Check Your Pulse

Posted on May 3, 2013 by jesustrek

treadmill

I hopped on the treadmill in the exercise room of the hotel where we stayed on our recent vacation. Hoping to elevate my heart rate and burn a few calories, I started walking. However, something unusual happened. The more that I exerted myself, the lower my pulse rate registered on the machine. The treadmill told me that the faster I walked, the slower my heart beat.

Knowing this couldn’t be the case, I accepted the fact that the reading for my pulse was incorrect.

Sometimes when we try to exert ourselves for the Lord, our heartbeat for him can actually decrease. It is possible to get so involved in church meetings and activities that we actually grow farther away from God.

Sometimes less is more. Many people need to trim their schedules in order to allow more alone time with God.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…”—Psalm 37:7.

Have you checked your pulse lately?

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Least of These

Posted on May 2, 2013 by jesustrek

In the beginning years of my ministry, I would often pray that God would send influential people to the church I served. I asked him for leaders, teachers, administrators and others who would help me build the kingdom the way I thought it should be built.

Instead, God sent to us people who were dealing with all sorts of problems: physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, mental, etc. Instead of rubbing elbows with successful professionals, I found myself helping those who could barely help themselves.

Does this prove that God has a sense of humor?

I think the main reason God answered my prayer in this totally unexpected way was to teach me one of his highest priorities. Throughout Scripture, God continually reminds us that he cares deeply for those who are downtrodden and are struggling through life.

And he wants us to care deeply for them too.

“The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”—Matthew 25:40.

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We Remember

Posted on May 1, 2013 by jesustrek

Boston cap

My wife and I recently visited Washington, D.C. for a week. Knowing we would be walking around outdoors a lot, I searched for a hat to protect my bald head from the sun. I found a Boston baseball cap that I had forgotten I owned.

We left for our trip a week after the Boston Marathon bombings. The tragedy was still fresh in the minds of the American people. Every time I put on the hat, it reminded me of what happened in Boston. No one commented to me about the hat, but I wonder how many people saw it and reflected back on the deaths that had occurred the previous week.

Jesus has given us the Lord’s Supper as a reminder of his death. Every time we partake of this meal, we have the chance to reflect on the fact that Jesus willingly laid down his life as a substitute for our lives.

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

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Voice of Reason

Posted on April 30, 2013 by jesustrek
Chris Broussard

Chris Broussard

A lot of people are speaking out on the recent announcement by veteran NBA player Jason Collins that he is a homosexual. Kobe Bryant tweeted his encouragement to Collins, urging him to stand against “the ignorance of others”. Martina Navratilova gushed, “This was the first thing I thought: This is going to save some kids’ lives.” Another homosexual basketball player, John Amaechi said, “We are unusually blessed to have such an eloquent spokesperson.”

Let’s examine these comments. Kobe says that those who refuse to accept homosexuality are ignorant. This is an indictment of all people who believe the Bible, which clearly and consistently denounces homosexual behavior. It is Kobe’s position that lacks wisdom.

Martina says that lives will be saved by the promotion of homosexuality. Gods says that all sexual immorality leads to destruction, not salvation.

Amaechi says that homosexuals are blessed. Scripture says otherwise.

Is there no voice of reason to speak out against these irreverent and illogical proclamations?

Wait a minute! ESPN analyst Chris Broussard has a different opinion on this issue. He says: “I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is…If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be…that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ.”

I’m glad somebody got it right.

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Know Your Role

Posted on April 27, 2013 by jesustrek

bear suit

The young son of our friends was excited about the prospect of being in an upcoming wedding. As the day drew closer, the young fellow asked his mother, “When will I get to try on my bear suit?”

“What are you talking about?” she responded.

“My bear suit for the wedding. You said I would be the ring bear!”

Hopefully as we mature we come to a better understanding of the role God would have us play in life. Maybe we can even look back and laugh at what we once thought we were supposed to be doing!

That bear suit would have been cool, though!

“We have different gifts…”—Romans 12:6.

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Look for the Helpers

Posted on April 25, 2013 by jesustrek
Mr. Rogers

Mr. Rogers

In the aftermath of the Newtown school shootings of last December, a quote attributed to Fred Rogers was making the rounds of social media. These words are also appropriate as we deal with the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon. Mr. Rogers reportedly once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.”

In this sinful, fallen world in which we live, life often inflicts great pain on unsuspecting victims. People like the young Fred Rogers observe these scary events and try to make some kind of sense out of the chaos. They look for something positive to hold on to. What they need to see are people helping those who are hurting.

Would they ever see you?

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2.

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Disarmed

Posted on April 24, 2013 by jesustrek

In 1 Samuel 13, we read about a time when there were no blacksmiths in Israel. The Philistines, the enemies of the Israelites, made sure that no one in Israel had the capability to make swords or spears that could be used against them in battle.

Our enemy today, Satan, would like nothing better than for us to be unarmed and defenseless. He does whatever he can to take away any weapons we might use to defeat him.

Have you prayed today?

“…Be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”—Ephesians 6:18.

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Apt Description

Posted on April 22, 2013 by jesustrek

Gosnell

Now that the trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell is being covered by the media, I notice that they are using the word “grisly” to describe his actions. That’s an accurate description of any abortion, not just those that are late-term.

Have you ever seen pictures of an aborted baby? I have. I don’t want to see anything like those awful images ever again.

More people need to understand the gruesome nature of abortion. It takes a lot of violence to stop the brainwaves and heartbeat of a tiny human being.

Let the discussion continue. Let more people come to grips with the grisly truth of abortion. Let more people become pro-life.

I agree with Paul Ryan when he says, “We don’t want a country where abortion is simply outlawed. We want a country where it isn’t even considered.”

Let’s all pray for, and work toward, an abortion-free America.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”—Psalm 139:13.

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Not Forgotten

Posted on April 19, 2013 by jesustrek

Pilate

In the television mini-series The Bible, which aired on the History Channel during March, Pilate’s wife was concerned about the way that Jesus had been treated. A dream revealed to her that he was a good man, and she told her husband that he would regret having been involved in his death. To that, Pilate replied, “He’ll be forgotten in a week.”

We can laugh now at how wrong that prediction was! Jesus Christ is far from forgotten! He is revered by many followers all over the world. Buildings with crosses on top of them dot the landscape of many countries. And every week, believers meet together to remember the One who died to gain their salvation.

Forgotten? No! Never! Not as long as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper together!

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

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See that Face

Posted on April 18, 2013 by jesustrek
Fanny Crosby

Fanny Crosby

Fanny Crosby was a prolific songwriter, giving us more than 8,000 gospel songs in her career. Fanny was blinded by a doctor’s mistake when she was only six weeks old. When asked if she regretted not being able to see, she responded that she was glad that she had been blind all of her life. The reason she gave was that it would be wonderful that the first face she would ever see would be the face of her Savior!

We should all be so eager to see the face of Jesus!

“…Come, O Lord!”—1 Corinthians 16:22.

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