Great Gift

Posted on December 25, 2013 by jesustrek

family at dinnerA young boy had just learned how to tell time, and, more than anything else, he wanted a wristwatch for Christmas. He didn’t ask for anything else besides a watch. All day long he reminded his parents that he wanted a watch for Christmas.

Finally they had heard all they wanted to hear about the subject. They told him that he was not to ask for a watch again. If they heard him pleading for a watch just one more time, there would be negative consequences.

The family had a tradition of taking turns sharing a verse of Scripture at the dinner table before the meal each evening. It just so happened that it was the son’s turn to quote a verse that night. He shared with them these words of Jesus, from Mark 13:37—“What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”

I hope you get everything you want this Christmas. More importantly, I hope that you have already accepted the greatest Christmas gift that was ever offered—Jesus Christ!

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”—2 Corinthians 9:15.

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Make Room

Posted on December 24, 2013 by jesustrek

BethlehemA married couple decided that it would be wonderful to spend Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. So they flew to Israel, rented a car and drove to Bethlehem. They didn’t anticipate that so many other people would also think that it would be a good idea to be in Bethlehem for the holiday. They found that there was no room for them at any inn!

The husband pleaded for a room, but the hotel clerk said that they had no rooms available. He offered to pay double, but the clerk still insisted that he had nothing to offer.

Finally, the husband said, “I’ll bet if a man came in and said that his name was Joseph, and his wife waiting out in the car was named Mary, and that she was about to have a baby any minute, you would find a place for them to stay!

The clerk nervously stammered, “Yes, I suppose I would.”

“Well, I can guarantee you they aren’t coming! We’ll take their room!”

I hope that you make room for Jesus in your Christmas!

“…Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”—Luke 2:15.

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This Is Our Season

Posted on December 23, 2013 by jesustrek

Christmas sceneThis time of year, atheists gleefully point out that some of the Christmas traditions that we cherish have a background in various pagan rituals. They think that they are belittling Christianity because non-Christians observed these traditions first.

In fact, they are unwittingly (see Psalm 14:1) acknowledging the strength of Christianity. The kingdom of God has taken a season that was devoted to false religion and redeemed it for true worship, honoring the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s savor the victory as we joyfully celebrate the birth of our Savior!

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”—2 Corinthians 10:5

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O Christmas Truck

Posted on December 20, 2013 by jesustrek

pickup truckI just saw a Christmas truck! The old pickup truck, which had obviously seen some hard times, had been put back together with a combination of green and red parts. I don’t know that the owner was going for a Christmas look, but that’s certainly what he ended up with!

It’s funny how we have assigned certain colors to the emotions that we feel. We’re blue when we’re sad. We’re yellow when we are afraid. Green is for envy and red is for anger.

Maybe if we take our envy and anger and turn these negative feelings over to Jesus, we might have a better Christmas.

Let Jesus put some color into your life this Christmas season!

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7.

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Phil Is Right

Posted on December 19, 2013 by jesustrek
Phil Robertson

Phil Robertson

Stop the presses! Phil Robertson, one of the stars of the A&E hit television show Duck Dynasty, has just informed the world that homosexual behavior is a sin!

Actually, that’s not news. All Bible-believing Christians understand that homosexual behavior is sinful. What is surprising is that those who are outside of Christ continue to be shocked and appalled—at least they pretend to be—when Christians actually believe what the Bible says. Remember the outrage some non-believers expressed when a Chick-fil-A executive also held to a biblical view on this subject? The game plan of our opponents seems to be as follows: Put a microphone in front of a famous Christian, ask him or her what they believe about the definition of marriage or about homosexual behavior, and then go ballistic when they answer in the only way a Christian could possibly answer!

The Bible clearly and consistently teaches that homosexual behavior is wrong. Robertson rightly points out that those who practice these sins will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). This Scripture lists other sins that will keep people from being in the kingdom of God. It also says that some people in the church at Corinth had stopped practicing those types of sins as a lifestyle when they became followers of Jesus Christ.

So, Phil is right. He should be admired for standing so firmly for his savior, Jesus, against the hateful lies of those who oppose Christ. Let’s boldly stand with him!

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Non-Believers’ Beliefs

Posted on December 18, 2013 by jesustrek
Atheist symbol at Daley Plaza

Atheist symbol at Daley Plaza

For years, Daley Plaza in Chicago has hosted privately maintained Christmas and Hanukkah displays. Now there is another worldview represented there. Among the nativity scene and the menorah is a giant letter “A”, representing atheists and agnostics.

I’m glad that those who don’t believe in God have found a way to celebrate the birth of his Son, aren’t you?

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”—John 1:11-12.

Happy Holiday!

And we know Who the holiday is for, don’t we?

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To Be Honest

Posted on December 17, 2013 by jesustrek
Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan

Washington Redskins head football coach Mike Shanahan was talking with reporters after giving his reasons for sitting down quarterback Robert Griffin III for the rest of this season. He said, “I’m trying to be as honest as I can, and I don’t normally do that.”

It’s refreshing to hear such honesty about being dishonest…I think.

I suppose Shanahan meant that he wasn’t always as forthcoming as he could be with reporters. Coaches often withhold information and opinions when they think it could benefit their team to do so.

Christians should be very careful to speak truthfully at all times. Honesty is always the best policy.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”—Ephesians 4:15.

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Worshipful Moments

Posted on December 16, 2013 by jesustrek

communion in handsI know that we are supposed to live a lifestyle of worship. Still, it seems that there are moments in which we feel especially aware of the presence of God.

I had one of those moments a few years ago. It was just before Christmas. My wife and I were out of town for the weekend. The church where we decided to worship sang mostly Christmas songs that day. When it came time for communion, we kept on singing as we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. At just the moment I was preparing to put the bread in my mouth, we sang, “This, this is Christ the King…” I thought about how Jesus said, “This is my body” and “This is my blood”. I was overwhelmed with joy as I experienced such a wonderful moment of worship, meditating on the fact that Christ the King had died for me.

Later, I thought about how I might try to recreate that moment for myself and others in another church on another Sunday morning. However, I have come to the conclusion that that particular moment cannot be recreated. God only set a bush on fire for Moses once. Some moments were not meant to be repeated, therefore they are to be appreciated for what they are, and then entrusted to our memory banks.

However, there are other worshipful moments awaiting us; other experiences with God to be anticipated. It may come during a prayer, a sermon, a song, or a passage of Scripture. It may take place during the breaking of bread. It may occur when you are alone with God or when you are worshiping with other believers.

Look for those worshipful moments. Live them; enjoy them; praise God for them!

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”—Isaiah 55:6.

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Worshiping Jesus

Posted on December 13, 2013 by jesustrek

magiThe Magi from the east came a long way to see Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). They followed God’s leading, and, when they came to an impasse, they asked questions about his whereabouts. Continuing on their way, they once again were guided by the star they had seen earlier. When they finally found Jesus, they were overjoyed. They bowed down and worshiped him, giving him expensive gifts. Then they began their long journey back home, satisfied with getting nothing in return for their efforts.

How does your journey to worship Jesus compare with that of the Magi?

Do you seek him diligently, not getting easily discouraged when you run into roadblocks?

Do you follow God’s leading, and ask for help from others when necessary?

When is the last time you truly felt overjoyed to simply be in the presence of Jesus?

Do you offer Jesus gifts (time, talent or treasure) of value?

Is worship your ultimate goal, or only a means of getting something in return?

These are questions to ponder as we seek to worship Jesus this Christmas season.

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Pressing On

Posted on December 12, 2013 by jesustrek

runnerOur church has put together our own Christmas devotional booklet. There are 25 short devotions, one for each day from December 1 through Christmas Day. These devotions were written by our own church members.

It is interesting to see the different perspectives that are represented among our writers. Some have experienced terrible tragedy in their lives. Others have made bad choices that led them down the wrong path. Some have been greatly disappointed by someone they loved. Several have overcome unfortunate circumstances and unforeseen setbacks.

Through all of these writings runs a common theme—there is much joy to be experienced in living for the Lord, in trusting in him and worshiping him in spirit and in truth.

No matter what resides in your past, enjoy the present life that you live in Jesus, and look forward with glorious expectation to the wonderful future that he promises!

“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 3:13-14.

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