Does She Know?

Posted on August 30, 2010 by jesustrek

I wasn’t scheduled to preach anywhere yesterday, so my wife and I visited a church in the next county. A lady with three young girls sat down next to us, and we began to worship.

Sometimes when I worship in a church service, it seems like it is just God and me. At other times, I am deeply aware of those around me. I think that the latter mindset is more biblical, and therefore more appropriate, for corporate worship.

 

Yesterday I began to notice the little girl to my right. She was maybe 8 or 9 years old. I wondered about her spiritual maturity. Did she come to church on a regular basis? Is she familiar with the well-known Bible stories that are taught in Sunday School? Does she know that Jesus died for her?

The time came for communion. Someone up front reminded us that we were doing this to remember the sacrificial death of Jesus. We started passing around the elements of the Lord’s Supper. My little friend eagerly reached for the trays of bread and grape juice as I passed them to her. But that didn’t answer my question. Does she know, I mean really know about Jesus?

A few seconds later, I stole a glance to my right. The little girl was gazing reverently and prayerfully at the small cup she held in her hands. Good! She knows!

Do you know?

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No Greater Joy

Posted on August 29, 2010 by jesustrek

Yesterday I attended an open house for some dear friends who were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Perhaps the most amazing feat that this faithful Christian couple has accomplished in their years together is raising 6 children who are all faithful, productive Christians. In this world where God gives people freedom of choice and where the devil gives people so many opportunities to make bad choices, not many parents can point to such a track record.

3 John 4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” The apostle John was elated to know that his spiritual sons and daughters were remaining faithful to Jesus Christ. Christian parents today have no greater desire than to have their children follow Jesus. If you can say that your children are all obedient to the Lord, you are truly blessed!

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Confession is Good for the Soul

Posted on August 28, 2010 by jesustrek

My parents own a farm along the Ohio River. Sometimes when I go to visit, I take a walk down to the riverbank. I like to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as the mighty river moves faithfully on toward its destination.

Not everyone appreciates the beauty of the river. This is apparent in the abundance of trash that floats in the water and litters the riverbank. Practically anything that can be thrown away can be found along the Ohio River. Besides the multitude of cans and bottles, you can see furniture, automobile parts, sporting equipment, household appliances, toys and much, much more—all thrown into the river when they have outlived their usefulness.

I suppose people think, “Out of sight, out of mind.” If they can’t see it, it must be gone forever. But it doesn’t work that way. The trash they thought they had gotten rid of still exists, even if they can’t see it. There are correct ways to recycle what we can and dispose of the rest. Mankind would be much better off if everyone went through the proper channels to get rid of our garbage.

The trash along the river is like the sin in many people’s lives. The only way to properly get rid of sin is to turn it over to Jesus. If we try to ignore the sin in our lives or have it absolved in some other way than through Jesus, the trash is still there, and it won’t go away.

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.”

I don’t want my soul to look like a polluted riverbank. Perhaps we all should be more diligent in developing a habit of confession. What do we need to talk to Jesus about today?

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Don’t Oversleep!

Posted on August 27, 2010 by jesustrek

Professional golfer Jim Furyk overslept Wednesday and missed his tee time. Furyk’s cell phone alarm clock lost power overnight, and he had no backup plan. PGA officials had no choice but to disqualify him from the tournament. Furyk commented, “I’ve got no one to blame but myself.”

Jesus tells a story about some people who missed out on a wonderful blessing because “…they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” (Matt.25:5). He explained that his followers should always be ready for his return. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matt.25:13).

To the church at Sardis, Jesus had this warning—“…you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. (Rev.3:1-2).

Too many people are spiritually sleepwalking through life. They appear to be awake, but they are snoozing; asleep at the wheel.

Jim Furyk lost an opportunity to win a lot of money this weekend because he overslept. People who don’t wake up to the spiritual reality of Jesus Christ stand to lose a whole lot more.

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Celebrating Salvation

Posted on August 26, 2010 by jesustrek

A landslide at a gold-and-copper mine in Chile on August 5 trapped 33 miners more than 2,200 feet underground. 17 days later, all 33 men were found to be alive and in relatively good condition. Although it will be some time—perhaps as much as 4 months—before the miners can be tunneled out, friends and family members were elated that the men were found alive. The president of Chile said the nation was “crying with excitement and joy”.

Jesus says that there is rejoicing in heaven when a lost person repents and is saved. In Luke 15:32, the father of two sons explains to one of them the need to celebrate his brother’s return home—“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

We need to anticipate the joy that our church will experience when lost people find salvation in Jesus. We ought to be helping them find their way home. And when they arrive, let’s celebrate like Jesus says we ought to!

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Star Light, Star Bright

Posted on August 25, 2010 by jesustrek

Scientists recently identified a star with perhaps as many as seven planets, resembling our own solar system. If confirmed, this planetary system—more than 100 light years away—would have the most planets ever found outside our solar system.

Mankind has always been fascinated by pondering the night sky. David wrote, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

Have you taken time lately to do some star-gazing? The next time you do, remember that the One who made them all cares for you very much!

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Versatility

Posted on August 25, 2010 by jesustrek

Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams was known primarily for his hitting ability. The slugger is regarded as one of the best hitters to ever play the game. However, on August 24, 1940, Williams pitched the last two innings of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. He did a fairly decent job, allowing only one run on three hits.

Occasionally you will be called upon to do something that is outside your area of expertise. When Nehemiah and his co-workers rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, many found themselves performing tasks that were not their specialty. Goldsmiths, perfume makers and priests worked side by side doing construction work. So the next time someone asks you to do something you aren’t particularly gifted at, remember that sometimes you have to be versatile.

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Hidden Pollution

Posted on August 24, 2010 by jesustrek
2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

The recent reports coming from the Gulf of Mexico have been mostly positive. Much of the oil from the BP spill has been cleaned up by workers or dispersed by nature. This has happened much sooner than most people thought possible.

However, some scientists say that there is a 22-mile-long plume of oil that is lurking far below the surface of the water, and that it will probably loiter there for several more months. The oil breaks down at a much slower pace in the dark, cold depths of the sea, making it an on-going threat to marine life.

In much the same way, sin that lies hidden beneath the surface of our lives threatens to harm the spiritual life we have with Christ. John 3:19-21 says, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Is there any sin lurking in the depths of your soul that needs to be brought into God’s light?

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Prepared to Speak

Posted on August 23, 2010 by jesustrek

On a recent episode of America’s Funniest Videos, there was a short clip of some children reciting memory work at church. After giving a short speech, each child was rewarded with some candy. One little boy stepped up to the microphone and said, “I did not prepare a speech. But I want my candy anyway.”

On the one hand, we Christians do not have to earn our reward. We are saved by God’s grace, through our faith in Jesus Christ (Eph.2:8). But on the other hand, God does want us to be ready to talk about how he has saved us. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…”

You may have a chance to speak today. Are you ready?

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Staying Humble

Posted on August 22, 2010 by jesustrek

I have something built into my life that keeps me humble. It’s called a wife. Not long ago, I got so sick that I finally gave in and let my wife drive me to see the doctor. She went with me into the examining room. After the doctor checked me out, he turned to my wife and said, “I don’t like the looks of your husband.” She responded, “Neither do I doctor, but he treats me very well.”

You have to stay humble. Jesus’ disciples often exhibited pride instead of humility. At one point they asked him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus promptly called a little child out of the crowd and had him stand among them. He said, “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt.18:1-4).

Little children must rely completely on adults for provision and protection. In the same way, we must trust our heavenly Father to take care of our spiritual needs. We are completely helpless without him.

Humility goes against the inclination of our sinful nature. We all struggle with pride to a certain extent. We enjoy being self-sufficient. We would rather rely on our own strength and wisdom. We don’t like to depend on others; not even God. But Prov.3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

In what ways are you struggling with pride?

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