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Nurturing moms in their walk with God

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What’s the Key to Serving Others the Way Jesus Did?

September 23, 2020 by Tracey 4 Comments

It sounds really good when we talk about it, this “serving others” idea.

“I’m going to make a difference with this ministry!” Or “How can I help my neighbor across the street?” Or “I’ll volunteer with that particular organization.” Often we can find plenty of opportunities to serve right within our own homes.

I’m sure there are a few people who serve to get noticed, but I think most of us really want to help other people. We serve from a heart that wants to please God. But when those “others” we serve don’t appreciate our help or take advantage of us or aren’t kind in return, we can get discouraged.

Four ways that we can serve others like Jesus did...and the one-word key to help us follow through.

We can learn a lot about serving others from Jesus. In John 13:12-15, we find Jesus washing the feet of His disciples.

“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.“

Jesus specifically tells His disciples that He has done this as an example for them. I think we should pay attention! What lessons can we learn from His act of service? Here’s four that I noticed.

1. Serve even when you’re going through a difficult time.

Verse one of chapter 13 tells us that Jesus knew his hour was come. In other words, He was about to face torture, death on the cross, and temporary separation from His Father. Yet His thoughts were on His beloved followers, and He served them.

When we serve others, we get our minds off of ourselves and our troubles. (Please note that I’m not saying this was the purpose behind Jesus serving His disciples, but it’s usually true for us). Rather than sitting around and focusing on our problems (or waiting on someone to serve us!), we can get out there and help someone else.

2. Serve knowing who you are as a child of God.

Verse three of the chapter tells us that Jesus knew “that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God.” His identity was that of the Son of God.

As we reach out to others, let’s do it as children of God, knowing that He is with us and will help us. We serve not in our own strength, but through His power.

3. Set aside whatever could hold you back from serving.

Before He began serving, Jesus laid aside His garments and girded Himself with a towel (John 13:4). The clothing He was wearing at first may have gotten in the way as He washed the disciples’ feet.

What things might hold us back from serving? Is our calendar too full? Do we focus on other priorities? Let’s examine any excuses we’re giving for why we can’t serve and look for opportunities we may be missing.

4. Serve those who will never serve you.

As far as we know, Jesus washed the feet of Judas Iscariot. (We’re not told until verse 30 of the chapter that Judas left the upper room.) What was that like for Jesus? How about for Judas Iscariot? Jesus knew about Judas’ impending betrayal, yet He served him just as He did the other disciples.

I believe it takes the grace of God to serve those who are unkind or ungrateful. I know I’m not equal to that task without the fruit of the Spirit and the love of God.

There’s a great reward if we choose to serve. Verse 17 of the chapter says, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” When we first start serving, we may be unhappy or have a wrong attitude, but we’ll likely not finish that way!

As we look back over these four lessons, can you figure out the key to serving others like Jesus did?

It’s humility.

The very Son of God washed the dirty feet of his twelve disciples. Beyond that, Philippians 2:8 shares the humility Jesus exemplified by coming to dwell with man on earth.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.“

If we want to serve others in the same way that Jesus did, we have to humble ourselves. No act of service is beneath us. 1 Peter 1:5 says to be “clothed with humility.” We put it on, we cover ourselves with it.

That same verse says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. How sad it is to think of God standing against us, especially when I know how much I need His grace.

And paradoxically it’s by humbling ourselves that we can access all that God has for us. Proverbs 22:4 says, “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.“

Let’s ask ourselves, “Whose ‘feet can I wash’ today?” The way we serve likely won’t be the literal washing of someone’s feet, but surely there’s an act of service just waiting to be performed.

Related posts:

  • Lessons on Humility from a Person Who Battles Pride
  • 5 Ways to Walk Like Jesus
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Filed Under: Worship

4 Ways to Invest in What Really Matters for Your Future

September 9, 2020 by Tracey 2 Comments

With many of us staying in more over the last few months, a lot of people are refreshing their homes. We fall into that category! Our current living room furniture is 15 years old, and we’ve been saving money to replace it. After shopping at several stores, I finally found what I wanted a couple of months ago. We placed an order, and it (hopefully!) will arrive in the next week or two.

I’m all about making our homes look nice. An interior decorator I’m definitely not, but I enjoy seeing how others design their spaces. We all like having pretty, comfortable rooms for our families.

While we understand the purpose behind decorating our houses, we wouldn’t do the same with a hotel room. We live and work in our homes daily, but a hotel room is just a temporary situation. The following excerpt from John Ortberg’s book When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box showed me how this relates to our Christian lives.

“Let’s say you spend a week at Motel 6.  How likely would it be for you to take all your money and spend it decorating your motel room? How probable is it that you would clean out your bank account to purchase van Goghs or paintings of Elvis on velvet or whatever it is that your taste runs to?

Not very. You wouldn’t even be tempted because the hotel room is not home. You’re only going to be there a little while.  It would be foolish to waste the treasure of your one and only life on a temporary residence…So Jesus says it is wise to store up treasure in what’s eternal:  God and people.

This is Motel 6.  Your ‘room’ – your home and furniture and clothes and possessions – will last the equivalent of a few seconds compared to the eternity that will be occupied by your soul. It’s not bad to stay in a place and enjoy it while you’re there.  But Jesus says don’t store up treasure in Motel 6.  It’s not home.  You’re only going to be here a little while.  If you’re going to stay up nights dreaming, dream about something better than how to upgrade your motel room.”

That likely reminds you of this Bible verse.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ~Matthew 6:19-21

If God and people are the things that last, how do we focus on that? It’s fairly basic, but here are four ideas.

We don't redecorate a hotel room during a brief stay. In the same way, don't focus all your time and energy on things that aren't eternal.

Learn more about God by spending time in His Word and prayer.

I’m certainly not perfect at this. It’s easiest when I just make it part of my routine, which means doing it first thing in the morning. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to myself, “I’ll do that after ___________ (my husband leaves for work/I check e-mail/that load of laundry gets finished).” And I rarely follow through.

Then there are some mornings when, for whatever reason, time is short and I can’t read and pray like I want to. I still try to at least have a plan going on YouVersion where I can read a quick devotional that gets my mind focused on Christ for the day.

Look for opportunities to touch someone’s life today.

On occasion, this may be on a grand scale, but it’s usually something simple. Send a “get well” or “sympathy” or “thinking of you” card. (I stock up on these at Dollar Tree.) Text a friend that you’re praying for them. Keep your eyes open to who might need your help in the grocery store or just hold the door for a mom pushing a stroller. Be aware of how you can share your faith or be an encouragement to those you come in contact with.

Always be finding ways to give.

Generosity changes us. In some seasons of life, you can give more; in others, maybe not as much. But we can manage whatever money we do have to honor God and bless others.

If money is tight, find other ways to give. Make a little more than you need for supper and share the extra with a neighbor. Pass along books you’ve finished reading to someone else who will enjoy them. Have your children make a gift for a family member. Offer someone a ride to a doctor’s appointment.

Praise God.

This right here is a big part of what we’re going to be doing in heaven, so we might as well practice it now! I like using Bible passages to praise God. Or put on some good praise music and sing along. I’ve found that my attitude about almost anything can change when I praise Him.

It’s nice to make our homes beautiful places where we and our families are comfortable. And it’s good to enjoy all the activities and opportunities we get to experience in the here and now. But let’s balance that with investing in things that will never wear out and that provide eternal blessings.

Related posts:

  • What Mary Teaches Me About Praising God
  • 7 Promises of God to Carry Me Through the Week
  • 3 Truths About God from Psalm 91 to Encourage Us Today

Filed Under: Worship

5 Truths to Consider if We Want to Follow Christ

September 2, 2020 by Tracey 4 Comments

Normal is now weird.

At least that’s how it feels this week. Our older daughter is back at college, the younger one is back in high school. I’m washing school uniforms, packing lunches, and standing on the sidelines while my daughter cheers at a soccer game. I’m alone in the house for several hours, and, except for the part where I’m also washing masks, it’s just like a regular ol’ September. It’s going to take me a few more days to adjust to normal again, though!

I’m sure this has happened to many of us – you come across a Bible verse that you’ve read many times before, but it suddenly hits you in a new way. That’s the case for me when I recently read this Scripture.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” ~Matthew 16:24

What’s involved with following Jesus? Here’s what I take from this verse.

Let's delve into Matthew 16:24 and discover what it means to follow Christ.

1. It’s a choice.

Jesus says, “If any man…” He’s not going to make us follow Him. God has given us a free will. You and I get to decide whether or not we want to pursue Jesus.

2. The choice is open to anyone.

He says “If any…will come after me…” We don’t have to meet particular criteria ahead of time or possess a certain talent level or go through an initiation process. Anyone who wants to can decide to follow Jesus.

3. We have to be willing to set aside some of our own wants and desires.

Do you know what I don’t like to talk about? Denying myself. I like to do what makes me feel good. Recently I asked myself the question, “What if every day I consciously told my flesh “no” one time?” Maybe that would mean passing on another cookie since I’m not even really hungry. Or not repeating that bit of gossip that I want to pass on. Or taking ten minutes to pray instead of turning on the television first.

Denying myself will mean setting aside my will and choosing God’s way. That can seem obvious in some areas, but maybe not in others. What about denying my self-dependence and leaning on Him instead? Denial equals surrender.

4. We willingly take up our burdens.

Burdens, trials, afflictions, troubles, suffering – whatever you want to call it, we’ve all got ’em. I’ve got mine, you’ve got yours. Note that the verse says “his cross.” We’re not to compare our cross with someone else’s cross. Rather we’re to accept what God’s laid out for us.

Through bearing the crosses that God has given us, we make progress toward holiness. The daily, even hourly troubles are the small things that mold us and prepare us for the big ones.

5. We follow Christ.

Live like Him. Imitate his example. Go after Him. These are all action verbs. Following Christ is accomplished as we actively pursue Him. Part of that involves getting into His Word. It will be hard to live like Christ if we don’t know much about Him.

If we’re going to follow Christ, that means He’s in front and we’re behind Him. We allow Him to lead the way instead of going off on our own.

Today let’s make the choice to deny ourselves, willingly pick up our burdens for his sake, and whole-heartedly follow Christ.

Related posts:

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  • In the Midst of Change, Here’s Who God Is to Me Today
  • 5 Daily Practices for the Christian Woman

Filed Under: Worship

What Does It Really Mean to Rejoice in the Lord?

August 25, 2020 by Tracey 4 Comments

You’ve probably had the experience of teaching your children how to do something. Maybe it was using the toaster oven, riding a bike, or starting a load of laundry. No matter what the subject is, we usually begin by breaking the process down into basic parts.

Let’s take, for example, teaching them how to drive a car. Both of our girls have been driving for a while now, but teaching them took time and lots of practice (and patience!!) You start by pointing out which is the brake pedal and which one’s the gas pedal. Talk about basic, but important – one makes you go and the other makes you stop. Then you check out the dashboard, explain how to turn on the headlights, and so on. Hopefully, one day it all comes together and they become great drivers!

This month I’ve been reading through what are often called “the prison epistles” – Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Those books are loaded with a lot of basic Bible principles. And many of the themes are the same.

One of those basic themes is the instruction to rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 3:1 and 4:4 are two of the places where Paul writes about this. So today, let’s look at some basics behind what it means to rejoice in the Lord.

Here are five things we can do to help us follow the Bible's command to rejoice in the Lord.

Look past our circumstances.

We all know that Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison (and a first-century prison at that!) Yes, his admonition to “rejoice in the Lord” along with his statement of personal contentment (also found in Philippians 4) were written from jail. I daresay he’s an authority on looking past his circumstances. His joy wasn’t based on his current situation.

I like this quote from Mark Ballenger. “We can rejoice in the Lord always because God always changes our hearts, not our circumstances.” Rejoicing in the Lord can seem easier when times are good. But when we’re struggling, we can still rejoice because we know God is with us and has a purpose in our trials.

Consciously choose to obey the command to rejoice.

“Rejoice in the Lord” is a fairly straight forward command. Our part is to obey it. Left up to our own devices, rejoicing probably won’t be our default. That means we have to make the choice to rejoice.

It’s easier to obey and rejoice when we’re walking in faith. If we’re trusting God’s goodness and providence, we can rejoice because we know He is faithful to take care of us.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any sin that’s blocking your rejoicing.

It’s hard to rejoice if we know we have sin in our lives. And sometimes we need the Holy Spirit to show us sin that we’re not aware of.

Even as I write this post, I’m struggling with what I would call righteous indignation (ha) over an unfair (in my opinion) situation. I think there’s a reason I’ve been reading about the fruit of the Spirit over and over in these epistles…I especially need that “long-suffering” and “self-control” today!

Focus on Jesus.

 “…let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” ~Hebrews 12:1-2

As we look past our circumstances, the best place to focus is on Jesus. The more we get to know Him, the more our hearts will naturally gravitate to joy.

Take pleasure in God.

What a neat idea that we would delight in God! Isn’t that what heaven will be, us enjoying God forever? Right now we can do that by being grateful, by noticing all His blessings, by being satisfied in Him. Maybe taking pleasure in Him looks like singing or serving or meditating on Scripture.

Choosing to rejoice in the Lord changes our perspective. There’s certainly more we could dive into, but let me know what else you think helps us to rejoice in the Lord!

Related posts:

  • 7 Truths About Finding Joy in God’s Word
  • 10 Bible Passages of Praise for Worshipping God
  • 6 Ways to Find Hope When Times Are Tough

Filed Under: Worship

5 Prayers to Pray When Your Child is Hurting

August 18, 2020 by Tracey 4 Comments

One of the most helpless feelings in the world is seeing your child hurting and not being able to do anything about it. That’s true whether they’re dealing with physical pain or suffering emotionally.

I remember taking our daughters to the doctor for their vaccination shots when they were babies. My heart almost broke as they cried, even though I knew it was what we believed was best for their long-term health!

While we certainly pray for our children’s physical needs, we’ll also have times of praying for their emotional needs. Most of us will deal with a child who’s upset over a broken friendship or feels left out in a social situation. They’ll also likely face disappointment and failure. And from experience, I can say that it doesn’t get any easier as they get older. In fact, the stakes and the feelings just get bigger!

So here are five prayers we can pray for our children when they go through difficult times emotionally. And honestly, we could pray these for ourselves in similar situations!

Here are five prayers based on God's Word that we can pray for our children when they're in a difficult place.

1. Give her beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, and exchange her heaviness for praise.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…to comfort all that mourn…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” ~Isaiah 61:-13

When disappointment comes and it seems that her dreams have been crushed, God still has a plan. In the moment, just sit with her. Hold her, listen to her, grieve with her. Then pray for God to work it all for His glory and her good.

Dear God, take the ashes of this situation and turn it into something beautiful. While all she can do right now is grieve over what is lost, in time, please let her joy return. Her heart is heavy, but you are greater than her disappointment. As only You can, put a spirit of praise within her.

2. Remind her that you are always with her and will never fail her.

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” ~Deuteronomy 31:8

Sometimes our child may feel alone, that she’s by herself in a hard place. Dad and mom can’t always be there, but God is always available. He has promised that He will never leave or forsake His own. When she’s bewildered and discouraged, she needs this truth prayed over her.

God, she knows this truth in her head, that You’ll never leave her. Now embed it in her heart. Help her to rely on the truth of your Word and your faithfulness. Overcome the fear that wants to entrap her and give her courage to take the next step.

3. Restore her hope.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” ~Romans 15:13

None of us can make it for long without hope. When our child has lost their hope, they can feel directionless and make poor decisions. But this verse says that our God is the God of hope. He can renew her mind through His Holy Spirit and even cause her to abound in hope.

Heavenly Father, you are the God of hope. Circumstances have caused my daughter to lose her hope, so I’m asking you to restore it. May she allow your Holy Spirit to infuse her with an abundance of hope. Help her to focus on your love and power so that she might continue on with hope for the future.

4. Lead her to find her refuge in You.

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” ~Psalm 9:9

Sometimes she’s not going to know where to turn. She’s going to feel burdened and helpless. That’s the time when she most needs the Lord.

Lord, let her turn to you in her trouble. There are many things in this world that say they can comfort her, but none gives true comfort but you. Help her to see her need of you clearly in this difficulty. May she know you can be her true hiding place when she’s overwhelmed. You are faithful to your Word and you will be her shelter and secure retreat.

5. Give her an eternal perspective.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

When times are hard, it’s easy for all of us to focus on what’s right in front of us. Yet putting it in perspective is so helpful. Our adversity can seem all-consuming at first, so it may take a minute to get there! But realizing that the situation will likely look different in hindsight – and certainly in light of eternity – can bring us back to where we need to be.

Dear Lord, in the midst of her struggle, lead her to a right perspective. What she’s facing is so formidable right now. Help her to be able to see past the present moment to what things can look like on the other side of this. Beyond that, give her an eternal perspective. Let her realize that what she’s going through – though hard – is temporary and that one day this will all be behind her. A home in heaven awaits. Give her a mindset that focuses on what will be important then, not just today.

How thankful I am that we have a God to whom we can take all of our burdens, a Heavenly Father who loves and cares for our children!

Related posts:

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Filed Under: Parent, Worship

Turning the Corner from Pandemic Pessimism to God-Centered Optimism

August 4, 2020 by Tracey 5 Comments

I feel like I’ve turned a corner.

I’m feeling very optimistic about August. I’m not sure why. It potentially holds a lot of change for us, with college and school starting back up. Maybe that’s part of it, though. Life’s looked the same for quite awhile now, so some change might be good!

While getting my hair cut on Friday, I told my stylist that I’m not usually a pessimist, but 2020 has done its best to turn me into one! We had a new roof put on our house last week, so I’m convinced that every tropical storm approaching the Atlantic Ocean is going to morph into at least a category 3 hurricane that will rip a swath of new shingles right off! #atleastIsaiasmostlymissedus

Our coronavirus numbers are looking only slightly better here, but I’m still feeling hopeful. I’ve decided it’s time to count some blessings and settle in to see what happens as fall progresses. Making any kind of plans for the future still seems like an iffy proposition. But maybe now that we’re entering into the sixth month of uncertainty, I’m learning to deal with it a little bit more.

And we can all find blessings – even small ones – that are pandemic related. For example, last week our older daughter flew Delta Airlines from here to Atlanta, then on to Memphis. She texted us about how nice it was to have the middle seat left empty in the three-seat airplane row.

Also, you now have to schedule one of a limited number of time slots each day to go to our neighborhood pool. That means fewer people are there when we go, and everything stays a lot cleaner!

If we just base our current outlook on circumstances, though, we know it could change in a moment. So I’m bolstering my positivity with some Bible verses that remind me that God has it all under control and I can rest in His plan.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” ~Psalm 37:23-24

God orders the steps of our lives. He arranges circumstances and events. As we rest in His care, we can find peace and yes, even joy. Sometimes we’ll face disappointments and failures, yet God is still there to support us through the hard times.

Almost nothing that’s happened in 2020 so far is what I would have chosen. But I can trust that behind the scenes, God is directing it all – and all for my good, and for the good of those I love.

“Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” ~Psalm 28:6-7

God hears my prayers. I’m weak, but He offers me His unending strength and protection. When I trust Him, He will help me, and I won’t be able to respond in any other way than to rejoice and praise Him.

How simple it is to just ask God for His help, yet how often I fail to do it. If we want to live on the praise side of things, we need to call on Him and trust Him to answer.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” ~Psalm 46:1-3

That passage about covers it all! God’s present with us in our trouble. He’s the reason we can choose not to be afraid in spite of the craziness that’s going on around us.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” ~Psalm 62:5-8

I like the word expectation. What if we lived anticipating and looking forward to seeing how God’s going to work as we wait on Him? That would put a positive spin on our days!

And did you notice that it says to trust in Him at all times? Could 2020 be an exception, though? I don’t think so.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33

Jesus wants us to find our peace in Him. At times I tend to look for peace by trying to control circumstances or arrange things so that it will all work out okay and everyone will be happy. The only thing that’s likely to do is cause me stress!

Jesus says straight out that we’re going to have tribulation here. Then He follows that with, “But be of good cheer.” In other words, don’t let it get you down. He is the great overcomer, both through His death that provided salvation and through the final victory He’ll one day win here on earth.

***I wrote the first part of this post on Friday afternoon, wrapped up in my initial positivity about August. By the next day, I realized that Tropical Storm Isaias was probably going to interfere with our older daughter’s return flight last night from her visit to Memphis that I mentioned above. My positivity wanted to fly right out the window!

By mid-afternoon, we assumed her 8:30pm flight from Atlanta to Charleston would be canceled, so my husband went ahead and rebooked her flights for today. But combing through these verses – especially the first one – helped me stay fairly calm about the situation!***

May this month see us trusting God to order our steps, seeking His strength, and finding peace as we wait expectantly on Him!

Related posts:

  • 3 Truths About God from Psalm 91 to Encourage Us Today
  • 3 Reasons You Can Have Hope Today
  • In the Midst of Change, Here’s Who God Is to Me Today

Filed Under: Worship

How to Keep On Going When Your Faith is Weak

July 28, 2020 by Tracey 6 Comments

Last week we spent several days in the Tennessee mountains with my extended family. We stayed in some lovely facilities and had a wonderful time together.

It was definitely nice to get away and be out of our normal routine for a bit. Because lately, I’m finding myself with more questions than answers most days. It seems like we’ve been living in upheaval and uncertainty for such a long time, though I realize it’s actually only been about five months.

Some mornings it’s harder than others to get my mind moving in the right direction, to fully step into faith and not focus on all the “when’s, why’s, and what if’s.”

I’ll just say it out loud. Some days my faith is weak.

Faith is confidently believing what God has said. That sounds pretty easy on the surface.

I like what Matthew Henry says in his commentary on Hebrews 11:1. “It [faith] is a firm persuasion and expectation that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ.“

On the good days, I know that, and I’m quoting Bible verses and looking up and moving ahead. But other days I’m questioning a bit, and my faith slips. And in case you have days like that, too, here’s some encouragement for all of us.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” ~2 Corinthians 5:7

There’s the goal. Walk by faith. But is that our reality? Are we living by what we know God has said or are we living by what we see around us?

I see fear and unrest, people and plans that can’t be counted on. Worry seems like a pretty good option. But we can’t make our circumstances the focus. Each day we have to ask God for faith to get through that day. And we have to lean hard into the promises we find in Scripture.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” ~Hebrews 12:2

We would have not faith without Jesus. Our faith originates with Him. He’s also the completer of it in our lives, the one who perfects or matures our faith. I can’t grow it myself. I have to allow Him to cultivate it in me.

Christ is the ultimate example of faith for us to follow. Certainly He faced times of uncertainty in His earthy life – even to the cross – yet His faith was constant.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ~Romans 10:17

We can expect weak faith if we’re not in our Bibles regularly. The news isn’t going to grow our faith. If we’re looking to Facebook or Netflix to strengthen it, we will continue to be weak. The only place to build up our faith is in God’s Word.

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” ~James 1:3

Maybe we could have skipped this verse. That whole “trying of your faith” thing doesn’t sound like something we want to sign up for!

Is your faith being tried? Mine is. Do I have faith that God is working all things together for our good? Or is this all just a mess that we have to muddle through?

Faith leads us to believe that He has a purpose in everything, even COVID-19. It’s not my plan. It’s His. Part of what comes with each trial, if we’ll allow it, will be increased patience

I like this particular dictionary definition of patience – “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” I could use some of that!

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” ~1 John 5:4

Our faith will lead us to be victorious. Are the times we’re living in unprecedented? In some ways, yes. But God is still on His throne. We know the end of the story. And faith in God will bring us through these days and even prepare us for whatever lies ahead.

“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” ~Luke 18:8

Let the answer to this question be yes!! With God’s help, may our faith be stronger today than it was yesterday. Let’s not give in, but press on in faith, especially as we see how faithful our God is to us.

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Filed Under: Worship

6 Steps for How to Pray When We’re Anxious or Afraid

July 7, 2020 by Tracey 6 Comments

Prayer.

It’s a spiritual discipline that doesn’t come easily for me. It takes work and time and a still mind and quiet heart. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back to study it quite often – though, if I’m not careful, I spend more time studying it than actually doing it!

As I’m going through the Bible and studying various prayers, I found Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32 very interesting. He’s headed back home after being away for 20 years. It’s unavoidable that he’ll come in contact with his brother Esau. They didn’t part on the best of terms, shall we say.

He sends a message ahead, hoping to “find grace” in Esau’s sight. His messenger returns and basically says, “Esau’s on his way to meet you and he’s got 400 men with him.”

Jacob was, to quote the Bible, greatly afraid and distressed. [Verse 7] Have you ever been there? I’m sure we all have. Then Jacob goes to God in prayer, the absolute best thing he could do in these conditions.

Let’s look at that prayer and see what we can learn from it to use when we’re afraid, distressed, or just seeking God’s direction.

1. Remind God of His promises.

“And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:” ~Verse 9

It’s not like God forgets His promises, but it’s powerful to pray God’s words back to Him. Here Jacob mentions how God was present in the lives of his forefathers. Then he basically says, “I’m doing what you told me to do.” And he points out that God said He would deal well with Jacob as he obeyed.

What a comfort it is to pray the promises of God! One of my favorite promises during these years of parenting teens continues to be James 1:5. If I lack wisdom as a mom (which happens on a daily basis!) and ask God for it, He will give it to me abundantly and without reproach.

What promises of God can you remind Him of today? Isaiah 40:29 says that when we’re worn out, He’ll give us strength. Psalm 23:4 says He’ll be with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us that His grace is sufficient. There are many more promises found in Scripture that we can use as we pray.

2. Acknowledge our unworthiness.

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant;” ~Verse 10a

Jacob recognizes that he’s not worthy of how God has worked in his life. We can read in previous chapters how he tricked his father Isaac in order to take the birthright that belonged to his older brother Esau. Perhaps we’d agree with Jacob that he wasn’t deserving of God’s mercy.

And yet neither are we. As we come to God in prayer, let’s also come humbly, admitting our own sins and failures.

3. Recognize God’s blessings.

“…for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.” ~Verse 10b

Remember how Jacob left home with, we assume, only what he could carry, considering that he used a pile of rocks as a pillow on his first night out. Yet now he returns to his homeland with a large family, servants, and numerous flocks and herds of animals.

Whether we see our blessings as great or small, everyone of them comes from God. It’s important to be aware of that each and every day.

4. Ask for what we want.

“Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau:” ~ Verse 11a

Jacob’s prayer here is pretty basic. Save my life!

Maybe sometimes it feels hard to just come out and ask God for what we want. But that’s a major part of prayer. Right now my husband and our older daughter are shopping for a car for her, and I’m asking God to lead them to just the right one. We can pray for our requests specifically and directly.

5. Admit our fears.

 “…for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.” ~Verse 11b

Jacob tells God what he’s feeling. Yes, God already knows, but Jacob tells Him anyway.

Tell God about your emotions regarding your situation. Are you angry, frightened, annoyed, hurt? Share those feelings with God as you pray.

6. Rest in the promises of God.

“And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.” ~Verse 12

I think Jacob is saying, “God, if Esau kills me and my family, what you said about my seed increasing and prospering isn’t going to happen!” Here he is, once again quoting back to God what He’d told Jacob previously.

What we have to lean on in our prayer life is God’s faithfulness. Because we know He’s true to His Word and because He’s delivered on His promises in the past, we’re confident in trusting Him.

Whatever our needs are today, let’s make time to pray!

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Filed Under: Worship

5 Questions from the Bible to Ask Yourself Today

June 30, 2020 by Tracey 4 Comments

Here we are at the end of June! Our family’s settled into the routine of summer. We’ve got the long, hot days in the South, and there’s sweet tea and watermelon in the refrigerator. (Full disclosure: only one person in our family drinks sweet tea.) Our younger daughter is away at camp this week, so it’s a little quieter around the house.

Recently I’ve enjoyed digging into various questions found in the Bible. Today’s questions are fundamental to our faith, and I hope you’ll join me in asking them of yourself.

1. What will I do with Jesus?

“Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?“ ~Matthew 27:22

You know the scene. Jewish leaders are demanding Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate offers to release either Jesus or another infamous prisoner, Barabbas. The people cry for Barabbas to be set free, then Pilate asks the question. What shall I do with Jesus?

The answer the people gave that day is, “Let him be crucified.” Yet we each get to answer as well – not because Pilate is asking us in the heat of the moment, but because it’s the answer to this question that defines our lives.

So what will you do with Jesus? Will you accept Him as your Savior? The crowd that day denied Him as their Messiah. If you’ve already become a Christ-follower, will you serve Him? Will you share Jesus and the love and hope He offers with others?

2. What do I think God is withholding from me?

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” ~Romans 8:32

The heavenly Father who sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins wants to bless us! There is nothing that is good for us that He will withhold. Remember Psalm 84:11? “..No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

If His love for us caused Him to make the greatest sacrifice imaginable, surely He will grant us earthly and spiritual blessings. Everything else pales in comparison to what He’s already given. Just as He gave His Son freely – with no way for us to earn our salvation – so He gives all gifts by His mercy and grace. His gifts are generous and abundant.

So what do you think God is withholding from you? Could it be that what you want wouldn’t be good for you? Perhaps the time is not right for you to have it. But know that a loving God only denies us what’s not best for us.

3. How can I get right with God?

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” ~Psalm 119:9

This verse gives us an answer! No hypothetical question here. “By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.”

I daresay this applies to anyone, not just a young man. If we want to cleanse our way, have our sin revealed to us, we start with the Word of God. Scripture, applied to our hearts by His Spirit living within, will guide us. And from there, we can seek forgiveness.

So how can we be pure before God? By getting into the Bible and letting the Holy Spirit use it to convict us of our sin and lead us to repentance. It’s easy to neglect this. Holiness doesn’t happen by accident. We have to be watchful and pay attention to God’s Word as it speaks to us.

4. If God is on my side, how can I lose?

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” ~Romans 8:31

Lately, I’ve needed this reminder! Our world can seem like a dark place, yet if we’re walking with God, we don’t need to be afraid. No power is greater, no love is stronger than that of our Heavenly Father.

So what are you fearful of today? Nothing can cause God’s plan and purposes not to be fulfilled. Ultimately His will will prevail and that should comfort us!

5. Does anyone or anything else compare to our God?

“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” ~Isaiah 40:25

The verses following that one describe Him as creator, great, everlasting, and strong in power. His majesty and glory are unparalleled. Our God has no equal.

So do you believe there’s anything else that compares to God? Let’s get to know our God and rejoice in Who He is. We can worship Him, knowing that He alone is God.

The song I’m sharing below has been a favorite of mine lately. Its lyrics fit perfectly here.

“Behold our God, seated on his throne
Come, let us adore him
Behold our king, nothing can compare
Come, let us adore him.
“

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Filed Under: Worship

What Martha Teaches Me About Serving God

June 2, 2020 by Tracey 4 Comments

With daughters spaced two years apart, I get a front-row seat to what a relationship between sisters can look like. I’m also aware of how their personality differences dictate their responses in certain situations. And whether or not you have children, you probably know people who thrive on serving and others who just immerse themselves in the moment.

That’s interesting to keep in mind as we look at a very familiar Bible story. In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus and His followers visit the house where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus live. In a panic to get everyone served, Martha throws herself into preparations around her home. Mary, on the other hand, sits quietly at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach.

Martha is frustrated that her sister isn’t helping her, so she appeals to Jesus, wanting Him to send Mary to assist. However, Jesus gently tells Martha that Mary has wisely chosen to spend her time with Him.

Maybe you’ve considered this before, but are you naturally a Mary or a Martha? I’m totally in the Martha camp. When there are things to be done, everyone needs to join in and get busy. We can all sit down and relax when everything is ready…although not really because then it will all have to be cleaned up!

I’m a doer and a list maker. I think that’s partly because I feel I will earn approval if I work hard and meet expectations. And when I have visitors in my home, I want everything to be just right. Can you relate? I wonder if Martha thought she would win Jesus’ and/or the disciples’ approval by working so hard.

I’ve read whole books that have been written about this story, but today, I have just four ideas that I hope will encourage us all.

Jesus sees us in our busyness.

In verse 40, Mary questions Jesus, asking, Lord, do you care? The answer to that is yes. He saw Martha’s troubled heart. He was aware of the work she was trying to accomplish. God had made her with the desire to achieve. And when we’re overwhelmed and trying to do it all on our own, He sees us, too, and has compassion.

We can get caught up in running around and doing all the things. And they can be all good things! He sees our heart and knows our intent, yet He longs most of all for us to fellowship with Him.

Don’t compare our service to what someone else is doing.

Martha was busy, but not too busy to notice that her sister wasn’t helping! She was in her zone, but she thought Mary needed to step it up and shoulder some of the work.

There’s plenty in the service of the Lord for all of us to do. God’s given each of us gifts that we can use to serve Him. Maybe you can’t sing in the choir, but you love helping in the nursery. Or perhaps you like to organize meals for a new mom or are called to lead a ladies Bible study at church. But let’s not measure ourselves against others, whether to make ourselves feel better or worse about what we’re doing.

Make Jesus the priority, not our acts of service.

What did Jesus say to Martha in verse 41? “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:“

Martha was focused on the work and all the things that needed to be done. And just like her, if we’re so busy serving that we don’t have time to be with Jesus, we’re too busy. It’s all about our relationship with Him, That’s not grown through serving, but through spending time in His Word and in prayer. We’re not fit for service if we’re not taking time to be with Him.

As we serve, it could also be helpful for us to check our motives. Was Martha rushing around because she wanted to serve Jesus well or because she wanted to impress all these people who were in her home? We can’t know, but I could relate if it was the second motive! It might be helpful to ask ourselves if we’re serving because we love Jesus or so that everyone else will notice our efforts.

Don’t let our service distract us from our worship.

How sweet it is to just be with God. While His followers didn’t know it, Jesus wasn’t going to be with them for years and years, but for just a short time. Being able to listen to, learn from, and worship Him that day was a privilege.

Sometimes we don’t see the value in stillness. With busy schedules, it’s all too easy to rush through our devotional time and fail to really worship the Lord on a regular basis.

I’d love to know how this story ended. Did Martha set aside what she was doing and join Mary at Jesus’ feet? Did Mary eventually get up and help Martha serve their guests? I guess we’ll have to find out when we get to Heaven! But I do know that Jesus invites each one of us to spend time with Him and learn from His Word.

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Filed Under: Worship

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Welcome! I'm Tracey, wife and mom to two teenage girls. I seek to help Christian moms raise children who know, love, and serve God by sharing Biblical wisdom, helpful tips, and practical advice. Read More…

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