The Real MVP

Posted on May 7, 2016 by jesustrek
Kevin Durant and his mother

Kevin Durant and his mother

When Kevin Durant was named the Most Valuable Player in the NBA for the 2013-14 season, he gave a memorable acceptance speech. He went beyond the usual accolades given to teammates and coaches. Durant gave credit to his mother, Wanda, calling her “the real MVP”. Fittingly, this moving speech took place on Mothers’ Day.

It’s true that mothers have a special type of influence on their children. They have the power to mold them in positive ways. Mothers point their children in the right direction, teaching them important truths and modeling for them righteous living. Many of us who are living lives of faith today are doing so largely because we had Christian mothers who showed us the way. These faithful women deserve our love, our honor and our respect, not only on Mothers’ Day, but on every day of the year.

So, here’s to you Mom—the real MVP!

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”—2 Timothy 1:5.

 

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Important Business

Posted on May 6, 2016 by jesustrek

prayingIn How I Pray, Billy Graham wrote:

“I heard about a young president of a company who instructed his secretary not to disturb him because he had an important appointment. The chairman of the board came in and said, “I want to see Mr. Jones.” The secretary answered, “I’m terribly sorry, he cannot be disturbed; he has an important appointment.”

The chairman became very angry. He banged open the door and saw the president of his corporation on his knees in prayer. The chairman softly closed the door and asked the secretary, “Is this usual?” And she said, “Yes, he does that every morning.” To which the chairman of the board responded, “No wonder I come to him for advice.”

To those who pray, God promises wisdom and help.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”—James 1:5.

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See the Effect

Posted on May 5, 2016 by jesustrek

sailboat-1There are some powerful forces that you can’t see, but you can certainly see the effect they have. For example, you can’t see gravity, but without it we would all go flying into outer space! You can’t see electricity, but you can enjoy the benefits provided by many appliances that it powers. You can’t see the wind, but you can use it to move a sailboat across a body of water. You can’t see radio waves, but you can hear the sounds that they produce.

In the same way, you can’t see God, but in Jesus we can see his great power. Colossians 1:15 says, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” In Jesus we see God’s power: power to heal, power to multiply food, power to calm storms, power over death and–most importantly–power to save.

Look at Jesus and marvel at the great power of God!

 

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Valuable

Posted on May 4, 2016 by jesustrek

piggy bankI recently bought a book I found in the bargain bin. It was a collection of devotions that I think will be a good source of sermon illustrations. It was written by a well-known author, and the book was beautifully printed and in excellent condition. I was pleased to find this treasure for only $1. I was even more pleased when I peeled off the price sticker and saw that the original cost of the book was $14.99!

While some things lose value over time, we will never lose value in the eyes of God. There is nothing we could ever do to cause him to love us any less. We will always be valuable in his sight.

“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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Two Hugs

Posted on May 3, 2016 by jesustrek

hugAs soon as I saw a certain lady at church last Sunday, I went over and gave her a hug. She was sad because her sister-in-law had just lost a long battle with cancer. A hug was the least I could do to comfort her.

Later, after church had started, I noticed another lady in the congregation. She was there for the first time in a few weeks because she had just had surgery and gone through some tests that could have revealed some very bad news. The tests had come back fine, and she was glad to be back in the worship service. So I went over while we were all singing and gave her a hug.

Two hugs, given for different reasons, but both serving the same purpose—to build up the body of Christ.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”—Romans 12:15.

 

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Love Caused His Death

Posted on May 2, 2016 by jesustrek
Toby and Jennifer Norsworthy

Toby and Jennifer Norsworthy

40-year-old Jennifer Norsworthy died unexpectedly from a blood clot on April 22. Her grief-stricken husband, Toby, was so traumatized that he died of a heart attack 24 hours later. Family members are certain that the stress of his wife’s death was too much for him to bear. Ricky Self, an associate pastor at Toby and Jennifer’s church, said, “Toby loved Jennifer. She was his world, and so he was of course heartbroken when she passed away.”

Jesus was heartbroken to see us dead in our sins. He loved us so much that he chose to die so that we could be saved. It was his love for us that led to his death.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”—John 15:13.

 

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First Time Apart

Posted on April 30, 2016 by jesustrek

teddy bearA 7-year-old girl became terribly upset when she couldn’t find her beloved teddy bear. Her anguish was obvious for all to see. She was so relieved when her long-time companion was finally found.

I was finding it hard to understand why being separated from a ragged old stuffed animal would be so disturbing for the little girl. Then a family member explained that the teddy bear was a gift that her aunt had given her when she was born. She had never known what it was like to live without her precious friend. That is why she became so upset.

Jesus did not know what it was like to be apart from God. He had been with God and equal to God for all of eternity (John 1:1-2). However, at the cross, when God laid upon Jesus the guilt and punishment for all of the collective sins of humanity, Jesus felt that he had become separated from God. He cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

We can only imagine the emotional pain that Jesus felt as he experienced something that he had never known before—separation from God. Realizing the suffering that he endured for our benefit should serve to strengthen our love and commitment for Jesus!

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Important Endorsement

Posted on April 29, 2016 by jesustrek
Coach Bob Knight

Coach Bob Knight

Front-running Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received an important endorsement as he heads into the upcoming primary in Indiana. It came from Bob Knight, the retired basketball coach who is a legend in that state.

Carey Findley, from Seymour, Indiana, said this of Coach Knight’s endorsement of Trump—“He’s like a folk hero to people in this state. It’s like having God endorse you.”

God’s endorsement is the one we should all be seeking. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

 

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Paying Homage

Posted on April 28, 2016 by jesustrek

whaleThe carcass of a 40-foot gray whale, weighing perhaps as much as 30 tons, is making quite a stink as it rots on a popular California beach. Authorities are trying to decide what to do with the massive remains. Meanwhile, curious gawkers have come from miles away to see the strange sight. Most have positioned themselves upwind to avoid the powerful stench of the decaying beast.

Cynthia Stern of Santa Monica drove 75 miles to place a flower by the whale. She said, “You should be paying homage to such creatures that are so intelligent and so wonderful. You could start to feel the positive energy as you walked down the beach. Even though it’s a carcass, it’s profoundly positive—and anyone who went there is blessed.”

It seems odd to pay homage to a dead whale and perceive that one could somehow experience blessings for doing so! It makes much more sense to pay homage to a crucified, yet living Savior. The blessings we receive from Jesus are not imaginary—they are quite real!

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”—1 Corinthians 11:26.

 

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Works Every Time

Posted on April 27, 2016 by jesustrek

key fobThe keyless entry feature for my car stopped working a few weeks ago. This wasn’t too surprising, since my car is 17 years old. Nevertheless, I continued to try the keyless entry every time I approached my car to unlock it.

Then, after about 2 weeks of having to use my key to get into the car, the keyless feature started working again. There is no explanation for why it stopped working; no explanation why it started working again.

Some Christians are like my key fob. They can’t be counted on to work regularly. They just stop performing. They don’t do what they are supposed to do. Maybe they will start to function again someday; maybe they won’t.

It shouldn’t be this way. God expects us to be faithful in our efforts to worship and serve him. Besides that, others are counting on us to do what God has created us to do—to function reliably for him.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness…”—Galatians 5:22.

 

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