"The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm in severe testing." George Mueller

My wife and I are neck deep in such a place at this very moment. Most Christians would not dare admit such a thing for fear of looking weak. I find that to be foolish. I am not proposing that we air out every happening in our lives, but come on, faith is built in the current of everyday living it is in such a place that God often builds the faith of His children.

Oh to have Christians who continue to stand firm in the teeth of the storm knowing that the Living God is over the storm and up to something that will in His time benefit and grow them. If you find yourself in such a place don't just simply hold on with white knuckles- "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart." (Proverbs3:5a) Don't give up! We have a race to run and a course to finish- Run and finish strong in the Lord.

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro.Tracy

The covenant is made binding through the Blood of Jesus not through the duty and discipline of man’s good deeds. A transaction took place upon a violent hill. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22b). “Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). Consider the importance of “Taketh away.” He that knew know sin became sin for us. Jesus took upon Him the sin of man and thus became the substitute of the wrath of God that man rightly deserved (See Romans 5:6-8) because of his (Man’s) sin. I believe three of the greatest words ever strung together are “It is finished.” Through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God there is now and never will be any separation from God and no condemnation towards the redeemed in the heart of God. THE TRANSACTION IS COMPLETE!! Through the sacrifice of Jesus salvation is sure and there is no cause to ever consider being separated from God!!

A transaction is only made complete by the authenticity of that which is used to pay the debt! What if you went to pay off a debt and they said, "your money is no good here" and it literally wasn’t? Many have tried to pay off their sin debt with counterfeit currency.
1. The currency of good words.
2. The currency of good works.
3. The currency of good ways.

It will never work- “Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). Jesus is, "The way."
Note:
Binding-(of an obligation or promise) involving an obligation that cannot be broken. Synonyms- irrevocable, unalterable, inescapable, unbreakable.

 "Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me
Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o'er me
In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river."
Near the Cross-Fanny Crosby

This is one of my favorite hymns. This third verse especially speaks to my heart. Those who are saved have nothing to glory in- There is no boasting, there is no bragging and there is no bellowing out "Look at what I have accomplished in the saving of my soul." Grace and mercy are of and from Almighty God. What a glorious shadow the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christs casts over us.

The shadow of the cross can be a reminder of:

1, The Lamb of God- "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29 (The Provision of God)

2. The Love of God- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 (The Power of God)

3. The Long Suffering of God- "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" Isaiah 1:18 (The Patience of God) Whether it is with His rebellious people or the lost sinner God is long suffering. 

“As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time unless he eats, so is with the inner man. What is the food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God-not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe. No, we must consider what we read, ponder over it, and apply it to our hearts.” George Müller

And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.   And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and his said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. Judges 6:11-12

Never allow pedigree, position or people to discourage or dictate that which God has called you to do. The least in our eyes can be powerful in the hands of the Living God. We need to watch our words and be watchful of our thoughts when it comes to another brother and sister in Christ. We too often look at the outside and discard those who don't meet our so called criteria. Who are we to strut around as if our thoughts and opinions have any merit when it comes to God's servants and the service that He has for them?  We must be Biblical and not simply logical. Gideon would have been the subject of most of our scorn had we been alive at that time. The least would have known the ire of most of our wicked words. "Gideon?" we would have asked, "Gideon!" The Bible teaches us, Gideon indeed!

Don't let up and don't you dare give up!

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro. Tracy

Let's take time today and remember the sacrifice, the selfless acts, the bravery and the toughness of a generation that we as Americans are greatly indebted to. In the air, upon the sea and on the beaches these men were the very definition of grit and determination seventy-three years ago. We salute those who paid the ultimate price and we thank those whose service contributed to the victory that made an impact around the world for generations to come.

Again- Let’s take time to remember those who went above and beyond duty and devotion in fighting for our nation as well as the well- being and freedom of others. They were true heroes who against insurmountable odds pressed and pushed on in the Day of Days.The battle was great, but our heroes were great in the battle. May we never forget or take lightly the freedoms we enjoy today.