Fact or Fiction?

Posted on November 20, 2013 by jesustrek

Costco BiblesA Costco store in Southern California is catching heat for displaying some Bibles for sale that were labelled as fiction. This, of course, has upset some people who consider the Bible the final authority for all truth. Costco has issued an apology, saying that the labeling was a mistake made by a distributor.

While Costco seems to be truly sorry for what happened, the number of people in our culture who view the Bible as fiction seems to be growing. Will Bible-believers someday be in the minority in our country? As the future unfolds, it will be interesting to see what people will accept as truth, and what they will reject as fiction.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17.

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Effective Prayer

Posted on November 19, 2013 by jesustrek

Illinois tornadoI just watched a video of a tornado that touched down in Illinois recently. The twister was not that far away from the camera, and its fury was frightening to behold. Especially frightened was the man doing the filming. Although he did not stop recording the event, he began to pray. His first prayer was the Lord’s Prayer, the one Jesus taught us to pray. His second prayer was to Mary.

The first prayer was probably more effective, don’t you think?

“…I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”—John 16:23.

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Family Feud

Posted on November 19, 2013 by jesustrek

Former Vice-President Dick Cheney’s daughters are having a public disagreement over one of the most divisive issues of the day—homosexual behavior. Liz, the older daughter, says that she supports “the traditional definition of marriage”. Younger sister Mary, however, is openly homosexual and even claims to be “married” to a woman.

Christians should know that Scripture clearly and consistently forbids homosexual behavior. One sister is right on this issue; the other is tragically wrong.

Jesus said that families would be divided over his teachings (Matthew 10:32-39). The Cheney feud is just another example of how this is true.

If your family is divided over Jesus, make sure you are on the right side.

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Something about that Name

Posted on November 18, 2013 by jesustrek
Doris Lessing

Doris Lessing

Author Doris Lessing died at her home in London Sunday at the age of 94. The outspoken Lessing wrote dozens of novels, essays, short stories and poems. Her novel, The Golden Notebook, was her best-known work. Lessing won the 2007 Nobel Prize for her collective writings. It is reported that when Ms. Lessing approached her house and found journalists waiting at her door to inform her that she won the Nobel Prize, she replied, “Oh, C*****! I couldn’t care less.”

It’s funny how those who don’t even follow Christ will swear by his name or title. In doing so, they unwittingly acknowledge that he is Lord.

I’ve never heard anyone use the name of another religious leader in vain. Have you?

“…At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”—Philippians 2:10-11.

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”—Exodus 20:7.

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Our Leader

Posted on November 16, 2013 by jesustrek

Jesus statue“I do not fear an army of lions, if they are led by a lamb. I do fear an army of sheep, if they are led by a lion.”—Alexander the Great.

Our leader, Jesus, is called the Lion of Judah. He leads a group of sheep that is marching against the forces of evil. The church is indeed a mighty army to be reckoned with.

However, the Lion of Judah is also known as the Lamb of God, who offered himself as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world.

That’s quite a leader we have—both Lion and Lamb! Let’s follow him enthusiastically!

“Follow me.”—Jesus of Nazareth.

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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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