“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.” Proverbs 17:17, The Message
Has God ever shown you that you needed to let go of a friendship, but instead of following His lead, you intentionally held onto the friendship to long until it resulted in conflict? As a counselor, I often tell my clients, “When you set a boundary, someone will get hurt.” And although none of us like this truth, what we fail to see is that by not setting a boundary – we are the ones who are continually being hurt.
I have found in my life that there are three types of friendships: 1. Friends for a lifetime.
2. Friends for a season.
3. Friends for a moment.
All three types of friendship are just as important as the other. You may be thinking, “Come on Tracy, surely a lifetime friend is more valuable than a friend for a season or moment!” I beg to differ with you – each type of friendship is valuable in its own right.
A friend in the moment can impact you for eternity. I will never forget sitting in a Chapel service at Mid-America Bible College. A young African American student presented the gospel. I don’t even know his name, but through his message and invitation, I accepted Jesus as my Savior – he was a friend for a moment that impacted my life for eternity.
A friend for a season can also impact you more than you know. I had a best guy-friend during my college years. He greatly prepared me for my husband. His friendship brought healing and restoration in my life – he was a friend for a season that impacted my life for such a time as this.
A friend for a lifetime is a rare treasure. These are the individual’s who love us rather than judge us, they hold confidences instead of gossiping about us, they want the best for us rather than feeling jealous of our success, they do not hold offenses but come to us if there is a problem, they make themselves available at all hours to listen and pray for us, and we don’t have to defend ourselves to them because they know who we really are and they value us as much as we value them. If we have just one lifetime friendship, we are extremely blessed!
The thing about friendships is that we too often try and put the wrong people in the wrong place. Or how about this one – how many of us expect everyone we are friends with to act like our friends for a lifetime? It all comes down to our expectations of others. I will never forget when my feelings were hurt because a friend failed to ask me about a recent speaking engagement. She knew about the event, but never inquired about it. After much prayer, God clearly showed me that I WAS WRONGby expecting her to act like my friends for a lifetime – who ALWAYS pray for me and ask about my speaking engagements...knowing where a friend fits into our life can not only bring tremendous peace but also keep us from frustration and disappointment.
As women of God, it is time for us to let go of the childish things (offences, jealousy, back-biting, gossip, cliques, he-said-she-said conversations and every evil thing) and grab onto God with all of our might! God is the One person I can declare is your Friend for a lifetime! Jesus is the One who is always on our side. He is cheering you on from heaven and intercedes for you when no one else does. Jesus is the friend that you are all longing for – grab onto Him and trust that He will give you wisdom in all your friendships.
Prayer:
“Lord, thank you for being my friend and Savior for a lifetime. You are always with me and I love you. I give you my friendships and ask that You forgive me for placing my hope in them rather than in You. Show me who my friends are for a lifetime, season and moment. I acknowledge today that each level of friendship is important in my life. I let go of childish things – offense, rejection, trying to defend myself, he said – she said conversations, gossip, criticism, and the such and grab onto You – the author and finisher of my faith. Amen.”
What are your thoughts or comments? Please click on the comment button. I would love to hear from you!
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give praise to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Most of you know our guest writer, Carol Abersold (center), as the Bestselling Author of “Elf On The Shelf” which is #3 on the USA Best Seller List. But what you may not know is that Carol is wife, mother, Bible teacher, mentor and woman of God who longs to glorify God. Please check out her wonderful website at:www.elfontheshelf.com. My daughter goes onto her website often to create cookies, color, and play games.
I know you will be blessed by Carol’s devotional today and it’s timeless message to let your light shine everyday of the year. Enjoy!
Although I had tried to faithfully serve the Lord for more than fifty years, my light, for all intents and purposes, was out. I found myself in the blackest of pits mentally, physically and spiritually. I had been physically suffering with three herniated discs in my neck, my husband’s business was failing, and my in-laws let me know how much they disliked me after thirty-four years of pretense. I found myself curled up in a ball weeping and crying out to God for help, healing and deliverance. All hope seemed gone.Why was I, a Sunday school teacher, amateur Bible scholar, a word believing, walking, talking Christian suffering from hopelessness?!!My usually strong husband was suffering from his own worries ( I was one of them), and I “turned to God” but He seemed to be on vacation. What was the deal!
My oldest daughter came over to pray for me. She took action and made an appointment for me to get professional Christian counseling, and she encouraged me to start writing. My Eeyore-like reply was, “I have nothing to say.” Determined child (adult) that she is, she looked up on a shelf in my kitchen where my little pixie elf from childhood still remained even though the holidays were past. “Why don’t we write a book about the elf tradition?” she said. My reply was, “Oh, Chanda, nobody would want to read that……Okay.”
And so we began writing what turned out to be The Elf On The Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. While we were in the process of writing the story, I received the professional help I needed from Tracy Hurst. These two women, Chanda and Tracy, let the Lord use them to shine His light upon me. He graciously healed me from my pain, the source of our financial drain was revealed to us, and most importantly… I got my light back.
The point is this: a Christian woman’s light never completely goes out, but it can grow extremely dim. Perhaps, you, like I, need someone to shine their light on you until you can get your “batteries recharged.” Don’t be afraid, just receive it. In turn, when darkness seems present in another’s life do not hesitate to shine your God-given light.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me be equally as willing to be set alight, as to shed light. Let the Holy Spirit remind me not to lose heart, because I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Let me not be ashamed to seek proper help when my light seems to dim, and let me be a beacon shedding Your light on everyone I meet today. Amen.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:11-14, NIV
This article has become a Christmas Tradition on my website and it was only a year ago that First For Women Magazine published this in their 2009 Christmas Edition. I cannot help but continually give God praise for His abundant favor. Be encouraged my friend, if God can do this for me, then what will He do for you this Christmas? May you have a miracle-filled Christmas!
My Christmas Miracle
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 2011 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 is because of your love that I believe 2011 will be a year crowned with Your goodness and dripping with abundance (Psalm 65:11).” Amen.
Please take a moment and watch this amazing video. The question is: Will you have Christmas as usual this year or will you decide to “get less” in order to “give more?”
Spend Less
Give More
Worship Fully
Love All
My church has embraced the Advent Conspiracy and I am also determined to not have Christmas as usual, but to give more. Instead of joining the hustle and bustle, needless spending and making this season about me, myself and I… I want to enjoy this season by laughing more with my family, being thankful for all my blessings and GIVING MORE to those in need – more time, money, prayers and attention!
Let’s make a difference in the world and give more this Christmas. Listed below are a few places where you can give. Please feel free to use these links or to give wherever God leads you, but let’s not experience Christmas a usual, let’s give of ourselves, spend less, give more, love all and worship fully this season.
“You’ve (God has) always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, a lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. You’ve always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you.” Psalm 61:3-5, The Message
Our scripture today makes me want to say, “Ahhh….Jesus take me away!” There are times when all we simply need is some breathing room; a place to escape the business and stress of life and to know that God provides such a place for us is awesome!
A few weeks ago I had the privilege to attend a women’s retreat. Notice I said, “attend” and this alone was breathing room. I knew a few people, but I was overwhelmed with the warmth I received from these women. God knew that I needed refreshment and these Godly women made me feel welcome. I left the retreat energized and filled with God’s peace and joy.
Maybe you are in need of some refreshment in your life today? I realize that you may not be able to attend a women’s conference such as I did, but our scripture today tells us that God always gives us breathing room and in spending time with Him we can have a “mini-retreat” in His presence. It is my belief that one moment with God can change our lives. God takes our concerns and needs seriously and He welcomes us to run to Him because God alone is the One who will meet all of our needs.
My daughter recently taught some children at an abuse shelter Philippians 4:19, which states, “My God will meet all your needs.” You should have seen these kids shouting from the top of their lungs this truth and jumping with all of their might to choreographed dance moves! It was powerful. Now to say that I was proud of my four-year-old daughter for teaching these kids God’s Word would be an understatement! My question for us today is, do we believe this truth? Do we believe that God will supply all of our needs? Whether we need refreshment, peace, joy or financial provision – He is faithful and His Word is true.
If you need anything today, run to God. He will heal you everywhere you hurt and provide for you exceedingly, abundantly, above all you could ask think or imagine. God’s guest room is always available to us. Are you in need of some breathing room? If so, then run to the safe house of God – His Word
Prayer: “Lord, thank you for giving me breathing room, a place to get away from it all to be refreshed in Your presence. For in Your presence is the fullness of joy. During this Holiday season, keep me from being distracted and to focus on the real meaning of the season. No matter what is going on around me, I can be confident that You will supply all of my needs. Amen.”
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7, NKJ
It’s time to let the past be in the past and to become men and women of Grace. God once shared with me before a family gathering, “Tracy, a woman of Grace never brings up the past sins of another person. Just as I have forgiven and covered your sin under The Blood, you must also cover the sins of others… A woman of Grace always builds up and never tears down.”I will never forget these words because they were like water to my soul. You see, I have a shameful past, but God never reminds me of it. Sure, there are times when I reflect on what God has done in my life, but never with despair or regret, but with thanksgiving of what God’s Grace has done.
So, as you sit with your family and friends this Holiday season, I encourage you to build up and not tear down, speak life and not death, extend mercy and not judgment, express love and not hate, offer forgiveness and not bitterness, share of God’s goodness and no matter what happens at your Holiday gathering – be men and women of Grace.
Just as we season our meal with salt, let us also be purposeful to season our fellowship this Thanksgiving with God’s amazing Grace – it is delicious to everyone who has ears to hear!
We need to trust that when evil is spoken of us, God will take care of it. All we need to do is simply walk in God’s grace and no evil plan shall prosper. God will send His angels concerning us as we flow in His love. And it is my prayer that God will grant us all a gathering seasoned with Grace!
Prayer:
“Lord, please forgive me of my sins and cover them in Your Precious Blood. I rebuke the devil and his tormenting spirits – I am forgiven and redeemed – I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. Help me Lord to be a person seasoned with Grace. I will no longer bring up the past sins of my brothers and sisters in Christ, but use my mouth to build up and edify. I ask for a Graceful Gathering this year and I realize this desire starts with me. No matter what happens Lord, I invite you to be with me this Holiday season. Guard my lips and heart as I choose to trust that You will vindicate me when needed.” Amen.
“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:40, The Message
Ever have “one of those days” when you feel as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Maybe your child is sick or a close friend has let you down, but no matter what solution you try in order to resolve the situation, a spirit of heaviness still remains in your heart – has anyone else been there?
It is when our hearts are overwhelmed, that we desperately need to run to God and His Word. Our current situation may make no sense at this time, but you can rest in the fact that God loves you and is for you. God alone can bring refreshment to your weary soul. I love our scripture today because it focuses on the fact that God loves us and there is nothing we can do or not do that will separate us from His love. Just take a few moments today and ponder that God loves you. He knows all about your situation and He will be with you to the end and make all things work together for your good simply because He loves you.
It is my prayer that you will meditate on the fact that God loves you. You may feel alone in this world, but God is right beside you and longing to love on you this very moment….the question is will you take the time to let Him do it? As you go through your day, I want you to continually tell yourself that God loves you. When you grab that piece of cake that you know you shouldn’t have – eat it with joy knowing that God loves you. When a friend disappoints you again– pray for them and ask that God would surround you with His perfect love that casts out all fear and torment. When you child is up all night with a fever – pray over him or her and declare that God loves you and your precious one. God is for you and loves you with an everlasting love. And there is nothing, absolutely nothing you can do about it!
Prayer:
“Lord, thank your for loving me at all times. You loved me when I was yet a sinner. You love me when I make good choices and you even love me and help me when I make wrong decisions. You are for me and therefore who can be against me? Please reveal this truth to me today. Amen.”
“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” Romans 5:1-2, The Message
For years I feared that if I surrendered my life to God, He would call me to live in a tent in a tropical forest, marry a man that I was not attracted to and birth twenty plus children – all of which are not wrong by an means – but I had no desire for any of these things. The problem was that I did not know the character of God at that time. I believed the lie that if I gave my life over to God that He would ask me to do things that I was not equipped for nor would I like, but this could not be farther from the truth!
You see, when I threw open the doors of my heart to God, I discovered that God had already thrown open His doors of grace to me through His Beloved Son, Jesus, when He died on the cross.God had been patiently, lovingly, waiting for me to give up. Even through hard times, God has been with me and I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. It was God who blessed me with a wonderful, good-looking husband. It was God who blessed me to be a mother and it was God who knew that I was not called to live in the jungle, but instead He gifted me to help His people through Counseling. Many marvel that I enjoy being a Counselor, but it was God who put this desire within my heart and I experience great joy when I Counsel.
Before Christ, I struggled with depression, suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, rejection, people pleasing, worthlessness, and much more. Yet, when I came to the end of myself and cried out to God, He filled me with His life, joy and peace. Over time I began to see who God really was – a loving, giving, compassionate Father who placed talents and abilities within me to glorify Him. I cannot boast of anything in my life, for it is God and God alone who blesses me.
Now, there are circumstances in each of our lives that we would never willingly choose to go through, but with God we can be confident that He will lead us to victory in every place . We can stand firm that God will work all things out for His good when we are called according to His purpose. God does not waste anything. He will not waste our pain, trials, talents, abilities, desires or anything in life.
I want to encourage you to surrender everything to God today. It is only through surrender that we can find peace and joy. One of my favorite sayings is, “I can’t, but God can.” God is longing to lead us into wide, open places in our workplace, marriage, ministry, parenthood and in everything we do. Today is the day we can throw open the doors of our lives and discover ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand – out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shout out praise to God….will you join me?
Prayer: “Lord, I give my life and I declare that You are good and gracious and will lead me to wide open spaces as I surrender to You. You have amazing plans for my life and I no longer want to keep You at arms length. I want to fully surrender to Your will and not my own. You have placed desires and abilities within me for Your purposes and I long to fulfill my destiny on earth. May Your will be done. Amen.”
“Scripture reassures us, “No one who trust God like this – heart and soul – will ever regret it.” It’s exactly the same no matter what a person’s religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out, for help. “Everyone who calls, ‘Help God!’ gets help.” But how can people call for help if they don’t know whom to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?” Romans 10:10-12, The Message
As a parent, I am continually watchful and protective of God’s precious gift to me. Whenever my daughter cries for “help,” I am quick to respond and would leap over mountains to rescue her out of harms way. The truth is that nothing can keep a momma away from her child when he or she is in need – everyone else needs to watch out when momma runs to rescue her child! LOL!
The truth is that God loves you more than anyone on the face of the earth. He will not only come to your help when you cry out to Him, but He will bless your future with His amazing grace. I love what Romans 10:10 states above; “No one who trusts God with their heart and soul will regret it!” I am living proof of this scripture. I shouldn’t be alive, BUT GOD heard my cry and He came to my aid and rescued me and He healed me everywhere I hurt. And it is now my mission in life to tell everyone what God has done for me. The truth is that He is no respecter of persons: If He rescued me – then He will rescue you. If He healed me – then He will heal you. If He has blessed me – then He will bless you above all that you can ask, think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He is an awesome God who is waiting for you to cry out to Him today.
I don’t know what you are currently going through…maybe you need to cry out for God’s help and simply receive all that He has for you today. He loves you and longs to help you. Or maybe you have been rescued like me and need to start sharing what God has done in your life. Millions of people don’t know Who they can trust. They are looking for peace through the things of this world, but the only One who can give them what their heart and souls longs for is Jesus.
Who knows, you may be the one to reveal that God loves them. There is nothing better in life than to see a life rescued and renewed through the power of Jesus. Will you join me? Will you tell everyone who will listen what God has done in your life? As our scripture above asks, “How are they going to know unless you are sent?”
Prayer:
“Lord, thank you for answering me every time I cry out to you for help. I am living proof that when someone puts their trust in You that You are faithful. Help me to let You have control in my life. May you use my life to draw others to You. May I be a living testimony of Your goodness. May people see Your favor upon my life and may they desire a relationship with you. Amen.”
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Tracy Hurst Counseling Services: Bringing Christ into Counseling
I am re-opening my counseling practice two mornings a week in the Smyrna area. If you or someone you know would like to make an appointment or get more information, please contact me through my “contact page” on my website by clicking here: CONTACT PAGE
“For You, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive (our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever); and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5, AMP
Do you have trouble forgiving yourself? If so, I have good news for you today because our scripture above tells us that we are not only forgiven but our sins have been sent away, let go completely and forever by our merciful and loving God!
Do you remember in Elementary School when a teacher would put our name on the chalkboard if we disobeyed in class? Having our name on the board would stir up feelings of embarrassment and awareness of our wrongful behavior. And it was the very act of seeing our name on the chalkboard throughout the day that kept us conscious of our bad choice. This is the very thing the devil longs to do to God’s people. He wants us sin-conscious, after all, he is the accuser of the brethren and he wants our focus on our past sins rather than God’s grace.
Satan understands that sin conscious people live a state of hopelessness and depression. He does not want you to fulfill your destiny and focusing solely on your past sins – will do just that!You see, Satan does not want you to know that Jesus is the “eraser” of all sin. The chalkboard that once listed your sin was erased with His precious Blood the moment you gave your life to Him. That my friend is the power of the Cross!
The truth is that you may not feel forgiven but God’s Word supersedes feelings. Psalm 86:5 is clear,“For You, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive (our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever); and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.” Your feelings will LIE to you, but God’s Word is ALWAYS TRUE.
If forgiving yourself has been a struggle for you then I would like for you to do something…Take out a pencil and a piece of paper. Then write down all the sins that have tormented you. Once you have completed your list, I want you to re-read Psalm 86:5. As an act of faith, I now want you to use an eraser and erase your list until it is completely gone. And now with your blank paper in front of you, it is time to thank Jesus for His Blood and forgiveness of sins!
I would also like to encourage you to put this piece of paper somewhere for you to see (a kitchen cabinet or bathroom mirror perhaps) and anytime you feelun-forgiven or tormented by your past sins, walk up to this piece of paper and declare: “The Lord has forgiven me of my sins. My sins have been erased, sent away, let go completely and forever out of God’s abundant mercy and love for me. Feelings you must submit to the Word of God. I am forgiven, redeemed and an over comer in Christ Jesus. Amen.” That my friend is what it means to be forgiven completely & forever!!
Prayer: “Lord, Your love is amazing and I am so thankful that my sins are forgiven, let go of completely and gone forever. Help me to believe Your Word over how I feel. I declare that my feelings must line up with the Word of God and I ask that You help me receive this truth deep within my spirit. Thank Jesus for Your precious blood that came to erase my sins away. Help me to walk in the abundance of Your grace forevermore. Amen.”
Tracy became a Christian at the age of 16 and her life was changed forever. She went from being a depressed, suicidal, rebellious teenager to a dynamic leader for Christ. Immediately after accepting Jesus as her Savior, Tracy fought the school board in order to begin a Bible study on school grounds at her high school in Illinois. The dramatic transformation in Tracy's life has inspired many, including her own mother, to give their lives to Christ.
“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.” Proverbs 17:17, The Message
