Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

Posted on October 5, 2011 by jesustrek

Cher used to sing a song about a girl who grew up in a travelling show. People in every town would call them “gypsies, tramps and thieves”, but she says that “every night all the men would come around and lay their money down”.

Many people in our society have a similar love/hate relationship with the church. They call us all kinds of names. We are “narrow-minded bigots” when we refuse to go along with the attempt to redefine marriage. We are “mean-spirited control freaks” when we maintain that human life in the womb is precious. We are “heartless” and “cruel” when we insist that able-bodied people should work to support themselves rather than live off of taxpayers’ money.

However, watch what happens when it comes time to “lay their money down”. People readily accept aid from the church when a natural disaster strikes. They don’t turn down the benefits offered by schools and hospitals founded by Christians. And, in the end, they often turn to a Christian minister to read from the Bible to offer hope for eternity.

Interesting, isn’t it?

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Just Trying to Help

Posted on October 4, 2011 by jesustrek

Some people who fly have superstitious rituals that they go through as the plane takes off. One man whirls his finger around in a circle faster and faster as the plane accelerates down the runway. A married couple always lifts their feet while the plane is going down the runway to take off. Still another fellow lifts up on the armrest to get the plane into the air.

These are intelligent people who otherwise behave normally, but they somehow think that they are actually helping the airplane to fly. One psychiatrist says that these little rituals give people the feeling of being in control.

Many people like to feel that they can control their own eternal destiny. Sure, they believe in God, but they think they must somehow supply their own power to get to heaven. They think that by avoiding certain sins, or by doing good deeds, or by going to the right church they can earn their reward in the hereafter.

But the Bible says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God does expect us to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

But when it comes to saving us, God doesn’t need our help. He’s taken care of that himself!

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Heed the Warnings!

Posted on October 3, 2011 by jesustrek
Joplin tornado damage

A recent report claims that many residents of Joplin, Missouri did not immediately heed the warnings that preceded a massive tornado that killed 162 people earlier this year. It is thought that there was a widespread disregard for the tornado sirens. Some people may have lost their lives because they didn’t heed the warning.

This is reminiscent of a few years ago, when many people were killed by hurricane Katrina. The citizens were told to evacuate, but some chose to ignore the warnings.

It seems that people become complacent when they hear warnings, and then nothing bad happens. They get lulled into a false sense of security when they continue to escape unscathed.

The Bible is full of warnings about the wrath of God. Many people turn a deaf ear to these warnings because life has continued to go on for them. The sun comes up—the sun goes down—it’s just another day. Tragically, those who ignore God’s warnings will not escape being punished. However, the Lord has provided a way to be saved.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 3:23.

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What’s Done Is Done

Posted on September 30, 2011 by jesustrek

I recently lost a Silly String battle to a 9-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy. Outnumbered 2-1, and completely unarmed, I didn’t stand a chance.

After two cans of Silly String had been emptied, the youngest child said, “OK, let’s put it back in!” The rest of us laughed because we knew something that he didn’t. You can’t put it back in. Just like when toothpaste comes out of the tube, once it’s out, it’s out.

We all have wished that we could take back words that we have said. But once they’re out, they’re out. Words spoken in anger can never be unspoken. Thoughtless, hurtful statements cannot be taken back as if they were never uttered.

Sometimes forgiveness is granted from those we have offended. But the hurt remains. Relationships may never be what they once were. Respect and trust are difficult to regain once they have been lost.

It’s no wonder that the Bible often warns us about the potential harm that can come from an uncontrolled tongue. It’s much easier to refrain from harmful speech in the first place than to try to clean up the mess afterwards.

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.”—Proverbs 21:23.

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Watching for the Master

Posted on September 29, 2011 by jesustrek

I was in the church building one weekday afternoon when I heard a dog begin to bark outside. Curiosity got the best of me, so I stuck my head out the door to see what was going on. I saw a dog, not much more than a puppy, tied up to a pole on the church’s volleyball court. There was no human being in sight. The little dog was straining at his leash, staring intently at the grocery store next door. His bark was as steady as his gaze.

Apparently, the dog’s owner had taken him for a walk to the store, and left him tied up outside while he went in to make a purchase. While the dog was not in distress, it was evident that he was anxiously awaiting something. His attention was focused on the promise of his master’s return.

This reminded me of the way we are supposed to be anticipating the return of Jesus. He urges us to be ready, watching and waiting for our Master to come back for us. He says in Matthew 24:42, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

One way we can remain focused on the return of Jesus is by faithfully participating in the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:26 says, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

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Doing Your Best

Posted on September 28, 2011 by jesustrek

After 42 years in the hamburger business, Wendy’s decided to make a change. Their executives have spent the past 2-and-a-half years examining every detail of each ingredient that goes into their hamburgers. In the end, they changed everything but the ketchup and began serving the new and improved burgers last week.

Denny Lynch, a Wendy’s spokesman, said, “Our food was already good. We wanted it to be better. Isn’t that what long-term brands do? They reinvent themselves.”

I suppose it makes sense that in order to do your best, you might have to make some significant changes in how you operate. Didn’t Tiger Woods reinvent his swing a few years ago, at a time when he was already considered the top golfer in the world?

I reinvented my preaching style over the past year. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not to preaching what Wendy’s is to hamburgers or Tiger Woods is to golf! But I hope you get the point. Sometimes we can be so content with the status quo that we don’t see the opportunity for improvement. And you don’t improve without making changes.

So maybe you need to take a look at your service to the Lord. Are you in a rut? Does your service seem less than what it could be? It might be time to reinvent yourself.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”—Ecclesiastes 9:10.

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Spreading the Message

Posted on September 26, 2011 by jesustrek

The number of posts on Jesustrek recently passed the 400 mark. When I started writing this blog a little over a year ago, I never imagined that by now over a million people would have read it. Turned out I was right.

Seriously, I am happy to have the opportunity to write about the adventures, and the struggles, of trying to follow the teachings of Jesus every day. I hope to continue to influence as many people as I can to do their best for Jesus.

I am humbled to think about how many lives Paul the apostle was able to influence with the gospel message. Even without our modern technology, and sometimes hindered by prison bars and shackles, he was able to communicate the word of the Lord to a great number of people.

We all should do our best to spread God’s word, using any means available to us. We must take advantage of any and every opportunity to get the message out.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 says, “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”

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Impressive Youth

Posted on September 23, 2011 by jesustrek
Lexi Thompson

Lexi Thompson got into the record books for women’s golf this past Sunday, when she won the Navistar LPGA Classic. Her 17-under-par 271 earned her a 5-stroke victory in the tournament. What is so remarkable is that she is only 16 years old, making her the youngest winner in LPGA history.

We must never underestimate the value of what young people can do in God’s kingdom. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Some of our teenagers led the worship service at our church last Sunday. An 18-year-old preached his first sermon. Some other teens played musical instruments, led the singing and gave a communion devotion. They did a wonderful job of helping people worship, and church members of all ages appreciated their work.

Let’s always be looking for ways to encourage young believers to use their gifts and talents for the Lord.

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Crime and Punishment

Posted on September 22, 2011 by jesustrek
Troy Davis

Convicted murderer Troy Davis was executed in Georgia last night. Prison officials said that he was put to death by lethal injection at 11:08pm.

Many say that there are legitimate questions concerning the guilt of Davis. 500 people gathered outside the prison to protest his execution. Even people in other countries rallied in his defense. A group of 150 people in Paris demonstrated on his behalf.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Davis’ final appeal, and he was put to death.

Some observers feel that this case may turn public opinion in the United States against the death penalty.

The Bible says that the government “…is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4).

It seems that the Bible at least permits, and possibly mandates, the death penalty for heinous crimes. Do you agree or disagree?

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Quite Refreshing

Posted on September 21, 2011 by jesustrek

I recently saw this message on a church sign: “Be a fountain, not a drain.”

We all have encountered people who can be quite draining. Their constant demands on our time, energy, emotions and resources leave us feeling tired and empty. We are tempted to cross the street when we see them headed in our direction!

I can remember times when I was a burden on my family, friends and church. I wish I had possessed more spiritual maturity, so that I wouldn’t have required such a high level of maintenance. I hope that I have grown to the point where I am more like a fountain than a drain.

I know that there will always be needy people around us. Jesus said that the poor would always be with us. The Bible says that we should be ready to bear one another’s burdens. There will be times when each of us needs to lean heavily on someone else. However, we can choose to be less demanding and more of a blessing to other people.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

I’ve noticed something that is generally true about people who choose to be takers rather than givers—they are quite unhappy. In their pursuit to be blessed by other people, they forfeit the blessings that God could pour into their lives.

Fountain, or drain? The choice is yours.

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