Off to a Bad Start

Posted on April 8, 2016 by jesustrek
Ernie Els

Ernie Els

Ernie Els got off to a terrible start on the very first hole on the opening day of The Masters yesterday. Just two feet away from making par, things went downhill quickly for Els. He missed the putt. Then he missed the next one. Then he missed again. He kept hitting the ball past the hole until he ended up with a quintuple-bogey 9. The disastrous first hole virtually assured Ernie that he will not be contending for the green jacket that goes to the winner.

Sometimes people get off to a poor start in life. In fact, the Bible says that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Thankfully, Jesus gives us a second chance. No matter how poorly you may have started, or no matter how badly you might have faltered along the way, Jesus can wipe the slate clean and give us the victory.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 15:57.

 

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Be Safe!

Posted on April 7, 2016 by jesustrek

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

George Vandeman wrote about a young man who was making his first climb in the Alps, accompanied by two experienced guides. It was a steep, hazardous ascent, but the young man felt secure with one guide ahead of him and the other following closely behind. They climbed for hours before finally reaching the summit.

The lead guide moved aside to allow his client to experience the spectacular view. Forgetting what he had been taught about the dangerous winds that could sweep him to his death, the young man stood up tall. But the chief guide pulled him back down. “On your knees, sir!” he shouted. “You are never safe here except on your knees.”

We live in a dangerous world. The safest position to assume is on our knees.

“Pray continually.”—1 Thessalonians 5:17.

 

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What Do You See Now?

Posted on April 6, 2016 by jesustrek

Eye-ChartA Coloradan moved to Texas and built a house with a huge picture window from which he could view thousands of acres of rangeland. “The only problem is,” he said, “there’s nothing to see!”

About the same time, a Texan moved to Colorado and built a house with a big picture window looking out over the Rocky Mountains. “I can’t see anything!” he complained. “The mountains are in the way!”

People have a way of not being able to see what’s right in front of them. They miss out on the wonders of God’s creation. They don’t notice opportunities to worship and serve. They overlook people who are in desperate need of their attention.

Let’s make sure we see what’s before us!

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…”—Ephesians 1:18.

 

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It Is Well

Posted on April 5, 2016 by jesustrek
Horatio Gates Spafford

Horatio Gates Spafford

Horatio Gates Spafford planned a European vacation for his family in 1873. Some business developments prevented him from leaving as scheduled, but he sent his wife and two daughters on without him. He would leave a few days later and meet them there.

On November 22, their ship was struck by an English vessel and it sank. Mrs. Spafford survived, but her daughters, along with 226 others, perished. When Mrs. Spafford landed on shore, she cabled her husband, “Saved alone.”

A few days later, Spafford sailed for Europe to be with his grief-stricken wife. One can only imagine the heartbreak and loneliness he felt on the voyage. The captain showed him the place where the shipwreck that took his daughters’ lives had occurred.

Spafford returned to his cabin that night, where he spent much time in prayer. Feeling the comfort that only God can give, he wrote of his experience:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

When you have Jesus in your life you know that all is well—no matter what happens!

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:7.

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Time to Wake Up!

Posted on April 4, 2016 by jesustrek

alarm clockIt is tragic to see so many people spiritually sleepwalking through life. They live each day the same as the previous one—oblivious to all the ways God is working around them. They have no perception of how the God who loves them more than anyone else possibly could is trying to get their attention. They have fallen under the spell of Satan, the great deceiver, who wants to direct mankind away from our only source of salvation.

On the other hand, it is uplifting to observe people who wake up from their spiritual slumber and really come alive, excited about what God has done for them through Jesus. They encourage those around them and inspire others to join them in their new awakening. They talk about the goodness of the Lord and they invite their friends to come to church with them. They understand that each day is a blessing from God, and they live accordingly, blessing others along the way.

So, how about you? Are you sleepwalking through life? Or are you wide awake?

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.”—1 Thessalonians 5:6.

 

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Unlikely

Posted on April 1, 2016 by jesustrek

church-clip-art-2Someone once pointed out that Christians are unlikely people called by an unlikely king to do unlikely things. Let’s take a closer look at that statement.

First of all, who are we that God would take notice of us? The Psalm writer poses the question “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (8:4). Yet we know that God loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for us so that we wouldn’t have to perish, but could have eternal life (John 3:16). Remarkably, God did this, not because we are so lovable, but in spite of our treatment of him. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Second, it was an unlikely king who called us. Who would have thought that the God of the universe would come to earth in the form of a baby and be laid in a manger! Later, as an adult, Jesus would still not be the type of Messiah that most people were expecting. Although the Old Testament had predicted that the Messiah would be a suffering servant, the life and death of King Jesus caught a lot of people by surprise.

Finally, we are called to do unlikely things. Who would have imagined that the followers of Jesus would change the world as dramatically as they have! The poor are served, the sick are healed and the lost are saved! The church’s impact on humanity cannot be adequately measured, and our positive effect will be seen throughout eternity!

Unlikely, and yet it happened!

 

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Being a Nuisance

Posted on March 31, 2016 by jesustrek

nuisanceHow many times did you hear this phrase when you were growing up?—“Don’t be a nuisance!” Being a nuisance was always considered to be a bad thing. You can imagine my confusion when I heard a Christian speaker say that he wanted to be a holy nuisance.

Most people have had bad experiences with “religious” people. Some individuals will try to shove their beliefs down your throat. Cult members will ring your doorbell, anxious for an opportunity to share their warped view of God. Your friends on social media will question your faith and call you names if you don’t share their fantastic meme that simply must be passed on in order to save the world. There are people all around us who give religion a bad name because of their obnoxious behavior.

So you can see my reservations when this fellow tells me that it is his goal to become a holy nuisance.

However, the more he talked, the more I understood his position. Finally, I came to agree with him. Far too often we are much more timid in our faith than we should be. We err on the side of caution rather than on the side of boldness. The result is that people aren’t challenged to make life-changing decisions.

Therefore, I too want to be a holy nuisance. I want my words to linger in people’s minds long after our conversation has ended. I want people to lay awake at night because of me, thinking about how they are living their lives in the sight of God. I want to stir people from their spiritual slumber and challenge them to take action.

Yes, I want to be a holy nuisance! How about you?

“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”—Acts 2:40-41.

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After the Mountaintop Experience

Posted on March 29, 2016 by jesustrek

serveJesus and some of his disciples were coming down from a mountain where they had just had an amazing experience. Jesus had been transfigured before their very eyes, and they had seen him in all of his spectacular glory (Matthew 17:1-13).

However, all magical moments must come to an end. As soon as they came down from the mountain, Jesus and his disciples were met by a man who requested help for his demon-possessed son. Jesus healed the boy and taught his followers an important lesson on faith.

What was true then is still true today—mountaintop experiences come to an end, and when they do, we find opportunities to serve and teach people in the valley below.

Easter Sunday was a mountaintop experience for many believers. With bigger crowds and a joyful theme, resurrection Sunday is a special time indeed. However, now that Easter is behind us, don’t be surprised by what comes next. Someone will need your help. You will have an opportunity to serve or to teach someone a spiritual truth.

While we cherish the mountaintop experiences, let us never forget that most of our Christian living consists of serving others in the valley.

 

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Opened Eyes and Burning Hearts

Posted on March 25, 2016 by jesustrek

jesus-with-nail-pierced-hands-1000x400Two followers of Jesus were downhearted as they walked along the road to Emmaus after their leader had been crucified. Their hopes were dashed and they were beyond discouraged. Then Jesus himself came up and walked beside them, but they were kept from recognizing him. Jesus drew them into a discussion about their understanding of what had happened. Then he explained to them from the Scriptures why the events had to occur the way they did.

Later, they began to share a meal with Jesus. “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:30-32).

We don’t know for sure what triggered their recognition of Jesus. Perhaps it was his mannerisms at the table. Maybe as he handled the bread the scars on his hands became more noticeable. In any case, their outlook changed dramatically after recognizing that this Jesus who had been dead was now alive.

Perhaps life has you discouraged. If that is the case, maybe you need to take a good close look at Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior, to help open your eyes and set your heart on fire for him once again!

 

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We Would Like to See Jesus

Posted on March 23, 2016 by jesustrek

christ-in-you1-2A group of people once approached Philip, a disciple of Jesus, with a simple request—“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” (John 12:20-21).

In response to this, Jesus began to teach about his upcoming death. He had come to sacrifice his life, an act of selflessness that would produce a remarkable benefit for mankind. The crucifixion of Jesus would be such a compelling story that Jesus said it would draw people to him.

This is the Jesus that the world so desperately needs to see. Perhaps the only Jesus someone will see this week is the Jesus in you. Therefore, it is of great importance that we live sacrificial lives, not seeking our own selfish interests, but being willing to lay down our agenda for the good of someone else.

In addition to our actions, we need to lift up the crucified Jesus with our words. As we lift him up, Jesus says that he will draw them to himself.

Just like in the first century, people still want to see Jesus. Will they see him in you?

 

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