Who’s Responsible?

Posted on June 18, 2015 by jesustrek

praying handsWhen a bar opened up for business in a small town, the only church in the community decided to take action. They organized an all-night prayer meeting. The church members asked God to burn down the bar. Within a few minutes, lightning struck the bar, and it burned to the ground. The owner, who had heard about the prayer meeting, sued the church. The church denied responsibility.

After hearing both sides, the judge said, “It seems that wherever the guilt may lie, the owner of the bar believes in prayer, while the church doesn’t!”

Do you believe in the power of prayer?

“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”—James 5:16.

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Tough Life

Posted on June 16, 2015 by jesustrek

lucky dogA hand-lettered sign nailed to a telephone pole said, “Lost dog with three legs, blind in left eye, missing right ear, tail broken and recently castrated. Answers to the name of Lucky.”

Maybe you’ve had a time when you felt like Lucky. Sometimes life seems to beat us down and leave us wounded and hurting. It makes you wonder what God has in mind to allow you to go through such suffering. It’s often difficult to see the purpose of trials and tribulations.

We may not get all the answers we would like to have, but the Bible does give us some advice and encouragement for troublesome times. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”—James 1:2-3.

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Time for Action!

Posted on June 15, 2015 by jesustrek

golferA golfer’s errant shot ended up on an ant hill. He squared up, took a big swing—and missed. Thousands of innocent ants were killed. The hacker took another swing—and missed again. Another wave of ants was destroyed. Panic-stricken insects scurried everywhere.

One ant finally took charge. “Follow me!” he shouted with authority. Another ant yelled, “But where are we going?”

He pointed to the golf ball sitting in front of them. “There! If we don’t get on the ball, we’re going to die!”

Maybe it’s time for all of us to get on the ball!

“To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:28.

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Support

Posted on June 12, 2015 by jesustrek

rootsReader’s Digest once published an article called “What Good Is a Tree?” The article explained that when the roots of trees touch, there is a substance present that reduces competition. In fact, this unknown fungus helps link roots of different trees—even of different species. A whole forest may be linked together. If one tree has access to water, another to nutrients, and a third to sunlight, the trees have the means to share with one another.

Like trees in a forest, Christians in the church need each other and count on one another for support. With this kind of support system, we are sure to grow in our faith together.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”—Romans 12:10.

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Need Some Help!

Posted on June 11, 2015 by jesustrek

A minister was conducting a graveside service at a cemetery on the top of a steep hill. It was a cold, wintry day, and snow covered the ground. As the preacher was reading from the Bible, the casket began to slide on the slick surface. Before anyone could stop it, it picked up speed and started down the incline. When it reached the highway, the speeding casket zipped across the street and into the parking lot of the local pharmacy. It just so happened that someone was leaving, so they held the door open as the casket sped inside. When it slammed into the counter, the lid sprang open and the man inside sat up and asked, “Do you have anything to stop this coughin’?”

There’s no point to this story. I just thought you might need to laugh today.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”—Proverbs 17:22.

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Message Understood

Posted on June 11, 2015 by jesustrek
Thai Village

Thai Village

While on a short-term mission trip a few years ago, I had an opportunity to worship with some believers in a remote village in northern Thailand. The worship service was conducted in Thai, so we Americans in the congregation that day didn’t understand everything that was said. Our missionary, Rick Walden, interpreted some of it for us. And we recognized some of the tunes, so we sang along in English while they were singing in Thai.

There was one part of the worship service where no interpretation was needed. It was when the emblems of communion were passed. The Lord’s Supper preaches a message that is clearly understood by all believers. No language barrier can ever suppress the preaching of the gospel message when Christians take communion together. No matter what language you speak, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is clearly and boldly proclaimed whenever we break bread together.

“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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He Can Hear You!

Posted on June 9, 2015 by jesustrek
Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was attending an official ceremony in London. Two men behind him recognized him and began to whisper behind his back.

“They say Churchill’s quite senile now,” said the one.

“Yes, they say he’s doing England more harm than good,” replied the other.

“They say he should step aside and leave the running of this government to younger, more dynamic people,” continued the first man.

Churchill turned and in a loud voice said, “They also say he’s quite deaf.”

Some people seem to think that God is deaf. They use his name as a swear word and say terrible things about people who are created in his image. They shouldn’t talk like that!

“Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”—James 5:9.

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Dancing for Joy

Posted on June 7, 2015 by jesustrek

snoopy-dance“There is no box made by God nor us but that the sides can be flattened out and the top blown off to make a dance floor on which to celebrate life.”—Kenneth Caraway.

Sometimes we lose sight of the kind of life we should live. Those who have been saved by the grace that God has shown us through Jesus have every reason to celebrate life in many ways every single day. Jesus says that he came to give us a full, abundant life (John 10:10). Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). John declares, “We write this to make our joy complete.” (1 John 1:4).

That’s what the Bible says about how we should live.

What do you say?

Maybe it’s time to flatten out a box and do a little dancing!

 

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Scary Sermon

Posted on June 6, 2015 by jesustrek

scaredWhen Paul was being held for trial in Acts 24, he had an opportunity to speak to the governor, Felix. Verse 25 says, “As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

This is a basic outline for many sermons: righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. This sermon is preached often, not only by preachers, but by teachers, parents, friends and loved ones. This message is proclaimed in books, movies, and on social media.

It is a sermon that is still feared by many. They don’t want to hear that true righteousness comes only through Jesus. They don’t want to be reminded that they bear the responsibility to make right choices. And they certainly don’t want to hear anything about judgment!

This sermon contains a true, unchanging and important message. Don’t be afraid of it! Embrace it! Take responsibility for your life! Control your destiny! Accept the life that God has planned for you. Receive the righteousness that Jesus freely offers. Choose to live for him. Have no fear of Judgment Day!

 

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Search for Courage

Posted on June 4, 2015 by jesustrek

courageESPN has decided to honor Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. This has sparked a huge controversy. Many have questioned the wisdom of this decision, claiming that others are much more deserving than the former Olympic men’s decathlon champion who now wants to be recognized as a woman. They say that Lauren Hill, who played college basketball while battling terminal cancer, would be a better choice. Others point to Noah Galloway, a wounded warrior who has overcome the loss of limbs in service to his country and gone on to compete in grueling athletic events.

I have a hard time calling Jenner courageous. It seems that he is taking the easy way out by giving in to his weirdest carnal desires and making this highly unusual lifestyle choice.

Whether he is seen as courageous or not, Jenner needs our prayers. God loves him very much; so much that he sent Jesus to die for him. Let’s hope that Jenner comes to realize that God has a better plan for him.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”—Jeremiah 29:11.

 

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