Love Your Enemies

Posted on July 24, 2015 by jesustrek
Leroy Smith helps a demonstrator

Leroy Smith helps a demonstrator

Angry demonstrations took place in Columbia, South Carolina last weekend. White supremacists faced off against counter-protesters. The mounting tensions were aggravated by the sweltering 100-degree temperatures.

One of the white supremacists was overcome by the oppressive heat. He was escorted to a cooler spot by Leroy Smith, a black man who runs the state Department of Public Safety. Someone took a photo of this extraordinary act of kindness, and the picture has gone viral on the Internet.

It’s good that such acts of love get publicized. Leroy Smith was doing what Jesus tells his followers to do.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”—Matthew 5:43-44.

 

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Showing Some Class

Posted on July 22, 2015 by jesustrek
Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth narrowly missed a date with history on Monday when he came within one shot of making a playoff for the British Open championship. A win would have given him three victories in majors in one year, something that has only been done twice before.

Spieth showed a lot of grace in defeat. His post-tournament interviews earned him a lot of respect. He even came back out to watch Zach Johnson win the tournament, and gave him a congratulatory hug. Tim Dahlberg says this about Spieth– “Something he also tends to do is pay respect to the game and its fans. He’s been described as a young man with an old man’s wisdom, and it showed in the way he took what had to be a most bitter defeat.”

Johnson also showed a lot of class in winning the championship. His tearful humility was refreshing, and his willingness to thank God was heart-warming.

Professional golf certainly can benefit from its stars showing some class. A few years ago, one of golf’s best players was known for being able to drive the ball a mile, but also for trying to see how many beers he could force into his sizeable body when he was off the course.

Another star was quite adept at shouting obscenities every time he hit a great shot. He also earned headlines for his wildly immoral sexual escapades.

Yes, it sure is good to see some class on display.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16.

 

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Misplaced Outrage

Posted on July 21, 2015 by jesustrek

AbortionA recently released undercover video shows an official of Planned Parenthood discussing how to preserve body parts from aborted babies so that these organs may be used for medical research. The video, which contains some graphic descriptions, has caused quite a bit of outrage.

I find this discussion perplexing. Why is it that some people are more concerned with what happens to the organs of the dead babies than the fact that the babies were killed in the first place!? It seems to me that they are missing the main point.

The main point is that abortion is wrong. The pro-life movement will remain strong as long as there are precious babies to defend. When science, faith and common sense are allowed to intersect, the argument for abortion rights crumbles.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”—Jeremiah 1:5.

 

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Savior of All

Posted on July 17, 2015 by jesustrek

King of KingsCecil B. De Mille’s picture, The King of Kings, filmed during the silent movie era, was seen by countless millions of people. De Mille was once asked why he did not reproduce the movie with sound and color. He replied, “I will never be able to do it, because if I gave Jesus a southern accent, the northerners would not think of him as their Christ. If I gave him a foreign accent, the Americans and the British would not think of him as their Christ. As it is, people of all nations, from every race, creed, clan can accept him as their Christ.”

Jesus truly wants to be everyone’s Savior!

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”—1 John 2:2.

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Clean Clothes

Posted on July 16, 2015 by jesustrek

washing machineI once knew a man who did not wash his clothes very often. His mother told me that he thought that the process of washing was hard on the clothing and that it caused them to wear out more quickly. She had tried to tell him that the ground in dirt was much more damaging to the material than the washings, but she could not convince him to change his mind.

The Bible says that when we become Christians we clothe ourselves with Christ. That is, we avoid sinful behaviors and pursue wholesome living. Some think that living for Jesus wears a person down; that it would be much easier to go on living a sinful lifestyle. That’s just not true! It is sin that wears us down and holy living that refreshes us. Clean, holy living—that’s the lifestyle to choose!

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”—Colossians 3:12.

 

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Keeping Fit

Posted on July 13, 2015 by jesustrek

fitness trackerMany Americans are purchasing fitness trackers to help them stay in shape. These small devices, many designed to be worn like a bracelet or wristwatch, help the user keep track of how much exercise they are getting.

The demand for fitness trackers remains strong, even though many owners are no longer using theirs. One man gave his device to his father-in-law. A mother gave hers to her children. Another lady took hers off several months ago to recharge the battery, and she hasn’t picked it up since.

One company estimates that only half of the nearly 20 million people who had bought their product were still actively using it as of the first quarter of 2015.

Yet the sale of fitness trackers remains strong, even as many people neglect to actually use them.

It’s sort of like the Bible, right? The Bible continues to be a best-seller worldwide, even as fewer people read it and put its words into action.

If we want to be spiritually fit, we had better get moving! We had better read the Word and live out its truth!

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”—James 1:22.

 

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He Died

Posted on July 10, 2015 by jesustrek

Cross-FSWhen Douglas Legler passed away at the age of 85, the obituary that appeared in the newspaper was quite brief. It simply read: “Doug died”. The North Dakota prankster evidently wanted to give his friends one last laugh, so he penned the two-word notice himself. Apparently, he thought it would suffice.

Two words is not nearly enough to convey the message of the death of Jesus. Much Scripture is devoted to his atoning sacrifice. Many books and songs have been written about the significance of Jesus’ death and the importance of his subsequent resurrection. People will continue to speak of the gospel message—that salvation is available through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’ ”—Revelation 5:9-10.

 

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Need Those Parts!

Posted on July 9, 2015 by jesustrek
Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul

This past July 4 was a costly holiday for a couple of NFL players.

New York Giants defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul had to have his right index finger amputated as a result of a fireworks accident. Tampa Bay cornerback C.J. Wilson lost two fingers in a Fourth of July fireworks mishap.

Hopefully, these two players can recover from their injuries and resume their lucrative careers playing professional football. However, their effectiveness will be in question after losing precious parts of their body. News of these accidents should encourage other players to take more precautions in their off-field activities.

Likewise, we church members should do our best to take care of each other. The Bible describes the church as the body of Christ, and we Christians are members of that body. We can only function to our fullest capacity if all of our body parts are working properly. Therefore, we have to take care of each other.

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”—1 Corinthians 12:21-22.

 

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Which J.C. Is Right?

Posted on July 9, 2015 by jesustrek
Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter

I just read that former president Jimmy Carter said that he thinks that Jesus would be okay with “gay marriage”. This is the same Jimmy Carter who has for years defended abortion rights. So, if you’re keeping score on the moral issues, it’s God–2, Jimmy Carter—0.

The sad thing is that Mr. Carter has taught Sunday School in a Baptist church for many years. He should know better. I wonder how the leaders of the church must feel about this newest revelation about their star teacher. They seem to have chosen the fame of having Carter teach over the correctness of proper biblical doctrine.

The Bible clearly and consistently teaches that all human life—including life in the womb—is valuable and must be protected. Scripture also teaches quite plainly that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that homosexual behavior is not accepted by God.

By the way, Jesus is God, in case you lost sight of that fact. And here is what Jesus says–“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”—Revelation 22:15.

So, which J.C. are you going to believe?

 

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