Be an Encourager!

Posted on October 30, 2025 by jesustrek

It has been said that discouragement is one of the devil’s greatest tools. I agree with that statement. If Satan doesn’t succeed in destroying you, he will settle for keeping you from becoming all that God intends for you to be.

Discouraged people are all around us. Various circumstances of life can bring them down and prevent them from living productive lives for Jesus Christ. They need someone to encourage them to be the best they can be.

Barnabas was a great encourager in the early days of the church. As a matter of fact, his given name was Joseph, but his actions earned him the nickname “Barnabas”, which means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).

Let’s look at how Barnabas lived and see if we can determine what made him such a great encourager.

First, he was outrageously generous. Barnabas sold a field he owned and brought the money to the church leaders so that it could be used to take care of Christians who were in need (Acts 4:32-37). Surely you can remember a time in your life when someone helped you financially when you were in need. That was encouraging, wasn’t it? Now consider any opportunity you might have to encourage someone else with outrageous generosity.

Second, Barnabas was a joyful person. When he was sent to visit the church at Antioch, he was glad to see all that God was doing in this new, vibrant church (Acts 11:23). Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Maybe the best way you can encourage others is to let them see the joy that abides in the heart of someone who trusts Jesus Christ for their salvation. Jesus gives his followers a joy that the world can’t give, a joy that does not depend on our circumstances. Joy, like misery, can be contagious. Let’s make it a practice to spread the joy of Jesus to people who need some encouragement.

Third, Barnabas encouraged Christians to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts (Acts 11:23). Many believers get so discouraged that their faith falters. There is always the need for the voice that says, “Don’t give up! Keep going! God will see you through whatever is going on in your life right now. There is a great reward for those who remain faithful to the end!” What greater encouragement could you possibly give than to persuade people to continue steadfast in their commitment to Jesus Christ?

Next, we see that Barnabas helped Saul get involved in church work (Acts 11:25-26). Many people are looking for something significant to do with their lives. They will be encouraged if you help them get involved in the greatest thing going on in the universe today—building the church! Think about someone you can help to find their place in the service of the Lord.

Finally, Barnabas taught people the word of God (Acts 11:26). In this world filled with darkness, people need the light of God’s word. You don’t have to be an official teacher with a class of students in order to teach someone a truth from Scripture. We have opportunities every day to encourage people by helping them understand better what the Bible says and how they can apply that to their lives.

Here we see several ways that we can encourage others. In this world that is filled with so much discouragement, let’s do our best to encourage people for the cause of Christ!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”—1 Thess. 5:11.

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Salt and Light

Posted on October 17, 2025 by jesustrek

Remember the old saltshaker prank? Someone would loosen the top of a salt shaker in a restaurant. The next customer would unsuspectingly try to put a little salt on their food and end up dumping the entire contents of the shaker on their plate!

It doesn’t take a lot of salt to make a meal taste better. Just a pinch of salt can make the ingredients of a dish really come to life.

In the same way, we don’t have to dump everything we have on people all at once in order to be effective in spreading the gospel message. If fact, sometimes, in giving them too much all at once, it becomes overwhelming for them, like a dish with way too much salt.

We have to be discerning about how much of God’s truth to unload on people at one time. Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth (Matt.5:13). Let’s try to give them just enough salt to make the truth of salvation through Jesus palatable for them.

Jesus also says that we are the light of the world (Matt.5:14). We shine the light of Jesus into this dark, sinful world so that people can find their way to salvation through Jesus.

Bob Goff says, “We can be the light of the world without leaving our high beams on and annoying everybody.”

Regardless of what you may have heard, I am still able to drive after dark. However, I must admit that I occasionally forget to dim my lights for oncoming drivers. Sometimes they will flash their bright lights at me to remind me to dim mine.

I think Bob Goff has a point. Sometimes we Christians can be abrasive in expressing our opinions about God. This can turn some people off and hamper our efforts to spread the gospel.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that our ultimate goal is to avoid annoying people. Jesus annoyed some people. You don’t get nailed to a cross because you got along with everybody!

However, we must always try to speak the truth in love. It only takes a little light to lead someone out of the darkness. Let us always strive to shine our light in the most effective way possible.

“…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16.

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Be Transformed

Posted on October 4, 2025 by jesustrek

A couple of caterpillars were crawling along the ground when they looked up and saw a butterfly soaring above them. One of them said to the other, “You’ll never get me up in one of those things!”

Sadly, this is the outlook of many Christians. They are content with a lower level of living, and they can’t comprehend the magnificent plan that God has for our lives. He wants us to be transformed, and we should welcome that. Romans 12 talks about this transformation and gives us several ways that the gospel message should change us.

First, we should change the way we live after we become followers of Jesus, offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (v.1). In view of the mercy God has shown us in sending his Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins, we too should live sacrificial lives as an act of worship toward God. Haphazard living is not acceptable. We must be intentional in living for God.

A second way we must change is in the way we think. To live sacrificially, we must change our minds from the pattern of this world and be transformed in the way we perceive reality. Then God’s will is made known to us (v.2).

A third way we should be transformed is in the way we function. Verses 3-8 describe how the church operates as a body, with each person doing their part. As we come to understand how God has gifted each of us to serve, we work together to function as the body of Christ in this world. A transformed person becomes the hands and feet of Jesus as we do his work together.

Another way we are to be transformed is in the way we love. The world outside of Christ knows nothing of the type of love to which we are called—a love that is sincere, humble, devoted, sacrificial, forgiving and consistent. This radical love sets us apart from non-believers and boldly stands out in this world that is so filled with hatred.

So, these are the ways that we must be transformed so that we will better reflect Jesus Christ our goal is to become increasingly like him.

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The Last Word

Posted on September 19, 2025 by jesustrek

Revelation 11 tells of two witnesses who speak the Word of God powerfully in the face of fierce opposition. Eventually they are attacked and killed. Those who had opposed them gloat and celebrate because the message of truth that they hated so much has apparently been silenced. However, God raises the witnesses to life again and the enemies of God are struck with terror.

I agree with many scholars who say that the two witnesses represent the church. This scene is often repeated throughout the history of mankind and will continue until Christ returns. The church boldly and powerfully preaches the Word of God to the whole world, including those who do not want to hear it. At various times, the evildoers appear to be successful in cancelling the message of truth. They celebrate what they perceive to be victory and gloat about what happened. However, the church always rises from their apparent demise, ultimately to have the last word. Those who oppose the church will face the wrath of God that is reserved for those who choose wickedness and refuse to repent.

Do you know what the Scottish word for “church” is? It’s “kirk”. That’s right, as in Charlie Kirk. With all that has been said in the aftermath of his assassination, let us not fail to see the association here. Charlie Kirk was an outspoken Christian who powerfully spoke the Word of God. His words were not universally well-received because he echoed the message of Christ, who was also not well-received by the world.

Present-day evildoers opposed the message of Kirk and the church. They sought to silence his voice. When his life was taken, those who chose darkness over light celebrated Charlie’s assassination and publicly gloated. They thought that they had succeeded. They could not be more wrong! Rather than silencing Charlie’s voice, they have multiplied it many times over. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Others who follow Christ will be emboldened to stand up and speak the truth, just as Charlie Kirk did. His voice is still resonating, strong and clear.

When all is said and done, the church will have the last word. The success of God’s people is assured through the victory that Jesus won on the cross. The crucified and resurrected Jesus will bring back to life all who give their lives for him. Those who oppose Christ and his church will meet their ultimate demise.

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Poor Decisions

Posted on September 5, 2025 by jesustrek

Just about everybody regrets some past decisions. It might have been a hairstyle, a clothing purchase, a relationship—there are various choices that a person might wish they could change if they could only have it to do over again.

There are many reasons for poor decision making. Let’s look at just a couple of them, from the account of King Herod’s actions recorded in Mark 6:14-29.

Herod gave a banquet for some very important people. The dancing girl who provided the entertainment pleased everyone so much that Herod promised her anything she wanted. She asked for the head of John the Baptist.

Herod wasn’t expecting that request! V.26 says, “The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.”  So, he had John executed, just as the girl had asked.

Here we see a couple of reasons for Herod’s poor decision. First, it was because of his oaths. He had promised to give the girl anything she asked for. We paint ourselves into a corner sometimes by making rash proclamations that we haven’t put any thought into. Have you ever locked yourself into a position that you later regretted simply because you had made a strong statement? Eccl.5:1-7 warns us about making rash vows. V.2 says, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” It is better to put some thought into our plans before we make any promises. This would eliminate the perceived need to follow through with our promise even after it becomes obvious that it was a bad idea.

The second reason we see for Herod’s poor decision is that he gave in to peer pressure. His guests had heard him make this proclamation, and he would look bad in their eyes if he went back on his word. Even kings can have an unhealthy desire to be people pleasers. The Bible continually urges us to please God rather than people. When the religious leaders ordered the apostles to stop preaching the gospel, Acts 2:29 records their response— “Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” Paul writes in 1 Thess.2:4, “…We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” We can get into a lot of trouble when we give in to peer pressure. 1 Cor.15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’”.

We can’t hope to ever completely eliminate our poor decisions. However, we can make more good decisions if we think before speaking and always try to please God instead of people.

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A New Chapter

Posted on August 28, 2025 by jesustrek

As I write this, I am preparing to begin a new chapter in my life. I have just completed a wonderful four-and-a-half-year ministry with Kentontown Christian Church in Robertson County, Kentucky. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and consider myself blessed to have been their preacher. It is a solid congregation filled with many kind and loving followers of Christ.

On September 7, I will begin a preaching ministry with Clarksburg Christian Church, near Vanceburg, Kentucky. Although I was not looking for a change of ministry—I was quite happy where I was—this door opened, and I saw it as a God-given opportunity that I could not pass up.

I did not choose this path because I thought it would make my life easier. On the contrary, I fully expect my life to become more difficult because of this change. I am reminded of what the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “…a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”

Sometimes we think that a pathway that God has stretched out before us will be an easy one to walk. Quite often, the exact opposite is the case. Many people in the Bible found that their obedience to God was accompanied by great hardship. Never-the-less, they were blessed because of their obedience, and their faithfulness to the Lord became a blessing to others also.

In your life you will have many choices to make. Sometimes the option that will prove most effective for kingdom work will not be the easy option. You will face struggles and opposition. Satan does not want the kingdom of God to grow, so he will oppose us in many and various ways.

So, each time you begin a new chapter of your life, remember that it won’t always be easy. Sometimes making the right choice will make your life significantly more difficult. God doesn’t call us to a life of ease. Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

If you live in the vicinity and are looking for a good church, I want to invite you to join us at Clarksburg Christian Church. Our Sunday morning worship service begins at 11:00am. Wherever you live, make sure the next chapter of your life includes being a part of a Bible-believing church. There are no guarantees that it will be easy, but Jesus promises his peace—even in this trouble-filled world—for those who include him and his Church in their lives.

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The Importance of Listening

Posted on August 16, 2025 by jesustrek

A teenage girl might get several different answers if she asks her family, “Has anyone seen my new sweater?”

Her father: “You mean the one that cost thirty dollars?”

Her sister: “You mean the one you won’t let me borrow?”

Her brother: “You mean the stupid one that makes you look fat?”

Her grandmother: “You mean the one with the low neckline?”

Her mother: “You mean the one that has to be washed by hand in cold water?”

Everyone was talking about the same sweater, but they all had different perspectives. So it is with most topics of conversation. Therefore, we need to listen to other people’s viewpoints before offering our own.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” –James 1:19.

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Quick as Lightning!

Posted on August 1, 2025 by jesustrek

I recently returned from a family vacation at Panama City Beach, Florida. We had a fun time on the beach and in the water. We found some wonderful places to eat. Of course, we made the time to seek out a good church to worship with on Sunday. It was a great time to relax and have fun.

The weather was good for the most part. There was one day when storms were looming in the area, and we decided not to go down to the beach. I was sitting by myself on the balcony of our condo on the 13th floor, listening to the rumbling thunder in the distance, not at all concerned about any threatening weather.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning occurred right in front of me! It was accompanied by a simultaneous clap of the loudest thunder I have ever heard! I immediately rushed inside, much to the enjoyment of my family, who were quite amused at the quickness of my movements and the event that caused me to decide to join them.

Jesus compares his Second Coming to be like a flash of lightning. Luke 17:24 says, “For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.”

When Jesus returns, it will happen very quickly, just like a flash of lightning. There will be no time to change your circumstances. No time to profess faith in Jesus. No time to repent. No time to be baptized. No time to be added to the church. The time for decisions will have passed. Your station in eternity will be settled once and for all.

Therefore, the time for decisions is now. Jesus constantly warns in his teachings that we must be ready for his return. Please take his exhortations seriously, for yourself and for those you are trying to reach with the gospel message.

As the apostle Paul says in 2 Cor.6:2, “…I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

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Faithful In the Small Things

Posted on July 29, 2025 by jesustrek

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble… For the world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.” –Helen Keller

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” –Eccl.9:10

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” –Col.3:17

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Being Enthusiastic

Posted on July 24, 2025 by jesustrek

A man was shocked to see a dog playing cards with three other men. He asked, “Can that dog really play cards?” One of the men answered, “Yes, but he’s not very good. Whenever he gets a good hand he wags his tail.”

Most of us would say that God has blessed us greatly. You might say that we have been “dealt a good hand”.

Can others tell how we have been blessed by seeing our enthusiasm?

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”—Romans 12:11.

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