Worship Archives - Page 2 of 27

The Sweet and Low Whisper of Jesus

May 10, 2017 by Tracey 3 Comments

In Saturday’s post, I shared that our family was going on a little adventure last weekend. Here’s what that involved.

Since my husband was teaching a class near Buffalo, NY, our daughters and I flew up at the end of the week so that we could all go to Niagara Falls together.

While the weather was chilly and drizzly, we enjoyed the trip and made some fun memories!

As I’ve mentioned previously, I try to read a hymn as part of my devotional time in the morning. Over the next few blog posts, I wanted to write out some thoughts from hymns I’ve been looking at lately. I hope they’ll be as encouraging to you as they have been to me!

Sometimes we may approach hymns like we do familiar Bible verses. We’ve read or sung them so many times over the years that we just go through the motions without really thinking about what we’re saying.

While I’ve never considered “There’s Within My Heart a Melody” by Luther Bridges a favorite song of mine, these lines spoke to me as I read them.

“Jesus whispers sweet and low,
‘Fear not, I am with thee, Peace be still.’
In all of life’s ebb and flow.”

It’s such a simple truth, yet what comfort it offers! Here’s a few corresponding Bible passages.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” ~Isaiah 41:10

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” ~Joshua 1:9

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ~John 14:27

I love hearing how many times in the Bible God tells us not to be afraid. There’s so much I can think of that I fear in the “ebb and flow” of life. They include some of the following:

pain and sickness in my own life, or in the life of someone I love
loneliness
old age
harm coming to my family
unfulfilled dreams
uncertainty about the future

I’m sure you could help me add to this list, but no matter what you or I are afraid of, there’s one simple reason we don’t have to give in to fear. God is with us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. And beyond that, He has promised us His peace.

Also, the phrase “peace be still” reminds me of the story of the disciples, floundering on the sea in a storm, losing all hope. Then Jesus steps to the bow of the boat and utters those words. Instant calm.

Today we can rest in the sweet whisper of Jesus, “I am here. Don’t be afraid.”

I’ve shared this song before, but it seems so appropriate for today’s message.

[If you’re reading in e-mail, you’ll have to click over to the blog to view the video above.]

10 Key Lessons the Israelites Can Teach Us About the Christian Life

May 2, 2017 by Tracey 6 Comments

Have you ever been hard on someone else for what they’ve done, then seen that same fault in your own life? I’m afraid I have!

This can even happen in parenting. I might think, “Wow, my daughter sure is complaining a lot today!” Then not two minutes later, I’ll catch myself doing the same thing!

I think we may look at the Israelites in the Old Testament that way. We see how often they doubted God, hear their almost non-stop complaining, and shake our heads over how quickly they turned to idol worship. Yet I think if we look at our own lives, we’d see many of the same traits.

Psalm 106 gives us a great summary of all that happened as the Israelites left Egypt and journeyed through the wilderness to the promised land of Canaan. In its verses, I found ten lessons – both from what they did and what they didn’t do – that I can apply in my life.

1. Remember God’s mercies. “Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked Him at the sea, even at the Red Sea.” (Verse 7) In spite of seeing ten plagues that crippled the land of Egypt, the Israelites doubted that God would step in to save them at the Red Sea. How easy it is for us to dwell on negative circumstances we may be facing! Instead, let’s remember all that God has done for us already.

2. God wants to get glory through my life. “ Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” (Verse 8) God wanted to show not only the Israelites but also the Egyptians how powerful He was. When God works in my life, it’s not so that I can look good, but so that I can reflect His glory.

3. God is always leading, even when His way doesn’t make sense to me. “He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.” (Verse 9) The Israelites had never seen anything like the way God opened up the Red Sea and had them walk through it on dry ground. That’s not a plan they could have concocted in their minds, yet it was the way of deliverance. Just the same, I won’t always understand what God is doing in my life, but I can trust Him to be working for my good.

4. Believe His Word. “Then believed they His words; they sang His praise.” (Verse 12) What a precious gift the Bible is, full of promises, encouragement, and comfort. Our God is faithful and we can stand firm as we trust in His Word.

5. Sing His praises. “Then believed they His words; they sang His praise.” (Verse 12) We serve a wonderful God! Let’s praise Him with our words, in songs, and by our actions.

6. Wait for His counsel. “They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel:” (Verse 13) Aren’t we often tempted to run ahead of God and go our own way? Yet we often fail to receive His blessings when we do. Waiting is not easy, but is often necessary as we seek to know and obey His will.

7. Desire God’s will above my own. ” And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (Verse 15) God gave the Israelites what they asked for – yet how much they lost by getting their own way! I wonder if we sometimes miss great blessings because we fail to pray with a willingness to accept what God sends. We don’t want to have well-fed bodies with starving souls! Material possessions and physical comforts can distract us so much that our spiritual lives start wasting away.

8. There’s nothing I can hide from God. “But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.” (Verse 25) I think it’s interesting that it says they “murmured in their tents.” While there were times the whole group seemed to complain in unison, there was also some “behind-closed-doors” murmuring going on. Do I sometimes forget that God hears my every word and knows my every thought?

9. Disobeying God can bring long-term consequences I don’t want. “They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them:” (Verse 34) Verses 35-42 go on to describe all the ways in which their disobedience brought negative consequences – including sacrificing their children to idols and being oppressed by their enemies. This reminds me of a saying I’m trying to teach my girls. “You can choose your sin, but you can’t choose the consequences of your sin.”

10. In spite of my failings, God hears my cry. “Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:” (Verse 44) Aren’t we thankful for the “nevertheless!” In spite of it all – the murmuring, the disobedience, the idol worship – God didn’t leave the Israelites to fend for themselves. He heard their cry. What hope I find in this, knowing that God is always willing to listen when I call on Him.

Maybe now I won’t be quite so hard on the Israelites when I read about their struggles! I hope to put these lessons into practice as I seek to live in victory in my Christian life.

What Does It Mean to Delight in the Lord?

April 25, 2017 by Tracey 3 Comments

What activity brings you a sense of satisfaction? For me, it can be tackling a project I’ve dreaded and finally finishing it (like getting those pictures I’d had stored on my phone for many months organized and printed!) Deep cleaning part of my house or preparing some meals ahead of time also makes me feel satisfied.

As I mentioned in my newsletter on Friday, I’m currently doing a study of the word “delight” in the Bible. My first step was to dig into the meaning of the word. According to the dictionary, it means “to take great pleasure in, to give satisfaction.”

Where this definition really hit home was when I came to Psalm 37:4.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

I’d never really broken down for myself what it means to delight in the Lord. When I put the definition of “delight” into place, encouraging thoughts came to my mind.

Delighting in the Lord means looking for true happiness in God. I can feel pleasure as I grow to know and serve Him.

Additionally, delighting means finding my satisfaction in Him. I’m not out looking for other people to fulfill me. I don’t believe that having a nice house or a well-paying job or traveling to Europe will satisfy me. Everything I need can be found in Him.

I wanted to share this list of things we can consider as we seek to delight in the Lord.

(Much of this list comes from a Bible commentary by John Gill.)

His characteristics. If I’m going to delight in someone, I need to know them! As I learn about God, I can find so much that brings me joy. He is all-knowing, merciful, gracious, all-powerful, loving, holy, faithful, just, righteous, and so much more! The more that I come to know about God, the more I will delight in Him.

His works of creation. I can certainly find pleasure here! When my daughters and I were in Greenville a few weeks ago, we caught a glimpse of the mountains in the distance – one of my favorite parts of creation! God has given us so much beauty in the world – from flowers to rivers to sunsets – and we can certainly delight in each one of them.

His providence. There is not only joy, but peace and rest in knowing that God guides my every step, and has a plan and a purpose for my life. Delighting in the Lord means I’m recognizing His presence and am aware of His working in my circumstances.

His redemption. Salvation is a free gift, yet Christ paid the ultimate price for it. Therefore I don’t have to worry about what will happen to my soul when I die if I’ve trusted Jesus as my Savior.

His Word. I find all that I need to live my Christian life in the words of the Bible. It teaches me about God, reveals my sin, and shows me His promises.

Worshiping Him. Praising God can be a big part of delighting in Him! I can begin with expressing thanks for who He is and what He’s done. Also, reading a Psalm aloud or singing a hymn helps me to delight in God.

His people. It’s a blessing to be with other believers. We can encourage each other to keep our focus on God, and praise Him together.

Ultimately, God wants to be our heart’s desire. As I learn to delight in Him, I will set aside other things and realize that all I need is found in Him.

Delighting in the Lord is also good practice for heaven – I’m sure that it’s part of what we’ll be doing there!

How to Pray for Our Families in Times of Temptation

April 20, 2017 by Tracey 6 Comments

Has something ever come to your mind, seemingly out of nowhere, that you felt the need to pray for immediately?

I’m not saying that happens to me often, but one afternoon recently, I just felt like I should pray for my husband and children in that moment. I wasn’t sure exactly why, but I took the time to pray right then. I don’t have an exciting story of an averted disaster to share (and I’m okay with that!), but I’m confident that no prayer is ever wasted.

As I was praying that afternoon, I specifically asked for them to have victory over temptation. I realize that I don’t know all of the temptations my family members may face on a daily basis, but I have no doubt that sin is always trying to find a way into our lives.

Yes, my husband is a Godly man, but I don’t doubt for a minute that he struggles with certain issues. Yes, my children attend a Christian school, but I’m under no illusion that they are free from the appeal of sin in that environment. I certainly know areas where I’m frequently tempted to give in to what my flesh wants to do instead of doing what I know to be right.

As wives and moms, we can have a powerful ministry of prayer in this area. God has not left us to struggle alone here! If those we love are saved, the Holy Spirit lives inside of them. He is available to guide them when they encounter temptation. He can give them power to come through to the other side, still right in their walk with God.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” We can’t fight that battle alone. Each one of us needs God’s help.

So how can we pray for those we love when it comes to temptation? Let’s look at three words that can help us in this area.

1. Protect. Ask God to protect them from temptation. Matthew 6:13 is part of the Lord’s prayer, which is given as a sample prayer for us as believers. It says, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” Let’s pray that our husband and our children will be protected from sin.

It can feel like we’re surrounded by temptation. Yet the Holy Spirit Who lives inside us can draw our attention away from it. He can guide my husband away from a certain situation or keep my children from seeing something that could negatively affect their minds.

2. Proclaim. Pray God’s Word over an area of sin you know they struggle with. I John 4:4 says, “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (I can’t read that verse without automatically switching into singing mode!) We know that Jesus got the victory over Satan’s temptation in Matthew 4 by using God’s Word. That certainly makes this a method we should follow!

If my daughter struggles with lying, I can pray Ephesians 4:25, asking God to help her put away lying, and speak truth to others. And to make this personal, when I see a chance for pride to take over in my own life, I can pray Colossians 3:12, asking God to help me put on humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

3. Provide. Ask God to provide a way of escape. God promises to do this in I Corinthians 10:13. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

God is faithful! He will provide a way out of our temptation. We just need to look to Him for help, and rely on His strength to overcome.

A prayer for our families

Dear God,

Protect my family from temptation today. Don’t allow sin to draw their hearts away from you. The power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside each one of them is greater than the power of their flesh. May they use that power to say “no” to sin.

Whatever temptation they face today, please help them to see the way of escape that you provide. Lord, for those times when they’re overcome and they do sin, help them to immediately seek forgiveness. Don’t let any sin get a permanent foothold in their life.

And Lord, remember me, too. I know all too well my weaknesses, and how often I give in to temptation. Help me, also, to use your Word to keep me from sin, and let me recognize the way of escape.

Yet when, like Paul in Romans 7, I find myself doing those things I don’t want to do, and see how wretched I am, let me praise God that there is grace and forgiveness at the foot of the cross.

May we have the ministry of prayer for our families in the area of temptation today!

God Has a Purpose for You Today

April 18, 2017 by Tracey 6 Comments

“Every morning that the sun rises and you get to rise? That’s God saying He believes in you, that He believes in the story He’s writing through you. He believes in you as a gift the world needs.” ~Ann Voskamp in The Broken Way

God is writing a story through me and through you.

We may be in different chapters of life. Our circumstances aren’t likely the same. Yet God has each of us here today for a purpose, and He has a plan for us to fulfill that will bring glory to Him.

It’s not an oversight on His part that we are alive. Each day, God places the people in our lives that He would have for us to influence. He allows situations to unfold that cause us to rely on Him. Our faith then grows, day by day, as we see God’s faithfulness to us revealed.

How sweet and comforting to know that, in the words of one of my mom’s favorite songs, “…His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” [Civilla D. Martin, 1905]

God is writing a story with our lives. We are here to make a difference.

Ann Voskamp, in The Broken Way, goes on to say,

“Before you blink and your one life’s a tendril of smoke, a memory, a vapor gone, know this: you are where you are for such a time as this – not to make an impression, but to make a difference. We aren’t here to one-up one another, but to help one another up.“

We are here to make a difference.

Some people make a louder, more visible difference. They have a larger platform, an unmistakable talent. Yet no matter what our sphere of influence today, we can make a difference. Maybe we meet a simple need in the life of our child, or do some small task that makes our husband’s day a bit easier. Our difference-making doesn’t have to be big to be valuable.

Sometimes I’m guilty of wanting to make an impression. “What does she think about me?” I might wonder. “Does this outfit look okay?” “Did anyone notice how I just helped out around here?” So then I have to ask myself, “Is my ministry truly focused on others or is it about me?” With the Holy Spirit’s help, I can keep my attention where it should be. I can learn to truly care about others.

Let compassion rule my life.

I like what Jude 22 reminds me of. “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” At the heart of making a difference is a concern for others, a sympathy for what a friend or neighbor is going through. Having that as my focus leads me to find ways of encouraging and blessing them.

The prior verse, Jude 21, gives the foundation for my compassion “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Remembering God’s love for me and His mercy in saving me, I can extend the same love and mercy to the people in my life.

So wherever you are today, don’t feel insignificant. Even if the hours ahead are filled with simple, everyday tasks, know that God has you here for a purpose. There is a reason He’s placed you where you are. The story He’s writing with your life isn’t finished yet. He has more for you to do – more people to reach, more love to give, more prayers to pray.

May God grant us His help to live with compassion, and make a difference in some way today.

Who Was at the Tomb that First Easter Morning?

April 13, 2017 by Tracey 2 Comments

Some years Easter slips up on me. Maybe it’s because the date is different from year to year. Also, spring break at my girls’ school isn’t tied to Easter. While we have a few traditions that involve baskets and chocolate bunnies, I want to always, always keep the focus at this time of year on Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

My favorite Easter passage is Matthew 28:1-8.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

There are so many players here – the women, the angel, the keepers, the disciples. I love to think about how the scene unfolded from each of their perspectives.

Let's look at several groups of people who were at the tomb that first Easter morning.

The Women at the Tomb

First we meet the women, feeling sorrowful, coming to anoint the body of Jesus. They’d seen Him heal physical bodies, heard Him tell men and women that their sins were forgiven, felt the love and compassion He’d offered. Mark 16 tells us that this group came very early in the morning, wondering how they were going to get that big stone rolled away from the entrance of the tomb.

Yet when their eyes first glimpsed the empty spot where His body had been, what were their thoughts? I would imagine there was confusion, dismay, maybe a glimmer of hope as the angel reminded them of Jesus’ words about rising again. Talk about going from sorrow to joy in a moment of time! According to verse eight above, their joy was mixed with fear. And with turmoil in their hearts, they left the tomb at a run.

The Angel of the Lord

Next on the scene we meet the angel. What a privilege it must have been to make the triumphant descent from heaven, roll the stone back from the tomb, and be the one telling the glorious news of the resurrection to those who loved Jesus the most. “He is not here: for He is risen…” Which angel wouldn’t have wanted that job – to share Christ’s victory over death with the world!

The Keepers of the Tomb

What about the keepers, who actually saw the angel, felt the earthquake, and passed out in fear?! This job was unlike any they’d ever been assigned before! Later in the chapter, we read that they were bribed to tell a lie about what had really happened to Jesus’ body. Yet how often in the years following did they relive that morning in their minds? Did any one of them ever come to accept the Messiah as their own Savior?

The Disciples

Then there are the disciples, every one of whom fled when Jesus was taken as a prisoner in the garden of Gethsemane. But now they hear from the women that Jesus is alive, that an angel told them He is risen. Likely their initial reactions mirrored those of the women. Fear. Hope. Joy. We know there was a healthy dose of disbelief, since Luke 24:11 says, “And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.” However, we read that Peter and John took off at a run to the tomb, desperate to confirm or deny the tale that these women told.

The Risen Savior

Then there’s Jesus, the One Who died for the sins of the world, for yours and for mine. How thankful we are that Jesus wasn’t in the tomb that morning!! He gained the victory over death that day. Because of His resurrection, all who trust in Him have that same glorious victory.

So what is our response to Easter this year? As Christians, let’s be filled with the same joy that those women felt when they realized that the Messiah was alive. There’s no angel to proclaim the news to us, but we have the written Word of God and the Holy Spirit to proclaim in our hearts the truth of the resurrection.

Over this weekend especially, I want to meditate on the love that drove Him to the cross, the sacrifice of Himself He willingly made, the power He demonstrated in His resurrection, and the place of honor He now inhabits in heaven. Because of Jesus, I can live forever.

Praise God; He is alive!!

How We Can Fight Our Fear of Getting Bad News

April 4, 2017 by Tracey 4 Comments

Have you ever been afraid that you were about to get some bad news?

That’s certainly been the case for me – and more than once!

One of those times was near the end of my pregnancy with our youngest daughter. The results from a couple of tests I’d had done made me think something might be wrong with our baby. We weren’t strangers to this particular type of fear; our first baby was stillborn due to a birth defect, and I’d also had a miscarriage prior to this pregnancy.

In the midst of my worries about what I might hear at my next doctor’s appointment, God, as always, proved Himself faithful. I came across this verse in my daily Bible reading.

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” ~Psalm 112:7

If we look back at verses 5 and 6 in that chapter, we see that the “he” the Psalmist refers to is the good and righteous man. If we are walking with God, we don’t have to be afraid of hearing bad news. Instead, we can rest in knowing that whatever God allows to come into our lives, He can give us the strength to handle it.

Notice that it doesn’t say we won’t get bad news. None of us are exempt from the trials of life. It just says that we don’t have to fear it.

And why don’t we have to fear getting those “evil tidings?” It seems like it’s part of our human nature to anticipate the worst at times, to allow ourselves to dive headlong into worst-case scenarios. Fear and worry are powerful foes.

The second part of the verse above says we don’t have to fear those evil tidings if our heart is fixed on God and we’re trusting in Him. In other words, if I’m confident in the goodness of God and assured of His love for me, I don’t have to worry about all those “what-if’s”

This reminds me of another verse, Isaiah 26:3.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.“

What causes my heart to be fixed on God? How can I keep my mind stayed on Him? I think these three ideas will help us in that area.

Know God.

I can’t fix my heart on God and totally trust Him if I don’t know Him. I have to learn about His character and realize that He is trustworthy. That naturally leads to the second thought.

Know His Word.

The Bible is where I learn about God. I claim His promises, I read about His qualities, I see how He faithfully worked in the lives of others.

Trust God

Both verses above use the word trust. Trust is an act of my will. I must choose to believe in the goodness of God. I have to be willing to put my confidence in Him.

We can fear bad news on so many fronts. For instance, my fears now are quite different from what they used to be. Now they run along these lines. What diseases might old age bring to my husband and myself? Will God protect our daughters from all of the dangers there are as they gain new freedoms like driving? Will our girls continue to make good decisions after they leave our home?

So it’s back to God’s Word I go, back to fixing my heart on Him and keeping my mind stayed on Him. Satan would like for me to live in the grip of worry and fear, but God wants me to live in the freedom that comes when I fully trust Him. I can continue to claim Psalm 112:7 in each situation, and be thankful for the peace I find there.

As far as the situation I referred to at the beginning of this post, and the bad news I was anticipating about our baby – other than my needing a C-section due to her being a large baby (I guess 9 pounds, 1 ounce was a big baby for me!), everything turned out just fine.

Are you facing a particular situation that has an unpredictable outcome? I pray that you will find comfort by focusing on God’s character, meditating on His Word, and trusting Him to do all for His glory and your good.

[Just so you know, I won’t be around on the blog much over the next few days. It’s the final week of fine arts competition for my girls, so I’m off to watch them compete. I hope to share a video or two and some pictures on Instagram, if you follow me there. Have a great week!]

How to Develop a God-Honoring Thought Life

March 27, 2017 by Tracey 6 Comments

Thoughts run through my head every minute of every day…unless I’m sleeping. Lately, I wake up in the middle of the night and lay in bed for an hour or two, with thoughts just racing through my mind.

I wish I could say that all – or even most – of those thoughts were good and profitable. Or, as the verse above says, acceptable in the sight of God.

However, my mind often goes in an unwanted direction. Last week, my dad shared a conversation he has with the Lord when that happens. He tells the Lord, “God, you know that’s not what I want to be thinking about. That’s my flesh acting up.” We need to realize that the wrong thoughts we have come from our flesh. From there, we can consciously seek the Holy Spirit’s help in replacing them with good ones.

My thoughts can take me lots of places I don’t want to go. When I compare myself favorably to someone else, it leads to pride. Shame and guilt appear when I think about a past sin. Envy comes when I’m preoccupied with what someone else has that I don’t. Focusing on my husband’s faults makes me ungrateful, concentrating on difficult circumstances brings self-pity. Bitterness creeps in when I think about how someone mistreated me. Fear and worry are just waiting to attack my mind.

None of those thoughts are acceptable in the sight of God. So how can I develop a thought life that pleases Him? Here are a few ideas.

Philippians 4:8 is the ultimate litmus test.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Any thoughts that fall into these categories will be acceptable in God’s sight. When you find your mind being occupied with a certain subject, see if it falls in line with this list.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to capture every thought and bring it into obedience to Christ.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

That’s quite a task! If I let my thoughts run rampant, they’re probably not going to end up somewhere good. I Peter 1:13 says we are to “gird up the loins of your mind.” We have to be aware of what we’re allowing to run through our minds, and take action if we need to change our thought pattern. Ask for Holy Spirit sensitivity to recognize when your thoughts are taking you to a wrong place.

Romans 12:2 encourages us to renew our minds.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Our mind is renewed by being in God’s Word. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God…is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Reading and studying the Bible will reveal to me my wrong thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23 is a warning to guard what enters my heart and mind.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.”

I recently wrote about ways that we can guard our heart. What we allow into our lives is going to effect what we think about. We need to protect our minds from influences that will tempt us to sin.

Proverbs 23:7 reminds me that what is in my heart flows into my thoughts and results in my words and my actions.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..”

What I think about will impact what I say and how I act. Having my thoughts aligned with God’s Word will lead me to do and say things that will be honoring to God.

Let’s quickly list a few ways to cultivate good thoughts.

God has redeemed us from the power of sin, which includes freeing our minds from wrong thoughts. May He Who knows all our thoughts empower us so that our thought life is pleasing to Him.

5 Bible Verses To Encourage You in Your Prayer Life

March 13, 2017 by Tracey 4 Comments

Apparently I’m a bit of a slow learner. I turned a 31-day Bible study on prayer into a 2 months-and-1-week marathon. We’ll just say that I took my time going through these verses!

On Friday, I wrapped up that Bible study on prayer. I’d been using this list of verses, writing each day’s verse in my notebook. If I had any thoughts on the verse, I put that down as well. I then read several commentaries on the verse, and wrote down any ideas that I found interesting.

To celebrate the end of that study, I wanted to share five of my favorite Bible verses on prayer and tell how each one encourages me.

Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

This is my all-time favorite passage about prayer! It tells me that God trades my prayer for His peace. MacLaren says, “If a man does not pray about everything, he will be worried about most things.” Another of my favorite truths is woven into this verse. As Christians, we should live in a constant state of thanksgiving. Gratitude can frame our lives in a way that is pleasing to God and a testimony to others. That right there is a whole ‘nother post!

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ~Romans 8:26

The word “helpeth” means “assists another in carrying a burden.” The Holy Spirit knows we are weak, so He comes alongside us to help carry our burden. What a blessing that is! I often realize that I don’t know exactly how I should pray about a situation. I’m unsure about what to ask for, and recognize that I need wisdom to guide my request. The Holy Spirit, however, knows what I should be asking for. He pleads and advocates with the Father for me.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16

I can approach God confidently and tell Him all that is in my heart and on my mind. It’s interesting that we’re told to come boldly before God to ask for two specific things – mercy and grace. Anytime I need inward, spiritual blessings, I know I can ask for them without doubt or fear. Don’t you think that God is sometimes just waiting for us to come and ask Him for mercy in our trial or grace in our sorrow? He wants to give as we ask!

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ~ James 5:16

Charles Spurgeon said, “Prayer moves the hand of Him who moves the world.” Productive, passionate, sincere prayer is wrought by the energy of the Holy Spirit, and is very powerful with God for getting what we desire. I notice that this statement about availing prayer is related here to our praying for others. In the following verses, it’s related to Elijah and his prayer about rain. We can touch God’s heart when we pour ourselves out in prayer for others and in asking for His will to be done.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. ~Matthew 21:22

The emphasis of this passage is faith. This ties in to James 1, where we’re told to “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We need His help to secure the faith we need as we pray. Will we always get the answer we seek? No. Ellicott says, “Every true prayer involves the submission of what it asks to the divine judgment.” As we pray, we can trust that God will answer every request that is for our good and for His glory.

I’m excited about starting a new Bible study this week! I’m deciding between a couple of different topics, so I’ll be sure to let you know which one I choose in Friday’s newsletter.

What’s your favorite verse about prayer?

Truths To Hold On To When Trials Come

March 6, 2017 by Tracey 6 Comments

One thing we all have in common is that we face trials.

A dictionary definition of a trial is “a situation that tests a person’s endurance or forbearance.” Those trying situations differ from one person to another. For example, a trial could be a medical diagnosis, a financial difficulty, or a family problem.

Admittedly, in our humanness, it’s hard to welcome a trial. If there were a sign-up sheet for trials posted in our church each week, I don’t think there would be many names on the list!

Our perspective in a trial can make a huge difference. Do we see our trial as a burden to bear or as an opportunity to grow in our faith? God allows trials in our lives to mature us and to draw us closer to Him. When we fight against those trials, we can’t learn the lessons God wants us to learn.

In the midst of one particular trial we faced in our family, I ran to the book of Job. If ever anyone faced trials, he certainly did! Surely I can learn from his example. And I did.

The following four truths helped me during that time, and continue to guide me when a trial comes into my life.

1. Trust. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him…” ~Job 13:15 God is good, faithful, loving, and just. Whatever comes into my life is for His glory and my good. If my fears cause me to doubt, I should go to God’s Word and claim the promises I need for that moment. I can pray that promise to God, “reminding” Him of what He has said He will do.

2. Praise. “…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” ~Job 1:21 Circumstances change, but God does not. He is always worthy of our praise. Focusing on God and His character will help me take my eyes off of my problems and turn my thoughts toward Him. Unbelievers won’t understand how we can praise God in the middle of hard times, and our lives can be a testimony to our faith as we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us.

3. Live Righteously. “In all this, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” ~Job 1:22 Going through a trial doesn’t give me an excuse to sin. In spite of all that Job lost, he continued to walk with God. That same God can give me strength to walk through my trials while remaining faithful to God’s Word.

4. Be grateful. “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?” ~Job 2:10 How many of God’s blessings have I taken for granted? I am so very blessed, and no matter what trial I’m going through, I still have so many things for which to be thankful.

When I don’t acknowledge God’s hand at work in my trials, I act foolishly. Notice the end of Job 1:22, which says that Job didn’t “charge God foolishly.” And in Job 2:10, addressing his wife who has told him to “curse God and die,” Job says, “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.” My goal is to be a wise woman, not a foolish one!

I hope I’m learning to honor God in my trials. During the trial that prompted this study of Job, my husband reminded me that this was all part of a bigger plan, to which I replied “I suppose.” He corrected me – and rightly so. Nothing takes God by surprise; He directs our every step.

Job came through his trial with a renewed appreciation for the God He worshiped. He says in Job 42:1, “I know that Thou canst do every thing…” In the same way, we can get a whole new vision of our amazing God as we yield to Him in our trials and allow Him to do His perfect work in us.