Praise Him in the cave, and He can change things.

Psalm 57:7 “My heart is steadfast, O God my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes I will sing praises”

Disclaimer: I know y’all think I’m the verse map bully 😳😂, but I know it’s not for everyone. It’s just my Bible study fav 🤷🏼‍♀️

So I have been studying the word steadfast. It’s not exactly a touchy-feely subject, but the Lord worked through my starting point and by the time I finished my whole mood had changed. I did not sit down with that intention.

Won’t God do it!!

In doing the word study it lead me to Psalm 57:7. It spoke to me so much I verse mapped it. In the midst of the verse map I could feel God stepping on my toes. Questions came to mind about the devotions I had been doing. Aren’t they just a series of self help books? How long am I going to dwell on me and my insecurities 😳. Then Pastor came in hot the next week with “insecurities make us selfish”. Geez Louise.

Don’t get me wrong, we need to do studies, see the planks in our eyes and work on our shortcomings. We just can’t live there. At some point we have to get out of our head and get moving.

David was in a cave scared for his life. Sometimes we have those same situations. Right in the middle of his pity party he caught himself. He stopped and said

           “My heart is steadfast”

Mike drop 🎤!  That’s what I need to do when facing any giant or insecurity. Before letting my pity party run away with my brain I need to whoa up and declare to my heart that it Will. Be. Steadfast.

David’s pity party turned in to a praise fest after that declaration. (And so did mine)

           Moral of the story:

“Set your heart on Jesus, He is our help!”

The Gospel is beautiful. It’s not complicated. It’s simple, and ultimately life changing.

I can tell when my prayer life isn’t where it needs to be. I can tell when I haven’t been setting aside time like I should to truly be in the presence of Christ.

It’s more than the prayer before dinner.

It’s more than attending every church service.

It’s more than giving and serving others.

It’s taking up your own cross and following Him.

Every time I want control over a situation, every time I find myself putting my plans before Jesus, He isn’t honored in the outcome. Every time I spend intimate time in the word and prayer, trusting in His plan and knowing he’s in control, life just feels more at peace. Notice how I didn’t say “life just goes smoother” or “life is just better”. I purposely said life just feels more at peace. There is a beauty in coming to know Christ. There is a beauty in trusting in his plans before our own. There is a peace that surpasses all understanding when we take up our cross and follow him. We don’t have all the answers but you find yourself not wanting to because you’re too busy following the one who does.

I feel like I talk about that a lot. Trusting His ways and not my own. Maybe that’s where I fall short most. I want the plan I had on my calendar to go the way I envisioned it. Or maybe that’s just what someone needs to hear. To surrender your own personal agenda. Take up your cross and follow Him.

I love these words in Colossians –

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”

Colossians 3:1-4 NLT

I don’t have control. I don’t have control of this afternoon, tomorrow, next week, or anything. But I do trust the one who does. Today I’m choosing to follow Him. Take up my own ways and listen to scripture. To set my sights on the realities of heaven. When I chose to follow Christ 17 years ago I had to remember I died to this worldly life. I was raised to follow him and to share all of His Glory. I want to be obedient. I fell short today. I’ll probably fall short again tomorrow. But He will strengthen me in those areas when I spend that intimate time with Him.

I challenge you to set your minds today not on things of this world but on things that are above. I pray today you join me in taking up your cross and following Him.

It’s almost every single day that I receive at least one prayer request from another person whether it be a text from a friend or a Facebook post that I happen to see. There are times I want to immediately comment, “I’ll be praying for you!” or “I will keep you in my prayers!” But did I actually make the time to pray or did I merely have good intentions? What if I stopped what I was doing to pray right in that moment while it was still fresh in my mind? If I am already scrolling or texting in my free time, I can definitely take a pause to talk to Jesus. The important aspect of prayer is that God wants us to trust Him enough to voice our desires and needs to Him. 

When someone is vulnerable enough to share a personal struggle, how do you respond? Although intimidating, we have the freedom to pray with that person out loud. The prayer does not have to be extravagant sounding and eloquent; the Lord knows the words written in our hearts regardless of how they come out. Life can hand us heavy burdens, why not hand them over to God right now? 

There is so much power in praying with others; it can be an encouragement to both believers and non-believers. More importantly, talking to Jesus strengthens our relationship with Him whether we are alone in a quiet place or surrounded by a group of people. I want to encourage everyone reading this post to drop what you are doing and pray for someone!

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18)

Have you ever heard a song and it transports you to another time and place? For me, it’s “Desert Song” by Hillsong with words by Brooke Ligertwood. This song saved my sanity on many occasions when my three babies were all under the age of 4.

I had the words printed and affixed to the fridge door so I could read them as I was scrambling to fix a sippy cup for a fussing toddler.  

I remember singing “I will bring praise” above the inconsolable cries, at my wit’s end.

“All of my life, in every season…I have a reason to worship” when my baby girl didn’t care to sleep and my husband was away at school. I had to work the next morning, and I couldn’t form any other clear thoughts, except to sing out those words.

When I thought my heart was irreversibly broken after losing my sister, and I wasn’t sure I had anything left to give my babies…”refine me Lord through the flame”

Some days, I didn’t think we’d ever all make it out of that time, but I had wise sisters in Christ, who had already been through it, speak life into me and tell me that the seasons pass quickly.

So, sister, let me tell you…seasons do pass quickly. Hold on. 

Anticipating teen

Woman in waiting and/or working

Mother to little ones

Mother to older kiddos 

Or veteran laborer of Christ

Whatever season you’re in, God has plans for you, and they are GOOD. Psalms 16:5-8 reads “Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will bless the Lord who counsels me  — even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

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As the youngest of 8 sons, David knew he wouldn’t get much in the way of an earthly inheritance. However, he recognized and claimed that the Lord was his “portion” or enough, and also, that God was his “cup of blessing” or above and beyond. In times of “just enough” or times of blessing, if we put our faith in God, He holds our future. And what does the scripture say about this future? A beautiful inheritance, falling in pleasant places. Not sure what your pleasant place looks like, but I’m imagining lots of coffee, books, and quiet 😉

Even when night comes (figurative or literal), and our thoughts tend to lead us toward negative thinking, He is right there with us, guiding us back to His truth that can’t be shaken by our circumstances. We can trust that our beautiful inheritance through Christ is coming on the other side of that night. Whatever we can imagine about eternal communion with our Savior, I’m certain it is so much more.

Seasons do change quickly, but praise God, He does not. I’m still tired and chasing three active (teen) babies, but when I look back, I am so thankful that God was my portion through it all…just enough to make it through some days and blessings above what I deserved on others. 

You’re gonna make it through this, sister, into a beautiful inheritance with God by your side. “I know I’m filled to be emptied again…this seed I’ve received, I will sow.”

Stop Acting like the World

(disclaimer: a little harsh 🤷🏼‍♀️, but if I needed it others also might)

1 Corinthians 13:5 (love) does not act unbecomingly, it does not seek its own, it is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered

😔 I can sadly raise my hand and say I do all these “does nots”. Because I allow myself to be provoked I sometimes act unbecomingly, seek my own and unfortunately will probably replay the encounter over and over in my head when I lay down to go to sleep. Anyone else?? Just me?😳

Thanks to our fearless leader Daisy I love verse mapping, and as I was mapping through the love verses this one wrecked me. I started this particular mapping quest because I want to have good soil for the fruit of the Spirit and love seems to be the basis for all the fruit.

This verse is straightforward. There is no hidden meaning. Quit listening to and acting like the world, Tracy. BE DIFFERENT. Get back to the Philippians 4:8 filter, lean hard into James 1:19, stop acting like the darkness. Jesus doesn’t say blend in He says DENY myself, pick up my cross and follow Him. (paraphrase Matthew 16:24).

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

That’s my prayer. Lord, help me today to walk by the Spirit, to not be provoked, to put others first, to check my attitude and for my desire to be to follow Your perfect example.

If any of you have these same struggles or any struggles take heart. 2 Corinthians 2:9-12 tells us that His grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in these struggles. When we are weak He is our strength.

Keep. Pressing. In.

When my beautiful friend messaged me about writing this month- she had no clue (I’m pretty sure) that the date was for what would have been my sweet mommas birthday. I was like wow – couldn’t have asked for a better time to be able to share with others like Momma did.

I began to pray and seek God for His message, and well, nothing was coming through. No confirmation, No billboard signs, nothin lol. Until – in true God fashion, just days before. He brought forth a song that I heard literally several times a day, everyday, during my Mom’s last days and hours with us. And to be honest, I couldn’t tell you the last time I heard it, until well NOW.

“The Hurt and The Healer” by Mercy Me (mannn you need to pull it up by the way).

“….when the hurt and the Healer collide”.

Guys, we are literally surrounded by suffering. Wounded, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually- life altering hurts, grieving loss, BROKEN… just. So. Much. And although the enemy loves to hijack our thoughts, and tries to drown out hope- we have a true LIVING HEALER, and the victory is already His!

He does not leave us to be broken and beat down- EVER.

“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 – I love love when God shows me His cool ways through some scripture chasing …

“He heals” – healing : the PROCESS (a series of ACTIONS or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end!) of making or becoming sound or healthy AGAIN- (once more ♥️)

“…. Binds up their wounds “

Binds: to wrap, bandage, tighten

Wounds : an injury to living tissue, caused by a cut, BLOW, or other IMPACT….. broken.

Wow …. Think about the wounds you have sustained over time, or that you are in the middle of right now. The brokenness, sickness, heartache. Whatever it is, God’s Word tells us “He Heals”. It doesn’t say it’s fast, or without hurt, or a magic potion, or even the same “process” for everyone. But, it does say He Heals. Funny how God created our physical bodies to heal through a very similar process.

Check out the process Our Creator in all His magnificent glory created our body (made in His image) to achieve healing –

* stop the bleed

* Inflammation (gonna be a little swollen and banged up friends)

* GROWTH & REBUILDING

* STRENGTHENING (can I get a hallelujah!)

“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, & steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10

You see my friend, Healing is to come. It may not look like we expect, or when we want, and the process may be refining through the fire – but His healing is like no other. It comes with peace, and hope, and unconditional- unfailing love, from the one and only Perfect GOD.

“….. It’s the moment when humanity is overcome by majesty. When grace is ushered in for good and all our scars are understood. When mercy takes its rightful place, and all the questions fade away. When out of weakness we must bow – and hear you say it’s over now-

I’m alive . Even though a part of me has died. You take my heart and breathe it back to life, I’ll fall into your arms open wide — when the hurt and the Healer collide.” (Mercy Me)

Rather your hurt is physical, emotional, seasonal, daily, or moment to moment- trust the “process”- TRUST His process. This to shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone 🥴, but…. It will pass. Because HE does not and will not fail you – or break His Word – ever.

I love those little detours I can take while studying God’s Word.  When I find myself back on the main highway, I often have this visual in my mind or a newfound, deeper understanding of a verse or portion of scripture. My recent travels began in Psalm 107:9 ESV “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” 

Can anyone relate to my tendency to often make poor choices when hungry?  It’s like my brain is no longer engaged, hunger has taken the wheel.  When starving , I can easily compromise my attempts to eat healthy.  Many times it’s easier to grab something of convenience rather than food of real substance. Or what about hunger that is hard to satisfy? No matter what I eat, nothing seems to hit the spot. It’s a never ending search for the satisfaction a perfect meal brings. 

As I began digging into some of the words in this verse, I learned the Hebrew word “longing” means to run or rush about. One source compared it to a beast of prey on the hunt, greedily seeking something to fill the appetite. “Hunger” means to suffer or be famished to the point of  failing strength. Here’s the answer to why we make questionable choices when we’re in this state!

Food provides our body’s need for energy and supports its many functions. Hunger triggers our appetites which send us on the search for food.  Like us, animals search for food in order to satisfy their appetites. When conditions in their natural habitats make food hard to come by, an animal’s hunger will drive it to places and situations that typically by instinct they avoid.  The greater the hunger, the greater the risks are taken and oftentimes, they themselves become prey. 

Merging back on the main highway…

The historical background and context of Psalm 107:9 point to a time when the Israelites were exiled to Baylon due to their idolatry and disobedience. The people tried to find fulfillment in other gods or plainly, they just wanted to do things their way. During this period, the Israelites experienced captivity, displacement, and longing for their homeland. They were “hungry” because they were separated from their true source of satisfaction. This verse is part of a longer psalm that celebrates God’s faithfulness in delivering His people and satisfying them in their time of need. 

We too find ourselves spiritually longing and hungry for something greater, something beyond our earthly existence. We were made to have a relationship with our Creator, the longing and hunger is our souls seeking that connection. To hunger for God is at the core of our being. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, “He has planted eternity in the human heart.”

We can’t ignore this emptiness just like we can’t ignore a growling stomach. If I’m hungry, as much as I like getting a pedicure or buying new clothes, those things will not satisfy my need for food. I can easily get into the habit of just grabbing spiritual snacks like a short prayer, a quick glance at a devotion, etc . when God is calling me to sit and dine with Him. In Him is where I will find that full, satisfying meal. 

What I heard the loudest from The Lord in my time of study is this: many times I may not know I am spiritually hungry. I’ll feel discontentment slide into my space and all of a sudden I’m not liking so many things in my life. The search begins for new “stuff” I think will help me feel more satisfied. And let me not get started on what the emptiness social media can bring to my heart. 

These longings and desires come out of my human nature.  If I’m willing, these longings can serve as an invitation from My Father. An invitation to draw near to Him and find that He satisfies my longing soul and fills my hungry soul with good things. 

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I never truly understood what true friends were until this past year. I had always had friends that I could sit next to at a football game or eat lunch with, but I always walked away feeling that the closest friends I had were my siblings. While nothing is wrong with that, it helps to have best friends who don’t have to like you because of a blood connection. Anyways, this past year at college, I saw God answer prayers I had grown tired of praying.

At my college, we have to go to chapel three times a week and during this time, we worship and listen to a message. One of the songs that we sang a few times was a modern rendition of the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” As stated above, I never really had deep friendships up from K-12 grade so I would normally sing this song and move on unaffected by it. 

However, there is something so powerful about singing “what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer” while standing in the middle of ones He’s answered.

The first day I got to Grace College, I met the people who would become my second family. I quite literally was able to stand in the middle of a group of people that didn’t know they were answered prayers. The sheer amount of times I sat in utter shock that God truly provided me with exactly what I needed is more than I can count. 

I say all of this only to ask how many times do we go to God in prayer knowing He can fix/answer it but not necessarily believing He will? 

I always knew that God could answer any prayer I had, but if I’m being truthful, I did not always believe He would. 

A head full of “God-knowledge” and a faithful heart are two entirely different things. It took me until this past year to understand that.

Philippians 4:6 says that, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I love this verse because it does not have any exceptions to what to pray for/about. It simply says to pray. 

I write all of this to encourage you to believe God can and will answer prayers as He seems fit. I always knew God could bring me the friends I needed/need, but I had quietly given up on the belief that He would. He obviously proved me wrong and caused me to reset my prayer life to not only be full of the knowledge that He is able, but also with the belief that He will. 

If God can split seas and cause the rain to cease with two words, He can definitely listen to and answer prayers, so lift them up to Him. He listens and draws us closer through our prayers so use this direct line of communication to deepen your faith in Him!