Food Available

Posted on May 9, 2019 by jesustrek

Last fall my wife and I put a bird feeder outside our living room window. We hoped to attract some birds that would entertain us and to offer some food to our little feathered friends to help them make it through the winter.

To our dismay, the birds completely ignored the feeder. All winter long, we did not see a single bird come to the feeder. Only recently, the first week of May, have the birds discovered the food that was available to them all along.

God has made spiritual food available to us, but so many people have yet to figure out that this much-needed sustenance is there for them. Let us do everything we can to help people discover that God has given them the Bible as spiritual food, and that his Son Jesus is the bread of life.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”—Psalm 34:8

 

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The Reason for Our Courage

Posted on May 8, 2019 by jesustrek

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”—Matthew 14:27

The disciples of Jesus were terrified when they saw him walking on water. But he spoke to their fears, telling them to be courageous, not fearful. Notice the short phrase in the middle of the above verse—“It is I.”

Earlier, Jesus had amazed his disciples with his ability to calm the raging winds and waves on the lake by merely speaking to them (Matthew 8:23-27). Now, he further exhibits his control over nature by actually walking on water! His powerful presence was all that was needed to drive away their fears.

It is the presence of Jesus that allows us to be courageous and fearless. We who follow him have witnessed his power and control. We trust him to see us through even the fiercest of life’s storms. When life gets scary, look to Jesus. He is the source of our courage.

 

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Stay in Your Lane

Posted on May 7, 2019 by jesustrek

2019 Kentucky Derby

Maximum Security crossed the finish line first in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. However, the horse was disqualified when race stewards determined that it had interfered with several horses. Maximum Security’s jockey, Luis Saez, thinks that the horse drifted out of his lane after becoming spooked by the crowd noise. In any case, Country House, a 65-1 longshot that had been the second horse to cross the finish line, was declared the winner of the race.

Those of us who follow Jesus need to be sure that we stay in our lane. We must not be frightened or confused by the “crowd”. We must stay on the right path, all the way to the finish line.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”—Matthew 7:13-14

 

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Off Track

Posted on May 4, 2019 by jesustrek

Omaha Beach

Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach will not be competing in this year’s race. He was scratched because of a breathing issue. This condition can be fixed, but even if the surgery is successful, the horse will be out of training for a couple of weeks. It is hoped that Omaha Beach will be able to compete in the fall season.

Jesus gives his followers the Holy Spirit, which is essentially the breath of the church. If we grieve or quench the Spirit because of our wickedness, our indifference, our divisiveness or some other sin, we will be sidelined for a while. Let’s make sure we don’t get off track!

“And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”—John 20:22

“Do not quench the Spirit.”—1 Thessalonians 5:19

 

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Playing Hurt

Posted on May 4, 2019 by jesustrek

James Harden

Houston Rockets guard James Harden was inadvertently poked in both eyes by Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals. Although in a great deal of pain, Harden was able to finish the game and is expected to be available for Game 3 on Saturday night.

Harden isn’t the only player in the series who is battling against injuries. Golden State’s Steph Curry suffered a dislocated finger in Game 2. Like Harden, Curry is expected to be able to play in Saturday’s contest.

Sometimes you have to compete even though you are in pain. Paul the apostle lists some of the many hardships he endured in 2 Corinthians 6. Included are: beatings, imprisonments, riots, sleepless nights and hunger.

Living for Jesus isn’t always easy. Sometimes you have to endure pain and suffering along the way.

 

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Stepping Up to the Plate

Posted on May 3, 2019 by jesustrek

Noah Syndergaard

Last night New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in nearly 36 years to homer for the game’s only run and pitch a complete game. The last pitcher to accomplish this feat was the Dodgers’ Bob Welch on June 17, 1983.

Baseball teams don’t normally expect much offensive output from their pitchers, but sometimes they step up and contribute to the team’s effort in unexpected ways.

In the same way, in God’s kingdom sometimes people prove themselves able to help the cause in ways that are not expected. When Nehemiah and his fellow workers rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, we see that even goldsmiths and perfume-makers stepped outside the comfort zone of their normal occupations to join in the construction work (Nehemiah 3:8). So the next time you are asked to do something that is normally outside your area of expertise, think about it before you decline. God just might be wanting you to step up to the plate and do something spectacular!

 

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The Show Must Go On

Posted on May 3, 2019 by jesustrek

Kelly Clarkson

Hours after hosting the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Kelly Clarkson underwent surgery to have her appendix removed. Even though she was experiencing a great deal of pain, Clarkson not only hosted the show, but also performed two musical numbers herself. It was a wonderful example of persevering through difficult circumstances.

Jesus never promised that the Christian life would be easy. To the contrary, living for Jesus often includes a great deal of pain and discomfort. We need to keep going no matter what type of adversity we face. Victory is ours if we only persevere!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33

 

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Reminder

Posted on May 2, 2019 by jesustrek

I put it off for a while, but I finally made a life change that is a concession to my forgetfulness. I started putting my daily medication in a pill box that helps me remember if I have taken my meds for that day. Once a week I place the pills in the compartments—Monday through Friday—AM and PM. Now I don’t find myself trying to remember at mid-morning whether or not I have taken my morning meds.

Jesus has given us a weekly reminder so that we will not forget the gospel message. The Lord’s Supper helps us remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. He died to pay for our sins. He arose triumphantly from the grave to reign forever. Communion helps us remember.

“…Do this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19

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

 

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Happy Times!

Posted on May 1, 2019 by jesustrek

Randy Iery

“Rejoice with those who rejoice…”—Romans 12:15

A couple of days ago our local high school baseball team hosted a district rival for an important game. The pitchers for both teams were dominant, so the game stretched into extra innings with the score tied at nothing to nothing.

The home team got a couple of runners on base, and Randy Iery, the son of one of my friends, came to bat with two outs. Any kind of hit would win the game, and the batter would be the hero of the day. All the home team fans were cheering for his success.

Randy took a mighty swing at a fastball and sent a tremendous drive over the left-center field fence! A walk-off home run to end the game!

The fans went wild! The team celebrated like mad! Randy was interviewed by a local newspaper, which ran a nice article about his heroics in the next day’s edition.

Normally I go home shortly after the game ends, but this time I stayed to celebrate. I rejoiced with Randy’s dad. I hugged his mom. I waited until his interview was over and I shook hands with Randy and offered my congratulations to him. Why? Because that’s what you do. You rejoice with those who rejoice!

 

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Ego in Check

Posted on April 26, 2019 by jesustrek

Teddy Roosevelt

A six-year-old girl was asked, “Are you in Jessica’s class at school?” She replied, “No, I’m not. But she’s in my class.”

We tend to be self-centered, and those inclinations are seen in adults as well as children. One of Teddy Roosevelt’s children said of him, “Father wanted to be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral.”

We must all struggle against our sinful tendencies to be self-centered and work toward putting others ahead of ourselves.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”—Philippians 2:3-4

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