by Tracy | Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
When The SPIRIT Speaks…
As many of you know, we recently moved onto 2 acres of land. Words cannot describe the breathtaking views from our property and to find land in the Atlanta area is truly a miracle! But, what you don’t know is the amazing story of how God brought us to our promise land. Mike and I have searched and prayed for YEARS that God would bless us with a piece of land. But, it was one Tuesday morning while driving down a new road that I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Turn right.” I have learned over the years to always do what the Spirit says – even if it sounds bizarre – I would rather be a fool for Jesus than to miss out on His perfect will for my life. As I rounded the corner, I saw our property. The lush trees swayed in the wind. I heard the sound of a creek nearby trickling in the distance and there sat our home on a hill. It was love at first sight. Immediately, (which is unlike me) I called the number on the “For Sale” sign and got all the details. Then I called my husband and declared over the phone, “Honey, I have found our property.”
Within minutes of hanging up with my husband, I called our awesome realtor (Leigh Mitchell – you are the best:) and we walked the land that very afternoon. The home had a lot of work that needed to be done: the smell of mold and mildew was present throughout the home, dirt and filth was everywhere, the home was begging for new paint, carpet and lots of TLC, BUT God spoke to us that “This was to be our land.” No matter the state of the home or the obstacles we had to face to get the land (like the selling of our town home) WHEN THE SPIRIT SPEAKS – WE KNEW TO OBEY.
We had a signed contract within 24 hours, but the miracles of God were just beginning to unfold. I will share more with you next week on the miracle power of God and all that He did to get us into our new home (a.k.a. our Promise Land). God gets ALL the glory!
So, Let me ask you: Have you ever heard a still small voice telling you what you should do? Maybe you have heard this voice in the grocery store, while reading your Bible or like me while driving you car. No matter where you hear His voice or what He tells you to do – I encourage you to step out in faith and do what the Holy Spirit is leading you. I used to be afraid and confused that the voice I was hearing was “just me and my thoughts.” But I have come to this conclusion – “Even if I am ‘off’ in hearing God’s voice, He knows my heart and I long to be obedient to Him. Therefore, I choose to do obey His voice and even do it afraid because God knows my heart.” So go ahead and ask God to speak to you. And when the Spirit does speak- follow His instructions and know that your greatest days are yet ahead!
Prayer:
“Lord, when You speak I want to be obedient. Please help me to hear your voice and step out in faith no matter how silly it may seem. I choose to let go of my pride and follow You no matter the cost. I am so grateful that You know my heart and when I step out in faith, I will not be ashamed. I would rather be a fool for You than miss out on Your perfect will. Thank you for your grace (unmerited favor). Thank you for leading me to my next Promise Land. I earnestly seek Your will for my life and I thank You in advance for leading and guiding me according to Your will. When You speak Lord, I will obey.” Amen
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah (Pause and think about this).” Psalm 16:3-4, NKJV
Did you know that the word “overwhelmed” means “to pour down upon and bury beneath?” Think about this for a minute…. When we are experiencing overwhelming obstacles we often feel anxious and as if something heavy is resting on our chest. When we feel overwhelmed it is as if our problems are pouring down on us and we are buried beneath them. Anyone else been there?
BUT according to the scripture above, when our emotions and thoughts overwhelm us, Jesus(The Rock) is higher than our circumstances! He can take us from overwhelmed to overflowing! He can show us His viewpoint on our situation and guide us on what to do. Jesus and His Word is our shelter from the enemy and in Him we can trust! He is a Rock that is stable and can handle any situation that comes our way.
No matter what you are experiencing right now -Jesus wants to lead you to The Rock (His Word) that is higher than yourself and your circumstances! He can pull you up from the state of being underneath your circumstances to a place high above the earth through His Word! We do not have to live our lives overwhelmed! Jesus is our Rock and He is greater and above ALL circumstances here on earth!
Prayer:
Lord, I commit every overwhelming circumstance in my life to your this day. I entrust my emotions to you and declare that you are greater than my emotions and thoughts and know ALL things. I ask that you lead me to see my problems from Your viewpoint which is above and not beneath. Thank you for being my refuge and shelter this day. You are everything I need. I praise you for being my ALL THAT! Amen.
Photo above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
Hello Precious Friends,
I am in the middle of a move and quite busy, but I thought I would share a few of my favorite quotes with you. May you have a Jesus filled day and may God’s love overwhelm you and overtake you today. I love you and bless you!
Tracy
Some of my Favorite Quotes:
“I confess that regardless of how much resistance the devil is trying to bring against my life, I will never surrender to defeat. Others may give up, but not I! As long as I am alive, I will stay the fight. I refuse to relinquish my stand of faith. I am an exceptionally find soldier – exactly the kind other Christian soldiers should be happy to associate with – because I am committed and determined to fight until my victory is complete.” Rick Renner, “Sparkling Gems”
“Instead of waiting for the storm to pass – learn to dance in the rain.” Christina Brunetti
“Whenever it appears that God is withholding something good from you – He is only setting you up to be blessed with His best!” Tracy Hurst, “This To That”
“The people you hang out with today – determine who you will become in 5 years.” Psychology Today
“While there’s nothing wrong with glamour per se, many important activities in life call us to get our hands dirty. Parenting in particular wakes us up from our self-indulgence and invites us to get involved in something bigger than adventure and even greater than glamour – the shaping of a human life and the destiny of an eternal soul. It’s a messy business, but a highly important one.” Gary Thomas, Sacred Parenting
PS:
Did you know that moving is one of the top ten stressors in life? Right now I can totally understand why this is true! Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words. See you next week:)
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
I have always thought of myself as a loving person, but God has been challenging my “love walk” the past few months. He has asked me to give things away that are dear to my heart. He has brought people into my life who are in need of encouragement when I needed encouragement myself. He has asked me to do things out of obedience to bless His people. He has encouraged me to give rather than receive. With all of this occurring, I realized I needed more of God’s love to flow in and through me each day. I am desperate for God to fill me to overflowing that I may be a blessing to those around me. Is anyone else as desperate as I am for God’s love?
According to 1 Corinthians 13, The Message Translation:
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut.
Love doesn’t have a swelled head.
Love doesn’t force itself on others.
Love isn’t always “me first.”
Love doesn’t fly off the handle.
Love doesn’t keep score of the sins of others.
Love doesn’t revel when others grovel.
Love takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.
Love puts up with anything.
Love trusts God always.
Love always looks for the best.
Love never looks back.
Love keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.
So, how is your love walk?
Just remember that your Heavenly Father gives you His amazing love freely each day. He will never give up on you. You are the apple of His eye and He is your Daddy:) Relish in His love today. No matter what you are going through – God’s love will see you through!
Prayer:
Lord, fill me with your perfect love this day. Forgive me of my selfishness and help me to love the people You have placed in my life. Make me more like Jesus. Help me to love myself and other people by your definition of love. Thank you Jesus for never giving up on me and for always being with me. I love you! Amen.
by Tracy | Tuesdays With Tracy, Warfare
“For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:20-21
In the past, I allowed my feelings to rule my life. I would be happy one minute and in tears the next. My emotions were dependent on varying circumstances around me. And no matter what anyone said, I treated my feelings as the truth! I will never forget the day that I found 1 John 3:20-21, in my Bible. I later researched the word “heart” in the Strong’s Concordance, and it means “emotions and thoughts.” So, let’s read the verse again, but this time I will replace the word “heart” with it’s Greek meaning, “emotions and thoughts:
“For if our emotions and thoughts condemn us, God is greater than our emotions and thoughts and knows all things. Beloved, if our emotions and thoughts do not condemn us, we then have confidence toward God.”
Isn’t this good? The truth is, when our emotions and thoughts contradict the Word of God – we have a choice to make: Are we going to believe our emotions and thoughts or the Word of God? For years I lived my life in double-mindedness. I would read the Bible, but then allow my emotions to rob my faith in God! But not anymore!
We must choose daily to believe the Word of God no matter what is going on in the natural! We need to often declare a scripture out loud and proclaim that our emotions must submit under the Word of God. We must choose to believe that according to 1 John 3:20-21, God is greater than our emotions and thoughts and HE knows all things! By not allowing our emotions and thoughts to condemn the Word of God, we can remain in faith and perfect peace:)
Prayer:
Lord, I choose to believe Your Word no matter what is going on around me. I declare that according to 1 John 3:20-21, You are greater than my emotions and thoughts and that You know all things. I will no longer allow my emotions to rule my life. You have good plans for me – with a future and a hope. I worship You Jesus and thank You for leveling out my emotions and giving me the mind of Christ this day.” Amen
PS: Check out a new blog by my friend Stephanie: www.broken-n-restored.blogspot.com This blog discusses everyday issues and the restoration power of God. It’s so good:)
Picture above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Inspirational, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“And the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness…..This shall be seen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and in the morning bread to the full; for the Lord hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us, but against the Lord.” Exodus 16:2,8
Recently, I have been under a lot of stress. God is truly blessing my family, but “good stress” – is still stress! My days have been filled with to-do lists, phone calls and never-ending appointments. I realized that I had reached my limit when I broke down crying to my friend, Angel over the phone. I was exhausted and needed rest. The next morning during my quiet time with God, I felt the Lord speak the following to me: “Tracy, I have parted the Red Sea (done a miracle) for you and your husband. I am taking you to your next promise land, but you must stop grumbling and complaining or I will have to take my hand off of you.” Immediately, I repented and asked for God’s grace and strength in order to endure the journey to reach my promise land. He was right – I was being just like the Israelites who praised God when He parted the Red Sea on their behalf, but only a few days later they began to grumble and complain about various obstacles they had to conquer to get to their Promise Land. I had fallen for an old, but familiar trap of grumbling and complaining and I needed to HALT!
You see, because I was overly tired – I let down my spiritual guard and allowed my mouth (through grumbling and complaining) to get me into trouble. As a counselor, I am aware that negative thoughts and speech cause extreme fatigue and frustration! I once heard Pastor Charles Stanley share a powerful acronym with his congregation. He stated the need to H-A-L-T whenever we are:
H-Hungry
A-Angry
L-Lonely
T-Tired.
Pastor Stanley explained that when we are experiencing any of these physical or emotional deficits, the devil will try to pull us into fleshly temptations (i.e. – fear, over-eating, addictions, worry, doubt, negativity, grumbling, etc).
No matter what you are going through at this time: H-A-L-T and take care of you! God is continually taking us from glory to glory! He is leading us each day to greater things. So go ahead, take a nap, eat a big steak, forgive the one who has offended you and ask for God to fill you with His awesome love this day. Trust me, I did all of the above, and I am in a much better place! God can meet whatever need you have today. He promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. Rest in the simple fact that His mighty hand is upon you:)
Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace. I ask that You give me wisdom on how to take care of myself. I give You my hunger and ask that You feed me. I give You my anger and ask that You replace it with a heart of forgiveness and love. I give You my loneliness and ask that You pour out Your love upon me this day. I give You my tiredness and ask that You give strength to my mind, body and spirit. Jesus, I want to reach my next promise land and with Your grace and strength, I can even enjoy the journey! I love you Heavenly Father ask that You fill me to over-flowing.” Amen.
Picture above is from: www.freefoto.com
