Archive for the ‘Christian Living’ Category

7 Aug

Want or Need?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Christian Living, Contentment, Happiness, Stewardship, Wisdom.

Dear readers,

Last week was nice, not too hot and with some nice rain. Sunday morning was much cooler; something about a cold front passing through the area. It made me think of fall, but I know this was wishful thinking. There is a very real possibility of a return to summer temps. We made a trip to Grand Island last week. We had been discussing the possibility of putting recliners in the camper in place of the very uncomfortable love seat/hide-a-bed. We made a purchase and of course, there wasn’t one in stock so we will wait a few days then go back to pick it up. Life at the lake is great, but sometimes we seek entertainment in other places.

On the topic of seeking whatever we might see as a need, I have found that needs and wants are two very different things. My life has been littered with things I wanted because I thought I needed them. After obtaining them, reality showed them as merely wants and they ended up in some scrap pile. Money spent foolishly because of a want that wasn’t really a need.

People chase after all kinds of things they think they can’t live without, only to be disappointed in the end. King Solomon in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes had much to say about this. He said this: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:10-11).

Further in the book Solomon continued: “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them (5:10-11)?

He ends the book with these words: “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” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Reflecting on life,

Pastor Jerry

17 Jul

Re-Creation

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Christian Living, Obedience, renewal, Rest, Stewardship, Work, Worship.

Dear friends,

Weekends at the lake remain busy. From Friday to Sunday, the river, the lake, and the streets are filled with people enjoying the summer days. The rest of the week is less busy, but there are still those who can get away for a few days. As someone who used to see Sunday as just another day to work, I wonder how many give a thought to the Lord on His day as they seek recreation and enjoy God’s creation.

The word ‘recreation’ gives the idea of something being re-created, that is, to be restored or made new. One would think that God’s command to observe a day of rest might remind us that we need rest from our work. God did not rest because he was tired, he did it as an example for us to follow. That one day was set aside for God’s people to focus on Him. There was to be no work, but time to honor the Creator.

In the Ten Commandments, there was not only the one concerning a day of rest, but there was also one that forbade the worship of idols. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in worship. Could the lake become an idol? How about a nice bass boat, or maybe the sporting event that keeps us from attending worship service on the Lord’s Day? (Exodus 20:1-9).                

Our work becomes an idol if it keeps us from putting God first in our lives. I used to ask the question, if I feel I need to be making hay on Sunday, is that Bale worship (play on words there); or if I think I need to be present when each calf is born, is that worshiping the calf? Remember, Israel got in a heap of trouble with a golden calf idol.

I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip on anyone here, just a reminder to check our priorities to see if there is something that is taking the place God has reserved for Himself. I am not opposed to taking time to renew and recharge our batteries, so to speak. I am just encouraging you to take time to put the important thing at the top of the list. Everything else will fall into its proper place and God will be given what He desires from his people, their worship.

Just thinking,

Pastor Jerry

3 Jul

Freedom

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Christian Living, Freedom, Praise.

Dear friends,

It’s another of those early copy weeks, so I will try to write something that makes sense on short notice. I am back to normal after my visit to the fine medical professionals in Omaha last week. I am continually impressed by the gifted doctors, nurses and others who have chosen to make medicine their career choice. I have nothing but highest regard for every one of them.

The Independence Day holiday will be celebrated in grand style here at Lake Ericson and in the village of Ericson. We have it all, from fireworks to food, from parades to a junior rodeo. There is an avenue of flags along the lake front that is nothing but inspiring. There are games at the lake and a street dance in town. A visit to our little community is well worth your time.

As we read and hear the negative news about what is going on in our country, it is easy to become disillusioned with the things that we see. I believe the USA has been, is today, and will be in the future the best country in the world. Who we are and how we came to be what we are as a country is why we can celebrate this thing called Independence Day.

As we celebrate, we must not become complacent, but be ever vigilant to defend our God-given rights and freedoms. Let us be informed about government and politics and raise our voices in support of the Constitution and the American way. As Christians, we cannot sit idly by while the enemies of morality and the truth of God’s Word trample them in the dust.

In Galatians we are told that through faith in Christ we have been set free from the bondage of sin. We are also reminded not to use that freedom to keep sinning, but to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:1, 13).

Also, we find this command: Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone; Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:16-17).

So, on Independence Day and every day, stand tall and be proud of our country. Thank God for those who founded and defended her, and pray God bless America, again!

For God and for country,

Pastor Jerry

5 Jun

Responsibilities

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Culture, Obedience, Politics, Service, Stewardship, Work.

Dear friends,

How can it be that we are already five months into 2023? I must be having fun, because the time has flown by. In news from our little corner of the world, Milrae has recovered well from having two knee replacement surgeries. After her checkup Friday, she was told to come back in a year. I’m now married to a bionic woman!

We had very little rain this past week, and it appears we will be busy watering the lawn and the garden if it stays warm and dry. The vegetable plants are off to a good start, and we pray that trend continues.

It is interesting to read the news headlines from a Christian, or biblical worldview. After the recent passage of legislation allowing the federal government to raise the debt ceiling, there were comments concerning the idea that people need to work in order to receive some forms of financial aid. The media seemed to think that the idea was some antiquated saying that is not relevant to our current time.

I’m sure it will be a surprise to some that this concept of working to earn your food comes from the Bible. The apostle Paul writing to Christians waiting for the Lord’s return, was rather direct as he encouraged his readers to not just sit around looking up in the sky waiting for Jesus to come again. He stressed the fact that as we wait for the Lord to return, we are to keep on making a living and doing his work. He says to his readers, “In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat. For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies. Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

In another place we read that we are to care for those who can’t help themselves. “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress… (James 1:27).

In summary, it is good to seek to care for those in need, but those who are able-bodied and healthy are to work for their food and other needs.

In His unending love,

Pastor Jerry

22 May

Life’s Purpose

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Calling, Christian Living, Discipleship, Gospel, Great Commission, Work.

Hello friends,

It is time once again for another visit. We have been taking advantage of the nicer weather to get outdoors as much as possible. There are those trips to town for appointments and to get groceries and other supplies, but there has been time for some yard work and the planting of the garden beds. After the rain of last week, mowing will take some of my attention for the rest of the growing season.

I do enjoy putting my thoughts in writing, and I pray they make a difference in someone’s life. I believe each person has been placed on this earth for a purpose, and God’s purpose for everyone is given in Scripture. Jesus said this concerning his reason for coming to earth, and the will of God: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, bur the will of him who sent me. This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:38-40).

Did you get that? It is God’s will that everyone be saved. The one who is saved then has been given a divine purpose in life. This does not give the indication that everyone will be saved, but that everyone who believes in Jesus will have the gift of eternal life. Other scriptures tell us that we are saved. not to sit on the sidelines and wait for him to come for us. Quite the opposite is true.

We, as Jesus was, are to be about the Father’s business, not that we can save anyone, but that we spread the good news of Jesus to all those around us. To the church at Ephesus, Paul wrote, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

What are these good works? I believe they start with Jesus’ command in Matthew 28. His command to us is this: Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations…, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. (Verses 19-20).

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

8 May

Pray On

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Blessings, Christian Living, Faith, Prayer, Reward, Trust.

Dear friends.

We have finally seen some rain! According to the “official” gauge on our deck, it totaled 1.40” of precious moisture. We did not get any hail, but some areas did. This doesn’t mean we stop praying for rain, but that we remain persistent in prayer. There is a story in the Bible about a woman who was persistent in asking for a favor.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

For some time, he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming.’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for  his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly” (Luke 18:1-8).

At the end of the parable, Jesus asked his disciples this question: Wil not God bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? If an unjust judge who does not fear God will rule justly in a poor woman’s favor because of her persistence based on the law, won’t a holy God give justice to his people who pray to him with perseverance based on his word? The question isn’t about God’s willingness. It is about our willingness to persevere by faith in prayer based on God’s Word. (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary).

Elsewhere in Scripture we are told to pray without ceasing. That is, to be always in an attitude of prayer. So, don’t give up praying for rain during a drought. Keep on praying for that prodigal son or daughter. Don’t stop praying for the healing of a broken relationship. Don’t cease praying for physical healing. God answers prayers, and He will answer those heartfelt prayers. Keep in mind He will answer in one of three ways: Yes, No, or Not Right Now.

Pray on,

Pastor Jerry

13 Mar

Sleep Well

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Christian Living, Faith, Peace, Rest, Trust.

Dear readers,
We have been experiencing typical March weather, in which conditions change day by day and sometimes in minutes. The next phase appears to be a return to cold temps for a few days, followed by a two day warmup, then a little snow thrown in for free by the end of the week!

On the home front, my sweet wife is recovering nicely from her knee replacement surgery, in spite of my best nursing attempts. She will see the doctor on Thursday and start therapy after that. Thank you for your prayers, they are much appreciated.

As we get older and those doctor’s appointments become more frequent, we may begin to worry about the future. This is not much different from the worries and concerns we can have at any age. We worry about feeding our families, or if our job is secure. If we are involved in agriculture there are concerns about the weather or the price of grain, the price of cattle and whether we will be able to make expenses. Many parents believe that if they don’t stay up late, get up early, and stay on top of every detail, then not only will things fall through the cracks; the whole physical, emotional, and spiritual health of their family might be in peril.

If you are sleeping, who is watching over the city? If you’re not up at the wee hours, who is making the crops grow?

God is.

You can place your trust in God, who cares more about your children’s well-being than even you do. You can work hard and then go to sleep, entrusting God with your “city,” knowing that, even while you sleep, he is at work. The Bible says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

When we were commuting between the ranch and the church, people would ask who was caring for the cattle, my answer was always the same; the Lord is, even when I’m home!

Just knowing and trusting that the Lord is involved in our lives will free us from unnecessary worry. Jesus himself tells us not to worry. As someone once said, why should I lie awake all night, God never sleeps. He’s got this!

Sweet dreams,
Pastor Jerry

6 Mar

Walk In the Light

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Repentance, Salvation.

Dear friends,

Our lives have become very busy recently. Scheduling doctor’s appointments has become the topic of our conversations. In my weekly nod to the weather, I see snow in the forecast. Hopefully it won’t interfere with those appointments.

As the snow melts away, all the things we left unfinished last fall are appearing; things like the garden hose I drained and left lying in the back yard. It reminds me that when we come to faith in Jesus Christ, our sins are revealed for what they are. We are then to walk in the light of his salvation, allowing Him to clean us up, so to speak.

In the Bible we read, “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Judah was called to cleansing and repentance, and God promised that if they were willing and obedient and embraced his agenda, their crimson sins would be made white as snow. But they wouldn’t listen.

God calls people to repentance in the New Testament, also. In the book of Acts, Peter preached a sermon in which he explained that Jesus was the Savior whom God had promised to Israel. After hearing Peter’s message, the people were convicted of their sin and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-38). In a later sermon, speaking to another audience, Peter said to them, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…” (Acts 3:19). To repent is to turn back from sin, and toward the one who saves us from sin, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, we read, “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…, the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

13 Feb

Like or Love?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Attributes of God, Best Life, Christian Living, Culture, Love, Salvation.

Dear readers,

We continue to enjoy warmer temperatures and melting snow. This may change however; it is still winter in Nebraska. Some of us remember large amounts of snow much later than February. That said, I read recently that we are still in the grip of a major drought. We should be praying for the Lord to keep sending moisture, even if it is in the form of snow.

Valentine’s Day is this week, and everyone is thinking of love. Perhaps this would be a good time to consider the meaning of love. Many times people speak of love in ways that are just expressions of liking something to a high degree. For instance, I might say I love ice cream. I really don’t actually ‘love’ ice cream, I just like it a lot!

The Bible describes love in an entirely different way. Many people know of John 3:16; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. In light of this love of God, we read, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

As a result of this, we who know and love the God who loves us are commanded to love our fellow believers. Jesus said to his followers, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

The result of this is found in John’s first letter. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:9-11).

I may have a strong liking for Ice cream, but I definitely would not die for it!

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

16 Jan

Lights in the Darkness

Posted by sandhillspastor in Body of Believers, Christian Living, Culture, Evangelism, Obedience, Salt and Light, Witness.

Dear friends,
Have you been enjoying the milder weather? I am content with high thirties and low forties for daytime highs at this time of the year. The snow lingers, but is slowly melting and this is good news. Every nice day means we are closer to spring, however there is plenty of time for more cold and snow. Here at the lake there are still those hardy souls ice fishing. The long nights are maintaining the ice quality needed for safety.

Over the years, I have stressed the need for Christians to be involved in everyday life.

Pastor Greg Laurie shares this: “Commentator G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “Organized Christianity which fails to make a disturbance is dead.” Wherever the apostle Paul went, there was either conversion or a riot. In Thessalonica, religious leaders complained to the city council, “Paul and Silas, who have turned the world upside down have come here, too” (Acts 17:6 CSB).

It seems that there was never a dull moment with the first-century followers of Jesus. They didn’t have modern technology at their disposal. Thomas didn’t tweet. Paul didn’t have a television show. Peter didn’t use social media. Yet, in a relatively brief period of time, these disciples changed their world. They permeated their culture.

Tertullian, a Christian leader who was a contemporary of these early followers of Christ, made this statement about the first-century Church: “We have filled every place among you—cities, islands, fortresses, towns, marketplaces, camps, tribes, town councils, the palace, the senate, the forum; we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods.” Tertullian was pointing out that the Church had permeated everything, even Caesar’s palace.

Today, we need Christians who will go out and make a difference. We need more Christians involved in the arts, making great films, and creating graphic design. We need Christians in politics, godly men and women in places of authority, because the Bible says that when the righteous rule, the people rejoice (see Proverbs 29:2). We also need Christian doctors, Christian lawyers, and Christian businesspeople.

In the first century, all believers understood that they were called to do their part. So they left their comfort zones and took risks. In the same way, the believers today need to go out and let their light shine in our present culture. We need believers who will turn the present world upside down.”

For Him,
Pastor Jerry

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