Unlikely Leader

Posted on January 2, 2013 by jesustrek
L-R: Luck, Griffin III & Wilson

L-R: Luck, Griffin III & Wilson

Three rookie quarterbacks have led their NFL teams into the upcoming playoffs. Andrew Luck sparked the Indianapolis Colts, who had a dismal season last year, to a surprisingly good showing. After his team got off to a slow start, Robert Griffin III carried the Washington Redskins to a division title. And Russell Wilson’s stellar play has his Seattle Seahawks ready for the post-season.

Luck and RG3 were expected to do well in the NFL, considering that they were chosen number one and two respectively in last year’s draft. Yet most experts pick Wilson’s Seahawks to have the best chance of these three teams to advance in the playoffs. This is remarkable since Wilson was the 75th pick of the draft, and came into training camp as the number three quarterback on the Seahawks’ roster.

It just goes to show that we can sometimes be surprised by someone’s leadership potential.

It is interesting to read about Samuel’s mission to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16). David, the youngest son, wasn’t the most likely choice. As a matter fact, David seems to be almost an afterthought! But this passage of Scripture reminds us that “…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Let’s keep this in mind as God raises up the next leaders in his kingdom.

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Clean Slate

Posted on January 1, 2013 by jesustrek

clean slate

Many people see the arrival of the New Year as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and have a fresh start. It is a chance to put mistakes in the past and look forward to a future of making better decisions.

The Bible is filled with stories of people who took advantage of a second chance. After an amazing adventure at sea, Jonah decided that he would go and preach in Nineveh after all. David put a disastrous moral failure behind him and asked for God’s forgiveness. Given a second chance, Peter overcame his denial of Jesus and became a dynamic force in the early church. A spectacular encounter with the risen Christ allowed Paul to redirect his horribly misplaced zeal.

God’s amazing grace is so much greater than even our worst sins. No matter how badly you may have failed in 2012, remember that the New Year offers a clean slate. In fact, the Lord gives us a chance every day to begin all over again.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”—Lamentations 3:22-24.

Let’s be thankful for second chances, and renew our commitment to the Lord in 2013.

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Resolved

Posted on December 31, 2012 by jesustrek

New Year resolutions

Whenever a New Year approaches, many people consider making resolutions about how they intend to do things differently in the coming year. Christians often make promises to make changes that will allow them to follow Jesus better than ever before.

The idea of Christians making resolutions is nothing new. Peter once resolved to Jesus, “…I will lay down my life for you.” (John 13:37). However, shortly after making this bold proclamation, Peter denied three times that he was a follower of Jesus (John 18:15-27).

Peter was despondent that he had failed to keep his resolution, but the resurrected Jesus accepted him and gave him something important to do in his kingdom (John 21:15-22).

When it comes to being resolved to do something for Jesus, our actions are more important than our words. But even when we fail to live up to our good intentions, Jesus is willing to forgive us and give us another chance.

Have a blessed 2013!

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His Presence

Posted on December 28, 2012 by jesustrek

Jesus at church

A little boy had to miss church one day because he was sick. His mother stayed home with him while his father took the other children to church.

It happened to be Palm Sunday, and when the family returned home they were carrying palm branches that had been given to them at church. When the little boy asked about the branches, he was told, “People used them to greet Jesus as he passed by.”

“That’s just my luck!” the boy exclaimed. “The one Sunday I miss church, and Jesus shows up!”

Jesus promises to be with us always. Sometimes we have to be reminded that he is among us, whether we recognize his presence or not.

One of the best times to experience his presence is when we are worshipping with others who believe in him.

“…Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:20.

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Morning After Christmas

Posted on December 27, 2012 by jesustrek

boy crying

Our friends’ six-year-old son woke up crying the day after Christmas. When his mother asked him what was wrong, he replied, “It’s not Christmas anymore!” She consoled him with the fact that he had received many presents, and pointed out that you can’t expect to get gifts every day of the year. Still crying, he said, “It’s not about the presents! I’m sad because it’s not Jesus’ birthday anymore!”

If only those of us who are supposedly more mature could keep our focus on the reason for the season like this young boy!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”—Hebrews 12:2

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After Christmas

Posted on December 26, 2012 by jesustrek

magi

Now that we have another Christmas behind us, many people find that they have something in common with the wise men who came to visit Jesus—they have a whole lot less money!

The magi came a long way to bring baby Jesus gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. These items were quite costly, and would have left the givers with quite a bit less wealth then they had before their encounter with Jesus.

Maybe you are feeling a bit less wealthy now too. A lot of people are dreading the bills that will arrive in the mail in the next few weeks. Christmas can be just as expensive now as it was when Jesus was first born!

However, our financial standing might have changed for a different reason than the wise men had. Most of us spent our money on family and friends. The wise men gave extravagantly to honor Jesus and help a poor carpenter and his family.

Hmmmm….

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Why He Came

Posted on December 24, 2012 by jesustrek

Earth1

A cartoon depicted two angels standing in heaven, looking down at the earth. One angel asked the other, “I wonder why God likes that particular planet so much?” The other angel responded, “I think it’s because he visited there once.”

Christmas is when we celebrate the fact that Jesus became flesh and dwelled among us. John 1 reminds us of the reasons for his visit.

First, he came to bring grace and truth (v.14). It is difficult to be truthful and graceful at the same time. Yet Jesus did this perfectly. He set the example for us. People need to hear the truth, but they need to hear it expressed with love, mercy and grace.

Second, Jesus came to give us an abundance of blessings (v.16). Sometimes we act like spoiled children, demanding more gifts while surrounded by a mountain of presents! Let us avoid the dangerous mindset of entitlement, and understand that God gives us much better than we deserve.

Finally, he came to make God known to us (v.18). A teacher once asked her young student what he was drawing. “It’s a picture of God,” he answered. “But, Billy, no one knows what God looks like.” “They will when I get finished!”

Jesus shows us what God is like, and teaches what God expects from us. Jesus helps us to understand more about God and how to live for him.

Jesus gave us some very important gifts when he came to visit that first Christmas. Let’s enjoy those gifts and share them with others.

Merry Christmas!

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Wounds that Heal

Posted on December 21, 2012 by jesustrek
Victoria Soto

Victoria Soto

Acts of valiant heroism often emerge in the midst of horrific events. That’s what happened during the tragic school shooting that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut last week.

27-year-old Victoria Soto, one of the teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School, made the ultimate sacrifice for her first-grade students. Investigators determined that Soto was killed while using her body to shield the children that she loved. Her selfless act will long be remembered.

We Christians are urged to remember the selfless sacrifice of Jesus, who gave his life to save ours. Isaiah 53:4-5 says, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

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Eternal Perspective

Posted on December 20, 2012 by jesustrek

dog chasing squirrel

A little boy was once grieving over his recently departed dog, Sparky. The young fellow asked his grandfather if Sparky was in heaven. Grandpa replied, “I’m sure of it! I’m certain that Sparky is enjoying doggie heaven right now. He’s probably chasing squirrels all the time!”

After thinking about that for a moment, the grandson replied, “So, Grandpa, are you saying that doggie heaven is the same thing as squirrel hell?”

There may be some room for discussion about what the afterlife will be like, but few people doubt its existence. We are engineered to be aware of eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has “set eternity in the hearts of men.”

Not only that, the Bible urges us to think about eternity—“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Finally, we have been offered a way to spend eternity with God. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

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Unexpected Grace

Posted on December 19, 2012 by jesustrek

 

Hayden Carlo, of Wylie, Texas, was driving a car with an expired registration when he was pulled over recently. He told the officer from the Plano, Texas police department that he didn’t have any money, and that he had to choose between feeding his children and paying for his registration.

 

The officer handed him a ticket anyway. However, Carlo found a $100 bill inside the citation. He used the money to update the registration on his car.

 

The generous police officer does not want to be identified.

 

Later, Carlo remarked, “He helped me out when I needed it, and I appreciate that. I’ll never forget the man. It definitely restored my faith in God.”

 

This incident is an example of the grace that God gives us through Jesus Christ. There is no denying that we are all guilty of sin, and the penalty for sin is death. God does not take away the punishment, but he sent Jesus to pay the debt for our sins.

 

“He did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”—Romans 3:26.

 

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