The Only Way

Posted on August 31, 2011 by jesustrek

A story is told about a farmer who was working in a field near his house. His two small sons were playing nearby. The farmer saw a huge dog approaching. He noticed that the dog was foaming at the mouth, and immediately determined that it was rabid. He quickly carried his sons to the fence and helped them over, urging them to run to the house. By this time the dog was upon him. Fortunately, the farmer had a knife which he used to defend himself against the dog’s attack. He was able to kill the beast, but not before he was bitten several times.

This turned out to be a deadly encounter for the farmer also, but on his deathbed he would say over and over to his wife, “It’s all right, dear: I saved the boys. And it was the only way I could.”

Another story is told about a man who went to a cross to save us. And it was the only way he could.

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In Training

Posted on August 30, 2011 by jesustrek

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”—1 Timothy 4:8.

Since the Bible says that physical training is of some value, I try to get some exercise on a fairly regular basis. My knees don’t like to run anymore, so I walk or ride a bicycle. Sometimes I do some light weightlifting.

A few years ago, I had a membership at a gym where I worked out quite often. Once they had a program where parents could bring in their pre-schoolers for some organized exercise. The youngsters had a great time running, jumping and zigzagging around. They were enjoying themselves so much that they were squealing with glee.

Meanwhile, we older athletes were making other types of noises—mostly grunting, moaning and complaining! But we kept working out because we knew that it was for our benefit.

The above Bible verse implies that we also have to put in some spiritual training in order to achieve a greater level of godliness. We can benefit from spiritual workouts as well as physical ones.

New Christians tend to gleefully do their Bible reading, prayer and service to the Lord. Sometimes we older Christians have to remember to be joyful as we get our spiritual exercise. If we keep in mind the benefits of godly training—both for this life and the life to come—maybe our exercise sessions will be more enjoyable. Who knows, we might even squeal a little bit!

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Sweet Communion

Posted on August 29, 2011 by jesustrek

One of the most memorable communion services I ever took part in occurred in a rural village in northern Thailand, while I was on a short-term mission trip with about 15 other people from the U.S.

The language barrier was quite apparent during the worship service. The singing was in Thai, so we foreigners were limited in our ability to participate. We did recognize the tune of a couple of songs, so we sang along in English.

When it came time for communion, I noticed that the juice looked different. Later I learned that the villagers didn’t have access to grape juice, so they used a substitute–a thick, yellowish concoction that was very sweet.

As we ate the bread and drank the sweet juice, the language barrier didn’t seem so significant. We were all worshiping the same Savior, the crucified and risen Christ.

Revelation 15:4 says, “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

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Sober Judgment

Posted on August 26, 2011 by jesustrek

When I played high school basketball, I used to dread trying to guard players who were much quicker than I was. Being quite slow-footed, I often found myself in this position. I remember one time I was isolated on the perimeter against a superior athlete who held the ball as he sized up his opposition. I wondered if he realized that he could blow by me any time he chose to do so. Evidently he didn’t, because, much to my relief, he passed the ball off to a teammate.

It is a good thing to know your limitations. Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

Maybe you shouldn’t be singing solos at church. Perhaps you aren’t cut out for leadership. Teaching may not be your strong point.

The key is to be brutally honest with yourself. If necessary, get the opinion of someone you can trust. God has equipped you to be effective in some area of service. But if you don’t know your weaknesses, you might not be aware of your strengths.

Can you recall a time when you had to make a sober judgment about yourself?

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Improvised Communion

Posted on August 25, 2011 by jesustrek

It was my grandmother’s job to prepare communion for the little country church where she worshiped. One Saturday night, she noticed that she didn’t have any grape juice. This was a problem, since she lived ten miles from the nearest town, and besides that, all the stores would be closed for the weekend.

What would she do? Racking her brain, she finally came up with a solution. She had some grape jelly, so she mixed it with water until it had the consistency of juice. She took it to church the next day, and no one noticed the substitution.

I doubt that the Lord is offended if we have to improvise occasionally in order to observe his supper. He is pleased whenever we choose to obey him by participating in this celebration that helps us remember his sacrificial death that saved us from our sins.

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”—1 Corinthians 11:26.

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Not My Fault!

Posted on August 24, 2011 by jesustrek

Millions of people in the eastern part of the United States felt an earthquake that occurred yesterday. Officials say that the 5.9 earthquake was centered in Mineral, Virginia. However, some pundits insist that the quake actually originated in Washington, D.C. They say that the cause is a previously unknown fault that lies beneath our nation’s capitol. Some are calling it the “Obama Fault”. In response to this, the president is blaming the Bush administration.

Seriously, we all sometimes have difficulty admitting that we are at fault. We would much rather blame other people, or circumstances, or the devil, than to take responsibility for our wrong-doing.

The Bible says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:8-9.

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Watch Your Step!

Posted on August 23, 2011 by jesustrek

Once I was riding in a car driven by a funeral director. As he was about to pull out onto the street, some pedestrians started to walk in front of him. They saw him and abruptly stopped. He politely waited for them and waved for them to proceed. Then he turned to me and smiled as he said, “Someone should tell those people to never step out in front of a hungry funeral director!”

Most funeral directors are some of the nicest, most compassionate people you would ever meet. They would never intentionally harm anyone.

However, we Christians must not be so naïve as to think that everyone has good intentions toward us. Jesus warns, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”—John 15:18-19.

Some people are enemies of the cause of Christ, and they take delight in seeing a follower of Jesus become entangled in some type of scandalous sin. Therefore, watch your step! Don’t give them any legitimate reason to speak evil against Jesus and his church.

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Taking it Up a Notch

Posted on August 22, 2011 by jesustrek

Several years ago, my wife was in the hospital for some surgery. Just before they wheeled her to the operating room, I leaned over and kissed her. One of the nurses observed, “You must be the husband.” I agreed that I was, but to this day, I wish that I had said, “Actually, I’m her minister. Our church is trying to take pastoral care to a whole new level!”

The New Testament is filled with exhortations to love one another deeply, to take care of each other’s needs and to bear one another’s burdens. Leaders are urged to shepherd the flock, and we all have the responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in whatever way we can.

Let’s all work toward taking pastoral care to a whole new level.

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Love Each Other

Posted on August 19, 2011 by jesustrek

“Henceforth there will be such a oneness between us that when one weeps the other will taste salt.”—Author Unknown.

Love is a costly decision. When you decide to love someone, you willingly agree to share the heartaches that inevitably come to those you love. The joy that you experience in the good times will be multiplied many times over because it is shared. But, on the other hand, you also have to share the bad times. Such love will take a toll on you—mentally, emotionally and physically. Most people decide that the risk is worth taking. Most people understand that they, and the people around them, will be better off because they choose to love.

“Above all, love each other deeply…”—1 Peter 4:8.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”—Romans 12:15.

Choose to live a life of love.

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Becoming Like Jesus

Posted on August 17, 2011 by jesustrek

A teenage girl in the church I was serving was scheduled to have her tonsils removed, so I went to the surgery center to say a prayer for her and to wait with the family. Her grandfather and I were two of the last people she saw before she went under anesthesia. We assured her that we would be in the waiting room as she had her surgery.

The young lady’s grandmother was with her when she regained consciousness. Her first words were, “Hi, Grandma. Grandpa and Jesus are in the waiting room.”

We all had a good laugh over that. But, deep down, I really liked how it felt–being called Jesus!

Our goal should be to become more and more like Jesus as we pursue him, obeying his commands and following his example. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

I just hope that there comes a time when someone who is not heavily sedated will think that I am just a little bit like Jesus!

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