Forsaking All Others

Posted on January 6, 2014 by jesustrek

married coupleRuss Blowers had retired after decades of successful ministry. He was a preacher in a large, growing church and was in great demand as a speaker for seminars and conferences. When someone asked Russ what his greatest accomplishment was, he answered, “I never had to go into my children’s room and explain to them why I had been unfaithful to their mother.”

Now there was a man who understood the importance of keeping his wedding vows!

Adultery is such a devastating sin that Jesus says we shouldn’t even think about it. He teaches in Matthew 5:27-29, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

Sounds like serious business! Guard your marriage by guarding your heart!

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Stirring Things Up

Posted on January 3, 2014 by jesustrek

When the Magi from the east came to Jerusalem looking for baby Jesus, all of Jerusalem was disturbed (Matthew 2:1-3). Apparently there was a big fuss over someone who was said to be born king of the Jews. For some time now, there had been a lot of anticipation among God’s people. They were expecting a Messiah, one sent from God who would lead them and care for them. Perhaps the long-awaited prophecy was now being fulfilled in Jesus. In any case, Jesus stirred things up from the very beginning of his arrival on this planet.

Fast forward to Jesus’ adulthood, near the end of his life on earth. He was making his way to Jerusalem in what we call the “Triumphal Entry” (Matthew 21:1-11). He rode into the city on a donkey’s colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 62:11. The large crowd, perhaps realizing this was a fulfillment of prophecy, praised Jesus loudly and exuberantly as he entered the city. Verse 10 says, “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

It seems that Jesus was constantly keeping things stirred up. Even today, Jesus still causes some lively discussions. When the teachings of Christ are applied to hot-button issues such as: the sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, the value of hard work and the need to care for the poor, the conversation is never boring!

Let’s not back away from these conversations. Let’s keep things stirred up. Just like Jesus did.

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Pause

Posted on December 31, 2013 by jesustrek

popcorn-movie1On rare occasions my wife and I will go see a movie. More often we will rent a movie and watch it at home. There are several differences between seeing a film on the big screen and watching it at home. For me, the biggest difference is this—at home I can ask my wife to hit the “pause” button and explain to me what in the world is going on in the movie. I sometimes have trouble keeping up with the plot and figuring out who the characters are. A quick break for explanations can clear up a lot of confusion and help things make sense once again.

The same thing happens in life. Sometimes events start happening too fast and we have trouble understanding how God is orchestrating all that is happening around us. That’s when we need to hit the “pause” button. We need to step back and take a break to figure out how the plot is unfolding.

Some call it prayer.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”–Psalm 27:14

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Roles

Posted on December 30, 2013 by jesustrek

When we watch old movies and shows on television, my wife and I enjoy discovering actors and actresses who were once relatively unknown but have since made a name for themselves.

“Hey! Isn’t that so-and-so from such-and-such?”

“I think you’re right!”

Quite often the person has changed so much that recognition is difficult. It’s funny to see how much they have changed. It’s also amusing to see the type of role they once played. Even some of the best actors and actresses get their start by playing in some horrible movies and shows. Some might be embarrassed at the roles they once agreed to play. Today they would not even consider playing the parts that they once so readily accepted.

If we were to watch our lives on film, I suppose we would be amused to notice how much we have changed over the years. We would no doubt be embarrassed at the roles we once played. We thought we were doing the right thing at the time, but now we have a better understanding of the role that God has in mind for us to play. Let’s refuse to accept anything less.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…”–Jeremiah 29:11

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Cleans Wonderfully

Posted on December 27, 2013 by jesustrek

cleaning supplies

My wife really likes a certain cleaning product that she uses around the house. I don’t want to get into product endorsement here, but this household helper really does a magical job of erasing dirt, grime and stains that have built up on fixtures and appliances. Things that have become filthy can be made sparkling clean once again.

Our lives become tarnished because of the sin that we just can’t seem to avoid. Though our intentions are good—usually—our sinful nature often gets the best of us, and we become stained as a result. We need the blood of Jesus to make us clean.

Thankfully, the cleansing power of Jesus Christ is constantly at work in the lives of believers, taking away our sins and making us look sparkling clean in the eyes of God.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”—1 John 2:2.

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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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