What is the Snake in Your Life?
"He telleth the number
of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. The
LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise
upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to
grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in
the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him,
in those that hope in his mercy."
(Psalm 147:4-11 KJV)
Yesterday morning my husband left for work early.
He called me when he arrived to let me know that in the road in front of our house there was a dead copperhead snake.
He said, make sure the kids don't touch it, but as you are driving by show it to them and tell them about the dangers
of playing in the woods. So I did. Of course since I did point it out, that peaked Joseph's interest - he
is an 11 year old boy after all. As we approached the snake in the road there was a big black bird feasting on it.
Which totally grossed me out! As we drove down the road to school we talked about the snake and the possibilities of
more of them being in the woods, but with all the trees and limbs on the ground you would not be able to see it until it was
too late.
All
day at work I thought about that snake and how since I was the first one home I would have to "get rid of it."
I thought about the shovel in the garage and how I'd have to shovel it up. Let me tell you the thoughts of it to
me were just as bad as having to get rid of a mouse. I don't do well with critters. As we drove down our block
last night I did not mention a word about it - but don't you know children, when it comes to stuff like this their minds
are like elephants - they never forget a thing. Joseph said, Jenna look for the snake. She excitedly said, Oh
yeah, I bet it is still laying there! The snake was completely gone. As I read this verse I thought about that
snake and that black bird. The Lord took care of my worries and that black birds nourishment.
That is just like the Lord.
He sees what is around every corner, He knows when that snake is going to turn up and if we turn to Him and pray and seek
His word for wisdom He will supply our needs. You might think it is silly to pray about a situation like a dead snake
in the road. Who was it going to hurt? It was dead. But the Lord understood my needs and the needs of the
big black birds. What is the snake in your life? Have you prayed that the Lord will take care of that worry or
that trial? Have you prayed for the Lord to show you how to approach it with ease and care? The Lord will take
care of what we need ~ all we have to do in go before Him and lift up our hearts, pour out our thoughts and surrender all
to Him. He loves you and His desire is to show you the way.
Have a great weekend everyone. Invite someone to church with you this Sunday. If you
do not go to church - why not? Pray that the Lord will lead you to a church where you are being fed His word and you
are growing as a Christian. You may have been going to the same church all your life, but if you are not growing spiritually,
I challenge you to pray and seek the Lord's direction to find a new place to worship. Count your many blessings!
Love, Tracy
Are We Thankful?
"With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright
man thou wilt shew thyself upright; With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself
froward. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. For thou wilt light my candle:
the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over
a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For
who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He
maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of
steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me
up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip."
(Psalm 18:25-36 KJV)
God is good ... all the time. All the time ... God is good! Did you ever receive a gift and you were
not thankful? I was thinking about this today. I have been so blessed in my life, even in my younger years when
I was struggling financially, God blessed me with a husband that knew how to manage money and he taught me. Like everything
else, it is discipline and learning set aside pride. Many times we let pride get in the way of our worship. "What
will other people think?" I can remember when I was a teenager calling my Mother a "holy roller."
I laugh about it now and I thank God that she showed us by example, not to be ashamed or afraid. We should be more like
her. Setting aside time to sit with our friends and pray and discuss God's Word. What a blessing to be able
to do that. When I was growing up, most Moms did not work outside the home. Today, most Mom's work outside
the home. Kids are involved in activity after activity. We set no time for God. If we do not get up early
and get right into his word, our day is over before we know it.
When I was on spring break, I had a week packed full of activities. What time did I set aside to sit quietly with the
Lord - hardly any and I can tell a difference in my week. I am so thankful for the memories I have of my Mother sitting
at our dining room table with her daily bread or daily word and her devotional "God Calling." I can picture
her right now, in her pajamas, hair a mess, sipping a cup of coffee. My Mother was a woman who walked the talk!
What memories flood my mind. What are lasting memories we will leave? Will there be a legacy of a prayerful woman
or man? Will there be a testimony of a person of strong faith in Jesus or just faith in our faith? When our children
or friends are older will they say, now there was a person that really encouraged me.
I hope that is your desire. I hope that with
each passing day, you wake up and say, Thank you Lord for a new day. Thank you Lord for helping me see who I am without
you and help me Lord to draw closer to you. I hope the memories you leave someday will encourage someone to live more
like Jesus and with less pride in their lives. Have a blessed day today. Count your many blessings and thank the
Lord for them! Love, Tracy
If Only ...
"It wasn't so long
ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip
on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that.
It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside
and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship
with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.
I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who
have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless
quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice,
but then be done with him. It's obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness
he cuts himself off." (Titus 3:3-9 The Message)
Sometimes I like using The Message, because they write it in such simple plain words that get right to the point.
Sometimes when we read other translations we may be unclear of the meaning and interpret it wrong - The Message to me just
uses today's words bluntly to express the Lords words.
Over the past couple
of days I have forwarded links about a North Carolina weather reporter who lost her battle with cancer. She was 27 and
lived only 6 months since being diagnosed. During that time, she had a baby. Her outlook on life was transformed.
Her words were such an inspiration to me. She had such faith in the Lord. Keeping it real, she was devastated
by her prognosis, because she was 27, newly married and a new mother. But knowing where she would spend eternity, she
was not afraid to die. Her faith in the Lord sustained her. Her faith in the Lord helped her face each day.
I did not know her. I did not even watch her on TV. I have only known about her since her cancer diagnosis.
This woman has touched my heart as much, if not more than people I have known for 10 years. I pray that if I am ever
faced with such a trial that I could be as bold, as brave and share a huge part of my faith with as many strangers as she
has. This just goes to prove how many seeds you can still plant for the Lord if you are walking the talk of a Christian
life. Don't think for one-second that what you do or what you say does not matter ... because it does.
We may not even see how we touch the lives of others - we may never know, just like Melissa. But
it still matters and it is still so important. Jesus loves you and no matter what you face today He is your rock.
Trust in Him with all you heart and know that He will bring you through it.
I pray
you all have a great Wednesday! Count your blessings ... for we are blessed! Love, Tracy
Apply Thy Word!
"Apply thine heart unto
instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge."
Proverbs 23:12
(KJV)
When I read this verse this morning it reminded me of encouraging words and statements
I have written in the front of my Bible. Different statements preachers have made over the years or verses I have read
in my Bible.
Joshua 24:15 ... As for me, and my house - we
will serve the Lord.
Look at Isaiah 43:1-3 ... But now, God's
Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called
your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough
waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—Because
I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel,
your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much
you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the
creation just for you." (The Message)
"Every time
God tells you no, just remember He has a bigger yes in store for you. A part of God's bigger plan for your
life!"
"Most people do not want to read
the Bible, because the Bible shows us who we really are." "The Bible is a mirror to who we really are!"
"When we pray we speak to the Lord, When we read the Bible, the Lord speaks
to us."
"The reason that people are dissatisfied
with what they have is because they are dissatisfied with who they are."
"It is not a purpose driven life ... it is a person driven life ... Jesus being the person who gives our lives
purpose!"
"When you humble yourself ... you admit
when you are wrong and you change your ways."
"You
don't get saved by works ... but when you are saved ... IT WORKS."
"What God says to us in prayer in more important than what we say to the Lord in prayer."
"You must know the Grace of God, before you know the peace of God."
"God doesn't answer prayers that are not prayed in faith, but in faith
God answers prayer."
"A lie can be told about someone
to destroy their reputation ... but, they can't touch our character, our character is who we are. No one can take
that away from us."
"There is no deep pit that
Jesus has not been in."
"God never promised us
a life filled with wealth and no sorrows - but He did promise us a Spirit filled life - repent and ask Him in your
heart today!"
"The only people unreachable for
Christ as the one's that we do not witness to!"
I
have so many more - thanks to all the pastors to study God's Word and share it with me each week. To all my friends
and even people I don't know that encourage me each day. It is so needed. I hope you all have a great Tuesday.
Maybe one of these quotes have touched your heart. Share then with a friend today. I hope you are counting your
blessings! Love, Tracy
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians
2:6-7 NIV)
I like how NIV writes verse 7, rooted and
built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Are we ever overflowing
with thankfulness? I can think of specific times when I was overflowing with
happiness. I am sure we all have specific moments in our lives when we are so thankful for what the Lord has given us.
Given the events in the last week, we so should be overflowing with thankfulness for the lives spared at Virginia Tech. I think it is amazing the stories I am hearing
of the hero's that gave their lives to help others during that massacre. We are still seeing e-mails and reading
about Cassie Bernol (sp) who was killed a few years ago at Columbine High School. What a testimony to what the Lord can do in the midst of tragedy.
In the beginning of verse 7 it says ... rooted and built up in
Him (Christ), strengthened in the faith you were taught ... I know a lot of people that just go to church Sunday after Sunday
and when they leave those doors, their duty is done for Sunday and the are not changed. Nothing moved in their hearts
as they attended Sunday worship. I wonder why you don't seek another place of worship? I wonder why you are
not hungry to hear what God has to say to you? I love my church. I love my church family. No church is going
to be perfect. No Preacher (Minister or Priest) is perfect. You can't look to the a man speaking, you have
to look to THE Man, Jesus, for answers and Salvation. Only those who turn from their sin, repent of their sins to Jesus
and ask Him for forgiveness and into their hearts to be their Lord and Savior will spend eternity with Him. Not every
person in this world will go to Heaven. Their eternity will be different. Sin is sin to God, just because we are
nice, if we live a sinful life and reject Jesus and the plan He has for our lives, we will be separated from Him forever.
I pray that you are seeking His direction for your life today. I hope you know that especially
in the valleys you face that He is there. He love you and Jesus has a mission for all of us to grow closer to Him, to
lead others to Him and to lead a life that is please to God so that we may send eternity with Him. I hope you all have
a blessed Monday. Count your blessings ... for we are blessed! Please remember my Aunt in prayer, her brother
was killed in a motorcycle accident over the weekend. Her name is Susan Shannon. Also my sister Laura and brother
in law Mark, 8 years ago today they lost their infant daughter (Arianna). If any of you have ever lost a child I am
sure you can relate to the emotions they have today and always. I would appreciate prayers for their family and other
children (Mark-12, Nico-6, Frankie-4). Love, Tracy
