Five Reasons to Go to Church

Posted on November 6, 2026 by jesustrek

Shane Pruitt recently offered five reasons to go to church. Here is his list, along with some of my own thoughts about each reason.

The first reason is to worship God with other believers. The Psalm writers often urge us to come together for worship. The early church was devoted to corporate worship (Acts 2:42). Heb.10:25ff implores us to not give up meeting together and gives a dire warning to those who forsake the assembly.

A second reason to go to church is to hear the truth. We need Scripture, not opinions. There are a lot of voices competing for your attention. The only way to cut through the confusion is to listen to the voice of God. Find a church that preaches the truth and attend there faithfully.

Another reason to go to church is to find real community. When God created Adam and proclaimed that it was not good for a man to be alone, perhaps he was not only talking about marriage. Maybe God was also implying that mankind was created to live in community. The Israelites were urged to live life together. We see the same principle held forth for the church in the New Testament. Consider how many verses have the phrase “each other” or “one another”. A godly life was meant to be lived with others. Where better to find that community than in the local church?

An additional reason to go to church is to grow spiritually. We are expected to grow in our faith. 1 Tim.4:15 says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” Attending worship services with other believers is a great way to progress in the faith. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Prov.27:17). When we gather together, we have opportunities to share insights into the Scriptures and how to apply them. The best way to grow spiritually is to grow together.

The fifth reason Pruitt gives for going to church is to be sent out. The church gatherings equip you to go out into the world and do what God calls you to do. I think we are like a football team that huddles together to make sure every player understands his assignment before they break the huddle and run the play. We get our assignments at the worship service and go out to perform them when the service is over.

These are some important reasons for going to church. I’m sure you can think of a few more. Our church attendance is a duty, but it is also a privilege. Let’s try to spread the word about how wonderful a blessing it is to be in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day!

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Christians and Voting

Posted on October 31, 2026 by jesustrek

Another Election Day is coming up soon, and we will have another opportunity to choose our elected officials. I have read that 32 million Christians do not vote. It seems to me that they are missing an excellent opportunity to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that Jesus proclaims us to be.

Some prospective voters become discouraged because they look at the candidates and see nothing but greatly flawed individuals. Keep in mind that there are no perfect candidates for office. If you don’t like any candidate, look at the issues and the positions that the candidates take on those issues. Many of the issues of today are deeply connected to morality—the right to life, the sanctity of marriage, the value of working for your income, the duty of government to protect its citizens, just to name a few.

Christians, let’s make a difference in this election, and in every election to come. Be the salt and light that Jesus calls us to be.

Prov.14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”

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Life Is Like a Movie

Posted on October 30, 2026 by jesustrek

In 1937 Walt Disney released the first full-length animated movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Producing an animated movie was a huge task in those days. Disney artists drew over one million pictures. Each picture flashed onto the screen for a mere one-twenty-fourth of a second.

As we watch a movie run at regular speed, it seems so simple. We give little thought to the fact that it consists of many different pictures and scenes that all run together.

Our lives are like a movie. Sometimes, however, we get caught up in a particular moment, especially if that moment is unpleasant or distressing for some reason. We tend to forget that there is much more to life than what we are currently experiencing. Let’s try to see the big picture and remember that life is much more than any one experience that we must endure. Let’s allow the movie to play out, anticipating that God has something wonderful in store for us.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”—Jer.29:11

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Self-Denial

Posted on October 23, 2026 by jesustrek

In 2013, the word “selfie” was officially added to the dictionary. The practice of taking one’s own picture—and the obligatory posting on social media—has become commonplace. This is a commentary on the prevalence of selfishness in our society. I don’t mean to say that it’s necessarily wrong to take a selfie, just that it seems to be quite overdone.

Hugh Hefner could have been the poster boy for selfishness. America’s most famous playboy spent his entire life chasing pleasure. Hefner once wrote, “We reject any philosophy which holds that a man must deny himself for others.”

Hefner’s position stood in stark contrast to what Jesus taught. In Matt.16:24-26, we read, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?’”

I believe it was Colonel Sanders, of KFC fame, who once asked the question, “What good is it to be the richest person in the cemetery?” This is pretty much the same question that Jesus asks.

What Jesus teaches about self-denial is the exact opposite of the selfish human nature that was epitomized in the life of Hugh Hefner, the human nature that we all must work hard to resist.

One of the first words that a baby learns is “Mine!” It is quite natural for us to try to attain things that will give us pleasure, even if it is to the detriment of those around us. We must constantly battle against our selfish human nature, rather than give in to it like Hefner proposed.

We must trust that Jesus knows what is best for us and that our ultimate fulfillment in life—and our reward in the next life—will be based on our willingness to practice self-denial. Those who forsake the pursuit of selfish pleasure to worship God and serve others will experience a blessing far beyond what hedonistic people can ever know.

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Jonah

Posted on October 17, 2026 by jesustrek

I rarely go to the movies anymore, but I recently saw a trailer for a film that is just coming out. It is called Whalefall. I don’t know enough about the movie to spoil it for anyone, but it is evidently about a scuba diver who is swallowed by a whale and then struggles to survive.

The movie looks interesting, and it reminds us of the biblical story of Jonah, the wayward prophet who was swallowed by a big fish. I thought we might take a quick look at the book of Jonah and see what lessons we might learn.

It starts with Jonah being sent by God to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. He balked at the assignment and got on a ship that was going in a different direction, trying to flee from the Lord.

However, a violent storm arose that was so threatening that even the experienced sailors were afraid. They cried out to their gods and urged Jonah to do the same. They finally determined that Jonah was the cause of their trouble, and they asked him what they should do to make the sea calm down. Jonah replied that they should throw him into the sea and it would become calm. They did not want to throw him to his certain death, so they tried to row to land, but to no avail. Finally, they threw Jonah into the sea and it grew calm. This had such a profound effect on these sailors that they sacrificed to the real God and made vows to him.

Meanwhile, the Lord provided a large fish to swallow Jonah. In the belly of the fish Jonah called out to the Lord. The Lord heard his cries and commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land.

Given a second chance, Jonah went to Nineveh and preached that the great city would be overthrown. The people there believed God and repented. When God saw their response, he relented and did not bring about the destruction he had threatened.

You might think that this would please Jonah, but he became angry that the Lord had shown mercy to Nineveh. The Lord confronted Jonah about his wrong attitude and defended his own concern for the people of Nineveh. We do not know how Jonah responded to the Lord’s pep talk. The book ends without informing us of Jonah’s final reaction.

Here are some lessons we can learn from the account of Jonah. First, sometimes God gives his people some very difficult assignments. However, the Lord always equips us fully for the task at hand, and he does expect our full and immediate obedience.

Second, we see that you can’t run from God! He will always find you! There is nowhere we can possibly go to hide from God.

Third, God controls nature. Jesus, God in the flesh, showed the ability to walk on water and to calm fierce storms. Since God created nature, he can control it.

Lesson number four, God’s power can cause unbelievers, like these sailors, to come to faith in the one true God.

Additionally, we can learn that God accepts the prayers of repentant sinners, even when those prayers are offered from the belly of a huge fish!

Also, we see that God gives second chances. Jonah was given another opportunity to preach to Nineveh. Like many others in the Bible, this wayward prophet received a second chance. Aren’t you glad that we serve a God who gives second chances!?

Finally, we learn that the Lord cares about our attitude. He is not satisfied with our reluctant obedience. He wants us to show the same compassion that he has for all people, and the same mercy that he offers to those who repent.

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Times Change

Posted on October 9, 2026 by jesustrek

One of the things you notice after walking around on this earth for a number of years is that times change. Nothing stays the same. Whether it’s for better or for worse, changes occur.

For instance, when I was a teenager, I didn’t like to be bossed around. I would often say, usually with a scowl on my face, “Don’t tell me what to do!” However, times change. Now I find myself saying, “Someone please tell me, using plain language, in carefully explained steps, exactly what to do!”

It was once commonplace for people to make a down payment on an automobile. But times change. Tomorrow, Lord willing, I plan to make a down payment on a full tank of gasoline!

Times change. It used to be that when you saw someone outside wearing their pajamas, it meant that their house was on fire. Today if you see someone outside in their pajamas, it means that they are going to Walmart!

We can find humor in some of the changes that we notice. However, some of the changes we see are cause for concern and can even be unsettling. It is disturbing to see some of the moral shifts in the thinking and behaviors that are becoming more acceptable in our culture. We want to sing along with the Judds, “Grandpa, tell me about the good old days, when the line between right and wrong didn’t seem so easy.”

Times change, but we must remember that Jesus always remains the same. Heb.13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Whenever we might tend to become discouraged by the happenings around us, let us focus on the character of the never-changing Jesus. Let Jesus be the hope and inspiration that guides us and lifts us up.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”—Col.3:1-2.

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Who’s Got This?

Posted on October 8, 2026 by jesustrek

A television advertisement for a flu medication shows a sick person suffering and determined to tough it out. He says, “I got this!”. But mere seconds later, he admits, “I don’t got this!” He realizes that he needs help to cure his sickness.   

Many people suffering from sin say, “I got this!” They think they can somehow atone for their own misdeeds. Hopefully they will realize that they don’t “got this” and that they need help to cure their spiritual sickness. They need Jesus.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”—Eph.2:8

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Times Change

Posted on September 28, 2026 by jesustrek

Times change. When I was younger, I used to say all the time, “Don’t tell me what to do!” Now I say, “Would somebody please tell me, step-by-step, in easily understood terms, exactly what to do?”

Times change. People would once make a down payment on an automobile. Now, Lord willing, I plan to make a down payment on a tank of gasoline.

Times change. It used to be if you saw someone outside wearing their pajamas, it was because their house was on fire. Nowadays, if you see someone outside in their PJs, it’s because they’re going to Walmart.

Times change, but Jesus never changes. Heb.13:18 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” In a world that is often confusing with all its constant changes, it’s comforting to know that Jesus will always stay the same. We can count on that.

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Taking Flight

Posted on September 26, 2026 by jesustrek

On a recent trip to the beach, I noticed a sea gull that was missing a leg. At first, I thought that he was standing on one leg, with the other leg tucked up under his body. But when I saw him begin to hop around on the sand, it became apparent that he only had one leg. One can only speculate what had happened to him, but he was not moving around on the sand as easily as the other sea gulls.

However, when he took to flight, the difference between him and the other sea gulls disappeared. In the air, he moved as powerfully and as gracefully as the others.

Sometimes we suffer from injuries—physical, mental or emotional. These wounds can have a negative impact on how well we function.

However, we Christians have the in-dwelling power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to soar much higher than we ever could on our own. Let’s focus not on our weaknesses, but on His strength.

“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” –Col.1:29

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Second Chances

Posted on September 9, 2026 by jesustrek

The Bible gives us many examples of people who got a second chance in life. They had done something terrible, a deed that deserved harsh punishment, yet they walked away without being penalized. Or they had lived a lifestyle that ignored God while putting themselves first. But they had an opportunity to turn their lives around and make some better decisions.

We know that some of the people in the Bible took advantage of their second chance. Paul changed from a person who was obsessed with persecuting the church into one of the most intensely focused kingdom builders the world has ever seen. Peter denied Christ—three times—yet was given the opportunity to preach the gospel message on the day the church began. A woman who had led a sinful life responded to the grace and mercy that Jesus offered by anointing his feet, first with her tears, then with expensive perfume.

However, there are also people mentioned in Scripture who were given a second chance, yet we do not know what they did with it. Did they turn their lives around? Or did they keep on living in rebellion against God?

The woman in John 8:1-11 comes to mind as such an example. She was caught in the act of adultery. The penalty, according to the Old Testament, was for her to be stoned to death. Even though the punishment was rarely carried out anymore, the religious leaders used this case to test Jesus. He famously challenged those who were without sin to throw the first stone. One by one the accusers walked away. Jesus told the woman that he would not condemn her, but that she must leave her life of sin.

We don’t know what she did with her second chance. After being shown such amazing grace and mercy, she might have become one of Jesus’ followers. Or she could have gone back to her illicit affair. We just don’t know.

The rich, young ruler received a second chance. He had lived a life of greed. He cherished his possessions more than anything. When Jesus told him that he needed to sell everything he had and give it to the poor, the young man walked away sad. We might think that was the end of his story; that this decision to walk away from Jesus was his final choice. But maybe he changed his mind later. Perhaps the young man finally came to his senses and realized that eternal riches are much more important than temporal earthly wealth.

Finally, there is the case of Barabbas. If anyone deserved to die, it was Barabbas, who was in prison with insurrectionists who had committed murder in an uprising. But, remarkably, the crowd chose for Barabbas to be released and demanded that the innocent Jesus be killed instead.

You have to wonder what Barabbas did with his second chance. Scripture is silent on the issue. Did he go back to his villainous ways? Or did he eventually accept the forgiveness that was offered when the gospel message was preached? Could it be that Barabbas eventually was saved and became part of the church in the first century? We just don’t know.

I suppose it’s all right to speculate on what these and other people in the Bible did with the second chance they were given by God. However, it’s more important to think about what we will do with our own second chance. For we all are sinners in need of a savior. Thank God we have one in Jesus!

What will you do with your second chance?

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