More of the Same

Posted on December 6, 2012 by jesustrek

 

I recently heard a comedian speak out against human cloning. He didn’t oppose it for ethical reasons. His thinking was, “Do we really need more people…exactly like the ones we already have!?”

 

I suppose that thought might be a good discussion starter. There certainly are a number of misbehaving people in this world, and we definitely don’t need more individuals like that.

 

However, there are many who try their best to be like Jesus. He is their example for living, and while they sometimes fall short in their efforts to follow in the steps of their role model, they succeed often enough to make this world a better place. We sure could use more people like that!

 

Let’s produce more of those people. The process is called “making disciples”.

 

“Therefore, go and make disciples…”—Matthew 28:19.

 

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”—1 Corinthians 11:1.

 

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Drama in the Subway

Posted on December 5, 2012 by jesustrek

subway sign

Ki-Suck Han died shortly after being pushed onto the tracks of a New York City subway Monday. Han tried unsuccessfully to make it to safety before being hit by a train. A photographer took a picture of Han standing before the oncoming train. The photo appeared on the front page of the New York Post, accompanied by a headline that read in part: “This man is about to die.”

Many were outraged that the newspaper chose to run the picture. Some wonder whether the photographer could have used those precious seconds trying to save the man rather than taking this dramatic photo. He claimed that he wasn’t strong enough to lift Han to safety. We may never know if this story could have had a better ending.

The Bible urges us to do whatever we can to save people from going into eternity without Jesus. “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them…” (Jude 22-23).

When we think about evangelism, there are numerous dramatic scenarios constantly being played out all around us. Let’s try to have as many happy endings as possible.

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Self-Centered

Posted on December 4, 2012 by jesustrek

brat

Someone once pointed out that we spend the first couple of years of a baby’s life making that tiny human think that he or she is the most important thing in the universe, and then we spend the next 20 years trying to convince him that he’s not!

While it’s good to learn from a young age that we are loved unconditionally, it is vitally important that, as we mature, we learn that life is not centered around ourselves. According to Jesus, our greatest goal should be to love God and love people, and we can’t do a good job of that if we are self-absorbed.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”—Philippians 2:3-4.

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Doing Your Part

Posted on December 3, 2012 by jesustrek

boy in hard hat

Science Hill Christian Church in Science Hill, Kentucky, suffered a devastating fire several years ago. Their church building was declared a total loss, and they had to erect a new structure.

The church decided to use their own people as much as possible in the building process. Even young children were helping to carry pieces of steel that would be placed in the concrete foundation. As one small boy handed a piece of steel to his father, he remarked, “We’re building a church, aren’t we, Daddy?”

Indeed they were!

Let’s remember that Jesus uses many different kinds of people to build his church. We each bring our unique talents, abilities and passions to be used to bring about the growth of the kingdom.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”—Ephesians 4:16.

Enjoy doing your part today!

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Obstructionists

Posted on November 30, 2012 by jesustrek

Jesus cleanses the temple“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”—Edmund Burke.

People sometimes use the term “obstructionist” to refer to a politician who won’t compromise on a particular issue. The term is mostly used negatively of someone who holds an opposing view.

Sometimes it’s good to be an obstructionist. Remember the time when Jesus obstructed—at least temporarily—those who were buying and selling in the temple area? (Matthew 21:12-17). Sometimes it’s a good thing to block certain people from having their way.

Compromising with evil is never the proper course of action. There comes a time when good people have to take a stand.

What types of evil will you help obstruct?

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Attitude Adjustment

Posted on November 29, 2012 by jesustrek

Many people in our nation have a feeling of entitlement. They think that the world owes them a living and that the government should take care of their every need.

Jesus warns against this kind of attitude. We shouldn’t feel that we exist so that everyone else can wait on us hand and foot. On the contrary, we should have the mindset of a servant.

Jesus says that he didn’t come to be served, but to serve (Luke 20:28). If anyone ever deserved to be served, it was Jesus, the creator and king of the universe. But he came to serve, and to offer himself completely, as a ransom for our sins.

Our attitude should be the same as that of Jesus—we should desire to serve, rather than be served. That would be quite an attitude adjustment for some.

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Choices

Posted on November 28, 2012 by jesustrek

Angus T Jones

Angus T. Jones, the 19-year-old co-star on the CBS hit comedy Two and a Half Men, recently called his own show “filth”, and urged people not to watch the show that he has been on for nearly half his life.

It seems that Jones has been examining the Bible and the claims of Christianity, leading him to a point in his life where he must make some important decisions. These decisions are made difficult by the fact that Jones reportedly earns $350,000 per episode. That’s a lot of money to walk away from. And walk away from it he must, or be labeled a hypocrite who sold his soul for money and fame.

The Bible warns us not to succumb to the temptations of the world and all that it has to offer (1 John 2:15-17). Earthly riches and pleasures are fleeting, but God’s blessings last forever.

It will be interesting to see how this story plays out. Is Jones serious about his new-found faith? If so, how will he proceed from this important crossroad in his life? How will he handle the criticism and ridicule that is already coming his way?

There are other questions to consider too. Are we serious about what we believe? Are we in danger of selling out to worldly temptations? Are we tempted by much less than $350,000? How can we show that we truly love God more than we love sinful pleasures?

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Voices Raised

Posted on November 26, 2012 by jesustrek

In re-visiting an old familiar Scripture, I recently noticed something that I hadn’t seen before. I was reading the episode where Jesus healed ten men from leprosy, but only one returned to give him thanks. (Luke 17:11-19)

The phrase “in a loud voice” jumped out at me because it appears twice in the text. The first time it is the ten men, standing at a distance because of their dreaded disease, calling out to Jesus in a loud voice, asking him for pity.

The second time, the phrase is uttered by the one thankful man, as he praises God in a loud voice because he has been healed.

Are we more likely to speak loudly when we want something from God than when we are praising him? Does our “request voice” drown out our “worship voice”?

It makes you think, doesn’t it?

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Leading the Right Way

Posted on November 25, 2012 by jesustrek

Sean Woods

Morehead State University men’s basketball coach Sean Woods has been suspended for one game because of his conduct on the sideline during a recent loss to the University of Kentucky.

Woods appeared to shove one of his players who had just fouled out, and continued to yell at him during the ensuing timeout.

The coach expressed remorse for his actions and assured everyone that this type of situation would not happen again.

You can’t be a bully and be a good leader. Jesus taught his disciples that they must not intimidate people the way the government authorities were prone to do (Matthew 20:25-28). Peter passed along this teaching when he wrote, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3).

The best way to influence people in the church is by gentle persuasion. People don’t respond well to being shoved around. Sometimes we are reminded of the right way to lead when we see someone do it the wrong way.

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Not Condemned

Posted on November 24, 2012 by jesustrek

The day after Thanksgiving, my wife and I were driving to her parent’s house to enjoy a holiday meal with the family. On the way, we saw two different flocks of wild turkeys. It was as if they knew that they could come out in the open now. The danger was past—they had safely made it through another Thanksgiving!

We Christians know that we are safe from God’s wrath because we have put our faith in Jesus. Unlike the turkeys, however, our assurance does not come and go based on the calendar. We have the on-going certainty that we will not have to face punishment for our sins. Jesus took the punishment for us when he died on the cross.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”—Romans 8:1.

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