Lackluster Effort

Posted on August 2, 2012 by jesustrek

It seems that 8 Olympic badminton players, representing 3 different nations, have been kicked out of the London Olympic games for not giving their best effort to win. The players defended themselves by saying that they were conserving their energy for the next round. However, it is speculated that they were attempting to control who their opponent would be in the quarterfinals, which is a breach of conduct for the sport.

Michelle Kaufman, of the Miami Herald, writes, “According to published reports, the players did not seem to be exerting themselves and the longest rally in the first game was four strokes. The referee, Thorsten Berg of Denmark, went onto the court at one point and warned the players of their conduct amid a chorus of boos.”

I wonder if some half-hearted Christians would put forth more of an effort if they faced the possibility of being publicly chastised by their leaders, or if the rest of the church could boo their performance?

I suppose the best motivation to do our best would be to remember that Jesus died for us.

“To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:29.

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Stress Marks

Posted on August 1, 2012 by jesustrek

One of my bicycle routes takes me past a commercial sand and gravel pit. You can tell a marked difference between the two sides of the roadway at this point. The highway leading away from the pit is cracked and depressed because of the heavy loads carried by the trucks that are leaving. The other side of the road, which is travelled by empty trucks coming in to pick up a load, is noticeably less stressed.

I suppose that if a person is carrying a load for Jesus, he or she might show some signs of stress. Paul, the apostle, certainly felt that way. In Galatians 6:17, he says, “…I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

While most Christians today have not had to face the physical beatings that Paul endured, it does take a toll on us to live for Jesus. The world heaps scorn upon us. Even well-meaning people question our actions and motives. This causes a lot of stress. We shouldn’t think that this is strange; it is actually to be expected.

It seems that Paul considered these stress marks to be a badge of honor. Perhaps we should do the same.

What kind of marks do you bear for Jesus?

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Point of Entry

Posted on July 31, 2012 by jesustrek

While on a family cruise in the Bahamas a few years ago, my wife was talking with a lady she had just met. As usual, the conversation turned to questions about where everyone was from. My wife said, “Well, I live in Indiana, my mother-in-law is from Kentucky and my aunt is from Texas. The lady mulled over that statement for a few seconds before asking, “Where did you get on the boat?”

She was soon embarrassed as she realized the absurdity of her question. We had all gotten on the boat in Miami, of course!

Many people have the idea that they can get on the boat to heaven at different places. They reason that all religions are good, and that as long as you are sincere about what you believe you will safely reach your eternal destination.

Jesus doesn’t give us that option. The One who claimed to be God in the flesh says, “…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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Finishing the Race

Posted on July 30, 2012 by jesustrek

John Stephen Akhwari

John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania in the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City. Akhwari’s event was the marathon, a grueling 26.2 mile race.

Early in the race he fell and severely cut his calf. He also injured his knee in the fall, but despite the painful injury, he was determined to keep running. Bystanders tried to get Akhwari to drop out of the race and get some medical attention, but he refused to do so. Each step was excruciating, but he was set on finishing the race.

Long after all the other runners had finished the race, the runner from Tanzania entered the stadium and headed for the finish line. The remaining spectators cheered in appreciation; they knew that they were witnessing an amazing moment.

After the race, a reporter asked Akhwari why he had not dropped out of the race, since he could not possibly win and he was in so much pain. He replied, “My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish.”

The Bible compares the Christian life to running a race. Let us be reminded that Jesus does not merely call us to begin the race; he expects us to finish it!

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.”—Galatians 5:7-8.

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Here for a While

Posted on July 27, 2012 by jesustrek

Rodney Dangerfield

We are reminded every day of the uncertainty of life. None of us has the guarantee of tomorrow.

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield once entered the hospital to have an operation to replace a heart valve. Knowing the serious nature of the surgery, Dangerfield joked, “If things go right, I’ll be there about a week. And if things don’t go right, I’ll be there about an hour and a half.”

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12.

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Artful Witness

Posted on July 26, 2012 by jesustrek

Joe Castillo

Sand artist Joe Castillo has reached the semifinals of the popular NBC television show America’s Got Talent. He will move on to compete for the grand prize of $1 million.

In the early rounds, Castillo created a series of patriotic images to the tune of God Bless the U.S.A. His performance impressed all three judges—Howie Mandel, Sharon Osbourne and Howard Stern—who voted him on to the next round.

For his next performance, Castillo sculpted some amazing animals on the backdrop of the Earth. The climax was a huge eye that was shedding a tear. When asked about the eye, Castillo said that it belonged to God. The message is that the earth belongs to God. He has entrusted us to take care of it, but we haven’t always done a good job.

Howard Stern called Castillo “an amazing talent” and said, “You really are a guy with a heart…”

Joe Castillo has a heart for Jesus Christ, and he uses his unique talent to bring glory to God. He is using this stage to try to make a difference for God’s kingdom. In his own subtle way, Castillo is pointing people—including some unlikely listeners–toward God.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”—Colossians 4:5-6.

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Peaceful Easy Feeling

Posted on July 25, 2012 by jesustrek

The lone survivor of a shipwreck was stranded on a deserted island for years. Finally a ship came into view, and the lonely man frantically waved until he got someone’s attention. The ship stopped, and several people got into a smaller boat and came to shore to rescue the stranded man.

“What is this hut behind you?” asked one of the rescuers.

“That’s the house I built to live in”, came the reply.

“And what about that hut up the beach? What is it for?”

“I built that hut to be my church.”

“Oh, I see. Well, what about that hut farther up the beach?”

“Hmmmph!” the man snorted. “That’s where I used to go to church!”

Harmony can indeed be difficult to maintain in the local church. However, the Bible urges us to strive for it. Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

What can you do to promote unity and peace in your church?

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Prayer of Submission

Posted on July 24, 2012 by jesustrek

The following prayer was written by Ben Cachiaras.

DEAR GOD,

Disturb me. Rouse me from sleepy paths of comfortable faith that too easily become dangerous ruts of safety rather than the adventurous path you have called me to walk with you. Forgive me for focusing more on what I want you to do for “my ministry” and “my life” than what you may want me to do for you and for your kingdom. Help me to remember that your call to me is simply to follow—and that you are on the move always. Push me, Jesus, with the lifting power of your Spirit out of stagnant places I’ve been in. Prod me past the horizons formed by my fear. Give me an attitude that is finally ready to follow you, Jesus, no matter what. I want to go beyond. I really do, Lord. Where you lead me, I will follow. No turning back.

AMEN.

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What’s On Your Plate?

Posted on July 23, 2012 by jesustrek

 

Daniel asked that he not be forced to eat the diet prescribed for the king’s trainees. He preferred vegetables and water. When the king’s official hesitated to go along with this idea, Daniel proposed a test. Just let them try the vegetable and water diet for ten days, and then make an assessment. The official agreed to this, and after only ten days, there was a noticeable improvement in the health of Daniel and his friends. So they were allowed to eat vegetables and drink water as their regular diet. (Daniel 1:1-16).

 

Mothers should be quick to use this Scripture to encourage their children to eat their vegetables! The Bible says that they are good for you!

 

We all should take this part of the Bible into serious consideration. It could be said that changing to a healthier diet can naturally bring about noticeable positive changes in as little as ten days. Or we might deduce that perhaps God supernaturally intervenes in the lives of those who try to take care of their bodies and helps them to have better health.

 

Either way, you will be better off if you try to eat a healthy diet. So be sure to eat your veggies!

 

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Slow to React

Posted on July 20, 2012 by jesustrek

Last night a gunman opened fire in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, at the opening of the new Batman movie. Information is still coming in, but as of this moment, 12 people are dead and at least 50 have been injured.

Early reports say that members of the audience were slow to react to the violence because they thought it was part of the entertainment.

The church has been slow to react to the violence that has been perpetrated against our society. We are supposed to be the light that shines and the salt that preserves. But while the church remained seated, more than a tenth of our nation’s population has been aborted, killed in the womb. While the church watches passively, the God-given institution of marriage is being denigrated by people of all sexual preferences. While the church is frozen in place, greedy and lazy people are given money that is taken from hard-working taxpayers.

The church needs to wake up and realize that we are not mere spectators at a movie. We are involved in spiritual warfare. Satan is attacking our nation. He is attacking the American family. He wants to destroy as many lives as he possibly can.

This is no time for slow reactions. It’s time to fight back!

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”—1 Peter 5:8-9.

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