Complete in Him

by Tammy Phillips
November 25, 2020

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT)

I awoke to the sweetest picture of myself and my Sparkly Sister, and this edifying text:

“You are precious to me!”

This was from the one person I knew I was to encourage for the day.  She followed with more inspiration. She sent me a picture of the most glorious pre-dawn sky!   She captioned it:

“I think God is giddy that I await his sunrise every morning! 

Followed by a song:

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee…I will praise thee forever… I will follow you…my steps are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in my  way.”  (Psalm 63:1, Psalm 52:9, Psalms 37:23)

She actually sang the song, but these were the scriptures!   What a way to start the morning.  She beat me to the punch today.   She began the day by doing the Word.  She was the enCOURAGER today!

I  enCOURAGE you to encourage others.  A picture, a song, a text, a smile, a phone call, a word of encouragement can change someone’s day.   It changed mine.  Joy is contagious us.  Spread it!   Courage is contagious.  Spread it!

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 24, 2020

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalms 46:10 KJV)

Our minds race.
Stress knocks on the door.
Life comes at us hard, fast and fierce.

It’s hard to be still when we feel like there is so much to do, but God is not asking us if we would like to do it.  He says: “Be still.”

What does that mean exactly? The Hebrew word is raphah which means:  to sink; relax; fall down; let drop; to be slack.

Praise God he has told us to be slackers!  Wait a minute!  What does that mean?   Slack, according to Websters Dictionary, means to relieve tension; to slow down; the part of a rope that hangs loose; having no stress upon it.

God is speaking my language.  Hang loose!  Hang loose with me!  We know and have confidence that no matter what is going on in life, I AM is still GOD.  His promises are true.  He had got us and will get us through.

I enCOURAGE you to hang loose, be a slacker and know HE IS GOD!

 

November 23, 2020

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39 NKJV)

In Mark 4, Jesus had been preaching from a boat and he told the disciples: “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.”  His purpose was to make it to the other side.  It was going to happen. However, a mega monsoon like storm arose. Trying to stop them from reaching the reward at the end.

The waves beat up the boat and water jumped in it.  Jesus was just chilling, taking a much need nap.  Resting in the storm.  However, just like we might do in the middle of the storms of life the disciples freaked and woke Him up: “Don’t You care?  We are being destroyed!”  Isn’t that our first question when the storm comes?  “Where are you, Jesus?”  Can’t you see him huffing and puffing, bothered that he has been woken?   He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace. be still.”   He spoke to the storm like it was nothing.   In fact, after looking at the definition of the words, peace and be still… in the Greek, he really would have sounded less kingly.  His words implied: “Hush! Put a muzzle on it!” 

I enCOURAGE you to do continue doing the same. Follow his lead.  I love when you courageously proclaim: “I will praise and thank Him through the storm!”  Just like Jesus, you speak to the storm and stops it in its tracks.  You render it ineffective.  Just like Jesus, you speak to the wind and it stops.  Your faith creates a great calm, perfect peacefulness.  And like our brothers, you will make it to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes which means “Reward at the end.”  I know you look through the storm and know that Jesus will deliver you to the other side where there is a reward at the end.   It is the place where the Son brightly shines and the skies sparkle brilliant blue like a sapphire.  And soon, very soon, on the other side, you will see your reward at the end.

by Tammy Phillips
November 22, 2020

On the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (John 7:37 NKJV)

As I sit and listen to the rain trickle down, I am assured the earth will drink it all up because it thirsts.  Often, we are painfully thirsty.  We seek coffee in the morning to keep our sleepy eyes awake.  In the evening others desire a toddy, a pain killer to take away the sufferings of the day.

Jesus stood up and yelled in the middle of the big party, “Come to me if you are thirsty!  Come to me and drink!”  No Grande caramel macchiato nor jumbo margarita can fill the emptiness caused by the pains of life.  Jesus is the only true thirst quencher.  He is the only pain reliever we need.  Freely, come to Him.  He will heal every hurt.  He will quench every thirst.  Do you hear him yelling for you?  The Living Water is waiting on you. 

I enCOURAGE you to let him pour you the best drink ever, Himself.

“For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. (56) “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (John 6:55-56 NKJV)

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. (Matthew 26:27 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
NOVEMBER 21, 2019

LOVE WISDOM.  SHE WILL KEEP YOU.

When you walk, when you go,
YOUR STEPS WILL NOT BE BOUND OR DISTRESSED.

When you run,
You will not stumble.
You will not fall down.
You will not, totter, nor waver.
YOU WILL NOT BE OVERTHROWN.

Take hold of instruction.
Seize discipline.
Be strong in correction.

DO NOT LET GO! 
DO NOT BE SLACK!
DO NOT BE DISHEARTENED!

Keep her. 
Guard wisdom. 
Watch over her.
She is your life.
Instruction is the key.
WISDOM IS…LIFE TO YOU.
(Wisdom of Solomon from Proverbs 4)

I enCOURAGE you to chase after the wisdom of God.  Do not forsake it.  It will preserve you.  Build your life on the promises of God.  If you have a circumstance and you do not know what to do, get a word from God. Listen to His word and abide in that word.  Find at least one of His promises for your situation and do not let go.  Get wisdom. It is the first thing you need to experience the abundant life He has created you for!

by Tammy Phillips
November 20, 2020

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NKJV)

Follow the Light.  The Light will direct.  When we are feeling like Job and questioning:

“Why is light given to him who is in misery?  Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden and whom God has hedged in?  For my sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings pour out like water.  For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.” (Job 3:20, 23-25 NKJV)

 It is always darkest before the dawn, when light of the moon is farthest from us.  We sometimes are overwhelmed and devastated by the dark periods of life.  But God!  We know the night will not last and that the glory of the Son will break through the darkness.  David says in Psalm 18:28, “For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” He always victoriously overcomes the darkest places in our lives.  He in fact enlightens the darkness!  Glory to God.

I enCOURAGE you to take hold of the Light!  Grab His word and do not let go.  Follow the Light! He alone has the ability to walk you out of the dark place into His glorious light.

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 19, 2019

“And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV)

Over and over in God’s word, He encourages, “do not fear.”  When you cannott stand the silence because feel that you are wandering and wondering what you are to do next and where God is in all of it. He is there.  He is right where He has always been.  He has already gone before you. He is beside you. He is inside of you.  He is behind you.  He is all around you.  He is the air that you breathe.  Take His hand.  He will help you walk where you think you cannot.  He will hold you up.  He will help you take the next step no matter how cluttered with obstacles your path may seem.  Do not fear.  He is with you.

The will of God is for you to walk by faith.  The will of Satan is for you to walk in fear.  Chew on that one.   Where does your faith abide?  If you are walking in fear, you ARE fulfilling the plan Satan has for you life. Ouch!  You are placing your faith in the enemy, not in God nor His word.  Keep confessing all those fears.  You will receive exactly what you are believing for. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. HEBREWS 11:6

Walk by faith you will receive the promises of God.  He will hold you up.  He will help you take the next step no matter how cluttered with obstacles your path may seem.  Have faith. Do not fear.  He is with you. 

I enCOURAGE you to take comfort in the all-encompassing presence of God in your life and do not fear.  These are not idle nor empty words.  Those three little words, “do not fear,” are words of hope and freedom.  Have faith and do not fear.  He is with you. 

And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God–my God–will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. (1 Chronicles 28:20 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
November 18, 2020

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23 NKJV)

Take one step at a time.  I know on this journey you may not see the way clearly but take one step at a time.  God will be your Newel Post, the anchor of the stairway, a support that helps bear the weight of the rest of the way.  A newel is always found at the foot of a flight of stairs and at the top of the stairway.  A newel is placed at every juncture where the stairway changes directions. God is your Newel post providing support and bearing the way at the beginning, the end and at every turn along the stairway.

As you begin to climb, God will bring you to a landing that will provide you time for healing, rest, and restoration.  He will bring you to a landing place to guide you around the obstacles of life.  The landing will provide you direction and next steps. Trust Him.  He says in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV) He will help you rise and tread.  Rise and tread.  Before you know it, you will have risen and completed a run to the next landing.

I enCOURAGE you to keep taking one step at a time.  God will be with you every step of the way.  Take time to heal in your own way.  Grieve in your own way.  Healing is a journey and a climb.  Take one day at a time.  Take one breathe at a time.  Take one step at a time.

by Tammy Phillips
November 17, 2020

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 KJV)

God is in the midst of you.
God is in the center of you.
God is in your nearest part.

God in the midst of you is Brave.
God is in the midst of you is Mighty.
God in the midst of you is the Mightiest.
God in the midst of you is the Strongest.
God in the midst of you is a Warrior.
God in the midst of you is a Champion

God will save you.
God will deliver you.
God will rescue you.
God will preserve you.

God will rejoice over you with joy.
God will take great delight in you.
God will leap and spring over you with gladness.
God will rest in His love and be silent over you.
God will joy over you with singing.
God will spin around over you with a ringing cry.
God will whirl around you with a shout.

God loves you that much.

I enCOURAGE you with the fact that God spins and shouts over you!    He is excited about you.  Know that God is all up in your business.  He is working on your behalf.    He is right in the middle of it and you ready to save.

by Tammy Phillips
November 16, 2020

 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it out of the way by nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14 NLT)

Why do we hang on to the mistakes of our past? 
Why do we keep bringing up our sin?  
Jesus took them.
Why do we try to keep them?  

When we confess our sins and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, 1 John 1:9 states: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   Forgive is the Greek word, aphiēmi, meaning to let go, send away, and to leave.  Jesus paid for them and let them go.  Why can’t we do the same?

Not only did Jesus let them go, he cancelled our stack of sin tickets.  He made them disappear. He removed, took them and carried them.  It is not our job to carry what he took.   Get this point.  He took it, our sins, out of the way!  Ways is the Greek word mesos meaning middle.  He took our sins from:

• the middle
• the middle of us
• the middle of our mind
• the middle of our heart
• the middle of our journey
• the middle of the road we must travel.
• the middle of our life

If we truly have made Jesus, Lord of our life, our past sins mistakes, and wrongs, should no longer cause us problems in life!!!!  He removed the obstacle of our sin from our way!  They are not there anymore!!!   They are gone!!!  They are not in our way.  Jesus cleared our paths.    He cleared the path, so that nothing would stand in the way.  Why do keep trying to put it back when he took it away?  Stop it.  He is the Way.  Follow Him.

I enCOURAGE you to walk in the freedom of knowing that your sins are not in your way.  The only thing in your way is you.  Get out of your way.   Jesus forgave you.  Forgive yourself and forget them.  He has.  

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12 NKJV)