Archive for the ‘Worship’ Category

16 Jun

Windshield Time

Posted by sandhillspastor in God, God's Word, Praise, thanksgiving, Worship.

Hello everyone,
I’m writing this morning from Livermore, Colorado. We arrived here Sunday afternoon and will spend a few days with our friends Ken and Dorothy. Yes, we are on vacation. We left home Friday with a new (to us) camper, driving into a stiff south breeze. We stayed overnight in Kearney. It was not a long distance from home, but with a late start and a couple of detours, it was the best we could do. I now understand those wind advisories for high profile vehicles.

Saturday, we headed west with a strong south wind at our side. I had increased the air pressure in the rear pickup tires, so the rig wasn’t driving as squirrely as the day before. Later in the day, the wind switched to the northwest at the same velocity. This gave me some variety in the driving experience. What with driving in the wind, and setting up the camper a couple of times in the space of an hour, the vacation began look like work, only with different scenery.

Our second night was spent in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. I woke up feeling a bit chilly, so I checked the weather report and found it was 36 degrees outside. Now I know the camper furnace works.

Of the two RV parks we’ve stayed in, one was just off the interstate, and the other was about 500 yards from the railroad tracks. I wondered if the trains ran all night, but between the time I went to sleep and 4 AM, I didn’t hear any. It’s just an observation, but I wonder if these parks are located where normal people don’t want to live?I don’t have any great insight into spiritual matters this week, but it is good to get away and view God’s creation from a different window.

I’ll close with these verses from Psalm 96:1-6:
“Sing to the Lord a new song:
sing to the Lord all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise His name;
proclaim His salvation day after day.
Declare His glory among the nations.
His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and glory are in His sanctuary.”
Seeing His glory,
Pastor Jerry

9 Jun

Honor God’s Name

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, God, God's Word, Hypocrisy, Service, Sin, The Good News, Truth, Worship.

We have had a great week. It finally rained, and as I write this on Monday, it is raining again. Plans are moving forward to get our house at Lake George moved to Ericson Lake. We are excited about the move.

As noted last week, my wonderful wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary Saturday. Our church family hosted a carry-in dinner and helped us observe the occasion Sunday after church services. We were surprised by two of our very best long-time friends walking in the door, after they had called earlier in the day and informed us they wouldn’t be able to attend. They have been forgiven for their deception.

I will be taking a few weeks off from my church duties for a long overdue vacation, but will try to keep everyone informed of our activities through this newsletter. As it is with most preachers, it is hard to quit cold turkey, so I’ll continue to share God’s word in this way.
This week, we looked at the third of the Ten Commandments. “Your shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God…” (Deuteronomy 5:11). We saw there are three categories covered by this commandment:
1) Using God’s name flippantly. That is, using the Lord’s name as a curse, or any other unworthy manner. This would include those “nice” ways we use his name, such as saying “gosh”, or using the media shorthand “OMG.”
2) Using God’s name untruthfully. This would be attaching His name to something that goes against His word. Examples would be Christians who try to justify slavery, abortion, or same-sex marriage by twisting scripture to their advantage.
3) Using God’s name hypocritically. This is when our public witness doesn’t line up with the name Christian. As people who bear Christ’s name, we are to reflect his character in our daily living. If we do not, we are misusing His name.
In our word and works we are to live so the world can see Jesus, the One who is the true image of God. To do anything less is to “take the Lord’s name in vain.”
Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

2 Jun

Make No Idols

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, God, God's Word, Law, Sin, Worship.

The temperatures have been a bit warm over the past week, and still we need rain. Some areas around us seem to be getting the good moisture, but I guess it just isn’t our turn. I have no doubt rain will come at the proper time.

News Flash! Sunday afternoon, we received .30″ of rain, and more is forecast for later in the week.
On a personal note, my bride and I will reach a milestone in our marriage this week. Saturday, June 7th, we will celebrate 50 years on our way to forever together.
Our devotional thought for the week centers on the second of the Ten Commandments: “You shall not make for yourself an idol….” (Deuteronomy 5:8-10). The idea is that we are not to re-imagine God. This happens when we try to make God fit into our idea of who He should be. We say, “my God wouldn’t do”…whatever bothers us about God’s way. Or it might be, “I couldn’t worship a God who”… does this or that thing.
God doesn’t need us to define who He is. He has revealed Himself in the Bible, and the Lord Jesus is the manifestation of the Living God. Our opinions of what God should do, or how He should act, are of little importance to Him.
God is not one-dimensional. Anytime we try to make God into someone we are comfortable with, we inevitably leave out some part of who He is. God is jealous for our worship, and when we begin to dilute His holiness, His power, His glory, His love, His righteousness, or His judgment, He is rightly offended.
In addition to arousing God’s jealousy when we fashion these false views of Him, idolatry corrupts our behavior. Much of the immoral behavior in the world today is the direct result of the failure to know and obey God and His moral law. The Bible teaches that we become what we worship. Said another way, whatever we worship, we reflect.
The only image of God we need, is the Lord Jesus Christ, who scripture describes as the very image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3). We worship God when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

26 May

Free to Obey

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Faith, Freedom, God, God's Word, Law, Memorial Day, Service, The Good News, Truth, Worship.

We are still in need of beneficial rains. I know there are some folks who would share if they could, because of their over-supply. I also know that God will provide in his good and perfect timing.

 

I trust you have taken time this long weekend to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great country. Did you also take time to pray for our current leaders and military personnel? Did you thank God for the privilege of living here and enjoying the many freedoms we have?

 

Our sermon this week asked the question, “Do we have too small a view of God?” I believe we do. How many of us contemplate the thought of meeting God in a personal way? What if we could get a glimpse of his majesty, his power and his holiness?

 

Let’s consider Israel’s response to the Lord’s appearance on Mount Sinai. Smoke, fire and earthquakes accompanied God’s coming to the mountain. The people were so afraid they asked Moses to intercede on their behalf. Here is their request: “Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.” (Deuteronomy 5:27).

 

The majesty of God showed in the thunder, earthquakes and lightning as He came down to the mountain. His power showed in delivering His people from Egyptian slavery. His holiness exposed the sins of Israel, and it does the same for us.

 

God is the same as He has always been. He has not changed, and he demands and deserves our obedience. This is not for salvation. Remember, the law follows salvation. Once saved, God wants us to be obedient to his commands. His law is not the ten suggestions, but the Ten Commandments. It is not there for our salvation, but as a guide to living a Christ-like life.

 

The real lesson here is this: We need to see God in all His glory, infinite in size, power, and holiness. We also need to see God in Jesus Christ humbling Himself on a cross for our salvation.

 

The redeeming work of a holy God redeemed Israel from Egyptian slavery, and led them to desire to obey Him, and it is the redeeming work of Christ on the cross that empowers us to obey God today.

 

Free in Him,

Pastor Jerry

14 Apr

Resurrection is Coming!

Posted by sandhillspastor in Easter, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Praise, Salvation, The Good News, Truth, Worship.

Saturday, it was 70 degrees, and a beautiful day. Sunday began with rain that changed to wet snow and high winds. The high temperature for the day was in the low 40’s, by late afternoon, it was near freezing. It must be spring in the Sandhills.

This week brings two events that mark the foundation of the Christian faith. Those two being Good Friday, and Easter. Good Friday is important because it was the day the Lord Jesus went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “He was delivered over to death for our sins…” (Romans 4:25). The apostle Paul wrote, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
Easter (I prefer Resurrection) Sunday commemorates the raising of Jesus from the dead. Peter puts it this way: “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…” (1 Peter 1:3).
Without these two, our faith would be useless, and we would have no hope for eternity. Paul sums it up in this way: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14-17).
I’ll close with this little poem:
“Easter time is here again
and bunnies everywhere,
Don’t salute a substitute,
there is no holy hare.
So colored eggs and jelly beans,
don’t mean a bunny thing,
Cause bunnies do, what bunnies do
and have no gifts to bring
So Easter time’s the time to know,
a lie could not survive.
And here’s the proof in gospel truth;
JESUS IS ALIVE!”
[William F. Heffner]
Because He Lives,
Pastor Jerry

24 Feb

Singing As Worship

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Praise, Worship.

Greetings everyone,
Snow has fallen in Ericson. It is not heavy, just pretty. A picture of the purity of our Creator.

Today’s topic is singing. Specifically, singing as worship. Singing as a means of worship is spoken of many places in the Bible, and God’s people are encouraged to “sing a new song to the Lord.” Even so, occasionally, I see people in a worship service who don’t sing. Some will tell me they aren’t good singers, although they would admit to liking music. I personally believe that God is more concerned with our willingness to lift our voices in praise to Him, than he is with the quality of our voices.

The following words are from a blog written by a worship leader I know:
“The prophet Zephaniah wrote, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph 3:17).

When we can’t find adequate words to express our thanks, Jesus as our worship leader sings with us. He said, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises” (Heb. 2:12).

For some of us, there may be a time when the circumstances of life actually discourage us from being able to verbalize our thanks. Since the Father is singing over us and Jesus is singing with us we can rest in the realization that we are not alone. With that assurance and encouragement how can we keep from singing?

My life flows on in endless song; Amid earth’s lamentation,
I hear the sweet, tho’ far-off hymn That hails a new creation;
Thro’ all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul, How can I keep from singing? ” (Dr. David Manner)

When Moses tried to excuse himself from speaking to Pharaoh, God said, “who makes mans mouth?” If God gave you a voice, don’t you think he would expect that you would use it to sing his praises? I encourage you, when you attend church next Sunday, whether you feel you are capable or not, to raise your voice in worshipful song to the Lord. I know you will be blessed.

Singing praises,

Pastor Jerry

30 Dec

One Way

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Eternal Life, God's Word, Salvation, Work, Worship.

Happy New Year!

Christmas has been celebrated, the gifts opened, and families are back to “normal”. Now we can look ahead to 2014. I pray it is a good year for everyone. We will be heading up to Lake George for a few days this week.

 Once again, I have heard this comment: “There are many ways to God”.

 Why is it so hard to understand Jesus’ statement, when he says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me?”

May I submit this thought to you? Every “religion” or “pathway to God” that people propose in the place of following Jesus, is nothing more than man trying to get to heaven by being “good enough” to please God.

The only way to be saved from our sin and receive eternal life, is when we stop trying to please God by being “good’, and turn to Him in brokenness, confessing our sin and turning from it. He will certainly hear and forgive us. The next step then, is to begin to live for him out of love and gratitude for what he has done. We must get to the place of the hymn writer: “In my hand no price I bring. Only to Thy cross I cling.”*

“For it is by grace you are saved, not by works, so that no man can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

If you should die tomorrow without having placed your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation, you will not go to heaven, no matter how good you have been. That is the word of God, not something Pastor Jerry just made up. “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18).

I’m saddened when I hear those “many paths” statements, because there are so many people who believe them. The sad fact is, they are believing a lie.

Will you come to Him today? You can start the new year with the sure knowledge of an eternity in heaven with the Lord Jesus when your earthly life is over.

In His love,

Pastor Jerry

* [Rock of Ages (August M. Toplady)]

23 Dec

God With Us

Posted by sandhillspastor in Advent, Christmas, God, Incarnation, The Good News, Worship.

It’s time again to reflect on the blessing of Christmas. I could  have said “blessings”, for there are many, but the Blessing of Christmas is my focus today. I  take us back to the Old Testament and the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, concerning the promised Messiah..

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

What does this mean to us? Let’s look at these five truths: As the One with the government on His shoulders, we see Him as the one who holds the world together. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (1 Corinthians 1:17). As Wonderful Counselor, He always gives wise counsel to those who will hear and obey Him.

As Mighty God, He can forgive sin, defeat Satan, redeem us, and restore our broken souls. As Everlasting Father, He is eternally in complete and sovereign control of His creation. He knows everything, and works everything for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

In His role as Prince of Peace, He brings real and lasting peace. Not peace as the world thinks of peace, but to those who believe in Him, He brings an inner peace that surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).

In summary, the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, as fulfilled in the birth of the Savior, is the answer to all the confusion, chaos, complexity and conflicts of life. It is the gift of the newborn infant who is also the Father of all eternity. He is an innocent child, yet He is a wise counselor and mighty king. He is God with us. Emmanuel. May He bring you peace in these troubled times.*

In His amazing love,
Pastor Jerry

*[credit to Dr. John MacArthur for some content]

9 Dec

The Light of Christmas

Posted by sandhillspastor in Advent, Bible, Christmas, The Good News, Truth, Worship.

Continuing the Christmas theme, I was noticing the many displays of Christmas lights soon after Thanksgiving. Actually, some were up and ready even before Thanksgiving, but that is another subject altogether.

My thought was this: All the festive lights of all the houses in the world cannot equal the Light we celebrate at Christmas. May I share a few verses concerning this Light?
The prophecy of Isaiah 9:2 is that God would send a Light. Read it with me: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” He expands on the prophecy in verse 6; “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”
In the New Testament we find these words: “There was a man named John who was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light, who gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:6-9)

Jesus testified about himself: “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).

Finally, these Spirit inspired words from the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God…For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

The light of the world is Jesus. May all the bright lights of the Christmas season remind us daily of this truth.

Walking in His light,

Pastor Jerry

25 Nov

Give Thanks

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Praise, Salvation, thanksgiving, Worship.

The last time I visited the house at Lake George, I came away feeling good about having drained the automatic sprinklers in the lawn, and doing some other preparations for winter. About the second day of our recent cold snap, my lovely wife asked if I had turned on the heater in the well house (so much for my self-satisfied feeling). My answer: “No, I forgot all about it!” We’ll be heading up there today to see how that turned out. The last time I forgot, I discovered my mistake when I saw water running out the door and down the hill to the lake.

I just realized it’s only one month until Christmas! However, since I believe the Thanksgiving holiday comes first, I’ll focus on it today.

As we observe Thanksgiving this week, let us first acknowledge the One to whom we give our thanks. Without a Creator, who created this world and everything in it, there would be no giving of thanks. So we first thank Him for Who he is. We then thank him for our very lives, and for the air we breath, the food we eat, the shelter he provides, and so on. Where do we stop? Could we ever stop? I think not.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100).

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4).

One last thing: We thank you God, for the Lord Jesus, and for the gift of salvation. I pray everyone who reads this has received that gift.
Happy Thanksgiving,

Pastor Jerry

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