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.”

Posted in Christian Living | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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!

Posted in Christian Living, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Current Events, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in Christian Living, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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?

Posted in Christian Living, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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!

Posted in Christian Living, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Storm Warning

Posted on February 8, 2011 by jesustrek

Prov.27:12—“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”

Cyclone Yasi struck northeastern Australia last week with heavy rains and winds gusting to 186 mph, tearing off roofs, toppling trees and cutting off electricity to many people. It was the most powerful storm to hit the area in nearly a century. However, no deaths were reported because people heeded warnings to retreat to home bunkers or evacuation centers.

God has warned us that there is a storm coming. A day of reckoning is approaching when God will judge all the unrighteous for their disobedience toward him. Those who are prudent will take refuge in Jesus Christ and be saved from the eternal devastation.

Posted in Christian Living, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Filthy, Dirty Sin

Posted on February 7, 2011 by jesustrek

A middle school in Oregon had a problem keeping the mirrors clean in the girls’ bathroom. A number of the girls were beginning to use lipstick, and they would put it on in the bathroom. Then they would press their lips against the mirrors, leaving dozens of lip prints.

Finally the principal decided that something must be done. She called the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the custodian. After a brief lecture about how difficult it was to clean the mirrors each day, she asked the custodian to give a demonstration. He proceeded to dip a toilet brush into a commode and scrub a mirror with it. Since then there have been no lip prints on the mirrors!

This story should remind us of how filthy sin is. We wouldn’t be so attracted to sin if we really understood how dirty it is.

Col.3:5-8—“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

Posted in Christian Living, Humor | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Focused on Jesus

Posted on February 5, 2011 by jesustrek

It is said that when Leonardo da Vinci painted his famous Last Supper, he asked a friend to tell him what impressed him most about the picture. He replied, “The cup in the hand of Jesus. The Holy Grail brilliantly catches the eye.”

The great artist quickly took his paintbrush and erased the cup from the painting. When asked why he did that, da Vinci answered, “Nothing must detract from the face of Jesus.”

Jesus deserves to be the focus of our attention. Heb.12:2-3 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Riches to Rags

Posted on February 4, 2011 by jesustrek

Prov.21:17—“He who loves pleasure will become poor…”

Many professional athletes do not know how to handle their new-found wealth. It is sad to see so many of them squander their fortunes in an attempt to buy happiness.

Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi recently wrote: “By some estimates, 60 percent of NBA players are broke five years after they retire. Meanwhile, Gilbert Arenas spends $6,500 a month feeding his pet sharks. Mystery solved.”

Even those of us who are not rich need to understand that God expects us to be good stewards of our finances. We must not waste our resources on a constant quest for life’s pleasures.

Prov.28:19—“He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

Posted in Christian Living, Culture, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment