A Gift for the Courageous

Posted on September 18, 2013 by jesustrek
Max Siepert

Max Siepert

An 11-year-old boy recently walked into the police station at Greenfield, Wisconsin and gave a donation to the police. It seems that he had learned of the courage of the first responders on September 11, 2001, and he was inspired to make a donation. So he left the change that he had been saving—a sum of $10.03.

The boy left without giving his name. Police wanted to learn who this generous young man was, so they did some investigating. They found that it was Max Siepert. Max donated the money in honor of his grandfather, a member of the Milwaukee Police Department who was killed in the line of duty in 1974.

This reminds us that many people are inspired by the courage of Jesus, who also gave his life in the line of duty.

What will you bring to honor him?

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

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Mission in Mind

Posted on September 17, 2013 by jesustrek

communionWhen Jesus was transfigured on a high mountain, Peter wanted to put up shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-4).  Some think that Peter wanted to prolong the experience.

However, the reality was that Jesus and his disciples had work to do. The next episode that Matthew records is where they came down off the mountain and helped someone in need.

Communion can be viewed as a “mountain-top” experience. It is a time when we seem to get a clearer picture of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. This is not to say that we shouldn’t enjoy the experience. However, we can’t stay on the mountain when people down below are in need. We have to keep in mind that we have a mission ahead of us. And we have a glorious Savior to accompany us and empower us for that mission—the crucified and resurrected Jesus!

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Habits

Posted on September 16, 2013 by jesustrek

Recieving Communion #2As I taught a group of young people, I spoke of the need to develop the habit of attending church. One young lady asked, “But aren’t habits bad?”

I had never thought of it that way, but it seems that we usually associate the word “habit” with things that we shouldn’t do: smoking, overeating, being lazy, procrastinating, cursing, etc. I assured the group that some habits are beneficial, such as: flossing, exercising, eating fruits and vegetables, getting plenty of sleep and so on.

So then, a habit can be a good thing. Some people fall into some bad habits because they fail to cultivate any good ones.

The early Christians had some good habits. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

One of the best habits we can develop is to participate in worship on Sunday. The habit of “the breaking of bread”—Luke’s term for the Lord’s Supper—can help to keep us on the straight and narrow way.

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Travel for Free

Posted on September 13, 2013 by jesustrek

free-ticketDue to a computer glitch, United Airlines offered flights for free yesterday. When they realized the mistake, the airline stopped accepting reservations on its website until the problem was corrected. It has not yet been reported how many people accepted the unintended generous offer. United has not yet decided if they will honor the free tickets.

Meanwhile, there is still no cost for a trip to heaven.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”—Ephesians 2:8-9.

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Clean House

Posted on September 12, 2013 by jesustrek

dirty dishesI once received a phone call from a friend from out of town. He happened to be in the area and wondered if he could drop by for a quick visit. I said, “Sure, come on over!”

Then I surveyed the house to see if it was ready for company. It was in pretty good shape except for the huge pile of dirty dishes. I didn’t have time to wash the dishes before my friend arrived. I did, however, have time to put them in the oven!

Sometimes we tend to hide the unsightly things that pile up in our lives. We are often satisfied if our sins are hidden from others.

Obviously, we can’t hide our sins from God. Therefore, we shouldn’t even try to do that. We should be honest enough to confess our sins to God, and thereby receive his forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”—1 John 1:9-10.

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Good Prevails

Posted on September 11, 2013 by jesustrek

ground zeroMany things changed after the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001.

For one thing, we saw a resurgence of patriotism in the United States. The National Anthem and “God Bless America” stirred our emotions more deeply than before. The presentation of the American flag seemed more special.

Second, we gained a greater appreciation for first responders, those who rush toward the danger instead of away from it, because they know that others need their help. Soldiers, police, firefighters and EMTs are now given the respect and admiration that they have always deserved.

Finally, many of us saw the need to reaffirm our status as a nation that was founded “under God”. Having been given a stark reminder that we are in a constant battle between good and evil, some people started to get serious about prayer, Bible study, worship, service and righteous living.

All of this serves to remind us that, even out of unspeakable acts of evil, God can make good things happen. We can agree with what Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20).

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We Want to Remember

Posted on September 11, 2013 by jesustrek

9-11September 11, 2001 is forever cemented in the minds of Americans. Anyone who is old enough to recall the tragic events of that day will never forget what he or she was doing when they first heard that our nation was under attack. In fact, we don’t want to forget; we want to remember.

Our town had a memorial service this morning at 9:11am. We had patriotic music and speeches and a 21-gun salute. We also prayed and released balloons into the air. Like many others across the nation, we wanted to remember what happened on that fateful day when so many innocent people died.

We also want to recall the time when an innocent person named Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. Jesus gave us a beautiful memorial service to help us remember him. Every time we take communion it ensures that we will not forget what happened that day when Jesus laid down his life on the cross so that we could be saved.

“…Do this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19.

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Better Take that Call!

Posted on September 10, 2013 by jesustrek

phone ringingLast night I attended a Christian men’s meeting. We enjoyed a nice meal and worshiped together. The meeting concluded with a song that we all sang together as people were invited to respond to the preaching.

Just as we began to sing that last song, someone’s cell phone started ringing. The song we launched into was an old Fanny J. Crosby hymn—“Jesus Is Calling”!

Whether it is for salvation, repentance or instruction, we need to be constantly listening for the voice of Jesus.

“…He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”—John 10:3.

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Faithful Husband

Posted on September 9, 2013 by jesustrek
Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson

Former professional baseball and football player Bo Jackson was once asked how he avoided the sexual temptations that seem to plague professional athletes. He responded that there were a couple of reasons why he didn’t pay any attention to the women who pursued him. First, he wouldn’t want any woman who chased after a married man. Second, his wife knew how to use a gun!

There are all sorts of good reasons for a husband to remain faithful to his wife. The most important reason is that God commands it.

“You shall not commit adultery.”—Exodus 20:14.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”–Ephesians 5:25.

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Feeling Clean

Posted on September 6, 2013 by jesustrek

man in poolWhile on vacation recently, I felt exceptionally clean one morning. I started the day with a brisk walk. Having worked up a sweat, I showered before breakfast. Then I spent some time in the motel’s pool. Afterward, wanting to wash off the chlorine, I found myself in the shower again.

I started thinking, “Hmmm. I’ve been in the pool and had two showers already this morning. I wonder when I ever felt this clean?”

Maybe it was when I was baptized.

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”—Acts 22:16.

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