Pursuing the Prize

Posted on August 13, 2010 by jesustrek
Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal just signed to play basketball for the Boston Celtics, the sixth team that he will play for in his career. At 38, and having already won four NBA titles, Shaq is not ready to rest on his laurels. He says that he wants to win another couple of championships before he retires. He says, “Do I have the same hunger? Yes. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”

We Christians should have the same desire to win more victories for the Lord. And we must always keep in mind the ultimate reward, the eternal salvation that has already been won for us through Jesus Christ.

Phil.3:13-14—“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

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The Dangers of Alcohol

Posted on August 12, 2010 by jesustrek

The Indianapolis Star  has reported recently on a couple of unfortunate incidents caused by the consumption of too much alcohol.

The Monday, August 9, newspaper reported that Indianapolis Colts reserve defensive lineman John Gill was found passed out in a ditch at 4:00am Sunday. He was arrested for public intoxication, but the charges were dropped Sunday afternoon. Gill’s career is in jeopardy if he doesn’t get a handle on this serious problem. It’s a shame; at 23 years of age, the young man has the potential to earn a lot of money playing professional football.

The front page of the Wednesday, August 11, edition carried the tragic story of Indianapolis police officer David Bisard, who tested positive for alcohol after he crashed his squad car into two motorcycles Friday, killing one rider and critically injuring two others. It is unthinkable that someone employed to protect the public would be driving a police cruiser at a high rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol. Yet that’s what apparently happened.

Will we never learn? How many innocent people must be killed or injured, and how many careers ruined and families destroyed before we truly comprehend the evil consequences of drunkenness?

Prov.23:29-32—“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.” 

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Taking the Emergency Chute

Posted on August 12, 2010 by jesustrek
Steven Slater

Jet Blue flight attendant Steven Slater made the news recently with the manner in which he left his job. After an incident with a difficult passenger, Slater made a profanity-laced speech over the loudspeaker, grabbed some beer and slid down the emergency chute to exit the plane. The usually mild-mannered Slater said that he had occasionally thought about making such an exit, but only after being pushed to the limit did he actually follow through with it.

Haven’t we all thought about pulling a “Slater”? When difficult people at school, work or church try our patience to the very limit, we think about exiting in memorable fashion. Let’s tell them the way it really is, take what’s ours and leave in a blaze of glory! That will give people something to talk about!

Sometimes problem people do need to be confronted. However, the first response that pops into your mind is often not the best one. Burning your bridges behind you leaves little or no room for reconciliation. Be patient. Consider some alternative options. Try to think about the big picture. Ask yourself what action would lead to the best long-term solution for everyone involved.

Rom.12:18—“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

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Praiseworthy Books

Posted on August 11, 2010 by jesustrek

Some of the best-selling books in romance publishing today are the Amish inspirational novels. Authors such as Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter and Cindy Woodsmall have written works that attract many readers even though they lack the graphic violence, profanity and other vulgarities that seem to permeate other novels. Perhaps the popularity of these books is indeed because they avoid these unwholesome activities.

Phil.4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

I don’t think that God wants us to ignore or totally avoid the negative aspects of our society. He actually wants us to be the “salt and light” (Matt.5:13-16) that makes a positive difference in the world around us.

However, we have to be careful that the world doesn’t have a negative affect on us. One way to do this is to read wholesome books. Have you read any good books lately?

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Home Runs and Sermons

Posted on August 11, 2010 by jesustrek
Alex Rodriguez

New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez hit his 600th home run last week, joining one of major league baseball’s most exclusive groups. Only 6 men before him ever hit that many homers. Rodriguez is the youngest ever to reach that number.

A-Rod’s feat caused me to think about how many sermons I’ve preached in my life. I guess the number would be around 1400. (Not all of them were home runs, but still…)

One difference (Yes, there are many!) between A-Rod and me is that all of my sermons came naturally. Rodriguez has admitted using steroids for part of his career. No one who has heard me preach has ever accused me of using performance-enhancing drugs.

If there is a point to this, I guess it would be to do your best at whatever it is you do. Just be yourself, and don’t be afraid to swing for the fences!

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Not Enough

Posted on August 10, 2010 by jesustrek

For the past several months, I’ve seen vehicles displaying a small bumper sticker that has a fraction on it–1/168. Under the fraction is the comment, “It’s not enough”. I can usually figure out what kind of statement a bumper sticker is trying to make, but this one had me completely stumped. I asked my wife if she knew what it meant, and she was unable to shed any light on the riddle.

Finally, we noticed that a friend of ours had this mysterious bumper sticker on her car, so we asked her what it meant. She explained, “There are 168 hours in a week. One hour in church is not enough time to devote to God.”

Ah, it makes perfect sense now! I was a bit dismayed that I couldn’t figure out the answer for myself. However, I feel sorrier for those who go to church every week, but have nothing else of themselves to give to God.

Jesus says that God is looking for people who will worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Has he found such a person in you? What do you do with the other 167 hours?

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Give to God what is God’s

Posted on August 9, 2010 by jesustrek

Some people once tried to cause trouble for Jesus by asking him, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” Jesus knew that they were trying to trap him in his words. He asked them to bring him a coin. Then he asked, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” They told him that it was Caesar’s. Then Jesus gave them this famous answer, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12:13-17).

We often think of these words of Jesus at tax time, when we (grudgingly?) prepare to give the government its due. But perhaps we fail to reflect on the second part of his quote, a teaching which is much more important. Here Jesus says that we should also give God what is due to him.

The image of Caesar was stamped on the coin that Jesus held in his hand. In much the same way, the likeness of God is stamped on us. We are created in his image (Gen.1:27). Therefore, we owe it to God to give him what rightfully belongs to him—ourselves.

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Go and Make Disciples

Posted on August 9, 2010 by jesustrek

I baptized my nephew yesterday. It’s a wonderful feeling to witness one of your relatives accept Christ. Many other family members came to visit Drew’s church in order to be present for this very special event.

It’s a five-hour drive from where I live to Drew’s church, so my wife and I spent the night with my parents. There I found an old photograph of Drew. He is only about a year old in the picture. It shows my mother–his grandmother–holding on to him as he appears to be trying to walk.

Drew learned to walk quite well. He went on to run cross country and play football in high school. But before he could run, he had to learn how to walk, and he needed some help along the way.

Now that he is just learning to walk with Jesus, Drew will once again need some help. Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt.28:19-20).

Many churches are doing a good job of obeying the first part of Jesus’ commission. They baptize a lot of people. However, many churches are neglecting the second part of the disciple-making process—the teaching part. Dallas Willard  calls this “The Great Omission”.

Let’s resolve to do a better job of teaching new believers how to obey all of Jesus’ commands. Drew and other new Christians like him are counting on it. In what way can you rise to the challenge? 

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After God’s Own Heart

Posted on August 8, 2010 by jesustrek

King David certainly was a fascinating individual. As a young man, he fearlessly protected the sheep from dangerous predators. That bravery was later seen on the battlefield as he single-handedly defeated Goliath. David was also a talented musician and a prolific song writer. In addition to this, he was a gifted leader.

However, David certainly had his shortcomings. He proved himself to be a terrible father. He committed adultery and then tried to cover up that sin with another—murder. Toward the end of his life he proved to be quite vengeful. Yet in spite of his great flaws, he is described as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

What made David a man after God’s own heart? Was it his talent? Could it have been because of the great exploits of his life, or the zeal with which he lived?

The answer is given in the text mentioned above. Acts 13:22 says, “…I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” That’s it! The key is obedience. If you want to be a person after God’s own heart, then do what he wants you to do. It’s just that simple. And it’s just that difficult.

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Check Your Gauges

Posted on August 7, 2010 by jesustrek

I used to drive a vehicle that had a broken gas gauge. I could never trust it to tell me when I needed fuel, so I would try to estimate how much gas I had in the tank. There was always the worry that I might find myself stranded somewhere.

The car I drive now has a faulty speedometer. It consistently misinforms me of the speed at which I am driving. I know this to be true because I have compared it to the radar screens that are occasionally along the highway to help motorists gauge their speed. My speedometer has never gotten me into trouble, but I know that it can’t be trusted to tell me the truth.

Is it possible to be cruising along life’s highway, oblivious to the fact that we are out of synch with God? How can we know that the inner gauges of our lives are telling us the truth?

You can’t trust your conscience. Look at how many people are living outrageously sinful lives, yet think that they are among the best people on the face of the earth. No, your conscience is not the answer.

Your friends aren’t the answer. Oh, sure you can often get good advice from godly friends, but some of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made have been made with the approval of my friends.  Peer approval is no guarantee that you are doing the right thing.

Advice columnists are not reliable. Some of the most ungodly counsel you will ever find comes from well-known people who write for newspapers.

You can’t count on the rules of our society to lead you down the right path. For example, in our culture it’s perfectly legal to kill a baby in the womb. How sick is that?

So where can you turn to find the truth? The answer, of course, is the Bible. God’s Word is a light for our path; it is useful for training us to live righteous lives. So don’t trust your inner gauges. Allow God to correct your thinking and guide your actions.

Safe travel, my friends!

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