Complete in Him

by Tammy Phillips
July 30, 2020

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. – Acts 12:5 NKJV

Almighty Father God, Creator of the universe, creator of every star, every planet, every person, every drop of water and every grain of sand; that same and only, God answers our prayers.

We are told In Acts 12 that Herod the King had had enough of the disciples.  He determined to injure them and their cause.  He killed James the brother of John.  Then…

 “Peter was therefore kept in prison, BUT constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. – Acts 12:5 NKJV.

Peter was handcuffed to two guards and two others guarded him because he had escaped prison earlier in Acts 5.  The church went into action on Peter’s behalf.  They went straight to God.  They offered earnest, unceasing, not obligatory, prayers.  God responded and sent an angel to escort Peter out of bondage.  Peter was loosed from his chains, his guards, and an iron gate that just opened automatically.  Miracle?  Call it what you want.  God answered, unlocked and set Peter free from his bonds.  He is the same God and will do the same for you, your family and your friends.  He sent Jesus to set the captives free.  Jesus has already paid for our freedom.  We just have to believe it and  accept it.

Think about what happened next!  Peter had been asleep in the prison not worrying about being executed the next day.  After he was set free, he arrived at his safe spot in town in the middle of the night and many were gathered together, still praying. (Acts 12:12)  Don’t you want  friends that will pray you loose in the middle of the night?   I want to be the friend who will intercede for you in the middle of the night.  (It is 3:38 AM.  As soon as I post this, know that I am praying for YOU, our President, our leaders and our nation.)

What happened next was like something out of a sitcom.  Peter went to where they were praying, knocked on the door, and a girl answered the call.  However, she did not open the gate.  She was so excited that she went and told the ‘Prayers’ that it was Peter.  They said, “No way.  YOU ARE CRAZY!  It’s his angel.”

“But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened [the door] and saw him, they were amazed.” – Acts 12:16 KJV 

The answer to their continual prayer was knocking at the door and they could not see it.  They were amazed.

We have every opportunity to be amazed by God, but we have to pray with care and faithful expectation to see results.  Prayers are not wishes that we throw in the air and hope God will catch our words.  When we pray, we must believe that God is who He says, He is and will do what He says He will do.  I want to always be amazed and thankful when He acts on our behalf.

I enCOURAGE you to faithfully pray.  I know that it is easy to say pray, when all the bills are paid, we have food to eat, a place to live, and our family is doing well.  However, God does not change just because our situations do.  So…PRAY, PRAY, and BE AMAZED by our LOVING FATHER.

by Tammy Phillips
July 28, 2020

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. – Acts 11:23 NKJV

Barnabas, the Encourager, was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch, a city in ancient Syria.  Today, it is Turkish Antakya, a major town of south-central Turkey.  It was the third largest city in the Roman Empire.  Currently In the Unites States, our third largest city is Chicago.  We do not see nor hear a lot of good coming out of Chicago.  Can you imagine a city, so touched by the Lord that somebody from Washington, D.C. was sent to see what was going on?   It was in Antioch where Christians were first called Christians. God was on the move and it could be seen.  They were doing something right.  How cool would it be hear, “Have you seen what is going on in Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, New York or Nashville,” and it be GOOD NEWS?

When Barnabas arrived:

2. He saw the grace and favor God.
   When others see us, do they see the grace of God in our lives?  In today’s society, I can see others being envious and jealous. However, our lives should be so full of Jesus that others WANT WHAT WE HAVE and in a good way.  We recently had dinner at our friend’s, the Heydel’s home, Rick made this statement: “Most of the world would still trade places with us on our worst day.”    We are blessed and we need to share that blessing of Christ to all.  We need to let our world SEE the grace of God operating in our lives.

3. Barnabas was glad for the Christians in Antioch.   Antioch had been much like present day Chicago.  He was fully of joy at the transformation.  He was happy with what the Lord was doing.  Do people get happy just seeing what the Lord is doing in our lives?  Do our lives promote joy and happiness?
4. Barnabas encouraged them all. He saw obedience, maturity, and good in the Christians at Antioch.  He motivated them to keep on keeping on.
5. Barnabas exhorted them that they should cleave to the LORD. He urged them to remain faithful and devoted to the Lord. As Gentiles, the salvation of the Lord had been shared with them.  He did not want them to turn back to their pagan ways.
6. Barnabas inspired them to purpose in their heart to continue with the Lord. He persuaded them to be RESOLUTE (constant in pursuing a purpose) WITH THE LORD.  No turning back, just spreading and keeping their eyes focused on Gospel of Christ.

The author of Hebrews said it like this:

“Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV

I enCOURAGE you, no matter what, let them see the grace of God alive and active in your life.  Jesus is coming soon.  In a hopeless world, share the GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST.  You are blessed and highly favored.  Hold fast to your faith.  BE RESOLUTE WITH THE LORD.

           

by Tammy Phillips
July 28, 2020

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. – Acts 11:21 NKJV

How comforting and reassuring, when you can reach out and touch the hand of a loved one?  Power is transferred when you hold hands.  A hand means presence.

Holding hands…

• benefits physical and mental health
• can reduce physical and emotional pain.
• shows that you are in union or partnership.
• means you do not walk alone.
• Is an act of affection.
• is comforting in sadness.
• is reassuring in gladness.
• is stabilizing.
• is helpful.
• is strengthening.
• Is encouraging.
• is protecting.

 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand. – John 10:29 KJV

God’s hand is always with you.  His hand is there for the taking.  His hand is representative of His presence.   Our loving God says:

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ – Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

God’s hand is there to uphold.
God’s hand is there to provide strength and might.
God’s hand provides us security and says, “Fear not!”
God’s hand says, “Don’t look away in amazement!  I got you! Nothing is too hard for me.”
God’s hand will help you lead others to Him. 

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. – Acts 10:38 NKJV

I encourage you to seek the Lord’s presence, reach out and hold tightly to His hand.  He will lead you in the direction you need to go.  Also, hold the hand of the one you love and go with the flow.  Take time to hold the hands of family and friends in need, or the stranger that you see bleed.  Remember, GOD IS WITH YOU.

by Tammy Phillips
June 27, 2020

…For if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it–lest you even be found to fight against God.” – Acts 5:38-39 NKJV

I observed a Snowy Egret standing strong against the wind for a long period of time.  He spread his tall, skinny, little legs and faced the storm.  He would not be overthrown.  The only way he could have remained standing was by divine design.  He was built to be resolute.

You are divinely designed. You are chosen by God.  You are a vessel of God.  You are a plan of God.  And, He has missions for you to accomplish. He has designed plans for your life and they will not be overthrown.   What has God asked you to do lately?

• Cook dinner for family or friends?
• Purge your house?
• Be kind to your neighbor?
• Be kind to a stranger?
• Get out of bed?
• Go for a walk?
• Eat right?
• Share your story?
• Share His story?
• Buy groceries for the person in line with you?
• Treat the person to dinner in the car behind you at Chick-fil-A?
• Tip big?
• Give more?
• Write a book?
• Sing a song?
• Record an exercise video?
• Bless someone with a photograph?

Sometimes, He asks us to do “normal” things.  However, when thinking about His plans and purposes, He usually asks us to step out in faith with Him  and do uncomfortable, extravagant, and extraordinary things.  He is an extravagant and amazing Father.  So, He may require that we step out in faith, out of our comfort zones and into His plans.  Know that “whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Colossians 3:17 NKJV. 

I enCOURAGE you to understand that if God called you to it that he will get you through it.  If it is His magnificent plan, it will not be overthrown.  You will succeed.  The Holy Spirit will empower you to do so, just like He empowered that little Snowy Egret to stand, resolute.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, – Ephesians 3:20 NKJV”

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 26, 2020

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. – Acts 9:15 NKJV

The Bible tells us in Acts 9:15 that Saul was a chosen vessel of God to bear his name.  God used a murderous, persecutor to write the majority of the New Testament and to spread the Gospel.  And, Ananias was the disciple and chosen vessel to lead Saul to his destiny.

YOU are a chosen vessel of God to bear the name of Jesus.  If you are a follower of Christ, you are called a Christian for a reason.  You have a purpose in His kingdom.   Remember…

• You did not choose Jesus, but he chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit. (John 15:16 )
• You are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
• He also called you; He justified you ; He also glorified you . (Romans 8:30)
• You are chosen … that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  (1 Peter 2:9)
• He chose you in Him before the foundation of the world…(Ephesians 1:4)

Think of it like this, a flower is also chosen vessel to reflect the creative beauty and goodness of God.

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. – Psalm 103:15 NKJV 

The Hebrew word for flower here is tsiyts which means bloom, glisten, a shining thing.  The etymology of this word is tsuwts which means to shine, to flourish, to be bright shine, twinkle, and to sparkle.  It looks like, God likes sparkle and shine as much as we do.  (I mean streets of gold in heaven, right?)  So, If man is like a flower, and a flower sparkles and shines.  We are his chosen vessel, bearing, his name, and reflecting His glory.  We are made to flourish. We are vessels made to sparkle and shine.

I enCOURAGE you to know how very special you are to God.  YOU ARE HIS CHOSEN VESSEL.  He did not walk into Kroger and pick any old flower or vase.  He created you and picked you.  He wants to pour into you so you can pour into others.  You know that you are called to SPARKLE.  Shine on!

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 24, 2020

Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: – Acts 10:34 KJV

He is Lord of ALL. (Acts 10:36)

All means all.  I open my mouth and say that the Lord does not care what you look like.  He does not care what you did in your past.  “We have all sinned.” He does not look at your face.  You do not have to look a certain way to be accepted by him.  He looks at your heart, at the inner man.  He does not care how much money you make, or do not make.  He doesn’t care if you are a janitor or a doctor.  He does not look at your skin color, nor nationality.  He is not partial because of who you are.   It is WHOSE you are that matters.

He is Lord to the,
Jew
Gentile
Republican
Democrat
Black
White
Yellow
Red
Fat
Skinny
Ugly
Beautiful
Homosexual
Heterosexual
Beautiful
Educated
Uneducated
Rich
Poor
Policeman
Criminal
Faithful
Adulterer
Abused
Abuser
Unwed Mom
Deadbeat Dad
Motherless
Fatherless
Drunk
Drug Addict
Sex Addict
Homeless
Murderer
Thief…and everyone else not on this short list.

For there is no partiality with God. – Romans 2:11 NKJV 

He is Jesus to all.  He is Savior to all.   Sadly, all do not allow him to be Lord.   All do not come to him.  All do not accept him as their Savior.   All are welcome, but all do not…, nor obey the word of God.  All do not live righteously.  All do not accept that ….

“He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV.  

Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they [are] all the work of His hands. – Job 34:19 NKJV

 I enCOURAGE you to see ALL, as the works of His hands.  He is Lord of ALL (.)   Lord, open our eyes.  Help us to see everyone with your eyes.  Help us to open our mouths and share you with ALL.

“He is either Lord of ALL, or He is not Lord at all.”  -Hudson Taylor

Deuteronomy 10:17,  2 Chronicles 19:7,  Job 34:19,
Romans 2:11, Colossians 3:25

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 24, 2020

In ACTS 9 God covered a lot of territory and was busy acting through the disciples:

ACTS 9:1-9       The Damascus Road: Saul Converted.  One of the greatest persecutors of Christianity came to Jesus.

ACTS 9:10-19    Paul recovers his sight.  The Lord sent Ananias to Paul.  Ananias said “Woe, wait a minute.  You know who he is, right?”  The Lord says, “go,” and Ananias is obedient.  Paul receives his sight, is filled with Holy Spirit and is baptized.

ACTS 9:20-22   Saul immediately preached Christ in the synagogues

ACTS 9:23-25    Saul escaped death.

ACTS 9:26-30    Saul was rejected and accepted by disciples in Jerusalem. Escaped death again.  Saul empowered by the Holy Spirit spoke BOLDLY in the name of the Lord Jesus.

ACSTS 9:31        The Church Prospers. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. – Acts 9:31 NKJV

ACTS 9:32-35    Aeneas the Paralytic was Healed.

ACTS 9:36-43    Dorcas was Restored to Life.

 The acts were flowing in this chapter.  The apostles and disciples were full of the Holy Spirit, power and boldness.  Lets’ look at the last two acts of Peter in this chapter.  Peter did not send out a letter to the other apostles asking for prayer for the healing of Aeneas and Tabitha.   He boldly addressed the problems immediately, in person, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.  He did make one call to the Father before he spoke to Tabitha.

In Lydda, Aeneas had been paralyzed for eight years.  Simply and with no fluffy prayers, “Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole. Arise and make your bed.’ Then he arose immediately”. – Acts 9:34 NKJV.  Eleven words, faith, and obedience in Jesus changed Aeneas’ life, forever.

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.  This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.  But it happened in those days that she became sick and died.  When they had washed her, they laid [her] in an upper room.” – Acts 9:36-37 NKJV

Lydda was close to Joppa so they sent for Peter.  When he arrived, they were all wailing.

“But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed.  And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.” – Acts 9:40 NKJV

Here, a bad thing happened to a good person, but somebody dared to believe that the bad was reversible.  A prayer and two words, “Tabitha, arise,” spoken in the authority and power of Jesus, brought life back into Tabitha.

Not only did Peter’s faithful acts of obedience change two lives,

“all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him (Aenenas) and turned to the Lord.” – Acts 9:35 NKJV.

“And it (Tabitha’s healing) became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.” – Acts 9:42 NKJV

The Holy Spirit empowers us to these and greater works for God’s glory.   Chew on that one for a day or two.  I boldly say, “Arise! Jesus Christ has made you whole.”

I enCOURAGE you to address boldly and with the authority of Jesus, the obstacles, sickness and problems in your life.  Speak the good news of Jesus into the lives of those around you.  It will change your life, their lives and ultimately, the people surrounding them.  Act, one at a time, and watch the ripple of the Holy Spirit change lives, cities, states and the nation.

by Tammy Phillips
July 22, 2020

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It [is] hard for you to kick against the goads.”  So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord [said] to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:5-6 NKJV

When Saul encountered Jesus on the journey, near Damascus, he asked Jesus two very important questions: “Who are you, Lord and what do you want me to do?”  Paul spent the rest of his life searching for the answers to these questions.

I reached a point of despair in my life about twenty years ago.  I had been doing it my way and it was not working so well for me.  I asked similar questions.  I asked God back in 2000, “If you are God, and Jesus is supposed to have all the answers to my questions, help me out?”  The Holy Spirit led me to Colossians 2:10, which has become my life verse, “And ye are complete in him.”  As I sought the Lord through good times and bad, happy and sad, hard and not so hard times, the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to me.  Little by little, I learned who the Lord is.  I learned that all my answers are wrapped up in all that He is. I am still learning.

I believe at some point in time that all of us have asked, “What is my purpose in life?”  Have we always known our purpose?  Or, have we just thrown that question to the universe and hoped for a reply?  When we asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do?”  We have opened ourselves up to His Lordship and His plan.  He always answers.  He gives us the next step.  If He showed us everything that he had planned for our lives, all at once, I am not sure that we could or would believe it.  I know we would be overwhelmed to say the least.

Look at what Paul accomplished for the Lord in his life!  However, after his amazing meeting with Jesus, the only directive answer he received was, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:6 NKJV.  Paul was told to keep going in the direction he was going, and he would receive his next step.  This is so simple.  Keep doing what you are doing until he tells you what to do next.  If you do not like the way your life is going, turn to God, go in a different direction, and wait on further instruction.  Every time, if you seek Him, you will find him.

I enCOURAGE you to ask the two questions of Jesus:  Who are you and what do you want me to do?  He will answer you.  It might take a little time for Him to return the call, but he always calls back.   I pray that you spend the rest of your life with that same goal of Paul: “…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” – Philippians 3:10 NKJV

by Tammy Phillips
July 22, 2020

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. – Acts 9:5 KJV

Saul was a devout Jew who thought he was doing the work of God.  He was viscous and was on a mission to eliminate Christians, particularly the disciples.  He was in hot pursuit of them, when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.  The meeting stopped him in his tracts and forever changed his life.

Jesus said the funniest thing to Saul in Acts 9:5 KJV, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”  The New King James versions reads, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It [is] hard for you to kick against the goads.”  A goad was a long piece of wood that was pointed on one end.  It was used to urge a stubborn ox in the desired direction.  If the ox rebelled, it might “kick against the goad,” causing a pain in its behind.  “Kicking against the prick” would be like Jesus saying in modern day terms, “Why are you being so stupid?   Why are you making things so hard on yourself by being vain, risky, dangerous, disastrous and destructive in your resistance and rebellion against Me?”  Simply, “why are you doing things your own way?”

Jesus is kind and loving he compassionately “pricks” our spirit in the right direction.  We choose to rebel.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV).  We can “kick against the prick” and go our own way, but it will be painful.  Ultimately, we are just slowing down the will of God for our lives.

I encourage you not to “kick against the prick.”  Surrender to the word of God.  Submit to the will of God.  When you have a come-to-Jesus meeting, let it be you that calls it and not Jesus saying, “(fill in the blanks, with your name?)”

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 21, 2020

“They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness and shall sing of thy righteousness.” Psalms 145:7 (KJV)

If you know me, you know I am passionate about taking pictures.  I took so many pictures on vacation.  I was scrolling through them and asked myself, “Why?”

When life is moving at warp speed, a photo stops time.  It captures a moment never to be replayed in history again. Photographs tell the stories of our life.  Pictures are the language that write the stories when words and memories fail us.

As an amateur photographer, I don’t think a day passes without me snapping a shot of something.  Some days I take “a roll of film” and some days I take five or ten rolls of pics, at least that is how it used to be. Remember, a roll of film would yield 12, 24, or 36 pics and we would wait in anticipation for them to be developed.  Digital photography and cell phone cameras changed the game.  Now, we can take as many as we want. Thousands upon thousands are instantly processed, saved and stored in something no bigger than a hand.  If that isn’t a wonder of God.  We have instant recall of moments, memories, signs and wonders. All of these images should be used to “abundantly utter the memory of the great goodness of our God.”  According 1 Timothy 6:17, it is God “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

 I enCOURAGE you to be amazed at the great goodness of God.  Keep capturing God moments to share and declare His glory.  Every snapshot is a divine appointment that he has created in your life.  Record it to communicate your story and for your enjoyment.