Wednesday, March 11, 2020

What Keeps You From Attending Bible Study?





Hey there friends! 

This question I am asking myself and maybe you can relate too. 

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯? ⁣
So much of my life I was so afraid to speak up and say too much in bible study. The fear of being “found out” made me so shy. The anxious thoughts in my head said, “you don’t know enough”, “you don’t have the right answers” and “you will never know the Bible as well as they do.” All these thoughts made me shrink back into myself for so many years. It wasn’t until God took circumstances out my control in my life and showed me my relationship with Him was more important than fear of the unknown and sharing how Gods faithfulness, grace, power and mercy is greater than my heart feels. ⁣

God is who leads us into understanding. He leads us out of sin. He leads us into a greater faith and greater trust of Him when we come with a humble heart groaning to know Him more not just what He can give us. We reach closer to Him like a knitted blanket and you just want to stay there, safe in the arms of our Father. ⁣ ⁣

As my relationship grows deeper with Jesus Christ, I have realized Christ confidence is boldly proclaiming His promises and praising Him for all He has done in my life not fearing what I don’t know or keeping what I do know to myself about my Savior Jesus Christ. ⁣

-blessings 
tracy 






Friday, March 6, 2020

The Lord will Fight for us!





Prayers through Psalms Series

Day 2


Read: 

“The thief come early to steal and kill and destroy. I came so that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 
John 10:10


If we know that there is a enemy trying everyday to destroy our life, our family and our marriages then why would we not be on guard?  I ask this question knowing I am guilty of being comfortable in life and forgetting that there is evil fighting against the good.  A enemy fighting to steal my family, sense of security and peace. 
God wants to remind us that He is working for us.  We shouldn’t go around in fear but God gives us the armor to suit up with everyday.  

His Word to read and gain knowledge against the enemy. 

His Spirit to listen to and guide us. 

His righteousness and peace in Christ. 
(See Ephesians 6:10-18 for more about the armor of God) 

There is strength and power in prayer. Knowing God is on our side to fight the battle is powerful. Don’t let the enemy steal your peace, joy or your mind from God.  Take a hold of the Father today in prayer!  He will fight for your marriage, children, and you! 


Prayer: 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? “
Psalms 27:1

Lord, today keep in your light. We know the thief is lurking by us but you have the victory. Thank you for salvation of our sins. We ask forgiveness from any sin separating us from you. We want to live in your light.  We want to shine for you! Let nothing take a hold of us but you. Be our stronghold Lord Jesus! 
Amen


Blessings -tracy 



Friday, February 28, 2020

Are you in Awe of God?




“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Psalms 110:10

As I pulled out my old journal, I read an entry from 2014.  I read these words. “God is more visible to me when I am in awe of God.” 
So many years of searching who I was suppose to be and how I fit into this place God had set me in. 
All I saw then was my hard circumstances and evil seeping in and I let it. 
I see now the evidence of the “letting.”  Letting myself be scared and stuck by strongholds. So many things blinding me from seeing God at work.  I wanted to people please and trust in myself.  I was and still fight pride pride. Pride wants to hear the messages in the world like these we hear, you can do what you set your mind to, hustle hard! 
That will only get you so far but leave you empty. There will still be a God sized hole.  I have done my fair share of hustling but if God isn’t at the center it won’t last.  The joy and fulfillment will fade. 

I fit into this place God had put me in because He said so not because I was good enough. For so long I didn’t “feel” good enough, qualified or likable. LOL! 

Wisdom came when I began to love God more than anything else.  God showed me that there is No room for Him in me when I let pride, anger, self love be bigger than Him. 
His Spirit can’t lead and I wanted to not be blind any longer.  God can use anyone He wants to lead others to Him. I didn’t think so for so long.  I began to see the fear and awe Abraham and Moses had for God.  I began to see God as a Father who said you go and share the good news too. This is why I placed you here and stop being pleasing to the world and please me!  

I tear up reading old entries and seeing the hand of God even then stirring in me what I couldn’t see then. I am grateful for who God is and showing me who I am to be. 

~tracy



Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Delighting in the Lord Instead of Self




Prayers through Psalms Series 
Day 1 

Definition of the word delight means to please or take pleasure in. 


Delighting in God was far from my mind when thinking about when I was living in sin although there was delight. It was in self gratification and what made me feel good. It was in hearing words that tickled my ears or put a smile on my face. There was part of my life that was hidden. It wasnt hidden from God though.  I had let myself be given over to my temptations. I was living a life for self satisfaction. I use to seek love in the wrong places and long to be noticed. I sank to be bottom of the pit slowly and I needed rescuing.  In my soul I heard the Spirit leading me out and I finally  followed. It was painful and a sad time but nothing lost compares to the gain of confidence, forgiveness and love that I will never earn but receive in abundance from Jesus Christ.  

All this to say, God made a way for me and He will do jt for you too. Find your delight in the Lord not in self, in love from others, money, or your kids.  Our heart will deceive you and people will disappoint you at some point BUT Jesus will never fail. 



To delight in God is to meditate on His instruction.

but his delight is in the law[a] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
When we are living in sin and turned away from God then we cannot take delight in Him. We are not hearing His instruction.  I was that person before I turned away from sin and toward God.  God wants His children back. He is waiting for you always. 

Read: Psalm 18:16-19 
16  He sent from on highhe took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
17  He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
18  They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the LORD was my support.
19  He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued mebecause he  delighted in me.



PRAYER

Pray that God would weaken what is holding you or your loved one in sin. Pray that God would draw you or your loved one out of the many waters that billow over them. Praise God you delight in us even we are not delighting in you, Lord.


blessings -
tracy