by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. Amen.” – Matthew 28:19-20
For me personally, there is no greater joy than to help someone succeed and go higher in the things of God. I love to speak encouragement into a dream of a friend and pray with them until their dream becomes a reality! It is a “high” that no amount of money or chemical substance can give you. When we freely give, we are being used by God to bless another individual. And I have found that as God leads and I help others, He always takes care of my needs in abundance!
Giving – isn’t that what we are here to do anyway? We are here to give people the good news of Jesus Christ. We are also here to give of our gifts and talents to the body of Christ so that all can fulfill what God has called them to do on earth. How would our world be impacted if everyone (including you and me) gave freely to one another? Selah (pause and think about that for a moment).
So, if you happen to be feeling a little blue today, I encourage you to help and pray for someone else! It will get your mind off of “you” and onto someone else who is in need. Self-absorption equals misery, but helping someone else is sure to turn your day around and bring joy to your spirit! We have the privilege of being an extension of God’s love to those around us today.
Prayer:
“Lord, forgive me for being self-absorbed. I choose to get my eyes off of myself and onto The King of Kings, who will perfect everything that concerns me today. Open my eyes to see how I can help someone today. Thank You God for filling my spirit with joy unspeakable. Amen.”
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Tuesdays With Tracy
What if I were to tell you that God loves you, He created you and He thinks you’re gorgeous? Would you believe me or would your mind quickly come up with all the “reasons” why this cannot be true? Statistics state that 85% of Americans struggle with low self-worth. And if you are one of these individuals you may have a hard time believing that God loves you, created you and thinks you’re gorgeous! Unfortunately, many of us treat our “feelings” as truth rather than God’s Word. And it is our “feelings” of low self-worth that can cause us to stumble in life over and over again.
Why is it that we receive the lies of the devil, but we resist the truth of God’s Word concerning our worth? I am here to challenge you today – I want you to press into God’s Truth concerning you. It is time to receive from God and resist the devil and his pack of lies! Let’s start by declaring these truths over your life today:
1. God loves me.
John 3:16 states, “For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only Begotten son that none should perish, but have everlasting life.”
2. God created me.
Ephesians 2:10 states, “For you are God’s workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that you should walk in them.”
3. God thinks I’m gorgeous.
Psalm 45:10-11 states, “Listen O Daughter, consider and give ear; forget your people, forget your father’s house. The King is ENTHRALLED WITH YOUR BEAUTY; honor Him for He is your Lord” (NIV Version).
IF you choose to meditate on these truths today – you will have an awesome day! Although low self-esteem will not go away overnight, if you choose to daily meditate on God’s Word concerning you and determine that what He says about you is TRUTH – you will be walking in worth before you know it!
Prayer:
Lord, help me to receive Your Word as truth and resist the lies of the devil. No matter what man says about me, I can rest in the fact that You love me. I ask that you reveal to me any mindset that is contrary to what the Bible says. I want to walk in worth and fulfill my destiny. I declare today that God loves me, He created me and He thinks I am gorgeous! Amen.
*I’d like to give a “shout out” to the precious women of FBC of Alpharetta: Thank you for the honor of being with you for your 2008 “Girl Talk” Retreat. I love you ladies and hope you always remember that: God loves you. He created you and He thinks you’re gorgeous!
Photo above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Tuesdays With Tracy
“For You are my hope O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.” – Psalm 71:5-6
A while back I was asked to speak to a group of teenagers at a local community center. I was thrilled to receive the invite due to my life being radically changed at the age of 16 when I surrendered my life to Christ. As the anticipation grew I began to seek the Lord about what to convey and after a few days of prayer, I had no doubt what God wanted to say to these young adults.
Upon my arrival, I entered a huge great room filled with chairs and young people engrossed in conversations and laughter with one another. I could see the remains of pizza boxes on a nearby table and the smell of pepperoni still lingered in the air. I found a vacant chair to sit and listen to the teens as they talked about the challenges of life and love. I was later formally introduced and to my amazement these teenagers sat at attention as I shared my personal story of being a depressed, suicidal teenager and how God transformed my life. I could tell by their eyes they understood the hurt and pain that I had gone through. I found out later that many of them also had gone through deep pain themselves.
I informed them that God wanted to convey something to them that night that could radically change their lives – I encouraged them to always place their hope in God and not the things of this world. This opened up conversations on how we can place our hope in other things, such as: people, circumstances, our performance, greed or selfish desire rather than in God. And as we discussed these faulty avenues of hope, it was unanimous that when we choose to hope in the things of this earth that we end up feeling more disappointed, fearful and anxious. We resolved that the only way to find true peace and satisfaction in life is by placing our hope in God. It was such an honor to share with these precious teenagers that night about fixing their eyes on God and I am thankful that each young adult prayed to draw closer to God and to place their hope in Him.
The truth is, no matter our age, it is a constant struggle for us to place our hope in God each day. As a rule of thumb – if you’re feeling frustrated, disappointed, fearful or anxious – your hope is probably in something other than God. As we choose this day to place our hope in Him, no matter what your circumstances may be at this time, you can have a confidence that God will perfect that which concerns you and you will experience a supernatural peace as you trust in Him.
Prayer:
Lord, I choose this day to place my hope in You. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You and not my circumstances. I speak over my mind, body and spirit this day, “Be still and know that God is in control and He is moving on my behalf today.” I let go of fear, frustration, disappointment, unforgiveness and I grab onto The Hope that never disappoints – Jesus! Amen.
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Tuesdays With Tracy
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
There have been times when something I have said or done has made me feel like the biggest failure on earth! It is one thing to fail man, but the very thought of failing my Lord and Savior is devastating to me! Romans 8, has been my safe haven during times of failure in my life. I have found that while God is quick to forgive and extend mercy, the hardest part is for ME to FORGIVE MYSELF!
Since becoming a Christian, I have found one thing to be true: God’s Word does not lie. What God says in the Bible is true, everything else is just a fact and facts can be changed! So when God says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – He means it! Even when we “feel” like complete failures, if we confess our sins to God, we are forgiven and washed clean by His Blood.
Friend, your past, present and future is secure in Jesus. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! Receive your forgiveness today. You do not have to walk around life carrying the sins of your past – they are covered under the Blood of Jesus Christ. A friend of mine recently told me when I was battling feelings of failure, “Tracy the devil is telling you that you’re a failure, but the truth is always the EXACT opposite of what the devil says.”
So let me ask you – what lies have you been holding onto as truth? If the devil says you’re a failure, then God says you’re a success! If the devil says you are worthless, then God says you are extremely valuable to His Kingdom! If the devil says you will never pay off your debt, then God says your financial breakthrough is on the way! The devil is a liar, but God ALWAYS tells us the truth.
Prayer:
“Lord, I confess every known and unknown sin to you this day. I ask that you forgive me and cover my sin under Your Precious Blood. I repent and turn away from my sin and I choose to follow Your will for my life. I declare that today, I am forgiven, redeemed and washed in Your Blood. The enemy is a liar and God always tells me the truth! God’s Word says that I am the apple of His eye, God says He has good plans for me to prosper me and not to harm me, God says He will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you Jesus for always telling me the truth through your Word.” Amen.
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Tuesdays With Tracy
My Precious One,
I formed you in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. My thoughts of you Precious One are wonderful and the sum of them is so great they are more in number than the sand. I will establish the work of your hands. Goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. With long life I will satisfy you and show you of My salvation. The plans I have for you are good, to give you a future and a hope in Me. Dwell in My secret place Precious One, abide under the shadow of My wings and no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. I will send My angels concerning you all the days of your life.
I have so loved you Precious One, that I came to earth that you may have everlasting life. Seek first My kingdom and all your hearts desires shall be added to you. You are My chosen One, I have called you to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Do not be afraid, Precious One, for I will be with you wherever you go. My rod and staff shall comfort you. Hope in Me and tell of My righteousness and salvation to all who have ears. Declare My strength to this generation and My power to everyone who is to come. Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will direct your paths.
Love Me above all else Precious One, obey My commandments and all of My blessings shall come upon you and overtake you because you obey My voice. I am deeply in love with you! Welcome my love for you this day. I want to show you how wide and deep my love is for you. Precious One, let’s talk again tomorrow. I have much more to tell you. Simply open The Word of God and I will daily unfold a love note to you. Bask in My love. Relish in My Truth. Everything will be all right when you stay close to me.
Love,
Your Heavenly Father
(This love letter to you originates from: Psalm 139:13,14,17,18, Psalm 91:16, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 91:1,10, John 3:16, Matthew 6:33, Mark 16:15, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23, Psalm 71:15, Proverbs 3:5,6, Deuteronomy 28:2)
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Now thanks be to God who ALWAYS leads us in TRIUMPH in Christ, and through us manifests the fragrance of His knowledge in EVERY PLACE. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
Are there days when you feel totally defeated? Do your circumstances sometimes pile on you to the point that you can barely breathe? Well, no matter what you are facing – God ALWAYS leads us in triumph in EVERY PLACE!
Let me encourage you today: Do not give up. Do not lose sight of who you are and to whom you belong. You are the righteousness of God. You are His beloved child. You are an over-comer in Christ Jesus. No weapon formed against you can prosper. Every idle and dishonest word that is spoken against you, God will condemn! You are the apple of God’s eye. He formed you in your mother’s womb. You are not forgotten and never forsaken. You are above and not beneath. You are the head and not the tail. The blessings of the Lord will chase you and overtake you. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it around and use it for your good. Our God is willing and able. He is your healer. He is your Abba Father. He is your provider. He is your vindicator. He is mercy. He is grace. He is love. He is EVERYTHING you need!
What is that “place” you need victory in today? Christ is leading you to triumph in that very place. As you walk out your victory, God’s fragrance is manifesting around you. People are watching you and noticing something different about you. They see a smile on your face even through you are walking through the greatest trial of your life. They see a peace resting over you that no words can describe. And according to the scripture above – they will see you triumph in EVERY PLACE!
Prayer:
“Lord, You lead me in triumph in every place of my life. You will not leave me in the valley of the shadow of death. You send your rod and staff to comfort me and you will pull me out of the pit of destruction. Many will see my life and give praise to Your Name. You are Jesus. Your Name is above every name. This situation that I am walking through must bow its knee at your Word. I declare triumph. I declare Your fragrance be manifest in my life. Thank You for your love and mercy. I worship You Jesus. You are everything I need.” Amen.
