Pro-Life President

Posted on January 31, 2020 by jesustrek

A scene from the 2020 March for Life

President Donald Trump attended the March for Life rally on the National Mall in Washington last Friday. He was the first president to join the annual pro-life event. President Trump has addressed the group via satellite the past two years, but this year he showed up in person and spoke to the huge throng of people who gathered to show their respect for human life.

Trump’s appearance thrilled Jeanne Mancini, the president of the March for Life, who said, “We are so excited for him to experience in person how passionate our marchers are about life and protecting the unborn.”

Let’s hope that more and more people develop such a passion for life, and that future presidents will also speak up on behalf of those who are unable to speak for themselves.

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

 

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Spokesperson

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jesustrek

Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was concerned that his responsibilities in the Senate during the impeachment trial would hinder his ability to campaign effectively in Iowa. He couldn’t be in two places at one time, and he would be at a disadvantage compared with the other candidates who are not Senators.

Never fear! Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Sanders supporter, would fill in for Bernie. She would speak on his behalf in Iowa while he was doing his duty in Washington. There was only one small problem. In her speech at a Sanders rally, she forgot to even mention Bernie’s name!

We Christians are called to speak on behalf of Jesus. Let’s make sure that we mention his name every now and then!

“…You will be my witnesses…”—Acts 1:8

 

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Tribute

Posted on January 26, 2020 by jesustrek

Kobe Bryant

The world is dealing with the shock of the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. The retired Los Angeles Laker perished in a helicopter crash earlier today at the age of 41. Many people are deeply affected by the passing of this man who possessed a rare combination of amazing talent and an unsurpassed desire to excel at what he did. Tributes are pouring in from those who want to honor this man who had such a great passion for the game.

To open their NBA contest this afternoon, the Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs both deliberately took 24-second clock violations. This was a fitting tribute to Bryant, who wore the number 24 on his jersey for much of his career.

We Christians gather together each Sunday to pay tribute to someone that we admire, another man who died at a young age–Jesus, who willingly went to the cross to pay for our sins. In communion, we honor a man who has a great passion for all of humanity. Don’t miss your weekly opportunity to pay tribute to Jesus!

“On the first day of the week, we came together to break bread…”—Acts 20:7.

 

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For Us

Posted on January 23, 2020 by jesustrek

A prayer that a lady offered up in our adult Bible study at church last night made me stop and think. She asked God to help us understand what he wants for us. Usually we pray for God to tell us what he wants from us. I thought this was a refreshing outlook. We often spend a lot of time trying to figure out what God wants us to do next, and too little time rejoicing in his blessings.

Today I have a lot of things on my to-do list that I really think God wants me to get done. However, I plan to spend some time basking in his love and thanking him for all the blessings I have through Jesus.

How about you?

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”—Romans 8:28.

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Precious Blood

Posted on January 17, 2020 by jesustrek

I recently saw an article that talked about the importance of knowing your blood type. This would indeed be a helpful fact to know in case of a medical emergency where you might need to receive blood or where you might be able to give blood to someone who was in need.

It is also important for us to know the type of blood that Jesus had. He had the only type of blood that could possibly pay the price for the sins of mankind—the precious blood of the perfect Lamb of God!

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”—1 Peter 1:18-19.

 

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The Need to Forgive

Posted on January 15, 2020 by jesustrek

Leonardo da Vinci

It is reported that when Leonardo da Vinci was painting “The Last Supper”, he became angry with a man and lashed out at him. He even threatened the man. Then he went back to his workplace and tried to paint the face of Jesus. He couldn’t do it because there was too much ill will stirring inside of him. The lack of peace finally forced him to put down his brushes, go find the man and ask for his forgiveness. Only then did he have the inner calm he needed to paint the face of his Master.

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”—Matthew 6:12.

 

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Think about Such Things

Posted on January 13, 2020 by jesustrek

A patient in the doctor’s office once asked, “What’s my blood type, doctor?”

“B positive”, the doctor responded.

“I am positive”, insisted the patient, “but what’s my blood type?”

It’s very important to keep a positive outlook on life. Too often we tend to dwell on the negative, and that tends to put us in a bad frame of mind, which makes us not so pleasant to be around. We would be much better off—and so would those around us—if we tried to cultivate positive thoughts.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.”—Philippians 4:8.

 

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Your Standard of Measure

Posted on January 10, 2020 by jesustrek

Years ago there was a law on drunk driving that was passed in Louisiana that was one of the toughest laws in the nation. A prison sentence became mandatory for anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated. Getting the law passed was a major victory for various groups against drunk driving, and they could not have gotten it passed if it wasn’t for the help of one particular state legislator who sponsored the bill. It wasn’t long after the new law took effect that the first person to be arrested for driving under the influence was brought before the judge and found guilty and was sentenced to a prison term. Who was he? The same legislator who sponsored the bill!

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”—Luke 6:37-38.

 

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Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Posted on January 8, 2020 by jesustrek

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry, the famous Bible scholar, was once accosted by thieves and robbed of his money. Following that event he wrote these words in his diary:

“Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, and not someone else.”

I suppose we can always find some reason to be thankful!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

 

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Humble Service

Posted on January 6, 2020 by jesustrek

President Jimmy Carter

Years ago someone visited the church in Plains, Georgia where President Jimmy Carter is a member. The visitor noticed that the church had some sign-up sheets for members to volunteer for particular jobs that needed to be done in the church. He also noticed that Jimmy Carter had signed up to clean the bathrooms!

Image that! The man who was commander-in-chief of the most powerful army on the face of the earth was willing to clean the bathrooms in his local congregation! That’s what you call humble service. And that’s the kind of service Jesus expects from those who follow him.

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”—Matthew 20:25-28.

 

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