That’s How that Song Goes!

Posted on October 3, 2014 by jesustrek

church chimesThe chimes from the church up the street were playing Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. I had grown up singing this old hymn, so I tried to remember the words and sing along with the music. At one point I sang, “Til in heaven we make our place.” Suddenly, theological red flags went up in my head. That line doesn’t sound right! We don’t make our own place in heaven! Then, the right word occurred to me. It goes “Til in heaven we take our place.”

That’s the way it goes! We can’t make our own place in heaven. Only Jesus can do that.

But we can take our place that he offers us through his grace.

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”—John 14:2-3.

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Still the Same

Posted on October 2, 2014 by jesustrek

tuning forkA college student became friends with an elderly man who lived in the same boarding house. The older man was a retired music teacher. Every morning, they had a routine that they would go through. The student would greet his friend by saying, “What’s the good news?”

The former music teacher would pick up his tuning fork, tap it against the side of his wheelchair, and proclaim, “That’s middle C! It was middle C yesterday; it will be middle C tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, this is middle C!”

In a world in which many things had changed, the elderly gentleman had latched onto one thing that remained a constant in his life.

For Christians, the one thing that will never change is Jesus.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8.

 

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Shadow of Death

Posted on October 1, 2014 by jesustrek

shadow of a truckDonald Grey Barnhouse was driving his children to the funeral of their mother. While they were stopped at an intersection, a semi-tractor trailer crossed in front of them, momentarily casting a shadow on their car. Barnhouse asked his children, “Would you rather be struck by the semi or the shadow?”

“The shadow, of course,” they replied.

“That’s what has happened to us,” said Barnhouse. “Mother’s dying is only the shadow of death. The lost sinner is struck by the semi of death.”

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”—Psalm 23:4.

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”—John 11:25-26.

 

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Reaching New Heights

Posted on September 30, 2014 by jesustrek

roller coasterSeveral years ago I visited an amusement park with a group of people from our church. I was in my thirties at the time, and I had never been on a big roller coaster of any kind. Being slightly afraid of heights, I did not give any thought to the possibility of making this day my first time to ride a roller coaster.

However, when some of my friends who were in their fifties got in line to ride one of the scariest rides I had ever seen, I decided that I wouldn’t let them outdo me. If guys twenty years older than me were going to ride the roller coaster, I was going to ride it too!

So I stood in line with them, dreading what was to come. When it came our turn to get on the ride, dread had turned to fear. The ride was like nothing I had ever experienced before—the anticipation that grew with the slow climb up the hill, the exhilaration of speeding down the incline and looping around twists and turns—it was quite thrilling!

I survived my first roller coaster ride, and continued to ride them occasionally for years after that. I’ve actually had quite a bit of fun on these rides, and I owe it all to some people who led the way.

Walking with Jesus can be frightening at times. Some people might shy away from reaching new spiritual heights. Maybe what they need is someone to show them how it’s done.

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”—1 Corinthians 11:1.

 

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Drawing Power

Posted on September 26, 2014 by jesustrek

crowd around the crossThere is something magnetic about the cross of Jesus Christ. The story of such a loving, sacrificial death compels people to consider its significance. It draws people to take a closer look at this dramatic event in history that—according to the Bible–holds the key to eternal life.

Jesus knew that his death would attract people who were seeking salvation. John 12:32-33 says, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”

The power of the cross can also draw backslidden Christians back to Jesus. The letter of Hebrews was written to a group of people who were considering abandoning their faith in Christ and trusting in the Old Testament law for their salvation. To keep them from making this fatal error, the writer keeps talking about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Over and over, he reminds the readers that it is through the death of Jesus that we can have our sins forgiven and come into the presence of God, to worship and serve him.

For anyone who is having a crisis of faith, the cross still has the power to draw you close to Jesus. Carefully consider the love Jesus has for you; then examine your commitment to him.

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”—Hebrews 9:14.

 

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Good or Bad?

Posted on September 25, 2014 by jesustrek

cholesterolThose who watch their cholesterol levels know that not all cholesterol is the same. There are different kinds of cholesterol. To put it in layman’s terms, there is “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol”. The bad cholesterol clogs arteries and leads to heart attacks. However, the good cholesterol somehow helps to prevent coronary disease. So, not all cholesterol is the same.

In the same way, the Bible says that not all pleasure is the same. There is good pleasure and bad pleasure. Good pleasure is healthful, self-controlled, and obedient to God’s commands. Bad pleasure is self-indulgent, addictive, and disobedient to God’s commands.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”—Romans 12:9.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”—James 1:17.

 

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Presence of Greatness

Posted on September 23, 2014 by jesustrek
Mark Scott

Mark Scott

Mark Scott wrote the following in The Lookout:

“The state where I live has a wonderful state convention. Some years ago at this convention I was greeting people before the evening session. As I was preparing to take my seat, I bumped into a nice-looking gentleman. I apologized, as did he.

He shook my hand and said, “Hi, my name is John Ashcroft. What’s yours?” I said, “I’m Mark Scott; nice to meet you, John.”

I sat down and thought to myself, “John Ashcroft—I know that name from somewhere. How do I know that name?” Then, to my amazement, I watched as the honorable governor of the state of Missouri, John Ashcroft, made his way to the stage and greeted the convention. I felt so bad, I voted for him in the next election! I was in the presence of greatness and didn’t know it. In fact, I was embarrassed by my casual approach to the governor.

When we worship God, we are truly in the presence of greatness. Do we realize this? God loves us and wants to be our friend, but be careful of an overly casual approach to the awesome God of the universe.”

I agree with Mark Scott. We need to be aware of the greatness of God when we come into his presence.

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God…”—Ecclesiastes 5:1.

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No Looking Back

Posted on September 22, 2014 by jesustrek

Australian coat of armsThe Australian coat of arms pictures two creatures—the emu, a flightless bird, and the kangaroo. The animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to the Australian citizens. Both the emu and the kangaroo can move only forward, not backwards. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail.

Those who truly choose to follow Jesus become like the emu and kangaroo, moving only forward, never in reverse.

“Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”—Luke 9:62.

 

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One Way

Posted on September 19, 2014 by jesustrek

 

Tony Campolo

Tony Campolo

In World Vision, Tony Campolo writes about an interesting airplane trip he once took from California to Philadelphia. When the man seated next to him learned that he was a Christian, he wanted to talk about religion. He said, “I believe that going to heaven is like going to Philadelphia. You can get there by airplane, by train, by bus, by automobile. There are many ways to get to Philadelphia.”

Campolo writes: “As we started descending into Philadelphia, the place was fogged in. The wind was blowing, the rain was beating on the plane, and everyone looked nervous and tight. As we were circling in the fog, I turned to the theological expert on my right. “I’m certainly glad the pilot doesn’t agree with your theology,” I said.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“The people in the control booth are giving instructions to the pilot: “Coming north by northwest, three degrees, you’re on beam, you’re on beam, don’t deviate from beam.” I’m glad the pilot’s not saying, “There are many ways into the airport. There are many approaches we can take.” I’m glad he is saying, “There’s only one way we can land this plane, and I’m going to stay with it.”

There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6.

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Stay Tuned In

Posted on September 17, 2014 by jesustrek

park rangerA former park ranger at Yellowstone National Park tells the story of a ranger who was leading a group of hikers in the park. The ranger was telling the hikers about the flowers and animals, and he considered the messages on his two-way radio disrupting to his talk, so he turned it off.

As they continued the hike, they were met by an out-of-breath park worker who had run after them. He asked why the ranger hadn’t responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger!

Any time we tune God out, we not only put ourselves in peril, we also endanger those around us. It is very important that we never ignore God’s communication to us, since it has the power to save.

“Do not treat prophecies with contempt.”—1 Thessalonians 5:20.

 

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