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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Be Careful How You Use That Name!

Posted on July 23, 2014 by jesustrek

Ten CommandmentsKenneth and Ruth Gambill, a married couple from Salyersville, Kentucky, were charged, along with Morgan County Judge-Executive Tim Conley, in a federal corruption case. The Gambills each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The couple operated a construction company that received contracts in Morgan County to clean up debris and perform construction jobs in the aftermath of a March 2, 2012 tornado.

Ironically, the company is known as “Praise Be the Holy Name of Jesus and Jehovah Construction, Inc.”

It appears that there are multiple ways to break the Third Commandment!

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”—Exodus 20:7.

 

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That’s Not How It Goes!

Posted on July 22, 2014 by jesustrek

Buzz-LightyearMost young children enjoy the Toy Story movies. Many of these youngsters have an action figure of their favorite character. Perhaps the most flamboyant of these heroes is astronaut Buzz Lightyear. Buzz is brimming with self-confidence and enthusiasm. His catch phrase is, “To infinity and beyond!”

I enjoy teasing little kids who like Buzz. I will intentionally mess up his line by saying, “To infinity and then just a little bit farther!” They always respond by saying something like, “That’s not how it goes!”

It’s not such a big deal to change a line from a cartoon movie. However, we had better be careful when talking about what the Bible says. God doesn’t like it when we twist his words around!

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”—Revelation 22:18-19.

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Engaged in Worship

Posted on July 18, 2014 by jesustrek

bored-in-church1A few years ago, a “Dennis the Menace” cartoon showed Dennis sitting in a church pew beside his father. Looking up at his Dad, he says, “Is it OK if we leave at half time?”

Worship services don’t normally have a half time, but you get the idea that some people might like to change that! Some people do mentally check out about halfway through the service. Their bodies are there, but they aren’t really participating in the worship.

Let’s always strive to be fully engaged in every worship service we attend.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”—John 4:23-24.

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