Blog Archives

Our Cry Is Heard!

2/26/2015

“In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.”

Psalm 120:1

What is it that you are enduring at this very moment? Has someone falsely accused you? Have you been distressed over a season of time for a loved one, a friend or a neighbor? Has a tragedy overtaken you? Does the situation that burdens your heart, wake you in the middle of the night? My dear friend, often times questions will overwhelm our minds and flood our hearts with heaviness and doubts. I have found our verse to be true time and time again. The Lord does hear our cries.

I want to encourage you to be as the Psalmist and in your time of distress, come to the Lord and cry out to Him. Don’t let situations build and build and build. Lay it all before Him. The Bible says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7.) You will find comfort, peace and security in knowing that the God of heaven hears you in your time of distress.

I am learning that it isn’t always the amount of words that we write or say, it is simply the weight of those words. We have twelve words in our verse. Take heed and apply them to your current situation. Your faith will grow as you commune with the living God, your fears and doubts will lose their grip and power they have over you. It is not that we won’t know distress, it is the wonderful promise that God is with us in the distress-knowing that God says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b.)

Come now and allow the Lord to hear your cry and bring comfort to you.

Bless His Name!

2/25/2015

I Will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever."
Psalm 145:1

Praise is the suture that knits us closer to our Lord. I pray that our fire will be kindled when it comes to praising the Lord! David is emphatic when he says, “I will extol thee.” He makes it personal as he writes, “my God.” And better yet he gives prominence to his God with the title, “O king.” David has a desire and puts legs on his desire with the purpose to praise highly and glorify continually the one true God. When we make our praise personal we remind ourselves of all the provision, protection and power that the Lord has provided time after time after time. When we remember those times our testimonies will be the basis of our praise. They will be the music and words that make up the praise that we send upward to our Lord and Saviour. We should want to bless His name always.

God's Compassion For Sinful Man

2/24/2015

And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time saying, Arise and go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord, Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. Jonah 3:1-4

Jonah is known as the reluctant evangelist. We are given a wonderful picture of God’s long suffering not only with Jonah but with the Assyrians in the great city of Nineveh. Jonah tried to run from the will of God and yes God dealt with Jonah in a powerful way (I suggest that you read this wonderful book) and in doing so displayed great mercy and grace. The Assyrians were a violent and brutal people who tortured and showed no mercy on their enemies. Yet God sent a preacher with His message to the people, “Forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”

Have you ever considered that God looked down from heaven seeing the Assyrians and all their vile, violent and ungodly practices and still sent His man to preach to them? The Bible says, “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalm 145:8). Let’s break down this wonderful Biblical truth about God.

1. God is Gracious- Speaks of His kindness.

2. God is full of Compassion- Says He is sympathetic.

3. God is slow to Anger- Shows He is long suffering.

4. God is of great Mercy- Speaks of Him not giving us what we deserve.

What effect did God’s message have on the people of Nineveh? The Bible says, “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them” (Verse5). There was conviction and with conviction came repentance (Verse 8). Verse ten is a halleluiah verse, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil ways; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” That is God’s compassion for sinful man!

The Conclusion

2/23/2015

True guidance will come from God's Word.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13

King Solomon was the wisest, wealthiest and most influential king in Israel’s history. Within the pages of Ecclesiastes the king set his heart on a journey to seek after wisdom, pleasure and accomplishment as well as hard labor. At the end of the day he declared that all of these things in and of themselves could be described as vanity or futile. With every accomplishment or experience, there was emptiness in that apart from God there is nothing in and of its self that could bring contentment, peace or any sense of fulfillment. Down through time many have looked to these things to fulfill that which only a relationship with God can satisfy. This scenario has played out over and over as man has continued as if they were trying something new to bring meaning to their life. In Ecclesiastes 1:9 Solomon writes, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be: and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

The Bible teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) and what great counsel this is. When we put God first the other things of life will be found in their proper place and we will have a godly perspective that will not lead us astray. When we fear God and keep His commandments, we will live under Gods guidance and that will be a life with true meaning. I once had a dear elderly Saint who drilled into my heart and mind again and again, "You can never go wrong, doing right." As simple as that is it holds a lot of truth and wisdom. Fearing God and keeping His commandments will keep us continually upon the right path.

A Mid Day Thought

2/23/2015

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I John 2:15-17

Three reasons not to love the world:
I. Because of the character of the world-what it is
II. Because of the corruption of the world-what it does.
III. Because of the condemnation of the world-where it's headed.

The Wrong Kind Of Sowing

2/21/2015

“These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19

I want us to focus on just one of the above things that the Lord hates, “He that soweth discord among the brethren.” The Bible says,” Hear instruction, and be wise and refuse it not” (Proverbs 8:33). Knowing the strong feelings that God has for such discord, one would think that we would be quick to follow instruction and allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our words concerning another brother or sister in Christ. Words are not like a fishing lure that we can reel back in if we don’t like where we cast it. Once they are out, there is no getting them back.

Think of such behavior as weeds among flowers. It is discontent that aims to divide and act as briars that hurt the body. If any of you have a garden or flower beds you know that weeds choke and entangle the plants that we have so carefully planted. And so it is in the body of Christ. When we think of our words as seed, the seed we plant will either be a help or a hindrance. We will either participate in that which God hates or that which He approves. We will either be an instrument of blessing in God’s hands or a vessel used of the devil.

What have you said to another as of late in your car; at the dinner table; over the phone or in the pew about another brother or sister in Christ? If they overheard you, what would they think? Better yet, we know from our Scripture what God thinks. Remember God hears all and sees all, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

The Fabric & Foundation of Our Nation

2/20/2015

" I have been driven many times to my knees by overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for that day." Abraham Lincoln

The recorded words of the men who were leaders from past days will reveal the fabric and foundation of any nation. In such a revelation the heritage of a nation will be made known. Many want to doubt and debate and are determined to revise or look past the history of our nation and its foundation and faith. Godly precepts and principles are the concrete and pavement that this nation was built upon. Trying to separate God from the heritage of this nation is like trying to take melody out of music – You can’t!

A Morning Thought

2/20/2015

“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”

Mark 15:37-38

The significance of the veil being rent should never depart from either the heart or mind of each and every believer, every single day. Just what was this veil? The veil was the covering over the entrance of the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies and this took place only on the Day of Atonement. Not just any one could come to God, but that all changed when the Lord Jesus Christ came and made a path through His death on the cross. Bible teacher, Warren Wiersbe writes, “The rending of the veil symbolized the wonderful truth that the way was now open to God. There was no need of temples, priests, altars, or sacrifices. Jesus had finished the work of salvation on the cross.”

Hebrews 4:14-16 is a powder keg of biblical truth that I hope shines a light on any questions one might have about the need of a mere human priest. I pray that it will also be a reminder and encouragement of the blessedness of the believer’s position in Christ Jesus. The Bible says, “Seeing that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Amen!!

Dear believer, how often have you traveled the path that the Lord Jesus Christ blazed thru His finished work on Calvary’s violent Hill? From such violence came victory; a victory like no other. The price was paid for the debt of sin owed by man. The way was made for regeneration and sweet reconciliation between mankind and the Heavenly Father. With reconciliation came the freedom of coming to God without there being any barrier. Have you come in boldness (In confidence)? It is time to claim that which is rightfully yours in Christ Jesus! Come boldly. The Lord Jesus Christ has made the way.

Let's Join Indian River Baptist Church In Prayer!

2/17/2015

Let's join Pastor Judson Douglass and the good folks at Indian River Baptist Church in Edgewater, FL, in prayer as they prepare for a big weekend.

Pastor Douglass shared the upcoming events- We have a big weekend coming up! Deaf ministry begins; VIP Sunday kicks off our Winter Revival which runs from Feb. 22 thru the 25th; Praying for many decisions; We are having a luncheon for any "first time" visitors that came in the month of February; We have been inviting all sorts of folks to come. We have 33 who have verbally committed to come so far! We're praying for many souls to be saved on Sunday morning.

Let's pray that God's unction is upon Dr. Bill McSpadden as he preaches the Word of God. Let's pray for Holy Spirit power in this meeting. Let's pray that God does a mighty work in the saving of many souls and speaking to the hearts of the Saints! Let's pray while believing and believe while praying!

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro. Tracy

The Only Way!

2/17/2015

We live in a time when the philosophies and traditions of a mere man or a particular cause has been widely accepted and followed over the word of the Living God. Most speak of the many ways they can be saved. Jesus says He is the only way to the Father, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 13:6.) Others sound off that there are many paths that lead to truth. Some go as far as saying God's word is outdated and does not pertain to mankind today because man has grown and become wiser over the passing of time. The Bible says,"Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever" (Psalm 119:160.) We can have complete assurance just from this one text that God's word is both true and timeless. God's truth does not change with the shifting sand of time. Our Lord doesn't change, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8.) It is not "this way" or "that way", it is the Lord's way when it pertains to truth. Thank God for that.