Celebrating Peace

Posted on November 10, 2018 by jesustrek

American troops celebrate the end of WWI

Sunday, November 11, 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. This conflict was one of the most devastating wars in the history of the human race, and it was with great joy that this armistice was celebrated.

Dignitaries from the nations involved plan to meet to commemorate the anniversary of the war’s end and to celebrate the peace that was welcomed so enthusiastically at that time.

When Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world, it ushered in a new era of peace. We who believe in Jesus are no longer at war with the Creator of the universe. God, through Jesus, has made it possible for us to live peacefully with him.

Every time we gather together to take communion, we celebrate the peace that we have with God, and we remember what it took to gain that peace—the sacrifice of God’s Son Jesus!

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”—Romans 5:1-2

 

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Remembering Those Who Sacrificed

Posted on November 9, 2018 by jesustrek

Today I attended a Veterans Day celebration at Lewis County High School in Vanceburg, Kentucky. It was the 20th year that the school has sponsored this event. It is always a great program, and this year was one of the best.

The early part of the program consisted of a slide show of local veterans. Pictures of men and women who had served, or are currently serving in the military, appeared on the screen as music played in the background. Included with each picture was the name of the veteran and the years that they served. It was quite moving to remember those who sacrificed for their country. I was thankful for their service. It was especially rewarding to remember some who I know personally—family, friends and church members.

Every Sunday, people gather to remember the sacrifice of Jesus by taking communion together. It is a time when we can give thanks for his sacrifice, a sacrifice that was necessary in order for us to be forgiven of our sins, adopted as God’s children and given the assurance of eternal life in heaven. Remembering the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior is a deeply meaningful time of worship and thanksgiving for those of us who know Jesus.

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

 

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Completing the Work

Posted on November 8, 2018 by jesustrek

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci had started painting on a large canvas in his studio. Then he suddenly stopped working, the painting still unfinished, and summoned one of his students to come forward and complete the work. The student protested that he was both unworthy and unable to complete the great painting which his mentor had begun. But da Vinci silenced him with these words—“Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?”

Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sins of the whole world. The work of our Master inspires us to do our best, and his power enables us to join him in finishing the work of world evangelism.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”—Romans 12:1

 

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Too Much of a Good Thing

Posted on November 5, 2018 by jesustrek

We need a new doormat for our front porch. The one we have now is so old that it is frayed and falling apart. I guess you could say that we’ve worn out our “WELCOME”.

Proverbs 25:17 says, “Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and they will hate you.”

I suppose there is a danger of being around someone too much. The Bible encourages us to be a good neighbor by being involved in their lives. But there is a possibility of being there too much. Let’s try to be discerning as we consider how much of a presence we need to be in the lives of those around us.

 

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Soft or Tough?

Posted on November 2, 2018 by jesustrek

William Bennett

Talking about political leadership, William Bennett recently said, “Sometimes you need Mother Teresa and sometimes you need Dirty Harry.” He was trying to get across the point that some situations call for soft, tender leadership, but at other times you might need to get tough.

It’s the same with leadership in the church. At times people need a soft touch. They need a leader who is sympathetic to their predicament and gentle with their words. However, there are times when a leader has to get tough. Wolves need to be chased away from the flock. Erring members need to be rebuked.

Sometimes a church leader needs to be Mother Teresa and Dirty Harry, all in the same day!

So which will you be? Soft or tough? It depends on the circumstances. Wise leaders will carefully exercise discernment before they choose their approach.

 

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Still Waters Run Deep

Posted on October 29, 2018 by jesustrek

“It is possible to possess an unspoken thought.”—Anonymous

An unspoken thought—what a novel idea! In an age where social media invites us to express ourselves freely, verbal restraint is a rare commodity.

Yet the Bible consistently encourages us to be cautious about what we say and how we say it. Wise people understand that they don’t have to verbalize everything that comes to their mind.

The book of Proverbs contains a wealth of teaching concerning the proper use of the tongue. Here is just a small sampling:

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” (17:28)

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (18:2)

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (18:21)

Perhaps many of us would benefit from talking less and listening more.

 

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Teamwork

Posted on October 28, 2018 by jesustrek

A sea captain and his chief engineer were arguing over who was most important to the ship. To prove their point to each other, they decided to swap places. The chief engineer ascended to the bridge, and the captain went to the engine room.

Several hours later, the captain suddenly appeared on deck covered with oil and dirt. “Chief!” he yelled, waving aloft a monkey wrench. “You have to get down there. I can’t make her go!”

“Of course you can’t,” replied the chief. “She’s aground!”

Any team must depend on each of its members to do their specific jobs. We depend on each other.

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.”—1 Corinthians 12:12.

 

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Light of the World

Posted on October 26, 2018 by jesustrek

“We can be the light of the world without leaving our high beams on and annoying everybody.”—Bob Goff.

Regardless of what you may have heard, I am still able to drive after dark. However, I must admit that I occasionally forget to dim my lights for oncoming drivers. Sometimes they will flash their bright lights at me to remind me to dim mine.

I think Bob Goff has a point. Sometimes we Christians can be abrasive in expressing our opinions about God. This can turn some people off and hamper our efforts to spread the gospel.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that our ultimate goal is to avoid annoying people. Jesus annoyed some people. You don’t get nailed to a cross because you got along with everybody!

However, we must always try to speak the truth with love. It only takes a little light to lead someone out of the darkness. Let us always strive to shine our light in the most effective way possible.

“…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16.

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Salt of the Earth

Posted on October 25, 2018 by jesustrek

Remember the old saltshaker prank? Someone would loosen the top of a salt shaker in a restaurant. The next customer would unsuspectingly try to put a little salt on their food and end up dumping the entire contents of the shaker on their plate!

It doesn’t take a lot of salt to make a meal taste better. Just a pinch of salt can make the ingredients of a dish really come to life.

In the same way, we don’t have to dump everything we have on people all at once in order to be effective in spreading the gospel message. In fact, sometimes, in giving them too much all at once, it becomes overwhelming for them, like a dish with way too much salt.

We have to be discerning about how much to unload on people at one time. Let’s try to give them just enough salt to make the truth of salvation through Jesus palatable for them.

“You are the salt of the earth…”—Matthew 5:13.

 

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Maturing

Posted on October 23, 2018 by jesustrek

Remember some of the ways our parents punished us for our misbehavior when we were children? You had to go to bed early. You were grounded and couldn’t leave the house. You couldn’t go to that party.

Go to bed early. Don’t leave the house. Don’t go to the party. I just realized that my childhood punishments have become my goals as an adult!

It is interesting to take note of how our priorities change as we grow up. Things that we thought were so important seem trivial now. Our goals have changed drastically. Our desires are much different than what they once were. It’s all part of the maturing process.

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”—1 Corinthians 13:11.

 

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