Perfection

Posted on April 27, 2012 by jesustrek

Phil Humber

On Saturday, April 21, 2012, Chicago White Sox pitcher Phil Humber threw a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners. A perfect game is a rarity in the big leagues. Humber’s gem was only the 21st perfect game in major league history.

Something that is even rarer is to live a perfect life. It has only happened once, and Jesus Christ sacrificed that perfect life on the cross as a substitute for our sinful lives.

Hebrews 9:14—“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

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Heads or Tails?

Posted on April 26, 2012 by jesustrek

Football games have an odd tradition of beginning with a coin toss. The team that chooses heads or tails correctly gets the option of receiving the ball to begin the game, or deferring their choice to the second half. The team that gets to make this decision is decided by chance.

The Bible speaks of a “heads or tails” situation that has nothing to do with chance, but everything to do with choices. Deuteronomy 28:13 says, “The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.”

Will it be heads or tails? Do you want to come out on top? Then you must obey God. The choice is up to you.

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Living Up to Your Name

Posted on April 25, 2012 by jesustrek

World Peace bashes Harden

The sports world is still buzzing about the vicious elbow that Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace threw to the head of Oklahoma Thunder player James Harden last Sunday. World Peace insists that it was not done maliciously. The replay says otherwise.

World Peace has been suspended for seven games. Some think that the troubled player got off too easy, given his history of violent outbursts.

Many have commented on the irony of the situation. The player, formerly known as Ron Artest, chose to have his name changed to World Peace. On this occasion, he certainly didn’t live up to his chosen name!

I guess I could join the throngs of people who are bashing World Peace. (Hmmm, perhaps I just have!)

However, I think I had better take some time to reflect on my own behavior. You see, I have also chosen a name for myself. It’s “Christian”.

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Crooked Finger

Posted on April 24, 2012 by jesustrek

Dupuytren's contracture

A few years ago, I noticed that one of my fingers was drawing down toward my palm. Try as I might, I couldn’t straighten that crooked finger. It kept getting worse with time. It began to affect my ability to type. Even shaking hands with someone became an adventure!

Finally, I went to a doctor and found out that I had a disease called Dupuytren’s contracture. The only way to correct the problem was with surgery. Not wanting to go through life with a crooked finger, I elected to have the surgery. It was successful, and now all of my fingers function well.

This reminded me that we Christians are all part of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

You’re not the crooked finger in your church, are you? If so, shouldn’t you straighten up?

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He Stilled the Storm

Posted on April 23, 2012 by jesustrek

The more I read the Old Testament, the more I see Jesus there.

I recently found him in the Psalms. “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:28-30).

Does that passage not describe exactly what would happen many years later, when Jesus calmed the storm that threatened to destroy him and his disciples?

Surely his disciples must have been amazed when they connected what Jesus was doing with the actions described of the Lord in the Old Testament. This miracle, and others like it, made them realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ was indeed Lord!

Let’s continue to look for Jesus in the Old Testament. He shows up more often than most people realize!

And let’s pray that Jesus calms the next storm that comes our way, and guides us into our desired haven.

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Saved from the Fire

Posted on April 20, 2012 by jesustrek

Mayor Cory Booker

On Thursday night, April 12, Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, New Jersey, ran into a burning building to save a neighbor’s life. Defying a police detective who tried to hold him back, Booker ignored his own safety in order to help someone else. There was a time when the mayor “thought we were not going to make it.” But he was able to locate the lady in distress, lift her over his shoulder and take her out of the house. Booker was later treated for smoke inhalation and he suffered second-degree burns on his hands. But he was thankful to have been in a situation where he could save someone’s life.

The Bible says “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them…” (Jude 22-23).

Let’s try to save others from hell. Some may try to dissuade us from the effort. And it may cost us something. But it will be more than worth it!

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Number Your Days

Posted on April 19, 2012 by jesustrek

Dick Clark

Dick Clark, “the world’s oldest living teenager”, died of a heart attack yesterday at the age of 82. The long-time television host was famous for his youthful appearance. Clark never seemed to age.

However, time waits for no one. We all have an appointment with death. Rich or poor, beautiful or ordinary-looking, famous or not—we all have but a certain number of days in this life. Then we must stand before God and enter into eternity.

This is a sobering thought. Yet, instead of leading us to despair, our limited earthly existence should strengthen our resolve to live meaningful lives. We should pray like the Psalmist, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12.

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Paying Taxes

Posted on April 18, 2012 by jesustrek

Lindsey Vonn

Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsey Vonn says that she recently paid the more than $1.7 million she owed in back taxes.

It’s difficult for regular people to comprehend that situation. How does one neglect to pay that much money? Can you imagine the conversation in that household: “Honey, do you know where we put the $1.7 million bill from the IRS? I can’t find it anywhere!”

And how do you go about paying that big of a tax bill? Will the government take most major credit cards up to $2 million? Does the IRS accept loose change?

I’m glad that Lindsey got squared away with the IRS. Hopefully, you are too.

“Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…”—Romans 13:7.

 

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Death and Taxes

Posted on April 17, 2012 by jesustrek

Today is Tax Day, and we are reminded of the old saying that there are two things in life that are certain—death and taxes.

Death and taxes may be more closely linked than we imagined. A recent study shows that deadly automobile accidents occur more frequently on Tax Day. This could be because drivers are rushing to the post office to meet the deadline. Or perhaps the stress of taxes causes motorists to become distracted and therefore more likely to make deadly mistakes on the highway.

One way to avoid this danger would be to simply not pay your taxes. It seems to work for some people.

However, the Bible says, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…”—Romans 13:7.

So, painful though it may be, pay your taxes. And drive carefully!

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Look!

Posted on April 13, 2012 by jesustrek

A couple of years ago, our next-door neighbors’ one-year-old son was just learning to talk. One of his first words was “Look”. As he observed the world around him, he was fascinated by what he saw. He would excitedly point at a butterfly and say, “Look!” Then a flower would catch his attention. “Look!” There’s a dog! “Look!”

It was fun to watch his enthusiasm for life, and it caused me to observe along with him what wonderful things God has created.

Of all the amazing things we could look at, the most important is Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…”

It’s Jesus, our Savior! Look!

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