First Baptist Church of Tracy City

09/15/2026

The Advantage of Weakness

We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

2 Chronicles 20:12

It doesn’t take much for us to see our inadequacies—especially in living for and serving God. When life’s circumstances press in on us, we become painfully aware of the challenge set before us and can quickly sense ourselves recoiling from it. We grow weary of people telling us what we can do when we know that we can’t; but at the same time we are unwilling to face up to our weakness in a world that calls us to be strong and confident.

If you find yourself in that predicament, take courage. You’re not alone.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah was a phenomenon who implemented changes that helped God’s people rediscover God’s law (2 Chronicles 19). He reminded them of the importance of understanding and obeying God’s word so that they could serve God faithfully, wholeheartedly, and courageously.

Nevertheless, Jehoshaphat was not immune to fear. When Judah’s enemies threatened his nation, he was acutely aware of their superiority and of the inadequacy of his own people. Yet he also knew that the proper response to inadequacy was to depend entirely upon God. As he confronted the reality of his powerlessness and uncertainty, he kept his gaze firmly fixed above, praying, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

When the enemy whispers to us that we are a disaster or completely useless, we can set his lies against the truth of God’s word and say, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). When we feel that we are powerless in our battle against temptation, we can rest on the truth of God’s word and say to ourselves, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). When we wonder if we have been left alone, we can be assured that “he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

When we admit our weakness, our mighty Savior will use it for our good and His glory. When we do not know what to do, we can keep our eyes on Him and ask Him to guide us and deliver us, just as He did Jehoshaphat and the whole of Judah (2 Chronicles 20:14-17, 22-25).

As with the men and women who served the Lord throughout the Bible, God still chooses to use unlikely, timid, and hesitant people. What set those individuals apart was not their strength or ability or self-confidence but that they were not consumed by their weaknesses; instead, they embraced them and relied on God’s power to overcome.

Will you do the same?

09/14/2026

What makes the ministry so worth it for a pastor? It is when a sweet little girl runs to the altar to hug her pastor.....EVEN IF .....church services are not over!!!

09/13/2026

Happy Grandparents Day!

09/13/2026

A huge thank you to all who assisted in decorating the Fellowship Hall for our 134th Homecoming and clean up! Food was delicious and our "planned" overs were taken to the Tree of Life!!

09/12/2026

Don't forget! Homecoming tomorrow!! See you there!!! SS 9:45AM, Worship at 10:45AM. 531 Main Street, Tracy City, TN

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Pastor's Morning Perspective:

Ecclesiastes 2:26 - For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight;

The year was 1985. I was just about to graduate high school with no real plans, and very role models during my childhood years (as I grew up in and was a product of an extremely broken home). What I had been taught (incorrectly) was that true success, was seen through how others viewed a person. Success was about achievements in life, about advancing in a career, about personal acquisition and achievement. It was about recognition from others. Yet, scripture teaches us a completely different story.

Way back then, I honestly had no plans, no real dreams, and no concept of where my life would be in 2026. In fact, the idea of being alive in 2026 was so far into the future, that it was not even conceptual at the point. In my world back then, a nice house, a wonderful family, earthly possessions would speak of "my success". These things would bring me joy, peace and contentment. These pursuits would plan my life. Yet, my plans were not God's plans. My happiness was not contingent on the paths that I could or would ultimately choose. In fact, most of the paths of my picking have been filled with pain and hardships.

Solomon discovered much the same. He had obtained wealth, riches untold, possessions unbelievable, personal staff to attend to his every whim and wish. Yet, he was not happy. Joy eluded him. He did not feel successful. And as he looked around at all he had achieved over the course of his life, he still felt empty. And, I believe that time was the great teacher!

"For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; "
And with a lifetime of knowledge, we should willingly admit that anything that we might accomplish in this life is not based on how good we are, rather it is revealed in how good God is to us!

If we have a good name.....God provided that to us.

If we land a great job.....God provided that to us.

If we remain healthy over the course of life......God granted that to us.

If we acquire possessions....God gave us those things.

If we have a wonderful family.....yes, God gave us that as well.

And if we find true joy in life, then we need to praise the Lord, for this too.....is a gift from Him!

Far too often, we are approaching life incorrectly. Many are seeking the applause of men. We dress to impress men utilizing the latest designer fashions. We talk about our possessions in front of others to gain the praise of men. We often choose our homes, our vehicles, which clubs and organizations to join....all in an effort to gain the recognition of those that often we do not like or even appreciate. And when life moves towards the end, we are left with an emptiness! All seems to be vanity as Solomon suggest.

So here is the takeaway: True happiness, true joy, true satisfaction in life, comes when we seek after God FIRST. When we allow "His plans" to chart "our paths". Success is not achieved through obsessions, it arrives in obedience, in submission to Him! It is God who gives us what we need in this life: His wisdom, His knowledge, and His joy, and these things are based upon "His goodness", not ours!

When I leave this life, what I leave behind will not matter. But what I take with me.....that will be eternal. I didn't have a plan in 1985.....but God did. I was reluctant to follow then, but time, lessons learned (often through failures) and His patience in me....recharted my life's course. And the things that I once believed was a measure of success, now seem like folly. Today, I have learned that success is found when I seek after Him and the results I place in His hands.

Ecclesiastes 2:13 - Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.

What is God trying to teach you?
Something to consider 🤔

09/10/2026

Midweek Refresher:
God has given us the resources of His presence, His power, and His promises—but those resources must be used. Don’t just carry your fear; trade it for faith.