Sharks and Satan

Posted on August 3, 2010 by jesustrek

This is Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. I have been fascinated by these creatures ever since seeing the movie “Jaws”. I have also been very cautious whenever I go into the ocean!

Some animal activists say that many of the television shows about sharks portray them to be more vicious than they really are. Sharks rarely have been known to prey on humans. Many attacks are thought to occur because the shark mistakes a person for something that it normally eats.

Perhaps we do over-estimate the danger of sharks. On the other hand, we tend to under-estimate the danger of another predator—Satan. The devil would like for us to think that he doesn’t exist, or that he is a harmless, cartoonish figure with a pointy tail and a pitchfork. But the Bible says “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (1 Pet.5:8-9). Elsewhere, the Bible urges us to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph.6:11).

So be careful out there, and not just when you’re swimming!

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Life is a Race

Posted on August 3, 2010 by jesustrek

Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt is the reigning Olympic champion in the 100 meter race, and his goal is to win the gold again in that event at the 2012 games in London. The Jamaican sprinter is the current world record holder in the 100 meter race, with a time of 9.58 seconds. Bolt thinks that it is humanly possible to run a 9.4, and he says, “I hope I can be the one to get there, because I work very hard and I want nothing but to be the best.”

Sometimes it seems like the Christian life is a sprint. We rush to church on Sunday, dash to our weekly small group meeting, hurry through our Bible study and prayer time and see how quickly we can get through a service project.

However, Christian living is more comparable to a marathon. Sure, there are times when we have to speed up and go a little faster, but mainly we have to keep moving along, putting one foot in front of the other. This race takes stamina and perseverance. The Bible is filled with exhortations to stay faithful and never give up, no matter what obstacle life puts in our way.

Heb.12:1—“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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Let Go of Your Nets

Posted on August 2, 2010 by jesustrek

At the North American Christian Convention in Indianapolis last month, Ben Cachiaras–minister at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland—preached a sermon based on the calling of Jesus’ first disciples. He pointed out that in order to follow Jesus, these fishermen had to let go of their nets. He urged us to do the same.

Cachiaras made the sermon memorable by placing a 4-inch square piece of fishing net on each seat in the auditorium. Each worshiper was able to take home a visual aid to remind us of the need to let go of certain things in our lives in order to really follow Jesus.

What do you need to let go of in order to become the best disciple you can possibly be? An ungodly relationship, a filthy habit, a much-loved hobby, a desire for a bigger home or a more expensive car…these are just a few examples of the many things that could hold you back and keep you from truly following Jesus.

What is your net? Are you willing to let go?

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Stay Humble

Posted on August 2, 2010 by jesustrek

A few years ago I preached in a small community that had several churches. Occasionally I would walk down the street to have lunch at a restaurant that was operated by a family that attended one of the other churches in town.

One day as I was finishing a meal at this restaurant, I looked at my bill and noticed that the lady taking care of my order had written “Br. Tom” at the top of the bill. I was quite pleased to think that even members of the other churches thought of me as “Brother Tom”. I was becoming well known in the area. I was not merely the pastor of one congregation– I was a pastor for the whole town!

I came back down to earth very quickly when I realized that “Br. Tom” was an abbreviation for breaded tomatoes!

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”—James 4:10.

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Always Give Your Best

Posted on August 1, 2010 by jesustrek

On July 17, 1930, Ken Ash of the Cincinnati Reds entered the game as a relief pitcher. He got his team out of a jam with only one pitch, enticing Chicago’s Charlie Grimm to hit into a triple play. Ash was then removed for a pinch hitter, and the Reds went on to beat the Cubs 6-5. Ash was given credit for the victory, even though he only threw one pitch!

You never know how effective you will be with just one action. A simple word of encouragement or a seemingly insignificant good deed could go a long way toward bringing a much-needed victory in someone’s life.

Col.3:17–“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

If you only have a chance to throw one pitch today, make it your best one!

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Spewing Disgusting Filth

Posted on July 31, 2010 by jesustrek
Mel Gibson

The host of “The Late, Late Show”, Craig Ferguson, recently said: “BP is putting a new cap on the leaking oil well. It could capture up to 90 percent of the disgusting filth that’s spewing from there. And if it works, they’re going to try the same thing on Mel Gibson.”

With his latest rant, Mel Gibson has done something that many thought was impossible. He has managed to lower himself even further in the eyes of his former fans. Even the most sympathetic onlooker is having trouble feeling sorry for Mel. How could such a popular movie star say such horrible things?

If you remember back a few years ago, Gibson was talking about his faith as he promoted his movie, “The Passion of the Christ”. Count me as one who thought that there was at least some measure of sincerity to his words.

How could someone talk about his faith at one point in his life, and only a few years later say things that should never be said by a follower of Jesus Christ? It shouldn’t be that way. James 3:9-12 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

Oh, well—I shouldn’t worry too much about Mel’s predicament. I have my own pesky mouth to try to keep under control.

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Fishing Keeps You Out of Trouble

Posted on July 31, 2010 by jesustrek

The city of Kokomo, Indiana recently conducted its annual Jim “Moose” Carden Fishing Clinic. This is an effort to allow children the opportunity to learn about fishing. This year’s clinic featured trick fishing caster Scotty Lucas, who wowed attendees with his accurate casting. According to the Kokomo Tribune, Lucas said, “I’ve learned to do the things I do in order to put the bait where the fish are, and do it naturally. If you do it this way, I guarantee you’ll catch more fish.”

Some studies have shown that 80 percent of convicted felons never learned to fish growing up as children. Scotty Lucas and others like him believe that teaching children how to fish might keep them out of trouble, so they put forth a great effort to promote fishing to the next generation.

Jesus has called his followers to be fishers of men. Perhaps the reason that so many churches and individual Christians find themselves in trouble is that they have lost their focus; they have forgotten their purpose in life—fishing for people.

Let’s take that quote from Lucas and tweak it a little bit so that it refers to our mission as followers of Jesus—“I’ve learned to do the things I do in order to put the gospel message where the people are, and do it naturally. If you do it this way, I guarantee you’ll catch more people.”

Happy fishing, and stay out of trouble!

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The Turnaround

Posted on July 31, 2010 by jesustrek

A couple of days ago, my wife and I found a turtle in our yard. He had apparently made his way from the reservoir just a hundred yards or so behind our house. He was headed toward the highway, where many turtles have met their doom.

We decided that Mr. Turtle’s best option was to be back at the reservoir. There he would be safe. There he would find everything a turtle needs in order to have a happy life.

When my wife first picked him up, the frightened little creature hid in his shell. It must have overwhelmed him to be in the presence of a being so much bigger and stronger than he was.

After a while he tried a different tactic, kicking frantically against my wife’s grip, desperately trying to gain freedom. Little did he know that we were in the process of saving him, not doing him harm.

Finally we reached our destination. My wife set the turtle down by the edge of the water. He quickly took a few steps and plunged in. Soon he was out of sight, enjoying the perfect environment for his happiness and well-being. He was in turtle heaven.

Our journey with God is much like our experience with the turtle. God sees us headed in the wrong direction, and he intercepts us, not wanting us to be destroyed. Confronted by God, we sometimes get frightened and hide, like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Or maybe we kick against God’s attempts to help us, frantically trying to release ourselves from his influence.

The best thing we can do is to allow God to place us where he wants us to be. He knows better than we do where the danger lies. He knows better than we do where we can thrive spiritually and enjoy life to the fullest. Let’s trust him to direct our steps so that we can make it safely to the best possible destination.

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Fight the Pollution

Posted on July 30, 2010 by jesustrek

2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has dominated the news for the past few months. The tragic loss of human life when the explosion occurred caused immeasurable sadness for the families affected. Our hearts also go out to those who base their livelihood on fishing, tourism or some other industry that has been adversely affected. As we watched the oil spewing out unchecked and saw the shores polluted and marine life killed or sickened by the oil, we felt a sense of anger. It shouldn’t be this way.

One could argue that the response should have been quicker or larger, but thousands of people leaped into action. People worked around the clock to plug the leak. Some set up protective booms along the coast. Others skimmed oil from the surface. Still others cleaned up oil that had made it to the shore, or helped wildlife that had been harmed. Many of us prayed for the clean-up efforts to be effective and for the flow of oil to stop. It just didn’t seem right that the environment had become so polluted.

It’s also a shame when the church becomes polluted. When people spew out their hatred, gossip, divisiveness, sexual immorality, false teaching and other kinds of filth into the body of Christ, it should greatly anger us. We should use every available resource to clean up the mess and stop the flow of pollution into the church.

Paul warned the elders at Ephesus that evil people would infiltrate the church (Acts 20:30). He urged Timothy to rebuke and correct such people with God-given authority (2 Tim.4:1-5). He authorized the leaders at Corinth to take severe disciplinary action against polluters of the church (1 Cor.5). God wants us to fight against pollution in the body of Christ.

Church leaders, are you listening?

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There’s One in Every Crowd

Posted on July 29, 2010 by jesustrek

Last Wednesday night, a man attending a Cleveland Indians baseball game drew attention to himself by wearing a LeBron James Miami Heat jersey. James’ recent departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers has caused a lot of anger in the city. Some of that anger spewed out as fans heckled the man and shouted obscenities at him. The situation deteriorated to the point that he was escorted out of the stadium. 

Perhaps you could make a case that the fans should have been more forgiving towards the man. However, he seems to have enjoyed the ruckus he caused, as he was seen showing off his jersey to the crowd as he made his way down the steps. No doubt the hometown fans were glad that he was forced to leave.  

In churches there is no shortage of people who like to stir things up in a negative way, calling attention to themselves in the process. Good leaders will do the home team a big favor by escorting such troublemakers to the exit.  

Prov.17:11–“An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.”  

Titus 3:10-11–“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.” 

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