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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Accepting God’s Purpose

Posted on April 16, 2011 by jesustrek

It was a common sight in Christianity. Yesterday evening a family gathered together to celebrate as a young lady was baptized into Christ. It was a joyful occasion for everyone as she made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized.

Some groups within the kingdom have been accused of placing too much emphasis on baptism. I suppose this could be true if they neglect some of the other teachings of Jesus. However, I think the greatest danger is for those who place too little emphasis on baptism.

A quick Bible study on baptism (use a concordance to help you) will soon yield a wealth of information on the importance of this Christian practice. Many people are coming to a greater understanding of this wonderful initiation into the Christian faith.

Luke 7:30 says, “But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.” If those who ignored the baptism offered by John are said to have rejected God’s purpose for themselves, how can we say anything less about those who refuse the baptism offered by Jesus?

Among the final words Jesus had to say before he went back to heaven are these: “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16).

Let’s accept God’s purpose for our lives and help others to do the same. Baptism is an important part of this equation.

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Taking Shape

Posted on April 15, 2011 by jesustrek

Billy Graham tells about a friend who lost his job, his fortune, his wife and his home during the Depression. However, he held steadfastly to his faith—the only thing he had left.

One day he stopped to watch some men working on a huge church building. A stonemason was chiseling a triangular piece of stone. “What are you going to do with that?” he asked. The workman replied, “See that little opening way up there near the spire? Well, I’m shaping this down here, so it will fit in up there.”

Tears filled the man’s eyes as he walked away. It seemed as if God had spoken to him through the stonemason to explain the ordeal through which he was passing—“I’m shaping you down here, so you will fit in up there.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”—James 1:2-4.

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Talking or Doing?

Posted on April 14, 2011 by jesustrek

“Too many of us have a Christian vocabulary rather than a Christian experience. We think we are doing our duty when we’re only talking about it.”—Charles F. Banning.

This fellow may have a point. Someone else said, “When all is said and done, much more is said than done.”

James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Most of us are pretty good at talking about our faith. Maybe it’s time we let our actions speak for themselves.

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On Fire for Jesus!

Posted on April 13, 2011 by jesustrek

Each of the men who gathered for a Promise Keepers’ rally a few years ago was given a candle as he arrived at the event. 50,000 men packed a football stadium, prepared to be challenged to become better men for God.

At one point in the session, a single candle was lit. From this candle, others were lit. This was continued until all 50,000 candles were burning. The whole process only took a little over 10 minutes.

The purpose of this exercise was to illustrate how quickly the word of God can spread if we are willing to share it with others. It happened in the first century; it can happen again today.

“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”—Acts 11:21.

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

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