Aha!

Posted on November 21, 2014 by jesustrek

Kyle IdlemanIn his book, Aha: The God Moment That Changes Everything, Kyle Idleman talks about life transformation. While studying the story of the prodigal son, Idleman saw a pattern in the story. The son first “came to his senses”, then “he said to himself” and finally “he got up”. The wayward son had an awakening moment, and honesty moment and then a decision for action. Awakening, honesty and action—Aha!

Everyone has those Aha! experiences in life. You suddenly realize that you need to take a much different path than the one you’ve been traveling. You must change your plans for education. You need to make a career move. You have to get away from those “friends” who are having an ungodly influence on you. You have to repent of an unholy lifestyle. You need to repair a relationship. You must be more intentional about following Jesus. You decide that you are finally going to get involved in the life of your local church.

There are any number of decisions people make after suddenly realizing that they need to pay serious attention to God and make some drastic changes in their lives.

What is the most significant “Aha! Moment” you have had in your life?

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The Right Stuff

Posted on November 19, 2014 by jesustrek

mayoThere has been a dispute lately about what ingredients are necessary to constitute real mayonnaise. Unilever, the maker of Hellmann’s, sued Hampton Creek, the maker of Just Mayo, accusing them of false advertising because its product contains no eggs and therefore cannot be defined as mayonnaise. Ironically, Unilever recently changed the wording on its website about references to some of their products that aren’t exactly mayonnaise either.

It will be interesting to see how far this dispute goes and how it will end.

However, I am more concerned that the contents of my life show me to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”—Galatians 5:22-23.

 

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Working Together

Posted on November 17, 2014 by jesustrek

football helmetLa Salle High School near Cincinnati has a football playoff game this Friday. A nearly 5-inch snowfall Sunday night threatened to hamper the team’s ability to practice for the big game. So the call went out for fans of the team to bring their snow shovels to clear the field so the team could practice. About 40 people showed up to help, and the field was cleared in 2-and-a-half hours.

Clearing a football field would have been a daunting task for just a few people. However, they had enough workers to get the job done without overworking anyone. The fact that so many people pitched in must have been encouraging to all who participated.

So it is in the church. There is so much to be done, it can be discouraging if only a few help out with the work. But that’s not how the church operates. We are the body of Christ, and each part of the body has its function. When we all pitch in and do our part, no one gets burned out, the work gets accomplished and people enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

“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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Nothing to Fear

Posted on November 13, 2014 by jesustrek

MuttMy brother Jason recently acquired a dog. We don’t know a lot about Mutt’s past, but it appears that he has been mistreated. He is afraid of everybody. It took Mutt some time to get used to Jason, and he usually runs and hides in the back room whenever I come over for a visit.

However, Mutt is starting to warm up to me, if ever so slightly. A couple of weeks ago, Mutt actually came into the living room while I was there. He sat next to Jason, quivering with fear, but at least he could stand to be in the same room with me.

Today when I went to visit, I called for Mutt to come out from hiding and acknowledge my presence. He did, and, much to my surprise, he actually came over and licked my hand, if ever so briefly. Then he went to sit with Jason. This time, he didn’t seem to be trembling. I don’t think he is as afraid of me as he used to be. He might even come to like me if he gives me a chance.

This is the same way some people are with God. They have been hurt so badly in the past, they are afraid to come near to God. They may avoid all thoughts about God and try to hide from him. Occasionally these people get a little bolder and give God a chance. Slowly, they begin to trust him more. Hopefully, they will someday allow God to give them the love and protection they need.

Let’s try to help people understand that God wants to be on their side.

“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.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”—Psalm 34:8.

 

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Different Perspective Indeed!

Posted on November 12, 2014 by jesustrek

Kentucky Baptist ConventionThe Kentucky Baptist Convention voted overwhelmingly to sever ties with the Crescent Hill Baptist Church. The action was taken because of that congregation’s anti-biblical position on homosexual behavior. Crescent Hill’s pastor, Jason Crosby, has said that the church is open to performing same-sex marriages and ordaining homosexual members.

Greg Faulls, a leader among Kentucky Baptists, says, ”To give approval to what the Bible clearly states is sin is not only an offense to the Scripture, it is an unloving act toward sinners, an act that leaves them in danger of God’s judgment.”

Crosby proclaimed, “We are Bible-led, Kentucky Baptists to whom God has revealed a different perspective on (gay and lesbian) individuals to us, rather than to you…”

That’s a dangerous proposition! To claim that God can give a different perspective on this issue is preposterous! The Bible clearly and consistently forbids homosexual activity, and warns of God’s wrath on those who practice this behavior (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) and on those who approve of it (Romans 1, especially notice verse 32).

You may have a different perspective on moral issues, but please don’t blame God for your confusion!

 

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Key to Survival

Posted on November 12, 2014 by jesustrek

deserted islandA teacher asked her students who they would like to have with them if they were stranded on a deserted island. At first they named beautiful models, actors and actresses. Then someone mentioned some survival experts from reality television shows.

When the teacher reminded the class of the need for shelter, someone mentioned that Jesus was a carpenter. Another said, “And if we got hurt or sick, Jesus could heal us.” Someone else added, “If we started to run low on food, Jesus could multiply it for us.”

Finally, someone exclaimed, “If we had Jesus, we wouldn’t need anyone else!”

Keep that in mind when thinking about your salvation.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”—Acts 4:12.

 

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The Lord’s Army

Posted on November 11, 2014 by jesustrek

Lord's ArmyA man once commented to a friend about how glad he was that he was a soldier in the Lord’s army. His friend replied, “I’m in the service for the Lord too.” The first fellow was surprised to hear this, and he answered, “I’ve known you for years, and I never knew that you were in the Lord’s army!” “Yes”, came the reply. “I’m in the Secret Service!”

Of course there is no Secret Service in the Lord’s army. Jesus says, “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9).

Many people are intimidated by the prospect of speaking up and professing their faith in Jesus, but he obviously wants us to do that. He promises to give us power for the task. In Acts 1:8, the resurrected Jesus gives his followers their marching orders—“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.”

Did you get that? He gives us power to be his witnesses. A witness simply tells others what happened. Jesus wants us to tell people what he has done for us. The gospel is not a secret to keep; it is a joyful message to be shared!

 

 

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Sacrifice for Freedom

Posted on November 8, 2014 by jesustrek

cross and flagVeterans’ Day is a time to remember those who have served, and are currently serving, in the military. It is a time to honor those who were willing to sacrifice everything in order for us to gain and to maintain the freedom that we have in the United States of America. Such courage is admirable, and it is fitting that we give these individuals the recognition they deserve.

It is also fitting that we recognize the sacrifice that Jesus made when he willingly went to the cross to die to pay for our sins. His sacrificial death gave us the ability to live in spiritual freedom. We are free from our sins. We are free from the guilt and the penalty of our sins. We are free to live for God and to enjoy all the benefits of this wonderful freedom.

Every time we take communion, we are reminded of the freedom we have in Christ. We are also reminded of the price he had to pay to gain that freedom for us. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we give Jesus the honor that only he deserves.

“…Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”—2 Corinthians 3:17.

 

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Three Descriptive Words

Posted on November 5, 2014 by jesustrek

California electionCalifornia candidates for political office are allowed space on the ballot—3 words or less—to describe themselves to the voters. One person running for office listed on the ballot that he is a “farmer/small businessman”. Another described himself as “doctor/teacher/congressman”.

Most of us are not running for office, but we do want others to have a certain image of us.

If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, what words would you choose?

There are a number of good answers. I suppose I would like to be known as a person of faith, hope and love.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”—1 Corinthians 13:13.

 

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Most Important Statement

Posted on November 4, 2014 by jesustrek
Jackina Stark

Jackina Stark

Jackina Stark vividly recalls making her decision as a young girl to follow Jesus. She writes, “I remember, as a child of 10, sobbing out the Good Confession: ‘I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ I could hardly stop crying. And it wasn’t from sadness or some sort of ecstasy. It is almost beyond explaining, though you may know what I mean. Maybe I cried because my child’s heart knew this was the most important statement I would ever make. This acknowledgement was the key to living. I knew it.”

If only everyone knew it!

“But what about you?” he asked, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”—Matthew 16:15-16.

 

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