Daily Devotions: to Obtain an Overcoming Life: The Road to Eternal Life

By Joyce Tracy and Lanette Kinsey

To Obtain an Overcoming Life is a series of devotions on how to overcome the negative traits and behaviors in our life such as; fear, pride, temptation, finding fault, jealousy, making excuses, rebellion and self, or selfishness. These are very important and valuable as they teach us how to obtain the power to live a victorious life in Christ Jesus. It begins with self for unless we can overcome self we wont be able to overcome other negative traits, as all hinge on self. There are devotions on making right choices and how to set goals and priorities; about attitudes and faith, having a continuous praise in our heart to the Lord and how to obtain our final reward in heaven thus the
Road to Eternal Life.
As we strive for the Kingdom, we have mountains to climb and valleys to cross, were faced with hills and barriers, and each step has a new name. They are there to keep us out of Heavens territory. We must over - come and step over; failures and past failures, handicaps of every kind, peer pressure, fear, anger, and defeat.
Approximately two-thirds of Jesus teachings were in parables. A parable is an earthly story with a spiritual or heavenly meaning, teaching Christian morals, principles and values. Many of these devotions will be based on some of these parables.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449739751

Joyce Tracy

Joyce Tracy is a senior citizen living in Pensacola FL. Her children live near-by. They attend and are involved in the same church. She spends countless hours crocheting blankets, afghans and making fleece blankets, donating them to various agencies. She has received several awards, for her volunteer work and was nominated outstanding volunteer of the year, for the National Senior Corp Association. Joyce says her writing comes solely from inspiration and is spontaneous. Her poems have been published in over ten poetry volumes, of which she has received several editors’ choice awards, and chosen semi-finalist. She’s written two pro-life booklets which she also distributes. This is her fourth published book.

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Copyright © 2012 Joyce Tracy

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-3974-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-3973-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-3975-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012902341

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/12/2012

Contents

DEDICATION

FOREWORD

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

SELF

REBELLION

JEALOUSY

FEAR

TEMPTATION

PRIDE

JUDGING

EXCUSES

GRATITUDE

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

CHOICES

ATTITUDES

FAITH

THE OVERCOMER

A READER’S REVIEW

Other books by Joyce Tracy

Nectar of my Soul

Preserving our Heritage

The Garden of my Heart

Pro-life series

My Birth – book 1

The Journal of my Birth – book 2

Dedication

For my Lord and Saviour

Jesus Christ

For my daughter;

Priscilla Anne Frisch

For my son;

Gregory Aquilla King

For all who read from these pages

1John 5:4; For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1John 5:5; Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 3:5; He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 21:7; He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Foreword

Joyce Tracy has learned the true secret to obtaining and maintaining an overcoming life, and that is by involving yourself in a daily devotional. Communication is a vital component of healthy relationships, but we must never forget that it is a key element to our walk with God also. A daily dose of meditating on God’s word is better than any medication. It is like a powerful multi-vitamin (to keep you spiritually strong) and a powerful antioxidant (to purify you) along with every vital nutrient you need, all rolled into one to help you grow strong in the Lord.

Each devotional provides a nugget of truth that will bless your soul and bring you closer to God. Although each passage will only take a couple of minutes to read, do so prayerfully and you will glean wisdom that will be with you for the rest of the day and all the days to come as you obtain an overcoming life which will lead you to; ‘Life Eternal.’

Lanette Kinsey

Preface

Daily devotions are a vital part of our walk with God. They are one of the keys to our spiritual growth. Devotions are two-fold. Praying and meditating and reading and studying God’s Word. These are devotions of simplicity and very basic. Sometimes we need to go back to the basics for a fresh start and anointing.

Everyday we face negative traits in our life. When we have a consistent pattern of daily prayer and Bible reading, we’ll find that life goes much smoother and we are made richer in Spirit and have a more peaceful life in general.

There will be devotions on some very pertinent topics. Every negative trait hinges on, and has its root in self or selfishness. There will be devotions on how to turn our back on temptation, pride and jealousy, conquering our fears, anger, and rebellion. Stop making excuses, judging and complaining and the necessity of forgiveness. Obtaining a right attitude and having a spirit like King David; making the right choices, and growing in faith, praising God and showing gratitude. But most importantly, how to live an overcoming lifestyle.

As we dig into the Word of God and as we go step by step and from faith to faith; our goal is in achieving our final destination is to receive our reward, the crown of life and a home in heaven with Jesus Christ our wonderful Saviour.

Jesus taught in many parables to illustrate the meaning or points he was making. Almost two-thirds of His teachings were in parables. Many of these devotions are based on these parables. He also taught many profound paradoxes, [a statement that seems to be contradictory to bring a point home, but is actually very true].

You will notice that each subject is covered from a few days to a week. The devotions are written so that you can start with any subject. Since every negative has it roots in self my advice is that you begin with the first series of days on self.

Some days have very long scripture readings. I purposely did this because when a story in its entirety is read the meaning behind them will become more meaningful. However you can read or divide them in anyway that is most beneficial to you.

Also you will notice that I have used singular grammatical errors. I used these intentionally because I wanted the devotions to be a personal experience with each of us. I wanted to explain this so as not offend your sense of the English language.

There may be scripture references that have been covered and then mention again in other circumstances and situations. In some instances I have paraphrased. All scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (KJV).

Acknowledgements

My thanks and appreciation first and foremost goes to Jesus Christ my Lord; the love of my life. For giving me the inspiration and the words. Regardless of my unworthiness and lack of ability I felt His hand upon me, as each devotion developed.

To the following special people whose encouraging words will always be a blessing to me. You make my life richer by just knowing you. I so appreciate and thank each one of you from (an old fashion term seems to fit here), the ‘deep of my heart.’

Lanette Kinsey; for taking the time out of your extremely busy and hectic schedule of pastoral wifely duties and forfeiting your own personal needs for a little while, to accommodate me in my endeavor of this project. You are so talented in music and song, as a writer and author, teacher and speaker, and so much more. The foreword is magnificently written. You are an awesome pastor’s wife and a great example to the church. We need more to follow in your footsteps.

Pam Vaughn; for setting aside your own writing while you indulged me with mine. I know that your new book will be even better than your first, which was awesome and powerful. Don’t ever stop writing, speaking, and giving your personal testimony of God’s deliverance, restoration and healing power. It will bless and encourage many.

Janie Hoover; I am so privileged to have met you. I enjoyed our times together of shopping and lunches, our talks and discussions about the Lord, His Word, and just ordinary everyday ‘girl’ stuff. You are truly an inspiration. As you are well aware Michigan is a ‘fer’piece from Florida. I miss you!

Eddie White; for undertaking the reading of this manuscript in it infancy. Even though your wife originally agreed to it on your behalf with a promise that you would be ‘glad to read it and write a little something.’ I’m thankful she knows her man so well. Your input is an added blessing. You are a fine Christian gentleman.

Bobby Welsh; although you weren’t in your best physical condition you so graciously stepped up to the plate and accepting the challenge of reading the manuscript and to write those encouraging words. Thank you for your friendship. You are an encouragement and a blessing.

Annette Satterwhite; for the many hours you spent in proofing and re-proofing and re-proofing again. Your introduction is just what was needed to set the pace for the devotions. What a blessing you’ve been.

Rayborn Huff; for taking the time to honor me in this project. You have prayed with me and for me in some of the most trying and difficult times of my life, and have given me wise council when I needed it the most. You have been a true and valued friend through the years. I have witnessed what a truly man of God you are; at home, in the pulpit, performing and worshiping with the ‘David and the Giants’ band, or wherever you happen to be you display the same Godly Spirit. You have been a blessing and an inspiration to many.

Introduction

It could very easily be said the theme of these devotions ‘To obtain an overcoming life,’ will surely lead us to the ‘Road to Life Eternal.’ As we look at the last chapter’s text; Revelation 22:12; And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be, to be the crux of the whole matter and final reason to find God and His will for every individual, and also the very reason that God has blessed all mankind with His Holy Word to start with.

The author of these Daily Devotions –’To Obtain an Overcoming Life’ has in her wisdom and insight, seen fit to endeavor to compile just about all of the Bible’s most pertinent Scriptures along with her own personal experiences. Stories of others and heart-felt poetry to present a comprehensive and beautiful daily devotional, meant to inspire a daily time spent contemplating The Word of God and its lessons in life.

At the same time, it is a serious call to individuals to be stirred to answer God’s call for a closer walk with Him regardless of how long they have known Him. This is made easier because of the Daily Devotional’s context and its beautifully presented step by step layout.

Every emotion and aspect of the human condition that could