At War

Posted on December 18, 2014 by jesustrek

war zoneThis week I have visited both a local high school and an elementary school during school hours. At both schools, I found the doors locked and had to wait to be buzzed in. This is certainly different from how it was when I was in school, but we live in a different world now.

My first thought was that it is good that we are taking these measures in order to protect our children. My second thought was that it certainly is a shame that we live in such a fallen, sinful world that we find it necessary to do such things.

The threats we face, both foreign and domestic, are very real and very evil. The terrorist attack on a school in Pakistan that killed 132 people serves as a stark reminder that we are involved in a war between good and evil.

For our own sake, and for the sake of others, let us never let down our guard!

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”—Ephesians 6:12

 

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Surefire Cure

Posted on December 17, 2014 by jesustrek
Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby

Several players in the National Hockey League have been sidelined for an unusual reason—they have the mumps! Even All-Star Sidney Crosby has come down with the mumps, in spite of being vaccinated against the illness.

This is one disease that we just can’t seem to eradicate. The vaccine for mumps works well for most people, but some who receive the vaccination get the mumps anyway. Their bodies simply don’t respond to the vaccine, therefore the disease continues to make some people sick.

The spiritual disease of sin continues to plague mankind. This goes on in spite of the fact that there is a cure available that works perfectly well for every single human being who will accept it.

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

 

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Joy to the World!

Posted on December 15, 2014 by jesustrek
Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche

Joy is high on the list of attributes that are expected to be seen in the lives of Christian people (Galatians 5:22). As Christmas approaches, we especially think of the joy that we experience as we celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior.

How tragic it is that people often have difficulty detecting joy in the lives of people who profess to believe in Jesus. When the German nihilist Friedrich Nietzsche was asked why he had such a negative view of Christianity, he replied: “I never saw the members of my father’s church enjoying themselves.”

That is a terrible perception of the church! Let’s do everything we can to make the joy of our salvation evident to all the world!

 

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Worshiping in Difficult Times

Posted on December 12, 2014 by jesustrek

worshipJob was experiencing the worst day of his life. Not only had he suddenly lost all of the livestock that had made him a wealthy man, he had just been informed that all of his children had suddenly died. One can only imagine the devastation that Job felt at this point in his life. How would he respond to such a sudden, unimaginable loss?

He would respond quite remarkably! Job 1:20-22 says, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”

No one knows what life holds in store. However, we all must face times of trials. Some blame God for the horrible things that happen to them. Others, like Job, have already made the decision to worship God…no matter what.

May we all decide to do the same.

 

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Wrong Book!

Posted on December 11, 2014 by jesustrek

President ObamaPresident Obama has been taken to task for his recent botched attempt to make a Bible reference. He said that in the “Good Book” it says—“Don’t throw stones in glass houses.” Of course, that statement is not found in the Bible. He must have read it in some other book. Maybe he read it in that book he has that says it’s all right to kill an innocent baby while it’s still in its mother’s womb. It’s probably the same book where Mr. Obama got the idea that there should be such a thing as same-sex marriage.

Whatever book he’s referring to, it certainly isn’t the Bible!

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”—2 Peter 2:1-2.

 

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What Do You Know?

Posted on December 9, 2014 by jesustrek
Sergeant Shultz

Sergeant Shultz

Recently I have watched a few episodes of the old television show Hogan’s Heroes. Quite often, the bumbling German soldier, Sergeant Shultz, would catch Hogan and his buddies breaking the rules at the prison camp where they were held captive. Whenever Shultz threatened to go to his superiors to report the infraction, Hogan would always find some clever way to suggest that the action would backfire on Shultz and make life harder for him. After taking a moment to think about it, Shultz would deliver his classic line—“I know nothing!”

Too often we pull a “Schultz” by pretending we don’t know of any wrong-doing in our own lives. We think that if we ignore the sin, we will somehow be better off.

That’s not the way things work with God. He would rather have us tell him what we know about ourselves, even if it makes us look bad.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:8-9.

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Deer in the Headlights

Posted on December 8, 2014 by jesustrek

deer in the headlightsI narrowly missed hitting a deer as I was driving home a few nights ago. I saw her in the headlights and slowed down as I approached her. She was walking slowly and calmly toward the highway, apparently oblivious to the oncoming danger. If she had been moving a little faster and I had not noticed her as soon as I did, she might never have known what hit her.

This is how it is with many people in regards to the danger of sin. They do not understand the peril they put themselves in. They blindly continue on a path that could very well lead to disaster. They move toward temptation, instead of away from it. They don’t see the oncoming disaster of their flirtations with drunkenness, sexual immorality, greed or a lackadaisical attitude toward God and their fellow man.

Don’t be like a deer in the headlights! Wise up and see the danger of sin.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”—Proverbs 16:25.

 

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Wife of Noble Character

Posted on December 5, 2014 by jesustrek

Proverbs 31Yesterday I was in my office preparing to speak at the funeral of a Christian lady. I was reading through Proverbs 31, which speaks of a wife of noble character. This Scripture paints a picture of the ideal woman. She works hard, both in and outside the home. She sews, farms, buys land and provides for all of her family’s needs. It seems that there is nothing this woman can’t do, and she blesses everyone around her.

I only had about three verses of this Scripture left to read when the phone rang. I hurried through the chapter before answering the phone. It was my wife, asking if I would like for her to pick us up some lunch. I hesitated to answer because I was running on a tight schedule. Then I asked, “Hey, could you bring it by the office so we could eat here? That would save me some time.”

“Sure!” she answered. And, sure enough, a few minutes later I was enjoying a nice lunch with my wife.

Sometimes you read Scripture and then immediately watch it unfold right before your eyes!

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”—Proverbs 31:29-31.

 

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Fierce Competition

Posted on December 4, 2014 by jesustrek

Here’s what Central Michigan women’s basketball coach Sue Guevara had to say about the Kentucky Wildcats as her team prepared to play them recently. “They’re good. There’s a reason they’re in the top 25. They’re fast. They’re aggressive. They know the kind of toothpaste you used in the morning. That’s how tight they play you.”

Now that’s what you call being competitive!

We Christians need to understand that we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Sometimes the battle is up close and personal. In order to compete in our struggle against the enemy, we must put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). This will assure us of victory.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.—Ephesians 6:10-11.

 

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Knowing Your Purpose

Posted on December 2, 2014 by jesustrek

Skyline ChiliIn an effort to reduce obesity, new regulations will soon go into effect that will mandate calorie counts on menus in restaurants. Some restaurants have already begun to offer more healthy choices.

However, there is a danger that some eateries will lose sight of what made them successful. Mark Keilholz, franchise owner of Skyline Chili, says that won’t happen to his company. He says, “We’re known for our chili—not for our salads. We’re successful in the niche that we fill. If you try to be everything to everybody, you sacrifice your product.”

In the church, we have to keep in mind that the product we offer is salvation through Jesus Christ. There is nothing wrong with offering programs that alleviate suffering and provide needed services. However, we have to remember that our primary purpose is to glorify God by making disciples.

What is your church best known for?

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Mathew 28:19-20.

 

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