Foretaste of Glory Divine

Posted on July 11, 2012 by jesustrek

I’m in Orlando, Florida this week for the 2012 North American Christian Convention. The NACC is an annual meeting of members of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.

My wife and I started attending the NACC in the mid-nineties, and the only one we have missed since then is the year we took a mission trip to Thailand. The convention means a lot to us, and we always look forward to attending.

I have long thought that the word “convention” is quite misleading. I don’t know what I would have called it, but the NACC seems to be more of a gathering for fellowship and worship.

We always see a lot of old friends at the North American—many of whom we met in school, or served with in previous churches. It’s wonderful to see old familiar faces and get caught up with people we haven’t seen in a while. It’s fun to see other people exchange smiles and hugs as they meet up with their old friends too.

This particular NACC is especially exciting for me, because in addition to my wife, I also have my mother, two aunts and the youth minister from our church here with me. I look forward to spending time with them.

However, the worship services at the NACC are more important to me than the fellowship (although I suppose it could be argued that you really can’t completely separate the two). It is always a moving experience when thousands of brothers and sisters in Christ gather to worship God in spirit and in truth.

The fellowship and worship that I so eagerly anticipate is a glimpse of what heaven will be like, when countless believers—from every age and from all over the world—will be gathered together to praise God forever!

It’s going to be a great week!

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About Face

Posted on July 9, 2012 by jesustrek

While preaching recently, I was right in the middle of a humorous story when I suddenly realized that I was telling the wrong joke! I had never made this particular mistake before (although I have made most of the other mistakes that are possible to make while preaching!).

I had to make a quick decision. If I finished the joke, it would make absolutely no point in the context of the sermon. So, in mid-story, I admitted my mistake, bailed out on the joke and told the one that I had meant to tell.

When all was said and done, the fact that I had messed up brought more laughter than if the story had gone as planned.

It’s always best to admit our mistakes. Quite often, the situation is more serious than being in the middle of the wrong joke. People find themselves in the middle of a wrong relationship, a wrong world view, a wrong lifestyle or a wrong mindset. The right thing to do when you realize that you are in the middle of a wrong story is to stop, admit your mistake, and begin to do the right thing.

The Bible calls this “repentance”.

“…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”—Luke 13:5.

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Up the Creek with a Paddle

Posted on July 7, 2012 by jesustrek

Yesterday I took a short canoe trip up the Ohio River. The temperature was close to 100 degrees and the water was calm when I put in about a hundred yards from my house.

In the hour-and-a-half I was on the water, I enjoyed several fascinating sights from God’s creation.

Schools of minnows swarmed along the surface. Bigger fish occasionally jumped out of the water. Some even bigger ones lurked in the shallows.

The birds, too, put on quite a show. Small birds of prey swooped down to catch an unsuspecting fish. A larger hawk landed in a tree to begin his stakeout for dinner. Then I saw a bald eagle flying up ahead of me. (It might have been a bigger thrill to see a bald eagle on July 4 than on July 6, but I doubt it.)

I really enjoyed seeing these beautiful sights, but I also witnessed some things that weren’t so beautiful. Trash floated down the river and littered both banks. It’s sad to see that so many people still don’t understand the importance of disposing of their garbage properly.

It occurred to me that my canoe trip was just a snapshot of life. We experience a lot of beauty along the way, but there is also no shortage of ugliness.

How do we deal with this? The Bible says we must “…Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9).

What type of evil might you encounter today, and how will you hate it?

What kind of good do you hope to see today, and how will you cling to it?

Happy paddling!

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Let Others Shine

Posted on July 6, 2012 by jesustrek

One of the reasons The Andy Griffith Show was such a success was due to a change they made in the early going. When Don Knotts was brought in to play the part of deputy Barney Fife, the chemistry of the show changed.

“I was supposed to have been the comic, the funny one,” Andy Griffith once said. “But when Don came on I realized by the second episode Don should be funny and I should play straight to him.”

The rest is television history.

In the church, we need to see the value of allowing others to shine. We have to understand our own role and be willing to let others have the spotlight. When we do that, everybody wins.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”—1 Corinthians 12:27.

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Focus on Your Strengths

Posted on July 5, 2012 by jesustrek

 

Andy Griffith

 

The recent passing of legendary television star Andy Griffith has given us a reason to contemplate his amazing career. Part of Griffith’s success came from the fact that he learned early on to play to his strengths. He once said, “Any time I try to play anything that doesn’t come natural, I’m just plain bad.”

 

God has given us unique gifts and talents, and when we try to do things outside of our strengths, sometimes the results are not good.

 

David tried on Saul’s armor, but it just didn’t seem right. He had his own way of going into battle, and it worked out pretty well for him (1 Samuel 17).

 

Don’t try to be somebody other than who you are. Be aware of how God created you, and play to your strengths. Don’t try to be the next Andy Griffith or another David. Just be the best you that you can be.

 

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Freedom Gained

Posted on July 4, 2012 by jesustrek

Today we celebrate Independence Day, the birthday of the United States of America. I suppose you could make an argument that we gained our freedom through a process that occurred over time. Did we become free when the colonies banded together in rebellion against Great Britain? Or did it happen when the Declaration of Independence was signed? Was the magic moment when the war for independence actually began? Or did we officially become free when the treaty to end the war was signed?

While this might be fun to discuss, it won’t prevent any patriotic American from celebrating the Fourth of July. Many of us will enjoy a cookout, spend time with family, watch a fireworks display and be thankful for the veterans who risked their lives to gain and preserve our freedom.

When it comes to the freedom we Christians have in Jesus, it is easier to pinpoint the time when mankind’s freedom was gained. When Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, he said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). At this point in time, Jesus had completed all that God had given him to do to save us. He had given his life to give us freedom from sin, guilt and punishment.

Let’s take some time today to celebrate the freedom we have in Christ.

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Time to Run!

Posted on July 3, 2012 by jesustrek

I was doing some trimming in front of my house when a praying mantis jumped out of a bush and onto the porch. I doubt that he had ever encountered anything as terrifying as the fearful electric hedge trimmers I held in my hands. He decided he had a better chance of surviving if he ran away.

I guess there is a time to pray; and there is a time to run.

Joseph could have taken time to pray when Potiphar’s wife tempted him to engage in sexual immorality with her. “…But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” (Genesis 39:12).

Like I said, I guess there is a time to pray; and there is a time to run.

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How to Behave

Posted on July 2, 2012 by jesustrek

Roger Federer

Tennis players who are preparing to play at Wimbledon receive some special training before the tournament. They are given some tips on royal etiquette when playing in the presence of Prince Charles. Roger Federer said, “They do brief you beforehand. I guess you don’t do anything stupid. You behave.”

Sometimes we forget that our lives are a performance for the King of kings and Lord of lords. We certainly want to avoid stupid actions and behave in a proper manner. The Bible is our book of etiquette. It tells us how to behave in the presence of Royalty.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17.

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Inspection Time

Posted on June 28, 2012 by jesustrek

I recently noticed that one of the tires on our car had prematurely worn out. The front tire on the driver’s side was completely bald, while the other three tires have significant tread left on them.

Knowing that there must have been a cause for this, I consulted a professional tire dealer, who made a quick diagnosis. There was a mechanical problem that had caused the tire to wear out. After repairs and a couple of new tires, I would soon be back on the road.

Communion time is a good opportunity to make some spiritual assessments about your life. 1 Corinthians 11:28 says, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”

Has some sin crept into your life, causing some spiritual wear and tear? Do you need to allow the Lord to make some repairs in your life?

Spiritual restoration requires repentance, but before repentance occurs, one must engage in some serious, reflective self-examination.

Let us take time to reflect on our spiritual needs, and on our Lord’s ability to meet those needs, whatever they may be.

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Welcome Substitute

Posted on June 26, 2012 by jesustrek

Not Mickey

When I was a scrawny 12-year-old, I used to tag along with some older boys and men who had a slow pitch softball team. Occasionally, they would be short of players, and in their desperation, they would actually let me play. I guess that having me in the line-up was just a bit better than being short-handed.

Usually when I got to play, I was the catcher. My main responsibility was throwing the ball back to the pitcher. It’s hard to mess up when you’re the catcher.

However, I remember playing in one particular game that was very close. The score was tied in the bottom of the last inning, and the opposing team had a runner on third base with less than two outs. All they had to do was hit a sacrifice fly deep enough to score the runner, and they would win the game.

This posed a problem for our team. We didn’t want a scrawny 12-year-old trying to tag out a grown man with the game on the line. So we called time out to discuss our options. It was decided that I would play in a part of the field where the ball was not likely to be hit, and Mickey Bennett would take my place behind the plate.

Play resumed, and events transpired much as expected. The batter hit a fly ball to the outfield. The runner tagged up and headed for home. The outfielder threw the ball toward the plate. The ball hit Mickey Bennett’s glove at exactly the same time the runner barreled into him. Mickey got knocked back about 20 feet. The umpire first said, “Safe!” Then he changed his call to “Out!” Or maybe it was vice versa. The game ended with arguing and confusion. I’m not sure who really won. But I am sure of this—I’m so glad that Mickey Bennett took my place!

We were once in line to take the punishment for our sins. But Jesus stepped in and took the punishment for us. Thank God that Jesus took our place!

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8

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