My daily walk in His grace!

Winsome Wednesday - Content leads to ....

2012-03-07T06:01:00.000+02:00

I decided to play around with my 'word' for the year, CONTENT, and this is what I came up with:

C entred in Christ
O bedient
N ew of heart
T rusting His word
E mpty of self
N ot fearful
T hankful....

Isa 26 v 3: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

C.O.N.T.E.N.T ..... leads to peace, His perfect peace

My encouragement to you, as it is for myself, choose to be "content" in all circumstances. It leads to His peace, perfect peace!

So what can you come up with for your word for the year, or any word for that matter? Do you accept my mini challenge? :)

God bless
Tracy

Blog Hop time!

Please join me to encourage and be encouraged! No particular post required but maybe, if you have time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and just maybe, you too will be encouraged!

Please note: This blog hop is open until midnight Saturday SA time!

Please link-up below...

If faith had eyes?

2012-03-05T06:10:00.001+02:00

I often ask the Lord if He would open my eyes to see His angels standing in protection of me the same way Elisha's servant saw when they left the city and all the Syrian army was waiting for them:

2 Kings 6 v 15-17: When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. Elisha's servant said to him, alas, my master! What shall we do? (16) Elisha answered, fear not; for those with us are more than those with them. (17) Then Elisha prayed, Lord, I pray You, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the young man's eyes, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

I think maybe I might have really been more scared after that (smiles). But, seriously though, what faith would we need if we saw these things! We need to walk in the knowledge that those fiery chariots and angelic horsemen are around us, His children, even though we cannot see them.

I think to a certain degree faith is a decision. "I decide today, to walk through my day "Knowing" God's army (unseen to my natural eyes) is walking with me.

My encouragement to you is to make a decision to have faith to believe God's word! With that decision, God's favour, His spiritual weaponry, His protection, are yours!

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with these lovely ladies:

Joan Jen Jolene Shanda Joan Laura Stacy

And a new blog hop at Hazel Moon's:

Have we got a plan? "God does." - A guest post by Dylan Buckle

2012-03-02T06:15:00.000+02:00

This is the 3rd in the series of guest posts by the 'young' people in my life. Dylan is head boy at his school, dating my daughter :), and is always ready with a smile and a hug! He has a great future ahead of him and in the time he has been in our lives, I have seen him grow in the Lord, Awesome!

Herewith Dylan's post:

How many of us wake upthinking of things that we wish could be different? Perhaps things that we wishwe could change about ourselves or others? Maybe we are afraid of howcircumstances have come about and where things are going to end up?

God has a plan. He knowsyou, knows your strengths, your weaknesses, your fears, your hopes, yourdreams, what you feel, what you think and everything that you do. He is yourloving father and he holds your world in the palm of his hand. He leavesnothing to chance for those that he loves ENOUGH to give his one and only son.He knows your life before you even live it and he does everything for a reason.

Psalm 139:2 “You know whenI sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my goingout and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is onmy tongue you know it completely, O LORD.”

For me, it was alwaysdifficult to believe that God really considered me in his plans, never mindlaying out my path for me. It has taken me a long time to come to terms withthe decisions that God has made in my life but looking back, every challenge thathe lay before me and every detail that he has sewn into me has made me the manthat I am today. I am 18 and have divorced parents and 3 autistic brothers. Inlayman’s terms, I have two parents that cannot get along and brothers who havea social and learning disability. I know that if it was not for my brothersbeing the people that they are and being in the situation that they are in, Iwould not have the gift of compassion that I have been blessed with. Being putthrough these trials in my life, God has equipped me to do great things and tohelp those who are looking for somebody who understands.

Ephesians 2:10 says: “Forwe are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which Godprepared in advance for us to do.”

God prepared the goodworks which we were to do before we even took a breath. That verse became socomforting to me when I realised that the things that had happened around mewere not from pure misfortune. God places us where he wants us because he HASPREPARED what we are to do for his glory. There is no need to fear for thefuture or to doubt your circumstances as God has built his will up around you.

We are God’s HANDIWORK –The work of his hands. We are delicate and beautiful people made in his image –THE IMAGE OF GOD. We are perfect in the eyes of God and he loves us beyond thefinite understanding that he has granted us. He created us so how can we be a mistake? We are precious to himand he will never give us a challenge or put us in a situation that we cannothandle. So is the grace of God.

Embrace the challengesthat God has placed in your life so that you may be a witness of his love, hisgrace and his power. What can be more empowering than knowing that God has apurpose for your life and that you have been equipped to change the world?

I hope and pray that weall may find our purpose and that God may be glorified until his return!

God Bless.

John 17:24: “Father, I want those you have given me to be withme where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because youloved me before the creation of the world.”

Were you as touched by this as I? I would love for you to leave your comments for Dylan here.
God bless
Tracy

Winsome Wednesday - Positioned for Blessing!

2012-02-29T06:19:00.000+02:00

1 Kings 8 v 23: And he said, O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing mercy and loving-kindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart.

Obviously the important bit here is that God is honourable and keeps His word and on top of that, He shows us His mercy and loving-kindness. The point I want to make is the second bit ....to your servants who walk before You with ALL their heart!

If you serve God with all your heart, trying to live in His ways, humbling yourself before Him, drawing others to Him with the way you live, in your home, at work, in church, you are positioning yourself for blessing.

Growing daily in His ways

Even if, for a season, it does not feel as though you are experiencing God's blessings....you will!

You have to be:

persistent (like Jacob),
reliable (like Joseph),
push through (like Moses),
have faith (like Abraham) and
have guts (like Esther).

I pray this encourages you!

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

Please join me to encourage and be encouraged! No particular post is required but maybe, if you have time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and maybe, you too will be encouraged!

Please note: This blog Hop is open until midnight, SA time!

Please link up below:

Is faith illogical?

2012-02-27T06:17:00.001+02:00

I've been doing the 90 day challenge with Kelly and her facebook group and as I read through, some really random verses have been catching my eye. (Then again - I doubt anything in the Word is random - every word there is on purpose and meant for our eyes, ears, and heart).

2 Kings 6 v 5-6: But as one was felling his beam, the axhead fell into the water, and he cried, alas, my master, for it was borrowed! (6) The man of God said, where did it fall? When shown the place, Elisha cut off a stick and threw it in there, and the iron floated.

Well, seriously, logically that axhead is just not going to float! Right?

God's creativity outstrips our creativity!

2 Kings 13 v 21: So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha, and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood to his feet.

OK then, logically, not going to happen, right?

freaky right?

This is why I say faith in God is illogical BUT truly, is faith illogical? Only to us humans who cannot see the bigger picture. But on thinking this through I think I can say with certainty that faith is logical. There are lots of ~~stories~~ reports in the word where illogical things happened by the hand of God:

Parting the Red Sea
Water filling pits in the desert with no sign of rain
Axheads floating
Men being raised from the dead .........and many more..........

So, logically, if God can make a walking staff bud, a bush burst into flame spontaneously, provide manna to a rebellious hungry nation, make 5 fish and 2 loaves feed thousands (with leftovers), open prison doors, etc, etc, then faith in our God makes perfect sense.

My encouragement to you is faith in Christ is logical and makes sense. Have no doubt in your God. He will never let you down.

God bless

Tracy

Linking this week with:

Joan Jen Shanda Joan Laura Stacy

and

Jolene at:

Fear - A guest post by Tamsyn Teppler

2012-02-24T06:12:00.000+02:00

This is my second guest post in a series of posts on My Daily Walk in His Grace by the young people in my life. Tamsyn is my eldest daughter and I am very proud of her. She tutors autistic children, has a passion for the creative things in life and a sense of humour that'll have you howling with laughter!. It makes my heart glad when I see her paintings or hear her play guitar or when I barge into her room and she's having a quiet time.

Herewith, her post:

Fear; dictionary defined as: "A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain - whether the threat is real or imagined; concern, anxiety, solicitude."

I fear. You fear. We all fear.

But God doesn't want us to fear.

God's promises are immense, but they are difficult to obtain when we live our lives in fear. Think about the things you dreamed of doing as a child. An actress or singer? A writer, choreographer, geographer, artist? How many of those things did you give up along the way because of fear?

What if I audition for the part but they reject me?

What if I'm not as beautiful as the other women?

What if people find out I have to study this on a bursary?

What if nobody agrees with what I am writing about?

Fear is debilitating. Fear can take a strong, confident and talented person and cripple them. The thing is, we don't even have to fear.

Deuteronomy 1 vs 17 says: you shall NOT BE AFRAID in any man's presence for the judgement is God's.

A couple verses later, Deuteronomy 1 vs 21 says: Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; GO UP and POSSESS IT, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; DO NOT FEAR or be discouraged.

Later God speaks of Caleb in Deuteronomy 1 vs 36 saying: he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD.

Yes, God's promises are immense, but they're difficult to obtain when we fear people, when we are too afraid to step up and claim the things God has set aside for us, when we are too afraid to trust and just follow. Fear prevents us from growing and being happy. Fear prevents us from walking with God and living in the fullness of his promises.

Psalm 34 vs 4 says: I prayed to the Lord and He answered me. He freed me of all my fears.

God alone has the power to release us from the fear that keeps us from Him. We must learn to rely on the strength of God, walking in faith, refusing to fear.

I'd love for you to leave your comments for Tamsyn here!
God bless
Tracy

Winsome Wednesday - Questions and Answers!

2012-02-22T06:13:00.000+02:00

Twice this past month I've been sent this and its awesome. So I thought I'd share it. If you've seen it, you'll smile. If you haven't , enjoy!

Me: God can I ask u a question?

God: Sure

Me: Promise u won't get mad

God: I promise

Me: Why did u let so much stuff happen to me today?

God: What do u mean?

Me: Well, I woke up late,

God: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start,

God: Okay~

Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait,

God:Huummmm...

Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call.....

God: All right~

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?

God: Let me see, the death Angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that~

Me (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me (ashamed).........

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me (embarrassed):Ok

God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God~

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm sorry God

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things , the good & the bad.

Me: I will trust you~

God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after my children.....

Duet 31 v 8: Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you: He will never fail you or abandon you.

God bless

Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

Please join me to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required but maybe, if you have the time, encourage another blogger on this link up and maybe you too will be encouraged.

Please note: This Blog Hop is open until Saturday Midnight (SA time)

Please link-up below:

Outright Obedience!

2012-02-20T04:00:00.000+02:00

We have all been told how Joseph is a precursor for Christ. His early years were sacrificed in order that he could save his family from famine later.

I read something that really got my attention: In Gen 44 v 2 Joseph tells a steward to put his silver cup in Benjamin's sack along with the money they had used to buy grain and the steward did according to what Joseph had said.

That jumped out at me. Firstly, Joseph asked the steward to do something odd. And secondly, the steward just obeyed! He did not question the request! I felt the Lord was telling me, "I know I ask you to do things that in the world don't make sense, but just obey in faith because I have things under control."

Another example of outright obedience despite the request sounding, um.., somewhat odd, was the walking around the walls of Jericho. Would you have raised your eyebrows just a little bit? I would have!

Obey - and watch your spiritual walls come down!

All I can say to this is Isaiah 55 v 8: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and My ways are not your ways," declares the Lord.

My encouragement to you is to trust and obey God outright. Obedience brings blessings. God's blessings are much to be desired. And believe me, obedience is something I have to work on big time too so don't feel alone.

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with (click on the names below to follow the blog hop link):

Joan Jen Shanda Joan Laura Stacy

The bigger Picture - The bigger Plan! Guest post by Michael Arlow

2012-02-17T06:10:00.000+02:00

This is my first in a series of guests posting on My daily walk in His Grace by one of the 'young' people in my life. I would like to introduce to you Michael Arlow. He is a second year varsity student who loves the Lord passionately. I have known Michael since he started school but have only gotten to know him in the last nearly 2 years as he has dated one of my daughters, (smiles).

Herewith, Michael's post:

Psalm 115 vs 1

Not to us be the glory O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory,

because of your love and faithfulness.

Since I can last recall I have been a swimmer. Day in and day out I have given all I can to the sport of my dreams. God has enabled me to reach a high level of swimming which requires me to train 4-5 hours a day, thus not leaving much time for sleep or anything else! I give my all into a sport that I love, just as anyone one would, but I do it all for Gods glory.

I prayed many years ago that God would use me. That He would use me in my swimming and that He’d create a platform for me to shout out His name. My prayer last year specifically was that God would break me and mold me into whatever it was He wanted me to be.

1 Peter 4:10

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

faithfully administrating God’s grace in its various forms…. If anyone serves He should do so with the strength God provides,

So that in ALL things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

However, at the start of last year – also the year I started studying at Stellenbosch University- I found myself feeling far from God. I felt this way because I couldn’t believe God would allow me to get as sick as I did.

The year started out and not a week into it I had a pulled neck muscle which put me back a month. Thereafter I trained and not even a month back I was coughing blood and the doctors assumed I had TB. After recovering from whatever it was the doctors called it, I trained for 5 weeks. I then took a big knock in May. I went in for a double hernia repair and lost 7kg in two weeks (a huge positive I thought!) It took me a lot of patience and a full 2 months to completely recover! And in July I was back into the pool. By September I had another big knock! The same mesh that was placed in the abdomen to repair the hernia was rejected by my body and I would need two operations to successfully remove it. But our exams were a month away and I had no intention of failing first year.

I fought with God and argued that He couldn’t use me if I wasn’t in the pool!!! I also couldn’t study and took over 300 S5 painkillers in a month to attempt to work through my study work! I felt like the world was against me, the operation was a dangerous one and could have left me completely paralyzed, castrated or on the off chance dead. (The fact that the doctor ‘had’ to say that didn’t help!) I was in a terrible place and to admit it- feeling very sorry for myself.

I ended up having the 2^nd operation on the 6^th of December and stayed in a week. The doctors could only remove 40% of the mesh as it was too dangerous to continue, however it has been a success so far.

BUT now!!!! After all the background! Is God's part!!!

I was lying in my bed in hospital, after 5 or so days, finally getting used to it when a very elderly man walked in. He announced with self-pity to the rest of the room that he had 2 months to live as he was dying of cancer. As my mother and my twin sister have both died of cancer I thought that his attitude was unnecessary but understandable. So I tolerated his obnoxious outbursts and hurtful comments to everyone around him… to a point! Where finally he crossed a line and comment falsely about my God!

“You are wrong!” I shouted back across the room. He was so shocked that someone actually stood up against him that he mumbled he wasn’t. The nurse could sense the hostility in the room and she left telling us she’d give us our space. We then proceeded to argue and debate until I made a point that he could not rebut. He then started asking questions until! It finally came up to the point where God said lets go. I then asked him, by this time peacefully, would you like to give your life to the Lord…

2 months to go in a hospital room, a man dying of cancer gave his life to the Lord, not because of anything I had done but because of how awesome God was. I then nearly started to cry when it hit me like a bullet that I had asked God to use me, to break me!! In glory of Him… But I had complained and moaned all year through.

Very seldom do we see how God uses our situation; I was blessed to have seen that. But if you believe that God can use you, and you want Him to, have faith that what you are going through is not only part of His plan, but is part of His bigger picture!

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord…

Winsome Wednesday - Never give up!

2012-02-15T06:20:00.000+02:00

At the beginning of this year I had a strong feeling that this year is going to be awesome. I felt that things we have been waiting for are going to come to fruition. I believe that a lot of the heart-ache we have been through is going to be vindicated and restoration is going to happen, God's way. I just felt it strong in my spirit.

I still believe it! But... it feels like I am walking into a strong head wind, with big chains or hands or something trying to pull me back. This year is one and half months old and so much has happened that ordinarily would trip me up. BUT.... I BELIEVE WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS IN ME this year is going to be awesome. And because of this resistance I am more convinced than ever.

My verse for this year convinces me further: Isaiah 43 vs 18-19: Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. (19)Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth: Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

I want to encourage you, do you feel resistance to the promises of God? Don't be surprised. The devil does not want you to be blessed and for you to grow stronger in faith and favour in Christ! That is why that scripture in James is so profound: James 1 v 2: Consider is wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Never give up sweet friends, never give up! You may be minutes, hours, days within reach of what God has in store for you!

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

Please join me to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post is required, but maybe, if you have time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and maybe you too will be encouraged!

Please note: This blog hop is open until Midnight Saturday!

Please link-up below....

God will grow you where you are!

2012-02-13T06:11:00.000+02:00

Joseph suffered much before he was made second in command over all of Egypt. You see snippets of his feelings here and there in Genesis. One of these verses says a lot:
Gen 41 v 52: And the second he called Ephraim (to be fruitful), for (he said) God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

God will grow you where you are!

This really spoke to me. There have been so many times when I said, "When this trying time is over, then things will get better" or "if we sell and move here or there, things will be better."

Well, no actually! That is not true on two levels. Firstly, God wants us to be content where we are and despite not having what we feel we 'need' or 'want' to trust Him anyway. And secondly, if we are content, content to trust God despite our circumstances God will cause us to be 'fruitful' wherever we are.

Whether we are where we are meant to be, or in a horrible time or situation, as long as we are content to trust our God for change, for a good outcome, God will prosper or promote us spiritually, naturally, in whatever way He so chooses exactly where we are.

In a rocky place? God will grow you there!

My encouragement to you is to stop wishing you were 'out of this' or 'over there' or 'doing something else'. God will cause you to be fruitful exactly where you are. Trust Him.

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with:

Joan Shanda Joan Laura

and

Stacy

Winsome Wednesday - The fruit of the Spirit!

2012-02-08T06:03:00.000+02:00

Gal 5 v 22-23: But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is

Love,
Joy (gladness),
Peace,
Patience (an even temper, forbearance),
Faithfulness,
(23) Gentleness (meekness, humility),
Self-control ( self-restraint, continence).

Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

What is the fruit that you desire the most? Obviously we desire all of them but the one that I would like to see come to fruition in my life is self-control. It seems to be one of the many character traits of mine that is most lacking!

So what does the 'fruit of the Spirit' mean? To me it means that the more time I spend in the word and the more I seek the Lord the more my life will be infused with the Holy Spirit - and - the more infused one is with the Holy Spirit the more the fruit that blossoms will be of the Holy Spirit.

So, to exhibit more of the fruit of the Spirit we need to spend more time in the word and seeking God! What an encouragement!

"The work which His presence within accomplishes is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control!"

I kept thinking something was missing from this post and now I realize what it was - The fruit of the spirit is not what we do, its the Holy Spirit working in us who changes us from the inside and that reflects as fruit, these fruit, on the outside.

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

Please join me to encourage and be encouraged! No particular post is required, just maybe if you have time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and maybe you too will be encouraged.

Please note: This blog hop is open until Saturday Midnight :)

Please link up below....

God's mercies are new EVERY DAY!

2012-02-06T06:18:00.000+02:00

In Exodus God tells Moses a whole lot of rules and regulations and as I was ~~breezing~~ reading through, this verse caught my eye:
Ex 29 v 36(a): You shall offer every day a bull as a sin offering for atonement.
and
Ex 29 v 39: Now this is what you shall offer on the alter: 2 lambs a year old shall be offered day by day, continually

We need forgiveness every day!

Well, people are people and I reckon we are pretty much the same as the people of that time and they needed a sin offering EVERY DAY. They needed lambs and bulls offered EVERY DAY for their sins!

This made me realise that I am very very grateful that Christ made a one time forever ultimate sacrifice to suffer for my sins and those of everyone else. And that I am in need of His mercy and grace EVERY DAY. I am far from perfect and the word says:
Lam 3 v 22-23: It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His tender compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning, great and abundant is your stability and faithfulness.
We are in need of our Saviour, His grace, His mercy EVERY DAY.

What does He require of us?

Our thanksgiving
Our praise
Our trust
Our lives.

My encouragement to you is to thank God for His ultimate sacrifice (His Son) to save us, and for His grace and mercy, fresh and new EVERY DAY.
Amen and amen

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with:

Joan Shanda Joan Laura

A new Blog award! - Great Encouragement!

2012-02-04T10:08:00.002+02:00

Thank you Cathy from Thoughts on Books for this lovely award.

As I believe in encouraging I love receiving and passing on these awards so here goes:

The rules for accepting this award are:

1. Share 7 things about yourself
2. Pass the award to 10 other bloggers

7 Things about me!

I love my garden
I have become passionate about blogging about God's word
Its important to me to laugh often and see the funny side of things
I love carbohydrates way too much
I love spending car time with my daughters
My dogs make me laugh and I love how they love me no matter my mood
I am grateful for how God makes the tough times bearable and He brings beauty out of ashes

I'm passing this award onto these 10 wonderful blogs:

I am a firm believer in encouragement. Encouraging people, particularly women, is what I have always been passionate about but never knew how to go about doing so. On top of that, I believe the devil knows encouraging is a gift from God for me and has tried to hijack me over the years. Its hard to encourage when you're emotionally handicapped.
But greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world (1 John 4 v 4). I believe that my blog is a great place for me to encourage others. I am certainly encouraged by all of you!

God bless
Tracy

PS: Another lovely blogger honoured me with another award but I cannot find it so I just wanted to say, thank you and I'm sorry I can't find it. I feel extra encouraged! Thank you!

Winsome Wednesday - Being deliberate in giving!

2012-02-01T06:14:00.000+02:00

I was browsing through my bible and stumbled across this verse:
Isaiah 32 v 8: But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.

And it hit me like a ton of bricks - one must be deliberate in doing good and in giving! Think up ways and means of being generous. Giving of your wealth, time, etc. I also believe when you do something for someone, do it as unto the Lord. That way, your motives are pure, God gets the glory, and 'people' can't disappoint you. Remember, you reap what you sow FROM God, not necessarily from whom you have given whatever to.

2 Corinth 9 v 8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
God will make sure that you will always have sufficiency in your giving assuming your giving is from pure motives. You cannot out give God.

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME

Please join me to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required, just maybe, if you have time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and just maybe you too will be encouraged!

(Please note this blog hop is open until Saturday midnight!)

I invite you to link up below....

God's weapons - or - the world's?

2012-01-30T06:14:00.000+02:00

2 Corinth 10 v 4: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

The world's weapons?

So, God's weapons then! What are they? We have all read these verse but I for one need reminding. So here goes
Eph 6 v 13-18: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore,

Having girded your waist with truth,
Having put on the breast plate of righteousness,
(15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all,
taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
(17) And taking the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
Being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

God's weaponry!

As God's children we have access to His weaponry. My encouragement to you is to take advantage of His grace to provide and know with God on your side, you are the majority!

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with:

Joan of The beauty in His grip for:

and

Shanda from A Pause on the Path for:

and

Joan at Reflections of His grace for:

and

Laura at Beholding Glory for:

Winsome Wednesday - Why the Word?

2012-01-25T06:08:00.000+02:00

2 Tim 3 v 16-17: All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable

for reproof
for correction
for instruction in righteousness
(17) That the man of God may be complete,
and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Ps 119 v 105: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Prov 30 v 5: Every word of God is pure (tested, refined); He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Gods word - for you - by God

God bless

Tracy

Blog hop time!

Please join me to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required, just maybe, if you have the time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and just maybe, you too will be encouraged!

I invite you to link up below:

God's grace in all things!

2012-01-23T06:35:00.000+02:00

Dad - back in the day!

Monday morning last week the matron at the frail care phoned and said my dad had taken a turn for the worse. So we made arrangements and flew to East London (in South Africa) that afternoon arriving at my brother's place late evening. We sat and chatted and made arrangements to go see my dad in the morning. 5.45am they phoned to tell me he had passed away at 5am.

I was crushed! Because I felt badly for not going the evening before, for not having a final opportunity to witness to him. I felt guilty, a bad daughter! Like I was given an opportunity and threw it away!

And this is how the Lord showed me His grace and mercy:

Within minutes of the call my sister-in-law showed me her daily devotional for that day. It was about God's timing
At the home, everyone was gentle and gracious with us
At the funeral, which was very short, one woman told me she had often told my dad about the Lord. I felt God was telling me that many seeds had been planted in my dad's life over time
One twitter I read said 'the best 5 words in the bible to them are "we will see His face" '. That stopped me and gave me hope that maybe, just maybe.... my dad saw the light?
The response of my family and friends on facebook, old and new, was so touching and so humbling and I just thought of how powerful prayer is. Another glimmer of hope for his salvation?

I believe God did 3 things for me:

He showed me His grace with all the support and God "incidences"
He showed me that my dad had been given lots of opportunities to reach out to Him
and finally, He showed me that I was placing myself under condemnation, this is not from God.

Rom 8 v 1: There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

I will miss my dad, especially the man he was when I was growing up. I will remember the good and not the bad, but I will also not let the devil place me under condemnation and I choose to see God's grace in my dad's life and in mine.

My encouragement to you is, no matter what you are going through, see God's hand and God's grace in it.

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with:

Joan of The Beauty in His Grip on Monday for:

and

Shanda at A Pause on the Path on Tuesday for:

and

Joan at Reflections of His Grace on Thursday for:

and

Laura at Beholding Glory on Friday for:

Winsome Wednesday - Relief!

2012-01-18T06:20:00.000+02:00

2 Chron 20 v 15(b): ...Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Is that not a huge RELIEF?! We do not have to fight ANY battle. God says the battle is His!

Relief in letting go and letting God

What does He require of us?
2 Chron 20 v 17: You will not need to fight in this battle,

Position yourself, (in faith)
Stand still, and (in faith)
See the salvation of the Lord, Who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. (in faith)
Don not fear (in faith)
Or be dismayed,
Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. (in faith)

In faith, stand and see God fight your battle for you. He gives you the victory, you give Him the glory. A victorious circle The brackets are my input.

My encouragement to you - stand in faith and leave the fight to God, He knows what is required for your victory. The relief, the peace, comes in the knowing that God's word is good and true.

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME

Please join with me to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required just maybe, if you have the time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and just maybe, you too will be encouraged!

I invite you to link up below:

Look at the plank in your eye first!

2012-01-16T06:12:00.000+02:00

Have you ever had a run in with someone and thought, "That's it! I'm going to go see what the bible says about that!" and you storm off in all your Christian glory to just 'show them' where they are going wrong?!

I've had moments like that! I rush off to my bible, open it up randomly and yes, God does give me some scripture:
Prov 21 v 9: It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Prov 21 v 19: It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman.
Prov 14 v 1: Every wise woman builds her house but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

SIGH!

At this point I'm thinking "Okay Lord, but what about that person? Its so unfair, etc, etc." And God's saying, "You work on you and I'll work on them!"

So I stand at a crossroad:

I can continue chasing that person onto the rooftop or into the desert (some peace and quiet - just saying - smiles), or
I can try to build my home with God's help, minding my tongue, focusing on changing my attitude and leaving the other person in God's hands.

Matt 7 v 3: And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

Work on my attitude!

My encouragement to you is to trust God to work in the other's person's heart and to work with God on your own heart and watch how things work out for the good. His word says so.

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with:

Joan at The Beauty in His grip for:

and Shanda at A Pause on the Path for:

and Joan at Reflections of His Grace for:

and Laura at Beholding Glory for:

5 Minute Friday - Awake!

2012-01-13T09:22:00.000+02:00

Here we go - unedited, unscripted (scary stuff):

Have you ever had someone whom you haven't seen or heard from in a long time come onto your mind? They kind of hang around the recesses of your mind on and off for a few days? Then you hear, "so and so has been suffering" or "this one is going through a hardship and lost everything" or "she has been hurt", etc.

Who is on your mind?

Its normally at this point I slap myself on my forehead and say "Ok, God, now I know why you kept putting them on my mind, You wanted me to PRAY for them, duh!" "Wake up already!"

Eph 6 v 18: Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert (awake) and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
(brackets are my input)

I want to be AWAKE to God's call to pray and encourage others, always! I don't want to realize after the fact that that is what God wanted me to do! So my encouragement to you today is if someone is on your mind, pray for them. I am learning how amazing and how powerful prayer is! Like no circumstance is a coincidence, neither is any thought!

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Laura at Beholding Glory for:

and

Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama for:

His Name is Jesus!

2012-01-12T06:13:00.000+02:00

Are you disappointed? Someone let you down? Your heart been broken?

I'm here to tell you that there is One who will not let you down, who will not disappoint you, who will take your fractured or broken heart and renew and restore it!

His name is JESUS - He was disappointed, let down, broken-hearted - literally! He understands, He cares, He saves.

John 1 v 12: But as many as received Him to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

HIS NAME IS JESUS

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan at Reflections of His grace! for:

Winsome Wednesday - Music Moves Me!

2012-01-11T05:56:00.000+02:00

What was your favourite song from Sunday School? Mine was....oh, I don't remember! But what I do remember is that music moves me. I am no musician, I am no singer (the interior of my car can attest to that) but music moves me!

Sometimes the kids will be listening to something secular and it makes me feel depressed or anxious so I tell them to please turn off the suicide music already!! Sometimes something comes on the radio and it just makes me perk up a little!

I keep two things in mind:

Lucifer was the head of music in heaven before he fell, so HE KNOWS HOW TO USE IT!!!
I am just human, so secular stuff, good or bad, can get to me!

Knowing that, I fill my ipod with Christian stuff. I blast it when I cook (when I don't have to compete with the TV!) I blast it in the car! I try to make sure the music influencing my brain most of the time is Christian. Don't get me wrong, I do listen to secular stuff too but I try to be more selective there.

Ps 100 v 1-2: Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! (2) Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Ps 95 v 1: Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Music is an awesome gift from God, the making of it and the appreciating of it. My encouragement to you is to let God's gift of music move you and if it moves you to praise Him, that's excellent!

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

Please join with me to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required just maybe, if you you have time, encourage another blogger on this link-up and just maybe, you too will be encouraged!

I invite you to link up below...

Quiet I am not!

2012-01-10T07:53:00.000+02:00

So, I talk too much! I get angry too quickly! When I feel defensive I talk myself into a corner! When I don't think you get my point I, um ... make sure you do, verbally! Yep, I am not good at keeping quiet!

The quality that always gets my attention in other women is the ability to look serene, and not have the need to defend or explain oneself. When they do speak their speech is full of love, laughter, encouragement. Never a negative word do they speak. Their faces shine with an inner beauty! THAT'S WHAT I WANT!

Prov 17 v 28: Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace (keeps quiet - yep); when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive!
Even a fool is considered wise when keeping quiet. Very valuable lesson there!

One of the areas in which I can improve (there are many) is "pick your fight", as in - How important is it? For example, if I say its black and you say its grey, does it really matter? Is it worth causing an argument over? Is it worth fracturing a relationship for? No! It isn't!

Something I've been training myself to do with those closest to me when I disagree or if I feel wronged, I tell myself "let it go, let it go" and I have been practising that. It certainly takes the wind out of the sails of a potential argument.

Yes, I want to learn to be quiet (a quiet, content person). I want to cultivate an inner peace and as 1 Peter 3 v 4 says: Let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

My encouragement to you if you too find it difficult to keep quiet - let it go, and if its truly unfair - let God, He will!

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Shanda at A Pause on the Path for:

"Content" - My word for 2012!

2012-01-09T07:07:00.000+02:00

Well, this word kind of chose me!

For the last 2 years I have chosen a scripture for the year instead of new years resolutions. This I've done for 2012 and you can read it to the right --> Its a great scripture: Isaiah 43 vs 18-19!

Then I started seeing various blogs where lovely ladies were choosing a 'word' for 2012. I was intrigued but did not really give it too much thought after that. But a few days ago I did a post on contentment and Deidra, from The Middle, left me this comment: ".... and you picked a great word for 2012 - Contentment - I need to soak that one in!"

So, I have decided that my word for the year is "Content". I don't believe in co-incidence (except that I was born on my birthday - my husband's joke) I believe God wants me to learn contentment in all things.

The Goal:
Phil 4 v 11: Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.
and
Heb 13 v 5: Let your conduct be without covertness, and be content with such things as you have.
a by-product:
1 Tim 6 v 6: Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

So, "CONTENT" it is then! I am content with that :)

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Joan at The Beauty in His Grip for:

and

Jen from Finding Heaven for:

5 Minute Friday - Roar

2012-01-06T20:24:00.000+02:00

Here we go, unedited and unscripted (scary stuff!)

1 Chron 16 v 31 - 34: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." (32) Let the sea ROAR, and all that is in it. (33) Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. (34) Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Let us go forward:

rejoicing
being glad
giving thanks
giving God the glory

in the same manner as the way in which the seas ROAR!

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Laura at Beholding Glory for:

and

Lisa-Jo of The Gypsy Mama for:

Winsome Wednesday - A Biblical Recipe for Successful Living!

2012-01-04T21:18:00.000+02:00

This is the first Winsome Wednesday of 2012 and I want to focus on ways to achieve closeness with God and living a victorious life in Christ. I came across these verses when having a quiet time the other day and thought, "If I lived like this I would have far more victory and joy and peace in my life."

I have broken this scripture down in point form, like a recipe (smile)

Ps 105 v 1 - 4:

(1) O give thanks unto the Lord.
Call upon His name,
Make known His doings among the peoples.
(2) Sing to Him, sing praises to Him,
Meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds and devoutly praise them.
(3) Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek and require the Lord [as their indispensable necessity].
(4) Seek, inquire of and for the Lord,
and crave Him and his strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation);
Seek and require his face and His presence [continually] evermore. (Ampliphied)

An attitude of thankfulness, giving God all the glory, praising Him, pointing others to Him, seeking Him for strength, renewal, guidance, craving His presence....that is definitely a recipe for successful living!

My encouragement to you...seek God first in all things and no matter how you feel today, thank Him and praise Him. It will change your perspective for the better.

God bless precious friends
Tracy

Blog hop time!!

Please join with me today to be encouraged and to encourage. No particular post required, just maybe, if you have the time, encourage another blogger on the link-up and hopefully, you too will be encouraged!

I invite you to link up below....

Contentment in all things!

2012-01-04T21:17:00.000+02:00

On Christmas day I woke up in a hotel and one of my first thoughts was about the staff who had to work that day serving us. I wondered about them and how they felt about working on Christmas day.

I chatted to those I came across. Some were negative (can't say I blame them much), some were realistic (need the job, put food on the table), some wore smiles and joyfulness despite the fact that they probably would have been happier to be at home with their families.

Then I made the usual telephonic Christmas wishes and the one with my dad was the saddest. He is not born-again, living a life that has no victory, and feels everyone owes him and feels very sorry for himself. He was bitter and negative and once my call was over I was very aware of the level of his discontentment!

Then we were off to other family for Christmas lunch! There were various levels of contentment. Joy to have family together, joy at being included and involved, the gifts were appreciated. There was a little discontentment with some having expectations of the day not being met, but in general, much joy at being together.

So that evening as I lay in bed I tried to assess where on the contentment scale I am. Paul says to be content in all things, in all circumstances, with much and with little.
Phil 4 v 11: I am not saying this because I am in any need, for I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in.

I believe God brought the contentment or discontentment of others around me to my attention so that I could see how they reacted to or affected those around them. It was refreshing to me to be reminded how being discontent affects your attitude, your joy or lack thereof, how it affects your countenance (awesome word). I think being content is a gift that releases joy and inner peace. Its something I want to try to be on a daily basis, content!

My encouragement to you is to try to be content wherever you are in your life. If you are, the sun shines brighter, people seem friendlier, food smells and looks better, colours are sharper, and in general joy permeates around you!

God bless

Tracy

Linking today with Shanda at A Pause on the Path for:

and
Joan of Reflections of His grace for:

God's promise - is a promise!

2012-01-02T08:24:00.000+02:00

Do you believe ALL of God's word?

Rom 3 vs 3-4(a): True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean God will break His promises? Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true!

Is that not awesome? People may break their promises to us, we may fail others too, but God's word...IS HIS WORD... and ... HE WILL NOT BREAK IT!

This tells me that I can trust EVERY word in the bible. Not just those that sound doable, but also those that seem impossible, far out of reach. It may sound impossible, but for God ALL things are possible and HE WILL do as He has promised. His word says so.

Prov 30 v 5: Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

My encouragement to you is to KNOW the WHOLE of God's word IS true and FOR you.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan at The Beauty in His grip for:

and

Jen of Finding Heaven for:

5 Minute Friday - Open!

2011-12-30T15:54:00.000+02:00

Here we go - unedited and unscripted (Scary stuff!):

God's word opens eyes
God's word opens ears
God's word opens prison doors

When we obey God's word:

His hands open in provision (Ps 104 v 28)
He opens up the windows of heaven with blessing (Mal 3 v 10)

One day soon, the heavens will open and our Lord and Saviour will return on His white horse (Rev 19 v 11)

For 2012, I want to be open to the possibilities and opportunities the Lord presents to me and in order to do that I need to be open to His word, His instruction and guidance.

My encouragement to you - keep your eyes, ears, heart and mind open to the Lord - He will be found! His word says He will never leave you nor forsake you.

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Laura at Beholding Glory for:

and

Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama for:

A Time for New Beginnings!

2011-12-29T07:01:00.000+02:00

Hello there lovely people. I have so missed you guys. Are you looking forward to the New Year as much as I am? Its a time of new beginnings, changes for the positive, changes for good, for health, for improvement. I have in the past made a New Year's Resolutions list and ... well... they tend to be the same every year.

Last year was the first time I chose to select a scripture. One that I could try to live by. One I could try to aim for. This year, 2011, it was Matt 6 v 33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Well, I feel that many times this year this scripture is one I have held onto. I believe it has helped me to grow and have a better attitude and better priorities with regards to my practical and prayer life. This new year, 2012, the scripture I have chosen is Isaiah 43 vs 18-19: Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. (19) Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth: Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Wow, what an amazing scripture. Full of promise, positive and life-affirming! I am going to hold onto this scripture for 2012. I am trusting God for restoration and vindication. I am trusting God for the promises I believe He has given us. I am trusting Him, because His word says to do so and I know that I am not capable of bringing these things to pass, only God is!

What is your New Year's resolution? I encourage you to seek a scriptural one. One you can lean on when feeling low and defeated, one that will help restore your faith and hope in our God eternal.

God bless precious people

You all have changed my life for the better

God bless

Tracy

Linking with Shanda at A Pause on the Path for:

Best of 2011 Bloghop

and

Joan of Reflections of His Grace for:

Winsome Wednesday - Jesus, the Reason for the Season!

2011-12-21T05:55:00.000+02:00

Isa 9 v 6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Thank you Father, for the gift of Your Son, for Your love for us to sacrifice Your one and only Son on the cross to take all our sin so that we could have fellowship with You. Thank you Father, for this opportunity to celebrate Your Jesus, Your gift to us!
Thank you Father
Amen.

I pray for you all a blessed season of remembering the birth of out Lord and Saviour, Jesus! I pray every gift given and received brings Jesus and His love for you to remembrance.

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

I'm leaving this blog hop open over Christmas and encourage you to link up or leave a comment and I will be back on line shortly before the New Year to post and catch up with you all! No particular post required, just maybe, if you have the time, encourage another blogger on the link-up and hopefully you too will be encouraged. Look forward to seeing you here!

I invite you to link up below....

Black or White, no Gray areas!!

2011-12-19T07:52:00.000+02:00

Matt 12 v 30: He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad!

Rev 3 v 1(b):..."I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead."

Rev 3 v 15-16: "I know your works, that you are neither cold not hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spew you out of My mouth."

For or Against?

Alive or Dead?

Hot or Cold?

All or Nothing?

My encouragement to you is to be committed to your walk with Christ! God wants us to be alive in Him, committed, dedicated and fully involved in our relationship with Him. For God, its ALL or NOTHING!

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Joan of The beauty in His grip for:

and

Jen of Finding Heaven for:

and

Shanda of A Pause on the Path for:

Please feel free to visit all these lovely ladies as they seek to encourage you and bring glory to the Father!

5 Minute Friday - Connected!

2011-12-16T11:50:00.000+02:00

Here we go: unedited, unscripted (scary stuff)

This is what comes to mind with this word:

connected, to family
connected, to friends
connected, through sharing
connected, through cyber-space
connected, through shared experiences
connected, by blood
connected, through work
connected, by accident (God nothing is accidental, right?!)
connected, through networking
connected, by shared interests
connected, by caring

EVERY ONE OF THESE CONNECTIONS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR GOD!

We are connected in high places, connected by and with His favour, His love, His grace, His mercy!
Godly connections build bridges, friendships, places of heart safety, havens of hope!

Matt 18 v 20: Where two of three have gathered in My name, there I am amidst them

Eccl 4 v 9: Two are better than one, for they have a good return for their labour.

Eccl 4 v 12: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

All these verses demonstrate to me the state of being connected. This is how God wants us to be, connected to Him and connected to one another. He never created us to be loners!

My encouragement to you is to seek being connected, first to Christ, and second to those He puts in your path that uplift, exhort and encourage you, and seek to do likewise to them.

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Joan of Reflections of His Grace for:

and

Laura of Beholding Glory for:

and

The Lisa-Jo of The Gypsy Mama for:

Winsome Wednesday - Obedience!

2011-12-14T05:43:00.000+02:00

Trust and obey,

For there's no other way,

to be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey!

Never a truer word ~~said~~, um, sung!

1 Sam 15v22: But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to Him is much better than offering the fat or rams."

Prov 21 v 3: The Lord is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give Him sacrifice.

Do you exhaust every avenue before you trust the Lord enough to obey? I do! Stupid really, because when I finally take that step of faith into obedience, whatever it may be (doing something for someone, saying something to someone, giving something up, etc), it usually produces great blessing.

God is more concerned with us showing the the love of God, than pomp and ceremony. His first 2 commandments, love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbour attest to this!

My encouragement to you is to choose to be obedient to God's call, you will never regret it!

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

Please join with me today to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required, just maybe, if you have the time, encourage another blogger on the link-up and hopefully you too will be encouraged. Look forward to seeing you here!

I invite you to link up below....

God prepares your heart!

2011-12-13T08:14:00.000+02:00

I love reading. I love a good novel, intrigue, throw in little romance perhaps, a great moral, a great mystery, humour threaded through. I can be glued to a good book at the expense of all else!

One time, God used this love of books to prepare me for a really hard season in my life. As per usual I found a great book from a favourite author, prepared myself and my life to sit down and read. I sometimes can't get into a book until all the "has to be dones" are done. So that done and dusted, a good cup of tea, and into my book I disappeared. And it was a great book. A novel based largely on a biblical story, one which revealed the character of God, with more modern characters, and I drank it all in. It got into my heart and the God behind it absorbed my thoughts as to His long-suffering and goodness.

And then.... 2 weeks later I was devastated by some heartbreaking, rose-tinted glasses shattering news! And the first thing that came to mind was this book. The immediate thought in my crushed heart was that God had led me to read this book to prepare me for this news and the gut-wrenching season that followed.

That was years ago and I overcame that time completely with God's help and His grace and mercy! I have the victory, but the glory is His!

I believe God allows things that hurt to come into our lives:

so that we will push into Him,
so that we will grow,
so that we will trust Him and lean on Him,
so that we come to that point as Job did where he said, "Yet though He slay me, I will trust Him."(Job 13v15)

Press into God

But, I also believe:
Its so we can be there for those who go through the same thing. Once we start healing God can use our experiences to help others. To be a comfort, a help, a kind word, a sense of understanding, an ear to hear, arms to embrace, a presence when only that will help and ultimately, an arrow pointing to God!
2 Corin 1 v 3-4: ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

I also believe that:
God prepares us and we don't always see that preparation until much later.
Duet 31 v 6: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Sometimes He prepares you for the "event" and sometimes "the event" is preparation for that which He is leading you to. For example, a ministry or sorts. How much more effective is your ministry coming from the angle of experience, of overcoming in Christ?

My encouragement to you is to cling close to God, He will lead you through and reveal the "why" in time but TRUST HIM enough to know - He is not toying with you - He is preparing you for His work in your life and the lives of others.

God bless
Tracy

Linking up today with Joan at The Beauty in His grip for:

and

Jen from Finding Heaven for:

and

Shanda of A Pause on the Path for:

5 Minute Friday - Color!

2011-12-09T21:55:00.000+02:00

Here goes, unedited, unscripted (scary stuff):

I am no artist but I love colours. I love some for the calming they bring into my life. I always tend to have creams and natural tones in my home for that very reason. I love some colours because they make me feel happy. Its like looking at a painting and just feeling a smile building up inside. I love dramatic colours for the excitement they bring, but then I can only take them for so long and they begin to make me anxious, weird really!

Exciting and dramatic!

Right now, I'm thinking that much of what colour does in my life can be related to people who come into my life. Some bring calmness, some excitement, some laughter and joy, and some anxiety, the dramatic ones!!!

Calming and restorative!

So, what does colour say to me about the Lord?
God is the creator of all colour - and what we see and experience is probably just a fraction of what He has out there for us. God's colour palette is all around us:

in nature, bringing calm, and excitement and sometimes fear.
With people, God's colour to bring variation, challenge, friendship, love and growth into our lives.
And spirituality, His word, His Son, His peace, His everlasting love, His eternity - these for me are the colours I want to paint my life with.

A sample of God's palette!

My post today may seem a bit odd, but that's my take on the word 'color', unedited, unscripted, with a little time taken for a good picture (or 2 :) )

Just so you know - my bloggy friends have brought tons of new and refreshing colour into my life and my life has been more colourful and creative because of God placing you in my life.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan at Reflections of His grace for:

and

Laura at Beholding Glory for:

and

The gypsy mama for:

I would also love to thank both Joan of Reflections of His Grace and Crystal of My Life-Shepherd. Both have awarded me the Liebster Blog award. I am truly honoured and humbled as both these lovely ladies have awesome blogs of their own. Please go and check them out if you haven't already. God bless you guys.

I in turn award this blog award to:

Kendra at Relying on Him for her transparency in Christ
Kandi at Get out of the boat for her determination to do things Christ's way
Heidi and Kelli at Mothers on Mission for their heart for the Lord
Joan and Tricia at Blessings in His grip Prayers for their awesome prayer blog
Hazel at A Joyful noise and Robert at Musings by Robert who I think are the coolest people blogging and together their wisdom is humbling. Hope I'm even a little like you guys one day!

God bless

Tracy

Winsome Wednesday - God's favour!

2011-12-07T05:49:00.000+02:00

I believe that God gives us favour when:

We seek Him in His word
Pray
Seek His peace in a circumstance
Reach out for prayer
Trust in Him for safety
ASK for His favour
Lean on His word

This past week I went in for surgery. Before the event I didn't really tell anyone until the last minute and decided that as a Christian I CAN ASK for PRAYER. So I asked some people for prayer, not many, and I prayed because as it got closer to the time your mind starts reminding you of everything that can go wrong, can go wrong, can go wrong, ... I also found that in asking for prayer those people not only offered prayer but great encouragement and everything that was said to me lifted and buoyed me up.

All this led me to go into the operating theatre without any apprehension. I don't even think I was nervous. My upper most thought was, "God is in control."

These are the facts of this event in my life:

It took 4 hours instead of 1 1/2 hrs ( I don't know why)
My doctor took great care of me and everything was seen to
My anesthetist made sure that the pain meds I had were all I needed, I never had to ask for more
When in the ward I had the bed that was automatic, my roommate had the manual crank up one
My bed was at the window, with an awesome view and fresh air
I had lots of prayer coming in from all over that I had not expected but gladly absorbed
The nurses at first seemed distant but turned out to be awesome and saw to my every need
The operation has been a huge success

View from my hospital Bed, Table Mountain!

All I can see above is GOD'S FAVOUR. So many things could have turned out differently. Take my roommate for example: She was in pain and constantly calling for pain meds, her bed was not easy to manipulate, she irritated the nurses so although they did what they had to, not too many smiles were attached to that, everything for her was a bit more laboured.

I believe I had God's favour! I believe because I turned to Him, He gave me favour! He made it possible for me to see His favour and I believe He deserves ALL the glory for every good thing. So, here and now, I thank you Jesus for your favour in my life and in the lives of all Your children.

My encouragement to you today is to know that because you are a child of the Living God, you have His favour, so act like it, in faith. Even if it does not seem so, know it to be true!

Ps 30 v 5: for His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME

Please join with me today for Winsome Wednesday to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required, just maybe, if you have time, encourage another blogger on the list and hopefully you too, will be encouraged. Look forward to seeing you here!

I invite you to link up below.....

What attitude are you choosing today?

2011-12-05T07:06:00.000+02:00

My husband and eldest daughter, ok ok, and me too, I admit it, when we get behind the wheel of a car with oomph, we utilize said oomph with gusto!

I can remember a season when my husband bought an Isuzu diesel double-cab. It sounded like a tractor and drove almost as slowly as one. What I remember from that vehicle is that because it did not go very fast, my husband tended to be more, shall we say, sedentary in driving it. I noticed a definite calming in his driving and consequently, a calming in him. It did help that the tractor like noise lulled one into a calmness too!

My point is that in realizing the car's limitations, he chose to drive it differently, more conservatively. And in that 'choosing' his demeanour was more relaxed. When I 'choose' to drive more relaxed, even though my car is more, hmm - excitable - I am more relaxed.

I believe its in the 'choosing' that our attitude can be determined. Are you 'choosing' a fast-paced, high stressed existence today? Or are you 'choosing' to smell the roses, make time for a stranger, or perhaps a child's concerns? Are you ending this day blessed because of your choices? I hope so.

Duet 30 v 19: Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

Choose LIFE today!

God bless
Tracy

a HUGE ps: Thank you ladies for praying for me. My op went well and I believe God was with me the whole time. There's a blog post or two in there for the future about God's favour! I missed you all so much and will be spending this week catching up with you. So glad to be back blogging!

Linking today with Joan from The beauty in His grip for:

And

Jen from Finding Heaven for:

And
Shanda (on Tuesday) from A Pause on the Path for:

Winsome Wednesday - Joy

2011-11-30T04:28:00.000+02:00

I wanted to bring to mind things that bring me joy so I sat down and just jotted down some stuff as it came to mind. I want to just 'stew' in all things "JOY" for a moment - a bit like jelly in custard. OK, so that doesn't make sense but here goes:

I'm no art fundi but I love paintings that make me smile, strong colours and joyful emotions
I love hearing my teenage daughters roaring with laughter with each other
I get great joy filling a vase full of flowers from my own garden
there is joy in the satisfaction of completing something creative
I love reading some scripture and having a light-bulb moment, a moment of clarity
When I'm driving alone and my ipod selects a praise song that just touches me to the core, that's joyful
I have great joy in being part of a random act of kindness, I imagine their surprise and that brings me joy too
I love connecting with old friends, and joy comes in the realization that they serve the Lord
I love sitting on my stoep, sunrise or sunset with a cup of tea and enjoying the sight and smell of freshly cut grass, happy sigh!

Such JOY - it seems to be in the simple things, doesn't it?

I believe my joy is more full because I try to see the thankfulness in everything. Thanking God for everything good is changing my attitudes and perspectives. So when I say 'oh joy' now, its no longer in a sarcasm font!!

Ps 16 v 11: You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of JOY: At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore!

Drop a sentence in the comments of what comes to mind when thinking about JOY in your life.

"O JOY"
God bless
Tracy

Blog hop Time

I invite you to link up below.....

Feeling Worthless? Read more....

2011-11-29T11:15:00.000+02:00

When Melissa at Beautiful Mommy Feet asked me to guest post I was really excited. She asked me to pray about it and then write about a time in my life that God made an impact on me.

So, firstly, thank you Melissa for this opportunity and secondly, here goes:

Have you ever felt worthless? Have you ever felt not good enough? I remember going through a stage where I was defending who I was. Subconsciously you know you have value but when you're an emotional wreck you don't have the confidence to see it. To stand up for yourself when despite your feelings - you know you have value!

Read more HERE....

I hope you are blessed by your visit to Beautiful Mommy Feet
God bless
Tracy

(PS: Ladies, I need and would greatly appreciate your prayers for tomorrow as I go into hospital for an op, nothing earth-shattering just me being a scaredy cat! Thanking you in faith)

Linking today with Shanda at A Pause on the Path for:

Random acts of kindness!

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000+02:00

Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness? I'm sure if we all think about it we can think of something someone's done for us that was not expected, yet so appreciated.

More rewarding than that is being the giver of a random act of kindness. Many times people give in the hope of receiving - but I am talking here about giving, expecting NOTHING in return, and being BLESSED by that act.

My husband and I often go out for a breakfast or brunch when out and about for work and we look around and see who God draws our attention to. When we pay our bill, we pay theirs, anonymously. We love doing it! If the waitress wants to know who to say paid their bill, we tell her to tell them its from the Lord because He wants to bless them, and then we leave. We have found the waitresses are often shocked so we feel its a blessing to the patrons but also a testimony to the waitress! Double whammy!

My encouragement to you - look for opportunities to randomly bless people in any way you can with no expectations and see how BLESSED you are! Not only are you being a blessing to someone, you are sowing seeds and the word says YOU WILL REAP what you SOW!

2 Peter 1 v 5-8: But also for this reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,(6) to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, (7) to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (8) For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Joan at The beauty in His grip for:

and

Jen at Finding Heaven for:

5 Minute Friday - Grateful

2011-11-25T22:54:00.000+02:00

Here goes: unscripted, unedited (scary stuff):

Everyone has been posting lately about thankfulness and sometimes I find myself mixing up the two words, thankful and grateful and in doing that I keep coming to the recurring thought that I am so grateful for Gods' grace, unmerited and given so freely.

My husband and I were talking today about situations in which we remember God's grace:

Driving on the open road and coasting into a fuel station just as the vehicle broke down - God's grace
Driving long distance and pulling into a fuel station to refuel and realizing that when the car was serviced the day before , they never put the oil drainage plug back in correctly, and nearly all the oil had leaked out, but noticing it at a place where something could be done about it AND before the engine seized - God's grace
Being mightily attacked spiritually which resulted in huge financial consequences and those to whom money was owed have been unnaturally gracious - only God's grace
Surrounding us with good godly people when those we love turned their backs on us - God's grace
Restoring our reputation in business without us saying a word - God's grace
Drawing us as a family closer in difficult times when it could have torn us apart - God's grace
When I withdrew and self-protected, God showed me to this forum of bloggers who have helped restore me to me - God's grace

These are just a few of the things that come to mind in my "5 minutes" , God's grace is abundant in my life and in yours too.
I am so GRATEFUL and fully HUMBLED by God's AMAZING GRACE!

2 Cor 4 v 15: For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and rebound] to the glory of God.

God bless

Tracy

Linking today with The Gypsy Mama for:

and

Laura from Beholding Glory for:

How to prosper!

2011-11-24T06:42:00.000+02:00

I am not big on prosperity teachings but I do believe that when we focus on God and strive to be in His will, we do have His favour. I believe God wants to bless us, but as He knows us better than we know ourselves, He knows how much and when to bless us!

I believe that God trusts us with a 'little' - and when we prove ourselves able to handle that 'little' He trusts us with more. Not because HE CAN'T TRUST US but because HE KNOW OUR LIMITS and ABILITIES.

2 Chron 31 v 20-21: Thus Hezekiah did through out all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. (21) And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, SO HE PROSPERED.

Two things come to mind when I read this:

God loves us unconditionally, but His promises are conditional. You do this - and I'll do this. If you only ever receive His promise of salvation, conditional on your asking for it, acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Saviour and repenting, you WILL go to heaven one day. But God has so many more promises He offers you!
The second thing that stands out for me is that to prosper is not just 'wealth'. It is health, favour with God and man, inner peace, peace with the people you come into contact with, wisdom, etc. Hezekiah did his best - to honour his Lord - and he prospered!

For me to prosper in this world, I must put God first, do what He asks of me TO THE BEST of my ability, with a good attitude, and for His glory!

The word says in Ps 37 v 4: Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

If I got the desires of my heart, to me that would be God prospering me!

My encouragement to you is to delight yourself in Christ and His word, and see Him prosper you!

God bless

Tracy

Linking with Joan today at Reflections of His Grace for:

Winsome Wednesday - He only is my Rock!

2011-11-23T05:55:00.000+02:00

Ps 62 v 1-2: Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. (2) He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

When I thing of a rock, I think of something that is not easy to move. My salvation through Him makes God my rock. God's salvation is my strength to stand firm. My ability to stand firm, to not be moved, is because God is my ROCK!

Lord, you are my Rock, my Fortress, My strong tower!

Thank you Lord, for being my Rock, my Salvation, my Shelter, my Strong tower. Because of You, I can stand firm and not be greatly moved!

God bless
Tracy

BLOG HOP TIME!

I invite you to link up below.....

God's mercy for us!

2011-11-22T06:19:00.000+02:00

Ps 103v8: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy

Vs 10: He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.

This verse tells me how merciful God is that He does not deal with us as we deserve. When we repent and ask His forgiveness, He forgives and He is gracious with us in the consequences.

Have you ever said or done something, regretted it and repented and knowing you are forgiven and being aware that there will be consequences anyway, gritted your teeth with the attitude, "I've been forgiven but with God's help I will now deal with the consequences." You go out there, expecting the worst, and ... God has already gone before you. He has worked in the heart of the person you need to face, or they unexpectedly welcome you, or are really happy to see you. You expected disdain, hurt hearts or hardness, but God changed that!

This is what I believe that verse means. He is merciful and gracious despite ourselves!

The next verse is so humbling:
Vs 11: For as the heavens are high above the earth, so GREAT is His mercy toward those who fear Him.

I, for one, am very grateful, very thankful, for His grace and for His mercy. Without it, I'd be doomed.

My encouragement to you is to acknowledge God's grace and mercy in your life. You will begin to see how blessed you truly are.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Shanda today at A Pause on the Path for:

There is NO other god like our God!

2011-11-21T06:41:00.000+02:00

Isa 64 v 4: For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like You, who works for those who wait for Him!

There is NO other god out there like our God! The word says no one has seen or heard of another. There are lots of "gods" out there that people worship. But only our God works on our behalf for our good, defends us, protects and leads us, who wait on Him!

ONLY our GOD sent His only Son as a sacrifice to save us and take the burden of our sins on Himself.

ONLY our GOD created us to have fellowship with Him

Our GOD - the ONE and ONLY - GOD

My encouragement to you is not to seek out anyone, anything, other that the Lord God Almighty. Nothing the world has to offer satisfies. He is waiting for you with arms open wide.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan at The beauty in His grip for:

And

linking with Jen atFinding Heaven for:

I'm being interviewed over at Marja's

2011-11-18T04:30:00.000+02:00

I never ever thought I'd be writing THAT sentence.

Who? Me? Really?

Well, I am honoured to be interviewed by Marja Meijers. She is a published author and awesome blogger and she is a huge encouragement to me. I'd love for you to click over and visit her blog, get to know her better, and if you'd like, read my interview!

I am away this weekend so won't be blogging or catching up or linking up, as I won't have internet where I'm going but look forward to linking with you all again on Monday. I will most definitely miss you all. And I will definitely be over to say hi to everyone who has commented in the last few days.

Have a blessed, peace filled, smiley weekend.

God bless
Tracy

Want Joy?

2011-11-17T06:21:00.000+02:00

Ps 16 v 11: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

This scripture says "In Your presence is fullness of joy." Thus, want joy?

Spend time with God
Spend time in prayer
Spend time in His word
Sing His praises, and worship Him in song

and JOY will come.
(remember that joy has nothing to do with happiness)

I encourage you, when you are feeling down or you feel God is far away, first remember to measure your feelings against the word, and secondly, despite how you feel, I encourage you, spend time in the word, sing His praises, thank Him for whatever you can in the moment, even your very breath - balance will be restored, Joy will come. My prayer for you is to rise above your feelings, to Joy!

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Joan at Reflections of His grace for:

Winsome Wednesday - Nothing can separate us from God's love!

2011-11-16T05:59:00.000+02:00

We have all read these scriptures before but this time read it and put your name in where I have put in mine!

Rom 8 v 35-39: Can anything separate Tracy from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves Tracy if Tracy has trouble or calamity, or is persecuted, or is hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (36) (Even the scriptures say, "for Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep"). (37) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is Tracy's through Christ, who loves Tracy.
(38) and I am convinced that nothing can ever separate Tracy from His love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Tracy's fears for today, Tracy's worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. (39) Whether Tracy is high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate Tracy from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So today, I encourage you to read this scripture aloud, with your name inserted and renew your mind with the knowledge that nothing you do or don't do, nothing you are going through, not the way you feel - will remove God's love from you.

God bless
Tracy

BLOGHOP TIME

I invite you to link up below.....

We have a choice!

2011-11-15T06:36:00.000+02:00

Duet 30 v 19: I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, BLESSING and CURSING; therefore choose LIFE, that both you and your descendants may live.

I think all of us would stand up and say, "Yes, I choose life, I choose blessing." I don't think any of us would choose the alternative.

The thing is though, we often do choose the alternative by our behaviour, by our words, by our thoughts and deeds.

When choosing life and blessing, we have to speak positively, speak God's word. Renew our minds with His ways, act in faith and do good deeds because of our faith.

There are easier ways to renew your mind

Many of us bring cursing, and therefore spiritual death by our words, which sometimes translates into actions.
For example:

God will never do that for me
This blessing is not meant for me
I know He heals, but my thing is not important
I've sinned too much for God's favour
God's not concerned about my problems
God won't forgive me for that, etc

Speaking this stuff is bringing curses in your life and then you start to act in this way and it becomes an inner belief. NONE of the above is true! NONE of this lines up with God's word.

If you don't know how to choose life and blessings start by choosing to read His word and speak aloud His promises - they are meant for YOU!

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Shanda today at A Pause on the Path for:

Which bird are you?

2011-11-14T08:24:00.000+02:00

Ps 102 v 4-7: My heart is stricken and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread. (5) Because of the sound of my groaning my bones cling to my skin. (6) I am like a PELICAN of the wilderness; I am like an OWL of the desert. (7) I lie awake, and am like a SPARROW alone on the housetop.

Isa 40 v 31: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like EAGLES, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Which bird are you?
Which bird do you want to be?

Wait on the Lord and you will renew your strength and soar like an EAGLE!

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan today at The beauty in His grip for:

and

Jen at Finding Heaven for:

5 Minute Friday - Unexpected

2011-11-11T11:04:00.000+02:00

Here goes: unscripted, unedited (scary stuff):

I have been posting a lot lately about God coming through for us. I've been saying things like, "Don't try to figure out what God is going to do, or how He is going to do it, just know that He WILL come through for you"

What's He going to do? And how?

I say these things because I have spent many hours doing exactly that. Imagining God is going to resolve this issue in this manner and maybe if He did that, then this will happen and....... And so the merry-go-round goes round and not so merrily I might add!

The thing is,

God wants us to wait with expectation.
He wants us to believe Him when He says that He works all things together for our good.
He wants us to know as we know as we know, that He has this covered.

The thing about trusting God in this way and not trying to second guess His every move, if we relax in His word and trust it to be true, then God does come through in the most amazing and unexpected ways.

What about:

the sea parting? Think they thought that would be God's solution?
the 3 in the furnace? Didn't think that COULD happen
Daniel in the lion's den? no way, hungry lions NOT eating?
Mordecai and the gallows set up for him by Haman? Think Haman thought he was going to parade Mordecai through the city to show the king's favour on him, and then hang on his own gallows? Don't think so.
Debt released miraculously? Companies don't just do that, right?
that accident you so nearly were a part of? God knew how to direct you
what you are going through now? God WILL do the unexpected and you WILL have a testimony

I am trusting in God for vindication, and restoration of family and I have decided to wait on Him for the unexpected! He is a mighty God. Creator of all, how can I doubt His word for the unexpected!

Isa 43 v 18-19: Do not (earnestly) remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert

This is the scripture from my post yesterday and for me, today's word is a confirmation to expect the unexpected - to expect the way in the wilderness and the rivers in the desert.

My encouragement to you - expect the unexpected!

God bless
Tracy

Linking today with Laura at Beholding Glory for:

and

Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama for:

A new thing!

2011-11-10T06:13:00.000+02:00

Isa 43 v 18-19: Do not (earnestly) remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert

Did you see that? God will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Who but God can do that?

Going through a tough time? Can't understand why? Maybe God is doing a new thing in your life. Align your emotions and actions with the truth of God's word and see the awesome thing He is about to do in your life.

Open wide your arms to receive!

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan today at Reflections of His grace for:

Winsome Wednesday - He has a plan

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000+02:00

Are you going through something and you just cannot see how God could make a way? You just cannot imagine a way out of your situation?

Frustrated, confused, at your wits end?

God's word says the following:
Is 55 v 8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. (9)For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

My encouragement to you is to STOP trying to figure out a way to solve your problem. STOP trying to figure out what God could possibly do to change things for you. Just in faith accept and claim that He can and will. Seek Him first - look up - focus of Him, and all that around you WILL start to change.

His word says that His desire for you is to have life, abundant. Let go and Let God!

Bloghop Time
Please join with me today for Winsome Wednesday to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required, just maybe, if you have time, encourage another blogger on the list and hopefully you too, will be encouraged. Let the light of Christ shine through you. Look forward to seeing you here!

God bless
Tracy

God's heart hurts with yours!

2011-11-08T06:11:00.000+02:00

Are you in the middle of a trial? Do you feel you are going through a time of testing and growth that is perhaps painful or uncomfortable?

Jer 42 v 10-12: "Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry for all the punishment I have had to bring upon you. (11) Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore, says the Lord. For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power. (12) I will be merciful to you by making him kind, so he will let you stay here in your land."

Now these scriptures are what my husband and I have clung to in our own trial and one day I may elaborate and explain why because in these scriptures, for us, are huge miracles. But the point I want to make here is the bit..."For I am sorry for all the punishment I have had to bring upon you...."

I read these verse often before those words jumped out at me! God's heart breaks for what you are going through. Whether by your hand or the hand of another, what you go through grieves God too! Don't ever think He sits 'up there' and rolls His eyes at the situations you find yourself in! I don't believe that! I believe He hurts with you and its His grace and mercy which gets you through.

He goes ahead of you!

For example, in the scripture above (vs 12), God doesn't remove the people from Babylon, but He says that the Babylonians would be merciful to them because of God's mercy for the people.

So my encouragement to you is to see God in the light of a parent who sees His children's suffering and who feels their pain and in doing so, goes ahead to assure a good outcome.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Shanda from A Pause of the Path for:

Stop watering the 'Weeds'

2011-11-07T06:11:00.000+02:00

My husband and I were chatting the other day and he made a comment something along the lines of, "If you water a weed, it'll grow too and start killing off the grass!" Kind of obvious but when you think about it in terms of "sin" its very frightening.

James 1 v 14-15: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

We all have sin in our lives. The thing is to recognise it....and deal with it - NOW! Because when we don't, when we ignore it and its potential pitfalls, like a weed, it grows and as the scripture above says - sin, when full-grown leads to death.

Lets keep our fruit trees weed-free!

Weed the sins out before we become trees bearing bad fruit!

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Jen at Finding Heaven for:

and Joan at The beauty in His grip for:

5 Minute Friday - Remember!

2011-11-04T13:10:00.000+02:00

Here goes: unscripted, unedited (scary stuff):

When I think of the word "remember" I think of the places in the bible where we are told to look forward or not to look back:

Lot's wife, and she didn't listen very well and ended up as a salt pillar (Gen 19v26)
Don't look back, look forward to what lies ahead (Phil 3v13 and Prov 4v25)

When I remember things of the past I know that thinking about the good things brings joy and warmth and thinking of the bad things causes me to stumble.

I think we should remember the good things and the things that Christ has done for us, as David did many times in Psalms. The word instructs us to do this so that we can be encouraged and our faith will be renewed and restored.

I think when we remember the bad things that have happened, we should look at those memories and learn from them, not be crippled by them. We need to remember that satan brings these thoughts to our minds, not for any positive reason. Only to hurt us and delay growth. Remember that, remember his plans are to separate you from God and His blessings and take those memories to God and leave them there. You know that the things of the past that have been dealt with, are well.... dealt with! The devil would have you believe otherwise. Refute his lies with God's truth!

Remember - God has a plan and purpose for your good, for your life

Remember - to whom you belong

Remember - His word and His truth

Remember - He loves you

Remember - Be thankful in all things

Remember - All good things come from Him

God bless
Tracy

Linking up with Laura at Beholding Glory for:

and

The Gypsy Mama for:

A new Blog award from Marja

2011-11-04T09:58:00.000+02:00

Marja, from Fresh Insights on Ancient truths has sent me this lovely Bloggy award and I am so chuffed. Its just what I needed to help get the flu fog out my brain (almost). So now I'm going to follow the rules which are as follows:

3 simple rules:

Thank the person who gave you the award.
Reveal seven things about yourself,
Pass the award on to 5 other bloggers. Leave a comment on each blog, telling them that you've nominated them for this award.

So here goes, THANK YOU Marja, you are such a blessing and your blog is inspiring and encouraging

Well, here's seven things about me that are fun to share:

Odd things annoy me, for example, the verification words on blogs, really, what language am I speaking and what am I saying? It irks me every time!
I love that I can drive up pavements with my car and make no excuses for it! (I only do this if I have to - I promise)
I love sunsets and sunrises
I am a practical person, if I have something around to use, I'll use it before I buy something for the same purpose, hence the result is some interesting bird feeders :)
I love my own baked goodies, but won't make them because, well... I'll eat them
I love eating out at the garden centres and feeding the birds sugar while waiting for my tea to arrive
I hate housework but am so glad when it finally gets done!

Well, thats my 7 things I can come up with right now!

Now to pass this award on to 5 other bloggers, so here goes:

Each of you inspire and encourage me. I hope to learn more about you as you pass this on.

God bless
Tracy

God sees everything!

2011-11-03T06:18:00.000+02:00

Gal 6 v 7: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

The reason I'm posting this scripture is twofold:

I want to caution us to think about what we say and do and realize nothing we do is hidden from God. Good or bad, we will reap what we sow.
I want to encourage you that if you are suffering at the hands of someone else, be it their lies or actions, God sees and they too will reap what they sow.

No where can you hide from God!

So, take heart, God sees all and He takes care of His own. Make sure you are His, because mercy and grace He gives to His children

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan today at Reflections of His grace for:

Winsome Wednesday - Shine your Light!

2011-11-02T05:59:00.000+02:00

Isa 58 v 11: The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

The verse before that read:
V10: If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.

This tells me that if I want to be like an oasis in the spiritual desert of the world, then I must reach out to others, encourage others, help others and my light (which comes from Christ) will shine and chase away the darkness!

My encouragement to you - "need encouragement? need help?" - go and encourage, go and find someone who you can help - and God's light will shine into your circumstance.

What are you doing in the "waiting" times?

2011-11-01T09:04:00.000+02:00

I was reading from "God Calling" by the Two Listeners the other day and this comment caught my attention:

"Use this waiting time to cement the friendship with Me, and to increase your knowledge of Me"

I found this to be so profound! What is the most frustrating part of a trial, besides not knowing the answers to solve the problem? The "waiting!" We know that God has a plan and purpose for what we are going through and we're impatient to be done with it, because it hurts and is uncomfortable! But, oh, the waiting!

Well, this is some sound advice. Get to know Jesus better in this time. "Cement" your relationship with Him! By reading His word, spending time in prayer listening for Him, praising, worshiping, thankfulness, etc.

Its in the doing of these things that God reveals Himself to us and we grow in understanding and wisdom. Now this is using the 'waiting' time effectively and when God moves in our circumstances, we are stronger, firmer in faith, more sure of our God and more at peace. Our relationship with Him is deeper.

James 2 v 23: And the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness". And he was called the friend of God.

If anyone in the bible was known for 'waiting' I'd say it was Abraham - and - he was called the friend of God! Well, maybe because he spent the 'waiting' time getting to know God more!

Yes, instead of tapping our fingers in frustration in the 'waiting time', get to know God better instead! He may surprise you!

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Shanda at A Pause on the Path for:

Know your stuff!

2011-10-31T06:17:00.000+02:00

I've always enjoyed doing needlework of some kind. I'm not creative by any means but can follow a basic knitting pattern and have done many a cross stitch and candlewicking. Its something that has helped me unwind, from when my girls were babies and even now on an evening as everyone settles down and spends family time together.

One of the results of these 'hobbies' is that I have lots of left over wool and a good friend of mine (yes, you Stefanie) got me involved in knitting for a project called Bless a Baby. Well, the resulting blanket (to my mind) was awful. So the wheels started turning. "What could I do differently that I'd feel more satisfied handing in?" I was taught many years ago how to crochet blocks and as I still had wool left over I thought this would be ideal!

Well, as you can see, its far from ideal! The wools are all different consistencies and makes, and my memory of what I was taught proved to be...shall we say... not quite on target! Something was wrong! I had the right idea - but the wrong tools.

So, I went to my local wool shop, looked for a simple step by step guide to crocheting, bought a bunch of wool of the same type, got the right hook (needle), googled some simple patterns - and - below is the beginning of a baby blanket I feel confident I can offer knowing I did my best.

While going though this whole process it occurred to me that we as Christians are sometimes like this. We half-heartedly tackle God's word, glean bits of scripture from the pulpit and books and pass on this incomplete understanding to someone maybe seeking advice and answers.

We need to be more thorough, more at the ready, and know our tools. So that when a question is asked of us - we relay the truth, in context, and with the right Godly perspective. I know we are all growing and learning and none of us 'knows it all' nor will we ever. But we need to be thorough in our understanding. We need to seek out the context and Christ of a scripture so we correctly represent Christ.

Also, importantly, the more you know and understand, the less likely it is that you will be misguided. If you KNOW the truth, a lie cannot affect you.

Go to the word, go to those who know the word, ask questions, learn and seek understanding so you can deliver your best for Christ!

Prov 2 v 2: So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;

Prov 2 v 11-12: Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Jen at Beholding Glory for:

and

Joan at The beauty in His grip for:

5 Minute Friday - Relevant

2011-10-28T17:22:00.000+02:00

Here goes: unscripted, unedited (scary stuff):

All I can come up with, with my head feeling ready to explode due to flu, is as follows:

Is the Old testament relevant to us today?
Yes - in that it points us to Christ, and shows how gracious our God is. And all those beautiful stories show us that no matter how badly we mess up, there is hope - hope in our redeeming God.

Is the "law" relevant to us today?
Yes - in that it shows us our need of a Christ and a Saviour. We cannot do anything on our own!

Is the New Testament relevant to us today?
Yes - People haven't changed and neither has God. We have need of a saviour, Jesus. And there is much in the New Testament that teaches us how to live our lives with Christ as Lord and Saviour!

Heb 4 v 12: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

That's it,
God bless
Tracy

Linking up with The Gypsy Mama for:

and

Laura at Beholding Glory for:

Winsome Wednesday - Encouragement

2011-10-26T05:40:00.000+02:00

1 Thes 5 v 11: Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

I remember my mom telling me, "If you have nothing good to say about anyone - don't say anything!" I think this still applies to us as adults. Life is so busy, so full of trials, so painful sometimes. We do not need to be adding to that by saying negative things to or about each other.

My encouragement to you is to be the sunshine in someone's life today. Say something positive to the people you come into contact with today. Do something good or helpful for someone today. It not only encourages them, it encourages you.

Phil 2 v 4: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

God bless
Tracy

Bloghop Time
Please join with me today for Winsome Wednesday to encourage and be encouraged. No particular post required, just maybe, if you have time, encourage another blogger on the list and hopefully you too, will be encouraged. Look forward to seeing you here!

Idols - Another perspective

2011-10-25T06:15:00.000+02:00

In a previous post I wrote of how 'things' that steal our time from God are 'idols' in our lives and I believe its something we all have to work on.

Another form of idolatry is a spiritual form and a potentially more dangerous form.. Whenever I google something or go on facebook or gmail, I am bombarded with adverts to read my fortune or read my stars, or have my tea-leaves read or my palm - or whatever else it is that one can read to see my future!

???????

God's word warns us to keep away from this stuff:
Lev 19 v 31: Give NO regard to mediums and familiar spirits; DO NOT seek after them, to be defiled by them: I AM the Lord your God!

Ps 96 v 5: For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

Ps 97 v 7: Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods.

We as Christians would be the first to claim that "we would never practice witchcraft" (insert look of horror here), but reading your horoscope, trying to find out your future through a fortune teller, trying to find something out from the dead, through a medium (a popular pastime on TV these days it seems), all these things are witchcraft.

Trusting Him....one step at a time!

My encouragement to you is take your questions and concerns about your past, present and future to God. He is the one who knows everything about you from before you were born until the time you die and before and beyond that. Trust Him when He doesn't show you more than your next step - because He knows all your steps!

One step at a time!

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Shanda at A Pause of the Path for:

Idols - What are yours?

2011-10-24T06:07:00.000+02:00

Let us not fool ourselves into believing that because we don't have little wooden, clay or metal religious icons, we don't have 'idols' in our lives!

The 'idols' in our lives are different today, but no less life-stealing and these 'idols' take our attention off God!

What are these idols?

For some of us its health and fitness,
maybe wealth and the pursuit thereof
For others it could be projects, hobbies, TV programs
Maybe things like sport,
serving to the detriment of your family,
career ladder climbing,
Social media

All these are what steal our time from God.

The point is - if we are consistently or regularly giving up time with God and His word for 'these things' they are 'idols' in our lives. If we are able to give these things up for time with God, we have power over them and not them over us.

Its about priorities, God first - then family, then church, then other stuff. When we do things this way, somehow balance is achieved. It is always a delicate balance, one to work on constantly - but seeking to do things God's way is always the best way to go.

My encouragement for you is don't let anything steal your time with God, don't let 'these things' get a foothold in your life. Strive for balance - God's balance - in every area of your life! I know its a daily challenge, but God's mercies are new every morning.

1 John 5 v 21: Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Jen at Finding Heaven for:

and Joan at The beauty in His grip for:

5 Minute Friday - Beyond

2011-10-21T12:17:00.000+02:00

Here goes: unscripted, unedited (scary stuff):

To be honest, thinking of something earth-shattering for this word seems Beyond me but here is what comes to mind:

What is beyond sin? - death
What is beyond salvation? - everlasting life in eternity with Christ

What is beyond forgiveness? - peace, hope, joy
What is beyond the present? - faith in the future

What is beyond pride? - a fall (flat on your face)
What is beyond humility? - God raises you up

What is beyond doing things in your own strength? - frustration, confusion
What is beyond trusting God to work in your circumstance? - victory

God goes way beyond what we could ever imagine or dream up. His extra mile is out of this world:
John 3 v 16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus, going the extra mile!

Eph 3 v 20-21: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen

That's what I came up with for my 5 minute Friday.
God bless
Tracy

Linking with Beholding Glory for:

and The Gypsy Mama for:

Is the Bible for you?

2011-10-20T06:14:00.000+02:00

Have you ever heard anyone say, "Yes, whats in the bible is good but was meant for those people and that time." I remember once giving a verse of scripture from Psalms for some encouragement and the guy turned around and said to me, "No, that was meant for David."

Not for today!

Well, I disagree and this is why:

God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 8v13)
People are still people and our problems, although in different times, are still the same, eg: jealousy, battles of the flesh, desire to be loved, desire for "things", insecurities, etc (Prov 30v5)
God's word is tested, refined, true and pure. (Isaiah 40v8: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands FOREVER.")

Heb 4 v 12: For the word of God is LIVING and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God's word is living!

So in answer to the question, "Is the bible for you?"
ABSOLUTELY, definitely, yes and amen. The word is God inspired written many years ago, yes, but each and every word is meant as an encouragement, an exhortation, a warning, a teaching, a discipline, a guidance for each and every human who ever existed in the past, in the present and in the future.

WHY?
1 Pet 1 v 25: But the word of the Lord endures FOREVER.

My encouragement to you - read the word KNOWING it was written FOR YOU!

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Joan today at Reflections of His grace for:

Winsome Wednesday - Praise Report!

2011-10-19T06:02:00.000+02:00

Ps 10v14: Save me, so I can praise You publicly at Jerusalem's gates, so I can rejoice that You have rescued me.

What has God done for You? How did He bless you? Tell someone! Your testimony could be a witness to someone, an encouragement. Be careful not to brag about your blessing in a manner that causes others to stumble or be jealous. There are those who will always read the negative into it but if you feel led, share what God has done for you!

I believe we go through things partly to be able to help others going through similar things. You can speak into that because you have been there and God has given you victory in your circumstance.

Your testimony is for God's glory and will bless someone, giving them hope in Christ and His word. Share it!

God bless
Tracy

The Past

2011-10-18T06:22:00.000+02:00

An excerpt from "God Calling":

Do not dwell upon the past. You make My sacrifice of no effect

That really got my attention. We go to God for forgiveness, we repent and God says our sins are as if they never were. We are forgiven because of His grace and mercy. And, we no longer have to make some sort of sacrifice, because Christ made the ultimate sacrifice, His life, for our sins.

Looking back - traps you!

But, I know I battle to forgive myself or to let it go. I look back too often and dwell on those failings and sins instead of doing as God has done, squashed my sin forever, they're gone, done and dusted! I keep dragging them back to mull over.

God says in Phil 3 v 13(b): ...But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

The devil wants us to look back, to trap us in the past, because then he has a hold on us and we look backwards instead of UPWARDS.

Let us rather do as the Lord has done and leave the past in the past. Learn from it, yes, but don't dwell on it. If you genuinely repented, God has forgiven! Let us not do what the devil would have us do, focus on the past so we miss God's blessings in the present.

Look upwards - to Jesus!

If there is anywhere we should be looking its to Jesus.
Heb 12v2: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has sat down at the right had of the throne of God.

God bless
Tracy

Linking with Shanda today at A pause of the Path for: