Nothing to Worry About

Posted on April 28, 2011 by jesustrek

While watching a cowboy movie on television with his young son, a father became concerned about the amount of drinking in the show. He felt compelled to talk with his son about the dangers of drinking alcohol.

Later that week, the six-year-old boy drew a picture of a cowboy entering a saloon. As the father examined the drawing, the son was quick to explain: “Dad, don’t worry. He’s not going in the saloon to get drunk. He’s just going in to shoot somebody.”

We have to be diligent in teaching our children about sin. As soon as we think we have a certain subject covered, another area of concern comes into play. It takes a constant effort to instill God’s Word and his values into the hearts and minds of our young people.

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”—Deuteronomy 11:18-19.

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Wounds that Heal

Posted on April 27, 2011 by jesustrek

I have had corrective surgery done on both of my hands. I now have full use of my hands, but they have some significant scars. Sometimes I think that I am a walking communion meditation; my scars remind me of the scars on Jesus’ hands.

However, there are some major differences between my wounds and Jesus’. My wounds were made by a compassionate surgeon who used precise surgical instruments. Jesus’ wounds were inflicted by cruel Roman soldiers who used a hammer and rough nails. I enjoyed the best anesthesia available to mankind as my wounds were made. Jesus refused the crude painkiller that was offered to him. My wounds were only for my own benefit. The wounds of Jesus were inflicted upon him in order to save the human race.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).

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True Worship

Posted on April 26, 2011 by jesustrek

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”—John 4:23.

You would think that it would be an easy thing to do for people who believe that Jesus died for them–to focus on him when they come together to worship. That’s not always the case.

A few years ago I attended a worship service where I was reminded how difficult it is to keep the attention off of ourselves and on Jesus. Someone sang a solo, “The Heart of Worship”, written by Matt Redman. Part of the song says: “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You; all about You, Jesus. I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it, when it’s all about You; all about You, Jesus.”

Right after the solo, someone else came on stage and asked if anyone had had a birthday the past week. Soon we were singing a different song. It wasn’t about Him anymore. But it had been. For a little while.

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Not Forgotten

Posted on April 25, 2011 by jesustrek

Someone wrote a drama about what might have happened to the family of Jesus after he died, was resurrected and ascended back into heaven. In this story, one of Jesus’ brothers got married, and he and his wife had a baby boy. They brought the infant to Mary and asked her what they should name him. She gazed out the window for some time. Then Mary turned to them with tears in her eyes and said, “I would have you name the child Jesus…I would not have him forgotten.”

He is despised by some and rejected by many, but Jesus will never be forgotten! As long as we have breath to praise him and tongues to tell of his greatness, Jesus will always be remembered!

Perhaps he is best remembered when we take communion.

“…Do this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19.

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Confession is Good

Posted on April 23, 2011 by jesustrek

After winning his case in court, a lawyer asked his client, “Now that you have been acquitted, tell me the truth—Did you really steal that car?”

The client replied, “After hearing your amazing argument this morning, I’m beginning to think I didn’t!”

We can be pretty good at convincing ourselves that we are better than we really are; that we don’t do anything that’s really all that bad. The Bible, however, consistently points out the sinful nature of all mankind. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Thankfully, God has made it possible for us to be saved from our sins. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God doesn’t want us to deceive ourselves into thinking that we don’t sin. 1 John 1:9-10 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”

I guess that old saying is true—confession is good for the soul.

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It Was a Good Day

Posted on April 22, 2011 by jesustrek

Some might ask why it is called “Good Friday”. There were a lot of things that happened that day that were not so good. An innocent man was tortured and put to death on a cross. While he was dying, his detractors publicly mocked and scorned him. Darkness came over the land at mid-day, frightening many people. An earthquake occurred, and it was reported that there was some damage done at the temple.

How could anyone look at the newspaper report of that day and decide to call it “Good Friday”?

It was Good Friday because a Good Savior obeyed a Good God by fulfilling a Good Plan to save mankind. Yes, it was a good day.

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Moving a 747

Posted on April 21, 2011 by jesustrek
David Huxley

David Huxley once set a world record for pulling a jet airliner. On October 15, 1997, at Mascot Airport in Sydney, Australia, Huxley harnessed himself to a 747 jet airliner that weighed 187 tons. Leaning forward and straining at the harness, he was able to get the huge plane moving. In fact, he pulled the 747 one hundred yards in one minute and twenty-one seconds.

That’s one way to move a 747. Another way would be to fire up its engines and soar to the other side of the world.

Picture the church as a 747 jet. We could strain with all of our human might to move the church a short distance. Or we could pray.

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Who Built It?

Posted on April 20, 2011 by jesustrek

The Serpent Mound State Memorial in Adams County, Ohio is an earthwork likeness of a serpent. It measures 1,348 feet in length and is 30 feet wide. The attraction draws more than 23,000 visitors a year.

The origins of the Serpent Mound are a mystery. There are some theories about which ancient culture may have built the configuration. An archaeological investigation being conducted this spring hopes to shed some light on the subject.

In the article that I read on the Serpent Mound, no one even suggested that it could have occurred naturally. Everyone seems to assume that it had to have had a creator.

Now isn’t that interesting?  A simple earthen mound is bound to have had a creator, but a universe much more complex must have just happened on its own. Imagine that!

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”—Genesis 1:1.

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Core Values

Posted on April 19, 2011 by jesustrek

Many exercise programs today focus on the abdomen. One of the most popular of these programs in recent years is the Pilates method. It was developed during World War II by Joseph Pilates, who experimented with ways to strengthen muscles, especially in the midsection. Those who subscribe to exercise programs that concentrate on the core of the body talk about developing the “power center”. They point out that everything we do starts with our center of gravity. Therefore, we must focus on strengthening the core.

Certainly that principle holds true when we consider our spiritual growth. We can’t expect to get stronger if we neglect our core values. We must strengthen the center of our spiritual being in order to stay healthy and strong in our faith.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Do something—read, pray, sing, meditate, serve, etc.—to strengthen your heart today.

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Paying What You Owe

Posted on April 18, 2011 by jesustrek

April 15 is usually the day when taxes are due, but because of a holiday, tax day has been pushed back to today. Even with the extra few days, I imagine that there are thousands of people scrambling to get their taxes paid today. At least I hope my wife and I aren’t the only ones!

The Bible says that we should pay the taxes that we owe our government. Romans 13:7 says, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…”

The next verse talks about a different kind of debt. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8).

The debt to love our neighbor is on-going. We will never pay off that debt because there will always be people who need our help.

One of the best ways to fulfill your obligation to love people is to be involved in your local church. There you can develop close, loving relationships with people who will be your friends for the rest of your life. In the local church you can also be involved in ministries that help people in your community who need to see the love of God expressed through his people. Through the mission work supported by your congregation, you can help spread the love of God all over the world.

Find a way to love somebody today.

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