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March 31, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationAttention Children of God!
Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. Luke 21:28 AMP
It was October of 1980,
when I applied for a job at the new Kmart that was to open in my hometown. After I met the lady in charge of interviewing,
I apologized that I was in my boots and jeans and not in dress clothes. I went on to tell her that I was on my way to Lubbock with
my parents. My Dad was taking a deer to the taxidermist.
I was thrilled when I received a phone call from this same lady telling me I got the job. She told me what
impressed her most about me was the fact that I was an authentic person, showing up for an interview in my boots and jeans.
I was then sent to Abilene, Texas where I trained for a week. One of
the first things I learned was how to use the PA (Public Address) system.
I returned back home to Snyder, Texas, anxiously awaiting Kmart’s
grand opening in early November. I was ready for my first of many blue light specials.
“Attention Kmart Shoppers! If you’ll
look up and look around, you’ll see that famous flashing blue light over in our Fashion Accessories Department. For
the next five minutes and five minutes only, we have all of our ladies leather handbags marked down 25%. You heard right shoppers,
25% off our complete line of ladies leather handbags. Be sure and have the sales lady mark them down for you. These great
savings are located under that flashing blue light. Have a wonderful day and as always, we thank you for shopping our Snyder
Kmart.”
Ladies from all over the store, looked up immediately to find that famous flashing blue light. Once their
eyes located it, they took off running for that special savings.
It was so much fun to see folks so excited. After I grew up, I quickly understood all that
excitement and just how important it is to save 25% off of anything.
As I read this passage of scripture from Luke, I immediately thought of the troubled times
that we’re living in. Folks are losing jobs. Money is scarce. Times are tough. Fear seems to be spreading all over our
nation.
As Christians, we need
to be like those Kmart shoppers. Lift up your head and look up until you see the light of the world, Jesus Christ.
Friend, he’s in the saving business. He’s your redeemer
and your deliverer. Run to the most famous light of all, today!
Attention Everyone! If you’ll look up and look around you’ll see the light of Jesus
shining down for all to see. He’s offering deliverance, hope and peace for these troubled times. Have a wonderful day
and as always friend, keep your head up high and your eyes fixed on Jesus!
Dear Lord, Thank you for giving me my greatest savings
when I knelt at the foot of the cross. Help me to always look up to you, my redeemer and Lord. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and May the good Lord take
a liken to you.
10:16 am
March 30, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationFill Me Up Lord!
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith]
that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. Romans 15:13 AMP
When I was a little girl, my Uncle managed a Fillin’ Station (Service or Gas Station for those younger).
I remember wanting to work there so bad. One summer, when I was a teenager, my dream of working at a Fillin' Station finally
came true.
My parents and
I had a friend named Sandy. Her husband worked for my dad, but her dad just happened to own a Fillin’ Station.
Suddenly, without any notice, the station was dropped into their laps, which left Sandy in charge of running it.
Knowing they were in a bind, they came by
and asked if I would be willing to help out. They only needed my help for one day. However, that one-day
of pumping gas was an experience that has lasted a lifetime.
When I got to work on that Friday morning, Sandy gave me a quick
lesson on Fillin' Station duties. During the day, we washed and cleaned cars and trucks. But when the bell rang,
my heart jumped for joy, knowing a customer needed gas in their tank.
“Hello, how can I help you?” I'd
quickly spurt out.
“I
need some gas. Filler up with regular, please.” The customer responded.
Sometimes, the customer would say, “Filler up with ethyl.”
(Unleaded for all the young folks).
Some customers only wanted $5.00 or
$10.00 worth of gas. Most customers, however, wanted me to filler up to the top of the tank.
As a child of God, we have the privilege to call on Jesus everyday to be filled with His presence. The
Holy Spirit can fill us with love, joy, faith, hope and peace until we’re overflowing or bubbling over as this
scripture in Romans 15 states.
Friend,
God’s Fillin’ Station is open 24/7. If your life is feeling empty, He can fill your heart with
love, joy, faith, hope, and peace. His supply tank never runs dry.
Dear Lord, Thank you for making a teenager’s dream come true. Working at that Fillin’ Station
was a blast. Okay Lord, it's me again, filler' up please with your sweet presence everyday. Amen
Until Next time,
Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a liken to you.
8:13 am
March 27, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationThe Lord Gives and He Takes
Away
And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21 KJV
I remember when my Great-Grandma, Callie Marie Lockaby Bell Morris
Johnson passed away. Although she had a long name, she was Grandma Johnson to me. My dad was the only grandchild that got
away with calling her Granny.
When she passed away, my Grandma Lois, her daughter took it really
hard. She grieved the loss of her mother. Shortly after Grandma Johnson’s death, a new baby was born, giving my Grandma
Lois her youngest granddaughter.
At Christmas that year, I still remember Grandma Lois standing
up and sharing how God had been with her during the loss of her mother. She said, although God took her mother home, He
had also blessed her with a new grandbaby. She went on to say how the Lord gives and He takes away.
On March 21st of 1998, my Grandma
Lois went home to be with the Lord. Several family members stayed after the funeral to help Grandpa get things in order. During
this time, God gave us a precious gift.
Exactly six days after Grandma went to be with Lord,
a new baby was added to our family. My great-niece, Alexis Love Ballard was born on March 27th, 1998.
As I stood looking through the hospital nursery window, I remembered Grandma's words, the Lord
gives and He takes away.
Like
Job in this passage of scripture, many folks have experienced some sort of loss in their life. It may be
the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship or even the loss of a job. Losses of any kind usually
hurt.
As a child of the almighty God,
it’s wonderful to know that He knows the perfect time to give and take away. Yes, my friend losses
may hurt, but rest assure that God is waiting for the perfect moment to bring something new into your life.
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the legacy of two Godly grandmothers and thank you Lord for Alexis Love. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a liken to you.
7:43 am
March 26, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationDo You Need an Eye Exam?
Every
way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts. Proverbs 21:2 AMP
My mom took me to the
eye doctor when I seven years old. I was told I needed eyeglasses. Mom told me that she too, started
wearing glasses when she was seven years old. In fact, she said she used the same eye doctor.
I looked up and asked, “Momma, was he seven years
old too?”
Mom laughed and then gained her composure to help
me pick out a pair of glasses.
Since most little girls want to be just like their mom, I chose
glasses similar to hers. Yes, I must admit it; my first pair of glasses was what we refer to today as cat eyeglasses.
For forty years now, I've had glasses to help
with my vision. I use to try to see without them. But my head would start hurting from the strain and everything appeared
to be fuzzy and blurred.
Like most folks, there have been times in my life when I thought
the things I was doing was right in my own eyes. The Lord quickly let me know that my life as I saw it was not a clear picture.
Pride, stubbornness and sometimes sin caused my vision to be fuzzy and blurred.
I learned that God looks at my heart
and my motives. When I seek His guidance and will for my life, my vision is clear. But, if I take my eyes off of Him,
my vision becomes blurred causing me to stumble and fall. Ask this question. When God looks at me, does He see the same picture
that I see?
Remember, He looks at our hearts. If your vision is blurred, He can make it clear.
Just ask Him and He’ll give you the best eye exam you’ve ever had. He can remove the cataracts of sin in your
life and give you 20/20 vision.
Friend, keep your eyes on Jesus!
Dear
Lord, Keep my vision clear, my heart pure and help me to always keep my eyes on you. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and May the good Lord take
a liken to you.
11:52 am
March 25, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationI Believe
That if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 KJV
I took my autistic great-niece Hailie to therapy today. I usually have a gospel
cd playing. Hailie’s favorite music cd is of her cousin, Kallee. She is also my great-niece and has
been given a beautiful voice that she uses for her Lord and Savior.
Hailie knows parts of Kallee's songs and
will sometimes sing along. Today however was quite different and comical.
Some autistic children can hear a song
or watch a movie and repeat it or act it out immediately. Hailie is very repetitious.
As we were driving
back home from therapy, Kallee sang the song, “High and Mighty.” One part of the song says,
“I believe, I do believe that the Son has set me free.” It’s then followed with
background singers singing, “I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe.” I think
the phrase is repeated four times.
Hailie, sitting in
the back seat, all of a sudden starts singing in a real high pitch, “I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe,
I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe.”
She
repeated it over and over.
After the song ended, I played it again. Hailie did the same thing. “I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe,
I believe, I believe, I believe.”
I laughed as Hailie sang.
The more she sang, the more I laughed.
It suddenly dawned on me that Hailie was only doing what all Christians
should do and that is shout it from the rooftops, “I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe.”
As a child of God, we should let others know that we believe in Jesus.
Like Hailie, I believe in Jesus. I believe that when I’m sick, Jesus is my healer. I believe
that when I’m in need of something, God is my provider. “I believe, I believe, I believe,
I believe.”
Friend, if you believe in Jesus, sing it out like Hailie. Are
you ready? “I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe.”
Dear Lord, “I believe,
I believe, I believe, I believe in you!”Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a liken to you.
7:11 am
March 24, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationSing Unto the Lord
O COME, let us sing unto
the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 KJV
I love to sing!
No, I’m not the best singer in the world, nor do I consider myself the worst.
The church I attended as
a child had a choir. My parents and grandma were all choir members.
There was one lady in the choir that
I’ll never forget. Her voice always stood out. I mean way out, like way out of tune, out of pitch and out of key.
I, along with all the other kids would giggle under our breath, knowing that if our parents caught us, we’d
be in a heap of trouble.
I could never figure out
why the choir leader allowed her to sing. This passage of scripture gave me insight. I soon realized that this
woman sang unto to the Lord from the depths of her soul and with all her being simply because she loved Him.
God
heard a different voice coming from this dear lady. He heard a joyful noise sang unto Him, offering up praise and glory for
being her Lord and Savior.
Friend, it doesn’t matter if you can carry a tune in a bucket or not. If
you love the Lord and want to sing, give it everything you’ve got and let the praises began.
Sing unto the
Lord for all the great things He has done. Sing unto the Lord, because He is worthy of our praise.
The next time you hear a voice that stands out in your
church choir, remember to smile. The angels in Heaven are singing along with that dear precious saint.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving us a voice to sing praises unto you. You are worthy Lord to be praised. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and May the good Lord take a liken to you.
2:04 pm
March 23, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationDaddy’s Wisdom and Good Ol’ Common
Sense
The glory of young men
is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head [suggesting wisdom and experience]. Proverbs 20:29 AMP
Dad taught me a lot of things as a child. For
example, how to fish and mow the yard, plus numerous other things. I owe dad so much, but the thing I’m
most grateful for, is all the wise advice he gave me as I was growing up.
I can remember on several different occasions when dad gave me some of the best advice that I’ve
ever heard. In fact, I use it often when making decisions.
I had the opportunity to move to a different state, when I was twenty-one years old. Dad never
told me not to make the move. I knew he would support me with whatever decision I made.
Dad knew I was struggling with my decision; so he gave me these words of wisdom.
“If in doubt, DON'T!”
I cannot
tell you how many times in my life that I’ve used that advice. It stopped me from making that move.
It has also stopped me on many occasions from making the wrong decisions.
If your dad has given you good sound advice throughout your life, you are truly blessed.
As
a child of God, your Heavenly Father is always there. He offers advice and guidance through His word.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out
of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 KJV
Friend, if you're needing advice or words of wisdom, remember God is always there.
Dear Lord, Thank you for giving me such a wonderful dad that
is full of such wisdom. Lord, I thank you too, for always having the right words I need. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you.
9:29 am
March 13, 2009
Spring BreakHowdy Friends,
Just wanted to let
you know that I'll be taking some time off starting, today, Friday, March 13th through
March 20th.
My niece, Xandy and her family comes down every year and we go to the Lake to go camping
for Spring Break. It's a family tradition and a wonderful time to be with my parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces,
nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends.
It's also a great time to rest and relax!
The Lord rested on
the seventh day. This will be my time to rest.
My Daily devotions, "A Cup Of Cowgirl Inspiration"
will resume on March 23rd.
Have a great Spring Break with your family and Friends!
Until next time,
Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you!
Tracy (Bobo)
4:11 pm
March 12, 2009
Worry Looks Around!
Sorry Looks Back!
Faith
looks Up!
11:01 am
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationPray For America
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm
33:12 KJV
Our nation and its leaders need our
prayers more than ever. The news media paints such an alarming picture of our nation’s economy
and everything else that we as citizens have worked so hard to obtain.
Our nation was founded on Godly principles and folks
it’s time to return to those principles and values.
I wrote this poem after 9/11.
A PRAYER
FOR AMERICA
To a child, the word America means the place where we live.
To an adult, it means that we can both freely receive and give,
of our Nation’s goodness and abundance
for which
God has so graciously blessed.
Even though there are times, we surely are put to the test,
on our principles and values for which America first began.
In a place where
we are given freedom and justice for every boy, girl,
woman and man.
“One
Nation Under God” let all Americans make this our goal.
And let us sing out “God Bless America”
from the depths of our soul.
Psalm 33:12 declares,
“Blessed is the nation whose
God is the Lord.”
So let us return to God and once
again be the example to this world.
Let our prayer be simply this,
“Dear God, continue to bless America over and over again,
and may America be the leading nation
to make all other
nations our friends.”
Copyright 2001 Tracy Banks
Dear Lord, Please help our nation and our leaders get back to Godly
principles and values. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken
to you.
10:51 am
March 11, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationLet It
Rain
Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth
the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. Psalm 147:7-8 KJV
The whole state of Texas needs rain. The weatherman has been forecasting that
it was coming. This morning, it finally arrived, with more in the forecast for the next several days.
It’s almost springtime, and some of
the trees and flowers are already budding out. God always sends the needed rain to make our flowers, grass, trees and crops grow.
I’m reminded of a song that I heard when I was a teenager about the little flowers. It went something like this.
“Lord, please help me learn the secret, that
even the little flowers know. If it never ever rained, then we’d never ever grow.”
As Christians, we often have storms in our lives
that usually come in the form of trials.
I believe we’re just like the little flowers. We get tossed to and fro from the
winds and storms of life, but God uses the rain to help us grow.
Friend, if you need rain for your yard or your crops, remember you can always
count on God to supply it.
On the other hand, you may be going through a raging storm
in your life. Hang in there! God will open the floodgates of Heaven and send the rain.
When the storms and rain are over, you’ll be thankful that you also know
the secret of the flowers. "If it never ever rains, then, you’d never ever
grow."
Dear
Lord, I know if it never ever rained in my life, then, I’d never ever grow. So let it rain, and bring me closer to you
through the storm. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you.
7:14 am
March 10, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationJesus is the Light
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light
of life.” John 8:12 NIV
In
early 2001, after teaching her granddaughters, April and Xandy the art of candle making, my mom, Betty decided the time had
come to share her candles with others. On the way home from a family get together, her first line of candles,
Sunday's Best was born. Mom’s goal for Texas Candles, USA was
to spread God's Word. The Sunday's Best candle line was a way to spread the light of Jesus for all to see.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
KJV
The scripture found in John 8:12 was on every candle label that was made and sold through mom’s company.
Each candle had a wonderful fragrance. They were great for bringing
forth a glowing light, especially on a stormy night.
Candles
are great, however, they’ll eventually burn out when the wick and wax is gone.
As a Christian, you can rely on having the light of Jesus to guide you through
every moment in your life. He is the ultimate source of light. He offers eternal light and life freely to those walking in
darkness.
Friend,
share the light of Jesus with others and watch the darkness disappear.
Dear Lord, You’re my eternal light and life.
Help me to bring your light to anyone who may be walking in darkness. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take
a liken to you.
March 9, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationRespecting Your Parents
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this
is right. Honour your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou
mayest live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:1-3 KJV
I
was blessed with wonderful parents. I was also blessed with parents that believed in disciplining their
children.
Trust me, my parents took this verse found
in Proverbs seriously.
He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he
who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early. Proverbs 13:24 AMP
When mom told my sisters
or me to do something, we didn’t have to be told more than once. If a second time became necessary,
it was discipline time. Mom was tough enough, so we sure didn’t want discipline coming from dad. OUCH!
As a teenager, I remember talking disrespectfully to my grandmother, on one occasion. When
mom and I got to the car to go home, I was met with a powerful hand of discipline. Some things we tend to learn rather quickly. I
never talked disrespectful to my grandmother again.
As a child growing
up in church, I learned the memory verse that said to obey my parents. Most of the time I did.
As
an adult, I can look back and see why mom and dad disciplined me. It was to teach me right from wrong and
most of all to bring me up in a manner that was pleasing to God.
Mom and dad are getting up in their years. I may not always agree with them on everything,
but I'll always show them love and respect. Not just because their my parents, but because God’s word
never changes. He said to honour our parents and that means forever.
Friend, when you love and respect your parents, you are also showing your Heavenly
Father that you love and respect Him.
Tell your parents how much
you love them, today!
Dear Lord, Thank you for mom and dad’s discipline and most
of all for them bringing me up in a home filled with your love. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you.
9:50 am
March 6, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationGrandma’s Prayers
I have been
reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded,
now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 NIV
My Grandma’s name was Lois. Her faith in God
was such an inspiration to all those who knew her. But more than that, Grandma Lois was a prayer warrior and intercessor.
When Grandma prayed, things happened. People were healed, delivered and saved.
She wasn’t
always able to go to church, due to kidney problems that she encountered at an early age. But, if Grandma was able, she was
sitting in the church pew. She was the leader of the ladies group at church for many years.
People knew if they needed prayer, they could go to Sis. Banks. Her family was no exception.
We always knew that she was praying for each and everyone of us.
Grandma didn’t just pray a prayer like, “God save or take care of my family.”
She called
us each by name and prayed for God to meet whatever specific need we had in our lives. Grandma’s prayers and her faith
that God would answer them is the reason so many of her family members are living for Jesus today.
I gave the eulogy at Grandma’s funeral in 1998. Although, it was
hard, I stood tall and proud telling about Grandma and her faith.
The Bible tells us that the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. Grandma’s prayers
were powerful and effective. I know, because, I’m living proof of them.
Friend, where would you be today without the prayers of a loving grandmother, mother, dad, sister, brother,
aunt, uncle, cousin or friend?
Isn’t it wonderful
that God loves you so much that He places intercessors and prayer warriors in your life?
Let me encourage you today, to use your faith in God and pray for the needs of others. It may be your prayer
that makes the difference in a person’s life.
Dear Lord, Thank you for Grandma Lois and for all her many prayers.
Amen
Until Next
time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you.
11:08 am
March 5, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationCasting your Cares on Jesus
Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7 KJV
There are many different words that could be used in place of
casting. For example: fling, heave, hurl, launch, pitch, sling, throw or toss.
It was at church youth camp, when I was a kid, that
I learned the lesson of casting my cares upon the Lord. I’ll always remember
that night.
The stars were glistening overhead
in the vast West Texas sky, while a large group of young people gathered around a huge bonfire. The preacher told us all to
pick up a stick.
He explained how we as Christians try to carry baggage around that gets in the way of
us leading a victorious life. Anything that stood between God and us was considered baggage, like sin or a problem of any kind.
He went on to say how much Jesus loved each of us and that He
would gladly take our excess baggage. All we had to do was give it or cast it to Him.
One young person at a time walked up to the bonfire and
told what their stick represented. Some spoke of sin, while others expressed a desire to know Jesus more.
Total commitments to living a life for Christ were made as the sticks were thrown or cast into the fire. We
watched each stick burn up and disappear.
Although, I was only about 12 years old, I understood.
If I had faith to cast my cares or baggage on the Lord, He would take them from me and make them disappear forever.
Friend, are you carrying a load of excess baggage? It
might be sin, guilt, a problem or maybe something that you just need to let go of that stands between you and God.
All you have to do is cast your cares upon Him. Throw it,
fling it, pitch it or toss it. Just give it to Jesus!
Once you do, He'll make them disappear from your life, just like those sticks in the bonfire.
The enemy will
try his best to get you to try and retrieve it. Don’t fall for his lies and tricks. Listen to the devil
and you'll get burnt. Leave them with Jesus and you'll be free from them forever.
Jesus truly cares for you, my friend! So, get ready, and start casting your cares
on Him today.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for allowing me to cast my every care upon you. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken
to you.
10:15 am
March 4, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationIncrease Your Faith
by God’s Word
So then faith cometh
by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 KJV
Increasing your faith is one sure way to stay afloat when your boat
feels like it’s sinking. Paul tells us in Romans that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Although reading God’s word seems
like a simple solution, making it a main part of one’s life doesn’t always come easy.
Excuses! Excuses!
Have you ever wondered what God might
think about all of our excuses?
But, you just don’t understand, there’s
barely enough time to get the kids up and get to work. Then, by evening, supper has to be prepared and
exhaustion sets in.
We always find time for television, radio, mp3 players, football games,
movies, shopping and going out to eat. Yet, some folks find it difficult to make the time to read God’s
word on a daily basis.
Friend, reading God’s word will increase your faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and
the evidence of things not yet seen. Faith will encourage you when life’s problems surface.
Don’t be weighed down with everyday struggles
and situations. Choose to increase your faith today by reading God’s word. You’ll soon realize
that with God all things are possible and that you are more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, I need my faith increased. Help me to spend more
time in your word. Amen
Until
Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you.
1:45 pm
March 3, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationEverybody’s Got One
– A Testimony
....forgetting those things which are behind
and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
As Pastor Jason said in Sunday's service, "Everybody's Got One - A Testimony."
Here’s a short version of mine.
I was born and raised in the West Texas town of
Snyder.
I was dedicated to the Lord by my parents when I was a baby. I accepted the Lord as my Savior in 1967,
when I was six years old. I still remember it so clearly. I was kneeling at the front pew on the right side of the First Assembly
of God Church. My aunt, who is about 5 years older than I am, was praying with me at the time. I asked Jesus to come into
my heart and Praise God, He did!
I felt a special calling on my life when I was 17 years old. I preached my first
sermon in 1979.
After moving to East Texas in 1981, I became the Youth Leader of the church I attended and
helped with the Praise and Worship.
I kept getting closer and closer to the Lord. For those of you who have
walked with the Lord a long time, you know the closer we get to God, the harder the old devil hits us.
Well, to
make a long story short, he hit me good and I fell for his lies. I walked away from the ministry that I knew God had called
me to and began to sink into years of depression.
I heard a saying once that said, "If God seems like He’s
a thousand miles away, Guess Who Moved?"
That's how I felt, only God never left my side. He was always there
through my ups and downs, sickness, surgeries and more.
In 1998, I started seeking the Lord once again on what
I should do with my life. The Lord spoke clearly to me. Once again, that calling was there. However, it took me ten more years,
before I finally put some actions behind my prayers.
One of my sunday school teachers taught me years ago that
you have to get on your knees and talkie, talkie talkie, but then you have to get up and walkie, walkie, walkie.
In May of 2008, I made the decision to do just that! God was waiting for me to take that first step and when I did, He was
right there!
I’m
pursuing the calling God has placed on my life and with His help I know I can accomplish what He wants me to do.
In December of 2008, I started attending the Bar None
Cowboy Church.
When
I was little girl, I dreamed of being a cowgirl. Little did I know that one-day, God would bring me to a Church where I can
not only serve and worship Him, but where I can do it the Cowboy/Cowgirl way.
I'm still a work in progress,
but then, as Christians, I guess we all are.
God's Amazing Grace and His Love keep me pressing on.
....forgetting those things which are behind
and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
I love this passage of scripture. As Christians,
our goal should be to press forward, forgetting those things from our past and to help lead others to Christ. Friend, share your testimony with others.
It may be just what they need to hear.
Dear
Lord, Thank you for your amazing grace that has brought me back to you. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you.
12:10 pm
March 2, 2009
A Cup of Cowgirl InspirationA Special Prayer For You
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you. Colossians 1:3 KJV
I can't
imagine where I'd be without the prayer of others. We should always pray for each other. Here's a
prayer just for you!
This
Special Prayer is just for you, for God's loving hand to lead your way,
no
matter what you go through,
In your darkest nights and the light of day;
for God to guide you each
step of the way.
When
doubt and fear arise, as they often do,
Just know that God is by your side,
and He loves and
cares for you!Hang in there with all your might; and remember that someone is praying for you each day and night. Copyright
2009 Tracy L. Banks
Dear Lord, Thank you for all the prayers that have gone up on my behalf and help me to always
pray for others. Amen
Until Next time, Happy Trails and may the good Lord take a liken to you.
4:59 pm
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