Good News for All

Posted on July 7, 2016 by jesustrek

gospelThe good news about salvation through Jesus Christ is amazingly attractive to all people. It is simple enough for a young child to understand, yet deep enough to warrant the contemplation of deep-thinking scholars and philosophers.

In his sacrificial death, Jesus defeated sin for anyone who would put their trust in him through faith, confession, repentance and baptism. His resurrection from the dead proves his power that brings victory to all those who believe in him.

Again, it’s so simple a child can understand it. Yet, at the same time, this wonderful grace that we have been shown through Jesus deserves our life-long meditation.

“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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The Influence of Wayne Smith

Posted on July 5, 2016 by jesustrek
Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith passed away last week, and his funeral service will be tomorrow at Southland Christian Church, the congregation that he loved so dearly and served so faithfully for so many years.

Wayne was known for his wit and humor, but also for his compassion. He was quick with a joke, but just as quick to shed a tear for someone who was hurting. He is famous for showing up, bucket of chicken in hand, to console people who were suffering or grieving.

Smith consistently made bold stands for the truth. When asked what he would be if he weren’t a conservative, he answered, “Ashamed!”

Wayne Smith was a great encourager of preachers, and was always concerned about their well-being. He and I only crossed paths a couple of times, and he probably didn’t even know who I was, but I always thought he would be someone I could turn to if I ever needed guidance or assistance in my ministry.

For that reason I plan to be among the many who will travel to Lexington to pay respect to this giant in the ministry. As Romans 13:7 says, “Give to everyone what you owe them…if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

 

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Summitt of Influence

Posted on June 30, 2016 by jesustrek
Pat Summitt

Pat Summitt

Many people are mourning the passing of one of the greatest coaches of all time, Pat Summitt, who coached the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team to 1,098 wins and 8 national championships. Coach Summitt is credited with raising the profile of women’s basketball—and women’s sports in general—to a much higher level of significance in our nation. Many girls and women are enjoying opportunities to compete and excel and—in some cases–to earn a paycheck, because of the impact Summitt had on the world of sports.

Coach Summitt had high expectations for herself and for those around her. She pursued excellence and pushed her players to do their best. Her drive and determination to succeed were contagious. She continues to be an inspiration, not only to those who knew her, but also to those who are familiar with the legacy she left behind.

We may not have such a big platform from which to lead, but we all have opportunities to influence those around us. Let us be faithful and diligent in impacting as many as we can for the kingdom of God.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”—Galatians 6:9.

 

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Still Making Music

Posted on June 29, 2016 by jesustrek

monkeesI have always thought that the Monkees were under-appreciated as a group. They sold an incredible number of records in their heyday. In addition to that, several of the Monkees’ hit songs have stood the test of time, still being heard on the radio today.

Now, believe it or not, the Monkees are having a resurgence. The surviving members of the group have released a new album that is selling well. Their new songs are on the radio, and they are touring once again—50 years after they first burst onto the music scene!

That is some kind of staying power!

That’s what we should strive for as followers of Jesus—to make a difference, and to do so for a long, long time!

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”—Psalm 1:3.

Hey, hey we’re the Christians…!

 

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Commitment

Posted on June 27, 2016 by jesustrek

CoastalCarolinaChanticleersThe Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have made it to the finals of the College World Series in their first CWS appearance. The school’s baseball program had fallen on hard times when coach Gary Gilmore arrived there in 1996. The previous year the Chanticleers won only 17 games, compared with 53 wins so far this season.

Part of the reason for the team’s lack of success was the questionable commitment of some of the players. Gilmore says that a player on his first team informed him that he couldn’t come to practice the next day because it conflicted with his job as a bartender on the beach.

Perhaps it is a lack of commitment on the part of its members that keeps many churches from succeeding. Fill in the blank: “I can’t participate in the worship and ministry of my church because it conflicts with my ______________________.”

Excuses, excuses!

In Luke 9, Jesus questions the commitment of some people who say they want to follow him. Verse 62 says, “Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”

Are you fully committed to your church?

 

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Running for the Cross

Posted on June 25, 2016 by jesustrek

boy at crossRachel Allord tells about the time that her church had a special worship service that focused on the cross. They had a large cross at the front of the worship area, and they invited worshipers to fasten a black ribbon to the cross, signifying that Jesus had died to take their sins away.

Rachel was trying to explain the meaning of this to her three-year-old son, but she wasn’t sure how much was sinking in.

After they had attached their ribbons and returned to their seats, her son said, “Mama, I want to see the cross again.”

She writes: “Usually my son wouldn’t stray more than a few feet from my side, so I helped him out of his seat, expecting him to stand near the aisle and gaze from afar. But when his feet hit the floor he ran up the center aisle, his eyes fixed on the cross. As I watched him gaze up at the blackened cross in wonder, my initial embarrassment vanished. He had done what I pray he’ll do for the rest of his life—run unashamedly to the cross.”

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”—1 Corinthians 1:18.

 

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Perspective

Posted on June 23, 2016 by jesustrek

truckersA veteran truck driver was training a younger man who was a brand new employee of the trucking company. After a long day on the road, the young trucker was absolutely exhausted. However, his older partner appeared to be just as fresh and full of energy as he had been when they started the day.

“I don’t get it,” exclaimed the trainee. “I am completely worn out, but you don’t seem be the least bit weary. How can that be?”

The veteran trucker replied, “It’s not hard to understand. While you were putting in a hard day’s work, I was enjoying a ride in the country.”

It’s all a matter of perspective.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”—Colossians 3:17.

 

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Don’t Fumble!

Posted on June 22, 2016 by jesustrek

carrying a footballFive NFL teams are having their running backs work with a new type of practice football. The “High and Tight” footballs, which cost about $150 each, are designed to help running backs eliminate fumbles. These special footballs emit a beeping sound to let the player know when he is holding the ball correctly. The idea is to cut down on the number of fumbles by teaching the running backs to compress the ball firmly between their forearm and chest with the proper amount of pressure, basically creating a viselike effect.

Early results seem to indicate that the new innovation is serving its purpose. Running backs are fumbling less in practice, and some players and coaches are confident that it will help improve ball security in games.

The Hebrew letter was written to Christians who were in danger of fumbling their salvation. They were encouraged not to abandon their faith in Jesus, but to hold on tight to the hope that they had in him. Hebrews 6:11-12 says, “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” 12:12 exhorts, “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”

Don’t ever loosen your grip on Jesus! Hold on tightly to the salvation that we have been given through him!

 

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Think Before You Speak

Posted on June 21, 2016 by jesustrek

thinkEven though the Bible is filled with admonitions to be careful about how we speak of others, many Christians regularly engage in gossip. One man found a way to combat this sin in his church. He came up with the acronym T.H.I.N.K.

T—is it True?

H—is it Helpful?

I—is it Inspiring?

N—is it Necessary?

K—is it Kind?

Think before you speak! Thoughtless words bring much harm to others, and damage our own reputation as well.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”—Ephesians 4:29.

 

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Our Father’s Care

Posted on June 18, 2016 by jesustrek

fatherA couple of horrible incidents that have recently made national news have brought about quite a bit of criticism for the parents involved. First, a young boy slipped away for a few seconds at the Cincinnati Zoo and fell into the gorilla exhibit. He was rescued, relatively unharmed, but not until after some frightful moments. Then a toddler visiting Disneyworld with his family was killed by an alligator. Both incidents caused many people to question the skills of the parents of those children. Some even said that there should be some type of punishment forthcoming.

The majority of people do not blame the parents. They understand that it is not possible to keep a child completely safe every second of every day. Kids have a way of wandering into trouble, and it only takes a moment for something terrible to happen.

While our earthly parents can’t protect us every single moment, we Christians have a heavenly Father who constantly watches over us. He cares for us, meets all of our needs and has provided a place for us in heaven when our time on this earth is over.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!…”—1 John 3:1

 

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