Dire Circumstances

Posted on August 8, 2014 by jesustrek

LassieThe “Mother Goose and Grimm” cartoon strip that appears in today’s newspaper pictures a man strapped into an electric chair with a look of panic on his face. Behind the glass, in the observers’ section, is a collie. The dog says, “Sorry, Timmy, I can’t pull you out of this one.”

Apparently, there is only so much Lassie can do! Timmy had gotten himself into a more serious situation than falling into a well!

Fortunately, there is nothing we can do that can put us beyond the reach of our loving Savior, Jesus. Don’t ever think that you have done something that can’t be forgiven.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9.

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Chance to Grow

Posted on August 6, 2014 by jesustrek

Rick Warren

Rick Warren

Rick Warren once said, “The truth is that Christians need relationships to grow. We don’t grow in isolation from others. We develop in the context of fellowship. Over and over again in the New Testament we find this basic truth: Believers need relationships with each other to grow! God intends for us to grow up in a family.”

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…”—Hebrews 10:24-25.

Are you giving yourself a chance to grow?

 

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Variety of Music

Posted on August 5, 2014 by jesustrek

music notesI just returned from a funeral that had possibly the best music of any funeral I have ever attended. A professional bluegrass musician accompanied himself on guitar as he sang a wonderful song that made us think about the deceased man we were there to honor. Shortly after that, a lady who has made her living singing opera used her beautiful and well-trained voice to bless us with an old hymn.

Imagine that! Bluegrass and opera in the same funeral service! You won’t see that too often!

There certainly is a wide variety of music in the world, and God seems to put his stamp of approval on musical diversity. Colossians 3:16 speaks of singing “…psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Scholars might be able to better inform us of the differences between these types of songs, but we certainly get the message that God approves of different types of music.

Most of us have a preference when it comes to music. Perhaps God doesn’t.

It would be helpful to remember this when we talk to people whose musical taste differs from ours.

 

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Don’t Pet the Lion!

Posted on August 4, 2014 by jesustrek

lionWhile visiting a small zoo in Michigan, Renae Ferguson decided that she wanted to get closer to the lions. Ignoring warnings, human instinct and basic common sense, she stuck her hand in the cage to pet a lion. She was surprised when the lion bit off part of a finger. Ferguson is even suing the Sunrise Side Nature Trail and Exotic Park for allowing her to put her hand in the cage. Zoo owners maintain that Ferguson ignored a guide’s warning to stay back away from the cage.

The Bible warns about spiritual danger. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”

In spite of such clear warnings, many people continue to try to “pet the lion”, and then wonder why they get hurt. They give in to sexual immorality, and are puzzled at the resulting pain in their lives. They practice deceit, and are perplexed that they can’t maintain a solid relationship with another human being. They are selfish, and can’t figure out why people avoid them. They are greedy, and are at a loss to explain why they are never satisfied.

Let’s wise up! Don’t pet the lion!

 

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Bigger View of Jesus

Posted on August 2, 2014 by jesustrek

Jesus on the crossA Denver woman told her pastor of a recent experience she had in a jewelry store. She had walked in and told the man behind the counter that she was looking for a necklace with a gold cross. The clerk looked at what he had available in the display case and asked, “Do you want a plain one, or do you want one with a little man on it?”

Too many people need to gain a bigger perception of who Jesus is. He is not a “little man” who is simply an ornament to wear around your neck. Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Savior of the world. He died to pay for the sins of mankind and he is the only way to God. This is the proper way to understand Jesus.

“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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Protective Mother

Posted on August 1, 2014 by jesustrek

octopusScientists have observed a female octopus deep in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California that has evidently protected her eggs for 4 ½ years. Apparently, this diligent mother has gone without food for the entire time. During this period, the mother octopus has been seen chasing away predators that were after her nearly 160 eggs. Such diligent protective behavior has caused someone to suggest that she should be nominated for “Mother of the Year” in the realm of nature.

Forty-one years after Roe vs. Wade, the human race still needs to learn what it means to be a protective mother.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”—Psalm 139:13.

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Good Food Here

Posted on July 30, 2014 by jesustrek

truck stopThere is a truck stop about 2 hours north of my town that claims that they have great food. Their advertising slogan is “World’s Best Diner”. They are so certain of this claim that they have the phrase painted on their roof in huge letters that can easily be seen from the highway and quite likely from passenger planes.

What is ironic is that the place is closed and apparently has been for some time. There are no cars or trucks parked on the lot and weeds are growing unchecked.

Evidently the food wasn’t quite the best in the world, or they probably would have been able to stay in business. If you are going to advertise that you have good food, you had better be prepared to back up that promise.

Most churches will tell you that they serve up the word of God in a way that satisfies people’s spiritual hunger. We should do everything in our power to make sure that this is true. We need to serve up the best spiritual food possible. The sermons and lessons should be based on the Bible and relevant to people’s lives. As the congregation spreads out into the community during the week, the members should speak God’s truth into as many lives as they can. This spiritual food is vital for people’s survival. Let’s keep serving it up!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”—Matthew 5:6.

 

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Who Protects You?

Posted on July 28, 2014 by jesustrek

mannequinIn October 1993, police sharpshooters in Rochester, New York, surrounded a car. In the backseat of the car was a man with a rifle. The police attempted to negotiate with the man. No answer. The officers watched and waited. No movement. Finally the police discovered the truth—The armed man in the backseat was a mannequin!

When the authorities tracked down the owner of the car, he told them he keeps the mannequin in his car for protection. “You’ve got to do this,” he said. “With the car-jackings, it helps if it looks like you’ve got a passenger.”

These are dangerous times. Whom do you rely on for protection? A mannequin or the Mighty One?

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”—Psalm 20:7.

 

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Unclaimed Prize

Posted on July 25, 2014 by jesustrek

money2An unknown person won $12 million in the Lotto Texas jackpot, but forfeited the prize when he or she failed to claim it by the end of June. Six months after beating the odds and winning the lottery, the person who had purchased the winning ticket failed to step forward before the deadline to claim the money. According to the Texas Lottery Commission, it was the largest unclaimed Lotto prize since 2001, and the third largest since the game began in 1992.

The ticket buyer, who probably never realized it was a winner, has been described as simultaneously lucky and cursed. Lottery Commission spokesperson Kelly Cripe said, “It’s very unfortunate.” That is a huge understatement!

It’s even more unfortunate that so many people have been given the free gift of eternal life, but they have never come forward to accept it by receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They shouldn’t delay! The offer will expire someday!

“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”—2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

 

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Scoring Points for the Lord

Posted on July 24, 2014 by jesustrek

shepard3I recently saw a video of a boy playing an arcade game that consisted of shooting small basketballs into a goal. I have tried this before, so I know how difficult it is to score. However, this young man was making it look ridiculously easy. He was shooting with either hand—left, then right. He shot so quickly that there was always a ball in the air. Yet he was not throwing the balls up there without aiming. His accuracy was amazing! The scoreboard was working hard to keep track of his points!

This reminded me of how we need to be diligent in working for the Lord. We should try to combine speed with accuracy. Some of us take too much time to set our sights, and sometimes we rarely ever take a shot. Others are super busy, running willy-nilly from one unplanned activity to the next, never really taking aim at anything and usually missing the mark.

Let’s try to do all we can to score points for the Lord.

“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”—Ecclesiastes 11:6.

 

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