The Importance of Baptism

Posted on June 14, 2017 by jesustrek

Baptism should be a doctrine that unites all Christians, yet it has historically been a divisive issue. There are many different views on baptism, and some of these views are far from the plain teaching in Scripture. I wish people would put away their denominational handbooks and simply rely on the Bible to teach them the importance of baptism.

Even the baptism of John the baptizer was of great importance. John’s baptism had to do with the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). How would anyone dare to say that the baptism of Jesus is any less important? (See Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16 to read how baptism in the name of Jesus is for the forgiveness of sins.)

Luke 7:30 says, “But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.” Could it be that those who refuse to submit to the baptism of Jesus have rejected God’s purpose for their lives as well?

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”—Mark 16:16.

 

Posted in Christian Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Policing the Area

Posted on June 13, 2017 by jesustrek

When one lady grew tired of scofflaw drivers speeding through her neighborhood, she took matters into her own hands, and got some instant results.

Standing at the edge of her yard, she pointed what appeared to be a radar gun at approaching vehicles that were exceeding the speed limit. Without fail, the lead-footed drivers would ease off the accelerator and slow down.

Little did they know that she wasn’t actually holding a radar gun. She was pointing her hair dryer at them!

People’s behavior tends to improve dramatically when they think that someone in authority might be watching them. And the fact that Jesus is watching us should encourage us to try to do the right thing!

“…The Judge is standing at the door!”—James 5:9.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seat of Humility

Posted on June 12, 2017 by jesustrek

Mike Brown, left; Steve Kerr, right

Mike Brown was hired as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors after last season’s NBA playoffs. When head coach Steve Kerr became unable to perform his duties as he battled extreme back pain, Brown took over the head coaching responsibilities. Brown did quite well, guiding the Warriors to a perfect record in the playoffs until Kerr was able to resume his position on the bench.

Brown has shown a remarkable amount of humility through all this. He was willing to accept an assistant coach’s job even though he had 563 career regular season wins and 47 playoff victories as a head coach. Then, when Kerr was able to come back and coach again, Brown humbly returned to his seat as Kerr’s assistant.

There is a lot to be said for this kind of humility. In a sport where egos are typically inflated to the point of being ridiculous, Brown’s unassuming manner of putting the team first is quite refreshing indeed.

Every church could benefit from this kind of humility.

What kind of a team player are you?

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Religious Test

Posted on June 10, 2017 by jesustrek

Bernie Sanders

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has recently received some well-deserved criticism over his questioning of President Donald Trump’s nominee for deputy budget director, Russell Vought. Sanders tried to portray Vought, an evangelical Christian, as anti-Islamic because of statements he made regarding his Christian beliefs.

Sanders appeared to be incredulous as he asked Vought if he really believed that Jews and Muslims stand condemned before God because of their refusal to believe in Jesus Christ.

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution states that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” So it is right that Sanders be held accountable for his desire to impose a religious test on Vought because of his Christian beliefs.

However, there is another important issue that comes to light here. Sanders betrays a woeful lack of understanding of the Christian religion. The Christian faith is based on the fact that Jesus Christ is mankind’s only hope of salvation.

Jesus himself says, “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” His followers agreed with his assessment when they continued to proclaim this truth—“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

The idea that “there are many roads to God” may be attractive to many, but it is far from the truth expressed by Jesus Christ and his followers. That truth will not change due to anyone’s unwillingness to accept it.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Culture, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Not the Real Thing

Posted on June 9, 2017 by jesustrek

As I was driving along the other day, something unusual caught my eye. It was a propane tank beside a house. No, there isn’t anything unusual about a propane tank near someone’s house. It was the fact that this particular propane tank was painted to look like a watermelon!

I don’t think it fooled anyone. Even a raccoon with a below average IQ would realize that this was not a huge watermelon. No amount of paint could make any reasonable person decide that this was anything other than a propane tank.

Some people try to paint themselves up to look like Christians. They might fool some people. They might even fool themselves. Most people are at least somewhat susceptible to self-deception.

However, we can’t fool God. Jesus warns against hypocrisy. Let us always be examining ourselves to see that we aren’t trying to pass ourselves off as something we are not. Let us be honest with ourselves, honest with others and honest to God.

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”—Colossians 3:9-10.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood

Posted on June 8, 2017 by jesustrek

Mr. Rogers

“Mr. Rogers did not adequately prepare me for the people in my neighborhood!”—Unknown

Jesus says that we should love our neighbors. He didn’t ever say it would be easy. Neighbors can be loud, obnoxious, rude, cantankerous and difficult to love in many various ways. That does not relieve us of our obligation to show them the love of Jesus.

It is easy to love people who are loveable. Loving the unlovely is a different matter. Only with the help of Jesus can we hope to succeed in this type of radical love. And when we succeed, our neighborhood becomes a much better place in which to live.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”—Romans 12:18.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Storm Awareness

Posted on June 5, 2017 by jesustrek

A Canadian man appeared to be oblivious to the dangerous tornado looming behind him as he mowed his lawn. However, his wife, who took the picture, says that he was fully aware of the storm. He just reasoned that it was far enough away that there was no need for him to be alarmed. He simply went about his business as if it were a normal day.

I think this picture tells the story of what is going on in America regarding the threat of radical Islamic terror. An evil storm touched down in a devastating way on September 11, 2001. Other tornadoes of terror have done major damage to the citizens of this nation. Recent storms have hit in London, bringing great pain and sorrow to many people.

Yet the reaction from too many people is to ignore the danger and to go on as if it will not happen in my back yard.

It is time to stop mowing and face the storm.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”—Romans 12:21.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Culture, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Going Straight

Posted on June 3, 2017 by jesustrek

As soon as my wife and I turned into our lane late last night we saw a skunk making its way up the driveway. We slowly followed it, our headlights illuminating the way for the little fellow.

We didn’t get too close, for obvious reasons. The skunk kept a steady pace and never swerved to the left or right, like other small animals tend to do when they move away from humans.

In my few experiences with skunks, I have noticed that they tend to move in a straight line. They pick out a direction and do not deviate from it.

I guess we should do the same.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”—Matthew 7:13-14.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Parenting

Posted on May 31, 2017 by jesustrek

I had to stop for some puppies on the highway a couple of days ago. The three pups were right in the middle of the road, completely oblivious to the dangerous threat of the traffic. One reason that they were unafraid was the fact that their mother was standing in the road also!

The Bible says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6).

Parents are responsible to teach their children the right ways to go, and the importance of avoiding the spiritual dangers we encounter on the highway of life. Those who heed this call to duty will be blessed. Those who don’t heed it will bring much sadness into their own lives and the lives of their children.

“He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents…”—Malachi 4:6.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lights

Posted on May 25, 2017 by jesustrek

As I was driving today, the driver of an on-coming car flashed his lights at me. I thought that he might be warning me about a policeman looking for speeders. Or perhaps he was letting me know that there was some kind of road hazard or an accident up ahead. I intently watched for anything out of the ordinary.

Then I noticed that I didn’t have my headlights on. I always turn my headlights on when I drive, for safety purposes. But this time I had forgotten. It happened to be a dark and dreary day. Rain was steadily falling, and here I was driving without my headlights on. I quickly remedied the situation, thankful for the friendly reminder from a fellow traveler.

Sometimes as we are travelling along life’s highway, we forget to turn on our spiritual headlights. We occasionally need a friendly reminder of what Jesus says—“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16).

 

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment