Archive for the ‘Truth’ Category

22 Jul

Believe the Book

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, God's Word, Truth.

We’ll be taking a couple of days off to try out the camper. This is a trial run, the first since we acquired it last fall. It’s been awhile since we have gone camping, so we’ll see how it goes. I can tell you we aren’t going far, just in case it doesn’t work out.

As I was learning the ins and outs of getting the camper ready, I found the owners manual to be almost useless. There are references to procedures that do not apply to that particular piece of equipment. And, nowhere does it give specific instructions on how to connect the supply hose to either use city water, or to fill the supply tank. Even more important, there is no label identifying the connection to flush the “black water” tank. In a few days, I’m sure I’ll be able to rewrite the manual with more than general information.

I’m glad God’s instruction book gives us clear instructions about how to live, and about the way we are to maintain our relationship with Him. The ten commandments leave no doubt about His will for us. Read through them. They are quite specific, and notice–they are not called the “ten suggestions.”

Commands given by Jesus, and in the writings of the apostles leave no doubt about Christian living, though many people today claim the Bible is not clear on many issues. I don’t think the Bible could be any more clear when it speaks of how a Christian is to conduct themselves. Here are just a few examples:

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). “We should not be idolaters…We should not commit sexual immorality…and do not grumble…” (1 Corinthians 10:7-10). “Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).

I could give a more complete listing, but our space here is limited.

Using the reasoning, “the Bible isn’t relevant to our times”, some folks are even “rewriting” the Bible, but I can tell you they are going to be in trouble someday. God has specifically addressed this issue in Revelation 22:18-19… “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book…”

Unlike the owners manual for our camper, you can believe the Bible, it is God’s inspired, unchanging Word.

Trusting His Word,
Pastor Jerry

6 May

Famine In The Land

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, God's Word, Truth.

In preparing for Sunday’s message, I was reminded that as a society, we in America have neglected our spiritual heritage so long, that we are now in what the Bible defines as a “famine of hearing the words of the LORD.”

“The days are coming,” declares the sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land–not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. In that day the lovely young women and strong young men will faint because of thirst” (Amos 8:11-13).

I believe in many of our churches today, there is a famine of hearing the words of God. I also believe there are millions of people searching for the Word of the Lord and they are not finding it.

In truth, God gave parents the responsibility of seeing that children are brought up with a real knowledge of the Lord and of his Word. I fear that unless we begin to take charge of our families and their spiritual health, we are headed for disaster.
From the apostle Paul we read, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The word “exasperate” can mean to “provoke to anger.” Could it be that the reason for so much anger in our society is the famine of the Word of God?

Although the command is directed at fathers, in today’s family the mother can be seen as equally responsible for bringing up the children in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Finally, although this famine, or lack of knowledge of the Word of God is real, I believe it is not to late to turn it around. If we parents (and grandparents) will take back our God-given authority in the family, and return to the reading and study of the Bible, we can make a difference. And maybe, just maybe, we will again become people of the Word, and followers of the Lord.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Jerry

11 Mar

Sin’s Definition

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Evil deeds, Forgiveness, God's Word, Sin, Truth. Tagged: , .

Dear friends,
On the home scene, life remains busy. If there is a time in life when we are not busy anymore, it hasn’t appeared on my horizon. The change to daylight saving time supposedly gives us more daylight hours, and I’m going to need every minute.

I think it is clear to most people that it is not popular these days to talk about sin. Sin, as described in the Bible, is minimized, glossed over, white-washed, or ignored, but few people are willing to call it disobedience to God’s commands.

Here is a case in point: The television series “The Bible” is airing this month. I did not see all of the first installment, but I will. I did read a review of that episode. In it the reviewer stated that people watching it would get the idea that Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and destroyed for their lack of hospitality. When I read the account in the Bible, I come away with the understanding that those two cities were destroyed because of rampant sexual immorality, including the sin of homosexuality, and others. There were not even 5 people in the cities who met God’s standard of righteousness.

I believe the lesson here for us is this: If we don’t preach and teach that every word in his Book is faithful and true, we are setting ourselves up for a similar judgment at some point. Those ten commandments are not the “ten suggestions.”

Sin is sin. To call it anything else is to call God a liar (1 John 1:10). The good news is Jesus Christ died on the cross to provide forgiveness of sin, no matter what the sin. God forgives all who come to him on the basis of the shed blood of his Son. The end result of this, according to the apostle, is that the one who trusts in Christ will not continue in his or her sin. “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9).

Let us call sin what it is. Follow that up with confession. Confession is agreeing with God that we are sinners. Then, ask his forgiveness, trust his Son Jesus to save you, and as Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.” And if you should sin again, which you may very well do now and then, do as we are instructed in 1 John 1:9… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Forgiven,
Pastor Jerry

4 Mar

How To Know God

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, God's Word, Truth.

Hello friends
Well, here we are at the beginning of a new week and a new month. Reflecting on the past week, I wonder if it was really productive, or just busy?

Could I be allowed to wonder if our spiritual life sometimes is the same way? How many people actually have a daily Bible reading and study time, and of those who do, how many rush through, just to be able to check off another thing they have done? Do we ever think how different our lives would be if we would set aside time for some serious, in-depth study of God’s Word?

I’m sure this sounds like a topic I’ve written about in the past, but when we consider the problem of Bible illiteracy in the world today, I believe it is worthy of our attention.

In any relationship, how do we get to know the other person? The answer is, we spend time with them. If you are “in a relationship”, as many will post on their facebook page, do you not want to spend every minute of every day with that person? Of course, you do. How else do you get to know them in a personal, intimate way? It is the same in our relationship with God. If we want to know Him in the personal, intimate way that He desires, it is imperative that we spend as much time together with Him as possible.

How then, do we get to know God like that? The first thing we need is a Bible. It should be one of the more modern, easily readable versions that are available today. Most of us just don’t “get” the King James language of the older versions. Then set aside a period of time each day for the reading and study of your Bible. Keep a notepad and pencil handy for taking notes. Write down questions you may have, or things that catch your attention. You may want to take these things to your pastor for further clarification.

Also, spend time in prayer. This is nothing more than conversation with God. He has spoken to us through his Word, the Bible. We speak to Him by way of prayer. As you study and pray, God will become more personal to you, and he will reveal himself and his ways. Then, you will no longer be biblically illiterate

There is a new television series dealing with Bible stories. As you watch it, take notes, then go to the Bible and see if it measures up. Whether it is a preacher, Sunday School teacher, or a television miniseries, we need to compare what we see and hear with God’s written word. His Word is Truth, and it stands the test of time, every time.

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

25 Feb

The Unchanging Word

Posted by sandhillspastor in Evil deeds, God, God's Word, The Good News, Truth.

In our day, as has been the case since the beginning of the church, there are those in pulpits who claim to speak for God, yet “prophesy” falsely. They come with a message that isn’t found in the Bible, claiming they have a “new word” from the Lord. Let’s remember, every word intended for us to have from Him is recorded in the Bible. There is no “new word” from the Lord. If you hear of such a person, distance yourself from him.

The scripture is explicit in its command concerning the adding to, or the subtracting from God’s Word. “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19). Although this passage is in Revelation, it, by association would indicate that all of the Bible is to be seen as God’s unchangeable and final word.

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you” (Deuteronomy 4:2).

“Every word of God is flawless…Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar” (Prov. 30:5-6).

2 Peter, chapter 2 gives more details concerning false teachers (prophets), their ways, and their destiny. You can look it up.

We must examine the teaching of anyone who claims to speak for God, and that includes your pastor. (Acts 17:11). I appreciate those who hold me accountable for the words I speak and write, although I may sometimes not show it right away….

In His Love,
Pastor Jerry

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