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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Unplugged

Posted on July 18, 2011 by jesustrek

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”—Mark 1:35.

Even Jesus needed to get away from the hectic activities of everyday life and spend some quality time with his Father. How can any of us feel that we don’t need the same kind of devotional time?

While attending the North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati earlier this month, I went to a workshop on practicing spiritual disciplines. Over a hundred people gathered together to hear about the importance of Bible study, prayer, meditation, fasting, etc.

During the course of the hour, about a half a dozen cell phones rang. I thought that it was ironic that people who were seeking advice about how to spend quality time with God couldn’t turn off their phones for one hour! Perhaps they were all brain surgeons who were on call, but I doubt it. It’s more likely that many of us find it extremely difficult to unplug ourselves, even for a few minutes, in order to spend time alone with God.

How are you doing in your private worship? What changes might you need to make in order to give your heavenly Father more quality time?

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Here Come the Judge!

Posted on July 16, 2011 by jesustrek

1 Corinthians 6:3 is a fascinating verse of Scripture. While trying to convince the Christians at Corinth that they should settle their disputes with one another rather than going to court, Paul writes, “Do you not know that we will judge angels?…”

I wish that we had more explanation about how this is going to happen. I feel a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of judging angels! How about you?

Maybe we should start preparing for this important task. So I hope you understand if I excuse myself just now. It’s almost time for Judge Judy.

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Three Stages of Ministry

Posted on July 15, 2011 by jesustrek

It has been said that there are three stages of ministry for a preacher in a local church, and a verse of Scripture that goes along with each stage.

First comes the honeymoon phase. The preacher is new and exciting. Everyone loves him, and he can do no wrong. The verse for this stage is “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

After a while the preacher wants to make some changes. He questions some of the traditions of the congregation and suggests some new ways of doing things. People start quoting a different verse—“By whose authority are you doing these things?”

If the church isn’t careful, they could deteriorate into stage three, best described by this verse—“Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Let’s pray that the family of God will be able to work together in harmony as the Lord continues to transform us into the people he wants us to be.

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The Look of Love (Part 2)

Posted on July 14, 2011 by jesustrek

Mark 10:21 says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him…” This is referring to Jesus’ interaction with a young man who came to him for advice, but was about to walk away from him. Something in his face reflected the fact that Jesus loved this man in spite of the young fellow’s imperfections.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have to take seriously this idea of outwardly showing our love for all people. I call it “the look of love”.

People can often tell how I feel about them from my facial expression. They know if I am disappointed in them, angry at them or indifferent toward them. But what they need to know is that I love them. I need to work on my look of love.

How about you?

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The Look of Love

Posted on July 13, 2011 by jesustrek

A rich young man once came to Jesus and asked how he could attain eternal life. Jesus knew that the young man’s attitude toward his wealth was keeping him from having a relationship with God. Jesus was about to tell him that he should give everything he had to the poor, then come and follow him.

I think that Jesus knew ahead of time what the young man’s response would be—he would go away sad from the presence of Jesus. Still, as Jesus prepared to give the man the spiritual advice that he had asked for—and would reject—the Bible says that “Jesus looked at him and loved him…” (Mark 10:21).

Perhaps right before we made the biggest mistake of our lives, Jesus looked at us and loved us. Amazing, isn’t it!? It is remarkable to think that Jesus loves us in spite of our sins!

We should meditate often on the look of love that Jesus gives. Let’s think about that today.

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Rounding Third and Heading for…Second!?

Posted on July 12, 2011 by jesustrek

My Aunt Renie and I are only two years apart, so it seemed more like we were cousins when we were growing up. I remember one time when we were playing baseball, just the two of us, in our front yard. We were having a great time, taking turns hitting the ball and running around the bases.

I also remember my Dad coming home and informing us that we were running around the bases backwards! After he corrected us, we started running in the right direction, and neither of us made that same mistake again.

Many people are running the wrong way spiritually, and they need someone to turn them around so they can run in the right direction.

James 5:20 says, “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

Are you thankful for someone who once pointed you in the right direction?

Is there someone you need to help get turned around so he or she can find the way home?

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Helmet of Salvation

Posted on July 11, 2011 by jesustrek

Police say that a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride was killed Saturday, July 2 in Onondaga, New York. Philip Conto, 55, of Parish, New York, was driving a 1983 Harley-Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets. Contos lost control of his bike, went over the handlebars and hit his head on the pavement. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The Bible says that for our spiritual protection we are to “Take the helmet of salvation…” (Ephesians 6:17). Our salvation, of course is through Jesus Christ. Many people protest against Jesus by refusing to accept him as Lord and Savior. They do so at their own peril.

The road of life is dangerous. Do you have your helmet on?

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Under Attack!

Posted on July 9, 2011 by jesustrek

This was the first year that I have been able to watch the local 4th of July fireworks display from my house in Vanceburg, Kentucky, on the banks of the Ohio River. I enjoyed the show, but it caused some of my redneck neighbors to run and get their guns. They thought that we were being attacked by Ohio!

OK, that really didn’t happen. But it is true that we are under attack every day. We need to understand the nature of spiritual warfare. Paul the apostle says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”—Ephesians 6:12-13.

With God’s help, we can withstand any attack. Are you ready?

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