May I Speak with the Owner?

Posted on October 19, 2017 by jesustrek

Churches are not exempt from getting telephone calls from solicitors. These callers often do not know that they have dialed the number of a church, and their standard sales pitch does not quite fit the situation.

Just the other day, the church phone rang, and I did not recognize the out of town number. Suspecting it was an unsolicited sales call, I answered the phone anyway, giving the caller my name and the name of the church. The background chatter I heard and the fact that the person on the other end of the line didn’t respond immediately to my voice deepened my suspicions that I was talking to someone who would try to sell me something.

The salesman obviously didn’t hear my initial greeting, which, once again, contained my name and the name of the church. His first question was, “May I speak with the owner”?

I have a sarcastic streak, so I almost replied, “Sure, you can speak to the owner any time you want!” However, my nice side won out, and I explained that he was talking to someone at a church. After assuring him that I would not be making any financial decisions at that time, we pleasantly ended the phone call.

However, you can talk to the owner of the church any time you choose. If you know him.

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”—John 16:23.

 

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Surprise Reunion

Posted on October 18, 2017 by jesustrek

I enjoy watching those surprise reunions between military personnel and their family members after they have been separated for a long time. A typical scheme is to have the returning enlisted person pretend to be the catcher at a baseball game where the unsuspecting spouse or child is asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. When the catcher takes his mask off and reveals his identity, the joyful surprise is always heart-warming.

As I watch the videos of these reunions, I know what is coming. Yet my reaction is always the same—I am elated that the loved ones have been reunited.

The Bible says that Jesus will return for his church. The One who loves us more than anyone else ever could is coming back for us someday. That truth is not hidden from us. But the fact that we know that it is coming will not lessen the joy that we will feel when our reunion with Jesus is ultimately realized!

Communion is a wonderful preview of the joy believers will experience when Jesus returns for us.

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”—1 Corinthians 11:26.

 

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Powerful Performance

Posted on October 16, 2017 by jesustrek

Last week my elbow suddenly swelled, and I was diagnosed with bursitis. My doctor prescribed a round of steroids, and the swelling soon subsided.

This is just background information that leads me to say this: Yesterday was the first Sunday I ever preached under the influence of performance-enhancing drugs. The elders of our church have been suggesting for years that I try something like this. After my effort yesterday, the congregation unanimously wants me to stay on steroids. However, I don’t think my doctor will go along with it.

Seriously, the only thing we Christians need to enable a powerful performance is the Holy Spirit of God working in us!

“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:29.

 

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Singing From the Heart

Posted on October 12, 2017 by jesustrek

Here is a cute story passed along by Barbara McKeever:

As a lady in our church was singing a solo, my four-year-old grandson tugged at my sleeve. “Nana,” he said, “she can’t sing very well, can she?”

Knowing the deep faith of this wonderful lady, I said, “Chandler, she sings from her heart, so it’s good.” He nodded with understanding.

Several days later as we were singing along with the car radio, Chandler interrupted me. “Nana,” he said, “you sing from your heart too, don’t you?”

“…Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—Ephesians 5:19-20.

 

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Same Size

Posted on October 7, 2017 by jesustrek

Jose Altuve

At 5-foot-6, Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros is one of the shortest players to ever play major league baseball. However, Altuve showed up big in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox this past Thursday. The Houston slugger knocked 3 home runs out of the ball park to lift the Astros to victory!

After the game, Altuve had this to say: “As soon as I cross the white line, I feel the same size as everyone else.”

When it comes to our standing in the eyes of God, we Christians are all the same. Therefore there is no reason for anyone to feel superior or inferior.

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”—Galatians 3:26-28.

 

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Bad Results

Posted on October 7, 2017 by jesustrek

A recent cartoon of Dennis the Menace pictured the mischievous young fellow kneeing at his bedside for his nightly prayers. As usual, he had some confessing to do—“It was an honest mistake with bad results.”

Some of our sins are honest mistakes. We thought we were doing or saying the right thing, but it turned out that we were wrong.

Quite often our sins are not merely honest mistakes. We deliberately chose to do the wrong thing. Our sinful nature won out, and we acted out in rebellion against God.

All sins, whether honest mistakes or outright rebellion, have bad results. Sometimes we have to suffer the consequences of our sin, even if it is forgiven.

For sin that is not covered by the blood of Jesus, the bad results are almost too terrifying to consider! Thank God that Jesus died on the cross so that we could be saved from the ultimate bad results of our sins!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”—Romans 8:1.

 

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Just Like a Real Companion

Posted on October 6, 2017 by jesustrek

The Quobo, available in two colors

The Quobo is a new invention introduced by the Japanese company Yukai Engineering. The idea is to give a person the comforting sensation of having a cat sit on your lap, but without the mess and responsibility of having to care for an actual pet.

This device is essentially a pillow with a tail. When you hold it in your lap and pet it, it vibrates to simulate purring, and it even waves its tail.

The invention was recently unveiled at a trade show. It should cost about $100 when it becomes available next year.

Unfortunately, many people have adopted the same approach when it comes to human companionship. Real relationships are too messy and far too much trouble to maintain. It is so much easier to have friends on social media than to have actual friends. Short electronic messages have replaced deep, honest conversations. Many relationships have become quite shallow and fake.

Easier? Yes. Fulfilling? Not really.

Let’s overcome the temptation to be satisfied with shallow relationships. Let’s strive to cultivate the deep, loving fellowship that we see described in the New Testament.

“Above all, love each other deeply…”—1 Peter 4:8.

 

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Better Me

Posted on October 4, 2017 by jesustrek

Troy Gentry

Country music singer Troy Gentry, age 50, was tragically killed in a helicopter crash on September 8, 2017. He and Eddie Montgomery had comprised the popular duo, Montgomery Gentry. The two had achieved quite a bit of success in the music business over the past several years.

One of Montgomery Gentry’s songs is called “Better Me”. It features Gentry singing about putting wilder days behind him to get closer to God and family. This song tells Gentry’s life story. While he hadn’t always lived for God, his last years were spent as a Christian man, devoted to Jesus and to his family.

While his life ended tragically, it could have had a far worse ending. Perhaps his life, and the music he left behind, can inspire others to turn to God like he did.

“…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”—Luke 13:5.

 

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Real Love

Posted on October 3, 2017 by jesustrek

A certain man was always telling his neighbor how much he loved the children in the neighborhood. One day this man had a new sidewalk poured in front of his house. Before the cement had hardened, some of the neighborhood children ran through it and left their footprints.

The man became extremely angry. Venting to his neighbor, he exclaimed that the offending children should be punished for what they had done.

The neighbor reminded his friend how he often said that he loved children very much.

He replied, “I love children in the abstract—not in the concrete!”

Love is not merely an abstract concept. Real love is expressed in the good deeds that we perform for others.

“In the same way, 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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Amazing Spectacle

Posted on October 2, 2017 by jesustrek

According to some reports, the August 21 total solar eclipse was perhaps the most watched event in American history. A study conducted by the University of Michigan says that about 215 million American adults watched the eclipse, either directly or on video. 88 percent of the population viewed the event—nearly twice as many as the 111 million who watched this year’s Super Bowl.

It is amazing that so many people wanted to watch the sun become hidden by the moon. If only that many would be so excited about the Day when the Son of God will be revealed in all of his splendor and glory!

“…This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”—Acts 1:11.

 

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