Month: July 2019

Posted on

Love Your Enemy, Even When It Is You!

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

Word Study

Love – G27 ἀγάπη agapē, love, in the NT usually the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies 

Covers – G2821 καλύπτω kalyptō, cover, veil, hide, swept over

Thoughts…

Love is the animating spirit, without which all other duties are dead. Charity shall cover the multitude. The oldest manuscripts have “covereth.” as not harshly to condemn or expose faults; but forbearingly to bear the other’s burdens, forgiving and forgetting past offenses (Jamieson, Fausett, and Brown Commentary).

I am sorry guys, today is all about me. I am sitting here hating myself. I don’t want to show myself any love or grace. I can go out and love others. I can offer them forgiveness, but I am fighting to do it to myself. I have an eating problem that is quite literally killing me and I struggle to overcome it.

I know we all have our own personal demons. TODAY, I feel like I am losing the battle. I feel like a fake because I tell you that you can overcome, as I sit here behind this keyboard struggling.  Well, let me tell you something. I am not here to tell you how to do something or where to find peace, love, faith, hope, grace or forgiveness. I am here to walk with you, fight beside you and face these demons with you. Together we fight. Together we win. Together we show Satan, ”No! We are legion!”

Loving one another and covering one another with grace and forgiveness includes loving yourself and forgiving yourself.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

Plug into the Power Source

2 Corinthians 12:10

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV)

Word Study

Weakness  –  G819 ἀσθένεια astheneia, weakness, illness, infirmity

Strong – G1543 δυνατός dynatos, possible (based on power); powerful, able, the Mighty One

Thoughts…

The opponents’ criticisms forced Paul to say what he did in this chapter. They claimed true apostles had special revelations. Paul knew this boasting was senseless, but he related a time around a.d. 42 when he experienced the inside of heaven. Paul disliked sharing this account, for he knew that God’s strength is more easily seen in the apostle’s weakness. In fact, God allowed Satan to afflict Paul to keep him humble and to demonstrate the power of God in his life. If vulnerability revealed God’s power, Paul gladly accepted the weakness (HCBC Commentary).

We are not perfect. We are not goodie-two-shoes. We don’t have some magical power that makes life full of rainbows and unicorns. What we have is hope, love, faith, and grace.  When we are faced with our weakness, we rely on a power source that does not end. When we give in and give up, God takes over and makes us powerful, able, and strong!

Feeling a little weak today. Stop fighting it. Let it go. Plug into the power of God. Find your true strength!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

Troubles Will Come But…

Psalms 34:19

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; (NIV)

Word Study

Righteous – H7404 צַדִּיק ṣaddîq, righteous, upright, just, innocent; in accordance with a proper (God’s) standard, and so implying innocence

Troubles – H8288 רָעָה3 rāʽâ3, bad, disaster, harm, trouble; by extension

Delivered – H5911 נָצַל nāṣal, to be saved, be delivered, be spared; to plunder, take away, tear away; to deliver, save, rescue; to be snatched; to strip off oneself

Thoughts…

The righteous are taken under the special protection of the Lord, yet they have their share of crosses in this world, and there are those that hate them. Both from the mercy of Heaven, and the malice of hell, the afflictions of the righteous must be many. But whatever troubles befall them, shall not hurt their souls, for God keeps them from sinning in troubles. No man is desolate, but he whom God has forsaken (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

Troubles come in so many different ways every day. Just because we become Christians doesn’t mean we are trouble-free. On the contrary, we seem to attract more trouble. God wants us to know we are not alone. He will see us through this life. He gave us hope to continue on today and the many tomorrows.

One day, we will be saved from ALL of the troubles here on Earth and be with Him in Heaven where no troubles exist.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

Placed on the ROCK

Psalms 62:1-2

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken (NIV)

Word Study

Rock – H7446 צוּר4 ṣûr4, rock; stone mass, rocky crag; a title of God, with a focus of stability, and possibly as a place of security and safety

Fortress – H5369 מִשְׂגָּב1 miśgāb1,  fortress, refuge, stronghold

Shaken – H4572 מוֹט1 môṭ1, to slip, fall, totter, stagger; to be shaken, be caused to move, be toppled; to bring down, to cause to fall; to be thoroughly shaken, be continually shaken

Thoughts…

Trust in God and Him alone. He is like a fortress in that He protects against all who are hostile. People will fail (the Hebrew text reads, “Humans are worthless [as an object of trust]; people are a lie”). Riches are no security (HCBC Commentary).

These verses always remind me of the song by Chumbawamba, “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” You see trials and troubles will come into our lives. We have a focus of stability, a place of security and stability to run. God provides us a fortress of solitude, like Superman. The best part is when the storms come, and they will, we will not slip, fall, totter, stagger, be shaken, be moved, be toppled, or be brought down. God is our rock and fortress. No storm can EVER take Him down. So go find some rest in Him and let the storm rage on.

Like a lighthouse standing tall in the middle of a raging storm, I will be firm because I am placed on the ROCK!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

Let the Storm Rage On!

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (NIV)

Word Study

Steadfast – H6164 סָמַךְ sāmak, to sustain, uphold; to lay (one’s hand upon); to be braced, be steadfast; to lean upon, rely upon, gain confidence; [P] to strengthen, refresh

Thoughts…

mind … stayed–(Ps 112:7, 8). Jesus can create “perfect peace” within thy mind, though storms of trial rage without (Isa 57:19; Mr 4:39); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Php 4:7). “Keep,” literally, “guard as with a garrison.” HORSLEY translates, (God’s) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean “mind,” but “a thing formed,” Eph 2:10), so constantly “supported”; or else “formed and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the righteous nation) in perpetual peace” (Jameson, Fausett, and Brown Commentary).

Living with any kind of mental illness, your idea of normal is so not what everyone else thinks. You live in a physical place for mere moments and then you walk on to the next spot. You live in your brain 100% of the time. When that brain is going to a very dark space, you are often just along for the ride. However, you are never alone on this journey. NEVER! Never! Never! What is swirling around in the brain like a giant typhoon can still find peace in the eye of the storm. It may not feel like it right now, but if you can just hang on to that hope and lean upon God you will find peace.

Find your inner Elsa. Let the storm rage on. WIth God, the cold never bothered me anyway!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

And…

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

Word Study

And – H2256 -וְ wᵉ-, a marker showing the relationship between words, clauses, sentences, and sections; generally, coordinating: and, also; contrasting: but, yet, however; showing a logical relationship: because, so then.

Thoughts…

A little bit of background here from Holman Concise Bible Commentary.  Jeremiah Confronts the False Prophets (27:1–29:32). Early in Zedekiah’s reign, Jeremiah warned the people not to believe the false prophets’ messages of hope and peace. In accordance with the Lord’s instructions, Jeremiah made a yoke and placed it on his neck. He then sent messages to the kings of the surrounding nations, informing them that Nebuchadnezzar would subjugate their lands. They were not to believe their lying prophets and diviners who were advocating resistance and predicting deliverance. Resistance would only bring disaster and exile. They should submit to Nebuchadnezzar’s authority (symbolized by the yoke) so that they might remain in their lands.

We are often the type of people that full of, “Yeah, but…” We wait for the other shoe to drop. This is too good to be true. In this simple verse, we have all heard many times, God takes away the yeah buts with one simple word…AND! He has plans AND he is not out to get us. He is giving us hope AND a future. In other words, there is a method to his madness, so to speak. There is a purpose AND it will all be OK in the end.

Sit back AND enjoy the ride. Just wait AND everything is going to be OK.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

Daddy, I need a Hug!

Psalms 91:1

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, (MSG)

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (NIV)

Word Study

Dwell – H3782 יָשַׁב yāšab, to live, inhabit, dwell, stay; to be settled, be inhabited; to set up; to cause to settle, make dwell, to cause to sit; by extension

Rest – H4328 לִין lîn, spend the night, stay the night; to hold back overnight, leave overnight; to stay for the night; by extension: to stay, dwell an indeterminate amount of time 

shadow – H7498 צֵל ṣēl, shadow, shade, protection

Thoughts…

He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do s0  (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

Ever since I was a little girl, I always envisioned God, well, like the pictures we see of Zeus. To be more specific, like the Zeus in Disney’s Hercules. You know the big muscles, long white curly beard, and hair. I see him sitting in a huge chair. Whenever I was upset, I would picture myself walking into his throne room, rather shy like. I look up at him under my eyelids to see if he is too busy. He never is. He looks down with a cute little grin and waves at me to come on. I run and jump in his lap. He cradles me and rocks me as I play with his beard and I tell him all about it. He listens, intently, to every single word. He laughs at the right times, a large belly laugh. He grins and gives me that one cocked eyebrow when I admit my part in the problem, “sort of.” Then he dries my tears and lets me know I am safe and secure in his arms and no one will hurt his little girl.

I may be an adult now, but I will always be God’s little girl and no one is going to hurt his little girl!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

I Got You

Isaiah 41:10 & 13

Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’ (MSG)

Word Study

Fear or Panic – H3707 יָרֵא1 yārē’1, to be afraid, be frightened; be dreadful, be feared; [P] to frighten, terrify, intimidate; terror and fright, fear (92), feared (12), be feared (4), dreadful (4), terrified (4), intimidate (3), alarmed (2), despair (2), frightened (2), have fear (2)

Thoughts…

Vs. 10-20. God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary).

As I write this today I am fighting with a panic attack. I am shaking so bad I am struggling to type. Forgive me if there are errors and. Typos. it began when I picked up my bible to read today’s scriptures. I am not trying to say this is a direct attack from Satan, but it sure feels that way. the first thing I wanted to do was put it down and run. I am so glad I didn’t. Someone out there needs to know they are not alone. These verses remind us we are not alone! Verse 10 and 13 plainly state don’t panic, God is with me. He has a firm grip on me. I am not losing it. I need to just be still and let God hang on. Take a deep breath, Let go and let God. 

I don’t know what you are going through right now. I only know you are not alone. Please don’t panic. Take a deep breath, let go and let God. Fall in his arms. Let him hold you. He will get you through this. He will not let go!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

I Don’t Have to Hide BEHIND My Smile

Behind My Smile by Tabetha Frick

Proverbs 31:25

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come. (NIV)

Word Study

Laugh – H8471 שָׂחַק śāḥaq, to laugh, be amused; to laugh at, mock, scoff; [P] to celebrate, rejoice, frolic

To Come – H340 אַחֲרוֹן ’aḥᵃrôn, (temporal) next, later, last, end; (spatial) at the back, behind

Strength – H6437 עֹז ʽōz, strength, power, might; stronghold, fortification; strong-willed, stubborn

Dignity – H2077 הָדָר hādār, majesty, splendor, glory, nobility, blessing

Thoughts…

She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

The Proverbs 31 Woman relies on God to get her through each and every day. He gives her strength to stand firm like a stronghold for others to come to in need. She is a blessing to those who need her help. She may need to take a moment to cry but she always gets back up. Her faith in her past gives her hope for her future. She knows where her smile comes from. Her face lights up with God. When she falls to her knees Satan quakes because it is not the end it is just the beginning!

I don’t have to hind behind a smile. My smile is from the Lord. It is backed by his strength. My smile can light the path for others and blind Satan in his tracks!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Posted on

Have or Seen

Romans 8:24-25

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. NIV

Word Study

Have or seen

G1063 βλέπω blepō, to see, look at; to watch out, beware, pay attention:– see (51), saw (9), watch out (7), ever seeing (6), seen (6), see to it (5), seeing (5), sees (4), look (3), on guard (3), blind (2), careful (2), consider carefully (2), look at (2), unseen (2), already have (1), be very careful (1), before eyes (1), consider (1), do (1), do yet have (1), exposed (1), facing (1), gaze (1), judging (1), looked in (1), looks (1), looks at (1), pay attention (1), pay attention to who they are (1), sight (1), stared (1), take care (1), think (1), watch out for (1), with care (1)

Thoughts…

Believers have been brought into a state of safety; but their comfort consists rather in hope than in enjoyment. From this hope they cannot be turned by the vain expectation of finding satisfaction in the things of time and sense. We need patience, our way is rough and long; but He that shall come, will come, though he seems to tarry (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

One version I read compared this verse to pregnancy. We haven’t seen the baby but we are still waiting eagerly to see it. Overall though I like the word have over the word seen in this verse. 

I am a person who saves up for things. I get all excited waiting for that new gadget, item, vehicle or even house. I don’t have it yet. I have seen it, but I don’t have it. I even tend to make vision boards as I wait to purchase the item.  I wait eagerly and patiently. I keep working towards it. I place my hope that I will soon have it.

I did not see Jesus hanging on that cross. I have not seen Heaven. I hope for it. I don’t have a life filled with rainbows and unicorns, but I will. My hope in having my troubles and tears taken away one day is what keeps me going when I see nothing but trials and troubles all around me.

It doesn’t matter if you use the word have or seen. Either way, we have HOPE for the future!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.