I Am Resolved

Posted on December 30, 2015 by jesustrek

ResolutionsMany people resolve to live their lives differently in the coming New Year. These resolutions often have to do with how they live out their faith. Here are some suggestions for resolutions:

  1. Read the entire Bible.
  2. Pray for 15 minutes every day.
  3. Become a tither.
  4. Lead someone to Christ.
  5. Write a song or poem that honors God.
  6. Go on a short-term mission trip.
  7. Sponsor a needy child.
  8. Fast once a week.
  9. Volunteer at a shelter or mission that helps needy people.
  10. Participate in a disaster relief effort.

Perhaps you feel challenged to take on one or more of these resolutions.

Can you think of others to add to this list?

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

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I’ll Stand for that Man

Posted on December 28, 2015 by jesustrek
John Cordle

John Cordle

I recently attended a celebration of the life of John Cordle. John was an educator, but I will remember him most for being the preacher at Aills Christian Church. He was also a good friend to many and a wonderful husband and father. We were sorry to have to say “Goodbye” to him after only 53 years here on earth.

The celebration took place at Aills Christian Church, the building that serves the people that John loved so much. The place was packed. Extra chairs were set up, and still there were people standing. I had anticipated that, and I stood for the whole service.

There were many thoughts and memories shared by various people. One of the most profound statements came from a lady who is a member of Aills Christian Church. She simply quoted John 1:6—“There was a man sent from God whose name was John.”

A lot of people agree that John Cordle was sent from God. We were greatly blessed by him, and he will be missed.

And I was proud to stand up for him.

 

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Second Chances

Posted on December 23, 2015 by jesustrek
Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey made a terrible blunder Sunday as he hosted the Miss Universe pageant. He mistakenly named Miss Columbia the winner, rather than the actual winner, Miss Philippines. Harvey was humbled to have to correct the mistake before a huge television audience. The error has received much attention worldwide.

However, all appears to be forgiven. Sources say that Harvey has been offered a lucrative multi-year contract to continue as emcee of the event. Apparently his mistake will not prevent him from hosting the Miss Universe pageant in years to come.

This reminds us that God gives second chances, and aren’t you glad that he does? No matter how seriously we have messed up, and no matter how many people know about our mistakes, God offers forgiveness through Jesus. We can have the slate wiped clean and proceed to serve God as if we had never sinned.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9.

 

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Asking for Directions

Posted on December 22, 2015 by jesustrek

three-wise-menMen are said to have an aversion to stopping to ask for directions. Even when they are obviously lost, they would rather drive around until something looks familiar. Their philosophy is to circle around until they find the place they are looking for.

There is at least one time in recorded history when men actually stopped to ask for directions. It is found in Matthew 2, when the magi (wise men) stopped to ask where they might find the baby Jesus. They were rewarded for their actions. They went on their way and successfully arrived at their destination.

It is still a wise thing to stop and ask for directions.

Especially when it comes to finding a way to get closer to Jesus.

 

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A Charlie Brown _ _ _ _ _ _ mas

Posted on December 18, 2015 by jesustrek

charlie-brownJohnson County (KY) school officials decided to censor a student production of A Charlie Brown Christmas after someone protested the fact that there was a Bible reference in the play. Caving in to a small minority—reportedly a single complaint–the school administration edited the script so as not to offend anyone.

Some people were offended by that decision. About 30 people who were unhappy with the ruling of school officials showed up to protest. Then on the night of the performance, several adults in the audience recited the lines that had been cut.

Here are a few observations about the matter:

First, you can’t please everybody, so why not try to please the right people, especially if they happen to be in the vast majority?

Second, when will the movement to be politically correct collapse within the vacuum of its own ridiculousness?

Third, we are not guaranteed the right to not be offended. Not everything will go your way.

Fourth, did the original complainer realize that he or she would serve to give Jesus much more attention than he would have gotten if the complaint had never been raised?

Finally, does anyone really think we can take Jesus out of the celebration of Jesus’ birth!?

As Linus says in the play, concerning the birth of Jesus, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

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Just Sitting There

Posted on December 17, 2015 by jesustrek

carIn a nearby town, an abandoned car sits in the parking lot of a convenience store at the corner of a busy intersection. Every day, cars pass by, on their way to various destinations, their drivers with urgent matters to attend to. But the motionless car just sits there, its flat tires a testimony to an unproductive existence.

I know for a fact that the abandoned car has been in that same place for over 5 years. You would think that its owner would have moved it away by now. Or that the manager of the convenience store would have had it towed away. But it just sits there, doing nothing, day after day after day.

There are too many people who claim to follow Jesus, but show little or no movement. There is no action to accompany their professed faith.

Don’t just sit around getting rusty! There’s too much to be done! There is no excuse for any of us to sit idly while the rest of the world passes us by.

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”—Hebrews 6:12.

 

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Reconfigured Life

Posted on December 16, 2015 by jesustrek
Pete Rose

Pete Rose

Baseball’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose has been banned from the game since 1989 for betting on baseball. Major League Baseball takes the integrity of the game very seriously, therefore betting on the game is strictly forbidden.

Rose applied for re-instatement in March. However, new baseball commissioner Rob Manfred ruled on Monday, December 14, that Rose’s request has been denied. Manfred reached his decision based on his perception that Rose has not been contrite enough about his past transgressions. He said, “In short, Mr. Rose has not presented credible evidence of a reconfigured life either by an honest acceptance by him of his wrongdoing…or by a rigorous, self-aware and sustained program of avoidance by him of all the circumstances that led to his permanent ineligibility in 1989.”

Manfred’s ruling virtually assures that Pete Rose will never be included in baseball’s Hall of Fame.

I like that phrase “reconfigured life”. It sounds like the biblical concept of repentance. Repentance is being sorry for your sins and taking strides to avoid those past wrongdoings.

Repentance is very important to Jesus, who warns—“…Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:5). Repentance was very important to the apostles. Peter preached, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).

Are you living a reconfigured life? You won’t make it into God’s Hall of Fame unless you are!

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Being There

Posted on December 14, 2015 by jesustrek
Gov. Terry Branstad

Gov. Terry Branstad

Today, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad became the longest-serving governor in the history of the United States. He has been governor for nearly 21 years.

One of the biggest reasons for Gov. Branstad’s longevity is that he spends a lot of time with the people of his state. He visits each of Iowa’s 99 counties every year. He routinely stops in at small, family-run businesses. He often gives talks at rural schools.

Bonnie Campbell says this about Gov. Branstad—“He’s everywhere…Everybody feels they know him.”

One way to become a successful leader is to spend time with the people you want to lead. Go to where the people are. Mingle with them. Get to know them. They will appreciate it, and you will gain their trust. Then you can influence their lives in a positive way.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…”—1 Peter 5:2.

 

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From the Cradle to the Cross

Posted on December 10, 2015 by jesustrek

magiAmong the gifts that the Magi brought to little Jesus was myrrh, which was used as a perfume in the ancient world (Matthew 2:11). This would seem to be a strange gift to give to a small child. However, they probably knew what they were doing. After all, they were wise men!

Myrrh would come into play later on in the life of Jesus. Or, more correctly, in the death of Jesus. Myrrh was among the ingredients used to prepare Jesus’ body for burial (John 19:39-40).

From the cradle to the cross, the purpose of Jesus coming into the world is clear. He came to die. He came to give his life as a ransom for our sins, making it possible for us to be saved.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”—Luke 19:10.

 

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I Love a Parade!

Posted on December 8, 2015 by jesustrek

marching-bandSeveral teenagers in our church participate in the high school marching band. They had a busy weekend recently, as the band participated in three Christmas parades in a 24-hour period. One girl was tired and sore from carrying a bass drum for those three parades.

I don’t hear them complaining though. They knew what they were getting into when they joined the band.

This Christmas season, we Christians usually have a lot of marching of our own to do. There are lots of extra church activities and seasonal opportunities to minister, along with the regular duties we have as Christ-followers.

We shouldn’t mind the busyness. That’s just what we do.

“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:29.

 

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