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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Taking Initiative

Posted on July 19, 2025 by jesustrek

A young boy once complained to his father that the songs they sang at church were boring and old-fashioned, and that they did not appeal to his generation. His father challenged him by saying, “If you think you can write better songs, then why don’t you?”

The boy accepted his challenge, went to his room, and wrote his first song. The year was 1690, and the young man was Isaac Watts. Among his 350 hymns are “Joy to the World”, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”, “I Sing the Almighty Power of God”, and many other classics.

Rather than complaining about how things are, let’s try to do something to make life better!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”—Matt.5:14.

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They Just Don’t Understand

Posted on July 14, 2025 by jesustrek

The people who do not obey God are often confounded by those who do. 1 Peter 4:4 says, “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”

Those who don’t obey God don’t understand why anyone would: go to church, tithe, refuse to use bad language, refrain from drunkenness, be a stickler for the truth, choose not to engage in sexual immorality, etc. They might even ridicule you or call you names because you do not share their godless approach to life.

We will gladly accept their abuse in return for the blessings that God has in store for those who obey him.

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Coming to Your Senses

Posted on July 11, 2025 by jesustrek

One of my favorite phrases in Scripture is found in the story of the Prodigal Son, from Luke 15. Verse 17 of that chapter starts out, “When he came to his senses…”

This young man had turned his back on a wonderful life on his father’s estate and squandered everything he had on sinful living. It was only when he reached his lowest point—a flat broke Jewish boy feeding pigs for a meager living—that he realized what he had given up and the depths to which he had fallen. It was only then that he came to his senses.

Many of us have had a similar “coming to our senses” moment. Suddenly realizing that you are wallowing in a pig pen of sin can be a life-changing moment.

Let’s be thankful that our heavenly Father is willing to accept any of his repentant children back home again!

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The Applause of Heaven

Posted on June 30, 2025 by jesustrek

I love this writing by Max Lucado:

“You’ll be home soon, too. You may not have noticed it, but you are closer to home than ever before. Each moment is a step taken. Each breath is a page turned. Each day is a mile marked, a mountain climbed. You are closer to home than you’ve ever been.

Before you know it, your appointed arrival time will come; you’ll descend the ramp and enter the City. You’ll see faces that are waiting for you. You’ll hear your name spoken by those who love you. And, maybe, just maybe –in the back, behind the crowd –the One who would rather die than live without you will remove his pierced hands from his heavenly robe and … applaud.”

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” –Matt.25:21.

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Don’t Put It Off

Posted on June 27, 2025 by jesustrek

After hearing his dad preach on “justification”, “sanctification”, and all the other “—ations”, a minister’s son was ready when his Sunday school teacher asked if anybody knew what “procrastination” meant. The boy answered, “I’m not sure what it means, but I know our church believes in it!”

Most of the time procrastination is not a good thing!

“…I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”—2 Cor.6:2b.

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