Time to Slow Down

Posted on July 17, 2014 by jesustrek

I just got home from the doctor’s office with 3 stitches in my head. I hit my head because I got in too much of a hurry. Hearing the phone ring in the bedroom, I rushed from the shower without drying off. Caller ID told me that it was a solicitor, so I didn’t take the call. However, returning to the bathroom, I slipped on the wet linoleum. I tried to break my fall with my arms, but my head hit the floor pretty hard. Therefore, a trip to the doctor was necessary to get sewed up. And it all happened because I got in a big hurry.

This reminds me of how Martha was so distracted by everything she thought she had to get done, that she neglected the most important thing—spending time with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42).

Maybe God was telling me that I need to slow down and spend some time with him. If I don’t finish everything on my “To Do” list today, or if I let the answering machine pick up sometimes, so what? Being with the Lord is far more important.

I hope the next time I need to be reminded of this, he doesn’t need to smack me up the side of my head!

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Hypocrisy

Posted on July 15, 2014 by jesustrek

masksLouisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal recently proclaimed: “I am tired of the left. They say they’re for tolerance; they say they respect diversity. The reality is this: They respect everybody unless you happen to disagree with them. The left is trying to silence us, and I’m tired of it. I won’t take it anymore.”

I agree that there is a lot of hypocrisy on the political left. However, a bigger concern for me is that I don’t put on a false mask myself. We have a tendency to pretend to be better than we actually are.

Jesus can’t stand hypocrisy. In Matthew 23, he pronounces a series of woes on religious people who were not nearly as spiritual as they would have others believe they were. Jesus angrily calls them “hypocrites”, and he points out all of their pretentious actions that make them so vile and corrupt.

If religious people have the tendency to be hypocrites, I had better not be looking to the left to see hypocrisy. I had better keep my eye on the mirror in front of me.

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Truly Hungry

Posted on July 14, 2014 by jesustrek

hungry manWhile walking in downtown Indianapolis, I was approached by a man. After making some polite conversation, he mentioned that he had not had anything to eat all day, and asked if I would give him some money. “Just a dollar or two would really help me.”

Skeptical about giving money that might be used for drugs or alcohol, I had a better idea. “Why don’t you walk with me and let me buy you something to eat?”

“That’s all right”, he answered, and abruptly walked away.

I don’t think he was really all that hungry. Do you?

People often say that they are hungry for God. However, when the opportunity comes to be filled, many say, “That’s all right”, and walk away.

Let’s be truly hungry for God.

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

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Honoring a Hero

Posted on July 12, 2014 by jesustrek

Officer Perry Renn

Officer Perry Renn

Indianapolis police officer Perry Renn, 51, died last weekend from wounds received in a gun battle. Renn, a former paratrooper, saved several bystanders when he fired back at the suspect, critically wounding him.

Officer Renn’s funeral was held yesterday in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where the Indiana Pacers basketball team plays their home games. Gov. Mike Pence spoke at the funeral, and said, “Heroes are not simply defined in moments of crisis, they also are defined in moments of quiet dedication.” All who knew Officer Renn will tell you that he met every criteria for being a hero.

The funeral procession was 11 miles long. It was a fitting tribute to honor a hero who was willing to give his life to save others.

Jesus Christ is also a hero. He willingly gave up his innocent life to save us from our sins. It is fitting that we honor him by remembering him as he told us to do, by participating in the Lord’s Supper.

“…The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”—Matthew 20:28.

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Clothed a Certain Way

Posted on July 11, 2014 by jesustrek

UK t-shirtThis morning I was walking in downtown Indianapolis, on my way to the final day of the North American Christian Convention. Someone on the street noticed that I was wearing a blue University of Kentucky basketball T-shirt. Smiling, he remarked, “You sure are brave to wear that shirt in this town!”

“I guess so!” I replied.

Our clothing sometimes tells others something about us. It could show that we are proud of a certain city, state, sports team, etc.

The Bible says that when we become Christians we are, in a sense, clothed in him. Our actions and our words should reveal that we are not just associated with him, but that we are indeed proud of Jesus.

Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as Gods’ chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

If you are clothed in Jesus Christ, you just might get someone’s attention as you walk down the street.

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Pick a Live One

Posted on July 8, 2014 by jesustrek

duck decoyA recent Andrew Armstrong cartoon in Parade magazine pictured two ducks standing on the shore looking at a third duck floating in the water. One of the two says to the other, “We were together three weeks before I realized he was a decoy.”

You have to be very careful about choosing a potential mate. Scripture forbids a Christian to marry a non-Christian. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

The Bible teaches that we were dead in our sins before God saved us through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10). So, when you are looking for a spouse, be sure to pick a live one!

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Hard to Love

Posted on July 7, 2014 by jesustrek

girl making faceA Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, from Luke 10. She asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?”

After a few seconds of silence, one little girl finally spoke. She said, “I think I’d probably throw up!”

Jesus says that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). However, he never said it would be easy. People who need our love have often been beaten up by life and left alongside the road, hurting and bleeding. Sometimes they are suffering because of bad choices they have made. Still, they need our help.

Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and do the right thing.

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Free Indeed!

Posted on July 4, 2014 by jesustrek

american-flag-church-crossToday is the 4th of July, or Independence Day. It is a holiday that gives us time to stop and appreciate the freedom we have in the United States of America. Many people will give thanks to the veterans—past and present—who were willing to do whatever was necessary to provide and protect the freedom that we currently enjoy. Freedom never comes without a price, and we are grateful that so many were willing to sacrifice so much for our liberty.

While we celebrate the freedom we have in this country, let us also celebrate the freedom we Christians have in Christ. His sacrificial death on the cross set us free from our sins and the punishment associated with them.

In John 8, Jesus says, “…I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (vv.34-36).

If you have been set free from your sins by Jesus, enjoy that freedom, and worship the One who provided it for you.

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Who’s Having Trouble?!

Posted on July 3, 2014 by jesustrek

holding the doorAs I was exiting a public building this morning, I noticed an elderly lady having trouble getting inside. She was struggling with the heavy door, and appeared to be losing the battle. So I hurried forward to help her.

As I reached out to open the door for her she asked, “Are you having trouble?”

“What’s that?” I replied.

“Are you having trouble walking?”

I wasn’t having any trouble walking at all. I was merely reaching out to assist her.

“No”, I replied. “I’m fine.”

I had to smile inwardly as I thought about the irony of her comment. She was the one having trouble moving, but she thought it was me who was struggling!

That’s sort of like Elton John thinking that he understands Jesus better than Christians do. The famous singer/songwriter recently remarked that Jesus would accept homosexual marriage. Followers of Christ know that Elton is wrong—tragically wrong.

Don’t let any non-believer define Jesus. Jesus is perfectly capable of doing that himself.

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Lifeguard on Duty

Posted on June 30, 2014 by jesustrek

lifeguardA recent “Dennis the Menace” cartoon pictured Dennis at the beach. Our mischievous little friend, curious as usual, had a question for the lifeguard, who was perched high in his chair, in the shade of an umbrella. Dennis wanted to know, “How can you save anybody from up there?”

Of course, in order to save somebody, a lifeguard has to leave his sitting position and come down to where the person in trouble is struggling. He has to abandon his shady spot and get out there where the danger is.

In the same way, if we Christians are to save anyone, we have to come down from our lofty perch and reach out to someone who is struggling in the dangerous waves of sin. We have to reach out to them and lead them to Jesus.

Staying under the umbrella is not an option!

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