Archive for the ‘Calling’ Category

29 Sep

Slow to Speak

Posted by sandhillspastor in Anger, Body of Believers, Calling, God's Word, Obedience, Relationships, Words.

Hello friends,
October is arriving soon. Maybe it is my age, but the seasons seem to change more frequently than in past years! It won’t be long until our first frost and things will change. We are past the normal first frost date, so be ready.

There has been much violent speech in recent months and even years from some in our world. There are many who think minds will be changed by violent arguments and acts. Perhaps they need to turn to the scriptures and pay attention to what God says about our speech. I will share some passages from the Bible that would give God’s perspective on our words and our actions.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11). Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

Speaking of love, Paul wrote, “It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered” (1 Corinthians 13:5).Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who are listening (Eph 4:29). Paul again, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger” (Ephesians 4:31). Then this, “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips” (Colossians 3:8).

James had this advice; My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 2:19-20). Everyone should take these words to heart: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness (James 3:17-18).

Let us all pray for this wisdom as we engage in conversation with those who oppose us. We are called to a higher standard than those who are of the world and the Lord would have us reflect that fact in both our words and our actions.

Blessings to all,
Pastor Jerry

22 Sep

My Story

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Calling, Change, Obedience, Salvation, Witness.

Hello friends,
We are drawing nearer to the fall season. I have noticed the leaves beginning to turn from green to red and gold. I continue to enjoy this season as I have for most of my life. I have many memories of hunting seasons from years ago.

You have heard it said that everyone has a story. Some stories tell of struggles with life, and others relate successes and victories in and through those experiences. Christians are encouraged to share the stories of their lives before and after coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Each one of us has a testimony to the changes He has made in us. A witness tells what he has seen and done. There is no one who can tell us we did not experience what we have seen with our own eyes. Please permit me to share a bit of my own story.

I grew up in a family with good morals, but we only rarely attended church. Sometimes Mom would take us kids to the little country church down the road, but Dad thought he had to stay home and care for the livestock on Sunday morning,

I was nearsighted, so from early I loved to read. I read everything I could get my hands on. I read the newspaper for myself when there were stories my parent thought I was too young to understand. When there were no books, I read the Bible and the dictionary. I enjoyed the Bible stories and read about Jesus, but that is as far as I went.

As I got older and went to town for high school, I became somewhat antagonistic to Christianity. I was one of those who looked down on Christians as being weak and out of tune with life. I developed some bad habits that led to wrong decisions.

After getting married and having a family, I started attending that little church down the road “for my boys.” Little did I know God had me where He wanted me. One Sunday morning in early 1982 I gave my life to Christ and my life changed dramatically. In time, the Lord called me into pastoral ministry. He took an agnostic rancher and made him a preacher… and that is my story in short form.

I heard the voice of the Lord… And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

15 Sep

Stand Strong

Posted by sandhillspastor in Calling, Culture, Evil deeds, Faith, Persecution, Spiritual Warfare, Trials.

Dear friends,
The weather has been agreeable for most people in the last week. Not too hot, not too cool. The beginning of fall is one of my favorite times of the year. It marked the beginning of the hunting season, and I spent many hours in search of waterfowl and upland game. Great memories were made at this time of year.

Many in our country and around the world were saddened by the murder of Charlie Kirk, a champion of free speech and a devout Christian. His passing brings an opportunity for all who claim the name of Jesus Christ to continue to be His witnesses.

In the words of Jesus, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

I believe Charlie Kirk has joined that great cloud of witnesses. He has fought the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:11). With the apostle Paul, Charlie could say, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

Paul, in his letter to the church in Philippi wrote these words, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

As Christians, we will be attacked for our beliefs. There is a spiritual battle we cannot see, but it is real. Paul reminds us to, “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” (Ephesians 6:10-12).

Stay strong in the Lord,
Pastor Jerry

28 Jul

Faith, Not Works

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Calling, Christian Living, Faith, Salvation.

Hello friends,
Warmer weather has returned. After a relatively cool week, we are back to summer heat. County fairs are in full swing around the area, and we are reminded that schools will be starting up soon.

There was a question in our Sunday school lesson this morning on setting goals in life. We all have had goals we hoped to attain. Sometimes they come to pass, and other times we end up far from where we had intended to be. As we reach one goal, we are off in search of the next one. Each time we believe we will find contentment. Why is that?

Pastor Greg Laurie has some thoughts on this subject. “From the day we are born, we have been searching. We were created in the image of God, so we are aware that there is more to life than mere existence. There is purpose. There is meaning. But they are not always apparent, so we search for them in moments big and small.

The apostle Paul give us invaluable insight into these ideas of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in Ephesians 2:10. ‘For we are God’s workmanship.’ We have a very high ceiling—the potential to accomplish some amazing things and experience soul-deep fulfillment.

Finding our meaning and purpose begins with the decision to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. When we do that, God creates ‘us in Christ to do good works. He unlocks our potential to ‘do the good things he planned in advance for us to do. He unleashed us to be change agents in a world desperate for them.

Some people try to find purpose in doing good deeds to earn God’s favor. But that is a dead end. In the two verses that precede Ephesians 2:10, Paul says, ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.’ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done. It is only when we acknowledge that we can never do enough to earn God’s favor that we start to find purpose.

The more closely we align our daily lives with what God created us to be, the more we will experience the sense of adventure, purpose, fulfillment and joy that comes from our walk with Christ.”

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

7 Apr

Shine!

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Calling, Culture, God's Word, Obedience, Praise, Salt and Light.

Dear readers,
I see a few signs of spring and it makes me feel winter is almost behind us. Bring on the showers and the flowers that brighten the landscape. God is good and His creation shows it.

I learned a lesson by going into my tool trailer and failing to turn on the light. Recently, I went into the trailer where I keep my tools. Being in a hurry, I didn’t turn on the light and my leg collided with a wooden box on the floor. As could be expected, the resulting collision resulted in pain and agony in my right legs. It is now about three weeks later, and the bruising has begun to fade.

There is a spiritual application in this concerning the teaching that Jesus is the light of the world, come to shine the light of God’s love into a dark and dangerous world.

As a result of the failure of Adam to heed God’s instructions, we live in a world that is broken by sin and inhabited by dark forces of evil. As we navigate the darkness, it is important to have light so that we can see the dangers around us and take the safe path.

Scripture says much about walking in the light and avoiding the darkness. The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Regarding Jesus, John wrote, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

7 Oct

Excuses, Excuses

Posted by sandhillspastor in Calling, Christian Living, Evangelism, Obedience, Stewardship, Witness.

Dear friends

October has arrived, and the thought of winter coming sends a chill through these old bones. We will certainly enjoy whatever warm days remain before then. What follows is from a devotional by Pastor Greg Laurie titled “A Plethora of Excuses.”

When it comes to sharing our faith and reaching out to others with the gospel, we tend to offer a plethora of excuses as to why we cannot do it. Maybe the reason we don’t try to win people to Christ is because we really couldn’t care less.

Now, that isn’t true of every Christian. But it is true of a lot of Christians. “It’s not our problem. We are set. We’re happy. Go work out your own problems.”

That is the way many people in the church feel. We don’t want to be bothered with it. We just don’t care. We hear so much about the need for evangelism. We hear sermons on how to do it. And we engage in programs designed to mobilize the church to do it. But all this is of no consequence if we lack one simple essential: a burden and a concern for unbelievers.

One of the most important things of all is motivation. We must have the motivation to share our faith. And if we don’t have the motivation, we are not going to do anything.

So, do we really care? Do we really care about people who don’t know Christ? Do we really care if they go to Hell? Does it really matter to us?

Everywhere Jesus went during His earthly ministry, He was mobbed by people who were pushing and pulling and always wanting something from Him. They wanted healings, like the woman who had spent all her money on doctors and still was sick. So many wanted a touch from the Savior.

But Jesus saw their deepest need. He saw where they were hurting the most. He saw behind the facades, behind the defense mechanisms people put up. Jesus heard the real cry of their hearts. And He had compassion on them.

Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (NLT).

If we are going to be used by God in any capacity, we have to develop something called compassion. We have to care.

In Truth,

Pastor Jerry

23 Sep

Fishing Stories

Posted by sandhillspastor in Calling, Christian Living, Evangelism, Witness.

Dear friends,
September is moving along. The first day of fall came around Sunday morning, so we can expect some cooler weather in the future. I continue to adjust to my new regimen and will have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday.

I have a couple of fishing stories for you this week. The first is from a few years back. I was fishing for northern pike in our lake and one particular fish would chase my lure, but not take it in his mouth. Each time he would turn away at the last second. The water was clear, so I could see what was happening. Eventually, however, he took the bait, and I landed him. I was reminded at that point that the devil will tempt us in many ways and will keep doing so until we fall into some sin. Our response should be to refuse his temptation and flee to a safe place.

The other fishing story comes from the Bible. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers. Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Later we are told Jesus tells those same disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

What sort of bait do we use as fishers of men? Perhaps it is a poor analogy, but as Christ followers we are commanded to take the Good News to a lost world. The gospel message is our bait, if you will. It is a fact that few people respond to the invitation to follow Christ on the first ‘cast’. The result of accepting the gift offered by those who are fishing for men is eternal life, not some frying pan.

We are told in Scripture to flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22).

Finally, submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:7-8).

Good News,
Pastor Jerry

2 Sep

Sharing the Truth

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Calling, Christian Living, Relationships, The Good News, Witness.

Dear readers,
It was a great weekend to celebrate Labor Day. I doubt you could have asked for better weather. The lake community was a beehive of activity, and I’m sure everyone had a good time. A Nebraska football win on Saturday only added to the fun. Shout out to our neighbor who volunteered to power wash the siding on our house and repair the back step. What a blessing you are! Thank you.

This morning in his message, Pastor John reminded us of all of the need to be sharing our faith every day and in every situation. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are called to be a witness for Him. A witness is one who tells others what they have seen and heard. We are commanded by the Savior to testify to what he has done for us. A changed life is our best testimony to His grace, by which we have been saved from our sin.

Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Ephesus, “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:15-21).

Jesus’ command to his disciples applies to every believer today. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28;19-20).

Finally, these words from Paul to Timothy; Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine… (2 Timothy 4:2-3).

Those times are here. May we be witnesses to the Truth!

In Christ,
Pastor Jerry

5 Aug

Opportunities

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Calling, Evangelism, Relationships, Witness.

Dear friends,

It’s hard to believe August is here already. I don’t know if we are having fun or just being busy, but time flies. I am slowly adjusting to my new medicine regime. I seem to sleep a lot during the day and my night sleep suffers because of it. Even so, God is good and blesses us every day.

I have discovered that spending time in the hospital gives me many opportunities to share my faith with others. I have had many deep spiritual conversations with various nurses in the middle of the night. During my recent stay, I was able to give encouragement to a man facing surgery for brain cancer. He was moved to a different floor, and I never saw him again, but he heard about Jesus and the way of salvation.

During another hospital stay, a nurse asked me to pray for her vision to establish a ministry to the Haitian people in Florida.  She was herself Haitian. This happened in the middle of the night, and I was blessed to pray with and for her.

No matter where we are or in what situation we find ourselves, the Lord puts people in our way so that we can share the gospel message with them. I am reminded of the words of the apostle Peter in his first letter to the church: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

This is the reason for our hope: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Pray for the Lord to reveal those to whom he would have you share your testimony of the gospel message. I will leave you with this thought… If God answered all the prayers you prayed last week, how many new people would be in his kingdom?

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

4 Mar

Planting Time

Posted by sandhillspastor in Calling, Christian Living, Discipleship, Gospel.

Dear friends,

Our weather continues to be pleasant for this time of year. I’m not complaining at all, just enjoying the blessing. The reality is we still have to navigate March and early April. And, we haven’t gotten our seed catalog from Gurney’s.

On the topic of planting, I want to share some thoughts concerning what Jesus said about sowing the seed of the Gospel. If you remember, He was speaking to His disciples about the need to share the salvation message with those around them. Here is what he said:

A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he scattered the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown (Matthew 13:3-9).

He explained to the disciples that the seed represents the Word of God, that is the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The response of the seed to the various soils illustrates the response of different people to the planting of the gospel message. Some will ignore it, some will accept it for a short time, some will start well, but turn away when times get hard, and others will persevere in the faith and in turn make other disciples who will plant more seed of the gospel message.

The apostle Paul wrote, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Planting seeds, that is what these devotional thoughts have been about since the beginning of these devotional messages. My prayer has been that many who read these articles will respond to their message and seek the Savior. It is about sowing the seed of God’s Word and leaving the results to Him. My prayer is that you have received the message and allowed God to grow you in the faith.

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

lakecitynews@gmail.com

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