by Tracy | Life With Alyssa, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Unto You, O Lord do I bring my life. O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on and am confident in you. Let me not be put to shame or {my hope in You} be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.” – Psalm 25:1-2, Amplified Bible
Just this morning the Holy Spirit informed me that I have not been fully trusting in God. My first reaction was “who me?” After all, I am the one who often speaks on the topic of faith. Ask anyone – I always believe God for the impossible. But of course the Holy Spirit is always right and I can be so wrong! He showed me how recently I was full of worry and concern about my daughter. Alyssa had caught a stomach virus and as I rummaged through some medical books – panic set in. She was showing signs of dehydration. As a new mom I felt utterly helpless! Alyssa cried her first tears of pain and I must admit that I also broke down and cried. My mind was filled with the “what if’s” and formulating a plan to bring quick relief.
Instead of having faith that God loves Alyssa and trusting that He will take care of her, I was full of fear. When fear enters our hearts and minds, faith goes out the window! But the opposite is also true: When faith enters our hearts and minds, fear must leave! Faith and Fear cannot co-exist. We have to make a choice everyday to either live in fear or faith.
It is only through us having confidence in God’s love, that we can remain in perfect peace. No matter what you may be facing today – DO NOT allow fear and the cares of this world to rob your confidence in God! Psalm 138:8 states, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” We must CHOOSE to believe Jesus at His Word. Needless to say, Alyssa is on her way back to health, and me, well I’m on my way back to faith.
Prayer:
“Lord, forgive me for allowing fear and the cares of this world to rob my faith and confidence in You. I choose to believe Your Word and that You will take care of the things heavy on my heart this day. I submit my thoughts and emotions to you. I thank you that Your Word is greater than my thoughts and emotions and that You know ALL THINGS! Thank you for loving me and taking care of my concerns this day.” Amen.
Image above is from: www.freefotocom
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
by Tracy | Life With Alyssa, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Give yourself to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will help you; He will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5-6
This afternoon, I was busy folding laundry when Alyssa decided that she wanted to come and “help.” You know, the kind of “help” that makes your work twice as hard? I had just separated and neatly folded the clothes into piles. Nevertheless, after just a few seconds, those neatly folded clothes were thrown all over the floor! As I began to pick up each item and fold them once again, I began pondering on this little exercise called the “laundry of life.” It is something that our Heavenly Father knows a lot about.
Let me ask you a question: How many a time has God neatly folded and taken care of the concerns in your life, only to have you come and “help” Him and create a total mess? Can I get an Amen from someone?
We serve a God who longs to put us in the washer of His grace. He longs to cleanse us in His love and forgiveness and warm us in the dryer of His Word. The truth is, there will always be the “laundry of life” (various challenges and trials), but we serve a God who will wash us, dry us, care for us, and even uniquely handle and fold the delicate issues dearest to our hearts.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for being fearful and not trusting You with various issues in my life. You did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I will seek You in prayer and trust that You will show me if there is something I need to do. Otherwise, I will leave the details to You, Lord. Please wash me in your grace, dry me in your Word and uniquely handle and fold the concerns of my life this day.” Amen.
IF YOU DID NOT READ MY PREVIOUS POST FROM THURSDAY, APRIL 5th, PLEASE CLICK HERE (It’s an important announcement for tracyhurst.com readers)
Image above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Life With Alyssa, Tuesdays With Tracy
My Precious Friends,
I am very sad today. I have had to make the decision to no longer post pictures of Alyssa on my site. I have been bombarded lately with triple “x” porn sites trying to get onto my web page and leave inappropriate comments. Although, this practice occurs regularly on web pages, I am no longer comfortable posting personal pictures at this time.
I wept this afternoon as I deleted the pictures of my precious little one. I know of the joy these pictures have brought to you, my family and friends all over the country. I am repenting on my behalf for thinking that my site would be free of perpetrators. I truly did not think that my Christian site would attract inappropriate material.
As I deleted the pictures, I prayed out loud:
“Lord, I forgive these people. You died for them too. May you free them from bondage and soften their hearts to the things of God. They need you so desperately. May you bless them. I pray that something on my site or someone they know will bring them to salvation. I love them Lord – I know it sounds strange, but they are just looking for You, God. May they find what they are looking for – Jesus Christ. Once again I forgive and bless them.” Amen.
Will you join me in praying for those held captive in pornography today? Let’s believe that God will make something good out of this.
A note to family and friends:
I am putting together a secure page on www.lifewithalyssa.com that will allow only those approved to view updated pictures of our family. If you would like to be included and given access to this page, please click here and leave your contact info (including your email address).
My love and blessings to each of you,
Tracy
Image above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
I was driving the other morning and a song came on the radio that was everything I felt and wanted to say to God. Have you ever connected with a song to the point that you realize you should have written it yourself? I was so thankful that the DJ announced the song title, “Enough” and the artist being Barlow Girl. I was able to purchase their CD that very afternoon. Needless to say, I have listened to this song a hundred times and still counting!
This is my song to God at this time. He is more than enough for me. He is more awesome than I know. May these lyrics bless you as they have me…….
All of you is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you
Is more than enough
You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know
You’re my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You’re my coming king you’re everything
Still more awesome than I know
To listen to a little of the song, click here and then click on the title: “Enough”
Written by: Chris Tomlin
Recorded by: Barlow Girl
Prayer:
“Lord, thank you for Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross. He conquered death, sickness and sin. He arose on the third day as You promised. You reign. You rule. You are Lord over all. I celebrate You and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You are more than enough for me. Amen”
HAPPY EASTER!
Love,
Tracy Hurst
Anybody else feel like you are going through a test at this time? If so, then click here and read an article written by Brigette Wagner. It will encourage you to stay the course!
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people…” Hebrews 10:14, Message Translation
“He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off – and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man. Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true. Still, it’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. THE PLAN WAS THAT HE GAVE HIMSELF AS AN OFFERING FOR SIN SO THAT HE’D SEE LIFE COME FROM IT – LIFE, LIFE AND MORE LIFE. And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him. Out of that terrible travail of soul, he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant will make many “righteous ones.” Isaiah 53: -11, Message Translation
For years I struggled with picturing Jesus and all that he suffered on the cross. But one Sunday morning during worship I heard a still small voice say, “Tracy, I want you to know that my most beautiful moment was when I laid down my life for you on the cross.” Tears began to fill my eyes as I envisioned this in my mind. I could see the blood running down his side, the thorns on His head, and His nail-pierced hands and feet. Jesus GAVE His life and SHED His blood that we may be whole.
Needless to say, what Jesus endured was horrific, but that Sunday morning I began to see past the torture and pain and see the beauty of the cross. This revelation has changed my life. Every time I see images of the cross, I am filled with thanksgiving and awe of my Lord. I am also thankful that through the blood of Jesus, God does not remember the gruesome images of my past. But He sees me as His beautiful creation.
He gave. He bore. He bled. He forgave. He died. He was buried. He arose. He reigns. He rules. He is Lord over all. He is coming back soon. He is Alpha and Omega. He is the Beginning and the End. His Name is above all names. He is Jesus!
Prayer:
“Lord, thank you for all that you suffered on the cross. Forgive me for grumbling and complaining about my life. You had every “right” to complain, but instead you freely laid down your life that I could live. I choose to fix my eyes on you this Easter season. You died that I may live. You suffered that I may be healed. You endured rejection that I may be accepted. You shed your blood that I may be forgiven. Open my eyes to see the beauty of the cross. I declare that death did not conquer you and it will not conquer me! You arose from the dead and are seated at the right hand of God and one day I will join You in heaven. Until then, help me to fulfill my destiny. Amen.”
Hold On: Resurrection Sunday is just ahead!
Image above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy, Warfare
“The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5, The Message Translation“When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.” 2 Timothy 2:3-7, The Message Translation
These past few weeks have been a time of strange discomfort, stretching and testing of my faith. I have battled in my mind, will and emotions. I had to use my authority over the enemy and I gave God permission to use this “travailing” of some sort within my spirit to draw me closer to Him. I don’t understand it all, but I know that I am not alone in this fight. Many of you have shared with me of your own personal battles. As I sought the Lord and His Word, I made the decision below in my own life and I hope this brings encouragement to you as well.
No matter how we feel or what is going on around us – WE MUST STAY THE COURSE! When the devil is pounding on every weakness and our circumstances appear dim – WE MUST STAY THE COURSE! When it looks like our life is not making a difference and our enemies are triumphing over us – WE MUST STAY THE COURSE! This is not the time to give up. It is a time to remain steadfast and ready to carry out the orders of the Lord. We are in a battle, but WE WIN. We are currently in a storm, but the waves MUST CEASE. We are being pulled and stretched, but with God we can endure ALL things. It’s time to be soldiers for Christ. This comes with a cost, but a soldier understands that we cannot give in to the taunts of the enemy.
It’s time to: Rise up and declare our authority and stand firm in our faith. We must understand that the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual rulers of this world. Therefore we must put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, we will be able to stand our ground, and after we have done everything, to stand. Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around our waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, we must BE ALERT and always keep on praying for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18). Please know that I am praying for each of you daily and I choose to stand with you in faith.
Prayer:
“Lord, I choose to stand when the going gets tough. I will carry out my orders and I will not give up. I cling to the conquering power of my faith in God that will bring the world to its knees. I put on the armor of God this day and declare that WE WIN! I will not back up. I will not give in. I will not bow down to any attacks of the enemy over my spirit, emotions or body. I will be alert and in constant prayer for the will of the Lord to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you for endurance and faith to rise up within me this day. I bind the enemy and all his plans and declare that only the plans of the Lord will prosper over me and the saints of God this day and forevermore.” Amen.
Image above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Life With Alyssa, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12, New American Standard Bible
As most of you know from my life with Alyssa blog, I recently put Alyssa in a Mother’s Morning Out program. And to my utter dismay, one of the moms dropped off her sick child. Needless to say, Alyssa, another child, the child’s mom and now my husband (who never gets sick) have caught this horrible cold! Ugh! I will admit that for several hours in the wee morning, I plotted and planned how I would handle this matter. Of course, these “plans” were not how Jesus would want me to handle them. My “fleshly” thoughts only led me to become even more outraged and unbeknownst to me at the time, I had fallen for an old, but familiar trap: THE TRAP OF OFFENSE.
The trap of offense will ruin your day and even your life if you let it seep in! Holding onto offenses and becoming bitter will leave you physically and emotionally exhausted. Once I realized that offense was trying to enter my mind, I knew I had a choice to make. It was a choice of life or death. I decided to extend forgiveness and I instantly felt better. A renewed strength filled my tired body as I chose the higher road and let go of offense!
The truth is we cannot control others, but we can control our lives and the choices that we make. With this in mind, let’s choose to forgive and not be bitter. Let’s choose to not judge, less we be judged. Let’s choose to love and not hate. Let’s choose to bless and not curse. Let’s choose to be the best that we can be. And I (Tracy) choose to practice the golden rule of “doing unto others as I would want done unto myself,” by never placing Alyssa in childcare of any kind while she is sick.
Prayer:
“Lord, I choose to forgive those who have hurt me or my family. I ask that you bless those who have cursed me. I extend forgiveness not only because it is Your will, but I also need forgiveness extended to me. I ask that Your love and grace fill my mind, body and spirit right now. Give me supernatural energy and ability to be the best that I can be for myself and my family. Thank you Jesus for forgiving me of all my sins. Amen.”
Point to ponder: Forgiveness is not based on a feeling, it is a choice.
Image above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
(In the picture above are the loves of my life: Alyssa & my husband, Michael)
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anything lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, NKJ
One morning out of routine, my husband lugged our garbage to the end of our driveway while Alyssa and I were still asleep. Later in the day, I peered out the window and I immediately saw a huge red sign sticking out of our trash can. It was a sign that had been in our garage for over three years. This sign boldly declares, “READY NOW.” Right away, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “My people are READY NOW to occupy what I have called them to do.” Immediately, I began to think about all of my faults and weaknesses. I replied, “But how Lord? I don’t feel ready.” Then I heard within my spirit, “I AM READY to use my people even with their flaws. Just as a builder constructs a home and before it’s finished, it appears to be in a total mess. A Master Builder knows that he can hire a cleaning crew and within 24-hours, that “messed up” home is READY NOW. I am the Builder of My people. I am cleaning My people up quickly and they are READY NOW to occupy all that I have for them.”
So, be encouraged today. Even if we don’t feel like it, even with all our weaknesses, God is able to clean us up quickly and He declares that we are READY NOW!
Prayer:
Lord, I choose to receive this message even though I don’t feel it. I boldly declare that I am ready now! I am ready by Your Spirit to occupy all that you have for me this year. I give you all my faults and weaknesses and ask that you clean me up quickly. Thank you for cleaning and organizing things in my home and in my life. I know that it is not by might, nor by power, but by Your Spirit that I will fulfill my destiny in Christ! Amen.
by Tracy | Inspirational, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity; Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street…Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread – fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.” Proverbs 8:11,9:3-4, Message Translation
Do you ever have days when you feel as if you are losing your sanity? There are times when confusion and worry fill my mind and when this happens, I literally turn into a different person! While I am usually a person of peace and joy, those precious gifts are nowhere to be found. I have learned that when I am in this state, I need to sit down and have “dinner” with God! The truth is that according to Proverbs 8, Lady Wisdom is calling to us everyday. The Wisdom of God will show us how to live well and enjoy life. The problem is that there are other voices calling us as well: The voices of the world, opinions of man, fear, temptation, greed and the list goes on and on.
My question for you today is: whom are you dining with tonight? Let’s choose Lady Wisdom as our dinner host and enjoy a wonderful meal. If you choose to dine and fellowship with the other voices listed above – you will surely be eating worms! It is our choice to which dinner invitation we reply a “yes.” I don’t know about you, but fresh-baked bread and roast of lamb sound good to me. Will you join Lady Wisdom and I for dinner tonight? I promise you will leave her table feeling of satisfied. And remember that Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street – who knows maybe we can join them for dessert (I’m sure they will be serving chocolate:)!
Prayer:
“Lord, I seek You for Wisdom this day. I give you all the concerns heavy on my heart. I ask that you take away the plate of confusion and worry from my life and replace it with heaping portions of Your Wisdom and Peace. Thank you for inviting me to eat “dinner” with You. I answer, “yes” to your invitation. I know that everything I need will be discussed and that your guidance will be given as we dine together tonight.” Amen.
Image above is from: www.freefoto.com
