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Devotions
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As We Prepare for THE Day
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:
with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise,
as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But
the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire,
and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people
ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day
will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise
we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness."
(2 Peter 3:8-13
NIV)
The Bible tells us, we will not know the day or the hour that Jesus will come again. Just
to be ready. Are we ready for that day? I like the part of that verse that says "to the Lord a thousand years is like
a day and a day is like a thousand years." Time. No concept of time. It is only here on earth we are consumed with
time - or should I say lack of time!! Heaven is nothing but time! Endless time talking to Jesus. I was re-reading an old devotion I wrote where I was recalling the passing of my father (a little over two years
ago). I was just thinking about what it must be like when a person passes from this earth. I wondered about
those that are Christians and go to Heaven, I wonder how others in Heaven know when their loved ones here on earth
are coming. Does a big horn blow each day and names are read? Or do they just know? As I was waking up this morning
I was thinking about my sister, her daughter passed away 8 years ago today. I could picture my parents with her today
and wonder do they sit each day and tell her about her 3 brothers and how much her (earthly) Daddy and Mommy love her?
I often wonder - how Jesus would have time to talk
to every single person in heaven? Maybe it is like today, He is everywhere. He is with me right now and at the same time He
is with you. But more importantly, are we ready for that day? Are we doing everything we can to prepare our hearts
for that day? Are we praying for our children and our families to grow closer to God? Do we pray that the Lord will strengthen
our relationship with Him so that we can encourage others to do the same? As each day goes by, that day and that
hour get closer to being a reality. That is one
of God's promises. God's Word tells us that we will live in this world - but we should
not be of this world. Meaning don't get caught up in materialism. And do not sweat the
small stuff! Living in this world, make it a point to encourage others each day to turn to Jesus for guidance and for
direction. He will provide all the blessings we need to get through. Taking it one day at a time. Moment
by moment, He will carry us through the valley's of our life and bring us to the moutain tops. Never forget
those valley's and always, always give a word of testimony of what the Lord has done - giving Him all the glory honor
and praise! I love you all, I pray that the Lord has touched your hearts through His Word. I pray
that Holy Spirit will touch your heart today to desire a closer walk with Him and that you will desire to read and
study His Word ~ the Bible. God bless you today and always. Count your blessings each and every day!! Love,
Tracy
Perseverance "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14 KJV)
As I was having my quiet time this morning, I picked up a "InTouch" devotional for next month. I began
reading an article about Tony Dungy. I did not recognize his name, but I could tell from his picture he was some kind
of coach. It turns out he is the coach of the Indianapolis Colts. I remember writing about him in a devotion after the superbowl. Time really was
not on my side but I decided to sit and read the three page story. What an amazing man. Not amazing in his own
rights - amazing because he seeks God's Will for his life and the Lord has used him to reach out and touch the lives of
others, despite the struggles he encountered in his own life. The man immediately became my hero. A few days before
Christmas in 2005 his son committed suicide. Being a Christian, the press gave him a hard time and watched to see how
this man would face this valley in his life. Surely the most difficult thing he would ever face - he writes ... "Everything
is not perfect, when things do not go right, you have a couple of choices. You can persevere and move forward, or you
can look back. I think the Lord wants us to move forward." He then described this verse of scripture and
how the apostle Paul pressed on and did not look back.
For most
of us, when we face a valley life, we look back and wonder why and what if. We can't help ourselves.
It is human nature to wonder, however, when we bow our heads and say Lord, I may be full of thoughts of wondering why you've
taken our lives down this path and I may not be able to understand it, but please Lord give me wisdom to accept the
things I can not change and please give me guidance and peace to move forward and trust in you and strengthen my faith in
you in all circumstances. The Lord will touch and bless your heart. We are not going to understand everything,
but one thing you can know is that Jesus loves us and he will never leave or forsake us. The article about Tony Dungy
ends with him sharing his experience of accepting (on behalf of his staff and team the Super Bowl XLI trophy. He said
"as I approached the podium one of my favorite verses came to mind. Matthew 16:26 (paraphrased) What good will
it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet he forfeits his soul?" That is just keeping it real! This
man had (has) it all, but if he did not have Jesus he would have nothing.
It is my prayer that we would realize that. All the "things" in the world mean absolutely nothing
if we are serving them and not the Lord. I hope you all have a blessed day. Please continue to remember Presley
Melton in prayer as she is home recovering from surgery. Also Robert Cook and Doug Heffner who are battling cancer.
Count your blessing my friends because we are so blessed!!!! Love, Tracy
Facing Adversity "Just as a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but
dust." (Psalm 103:13-14 New American Standard)
I was reading a devotion by Charles Stanley this morning on adversity. This is just a little
piece of it. He says, If you want God's best for your life and desire to be used by Him, at some point you'll
have to travel a road of adversity. This means His purpose for difficulty cannot be bad, yet many people consider it
a setback or defeat. God has designed hardship to become a turning point from which we take our greatest leaps forward
in spiritual growth. He allow adversity to remain in our life only until it has enabled Him to accomplish His purpose
in us. ... What benefits can trails produce in our lives? For one thing, difficulties show us where we stand in
our faith. Do we doubt God? Are we thankful for His faithfulness in the stormy times? Can we trust Him when
He says He will never forsake us?
Adversity is the Lord's choice tool for building a godly character. Until we experience
pain, we are not properly equipped for service. When we learn and mature in the midst of tremendous adversity, God is
pleased because He sees His purpose being fulfilled in us. We are growing spiritually - becoming stronger in areas of
weakness and being conformed to the likeness of Christ."
We may never fully understand the adversity we face, whether the road we are taking is a death
of someone close to us, a financial struggle, a relationship problem, loss of a job, etc.,. whatever it is in your own life,
one purpose is to draw us back to Christ. To strengthen our faith and fully rely on Jesus. This weekend I am sure
many of you saw the interviews with Tammy Faye (Bakker) Messner (former Televangelist), even at 65 lbs. and losing a fight
with Cancer, she wanted the world to know that Jesus was her rock and no matter what as long as she had Him everything would
be all right. I hope that in the end she is known for that and not for eyelashes and eyeliner. We (the world)
tend to focus on things like that sometimes instead of the real meaning and testimony she was trying to live - a Christian
life of someone who loved Jesus. I hope people get it.
Well, my time is getting away from me this morning. I hope you all have a great day today
~ count your blessings. Thank the Lord for your health. I find myself constantly complaining about my weight -
seeing and watching Tammy Faye kind of puts things into perspective. Please remember Lauren Dost in Prayer this AM she
is 16 and has a kidney stone, she will be having surgery this morning. Also, please continue to pray for Presley Melton
for healing and little Alex Hopkins. Love, Tracy
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| Devotions |
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| by Tracy Beckham |
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