Missed It By That Much!

Posted on August 10, 2016 by jesustrek
Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez will retire from baseball after this Friday’s game. A-Rod earned a whopping $410 million in his 22-year career. Even after missing the entire 2014 season—serving a suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs—Rodriguez was able to hit an amazing 696 home runs in his career. He no doubt had his sights on hitting that magical 700 mark. Only Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds have ever slugged that many homers. However, it appears that A-Rod will fall tantalizingly short of 700.

Some people think that there is a certain level of performance that we have to reach in order to get into heaven. However, no one seems to be sure of what that standard of excellence is. Those who think that you must earn your way into heaven have to deal with a great amount of uncertainty.

Suppose you need to avoid sin 700 times in your life in order to be saved. How do you know that you haven’t committed 2 or 3 sins over the limit? Or suppose you have to do 700 good deeds in your lifetime in order to make it into heaven. How can you be sure that you have performed enough of these actions that have officially counted toward your total? That’s the catch. With a theology in which you have to work your way into heaven, you never can rest assured that you have fulfilled all the requirements.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that God won’t judge us on our works? We are saved by the grace of God that he has shown us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Through our faith in Christ’s sacrificial death and his resurrection from the grave, we can be certain of our salvation!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”—Ephesians 2:8-9.

 

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Climbing Higher

Posted on August 9, 2016 by jesustrek
Mitch Barnhart

Mitch Barnhart

University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart recently gave his thoughts about why the school’s football program has struggled to achieve any lasting success. In his comments, Barnhart used his interest in mountain climbing to explain this quest to achieve greatness. “That last jump from high camp to summit is really, really hard,” he said. “And it takes incredible, incredible expertise, incredible effort…”

Many Christians have reached incredible heights in their spiritual growth, becoming more like Jesus as they have matured. However, none of us can be satisfied with the height that we have attained. We must push on toward the summit. We can’t settle for anything less than what God has called us to be.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 3:13-14.

 

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Change of Plans

Posted on August 8, 2016 by jesustrek

Mike TysonGuitarist Charlie Hunter has a new album out called “Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth”. The title–which I think is quite humorous–comes from a quote from boxer Mike Tyson, a man who changed the plans of a lot of people over the course of his career.

Sometimes you think that you have it all planned out, and then life punches you in the kisser. You think you’ve finally achieved some financial stability, then you unexpectedly lose your job. You believe you have found the love of your life, but that person suddenly decides otherwise. A friend of mine planned to travel with his wife when they retired, but her health issues kept them close to home.

When life punches you in the mouth, the only thing to do is get up, shake it off and move on.

Paul the apostle was really popular with the crowd in Lystra until some outsiders came and turned the people against him. Then “…They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city…” (Acts 14:19-20).

Like I said, when life punches you in the mouth, the only thing to do is get up, shake it off and move on.

 

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Training Is Hard!

Posted on August 5, 2016 by jesustrek
Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals is not a big fan of pre-season workouts. When the NFL All-Star retires, one thing he will not miss about the sport is training camp. The rigors of the grueling workouts are not his favorite part of his job. He says, “Training camp stinks when you’re bad, training camp stinks when you’re good. It’s training camp, man.”

Training is extremely difficult for an NFL player, but it is necessary in order to prepare to compete against your competition. In order to succeed, training camp is an absolute must.

In the same way, we must train ourselves spiritually in order to be properly engaged in the spiritual warfare that is going on constantly. The Bible says, “…Train yourself to be godly.” (1 Tim.4:7).

Quite simply, God is telling us to hit the gym! We need to do the spiritual training that is necessary to help us become all that God plans for us to be. Read your Bible. Pray. Worship. Serve. Every time that we do these things we get a little bit stronger. I know, training is hard. But it’s worth it. And it is absolutely necessary.

 

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Looking Ahead

Posted on August 4, 2016 by jesustrek

visionThe Bible continually points out the need to consider the future and see the possibilities that lie ahead. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV).

Churches with no vision for the future die a slow but sure death. I heard about a church that used its baptistery to store old books and supplies. They couldn’t see the possibility that they might actually baptize somebody in the near future!

Imagine a church that gets rid of its rocking chairs in the nursery because “Nobody has brought a baby to church for over a year!” You can’t envision that a young couple with a baby might actually come to worship with you someday!?

A church in southern Kentucky was nearly completely surrounded by a cemetery, leaving the congregation no room to expand. When their church building burned down, they had enough insurance coverage to rebuild. They could have built their new building in a number of possible locations. Do you know where they chose to rebuild? On the exact same spot where the old building stood!

We could go on and on about individuals and congregations that have exhibited little or no vision in times of opportunity. Jesus says that we shouldn’t be like them. He says, “…I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35).

We should have great expectations for what God wants to do through us. Every church needs people who have a vision of a better tomorrow. Maybe that person is you!

 

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Loyal Support

Posted on August 3, 2016 by jesustrek
Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Few athletes have had as many fans as Michael Jordan. However, even Jordan has shown the need for emotional support. When columnist Bob Greene asked Michael why he wanted his father to be in the stands to watch him play, he responded, “When he’s there, I know I have at least one fan.”

Even such a great basketball player as Michael Jordan needs encouragement from a loyal supporter. How much more do the rest of us need to be reminded on a regular basis that we have someone who is rooting for us no matter what!

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”—Hebrews 10:24.

 

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Important Reminder

Posted on August 2, 2016 by jesustrek

hot_car_10minEvery summer we are reminded of the danger of leaving a child unattended in a parked car. The temperature inside a parked car on a 90 degree day can reach 119 degrees in 20 minutes and 133 degrees after an hour. It is heart-breaking to hear of accounts where adults have forgotten that there was a child in the back seat, and the child died because of the extreme heat.

Some say that parents should get in the habit of opening their rear doors every time they leave the vehicle. Others suggest keeping a stuffed animal in the front seat, or your purse or cell phone in the back seat—anything to remind you that there is a small child in the car. Parents should also inform their daycare workers to call them any time their child doesn’t show up on time.

These important reminders are necessary because even the best parents and babysitters can become distracted and forget that they have a child in the car with them.

Another important thing that we need to be reminded of is that Jesus died to save us. The communion that Christians take on Sunday is a much-needed reminder of this all-important truth.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”–Luke 22:19-20.

 

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Dangerous Jump

Posted on July 30, 2016 by jesustrek
Luke Aikins

Luke Aikins

Skydiver and stuntman Luke Aikins has made over 18,000 parachute jumps, but the jump he is planning to make today is one that will be most memorable. Aikins is scheduled to jump out of a plane from 25,000 feet without a parachute or a wingsuit. He is attempting to be the first person to jump out of a plane and land safely in a net. The net is 20 stories high and is about one-third the size of a football field. The Fox network will broadcast the jump live at 8:00pm EDT.

To state the obvious, this seems like a risky venture. I agree with those who have long asked the question, “Why in the world would anyone ever jump out of a perfectly good airplane?!”

As dangerous as this jump is, it pales in comparison to the danger of going into eternity without Jesus. He plainly says that he is the only way to be saved and to be with God in eternity. To leave this life without him is certain death.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6.

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Why So Hateful?

Posted on July 28, 2016 by jesustrek
Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow

Some people love to hate Tim Tebow. For some reason, the Heisman trophy winner and former NFL quarterback incurs the wrath of many. The venom they spew is vicious, and it comes for no apparent reason.

Tebow was even harshly criticized recently for praying with the wife of a man who had a medical emergency on a plane! The woman seemed to appreciate Tebow’s prayer, but the haters condemned him for intruding at such a sensitive time.

Why do so many people show such ridiculous hatred for Tim Tebow? It is simply because he is a follower of Jesus Christ—there is no other reason.

We shouldn’t be surprised at this. If you were a popular figure, they would hate you too. It is because they don’t understand why we don’t join them in their lives of rebellion against God. 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.”

It doesn’t make sense. But then why would we expect that people who reject Jesus would make any sense at all?

 

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The Leadership of Tim Duncan

Posted on July 26, 2016 by jesustrek
Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan

Basketball great Tim Duncan just announced his retirement, ending a 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs. Long-time Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said that Duncan was “Irreplaceable.” Scott Layden, who spent four seasons as the Spurs assistant General Manager, said—“Leadership can come from many different areas, but when your best player is the best leader, it’s amazing how everybody else falls in line…Both on and off the court, he set the tone day-in and day-out.”

What made Tim Duncan such a great leader for his team?

First, he did everything with excellence. He played the game the right way, and was known for having mastered the fundamentals of basketball. Duncan led his team to five NBA championships, won two MVP awards and was an All-Star fifteen times.

Second, he was a team player. Most of the players who ever played with Duncan say that he was the best teammate you could ever ask for. He wasn’t selfish at all. He knew that in order for the team to excel, they had to play as a team.

Third he was consistent. Year in and year out, you could count on Tim Duncan to give the same kind of performance. He wasn’t up and down. He was reliably productive on both ends of the court.

Finally, Duncan was humble. In a sport where many flamboyant stars constantly find all kinds of ways to call attention to themselves, Tim quietly did his job, never promoting himself or calling undue attention to himself in any way. Even his retirement was announced quietly, in a statement released by the Spurs.

All of these are qualities that make a good leader. And these are all qualities that we should strive for if we hope to be good leaders in the church.

“…If your gift is…to lead, do it diligently…”—Romans 12:6-8.

 

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