More Time?

Posted on May 14, 2012 by jesustrek

Mayan calendar

Many people have been concerned because the impressive calendar developed by the Mayan civilization appeared to end on December 21, 2012. This led to speculation that the Mayans had predicted that the world would radically change, or perhaps even end on that date.

A recent discovery, however, has found that the Mayan calendar extends well beyond 2012. Some inscriptions include dates corresponding to a time beyond the year 3500.

This new revelation calls for a change of plans. I had decided to put off my Christmas shopping until December 22. You know, just in case the Mayans were right. I mean, why shop for a holiday that may never occur?

Now I suppose we had all better plan for Christmas, New Year’s and beyond.

Seriously, Jesus teaches that no one knows when the end will be, so we all should live as if the world, as we know it, could end any day.

We should pray along with the Psalmist, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12.

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What Comes Around

Posted on May 11, 2012 by jesustrek

A couple of days ago, I heard a rooster crowing as I began my morning walk. This is not a familiar sound, since I live in the middle of town. I am sure that the rooster was annoying some people who had not planned to wake up quite that early.

At a corner near my house, I saw the culprit up close. On the sidewalk across the street was a large rooster, strutting about as only roosters can do, acting like he owned the town. A neighbor on his front porch jokingly asked me if that was my rooster. I responded that it wasn’t and made some kind of remark about how the rooster wanted to make sure everybody knew it was morning.

Many people are like roosters. They boastfully crow their way through life, annoying anyone in their vicinity. Life revolves around them, and their concern for others is minimal at best.

We all know someone like this, and, if we are totally honest, we sometimes wish they would get a taste of their own medicine. If only they could experience some of the misery that they so skillfully inflict on others!

As I finished my walk, I heard the rooster again. This time it was not an arrogant crowing noise. It was more like a desperate clucking. Turning around, I saw the rooster running through an intersection, with a large dog in close pursuit.

What goes around comes around. And sometimes it comes around with its feathers flying!

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”—Galatians 6:7.

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Evolving Into What?!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by jesustrek

President Obama has officially announced that he is in favor of homosexual “marriage”. He says that his position has been “evolving”. I suppose his present stance on this important moral issue can be explained by 20 years of listening to the sermons of Jeremiah Wright.

There is a reason I call this an important moral issue, even though the media insist on the milder term “social issue”. You see, the Bible not only condemns homosexual behavior, it also forbids anyone from supporting this kind of activity.

Most people who have even a passing knowledge of the Bible understand that God does not condone homosexual activity. However, many people, even some Christians, have a Seinfeld attitude toward this behavior—“Not that there’s anything wrong with that!” They want it to be known that they themselves aren’t homosexuals, but they want to be seen as enlightened and tolerant individuals who approve of others who are.

This is a dangerous position. The second half of Romans 1 warns us of the wrath of God against godless people. While other sins are mentioned here, the primary targets of God’s wrath in this scripture are homosexuals. But get this—the chapter concludes with a warning not just to those who participate in homosexual activity, but also to those who approve of it.

Remember this when you vote!

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Out of Position

Posted on May 9, 2012 by jesustrek

On Sunday, May 6, both teams ran out of pitchers in a 17-inning game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox. It was described as “a crazy game at Fenway Park”. It was the first major league game since 1925 in which both teams put a position player on the mound. The Red Sox used an outfielder to pitch, and the Orioles used a designated hitter as their pitcher. Baltimore ended up winning the game 9-6.

Sometimes circumstances demand that we perform tasks that we don’t normally do. Among the people Nehemiah used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem were goldsmiths and perfume-makers (Nehemiah 3:8). Many of the workers were unaccustomed to the job they were given, but the work was so important that they willingly helped out in any way they could.

While we should normally seek to work in areas that are our strengths, sometimes the circumstances demand that you do something that is outside of your area of expertise. You might find yourself in a situation where you need to step in and lead a study group, chaperone a youth outing or even (gulp!) pray out loud.

Remember that the next time the coach asks you to play out of position!

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Turn Around!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by jesustrek

A lady heard on the radio that there was a driver headed the wrong way on the interstate highway during the afternoon rush hour. This errant driver was endangering the lives of many people.

Concerned because her husband was travelling that route on his way home from work, she called him on his car phone.

“Honey, be careful!” she exclaimed. “They are saying on the news that someone is driving the wrong way on the interstate!”

“It’s much worse than that!” he answered. “It’s not just one! There are hundreds of them!”

Jesus says that there are many who are headed down the wrong road in life. If they don’t turn around, something tragic will happen. We need to help them change direction!

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

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Close to Home

Posted on May 7, 2012 by jesustrek

I baptized my sister-in-law, Karen, yesterday. It was a very moving experience for me. The whole church celebrated as we welcomed her into the kingdom of God.

Jesus sends us out to make disciples of people everywhere. This, of course, means supporting the work of missionaries who work in far-away places. But it also includes reaching people close to us with the good news about Jesus.

Jesus once set free a man who was tormented by demons (Mark 5:1-20). This man was grateful to have a normal life once again, and naturally he wanted to travel with Jesus. However, Jesus had other plans for him. He said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” (vv.19-20).

Quite often, the best influence a person can have is on people close to home. The next person you see baptized into Christ might be someone very close to you. That’s an exciting prospect, isn’t it?

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Confession Time

Posted on May 3, 2012 by jesustrek

A lady walked up to the confessional booth and said to the man inside, “Hey, you’re not my priest!”

“No, ma’am”, he answered. “I’m just polishing the furniture.”

“Well, where’s the priest?”

“I don’t know, but if he’s heard anything like the stories I’ve been hearing today, he’s probably gone for the police!”

The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9.

It’s confession time. Who wants to go next?

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One Bad Apple

Posted on May 2, 2012 by jesustrek

There’s an old saying—“One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch.” I suppose that’s usually true, but sometimes one bad apple can certainly do a lot of harm.

The sin of one man, Achan, caused the Lord to be angry with his people, and instead of continued victories, they suffered a costly defeat. The Israelites didn’t get back on track until they had dealt with the sin (Judges 7).

One gossip can rob a prayer group of its power. One self-absorbed person can destroy a Sunday School class by making every class a session to solve her problems. One power-hungry elder can quench the Holy Spirit in a congregation. One rebellious deacon can thwart the will of the elders of his church.

The situation with Achan was remedied by strong leadership, and God’s people began to experience victory again. All of the modern scenarios listed above could be improved by strong leadership also.

The Bible says, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.” (Titus 3:10).

I found a rotten apple in my refrigerator yesterday. Guess what I did with it?

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Stop!

Posted on May 1, 2012 by jesustrek

A Stoutsville, Ohio teenager was sentenced last month to serve four years behind bars for his part in causing a fatal automobile accident. He concealed a stop sign, causing a car to collide with another vehicle. Two elderly ladies died as a result of that wreck.

Common sense should tell us that bad things happen when we remove or conceal stop signs.

Yet some are trying to remove cultural stop signs that have served to prevent a lot of pain and suffering. I say let’s put those stop signs back.

Stop killing children in the womb. Stop trying to improve upon God’s definition of marriage. Stop having sex with someone to whom you are not married. Stop neglecting to discipline your children. Stop using the Lord’s name as a swear word. Stop using crude language. Stop the spread of socialism. Stop trying to remove God from the way we run our nation.

Just stop!

“Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.”–Deuteronomy 5:33.

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Second Chances

Posted on April 30, 2012 by jesustrek

Chuck Colson

The kingdom of God lost a powerful voice when Charles “Chuck” Colson died on April 21 at the age of 80. Many remember Colson as the “evil genius” who did President Nixon’s dirty work during the Watergate scandal. However, Christians remember him as a powerful preacher, insightful writer and one of the most brilliant defenders of the faith that the world has ever seen.

If we can learn anything at all from the life of Chuck Colson, it is that God gives second chances. Colson admitted that he was once a selfish and power-hungry individual, seeking his own gain, often at the expense of others. He acknowledged that he was guilty of criminal activities and that he deserved to spend time in prison.

However, Colson turned his life around in a very dramatic fashion. He repented of his sinful life and turned toward God. Not only did he write and speak about the Christian faith, he founded Prison Fellowship, the world’s largest ministry to prisoners.

Chuck Colson proved that you can have a very poor first half of your life and still end up living a meaningful, productive life. That gives hope to those who have made a mess of their lives. If Chuck Colson can get a “do-over”, so can anyone else.

How about you? Do you need a second chance? You’re in luck! Our God is a God of second chances!

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