January 05, 2023

No Grand Plan for 2023 — Just Rising Above it ALL by way of Vulnerability

January 05, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

I’m going to be honest with you. I’m not going into 2023 with some grand plan. Five days in, and I haven’t chosen my “one word,” nor do I feel confident right now with any of my words. As a writer and a wordy girl, it’s an uncomfortable place to be, but it’s where God has me now.

Wrestling. Wondering why. Why is life so hard? Why is pain so deep?

So, here’s to a little vulnerability in 2023.

I’m struggling.

Struggling to focus.

Struggling to fix my eyes on Jesus.

Struggling to find the right words.

Struggling to find any words.

Not just for this post,

but in response to people’s pain,

in response to lots of change,

and in response to a myriad of things.

2023 is a BIG year for our family. It’s a year I’ve been excited about — joyful and expectant in regards to ALL it holds, but now I’m ALL tied up in the tension of the expectation of it ALL coupled with the guilt of even having the expectation in the midst of ALL the pain and suffering and loss for so many so close to me.

This year, we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and we’ll celebrate two graduations — one from college, one from high school. The high school grad will be moving 200 miles away to attend college in the fall in another state, so we’ll have three in college at some point this year in three different states. The youngest turns 16 which means ALL will be on the road, and the oldest, who has already been “on his own” for quite some time, will be officially a full time mechanical engineer.

It’s ALL a bit much for the momma heart, and yet, I’m holding the excitement and expectation of it ALL with some sadness, grief, and pain knowing what some so dear to me are experiencing.

November 18, 2022

Disappointment or Divine Appointment?

November 18, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Disappointments can be divine appointments if you don’t let them define you, but rather let them remind you of what you’re made of.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬, ESV‬‬)

You are who you are because of whose you are.

God loves you. He is in control. Nothing happens outside of His sovereignty, so let disappointments direct you right back to Him. Again and again. Yield and surrender your will to His.

When (not if) disappointments come, because they will, learn to view them as divine detours and delays that provide the space and time to determine the dedication and commitment you have to reaching the destination.

You may be going a different way than you had planned. You may even have to slow the pace. But as long as God is leading the way, these divine detours and delays will have you arriving right on time, right where He wants you, with the character necessary to recognize every blessing that wore the disguise of disappointment.

So hang in there. Stay the course. Show up for every divine appointment on every detour and delay along the way. And pray. Ask God to help you. He will.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭9,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

November 01, 2022

November. First Thing. Five Things.

November 01, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Ah November. It’s hard to believe you’re already here, but here you are, and I long to welcome you with a heart of gratitude.

Christmas will be here before we know it, and yet my heart longs to stay in the moment — enjoying each November day, leading to Thanksgiving Day, a mere three days prior to the start of Advent.

Thanksgiving — the perfect precursor to Christmas and the season of Advent — a sacred observance that connects the two traditions.

Not that we should need a month dedicated to gratitude. Shouldn’t we be giving thanks all year long and live thankful every single day? And yet, there’s something about intentionality that sure helps the mentality.

Seasons change, and calendars flip. One countdown leads to another as one holiday gives way to the next. But there’s no better place and time than here and now to be grateful for where we are right here and what we have right now.

I know there are some days and seasons filled with anything but gratitude and thanks because they’re filled with things that cause great angst. These are the days that gratitude eludes us because life is just so tough.

It’s easier said than done to raise our gaze above the tough stuff, but raise we must, if praise is going to fill that empty, lonely space — if our hearts are ever going to be full of thanks.

ThankFULL. Not empty. Not lonely. Full of thanks, not angst. Releasing the tough stuff to receive the His great love for us.

Today, I’m grateful to be growing in grace. I have not arrived and there is much to learn, but an intentional daily attitude of gratitude is a great place to start, so that’s my aim — not perfection, but reflection — raising my gaze in order to find my praise.

That’s why I’m calling for some days of praise ahead of Advent. I’m calling the challenge “First Thing. Five Things.” Throughout the month of November, first thing in the morning, before your feet hit the floor, verbalize five things you’re thankful for. You could also jot them down in a journal as a daily log throughout this journey. That’s it. Nothing major. Nothing hard. Just an attitude of gratitude to start your day. I’m sure it will impact you in other ways. So, what do you say?

October 28, 2022

“Follow God’s Will” Focuses on the Practical Pursuit of Biblical Truths

October 28, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Happy Friday! Being that it’s the final Friday in October, which happens to be launch month for several of my author friends, I’m giving away a copy of another book! This one is not my own, but rather, my friend Brittany Ann’s newest book, “Follow God’s Will.” And this giveaway will give way to a little preview just for you since I was blessed to receive an advance reading copy to review!

“Follow God’s Will” is filled with Biblical truths readers can practically pursue. It sticks to scripture and is Gospel centered. While you will definitely receive practical “how tos,” you more importantly will receive “who throughs,” meaning the message of “Follow God’s Will” simply points you to His Word, where He reigns supreme. It is only in His sovereignty and by His Authority, we can ever achieve what He has called us to do by being who He has called us to be.

“If God can use a scared fugitive (Moses), a shepherd boy turned a adulterer (David), an unwed teenager (Mary), a religious fanatic fanatic and persecutor (Paul), and a ragtag group of men you’d never expect to be chosen (Jesus’ disciples), He can certainly use me. And he can certainly use you.”

This is the message of the Gospel. This is the message of this book. God loved us enough to save and redeem us. He set us free from sin so we could follow Him freely, walk with Him daily, and follow His will completely.

The thing I love most about this book is that it points readers to the most important Book. Brittany Ann’s words, coupled with others’ words in “story sections” throughout the book, culminate with “dive deeper” sections that literally allow readers to rely on the infallible Word of God for their ultimate source of finding and then following God’s will.

So, to celebrate Brittany Ann and her new book baby, I’m giving away a copy to one to you! To enter to win, simply comment below. I’ll be choosing a winner Sunday (10/30) at 10:30pm.

For more information about Brittany Ann and her ministry, Equipping Godly Women, click here.

September 21, 2022

Seek Truth then Speak Truth

September 21, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Truth speakers must be truth seekers. Those who want to tell the truth well, must dwell in truth well.

How well do you dwell?

I know personally that’s a question I’m asking myself. We are inundated by new news from every source every second of every day, but that still, small voice of the source above every other source has been calling me back to Him.

His Truth.

His Word.

His Way.

His Will.

His Report.

Which is the ONLY trustworthy and reliable source, tried and true, given as a guide and a way of life for me and you.

The lies and deception are becoming more blatant and obvious. The idiocy of the arguments are revealing the hypocrisy of the every new stance. Each adjustment on the way to understand and know more is actually leading further away from truth...

God’s truth. The only truth. Nothing but the truth. Biblical. Justifiable. Undeniable.

And honestly, I’m seeing more and more see right through the lies and deception.

I’m seeing more and more stand up to it because more and more see right through it.

So, if things in this world seems a bit “off” to you, might I encourage you to spend some time in the source of ALL TRUTH — the Word of God.

He will not lead you astray. Though others may seem to lead the way. He’s in control. He is sovereign. He is trustworthy. He is God.

His truth will have the final say.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John‬ ‭15:5‬

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians‬ ‭4:15‬

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness...” 2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15-16‬

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬

What truth from God’s Word is speaking truth to your heart today?

August 22, 2022

When We Step Out of the Boat, and Stay Close to Jesus, Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary, and Others Will Notice.

August 22, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

When we step out of the boat, and stay close to Jesus, ordinary becomes extraordinary, and others will notice.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” ~ Acts‬ ‭4:13‬

Are you feeling a little ordinary today? Well, according to this Biblical truth, spending time with Jesus makes you extraordinary.

Don’t fall prey to the prerequisite of perfection. Accolades don’t persuade the heart of the Father. Obedience to His Word unlocks your potential in this world. Christ in you alone is astonishing. No need for add ons or extras. Nothing allows His light to shine brighter than a humble heart and a willing spirit.

Be courageous today — not because of your credentials but because He has called you to. Step out of the boat. Keep your eyes on Him. You’ll not only stay afloat, you’ll turn heads and hearts toward His.

He is all you need to accomplish everything He wants you to do.

Trust Him with your ordinary. He’ll turn it into something extraordinary.

When we step out of the boat, and stay close to Jesus, ordinary becomes extraordinary, and others will notice.

August 17, 2022

A Few Thoughts from Observation of a Few Moments of Frustration...

August 17, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Yesterday ended well. It started quite nicely, too. But around midday, I was crying mayday, and honestly, I had created the melee so I take full responsibility.

Yep, I own every bit of my frustration, because it all was a result of my own limitation. I had a writing goal and a plan to accomplish said goal, but I also had much to do as a wife and mom, and when all those things were not playing out as I had planned, my fear of failure quickly sabotaged my good intentions.

My frustration got the best of me, and I took it out on my family.

It’s OK to have goals and plans as long as those goals and plans have some flexibility to keep your family first where they’re supposed to be.

So, these are a few takeaways from my observations of frustration yesterday.

— Flexibility is so much better than rigidity. Being able to bend will keep us from breaking.

— The “best laid plans” truly are “best” when you lay them down. I don’t mean give them up, but instead, let them go. Don’t hold onto them too tightly because when you do, their grip gets a hold on you.

— Frustrations are often more situational than relational. Our beef is usually with a circumstance or situation, not with the innocent bystanders who merely witness the frustration. It’s usually the unspoken or unmet expectations that frustrate the situation.

So, what do you say we all learn a few lessons from my day yesterday? Let’s be flexible, gracious with our people, and quick to pivot when the rigid road we’re on is leading to destination frustration. The scenery on the path of flexibility is much more peaceful and a lot less stressful.

August 05, 2022

His Kingdom > This Platform. Care more about Hearts than Likes. Stop Playing Games. Start Loving People.

August 05, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

I am ashamed to say I’ve “played the game” — posting on this platform when “they“ said what I said would be read, researching the optimal times for maximum engagement. Likes, shares, saves. It all can be bit too much, like playing a game, a game you pay to play. It may not be a monetary investment, but at times, it has stolen my time and depleted my resources. It has sucked the life out of the life-giving reasons I started writing in the first place.

I get it. I know some of you navigate this space much better than me. Social media itself is not “evil.” It is a tool and resource that can be used in beneficial ways. I’ve seen it, and I admire those of you who steward it well.

But when it dictates when or how or why something is said instead of the when and how and why being born out of a passion for Christ, it’s a red flag for me. That’s when and how and why I need to step away and reevaluate.

Social media fasts are good. I recently did Wendy Speake’s “The 40-Day Social Media Fast.” It truly helped me put this online space in its proper place. Refraining from social media and retraining my heart and mind to crave God’s Word and time spent with Him and His people IRL is so life giving. Spending time in God’s Word never returns void. It produces a purpose and passion that takes you higher and farther than this platform ever will.

Producing “content” out of a place of rest in Him produces a content heart always ready for Kingdom work and Kingdom building.

If it’s all becoming a bit too much for you, let me encourage you to just take a break. Start your day in God’s word. End it there, too. Spend more time with people than on this app. Say no to needless scrolling. Don’t let the numbers become controlling. Bathe every post in prayer, and publish it when the Holy Spirit prompts. God is greater than the algorithms. Trust Him to guide it into the feeds at the time it needs to be seen.

Numbers mean nothing. Anyone can double click, but only God can make it stick. His Holy Spirit brings about life change. Our words and our ways will always fall short. His Word will never return void, and His ways are so much higher than ours.

He calls us to be faithful, to use our talents and gifts and abilities to glorify Him and build His kingdom, but the only rules we need to play by are the ones He established — speak the truth in love, glorify Him, edify others, be about His business, share the Gospel, love one another be kind and compassionate, forgive as He has forgiven us.

We need to check our hearts more than we check the numbers. Spend time with people more than we spend time on an app.

So, I’ll build His Kingdom, and let Him take care of my platform. I’ll follow Him (and encourage others to as well), and let Him take care of whoever “follows” me. I’ll love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I’ll read His Word. I’ll share His love and His truth with others, and let Him take care of who likes or reads or shares what I write or post or say.

Let’s care more about hearts than likes. Let’s stop playing games. Let’s start loving people.

August 04, 2022

HOME

August 04, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Home is where the heart is, and your heart is where your treasure is. So treasure your home. Both here and now and now and forever.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about “home” — not just our earthly dwelling place or physical residence, but also our heavenly resting place where we’ll forever dwell in His presence.

Our earthly home is here and now,

full of work to do and much to tend to.

Our heavenly home is now in forever,

full of work to do and much to tend to.

Since we live in the tension of the two, we must honor God by the way we tend the two.

We can’t be too heavenly minded to be any earthly good, but we also can’t be too earthly minded to be any heavenly good.

We have kingdom work to do here on earth. We have a God to praise and families to raise. Our homes are to be havens where we can live in light of Eternity until Eternity becomes reality and Heaven is our home.

Home is so much more than a mere dwelling place. It’s all the things that give that place and its people purpose and passion. Pondering it all has truly given me a whole new perspective.

Home truly is where the heart is; therefore “do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬)

So raise your gaze. Look up from the yuck so you don’t get stuck. Put down your phone. Pick up your Sword. Defend your home. Honor the Lord. Treasure home. View dirty floors as holy ground and messy rooms as sacred spaces. See home as humbling and hopeful. Find rest in the routine. Stay faithful in the familiar. Make home your primary mission field so it will produce an eternal yield.

Home is where the heart is, and your heart is where your treasure is. So treasure your home. Both here and now and now and forever.

July 11, 2022

Stuck in Silence: What to do with Spiritual Paralysis & Spiritual Laryngitis

July 11, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

I have felt a bit confused lately about “my voice” in this really noisy and rather nauseating online world.

Chapter 2 of my Bible study, “CALLED,” was all about spiritual paralysis. Lately, however, I feel like I’ve had spiritual laryngitis. My heart is so full of things I’m learning and ways God is pouring into me, and yet I can’t seem to find words to communicate it all.

I guess in the writing world it’s called “writer’s block,” but this is more than a mental block — it’s an angst with what I’m holding, or rather what I’m beholding. What I’m seeing and experiencing in a world I hardly recognize is adding compounded weight to the burden I feel — It’s a burden so heavy, mere words can’t hold it. Only God can hold it. It was His Son, Jesus, His Living Word that told of it.

“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.” ~ John‬ ‭16:33‬

So instead of sharing a lot of my empty words with you, I’ve been doing a whole lot of praying, crying out to him, allowing my heart to bleed freely before His throne of grace, trusting Him with these burdens as I seek His face, trusting His sovereignty in this confusing online space.

Spiritual paralysis can keep us stuck and spiritual laryngitis can keep us silent, but God has a way of moving in our hearts as he moves us closer to His heart. It’s in that experiential knowing God by experiencing His presence that we can be moved to action — free from spiritual paralysis and laryngitis to take steps and share words that will further His Kingdom.

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we LIVE and MOVE and HAVE our BEING’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’” ~ Acts‬ ‭17:26-28‬

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” ~ Romans‬ ‭8:26‬

June 30, 2022

Why I Will Not Hold Back My Praise for the Lives that Could Be Saved

June 30, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Why I will not hold back my praise for the lives that could be saved.

There are so many voices weighing in on the recent SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Voices that vary in tone and temperament.

Loud and quiet voices.

Angry and joyful voices.

Voices singing praise.

Others that are enraged.

I will continue to lift my voice in praise for the lives that have been, are being, and will be saved.

There are so many prayers that have been prayed over the past five decades.

Prayers prayed in desperation.

Prayers prayed in expectation.

Prayers for pregnancies involving real lives— real people — those fully grown that carry those yet unknown.

I will continue to pray every day for lives of mothers and babies and for entire families to be saved.

There are so many pregnancies that tell so many stories.

Pregnancies unwanted or unplanned.

Pregnancies complicated by all we do not understand.

But babies, from the very moment of conception, are never unloved, even in gestation.

They are loved by God.

Wanted. Valued. Planned by Him.

No matter the circumstances or complications.

He doesn’t make mistakes.

Miracles and masterpieces are what he creates.

I will continue to pray for pregnancies, unwanted, unplanned, and complicated, and praise God for miracles in the making.

I sat on my porch last night and wept as I listened to a song by Emily Crawford. The lyrics lingered in my heart because they resonated so deeply in my spirit. I’m nearly forty-six years removed from my mother’s womb, but I am here because my mom chose life, even in the midst of hard circumstances.

As I listened to Emily’s song, “Give Me Life” last night, I felt deeply the heart’s cry of a baby longing to be loved. I was that baby. My mom was that mom. My dad was that dad. You may have been that mom or dad or baby, too. You may have chosen life or life was chosen for you.

Or maybe not. And maybe that’s why this resonates deeply with you. There is forgiveness, grace, redemption, and LIFE to be found in that space, too. God redeems and restores and brings beauty from ashes. There is ALWAYS hope when we surrender to Him. Life giving, life changing HOPE. Hope that leads to LIFE that has no end.

This. This is why I will not hold back my praise for the lives that could be saved.

June 30, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 30: To Him Be the Glory

June 30, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 30th. Day 30 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — To Him be the Glory.

Our final reason is another BOLD proclamation as to why we MUST keep the gospel at the center of all we do and say, think and feel.

And about this final reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...

“‘To the praise of the glory of His grace… To the praise of His glory… To the praise of His glory.’ {Ephesians 1:5-14} These refrains fly as banners over the gospel truths parading through the earthly verses of Ephesians. They herald the ultimate motive of God in all His gospel acts on behalf of those whom He has saved. They also announce the effect which the gospel will most certainly wield upon those who experience its fullness. It is no surprise, then, that the Apostle ends his gospel review in Ephesians 3 by bowing his knees in worship and ascribing all glory to God. {Ephesians 3:14-21} ‘Unto His be the glory,’ Paul exclaims at the end of Ephesians 3. ‘To…Him be the glory,’ he cries after his gospel meditations through Romans. {Romans 11:33-36} ‘To the King…be glory,’ he urges in 1 Timothy after speaking of God’s merciful saving of him. {1 Timothy 1:15-17} Clearly, the gospel generated in Paul an enormous passion for God’s glory; and the gospel does the same in me as I make it the meditation of my heart each day.”

He continues by saying...

“Understanding that I am not the ultimate end of the gospel, but rather that God‘s glory is, actually enables me to embrace my salvation more boldly than I would otherwise dare to do. For example, when my timid heart questions why God would want to love one so sinful as I, I read the answer, ‘to the praise of the glory of His grace.’ I figure, then, that my unworthiness must actually be useful to God, because it magnifies the degree to which His grace might be glorified as He lavishes His saving kindness upon me. This line of reasoning makes perfect sense to me and convinces me to embrace the gospel with greater passion so that God might glorify Himself through me, an unworthy sinner.”

Vincent concludes by saying this...

“Indeed, the more I embrace and experience the gospel, the more I delight in the worship of God, the more expressive my joy in Him becomes, and the more I yearn to glorify Him in all I say and do.” {1 Peter 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 10:31}

Oh what a sweet 30 days this has been… Walking through these reasons to rehearse the gospel daily with each of you. Knowing the “why” behind our “walk” makes our daily walk with Him more consistent, more dependent upon Him, and more useful for His kingdom. I am convinced now more than ever that the gospel has everything to do with Him, and little to do with me — and that little it has to do with me is still ALL for His Glory! I am grateful for the gospel. I will not stop preaching it to myself and others each and every day — take hold of it and be bold with it!

Are you with me? Or a better question… Are you with Him? Have you given your life to Christ? If you are not sure how to answer that questions or you have other questions, I’d love to help. Just message me.

June 29, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 29: My Manifesto

June 29, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 29th. Day 29 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — My Manifesto.

Let me tell you right now, we are finishing strong! These last two reasons are like the grand finale of our a fireworks display. They’re a BOLD proclamation as to why we MUST keep the gospel at the center of all we do and say, think and feel.

And about this 29th reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...

“Boldness is critical. Without boldness, my life story will be one of great deeds left undone, victories left unwon, petitions left unprayed, and timely words left unsaid. If I wish to live only a pathetically small portion of the life God has prepared for me, then I need no boldness. But if I want my life to bloom full and loom large for the glory of God, then I must have boldness — and nothing so nourishes boldness in me like the gospel!

He continues by saying...

“The gospel gives me boldness by banishing my great fear, the fear of God’s eternal wrath. Indeed, Christ bore God’s wrath upon Himself, not simply so I could escape that wrath on some future Day, but also that I might be released from the daily fear of such wrath as I think ahead to judgement day. Because this fear hinders the ongoing work of God in me, the love of God continually expels this fear (whenever it appears) and nurtured within me a confident eagerness to face God on judgement day. {1 John 4:17-18} Living in the daily relief of this fear frees me up to continue being perfected in confidence by the love of God, and it also serves to put all other fears, especially the fear of man, into perspective.” {Matthew 10:28}

Vincent continues by saying this...

“Additionally, the more I experience the life-transforming power of the gospel, the more confident I am in speaking it to others, both saved and lost. {Romans 1:15-16, 1 Corinthians 1:18} I know what the gospel can do in people’s lives if they would believe the fullness of it, because I see what it is doing in means in others. Therefore, I have increasing boldness to speak the whole gospel to others, {Acts 20:26-27} even amid opposition.” {Acts 4:29-31}

And continues with...

“Also, the more I comprehend what God has done for me through Christ, the more I find myself confidently coming before God in prayer, {Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19-22} speaking to Him in situations in which I formerly would have shrunk from Him, and offering requests that I formerly would have been too timid to offer (due either to the largeness of the request or my own sinful unworthiness). With greater boldness in prayer comes an increased enjoyment of God and the bounty that He gives, due simply to the fact that I was daring enough to ask for what was needed.” {James 4:2}

Vincent concludes with this...

“Preaching the gospel to myself each day nourishes within me a holy brazenness to believe what God says, enjoy what He offers, and do what He commands. Admittedly, I don’t deserve to be a child of God, and I don’t deserve to be free of sin’s guilt and power. I don’t deserve the staggering privilege of intimacy with God, nor any blessing that Christ has purchased for me with His blood. I don’t even deserve to be useful to God. But by the grace of God I am what I am and I have what I have, and I hereby resolve not to let any portion of God’s grace prove vain in me! {1 Corinthians 15:9-10} And to the degree I fail to live up to this resolve, I will. Oddly take for myself the forgiveness that God says is mine and continue walking in His grace. This is my manifesto, my daily resolve; and May God be glorified by this confidence that I place in Him.”

Like I said yesterday, and will continue to remind myself everyday: We must take hold of it and be bold with it. Preach the gospel daily — to ourselves and others.

June 28, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 28: The Ultimate Prize

June 28, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 28th. Day 28 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — The Ultimate Prize.

And about this reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...

“In the New Testament, the gospel is several times referred to as the ‘gospel of God.’ {Romans 1:1; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Peter 4:17} Such an expression should be understood in the fullest sense possible. The gospel is called the ‘gospel of God,’ not simply because it is from God, nor merely because it is accomplished through God, but also because ultimately it leads me to God, who is Himself its greatest Prize. Indeed, what makes the gospel such great news is God, who brings me to Himself {Ephesians 1:4-5} and then gives Himself so freely to me through Jesus Christ.” {Romans 5:5, John 14:21}

He continues by saying...

“The essence of eternal life is not found in having my sins forgiven, in possessing a mansion in heaven, or in having streets of gold on which to walk forever. Rather, the essence of eternal life is intimately knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. {John 17:3} Everything else that God gives to me in the gospel serves merely to bring me to Himself so that this great end might be achieved. Christ died for the forgiveness of my sins so that I might be brought ‘to God.’ {1 Peter 3:18} Christ is preparing a place for me in heaven so that He might receive me ‘to Himself’ and have me forever with Him where He is. {John 14:2-3} And yes, there is a great street of gold in heaven, but is there any doubt where the street leads? Unquestionably, it leads straight to the throne of God Himself, {Revelation 21:21, 22:1-1} as do all of God’s gifts to me in the gospel.”

Vincent concludes by saying this...

“As I meditate on the gospel each day, I find my thoughts inevitably traveling from the gifts I’ve received to the Giver of those gifts; and the more my thoughts are directed to Him, the more I experience the essence of eternal life. The ‘gospel of God’ is from God, comes through God, and leads me to God; {Romans 11:36} and it is in Him that my soul finds its truest joy and rest.” {Psalm 16:11, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 73:25-28}

He is the greatest Prize, and the gospel is the only thing that gives us access to Him. Until the things of this world pale in comparison to this great Prize, we are not allowing it to change our lives. We must take hold of it and be bold with it. Preach the gospel daily — to ourselves and others.

June 27, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 27: Thankful esa Enriched by Relief

June 27, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 27th. Day 27 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — Thankfulness Enriched by Relief.

In today’s reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent starts with this profound reminder as to why this daily exercise and total absorption in the gospel is key to truly living it out...

“The more absorbed I am in the gospel, the more grateful I become in the midst of my circumstances, whatever they may be.”

He continues by saying...

“Viewing life’s blessings as water in a drinking cup, I know that I could discontentedly focus on the half of the cup that seems empty, or I could gratefully focus on the half that is full. Certainly, the latter approach is the better of the two, yet the gospel cultivates within me a richer gratitude than this.”

Vincent goes on to say...

“The gospel reminds me first that what I actually deserve from God is a full cup churning with the torments of His wrath. {Revelation 14:10, Psalm 75:8} This is the cup that would be mine to drink if I were given what I deserve each day. With this understanding in mind, I see that to be handed a completely empty cup from God would be cause enough for infinite gratitude. If there were merely the tiniest drop of blessing contained in that otherwise empty cup, I should be blown away by the unbelievable kindness of God toward me. That God, in fact, has given me a cup {Psalm 116:12-13, Psalm 23:5} that is full of ‘every spiritual blessing in Christ,’ {Ephesians 1:3} and this without the slightest admixture of wrath, leaves me truly dumbfounded with inexpressible joy. As for my specific earthly circumstances of plenty or want, I can see them always as infinite improvements on the hell I deserve.”

He concludes...

“When I look at any circumstance that God apportions me, I am first grateful for the wrath I am not receiving in that moment (The empty part of the cup never looked so good!). Second, I am grateful for the blessings that are given to me instead of His wrath. (Life‘s blessings, however small, always appear exceedingly precious when viewed against the backdrop of the wrath I deserve.) This two-layered gratitude disposes my heart to give thanks in all things {1 Thessalonians 5:18} and it also lends a certain intensity to my giving of thanks. Such a gospel-generated gratitude glorifies God, contributes to peace of mind, {Philippians 4:6-7} and keeps my foot from the path of foolishness and ruin.” {Romans 1:21-29}

This reason resonates as well simply because viewing ALL we have in Christ against the backdrop of ALL we would miss without Him...Wow! Even the tiniest drop of blessing in Him is more than enough to sustain my parched soul, because without Him even a cup overflowing with all the world offers would never ever come close to satisfying what He alone can supply.

June 26, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 26: Mortifying the Flesh with Fullness

June 26, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 26th. Day 26 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — Mortifying the Flesh with Fullness.

Another amazing reason in today’s reading — another reason that resonates deeply!

Vincent starts his explanation with this...

“Though saved, I am daily beset by a sinful flesh {Galatians 5:19-21} that always craves those things that are contrary to the Spirit. {Galatians 5:17} These fleshly lusts are vicious enemies, constantly waging war against the good of my soul. {1 Peter 2:11} Yet they promise me fullness, and their promises are so deliciously sweet that I often find myself giving into them as if they were friends that have my best interest at heart.”

He continues by saying...

“On the most basic of levels, I desire fullness, and fleshly lusts seduce me by attaching themselves to this basic desire. They exploit the empty spaces in me, and they promise that fullness will be mine if I give in to their demands. When my souls sits empty and is aching for something to fill it, such deceptive promises are extremely difficult to resist.”

Vincent goes on to say...

“Consequently, the key to mortifying fleshly lusts is to eliminate the emptiness within me and replace it with fullness; and I accomplish this by feasting on the gospel. Indeed, it is in the gospel that I experience a God who glorifies Himself by filling me with His fullness. He is the One, Paul says, ‘who fills all in all.’ {Ephesians 1:22-23} He is the One who ‘fill[s] all things‘ with the gifts He gives. {Ephesians 4:7-10} And He lavishes gospel blessings upon me with the goal that I ‘be filled up to all the fullness of God.’ {Ephesians 3:14-19} This is the God of the gospel, a God who is satisfied with nothing less than my experience of fullness in Him! The first command God spoke in the Garden was, ‘eat freely.’ {Genesis 2:16} And with similar insistence He says to me now, ‘be filled.’” {Ephesians 5:18}

He continues...

“What happens to my appetites for sin when I am filled with the fullness of God in Christ? Jesus provides this answer: ‘He who continually comes to Me will never hunger or thirst again.’ {John 6:35} Indeed, as I perpetually feast on Christ and all of His blessings found in the gospel, I find that my hunger for sin diminishes and the lies of lust simply lose their appeal. Hence, to the degree that I am full, I am free. Eyes do not rove, nor do fleshly lusts rule, when the heart is fat with the love of Jesus!”

And the author concludes by saying...

“Preaching the gospel to myself each day keeps before me the startling advocacy of God for my fullness, and it also serves as a means by which I feast anew on the fullness of provision that God has given me in Christ. ‘Eat[ing] freely’ of such provision keeps me occupied with God’s blessings and also leaves me with a profoundly enjoyable sense of satisfaction in Jesus. And nothing so mortifies the fleshly lusts like satisfaction in Him.”

June 25, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 25: Hope of Heaven

June 25, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 25th. Day 25 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — Hope of Heaven.

Oh how this reason resonates in a way that has my heart living in the tension of longing for heaven and loving others into heaven while on earth. The most loving thing we can do is give others the truth of the gospel, plain and simple. Yes, we must live it out, but we desperately need to speak it out, too. Everyone longs for the Hope of Heaven.

I LOVE the way Vincent explains this reason to rehearse the gospel in today’s reading...

“The more I experience the riches of Christ in the gospel, the more there develops within me a yearning to be with Christ in heaven where I will experience His grace in unhindered fullness. {Philippians 1:23, 1 Peter 1:13} The reason for this yearning is simple:however great may be the present blessing of salvation, they are but the ‘first fruits of the Spirit,” the first installments of an unimaginably great harvest of glory which I will reap forever in heaven.” {Romans 8:23}

He continues by saying...

“The apostle Paul could not rehearse gospel blessings in Romans 5-8 without being reminded of his anxious longing for the future glories awaiting believers in heaven. {Romans 8:18-23} Likewise, the Apostle John could not speak of his and his readers’ status as children of God without also relishing the beautification they will experience at the revelation of Jesus Christ. {1 John 3:1-2} Neither will I be able to think long upon gospel blessings without thinking also of the infinite glories which will be mine to enjoy in heaven.”

Vincent goes on to say...

“Such a gospel-generated heavenward focus yields enormous benefits to me while on earth. The mere hope of seeing Christ in glory releases the purifying influence of heaven upon my life from day to day. {1 John 3:3} Also, knowing of the future love that God will show me in glory enables me to love my fellow-saints with a heaven-inspired love even now. {Colossians 1:4-5} I love others out of the fullness already given to me in Christ, and also out of the greater fullness that will be given to me in glory!”

He continues...

“Hope of eternity with Christ in heaven also enables my heart to thrive during the most difficult and lengthy of trials here on earth. When looking at the sheer weight of unseen glories to come, my troubles seem light by comparison; and when looking at the staggering length of eternity, my troubles seem fleeting by comparison. {2 Corinthians 4:16-18} It is only against the backdrop of a glorious eternity that my circumstances can be seen in such a manner; and the promise of this glorious eternity is part and parcel of the gospel itself.” {Colossians 1:5}

And the author concludes by saying

“Preaching the gospel to myself every day is a great way to keep myself established in ‘the hope of the gospel,’ {Colossians 1:23} so that I might experience the practical benefits that such hope is intended to bring me here on earth.”

June 24, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 24: All Things Crucified (Part 2)

June 24, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 24th. Day 24 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — All Things Crucified, Part 2.

As a continuation of yesterday’s reason, today’s reason looks at crucifixion and death as a way to resurrection and life. It is equally as rich in truth as yesterday’s reason; however, it tells the “rest of the truth” in that it reassures us that death is not the end.

Vincent says it this way...

“Thankfully, the gospel teaches me that dying is not an end, but a beginning. For after Christ took up His cross and died, God raised Him from the dead, {Ephesians 1:20} exalted Him to the highest heaven, {Philippians 2:8-9} and drew Him into His bosom. {John 1:18} These facts surrounding Christ’s resurrection stand as proof positive that God will not leave me for dead, but will raise me similarly, if I would only allow myself to die. Indeed, on the other side of each later dying lie experiences of a life with God that are far richer, far higher, and far more intimate than anything I would have otherwise known.” {Romans 6:4}

Vincent goes on to say...

“In God’s economy, death is the way to life. ‘Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,’ Jesus says, ‘but whoever loses his life for My sake, he shall find it.’ {Luke 9:24} Indeed, the more comfortable I am made to the death of Christ, the more I experience freedom from from sin {Romans 6:6-7} and taste the power of the resurrection of Jesus Himself. {Philippians 3:8-10} The path to such power is paved with many dyings, and each stage of resurrection is achieved with each incident of dying to myself and reckoning myself dead to sin.” {Romans 6:11}

Vincent concludes with this...

“The more I contemplate the gospel, the more I understand this ‘word of the cross’ {1 Corinthians 1:18} stands as a blueprint for my own life story. The death that Christ died is the death to which I am also called, and the death to which I am called is my entry point to the union with Christ and life at its fullest. {Romans 6:5} So, come what may, I’ll let no one take this death from me!”

Praise God for Part 2! Death leads to life because Christ paid the ultimate price. We have access to eternity and freedom from fear of death because we have the hope of life eternally with Him!

June 23, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 23: All Things Crucified (Part 1)

June 23, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 23rd. Day 23 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — All Things Crucified, Part 1.

Today’s reason is a longer one, but it is so rich in truth and will leave you excited to hear even more tomorrow for part 2. It today, Vincent starts with this...

“The gospel is not simply the story of ‘Christ and Him crucified’ {1 Corinthians 2:2}; it is also the story of my own crucifixion. For the Bible tells me that I, too, was crucified on Christ’s cross. {Galatians 2:20} My old self was slain there, {Romans 6:6} and my live affair with the world was crucified there too. {Galatians 6:14} The cross is also the place where I crucify my flesh and all its sinful desires. {Galatians 5:24} Truly, Christ’s death and my death are so intertwined as to be inseparable.”

Vincent goes on to say...

“God is committed to my dying every day, and He calls me to that same commitment.{Luke 9:23} He insists that every hour be my dying hour, and He wants my death on the cross to be as central to my own life story as is Christ’s death to the gospel story. ‘Let this same attitude be in you,’ He says, ‘which was also in Christ Jesus...who became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.’” {Philippians 2:5-7}

In the next three paragraphs, Vincent continues to expound upon what Christ’s crucifixion actually means for our own. How do we live it out daily? It’s not easy or pretty, but it sets us free from self, thus freeing us to love God because He first loved us and to love others because we are called to love them for Him. Stay with me. Keep reading...

“Crucifixion hurts. In fact, its heart-wrenching and brutality in Canaan the senses. It is a gas being in bloody affair, and there is nothing nice, pretty, or easy about it. It is not merely death, but excruciating death.”

“Nevertheless, I must set my face like a flint {Isaiah 50:6-7} toward the cross and embrace the crucifixion in everything I do. I should expect every day to encounter circumstantial evidence of God’s commitment to my dying; and I must seize upon every God-given opportunity to be conformed more fully to Christ’s death, no matter the pain involved.”

“When my flesh yearns for some prohibited thing, I must die. When called to do something I don’t want to do, I must die. When I wish to be selfish and serve no one, I must die. When shattered by hardships that I despise, I must die. When wanting to cling to wrongs done against me, I must die. When enticed by allurements of the world, I must die. When wishing to keep besetting sins secret, I must die. When wants that are borderline needs are left unmet, I must die. When dreams that are good seem shoved aside, I must die.”

Vincent concludes with this...

“‘Not my will, but Yours be done,’ Christ trustingly prayed on the eve of His crucifixion; {Luke 22:42, 1 Peter 2:23} and preaching His story to myself each day puts me in a frame of mind to trust God and embrace the cross of my own dying also.” {1 Peter 2:21-24, 1 Corinthians 15:31, Romans 8:36}

Today’s reason is a heavy one. We must die to self in order to live for Him. Period. There’s just no way around it, but oh the grace that abounds in it.

June 22, 2022

Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 22: A Heart for the Poor

June 22, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

June 22nd. Day 22 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — A Heart for the Poor.

And about today’s reason, Vincent has this to say...

“Like nothing else could ever do, the gospel instills in me a heart for the downcast, the poverty-stricken, and those in need of physical mercies, especially when such persons are of the household of faith.” {Galatians 6:10}

Vincent furthers his explanation of this reason by saying...

“When I see persons who are materially poor, I instantly feel a kinship with them, for they are physically what I was spiritually when my heart was closed to Christ. {Revelation 3:17-20} Perhaps some of them are in their condition because of sin, but so was I. Perhaps they are unkind when I try to help them; but I, too, have been spiteful to God when he has sought to help me. Perhaps they are thankless and even abuse the kindness I show them, but how many times have I been thankless and used what God has given me to serve selfish ends?”

Vincent goes on to say...

“Perhaps a poverty-stricken person will be blessed and changed as a result of some kindness I showed him. If so, God be praised for his grace through me. But if the person walks away unchanged by my kindness, then I still rejoice over the opportunity to love as God loves.” {Matthew 5:44-45} Perhaps the person will repent in time; but for now, my heart is chastened and made wiser by the tangible depiction of what I myself have done to God on numerous occasions.”

Vincent concludes with this...

“The gospel reminds me daily of the spiritual poverty into which I was born {Psalm 51:5} and also of the staggering generosity of Christ towards me. {2 Corinthians 8:7-9, Romans 8:32} Such reminders instill and me both a felt connection to the poor and a desire to show them the same generosity that has been lavished on me. {Ephesians 1:7-8} When ministering to the poor with these motivations, I not only preach the gospel to them through word and deed, but I reenact the gospel to my own benefit as well.”

Today’s reason to rehearse the gospel daily has this song on repeat in my heart. May we make it our heart’s cry today and everyday...

All I Have Is Christ (Sovereign Grace)

I once was lost in darkest night

Yet thought I knew the way

The sin that promised joy and life

Had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own

A rebel to Your will

And if You had not loved me first

I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race

Indifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless state

And led me to the cross

And I beheld God’s love displayed

You suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for me

Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You

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