Not for Nothing

Posted on June 8, 2012 by jesustrek

Trish Vickers

A blind British woman named Trish Vickers was writing a novel, with dreams of finding a publisher. Those dreams were shattered when she showed her son what she had written, and he informed her that her pen had run out of ink before she had even begun writing. All she had to show for her hard work was a notebook filled with empty pages.

However, Vickers and her son asked the police if they could help. Using the kind of forensic technology that is seen on television shows, detectives were able to recover the words she had written from the indentations left on the paper. Her work was not done in vain after all.

Sometimes we may get discouraged about our life’s work. We wonder if there is anything of value in what we have accomplished. While it might not seem that anything is visible, the Lord knows what we have done. Nothing we have done for him will go unnoticed or unrewarded.

“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.”—Revelation 2:19.

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Never Give Up!

Posted on June 7, 2012 by jesustrek

On April 7, 1969, Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Don Drysdale gave up a home run to Cincinnati’s Pete Rose on the very first pitch of the game. Drysdale threw his second pitch to Bobby Tolan, and Tolan hit a home run also. After this terrible start, Drysdale settled down and did not allow Cincinnati to score any more runs. Drysdale’s Dodgers ended up winning the game 3-2.

The moral of the story is to never give up, even if you get off to a bad start. Don’t be discouraged if you made some early mistakes in school, in marriage, in business, in church or as a parent. With the Lord’s help, you can overcome a bad start and enjoy great success.

“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”—Hebrews 10:39.

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What Really Matters

Posted on June 6, 2012 by jesustrek

This story is adapted from one told by Paul Harvey several years ago.

A lady was once involved in a minor automobile accident. She was very upset because the accident was her fault and her brand new car was only two days removed from the dealer’s showroom. She dreaded facing her husband.

The lady reached into the glove compartment to find the insurance documents. However, the first paper she found was a note, written in her husband’s distinctive handwriting. It said, “In case of an accident, remember, Honey, it’s you I love, not the car.”

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church…”—Ephesians 5:25.

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Who’s In Charge?

Posted on June 4, 2012 by jesustrek

Several years ago, the church I was serving invited a guest speaker to come and preach. This man was not only a good speaker; he also had a gift for singing. During the music portion of our worship service, his voice rang out clear and strong.

However, this fellow sort of got into his own little world as he sang. Not only did his volume drown out both the worship leader and the piano player, he got way ahead of them both! The congregation did not know who to follow, resulting in chaos and confusion.

Churches often suffer when they don’t know who to follow. God has ordained that the church is to be led by the elders. If the leaders’ authority is usurped by any individual or group, the whole church ends up in a state of confusion.

Is it clear who is in charge at your church?

“Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?”—1 Corinthians 14:8.

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The Big Five-Five

Posted on June 1, 2012 by jesustrek

Today is my birthday. This is a rather significant milestone. Today I am 55 years old. That’s right; I have just hit the big Five-Five, the double nickel.

It’s hard to put a positive spin on this. Even if I eat right and get the proper amount of exercise, at least a third of my life is probably behind me. I am approaching middle age, and middle age does not appear to be the least bit frightened of me.

Maybe one good thing about getting to be my age is that I can at least start to think about retirement. I am employed as a minister at a church. At our last elders’ meeting, I asked the elders about the retirement plan at our church. They informed me that I could quit any time I want!

Seriously, I hope that I have some good years left serving the Lord. After all, Moses was 80 years old when he received the most important assignment of his life. Joshua served under Moses for 40 years before he got promoted, so he must have had some age on him when he began some of his greatest work.

One of my favorite “old geezers” in the Bible is Caleb. Listen to what he says—“…So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” (Joshua 14:10-11).

You get the idea that Caleb might have gone around challenging the younger guys to an arm wrestling match! You have to admire his zeal and his desire to continue to make a difference.

I want to continue to make a difference too! How about you?

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Hands on the Wheel

Posted on May 31, 2012 by jesustrek

Former Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden once told one of his players, “Son, you’ve got a good engine, but your hands aren’t on the steering wheel.” This was the old coach’s way of telling the young man that he had a lot of talent, but he needed to be in better control of his actions.

Many Christians have the same problem. They have an abundance of gifts and abilities, but their out-of-control lives keep them from excelling. Poor decisions and a lack of focus negate a lot of good that they could be contributing to the cause of Christ.

It is critically important that we keep our hands firmly on the steering wheel of our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”

Notice that self-control is the last piece of the puzzle. If you want to live a fruitful, Spirit-filled life, you have to be in control of your actions. Don’t play the “blame game”. Don’t fall into a victim mentality. Be in control of your life. Keep your hands on the steering wheel!

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Must Have It!

Posted on May 30, 2012 by jesustrek

My wife and I saw a barge pull over to the side of the Ohio River near our house. We walked over closer to see what the occasion was, since the boats don’t usually stop here.

We observed a man lower a small boat into the water. Then he put a bicycle into the boat, got in the boat himself and started paddling to the shore.

The shore was muddy, so he had difficulty getting out of the boat. He fell and got his hands and knees muddy. After securing the small boat, he got the bike out of the boat and started pushing it up the river bank.

I had gone down to meet him, and asked if he needed any help. He thanked me, but said that all he needed was directions to the nearest convenience store. It turned out that he was on a beer run for the crew!

As I watched him peddle away, I thought that it seemed like a lot of trouble just to get some beer.

I hope that Christian people show the same diligence and determination in getting to church to take communion on Sunday!

“…Do this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19.

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Taking Time to Listen

Posted on May 28, 2012 by jesustrek

I had the honor of praying at a Memorial Day service today at the Veterans Park in our town. The service also included a brief, inspiring speech by our state representative and the playing of our national anthem. A group of veterans provided a 21-gun salute and played “Taps”. The ceremony concluded with the placing of a wreath on the park’s memorial monument.

I felt blessed as I turned to leave, but the greatest blessing was yet to come. A friend introduced me to a World War II veteran who is just a few months shy of his 90th birthday. The old soldier was happy to meet me, and he shared some of his memories about his contribution to the war effort.

Even though it was hot, and everyone else had left, I was happy to stay and listen to how this gentleman had served his country. Sometimes listening helps you to better appreciate things that are important.

So it is with Jesus. Sometimes we just need to stop and listen once again to the story of how he served us by giving his life on the cross to pay for our sins. Then we can truly appreciate his sacrifice and enjoy the blessing that comes from being saved.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16.

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Take the Plunge

Posted on May 25, 2012 by jesustrek

I heard about a preacher who had agreed to baptize someone who wanted to become a Christian. When the man arrived at the location where he was to be baptized, the preacher was surprised to see him wearing a complete SCUBA diving outfit! The preacher exclaimed, “I’m not sure you completely understand the concept of faith!”

The Bible says, “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Yet sometimes we approach situations with our SCUBA gear rather than our faith! Is there some area of life in which you are not fully trusting God? Maybe it’s time to show some faith and take the plunge!

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Conditioned Response

Posted on May 24, 2012 by jesustrek

There is a dog in my home town that barks at every passing train. As many trains as there are going through town, you would think that the dog would finally quit barking. But I suppose that he thinks he is being successful. Every time a train infringes on his territory, he barks at it. And every time he barks at a train, it goes away–every single time. The dog feels that he is rewarded for his behavior, so he keeps barking.

I see at least two applications for this story.

First is a lesson for parents. Many children continue to throw tantrums because they have been rewarded for doing so. When they cry long enough and loud enough, their parents give in and give them anything they want. They have learned from experience that it pays to raise a fuss.

Church leaders can also learn from this example. Many church members continue to be loud, belligerent and rebellious because this has enabled them to get their way. When leaders cave in to childish tantrums, immature people are rewarded for their misbehavior. When this occurs, leaders can only expect a repeat performance sometime in the future.

So, if you are leading a family or a church, just remember—don’t reward bad behavior!

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”—2 Timothy 4:2.

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