Where Is Their Statue?

Posted on July 23, 2016 by jesustrek

There was once a young musician whose concert received very harsh reviews from the music critics. The great composer Jean Sibelius patted him on the back and consoled him by saying,”Remember, son, there is no city in the world where they have erected a statue to a critic.”

Great men and women have always been criticized. In the Bible, people criticized the prophets, priests, judges, kings, apostles and yes, even Jesus.  

So don’t let the critics get you down. And for goodness sake, don’t let them prevent you from doing what God has called you to do. Dr. David Jeremiah said, “Far better to be criticized by God’s opponents  than to disappoint God by not heeding His call.”

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”–Benjamin Franklin.  

Nehemiah faced opposition as he led God’s people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Here is how he answered his critics “…I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” (Neh.6:3)  

The work of the Lord should never stop because of critics. 

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Part of the Church

Posted on July 22, 2016 by jesustrek

bloopersI am solely responsible for a classic blooper in our church newsletter that just came out last week. I typed it. I proofread it. I thought I had it perfect, but I didn’t. I made a big mistake. One section listed the names of new members, people who have officially joined our congregation this year. One new member’s name is Christy. However, her name appeared without the “y”. That’s right. I informed everyone that Christ had just joined our church!

We had hoped that he was already a big part of who we are!

“…Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”—Ephesians 5:23.

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Dangerous Nest

Posted on July 21, 2016 by jesustrek

nestWhile picking berries, I noticed a bird’s nest that had been built about knee-high in some weeds and bushes. I thought that it was odd that the nest had been built so low. Usually they are much higher than that.

I also noticed that the nest had some baby birds in it. They were completely helpless, having no defense whatsoever against any predator that might come along looking for an easy meal.

A couple of days later, I asked my wife if she wanted to come and see the baby birds. She said, “Sure”, so we made the short walk to the nest. Sadly, the nest was empty. Since they were much too young to have safely left the nest, the baby birds had obviously met their doom. The low nest made them an easy target for the predator that no doubt had come along and devoured them.

1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Parents, don’t build your nest too low! Lift your children up in prayer! Raise them in church and Sunday School! Teach them the ways of the Lord! The stakes are much too high to do it any other way!

 

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Lives Matter (Part 2)

Posted on July 19, 2016 by jesustrek

unborn-lives-matterOur nation is once again (still?) in mourning because of yet another senseless shooting. It seems like each day brings another such tragedy. One wonders if our flags will perpetually fly at half staff.

I have a theory about how human lives have come to be de-valued in our society. I think the blame can be traced, at least in part, to the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in our nation. The horrible decision to allow for innocent babies in the womb to be killed for little or no reason has led to a wholesale devaluing of life. From the womb to the tomb, human life is not considered as sacred as it once was.

However, nothing has changed in God’s eyes. Every single human being is created in God’s image, and he loves each one dearly. It must cause a loving God untold grief to see his precious creatures—whether a baby in the womb or a person killed by gunfire—to be callously destroyed.

All lives matter to God. They always have, and they always will.

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”—Psalm 8:4-5.

 

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Lives Matter

Posted on July 18, 2016 by jesustrek

racial tensionTo say that there is a lot of racial tension in our nation would be a great understatement. From questionable use of deadly force by police to the assassinations of police officers, the violence is appalling.

Neither side seems to want to listen to the other. When one group says, “Black Lives Matter”, the others seem to take it that they mean that only black lives matter. When they reply with the statement, “All Lives Matter”, some perceive that to imply that some lives matter more than others. It seems that you can’t make a statement proclaiming the importance of anyone’s life without incurring the wrath of some group or individual.

We need to listen to each other. Let’s stop thinking the worst of others and start seeking to understand.

We need to listen to God. Every single person on earth has been created in God’s image, and therefore has inherent value. God sent his Son Jesus to die so that every single person could believe in him could be saved.

Lives matter. God loves police officers who fear for their lives every time they make a traffic stop. God loves young men who are understandably apprehensive when they are pulled over for “driving while black”. God loves everyone, therefore lives matter. Every single one.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16.

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Missed It by that Much!

Posted on July 15, 2016 by jesustrek
Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson

No one has ever shot a 62 in any major championship in professional golf. Phil Mickelson almost did that yesterday in the British Open. The key word is “almost”. His 16-foot putt on the 18th green caught the right side of the cup and stopped on the other side of the hole. Mickelson knew what was at stake when he putted, and he was clearly disappointed when the ball wouldn’t drop into the hole. He said, “That putt on 18 was an opportunity to do something historical.” Mickelson had to settle for a 63.

That’s the way it is in life. We have a chance to do something fantastic, but fall just short. You don’t make the grade you hoped for on the big test. You make it to the final 2 applicants, but the other person gets the dream job. The person you thought was the one you would spend the rest of your life with breaks off the relationship. A momentary lapse in judgment causes you to fall short of the high standards you set for yourself. There are any number of times we miss the mark, and it causes major disappointment in our lives.

Romans 3:23 says that we all “…have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” However, the very next verses assure us that we Christians “…all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith…” (vv.24-25).

Whenever you fall short of the goal, remember that forgiveness and redemption are available through Jesus!

 

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Go

Posted on July 15, 2016 by jesustrek

Pokemon GoPokemon Go is the latest craze to sweep the nation. This is a game that people play on their phones, searching for animated creatures in real-world places.

The game has gotten some people into trouble. Several have been asked to leave cemeteries, where the players could possibly be a nuisance to people who are grieving. Others have been issued citations for trespassing on private property. A 15-year-old girl in western Pennsylvania had to go to the hospital for treatment after being struck by a car as she crossed a busy highway while playing the game.

Still, many people continue to play Pokemon Go.

If only Christians would take so seriously the command Jesus gives us to “Go”!

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:19-20.

 

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That Dangerous Ark!

Posted on July 14, 2016 by jesustrek

Ark EncounterThe Lexington Herald-Leader betrayed its liberal tendencies again yesterday. Their top story on the front page was about a letter sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation to 1,000 school districts in 5 states. This letter warned educators about taking trips to see the Ark Encounter, the new amusement park in northern Kentucky which features a full-sized replica of Noah’s ark. The foundation fears that exposing children to such information would violate what they understand to be a constitutional separation between church and state.

Where do we begin to reply to such nonsense?

First of all, it is freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. No honest person could look at the writings and actions of our founding fathers and think that their intent was to shield people from all religious views.

Secondly, there is no such thing as separation of church and state, at least not the way it is proposed by some people today. Religion and government worked together in a positive way in our formative years as a nation, and we would do well to continue that precedent.

Finally, why is it so dangerous to expose children to the idea that the world was once decimated by a catastrophic flood? Several ancient cultures, from different places in the world, taught that there was once a world-wide flood that devastated the planet. Rather than dismiss these stories as legend, why not accept that they are true? The Bible teaches that the flood actually happened (Gen.6-9). Jesus believes that the flood literally occurred (Matt.24:36-39). The fossil evidence points to a world-wide catastrophic event that quickly killed and buried many kinds of creatures, preserving their remains for us to study.

Surely examining this evidence would not bring any harm to anyone, would it?

Not unless it pointed to a God that they hoped did not exist!

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Remember Our Roots

Posted on July 12, 2016 by jesustrek

american_flag_with_cross_1277126785Dr. Dick Damron, former history professor at Kentucky Christian University, was once asked in an interview, “Why is it important to study history?” He responded:

“We are developing a society of people who have no clue as to what it has meant to be an American. We have in many instances lost touch with the social, moral, and spiritual values that were so prominent in our development into the most powerful nation on the face of the earth. To those who have an understanding of history, the words ‘In God We Trust’ are not something to adorn our currency, but they are the very foundation upon which our country stands or falls. If we do not know where we have come from it is going to be very difficult to chart a course that would provide any real bearing as to where we want to go.”

This is so true!

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”—Hebrews 13:7.

 

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Bringing Peace

Posted on July 8, 2016 by jesustrek

world peaceYears ago there was a popular bumper sticker that read—“Visualize World Peace”. Peace is something that most people long for–but in a world filled with violence, conflict and strife–peace seems to be nothing more than an elusive dream.

Today’s headlines shout about the absence of peace. Demonstrators in Dallas protesting police shootings had to flee when gunfire erupted, killing 5 policemen and wounding 7 others. Other reports tell us that the war in Afghanistan will continue. Factions in the Mideast continue to kill one another. My own little town is still reeling from 2 separate shootings that took the lives of young, innocent members of our community.

Jesus certainly was right when he said that there would be continuing violence—wars and rumors of wars.

When will it all end? Who can put a stop to the senseless killings? Is there any hope?

Yes, there is hope, and that hope is in Jesus Christ. Someday Jesus will intervene. He will declare that time is no more, eternity will be ushered in, and all the violence will come to an immediate end. Every tear will be wiped dry and there will be no more pain or suffering.

In the meantime, we need to pray for peace, and we need to do whatever we can to promote peace in our little corner of the world. However, only Jesus can bring true and lasting peace.

Come, Lord Jesus!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”—Isaiah 9:6.

 

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