Important Words

Posted on November 15, 2013 by jesustrek
Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

Yesterday a Pennsylvania newspaper retracted an 1863 editorial which had some disparaging remarks about President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The address, of course, has become known as one of the greatest speeches in human history. Its importance, however, was unnoticed by the Patriot & Union, now called the Patriot-News, of Harrisburg. The editorial dismissed the president’s words thusly: “We pass over the silly remarks of the President. For the credit of the nation we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them, and that they shall be no more repeated or thought of.”

Of course, they couldn’t have been more wrong, and now the newspaper says, “The Patriot-News regrets the error.”

Sadly, too many people make the mistake of dismissing the words of another great leader—the greatest of all leaders–Jesus.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”—Matthew 24:35.

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They Didn’t Know

Posted on November 14, 2013 by jesustrek

clamScientists recently killed a 507-year-old clam named “Ming”. The clam was so named because it dated back to the Ming dynasty. Ming’s life finally came to an end when researchers opened up the clam to study it. The true age of the clam was not determined until it was examined after its death. Scientists expressed regret that they killed what is being called the oldest known creature.

The people who killed Jesus didn’t know what they had either.

“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.”—Acts 3:15.

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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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