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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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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