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Leaving Tracks
There are a lot of crime shows on TV. Each show has a different twist on the way the crimes are investigated and solved, but they all have one thing in common. The investigators always find some kind of evidence that leads back to the criminal. As much as the criminals try to hide it, they leave tracks behind proving they were there and committing the crimes.
Jesus left tracks in His life as well. Unlike the crime shows, His tracks were positive. It was obvious when Jesus had gone somewhere and passed paths with someone. If He didn’t leave tracks people wouldn’t have known of Him and had the faith they did in Him. The woman with an issue of blood knew if she just touched his clothes she could be healed. Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus when he heard Jesus was near. He didn’t care if other people were telling him to be quiet. He had heard what Jesus could do and wanted Jesus’ help.
Just like Jesus we need to leave tracks. When we go out to the grocery store, to a restaurant or anywhere, we need to remember that we are leaving tracks behind, evidence that we were there. We need to leave positive tracks wherever we go. We need to leave a place better than the way we found it, no matter what the circumstances. Jesus always left people in better shape than they were before crossing His path. We have the same responsibility to leave people in better shape than when we first see them.
We all leave tracks, what kind are you leaving?
God Bless,
Brother Chris Hunt
Teachers Know the Way
I started practicing taekwondo 1987 and received my black belt in 1992. I’ve been teaching since then and running my own school since 2003. It’s safe to say that I know what it takes to get the students ready for each step along the way to earning a black belt. I know when a technique learned this week will be needed in order to learn another technique or combination of techniques in the coming weeks. The students have to start off with very basic techniques and practice them over and over again and come back to them as they progress because it’s that foundation that helps them execute more advanced techniques. I can see how important it is for the students to learn the techniques in certain orders because one might build off of another. I know the steps along the way because I’ve done it myself and I’ve trained others to do it also. I’m sure if someone came to watch a class they would agree that I know more than a beginner based on my experience and the fact that I am the head instructor. It would be crazy for a first time student to come in and tell me what’s best for my class. My title alone can earn me respect without anyone even knowing my background in martial arts.
This applies to our relationship with God. God’s knows what we’re going through. God knows the steps along the way. God knows that we’ll need to be tested today so we can handle what’s coming next week or next month. God sees the beginning and the end. Why is it we think we can do things better than God? We don’t know how things are going to turn out. We don’t know how today’s trial will help get us ready to deal with what this life has for us down the road. But we think we can fix things in our lives better than God, even though a lot of the times we’re in a mess to begin with, is because we messed things up by not taking into consideration what God would have us to do. We just rush into something that we think is a good idea without praying about it first and waiting for an answer from Him.
Let God be the ruler in your life. He knows the trials today will help you deal with what’s to come. He knows how to take of you better than you do. He knows what’s best for us even when we can’t see it because we’re too focused on the small picture. God knows we need to not only learn basics of living a Godly life but we need to revisit those basics because that is our foundation and without a strong foundation we will crumble. Next time you start to think you can do something yourself without God’s help, remember his many titles, Lord of Lord and King of Kings and give Him the respect he deserves and let Him rule your life.
God Bless,
Brother Chris Hunt
The meaning of Charity
What does charity mean to you? I guess the answer to this question depends on whether you are giving or receiving it. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” To me, that is the greatest demonstration of charity of all time! Webster’s dictionary does not reference this scripture but states the following definitions; 1. Love for mankind. 2. Generosity to the needy. 3. Organization for helping the needy. 4. Kindness in judging others. I think one could arguably state that this describes one of God’s greatest traits and, for that matter, His gift of Jesus. Giving his only begotten Son is about as charitable as you can get. It is also interesting to note that the first definition in Webster’s dictionary is “love of mankind.”
We go through life each day, identifying ourselves with and contributing to charitable organizations such as churches, medical-related facilities or foundations, Veterans’ associations and fraternal groups. Many of these organizations then contribute to other charitable groups as they see fit. For example, a church may contribute to a homeless family or a mission. A medical facility may contribute their services to the needy or a foundation for research to find a cure for some type of cancer. Veterans’ organizations obviously help needy veterans but most also contribute to organizations such as The March of Dimes or Special Olympics.
Society, as a whole, relies on a certain amount of charity in order to function. Some view their charity only as some monetary donation like putting change in the red kettles around Christmas time. I am sure that it makes you feel good when you are able to throw some money in the kettle. It makes me feel good too. I walk away but soon forget about my recent donation. Sure, that is charity but there are so many other ways to give that can make an impact in your life and someone else’s life. One of the most important points that so many people don’t understand about the act of being charitable is reaping the rewards from doing so. You can get an even higher feeling of satisfaction by being charitable with your time. I have assisted with events like Special Olympics, hands on. Doing so leaves a lasting impact on my soul, not only because I have given my time but because I come away more grateful for what the Lord has given me. It is a true blessing.
Can you imagine life without charity? If there were no charity then God wouldn’t have given his only begotten Son. How many things in this world would be affected had He not performed this one single act of charity? Can you even begin to imagine what kind of a world we would be living in?
The bible tells us to give cheerfully or be a cheerful giver. I believe that God rewards us all for our giving, big or small, especially when it is cheerful. So, go out and help someone today in a cheerful and charitable fashion. It doesn’t have to be as big of an act as giving your only begotten Son. Talk to a troubled teen or help some elderly person with a nagging chore. You will be glad you did so and, believe me; God will bless you for it!
Brother Brad Freeman
Doing Your Part
I Corinthians 12:12 says, “ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that body, being many are one body: so also is Christ.Christ is one body, but He is made up of many members. The saints of God are the members of that body. That body needs all of its members to survive. It’s up to us to ask God and listen to His answer to find out what member we are so we know the job God needs us to do. Not everyone is a preacher, not everyone is a song leader. Not every job is in view for everyone to see and to praise us. It’s really not about getting praise for you anyway; it’s about doing God’s will and accomplishing His work. But all jobs are necessary to accomplish God’s will in our lives and the will He has for our church. Just a couple versus down Paul says, “If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?” The job God has picked out for you to do might not be the one you want to do. But if you’re doing what He asks of you, you’re not going to accomplish anything for the body of Christ.The Challenger space shuttle exploded in 1986, killing seven crew members. The cause of the failed launch was not some great computer malfunction. It was a broken o-ring that caused the shuttle to break apart just 73 seconds into its flight. I’m sure an o-ring seems pretty insignificant when you consider all the time and money that went into building that shuttle and preparing and training the crew for its launch. But ask the family members of just one of the crew and see what their answer is. Our job for the Lord might not seem important to us, but if we can reach out and save a soul because we’re following the Lord’s will, it’s very important. After all, this journey we call life is about making ourselves ready to get to heaven and reaching the lost. We might feel like a tiny o-ring, but if we’re not doing our part, how many souls will be lost because we didn’t feel our job was important enough?God Bless,
Brother Chris Hunt
Your Last Days on Earth
Imagine for a moment that you just came from your doctor and received word that you only had a few days left to live. How would you react? I believe that most people would be overcome with all sorts of human emotion; pain, fear, sorrow, anger, loneliness and helplessness. You might ask why you were being personally targeted in such a manner. What about my family? What about all the plans that I have made for my future? You begin to think about all of the things that you are going to miss out on when you are gone. Is this really true? Should I get a second, third or fourth opinion about my condition? You break down and cry, I mean really cry. The world is so unfair.
How would you devote your time to your last days? Would you continue to sit in front of your television or computer feeling sorry for yourself? Would you visit friends and relatives? What would you say to them? Were you there seeking sympathy? Would you visit places that you would like to see before you go? Where would you go?
Now, what if you had Jesus Christ in your life? Would you react differently? Would you realize and understand that life on this earth is short? We all leave this earth and these bodies. It is just a matter of time. The Bible states in Proverbs 8:35, “For whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favor of the Lord.” Just because we leave these bodies doesn’t mean we totally die. Our souls continue on. Now, where our souls spend eternity is a matter of choice. If we don’t have Jesus in our lives then we don’t have to do anything to choose the depths of eternal hell (John 3:18). That will be our destiny. Does it really matter to you? Well, it should and, you can choose for yourself.
John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Hebrews 5:11 goes on to say, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him.” Knowing these things, how will you spend the rest of your life?
Following Jesus may not be worth the choice of where you spend eternity. You have to “follow” and “obey” Him. Your friends might shun you and you might feel forced to give up so many of the carnal things that you enjoy here on this earth, for a short time. But is it really that hard? Our time here on this earth and in these bodies in finite. Eternity is infinite.
Although I am not perfect, it gives me comfort to know that I have a forgiving God. He has forgiven me for all of my sins. He has promised me eternal life and He is willing to do the same for you but you have to personally ask him. I have made my choice before my time runs out. If I die in an accident instead from my body giving up on me, I am covered. You need to choose before it is too late. Luke 12:16 states, “But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.”
When the day comes that I receive the news that this body of mine cannot go on any further, I may be sad for a moment but I will rejoice because I am about to have the experience of an eternal lifetime. Isaiah 64:4 states, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” Think of the greatest possession or feeling to you on this earth and multiply it. That is what Isaiah 64:4 means to me. What choice for eternity are you going to make?
Brad Freeman
