Opportunity to Do Good

Posted on January 5, 2011 by jesustrek

I met Ray earlier this week. Together we figured out how to operate the paper towel dispenser in the men’s room at a local high school basketball game. From paper towel dispensers, the conversation turned to the weather, and from weather, to life in general.

It turned out that Ray’s life isn’t going so well. He buried his wife just a few weeks ago. He said he was trying to keep busy. That evening he was the bus driver for the visiting team. He said he hoped to get assigned to more trips, in order to keep his mind occupied.

During the course of our conversation, we found out that we both were believers in Jesus. He knows that he will see his wife again. I assured him that I would pray for him. We shook hands (that were now dry) and parted ways.

Some might call this a “divine appointment”. Ray now knows that his support system in the family of God is bigger than he might have imagined. I am reminded that I have opportunities to do good all the time; I just need to recognize them when they occur.

Gal.6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Watch for your chance to do something good today. And if you would, say a prayer for Ray. He still misses his wife.

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Punishment that Fits the Crime

Posted on January 3, 2011 by jesustrek

Michael Vick is having an excellent comeback year on the football field after serving 18 months in a federal prison for running a dogfighting ring. Many people are applauding the Philadelphia Eagles for giving Vick a second chance now that he has paid his debt to society.

Others think that Vick was not punished severely enough. Fox News analyst Tucker Carlson said, “Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did (it) in a heartless and cruel way. I think, personally, he should have been executed for that.”

Executed!? Really!? That seems a bit harsh! I wonder what punishment Carlson would have suggested if Vick had paid for a woman to have an abortion?

Just asking.

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10 New Year’s Resolutions for Christians

Posted on January 1, 2011 by jesustrek

ONE—Be more intentional about leading a worshipful life. “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).

TWO—Develop better prayer habits. “Pray continually.” (1 Thess.5:17).

THREE—Apply more of the Bible to my life. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim.2:15).

FOUR—Exercise more. “For physical training is of some value…” (1 Tim.4:8).

FIVE—Eat sensibly. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor.10:31).

SIX—Attend worship faithfully. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb.10:25).

SEVEN—Become more involved in my local church. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1Cor.12:27).

EIGHT—Be more loving. “Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt.22:37-40).

NINE—Tithe. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” (Matt.23:23).

TEN—Witness. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

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MMXI

Posted on January 1, 2011 by jesustrek

My theme for this new year is the year itself.

What?

Let me explain. 2011 is designated as MMXI in Roman numerals. MMXI is an anagram for “My Most for Christ Jesus”. The two “Ms” are self-explanatory. “X” is the first letter in Christ, and “I” is the first letter in Jesus as those words are spelled in the Greek language in which the New Testament was written.

So there you have it; MMXI = My Most for Christ Jesus.

This year I want to give my most for Jesus in everything I do. Whether I’m working on a sermon, writing a blog, visiting a person in need, being a husband to my wife, taking a day off, enjoying a ball game with my friends, worshiping at church, studying the Bible and praying alone…whatever I do, I want to do my very best. After all, he gave his very best for me!

You can share my theme if you like, or maybe you would rather come up with your own. In any case, let’s give our all for Jesus this year!

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Resolutions Abound

Posted on December 31, 2010 by jesustrek

Continue reading →

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Insured

Posted on December 30, 2010 by jesustrek
Not my car! Could have been worse!

Thank goodness for car insurance! Last night I joined the ever-growing club of drivers who have hit a deer. Actually, this deer hit me. It was dark, and I was driving about 55 mph, talking with my wife when I saw a doe’s head hit my windshield.  The windshield cracked, the left front fender was demolished, the side mirror is gone, the driver’s door is dented, and other damage may be discovered with the light of day.

There was nothing I could do to avoid what happened. There was absolutely no time to react. We are truly thankful to be insured against this surprising event.

Jesus wants his followers to be prepared for his second coming. He says, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matt.24:42). One day Jesus will return to gather his people. He will come as quickly and as unannounced as a thief breaking into a house at night. There will be no time then to prepare for his return; we must be ready now.

Are you insured for this?

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For the Good of the Team

Posted on December 28, 2010 by jesustrek

Even though the Cincinnati Bengals have two of the most talented receivers in football in Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, the team has struggled through a horrible year. It seems that it takes more than skill to win ball games. Selfish attitudes are detrimental to a winning team effort. When Owens and Ochocinco were both sidelined with injuries last Sunday, the Bengals actually won the game.

There are two lessons to be learned from this as we try to put together a winning team in the local church.

First, members need to develop a “team first” attitude. Phil.2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Second, church leaders must be firm in dealing with problem people in the congregation. Titus 3:10-11 urges, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

I hope that your favorite team is enjoying a successful season. More importantly, I pray that your church will do whatever it takes to be a winning team.

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Need More Initiative?

Posted on December 28, 2010 by jesustrek

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell disagreed with the NFL’s decision to postpone Sunday’s Eagles’ game against the Vikings because of the heavy snow. He thinks that Americans are becoming too soft, and that we are not competing well with nations such as China. Gov. Rendell said, “If this was in China do you think the Chinese would have called off the game? People would have been marching down to the stadium. They would have walked and they would have been doing calculus on the way down.”

The governor perhaps made a bit of an overstatement in his humorous assessment of the situation. However, many people agree that Americans as a whole don’t have the initiative that we once had.

Perhaps you could make a case that the church has gone a bit soft too. Would the forces of evil be making such inroads in our society if the church had been more diligent? Maybe we Christians need to compete harder in this battle between good and evil.

Heb.6:12 says, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

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A Life-Saving Choice

Posted on December 27, 2010 by jesustrek

On June 14, 2003, a charter fishing boat carrying 19 people capsized off the coast of Oregon. Everyone on board had been offered a life jacket at the beginning of the trip. Only 8 people accepted the offer; 11 refused it. The 8 people who put on a life jacket survived; everyone else perished.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

It is amazing that so many people continue to refuse the salvation that God offers through Jesus. It’s sad too.

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Best Christmas Gift Ever

Posted on December 24, 2010 by jesustrek

Some people have been surprised with some truly amazing Christmas gifts over the years—a new car, expensive jewelry, a pony, a marriage proposal, an unexpected visit from a loved one who is serving in the military…

 What is the best Christmas gift you ever received?

Sometimes the best gifts come in small packages. They aren’t wrapped in fancy paper and they aren’t always appreciated for their worth.

The best Christmas gift ever was wrapped in plain cloths and placed in a manger.

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

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