Archive for the ‘Eternal Life’ Category

2 Feb

Finishing Well

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, Giving, God's Word, Gospel, Salvation, The Good News, Truth, Work.

Winter has returned. Snow, wind, and sub-zero temperatures Sunday morning, caused many churches to cancel services.

Like millions of others, I watched the Super Bowl Sunday night. I had no strong preference of which team I wanted to win, but was somewhat surprised by the ending. In all, I thought it was a good game.

One of the big draws for the Super Bowl is all the new advertising that is debuted during the game. In kind of an ironic twist, at least one of those ads indicated that cheating was okay as a means to win the race.

As I remember the story, when the turtle and the hare had their race in the old fairy tale, the turtle won by taking a slow and steady pace, defeating the speedier rabbit.

We are told in the Bible the one who runs the best race is the one who keeps his eye on the finish line, not being distracted by things going on around him. The writer of Hebrews said, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

The Apostle Paul said, “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—“(Acts 20:24). Then, near the end of his life, Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

To the church at Corinth, Paul exhorted his readers to run in such a way as to get the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24).

In each of these examples, the emphasis is on finishing well, not so much being first across the finish line. How does a Christian finish well? Only one thing mattered to Paul: to finish the work God had given him to do. We do not have the same calling as Paul, but the following applies to all Christians.

“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. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

10 Nov

No Political Solution

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Change, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, Freedom, God's Word, The Good News, Truth.

Dear friends,

We have heat in the lake house, and not any too soon. I hear the cold wind blowing already.

In church news, last evening was the restart of our annual pancake supper. We had a rather small turnout, but the food and fellowship was inspiring. Put us on your calendar for next November, and we’ll see if it can be even bigger and better.

The election is over, and politically, the landscape has changed again. The same concerns are out there, and we wonder if, and how, things might be different. There are some things we need to remember as we contemplate what lies ahead.

Washington, D.C, is not in control of the universe, neither is any other political system or ruler or country. Our God is still in control of His creation, and it will be so for eternity. Those who think there is a political solution to all the troubles of the world are sadly mistaken.

The root problem is the sinful heart of man. The solution to the problem of sin is faith in the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Unless mankind is willing to put itself under His rule and authority, things will not change appreciably.

Over the years, many have fought and died for ideas and for the cause of freedom. Only one person has died to bring true freedom. That one is Jesus Christ, God’s own Son.

May I share some words from the Bible that relate to this? These first verses are usually read during the Christmas season: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Of Jesus, we read, “By Him all things were created: Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).

As the saying goes; “No Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace!”

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

3 Nov

Waiting for a Mansion

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, End Times, Eternal Life, God's Word, Heaven, Rest, Second Coming, The Good News.

Hello all,
It’s cloudy and mild at the lake this morning. The trees have lost most of their leaves, and it’s looking like we need to be getting ready for winter.

Last week, as we were busy putting up new cabinets, and planning other improvements to the house, this comment was made: “It’s not a mansion, but it will do.” In this, I was reminded that this world is not my home; that there is a far better place to which I will go at the end of this life. This is true of everyone who has placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 11, that great chapter on faith, the faithful listed there are called aliens and strangers on earth. In describing the faithful who had died, the writer said, “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:15-16).

The fine mansions people pride themselves in for this life, will someday disappear. Those whose hope is in the Lord will receive their reward. Listen to the words of Peter: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare (you talk about global warming)…That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:10-13).

You have heard these words of Jesus many times: “In my Father’s house are many rooms (some versions say ‘mansions’); if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

Be it a mansion or a room, it will be infinitely better to be in the presence of the Lord for all eternity! The old song has it right. This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through. Scripture reminds us we will walk on streets of pure gold (Revelation 21:21).

Looking for that city,
Pastor Jerry

27 Oct

Finding the Way

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, God's Word, Praise, Salvation, The Good News, Truth.

Dear friends,
I detect a return to cooler weather this morning. Those northwest winds just sound different.

When we were waiting to get the concrete work started for our house, I got a call from the contractor telling me that since it rained where they were working, his crew would be at our place the next day. We saw this as a work of the Lord. Last week, after wondering how long it would be before we could get the foundation completed, another call came. It was the contractor saying, “The rain is good to you. It rained almost an inch where the block layer is working, and he’ll be at your place in the morning.” Our God is good!

Getting ready for my trip to Kansas, I brought up a map app on my phone, set my destination and plugged in the headset, listening for the voice of instruction to show me the way. I was startled a couple of times by the voice in my ear, but it was very effective in getting me where I was going.

We are becoming dependent on things like GPS devices and map programs on our phones to give us directions. In order for these to work we must turn on the power, then listen and obey the directions to reach our destination.

I saw these words on the back of a truck a few weeks ago: “Lost, but having fun.” I’m sure the person who put them there did so for a smile, but what a commentary on the lives of many people today. From a spiritual perspective, lost, but having fun has eternal consequences. In biblical terms, being lost is having no relationship with the Lord, headed for judgment and hell. This is not having fun. This is deadly serious.

We have the direction manual available, it’s called the Bible. It will keep us on the right road. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). However, for it to be effective in guiding us, we must open it, read it, and obey its instructions. There is one major difference…God’s GPS never fails.

A final word of caution as we follow God’s directions; be prepared to be startled by the voice of the Lord as he speaks through His word.

Listening,
Pastor Jerry

13 Oct

Spot Free Rinse

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, Forgiveness, God's Word, Holy Spirit, renewal, Salvation, Sin, The Good News.

We have the new cabinets installed in the house. This is the beginning of a complete kitchen remodel. Now that the house is only a mile or two away, I hope to actually finish some of these projects. What a blessing it is not to have to drive 75 miles to enjoy our little “cabin”.

I will be leaving Monday to travel to Hutchinson, Kansas for the annual meeting of our two-state Baptist Convention. I’m looking forward to some inspirational messages and fellowship with old and new Christian friends. It is also good to be part of the process of determining the direction our convention will be take in the future. I’ll be returning home Wednesday in time for our men’s Bible study.
It is interesting how little things can sometimes provide a theme for a devotional thought. We were in a car wash last week, and when the wash cycle neared the end, the sign came on that said, “Spot Free Rinse.” I’ve seen that little phrase before, but this time it seemed to mean something other that the fact that the car would dry spot-free.
It reminded me of the cleansing that takes place in the heart and soul of a person who comes to faith in Christ. Let’s take a look at some verses that I found.
This is from Paul’s instructions to husbands, “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26). Regarding salvation, Paul wrote to Titus, “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
As Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, he told Peter, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean” (John 13:10). When someone is saved, his sins are forgiven; but when the believer does sin, he does not need to start over, he only has to do what is taught in 1 John 1:9–“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
A “spot free rinse!” Something we all can use from time to time.
Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

6 Oct

Birthdays

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Change, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, renewal, Salvation, The Good News.

Hello everyone,

Today marks another birthday anniversary for me. I would try to ignore it, but people keep sending birthday greetings by email and through Facebook. I appreciate the sentiments, and thank my Lord for allowing me these 70 years. I’m excited to see what else He has for me.

We’re still working to get the house ready for winter. We still need our furnace and AC to be connected, and for the contractor to finish up the concrete work. In the meantime, we have been hanging some new cabinets to replace the ones we took out after the move.

While reflecting on the past years, I find we have been ministering here in Ericson for just over 15 years. In addition, I’ve had the privilege of writing these articles and devotional thoughts for almost 12 years. Today, as it has been since the beginning my intention is to introduce people to the Lord Jesus, and to build up and challenge those who already know Him.

I was thinking about the remodeling of our lake house, and how it might relate to our walk with Christ. Here is the thought: When we come to faith in Christ, he doesn’t begin a remodeling project. He makes us a whole new creation. It is not an upgrade, it is a new beginning.

Although I’m now 70 in human years, I was spiritually reborn 32 years ago. Here is what the Bible says about that.

A man named Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions about eternal matters, and this was Jesus’ answer to him: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). Further, Jesus said, “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” (John 3:16).

Romans 10:9. “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Then this: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

These are verses that are near and dear to my heart. I pray that you, also, will consider them for yourself.

Celebrating in Him,

Pastor Jerry

29 Sep

Rescue the Perishing

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Great Commission, Salvation, Service, The Good News, Truth.

It is a pretty morning here. I’m looking out at the lake, and it is just like a mirror—no wind, and the reflection of the trees in the water is perfect. The house move is slowly progressing. We now have running water, electricity, and the septic system is functional. Heating and air-conditioning are expected to be ready soon.

This thought came to me this morning: If we were as dedicated rescuing lost souls, as we are to rescuing every abandoned pet and endangered wild animal, the world would be changed. What if we were as concerned with seeing people saved from the fires of hell as we are with saving whales and snails?

The apostle Paul had that kind of heart for his fellow Jews. Listen to his words: “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel” (Romans 9:3).

Further on in Romans, we read: “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1).

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Then, Paul asks the question—“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? (verses 14-15).

Jesus’ final words to his disciples (and to us) are these: 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).

I may have used this quote before, but it is still relevant: “If every person in the world had adequate food, housing, income; if all men were equal and every possible social evil and injustice were done away with, men would still need one thing: Jesus Christ!”  [J. W. Hyde]

People are dying daily without Christ. Does that bother us? It should.

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

25 Aug

On the Tenth Commandment

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, God, Law, Salvation, Sin, Worship.

More progress was made last week on the preparations for moving the house. Monday, the footings and stem walls were poured. Tuesday the forms were removed, and now we wait for the interior footings. This week I hope to get the old house ready for its move.

The area was blessed with more rain this week. The timely rains have helped keep lawn and garden watering to a minimum. We harvested our first cantaloupe this week, and more are ripening. There are signs that the garden is nearing the end of production for this year.

Our message this week was built on the Tenth Commandment: “Do not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Deuteronomy 5:21). Covetousness isn’t a word we use much these days, but it is alive and well. The advertising people understand the idea that we all want what our neighbor has. We probably don’t get to the point of taking our neighbor’s stuff, but we want to have the latest model of smart phone, car, or computer. Maybe it is the desire to move to a better neighborhood, or buy a bigger house. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things. It is when they become the over-riding focus of our lives that there is a problem

The truth of the matter is this. When we are dissatisfied with what God has given us, we are saying to Him, “I don’t appreciate what you have given me, I want more.”

When we covet someone else’s belongings, we are focused on our immediate circumstances and prevented from looking ahead. We need to make sure we live our lives with the proper perspective. What we experience now is temporary, and eternity is in our future.

Only the gospel can give contentment to the human heart. Everyone has the desire to search for satisfaction, and the road to satisfaction eventually leads back to God. Paul found his joy in the Lord continually. His happiness was not dependent on his circumstances. In Philippians 4:13, Paul described his ability to be content whether in good times or bad… “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Is God good enough for you? If you are in Christ, you do not need to define yourself by your possessions. You already have the greatest gift of all.

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

11 Aug

Do You Know Him?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Law, Salvation, Sin, The Good News, Truth.

Hello friends,
Here we are at the beginning of a new week. We have been blessed again with abundant rain. The gauge here at the parsonage read 2.20″ in a little over 24 hours. The temperatures have been pleasant, as well.

It appears we will be able to get our house moved to Lake Ericson in September. We don’t have an exact date, but we know the month. If all goes according to plan, the concrete work and the removal of some unwanted trees will take place this week.

In our Sunday worship over the last few weeks, we have studied  eight of the Ten Commandments, as found in Deuteronomy, chapter 5. During the course of my studying, I have been reminded of this truth: At the end of life, it will not matter how many of the Ten Commandments we’ve kept, that won’t be the question. When we stand before God, He won’t ask if we’ve been good, or if we have lived up to His law. Those things do not provide salvation. The law shows us first of all that we are sinners, and when we have confessed our sin to Him, the law shows us how to live. The thing that matters at the end, is how we responded to the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at some verses that convince me of this. Ephesians 2:4-9: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved…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.”

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the saints in Rome, wrote, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” And in verse 30, “There is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.”

I continue to write on this topic, because I am convinced there are people reading this who do not know their eternal destiny. They do not know Jesus as their Savior. The Bible is clear. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6).

Do you know my Jesus?

In His love,
Pastor Jerry

30 Jun

True Freedom

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Freedom, God's Word, Law, Praise, thanksgiving, The Good News, Truth, Worship.

Vacation is officially over. I have to admit, taking those three
Sundays off from my preaching duties was refreshing. However, the rest
of the time seemed a lot like a normal routine. Even so, we enjoyed
our trip out west, and the opportunity to see some things beyond our
regular circle of vision.

We intend to take some short (two or three day) sight-seeing trips
around the great state of Nebraska. Maybe we’ll even return to some of
the places we missed in my hurry to get back home. Now that we are
somewhat accustomed to traveling together in a relatively small space,
it should be easier, and even more fun!

On Friday, this week, we celebrate our country’s adoption of the
Declaration of Independence 238 years ago. On this day, we should also
thank God for allowing us to be born in a land that gives us the many
freedoms that others in the world can only wish for. Freedom also
brings responsibility. As citizens of the United States of America, we
are free to live pretty much as we want to, within the boundaries of
the law.

Christians should be thankful for their dependence on the Lord. In
giving Him control of our lives, we are provided with freedom from
sin, and the freedom to live our lives without fear for our eternal
future. It has been said that once we place our faith in Jesus for our
salvation and submit to his Lordship, we can do anything we want, as
long as it is within His will.

We are not under the law as given in the Old Testament, Christ died
to fulfill the Law. The Law, then, becomes our guide for living as His
followers. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm,
then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of
slavery” (Galatians 5:1). “Live as free men, but do not use your
freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God” (1 Peter
2:16).

The previous verses apply to Christian living, but it seems to me that
they should apply to citizens of the greatest country in the world,
with respect to her laws.

Let us give thanks, for our country and to our Lord, as we remain
loyal and obedient to both. This, I believe, should be how we live
every day.

Free in Christ,
Pastor Jerry

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