Month: January 2020

Scripture

Isaiah 41:10, 13-14

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Observation

Fear H3707 יָרֵא1 yārē’ to be afraid, be frightened; to revere, respect; to be awesome, be dreadful, be feared; to frighten, terrify, intimidate

Application

Fear tries to set in but you won’t let it grip you. You prepare your weapons. You gather as many as you can. You crouch behind a tree and hold your breath and say a quick prayer. You let your breath out, pick up your weapon, and let it FLY! The snowball hits its target…SPLAT! The snowball fight begins! Fear is a normal and natural response. God never expected us to not feel fear. What he expects is for us to not let fear set in and take over our lives. So, it is OK to see fear but there is no reason to run. Face it! Pick up that snowball and hit Satan right in the face! SPLAT!

Prayer

Lord, feeling fear is a natural feeling. Thank you for being right by my side when it hits. With you, I never have to let fear overcome me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Observation

Test AND Approve – G1507 δοκιμάζω dokimazō, to test, try, examine; interpret, approve, approve of, approved, approves, discern, examine, find out, proved, refined, test and approve, tested,  tests, think it worthwhile, try out

Application

Personally, I think going ice fishing takes a special kind of crazy…LOL! True fishermen do not just wake up and hit the ice. They have to get the right equipment and find and test the right spot. They make sure the ice is strong enough, the water under is deep enough and the right temperature. They take their time and make sure everything is just right. When we take the time to follow God and read, pray, and study we prep ourselves. Then, we will be able to know exactly what it is God wants us to do when we ask for direction. We get His approval and we know the ice will be safe!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for making sure my steps are safe. I know if I look to you, you will always navigate my icy spots. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:57-58

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Observation

Firm- G1612 ἑδραῖος hedraios, firm, steadfast:– firm (1), settled the matter

Application

Have you ever watched a bird on a windy day? They don’t let anyone tell them they can’t fly. They don’t listen to anyone telling them it is impossible to sit on a wire or perch on the edge of a bird house. No, they stick out their chests and stay firm and steady. What if we took some advice from those birds? What would happen if we quit listening to the naysayers? What if we kept our eyes to the sky and the one who created it? Stand firm in the wind. God has got you! Then soar my friend!

Prayer

Lord you are with me in rain or shine. When the winds begin to blow I know I can stay firm with you holding me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Observation

Rest- G399 ἀναπαύω anapauō, to rest, be refreshed

Application

Have you ever listened to fresh falling snow? It is as if all the other noises in the world just stop. All you hear is this light crunching sound as the snow shifts and hits the ground. If you close your eyes and take a deep breath I bet you can hear it right now. This is what it is like when we look to Jesus instead of the world around us. He is there to walk with us and help ease our path. We won’t escape our troubles, but it can look like that fresh falling snow. The world can go on around us, but all we here is the silence and gentle crush of beautiful flakes resting all around us.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for bringing peace into my life when the world tries to fill it with chaos. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation

mo·men·tar·y

/ˈmōmənˌterē/

1. lasting for a very short time; brief.

Application

As adults, when we see snow, we tend to start grumbling. We don’t want to get out and shovel it. We hate how cold it is or slick it can get. But look through the eyes of a child. They run to pullout those snow boots and race outside to play. They know it will only last temporarily. If we can use this thought on our everyday troubles, how much easier it would be to get through it all. Focus on the gratitudes of the day and not spend our energy criticizing everything around us. Next time Satan sends snow, grab your boots and build a snowman!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for being with me during every season of my life. Help me remember when troubles come that they are momentary. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

2 Timothy 2:15-16

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Observation

Approved: G1511 δόκιμος dokimos, approved by testing, genuine:

Application

Pine trees are my favorite tree and not just because of Christmas. We had groups of them behind our house when I was a kid. They were my fort, my climbing tree, my lair and my place of solitude. Those trees always stood strong and proud. We can be those trees for others. When we prove ourselves by not being gossipy and avoiding those conversations we shine with God’s light. We become places of solitude for hurting people. So stand tall and strong. You never know who is going to need the security of your pine tree fort.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for providing me with places of shelter when I am hurting. Let me be thaat shelter for others around me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation

G3805 νουθετέω noutheteō, to warn, admonish; instruct

Definition of admonish

1) to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner

2) to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to

3) to say (something) as advice or a warning

Application

Has anyone ever come at you like a huge storm? Even if they have good intentions what happens? You put up your defenses. You fight back or dig your heels in deep. God never meant for us to beat people over the head with His word. He asked us to admonish one another. He wants us to approach each other with gentle and friendly advice. Yes, we need to warn others of potential danger. However, a light gentle snow beats a blizzard any day!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for being gentle with me. Remind me to deliver some of that gentleness to those around me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Colossians 3:12-15 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Observation

body: the church is said to be like a (human) body, emphasizing its essential unity with very important diversities of function within the unity

Application

Did you ever make snow angels? All your parts have to work together going back and forth to make the angel shape. Can you imagine if your foot got mad at your head and decided it wanted to be the head of the angel. Or how about your arm decided it wanted to be a leg part? It wouldn’t work! Your body has to work in unison just like the body of Christ. We have to use compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience to work together. God gave us all the tools we need. We just have to put them to use and make a perfect angel.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for give us all the tools I need to work together as a team. Help me to learn how to use them so I can be a productive member of your body. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Proverbs 3:25-26

Have no fear of sudden disaster

or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

for the Lord will be at your side

and will keep your foot from being snared.

Observation

Snared: H4335 לֶכֶד leked, snaring, capturing:

verb (used with object), snared, snar·ing.

    to catch with a snare; entangle.

    to catch or involve by trickery or wile:

Application

When Little Red Riding Hood approached Granny’s house everything looked normal. She had no idea of the danger that awaited her. There is danger all around us. Shoot just getting out of bed can be dangerous. I got my foot tangled in the blankets trying to get out this morning…LOL! We shouldn’t be oblivious to the dangers around us but we need not fear them. God is going to keep us from it or walk us through it. Either way we will be safe from the Big Bad Wolf. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for protecting me from the many dangers around me that I don’t even see. Help me to not fear those that I do because I know you are always with me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

1 Peter 5:6-9

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Observation

Alert: G3768 νήφω nēphō, to be self-controlled, clear-headed

Sober: G1213 γρηγορέω grēgoreō, to keep watch, be on guard

Application

I remember one time when I was a kid outside playing in the snow, I got pelted with a snowball. I looked up and there was my mom with her hands on her hips with a grin. “What was that for?” I asked. “I tried to call your name but you didn’t hear me.” My Earmuffs kept my ears warm, but I couldn’t hear what was around me. Kind of like our verses today, I needed to be aware of what was going on around me. It is so nice to feel God’s peace and have wonderful days. However, we still can’t let our guard down. Ignorance is not bliss!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for always having my back. I know some days I get so busy and forget to keep my eyes and ears open. Please help me to remember and prick my soul when I am not being alert and sober.  ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved