Doomed Planet

Posted on April 12, 2013 by jesustrek

 

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking

 

Renowned scientist Stephen Hawking just announced his opinion that the human race should make plans to abandon our doomed planet. Hawking said that we human beings “…Won’t survive another 1,000 years without escaping our fragile planet.” He maintains that we need to continue space exploration in order to get off this sinking ship called Earth.

 

Some people immediately assumed that Hawking was making reference to mankind’s mistreatment of the Earth. Others maintain that he was referring to any of several natural catastrophes which could wipe out the human race.

 

We Christians have known for some time now that the Earth is doomed. When Jesus returns, this planet will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:10) and the Lord will create a new heaven and a new Earth (Revelation 21:1-5).

 

While we should always strive to be good stewards of the planet (Genesis 2:15), we have to remember that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We look forward to a better life in a better place!  

 

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Impressive Youth

Posted on April 12, 2013 by jesustrek
Guan Tianlang

Guan Tianlang

Guan Tianlang, 14, of China, recently became the youngest player to ever compete in the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National. He played exceptionally well in the first round, shooting a 1-over-par 73. His impressive outing earned him a standing ovation from the crowd at the 18th hole. If he plays this well again in the second round, the teenager has a good chance of making the cut and earning the right to play on Saturday and Sunday.

Many young people today expect to accomplish great things. They also have a desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. We must not miss the opportunity to encourage them to live out these dreams as followers of Jesus Christ. Let’s do our best to involve them in the church and give them meaningful ways to serve God and people.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”—3 John 4.

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Dogs Too

Posted on April 10, 2013 by jesustrek

guilty dog

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”—Matthew 6:19.

Wayne Klinkel might want to add dogs to this list of wealth destroyers. The Montana man says that his dog ate 5 one hundred dollar bills. Klinkel retrieved as much of the paper money as he could from the dog’s droppings, then washed the pieces and taped them together. He hopes that the federal government will reimburse him the money.

Jesus teaches us that we shouldn’t rely too much on material things because we can’t count on that wealth to always be there. There are many different types of circumstances that can cause our possessions to disappear. We can’t put our trust in earthly treasures because they are temporary.

Instead, we should rely on things that will last forever. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Matthew 6:20-21.

 

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Shepherding the Injured

Posted on April 9, 2013 by jesustrek
Luke Hancock comforts Kevin Ware

Luke Hancock comforts Kevin Ware

 

Luke Hancock played a key role in the Louisville men’s basketball team’s march to the national championship. Coming off the bench, Hancock provided scoring and leadership to help the Cardinals earn the top prize in college hoops.

Hancock’s leadership qualities were recognized early on by his teammates, who voted him a team captain before he had ever played a game for the Cards.

Their confidence in him was proven right in the regional final game against Duke. When teammate Kevin Ware went down with a gruesome leg injury, most of his fellow players turned away, unable to even look at their fallen friend. But Hancock rushed to Ware’s side to comfort him and pray for him. He showed the kind of qualities you want to see in a leader.

God chastised the leaders of Israel for their lack of compassion. He said, “You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost…” (Ezekiel 34:4).

Church leaders must lead the way in showing loving concern for those who have been injured by: addictions, moral failures, divorce, economic woes, family strife, loss of a loved one, etc. Many may sympathize with those who are hurting, yet they turn away, unable to cope with the tragedy they see unfolding in front of them. Leaders need to run to the scene and give much-needed comfort.

That’s an important part of being a leader in the church.

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That’s a Shame!

Posted on April 8, 2013 by jesustrek
Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld

Of all the classic lines delivered by Jerry Seinfeld in the iconic television show that bears his name, one of my favorites is—“That’s a shame!” This was often Jerry’s response to the news that someone had experienced some type of misfortune. What makes the line funny is that Jerry delivers it with a complete lack of emotion. It is apparent from his tone that he really doesn’t care about the person at all.

Since Jesus implores us to love our neighbors, it is imperative that we do not fall into the trap of merely pretending to care about them. We might fool ourselves into believing that we are truly concerned about people. We might even convince others that we are loving individuals. But we can’t fool God! And he is the one we must ultimately please.

So, the next time we hear of someone who needs some love, we can say, “That’s a shame!” Or we could do something to help.

“Love must be sincere…”—Romans 12:9.

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Death that Saves

Posted on April 6, 2013 by jesustrek
Sgt. Jarrod W. Black

Sgt. Jarrod W. Black

On December 12, 2003, Sgt. Jarrod W. Black, 26, was killed when his convoy was hit by an explosive device in Iraq. He left behind two sons and a widow who was pregnant with their daughter. Sgt. Black was the son of William and Jane Black of Peru, Indiana.

This young soldier’s death was tragic, but there was something positive that resulted from his sacrifice. You see, his younger brother, Brandon, 24, was also a soldier serving in Iraq. The Army did not want to put this family through any more grief, so Brandon was brought home. His brother’s death had ensured that he would be safe, at least from the bullets and bombs of Iraq.

In the same way, the sacrificial death of Jesus ensures that his followers will not have to face spiritual death. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”—1 John 2:2.

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Life Line

Posted on April 5, 2013 by jesustrek

lifeline

Many years ago, an old sea captain shared one of the most thrilling events that he had experienced at sea. It happened when a sailor lost his balance and fell into the sea. Immediately the cry went out, “Man overboard!” The other sailors rushed to offer help, knowing the seriousness of the situation. The odds of being able to turn the ship around and locate a man in the open sea were not good. Someone threw a rope toward the man, and he was able to grab hold of it just before the ship sailed past him.

They were able to pull him back on board, but the desperate sailor had grasped the line so tightly that the fibers of the rope had become imbedded in his hand! He knew that it was the only thing that could save him, so he had held on for dear life.

The Bible says this about Jesus—“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus is the life line that God has given us struggling sinners. Shouldn’t we hold on to him for dear life?

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Those Entrusted to You

Posted on April 4, 2013 by jesustrek
Mike Rice

Mike Rice

Rutgers has fired basketball coach Mike Rice after a videotape surfaced that showed him physically and verbally abusing his players. Many people are shocked at his behavior, and some are calling for the dismissal of other people associated with the university.

Jesus warned against trying to lead in an authoritative manner. Even many worldly people understand the folly of abusive behavior exercised by those in positions of leadership. Shame on us in the church if we resort to bullying people in order to get our way!

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…not lording it over those entrusted to you…”—1 Peter 5:2-3.

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Lasting Value

Posted on April 3, 2013 by jesustrek

Billy Donovan

Coach Billy Donovan led the University of Florida to NCAA championships in basketball in 2006 and 2007. Here is what he had to say recently about the quest for titles—“Your whole entire life, you’re chasing this trophy, this crystal ball. At the end of the day, it doesn’t bring any value to your life. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve learned.”

We all should learn that lesson. For many people, life is a continual quest for power, fame, popularity, money or pleasure. If this is your ultimate goal, then your life is going to feel empty. God has much bigger plans for us.

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”—John 6:27.

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Lot on My Mind

Posted on April 2, 2013 by jesustrek

To say that I’ve been uneasy about the direction of our country would be an understatement. Acts that were once unspeakable are now being promoted as normal behavior. I am even being told that I must celebrate that which God forbids. People who should know better are joining the frenzy and chiseling away at the foundation of our society.

It’s frustrating to see so many people shaking their fist in the face of their Creator. It’s discouraging to hear so many others voice their approval, which in itself places them in danger of God’s wrath also (Romans 1:32). My emotions have been all over the place–from anger to sadness to pity to despair.

I began to wonder if anyone in the Bible ever shared my feelings. Then I thought of Lot, who lived in a terribly sinful society. The Bible says that God “…Condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.”—2 Peter 2:6-10.

Only time will tell if our nation will refuse to learn from history and will instead choose to despise God’s authority. We do know that God will provide ultimate protection for those who choose his ways.

“God’s team wins. Pick a team. Don’t be stupid!”—Randy Harris.

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