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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Dangerous Growth

Posted on April 11, 2012 by jesustrek

A little over a year ago, a Colorado man sold baby alligators out of a trailer in southeast Missouri. Lots of people bought one or more of the cute little critters. They were only about the size of a pencil. Nothing that size could hurt anyone, right?

Now the reptiles have grown substantially, and they aren’t so cute anymore. Not only do they have the capability of inflicting injury, they have also developed a nasty disposition. Many of the owners now wish they had never purchased a baby alligator.

Sin has the same way of growing into something that was more than you anticipated. A little indulging in alcohol or other drugs can turn into a disastrous traffic accident. A little flirtation can lead to the break-up of a marriage. A little gambling can cause economic woes. A little neglect of worship can lead a person away from God.   

And so it goes. You can add to the list of little sins that can grow to the point where they threaten to destroy us.

James 1:15 says, “…Sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Let’s never forget that.

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Deer in the Headlights

Posted on April 10, 2012 by jesustrek

Several years ago, some people started putting deer whistles on their cars. The idea was that the whistle—inaudible to humans, but heard by deer—would reduce the chance of hitting a deer with your car. The deer would hear the warning and run away, avoiding a collision.

However, deer whistles did not turn out to be successful. A friend of mine who does body work on cars says that he has repaired many automobiles that were damaged by a collision with a deer, even though they were equipped with deer whistles.

It appears that the deer do indeed hear the warning whistle. However, they have no clue what to do about it. Should they run to avoid danger, or should they remain where they are in order to stay out of harm’s way? The whistle does not tell them what to do.

Many people are like those deer. They know that death and judgment await them. But they may not know what to do about it.

That’s where we come in. The Bible says, “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” (1 Peter 3:15). We need to be able to tell people about the salvation we have in Jesus, so they can move out of harm’s way by accepting him as their Savior.

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Moving On

Posted on April 9, 2012 by jesustrek

A dog suddenly jerked the leash out of his owner’s hand and bit a prominent local attorney. The dog quickly ran and bit two other people before the owner could catch him.

This was a surprising turn of events, since the dog had never bitten anyone before. When a police officer asked the dog owner why he thought it might have happened, he replied, “I have no idea why my dog bit the lawyer, but I think he probably bit the other two in an attempt to get the bad taste out of his mouth.”

Sometimes life leaves you with an awful taste in your mouth. Unfortunate circumstances may cause distress for a season. Perhaps you have been mistreated by someone. Often we feel badly because our own actions have fallen short of our self-imposed standards.

Whenever you have a negative experience, it’s important to move on. There is nothing to be gained by dwelling on unpleasant situations. Do something fun to get that bad taste out of your mouth.

Just don’t bite anyone.

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Heroic Sacrifice

Posted on April 7, 2012 by jesustrek

Reese, Stephanie, Dominic & Joe Decker

On March 2, 2012, Stephanie Decker, of Henryville, Indiana, became concerned about the reports she heard of ominous storms approaching. She anxiously picked up her children from school. Hurrying home with her eight-year-old son Dominic and her 5-year-old daughter Reese, they headed to the basement of their two-story brick home. Stephanie wrapped her children in a blanket and used her body to shield them as a tornado destroyed their house.

Her children escaped the tornado relatively unscathed. Stephanie, however, was not as fortunate. She suffered multiple rib fractures, a punctured lung and legs so badly damaged that surgeons had to remove one leg at the knee and the other at the ankle.

Stephanie’s story of loving sacrifice made national headlines.

Her heroism also reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made when he willingly went to the cross to pay for the sins of mankind.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:5.

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Still Producing

Posted on April 4, 2012 by jesustrek

Jamie Moyer

Colorado Rockies left-hander Jamie Moyer is still trying to compete at the highest level long after most pitchers have had to retire. A victory this season would make him the first starter 49 or older to win a major league game. Weighing in on the subject, Moyer said, “I intend to win more than one game.”

You have to admire his drive to experience continued success. Rather than rest on his laurels, Moyer would rather add to his achievements.

We should not retire too soon from our service to the Lord. There are still many victories to be won!

“The righteous will flourish…planted in the house of the Lord…They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.”—Psalm 92:12-14.

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The Truth about Homosexual Behavior

Posted on April 3, 2012 by jesustrek

The Lexington Herald-Leader has earned a reputation for being biased against people of faith. This is especially true in its treatment of two of the most important moral issues of our times—abortion and homosexuality.

The Herald-Leader has recently printed a series of articles implying that homosexual activity is just another normal lifestyle, and that those who don’t accept this are not merely behind the times—they are narrow-minded.

The truth is, at least three major religions condemn homosexual behavior. Judaism doesn’t allow it. Leviticus 18:22 says, “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” Christianity forbids it. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists a number of behaviors that exclude people from the kingdom of God. Homosexuals are on that list. Islam also excludes homosexual activity. Sura 7:70-80 is just one section of the Quran that addresses this issue.

Jews, Christians and Muslims disagree on many issues of faith, but they are united in their belief that homosexual behavior is not condoned by God. This is a truth that is denied by some, but the truth will not change due to anyone’s inability to comprehend or accept it.

One would think that those who agree with the billions of people who practice Judaism, Christianity and Islam would escape being called “narrow-minded”. Sadly, that is not the case. If only those who preach “tolerance” would be more tolerant of people of faith!

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