Have you ever seen an “everyday miracle?”

I believe we will find “everyday miracles” around us if we just open our eyes to see them. God is so amazing and when I slow down long enough to notice, I find little surprises all around me!  For example, a miracle sprouting up in my driveway.

Can you believe this beautiful petunia?  Yes, it is growing in the middle of the asphalt!  Never planted…never watered or cared for…but still growing and blooming and vibrant!  This flower that grew in my driveway looked better than some of my potted ones planted in fertilized, beautiful, nutrient rich soil!

This petunia teaches me a lesson in perseverance.  

When I first saw it, I immediately thought about Romans 5:4 :
“…we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.” NIV
…and James 1:4 :
” Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

This little seed, wherever it had come from, had persevered through the rock, the lack of rain, and even the lack of nurturing.

Even through trials, hope perseveres!


Persevering with you,
Tracy

Weeping....

".....weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

I love this verse. It is such a reminder that sorrow doesn't last forever....there will be JOY again. The night may be dark. It may seem long. It may bring pain....trembling....foreboding....

but, in the morning, there will be joy.

There will be peace.

There will be comfort.

There will be rest (no matter how un-restful the night had been.)

There will be celebrating.....

REJOICING.

I absolutely love this weeping willow tree. It stands so regally near my home. I took this picture when I was running one morning. The sun was rising beautifully behind the tree. As I thought of the sad tree, the weeping willow, the sun was a reminder that in the morning there will be

JOY.

Blessings!

Freedom!

Oh, Lord, You have freed me from my chains!

Hallelujah!

Thank You, Jesus that You came, not only to forgive me for my sins, but that You also came to free me, heal me, and restore my joy!

When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed His intentions by quoting Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Sovereign
Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed
me

to preach good news to the
poor.

He has sent me to bind up
the

brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom
for

the
captives

and release from darkness
for

the
prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the
Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of
our God,

to comfort all who
mourn,

and provide for those who
grieve in Zion-

to bestow on them a crown of
beauty

instead of
ashes,

the oil of
gladness

instead of
mourning,

and a garment of
praise

instead of a spirit of
despair.

Are you experiencing any chains in your life? Anything that is holding you down, keeping you imprisoned?

A sin that you cannot break free from?

Doubt?

Fear?

Unbelief?

Jesus came to set the captives free- to break any chains that bind us.

Jesus came so that, in a relationship with Him, we find freedom. We experience joy. He wants to heal us, restore us.

Those shoes!

!

2Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” NIV
We had been talking about being “kingdom minded” at Bible Study. How meaningless things of the world really are when your focus is on the Kingdom of God. My friend, Kim, had been telling us that she was trying to look at life in comparison to eternity. She asked, “Does it really matter that much that my son’s room isn’t picked up perfectly? Do I need to get upset over it? Is this really going to matter in the Kingdom? In light of eternity, does this matter?”

Well, the next morning, as I was picking up my husband’s shoes, AGAIN, to replace them on the shoe rack, I was starting to grumble and complain. Then, God reminded me of the previous night’s conversation about keeping our focus on the Kingdom of God, and not daily trials and irritations. I thought, “Does this really matter that I have to pick up my husband’s shoes? In light of eternity, does is it really important?”

And, God said, “Yes!” But, the messy shoes weren’t important to God in the way I expected. In fact, the lesson God taught me was the opposite of what my flesh wanted to hear.

God spoke scripture to me right away. “Do everything (EVERY THING- even picking up someone else’s messes) without arguing or complaining so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16).

Messy shoes ARE important to God, at least regarding to me, because He is watching my reaction to them.

God also reminded me of the scripture, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion (or with a complaining heart) for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2Corinthians 9:6-7. I have decided in my heart to give grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and love and to give them generously and cheerfully. It is my heart’s desire to please God. I want Him to say, “Well done My good and faithful servant.” I want to live my life for Him (with Him and through Him). So, although messy shoes don’t or won’t matter much in the Kingdom of God, my response to them will!

My Prayer for Today:
Father, I love You and praise You. I pray that I will “do everything without arguing or complaining.” I pray that I will become more like you- full of love and rich in mercy. Help me to give grace to others freely, in the way that You have so generously given to me. I love You Lord, and I thank You for Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Breathe on Me, O Breath of God

Looking over some of my older posts, I found this one and decided to republish it. It is still the CRY of my heart!
Oh, Lord, how I need You. How I want to be purified in You, by You. Lord, I want to pour out all of me and be filled with You. Lord, create in me a new heart. I have a vision of who You created me to be, who I want to be....... How I want more of You. How I want to be more like You, Christ Jesus. Change me, mold me, transform me. Draw me to You, Lord.

Words from "Father, Blessed Father" by the Newsboys

"Will You take what we have
A sacrifice unto You
Then create clean hearts
And, Lord, make our spirits new"
Oh, Lord, take my heart and make my heart and spirit new. There are so many things I want to change. I know You have created me to rise above these things. I am an eagle flying above.....
Take what I have as a sacrifice, I make myself a living sacrifice..... I fall so short, I need You.

"Father, blessed Father,
Lead and guide us for Your name's sake
And keep us in the shelter of Your presence
'Till we see Your face"
Lord, yes! Lead me and guide me. When I am foolishly going my own way, stop me and guide me in the right direction. I want to hide in the shelter of Your wings- in Your presence. Oh, how I long for Your presence..... How I want to see Your face........ I need You, God!

"Let us hear what You say
Let us know Your voice and all Your ways
Take our hands, lead us home
To the refuge that we find in You alone"
Father, I long for Your voice, leading me and guiding me. I know it is in You and You ALONE where I find refuge. Let all the other voices around me become so dim so that I can only hear You.... How I love You, Father!

"All adoration
To our Lord Redeemer
To our Shepherd
Who carries us forevermore"

All adoration to You, my God! I adore You! You alone are worthy of my praise! I am speechless, I can't find the word that would be worthy, adequate to describe my love, gratitude, amazement that You are my Savior. You save me over and over......... Will I ever stop needing to be rescued? Thank You that You are the Shepherd that carries me forever..... I thank You that I am not walking alone, but being carried by You, my precious Lord.

"Breathe on me
Breathe, oh, Breath of God
Breathe, oh Breath of Life
Breathe on me
Till my heart is new
Oh Lord, oh Lord
Till my heart is new"
Until my heart is new............


Father, thank You. Thank You for loving me, someone so unworthy. You make me new. You wash me clean. I am righteous. I am holy. Not because of me or anything I could ever do... Only because of Your love. Your love, it amazes me. No matter how many times I mess up, stumble and fall, You are there, picking me up, brushing me off, making me clean. How can You love me so? Oh, Lord, I am nothing without You. Thank You. Thank You.

Father, change my heart. Purify me. Take away every impatient attitude. Every selfish motive and desire. Take away my critical spirit. Take away my love of SELF. Take every jealous thought, every ungrateful attitude.

Make my heart like You- generous, gentle, kind, long-suffering and patient. I long to be gentle and humble and compassionate. Help me to react to people the way You would. Help me to be slow to speak, slow to get angry, and quick to listen. Help me Lord, to radiate You, Your love, Your gentleness, kindness, goodness........ I want Your rivers of life to overflow from me unto everyone I touch, everyone I meet. Breathe on me, O Breath of God. Breath on me until my heart is new. Breathe on me.....Breathe on me.........Breath of Life, until my heart is new. Breath on me……breathe on me……….breathe on me………….

Thank you, Jesus!