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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She Ain’t Heavy

Posted on May 19, 2014 by jesustrek

Claire and Chloe Gruenke

Claire and Chloe Gruenke

On May 14, 13-year-old twin sisters Claire and Chloe Gruenke were competing in the 800-meter race at the junior high state track meet in Illinois when Chloe suddenly felt something “pull and pop” in her thigh. The pain forced her to stop running, and it appeared that she would be unable to complete the race. However, Claire came back for her, put her sister on her back and carried her to the finish line.

This inspirational story reminds us of our Christian race. Sometimes we get hurt and feel that we can’t go on. Whenever this happens, a brother or sister comes along and carries us.

Thank God for our Christian family!

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2.

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Imposter

Posted on May 16, 2014 by jesustrek

Charity Anne Johnson

Charity Anne Johnson

A 31-year-old woman has been caught pretending to be a teenage student at a high school in East Texas. Charity Anne Johnson was arrested after being exposed as an imposter. She had successfully posed as a student for 7 months before her story unraveled.

Officials at New Life Christian School in Longview said that Johnson had earned good grades since she came to the school and that she had caused no trouble there. The only problem, of course, is that she really isn’t who she claimed to be.

In other news, many people are posing as Christians. No arrests have been made yet.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”—Luke 6:46.

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Helpless

Posted on May 14, 2014 by jesustrek

Baby birds in nestWe recently had some overgrown trees and shrubs removed from around our house. After one tree was cut down, we noticed that it had contained a nest with 3 baby birds. The babies seemed to have survived the fall, but their survival was in jeopardy. They were completely helpless as they lay there on the ground. They were in danger of starving, becoming dehydrated in the sun or becoming lunch for a neighborhood cat.

We put the baby birds back in the nest and placed it in a nearby tree. Perhaps their parents would hear their cries and find them and give them the food and protection they needed to live. It was their only chance to make it.

Our sin renders us helpless and subject to destruction. Our only hope is that our heavenly Father hears our cries for help and gives us salvation.

Thankfully, he has done that through Jesus!

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”—Romans 5:6.

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It’s Not Fair!

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jesustrek

scales of justiceLife is not fair. Upon accepting an award, the late Jack Benny once remarked, “I really don’t deserve this. But I have arthritis, and I don’t deserve that either.”

From a young age, we tend to be disturbed by the injustices of life. Children often exclaim, “It’s not fair!” As adults we continue to be frustrated when the scales of justice are not balanced. We wish we could fix every situation and make it right. I’m not saying that we should give up, but we do need to understand that life is not fair. Some people get away with murder. Others steal and don’t get caught. Wicked people sometimes appear to be quite happy with their lives.

And it’s not fair. The Bible points this out. Jesus says, “…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45).

In eternity, God’s justice will be administered fairly and finally. But in the meantime, we had better get used to the fact that life isn’t fair.

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Best Way to Remember

Posted on May 9, 2014 by jesustrek

spike nailsIn one of our recent worship services, our church passed out nails to everyone in attendance. These nails, while probably smaller than the ones used to crucify Jesus, were shaped much like the ones the Roman soldiers may have used to nail our Lord to the cross. The nails were given out to remind the worshipers that Jesus died to pay for our sins.

While this is an effective reminder, no one has yet come up with a better reminder than the one Jesus himself gave us—the Lord’s Supper. The best way to remember him is to obey him by participating in communion every chance we get.

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

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