Helpless

Posted on January 28, 2013 by jesustrek
Baby Jessica rescued

Baby Jessica rescued

In 1987, an 18-month-old toddler named Jessica fell into a well in Texas and was stuck 22 feet below the surface of the ground. While rescuers labored around the clock to save her, the nation prayed for “Baby Jessica”. After 55 nerve-wracking hours, she was finally rescued.

Nobody talked about how that brave little girl saved herself. She was totally helpless. There was nothing whatsoever she could do to get herself out of that well. She had to rely totally on her rescuers. Left on her own, she would have perished.

This is the same situation we find ourselves in when it comes to our sinful condition. There is absolutely nothing we can do to save ourselves from our sins; we are completely helpless. We have to rely on Jesus to save us.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”—Romans 5:6.

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A Good Shepherd

Posted on January 26, 2013 by jesustrek

jesus-holding-lamb

The leadership model most frequently used in the Bible is the analogy of a shepherd taking care of his flock. Though much change has occurred over time, no other model has come along to replace this one. Some have tried to substitute political or corporate models, but they all fall woefully short of the beautiful example of the faithful shepherd who lovingly cares for his sheep.

One of best examples of shepherding that I have ever seen occurred a few years ago at the home of a church elder. Charlie and his wife had shown hospitality by inviting some of their church friends over to their house for a pool party.

At one point, a two-year-old boy got a splinter in his foot. Even after the splinter was removed, the little boy was still hurting and needing some attention. So Charlie picked him up to comfort him. The small boy snuggled into the huge man’s shoulder, and before long, all was well in his world once again.

The picture of this godly shepherd comforting one of the smallest members of his flock will be etched in my mind for many years to come. It gives me an example to follow in my own attempts to take care of the flock that God has entrusted to me.

What are some of the best memories you have of someone showing pastoral care to another individual?

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”—Acts 20:28.

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Lazy

Posted on January 24, 2013 by jesustrek

lazy

Some people have elevated laziness to an art form. I heard about a fellow who designed a straw that was so long that he didn’t even have to lift his glass; he could leave it sitting on the coffee table in front of him and enjoy his favorite beverage and watch TV without lifting a finger.

The photo above shows the work of a road painter who couldn’t be bothered with moving some debris. He chose to take the easiest path to getting the job done, giving no thought to the quality of his work.

Proverbs 10:4 says, “Lazy hands make a man poor; but diligent hands bring wealth.” The apostles taught against laziness, saying that a person who refused to work should not expect to be given something to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Some people are spiritually lazy. They would rather not raise their voices to worship, lift their hands to serve or pick up their Bibles to read.

The Bible warns against spiritual laziness. Hebrews 6:12 says, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

OK, break’s over! Back to work!

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Sweet Harmony

Posted on January 23, 2013 by jesustrek
Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris

“You create a new voice with a combination of two or three. It’s always unique and always changing. Collaboration is what I love best about making music.”—Emmylou Harris.

Until I read the above quote, I never thought about how unique the collective voice of a local congregation is when they lift up their voices together to praise the Lord. When you unite with your church family on Sunday morning to sing songs of worship, you create a voice of worship like none other on earth.

Wow!

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”—Ephesians 5:19.

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Designed

Posted on January 21, 2013 by jesustrek

bigfoot

I enjoy watching those television shows that search for Bigfoot. The shows are basically all the same. They interview people who say they have seen such a creature. They examine alleged physical evidence, such as tracks and hair samples. They take a look at film footage and still photos that depict big, hairy beasts. Then the show ends by saying, “We still can’t prove anything.”

On one such show, a Bigfoot enthusiast leading a film crew through a wooded area pointed excitedly to a couple of small trees that were leaning up against a bigger tree, forming a triangle. This expert investigator insisted that the formation had to have been constructed by a strong, intelligent creature.

I wasn’t impressed. I have seen similar configurations in the woods, and decided that the two trees could have randomly fallen together.

What does impress me is the intricate design of the universe. It amazes me to see the wide variety of life on earth and the complex systems that are necessary for life to exist in each individual creature.

Yet some people will insist that the universe wasn’t designed, that it was formed by a series of wildly fortunate random occurrences. This seems a bit far-fetched.

I can’t examine creation without being aware of a Creator.

Can you?

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”—Romans 1:20.

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Wonderfully Made

Posted on January 20, 2013 by jesustrek

right to life

January 20 is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday this year. Today, many Christians will contemplate the value of human life. They will celebrate the life that God has given them. They will enjoy the presence of loved ones in their lives. They will also mourn the fact that life has been devalued in our country–and much of the world–because of abortion.

Science, religion and common sense all intersect at a point where any rational person should understand that abortion is wrong. Please don’t remain silent or inactive on this matter. The right to life is one of the greatest moral issues of our time. Don’t be on the wrong side of this important matter. Speak, act and pray in such a manner that God will know that you are on his side.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”—Psalm 139:13-14.

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Arguing

Posted on January 19, 2013 by jesustrek
Earl Weaver

Earl Weaver

Hall of Fame baseball manager Earl Weaver has died at the age of 82. Weaver, one of the game’s most successful managers, was known for his many arguments with umpires. Weaver was thrown out of 91 games in his career. Once he was ejected from both games of a doubleheader!

While arguing and complaining may be acceptable behavior in major league baseball, it is not appropriate in the church. Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”

A fiery temper may allow you to get into the baseball Hall of Fame, but if you want to be in the church Hall of Fame, you’ll need to have a better attitude.

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Fessing Up

Posted on January 18, 2013 by jesustrek
Lance Armstrong and Oprah Winfrey

Lance Armstrong and Oprah Winfrey

Lance Armstrong finally admitted that he used performance enhancing drugs to help him become one of the most famous cycling champions of all time. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong, who had for years vehemently denied any wrong-doing, confessed that he had engaged in several different illegal practices to help him win all 7 of his Tour de France victories.

Armstrong didn’t fess up until the evidence stacked up against him was so great that he had no other choice. For this reason, many question the sincerity of his repentance.

The Bible says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:8-9.

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Remembering Important Things

Posted on January 18, 2013 by jesustrek

communion1

Husbands have been known to get into trouble with their wives for not remembering the date of their wedding. There are few marital sins greater than forgetting an anniversary!

Cheryl Bennett and Steven DeLong have come up with an almost foolproof way to remember their wedding date. Cheryl and Steven, longtime residents of Amesbury, Massachusetts, were married on a date that corresponds with the town’s ZIP code: 01913.

This plan might unravel if the couple should ever decide to move.

When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he gave us a beautiful way to remember his sacrificial death. Every Sunday, Christians in every ZIP code gather together and celebrate communion, honoring the Savior who gave his life for his precious bride, the Church.

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”—Acts 20:7.

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Properly Equipped

Posted on January 16, 2013 by jesustrek

Baseball-Catcher

While no one was voted into the baseball Hall of Fame this year, 3 men who died more than 70 years ago will be inducted into the Hall. These men were chosen by a 16-member panel considering individuals from the era before integration in 1947.

One of these 3 men is Deacon White. I know nothing about Mr. White except that he is described as a “barehanded catcher”.

What!? I can’t conceive of anyone attempting to play any position in baseball without a glove, especially the position of catcher! I wouldn’t last one batter! Imagine the physical toll it would take on a person’s body to be a baseball catcher without any protective equipment.

Now, imagine the spiritual toll it takes on a person who does not “put on the full armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-18). Without the protective gear provided by God (prayer, truth, righteousness, etc.), we would indeed take a spiritual beating!

Make sure you put on your protective equipment every day.

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