Feeling Like a Champ

Posted on June 5, 2014 by jesustrek

Champ-Bailey_Large-932x539I recently celebrated another birthday, and I’m feeling like a champ—“Champ” Bailey, that is. Bailey is a professional football player who is approaching his 36th birthday. That’s old for a football player. Bailey has noticed that he is the oldest player on the New Orleans Saints’ roster except for placekicker Shayne Graham.

Champ says, “If you put me on any team, I’m always going to be the old guy. It’s just something I’ve got to get used to.”

Getting older is something we all have to get used to. With age comes more responsibility to set an example for those who are younger. Along with this responsibility come opportunities to influence others in greater ways than ever before.

So let’s not bemoan the fact that we are getting older. Let’s embrace the possibilities to have a positive impact on others to strengthen the kingdom of God.

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good…”—Titus 2:6-7.

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Scuffed

Posted on June 4, 2014 by jesustrek

pennySometimes I find coins on the road or sidewalk when I’m out walking. It’s not enough to make a significant difference in my retirement account, but it still is a small thrill to pick up a coin that has been lost.

A coin that has been run over by traffic numerous times can get quite scuffed up. I recently found a penny that was so beaten up that I could just barely make out the image of Abraham Lincoln.

Life can beat us up so badly that we might sometimes feel like a scuffed up penny. Circumstances beyond our control take a toll on us. People scar us with their harmful words and actions. Sometimes the damage is self-inflicted, due to poor decisions we have made.

Let’s always remember that we are created in God’s image. Genesis 2:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

No matter how tarnished that image may become, we are still valuable to God; so much so that he sent Jesus to die for us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16.

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Put a Smile on Your Face!

Posted on June 2, 2014 by jesustrek

smiley-faceA friend and I sat and watched our church praise team practice before worship yesterday. We must have looked like we carried the weight of the world on our shoulders, because one of the singers suggested that we smile. Apparently, our sad demeanor was bringing everyone down!

So we concentrated on using our faces to show our joy.

Just to make sure that we looked joyful, Timmy, our sound technician, quickly drew smiles on sticky notes and gave them to us. I suppose a pasted on smile is better than none at all!

We do have so much to cause us to rejoice. Jesus died to pay for our sins. He defeated death when he rose from the tomb. He promises to always be with us. And he will one day escort us into an eternity filled with blessings we cannot yet fully comprehend!

That ought to put a smile on your face!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”—Philippians 4:4.

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Communion in Troas

Posted on May 30, 2014 by jesustrek

We can read about an interesting worship service in Acts 20:7-12. Paul, Luke and their traveling companions were in Troas. There the believers came together on the first day of the week to break bread, as was the custom for worship in the early days of the church.

Paul talked on and on. (We have all heard those kind of sermons and communion meditations, haven’t we?) A fellow named Eutychus drifted off to sleep, fell from the third story of the meeting place and died.

I have put a few people to sleep with my preaching, but the worst consequence has been some loud snoring. To my knowledge, I haven’t killed anyone…yet.

Thankfully, Paul was able to bring the young man back to life. They went back upstairs and broke bread.

Then, Paul kept talking until dawn. I suppose the miracle enabled him to keep people’s attention. It was indeed quite a remarkable time of communion.

Today’s worship services are shorter and less spectacular. However, let us remember that there is still life-giving power in the blood of Jesus!

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More of Us

Posted on May 29, 2014 by jesustrek

fernBirds keep trying to build a nest in a hanging basket on our front porch. My wife doesn’t want a bird’s nest in her hanging basket on our front porch. So she keeps running the birds off. And they keep coming back. You have to admire their tenacity, but hopefully they will take the hint and look elsewhere to build their nest.

Birds have an instinctive drive to reproduce. We Christians should also have a burning desire to reproduce ourselves. By doing so, we bring people to salvation through Jesus and help them to begin to experience the life that God has planned for them.

“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.”–Matthew 28:19-20.

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Tweeting Encouragement

Posted on May 28, 2014 by jesustrek

tweetingSomeone at Boyle County (Kentucky) High School is tweeting messages of encouragement, and these uplifting words are making a positive difference in the lives of many people.

A Twitter account was started in January with the handle @BCHSAnonymous. The stated mission is “To spread positivity around Boyle County High School.” Messages include compliments to students and staff, with the expressed purpose of putting a smile on people’s faces and making the school a better place.

Needless to say, the mystery tweeter has been well received and has lifted the spirits of many people.

In a world filled with so much discouragement, it is refreshing to see someone offer a positive alternative. May we all seize every opportunity to encourage others along the way.

“…Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.”—Acts 13:15.

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Don’t Forget to Remember!

Posted on May 24, 2014 by jesustrek

communionOne of my favorite walks takes me to a cemetery on top of a hill just outside of town. Just a few days ago, I was on my way up the hill and noticed that the road had recently been graveled. I appreciated the smoother walking surface. As I approached the top of the hill, I noticed an American flag flying, the grass was immaculately cut and many of the graves had flowers on them. All this seemed unusual because this is a secluded cemetery that doesn’t normally get a lot of visitors.

It finally dawned on me that it was getting close to Memorial Day weekend. That explained all the extra attention given to the road and the cemetery. They were getting ready for people to come and remember their loved ones who had passed away.

Just as Memorial Day can sneak up on you, the Lord’s Supper often arrives before we realize it. Let’s try to do all we can to prepare for this important time of remembrance!

“…Do this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19.

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Stay Hungry

Posted on May 23, 2014 by jesustrek

Baby birds in nestHave you ever had an opportunity to watch baby birds in their nest? Whenever they sense the presence of their mother, they stretch out their necks and open their mouths wide, expecting to be fed. The only way they can stay alive and grow bigger and stronger is if they continue to take in the nourishment that is provided for them.

Jesus wants us to grow in our faith, and he promises a special blessing for us if we continue to hunger for spiritual nourishment. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”—Matthew 5:6.

Let’s stay hungry!

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Good Reception

Posted on May 22, 2014 by jesustrek

cell phone receptionCell phone reception in my home town has improved recently, but it is still spotty. It is not unusual to see a driver parked along the side of the road because he or she has found a place where the reception is good enough to make a phone call.

Isn’t it wonderful that we don’t have that kind of problem connecting with God? No matter where we might find ourselves, our heavenly Father is able to hear our voice. God is always able to hear our prayers and to respond with his love and mercy.

“When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.”—Psalm 138:3.

 

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New Story

Posted on May 20, 2014 by jesustrek

Godzilla“Godzilla” is doing well at the box office. I am considering going to see this most recent telling of the story of this fearsome creature. One review I read said that the story will be too familiar for most people, and that might cut into their enjoyment of the movie. That won’t be a problem for me. Believe it or not, I have never seen a Godzilla movie. The story will be new to me.

Remarkably, many people today have never really heard the best story ever told—the true story of God’s radical plan to save the world through Jesus Christ.

While we may think it a shame that we live in an age of such biblical illiteracy, we should see it as a great opportunity to tell this story again and again. Remember, the gospel message is new to some people. Let’s never grow tired of telling the most wonderful story ever told—the story of Jesus and his love.

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”—Acts 8:4.

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