Staying on Track

Posted on December 7, 2015 by jesustrek

trainThere are few things faster and more powerful than a locomotive. Trains can haul thousands of tons of freight long distances, traveling at great speeds. However, a train is only effective as long as it stays on the track. If for some reason the train gets off the track, it comes to a dead stop–it has no power whatsoever.

So it is with Christians. As long as we stay with Jesus, we can deliver the goods with his mighty power. We can spread the gospel, help the poor and minister to those in need with great effectiveness. However, if we get off track, all of our efforts come to a screeching halt. In order to operate properly, we need to stay on track. We need to stay with Jesus.

“…Apart from me you can do nothing.”—John 15:5.

 

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Marked

Posted on December 5, 2015 by jesustrek

mark on foreheadEzekiel prophesied during a time of spiritual decline. In a vision God gave to him, a man was told to “…Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.” (Ezekiel 9:4). The passage goes on to say that those who have this mark will be spared, but those without it will meet their doom.

There is a timeless message for God’s people in this Scripture. We are warned not to stoop to the level of society. We must uphold God’s moral standards. We live in the world, but we are not of the world.

There are many things happening in our country that go directly against the commands of God. I need not list them because you know them very well. It is our duty to stand firm for the Lord. We must grieve and lament the moral atrocities that are committed all around us. As we do, we will, in a very real sense, receive a mark of protection from God. This doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen to us. It simply means that when everything is said and done, we will be blessed and kept by God.

Many people are aware of the “mark of the beast” that is put on those who rebel against God. Let us be reminded that there is also a mark that will be given to God’s people. Each person gets to choose his or her mark.

Choose wisely.

 

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Excellence in Giving

Posted on December 2, 2015 by jesustrek

givingThose of us who claim to follow Jesus should strive for excellence in all that we do. This includes the matter of giving to the work of the Lord.

An elderly lady once passed out in church, hitting her head on the pew as she went down. Someone called an ambulance, and she was placed on a stretcher. Just then, she regained consciousness and called for her daughter to come near. Some thought that she was summoning her strength to say her final words. The daughter leaned down, and her mother whispered, “My offering is in my purse.”

May we all become that devoted to giving to the Lord!

“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”—2 Corinthians 8:7.

 

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Senior Success Stories

Posted on December 1, 2015 by jesustrek
Group of older people showing thumbs up

Group of older people showing thumbs up

A friend of mine just told me about her remarkable father. At the age of 93, he still drives and takes care of himself. This hunting season he harvested 12 squirrels, 2 turkeys and a deer. Did I mention that he is 93 years old!?

Yesterday I baptized a lady who is 91 years old. I think she is the oldest person I have ever baptized. Not many make it to that age before accepting the Lord!

It is great to see these kind of success stories in the lives of senior citizens. We need to appreciate our senior adults and celebrate their victories with them.

“…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”—Revelation 2:10.

 

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Favorite Holiday Verse

Posted on November 28, 2015 by jesustrek

giftOne of my favorite verses of Scripture for the holidays is 2 Corinthians 9:15—“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

This is a great verse for Thanksgiving, because out of all the wonderful things that God has given us, the greatest blessing of all is the salvation that he freely offers us through his Son, Jesus. Through our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, we can have the assurance that our sins are forgiven and we have been granted eternal life. For that, we must truly be thankful.

The verse is also appropriate for Christmas. When we think about all the gifts that are exchanged, they all pale in comparison to the greatest gift ever given, when God gave his Son Jesus to the world.

In this busy time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, let’s be sure we take time to give God thanks for Jesus!

 

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Thanksgiving at Our House

Posted on November 25, 2015 by jesustrek

happy thanksgivingToday I will be slaving over a hot stove, carefully preparing our traditional Thanksgiving meal. The main course will be our favorite holiday dish—Hillbilly Turducken, which, of course, is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken stuffed with a can of Vienna sausages.

I hope that you and your family enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving!

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”—1 Corinthians 10:31.

 

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Faith in Action

Posted on November 23, 2015 by jesustrek

Leap-of-faith“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”—James 2:26.

Most Christians are familiar with the phrase—“Faith without works is dead.” However, far too many live as though their motto is this—“Faith without works is just fine.”

The results of faith are not realized until you are willing to put your faith into action. Abraham would not have been blessed by God if he had not stepped out in faith and left his homeland as God told him to do (Hebrews 11:8-9). Those who believe in Jesus do not receive the salvation that he promises until they obey him in baptism (Mark 16:16). Those who want God’s full blessing in their life will not receive it until they put him to the test by bringing him the whole tithe (Malachi 3:10).

Is your faith merely words you speak? Or do you put your faith into action?

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save them?”—James 2:14.

 

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Powerful Witness

Posted on November 20, 2015 by jesustrek

communion in handsWe Christians have been given the job of being witnesses for Jesus in this world. Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

There are many ways to be his witnesses, but one of the most powerful testimonies for the gospel message is to participate regularly in the Lord’s Supper. This is a wonderful way to show the world that we believe that Jesus Christ truly is the one true Savior of the world.

“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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What It’s All About

Posted on November 19, 2015 by jesustrek

guitar playerOnce a month I play guitar and sing for a senior citizens group. I sing some pop and country music. Some of the songs I sing are so old that the seniors sing along with me. They seem to enjoy reminiscing about the good old days as they sing.

We always end our time together by singing some old hymns. This is when the crowd really comes to life. Their faces light up as they sing about the gospel message and the blessings that we have through Jesus.

It is at this point that I say to myself, “This is why I’m here! This is what it’s all about!”

It is fun to sing the pop and country songs. But to praise the Lord…now that is absolutely necessary!

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”—Psalm 150:6.

 

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Knowing Your Place

Posted on November 17, 2015 by jesustrek
Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck

It is reported that the famous actor Gregory Peck was once standing in line with a friend, waiting for a table in a crowded Los Angeles restaurant. They had been waiting for some time. The diners seemed to be taking their time eating, and tables were not opening up very fast. Peck’s friend grew impatient, and he turned to Peck and asked, “Why don’t you tell the maître d’ who you are?”

With great wisdom, Peck responded, “If you have to tell them who you are, then you aren’t.”

That’s good advice to remember.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”—Philippians 2:3-4.

 

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