Category / Encouragement

by tracycpoetry

Abiding Prayer: The Peace & Power of Praying IN Him – Not Just TO Him

(Breakout Session from #ConquerConference2016)

 I was so blessed to participate in #ConquerConference2016 and spend an afternoon with some beautiful women as we learned together how to better hear the voice of our #GoodGoodFather through #AbidingPrayer. And the beautiful church we were in recorded our breakout session – so you are more than welcome to join us through the power of technology.

(The information below was included on the handout mentioned in the conference video).

Thank you for joining me in this journey of learning to pray and live from a position of “pre-paid” connection with the only source of Truth and LIFE rather than from a position of constant seeking and chasing for blessings and answers from God.

Key verse:

Key Verse: “If _________________ abides in me, and my words abide in _________________, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for _____________.” –John 15:7 

(Write your name in the blank instead of “You”)

Abiding Challenge:

  • Meditate daily on Key Passage, John 15:1-11. 
  • Also, dig deep into the whole “root system” of God’s word by finding other passages referencing the same or similar concept of abiding, staying, or uniting with God. 
  • Commit the passages that touch you most deeply to memory. Write personalized confessions based on these passages and speak them out.

Key Concept:

  • Checking where you are praying from is just as important as how you pray. Visualize your position in Him (whatever reminder picture He puts on your heart that helps you see yourself as a much loved daughter who has always had her Father’s ear).
  • Don’t be afraid of imagination and visualization in your Prayers. God is the author of these concepts – not the new age movement. Consistency combined with a passionate listening style of prayer that incorporates all of the senses God gave you will change prayer from a task that may or may not produce results to a lifestyle of powerful connection with your Creator.

Recommended Reading:

  • Abide In Christ: A 31-Day Devotional for Fellowship with Jesus – Andrew Murray
  • The Practice of the Presence of God – Brother Lawrence
  • God Is Closer than You Think – John Ortberg
  • Fervent – Priscilla Shirer
  • Hosting the Presence – Bill Johnson
  • Seeing is Believing: Experiencing Jesus through Imaginative Prayer – Greg A Boyd
  • 10 Confessions for Living – Ilya Golden 
by tracycpoetry

Don’t Let Disconnection Silence Your Song (A Parable from #AmazingBand Practice)

So…because I knew I was going to have to go directly from work to band practice at Amazing Church tonight, I loaded my keyboard and amp into my Jeep this morning. I thought I was so prepared.

However, when I arrived at rehearsal – I was unable to add any sound to the beautiful music coming from the other team members. 

Why? I had prepared everything – except what I needed to be connected. I left just one little bag at home. But that bag contained the power adapter for my keyboard along with the cables that connect it into the speakers. And without those connections, the keyboard and amp I had with me were absolutely useless.

Isn’t that how it is with life sometimes? We run around focusing on what we think is important. We think we’re prepared because of the big important-looking things we carry with us. However, when it’s our turn to play our part – we end up with an emptiness and a disconnected silence that chills the soul. When we stop doing what we need to do to stay connected to God and to each other, everything else is absolutely empty.

So, just like I am going to make sure I have everything I need to be connected to power and sound at the next rehearsal – let’s not forget the things we need to stay connected in life. Those little connectors can seem like the smallest things – like the offering of a smile, a listening ear, or a few moments of your time. But the result of taking the time to make sure you aren’t disconnected is absolutely worth the effort.

by tracycpoetry

It’s Time for the Dead to Be Raised

We all know people who are breathing but are so very far from alive. Maybe we’ve even lived that way ourselves for a season – in a kind of sleepwalking state where we are practically corpses but still forging through the motions of life. In some ways, this is more heartbreaking than actual physical death because it doesn’t have to be that way.

Jesus died and lives again so it doesn’t have to be that way….

Today my heart is heavy for people living but not fully alive. I am praying for the “same power that raised Christ from the dead” to resurrect the living dead from the spirits of lethargy, apathy, and hopelessness that have been preventing them from living the abundant, powerful, hope-filled life Christ died to give them. 

May we all live as ones fully alive so the life in us can resurrect others who so desperately need to experience life… real LIFE (Living In Freedom Everyday).

As the prophet Ezekiel did when he was faced with a vision of of hundreds of corpses (Ezekiel 37:1-14, I speak life into “dry bones”. And, in Jesus Name, those weary souls will have no choice but to dance with joy again because my God has given me power to raise the dead!

So if you’ve been feeling dead inside, you’re not reading this blog by I accident. I speak life to you now in Jesus Name. And open your mouth and use your own words to speak life to yourself. No more corpse-like living! It’s time for your resurrection.

by tracycpoetry

“Spirit Break Out – Tear Our Walls Down”

This Sunday at Amazing Church, we are going to sing these words loudly as a prayer over our communities, our families, ourselves.

If you’re in North Texas, please feel free to gather with us in person:

AmazingChurch.com
300 Ridge Road
Mckinney, TX 75070

But, around the world, please gather with us in spirit by singing out the powerful prayer:

“Spirit Break Out – Tear Our Walls Down”

by tracycpoetry

Learning to Walk Humbly

I can only lay down MY pride, not someone else’s.

God, help me to humble myself and pray for others, rather than trying to humble others and praise myself. Forgive me for getting it backwards.
In Jesus Name.

“If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – II Chronicles 7:14

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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

by tracycpoetry

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL Women

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Happy Mother’s day to all women!

You might respond, “All women aren’t mothers”.  I beg to differ. 

One definition of “mother” describes the word as a verb meaning to “bring up with care and affection”. 

Yes, some women bring up children in the traditional “mom” sense of the word.

But ALL women raise up other people through mentoring, coaching, leading, and loving. 

So, beautiful one…. no matter what form your mothering takes – celebrate yourself and the powerful nurturing spirit your God and Creator lovingly breathed into you.

Happy Mother’s day… to YOU!