A Grace Filled Heart Changes Us

 Grace never looks for a reason; it only looks for an opportunity. ~W. Wiersbe 

Happy Monday friends, It’s cool here and I am taking in slow breathes of grace today. I am wrapped in a sweater and socks but also intentionally sitting in the sun in any other season this would be crazy. LOL 

Today’s opportunity is to listen to God and wrap my mind around what He wants of me. As much as I look forward to new seasons, I also seem to dread change sometimes? Isn’t that’s an interesting thing about people?  

God is who and what will never change in our life. We are dependent on an unchanging and all sufficient Savior. This revelation of God brings about thanksgiving and a heart for giving. A grace filled heart will desire the things of God and will be a grace giver with everything given to her. 

Social Media And My Mental Health

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Social media depletes me. 

Every time I open an app or turn on the tv I hear stats, facts, and all the opinions on matters at hand in the world. Right now I have mental fatigue from it all. It makes me sad that our conversations navigate to defending which side you land on healthcare, masks or how we raise our children. There is so much lack of grace in our actions and words toward others when faced with these decisions. I think we are doing the best we can with the information given. Everyday is something new and devastating news seems to be the norm. The media really hasn’t changed over the years. It continues to censor, sensationalize or only highlight the worst. It creates reactions from us when we watch or listen. The posts liked or followed the most these days are the ones focused on the negative or debunking the opposite party. It’s madness out there. One is focused on helping the cause by causing righteous anger yet pride is dripping off their tongues. 

I have to shut it all off. My mind can get flipped upside down and become filled with complacency about everything. I have to come to God with my prayers and seek Him for guidance. The mind is the first place that gets attacked and I need more Jesus than what others are saying to me right now. 

I am saddened that we feel the need to shame others for their choices over health related matters today. It’s something I am seeing more and more but do we do that when we share the gospel? Do we shame our friends who never come to church and expect them to join you on Sunday? Or do we invite them for dinner with a genuine heart to get to know them? It’s relationship that Jesus speaks to us and He speaks to others through our words. 

Jesus drew people to himself by his words. Jesus spoke with authority yet never shamed anyone for their lack or sin. 

Jesus had mercy on others through his words. He healed with his words not condemning anyone. Jesus wanted to share hope by his words and not fear. 

I had these thoughts running in my head today and they were convicting me. No matter how much I believe my decision is the right one I never want to condemn or shame you for yours. Our voice matters yet I myself always want to speak with humility and grace filled words in order to draw you toward Jesus in all things. 

It’s okay to shut it all off. 

Let us keep fighting in prayer and listen to God today friends. 

Do you get distracted from bible study?

 

Have you ever noticed when we make plans for bible study or meeting with friends for bible study something distracts us from getting there or even studying? 

I have. We are excited and lay out everything and then things distract us from this precious time together as believers to disciple one another and read scripture. Of course, we may be adding unnecessary pressure to ourselves like having the perfect study time. It definitely can be a drive by through the day because who says we can’t read a little in the morning and through the day as time allows? It could happen at lunch breaks, evenings and mornings. Our schedules are always changing and so can our devotional time with God. 

The beauty and goodness of it is that God always meets with us when we come ready to receive His Word. If we can meet with other believers and become disciples together even better. Jesus called disciples to him because it is better for us to be in community to learn together, walk in our faith together and pray for one another. 

My prayer is that I don’t add conditions to my time with God but just show up where and when I can everyday and that my heart and speech would be filled with grace and truth to share my testimony for the kingdom of God.  

Beginner Scarf Knitting Pattern

Chunky Scarf Pattern 

Hey friends! Burr it’s cold again in Tennessee and I love chunky scarves.  I have a pattern for this simple beginner scarf in my shop. Click the link above!

Cozy scarves and #handmadeknitsbytracy bracelets can match😍

Hand knit bracelets are knitted cuffs that hug your wrist so nothing hard is touching the skin.
 The best testimony I have been told was when a teacher at a blind school told me she wore her bracelet so her students could “feel” the soft cuff but the letters were metal and the student could tell it was her by the bracelet. 💙
 How great that our God is there in the seen and unseen in our lives.  Just look for Him in your life. He is there.

I love seeing how you wear your bracelet and what it means to you! Share your bracelet photos or your scarf you knit! I would love to see them. Tag me on social! I will share your photos


Blessings and stay warm!
Tracy

September Positivity Scripture Challenge Day 10

Happy Friday friends! 

It is Day 10 of the Positivity Scripture Challenge 

“Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For You are my praise.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:14‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Another verse that tells us we have so much to give praise to God for.  Praise is something we can do to show our love and honor to God but it also helps our attitude.  Just this week, I gave praise to God because I have seen His goodness shown through healing of a loved one and the healing of my brokenness. This may not be a physical healing for some But Jesus is still good. He provides exactly what we need.  Jesus brings us closer to Himself through the weakness and suffering we face.  

What are you struggling with today?  

Pause & Praise Jesus for the strength He provides! 

My prayer is that we have an attitude of praise today.   Praise and Glory to the King of our lives!  

Truths to remember about God-

•God is healer

•God is provider 

•God is faithful 

•God saves and sanctifies us

•God is holy 

•God is constant, never changing 

Blessings this weekend to you!

I would love to hear below in the comments your praise! 

Tracy 

Eat God's Word Everyday

Are you eating with Lord?

Hello Friends!


Are you hungry?   I mean hungry for something that lasts forever and can never be taken away. The love, joy, peace  and forgiveness that can only found in Jesus Christ. We all have sinful desires and each of us can easily seek the things of this world to fill us up, to give us temporary satisfaction but it will disappoint or even send us down a path of destruction.  This hunger can only be filled with Jesus.  We were created to want something more.  We were meant to be His image bearers. This is why we as Christ followers need the Word of God to drink and eat of His Word.  How can we reflect Him if we aren't looking in the mirror of the Bible. 

So our provider of everything is waiting to feed His children not only physically but spiritually.   
God has equipped us with His Word so that our "eyes would be opened to recognize Him" daily.  I am praying that we would not be "slow of heart to believe" but keep His Word close so our "eyes will be opened". 

I am reading through the bible in a year. I don't know if you are taking this challenge this year or not but just this one act of obedience has changed my life. You see I use to never be confident about what God's Word said because I didn't know what it said. I was not reading it to really dig in and learn. Sometimes I read the Bible out of obligation or because I needed something and on Sundays it would be like a crash course from sermon notes.  Then I realized if I wanted more confidence in Christ and have true growth in my walk with Christ I needed to learn what God's Word said for my self. So I started reading and writing scripture daily. The writing really helped my mind see the words and then reading them helped me memorize them. I have even written scripture on my hands to give myself truth to focus on during my day.  Try it for yourself and see God change your day and open the eyes of  your heart throughout your day to see His abundance and recognize His work all around us. 

I want to challenge you to read scripture everyday too.  I think we can all relate to being lead by emotions and our own strength. It is through God's Word that we can distinguish  between lies of this world and truth. This is were we will grow roots so we can stand firm in our walk with the Lord and truly be Spirit lead through our days. 

I am rooting for you this year to get started reading through God's Word for the first time or continue on in the faith my friend. 
I shared more here on this  Facebook Live Video  about being lead by the Spirit if your interested.  I hope to keep encouraging  you guys so go ahead and leave me a comment whether you are joining me or if there is something you would like to hear more discussion on.  Walking this Christian life isnt easy and we must rely on Christ to do it. 


"But you beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit." Jude 20



Grace to you! 

trAcy