Another Appointment

Posted on February 19, 2011 by jesustrek
President James A. Garfield

It is said that on President Garfield’s first Saturday in Washington as president, one of his advisors insisted that a meeting must be held the next morning in order to avert a national crisis. Garfield refused to schedule the meeting, saying that he had another obligation. The advisor then suggested that the potential crisis was of such grave importance that the president should cancel his appointment. Garfield refused. Then the advisor asked what appointment was so important that it could not be broken. Garfield replied, “I will be as frank as you are. My engagement is with my Lord to meet him at his house and at his table at 10:30 tomorrow, and I shall be there.”

The president was there. He kept his appointment with God. The national crisis passed and the country survived. President Garfield was found faithful to his higher obligation.

It is a matter of keeping our priorities in order. When we put God first, everything else will work out. Keep your appointment with him each Sunday.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt.6:33).

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Humble Enough to Shine

Posted on February 18, 2011 by jesustrek

During the days of the Civil War, a foreign diplomat who was visiting the White House was shocked to find President Lincoln shining his own shoes. The man informed the president that it was not the custom in his country for gentlemen to polish their own shoes. Lincoln continued with his chore as he responded wryly, “Then whose shoes do they polish?”

Perhaps President Lincoln was thinking of another humble leader, a man who washed the feet of his friends and exhorted his followers to perform such lowly tasks in service to others.

Anyone who aspires to leadership would do well to humbly serve others.

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Costly Gain

Posted on February 17, 2011 by jesustrek
Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus blames the Disney Channel TV show Hannah Montana for destroying his family. He believes that the show that launched his daughter, Miley, to pop stardom caused his divorce and sent his daughter spinning out of control. He wishes that the show had never happened. He says, “…I’d erase it all in a second if I could.”

Billy Ray had his own success as a country singer in the 1990s after his huge hit Achy Breaky Heart, so he knew about the temptations that go along with fame and fortune. He says that his entire family was baptized before leaving Tennessee for Los Angeles, in order to protect themselves from evil. Yet his family still fell apart.

It seems that even baptized believers can be seduced by what the world has to offer. That’s why the Bible warns: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17).

Let us all be aware that we are not immune to the misfortune that Miley Cyrus and her family have experienced. People who are not rich and famous have sold out their values chasing money, popularity and anything else the world has to offer. Many have exchanged their professed beliefs for a bigger house, a more expensive car, nicer clothing and the approval of people rather than the approval of God.

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?…” (Matt.16:26).

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The Next Move

Posted on February 16, 2011 by jesustrek

A story is told about a preacher who was asked to go visit an old Chinese gentleman who was in the hospital. The preacher walked into the man’s room and introduced himself. The gentleman responded in his native language. The preacher just stood there with a puzzled look on his face. The man repeated the same phrase. Then he said it again and again. The preacher continued to stand there in confusion. Once more, the old gentleman said the same words, then, suddenly, he died.

The preacher was quite shaken. He wondered what the man’s last words were, so he memorized what the old man had said. A couple of days later, he went to the funeral home for the visitation. While he was there he pulled aside some members of the family, repeated the phrase he had heard the old man say, and asked what it meant. They said, “It means—Would you please move! You’re standing on my oxygen tube!”

There are too many Christians who are stifling the flow of the Holy Spirit. Most churches are desperate for the Holy Spirit to bring a breath of fresh air and bring much-needed revival. But sometimes God’s people must move in order for him to move.

You aren’t standing on the oxygen tube, are you?

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No Small Potatoes

Posted on February 15, 2011 by jesustrek

It is said that farmers in ancient China began eating the big potatoes they produced and using the small potatoes for seed. After many years of this practice, they learned a valuable lesson about the laws of nature. After generations of planting small potatoes, they had reduced them to the size of marbles.

You can’t keep all the best potatoes for yourself and use the leftovers for seed. The harvest will always reflect the planting.

The same principle of the harvest holds true when we try to produce spiritual crops. Gal.6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

What kind of spiritual seeds are you sowing in your neighborhood, at your job, at your school, in your family and in your church? Hopefully, it’s not small potatoes!

Gal.6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

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Resistance is Successful

Posted on February 14, 2011 by jesustrek

Tambun Gediu was hunting squirrels in the jungle area of northern Malaysia when he was attacked by a tiger. He tried to climb a tree, but the beast dragged him back down. As he wrestled for his life, he cried out for help. His wife, Han Besau, heard his screams and ran to help him. She proceeded to beat the attacker over the head with a wooden soup spoon, and the tiger ran away. Tambun was treated in a hospital for lacerations on his face and legs. He says that the tiger surely would have killed him if his wife had not come to his rescue.

1 Pet.5:8-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

James 5:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

There’s the key—you have to submit yourself to God. Then, when you resist the devil, he will run away. And you don’t even need to beat him over the head with a soup spoon!

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Divine Donation

Posted on February 12, 2011 by jesustrek
Kevin Jordan, left; Tom Walter, right

Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter recently donated a kidney to one of his baseball players, Kevin Jordan. Jordan suffers from a disease that can lead to kidney failure.

Jordan’s father, Keith, said, “For us, it’s almost like it’s been divine intervention.”

It really was divine intervention when Jesus donated his body on the cross. You see, we all suffer from a disease called sin. This disease, if left unchecked, always leads to spiritual death. When Jesus sacrificed his life for ours, it gave us the opportunity to accept his gift and have spiritual healing.

After his coach made this great sacrifice so that he could have a normal, healthy life, Kevin said, “I’ll do whatever Coach asks me to do. If he wants me to get a bunt down, whatever, I can’t see myself saying “No” to anything.”

May we be that devoted to Jesus!

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”—2 Cor.9:15

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Whatever You Ask

Posted on February 11, 2011 by jesustrek

Jesus says, “…I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 16:23).

The word “whatever” seems to be all-inclusive. The blessings that God wants to pour out on his children are many and varied.

However, the phrase “in my name” puts some restrictions on what God will give us. We are to pray in the name, or the authority, of Jesus. No one can access the throne of God without Jesus Christ. Eph.2:18 says, “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” And of course we must pray only for the things that are in accordance with God’s will. We shouldn’t expect that he will grant a request that does not coincide with his purpose.

Suppose you had an opportunity to meet with the president and ask him to do a favor for you. What would you ask for? Would you request that he fix the annoying pothole at the end of your street? He would think you are silly if that’s all you asked for!

Now consider the fact that we can ask God for anything. What are you requesting from the Creator of the universe? Are you praying big, bold prayers—the kind of prayers that were uttered by Nehemiah, David, Paul and other biblical prayer warriors? Or are you asking God to fix potholes?

“Whatever you ask”—think about that phrase when you pray.

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True Obedience

Posted on February 10, 2011 by jesustrek

In his book, The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers wrote about the difference between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant: “Ask Shaq to do something and he’ll say, “No, I don’t want to.” But after a little pouting, he’ll do it. Ask Kobe and he’ll say, “OK” and then he will do whatever he wants.”

Jesus told a story of a father who had two sons (Matt.21:28-32). He told both of them to go and work in his vineyard. The first son said that he wouldn’t do it, but later changed his mind and went to work. The second son said that he would go, but then he never did. The lesson is that God expects more than lip service from us; he wants to see some true obedience.

When it comes to obedience, are you more like Shaq or Kobe?

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Versatility

Posted on February 9, 2011 by jesustrek

Frank Fitch, of the Lexington, Kentucky area, is ambidextrous. He is equally adept at bowling with either hand. Such versatility is rare. Fitch is one of only a handful of people who have rolled a 300 game and an 800 series with each hand.

David had some warriors who were versatile. They “…were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed…” (1 Chron.12:2).

God has a great way of using versatile people. Some can lead worship and they can also preach. Others can play an instrument and they can also work with children. Some are equally adept at teaching or helping with a construction project on the church property. Some are prayer warriors and they also help plan fellowship activities.

Whether you are versatile or a “specialist”, make sure you give the Lord your very best!

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