Power Source

Posted on April 11, 2014 by jesustrek

floatOne New Year’s Day, a float in the Tournament of Roses parade suddenly started to sputter and then came to a stop. It had run out of gas. The parade was held up until someone could bring a can of gas.

What is ironic about this story is the fact that the float that ran out of gas was sponsored by the Standard Oil Company. Even with access to such a great amount of resources, the float ran out of gas.

The same thing happens to a lot of Christians. Even having been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, we sometimes fail to take advantage of this unlimited source of power, and our lives come to a sudden stop. We shouldn’t allow this to happen.

“To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:29.

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Electrically They Keep a Baseball Score

Posted on April 9, 2014 by jesustrek

baseball scoreboardThings keep on changing, don’t they? Not everyone is pleased with this.

I’m reminded of the following story. A guest speaker at a church was introduced to the oldest member of the congregation, a feisty little old lady who had just celebrated her 100th birthday. The speaker remarked, “You must have witnessed a lot of changes in the church over the years.” “Yes”, she replied, “and I was against every single one of them!”

Whenever we bristle at the thought of change, we should remind ourselves of how often the word “new” appears in the book of Revelation. God promises to give his people a new name (2:17). There is the prediction of a new Jerusalem (3:12). Those in heaven sang a new song (5:9). We can look forward to a new heaven and a new earth (21:1). Finally, God proclaims, “…I am making everything new!” (21:5).

Not all change is from God. For example, moral law does not change with shifting human opinions. However, when God is doing something new, let’s embrace it as something that is good and needed—especially if he is trying to change us to be more like Jesus.

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View to Remember

Posted on April 8, 2014 by jesustrek

scenic overlook signA hill near my house offers a scenic view of the town. From there I can see the house where my grandmother used to live, the school I attended as a child and the field where I played my first organized baseball game. That view brings back a lot of memories–of family get-togethers, friends, teachers, coaches, endless summer days, etc. It’s amazing what memories come to mind from just one look.

It’s also amazing what memories can be brought to our minds by simply looking at the emblems of communion—the bread that represents Jesus’ broken body and the juice that represents his shed blood help us to remember that he died on the cross to pay for our sins.

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

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For Our Own Good

Posted on April 7, 2014 by jesustrek

Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle was a great baseball player, but he did not live up to his potential as an athlete or as a human being because of his excessive drinking. Late in his life, Mantle admitted that he had abused alcohol for 42 years, and spoke of how it had an adverse effect on his life.

Mantle’s drinking clouded his thinking and robbed him of his peace of mind. It diminished his skills as a baseball player and cut short his career. It messed up his relationship with his sons. Alcohol destroyed his health and took years off of his life.

There is a good reason that the Bible often warns us against drunkenness. It’s not because God doesn’t want us to have a good time. It’s because God wants us to have a good life.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”—Ephesians 5:18

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Eager Desire

Posted on April 4, 2014 by jesustrek

communionWith great anticipation, Jesus looked forward to sharing the Passover meal with his disciples before he went to the cross to die for the sins of mankind. “And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15).

It was during this meal that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. The communion that is celebrated by Christians around the world reminds us of the great love that Jesus has for us—love that took him all the way to the cross!

Let us approach communion with an eager desire each time we gather for this important meal!

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Look at Me!

Posted on April 3, 2014 by jesustrek

kid jumping into a poolIt’s funny to watch an 8 or 9-year-old at a swimming pool. They are constantly clamoring for attention. Every time they get ready to jump into the water, they call out to an adult, “Look at me!” It’s as if no one in the history of the human race has ever jumped into a pool of water as well as they are about to do it!

As we mature, we don’t need quite so much attention. At least we shouldn’t. It would be odd for an adult to yell, “Look at me!” every time he or she jumped into a pool.

As we mature spiritually, we should call less attention to ourselves and more attention to Jesus.

“He must become greater; I must become less.”—John 3:30.

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First Things First

Posted on April 1, 2014 by jesustrek

Chick-fil-AI just read that Chick-fil-A has surpassed KFC in sales in the United States. The Colonel has been relegated to second place in spite of the fact that Chick-fil-A has fewer restaurants than KFC. In addition to this, all Chick-fil-A locations are closed every Sunday!

This proves that a company or individual can go against common wisdom and succeed by putting God first. This should inspire us to examine our priorities and our practices and always seek to give the Lord the top spot in our lives.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”—Matthew 6:33.

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All Are Important

Posted on March 31, 2014 by jesustrek

running in the coldPeople sometimes ask me why I wear gloves when it’s chilly outside, even though I’m wearing short pants. I’ve discovered that when I’m exercising, my hands are the first part of my body to get cold.

I learned this lesson the hard way several years ago, when I went out for a long run on a cold day. By the time I got back to the house, my hands were so numb from the cold that I was almost unable to get the door unlocked! I could barely hold the key in my hands! While I fumbled to get a grip on the key, the rest of my body was getting colder also! Finally, I was able to insert the key into the lock and turn it to open the door. From that time on, I have always worn gloves to exercise outside in cold weather.

The Bible says that the church is like a body, and that all of its parts are important. Keeping that in mind, we should make a special effort to take care of one another’s needs. If one Christian suffers, it affects the others too.

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it…”—1 Corinthians 12:26.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”—Galatians 6:10.

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Let’s Catch Them!

Posted on March 28, 2014 by jesustrek

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

For many years, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has been a popular place for people to commit suicide. Last year, a record 46 people took their own lives by jumping off the iconic orange structure. Through the years, people have suggested that a net should be put in place to discourage people from jumping and to save those who do jump. Officials have never agreed on such a plan. All of that may soon change, as there is more support for constructing a safety net—a $66 million stainless steel net that would be installed 20 feet below the sidewalk.

People commit spiritual suicide all the time. They do so by rejecting Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior of the world.

We are instructed to try to save them. What are you doing to help put up a net to save people from eternal destruction?

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”—Matthew 4:19.

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All In

Posted on March 27, 2014 by jesustrek

Bob Hoffman

Bob Hoffman

Bob Hoffman coaches the Mercer men’s basketball team, which recently upset Duke in the NCAA Tournament. After that big win, reporters asked Hoffman where his passion came from. He responded, “Well, I’m a big psycho. I mean, I’m just a big psycho. Whatever I do, I’m all in. Whether it’s at church worshipping, if it’s on the floor coaching, if it’s eating fried chicken, getting my iced tea, I’m all in. I’m going to give all I got and that’s just how I’m wired.”

Bob Hoffman sounds like the kind of guy I want to worship with!

How about you? Are you all in?

Jesus says, “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.” (John 4:23).

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