|
Devotions
|
Seeking Him
"Now
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
(Romans 15:13 KJV)
Discover all the joy you can have when you reach out to the Lord to
reign in your life. Haven't you tried it your own way long enough? I love this verse of scripture - may the
Lord fill you will all joy and peace and that you may abound in Hope through Christ Jesus (paraphrased). NIV says ...
may you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
So many of us struggle each day with one thing or another, let us take it, whatever your "it"
may be, to the throne of Grace. Jesus - loves - you.
I hope you all have a great weekend. Invite
someone to church with you, if you do you go to church - pray that the Lord will lead you in the right direction to find a
place of worship for your family. Love, Tracy
And The Truth Is ...
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled
away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the
books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the
book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their
works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and
they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the
second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:11-15)
It is not very often that I study the book of Revelation,
but I was reading this verse of scripture when I got up this morning and it just flowed with the devotions from Monday and
Tuesday. I find it very interesting when the first part of the verse says the books (plural) were opened and those found
in the books (plural) would be cast out into hell. Those not found in the book (singular) ...
the book of Life, were in the books (plural) and were not going to be with Jesus for eternity. When we look around today,
we can see a world that has lost their faith. We can see people that are turning to other "cult religions"
to find something. Why don't people understand what they are looking for is Jesus? Take Hollywood
for example. Many are turning to Scientology - which is a cult ... because money can buy your happiness. I wonder
if people think that in our own churches? Are we turning into a world where money can buy just about anything?
I don't believe money can buy happiness. I think it is wonderful if you are blessed financially - you should praise
the Lord. Some that are not blessed financially would love to be in your position. Although sometimes for me personally,
I believe the Lord has provided all I need because if I had an abundance of money - I'd just spend it on things and not
use it wisely.
When
we look towards the end of the verse, it says the book of life - singular, meaning there is only 1 book.
I wonder if we think about that - Matthew 14:7 says this, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." The road to Heaven is a narrow road and only a few will
find there way to it. Are you looking? Are you seeking today to find your way? Are you like a lost sheep
at the end of your rope? Turn to Jesus. He is the way, the Truth and the Life. No one will come to the Father
(in Heaven) except through Him (Jesus Christ). Don't turn to things or possessions or even other people - they will
let you down, only Jesus can provide for all you need. I am praying for you today - I pray each morning that all who
hear His Word will be drawn closer to Jesus and will desire to walk with Him. The day is coming soon. Have a blessed
Wednesday. Love, Tracy
What Do Your Actions Say? "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18 NIV)
What do you actions say to others? Our actions, speak louder than our words don't they? Are we constantly
trying to stir up dissension? Or do we find a way to encourage even those who whine and complain. It is hard to
do that sometimes when all someone wants to do is wallow in their problems or complain about others. But, when we show
people the love that Jesus shows us doesn't their attitude change?
I was telling my sister yesterday about something that happened to me at lunch. I had gone
through a drive-thru and I pulled over in the parking lot to situate my food so I could eat and drive. Apparently I
pulled in front of a spot a lady wanted and she whipped into another spot and got out of her car and just glared at me and
shook her head. I opened my window and apologized, as I thought she was headed to the drive-thru line. The demeanor
on the lady's face changed. She was embarrassed - I could tell and just said, OK and walked into the restaurant.
I've been there. I've gotten frustrated with someone before and hung my head in shame afterwards thinking, hmmm,
perhaps I just hurt my testimony because my attitude was speaking louder than my words!
What does your attitude say to others around you?
Think before you speak. If only for an experiment today! I hope you all have a blessed Tuesday. Love, Tracy
You Will Get It!
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never
in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" (John 8:31-33 KJV)
Know
the truth and the truth shall set you free. A very well known verse of scripture. What does it mean to you?
When we know the truth about ourselves, we can be set free from the bondage of sin because of the blood that Jesus shed for
us on Calvary. I was thinking about Church and what it means to me. As a young girl and young adult going to church
was just a thing you did on Sunday. A "feel good" message prepared and I never even owned a bible, that scripture
also provided for me. I didn't have to do anything, show up, listen and leave. There I did my duty.
Now that I am older and I have a closer - bolder Christian walk I see going to Church is a privilege. I have a bible,
my husband has a bible and my children bring their bibles, we read along with the Pastor. I purchased a new study bible
yesterday and the version is New King James, my Pastor reads from King James. I was lost every time he read because
the words were not word for word of what he was reading (I have to go back to my old bible). How do we get it if we
are not reading and studying the same thing? Not that New King James was not the truth of God's word - it is, perhaps
the words may just be a little simpler.
I remember thinking about Church in my earlier
years, I never got anything out of it. I wondered why. We learned certain prayers that were said each week - repetition.
I could probably still "recite" them today. But they were just words. What was the fruit of my love
for the Lord? There was none because I had made no investment in knowing who the Lord was and why I went to Church.
I loved God - I knew that Jesus was a man in Heaven that died for our sins, OK. But what did that mean. I knew
there were mysteries to our Faith and that bad things did happen to good people. I thought that since I was good and
I believed in the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit that one day when I was old and I died I'd be in Heaven. That
is what I believed. But as I got older and Salvation came and I actually started reading and mediating
on what the Bible said and not words someone told me, I began to understand knowing the truth and the truth setting me free.
Asking Jesus to be Lord of my life and trusting in Him with every step I take.
You see, even
the demons of hell believe in Jesus. A problem we have in churches today is that a lot of services are done to make
people feel good. A lot of preachers are not telling people that there is only one way to Heaven. Through Jesus.
I can't pray for someone to go to Heaven. I can pray for someone's Salvation on earth and I can pray that the
Lord convicts their heart to accept Him as their Savior, but I can't pray for them once they have died. I think
some people count on a deathbed confession - well what if you are not given that chance? What if your death is immediate
- are you prepared for the day you face the Lord? Living the Christian life is not easy and yes, you do have to stop
doing some things that you may have done before - but Jesus will place that desire in your heart to change. Seek Him
today. He is the only way to eternity. I am praying that you know Him today! He loves you and His desire
is for you to know the truth, so the truth can set you free! Have a blessed Monday! Love, Tracy
|
|
|
|
| Devotions |
|
| by Tracy Beckham |
|
|
