Don’t Waste It!

Posted on March 11, 2017 by jesustrek

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Speaking yesterday evening at an energy industry conference in Texas, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “No country would find 173 billion barrels of oil in the ground and just leave them there.” His common-sense statement was well-received at that venue. There are, of course, a few radicals who would disagree, but most people understand that you just can’t waste such a valuable resource.

This reminds me of the parable of the talents that Jesus tells in Matthew 25. The master gave each of three servants a vast amount of money to invest for him. The first two gained a return for their master’s investment, but the third did not. He simply hid it in the ground. The first two servants were lavishly praised and greatly rewarded for their faithfulness. However, the third servant was harshly criticized and severely punished for his negligence.

The point of the story is this: We can’t waste any resource that God gives us. Our time, talent and financial resources–and all of the opportunities that we have to use anything we have for the kingdom of God–are tremendously precious! They must be used, not wasted!

 

Posted in Christian Living, Current Events, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Middle Part Is Tough!

Posted on March 10, 2017 by jesustrek

I just heard someone on the radio say that it is easy to have faith in the beginning and at the end. The tough part is to have faith in the middle.

I suppose that is true.

New Christians find it easy to live out their faith and share it with others. They are like the seed that springs up quickly (Matt. 13:20-21). The new-found faith of these individuals causes them to be excited about living for Jesus. However, over time this exuberance often diminishes to the point where there is no perceived faith at all.

Then, at the end of life, faith has another good chance to be seen in people’s lives. They have explored the pleasures that the world has to offer, but they long for something more. They have reached a point where eternity is staring them directly in the face. They have no choice but to deny God once and for all or, finally, turn to him. End-of-life conversions are a joy to behold. It is wonderful to see a person near death finally accept Christ.

However, it is tough to exhibit faith in the middle. The newness of Christianity has worn off. The world keeps battering you daily, hoping that you will falter. Discouragement abounds, and the finish line is nowhere in sight.

The middle part is tough. That’s why we have to be especially diligent to live out our faith!

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”—1 Corinthians 15:58.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Not a Coincidence

Posted on March 9, 2017 by jesustrek

I have had some knee problems recently, so I asked my prayer partners to pray about that. For some reason I had been reluctant to mention this problem to them. Maybe it seemed trivial or selfish, but for whatever reason, I had been hesitant to ask them to pray about my knee.

The day after I asked them to pray, I received a diagnosis—a sprained ligament. No surgery is thought to be required—just stretching, rehabilitation and wearing a knee brace.

The rehab place I went to does not normally carry braces, but they just so happened to have one knee brace in stock. It just so happened to be exactly the kind of brace I needed. And it just so happened to fit me.

Coincidence? I don’t think so.

What do you think?

“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”—James 5:16.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Let There Be Light

Posted on March 8, 2017 by jesustrek

My wife bought some solar powered lights and put them along our sidewalk. They absorb energy from the sun during the day so they can shine at night.

We recently had a cloudy day, and my wife noticed that the lights didn’t shine that night. It appears that they need that regular exposure to sunlight before they can radiate any light of their own.

John 1:4 says this about Jesus—“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” Jesus says to his followers, “You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14). It stands to reason that if we do not bask in the radiance of the Son, we will have no light to shine upon the world that so desperately needs it.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Not Very Encouraging!

Posted on March 7, 2017 by jesustrek

Job was one of the most righteous men in the Bible. He was also one of the richest. However, he suddenly lost everything he had. His children all died at the same time. He lost his livestock, the source of his wealth. Then he lost his health. Covered from head to toe with painful boils, he sat there in misery.

Ah, but at least he still had his wife. Surely his beloved spouse would give him the comfort he needed in his time of trouble.

Job 2:9 says, “His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

That is not exactly the kind of encouragement you would expect from the person who is supposed to love you more than any other human being! It is not surprising that we never see Mrs. Job nominated for “Spouse of the Year”.

In spite of this lack of encouragement, Job did maintain his integrity. He did voice some questions, but he never lost his faith in God, and he was rewarded in the end.

The lesson is this: Hold on to your faith no matter what. Don’t let any circumstances—no matter how negative or how drastic—keep you from living out a life of faith. Don’t let any person—no matter who it might be—discourage you from believing that there is a God who loves you very much, and that He will reward you in the end.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Humor, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s All About Choices

Posted on March 3, 2017 by jesustrek

happinessThe Mayo Clinic did some research into the reasons for human happiness and came up with this conclusion: “People who are happy seem to intuitively know that their happiness is the sum of their life choices.”

While this may seem a bit simplistic, it certainly is true. Miserable people are usually those who are suffering the consequences of poor decisions they have made. They decided to discontinue their education. They decided to partner with someone who would not love them. They decided to get involved with alcohol or other drugs. They decided to live beyond their means. They decided to hang around with people who exert a bad influence on them.

Life is filled with many important decisions, and what we choose to do will definitely affect our happiness.

The most important decision anyone will ever make is to turn your life over to God and become a servant of Jesus Christ. All other decisions pale in comparison. True joy cannot be experienced outside of Christ.

“…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”—Joshua 24:15.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Royally Humble

Posted on March 2, 2017 by jesustrek
Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth

It is reported that Queen Elizabeth was once approached by some American tourists who did not recognize her. When they asked her if she “was from around here”, she nodded that she was. Then they asked, “Have you ever met the Queen?!” She smiled and answered, “No.” Then, gesturing with her thumb toward her body guard, she added, “but he has.”

You have to appreciate that kind of humility.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Humor, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winners and Losers

Posted on March 1, 2017 by jesustrek
And the real winner is...

And the real winner is…

There has been much talk about the mix-up at the Academy Awards last Sunday evening. “La La Land” was announced as the winner of the best picture award. Many people affiliated with the movie came up on stage to receive the award. In the middle of the acceptance speeches, there appeared to be some confusion. Then, in a shocking twist, it was announced that there had been a mistake—“Moonlight” was the actual winner of the best picture award.

Imagine how it must have felt for those associated with “La La Land” to briefly think that they were the winners at the Oscars, only to be shocked by the realization that they had not actually won.

In the same way, those who oppose God feel that they are the winners, and they perceive Christians to be the losers. 1 Peter 4:4 says, “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”

Compared with eternity, the time that worldly people consider themselves to be winners is only a brief period in human existence. There will come a time when they will suddenly realize that they are not winners after all. Those outside of Christ will be devastated to finally understand that they are the losers and that they will receive no award.

On the other hand, we in the church—who are made to feel like losers in this life—will eventually receive the recognition and reward reserved for those who are faithful to Jesus.

Don’t be a loser!

 

Posted in Christian Living, Church, Communion Meditations, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Careful What You Think!

Posted on February 24, 2017 by jesustrek

dietingDieters sometimes feel that just thinking about food adds inches to their waistline. Dr. Alan P. Xenakis, author of Why Doesn’t My Funny Bone Make Me Laugh?, says dieters may be right. In certain people, thinking about food increases their insulin level, which makes them feel hungry. Thinking about food doesn’t actually add pounds, but an increased appetite may!

Our thoughts stimulate other appetites as well, appetites that can lead to sin. To control our conduct, we first must control our thoughts.

“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”—James 1:14-15.

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Leadership, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All Choked Up

Posted on February 21, 2017 by jesustrek

preacher-at-a-funeralI have noticed that I seem to be getting more choked up at funerals than I once did. This could pose a problem, since I am often the preacher at funerals I attend!

At first I thought that perhaps I was becoming more emotional. That does occasionally happen when one gets older.

Then I had another thought. What if the reason for my watery eyes and runny nose was not the welling up of emotions, but the presence of so many fragrant flowers nearby? The preacher often sits very close to a virtual wall of flowers, and I have come to believe that this is the reason for my getting choked up.

Maybe I should keep this information a secret. It might be good to be known as the preacher who cares enough to get all choked up at funerals!

In any case, we all should “…mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15).

But if you really want to look like a caring person, sit close to the flowers!

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”—Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).

 

Posted in Christian Living, Humor, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment