Last Thing to Forget

Posted on February 25, 2016 by jesustrek
Glen Campbell

Glen Campbell

Music legend Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011. Though his memory was fading, he still remembered the words of the hit songs he had performed for his fans for so many years. Campbell performed the final show of his farewell tour on November 30, 2012.

As followers of Jesus Christ, the last thing we should ever forget is that he died on the cross so that we could be saved. Before he died, Jesus gave us a beautiful way to remember his sacrifice—the Lord’s Supper. When we eat the bread and drink from the cup of communion, we remember that he gave his body to be broken and his blood to be shed so that we could be saved.

The last thing we should ever forget is that Jesus died to save us.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19

 

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That’s Where They Go!

Posted on February 24, 2016 by jesustrek

offeringA mother once approached her young child’s Sunday School teacher with a problem. It seems that her son was keeping for himself money that he was supposed to be putting in the Sunday School offering. The mother asked the teacher if she would address the issue.

The teacher said that she would, and she decided that she would try to put the fear of the Lord into the young man. She asked him, “Do you know where little boys go when they don’t put their money in the offering plate?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the little boy replied. “They go to the movies!”

Grownups also know that you can go places and do things with money that should go to the Lord. You can go to the movies, the lake, the golf course, the car dealership… You name it, and you can go there.

How much better off we are when we decide to give the Lord what is due him. Our worshipful giving puts us in a better place than non-givers can even imagine!

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “And see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”—Malachi 3:10.

 

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Not a Coach

Posted on February 22, 2016 by jesustrek

coachI enjoy sports, and I attend a lot of local basketball games. Someone once asked me why I never got into coaching. It’s because I wouldn’t be very good at it. While I understand most of what has happened on the floor, I don’t keep up with the flow of the game quickly enough to be a coach. The coach has to process a lot of information and adjust his strategy accordingly. A few people are good at coaching, however, most people aren’t.

In the church, most people aren’t cut out for leadership. When you consider how God has worked with his people throughout history, you see this principle in Scripture—leadership is in the hands of a few.

From Moses and Joshua to the judges, kings and prophets, not many were called to lead in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, you don’t find a democracy. You see the apostles leading in the beginning stages of the church, and later you find that the elders of a local congregation were to make the most important decisions.

Those who are gifted to lead in the church should do so diligently (Romans 12:6-8). Everyone else should realize that they weren’t meant to be a leader.

“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”—Hebrews 13:17.

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Time to Meditate

Posted on February 19, 2016 by jesustrek

deerLast week my wife and I moved into a house we built about 5 miles out of town. Already I have come to appreciate the slower pace of country living.

Just a couple of days ago, I was taking my time on the way into town, driving well below the speed limit and enjoying the beauty of the snow-covered land. I noticed 9 or 10 deer in a small field on my left. Since I had the highway to myself, I stopped to watch these marvelous creatures, and they in turn watched me. At least for a while they did. Then they got spooked and ran away, so I continued on my leisurely journey.

Too many times we get in too big of a hurry. Jesus never seemed to get in a hurry, but we do. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes have to remind myself to slow down, enjoy life and think about God.

“I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”—Psalm 77:12.

 

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A Little More Grace

Posted on February 18, 2016 by jesustrek
Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao, a candidate for the Philippine Senate, apologized Tuesday for saying that people who practice homosexual behavior are “worse than animals”. However, he remained firm in his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Those who claim to follow him must hold on to the truth, and do so with grace and love (Ephesians 4:15).

Jesus, who was God in the flesh, clearly and consistently forbids homosexual behavior. Pacquiao’s position is based on truth. However, Manny failed miserably to explain the truth in a loving manner. He should have remembered that every human being, no matter how sinful, is created in the image of God and loved by God very much. In order to convey that love to those who need to accept it, we must be graceful with our words. Let us learn from Pacquiao’s mistake as we carry out the work of Jesus in a world that is very much lacking in both truth and grace.

 

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The “Doctor” Is In

Posted on February 17, 2016 by jesustrek
Malachi Love-Robinson

Malachi Love-Robinson

Malachi Love-Robinson, 18, of South Florida, was arrested Tuesday after he was caught posing as a doctor at an illegal medical office he was running. Love-Robinson was charged with practicing medicine without a license. It was not the first time he has been accused of such an offense. He was also investigated last October and cited for practicing medicine without a license.

While there is an obvious danger of accepting medical advice from someone who is unqualified to give it, we must also watch out for people who falsely claim to be able to dispense spiritual truth. Jesus says, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15).

 

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Who’s Driving?

Posted on February 17, 2016 by jesustrek

driving cattleThe Speed Bump cartoon that appeared in newspapers on February 17, 2016 made a joke about the experimental driverless cars that have been in the news lately. It depicted a couple of cowboys riding along behind the herd. One says to the other, “Yup, I like these self-driving cattle.”

Perhaps driverless cars will become the norm someday. However, I know from experience that cattle seem to have a mind of their own. They tend to not go in the direction you want them to go.

In the same way, we tend to not move in the direction God wants us to go. However, once we invite the Holy Spirit to come into our lives, we have the capability to control our actions and do what God wants us to do.

“The fruit of the Spirit is…self-control.”—Galatians 5:22-23.

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Friend or Foe?

Posted on February 10, 2016 by jesustrek

truthThe primary purpose of the letter the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian churches was to prevent them from making the horrible mistake of turning away from Christ as the sole source of their salvation. Some of the people there were trying to justify themselves before God by keeping the law. Paul says that some of them had already fallen from grace—“You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” (5:4).

Paul anticipated that his words might not be well-received. At one point he asks, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (4:16).

Sometimes the bearer of truth is perceived to be the enemy. No one likes the politician who says we can’t go on spending money that we don’t have. Children think that their parents are being mean when they tell them that wrong decisions often bring negative consequences. Church members would often rather have their itching ears scratched than to listen to their preacher deliver the truth of God’s Word.

Even if other people think that you are the “bad guy”, keep on speaking the truth, always being careful to deliver it in a gentle, graceful manner. Then, “…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”—Ephesians 4:15.

 

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Different Kind of Saved

Posted on February 9, 2016 by jesustrek

hardshipsWe all want to be spared from suffering. We would rather not have to go through extremely difficult hardships such as: illness, injury, economic woes, loss of a loved one, etc.

However, that’s not how things happen. Sometimes God saves us from such disasters; at other times he saves us through them.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not saved from the fire, they were saved in it. Daniel was not saved from the lion’s den, he was saved in it. Joseph (in the Old Testament) was not saved from prison, he was saved in it. Jesus was not spared death on the cross, but he was protected by God—even through death.

Let’s try to remember that our Shepherd is always with us, even as we are travelling through the valley of the shadow of death. Let’s rejoice in the salvation he brings about for us, no matter how it takes place.

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed…”—1 Peter 3:14.

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Knowing Your Role

Posted on February 8, 2016 by jesustrek
Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning, despite his declining physical skills that go with being a 39-year-old quarterback, led the Denver Broncos to a victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. He did not look like the Manning of old, who would take risks and go for broke. He routinely made the conservative call, trusting his magnificent defense to carry the team to victory.

Manning reportedly said something to the effect that he was still in the band, even though he was no longer the lead singer on every song. His experience in the game has taught him the value of teamwork. His humility served him and his teammates well. Manning accepted a reduced role in order to achieve success for his team.

This is a biblical principle that we need to apply in the church. We are a body, consisting of parts that work together for the benefit of the whole. There is no room for pride on God’s team. By humbly working together, each one performing his or her role, we are guaranteed to win many victories for the Lord.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”—1 Corinthians 12:27.

 

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