Complete in Him

by Tammy Phillips
December 5, 2020

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 3:26 KJV)

I am not defined by a number.  I am defined by God.  His word says I am His child. Every day, every time that should be enough.  However, often the world tries to define us differently and we listen. Not today!  Enough is enough.   Let’s declare:

I am not a number on a scale.
Nor the miles walked on a trail.

I am not the positive number in my bank account
Nor the negative number amount.

I am not the carat weight on my fingers
Nor the number of strikeouts nor dingers.

I am not the hours I worked.
Nor the hours I have been irked.

I am not the number of college degrees
Nor the number of par threes.

I am not defined by the number of friends
Nor the number on my Mercedes-Benz…not!

I am not the number on my houses.
Nor the number of my spouses.

I love that God took some serious thoughts about numbers and turned them into almost a laughable poem.  That’s our God.

I enCOURAGE you to only be defined by God.  Do not listen to those numbers. God is greater.

by Tammy Phillips
December 4, 2020

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus ready to be used for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” EPHESIANS 2:10 AMP 

I awoke today inspired to create.  I get it from my Father.  He is the Creator.  He is the Potter. He is the Artist. He is the Master who creates master pieces, us.  Man is God’s greatest accomplishment.

Ephesians 2 says that we are his workmanship or work of art.  We are His masterpieces created to create good works. The Greek word for works is ergon, which means:  any product whatever, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry, mind.

Ephesians 2:10 also states that “God prepares us beforehand to walk in those works”

How crazy is it to think that before we were even born, we were created to create today—to do his good works? But Why?

Every one that is called by my name: for I have created (cut down, planed and polished; made smooth) him for my GLORY, I have formed (squeezed into shape; mold into a form; especially as a potter; artist) him; yea, I have made (produced by labor) him. Isaiah 43:7

 We are created for His glory. We are created to create for His glory. The above verse from Isaiah uses three words to show God’s attention to detail when he made us.  We should be careful to follow His example when we do his work.

Paul encourages us not once but twice in Colossians 3:17,23:

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

I enCOURAGE you to create for the glory of God.

by Tammy Phillips
December 3, 2019

…for I am the LORD that heals you.  Exodus 15:26

I love how God reveals himself through all His names in the Old Testament.  In Exodus 15:26, He reveals Himself as Jehovah Rapha.  Jehovah in Hebrew means the One who was and is and will always be.  Rapha in Hebrew means to heal, cure, repair, mend by stitching, and sew together.

Together, Jehovah Rapha means the one that was, is, and will always be, that mends us together by stitching.

What a beautiful picture? How does the Great Physician heal our broken hearts as promised in Psalm 147:3?  He acts as Master Surgeon.  He slowly and carefully picks up the pieces of our broken lives and weaves them back together.

Who better to put us back together than the one who “did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb?” (Psalm 139:13 AMPC)

He was there in the beginning and formed us. He is here now and heals us.  He will always be the one who holds us together.  It is his very name, Jehovah Rapha.

I enCOURAGE you to go to THE DOCTOR today. (He is the ONLY doctor I love to visit!) Tell Him what’s wrong and let Him begin to repair your body, your mind and your very soul…your heart!

by Tammy Phillips
December 2, 2020

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:  Ephesians 2:8 (KJV)

There is no greater feeling than being completely and unconditionally loved.  God has been showering me with His love this week. I t is amazing.  I know He loves me 24/7 for eternity. However, sometimes He shouts it a little louder and hugs a little harder.  Do you hear him?  Do you feel Him nearby?

In His Word, He reminds me that I am His favorite, and you are his favorite.  Grace by definition means His unmerited favor.  There is nothing we can do to earn His grace on our lives.  It is all because of Jesus.

Not only does God tell us that we are His favorite.  His word says that in every situation He saves us through faith.  The word saved in this focus verse is sozo in Greek.  It means healed, whole and complete.  It means everything.  He is our Savior in every circumstance because we are his fave!  And the best part, it is His gift to us!  Don’t you love gifts?  He freely gives.  All we have to do is trust Him and take His salvation!

I enCOURAGE you to believe that you are His favorite.   Allow our Father to save you today. Whatever the need, let Him love you through it.  He has every answer.

by Tammy Phillips
December 1, 2020

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13 NKJV)

I had a dream.  I was intimately holding hands to pray with someone.  I wish you could feel what I felt.  When he grabbed my hand, it was warm and comforting.  I knew as soon as I touched His that everything, and I mean everything, would be ok.  It was as if things were as they always should have been.  In His touch was overwhelming peace.  His touch was security.  His hand was extremely large.  It was almost too big to grasp, but yet I did not want to ever let go.  The moment can only be described as amazing love.

God directed me to Isiah 41:10…I continued to read. When I saw this verse, it was if I saw it for the first time.

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you as the bride of Christ to reach out and grab the Grooms hand.  He will not let go.  Follow Him.  He has got you, if you will just trust Him.  There is nothing to be afraid of.  He is and will always be faithful. He loves you unconditionally.

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 30, 2020

Psalms 147:1-11

(1) Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

(2) The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

(3) He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. …

(4) He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.

(5) Great [is] our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding [is] infinite.

(6) The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.

(7) Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, (

8) Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

(9) He gives to the beast its food, [And] to the young ravens that cry.

(10) He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

(11) The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

I enCOURAGE you to just bask in OUR GOD. Every minute of every day!  Take pleasure in Him.  Hope in Him.   Praise Him!  He is worthy of our praise.

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 29, 2020

 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

All things means everything, right?

Yesterday, the Word said give thanks in everything. Some days that is harder than others.  Today, I enCOURAGE you with the words…I CAN!

I can because He did.

He gives me the strength to do.

I can give him thanks in everything.

I can do the impossible with him.

I can keep my peace in the midst of chaos. 

I can love my enemy.

I can forgive those who hurt me.

I can forgive those who hurt others I love.

I can refuse to be offended.

I can only because of Jesus.

I can because, as I began to write this encouragement, Holy Spirit stopped me and told me that  it was ok to go get the Thanksgiving sales paper.

I can because on what could be a stressful Thanksgiving morning with all the hustle and preparation…

 God painted the sky with the most glorious vibrant magenta color. Magenta happens to be my very favorite color.  His artwork took my breath away.  It stopped me in my tracks. He said,

“I love you! Look what I CAN do and with me, you can do anything and everything!”

I CAN!

 I enCOURAGE you to believe you CAN, too!

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 28, 2020

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV)

In everything give thanks.
In everything give thanks.
In every thing give thanks?

I will be honest, as I write and meditate on this verse, it is a hard scripture for me to chew up and swallow.

Can you give thanks during the dark periods of your journey?  How do you give thanks when you lose your only son? How do you give thanks to God when your marriage is falling apart?  

While in the middle of all the trials and tribulations, one might wonder where God is.  He is right in the middle of all of it with you.  The word does not say give thanks for the hurt, pain, or loss.  The word says to give thanks “IN” it. 

I only pray that I could be as strong as my sister who lost her precious baby boy.  Over and over, her words in her loss have been: “I thank God for the 27 years we had with Brandon.”  She has made the decision to be thankful to God INeverything!  She is standing firm in her faith.  She is strong and courageous.  She praises God through her pain.  If she can do it, I have no excuse!  Today, I thank God for her, her faith, her testimony and her love.

 I enCOURAGE you to follow her Christ like example and in everything give thanks to God.

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy [endures] forever. (Psalm 107:1 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
November 27, 2020

The LORD makes His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; (Numbers 6:25 NKJV)

 “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:43 NKJV)

Sunrise and sunset are my favorite times of the day. The sunrise sparkles on the horizon.  It proclaims a new day full of the glory of God.  Sunset quietly, yet gloriously, declares the day is coming to an end and it is time to rest. 

All of our days, we are to praise the name of our Lord.  The Hebrew word for praise is halal.  It means to:

Shine
Be clear
Be brilliant
Glory
Flash forth light

One could say it means to “sparkle”-shine brightly with flashes of light.

I enCOURAGE to shine every day and praise the name of our Lord by simply reflecting His glory right back at Him! 😊

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
November 26, 2020

“Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.”  (Deuteronomy 28:5 NKJV)

Nanny is the name that I called my grandmothers, Nanny Lowe and Nanny Abney.  What a perfect name for each of them.  I found that a nanny in the Bible was like a nurse to children.  One Hebrew word for nurse/nanny is ‘aman.  This word perfectly describes both of my Nanny’s:

• To believe in
• To be faithful
• To carry
• To support
• To uphold
• To build up
• To prop up
• To bring up
• To be established
• To be made firm, unshaken
• To verify
• To foster as a mother
• To nourish

They believed in me.  They supported me.  They nourished my life in so many different ways.  I am who I am today because of the loving, unfailing devotion of these two women to God and to me.  They gave their lives to God and family.  They taught me how to love unconditionally; give without reserve, and how to bless my family.  Both of them were superb cook’s and could make a phone book taste good.  I am missing them both today, but I am confident that I will see them in heaven some day.

My mouth waters as I fondly remember Thanksgiving dinner at each of their homes.  Nanny Lowe made light, fluffy, buttery-crusted, mayonnaise biscuits.  I still make them today because they are yummy and super easy.  Deuteronomy 28:5, specifically, reminds of Nanny Abney.  She had a wooden kneading bowl that I am blessed to have in my home today. (“I am not sure if my Mom or my Aunt Kay know that I have it, but I do.”)  I would love to know how many biscuits she made out of that bowl.  I might ask God that question one day.  (“I mean, we do have eternity.”)  Nanny obeyed the voice of the Lord and followed his command to love.  Hence, her wooden kneading bowl was blessed and delivered perfect biscuits time after time.  Her little pillows of perfectly formed perfection were an expression of her love.  She blessed people from her modest kneading bowl, daily.  More importantly, she blessed from the kneading bowl of her life.  She shared the Love and the Bread of Life, Jesus, with all who crossed her path.   

I enCOURAGE each of you to cherish the memories of Thanksgiving’s past and family that are celebrating with Jesus in heaven.  Treasure every moment with the family and friends that remain.  (Truthfully, I need to work on this one.)  Most importantly, bless others from your kneading bowl, freely share the Bread of life and His love with ALL.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. (John 6:35 NKJV)