We all need encouragement

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I spent a little time today preparing my short devotional for the Ladies Tea on Saturday. I thought 1 Thessalonians 5 would be very encouraging to share. So I looked at verses 13-22.  What I gained from reading the Scripture is how we are to encourage other Christians:

  • Encourage them to stop arguing over silly things
  • Encourage them to be productive
  • Give courage to those with little faith
  • Encourage those whose faith is being tested
  • Encourage them to see others the way Jesus sees them
  • Encourage them to not retaliate when they have been wronged
  • Encourage them to look at all the blessings God has given them
  • Encourage them to always pray
  • Remind them that God is with them— that no matter what they are encountering, they are not alone
  • Remind them that they belong to Jesus

Although this list was supposed to be for others, I realized that this is a good list for me to remember—for example, I need to stop arguing over insignificant things, and I need to see others the way Jesus does. Sometimes I need to be reminded of these things; but most of all, I need to be encouraged to do these things.

I need to stay encouraged when my faith is being tested, I need to look at all the blessings that God has given to me, and I need to remember that I belong to Jesus. I hope you have been encouraged!

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

Watch out!

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The tornado in Oklahoma was very devastating.  The news stations kept showing the video of the tornado, describing how it lingered over a town for 45 minutes, destroying everything in its path. It seems like there have been so many natural disasters in such a short span of time—there have been tsunamis, earthquakes, major flooding, volcano eruptions, and hurricanes. This massive tornado incident in Oklahoma made me think about Mark 13:7-8, 9, 19-20, 24-25—

“…you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

When these things begin to happen, watch out!… For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days…

…At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (NLT)

Many of the things that are mentioned in these verses are already happening.  I am just wondering if these are signs we need to note, or if these natural disasters are just coincidences that do not relate to the Bible. Either way, we need to be prepared spiritually. We have no idea if something tragic will happen to us in the near future so we need to know for sure that we are a true believer/follower of Christ.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

“Little things”

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I’ve spent the last couple of days painting my living room. I’ve wanted to paint it for a few years, but I couldn’t decide what color to use. While we were at a hardware store, I saw a can of paint on the clearance rack. The paint is usually $30, but since it was a “mis-tint,” I was able to buy it for $8. I estimated that I would need two cans of paint because I would have to use two coats of paint. I am almost finished painting and I still have a little paint left from the $8 can (I never opened the other can of paint).

After painting, I read my Bible. The reading for tonight was on John 21— Jesus showed up on shore after the disciples had fished all night but caught nothing. They had no idea who He was. He told them to cast their net on the other side of the boat and when they did, they had so much fish that they could hardly bring it back to shore. I kind of feel that way about my paint—I had so much from that one can!

Is it silly for me to think that God guided my paint purchase? I don’t think so. Why couldn’t God be in the “little things” we do in life? Catching fish isn’t such an important task, yet God told the disciples where to cast their net.  When I see positive outcomes in the “little things” of my life, I realize that it’s God reminding me that He’s there—He’s still taking care of me. Second Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful” (NLT).

I love the color of my living room now— it feels warm and friendly. I want to have a home Bible study now. Perhaps that was God’s plan all along.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

Wonderfully complex

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While at the doctor’s office, I noticed internal diagrams of the human ear, nose, and throat. The images of the inner ear were the most fascinating because of the intricate details, particularly the swirled design of the cochlea and the stapes (the smallest bone in the human body).

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Then I thought about how our brain—which looks like a blob of gray tissue to me— holds all of our memories, giving us the ability to think and reason, making it possible for us to walk and talk, and allows us to feel and express emotions.

Then I thought about our heart. When everything is working right, it is like a “well-oiled machine” that allows the right amount of blood to go from one chamber to the next three chambers automatically and in rhythm, transporting oxygen throughout our body.

The design of the human body cannot be an “accident”—it had to be planned. The details, from the largest organ to the tiniest cell, are too incredible. This nine-minute video from a mathematician speaking at TED only adds to my awe of God’s design: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKyljukBE70.

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb…

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born…

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!” (Psalm 139:13, 15-16, 14)

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

The worse Mother’s Day ever

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Sunday was Mother’s Day. Instead of having a traditional meal with our children, my husband and I decided to go to a baseball game. We rushed out of the church in order to get to the ball park in time for the free tote bag giveaway (they were giving out a limited amount to women in honor of Mother’s Day). However, when we got to the ball park, we discovered that all the bags were gone. That was the start of the worse Mother’s Day ever.

Not only were the bags all gone, but the seats we had were not very good— I had an obstructed view of home plate. It was cold and windy, and the refrigerated lunch we picked up at the ball park was stale (my husband actually got sick from his food).

The day was terrible. Although I had a miserable time at the game, I realized that the problem wasn’t the ball park or the weather but that it was Mother’s Day and I was without my family. My children had lunch without us—they were like orphans on Mother’s Day.

Sometimes we do things that may initially sound like a good idea, but later we find out that what we did was actually a mistake—that was exactly what happened on Mother’s Day. The women at the game had their children with them—I was childless.

Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him” (NLT). Not until today did I realize that spending time with my children is almost like an act of worship to God—it is acknowledging that He has given me these children (and grandchildren) and in my appreciation to Him, I am enjoying my time with my family. James 1:17 reminds me, “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father” (NLT).

I felt like I had taken my children for granted this last Mother’s Day. Time is short—I need to enjoy as much time with them as possible.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

What can I do when I am discouraged?

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I’ve been very discouraged for the past few days. It has made me question many things about me and my abilities. I’ve been discouraged before, but it seems like it is worse now than it’s ever been before. I am almost discouraged from reading God’s Word, but that’s how the devil would like for me to react.

I thought about some of the ways I can combat discouragement:

  1. I need to run to God— “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10)
  2. I need to read His Word even more— “…the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled” (Romans 15:4)
  3. I need to be strong— “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you…” (Isaiah 41:10)
  4. I need to stay focused—“…after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10)
  5. I need to remember that everything that happens is part of God’s plan—“…God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28)

Even though I am still very much discouraged, I feel hopeful after reading these Scripture verses. I need to keep pressing forward despite feeling discouraged. I know deep in my heart that God will take care of me, but my present circumstances seem to cloud everything.

I know that He wants what is best for me and I know that He will not lead me in the wrong direction (“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you”—Psalm 32:8). I have to hold onto the promise in Deuteronomy 31:8, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

God, after reading these Scripture verses, I know that I just have to trust in You.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

Home

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Next Wednesday the youth girls are going to a nursing home and passing out stuffed animals to the residents.  In preparation, I went to a local thrift store to buy some stuffed animals. While there I found a CD soundtrack of “The Prince of Egypt.” I played the CD in the car and the lyrics for one of the songs, “Deliver Us,” made me think about what Christ did for me:

“Deliver us
Hear our prayer
Deliver us
From despair…

Deliver us
There’s a land you promised us
Deliver us
Out of bondage and
Deliver us to the promised land…” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WKN0XF8-3Q)

It made me realize that everyone who is a believer and a follower of Christ is delivered from bondage and they will see the “promised land” when they enter the “New Heaven” and the “New Earth” – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared… Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Rev. 21:1-4).

Sometimes I wonder if such a place will really exist. My mind and my flesh can’t really comprehend it, but when I read these words, I am reassured in my spirit that this must be a real place and that I will see it one day because God doesn’t lie.

A very wise professor said that all Christians are in the wilderness now but when Christ returns again then He will take us out of the wilderness and that’s when we will be home—our “promised land.”

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

God’s timing is perfect

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I have heard the saying “God’s timing is perfect,” but I never realized how true that was until today. My husband and I are reading the Chronological One-Year Bible and a couple of days ago we started to read through Psalms.

I am now rereading some of the Scripture verses because it seems so applicable to the situation I am encountering at the moment:

—“How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?” (Psalm 4:2).

—“My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others…” (Psalm 5:9)

—“How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” (Psalm 12:2)

—“O LORD, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help… Declare me innocent…” (Psalm 17:1-2)

—“Protect me from wicked people who attack me…” (Psalm 17:9)

I am weary and tired of this situation— every time I think it is gone it comes back again. This morning I came to realize that some people attack because they want to deflect attention from the real issue. They want to blame others for their own failures rather than acknowledging their mistakes and learning from them.

I have to remember that I am not only being attacked by this one person, but this attack comes from the devil: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we  are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

I am praying for a positive outcome.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

I went shopping the other day…

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I went shopping the other day because I heard that there was a really good sale (this particular store has this sale at least twice a month). The last time I was there I noticed an older lady talking to another woman. They were conversing for a long time and I thought they were friends, but it turned out that the older woman approaches people and starts talking about random things (she did this with two other people).

This same lady was there again and she was trying to find people to talk to. Once she found someone, it seemed like she “latched” onto them and wouldn’t stop talking. People were trying to avoid her, but she would follow them and continue talking. I don’t want to admit it, but I was trying to avoid her too.

Afterwards, I felt guilty about not wanting to talk to her. I could have talked to her about Jesus. Anything can happen to her before the next sale—she can get in a bad accident or even die. I thought about 2 Timothy 4:2, “… Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not…” I wasn’t ready—all I was thinking about was the sale. I even justified my lack of action— “She might hear the gospel and talk about something else anyway… I’d be ‘hijacked’ and I wouldn’t be able to leave—it’s best that I didn’t talk to her.” How many times do we justify things like that?

The next sale is in a couple of weeks. If I see her there, then maybe I should be the one to start the conversation. I’m curious to see what will happen.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti

I ran my first 10K today…

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I ran my first 10K today. I was very nervous about it because I am not used to running on asphalt or running on hills (I run on my treadmill).

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I was fine the first couple of miles because the course was flat, but when I hit my first incline, I struggled.  It was then that Hebrews 12:1 came to mind, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (NLT).

I thought about all the people that knew I would be in the 10K and it made me try harder to finish well. I suppose this is what accountability is all about—we know that others are watching so we need to keep going and not give up. I guess this is why there is so much talk about personal accountability in the Christian life. For example, it’s tempting to think that no one will find out about an indiscretion, but God knows and the Bible says, “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light” (Mark 4:22). I think this is a form of accountability.

We all need accountability—someone who will ask the tough questions in order to keep us on track. Even if we don’t have that one person who will act as our “accountability partner,” we need to keep in mind that God will hold us accountable—“… it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do” (Ecc 11:9).

I am thankful that God holds me accountable because it helps me to think about my actions before I do them. I think this kind of accountability will help all of us to run the race and not give up so that we can eventually finish strong.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. M. Teresa Trascritti