Archive for August, 2018

27 Aug

Culture War?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Bible, Blessings, Body of Believers, Christian Living, Culture, Faith, God's Word, Spiritual Warfare, Uncategorized.

We were in Hershey, Nebraska this weekend for a Cowboy Church service. I had the pleasure of being asked to share some musical numbers and to preach. It was something I hadn’t planned, but it was definitely in God’s plan. It was a great time, and we met some really neat Christians that we can now call our friends. Our God is so good! And, a BIG thank you to Pastor Kevin and the people of Hershey Baptist Church!

The secular culture is on the attack, as they try to eliminate any reference or reminder that there is a God. It is interesting to note they are bent on attacking something, or someone they don’t believe exists!

Spiritual warfare is a fact. The divisiveness and battles we see in our culture are nothing more than war between the forces of good and evil. One only has to spend a short time watching television, listening to the news, or checking social media, (Facebook, Twitter, and others) to see this happening.

Some will say this is nothing new, and they would be right. The truth is, the intensity of the battle appears to be on the increase.

“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ … But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness” (2 Peter 3:3-9).

What are we to do as Christians? “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms… And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Trusting in Him,
Pastor Jerry

20 Aug

The True Word

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Bible, Death and Dying, Eternal Life, False teachers, Gospel, Salvation, Truth, Uncategorized.

It rained again, just when we were thinking it was time to water the lawn. If you have been battling wet weather while trying to harvest your hay, I understand the frustration. Been there, done that! Nevertheless, rain is always better than drought.

On a personal note, I went for a CT scan this week, to check on the aneurism that is on my aorta. Those results came back as ‘condition stable’, and I am to have another checkup in a year. This is good news, and one more thing I am thankful for. Also, we had a brief visit from my brother and sister-in-law from Colorado on Friday. It’s always good to see them, if even just for lunch.

If there is one thing that disturbs me as a preacher, it is when someone passes along so-called spiritual advice that is not in the Bible. You may call it false teaching, misinformation, or borderline heresy. This is especially troubling when the “information” is disheartening to the individual to whom it is directed.

There are those who would have us to believe that Christians who die do not go to be in the presence of the Lord at their death, and must wait in the grave for the Lord’s return at some future time. Folks, this is a lie, and there is judgment ahead for those who teach these things. The Bible does have something to say about this.

On the cross, the dying thief asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). This does not indicate waiting in the grave for an unspecified time.

“The apostle Paul wrote, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). In Philippians 1:23 he expressed his “desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.” Those statements teach that believers go directly into the Lord’s presence at death.” [MacArthur New Testament Commentary].

I am again reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy… “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine… They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Friends, that time is here. Be encouraged. God’s Word is true.

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

13 Aug

Who Will Go?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Blessings, Body of Believers, Christian Living, Discipleship, Family of God, Great Commission, Obedience, Salvation, The Good News, Uncategorized, Witness.

The last week was a little less adventurous than the previous one. There was a funeral to attend Monday for Milrae’s cousin, and a mini-reunion of some of her extended family. The rest of our week was filled with more mundane activity. Things like doing some cleanup around the lake, shopping for groceries, and yard work. Thursday, it was Bible study for a few ladies, with men’s Bible study in the evening. We made a trip to Neligh for supper with Ryan and Alex on Friday.

Saturday evening, we were at a supper recognizing two groups of people. One group consisted of those who support our local Baptist church association by participating in a program called L4M (Livestock 4 Missions). This is a method to raise funds to support our association’s ministry, in which cattlemen donate the care of a cow or cows, with proceeds from calf sales directed to the ministry.

The second group were those who had attended the Christian Leadership course of study held over the last year. The purpose of this course is to prepare Christian men and women for ministry in their local churches.

Here are just a few things I learned from that event: The population of the 19 counties that make up the Sandhills area according to the last census is 73,845. In this part of Nebraska, there are only two cities with a population over three thousand. Fifty-three percent of Nebraska towns under 1000 population have no evangelical church. Simply put, many people in this sparsely populated area have no opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What to do? First, this challenge from the Lord himself; When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:36-38). Pray for those who will take the gospel to these rural areas.

Second, consider whether you might be one of those workers. Isaiah the prophet, in a vision heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

What is your response? You may email me: lakecitynews@gmail.com.

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

6 Aug

Destinations

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Eternal Life, Faith, Gospel, Humor, Obedience, Planning, Salvation, Uncategorized.

Hello friends,
We took another trip with the camper this week. As usual, it turned into another adventure on the less traveled road. We left last Sunday afternoon, not knowing for sure where we were going, or which road to take. We headed west out of Ericson, and had not gone far when the decision was made to go west of Taylor to Dunning, then take highway 2 to Thedford, where we stayed the night. Monday morning, it was on the road again, destination Crawford and Fort Robinson. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent just taking in the sights at the fort, with a side trip to check out Chadron State Park. Wednesday morning, we headed east on Highway 20, had lunch in Ainsworth with an old friend, and decided to overnight at Keller Park, northeast of Ainsworth.

Going there, once again I trusted my phone to show me a different route. This was not the road less traveled, it was the road seldom traveled! It became a narrow trail down a section line, leading to nowhere. Here is a tip: Off-road travel with a fifth-wheel camper is not a recommended activity. After abandoning Google Maps, we eventually made it to the highway, and the state park. We enjoyed a quiet evening and night, arriving back home in late afternoon Thursday. I’m sure we’ll be content to stay home for a while.

On a more somber note, we have seen in the last few days and weeks, the passing away of a cousin of Milrae’s, and several old friends and neighbors from home. I am reminded almost daily that we have no guarantee of another day, and of the fact that we need to make plans for eternity.

As the writer of Ecclesiastes said, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). At the end of the book we read, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14).

Today is the day of salvation. Do not delay. Trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Jerry