What’s Your Purpose?

Posted on April 28, 2022 by jesustrek

An executive hirer, a “head-hunter” who goes out and hires corporation executives for other firms, once told Josh McDowell, “When I get an executive that I’m trying to hire for someone else, I like to disarm him. I offer him a drink, take my coat off, then my vest, undo my tie, throw up my feet and talk about baseball, football, family, whatever, until he’s all relaxed. Then, when I think I’ve got him relaxed, I lean over, look him square in the eye and say, “What’s your purpose in life?” It’s amazing how top executives fall apart at that question.

“Well, I was interviewing this fellow the other day, had him all disarmed, with my feet up on the desk, talking about football. Then I leaned up and said, “What’s your purpose in life, Bob?” And he said, without blinking an eye, ‘To go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can.’ For the first time in my career I was speechless.”

It’s refreshing to be reminded that some Christians are actually aware of their purpose in life.

Jesus says that he came to seek and save the lost. The salvation of lost souls is the top priority for Jesus, and it should also be the main concern of Christians. At the conclusion of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives the great commission to his followers to go and make disciples for him, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us to do.

Some people who follow Jesus never do really grasp what their main mission is all about. Some churches lose sight of their purpose, becoming distracted by other things, which might not necessarily be bad things to do, but they are not the main mission of the church.

Let’s always be striving to focus on our purpose in life—to go to heaven and take as many people with us as we can.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”—Matthew 28:18-20.

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Rest for the Weary

Posted on April 22, 2022 by jesustrek

Life can be quite tiresome. The tragic news headlines that bombard us each day can be draining. Witnessing the moral decline of our culture can wear on us. Duties at work can be a grind. Then there are the never-ending household chores that are always demanding to be done. Also consider the family responsibilities we have to shoulder. Add to that mix our involvement in the community and the local church and it’s no wonder we always feel tired! It is quite common for people to feel overwhelmed with burdens that make us extremely tired.

To those who are experiencing such weariness, these words from Jesus are quite welcome—“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus knows full well how tiresome life can be, so he invites us to come to him for some much-needed rest.

It starts with taking his yoke. Farmers in those days often worked with a team of oxen yoked together. Taking on the yoke of Jesus means that we agree to pull in the same direction he is going. He keeps us plowing on the straight and narrow way. Pulling in his yoke, Jesus provides the strength we need to get the job done.

Jesus also says that we must learn from him. As we understand more about his ways–his gentleness and humility–we find rest for our souls.

Jesus refutes the mistaken idea that some people have that the burden of living for him is too heavy. He insists that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. When we try life without Jesus is when we get tired and weighed down with life’s burdens. Only by completely trusting him can we find true and lasting rest.

We must also note that the rest that Jesus offers is not one of idleness. We don’t find rest by doing nothing (although the Bible does insist that we take regular breaks from normal activities). We find rest in Jesus by working alongside him. We trust him to set the agenda and to provide the power.

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Loose Connection

Posted on April 21, 2022 by jesustrek

The new missionary on the field was given a car that he could use but was told that it would not start without a push. He got some people to give him a push to get the car started. After that, he either left the car running while making his rounds or parked it on a hill so that he could start it without anyone’s help. He used this ingenious plan for two years.

A health issue forced the missionary to return home, and a new missionary was sent to replace him. When he showed his replacement his arrangement for getting the car started, the new guy looked under the hood and said, “I think the only problem is this loose cable.” He tightened up the cable and the car started right up!

For two years, needless trouble had become the routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection prevented putting the power to work.

So it is with God. If we want to see his great power at work in our lives, we have to stay connected to him!

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:28-29.

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Specific Answers to Prayer

Posted on April 19, 2022 by jesustrek

Barbara Ho writes about the time when she was six months pregnant and her winter coat would no longer fit. She and her husband went into a Sears and Roebuck and found a coat that would have been perfect for her. The price was $69, which would have been about $75 with tax. Since they did not have much income and already had trouble paying their monthly bills, they drove home without purchasing the coat.

On the drive home they lifted up their situation to God in prayer. When they arrived at their apartment they found an envelope in the mailbox. No, it did not have money in it. It contained an anonymous gift card to Sears for $75!

They got back in the car and went to purchase the coat.

God often gives us what we ask for in prayer. Sometimes he answers our prayers in amazingly specific ways!

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”—Matthew 7:7.

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Before You Make a Radical Decision

Posted on April 14, 2022 by jesustrek

We all have decisions to make in life. Some are more important than others. Occasionally we have to make a monumental choice, one that may cause quite a stir. Before we make such a radical decision, it is important to look at the example of Jesus.

One of the most radical things that Jesus did when he walked this earth is when he cleared the temple of those who were buying and selling and exchanging money. When he turned over the tables and benches of those who were doing business there he got some people riled up.

At first glance, it might seem that Jesus made this decision on the spur of the moment. A closer look, however, reveals that this is not at all what happened. Mark 11:11 says, “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” Jesus looked at what was happening in the temple, but he did not act immediately. It wasn’t until the next day that Jesus decided to take action (Mark 11:12-17).

We can learn a few things about decision-making from the example of Jesus here. First, make sure you have good information before you proceed. Jesus did not rely on hearsay. He checked out for himself what was actually going on in the temple. We tread in dangerous territory when we make important choices without having the right information. Make sure you do your research before making a radical decision.

Second, we see that Jesus did not act immediately. He waited until the next day before making his decision. He literally slept on it. Too often we make choices that we soon come to regret because we act too hastily. Many people have sent a letter, email or text message that they would not have sent if they had simply taken more time to think about it.

 Jesus also may have seen the benefit of delaying his actions until the next day. Apparently, such a drastic action might have lost some of its impact if it had happened at the end of one day rather than at the beginning of the next day. Always consider the timing of any huge decision you have to make.

Third, we see that Jesus was willing to live (or die!) with the decision he was about to make. He knew that there would be serious opposition to what he was about to do, and yet he did it anyway. Because of his actions, the religious leaders began looking for a way to kill him. We have to be ready for some negative feedback from others over the important decisions we make in life. You have to constantly ask yourself the question, “Am I willing to die on that hill?” In other words, “Is this action worth the price I am likely to pay for having made this decision?”

As always, Jesus is our perfect example in everything, including making radical decisions. Let’s make sure we follow him in every way.

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Does This Hurt?

Posted on April 8, 2022 by jesustrek

When you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, “Does this hurt? How about this?”

If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there’s something wrong, and the doctor will say, “We’d better do some more tests. It’s not supposed to hurt there!”

So it is when preachers speak on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the preacher has pushed too hard, or perhaps there’s something wrong. In that case, the one who is in pain is in need of the Great Physician because it’s not supposed to hurt there.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”–2 Corinthians 9:7.

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A Terrible Enemy

Posted on April 6, 2022 by jesustrek

In 1994 Ali Pierce, the fourteen-year-old daughter of John and Anna Pierce of Massachusetts, was diagnosed with liver cancer. She fought the disease bravely for two years, but in November 1996 she passed away.

Her parents of course were grief-stricken. To deal with his loss, the father sought a constructive way to help others. He started running and set the goal of entering the 1998 Boston Marathon. He intended to take pledges for his run in support of the cancer center where his daughter had died.

On October 11, 1997, Pierce entered a half marathon in Hollis, New Hampshire. The 13.1 mile race was the longest race he had ever run. He was fifty-one years old, and so before the race he had a medical exam and was given a clean bill of health.

He almost finished the race. Just ten feet short of the finish line, wearing a baseball cap that said, “In Memory of Ali Pierce”, John Pierce crumpled to the pavement, dead of a heart attack.

Death—what a terrible enemy!

Thankfully, Jesus Christ, through his resurrection from the dead, has defeated death, not only for himself, but also for everyone who is willing to put their trust in him. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 says, “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Since Jesus has given us such a spectacular victory over the terrible enemy of death, how then must we live? The answer is given in the next verse—“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (v.58).

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No Oscars for Me

Posted on March 30, 2022 by jesustrek

I did not see Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the Oscar’s award ceremony this past Sunday night. I long ago decided that this award show is not for me. I do not enjoy hearing members of the Hollywood elite chastise and belittle me for my conservative political views, my life choices and my Christian beliefs.

We shouldn’t be surprised when some of the actors and actresses and other members of the Hollywood crowd gleefully look down their noses at people who try to live godly lives. Their own life choices reveal that they truly do not know the secret to living a successful life. Success is not measured by beauty, riches or popularity. Success is based on obedience to God.

The Bible teaches that those who live godless lives have a tendency to revile those who do live for the Lord. 1 Peter 4:3-5 says, “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Those who have nothing but scorn for God and his people will have their day of reckoning. In the meantime, no Oscars for me.

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Speaking Frankly

Posted on March 25, 2022 by jesustrek

The apostle Paul had a special place in his heart for the church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 7:4 helps us to see the kind of relationship he had with that congregation—“I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” Let’s take a closer look at this verse and see what we can learn about how Paul related to the Corinthians.

Notice how Paul says that he has spoken to them with great frankness. Whether it was in person or through his letters, Paul did not mince words with the church. He did not attempt to scratch anyone’s itching ears. Instead, speaking the truth in love, he told them what they needed to hear. Paul chastised the congregation concerning several matters, including: the divisions they had in the church, their tolerance for sexual immorality, the fact that they were filing lawsuits against one another, their lack of love for each other and their chaotic worship services. Paul didn’t pull any punches. His reprimands could be quite harsh. He was clearly not pleased with many of their actions, and he spoke quite frankly with the church about correcting their wrong behaviors.

Does your preacher speak to the church with great frankness? Can you count on him to point out from the Bible how certain behaviors are incompatible with Christianity and to challenge those who are sinning to repent? We live in an age where many church-goers would take offense at such preaching and would be quick to seek out a church where the preacher would not be so demanding as to insist that Christians actually obey Jesus!   

It is refreshing to hear of preachers who are not afraid to speak frankly to their congregations. They understand that in order to truly love their people they have to be outspoken about sin in the church and what must be done to correct any serious misbehaviors. It is also encouraging to see that some church members are mature enough to accept a much-needed rebuke when they hear one. Too many people claim to follow Christ, but they don’t want to hear about the need to make any changes in their attitudes or their actions.  

By the way, the duty to speak frankly is not limited to preachers only. Every mature believer has the obligation to help straying brothers and sisters to get their priorities in order and get back on the path of following Jesus. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Jude 22-23 implores us, “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” James 5:19-20 states, “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

The Bible clearly states that we need people in the church who will speak frankly the truth of God’s Word. And the church needs to listen carefully to those who speak such truth.

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Opportunity

Posted on March 24, 2022 by jesustrek

Our English word “opportunity” comes from the Latin and means “toward the port”. It suggests a ship taking advantage of the wind and tide to arrive safely in the harbor. In the short time we have here on earth, let’s try to make the best of the opportunities God gives us to be a blessing to as many people as possible.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”—Colossians 4:5.

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