Still Connected

Posted on March 8, 2018 by jesustrek

Laura Lovejoy tells about a time when she had the opportunity to minister to a lady whose dementia was so advanced that she no longer recognized her husband. Laura knew through her family that the lady had been a woman of deep faith. She held the lady’s hand and talked to her, hoping some word of comfort might reach her. And when Laura started saying the Lord’s Prayer, she joined in word for word. Though her connection to the world had faltered, her connection to God remained.

So it is with those who devote themselves to prayer and the Word of God.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”—Acts 2:42.

 

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Family Name

Posted on March 7, 2018 by jesustrek

There once was a fellow who was curious about his family history, so he paid someone $200 to do some extensive research about his ancestors. When the report came back, the man was shocked to discover that he had many criminals and other despicable people in his family tree. So he gave the researcher another $1,000 to keep everything quiet!

If we wear the name “Christian”, we should have a great desire to honor the family name. This desire should have a profound effect on what we say and what we do. Jesus tells us to pray that our heavenly Father’s name will be honored. A big part of how that prayer is answered has to do with our actions.

Let’s do our best to bring honor to our family name.

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’”—Matthew 6:9.

 

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Unusual Title

Posted on March 5, 2018 by jesustrek

A lady once came in to the office of a large church, wanting to see the Pastor of Missions. This was a large church, with several pastors, each with a specific title—Senior Pastor, Pastor of Caring and Fellowship, and so on. The lady was searching in her mind for the correct title of the person she wished to see. Finally, she asked the church receptionist, “May I see the Minister of Passion?”

While this would be an unusual title for a pastor, in a very real sense God has called all of his people to be ministers of passion. Let us be reminded of what Jesus says should be our top priorities—“’…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”—Matthew 22:37-40.

 

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Old Clothes

Posted on March 2, 2018 by jesustrek

A husband reluctantly agreed to allow his wife to sell some of his old clothes in her yard sale. He thought they were fine, but she insisted that they were outdated.

One shopper came by, picked up one of the old outfits, and exclaimed, “This is perfect!”

The husband quickly gave his wife a smug look—until the woman continued, “These will look terrific on my scarecrow!”

Sometimes we think the filthy rags of our sinful lives look pretty good. But in reality, we need to exchange those dirty old clothes for the robes of righteousness that Jesus offers to everyone who will accept his grace and mercy.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”—Colossians 3:12.

 

 

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He Heard You

Posted on March 1, 2018 by jesustrek

Winston Churchill

A story is told about a time when Winston Churchill was attending an official ceremony in London. Two men behind him recognized him and began to whisper behind his back.

“They say Churchill’s quite senile now,” said one.

“Yes, and they say he’s doing England more harm than good,” replied the other.

“They say he should step aside and leave the running of this government to younger, more dynamic people,” continued the first man.

Churchill turned and in a loud voice said, “They also say he’s quite deaf.”

Your gossip, grumbling and criticism might be heard by more people than you think!

“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”—James 5:9.

 

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New Ways

Posted on February 28, 2018 by jesustrek

I don’t put much stock in the predictions of Chinese fortune cookies, but I usually read mine to see what it says. At my most recent stop at a Chinese restaurant, my fortune cookie said, “You will be asked to step up to the plate in new ways.”

I hated to hear that. The ways that I am currently stepping up to the plate seem to be all I can handle most days! I am not sure that I am ready for any “new ways”, whatever that might entail.

Then I got to thinking about people in the Bible who embraced “new ways”. Moses traded shepherding sheep for shepherding people. Perfume-makers and goldsmiths became bricklayers for Nehemiah when the circumstances called for it. Some of the disciples switched from one type of fishing to another.

I suppose that if the Lord calls upon me to do some things differently, I had better step to the plate and take my best swing.

“…I am making everything new!…”—Revelation 21:5.

 

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Learning How to Pray

Posted on February 27, 2018 by jesustrek

A busy mother and housewife had worked hard all day to prepare to have some guests over for an evening meal. When it came time to sit down and eat, the lady asked her young daughter if she would say a prayer. The little girl protested, “But Mommy, I don’t know how to pray!”

“Sure you do, honey. Just pray like you’ve heard me pray.”

“OK. Dear Lord, as busy as I am, why did I invite all those people over tonight!?”

It is important that we learn how to pray properly. When his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, he gave them, and us, a model to go by. (Luke 11:1-4).

Let us continue to learn from the Master by using the model prayer.

 

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Need Your Help

Posted on February 26, 2018 by jesustrek

A small town had only one bank and three churches. One Monday morning, the bank called all three churches with the same request: “Could you bring in Sunday’s collection right away? We are out of $1 bills.”

It is a shame that Christians, who serve a radically generous God, can so often be quite miserly in their response to God’s goodness. God gave us everything, yet many want to give him so little.

Let’s do our best to be the generous givers that God wants us to be.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Corinthians 9:7.

 

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No Experience Necessary

Posted on February 23, 2018 by jesustrek

The human resources director was interviewing a prospective employee when she noticed that the applicant had written down an enormous figure as a salary request. “You certainly expect to be compensated well for someone who has no previous experience in this line of work.”

The applicant replied, “I certainly do. Work is a lot harder when you don’t know what you’re doing!”

Sometimes when we serve the Lord it feels like we are in over our heads; like we don’t know what we are doing. But as we seek his wisdom and work in the strength he gives us, we find a way to get the job done.

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:28-29.

 

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Hang In There!

Posted on February 22, 2018 by jesustrek

Debra K. Johnson writes about the time her 7-year-old daughter wanted to take violin lessons. She took her daughter to a music store to rent an instrument. Hoping that the young girl would understand the importance of making a commitment to practice, Debra explained to her that the music lessons would be expensive. She was willing to make the financial sacrifices if her daughter promised to work hard. “There may be times you’ll feel like giving up,” Debra said, “but I want you to hang in there and keep on trying.”

She nodded in understanding and then in a serious voice said, “It will be just like marriage, right Mom?”

Or just like following Jesus.

“…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown”—Revelation 2:10.

 

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