Something toThink About
"Dear children,
keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts. Amen." 1 John 5:21 New Living Translation
That verse gives us something to think about
doesn't it? We might not even think we place things before God ... but we do. How easy it is for some
of us to sleep in Sunday morning because we're tired. Before we know it, week after week we are missing fellowship
with God's people. How easy it is to forget to say a prayer over your food before you eat it. Thanking the
Lord for providing the money to buy the food. Thanking the Lord for the nourishment that keeps you functioning each
day. How easy it is to send your kids out into the world each morning without even praying with them for a good day
or a safe day. How easy it is to go to bed at night and not even remember to thank the Lord for all the blessings He has given
you. How many of us are in such
a hurry these days we forget to thank God for our healthy bodies? A roof over our head? A paycheck? Or simply just for loving
us? Why is it as days go by we take all this forgranted? A challenge for all of us this morning is to stop right now,
ask the Lord to forgive us for not doing so before and thank Him for His grace and mercy in our lives! To thank
Him for sending His Son to die for us so that we can live. Ask Him to guide us each day and help us to live more like
Him and less like ourselves. I pray
the Lord has touched your heart through His Word and I pray that we desire a closer walk with Jesus to help us each day so
that we may be an encouragement to others. May God bless you and draw you closer to Him this day. Enjoy your weekend,
please continue to pray for Vicky, Sara, Mary, Brian, Massimo and Terry. Love, Tracy
John 16:33
"In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have over come the world." It is difficult to see the truth of this verse when you are in a valley. Sometimes it is not easy to understand that just because we love Jesus does
not mean we aren't going to face a valley sometimes. That is why it is so important to have relationships with other
Christians who are strong in their faith in Jesus Christ. What valley
are you facing today? Is it hidden in your heart. The stress has to be overwhelming! Release it today.
Talk to the Lord, pray for someone to come into your life that you feel you can talk to. Jesus will send the right someone,
it is just a matter of submitting it to Him in prayer. Remember someone in prayer today -- then tell them you love them and you are
always willing to just listen when they need to talk! Don't carry your burdens alone anymore. Take them to
the Lord. He is the ultimate healer. Don't just yell out in frustration because of your circumstances.
Sincerely seek God's Will for your life. Ask Him to guide your day. Take
it day by day. Our circumstances can get overwhelming. But with God - all things are possible if we only place
our faith and trust in Him. It make take a day to get through, or maybe it may take a year to get through - but don't
let pride stand in your way of working through your circumstance. Lets take ownership of it, lets face the situation head
on and the Lord will help us deal with it and work through it. Let's learn and grow in each situation and that will
bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. I love you all.
I pray that God's Word has touched your heart today and
that if there is something hindering you from a close relationship with Jesus today that you will get on your knees and talk
to your Father about it today. Put Him first in your life and He will see you through the valley's. God
Bless each of you! Have a great Thursday, please continue to pray for Vicky, Terry, Massimo, Mary, Brian and Sara.
Love, Tracy
Psalm 119:133
"Direct my footsteps according to Your Word, let no sin rule
over me." When we keep our eyes and our hearts focused on the goodness and Mercy of
God, we can and we will find hope and encouragement to weather our storms and to fulfill our lives! Jesus will not
leave us. His grip is strong. ALL we need to do is ask Him to come into our hearts and lives and receive His gift of
Salvation. It is God's plan for us to desire a relationship with Jesus and a desire to be more and more like
Him. I encourage you today, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. Live your life to please Him not to impress others.
His plan for your life is grand - don't miss a blessing He has for you because you are trying to do it on your own.
Stay focused on what the Lords plan is for your life. He loves you and wants to grow closer to you. In Matthew 22 (verses 37-40) Jesus says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love
your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments." Jesus simply tells us, Love God with everything that is you and love you neighbor as
yourself. Treat someone else how you would want them to treat you. If you sow love then you are encouraging
others to do the same. However, if we sow discord, guess what we will reap! Isn't it hard to be around someone
who is constantly bringing people down. Some times when I am around someone like that it just brings me down. It takes
more energy to be mean and cruel, then it does to put a smile on your face and encourage someone. Try it today. If anything
else, it will encourage you and you will have a very pleasant day. I pray that God's Word has touched your
heart, I pray that He has given you conviction to make changes and desire a closer walk with His Son Jesus. Have a great
Wednesday, please continue to pray for Massimo, Brian, Mary, Sara, Vicky and Terry. Love, Tracy
Psalm 61:8
"Then I will ever sing praise to your name and fulfill my vows day after day."
Did you ever just feel like the storms in your life were never going to end? What is the solution? Where did you turn?
Did you try to fix the problem yourself? Did that work? Usually, when I am in that situation, I place a Band-Aid on my problem
that usually falls off! Most of the time, God is taking us through a storm for more than one reason. Maybe to grow closer
to Him, to prepare us for another storm, or maybe to help someone else as a testimony to what the Lord has brought us through!
He allows us to struggle through it to prepare us for the future. Once we realize that God is in control and He knows our
needs, we can fully surrender to Him and He will lead us in the way we need to go. Most of us try to hold on to situations
and we create more of a burden on ourselves then there had to be.
Have faith in our Savior that was
born and died just to cover a sin debt that was not His! Don't fear God's direction for your life - He will lead you
down a path that will bring you closer to Him. Allow yourself to loosen the reins of control and give it all to God. Let's
not place a limit on God's ability to bring wonderful things into our lives. When He does, we must also give all the Glory
to Him! A testimony to those around us as to how huge God's love is for us! Dive into the Word of God. Study. Learn the
truths so you will know where to go when your load is heavy. He is speaking to you today. How long will it take us before
it sinks in? Jesus is the answer - He is all we need to have peace within our hearts. God knows our hearts. He knows if we
are real or if we are just going through the motions. Turn your life over to Him today and He will guide your steps. I pray
He touches each of you today and leads you where He wants you to be. Have a great Monday. Love, Tracy
Hebrews 13:5
"I will never leave you; I will never abandon you."
(a story from God Speaks devotional)
A Church once sent a man to spend two months as a volunteer at Mother
Teresa's mission in Calcutta, caring for India's sick, poor, and dying. He left on
his mission with great joy... a dream come true.
Standing by a luggage carousel in Bangkok, forty hours later,
he felt anything but elation. Somewhere between South Korea and Thailand,
his luggage had been "misdirected." His nerves worn raw by sleeplessness, he collapsed into a nearby chair and wondered,
Was this trip a mistake? He felt as lost as his bags.
As his eyes wandered around the walls of the lobby, which
was mostly empty owing to the late hour, he noticed a row of clocks on one wall. They displayed the time in London, New York, Sydney, and
Bangkok. He quickly noted that it was noon at his home church ... and it was Sunday.
His church had promised to
pray for him at noon services that day. They're praying for me right now, he thought. And with that realization came a
tremendous peace. I'm not alone now. And I won't be alone in the months ahead!
This is a great word from
a devotional I read, and can apply to us today. God knows your needs, and no matter where you are, He is with you, hearing
your prayers and working on your behalf. When your circumstances start to bring you down ... look up! God is there. He
is the only thing in our lives we should never doubt-He is always there for us. It is up to us to always turn to Him.
He loves you and He loves me and wants us to draw closer to Him each day. What will you do today to feel God's
presence? Are you run to Him or away from Him? Run to Him-His arms are open wide! I love you all. Have
a great day today, please pray for Mary, Sara Brian, Massimo, Vicky and Terry. Love, Tracy
link
Mark 11-22-23
"For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto
this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those
things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."
God can move the mountains
in your life. Things may seem impossible, but with God nothing is impossible. Is your marriage in trouble? God
can heal it and put it back together. Are you having financial troubles? God can fix them. He will direct
your path right to Him. Be faithful to Him, don't give up and He will help you, one day at a time get back on your
feet. The road may seem long, but once it is traveled it didn't seem that far - did it? There are miracles
given by God. God still heals. God loves you. Don't give up. There will be healing for your marriage,
for your finances, for your body. Don't handle it alone. Turn to the Lord! Have a great day. Please
continue to pray for Vicky, Terry, Mary, Sara, Brian and Massimo. Love, Tracy
link
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing"
Never give up. Always lift
your prayers in petition to the Lord. God answers prayer. His timing might not always be our timing, be still and listen to
His voice. For the past few weeks I have been praying ... whatever it takes ... that means to me, whatever it takes to draw
us closer to you Lord - we are willing to do it. Whatever it takes to get through situations, that is what we are willing
to do. Whatever it takes to get up from the valley, that is what we are willing to do. Whatever it takes, are you willing?
I hope you have a great Wednesday. Please continue to pray for Mary, Sara, Brian, Massimo, Terry and
Vicky.
Love, Tracy
There's a voice calling me, from an old rugged tree
And He whispers
draw closer to me Leave this world far behind, There are new heights to climb And a new place in Me you
will find
And whatever it takes, to draw closer to You Lord That's what I'd be wiling to do And
whatever it takes, to be more like you That's what I'd be willing to do (Repeat)
That's
what I'd be willing to do
Questions seem to haunt us night and day Like how could God allow my heart
to be torn this way Does He listen when I call? Oh, is He even there at all? Yet I know when my eyes
fail to see He is able
And even though it seems impossible to me
He is able But if
He chooses not to move In the way we prayed he would We're confident He's working all together
for our good I will stand behind His Word For He is able He is able
And as the night gives
way to dawning and evaporates away I stand to face another day And I will stand behind His Word He
is able, I know He is able He's able
James 4:8 "Draw Nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."
We need to thank
God each day for His comfort to soothe our hurts. Not only do we have His word to guide us and encourage us, but He has given
us friends and family to lean on in our tough times for support. He is always a prayer away, and even when we don't know
the right words to say - He still understands us! That is Mercy and Grace! Have a great Thursday, please continue to lift
us Mary, Sara, Brian, Terry and Vicky in prayer. Love, Tracy
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not
on your own understanding. " We are called to walk by faith. We
hold on to the promises of God not because they seem likely,
for at times they don't, but because they come from God and it is not possible for him to lie. It is so hard to trust sometimes, but
if we would just leave it in God's hands, we will have peace. Jesus Christ is the answer to all you need!
He is the real answer. I am praying for each of you that He will touch
you today in a way you've never felt or even knew possible! I pray that you have peace in your answer! Believe in Him, Trust in Him and Receive from Him and Peace like a river
will flow over you. I can't believe it is mid-October already! Have a blessed day and please continue to pray for Mary, Sara,
Brian, Massimo, Terry and Vicky.
James 5:19-20
"My brothers, if one of you should
wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will
save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." It is kind of like training a child, when we see our
children going down the wrong path we guide them back. God's Word says if we see a brother or sister straying from God we need to bring him or her back. It
is all about love and accountability. Helping each other get back on the right track. Changing our focus back to Christ.
Something to think about. Something for us to remember. Doing it in love, showing compassion. Not being judgemental
and harsh. Being loving and kind. Showing respect and giving all honor and glory to Christ Jesus. Take time
to pray for your friends and family today. Ask God to bring them back to the basics of life. Living simple and
living pure before Him. Ask for His guidance to get you through not only the hard days, but to learn and grow with each
day. To live as an example for your Children and others that see you each day. Sometimes when my children are
not acting as they should, they will say well, you do it or you act that way. Ouch. The truth hurts sometimes.
Most of the time they flock to the bad in me instead of the good - or is that what I see? It is hard to keep them on
track sometimes, but only with God's direction can it be done. Don't try to travel this road alone.
He loves you and we were created to share the "Good News" with others. The "Good News" is He loves
you, no matter what we have done - if we sincerely ask Him to forgive us He will. Isn't that how we should be with
the people around us? Forgiveness is HUGE and it is hard sometimes, but what a burden is lifted when we surrender.
No matter what you do and what you face that is the answer. Our response can be this - no matter what I face today, I am going
to love it and say I don't know why I have to face this, but is Jesus name I will embrace it and get through it.
No matter how much I hurt - in Jesus name I will love it and get through it. Are we saying Whatever it takes Lord
and then saying why Lord? Life is hard, and the closer we walk with Jesus we will feel the persecution. Don't give up.
Have a great day today. Pray ... pray ... pray ... Love, Tracy
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I
may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect,
be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto
we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." (Phillipians
3:12-16 KJV) Many of us put so much pressure on ourselves to be this perfect person that does not exist.
I saw a bumper sticker once that said "Christians aren't perfect, only forgiven" That is so true. We
can be good conscientious people ... but we still sin. We can't be perfect - and God knows that, He created
us after all! I find it funny when people think they don't sin or get offended when they are called a sinner.
To some that is such a strong word. It is. But it doesn't matter what you call it, slipping, messing up, or
been bad. It is sin. We all do it every single day. No matter if you are a child or a senior adult.
Bus it is only by God's Grace we are saved and set free. What does that mean to you personally? When you curse,
or drink, or smoke, or overeat, or gossip or complain etc. ... how do you feel? What do you do with those feelings?
Are you angry? Bitter? Sad? Where do you turn? If anywhere? There is a Gospel song
- "Where Could I Go, But To the Lord". That is where most of us find our selves ... Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation
so
Now won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where
could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Life here is grand with friends I love
so dear
Comfort I get from God's own word
Yet when I face that chilling hand of death
Won't you tell
me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge
for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone
to face temptation so
Now won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where
could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to
save me in the end
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Life here is
grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God's own word
Yet when I face that chilling hand of death
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I
go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won't you tell me
Where could
I go but to the Lord
By Grace you
are saved through Christ Jesus who loves you and died for you. Over 2000 years ago the story began. Can Psalm
139:1-6 be your prayer today ... O Lord, you have examined my heart and
know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything
I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You
go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too
great for me to understand!" And Just praise Him and Thank Him for all you face today - knowing He is beside you
and that the Lord is walking this valley with you and in the end ... Where could you go but to the Lord? Just call on His name and ask Him to reveal himself to you - be still and listen. Have a blessed day! Love, Tracy
"And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among
themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they
should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should
heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. And Paul dwelt two whole years
in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." (Acts 28:24-31 KJV)
It
is so easy to get into a rut and feel sorry for ourselves when we are facing difficult times. I believe in certain circumstances
the Lord understands this deep sorrow. I believe when people are faced with the loss of a child that the Lord is hurting for
them as well. I feel deep sorrow for the people in my life that are going through this. I will never (I pray) know how they
feel and I probably never say the right things - sometimes, it is just better to say nothing and pray for the Lord to touch
their lives ~ then to unintentionally say something that is stupid and hurtful. Even others that are experiencing this same
journey will not experience the same emotions. Only the Lord can comfort you in these dark times.
Our
journey in this life is to share His word and His love so that others will be comforted. When your life feels empty and hopeless,
think of the masterpiece the Lord is creating. Know that this valley and this trial are a piece to His great portrait of you.
He loves you and all things are done to glorify the Father and draw you closer to Him. I hope you can share a word of testimony
today with someone who is stuck in a pit we never know what small gesture of testimony someone may need in that moment.
Have a great Thursday, please continue to lift each other up in prayer. Love, Tracy
"Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help,
my King and
my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests
before you and wait in expectation. You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot
dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors. But I, by your great mercy,
will come into your house; in
reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make
straight your way before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their
throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues
be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you. But let all who
take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those
who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your
favor as with a shield." Psalm 5 NIV This is a beautiful prayer this morning. So many of us see a valley
each day and wonder where are you God? We get so focused on our circumstance, that we can not see He is right there.
He has sent many angels in our direction encouraging us, lifting us up and to be there as a sounding board for us and we miss
that because our eyes are focused on our circumstance instead of on Him. When you and I begin our day in God's
Word and focus all on Jesus, we will begin to see all that God has for us. He is there. I hope you
have a blessed Tuesday. Please continue to pray for Vicky, Terry, Brian, Mary, Sara and Massimo. God knows all
their needs. Love, Tracy
God is our refuge and strength, an
ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into
the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah Psalm
46:1-3 NIV I love to read through some of the Psalms in the morning. A sweet refreshing reminder of the love
of God. It reminded me of a hymn we sing in Church. We usually sing the chorus, but look at these verses ... The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring
child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin. Refrain:
Oh,
love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’
and angels’ song. When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones
and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love
so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’
and angels’ song. Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall
forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To
write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched
from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall
forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
It is measureless, it is strong
... no matter what we face today and in our days ahead Gods love for us is measureless and strong. Rely on it to get
you through. I hope you have a great Monday. Love, Tracy **please continue to pray for Terry, Vicky,
Brian, Massimo, Mary and Sara**
|
"O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you
like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep
watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil ..." Psalm 141:1-4 NIV What
a good Friday morning prayer. Let us call out to the Lord our prayers and our petitions. Remember the sick (Vicky,
Terry and Massimo) and please lift up in special prayer Brian, Mary and Sara the Lord knows their needs ... psalm 139 verses
1- 3 says,
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. (NIV) Have
a great weekend, invite someone to Church with you this Sunday! If you are not going to Church, I hope you are awakened
with a new desire to start going. Love, Tracy
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders
of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will
make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins
to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for
three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one
of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error
of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." James 5:13-20 NIV I
love this verse in James, the heading of it was The Prayer of Faith. I like verse 10 of chapter 4, "humble
yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." I was thinking about how I act sometimes. A thought
comes to mind that my children say "she thinks she's all that". LOL. funny but true, sometimes we
can get pretty full of ourselves thinking that life is moving along swimmingly without a problem or circumstance and we're
pretty proud of ourselves. We selfishly (however unintentional), think that we actually had something to do with that.
But when we become humble, we can actually realize that it is only by the Grace of God that
we have been blessed! I read back over chapter 5 through The Message ... look at
this verse "So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes
to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom,
and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master;
it's the only way you'll get on your feet. Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating
in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of
deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others? James 5:10-12 The Message
Sometimes we just have to hit rock bottom, we have to stop focusing on the situation of
others around us and look at our own lives. Once again coming humbly before the Lord and asking that He will guide and
direct us each day and when we are faced with those unbearable times that He will lift us up and carry us through. That
He will send someone into our path this day to encourage us in Him and know that whatever happens, whatever we face all our
faith and trust is in Christ Alone. No matter what. It may be hard and we may resist, but we can not handle it
alone and God does not want us to. In 1 John 3:16-20 - this is such a great verse, "This is how we know
what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with
words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts
at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
He knows everything. He will allow bad things to happen in our lives. We don't now why, only that we are to
draw closer and closer to Jesus and not further away. Turn your eyes upon Jesus!
Have a great Thursday!
Please continue to pray for one another - especially for Massimo (7 year old with Leukodystrophy). Thanks be to God
... for you are blessed! Tracy
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen
is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal
house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when
we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish
to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is
God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
2 Corinthians 4:18- 5:5 Today I have been thinking about this little boy, a child of a friend of my sister in laws.
He was diagnosed yesterday with a rare disease that is attacking his brain. I can't imagine the confusion and the
sorrow his mom and dad are experiencing. He is 7. When you get news of this kind, most of us start searching on
the Internet for answers. We get all sorts of information, most of which we don't understand or it just makes
us more scared! As I sat here thinking about Massimo, I was thinking about how things like this just bring us to
our knees. I wonder why it takes a deep valley to remind us to lean on Jesus for strength? Why do we think we
can rely on our own strength to get through a moment of desperation? As we search the bible there are so many words of encouragement to lift us up and
carry us to the next day, the next circumstance and the next situation. Our out come may not be what we want or desire
to happen, but through it all Jesus is with us. When we are hurting He is weeping with us. I ask that you please
stand in the gap for this little boy, Massimo and pray for complete healing of his body and strength for his mother Josephine
and his Dad (not sure of his name), to endure the days ahead. Ask God for strength in your own lives to face each day
with the assurance that Jesus loves you and died for you and will give you the strength to face whatever comes your way today! Have
a great Wednesday! Please also lift up these names in prayer (God knows their needs) Terry, Vickie, Mary, Sara
and Candice. Our God is an Awesome God ~ anything is possible. Love, Tracy
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