Big, Big Cross

Posted on March 30, 2018 by jesustrek

Bald Knob Cross

One of the largest crosses in the world is located on Bald Knob in southern Illinois. It towers 111 feet high and can be seen for miles in every direction.

However, the cross of Jesus towers even higher. It towers over our vain ambitions. It towers above our petty concerns. It towers over everything that is worldly and unspiritual. It towers above life itself.

Let’s lift up the crucified Jesus so that all the world can see the huge impact of the cross.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”—John 12:32.

 

 

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Obedience

Posted on March 29, 2018 by jesustrek

James Isenberg remembers teaching a lesson to a group of Boy Scouts one evening. The topic was the Ten Commandments. James asked the scouts if they could name any of them. They began to call out answers—some right, some wrong. One kid shouted out, “Don’t drink and drive!”

OK, that is some very good advice, but it didn’t make the Top 10!

That’s just a reminder that there are a lot of important instructions in the Bible. The list of things to do and not to do numbers far more than ten. While this fact might seem overwhelming at times, we need to remember that following Jesus is a lifelong process. We are continually learning how we can do a better job of obeying our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:19-20.

 

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The Surprise of Easter

Posted on March 28, 2018 by jesustrek

It just so happens that Easter falls on April 1 this year—April Fools’ Day. This has led some pranksters to consider the humor in staging a fake Easter egg hunt—allowing children to believe that there were eggs hidden for them to find when in fact that was not the case. It seems to me to be just a little bit cruel to even consider such an unpleasant surprise.

Many people must have been unpleasantly surprised when Jesus rose from the tomb on resurrection Sunday: the religious leaders who had worked so hard to get Jesus out of the way, the crowds who had mocked him as he hung on the cross, the Roman soldiers who executed him, and the devil, who probably thought that he had won when Jesus died.

The fact that Jesus was raised from the dead may have been an unpleasant surprise for some, but it was the best thing that could have happened for the human race. The crucified, yet resurrected, Jesus gives hope to all humanity. Lost in our sins, we now have the way to be reconciled to God, who in his mercy sent his one and only Son to die to pay for our sins. This crucified Jesus was raised from the dead, giving assurance of life after death, not only for Jesus, but for all who would place their complete trust in him.

For those who believe, Easter is the best surprise ever!

“…He has risen!…”—Mark 16:6.

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Very Tempting

Posted on March 27, 2018 by jesustrek

Lewis Grizzard

The late humorist Lewis Grizzard once said, “I am by no means trying to condone adultery, but the fact is, it’s one of the most popular of the Ten Commandments to break. Who goes around making graven images today?”

Some sins do indeed seem to be more popular than others. It has always been that way. From ancient times, we see in the Bible that people gave in to the same temptations that plague mankind today. Sinful behaviors that we see today are certainly nothing new.

The fact that sinful temptations are an on-going occurrence means that we must be ever diligent to resist them. Don’t ever let down your guard!

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”—James 4:7.

 

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Too Many Voices

Posted on March 26, 2018 by jesustrek

Years ago I was playing slow pitch softball, and a player on the opposing team hit a scorching line drive up the middle. The ball was hit so hard that our pitcher wasn’t able to field it cleanly, but he did get his glove on it and knocked it down. However, he couldn’t locate the ball, even though we were all shouting at him, telling him where the ball was. He looked to his left, then to his right. Finally, he saw that the ball was directly behind him, but by then it was too late. The runner had safely reached first base.

Later we asked our pitcher why it took so long for him to find the ball, especially with all of us telling him where it was. He answered, “All I heard was noise that sounded like a bunch of dogs barking!” What he needed was not several people shouting at him. What he needed was one clear voice telling him what to do.

In this world there are many voices coming at us all at once. It can be quite confusing. What we need to do is to concentrate on one clear voice—the voice of Jesus!

“…This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”—Matthew 17:5.

 

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Standing for the Truth

Posted on March 21, 2018 by jesustrek

We live in an age where many consider truth to be relative. To insist that there is such a thing as absolute truth offends a lot of people. However, Jesus says that the truth not only exists, but that it is crucially important—“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—John 8:32.

Don’t live in a self-constructed prison of falsehood. Be aware of the schemes of the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44). Always be ready to take a bold stand for the truth!

The late Wayne Smith said, “It is better to be divided by truth than united in error. It is better to speak the truth that hurts than falsehoods that comfort. It is better to be hated for telling the truth than liked for telling a lie. It is better to stand alone with truth than be wrong with a multitude.”

Are you ready to stand for the truth?

 

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Timing Is Right

Posted on March 20, 2018 by jesustrek

A lady once called the office of her church and asked to speak to one of the ministers. When she got one of the pastors on the phone she asked him if he or one of the pastoral staff could pay a visit to her nephew. She explained that the nephew had a burglar break into his home in the middle of the night while he was asleep. The nephew woke up when the intruder entered his bedroom. Startled, the criminal started shooting at point blank range, then fled the scene. Police investigating the crime told the man that he was very fortunate that he wasn’t killed or seriously wounded. “So,” the woman concluded, “I think my nephew is ready to listen to the gospel message!”

We need to watch for windows of opportunity where people might be more receptive to listening to the good news about salvation through Jesus. Such occasions might include: a near death experience, a graduation, a wedding, a birth, the death of a loved one or a serious illness.

Can you name other windows of opportunity we need to be watching for?

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”—Colossians 4:5.

 

 

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The Importance of Prayer

Posted on March 16, 2018 by jesustrek

Some vandals once broke into a church building and set it on fire. It just so happened that a group of men in the congregation were scheduled to gather at the church to pray early that morning. When they got there they smelled smoke and called the fire department. The firefighters arrived in time to extinguish the flames and save the building. Had those men not come to church to pray, the building would have been destroyed.

I suppose that prayer can save a church in other ways too.

“Pray continually.”—1 Thessalonians 5:17.

 

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No Worries!

Posted on March 15, 2018 by jesustrek

Two men were survivors of a shipwreck, stranded together on a deserted island. One man started working frantically, constructing a large SOS sign made out of stones and gathering wood to make a signal fire.

Meanwhile, the other man sat under a palm tree, relaxing in the shade.

“Why aren’t you helping me?” the first man asked. “We have to do everything we can to make sure that we are rescued!”

“Don’t worry,” the second man answered. “I earn over a million dollars a year.”

“What good is your money out here? We still need to help people find us!”

“You didn’t let me finish. I earn over a million dollars a year and I tithe. My pastor will find me!”

People who tithe on their income, whether they are rich or not, are valuable church members indeed!

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”—Malachi 3:10.

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One Lord, One Faith

Posted on March 14, 2018 by jesustrek

Did you hear about the Baptist who was injured in an automobile accident? He was rushed to a Methodist hospital. The emergency room doctor was from the Church of the Nazarene. The surgical nurse belonged to the Church of God. The physical therapist attended the Community Church. The dietician was from the Assembly of God. The chaplain was a member of the Church of Christ.

I heard that by the time the injured fellow was released from the hospital he was a United Brethren!

Jesus prayed that his followers would be united (John 17:20-21). May we all keep this in mind as we work together in his kingdom!

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”—Ephesians 4:3.

 

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