I Promise to Do Better

Posted on December 31, 2011 by jesustrek

The coming of a New Year often causes people to make resolutions. I have a friend who decided to quit smoking last year. He got so much satisfaction from that decision that he has resolved to quit smoking again this year!

I decided just this morning that I needed to make some changes in my eating habits. That decision came shortly after I cut myself shaving, only to discover that the liquid trickling down my chin was pure gravy!

Seriously, we all need to assess our lives occasionally and determine what specific changes we could make in order to become more like Jesus. Perhaps now would be a good time to reflect on how we might make some self-improvements in the coming year.

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”—1 Timothy 4:15.

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Money in the Bank

Posted on December 30, 2011 by jesustrek

I have some big news to share with you! I woke up early this morning, went to the computer and discovered that a prince from Nigeria had contacted me. It seems that he has been having difficulty transferring his huge fortune from Nigeria to the U.S. Out of all the people he could have asked to help him, he chose me! All he needed me to do was to give him my banking information. In exchange for my help, he promised he would take care of me. I expect a big change in my net worth very soon!

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”—Proverbs 23:4-5.

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It’s Never Too Late to Learn

Posted on December 29, 2011 by jesustrek
Jim Henry

Jim Henry published his first book, In a Fisherman’s Language, in November at the age of 98. What is more remarkable is that he was illiterate until he was in his 90s.

Henry’s father pulled him out of the third grade so he could help support his family. He never learned to read, and he hid his illiteracy from others for decades. The retired lobsterman began to learn to read and write just a few years ago.

About his newly-acquired ability to read and write, Henry says, “It’s the difference between night and day for me. It’s like I’m born again.” He encourages others, “It’s never too late to learn.”

I’m afraid that some people think that it’s too late for them to become biblically literate. The Bible seems like a huge, complicated book, and perhaps they didn’t study it much when they were younger.

However, God wants us to read and understand the Scripture. Even if we have wasted some opportunities in the past, it is never too late to learn the Bible. It will make a huge difference in your life.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”—2 Timothy 2:15.

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Perseverance, Anyone?

Posted on December 27, 2011 by jesustrek
Jacob Raleigh

In 2009, Jacob Raleigh made it to the Kentucky state tennis tournament playing for Letcher County Central High School. He was a left-handed player with a power game. Jacob made it back to the state tournament again as a senior in 2011, but this time he was a right-handed player who relied more on finesse than power.

Why the change? In between those two trips to the state tournament, Jacob contracted a rare form of cancer and had to have his left arm amputated. Not to be deterred, he learned to play the game right-handed. Amazingly, he played well enough to compete at a high level. This is truly a remarkable story of perseverance.

It makes most of our excuses look trivial, doesn’t it?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”—James 1:2-4

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Why He Came

Posted on December 24, 2011 by jesustrek

Just a few verses after Luke’s beloved historical account of Jesus’ birth comes a stark reminder of the reason why he came to earth. Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to Jerusalem to fulfill the requirement of the Jewish Law. There they were met by an old prophet named Simeon. Luke 2:34-35 says, “Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Years after this prophecy was uttered, Mary would find herself at the cross where her precious son Jesus was dying. We can hardly imagine how it must have felt to have her soul pierced in such a painful way. Only later would she come to understand that Jesus had to die so that we could live. The pain of the cross, and the pain in Mary’s heart, was necessary in order for mankind to be saved.

After all, that’s why he came.

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We are Not Alone

Posted on December 23, 2011 by jesustrek

Scientists hailed the recent discovery of two planets that are roughly the size of Earth. Even though these planets are far too hot to sustain life as we know it, many people are excited about this find.

This discovery adds to the hope of those who have for some time been seeking evidence of life on other planets. It seems that there is a deeply ingrained longing in the hearts of many people to be assured that we are not alone in this universe.

Here’s some good news—we are not alone!

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”—Matthew 1:22-23.

God be with you this Christmas season!

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Hidden Emotions

Posted on December 22, 2011 by jesustrek

“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.”—Proverbs 14:13.

I made yet another trip to the funeral home today. I have lost track of how many times I have gone to be with bereaved families in the past few weeks. It is particularly sad to lose a loved one during the holiday season, when you normally think of celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with friends and family.

Many will gather with mixed emotions as they honor Jesus this Christmas. They may find it possible to share some laughs at church and family get-togethers, but when the festivities are over, the thought of missing someone becomes a stark reality.

Don’t forget those who are in mourning. They may seem to be doing all right, but many of us are quite adept at hiding our emotions. Remember them with a note, a phone call, a prayer, a kind word or a special touch. Try to add to their laughter and joy this holiday season.

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Rough Treatment

Posted on December 21, 2011 by jesustrek

I visited a newborn baby in the hospital yesterday. The family and I watched from behind a window as the little fellow endured his first hour outside the womb. He was stuck, poked, prodded, wiped, wrestled, monitored and tested. He had solution put in his eyes and water run over his head. All the while he was protesting vociferously, perhaps wondering what he had done to deserve such a rough welcome into this world.

No doubt that is how we sometimes feel as our heavenly Father allows us to be tried and tested. We helplessly endure what seems like an endless barrage of discomforting situations, wondering what purpose is served by each trial that comes our way.

But like the medical personnel in a maternity ward, God knows what he is doing. He wants the best for his children, and he won’t coddle us when we need to be poked and prodded in order for us to grow strong and healthy.

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Which Mark?

Posted on December 20, 2011 by jesustrek

Many people like to have their Christmas cards sent from a town whose name has something to do with Christmas. Post offices in the towns of Snow, Oklahoma, Antler, North Dakota, Chestnut, Illinois and North Pole, Alaska get extra business in December each year, as people come from all over to get a special postmark.

There are two popular destinations in Indiana for people who want their cards to have a distinct Christmas theme: Bethlehem and Santa Claus. The post offices in these small towns receive a lot of additional mail this time of year.

Perhaps this is symbolic of the two different directions one can take this time of year. There is nothing inherently wrong with Santa (Yes, I know about the anagram thing). However, it is possible to focus so much on gifts and material things that we lose sight of what happened at Bethlehem.

If someone marked your Christmas this year, would it look more like Santa Claus, or Bethlehem?

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Secret Santa

Posted on December 19, 2011 by jesustrek

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”—Matthew 6:3-4.

Anonymous donors all across the country are paying off layaway accounts at Kmart stores for people they don’t even know. These secret Santas are buying Christmas gifts that impoverished parents have set aside, hoping to somehow give them to their children. Now, thanks to these generous benefactors, many families will be especially blessed this Christmas.

Most of us know people who could use some financial assistance. If you can help someone to have a better Christmas, that’s wonderful. If you can do it anonymously, that’s even better!

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