Wrestling in Prayer

Posted on July 27, 2011 by jesustrek

“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”—Colossians 4:12.

Prayer can be hard work.

A few years ago, I was part of a group of people who had gathered to pray. We were taking turns talking to God. One of the first ladies to pray really opened up her heart to God. She had some deep concerns about people close to her, and she got a bit emotional as she interceded on their behalf. Then it was a married couple’s turn to pray. They too became tearful as they lifted people up to the Lord and asked for his help.

By the time it was my turn to pray, I was a wreck. I hadn’t noticed how much the ministry had taken out of me at that time. I didn’t know there was so little left in the tank.

I started to pray, but I too became emotional. Each phrase became more and more difficult to utter. Finally, I stopped trying to say anything and gave in to the sobbing.

The prayer group surrounded me and we all cried out to the Lord together.

I don’t know how long this lasted, but it was exhausting. One spiritually mature lady was finally able to wrap up our prayers, and we went home, tired from our work.

I do not by any means claim to be in Epaphras territory, but I do know that prayer can be hard work. If you don’t agree, maybe you haven’t really tried it.

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Jesus Is Still Relevant (Part 2)

Posted on July 26, 2011 by jesustrek

Even though it has been many years since Jesus walked the earth, his teaching still addresses current issues. In Mark 10:6, Jesus says, “But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female.”

First, this verse lets us know that Jesus does not think that mankind evolved over a period of billions of years. He clearly states that God created mankind at the beginning of creation.

The last part of this verse addresses another issue that is currently being debated—the issue of homosexual “marriage”.

Some people wrongly claim that Jesus never said anything about the subject of homosexual behavior. However, when Jesus spoke against sexual immorality (See Revelation 22:15) he was talking to a society that fully understood that homosexual behavior is strictly forbidden by God. There was no ambiguity in the words of Jesus—he clearly spoke against homosexual activity.

In Mark 10, Jesus continues in verses 7-9: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Here Jesus puts his stamp of approval on the definition that God gave of marriage from the very beginning (Genesis 2:24). No matter what legislation is enacted by a state—or struck down by a judge—Jesus has spoken on the matter. There can be no such thing as homosexual “marriage”.

Jesus is still relevant, and his followers should make sure that his voice is heard.

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Jesus Is Still Relevant

Posted on July 25, 2011 by jesustrek

Some people may think that the teachings of Jesus are out of date. After all, it has been about 2,000 years since he walked the earth. Can his words really have any relevance for our times?

In Mark 10:6, Jesus says, “But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female.” Here Jesus speaks directly to the creation versus evolution debate.

Some Christians try to make evolution fit between the covers of the Bible, but it just doesn’t work. Those who believe in molecules-to-man evolution require that billions of years pass before mankind appears on the scene. But Jesus says that God created mankind, male and female, “at the beginning of creation”. This leaves no room for evolution as an explanation of man’s origin. To accept radical evolution, one must reject the teaching of Jesus on this matter.

Evolution is based on faith and supported by bad science. It requires more faith to believe in evolution than it does to believe in creation. It is much more logical to rely on the account of an eyewitness. After all, Jesus was there when it all happened! (See John 1:1-3).

So don’t let anyone tell you that Jesus is no longer relevant. He still speaks to the issues of our day, and we should listen to what he says.

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Don’t Call Him a Christian

Posted on July 23, 2011 by jesustrek
Anders Behring Breivik

Anders Behring Breivik, a 32-year-old Norwegian, has been arrested as a suspect in a bombing and shooting spree that killed more than 90 people in Norway Friday. The violence was the worst seen in Norway since World War II. It is thought to be the worst bloodbath perpetrated by a lone gunman in modern times.

Some are describing Breivik as a “conservative Christian”. Really!? You want to call a man who allegedly sets off a bomb in an occupied building and later guns down innocent children a follower of Jesus Christ!? Don’t insult my intelligence!

This is reminiscent of the ignorance of people who called Timothy McVeigh a “Christian”. You remember McVeigh. He killed 168 people with a truck bomb in Oklahoma City in 1995. To call McVeigh a “Christian” is utterly ridiculous.

I don’t have any illusions of changing the minds of many worldly people about what makes a person a Christian. This is a call for true Christians everywhere to reject the labels given by the world and to speak out any time the name of Jesus Christ gets dragged through the mud by people who reject him.

If he is guilty of this crime, feel free to call Breivik a lot of things. Just don’t call him a “Christian”!

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Cheerful Giver

Posted on July 23, 2011 by jesustrek

Supposedly, there was once a little country church that called an emergency meeting to address the urgent need to do some maintenance work on their building. During the course of the meeting, a relatively wealthy member stood up and pledged $100 toward the repair expenses. No sooner than he had sat down, a huge piece of plaster fell from the ceiling and hit him on the head, giving off a cloud of white dust. He promptly stood up and announced that he was raising his pledge to $1000. Before he could sit down again, a voice from the back shouted, “Hit him again, Lord! Hit him again!”

The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Lord shouldn’t have to hit us over the head to force us to give. We should be excited about being able to contribute to the kingdom. Remember that we are doing more than just keeping a roof over our heads; our tithes and offerings help the poor and spread the gospel to those who need to hear it.

God has blessed us so richly. Let’s be ready and willing to share what we have been given in order to advance the work of the church.

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Organized

Posted on July 22, 2011 by jesustrek

Have you heard about the U.S. government’s plan to become more efficient? They are talking about combining the Department of Health and the Department of Education. Their motto will be—“We Will Inoculate No Child’s Left Behind”.

Seriously, there are some wonderful benefits from being organized. Moses got some great advice from his father-in-law about how to lead the Israelites more efficiently (Exodus 18). Some people in the church are gifted with leadership abilities (Romans 12:6-8), so that the church can be governed effectively.

There are two extremes to be avoided. Some churches become so bogged down with rules and guidelines that its members feel stifled rather than free to do ministry. On the other hand, some churches are so unorganized that no one seems to know who is doing what, and sometimes ministry doesn’t get done at all.

It does take some effort to get organized, but the churches that take the time to do so are usually blessed because of their effort, and they tend to be healthier, thriving congregations.

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Rewarding

Posted on July 21, 2011 by jesustrek

Our church recently provided lunch for a family on the day of the funeral service for a loved one. These meals are a much-appreciated way of showing love to those who are hurting. Glancing around the room, I noticed all of the food that people had brought, but my eyes stopped on the ice cold soft drinks. I thought of the Scripture where Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41).

It warmed my heart to think that even such a small gesture as giving a Pepsi to someone who is mourning could be such an uplifting act of kindness. Such little deeds that are done in the name of Jesus can be quite rewarding. Quite rewarding indeed.

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Thanks in All Circumstances

Posted on July 20, 2011 by jesustrek

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:18.

I saw this verse put to the test recently. My wife and I were worshiping with some friends at the North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati earlier this month. We were singing a song that included the line “How great is our God!” As we were singing, I couldn’t help but look around the room and notice the other worshipers. I noticed that people whom I knew were facing, or had faced, formidable adversity in their lives were singing about how great their God is. And they seemed to be sincere.

A lady to my left was wearing a covering on her head to hide the effects of the chemotherapy treatments she was taking…again. A youth minister to my right had just told me that his two-year-old daughter was due to have another heart surgery in a few weeks. A preacher across the way had lost a beautiful young daughter in a traffic accident. All of these individuals were singing from the heart about the greatness of their God. It was a moving worship experience.

So then, it’s true. It’s been proven. It can be done. We can indeed give thanks in all circumstances. Let’s try it today.

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Gravy

Posted on July 19, 2011 by jesustrek

The first time Karen ever took me to visit her parents was on Thanksgiving. We sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, prayed and started passing the food around. I dipped out a generous portion of mashed potatoes and scooped out a huge reservoir for the gravy. However, my future mother-in-law did not have any gravy to offer us. It was obvious that I was expecting gravy, and she was a bit embarrassed that none would be forthcoming.

No one said anything about it at the time, but it has become a favorite story in our family. Now, before every Thanksgiving meal, my mother-in-law announces to everyone that we do have gravy for our mashed potatoes.

Paul was living on prison food when he wrote these words to the Christians at Philippi—“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12).

The secret of our contentment is the salvation we have in Jesus Christ. Anything else is…well, gravy.

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Does God Know?

Posted on July 19, 2011 by jesustrek

Maybe you heard about the atheist parents who were trying to pass along their lack of faith to their young son. One night as they were tucking him into bed for the night, the young fellow asked, “Mommy and Daddy, do you think God knows that we don’t believe in him?”

Atheists can try to ignore the existence of God, but the Bible says that God has “…set eternity in the hearts of men…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). It has been said that there is a God-shaped hole inside of every human being. We have a natural, instinctive longing for something or Someone beyond ourselves. It is foolish to ignore this basic human need. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God…”

By the way, the answer to the question is, “Yes.” God knows that atheists don’t believe in him.

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