Put Out the Welcome Mat

Posted on November 13, 2013 by jesustrek
Not seeker-sensitive

Not seeker-sensitive

One of the main purposes of the church is to attract people to Jesus Christ. However, sometimes Christians don’t do a very good job of putting out the welcome mat. We use “churchy” words and phrases that make it seem like we’re talking in a secret code. We can’t disguise disapproving looks when interacting with someone who doesn’t dress the way we think they should. We can be judgmental about someone else’s sinful past while thanking God that he has forgiven us for our own transgressions. We are friendly to each other on Sunday morning, while paying precious little attention to guests in the assembly. We don’t attempt to develop relationships with our unchurched acquaintances.

It seems that we often put up barriers that hinder people who may honestly be seeking God. Instead, let’s all try to do a better job of putting out the welcome mat.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”–Colossians 4:5.

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Nonsense

Posted on November 11, 2013 by jesustrek
Pope Francis

Pope Francis

The new leader of the Catholic Church has gained a lot of approval for the way he has reached out to the common people. However, some of Pope Francis’ comments have caused a great deal of concern among those who believe the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. His statements on some of the greatest moral issues have been confusing at best. But perhaps the most disconcerting of all of the pope’s statements was when he called proselytizing “solemn nonsense.”

I couldn’t disagree more strongly. The reason Jesus came to earth was to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Those who claim to follow Jesus must be passionate about evangelism as well. He has given us our marching orders: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Anyone who disagrees with Jesus is the one speaking nonsense.

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Sermon on the Amount

Posted on November 7, 2013 by jesustrek

moneyThe basic question is not how much of our money we should give to God, but how much of God’s money we should keep for ourselves.”—J. Oswald Sanders.

We often forget that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father…” (James 1:17). Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, which is a poetic way of saying that he owns everything. All that we think we possess has simply been entrusted to us by God, who expects us to be good stewards of all the blessings he has given us.

Remembering all this might make it easier to decide how much to give to the church this Sunday.

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Getting Along

Posted on November 6, 2013 by jesustrek

preacher-angryThere was once a preacher who could not get along with the people at his church. They couldn’t agree on anything, and the situation deteriorated to the point where the preacher decided to leave the church. He accepted a position as a chaplain in a state prison. The next Sunday, he announced to the congregation that he was leaving because Jesus had called him to work at the prison. The worship leader promptly led the church in singing, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. Then the preacher stood and read his text from John 14:2-3, “…I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

It is such a blessing to worship and serve in a church where the people get along with one another!

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”—Psalm 133:1.

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Stay Thirsty My Friends

Posted on November 5, 2013 by jesustrek

bottle of waterI’ve noticed that young athletes (10-12 years of age) are concerned about staying hydrated while they are competing. Boys need a bottle of water, or their favorite sports drink, after playing a couple of innings of baseball. Girls send Mom or Dad to the concession stand to get something to quench their thirst before halftime of their basketball game.

I don’t remember being that thirsty when I was a kid, but I guess it’s a good thing that today’s young athletes see the need to drink plenty of fluids when they exercise.

Let’s hope they stay spiritually thirsty too.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”—Matthew 5:6.

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Knowing

Posted on November 4, 2013 by jesustrek

shepard3There is a story told about two men who were asked to recite the 23rd Psalm in front of a large crowd. The first man was an accomplished actor. He delivered his lines with precision and flair. When he finished, the audience showed their approval with a thunderous round of applause.

The second man to speak was an older gentleman who had preached the Word of God for many years. His recitation of the 23rd Psalm was much less dramatic, but it was from the heart. The reaction from the crowd was much different. Instead of applauding, they sat in silence; many had tears streaming down their cheeks.

Later, two people were talking about the different responses to the two speakers. One summed it up: “The first man knows the Psalm. The second man knows the Shepherd!”

“I want to know Christ…”—Philippians 3:10.

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Just Good Clean Fun

Posted on November 1, 2013 by jesustrek

Hallmark apparelHallmark is getting some complaints about a miniature holiday sweater they are offering for sale. The colorful ornament bears the phrase “Don We Now Our Fun Apparel!” Critics claim that Hallmark is trying to make a political statement by changing the classic line from the “Deck the Halls” Christmas carol by replacing the word “gay” with the word “fun”. Some are saying that they will refuse to shop at Hallmark because of this.

Hallmark says that they just wanted to go back to the original meaning of the word “gay”, which meant merry or festive. The term has, of course, come to mean other things, and they did not want their intent to be misinterpreted.

It will be interesting to see if Hallmark will back down and offer an apology. Personally, I hope they don’t.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”—Romans 12:21.

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Greed vs. Sacrifice

Posted on October 30, 2013 by jesustrek

moneyIt’s remarkable how much attention Jesus gives to the subject of finances. His teachings are full of advice about how to use the money that God allows us to acquire. He points out that our attitude toward material things is a clue to what drives us: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Matthew 6:21. As followers of Christ, we would do well to heed what Jesus says about money and how we handle it.

The rich young ruler—who claimed to have lived in obedience to God–walked away from Jesus, sad because he would not let go of his riches in order to have treasure in heaven (Luke 18:18-23). On the other hand, a poor widow gave her last two coins to God (Mark 12:41-44). Evidently, she had developed a faith in God that the rich young ruler knew nothing about.

Granted, these are two extreme cases. Most of us find ourselves somewhere between the rich man’s greed and the widow’s willingness to sacrifice.

But to which one are you closest?

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Surviving the Storm

Posted on October 29, 2013 by jesustrek
Superstorm Sandy damage

Superstorm Sandy damage

A year ago today, Superstorm Sandy hit the east coast, killing at least 182 people in the United States and causing an estimated $65 billion in damage. The region has not yet recovered from the storm. Many people are still waiting for insurance money. Others who have received payments have found that the settlement was not nearly enough to rebuild their home or business. Some are wondering if they should even attempt to rebuild in a place where another storm might hit in the future.

Jesus urges us to build our lives wisely when it comes to spiritual matters. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, he teaches that some build wisely, while others build foolishly (Matthew 7:24-27). Those who build foolishly will see disastrous results. If you want to create something that will last, you have to build your life on the teachings of Jesus.

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True Colors

Posted on October 29, 2013 by jesustrek

There is a story told about a young girl who was walking along the road when she came upon a snake. To her surprise, the snake spoke to her. “I’m so cold,” he said. “Would you pick me up and put me under your coat long enough to warm me up?”

“But you are a snake!” she replied. “If I pick you up, you’ll bite me!”

“No, I won’t!” he insisted. “I give you my word.”

Finally, the girl relented. She picked up the snake and put him under her coat, just as he had asked. Soon she felt a sharp pain in her side, and she cried out as she dropped the snake to the ground.

“You bit me! After you promised that you wouldn’t!”

“What do you expect from a snake?” he hissed as he crawled away.

NBC News is reporting that the Obama administration has consistently lied for years about their health care plan. The president often asserted that those who pay for their own insurance would be able to keep their plan. However, he knew all along that this wasn’t true. In fact, as many as 50 to 75 percent of the nearly 14 million people who pay for their own insurance may have their coverage dropped. The Obama administration knew this three years ago, but kept the truth away from the people in order to gain the greater government control that liberals so desperately want.

Many people are not surprised at this lack of character on behalf of the president. We knew he was pro-abortion in 2008, yet we elected him anyway. By the time 2012 came around, Mr. Obama had come out of the closet and voiced his approval of homosexual “marriage”, yet we re-elected him.

We got what we deserved. We knew what he was when we picked him up.

“When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him.–Psalm 109:7.

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