Off Course

Posted on August 22, 2017 by jesustrek

On October 31, 1983, Korean Airlines flight 007 departed from Anchorage, Alaska for a direct flight to Seoul. Due to an unknown 1 ½ degree error in the navigational system computer, the giant 747 jet strayed off course, eventually flying into Soviet air space. Soviet radar picked up the jet, fighters were scrambled to intercept it, and over mainland Russia they shot flight 007 out of the sky, killing all on board.

Sometimes a seemingly small mistake can cause us to veer far off course spiritually. One wrong decision can put us on the path to disaster.

It’s no wonder that the Bible continually urges us to check our course, make sure that we are headed in the right direction and make any necessary changes to keep ourselves on the right path!

“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”—Luke 13:5.

 

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They Grow Better Together

Posted on August 21, 2017 by jesustrek

As we planned the landscaping for our new home, a friend gave us some cannas to plant. These tall colorful flowers did well in the soil around our house, and we enjoyed their beauty all summer and fall.

Cannas are tropical flowers, so I did as instructed and dug up the tubers last fall and stored them in the basement over the winter. When spring arrived, I planted them again. Not only did I plant a patch near one corner of the house, like we did last year, I also planted some along another side of the house and another line of them along one end of the house. (As I said, I really like cannas!).

Once again, the patch of cannas that I planted grouped together did extremely well. However, the ones I planted in a line alongside the house did not fare so well. I have a theory that they do better when they grow together in bunches.

So it is with Christians. We grow better together. The New Testament is filled with “one another” verses to remind us that we can’t become all that God wants us to be if we try to do it alone. We need to grow together to reach our full potential.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”—Ephesians 4:16.

Cannas

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What Love Means

Posted on August 20, 2017 by jesustrek

One of the more memorable lines from Erich Segal’s Love Story is, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” That has a sentimental sound to it, but it certainly is not true. Love means that you have the ability to say you are sorry. The more we practice love, the better we become at saying, “I’m sorry.”

I have found that a sincere apology is a way to build bridges in broken relationships. Our godly sorrow puts us back in tune with God. “I’m sorry” can end a fight between spouses, calm a dispute between siblings, bridge a gap between a parent and a child; it can solve a misunderstanding between church members.

It has been my experience that those who practice a life of love actually become pretty good at saying, “I’m sorry”—and meaning it!

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…”—2 Corinthians 7:10.

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Treasure Found

Posted on August 18, 2017 by jesustrek

Mary Grams’ ring

Mary Grams, of Alberta, Canada, feared that her ring was gone forever when she lost it 13 years ago. Grams, now 84, lost her engagement ring while she was pulling weeds at her family farm in 2004. One can only imagine the frustration that would go along with the loss of such a valuable possession.

Against all odds, Grams found her ring when she pulled up a carrot from her garden and found the ring “growing” around the carrot! A celebration no doubt followed this amazing find.

The salvation that we have in Jesus is compared to finding a valuable treasure. Once we find it, we celebrate joyfully, and we hang onto it for dear life!

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”—Matthew 13:44.

 

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The Best Cure

Posted on August 17, 2017 by jesustrek

Dr. Karl Menninger

After giving a lecture on mental health, psychiatrist Karl Menninger fielded questions from the audience. “What advice would you give a person who felt a nervous breakdown coming on?” someone asked.

Dr. Menninger replied, “Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, find someone in need and do something to help.”

People who stay home feeling sorry for themselves tend to experience more sickness: physically, emotionally and spiritually. Putting others first in acts of unselfish service will help to cure a lot of those illnesses.

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet…Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”—John 13:14,17.

 

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Tribute to the King

Posted on August 16, 2017 by jesustrek

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Few people have ever been as talented as Presley, nor have many experienced the popularity that he attained. He had an influence on music that is unrivaled. Elvis was called “The King of Rock and Roll”, and he was adored by many fans from all over the world. His death on August 16, 1977, shocked the world and brought a great outpouring of grief from his fans. At the age of 42, their beloved king was gone.

There was another king who gained a lot of popularity and then died at a young age. This king, Jesus, had an influence on the human race that is beyond measure. The death of Jesus caused many people to grieve, but his resurrection on the third day brought a great joy that is still experienced today by those who believe in him. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Forever he will reign in the hearts of those who trust him for their salvation. One day he will return and usher in an eternity where we can be with him forever!

Just as many people will take some special time to remember Elvis this week, Christians around the world remember King Jesus every week as they meet together for the Lord’s Supper. Remember to give the King the proper respect that he deserves.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”—Luke 22:19.

 

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No Need for Change!

Posted on August 15, 2017 by jesustrek

A little boy was overheard praying, “Lord, don’t change me too much. I’m pretty happy the way I am!”

Few adults would ever utter such a prayer, but many betray a similar attitude with their actions. They seem to be content with their current state. They see no need for further improvement. As far as they are concerned they don’t need to change. They are just fine the way they are.

Oh, how we need to cultivate a holy dissatisfaction for the status quo in our lives! We need to have a hunger to become more like Jesus. We ought to be determined that we are always seeking a higher level of spirituality. We should never be satisfied with who we are. We should always be seeking ways to allow God to change us for the better.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”—Philippians 3:12.

 

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The Power of Prayer

Posted on August 14, 2017 by jesustrek

We have all heard stories about the power of prayer. I just heard one that offered a different perspective on the subject.

One of my friends was talking about his jail ministry. He has had the opportunity to talk with many people behind bars. He never fails to offer to pray for them and for their family. Most inmates will take him up on that offer.

My friend says that time after time he has seen the most hardened criminals break down and cry when he says a prayer for their children. They may put on a front that is tough, aloof and uncaring, but it all comes tumbling down when you pray for their sons and daughters.

This is just another way of understanding the power of prayer.

“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”—James 5:16.

 

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Stockholm Syndrome

Posted on August 11, 2017 by jesustrek

The Stockholm Syndrome is a reaction that people sometimes have in a frightening situation such as being held hostage or experiencing abuse. It involves a paradoxical emotional bond that develops between the victims and the one holding them hostage or abusing them. The term comes from an event that happened in Stockholm, Sweden in August of 1973, when a bank robber held four people hostage in a bank vault for 131 hours. After they were released, the victims reported having positive feelings for the robber and negative feelings toward the police. They actually perceived their captor as their benefactor and the police as their enemy. This phenomenon is used to explain the reactions of victims of famous kidnappings, such as Patricia Hearst (1974) and Elizabeth Smart (2002), and also the behaviors of victims of spouse abuse and child abuse. The syndrome has been explained as a coping mechanism to try to deal with an almost unbearable situation.

I see a similar thing happening spiritually. Many people who have been taken captive in their sins, while they would never admit it, actually develop positive feelings for Satan. At the same time, they think that God is to blame for all of their troubles and they see everyone who tries to help them out of their sinful condition as the enemy.

The Stockholm Syndrome is treatable, and many people have overcome its effects. In the same way, those who see the devil as their friend and God as their enemy are often able to recover from this and see things as they really are.

Don’t give up on friends and loved ones who are suffering from spiritual Stockholm Syndrome. Keep praying and sharing the truth with them. There is hope for them to be delivered from their spiritual bondage.

“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”—Jude 22-23.

 

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Who Is Serving Whom?

Posted on August 10, 2017 by jesustrek

I recently read a parody about a man who made a very important decision about Jesus. This fellow chose to accept Jesus as his personal…butler!

This witty commentary shows the attitude that many people have towards Jesus. They claim that he is their Lord, but in their prayers it seems that they think of him as their butler—that he is always at their beck and call to perform their every wish and command. Meanwhile, they never lift a finger to serve him.

Jesus is supposed to be the Lord and his followers are supposed to be his servants. How did so many people get so far off track when it comes to who should be serving whom!?

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”—Luke 6:46.

 

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