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.
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
(A Girls Night Out with my friend, Angela)
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19, New International Version
Three simple words can change a person’s entire day. Three simple words can communicate that you care. I think we all have been guilty of talking “on and on” about ourselves and failing to ask the person on the other end, “How are you?” Truthfully, we can become all consumed with “self” and forget that a living, breathing person is on the other end of our conversation. Who knows, maybe they are hurting or in need of encouragement. If we do get past our self-focus and actually ask the question, we then face another dilemma of getting the “AUTOMATIC RESPONSE.” I can’t tell you how many times I have asked, “How are you?” only to here the quick response, “Oh, I’m fine.” Yet, if we were honest that “automatic response” is not always the truth! Why do we insist on pretending that we have it all together when God knows that we are about to fall apart?
So let me be the first one to ask you today:
“How are you?”
“No REALLY, How are you?”
“How can I pray for you?”
“How can I minister to your needs?”
Take just a minute and answer these questions – Go ahead, I’ll wait right here until you are finished. Okay, now that you have shared you heart with me: “How do you feel?” Some of you may have tears in your eyes and others of you may be smiling. But, no matter the response – know that I genuinely care. I want to know how you are doing today. If you need a listening hear, please feel free to click on my contact page and send me an email. I would love to hear from you and I will agree with you in prayer.
My genuine care is my gift to you this day. Now it is up to you to pass it on!
Prayer:
Lord, please forgive me for being self-centered and failing to see the needs of others around me. Help me to pour into someone’s life today. I commit to tell You everything I am feeling and thinking deep within my heart. Thank you for always being available to me. And by the way Jesus, How are you today? How can I pray for the concerns on your heart and mind? Jesus, You are always there for me and I want to be here for You today. I give you permission to use my life to be a blessing.” Amen.
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31, New International Version
I have reached the point of exhaustion, my friends. I don’t know if it is because of the cold that has lingered for weeks or Alyssa continually getting up in the middle of the night due to teething, but today I am in desperate need of God’s strength. You may not currently be at this point, but I know that all of us deal with extreme physical or mental fatigue at various times in our lives.
I am so thankful today that although I am faint hearted, my God NEVER grows tired or weary! No matter how we feel, we must choose to put our hope in God. When we do this, we can expect a renewed strength to enter our mind, body and spirit, as we trust in Him. We serve an awesome God who loves to bless us! Psalm 127:2 in the Message Bible states, “Don’t you know He (God) enjoys giving rest to those He loves?” So let me ask you: Are you also in need of God’s strength and power today? If so, meditate on the scripture above and wait expectantly to soar on God’s strength this very day.
Prayer:
Lord, I am desperate for you today. I place my hope in You and ask that You fill my mind, body and spirit with Your supernatural strength and power. I am so thankful that You never grow tired or weary and that You understand all things. Jesus, You are awesome! I give you my life, my dreams, my past, my future and all that I am. Thank you for renewing me today. I will run and not grow weary. I will walk and not faint. I give praise to Your Holy Name! Amen.
From me to you: 
I would like to send some flowers to a few blogger friends who are going through difficult situations at this time. I got this idea from my Canadian blogger friend, Susanne,at www.susannesspace.blogspot.com. Please join me in lifting these beautiful women below in prayer at this time. I know that God will be faithful concerning them, Psalm 38:8 promises that “He will perfect thost things which concern us.” We serve a faithful God who is willing and able to heal, comfort and restore us. Please check out their web pages and keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
These flowers go to Angel Cope, from www.1smartmom.com. She and her sister, JoAnna recently lost their grandmother. Although, we celebrate that she is dancing in heaven and having a grand time, please lift up their family during this time of loss.
These flowers go to Keli, from www.living-in-grace.net, whom I have never met, but she is struggling with some serious health issues. She is walking out her healing and you will be encouraged to read how God is moving in her life during this time. Please pray for God’s total restoration power over her body at this time.
These flowers go to Heather, from www.especiallyheather.com, who leaves for Mayo Clinic next week seeking treatment and possible brain surgery. Let’s agree in prayer for this tumor to dry up at the root and that no surgery will be needed. Check out her blog and you will be amazed at her faith! Keep her in your prayers and call forth her healing!
Photos above is from: www.freefoto.com
