this $1.35 charge because it was not on my original receipt.

It took less than forty minutes for me to lose it.  I lost the 30-day challenge in less than an hour!  Why?

1. I should have prayed about the challenge and immediately enlisted God’s help. I didn’t.
2. I should have immediately prayed when I realized a trap had been laid. I didn’t.
3. I should have SET my mind on things above. I didn’t.
4. I should have immediately claimed and confessed, Philippians 2:14, but I didn’t.
5. I should not have lost control and complained. (I will not even tell you how high my blood pressure was when I went to my regularly scheduled doctor’s appointment after going to the $1.35 doctor.  My heart was beating out of my chest!)

Thank God, You let us begin again!  So, I did!
Thank God for Jesus who knew that I would act just like Peter and deny the Word.  Thank you, Jesus! It cost you Your life, but you paid for my murmuring sin.

The Word was beside me. The Word was inside me. The Word had been right before my eyes.  However, instead of evoking the power of the Word, I allowed my flesh to rise and take over.  I stepped out of the light and into the darkness for a few minutes.

However, thankfully, the Word of God says in 1 John 1:7 and 9, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

So, I confess.  I lost it.

Don’t we all?  When I do lose it, I have a Savior!  He saves me over and over again. Every time that I fail, He is there to help me stand back up.  So, I failed that test.  His mercies are new every morning.  I did not take my sin lightly.  I murmured. I complained, but Jesus paid for those sins 2000 years ago.

Forgive me, Father was the only thing I could say.
Accepting His forgiveness was what I had to do.
I began again. 

I accepted the 30-day “no complaining” challenge, again.  It’s not like I had a choice. The word says to do all things without murmuring.  This is a command not a suggestion.

I enCOURAGE you to follow Jesus and not me!  However, if you fail or fall, accept God’s forgiveness and begin again!

by Tammy Phillips
February 25, 2021

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:14-15 KJV)

Do:

• Make it happen
• Be the author of
• Perform a promise
• Commit
• Fulfill

All things without murmuring:

• Muttering
• Complaining
• Grumbling
• Faultfinding
• Querulous discontent

And disputing:

• Inward reasoning
• Inward deliberating
• Questioning
• Doubting

That you may show yourselves to be…

• Blameless and guiltless
• Harmless and innocent
• Free from evil
• Unmixed and uncontaminated
• Pure

children of God without rebuke…

• Blemish
• Faultless
• Unrebukable

in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you…

SHINE AS BRIGHT LIGHTS (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world.”

-Philippians 2:14-15
Broken down and torn apart to see what it all really means.  Bottom line…

COMPLAINING DILUTES OUR LIGHT!

My sister and I awoke a little grumbly.   She asked if wanted to do a 30-day “No complaining” challenge.  I immediately agreed.  I have done it before, and it changed the way I talked.  Time for a tune up. 

I enCOURAGE you to not complain for 30 days!
I enCOURAGE you not to murmur for 30 days.
I enCOURAGE you not to dilute your sparkle nor shine.

 (To be continued…)

 

by Tammy Phillips
February 24, 2021

They looked unto Him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. (Psalm 34:5 KJV)

I thought I would go to the word to see if sparkle was in the Bible. What treasure I found!  It amazed me!  Let’s study the word lightened in this verse. In Hebrew “lightened” is the word, nahar.  It only occurs one time in the Bible with the meaning: to shine; to beam; to light; to burn; be radiant; TO SPARKLE! 

Say what?! 

2 Corinthians 3:18  states:

“And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”

We have two scriptures that tell us when we look to Him that we reflect His image, His glory.  We sparkle.

The Webster’s 1828 definition defines sparkle perfectly:

As a noun…

• A spark.
• A luminous particle.
• A light.
• Radiant.

As a verb…

• Emit sparks.
• Spirit and energy are contagious.
• Send off small, ignited particles
• Glisten
• Twinkle and shine.

More importantly, both Psalms 34:5 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 define what it means to sparkle.    

You will sparkle and shine because you look to Him first.
You will look to Him instead of running away.
You will look to Him to help you in every way.
You will look to Him and his word.
You will look to Him to meet your needs.
You will look to Him to meet the needs of others.
You will look to Him for song.
You will look to Him for dance.
You will look to Him for joy.
You will look to Him and trust Him no matter.
You will look to Him and you are lightened.
You will look to Him and are not ashamed.
You will look to Him and reflect his glory.
You will look to Him and you will SPARKLE.

I enCOURAGE you to always look to Him and to continue  to SPARKLE.

 

by Tammy Phillips
February 23, 2021

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalms 34:4 KJV)

I SOUGHT:

• Seek
• Resort to
• Frequent
• Investigate
• Enquire
• Require
• Tread to a place
• Seek in prayer
• Worship
• Study
• Follow

THE LORD.

HE HEARD:  

• Listened
• Paid Attention          
• Responded  
• Spoke
• Sang
• Shouted        

HE DELIVERED:

• Snatched away       
• Pulled Out    
• Preserved     
• Saved
• Rescued       
• Took Away   

FROM ALL MY FEARS.

David resorted to the Lord God Almighty, Creator of All, and the Lord paid attention to what David had to say.  He answered him.  God even sang and shouted over him. Our Father snatched David away from every fear.  All means all.  All fear gone.  He did it for David. He will do it for us!

I enCOURAGE you to follow David’s example.  Resort to the Lord! (I am resorting to the Lord on my faith-cation this week.  He and I are getting away together.)  Seek the Lord. He will rescue you from every fear!