“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 103:1-5


To God be the Glory!

It was eleven years ago this month that I was saved at the age of thirty-six. I was working at a factory.  I, like so many others, was the chief of sinners.  Almighty God did a glorious and wondrous work in my heart and soul at my home one night through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.  I relate to the publican in the parable found in Luke 18:13, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying , God be merciful to me a sinner.” I cried out and God did not tarry, He saved me! I was born again!  I left that factory one man and returned through the door a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17.)  Glory to God forever and ever!  

My co-workers saw a new man. The Holy Spirit was doing a mighty work in me. I took in God’s Word like a famished man who had gone far too long without nourishment. My friends scattered and some asked if I had joined a cult. I was growing from the inside out and everyone was beginning to notice. The devil at times was relentless in his attacks, but Almighty God was, and still is faithful. I am grateful that the armour of God does not wear thin or wear out.  I was told; I needed to, “lighten up.” I was told, “You are taking this serious.”  I had one man tell me, “Don’t get too deep in the Scriptures.”  I plowed forward with the Word of God lighting my way and the Holy Spirit empowering and enabling me to live in victory each step of the way. Amen and Amen!! God was stirring a white hot fire that the devil and his angels couldn’t extinguish. The day came when God called me out of that factory; it was a huge step of faith.  I was still a somewhat new believer, and common sense, and many others told me I was making a mistake.  It was not easy, but I followed the Lord’s direction; To God be the Glory!

God put it on my heart to start a lawn care and small jobs business. I look back nine years later and I am still amazed at the goodness and faithfulness of Almighty God!  I desire that whoever may read this to be encouraged and strengthened by the testimony of God’s Power, Might and Grace. I have wanted nothing more than for God to be glorified and myself minimized. I have wanted nothing more than to be a tool in the hands of God Almighty so that His will would be done through me.  I have seen hot and humid days when my clothes have been drenched in sweat and covered in dirt, but God was faithful.  I have shoveled snow and worked out in the winter when the temperatures were in the teens, but God was faithful.  I have felt weary, worn and a little beaten down, but God is more than faithful!

 With all that said, it is not about cutting grass, it is about planting seed.  It is about sharing the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I remember leading a woman to Christ in a busy office building with grass on my pants and sweat upon my brow; To God be the glory!  I think of all the people who I have asked, “If you were to draw your last breathe do you have assurance that you would be going to heaven?” and then sharing the good news; To God be the glory!  I think of all the Gospel tracts that have been given out; To God be the Glory! I think of being covered in sweat after trimming a yard full of shrubs and bushes and praying with a man who had been dealing with the unimaginable pain of his son’s death; To God be the Glory!  I think of being called to preach and God opening door after door to preach His Word in His Power and Strength! To God be the Glory! I remember preaching a Sunday evening service when there were only five people in attendance and God moved powerfully; To God be the glory! Earlier this year I preached on a Sunday morning to a crowd of nearly five-hundred; To God be the Glory! I think of all the times I have gone and preached at local nursing homes; To God be the Glory!  I think of this ministry, “A Call to the World” that God has brought to pass and how He has provided all that is needed to do what He wants to do; To God be the Glory! Souls saved and lives changed! To God be the Glory!  I am a nobody who is trusting God with the totality of his life!

Dear believer, what is it that God has put on your heart? What burden has He placed in you? You certainly want to test to see if it is God’s will.  If you have the assurance that it is God’s plan and will for your life, what is it that is stopping you?  Only you can answer the question.

I was a factory worker who deserved hell.  I did not deserve God’s Grace or Mercy. I am a nobody who is trusting God with the totality of his life.  I am a child of the Most High King…To God be the Glory!

I will be preaching in three revival meetings in the month of November and I would appreciate your prayers.

Indian Prairie Baptist- November 3-6 (I will preach in two services)

Providence Baptist- November 8-10 (I will preach in two services Fri. & Sun a.m.) Home church

Berean Missionary Baptist- November 15-17 (I will preach all the services)

"Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"  Psalm 85:6

I.The Source of Revival- "Wilt thou" Is God.
II.The Subject of Revival- "Us" It is God's people.
III.The Satisfaction of Revival- "Rejoice in thee" It's the joy found in the Lord.

Thanks for praying and thanks for visiting,
Bro. Tracy

Preach the word be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. II Timothy 4:2-4


I have been blessed to preach God’s Word to a handful or a big church full.  I take the same approach to both.  I soak and saturate myself in prayer as I seek God’s face for the message.  Now- I am writing this  to encourage any Pastor or Preacher to not get discouraged by the number of people you are bringing God’s Word to on Sunday or Wednesday! I want to ask you a question, who despises the day of small things?  You should not!  We should be just as excited to preach for a few as we are for those places where the pews are filled.  We live in a country that is getting more and more liberal by the minute and that includes many churches. Dear preacher, sir, I want to encourage you to be grateful and thankful for where the Lord has you and be thankful that you have the freedom to bring Bible preaching to those who live on the back roads and to those who make their homes in the backwoods.  Many rural churches are suffering and they need the preaching of the Word of God!

As I go from church to church I can’t help but think of the old time circuit preachers as they mounted their horses and made their way from place to place bringing a Holy Ghost filled message.  My wife and I have the comfort of a Chevy Cobalt that quickly is approaching the one hundred thousand mile mark- Hey,  Praise the Lord!! Let’s preach the Word of God!  As we go out let’s give our self out completely for the glory of God and for the good of many as we preach the Word in the power of God and His might.  Revival does not have to be a thing of the past!  Preach the Word.

Dear believer, you have the best message to share with the lost. You have a soul saving message, a live altering message.  Your life is a sermon and your days are the pulpit.  What mark will you make in the world today for the cause of Christ?

You are proclaiming something to those around you.  What is it that you are saying with your attitude, actions and your words?  What is the message you are proclaiming?  Are you a secret service saint or are you a bold and loving soldier in the army of the Living God? 

“My son if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.  If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our house with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.”

Proverbs 1:10-16

The way of a winner is not found on the path of the sinners.  With their words, they will entice you and with their actions, they will ensnare you and your life will be dramatically and horribly affected.  The devil is a liar and his schemes and dirty plans are meant to bring destruction and defeat.  No good has ever come from the promises of the devil.  The devil and sin can be likened to a movie set of an old western movie.  It looks real when in reality it is a farce.  It is not what it appears to be.

I pray that if there are any young people who are reading this, you will take serious the words from our Scripture today.  Every one of us has a decision to make every morning when we wake up.  Will we follow the Word of God and His direction for our day or will we walk in the flesh and seek after our own way.  When we choose to obey and follow the commandments of the Lord, our lives will be built on bed rock and not a sand pile.  If you want to go the right way and if you want a life that is pleasing to the Lord, you will take note of three instructions that are like nuggets of gold in our passages today.

I. Consent not- The Bible says, “The wicked worketh a deceitful work” (Proverbs 11:18a).  Don’t be drawn in or fooled by their enticing words and ungodly plan. Destruction is their destiny.

II. Cast not- Don’t have any part in any plan of the wicked.  Remember, “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21:21).  There is no honor found with any plan of the wicked only heartache.

III. Walk not- We need to refrain our feet from the path of sinners-So we need to think before we take the first step.  Solomon wrote “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established” (Proverbs 4:26). When we ponder our steps we will be sure to know what path to take.

These are the three actions, that if we will put them into action, we will be sure to counter the ungodly plans of the sinners.   Be wise and follow the Lord and His directions and instructions for your life and you will know the winners way.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Be encouraged by the victory that is yours in Christ Jesus! Continue in that victory to do that which God has called you to do.

 Being:                          

I. Steadfast

II. Unmoveable

III. Abounding in the work of the Lord

My friend, listen- your labor is not in vain! Continue in the power and provision that the Lord provides in the place He has you!

I will be preaching at Calvary Baptist Church this Sunday and would appreciate your prayers.

Thanks for praying and thanks for visiting.

Bro. Tracy

Dear believer, from whatever country that you call home, will you pray for the persecuted Christians around the world. Will you lift your voice up to the God of heaven on the behalf of those who have had loved ones martyred because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?  Many have been shunned by family and friends.  Many have been driven from their homes.  Countless believers have been brutally beaten and maimed.  There are Pastors and teachers who endure hardships day and night yet they continue to stand on the Word of God.  Let’s not forget or set aside these dear believers.  O that we would get a fire in our bones to pray fervently and powerfully on their behalf!  Let’s not be lazy or lackadaisical!   Let’s be filled with the Holy Spirit and pray today!  This is, A Call to the World!

Pray For:

Protection- From the Devil and his ungodly angels.

Perseverance- To fight the good fight in the middle of such trying circumstances.

Power- To finish the race strong no matter what the world, the flesh and the Devil throws at them.

Souls Saved-  Pray that even the most violent or vile person would be gloriously and victoriously born again!

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”                                                              

Colossians 3:22-24

When our work is looked at as a way to bring glory and honor to the Lord, we will have a motivation rooted in heaven and it will change our attitude drastically.  As Christians, our fellow co-workers should see a sign of Christ working through us and one of those signs is that of a job well done.   Before I was saved, I must admit, my work ethic was nowhere near what it should have been.   It pains me to say that, yet as God began changing me I believe those who I worked with also noticed the change in my work ethic.

Just as it takes the right key to unlock a door, I believe we have the key to motivate us for whatever the task at hand might be.   I want us to consider the “how” and the “who” of our work.  Verse twenty-three teaches us no matter how small or how insignificant, or even how large the task might be, we are to do it heartily and we are to do it, “As to the Lord.”   And here is the key to our attitude which will lead to our accomplishing a job well done, “For ye serve the Lord.”   God is who we serve.

When we approach a job with the thought, “I am going to please the Lord,” you will in turn please your earthly boss while bringing glory to your heavenly Father. Never underestimate what God can do through your work ethic to those who you work for or beside.  When a tough tasked is tackled with a purpose and determination people will notice. When a mundane job is approached in a fervent way those around you will pay attention.  It can bring about an open door to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”

   Proverbs 16:8

 

The world has its way of measuring ones wealth and position and God has His.  Everything has an expiration date.  There is nothing that either time or rust will not take a hold of.   Time does not take a day off and rust never sleeps.  From our short, but powerful text, give thought to these words; “Great revenues without right.”  Is it really worth being wrong with God so that you can have material and monetary gain or success?  Are not true riches having peace with God?  I Timothy 6:6-8 is wonderful in the sense that it is a simple picture of true contentment.  The Bible says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”   Little truly is better when it is God who has provided the blessing.  Christians should have a biblical view and not a worldly view when it comes to contentment.

We live in a world that exalts those who have the biggest and the best.  Society seems to admire the brash that are quick to brag about all their achievements.  As Christians, we should not subscribe to such behavior.  I have known people who have seemingly had it all yet they had nothing at all.  Please don’t misunderstand what it is that I am saying having wonderful things is not a sin as long as we haven’t acquired them in an ungodly fashion.  Seek to please the Lord, and you will be bathed in a contentment that no earthly prize could ever provide.  That is true contentment that no one can steal away.

Our prayer should echo Agur from Proverbs 30:7-9, “Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”  That is true riches indeed.