Wide Open Spaces

by | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy

“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.”

Ever Faithful

by | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy

“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