More on Stress

Posted on December 15, 2017 by jesustrek

Yesterday I wrote about how whales that have been caught in fishing nets show levels of stress that are remarkably higher than the average stress level for a whale. I applied that to how the Christmas season brings more stress, and urged readers to focus on what is truly important—God and his kingdom.

There is another way we can apply this illustration.

The Bible warns that there is a danger of becoming tangled up in sin. Sin is a great source of stress in people’s lives. Once they get caught up in: sexual immorality, greed, lust, lying, gossip, stealing, bullying, etc., their stress levels often go through the roof.

The antidote for this kind of stress is repentance. Leave your sin behind and watch your stress level come down as you live in obedience to God.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”—Hebrews 12:1-2.

 

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Stressed

Posted on December 14, 2017 by jesustrek

Research shows that whales that have been caught in fishing nets experience a great amount of stress. Bayla, a young female whale, showed stress levels eight times higher than normal after she was found entangled in synthetic fishing ropes in January, 2011.

We humans are, of course, prone to stress as well. The Christmas season is a time of year when the many extra activities and obligations can seem to entangle us in a nerve-wracking web of entrapment. We must be careful that we don’t allow the blessings of the season to be taken away from us because of stress. We must focus on what is important and remember our priorities by putting God first this Christmas season.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry…”—Matthew 6:25.

“”But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”—Matthew 6:33.

 

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Financial Words of Wisdom

Posted on December 13, 2017 by jesustrek

The following statements are attributed to Abraham Lincoln:

“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.”

It is too bad that our nation has neglected common sense in our collective attitude toward financial matters. This has caused us to adopt practices that bring a lot of financial pain and suffering in people’s lives. Hopefully, we can turn this around and restore some time-tested financial principles that will benefit all people.

“Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.”—Proverbs 16:11.

 

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It’s On the Menu

Posted on December 12, 2017 by jesustrek

Joel Cohen sat down in a Manhattan diner and noticed schav on the menu. Since he hadn’t had a bowl of the cold, sour soup in quite a while, he ordered some.

“We don’t have it today,” said the waitress.

“Oh, you have it only on certain days?” he asked.

“No, we never have it.”

He was confused. “Then why is it on the menu?”

“Oh,” she said with a shrug, “some people like it.”

We Christians should know that people like to experience the love of God. It should not only be on the menu of every church, it should always be available.

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…”—Romans 13:8.

 

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Authoritative

Posted on December 8, 2017 by jesustrek

In Christian Reader, Erma Landis writes:

“For decades, anyone living within five or six miles of the hat factory in Denver, Pennsylvania, set their clocks and watches by the sirens the factory set off five days a week. At 5:30am, the wake-up siren would begin the day followed by the starting, lunchtime, and quitting sirens at the designated times.

When the siren system was eventually disbanded, a friend of mine was reminiscing with the timekeeper about his job. ‘What did you use to determine the exact time?’

With a twinkle in his eye, the man reached in his pocket and pulled out a child’s Mickey Mouse watch.”

You have to be careful about where you get your final authority on important matters!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17.

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Impending Doom

Posted on December 6, 2017 by jesustrek

The other Harry Truman

Harry Truman (not the president) and his 23 cats lived on Mt. St. Helens in Washington. In May of 1980, scientists agreed that this volcanic mountain was about to erupt. They warned people to evacuate the area, but Harry Truman refused to leave. The experts said, “This mountain is going to blow.” Harry said, “I don’t believe a single one of your experts. I’ve lived here all my life. I know this old mountain better than anybody else. I’m not going anywhere.”

On May 18, 1980, at 8:31am, Mt. St. Helens blew up with a force 500 times greater than the power of the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.

No one has seen a trace of Harry or his 23 cats since.

Many people insist that the wrath of God will never be poured out on the wicked. They are wrong.

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”—Romans 1:18.

Better seek safety in Jesus!

 

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Not An Easy Task

Posted on December 4, 2017 by jesustrek

Alex Domokos shares the following story:

“My mother cast one of her students as the innkeeper for the Christmas pageant. All the third grader had to do was tell Joseph, ‘There is no room at the inn.’

But during the performance—after Joseph begged for a room for his pregnant wife—the boy didn’t have the heart to turn him down.

‘Well,’ he said, ‘if it’s so urgent, come on in.’

Life wasn’t that easy for the soon-to-be-born Jesus. He had many difficulties to face. Knowing full well what would happen, Jesus left his home in heaven and came down to earth in the form of a baby. His destiny would lead him to the cross, where he would die to pay the price for the sins of mankind. It was not an easy task, but it was one that had to be performed in order for us to be saved.

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”—Philippians 2:8.

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Cheerful Giver

Posted on December 2, 2017 by jesustrek

The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver. He doesn’t want us to give with a poor attitude or a reluctant heart.

Suppose a man bought a gift for his wife on their anniversary, tossed it on her lap and said, “Here. The kids said I better buy you something or you would pout for weeks. It cost too much, but I hope you’re satisfied.”

Would the wife be pleased with that gift? Of course not!

In the same way, God is not pleased with anything that we bring to him because we feel compelled to do it against our will. He wants us to give out of an attitude of joy and love, thankful for the privilege of honoring a heavenly Father who loves us so much.

“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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The Secret of Being Content

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jesustrek

I am very good at keeping secrets. However, the people I talk to are not very good at all about keeping secrets!

Paul the apostle says that there is a secret to being content. He does not keep that secret to himself, he shares it with us in Phil. 4:12-13—“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

The secret of being content is to rely on the power that Jesus gives us to be satisfied with the salvation that we have in him. It is important to understand the context of Phil. 4:13, one of the most beloved verses in the Bible, and one of the most misused. It is not saying that Jesus gives us the power to perform superhuman feats. This verse tells us that it is the through the power of Jesus that we can be content with our lot in life. This power keeps us from complaining and points us to a life filled with thanksgiving to God for the salvation that we have in Jesus.

Have you learned the secret to being content?

 

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Others Need Help Too

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jesustrek

My grandmother, who taught elementary school in a poor community for over 40 years, was concerned about helping children who were in need. She once noticed that a young boy was desperately in need of a pair of shoes, so she bought him a pair. Then she became concerned that the boy’s parents might be offended at her unrequested act of kindness. Her fears were alleviated when the boy came to school the next day and told her, “My parents said to tell you that my brother needs a pair of shoes too!”

Jesus said that the poor would always be with us, and the implication is that we should be concerned about helping them. There are many opportunities to give to worthwhile Christian causes that give aid to the poor. Let’s see what we can do to help someone in need.

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.”—Proverbs 19:17.

 

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