End In Mind

Posted on May 14, 2016 by jesustrek
Steve McElvene

Steve McElvene

The same day that we received word that the world’s oldest person, Susannah Mushatt Jones, died at the age of 116, we also learned the sad news that a young basketball player died at the age of 20. Steve McElvene, a center for the University of Dayton men’s basketball team, collapsed and died at his family’s home in New Haven, Indiana on Thursday, May 12.

McElvene had put up some impressive numbers in his short college career, shooting 61% from the field and blocking 56 shots last season. His death came as a shock, and many are left grieving his sudden passing.

Whether we live to be 116, or die at the young age of 20, we all face the certainty of having to stand before God one day. We should live our lives with this end in mind.

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”—2 Corinthians 5:9-10.

 

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Our Days are Numbered

Posted on May 13, 2016 by jesustrek
Susannah Mushatt Jones

Susannah Mushatt Jones

Susannah Mushatt Jones, thought to be the oldest person in the world, has died at the age of 116. She was said to be the last living American born in the 1800s. Born in 1899, Jones passed away after being ill for the past ten days. She apparently died in her sleep while sitting in a chair in the senior home where she lived in Brooklyn.

Emma Morano, of Italy, is now unofficially the world’s oldest person. At 116, she is just a few months younger than Jones was.

It is truly remarkable to see some individuals reach such an old age. Their longevity is impressive. However, in light of eternity, even a life that is over 100 years long is relatively brief.

James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Because life is short, the Psalm writer prays, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (90:12).

Most of us won’t make it past 100. No matter how many days we have left, it is fewer than we had yesterday. Our prayer and desire should be to use each day wisely, serving God as we serve others.

 

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Still Improving

Posted on May 12, 2016 by jesustrek
C.J. McCollum

C.J. McCollum

Portland guard C.J. McCollum was voted the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2015-16 season. McCollum more than tripled his scoring average from the previous season.

The Most Improved Player award usually goes to a young, up-and-coming player. Remarkably, Stephen Curry finished fourth in the voting this year, in spite of the fact that he was the league’s MVP last season!

Curry is not one to rest on his laurels. He works hard to improve his game, and his efforts did not go unnoticed.

No matter how far along we are in our walk with Jesus, we should never be satisfied with our performance. We should always be striving to improve our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors, so that we may do a better job of showing Jesus to the world.

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”—1 Timothy 4:15.

“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.

 

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Unanimous

Posted on May 11, 2016 by jesustrek
Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry

After leading the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors to a record-setting season, Stephen Curry has been named league MVP for the second consecutive year. He is just the 11th player to be named Most Valuable Player in back-to-back seasons. Curry was such an obvious choice for the award that it was a unanimous decision. No one had ever been a unanimous choice for MVP of the NBA—not Michael Jordan, not Magic Johnson, not Larry Bird—no one had ever earned all the first place votes.

It is a remarkable achievement to be the unanimous pick for this award. Usually one or more of the voters will cast their ballot for someone else, just to be different, or perhaps to prevent someone from being the unanimous choice. However, this year all the voters agreed that Curry was the clear-cut winner.

If only we could get everyone to see that Jesus is the only choice for eternal life!

“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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Clean Exchange

Posted on May 9, 2016 by jesustrek

Cross-FSThe Ledger Independent, a daily newspaper in Maysville, Kentucky, has a mascot, Ponto the office dog. Ponto has daily words of wisdom that he imparts to subscribers of the newspaper. Here is one of Ponto’s most recent musings—“You don’t get anything clean without getting something else dirty.”

How true! A bath can get you clean, but not without making the water dirty. The same principle applies with a mop and a floor, a dust cloth and furniture, and so on.

Along those lines, we can’t be made clean from our sins unless Jesus takes them upon himself.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:5.

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Jesus and His Mother

Posted on May 7, 2016 by jesustrek

mary at the cross“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother…When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”–John 19:25-27.

In these verses, we see the love that Jesus had for his mother. He made sure that she would be cared for after his death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

We also see in this scene the love that Jesus had for all mothers, for fathers and for children too. His love for all humanity is shown in how he provided for our eternal care by dying to pay for our sins.

 

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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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