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Devotions
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Share the Gospel - Find The Blessing! "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by
a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house
of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us
from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for
he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give
up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see
the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV)
I also read these verses in The Message, Listen to verse
22-25, "So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep
a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging
love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big
Day approaching."
We were discussing in church last night about all the destruction that is going on in the World today.
Fires in Florida and California, tornados in the Southeast and Southwest. It is easy to see that God is trying
to get our attention! Can you see the big Day approaching? I started thinking about that as I
was getting ready this morning. I am ready, but am I ready? Have I done everything I could do
to share the Gospel of Christ? Have you? Each day do I and do you try to tell at least one person about His love
and what He has done for us? Make it a goal ... make it a mission. He has done so much! Sit down this morning
and clear your mind, then go back to as far as you can remember in your life and trace the path your life has taken.
It is amazing to see how the hand of God touched and moved! I am always amazed when I do it. Did I deserve it,
no. I've turned my back on God many times. But He loves me and He is my Lord and My Savior! He has never
turned His back on me. I love Him. I thank God each and every day for who He is and I pray that I will desire
each day to share His Word, not only with Christians, but to have the boldness to share with those whom I don't know and
who don't know Him personally as Lord and Savior. That is my mission, I pray it is yours as well.
I hope you all have a great Thursday.
It is hard to believe how fast the days go by! Count your blessings dear friends and know that you are Blessed!
Even if you face a valley today, Jesus has a hidden blessing in it ... look for it. God by with you. Love, Tracy
Call His Name "I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear
unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their
trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy
wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about." (Psalm
17:6-9 KJV)
Call on His name. Are you looking to Jesus
for your answers? You are trying to handle life on your own ... Jesus is your only answer. Many of us need encouragement
each day. You will find that in the Bible. Each day start your day in the Word and pray that Jesus will guide
each step. We may not get our answers right away, but don't give up. Keep believing and place your faith in
Jesus and your journey will soon make sense.
I hope you have a
blessed Wednesday. I have several people on my prayer list that I pray for each day ... how about you? Send a
note to a friend today and lift them up in prayer - that will touch someone's heart. Count your blessings - no matter
how you feel at that moment, there is something you can have joy about!! Love, Tracy
Love One Another "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled;
set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it
is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially,
live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or
gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood
of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last
times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and
hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers,
love one another deeply, from the heart." (1 Peter 1:13-22 NIV)
For as far back as I can remember in the dining room of
my parents house hung the greatest commandment ... Love One Another. I was watching a home video last night of my parents
50th Wedding Anniversary. We held a party in their honor and while I was watching it I felt the joy of their love for
their children. It is one of the last video's we have with them on it speaking. I will cherish it forever.
I remembered when they walked through the back door of John and Rose's house. The look of surprise on their faces
to see old friends and all of their family gathered there. The look of Love. I was thinking about how much I love
them. Then I started thinking about Jesus. I was thinking, wow God, if the parents you gave to me, loved
me so much, I can't imagine how much more you could love me! I was thinking about all the wonderful times I have
had in my life and how blessed I have been.
I don't do that enough. I think we get so caught up in our day to day activities that
we can forget where and what Jesus has brought us through. Everything, every moment, in our lives has a purpose.
Especially the valley that we experience. Whether it be a death or a change in our lives, God has a divine purpose.
We might not see clearing what the journey is, but give yourself fully to the Lord and He will guide and direct your path.
Don't change the good because you don't understand. You may never understand. But God will use every circumstance
for His Glory if you are willing to be the vessel He uses. You may never know about the life you have touched just because
of your walk. Don't let a lost and lonely person change your walk because you are in the valley. Stay strong
and lean on Christ because He loves you and He will guide you where you need to go.
I hope your day is bright and full of Joy today. Count your blessings
... don't get stuck in the valley - reach up and reach out. I am praying for each of you that reads this today.
May you feel the love and may you feel the peace of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Have a great day. Love,
Tracy
Count It All Joy ... "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence
cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD
is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The
LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming
in from this time forth, and even for evermore." (Psalm 121 KJV)
I had a very lazy day yesterday. My husband
could not understand why all I wanted to do was lay around on the couch. He had his 20 minute cat nap and then he was
ready to go out side and do "stuff." Other than being sore from a bad fall I had on Saturday, I had another
reason for being a couch potato ... 3 years ago yesterday my Mother had died. It was a sad day for me. All my
New Jersey siblings were together - I guess
I was a little sad that I could not be with all of them as well. I kept getting on the computer to see who had written
on my Mothers memorial site, just grasping at any memory or site of her. Later in the day the Lord brought this verse
to my mind. Psalm 121. It was and is a great help to me in my valley's. Many years ago, when I traveled
from Charlotte to NJ - I had to fly in bad
weather and I was very nervous to fly home. Not only was the weather to NJ bad, but a flight that had arrived in Charlotte crashed just short of the airport runway.
While I was talking to my Mother about my fears she got her Bible and went right to this scripture. She said, "Tracy,
when I am afraid I always read Psalm 121. Why don't you write it on a piece of paper." I did and I still
carry that piece of paper in my wallet today!
While I miss Mom terribly, I have so many happy memories that bring me through those sad times.
I know many people personally today that are faced with a deep valley. I know many that hold on to this Word from the
Lord and that is what sees them through. I pray that with each passing day that you are drawn closer and closer to the
Lord through His word, or through an encouraging word from a friend. I hope you all had a blessed weekend and I hope
that you found yourself in a place of worship on Sunday. Have a great Monday and count your blessings ... we are so,
so blessed! Love, Tracy
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| Devotions |
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| by Tracy Beckham |
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