Archive for the ‘Prayer’ Category

16 Mar

On Updates

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Change, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Prayer, renewal.

Dear readers,
Thursday, I went to Topeka, Kansas for a meeting. As I drove down highway 281, I saw power company workers stringing new wires along a line of new poles. This is being done to update the system in order to meet projected demands for electric power. Just last week our immediate area experienced a 6 hour outage, so work could be done on the new lines. It was a reminder how dependent we are on our electric system.

I believe we Christians, people who look to Jesus as our source of power for living, sometimes neglect our power source. By that, I mean we do not stay close to Him in our daily walk. It seems we get into maintenance mode, and just do the basics. We may attend church occasionally, or maybe think about reading a few verses of scripture now and then.

At our meeting Friday morning, we were challenged as pastors to update our technology, with a thought that neglecting those updates would be detrimental to our ministries. The idea is to keep current on ways to communicate the gospel to the people. There is a real danger of becoming stagnant and ineffective as God’s servants, if we neglect those periodic updates.

Have you been tapping your power source to its full potential? What about updating your relationship with the Lord? Have we slipped into maintenance mode? Has our connection to the church become a random post of a ‘religious’ sounding meme on Facebook?

Verses that come to mind include Hebrews 10:25. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…”
“Come near to God and he will come near to you…” (James 4:8a).
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Paul in Ephesians 3:16).
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father…encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

In our world of electronic communication, we need to stay updated. Why should it be any less important to update the connection to our Source of spiritual well-being?

Could it be time for a spiritual update? Do we need to get out of maintenance mode and rebuild that connection to our Father in heaven?

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

15 Sep

The Response to Persecution

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, End Times, Evil deeds, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Second Coming, The Good News, Truth.

Hello friends,
We are experiencing some fall-like temperatures lately. If nothing else, folks are reminded that winter is not too far away. There is a sense that we need to get busy finishing up those summer projects.

You are all aware of the events taking place around the world. Christians in other places are facing persecution and even death for their faith. Other people who are not Christian are being killed just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. What are we to think of these things?

The Bible is clear that these things will be present in the world because of sin. Someday, the Lord will return and make everything right, but in the meantime, what are we to do?

I know there are those who think there is a political solution to everything that is going on, but the problems of the world will never be solved by political means. Politics cannot change the human heart, only God, working through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit can change the heart of man.

In Matthew, chapter 24, Jesus answered his disciples’ question concerning the end of time. Space does not allow me to quote it here, but you can read it in your Bible.

Persecution will come to the Christian. It is a fact. The apostle Peter wrote, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). John wrote in his first letter, “Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13).

What is our response? Pray first of all for the enemies of God and His people. Pray for their salvation and for God’s Holy Spirit to work in their hearts and bring them to faith in the One True God. In the words of Jesus, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Then, pray for our leaders. Paul, writing to Timothy said this: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Praying for our enemies is not an easy thing to do, but I believe we must pray fervently and without ceasing for God to bring about the heart change they so desperately need.

Praying,
Pastor Jerry

18 Aug

What About the Children?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Marriage, Prayer, Sin, Truth.

Dear friends,
We have new developments in moving our house. The plan is to get the concrete runners and the perimeter walls poured this week. The house mover has told me he can move the house in September. What fun! It also means I had better get busy getting the house ready for the move.
School starts in Wheeler county this week. Alex is a freshman this year, and his height has been officially measured at 6′ 3/4″. Needless to say, he has left grandpa and grandma in the dust…
I have no profound wisdom to share this week. I will just share an experience from our last visit to the grocery store. I hope what I am about to share will be food for thought.
You are probably aware of the new Coca Cola sales campaign that encourages you to share a Coke with a person named on the label. I admit to looking for my name on a bottle of Coke. So far, I’ve only found Alex’s name in our family, not that I send all my time looking at Coke bottles…
Back to the story: As we came down the soft drink aisle, there was a little girl sorting through the bottles on display. We asked if she was looking for a particular name. Her reply after some serious thinking was this: “How can I say this? I’m looking for one for Mommy’s friend, and one for Daddy’s  friend.”
This conversation made me very sad, but it is certainly a sign of the times in which we live. What is sad is the fact that we have all these children having to deal with things they shouldn’t be experiencing, because Mom and Dad are more concerned with their own “happiness”, than that of their kids.
Two verses of scripture come to mind here: 1) “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21). 2) “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
I’m not just picking on fathers, there is plenty of blame to go around. However, as head of the household, fathers should make every effort to keep the family together.
I pray this little story will cause someone to stop and consider the effect that their actions will have on their children in the days and years to come.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Jerry

 

12 May

Prayers, or Positive Thoughts?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Prayer, Salvation, The Good News, Truth.

I have seen and heard people make statements similar to this: “I’m sending love and positive thoughts.” If I may, I’d like to share some of my thoughts about this.

I understand the sentiment of “sending love”, which would convey the idea that the person making the statement did so out of love for the recipient. But what are “positive thoughts”, and what comfort do they bring? At other times, well-meaning people offer to pray for a situation and I wonder, do they pray to the God who answers prayer, or do they even know Him?

Let’s look at some scriptures concerning prayers that God hears.

Proverbs 15:29…”The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

1 Peter 3:12… “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” James tells us ‘the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

The righteous person, as defined in the Bible, is one who is in right standing with God. Right standing with God is obtained only by placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Romans 1:17 reminds us, “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, “the righteous will live by faith”, also, in Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38, and others.

I believe the only prayer of an unbeliever God is obligated to answer, is the prayer of one who confesses his sin, asking God for forgiveness, and accepting Jesus as his or her Savior. My purpose in writing this devotional is to cause us to stop and consider whether or we have that relationship with God that makes our prayers truly effective.

As always, your questions or comments are welcome.

In His love,

Pastor Jerry

18 Nov

Praying to Whom?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Faith, Prayer, Salvation, thanksgiving.

Here is a verse of scripture that caught my attention this week:1 Peter 3:12…” For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

I read, and sometimes hear, people promise to pray for a person or situation. I also know some of these who would pray, and I wonder, to whom do they pray? I hope it is the God of the Bible, because if it is any other god, those “prayers” are just wasted effort. The above verse from Peter’s letter indicates that God hears the prayers of his people, not those who deny his existence. Proverbs 15:29 reads, “The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

The word “righteous” indicates right standing with God. No one is righteous in God’s sight without having placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Only then are we in right standing with God, and only then does he hear our prayers. Romans 3:22 says this: “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” James tells us, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

As a footnote; as far as the prayer of an unbeliever goes, I believe the one prayer God is obligated to hear is when that person comes in confession and repentance, asking for forgiveness and inviting Christ into his or her heart. It is that person who God hears, and whose prayer he answers.

It is indicated in other places, that there are things that hinder the prayers of God’s people, but that will wait for another time.
In His amazing love,
Pastor Jerry

21 Jan

An Unhappy Anniversary

Posted by sandhillspastor in Evil deeds, Forgiveness, Prayer, Sanctity of Human Life, Sin.

This week (Tuesday) marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in America. I want to say a few words concerning the sin of abortion. I believe we must call it sin, because God created humans in his image, and to destroy human life is murder. It is murder at any stage of life. Nowhere in scripture is the murder of a human being at any stage of life condoned, especially the lives of innocents.

Much is made in the news media of the murder of young people in a school, or the slaughter of people attending a movie, but there is no outcry, no sorrow over the millions of lives terminated by abortion in the last 40 years. In the most recent report from Planned Parenthood, we find the organization performed 333,964 abortions in 2011. This amounts to 915 abortions per day. Where is the media uproar over this?

There has been much talk recently from the president and others about stricter gun laws, but I have heard nothing about the clear and present danger to the unborn in the form of abortion. I believe the issue is not one of taking guns from law-abiding citizens. Instead it is about a country, a government that breaks God’s moral law by sponsoring abortion (murder).

God is not mocked. Whether as individuals or as a nation, we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). When the Israelites were sacrificing their children to pagan gods, God judged them (Leviticus 20:2-5).. Why would we think he will not do the same when our country is in effect sacrificing our unborn children to the “god of convenience”, or to the “god of choice?”

I believe that our country will be judged for this sin, if in fact we are not being judged already. Sin has consequence, and even if America would confess her sin and repent of it, she will surely suffer some consequence of her past actions.

The Bible is God’s Word, and if God’s Word says murder is a sin, who are we to try to tell Him He is wrong? In my mind and in my understanding of the Bible, there can be no justification for abortion for any reason.

Praying for America,
Pastor Jerry

14 Jan

WiFi from Heaven

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Prayer.

We are trying to get back into some sort of regular routine, but I wonder, how do you get into a routine when three days in succession you are at a variety of doctor’s appointments? Maybe next week!

The cold weather returned at the end of the week, but it brought some moisture with it, so we are thankful.

I don’t know how many of you would remember the old song “Turn Your Radio On.” Here are a few lines:
“Everybody has a radio receiver
All you got to do is listen for the call
Turn your radio on, turn your radio on
If you listen in you will be a believer
Leanin’ on the truths that’ll never fall
Get in touch with God, turn the radio on….
Turn your radio on and glory share
Turn your lights down low
And listen to the Master’s radio
Get in touch with God, turn your radio on.”

I saw the following post on Facebook this morning, and was suddenly taken with the thought that we’ve come quite a distance from “Turn Your Radio On.”

With a little editing, here is what I read: “Prayer is like WiFi. It’s invisible, but it has the power to connect to the One you need.”

I know about WiFi. I’m too frugal to pay for a data package for my cell phone, so I search out places with free WiFi, so I can check email and stay in touch with my Facebook friends.

Why do I think prayer might be like WiFi? Because we can communicate with Someone who is unseen, through an unseen power. It is in Jesus’ instructions concerning prayer: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

Prayer is not the same as WiFi, in that it is always available. There is no need to find a hotspot. You are always connected, anytime, anywhere… even in a whale. From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me… when my life was ebbing away I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple” (Jonah 2:2….7).

Continually connected,
Pastor Jerry

19 Nov

Thanksgiving

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Prayer, thanksgiving.

Can you believe the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us? It will be Christmas before we know it. This week, we moved the lawn mower to the back of the shed, and brought the snowblower closer to the door. I suppose I will be criticized for wanting snow, but I’m just getting prepared for God’s answer to our prayers for moisture. At this point, I don’t care how it comes.

Thanksgiving is our topic for the week. As we contemplate giving thanks, I wonder if we give much thought to the idea. Are we truly thankful? A question I might ask some folks is this: Who are you thanking, anyway? It is God we thank. It is God who gives every good gift. (James 1:17)

Do we look back on our lives and thank God for what he’s done for us? In Psalm 138, we get a glimpse of King David’s heart as he gives thanks to his God. If you have a Bible, I’d like you to read Psalm 138. You might do this as your family gathers for the Thanksgiving meal. Just mute the ball game and read it aloud, as a reminder of God’s blessings..

In verses 1-3, he tells God that he will praise him with all his heart, he will do it publicly, with a proper attitude and posture, and with thanksgiving. In addition to the elements of his praise, he will give thanks for God’s love, for His faithfulness, for answers to past prayers and for the spiritual strength that God provides.

He then prays for all kings (leaders of nations) to acknowledge God’s favor to those who are humble and not arrogant or prideful (verses 4-6). David concludes by asking God to continue to work in his own life, bringing God’s plan for him to completion (verses 7-8).

As we offer praise to God and thank Him for material and spiritual blessings, let us not forget to thank him for answered prayer. Remember those times you asked him for protection, strength, comfort, patience, love or other special needs, and he supplied them. Beware of taking God’s provision and answered prayers for granted.

Scripture reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Then we are to trust Him to complete the work he has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).

Giving thanks,
Pastor Jerry

29 Oct

Whose Prayers are Answered?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Faith, Prayer. Tagged: .

We have had our first snow of the season. There were only 3 or 4 inches, but it was wet and melted away fairly quickly. Thank you, Lord! Much more moisture is needed to return the land to normal. Please keep praying for rain.

Several days this week were spent cleaning out excess “stuff” from the ranch buildings. With the projected closing date nearing, we hope to be able to bring that part of our lives to a conclusion and move on. As mentioned in a previous column, change isn’t always easy, but change will come. It is up to us to make the best of it.

As I ask you to pray for rain, and as I believe we need also to pray for our country in this election year, there is a thought that I must share. We must understand that only God can answer prayer, and also, that he only answers the prayers of his children.

I realize I may be getting into controversial territory with this, but I believe the Bible confirms it.

In the Old Testament we read this: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Notice the requirements for God’s hearing their prayers: humility, confession of sin, repentance and seeking Him. Other conditions for answered prayer include obedience to God’s word, faith in the Lord and obedience to his word, among others.

There was a point in Israel’s history when they became so far removed from God, that he would not hear prayers on their behalf. (Jeremiah 7:16).

In John’s gospel, there is the story of a man whose blindness was healed by Jesus. To the Pharisees who disbelieved his story, the man said, “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will” (John 9:31).

So, when we offer to pray for someone, or for a certain situation, we need to understand that God answers the prayers of his people. I’m not sure he answers the prayers of others, except the prayers of the one who prays to receive Jesus as his or her Savior.

God hears and answers the prayers of his children. Are you one of his?

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

Newer Entries »