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Devotions
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Seeing the Needs of Others
"And
he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this
great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by
the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need
to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against
them: for the LORD will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20:15-17 KJV)
Some people are busy fighting battles
that are not theirs to fight. We get caught up in situations that we don't need to worry about. Each and every
person will stand before the Lord one day. The lost in the world will be judged on sin and the saved Christian will
face the Lord on all the missed opportunities we had. Aren't we missing an opportunity for forgiveness for those
who have "done you wrong?" I think a lot of us like to hold on to bitterness sometimes. What kind of
witness does that make us for the Lord? Not a very good one!
A friend of mine has been upset with something that happened to him
almost 10 years ago. Instead of confronting the person or forgiving the person, he chooses to still be bitter about
this situation and he can't move on. He is a very Godly man, but to me, this kind of ruins his testimony.
Yes, he has a valid reason to be upset with the other person, but that person will have to answer to the Lord for his wrongdoing,
as will my friend now for holding a grudge all these years. Not only holding bad feelings - but sharing his thoughts
with others around him. I think in a circumstance like this we need to ask the Lord to show us how to be humble and
forgive. If you are in a situation like this, why not seek God's Word starting today and ask Him to release you
from this stronghold. Ask Him to give you strength to forgive and move on. The weight will be immediately lifted
from you.
Last night
at church, during prayer time someone requested prayer for the little girl with the brain tumor again. I was surprised
to find out that it is a girl I have been praying for for a while, I just did not know it was the same person. I hope
you can get on her caring bridge site (see below) and read about her little journey. Please pray for her, her name is
Riley Friddle. I know many people in Rock Hill are praying for her. Please pray for her parents and Doctors.
I can't even imagine what this Mom and Dad are facing (and I hope I am never faced with this valley).
http://www.caringbridge.org/ go here and then click on where it says visit ... then in the first box where it says site name
- type (all together) rileyfriddle.
I hope when you read
something like this it really makes you count your blessings ... we live in such a blessed Nation and we take everthing for
granted. Please lift this little one up in prayer today. Have a great Thursday. Love, Tracy
It will Get Worse - Before It Get's Better" "But, beloved, remember ye the words
which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in
the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having
not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep
yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion,
making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the
flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 17-25 KJV)
I was speaking to a lady at church the other day whose 3 year old granddaughter has a brain tumor.
Sometimes there are just things in life that don't make sense to us. How do you console the mother of this child
who has already lost two babies? The only thing you can do is stay on your knees. Pray, Pray, Pray. As I
spoke to this grandmother she asked that I just pray for them that the Lord will embrace them each day and hold them up.
I started thinking
about her this morning. I started thinking about prayers - how people take them so lightly. Don't you
have certain people that you can call or e-mail and you know they are going to stop and pray for you right that very second?
I have a list right next to my computer and when someone calls me or e-mails me I add their name to it as a reminder to pray
for them. A lot of times I will send an e-mail to all of you. I hope you take a minute - that is all it takes
- a minute to lift their needs up to Jesus. Thank you for praying for Timmy Quinton, I don't know him, but I continue
to read about his progress on www.caringbridge.com and he is doing great. Thank you for praying for Pressley Melton, she is really remarkable and I am sure with each
passing day her family is seeing more and more of the old Pressley. It means so much to someone when we say we are going
to pray for them - and then they feel the prayers!
Sometimes we may be in such a deep valley we can't pray for ourselves. We need a friend
to intercede and stand in the gap for us! Come humbly today. Please continue to pray for the Cravens and
the Hobbs Families, I am sure the loss of their daughters is a tremendous burden on their hearts. Pray for the Lord
to continue to heal and bring comfort to their lives. Pray for the teenagers that lost their friends in those accidents.
It is hard enough for an adult to understand.
I hope that if you are facing a valley that you will turn to the Word of God and seek His Word to comfort and guide
you. I know that sometimes we may feel alone and confused - but the Lord still speaks to us today through His Word,
or through another person ... open your heart to what He is saying to you today.
I hope you have a great day today. Count your blessings!
We may not even realize how much we have to be thankful for! Love, Tracy
What Do They See
"I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured
out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest
my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but
there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou
art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from
my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous
shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. (Psalm 142
KJV)
Did
you ever wonder if David thought his prayers would be used to encourage people for years to come? His private thoughts
to the Lord encourage me each day. I can see myself, so desperate in my thoughts and so deep in my valley to pray
as David prayed. Of course my words are not as beautiful to me as his. But they are to Jesus. No matter
how we pray, whether it be eloquent like David, or in a simple conversation - like most people do. It touches the heart
of Jesus. His desire is to see us fully understand Salvation and to come to Him.
We received a letter in the mail the other day from
our physician letting us know he is leaving his partners and going to work in a Veterans facility. For the last 13 years
I have been going to him. Scott and I both love him. He cares for us in a such a way that you just don't
see today. We were not a number in his office, we were individuals that he got to know and he always showed concern
for our health and our needs. He was always an encouragement to me, even though I knew I needed to lose weight, he would
always find an encouraging word for me - not judgmental. He ended his letter to us you remain in my thoughts and always
in my prayers. That meant a lot. While I will miss him, I am glad he is going to care for our Veterans.
He has made a lasting impression on our lives.
Did you ever see the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"? I always wondered what life would be like if God showed us how
we touched the lives of others around us. Like he did for George Bailey (in the movie). Can you imagine! I
know my attitude at home would probably change. Sometimes I hear my children when they are frustrated and I think oh
my goodness, they act just like me! I wonder why they pick up on all our faults instead of our good qualities?
I love this Psalm. I can identify with it. Take my life Lord Jesus and turn it around so all that I am and all
that I do glorifies You! Make that your prayer today. When we left our job or passed on from this earthly life
- what impact will you have made? Like my Dr. will your reputation be known as Christlike? Will you attitude towards
others shine or are you know for your grumbling? Make a change today. Be aware of how you treat and talk to others.
Put aside your pride, put aside your judgment and just love one another!
I hope you have a great day ... count your blessings and keep counting
them! Love, Tracy
Walk By Faith "I waited patiently for
the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our
God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and
respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." (Psalm 40:1-4 KJV)
This morning in my quiet time I was thinking about a few families from church.
One of them hospice has been called in for a her husband who has had cancer for about 2 years. Another whose Mother
is about to pass away and another man who is still working, yet the cancer he slowly wearing him physically. Deep sadness
sounds those families. For all three of the sick people, healing will take place. The moment they take their last
breath and enter Heaven their bodies will be healed. The Bible tells us that. We experience joy for them.
I know from experience, that I would rather my parents be healed with Jesus, then sick and suffering on this earth with me.
I miss them - but I know I will see them again and that is what comforts me.
Then I was thinking about all the babies being born in our church. We have
a pretty big church, our nursery is full and we have about 4 woman pregnant right now. It is amazing to me to think
about the circle of life. It reminds me of the Bill Gaither hymn (written in 1971), Because He Lives. God sent His
son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty
grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to
hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child
can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds
the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then
one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to
vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because
I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Because He lived, we can
face tomorrow. Because He lives today in our hearts we can face the uncertainty of today. Because He loves us
we can turn to Him with each moment and know that He will guide us and direct us where we need to be. Jesus, died so
that we may have life! Trust in Him today. Give your life to Him. If you are faced with a deep valley today
turn to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to take that burden away. Walk by Faith, not by sight. Jesus loves you.
I pray you have a great Monday.
Take a minute to lift those who have cancer up in prayer. You may be blessed not to know one person who affected with
Cancer, but the Lord knows who they are, take a minute today and just pray generally for people who have a terminal illness.
The Lord Jesus will bless your heart for humbly praying. Oh how we need to count our blessings! Love, Tracy
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| Devotions |
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| by Tracy Beckham |
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