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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What’s Your Name?

Posted on December 23, 2010 by jesustrek

Phil Donahue once interviewed the great actress, Katherine Hepburn. At the end of the interview, Donahue asked Hepburn to sign a copy of her autobiography for him. She was glad to do so. Taking book and pen in hand, she asked Donahue, “What’s your name?”

At first I thought she was joking. (So did Donahue, I think!). However, it quickly became apparent that Hepburn really didn’t know who the famous television host was.

I suppose that you can live a rich, full life without knowing who Phil Donahue is. But you can’t live in heaven without knowing Jesus and having him know you as one of his own.

“Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”—Matt.7:21-23.

Could Jesus sign your autobiography?

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Remarkable Comeback

Posted on December 22, 2010 by jesustrek

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel recently made a remarkable comeback. Just 11 days after an emergency appendectomy, Cassel returned to the lineup and threw a touchdown pass as he lead the Chiefs to a 27-13 road victory over the St. Louis Rams.

That’s an amazing story, but there is one that tops it.

Nazareth rabbi Jesus Christ made a remarkable comeback. Just 3 days after dying on a cross, Christ returned from the grave, giving his followers the victory over sin and death.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Cor.15:56-57.

Now that’s remarkable!

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Reflecting

Posted on December 21, 2010 by jesustrek

I tried to observe the total lunar eclipse last night, but it was too cloudy for me to see it.

The moon is normally illuminated by the sun. During a total lunar eclipse, the full moon passes through the shadow created by the Earth, blocking the sun’s light.

In the same way that the moon reflects the sun’s light, we Christians reflect the light of Jesus to a world that needs to be illuminated with spiritual truth. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt.5:14-16).

Don’t let anything block your light today!

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In His Presence

Posted on December 20, 2010 by jesustrek

Several years ago, a lady entered an ice cream shop in Kansas City to purchase a treat. After making her selection, she turned and found herself face to face with Paul Newman, who was in town filming a movie. He smiled and said, “Hello”. Newman’s famous blue eyes caused her knees to shake.

She managed to pay for her ice cream cone, and left the shop, her heart pounding. When she collected herself, she realized that she didn’t have her ice cream. She started back into the store to get it and met Newman at the door.

“Are you looking for your ice cream?” he asked. Unable to speak, she nodded. “You put it in your purse with your change.”

When was the last time the presence of the Lord quickened your pulse?

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him…” (Matt. 2:10-11).

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That Pesky 20%

Posted on December 18, 2010 by jesustrek

Los Angeles Laker forward Ron Artest, when recently asked about his commitment to a vegan lifestyle, answered: “About 80 percent. I like pork chops.”

Sadly, this is too much like a lot of people’s commitment to Jesus Christ. They are with him about 80 percent, which might sound pretty good until you think about what the 20 percent consists of. Some might say, “I follow Jesus about 80 percent of the time, but I like ____________.” They fill in the blank with activities that are very un-Christlike, such as: “to stay home from church on Sunday”, “to gossip”, “to have sex with someone to whom I’m not married”, “to use vulgar language”, “to get drunk occasionally”, “to be greedy”.

The list could go on and on. What might become your “pork chop”?

Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

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Not Getting Signal?

Posted on December 17, 2010 by jesustrek

A few days ago, my wife wanted me to help her with a couple of jobs around the house. She tried calling me on my cell phone, but to no avail. I didn’t even have enough signal for my phone to ring.

Later, we determined that I was visiting a neighbor two doors down the street when she tried to call. Our cell phone coverage is so spotty where we live, that I can use my phone in our house, but not two doors away.

Sometimes we may feel like we are out of range for God to see us, hear us or talk to us. David must have struggled with these thoughts too. However, he comes to this conclusion—“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:1-2).

The psalm goes on to expound on the theme that we can never be out of range for communication with God. The privilege of prayer gives us constant signal to be in contact with our heavenly Father.

He doesn’t even need voice mail or call waiting! How about that!

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Communication Problems

Posted on December 16, 2010 by jesustrek

Yesterday morning I had to scrape ice off of my car before running some errands. While I was out, I decided to drive through a local fast food restaurant for a cup of coffee. My plan went well until I realized that my window was frozen. I felt a little foolish, having to open the car door in order to be able to talk to the person who took my order.

Isn’t it nice to know that we don’t have any communication problems when we want to talk to our heavenly Father?

1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

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Warning Against Complacency

Posted on December 15, 2010 by jesustrek

Amos 6:1 says, “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!”

This is a warning to the leaders of God’s people, telling them that they have become too complacent. They are satisfied with the status quo, even when they have no reason to think that everything is fine.

The text goes on to exhort the leaders to take an honest look at the situation of their people, use some discernment and take action. It points out that they have instead been relaxing too much, and have been enjoying the luxuries of life in excess while their people have been suffering.

As a leader in a local church, I must admit that this Scripture hit me hard. There have been times when I took the easy way out and ignored situations that called for tough leadership. There have been occasions when I stayed in my easy chair instead of doing spiritual battle.

No more!

Who is with me?

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