Month: August 2020

Today’s Scripture

Titus 1:1-3

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

Thoughts…

When I read these verses, the the words, ‘God, who does not lie’, kept jumping off the page. I read them over and over. I found comfort in them. So much comfort.

In America we are in an election year. We are bombarded by he said – she said media. I am sure these campaign managers spend so much time creating lies about each other, they forget what the truth even is.

The world is being inundated with statistics over covid.. New cases? Deaths? How many recovered? Masks? No Masks? Everyone has a theory. Social media has destroyed any creditable news source. I have no idea who to believe or trust.

Actually, I do know who I can trust God will never leave me (Deuteronomy 31:6). God will always protect me (2 Thessalonians 3:3). God will give me strength for every battle (Isaiah 40:31). God will give me the graces necessary to endure all suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9). God will forgive me even when I have sinned against Him (1 John 1:9). God will never stop loving you (Ephesians 3:17-19). We can trust God. He does not lie.

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

1 John 5:13-15, 18

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.

Thoughts…

If things are written down they are more apt to be believed and remembered. If you don’t believe me, just ask social media, newspapers and textbook writers!. 

Scholars are unsure if 1 John was actually written by the same John who wrote the Gospel. They are also not positive to whom it was written. None of that really matters. What really matters is what he had to say. 

God wants us to call on Him. He wants us to bring our needs to Him. If we are following God and doing His will, we will have everything we need. We are completely safe in God’s arms from Satan.

These  words you can totally count on as being 100% true! They are written in the ultimate textbook. The textbook we live by, full of God’s wisdom, knowledge, and guidance., The Bible!

I know exactly who John was writing to! I know exactly who he wanted to remind that we have eternal life. 

YOU!

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

John 16:31-33

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Thoughts…

These are some of my favorite verses in John. ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” These are go to verses. They instill peace, when Satan is trying to rattle you and make you feel all alone. You Are Never Alone!

Have you ever written on a chalkboard or whiteboard. You erase it but it never quite erases totally. OK, unless you go get water or cleaning fluid, but even then it can smudge all over. So work with me here. Satan is like that old eraser. He tries to rub everything out in your life. He tries to make you feel all alone. However, when you take a moment and really look at the board, you can still see what you wrote. It is still there. No matter how much Satan tries to erase everything good in your life and make you feel all alone, he can’t. You Are Not Alone. Look hard! 

Jesus overcame the world. He wrote His love and peace on your heart. Satan cannot erase that and he certainly cannot erase Jesus.

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

Revelation 20:9-10

They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Thoughts…

Talk about cutting off all ties! Can you say ‘Goodbye Satan!’ This is the end for him. No more will he be allowed to even say boo to us. He will be cutoff from all of us, including God. He created his future when he chose to go his own way. As for those those followed him? Yep they will earn his fate.  They will also be cutoff.

I want to remind you of Satan’s future. It is a powerful weapon to wield. You see when Satan tries to remind you of your past, you can remind him of his future. 

If you are like me, you love visual reminders. I have quotes and pictures all over my walls in my office. They help me refocus when Satan tries to highjack my thoughts and send me down a dark path. One of my visuals is a pair of scissors in my pencil cup. When I look at them, they remind me I don’t have to wait until Satan is thrown into the lake of fire. I can cut ties with him now! He has no power over me. Why would I listen to anyone whose future is doomed? I have much better people to take advice from. So, Snip! Snip!

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

Ephesians 6:10-13

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Thoughts…

Stand! After you have done everything else, stand! These are hard words to swallow. Stand means be patient, wait, hold on, don’t try to control anything. It sounds so easy, but it is so hard to do. We all have this need to fix things or control them. 

When we face those times in our lives we should look to the apple tree.  It absorbs sunshine. It soaks up water and food from the ground. After that, it just stands firm. The winds blow, the storms rage, and it stands firm. God created it and God provides for it and takes care of it. If God is going to do all of this to provide the tree with its needs and keep it making yummy apples, how much more is He going to do for us? 

So, do what you need to do to prepare yourself for life. Pray, study, love God with all your heart, and love others. When you are done and the storms begin to blow, stand! God has got the rest!

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s 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.

Thoughts…

No surprise I am sure, but I love to write and draw. I have tons of notebooks both physical and digital just filled to overflowing. Even in school I was always filling up my notebooks with notes and doodles. Don’t get me started on notes from faculty meetings…lol! To be honest I write and doodle to keep my mind on track. It tends to get overwhelmed and I can’t keep it focussed. If I empty it with all my doodles and writing it leaves room to stand firm on what is important.

God asks us to stand firm also. He wants our attention on Him. If we are focussed on Him, we won’t be distracted by the world around us. We won’t get overwhelmed and feel discouraged. This allows us to stand firm against all attacks and go about His business of loving one another and showing His love to the world.

I think I am going to grab my bible and another notebook. I feel some scripture writing and doodling coming on!

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:53-55

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

Thoughts…

This may sound strange, but one of my favorite new items to get every school year was a lunchbox. I loved it when my mom packed my lunch or better yet, when she let me help pack it. Trying to figure out exactly what would not perish and be protected by my “imperishable” lunchbox. Mom, if you are reading this, I really did try to take good care of them😊

Jesus is like my lunchbox (sorry Mom.) He was the direct opposite of this verse. He was imperishable and became perishable. He was immortal and became mortal. Why did He do this? So we could fulfill this verse. You and I were perishable and mortal. When we give up our former lives and choose to follow Jesus we become imperishable and immortal. Yes, our bodies will age and eventually die, but we will not. We will liver forever and ever in Heaven with Jesus. All because Jesus give up His life for us.

Now, if I could only figure out a way to make my lunchboxes last longer.

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

Romans 8:28-30

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Thoughts…

Frank Sinatra sang ‘I did It My Way’. I can’t count how many times I have picked up my pencil and mapped out what I was going to do my way and didn’t even consider what God wanted. How many goals I have set. How many New Years resolutions. I mean, I really worked hard on some of those plans. Set large goals and broke them down into smaller goals. 

When it starts falling apart it usually ends up with a conversation like this;

God: Are you done yet? Because that is not the way we are going.

Me: But look how I wrote it, all mapped out and everything!

God: Yes and how well did that work out for you? Sweetheart, you know, the plans I have for you are for the best. Plans to prosper you. 

Me: You know what Lord, let me grab a pencil. I think we should try things your way now.

I am so thankful pencils come with erasers!

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

Revelation 20:5-6

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Thoughts…

I can see where people can compare what is going on today with what the bible refers to as end times. I mean seriously, things are completely out of control when you can’t find toilet paper or hand sanitizer. 

I am not going to pretend to be an end times expert. There are way too many people with too many opinions and interpretations of Revelations. What I do know is…I don’t have to know. It is kind of like COVID. I don’t have to know if the guy next to me has it or not. There is a good chance I will never know. I can only control and handle what I do know. I know washing my hands, using hand sanitizer, and keeping areas that I can clean and sanitized will lower my chances of getting it. What I know about end times is I am going to keep following God, loving Him with all my heart, mind and soul as well as loving my neighbor. If we are in the end times, I am ready to go! If we are not, I am still ready to go home when God calls.

So pass the hand sanitizer! We are moving on with life no matter what the future may be!

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Today’s Scripture

Isaiah 54:15-17

If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

Thoughts…

Marching off to the first day of school. My new backpack filled to the brim with brand new school supplies. I can smell the fresh unopened box of crayons and new pencils right now. OK, so even as a teacher I still enjoy that feeling and smell. You feel like you are ready for anything and nothing is going to stop you now! You are King of the World! Then the first day is over, soon the first month, then quarter, and semester. You begin thinking, “Is it summer yet?” However, next year starts and you do it all over again. New backpack. New supplies. New attitude!

Can I let you in on a secret? We don’t have to lose that feeling in the world. Yes, days will come where the enemy is attacking from all fronts and all you can think is, “God, can I come home yet?” However, God has a fresh backpack for you, filled to overflowing with every thing you need, every single day. Nothing the enemy throws at you will destroy you or overcome you. You belong to the King of the World! He has your back! Now get those new pencils out and write your story today!

Prayer

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved