Devoted to Prayer

Posted on May 3, 2018 by jesustrek

Today has been designated the National Day of Prayer. Many Americans will spend extra time today praying to God, asking the Lord to bless many people in various ways.

Jesus was devoted to prayer. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Noting that Jesus thought that prayer was vitally important, his disciples asked him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). He proceeded to teach them the model prayer that has since been used by his followers all over the world.

The early Christians were devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42). Wonderful and amazing things happen when God’s people pray in the authority of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:31).

Let’s take some extra time to pray today. Surely you would agree that we all could benefit from that!

 

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Tough Course!

Posted on May 2, 2018 by jesustrek

A golfer once carefully lined up his tee shot, took a mighty swing, and missed the ball completely. Collecting himself, he approached the ball again, and took another swing, but missed again. A third time he approached the ball, determined this time to at least make contact. But once again, he swung and missed.

Feeling the need to say something to break the awkward silence, the golfer who had just swung and missed three times exclaimed, “This is the toughest course I’ve ever seen!”

When we evaluate our performance, it is very tempting to blame our failures on someone or something other than ourselves. Let’s be careful to give ourselves a proper assessment.

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”—Romans 12:3.

 

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Different Kinds of Tears

Posted on May 1, 2018 by jesustrek

A preacher once told of a time when, within the span of one week, two different individuals came into his office in tears. The first lady who came in was upset at the music director for deciding that the choir would no longer wear robes on Sunday morning.

The second person who entered his office crying was a lady who was weeping over the sin in her life.

Which kind of tears do you think God wants to see from us?

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”—2 Corinthians 7:10.

 

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Wheeeeeere’s Johnny!?

Posted on April 30, 2018 by jesustrek

Johnny Carson

Is anyone else missing Johnny Carson these days? The talented late night television host had a winsome way of captivating audiences with his witty observations of the world around him. Carson’s wry jabs and quips were delivered with a twinkle in his eye and his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. He could poke fun at any target without demonizing them. His gentle style was genuinely funny, and the laughter that he brought was proof of that.

Johnny Carson’s classy humor stands in stark contrast to what we see from many comedians today. Their “humor” drips with venom as they spew their obvious hatred toward their targets. Shooting daggers with their eyes, they nearly foam at the mouth as they deliver their mean cheap shots. They show no class and no compassion whatsoever. And besides that, they aren’t very funny.

A good example of this was seen at the recent White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where comedian Michelle Wolf attempted to entertain the attendees. Her mean-spirited attempts at humor were met with nervous chuckles and audible groans. Her failure to be funny was a painful pity to behold.

Like I said earlier, is anyone else missing Johnny Carson these days? To paraphrase Simon and Garfunkel, “Where have you gone Johnny Carson? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.”

“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place…”—Ephesians 5:4.

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Unlikely Spokesperson

Posted on April 26, 2018 by jesustrek

Bill Hader

In 2013, Bill Hader was hired to be the commercial voice of “Mr. Peanut”. Ironically, Hader was chosen for the role despite having a severe peanut allergy! To say the least, he was an unlikely spokesperson for peanuts.

God has a history of choosing unlikely people to speak for him. Fearful Gideon became a great warrior. The young widow Ruth found herself in the genealogy of Christ. Rebellious Jonah eventually converted many evil people. A carpenter and a simple Jewish girl became the earthly parents of Jesus. Peter soon went from denying Christ to proclaiming him as the Savior of the world.

God continually uses unlikely people to speak for him. People like you and me.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”—Acts 1:8.

 

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Inner Beauty

Posted on April 25, 2018 by jesustrek

Barbara Bush

Since the recent death of former first lady Barbara Bush, many stories have been told about how she lived her life. One of the stories that impressed me the most is that she wore fake pearls and a $29 pair of shoes to her husband’s inauguration. Mrs. Bush was certainly no slave to fashion!

The Bible tells us not to be too concerned with outward appearances. It is what is on the inside that really counts.

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”—1 Timothy 2:9-10.

 

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Contagious Courage

Posted on April 24, 2018 by jesustrek

Thomas Carlyle

Fear seems to be contagious. Ten of the twelve men who were sent to explore the land of Canaan came back with a fearful report, which caused the people to rebel against the Lord (Numbers 13 and 14).

However, courage is contagious as well. When God told Joshua that he needed to be strong and courageous as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua then encouraged the people to be brave. They responded with the boldness and courage necessary for the mission (Joshua 1).

Thomas Carlyle said, “Tell a man he is brave, and you help him to become so.”

Let us always take courage from the Lord, with the idea that we will in turn help someone else be courageous as well.

 

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Catching Fish

Posted on April 23, 2018 by jesustrek

A man was returning home from an unsuccessful fishing trip when he stopped at a fish market. He told the person working behind the counter, “Toss me two of your biggest fish.”

“Excuse me?” the confused worker replied.

“I said to toss me two of your biggest fish. I told my wife I was going to catch some fish for dinner and that’s exactly what I plan to do!”

Jesus tells us to catch people, and that’s exactly what we ought to do!

“…From now on you will fish for people.”—Luke 5:10.

 

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Sober Living

Posted on April 20, 2018 by jesustrek

For some reason, April 20 has become a day when many people celebrate the use of marijuana. Those who enjoy participating in this particular vice make sure that they get together with some like-minded friends and smoke some of their favorite intoxicant.

Public opinion seems to be trending toward legalization of recreational use of marijuana. Continued attempts to ban it may not succeed any more than prohibition’s attempt to end alcohol consumption.

I suppose that those who prefer spending at least part of their lives in an altered state will always find a way to do so. However, the Bible consistently urges us to avoid drunkenness and pursue a clear-minded, sober life. This is not just good advice for people driving automobiles. It is necessary for those who want to take firm control of their lives to choose sobriety, thus avoiding the many painful mistakes made by those who have chosen not to live a sober life.

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”—1 Peter 4:7.

 

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Too Late!

Posted on April 19, 2018 by jesustrek

Eva Harrison, a senior at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky, missed her prom last Saturday. She forgot to buy her tickets! She made all of the other preparations, but she didn’t remember to buy the tickets before the deadline. Because of safety concerns, the school doesn’t allow last-minute ticket purchases. Eva made a plea to be an exception, but school officials held firm on their policy, and Eva missed the prom.

Many people feel that the school should have shown more grace in this instance, but there is something to be learned here. We need to get ready for important events! We need to make preparations for the return of Jesus! There will come a time when it is too late to get ready. The time to prepare is now!

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come”—Matthew 24:42.

 

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