Great Story!

Posted on June 25, 2012 by jesustrek

Some people have some amazing stories to tell about their lives. Isaac had a great one—the one about the time his father Abraham almost sacrificed him as an offering to God (Genesis 22:1-14).

People probably asked Isaac to tell them about his experience. I can picture some of his cousins at family reunions saying, “Hey, Isaac! Tell us again about the time Uncle Abraham almost killed you!”

I suppose Isaac did tell his story from time to time. But I imagine he put a more positive spin on it, focusing on the love and mercy that God showed him by sparing him from death and providing another sacrifice to take his place. I think he loved to tell that story.

We Christians have a similar story to tell. Like Isaac, we were marked for death. And God also provided a substitute to take our place—his Son, Jesus Christ.

 “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”—1 John 2:2.

That’s a great story. It’s our story. Let’s tell it as often as we can.

 

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Rude Awakening

Posted on June 23, 2012 by jesustrek

I was out for a walk early this morning when someone in a pickup truck drove by, slowed down, and blew his horn very loudly. He drove on a little farther before turning around. The driver then pulled over on the street in front of a certain house and blew his horn again. I can only assume that he was trying to let someone know that their transportation had arrived.

Who knows where these people were headed so early on a Saturday morning? Perhaps they were going to work. Maybe they planned to do a little fishing.

I thought it would have been a nice thing if the driver had refrained from blowing his horn so loudly in a populated area at 6:30am on a weekend. Would it have been too much trouble to quietly park the truck, walk up to the door and knock? Did he really have to wake up the whole neighborhood?

Philippians 2:4 says, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” I have to believe that some of the people on that street might have been interested in sleeping past 6:30 on a Saturday morning!

Rather than try to straighten this fellow out, I suppose I had better examine my own selfish nature. I wonder how often I annoy others by blowing my own horn too loudly?

Hmmmmm…

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Can’t Be Found?

Posted on June 21, 2012 by jesustrek

 

David Feherty, an analyst for the Golf Channel, described an errant shot by saying, “That ball is so far left, Lassie couldn’t find it if it was wrapped in bacon.”

 

Only those who have played the game can fully appreciate that comment. Golf balls sometimes land very far away from their intended destination.

 

Human beings often get lost too. We sometimes wonder how we got so far away from where God wants us to be. Some people feel hopelessly lost. Others have doubts about people in their lives. Have they strayed so far away from God that they can never be found?

 

Fortunately, Jesus is in the business of finding lost people. He says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10).

 

No matter how far away from God someone might be, Jesus can find and save that person.

 

And he doesn’t need any help from Lassie.  

 

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Getting Along

Posted on June 20, 2012 by jesustrek

Winston Churchill

Lady Nancy Astor reportedly once remarked to Winston Churchill, “Winston, if you were my husband, I’d poison your tea.” Churchill replied, “Nancy, if I were your husband, I’d drink it!”

It is impossible to get along with everyone. That’s hard for some people to accept, but Jesus didn’t get along with everyone, so why would you expect to be able to do so?

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t try. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We should make every effort to have pleasant interactions with the people in our lives. However, some people make it impossible to have a peaceful relationship. If you have done your best, don’t fret over things that are out of your control.

And be careful whose tea you drink!

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Connections

Posted on June 19, 2012 by jesustrek

Warren Buffett

Billionaire Warren Buffet was once a water boy in the NFL. It seems that Buffett’s sister, Doris, was dating Dudley DeGroot Jr., whose father was the coach of the Redskins. Buffett says that he made a pest of himself until, finally, Dudley Jr. arranged for him to be a water boy. He got to sit on the bench and be up close to stars like Sammy Baugh. He says it was great.

Then his sister broke up with Dudley Jr. Buffett says that they let him go immediately.

I guess it’s true what they say—It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.

Jesus tells a story about some people who tried to gain admittance to a wedding banquet (which represents eternal life with Jesus), but were too late. “…”Sir! Sir!” they said. “Open the door for us!” But he replied, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” (Matthew 25:11-12).

Yes, it’s who you know that counts!

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Fond Farewell

Posted on June 18, 2012 by jesustrek

A married couple became known throughout their neighborhood for their amorous morning ritual. Each day before the husband left for work, he gave his wife a huge bear hug and a long, passionate kiss.

One morning, the couple next door was observing this daily expression of love. The wife asked her husband, “Why don’t you do that?” He answered, “Why, I hardly know the woman!”

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”—Ephesians 5:25.

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Fathers’ Day Challenge

Posted on June 17, 2012 by jesustrek

Calling all Dads! God wants you to be the best father you can possibly be. How do you achieve that? Here is some godly advice.

First, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25). Here is a call for sacrificial love. Husbands are to lay their lives down for their wives. Many men like to think that they would be willing to make a huge sacrifice for the woman they love. They would even take a bullet for their wife if necessary! Most wives would be happy if their husbands would just take out the trash on a regular basis. Rather than wait for a chance to be a big hero, let’s make little sacrifices for our wives each day.

Second, love your children by raising them the right way. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4). I once tried to reach out to a family that didn’t come to church because the 3-year-old daughter didn’t like getting up in the morning. A toddler was making the most important spiritual decisions for the family! I hope your family is doing better than that. Fathers are given the main responsibility for the spiritual direction of the family. Don’t shirk that responsibility!

Most importantly, if you want to be a good father, “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38). Is church attendance a chore or a joy for you? Do your wife and children ever notice you praying or reading your Bible? You can’t love your family to the fullest of your capability unless you also love the God who created you and who provided the means for your salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ!

Have a godly Fathers’ Day!

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What’s It To You?

Posted on June 16, 2012 by jesustrek

Beau Hossler

17-year-old amateur golfer Beau Hossler found himself in sole possession of the lead early Friday at the U.S. Open tournament. Then the tough course caught up with him, and he dropped out of the lead.

I have a 17-year-old friend who plays golf. I considered teasing him about why he wasn’t contending for the lead at a major tournament. Then it occurred to me that he might ask me why I haven’t won as many majors as Tiger Woods!

Sometimes we are more concerned about someone else’s performance than we are our own, and this causes us to lose focus.

Jesus had just told Peter what his fate would be—a death that would glorify God (John 21:18-19). Then Peter saw John nearby. “When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:21-22).

That’s good advice for all of us. Instead of being overly concerned about what is going to happen to someone else, we should simply concentrate on following Jesus.

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Praying on a Tightrope

Posted on June 16, 2012 by jesustrek

Nik Wallenda

Daredevil Nik Wallenda walked on a wire across Niagara Falls on Friday evening June 15. The feat was covered live by ABC television.

Wallenda was equipped with a microphone so that he could communicate with viewers. The audience was able to hear him offer up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to his heavenly Father and to Jesus.

Here are a few observations about these high-flying prayers.

First, I was glad that the event was covered live. Otherwise, the prayers would probably have been edited out.

Second, I noticed that the commentators ignored the fact that he prayed. (At least they did while I was watching. I was channel surfing, and did not see the event in its entirety.)

Finally, I got the feeling that Mr. Wallenda prays on a regular basis. I don’t think that he waits until he is facing danger before he ever talks to God.

That seems like a good idea.

“Pray continually.”—1 Thessalonians 5:17.

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In Agreement?

Posted on June 15, 2012 by jesustrek

Don DeWelt once said, “Someday I’m going to write a book and call it Agree With Me or Go to Hell!” After pausing, he held up the Bible and said with a smile, “But then I realized that someone had already written the book!”

Many people spend their lives hoping that God will agree with them, when we are the ones who must agree with him. The consequences of disagreeing with God are horrifying.

Hell isn’t a very popular subject these days. Some people go so far as to deny its existence. But Jesus believed in hell; therefore, so should we. And we should agree with God that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. Then we can avoid hell and gain access to heaven.

“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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