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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Running to Help

Posted on April 17, 2013 by jesustrek
Carlos-Arredondo-VD-408x264

Carlos Arredondo in cowboy hat

The recent bombing at the Boston Marathon reminds us that there are different reactions that people have when they are faced with an opportunity to help someone who is in a dangerous situation.

In the aftermath of the attack, some who were near the explosions ran for cover. Their fight-or-flight instinct kicked in, and they sought a safer location.

Others simply froze. They remained still, hoping to avoid the danger of any further violence that might be coming their way.

Still others, like Carlos Arredondo, ran toward the carnage, responding to the crisis with an urgent desire to help those in need.

One never knows, until such an emergency occurs, what type of action he or she might take. We can only hope that we would respond in a loving and courageous manner.

In the spiritual realm, many people become injured by Satan’s bombs. They need our help, and the Bible urges us to respond quickly to their needs.

“Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”—Jude 22-23.

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Somebody Jesus Loves

Posted on April 16, 2013 by jesustrek

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Every man is entitled to be valued by his best moments.” The wonderful truth about Jesus is that he loves us in spite of our worst moments!

The 12 apostles made all kinds of mistakes as they tried to follow Jesus. They vied with each other for positions of authority. They were rude and condescending toward some people. Their faith often wavered, as did their courage.

John was well aware of his short-comings as a disciple of Jesus. Yet he knew that Jesus loved him in spite of his mistakes. In John 21:20, he describes himself as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.

We need to remember that Jesus loves us in spite of what we do wrong, and that there is nothing we could ever do to make him love us more.

I’m just somebody Jesus loves, and I encourage you to describe yourself that way too.

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The Tie that Binds

Posted on April 13, 2013 by jesustrek

communion

Paul chastised the church at Corinth for the divisions that existed in that congregation. They even allowed the Lord’s Supper–which should be, among other things, a celebration of unity–to become divisive.

Communion gives members of a local church the chance to recognize the common bond they have in Christ. More than that, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper reminds believers all over the world of the connection they have with one another.

When my wife moved away from home to go to college, communion took on a special new meaning for her. Each Sunday she knew that the members of her family, no matter how far away, were sharing her experience of remembering their crucified and risen Savior.

Blessed be the tie that binds us together in Christ!

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