by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy, Warfare
“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.” Psalm 126:5 Amplified
As I look back over my life, I can honestly say that God has fulfilled this scripture in my life. Most of you who read Tuesdays with Tracy on a regular basis know of my story and how my childhood was far from perfect. What I had to endure as a child would have put anyone in therapy – LOL! But through it all, God has been good to me. He was the One after all, who saved me, healed me and delivered me. And God is the One who will turn your tears which you have sown into joy and singing.
My life is not perfect by any means, but let us not confuse happiness which is earthly and temporal, with joy that is eternal. The truth is that I still remember the pain of my past and I will never forget the abuse and agony I had to endure as a teenager, but just like Jesus whose hands still display the scar from the nails that pierced His hands on the cross, the memories from my past are also a reminder of God’s resurrection power in my own life.
No matter what you have or are currently going through, hold on because Jesus will do the same for you as He has done for me. He will take your tears and turn them into joy. I will never forget the time when I was sitting on the lawn of Asbury University, soaking in God’s Word…and then it happened, I heard a still small voice speak to me, “Tracy you have been through much pain and sown many tears, but your future is filled with great joy.” I held onto that promise and it would be years later that I would find these words written in Psalm 126:5. The Holy Spirit spoke this to me and He is speaking this into your life today – the question is – will you listen to what He has to say to you and will you believe Him? Friends, Psalm 126:5 is true for me and it is also true for you. Every tear that you have sown will reap a harvest of joy and singing in your life – I declare it for the glory of God.
Prayer:
“Lord, I give you my life and I choose to believe Psalm 126:5. All the tears of pain that I have sown will reap abundant joy and singing in my future. I will not let my past hold me down any longer but I will press on and expect Your goodness and mercy to follow me all the days of my life. Please line up my thoughts and my words with this truth today. I give you my pain and ask that it be sown into a bountiful harvest of joy unspeakable and full of glory. Amen.”
by Tracy | Inspirational, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“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 could be happy one minute and in tears the next. My emotions were completely dependent on varying circumstances around me and no matter what my loved ones told me, I would treat my feelings as the truth! Has anyone else been there besides me? If your days are currently filled with confusion, worry and chaos then maybe your feelings are ruling your life at this time? But I have good news for you today! You don’t have to live your life dependent on how you feel because God’s Word is the final authority in your life. As daughters of the King, our feelings must submit to the Word of God and what He says about our situation. We do not have to live our lives riding an emotional roller coaster. We can have the peace that passes all understanding as we trust in God and His Word (Philippians 4:6-7).
I will never forget the day that I found 1 John 3:20-21 in my Bible. This scripture became my daily meditation and after researching the word “heart” in the Strong’s Concordance, I found that the word “heart” in our scripture today 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 news? 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!
So I have 2 questions for you:
1. Will you choose to believe the Word of God no matter what is going on around you in the natural world?
2. What will be the final authority in your life – your feelings or God’s Word?
Now that you have found 1 John 3:20-21, you also have a choice to make. It may seem hard to believe right now, but you too can begin to declare and believe that God is greater than your thoughts and emotions and that He knows all things. And even when your feelings tell you something different, you can choose to hold onto God’s Word as truth in your life and experience supernatural peace. You and I can both live in God’s peace daily and our feelings no longer have to dictate our lives. Now that is something to shout about…Yeah!
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 will worship You alone. Thank you for peace that passes understanding. I love you Jesus and I know that my best days are ahead of me because You love me. Amen.”
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Have the roots (of your being) firmly and deeply planted in Him, fixed and founded (in Him), being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:7, AMP
It is officially summer my friends – school is out, the weather is hot, pools are open and life as we knew it, is no more (I know all the mom’s are shaking their heads in agreement with me right now:)! But, I have an important message for you today: It is important that you seize the summer and not let the summer just pass you by.
Summer is often a time of activity, rest and relaxation, but it can also be a season where the days feel like they are never-ending! I made the decision several months ago to enjoy my summer, but hadn’t yet grabbed a hold of what my summer would entail. The problem was that I had no vision for what the days of summer would hold for me. I was quickly becoming either overwhelmed with activity or feeling the dread of a new day with nothing to do! You see, I was letting the summer seize me, instead of me seizing my summer!
Just this morning, I sought God about the next few months. I heard the Holy Spirit clearly state, “Tracy, how you spend your summer will determine how you spend your fall.” I felt within my spirit that the summer (for me), is a time of enjoyment and rest this year and I desire to spend my time : (1) Reading God’s Word (Spending time with Jesus and reading my Bible), (2) Enjoying my daughter & family (Spending quality time with those that I love), and (3) Writing (Spending time on my next book and writing bi-weekly devotionals that I pray will encourage women). Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God), the people perish…” With these three goals in mind, I now have a vision for my summer. I can already see myself refreshed by spending time in God’s Word. I can see my family and I laughing and discovering new things in our City. And I can imagine seeing the cover of my new book! 🙂 With these goals before me, I know that I am going to have an awesome summer!
What is your vision for your summer? If you are not sure, then ask God. He will give you some guidance on how you can enjoy your summer and be prepared for your fall, which is also known as harvest time! What you sow in the summer, you will reap in the fall. I pray that God speaks to you today. Remember to seize your summer and do not let summer seize you! Be encouraged because no matter what your summer holds, God will use these months to prepare and propel you into your promise land!
Prayer:
“Lord, please speak to me today. I want my summer to be filled with purpose and destiny. Show me the areas of my life you want to strengthen. As You give me a vision for this summer Lord, I can see goodness and mercy following me. I see days of laughter, revelation and enjoyment! In Christ I seize my summer. These next few months will prepare me for Harvest – get me ready Lord, for my greatest days in You are yet ahead! Amen.”
*This devotional is an oldie but a goodie. It was published 2 years ago on my site, “Seizing Your Summer” but there is no better time to publish it again! Thanks for your continued encouragement of “Tuesdays With Tracy!”
by Tracy | General
“I run for dear life to God, I’ll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Put your ear to the ground and listen, give me space for salvation. Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open!
You’re my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.” Psalm 71:1-3, Message
Did you know that God could be your “guest room?” God and His Word can be our place in which we can retreat and get some needed R&R. Psalm 16 tells us that in His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. He even promises in our scripture above that His door is always open for us. As one Hotel has marketed itself, “He’ll even leave the light on for ya!”
When we are overwhelmed, our earthly bodies long for a place of tranquility and today I am here to tell you that it is in God’s presence that you can truly unwind and rest from the difficulties of life. He is a refreshing drink to our thirsty spirits, He is the healer of our mind, body and spirit, and He wants us to lay in green pastures with total confidence that He loves us and will fight every battle before us.
Just as you are able to rest and receive while staying in a guest room of a close friend or family member, when you run to God for dear life, He is our guest room – our fluffy bed, luxurious sheets and soft pillows. He is our “calgon take me away” bath salts and He is everything we need.
I want you to know that God loves you and He has amazing plans for you. Hold on because your BEST days are yet ahead. No eye has seen and no ear has heard the plans that He has for you! And when things get difficult remember to run to the true “guest room” of Jesus.
Prayer:
“Lord, I run to you for dear life today and I declare that I will never regret it! You are my salvation and everything I need in my life. I give you every situation on my heart today and choose to find my retreat in You and Your Word. Thank you for always loving me. Amen.”
by Tracy | General
“I run for dear life to God, I’ll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Put your ear to the ground and listen, give me space for salvation. Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open!
You’re my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.” Psalm 71:1-3, Message
Did you know that God could be your “guest room?” God and His Word can be our place in which we can retreat and get some needed R&R. Psalm 16 tells us that in His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. He even promises in our scripture above that His door is always open for us. As one Hotel has marketed itself, “He’ll even leave the light on for ya!”
When we are overwhelmed, our earthly bodies long for a place of tranquility and today I am here to tell you that it is in God’s presence that you can truly unwind and rest from the difficulties of life. He is a refreshing drink to our thirsty spirits, He is the healer of our mind, body and spirit, and He wants us to lay in green pastures with total confidence that He loves us and will fight every battle before us.
Just as you are able to rest and receive while staying in a guest room of a close friend or family member, when you run to God for dear life, He is our guest room – our fluffy bed, luxurious sheets and soft pillows. He is our “calgon take me away” bath salts and He is everything we need.
I want you to know that God loves you and He has amazing plans for you. Hold on because your BEST days are yet ahead. No eye has seen and no ear has heard the plans that He has for you! And when things get difficult remember to run to the true “guest room” of Jesus.
Prayer:
“Lord, I run to you for dear life today and I declare that I will never regret it! You are my salvation and everything I need in my life. I give you every situation on my heart today and choose to find my retreat in You and Your Word. Thank you for always loving me. Amen.”
by Tracy | Inspirational, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts of Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pride-fully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t’.” Romans 12:4-5, The Message
In the past I have dreaded shopping for a new bathing suit…can I please get some sisterly love on this one? I have literally walked into a dressing room with 20+ swimsuits in hand and left the room empty handed and feeling as if none of them looked nice, but this may have been because I was under a faulty delusion that somehow my size-12 body would magically turn into a size-8 body whenever I went shopping – of which I thought I could experience a “Tadah” moment. However this “Tadah” never happened and I was quickly snapped back into reality that simply putting on a new article of clothing does not cause immediate weight loss! LOL!
However, somewhere along the journey of life, I have come to the place of simply longing to be the best me. I don’t know if this revelation has come with age or by consciously choosing to love myself, but I no longer walk in trepidation at the thought of shopping nor do I compare myself to others because I just want to be the best me.
I no longer give my energy or thoughts over to what the world would say about me, (my accomplishments or lack of, my weight, my values, etc) because as our scripture states above, God excellently and marvelously formed me. This truth has become a line in the sand for me. I no longer expend precious time comparing myself to others – I just need to be the best me…whether size 12 or 8…I am fashioned and formed by God, I am created to be a blessing to the body of Christ.
So let’s all make the choice to go ahead and be who God made us to be and lets choose to let others be who God made them to be. Bottom line: I am free to be me and you are free to be you!
You see, God fashioned and formed you and you are vital to the body of Christ. There is no other “you” on the face of the earth. The gifts and talents God put into your life are greatly needed by those around you. It is my prayer that today you will make the choice to no longer compare yourself to others and that you will simply be the best you!
Prayer:
“Lord, I choose from this day forward to love myself. You tell me in Your Word to love my neighbor as I love myself. Help me to embrace the fact that you fashioned and formed me and that You have good plans for me. I will no longer give my time and energy to what others may say or think of me but I will honor You with my thoughts. Help me to be who You created me to be – the best me! Amen.”
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God is that Jesus can and does.” Romans 7:24, The Message
A few weeks ago and I had the honor of seeing our God show up and show off for His precious daughters. As our scripture states above, “The answer, thank God is that Jesus can and does.” The weekend was full of worship and digging into God’s Word. Needless to say, it was amazing and the testimonies from our time together keep coming.
I prayed for one woman who was diagnosed with colon cancer. The doctors informed her that the cancer was also spreading into her bladder and ovaries. We prayed together and asked that God would remove all cancer from her body and replace it with His love. We declared that she would live and not die and declare the works of the Lord for His glory. She and I have been communicating through email and I want to share with you how God has showed up and showed off in her life.
Last week this young woman went in for her scheduled surgery. Although she was scared, she held onto God’s Word and believed that all things were possible with God. When the surgeons opened her up – they could not find any trace of cancer! God truly showed up and showed off for this precious woman. The doctors were baffled but she knew exactly who removed the cancer from her body – Jesus!
Friend, whatever needs be removed from your life – God can remove it! If you need the removal of debt, sinful behavior, fear, depression, sickness, bitterness, shame or anything you want rid from your mind, body and spirit, God can remove it and He will replace it with His love.
Beloved, whatever needs to be brought into your life – God can bring it! Whenever God removes something, He always replaces it with something. When fear is eradicated, God replaces it with His perfect love. When sickness is confiscated, God replaces it with wholeness and health. When God plucks out bitterness from your heart, God replaces it with joy. When God lifts the label of shame off of your life, God gives you a new label – the Righteousness of God. Whenever God eliminates poverty from your life, He replaces it with prosperity for your mind, body and spirit. We serve a God who loves to show up and show off for His people simply because He loves us.
The truth is that God loves you – period! And He is longing to show up and show off on your behalf.
If you have a prayer request today, please click on the “Need Prayer” button found on my website and I would be honored to pray for you.
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God is that Jesus can and does.” Romans 7:24, The Message
A few weeks ago and I had the honor of seeing our God show up and show off for His precious daughters. As our scripture states above, “The answer, thank God is that Jesus can and does.” The weekend was full of worship and digging into God’s Word. Needless to say, it was amazing and the testimonies from our time together keep coming.
I prayed for one woman who was diagnosed with colon cancer. The doctors informed her that the cancer was also spreading into her bladder and ovaries. We prayed together and asked that God would remove all cancer from her body and replace it with His love. We declared that she would live and not die and declare the works of the Lord for His glory. She and I have been communicating through email and I want to share with you how God has showed up and showed off in her life.
Last week this young woman went in for her scheduled surgery. Although she was scared, she held onto God’s Word and believed that all things were possible with God. When the surgeons opened her up – they could not find any trace of cancer! God truly showed up and showed off for this precious woman. The doctors were baffled but she knew exactly who removed the cancer from her body – Jesus!
Friend, whatever needs be removed from your life – God can remove it! If you need the removal of debt, sinful behavior, fear, depression, sickness, bitterness, shame or anything you want rid from your mind, body and spirit, God can remove it and He will replace it with His love.
Beloved, whatever needs to be brought into your life – God can bring it! Whenever God removes something, He always replaces it with something. When fear is eradicated, God replaces it with His perfect love. When sickness is confiscated, God replaces it with wholeness and health. When God plucks out bitterness from your heart, God replaces it with joy. When God lifts the label of shame off of your life, God gives you a new label – the Righteousness of God. Whenever God eliminates poverty from your life, He replaces it with prosperity for your mind, body and spirit. We serve a God who loves to show up and show off for His people simply because He loves us.
The truth is that God loves you – period! And He is longing to show up and show off on your behalf.
If you have a prayer request today, please click on the “Need Prayer” button found on my website and I would be honored to pray for you.
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion–to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit–that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3, AMP
In Isaiah 61:3 a great exchange occurs. God gives us His beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of morning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit. Friend, I don’t know what you have been through in your life, but I do know that Jesus gave His life for you on the Cross. He exchanged your sin, sickness, and every curse and nailed it to the Cross in exchange for His mercy, healing, grace and salvation. One day while reading Isaiah 61, I was led to write down all that God had exchanged in my life and I pray that it will bring encouragement to you today.
I know what it’s like:
To be abused, but I also know what it’s like to forgive my abuser and to be set free
To have thoughts of killing myself, but I also know what it’s like to carry the life of my daughter inside my womb.
To be full of fear to the point of rocking back and forth with my Bible in hand just to make it through the night, but I also know what its like to see God’s angels moving on my behalf.
To feel alone in this world, but I also know what it’s like to have the honor of Jesus being my EVERYTHING
To live in depression and despair, but I also know what it’s like to be pulled out of the pit for God’s glory.
To worry to the point of almost losing my mind, but I also know what it’s like to be renewed in my mind through God’s Word.
To barely get out of bed, but I also know what it’s like to experience God’s joy that comes in the morning.
To wonder if my dreams will ever come to pass, but I also know what it’s like to have faith that God never withholds anything good for me but He only sets me up to be blessed.
To be diagnosed with liver-failure and need a liver transplant, but I also know what its like to have Jesus miraculously heal me.
To only have oatmeal in my pantry to eat for dinner, but I also know what it’s like to see God provide all of my needs through the body of Christ.
To run for my life to an abuse shelter, but I also know what it’s like to have God make purpose out of my pain and know that my best days are ahead of me.
To be told that I am stupid and invaluable, but I also know what to read in the Bible that Jesus died on the Cross-for me and that I am the apple of His eye.
My question for you today is: What do you need to exchange?
It is my prayer that we will embrace the Great Exchange this Easter Season.
Easter Blessings,
Tracy
by Tracy | Inspirational, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37, KJV
We are triune beings – spirit, body and soul. From the moment you were conceived, you were a spirit. Your body was uniquely formed in the womb of your mother with the purpose to house your spirit and soul. Your soul is made up of your will, emotions, intellect and imagination. As believers, God’s Spirit within us is to reign over the soul and body, however this will not happen without the help of the Holy Spirit because the soul wants to dominate. Our soul is moved by what it sees, feels, hears and touches. It longs to be entertained and if we are not careful – our feelings, intellect, and personality can rule our lives rather than God’s Spirit.
Roberts Liardion states in his book, Sharpen Your Discernment, “An unharnessed soul wants to be the center of attention of everything. If the atmosphere is not exactly what the soul wants, it becomes depressed. If the soul doesn’t get what it wants, it becomes unhappy. If someone wrongs the soul, it becomes bitter. If someone hurts the soul, it becomes engulfed in self-pity. If the soul is in a hurry, it pressures everyone. If the soul does not like someone, it becomes rude. If the soul is rejected, it becomes obsessive or withdrawn. If something scares the soul, the soul worries. If someone has what it wants, the soul becomes jealous. If the soul thinks it has to please everyone, it becomes phony and deceitful.”
Our mind, will and emotions are gifts from God, but these gifts are never to dominate over God’s spirit within us. When trials come our way, it is vital that only God’s Spirit direct our plans. This is why we need to make sure that our body and soul are submitted under the Word of God and not vice-versa. It is extremely important that we hear directly from God concerning every area of our lives for such a time as this.
There are places God longs to take us. People God desires to touch through us. And God is currently repositioning His people for Kingdom purposes. So, let me ask you: Who is ruling your life? Is God’s Spirit reigning or are you allowing your thoughts and emotions to run your life? I can tell you from personal experience that when my thoughts and emotions rule my life, I live in a state of constant anxiety, confusion, fear and depression. But when I let God direct me and rule my soul, then I can remain in perfect peace no matter what is going on around me.
Prayer:
“Lord I ask that Your Spirit within me arise once again. I declare that my thoughts and emotions must submit to the Word of God. No matter what is going on around me, I declare that if God is for me, who can be against me.I give you permission to correct me and re-align my life for Your purposes for such a time as this. Amen.”
