“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
 
When I was saved I knew nothing of hymns or the wonderful Christ honoring songs that had been written down through the years.  It was all a new experience for me.  There are many hymns and songs that I could mention but the words of this old song really stand out, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there’s just something about that name, Master, Saviour Jesus like the fragrance after the rain.”  Oh the name of Jesus!  What is it that comes to your mind when you say His precious name?   Do you think of the prophet Isaiah’s powerful words “And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6.)  We do know for certain that His name is the name above all names.

Imagine in your mind all of the lost souls who have called out to the Lord Jesus Christ to save them; the children who have called on His name; the teenagers who have uttered that wonderful name; all the adults who have called on His name.  Some came broken at an altar; others in their homes or in their cars or on their jobs.  Salvation can only be found on one road and that is the path that Christ blazed from Bethlehem to Calvary.  I must admit there have been times when I have heard a message preached on the theme, “Jesus Christ the Saviour” and tears of gratitude have flowed.

We need to be in the business of praising His name.  Salvation is a free gift that cost the giver a massive and mighty price.  His truly is the name above all names! “And thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21b.)

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro. Tracy

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them who walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.”
Psalm 84:11-12
 
On June 25, 1865, James Hudson Taylor at thirty-three came to the great crisis of his life.  The locale was Brighton beach on the south coast of England.  There on a quiet Sunday morning he took a step of faith in response to a simple spiritual principle he had just discovered.  He was surprised that this truth had so long eluded him.  “If we are obeying the Lord, the responsibility rests with him, not with us!”  Months of struggle were over, and the way ahead was clear.  To obey the Scriptures and trust God to be faithful to his pledged Word was not rash.  Throwing caution to the wind, Hudson Taylor formed the China Inland Mission.

Never allow the lack of faith of another lessen the fervor in your heart for trusting the Lord.  There will be times that your biggest stumbling block might very well be you and your lack of trust.  But don’t be surprised when it is another Christian.  The Bible says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8).   When we no longer choose to live solely for the purpose of pleasing man God will be able to do that which he has purposed us to do.  I believe many have stopped short of what God’s plan and will is for their life and now they live with regret that they allowed their trust in man to override their trust in God’s Word and God’s will for their life.

God is worthy of our trust!  Whatever He has called you to do simply obey Him and allow Him to provide all that is needed to do that which He has called you to do.
 

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2
 
Mankind has his or her plans, thoughts, solutions and ideas when it comes to peace in the world.  They say, “Give peace a chance”.  Each generation seems to have their own ambassadors of peace. Politicians, performers and activist present their good intentions. Some say that through philanthropy peace will be bought and certainly achieved.  Others try random acts of kindness; the thought is that the kindness that one shows to another will be as a seed planted in their heart and peace will be the end result spreading from one person to the next.  There will never be lasting peace in or through any of these plans or philosophies. 

True peace will only be known through the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).  Sin brought separation from God and in such separation there is no peace.  The Lord Jesus made the way for peace through bloody Calvary.  Try as one might they will never be satisfied by turning to a bottle, pleasure, money or any other worldly endeavor in their search for peace.  Sin will never bring peace. Never!

Showing kindness to others and giving to those in need are wonderful things to do when one wants to be a help to those around them or in distant places, but real peace will only be a reality when one is born again. That is true peace and life at its best.

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro. Tracy

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.”
 Ephesians 6:10-13
 
The devil is very real and still is actively at work today.  He and the fallen angels are not to be laughed about or taken lightly.  Too many act as if the devil is some silly cartoon character running around in a red suit wielding a pitchfork.  Nothing can be further from the truth as we learned yesterday.
Paul gives us wise counsel in this sixth chapter as it pertains to the battle we are in.  My Grandfather Killinger was a navy man during World War II.  He was a gunner on a LST. This ship brought precious supplies to the beach head.  My Grandfather and his fellow sailors fought not in a skirmish but in bloody battles.  They went into battle with a plan and with the proper equipment.  Paul gives us insight for the spiritual battle that each Christian is sure to endure.  I want us to dig in and be prepared!
 
1. Be strong- We are to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  My strength will not do nor will your strength in this spiritual battle.  We are not in a fight with mere humans, “But against  principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Verse 12).  That is Bible truth.  You wouldn’t fight a lion with a stick and so it is with the devil. There is no power like Gods power.
 2. Put on- It is not our equipment that we use in this battle but it is Gods armour.  Verses thirteen through seventeen teaches us about Gods armour.  Paul uses the Roman soldier’s equipment of his day to describe our God provided armour.
A. Your loins girt about with truth (A Belt)-Gods truth is a line of defense that holds our armour together.   It is not an ornament to be admired but an important part of our defense.

B. The breastplate of righteousness-The righteousness of Christ in us fortifies us against the devils attacks. The lives we lead will either make it easy or difficult on the devil and his angels.

C. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace- Firm footing is a must against the wiles of the devil.  Our footing will be sure with the peace we have with God in Christ Jesus.  Knowing the peace we have with God will prepare us for the onslaught brought by the devils lies. (See Romans 5:1)

D. The shield of faith- As we trust in Gods promises from His word, the shield will thwart the fiery darts of the wicked.

E. The helmet of salvation- The devil wants to control our mind.  We allow God to control our minds when we allow His word to take root in our minds (Philippians 4:8-9).

F. The sword of the Spirit- Gods word is a two-edged sword that is never dull.  It is always sharp! Unfortunately we become dull if we are not in God’s word. Don’t argue with the devil, simply draw Gods word from your sheath and stand in the power of His might.

Lets not be surprised! Let's be Prayerful and Prepared in 2017!