by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Every January, God calls my husband and I to fast and pray concerning the New Year and He always meets us in extraordinary ways. It is a time of giving God our everything – our time, our thoughts, our desires, our weaknesses and our plans for the upcoming year. While our flesh longs to run to temporary pleasures, such as, food, television or things of this world to fill a void within, the truth is, real joy only comes from spending time in God’s Presence. What we “think” will satisfy us never does. What we “think” is the solution never is because Jesus is everything we need. It is God who will show us the path of life. It is through spending time with Jesus that we will experience an overflowing joy that will fill the God-shaped hole within our soul.
I believe that you, like me, long to be like Jesus. You want to think like Him, love like Him and walk in obedience as He walked. You desire for people’s lives be changed, souls to be saved and bodies to be healed. But you are also aware that true transformation is not possible without God. With man it is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible.
My question for you today is: To whom or what are you leaning on for the year 2009? Are you leaning on man, money, prestige, losing weight or anything of this world? I am all too familiar with these trappings and how each faulty solution tells us the same lie… “if you will just do this or purchase that – then you will be happy.” Yet happiness my friend fades, it is temporary and dependent on our circumstances, but God’s joy is eternal and is greater than any trial or circumstance we may endure on earth.
Our scripture above makes it clear as to where our joy comes from – it is found in the presence of God. It is time for us to stop looking to the things of this world to fill us up. Nothing (losing 10 pounds, eating a piece of chocolate cake, getting a promotion, getting married, obtaining a degree, winning the lottery, etc) can give you joy unspeakable and full of glory, except for Jesus.
Prayer:
“Lord, I give you my life and ask that You fill me with Your joy unspeakable and full of glory. Forgive me for turning to the things of this world in hope to fill the God-shaped hole in my soul. It is only in Your presence that eternal joy is found. I give you my life and ask that you direct my paths in 2009. Open doors to my destiny in Christ. And may my life bring you glory all of my days. Amen.”
by Tracy | General, Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Brethren, I count myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
where are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
“It is not in good taste to remind God of something that He has forgotten.”
Quote from Kenneth Hagin
“We will never reach our future destination in Christ if we continually drive through our life while looking through the rear view mirror.” Quote from Tracy Hurst
As I think back upon 2008, I am cognizant not only of my good choices and blessings, but also my failures and disappointments. And that is why the scripture above is so important to me as I embark on the New Year. I have a choice of life and death before me and so do you…it is a decision that only we can make ourselves and it will greatly alter our destiny in Christ. The choice is this: Will I allow the enemy to hold me in bondage to the sins and failures of my past or will I embrace Philippians 3:13-14 and move forward to what God has for me in 2009?
Even if we are not proud of our past, the truth is that when we repent to God – we are forgiven. Period. I love what Kenneth Hagin Sr. has said, “It is not in good taste to remind God of something that He has forgotten.” Selah (pause and think about that for a moment). You will either believe the Word of God or the voice of the enemy concerning your future. It is because of the Cross of Jesus that nothing can hold you in your past, but YOU! The enemy was defeated, your destiny was made secure and IT IS TIME for you to move forward.
God has made His plans for you very clear in Ephesians 2:10 (NLT), which states, “For we are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” The year 2009 will be full of adventure and blessings if you choose to let go of your disappointments of the past and grab onto God’s grace and truth concerning your future.
Just as a trapeze artist must let go of one swing so he can grab onto the next one which leads him to his ultimate destination of the other side, we too much let go of 2008 in order to grab onto 2009. It is time for us to stop swinging back and forth and move forward in the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
“Lord, I choose life this day by letting go of my past and grabbing onto my future in You. Thank you for giving Your life on the Cross so that I can receive Your love, acceptance and forgiveness. I rebuke the enemy and his pack of lies concerning my future! I will no longer entertain my past and its failures, but I will press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I declare that 2009 will be the greatest year of my life! Amen.”
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Isaiah 30:18
As the Christmas season beckoned at my door, I could not help but reminisce about the memories of Christmas past. A lot of my flashbacks revolve around running to abuse shelters from my stepfather who was physically abusive. Even when things seemed calm on my home front, I could always count on the never-ending drama within my family to spice up the holiday season. Holiday drama and my family seem to go together like macaroni and cheese. While the majority of my early memories could put anyone in therapy, I did think about one Christmas that still puts a smile on my face even to this day.
It was the Christmas that my aunt, uncle, and cousins drove 12 plus hours in the sleet and snow to be with us during the holidays. I was in sixth grade and I still remember the smell of burning wood in the fireplace and the amazing meals my mom prepared. But, the best part of that Christmas was a present I received. To the outward eye it appeared that my aunt gave me a game, “Stop Thief” by Parker Brothers, but it was much more than that.
You see, that evening my family gathered around the dining room table and played until the wee hours in the morning. The entire room was filled with laughter as we chased the fictitious thief all over the game board. As an abused child who later nearly took her life at the age of 15, I held onto the laughter of that night during some of the hardest times in my life. The memory of that Christmas is still with me today. I am not sure when it happened or which state I lived in at the time, but I lost my most prized game, “Stop Thief.”
Now in my thirties, I decided it was time to replace my favorite game. My research uncovered that Parker Brothers no longer makes the game, and to my dismay, “Stop Thief “ is now considered a vintage game! My husband suggested that I attempt to locate the vintage game on E-Bay. I held my breath as I typed in the words “Stop Thief” on the E-Bay website, and there it appeared before my eyes, not only one, but several “Stop Thief” games were being sold that very day. I placed my highest bid, and to my surprise, won the game. I eagerly anticipated its arrival, and just three days later it was placed at my front door in Atlanta, Georgia. I opened the package, pulled out the game and saw my very own handwriting on the front cover that stated, “I love Michael Jackson” in red ink. The memory of using my brand new ink pen with multiple ink colors flooded my mind and I remembered choosing red because Michael Jackson wore a red leather coat in his Thriller video. Tears filled my eyes as I realized that I had not just received any “Stop Thief” game, but my original game from my childhood.
It was a miracle and I knew who had done it for me- my sweet Jesus. I had known of His love for me, but the fact that He found my original game that I had lost a long time ago is beyond amazing. God led a stranger in Illinois to end up with my game, sell it years later on E-Bay, and then have it delivered several states away to my front door. That shows me the restoration power of God! Joel 2:21-26 talks about how God will restore the years the locusts have eaten. I don’t know what you may have lost over the years; maybe the locusts of life have stolen from you as well. I encourage you to ask God to restore unto you things that you have lost. God is able to not only restore former things, but He always brings things back with increase beyond its original state. Jesus truly is the restorer of all things lost. After all, we once were lost, but now we are found.
Prayer:
Lord, I declare that the enemy must give back everything he has stolen from me! I proclaim that 2009 will be a year filled with the restoration power of God. I ask that you restore my body, my mind, my spirit, my relationships, my family, my reputation, my finances and anything else needing the restoration power of God. I love you Jesus and it because of your love that I believe 2009 will be the best year of my life.” Amen.
Tip #2 On how to keep Christ in Christmas: Helping those less fortunate.
TWT Reader, Gracie shares her idea, “my grand daughter wants to give Jesus a present, when my daughter asked me how I thought she should do that, I explained that Jesus would love to use our hearts and hands to do something really nice for someone that has no one. They are taking socks to a nursing home to give to residents. They have decided to “gift” Jesus every year.”
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28, The Message
There is not enough room on my website to share with you how prayer has changed my life, but I would like to share a few examples of how prayer has impacted me personally.
During my teenage years I was lost in depression and low self-esteem, but several of my family members prayed for me. I gave my life to Jesus just a few years later and my life turned around 360 degrees! Do not give up on your lost family members and friends – Prayer changes things. During my senior year of college I was diagnosed with liver failure and my doctors were concerned about keeping me alive. I was placed on Asbury College’s prayer list and I was miraculously healed. Stand fast in praying for those who are sick, Jesus still heals – Prayer changes things. I lost my voice the day of a speaking engagement and my friends covered me in prayer. When I went up to the platform my voice returned and I was able to tell of God’s goodness. My voice immediately left after I was done speaking. God cares about you and He loves to bless you – Prayer changes things.
If you are reading this right now, then rest assured that I am praying for you. I am agreeing with you for God to move in your circumstances. I don’t know how God does it, but He takes what the enemy meant to destroy us and He turns it around for our good!
We serve an amazing God who is always looking out for us. He is longing to move in your life today, the question is will you let Him? Will you believe that prayer changes things? I encourage you to pray (talk to God) and tell Him everything on your heart. Ask Jesus to carry your burdens and allow you to rest in His perfect peace. No matter what is going on around you, you can rest assured that prayer changes things!
Prayer:
“Lord, I am so thankful that prayer changes things because I could use some assistance in my circumstances today! I run to You today with every burden and care. I am so grateful that You hear my prayers and that prayer changes things! I will no longer worry or allow fear in my life, but instead I begin to thank you for making what the enemy meant to destroy me and declare that today You are turning it around for my good. Amen.”
Check this out: I will be on ATL LIVE (channel 57, WATC) this Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. with National Speaker & Author, Shelley Hendrix.
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“My souls finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
When you are discouraged and don’t know what to do: Run to God. When you are not able to pay your bills and you cannot figure out how you are going to make it another day: Run to God. When you are battling in your body or mind and you feel utterly alone: Run to God. When the economy is tanking and you are full of fear: Run to God. When you find yourself angry and irritated at those you thought you could trust: Run to God.
No matter what is going on in your life at this time, I can tell you in confidence that your answer is always to Run to God. He is the One who holds every solution within His hands. God is our healer, friend, protector, provider, wisdom, counselor, advocate, vindicator, lover and everything we need.
When times are good, we need to run to God with our thanksgiving and praise. When times are bad, we need to run to God for direction and thank Him in advance for moving on our behalf. Lets run to God today and know that with Him on our side, everything will be a-okay!
Prayer:”Lord, I choose to run to you this day. I give you all my fears, worries and concerns and place them at the Cross. You are my solution and I run to You! I give thanks in advance for making steams in my desert and making every crooked place straight. You are an awesome God and I will always run to You! Amen.”
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“You are my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in you. I’ve put my life in your hands. You won’t drop me; you’ll never let me down. I hate all this silly religion, but you, God I trust.” Psalm 31: 3-6, The Message
Family, friends, circumstances and even our church may disappoint us, but we can rest assured that our God never will. I love the scripture above because it clearly states that when others fail us, God will never drop us or let us down. When we are unsure of which way to go, God is our travel guide and shelter from the storms of life.
If you are weary and tired today, I want to encourage you to give your circumstances and life completely to Jesus. We may never understand why we are forced to walk a treacherous path at this time, but you can rest assured that God will take care of you and everything that is on your heart and mind. The truth is, God cares more about you and your situation than you do! He is longing to be your safe leader and mountain guide. He knows just how to get you from point A to point B; all you have to do is ask for His help and He will show you the right path. God can give you His heavenly viewpoint and free you from hidden traps of the enemy. He is a cave that you can always run to for shelter.
I know that many of us are walking through personal struggles at this time, but I want you to be encouraged today my precious friends – Hold on, because your breakthrough and greatest hours are just ahead in Jesus Name!
Prayer:
“Lord, I choose to run to You today. I feel lost and alone and I need You to be my guide. Show me which way to go and give me the grace to walk out Your will for my life. I acknowledge that You are the One that I can always trust. You will never let me down and I run to You for help and wisdom this day. Amen.”
Check this out: I will be on The Dottie Coffman Show LIVE (1300 AM) on Monday, October 6th from 11:00-11:30, tune in if you can!!!) I will be talking about my new book and how as women, we can move from overwhelmed to overflowing in our everyday, ordinary life.
