ne of my favorite cities in America is Phila-
delphia. That town seethes with history.
Philadelphians are known for a fierce pride
in their sports teams--and the city is the
home of the Philly Cheesesteak.
Speaking of history, there's another Philadelphia--
from which our Pennsylvania version gets its name.
There used to be a great city in what is now Turkey. The
ancient Philadelphians had many names for their city.
King Attalus II (159-138 BC) founded Philadelphia. His
nickname was "Philadelphus," which meant "one who
loves his brother." Years later the name was changed
to "Neocaesaria" (New Caesar) after the emperor, and
still later the city was called "Flavia" (a blonde, beauti-
ful woman).
Jesus had three "jewels" to say about the Philadelphia
of 2,000 years ago. The first jewel concerns a new name
for the people living there. Christ promised them that they
would one day get yet another, given by God Himself.
The second jewel for ancient Philly's inhabitants was
that God was not ashamed to love them (see Rev. 3:9).
God is not ashamed to love you, either! One of the mean-
est lies the devil tells you and me is meant to convince us
that God really doesn't care. The devil uses evil people and
bad circumstances to convince us that we are all alone
and worthless. Don't believe that lie! God proved His love
for us by sacrificing His Son for our sins. One day, all of
us will witness and acknowledge the supremacy of Christ
Jesus and His boundless love for us. Count on it.
Finally, Jesus said of the Philadelphians that they
will stand like pillars in a kingdom that will never be
shaken. In an earthquake-prone part of the world, pillars
are often the only things left standing. This truth really
hit home for the Philadelphians when their metropolis
was rocked by an earthquake in l7 AD.
Do you need a fresh start? Do you need a reminder
that God loves you so very much? Do you long to stand
tall whenever your world rocks?
You can, you can and you can. Your walk with Jesus,
beginning right now, will assure that you will flourish--
even though you bear the occasional scars and cracks.
Kinda like the Liberty Bell!
Major Frank Duracher is Divisional Secretary for
the Maryland�West Virginia Division.
To: EDITOR IN CHIEF
SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS
615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
As a reader of The War Cry, I am interested in the following:
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Your prayers
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Follow�up counseling by a Salvationist
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Note: I received Christ as Savior by reading the War Cry.
Please print
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February 2013
FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE, please contact us by returning the reply form above.
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For referral to your local Salvation Army or to learn more about Salvation Army programs, disaster relief initiatives and
donation options visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1�800�SAL�ARMY.
Salvation
Admit your need
"For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God"
(Romans 3:23)
Believe in Christ
"Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved"
(Acts 16:31)
Commit yourself to Christ
"Yet to all who received Him ... He gave
the right to become children of God"
(John 1:12)
Being truly sorry for your sins, and through the
power of Christ forsaking them, go for ward to live
for Christ. He will give forgiveness, power, victory,
purpose, the Holy Spirit and life eternal.
THE ABCs of
O
Philadelphia
by
MAJOR FRANK DURACHER
Why I Love
Coming
Home
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