Tracy's Blog

I was about to do the dishes tonight when my mind was filled with the too many things that I need to pray about but don't have what it takes (time? energy? insight? faith?) to pray.  Then I heard myself start recite a portion of the Epistle from Pentecost Sunday last weekend: "The Spirit helps us in our weakness...." I immediately came over to the computer to jot this blog down and share this passage with you. Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Isn't it wonderful that the Holy Spirit came and that He is praying for us!?!  Pentecost is a day on the Church Calendar but the significance of it is felt day by day, moment by moment. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (...

12  Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13  When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14  They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:12-14 What did the disciples do in the time in-between the Ascension and Pentecost?  Acts 1:12-26 tells us.  The main emphasis of the passage is choosing someone to replace Judas.  Before they get into the specifics of that, three things are talked about ...... First : The apostles go back home.  They had just seen their Lord go away from them and had angels tell them that He will come back.  But they remember and obey what Jesus had told them earli...

Ascension Day is coming .... Thursday, May 14.  This is the day when we remember and celebrate Jesus's Ascension into heaven.  One of the accounts of the Ascension is  Acts 1:1-11 .  When I read this passage, I am struck by the disciples question:  “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”   After all that has happened and the rollercoaster ride they have been on with Jesus' death and resurrection, His followers are still wondering when Israel will be established as a nation again.  When will Rome be over-thrown?  What answer does Jesus give them? He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (vs 7-8) J esus didn't tell them.  He just said that it is not for them...

I love when I am reading the Bible and something stands out to me that I didn't notice before or a familiar passage read in another translation gives a fuller interpretation.  That's what happened to me today. If you had asked me my title question "Are you struggling?" last week.  I would have given you a sad "yes" for an answer.  Due to many things, including overtiredness, I was struggling with grief and anger last week.  Thanks be to God, this has lifted so I am no longer experiencing this.  But after what I read in the Bible today, if you asked me, "Are you struggling?", I want to answer an enthusiastic "yes!".  Why? The answer: Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God." I want to be like Epaphras.... struggling in prayer so that those I am praying for will b...