Simplify

Posted on February 24, 2012 by jesustrek
Greg Smith

Greg Smith claims that a school speed limit sign in White Lake, Michigan is far too complicated to be effective. He says that drivers “practically have to come to a stop to read it.” Town officials have agreed to look into the matter.

Sometimes we make things much more complicated than they need to be. I have seen churches weigh themselves down with so many rules and regulations that it is nearly impossible to make important decisions.

Jesus warns against such legalism. He said of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:4).

I understand that sometimes written guidelines can be helpful, but I have seen some extremely burdensome systems adopted by churches. Therefore, I have become quite intentional about avoiding legalistic situations. Once I was interviewing for a preaching position with a church, and I asked the leaders about their constitution and by-laws. One of the elders reached over and put his hand on my Bible and said, “This is all the constitution and by-laws we have.”

I thought that was a pretty good answer. What do you think?  

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Urgency of the Cause

Posted on February 23, 2012 by jesustrek

In the days after September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush agonized over the decision to send U.S. troops into combat in the war against terror. He knew that there would be casualties and that each life lost would be devastating for the family involved. During that time, the president received a letter from a fourth-grade girl whose father was in the military. She said, “As much as I don’t want my dad to fight, I’m willing to give him to you.”

Bush later wrote, “My anxiety about the sacrifice was mitigated by the urgency of the cause.”

The need to set humanity free from their sin was urgent enough to send Jesus Christ to the cross. Jesus asked his Father if there was any other way (Matthew 26:36-42). But as Hebrews 9:22 says, “…Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”—Hebrews 9:28.

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Unexpected Victories

Posted on February 22, 2012 by jesustrek
1980 team celebrates

On this date (Feb.22) in 1980, the United States Olympic hockey team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history when they defeated the Soviet Union 4-3 in the medal round of the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The underdog U.S. team was given virtually no chance to win. Their unlikely victory is still celebrated after all these years.

God seems to have a special place in his heart for underdogs. Armed only with a sling and a few stones, David defeated a well-armed giant. Gideon led a greatly outnumbered army to victory. And, against all odds, a carpenter-turned-preacher conquered death, not only for himself, but for all who put their trust in him.

Who would have ever imagined it would turn out that way? Thank God for unexpected victories!

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 15:57.    

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Prepared to Rebuke

Posted on February 21, 2012 by jesustrek

Last night I attended a high school district tournament basketball game. During the course of the game, the student cheering section from our school began to shout mean and profane chants at the students from the other school.

I was embarrassed at the lack of class shown by teenagers who should know better than to act that way in public. Such behavior only serves to perpetuate the “ignorant redneck” stereotype that plagues our area.

However, I was pleased to see the immediate and forceful response by school administrators who were in attendance. They quickly quieted the unruly students and lectured them on proper behavior. The student section sat quietly through the rest of the game.

There is much to be said in favor of a timely rebuke. Paul commanded Timothy, “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).

There is a lesson to be learned here for anyone in a position of authority. Parents, teachers, supervisors, church leaders, etc. should be prepared to correct those in their sphere of influence whenever they get out of line. Sometimes people just need to be told to calm down and be quiet.

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Just Be Yourself

Posted on February 20, 2012 by jesustrek
Rory McIlroy

Young golfing sensation Rory McIlroy was once tempted to copy the style of another player. When he was 13, his golf coach, Michael Bannon, caught Rory trying to imitate Tiger Woods’ follow through. He told him to stop doing that. “Why don’t you just swing like Rory McIlroy?” he asked. It turned out to be excellent advice.

Sometimes it’s good to follow the example of people who have experienced success. However, there are times when we just need to be ourselves. David tried on Saul’s armor, but it didn’t suit him. He had to fight his own battles in his own way (1 Samuel 17).

God has given each of us different gifts, talents and opportunities, and we should seek to serve him by using our unique abilities whenever we have the chance.

Don’t try to be something that you are not. God only made one you. Nobody else can be you nearly as well as you can. So be the best you that you can possibly be! No imitations. Just be yourself.

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Hard to Be Humble

Posted on February 17, 2012 by jesustrek

H.A. Ironside, who preached in the early 20th century, noticed that he was becoming proud of himself. His church was doing well, his messages were well-received and people were even recognizing him on the street.

Realizing that he needed to do something to humble himself, he hired himself out for a day. His job was to carry a sandwich board advertisement around for an entire day.

That night he thought to himself, “What a humbling experience that was!” His next thought was, “I’ll bet there’s not another preacher in Chicago who would be willing to do what I did today!”

It’s hard to be humble. Just when you think you have attained humility, you may have just lost it!

However, we must never give up trying to avoid the sin of pride. We must always strive to remain humble.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6.

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Rescued

Posted on February 16, 2012 by jesustrek

A toddler has been rescued after becoming trapped inside a game machine in Lexington, Kentucky. Caitlin Campbell was playing with some other children when she was apparently attracted to the stuffed animals in a coin-operated machine. Caitlin crawled up a chute and into the machine, and then she couldn’t get out.

The little girl was brave until firefighters cut off the lock to free her. Needless to say, she was quite happy to be set free and to be reunited with her mother.

Sometimes people are enticed by what the world has to offer and get trapped in sin. We can’t free ourselves from this dilemma, but Jesus can. He died to set us free from sin and had made it possible for us to be with our heavenly Father.

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Finishing Strong

Posted on February 14, 2012 by jesustrek

Whitney Houston

The tragic news of Whitney Houston’s death has saddened us all. The timing of her passing–the day before the Grammy Awards–intensified the pain for many.

My first thought was, “What a waste!” For someone with her beauty, talent and personality to live such a short and troubled life is sad indeed.

We do not yet know the cause of her death, but many suspect that the choices she made served to shorten her life. Whitney admitted that she could sometimes be her own worst enemy. How different her life might have been if she had been able to avoid the sin and temptations that came her way!

The day after Houston died I attended an open house at New Beginnings, a recovery center in Vanceburg, Kentucky for people dealing with drug addictions. Ironically, the news of Whitney’s death played constantly on the television at the center. This highlighted the importance of battling resolutely against any sin that threatens to trip us up.

The Bible encourages us to finish strong. In order to do that, we have to avoid sin at all cost. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

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Valuable Part

Posted on February 13, 2012 by jesustrek

Two men once set out to become the first to circle the earth in a hot-air balloon. They took off in their high tech aircraft, but it wasn’t long until they were forced to land in the Mediterranean Sea. Their $1.5 million aircraft was brought down by a failed fuel clamp that cost $1.16!

No matter how small the role that you play at your church might seem, don’t ever think that you are not important!

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”—1 Corinthians 9:27.

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Instead of Worrying

Posted on February 10, 2012 by jesustrek

“If a care is too small to be turned into a prayer, it is too small to be made into a burden.”—Anonymous

Some people are quite good at worrying. They should be, since they have had so much practice! Many Christians spend a lot of time worrying, even though Jesus tells us not to do that (Matthew 6:25-34). Some of us seem to be as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

Prayer is the antidote for worry. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Do you desire more of the peace of God in your life? Then spend less time worrying, and more time praying.

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