Sacrificial Giving

Posted on September 7, 2017 by jesustrek

Someone once pointed out that you can look at your breakfast of bacon and eggs to see a good example of the difference between commitment and sacrifice. The chicken was committed to providing for your breakfast. However, the pig was the one who made an actual sacrifice!

In our giving to the Lord, there is a difference between commitment and sacrifice. This is not to say that commitment is a bad thing. We need people who are committed to giving their tithes and offerings on a regular basis so that the gospel message can be spread and so that people who are underprivileged can be served in the name of Jesus.

However, there are times when sacrificial giving is needed. Sometimes we need to go beyond our normal offering in order to meet a sudden need that arises. It might be that we have to do without something in order to give on such a level. Some Christians have chosen to give up their family’s second car or to get rid of cable TV or forgo their family vacation in order to give to a worthy cause.

These are just a few examples of what it means to give sacrificially.

“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”—Luke 21:1-4.

 

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Beware the Little Things

Posted on September 6, 2017 by jesustrek

Drywood termites

I have read that termites destroy more homes than earthquakes. If this is true, then perhaps we should re-examine our priorities about what is to be feared.

Maybe we should pay more attention to the little things that threaten destruction in our lives. An affair can destroy a marriage, but so can simple neglect. The moral failure of a leader can bring great harm to a church, but so can a gossip that is never confronted. Drug abuse can tear a family apart, but so can the distractions that the world has to offer. Committing a serious crime can ruin your witness, but so can a careless word.

Beware the little things!

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”—Proverbs 27:12.

 

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Fishing

Posted on September 5, 2017 by jesustrek

I recently went kayaking on Lake Barkley in southwestern Kentucky. As I was paddling along, a huge fish jumped out of the water right in front of me. It jumped about 3 feet high, and came just a few feet from landing right in my lap! That would have been a nice—if unexpected—catch!

In Luke 5, Jesus provided such a miraculous catch of fish that it caused some experienced fishermen to be astonished and afraid. Verses 10-11 read—“…Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

If we are following Jesus, we will be fishing for other people, to get them to follow him also.

Sometimes the fishing will prove to be difficult.

Other times, they jump up right in front of you.

 

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High Drama!

Posted on September 1, 2017 by jesustrek

A couple of television shows that I am currently watching have a common theme—saving the human race.

Salvation is a show about a huge meteor that will collide with the earth in just a few months. The impact of this meteor would surely wipe out all human life. Few people are aware of this impending danger, but those who do know of it are scrambling to find a way to divert the meteor and save the planet.

The other show, The Last Ship, tells the story of a virus that threatened to kill all humanity. After hundreds of millions of deaths, mankind finally found a cure for the awful disease. Now, the virus has mutated and is killing crops all over the planet. The race is on to stop the virus from causing everyone to die of starvation.

All of this intense drama is quite entertaining. The stakes are high, and the consequences of failure are almost too terrible to even think about.

This drama, however, is pure fiction. There is a real drama playing out before us in which the stakes are even higher. Not just the lives of all human beings, but their eternal souls, are at stake. Every person on the face of the earth has been infected with sin, and this will lead to their eternal death unless something is done about it.

Thankfully, something has been done! God sent his Son Jesus to save the world from their sins. And Jesus has sent his followers out into the world to bring to him as many people as we can, so they can escape destruction and enjoy eternal life.

The stakes couldn’t get any higher than that!

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”—1 John 2:2.

“Save others by snatching them from the fire…”—Jude 23.

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Actually Helping

Posted on August 31, 2017 by jesustrek

In these days when practically everyone has a phone with camera capabilities with them at all times, we see more recordings of rescue efforts. It is rare that some type of emergency situation unfolds without someone there to record it and put it on the internet for the whole world to see.

Someone recently pointed out (jokingly?) that it seems that there are more people taking pictures of a rescue than there are people actually helping!

That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it does make us stop and think about whether we are helping to make a situation better, or merely one of the bystanders who are not involved in helping at all.

Of course there are times when we need to get out of the way of trained first responders. However, there are many situations where we can offer help. Let us always be ready to do so.

“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”—Luke 10:31-33.

 

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Reflecting the Son

Posted on August 29, 2017 by jesustrek

The recent total eclipse of the sun reminded me of the primary purpose of the moon. Rather than block out the sun, the moon was created to reflect the sun’s light so that mankind could have at least some way to see at night.

In the same way, we are not to block out the light of the Son, Jesus Christ. We Christians are given the task of reflecting his light in this dark world. As we shine, we light the way for others so that they can make their way out of darkness to live in his glorious light!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:14-16.

 

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Tale of Two Churches

Posted on August 28, 2017 by jesustrek

As my wife and I drove to southwestern Kentucky to view the recent total eclipse of the sun, we passed a couple of churches that had totally different ideas about how they should respond to the throng of people flooding into their area to witness the event.

The first church decided to create a welcoming atmosphere. Signs invited people to park for free. People were encouraged to enjoy refreshments and fellowship as they waited to view the eclipse. Many took them up on their offer, tailgating in the church parking lot and setting up chairs and umbrellas on the grassy area of the property. People seemed happy and excited about having a safe place to watch the event.

Just a few miles down the road we saw a church that had taken a different approach. There were no signs to welcome visitors. As a matter of fact, their parking lot was roped off, denying entry to anyone who wanted to come in for any reason. That church’s campus was desolate. They did not seem to want any outsiders on their property.

Two different churches; two radically different approaches.

If your church had been in the area where the eclipse could be viewed in its totality, which approach would you have taken?

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

 

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Blocking the Sun

Posted on August 26, 2017 by jesustrek

Like millions of other residents of the United States, my wife and I drove quite a distance to get the best view possible of the total solar eclipse that took place on Monday, August 21. It was well worth the time and effort. The event was one of the most spectacular things I have ever witnessed. When the moon completely blocked the sun’s light, it became quite dark. Crickets began to chirp. Night lights came on. It was amazing!

It reminded me of what happens when the light of the Son, Jesus Christ, is not seen by humans. When lack of faith prevents the light from being discerned, darkness prevails. If Jesus is not allowed to shine, then sin becomes dominant, and people suffer greatly.

Let us see to it that nothing blocks the Son!

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”—John 1:9-12.

 

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The Bible Builds Character

Posted on August 24, 2017 by jesustrek

It is amazing how many people: believe that the Bible is the Word of God, admit that what the Bible says is important, yet rarely read what the Bible has to say!

Hosea 4:6 warns, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge…” It is sad to see so many people slowly destroying themselves by refusing to accept the truth of God’s Word that teaches us how to be saved and how to live an effective life for Jesus.

In addition to its life-saving message, the Bible builds character. Acts 17:11 says, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

In short, if you want to avoid destruction and you desire to build character—read the Bible!

 

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The Voice of Authority

Posted on August 23, 2017 by jesustrek

The cover letter of a job application contained the following statement—“I listen to what the company president says, but I still make my own moves because I know what is best.”

That kind of attitude is probably not going to get that job seeker a lot of interviews! Most employers are looking for employees who know who is in charge of the company. Willingness to take orders is a desirable characteristic in a worker.

Sadly, the attitude expressed by the aforementioned job seeker is one that is held by many who claim to be Christians. They listen to what the CEO—Jesus—has to say, and then they do whatever they want. They think that they know better how to: spend their time and money, use their energy, make moral decisions, etc.

It’s no wonder Jesus asks the question, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

 

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