I first posted this blog in November of 2013- Time sure seems to fly by!  I pray that it will be a blessing and a challenge as we are quickly approaching the Christmas season.
Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro. Tracy

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them”

II Timothy 3:14

 I recently read, “When Benjamin Franklin wished to interest the people of Philadelphia in street lighting, he didn’t try to persuade them by talking about it; instead, he hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket before his own door.   Then he kept the glass brightly polished, and carefully and religiously lit the wick every evening at the approach of dusk.   It wasn’t long before Franklin’s neighbors began placing lights in brackets before their homes, and soon the entire city awoke to the value of street lighting and took up the matter with interest and enthusiasm.”

I want you to be encouraged to, “continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of.”  The path you continue down in Christ Jesus and His Word, which you have been taught, will be a powerful example for those around you.   As a Christian, you are being watched.   The lost watch to see how sincere you are about that which you have spoken to them about.  The saints watch to see how serious you are about Christ as not only Saviour, but as Lord of your life.   As we desire to be more Christ like and live Holy Spirit filled lives we are presenting a pattern for others, and when that pattern is based on the Lord Jesus and the Word of God that we have been taught by many along the way it will shine like those lanterns up and down those streets in Philadelphia, so many years ago. 

 Our faithfulness to God will speak mightily and it will have an effect on many today and tomorrow.  We may never know here on this earth what impact we have had upon those around us.  It is first and foremost about being faithful to God and not about putting on a show for man.   By setting a godly example, you will present a pattern for the young and old alike.  Consider that when you set such an example, you will be a stepping stone for the next generation to witness today and an example for them to emulate in the future.


“Our faithfulness to God will speak mightily and it will have an effect on many today and tomorrow"



During this time of the year, the emphasis seems to be more and more about lights and decorations and the true meaning of Christmas is buried under a landslide of commercialism and secular celebration.  We can be a light that leads those around us to the true light of the world-For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord-Luke 2:11. Set the example this season that will bring glory to God and the Good News of the Gospel to a lost world.

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

Here is a good word anytime- "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation." Circumstances can change quickly- Don't build your life on the shifting sand, build your life on the strength that is yours in the Living God. You will never be disappointed.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
Ephesians 2:1-3
 
As cliched as it sounds- one never truly appreciates where they are at until they look back at where they once were.  In Psalm 143:5 David in the midst of a trial looks back.  I believe that Christians would do well to follow such a practice when it comes to the thought of their salvation in Christ Jesus.  David wrote, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the works of thy hands.”  In our verses today a picture is painted via the Holy Spirit moving Paul’s pen in a mighty and powerful way.  A picture of where the redeemed in Christ once stood.  One would do well to remember, meditate and muse from time to time in such a scripture.  We have all heard that one should never forget where it is that they have come from.  We should never forget where we once were spiritually.  We were dead in trespasses and sins and separated from God.  Condemned (John 3:18), hopeless and hell bound was our position and destiny.

I pray that you will meditate over our verses.  Take small bites and let your heart digest while allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.  Look back and remember where you once stood and praise God for where it is you stand today in Christ Jesus.  The seed of revival in each individual will be planted in the soil of gratitude. O my friends when gratitude fills the heart and head of the born again a heavenly fire will be set ablaze that the devil and all his angels can’t put out.
 
On this eve of Thanksgiving may we be thankful while giving praise and glory where praise and glory belongs- To Almighty God.

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,

Bro. Tracy

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalm 119:140
 
I recently read, “The pony express was a thrilling part of early American history.  It ran from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California- a distance of 1,900 miles.  The trip was made in ten days.  Forty men, each riding 50 miles a day, dashed along the trail on 500 of the best horses the West could provide.  To conserve weight, clothing was very light, saddles were extremely small and thin, and no weapons were carried.  The horses themselves wore small shoes or none at all.  The mail pouches were flat and very conservative in size.  Letters had to be written on thin paper, and postage was $5.00 an ounce (a tremendous sum those days).  Yet, each rider carried a full-sized Bible!  It was presented to him when he joined the pony express, and he took it with him despite all the scrupulous weight precautions.”

In the times that we live in with all of our modern comforts and conveniences, where is your Bible found?  Do you carry your Bible with you?  Is there such burning within you for God’s Word that your heart reminds you to take your Bible with you as you head out the door for work or where ever it may be you are going?  After I was saved, I had a pocket size Bible I kept in my truck and I would go out during my lunch break and feed my spirit with the Powerful Word of the Living God.

If the pony express riders from past days could carry a full size Bible, can we not find a place in our automobiles to keep God’s Word with us?  I pray that our Love for the Lord will grow and our love for His Word will increase with each passing day.

 "For who hath despised the day of small things?"
Zechariah 4:10a

Do not allow the doubt of another to diminish the fire and faith in what called has called you to do.  If we based our lives off of the spiritual temperature of those around us we would never leave the house.  Be strong in Christ Jesus and in the power of His might!  Don't be bullied by the enemy or by those who seem more interested in tearing down than building up a brother or sister in Christ! Be excited and live in a fiery anticipation of God's plan and purpose for your life.

Don't despise the day of small things allow Almighty God to do what He has planned for you and your life!  Simply pray, "Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness" (Psalm 143:10.)  Oh, if we would trust God, in a way that brings glory to God what a life we would lead! Don't be moved by man, simply allow God to lead!

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro. Tracy

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.  Psalm 119:15-16           

 I recently read this about the well-known evangelist from years past, Billy Sunday.   “When Billy Sunday was converted and joined the church, a Christian man put his arm on the young man’s shoulder and said, “William there are three simple rules I can give you, and if you will hold to them you will never write “backslider” after your name.  Take fifteen minutes each day to listen to God talking to you; take fifteen minutes each day to talk to God; take fifteen minutes each day to talk to others about God.”  This young convert was deeply impressed and determined to make these the rules of his life.  From that day onward throughout his life he made it a rule to spend the first moments of his day alone with God and God’s word.  Before he read a letter, looked at a paper or even read a telegram, he went first to the Bible that the first impression of the day might be what he got directly from God.”

I can’t think of a better way to start our day than with our eyes, hearts and minds given over to God and His Word.  I know that many say, “It is not how we start but how we finish that counts.”  I want to remind you that it is the first step we take that begins the race that we run.  Our lives will be centered and set in the right direction when we begin each day with God and His Word.  Your footing will be firm; your faith will be strengthened when you meditate, delight in and forget not the Word of God and the God of the Word.

When I was saved I was working at a factory.  A lot in my life changed.  One of the things the Lord placed on my heart was to start my day a little earlier so that I could spend time in His Word and in prayer.  I want to challenge you that no matter what your job is or what time your day starts begin each day in such a way.  You will never regret it.  As you start your day with the Word of God you will have the right approach to your day and you will be firm and fixed on a solid foundation.

No shifting sand! No faulty foundation! No wringing of hands! A powerful promise that minsters to the heart and thus the lives of the regenerated, redeemed and the reconciled. Our Saviour is not fickle or frail! He is not wishy-washy! Our hope is certain bound to the anchor of truth that God reveals about Himself throughout His precious Word. Our hope is not diluted by circumstance or situations. We are truly strengthened by such a promise.

O my what a Lord and Saviour and what a friend we have in our Lord. Be encouraged today! Be strengthened today! Don't allow your circumstance or all that is happening around you to dampen the wick of your joy! Take solace in the powerful truth of our scripture.

Thanks for visiting and thanks for praying,
Bro. Tracy