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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Grace Will Lead Me Home

Posted on March 26, 2014 by jesustrek

kids running the basesA few days ago I walked by a ball park where some youngsters—perhaps 7 or 8 years old–were practicing baseball. Their coaches had them working on running the bases. They instructed them, “Make sure you touch every base!”

My mind flashed back to a time when I was playing softball. In an effort to go from first base to third on a hit, I missed second base. I had built up such a head of steam that I decided not to break stride. I pulled into third base, hoping that no one would notice my mistake. I wasn’t that lucky! Someone on the opposing team called out, “He missed second base!” They appealed to the umpire, who promptly made the correct decision and called me out.

Sometimes we think that in order to please God, we can’t make any mistakes—that he is waiting to call us out for any little slip-up. That’s not true! While God wants us to always strive to do the right thing, it’s not perfection that he is looking for—it’s faithfulness.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”—Ephesians 2:8-9.

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Imitating Their Faith

Posted on March 25, 2014 by jesustrek

carrying crossLast night I dreamed about my Uncle Bob Wilmoth, who went on to his heavenly reward several years ago. Uncle Bob preached the gospel for over 50 years, and he always was one of my heroes of the faith. He still inspires me to this day.

In my dream, Uncle Bob walked into the room and began to study for his sermon. He always spent a lot of time in preparation. He would memorize his text and his sermon, so he could keep perfect eye contact with his audience.

The dream ended with me putting aside the newspaper I was reading and working on my sermon also.

It’s good to know that lives that are well-lived can continue to set a good example even after we are gone!

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”—Hebrews 13:7.

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Steer Clear of Disaster

Posted on March 24, 2014 by jesustrek

ObamaCulture wars are nothing new. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible contains accounts of people who rebelled against God’s moral laws and had to face unspeakable consequences. It shouldn’t surprise us that this trend continues today.

Jude 4 & 7 proclaims a dire warning–“For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord…In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”

We are currently engaged in a fierce battle of spiritual warfare. Sitting on the sidelines is not an option! And for goodness’ sake—literally, for goodness’ sake—don’t let anyone steer you down the path of destruction!

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