Scarred Hands

Posted on September 27, 2010 by jesustrek
Tom’s hand post-op

I have a condition called Dupuytren’s contracture. If left unchecked, it can cause one or more fingers to bend toward the palm, so that you cannot straighten them. Until recently, the only way to correct this condition is through surgery. I had my right hand operated on about five years ago. Then I had the left one done about a year ago. The surgeries were successful to the extent that I have full use of both hands now. However, the operations have left my hands noticeably scarred.

Sometimes when I look at my hands, I think about the hands of Jesus. But his scars and mine are quite different. My wounds were made with a surgeon’s scalpel, not a Roman soldier’s hammer and nails. I had good anesthesia when my wounds occurred; Jesus refused the painkiller that was offered him. My wounds didn’t help anyone but me; Jesus’ wounds paid for the sins of mankind.

Thank God for scarred hands!

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Easy Decision

Posted on September 26, 2010 by jesustrek
Joe Gibbs

Joe Gibbs is an NFL Hall of Fame coach and the owner of a NASCAR team. He is also an outspoken Christian. Recently Gibbs had the opportunity to speak to 600 inmates in South Carolina. He told them, “On the one side, I’m being told I’m an accident. And on the other side, I’m being told that it’s a loving God who made me. That was an easy decision.”

Looking at the evidence, it should be an easy decision for all of us to accept the idea of a loving Creator and reject the suggestion that we are just the end result of a series of random, but fortunate events that occurred for no reason at all.

Gen.1:1—“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Gen.1:27—“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Jer.1:5—“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”

Ps.139:13—“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Once you make this important, but easy decision, your life will never be the same. You are not here by accident. You have a purpose. Now, live a meaningful life!

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Cohabitation

Posted on September 25, 2010 by jesustrek

Figures released by the Census Bureau Thursday show that the number of cohabiting opposite sex couples increased by 13% last year. This sharp increase is thought to be partly due to people trying to save money in these tough economic times. The AP article I read on the subject made no mention of the morality of such living arrangements.

It should come as no surprise that the world sees nothing wrong with sexual immorality. Those who hold no claim to Christianity are not bound by its views. What should concern us is the worldly attitude about sexuality that is creeping into the church.

The Bible is quite plain about this matter. Heb.13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Paul told the Corinthian church that anyone who has improper urges toward the person he/she is engaged to should do the right thing and get married (1 Cor.7:36). 1 Cor.6:9-11 says that the sexually immoral are among those who are not part of God’s kingdom.

As a preacher, I have been put in situations where I might have been tempted to ignore the truth about sexual immorality. I have officiated at a few weddings where I had to make reference to the couple’s improper living arrangements and point out that getting married was part of their repentance.

My philosophy is that a church should welcome all sinners to attend, but hold its members to biblical standards of behavior. What is your approach?

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In Training

Posted on September 24, 2010 by jesustrek

My aerobics instructor really worked me hard yesterday. That’s right, aerobics! It was my first class ever. I have participated in other types of exercise, but this workout was especially grueling. It’s been a long time since I’ve sweat so much. Today my muscles are tired and sore, but it was worth it. I plan to go back again.

Paul gave Timothy this advice—“…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim.4:7-8).

This Scripture points out the value of physical training, but the emphasis is on something far more important—training in godliness. Spiritual exercise is the only way to become stronger spiritually. Prayer and Bible study are just a part of a Christian’s training regimen. When you serve God and people in the name of Jesus, you really begin to develop your spiritual muscles. You have to actually do some of the things you learn and pray about if you want to grow stronger in the Lord.

Many people avoid physical exercise at all costs. They don’t put in the effort, and they never see the results of better health, strength and overall well-being. In the same way, many don’t put forth the effort to become all they can be spiritually, and that’s a shame. They could benefit themselves and others in so many ways. Oh, and don’t forget about the eternal benefits of spiritual exercise!

Let’s get to work!

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Not So Gaga

Posted on September 23, 2010 by jesustrek
Lady Gaga

As the U.S. Senate was considering ending the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, entertainer Lady Gaga weighed in on the issue on Monday. The outspoken singer appeared at a rally in Maine, and used words such as “prejudiced”, “hates” and “homophobes” to describe those who have formed their opinion on homosexual behavior based on the teachings of Christianity, Islam, Judaism or just about any other major religion that exists.

No culture has ever endured long after labeling homosexuality as “normal” behavior. I doubt that ours will be the first.

I don’t think that Lady Gaga’s acceptance of perversion is very ladylike, and I am definitely not gaga over her attempts to influence the American culture with her ungodly views.

The first chapter of Romans is one of many Scriptures that plainly speak of God’s view on homosexual behavior. Read this chapter closely, especially the last verse. It is a grim warning, not only to those who practice homosexual behavior, but also to those who give their approval to it. Don’t come down on the wrong side of this issue!

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You Reap what You Sow

Posted on September 22, 2010 by jesustrek

 

On Monday, September 20, 2010, an aspiring rapper pleaded guilty in Virginia to killing his 16-year-old girlfriend, her parents and her friend. The murders took place just days after the adults chaperoned the teens at a music festival featuring artists rhyming about raping, killing and mutilating people. Richard “Sam” McCroskey, 21, was sentenced to life in prison.

The Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Gal.6:7-8).

The results of sowing bad seeds are not always as disastrous as the above example, but the principle holds true—You reap what you sow.  Armed with this knowledge, we all should be careful what kinds of seeds we sow with our thoughts, our words and our actions.

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Confession is Good for the Soul

Posted on September 21, 2010 by jesustrek
Bobby Knight’s famous chair toss

Former basketball coach Bobby Knight recently claimed that the media got the story wrong when he threw a chair across the court at an Indiana game in 1985. He said, “There was a lady across the floor who reminded me of my grandmother. She said, “Coach, if you’re not going to use that chair, how about throwing it over to me?”

Of course Coach Knight wasn’t being serious. He was putting a humorous spin on a famous incident in which he lost his temper.

Don’t we all tend to put a positive spin on our words and actions so that we don’t come off looking so bad? “This isn’t gossip; I’m merely sharing a prayer request.” “I don’t have a sharp tongue; I am simply straightforward when dealing with people.” “I didn’t lose my temper with the sales clerk; she needed to be corrected.” “I wasn’t rude with the waitress; she should have gotten my order right in the first place.”

On and on it goes. We have an endless stream of excuses for our sins. Instead of trying to explain them away, God would much rather see us admit our sins. 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.”

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That Old Time Religion

Posted on September 20, 2010 by jesustrek
Tom Cox riding Beauty at Kohkohmah

Sometimes we forget that many of the gatherings of God’s people in biblical times occurred outdoors. Consider Moses teaching the Israelites, the preaching of Ezra and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We get so accustomed to our nice, modern buildings with climate control, cushy seats and state of the art technology that we may fail to appreciate the simplicity of worshipping outdoors.

At least once a year, I get to experience a worship service that resembles those meetings of long ago. For the past few years, I have had the pleasure of preaching for the historic church service at the Koh-Koh-Mah & Foster Living History Encampment that takes place near Kokomo, Indiana. I wear clothing from the 18th century, and ride a horse to the natural amphitheater where about 400 people have gathered to worship. We enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as we sing, pray and hear from God’s Word. There is something special about worshipping outdoors, far away from the everyday cares of life. The atmosphere seems more relaxed, yet at the same time there is a reverence for God that is very real.

I suppose that buildings are necessary to protect us from the weather as we worship. But it sure is nice to get out of my routine occasionally and worship outdoors. I think everyone should try it every now and then.   

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After Many Days

Posted on September 19, 2010 by jesustrek

Ecclesiastes 11:1—“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.”

Many Christians are familiar with this verse, and we know that it encourages us to do good things and expect good results for our efforts. But sometimes we overlook that key phrase, “after many days”. We have to be patient. The results we desire don’t always come as quickly as we would like. It may be many days before the child you have trained in the ways of the Lord finally decides to live for the Lord. It may be many days before the education you worked hard to obtain is put to good use. It may be many days before the person you keep inviting to church shows up on Sunday morning. It may be many days before your most heartfelt prayer is answered.

The Bible continually urges us to exercise patient endurance. We are assured of success in the end. It may not come about the way we had envisioned it. It certainly may not happen within the timeframe we had planned. But the Lord promises to bless our faithful efforts, and someday we will see the return for our investment.

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The Power of an Invitation

Posted on September 18, 2010 by jesustrek

Of all the people Jesus healed, 40 individuals are specifically mentioned in the New Testament as having been cured by Jesus. Of those 40, 34 of them did not make their way to Jesus by themselves; they had help finding Jesus.

Likewise, most people who find their way to Jesus today for the spiritual healing that we all need do not find Jesus on their own. They have the help of a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member. Sometimes it is nothing more than a simple invitation that helps them find Jesus.

We see this principle in action in John’s gospel. After Andrew began to follow Jesus, “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus…” (John 1:41-42).

After Jesus met a woman at a well in Samaria, look at what happened. “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.” (John 4:28-30).

Many people today are willing to come and see what Jesus is all about; they just haven’t been asked lately. Let us never underestimate the power of an invitation. Invite someone to church this Sunday.

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