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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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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