Category / Christian Growth

by tracycpoetry

Sometimes It’s Good to “Go Around In Circles”

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“Purity leads us to fervent prayer & fervent prayer leads us to purity.” – @PriscillaShirer #SomeCyclesAreGood #GetCaughtUpInHIM

(BTW…. In my humble opinion, the book Fervent is a “must read” for every woman)

by tracycpoetry

Being Strategic in the Face of Fear

other side of fear

One of my favorite reads lately is the book Fervent by Priscilla Shirer.  And, because I’m currently sitting in the middle of some pretty major career transition mixed with quite a few unknowns, the chapter on fear is really speaking to me.   And, if the enemy of your soul is trying to throw some fear your way to in order to keep you from your calling, why don’t you join me in weaving the scriptures suggested below into your own prayers.  Fear doesn’t stand a chance in the light of God’s truth.  Here’s how she closes the chapter titled: “Your Fears: Confronting Your Worries and Claiming Your Calling”:

“Remember these worries of yours? They’re not just stray thoughts; they’re deliberate strategies. Strategies to derail you from your destiny and calling. And the way to fight them is with a deliberate prayer strategy of your own.” – Priscilla Shirer

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?  What can mere mortals do to me?” – Psalm 56:3-4

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Tim. 1:7

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ But I protested, ‘Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don’t know how to speak  since I am only a youth.’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, I am only a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you.'” – Jeremiah 1:4-6

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” – John 14:27

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity – to give you a future and a hope.'” – Jeremiah 29:11

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go. I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” – Proverbs 32:8

“I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you.” – Luke 21:15

“My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me. And I give eternal life to them. And they will never perish and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” – John 10:27-29

“Therefore brethren, since we have confidence to enter the Holy Place by the Blood of Jesus – by a new and Living Way which He inaugurated for us -let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.  For He who promised is faithful.” – Heb. 10:19-20, 23

by tracycpoetry

Ladies, STOP begging. SomeOne DIED to Break that Curse!

One of the results of the fall way back in the Garden of Eden is the tendency we women have to think we cannot be complete or get our needs met apart from a man in our life (“Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” – Genesis 3:16b). Please remember, this is a part of a curse after Adam & Eve’s sin. But it doesn’t have to be our story because Jesus died and lives to break that curse (among others).  

When we put any man – even a most wonderful one – in the place of God in our hearts, things will get ugly. We’ll either pursue a relationship more than we pursue the very One who died just to be in relationship with us, or we’ll put pressure on our guy to be our everything – even begging him as stated in the image below.

Make sure your heart is securely placed in God’s hands before you even think about placing it in the hands of anyone else. And, choose your man wisely: someone whose track record and not just his words prove his love for God. Then… God can move your guy’s heart toward you as only God can.

NEVER
(Note:  I found this great meme on The Conflicts of Life Facebook page. Great page to follow!)

 

by tracycpoetry

Turning Down the Noise to Hear God’s Voice

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So, have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who is “jammin’ out” to music in their headphones?  A bit challenging, isn’t it?  He or she may even make a comment directed at you, but they can’t hear your response even if you shout.

One of three things can happen in this scenario:
1) The person takes the initiative on their own to either turn down the music or remove the headphones so they can hear you and connect with you relationally.
2) You do what it takes to get their attention.  This may entail shouting, yanking the earbuds out of their head (not recommended), or waving your arms in their face or otherwise gesturing to get their attention.
3) After your voice gets raspy from shouting or you decide that whatever it is they’re listening to must be way more important to them than even acknowledging you’re in the room, you simply stop trying to communicate with them.

God has been showing me lately that sometimes my approach to Him doesn’t differ much from someone lost in their own “jam” while someone else is trying to share something beautiful and even life-changing with them.  I claim to want a relationship with God more than anything.  I claim to long to hear His voice.  But, at the same time, I may not take the steps necessary to silence the other voices and noises vying for my attention so that I can hear my loving Father’s voice. 

And although God and His perfect intentions are so very far beyond our human responses and reactions, it is very clear from both His Word and His demonstrated nature that there also comes a time in God’s pursuit of us that He will respect our choice to dance to music other than the beautiful song He composed just for us.  After futile attempts to get our attention, He may simply stop His specific communications to us altogether. 

I can’t imagine anything more heartbreaking than my own indifference or apathy silencing the song the very God of Heaven longs to sing to me.

So, let’s make this our prayer today: Sweet Heavenly Father, show me what it takes to silence any voices, sounds, or distractions keeping me from fully listening to and connecting with You.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

by tracycpoetry

Praying for Revival

“If you would tear open {rend} the skies and come down to earth, then everything would change. Mountains would melt before you.  The mountains would burst into flames like burning bushes. The mountains would boil like water on the fire. Then your enemies would learn about you. And all nations would shake with fear when they see You.”  – Isaiah 64:1-2 ERV