2 Jul

True Freedom

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Summer is totally here! Hot seems to be the weather word these days. Some real rain would be much appreciated, and the answer to many prayers. We spent a couple of days at our Rock County place early in the week. It was almost too hot to go outside and play with the new tractor. Maybe I should have spent the extra bucks for one with a cab and AC?

We will celebrate the birthday of our country on Wednesday. The emphasis will probably be on liberty and freedom. Those two words identify part of what makes America great. Almost daily, we are reminded how easily these can be lost, if we don’t remain vigilant. In fact, in light of recent news stories, we may have just lost some of our liberty and freedom.

The Bible speaks of freedom and liberty. To be liberated, according to the dictionary is to be “set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control.”

Freedom goes hand-in-hand with liberty. Here are two definitions of freedom: 1. “The ability to exercise choice; free will.” 2. “The right of enjoying all the privileges of membership or citizenship.”

Jesus said, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The truth he speaks of here is the truth of the gospel. The good news that Jesus Christ came to die in our place and set us free, or liberate us, from the bondage of sin.

We who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross, then, are not enslaved to sin and guilt, but are free to live as citizens of heaven, and followers of Christ. And, as one Bible teacher has said, we are free to do as we please, as long as we do it within the framework of God’s will.

So, as you celebrate America this week, remember that as Christians, we have liberty and freedom in Christ, and these are promises of God. He is not a politician and He does not fail to keep his promises.

Celebrating!
Pastor Jerry

25 Jun

Wrong Assumptions

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Eternal Life.

We’re starting the week at Lake George. It’s foggy this morning. There is no rain in the forecast, but the fog keeps it from drying out any worse, at least temporarily.

We have a new tool here at the lake. Some might call it an expensive toy… We have traded our older tractor for a new, smaller one with four-wheel drive. Just the thing to help get the work done easier and faster.

Our 2012 VBS is in the books. There weren’t a large number of kids, and the helpers outnumbered the students. This is not a negative thing, the helpers also need to hear the gospel again. There were 27 at the program Friday evening, including parents, grandparents and babies. Thanks to the Hickey family for their willingness to provide this outreach in our community!

I have not had an original idea for this week’s column, so I am going to share part of an article from the Our Daily Bread devotional. It relates to conversations of the past week. We all know people who have died suddenly. In many cases we don’t know the person’s spiritual condition. One thing that becomes very clear at a time like this is that we all need to be ready for the time when suddenly, or not so suddenly, each one of us passes from this life to the next. Now to the aforementioned article:

“Some people have an assurance of salvation based on faulty thinking. They believe that church attendance, baptism, or just being good will gain them approval from God. But our thinking is faulty if it isn’t based on what God says in His Word. God says that “all have sinned” and that we are His enemies. But through the death and resurrection of His Son, we can be made right with God (Rom. 3:23; 5:8-10). By faith in what Christ has done, we can have peace with God (5:1) and the assurance of eternal life in heaven.

Do you believe it? Your eternity is at stake. Don’t trust faulty thinking but put your faith in Christ.” (Anne Cetas in Our Daily Bread)

Finally, this thought. This is something that I feel is very important: If you know Jesus as your personal Savior, please tell your family, your pastor or a friend. It will be great comfort to those you leave behind, if they know for certain that heaven is your eternal destination.

Because I care,
Pastor Jerry

18 Jun

Preparations

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith.

It’s Monday. I want Monday to be my day off. It usually ends up involving work in some form, but it’s a change. We’re at the lake until Tuesday afternoon.We’ll return to Ericson then, because Vacation Bible School begins Wednesday morning and will run nine to noon for three days.

The lake level is going down. Since the spring rains have stopped, the water isn’t running out, and the concrete boat ramp we poured several years ago has begun to reappear. We will take this opportunity to extend it further onshore.. While the water level was high, it was almost unusable because of the soft soil between the ramp and high ground. It may be awhile before the water level reaches those of the past few years, but when it does we’ll be prepared.

On the subject of making plans and preparing for the future, I believe many people today are making plans for their lives that end when this life is over. Most, I would venture to say, have very little regard for what happens at the end of their earthly life. I’d like to address this topic today, even though I may lose many of you at the end of this sentence. It is my responsibility, you know.

The Bible says our lives here are like a mist, or a vapor (James 4:14). I know that when we’re young, or maybe even not so young, we get so caught up in living in the present that we give little or no thought to any afterlife. In a daily devotional that comes to my desk each day, I read this from the late Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, “If you go and talk to many people about religion, you will find that they will talk to you at great length without ever mentioning the Lord Jesus Christ.”

He goes on to record a conversation in which a person talks much about God’s love, their belief in God, and the fact that they have lived a good life. When asked how all that helps, the person responds with this: “Well, I believe that if I acknowledge my sin to God and then ask Him to forgive me, He does forgive me, and I am relying on that.”

Dr. Lloyd-Jone finishes with this comment: “They seem to think that they can go to God directly without the Lord Jesus at all.”

The reality is this; while living in this world and in the present, we need to consider what happens next. One day, we will all stand before the God of the universe, and when we are asked why he should admit us into heaven, the only right answer is, “I believe in the Lord Jesus and have placed my faith in Him for my salvation.”

I’ll close with a verse you have heard many times before. Jesus is speaking: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

We may be well prepared for our immediate future, but what really matters are our preparations for eternity future. Are you ready?

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

11 Jun

Possessions

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Faith.

Hello friends,
I’m looking for things to slow down a bit this week. We’ll see how that goes. We’ve begun moving the rest of the important things from the ranch to our place at Lake George. With Mom’s passing, the ranch will be sold, so we’re beginning the process. I suppose I should have feelings of sadness over the pending sale, after all the place has been in the family since 1910. I can truthfully say I’m not sad. As a couple, Milrae and I lived there 38 years, and raised our two boys there. It was a good life and ranching was good to us. We have to look at this, not as the end of something, but the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. We will move on from here.
Scripture has much to say about the temporary nature of life and possessions. Over the years, as I have read and studied the Bible, I have come to understand that our possessions are on loan from the Lord, and he has the authority to both give them and take them away.
In the Old Testament, a man named Job lost everything near and dear to him, yet he said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21).
Jesus said, “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). The apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…I can do everything through him who give me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13).
The apostle James, speaking to those who made “big plans” for the future, said, “Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes.”
To Timothy, Paul wrote, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (2 Timothy 6:6-7). Corrie Ten Boom, who survived the Holocaust said, “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”
I think it helps to remember the words of the old song… “This world is not my home, I’m just a’ passing through.”

In His care,
Pastor Jerry

4 Jun

A Cautious Walk

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Hello everyone,
We have had another busy week, with lots of miles and many blessings. There were some moments that were less than wonderful, but that is normal.
I had the privilege of conducting a wedding ceremony in the beautiful outdoors of Nebraska (and the wind was not blowing). Also, Sunday was the monthly worship at the historic Rose church.
I’m sure you remember me saying a couple of weeks ago that I had participated in a graveside service for my mom’s friend. A former pastor reminded me that this lady, after she officially “retired”, lived by herself on her family ranch on the north side of the Niobrara River, where there were a good number of rattlesnakes. Pastor Dan could not remember her name, but he remembered her “cautious walk.”
At that comment, I thought, “we could all benefit from a cautious walk.” A cautious walk would keep us from all kinds of danger, and help us avoid falling into sin when tempted to be careless in our daily walk. Although the word cautious isn’t used much in the bible, I believe we could substitute the word “careful”. I found a number of verses using the word careful. I’ll give just a few of those here.
“Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today” (Deuteronomy 8:1). “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God…” (Deut. 8:11). “Be careful to love the Lord your God” (Joshua 23:11).
In other places we are reminded to be careful with our thoughts and with our words.
Some New Testament passages remind us to be careful to do what is right, and to be careful how we live.
Having a cautious, or careful walk will keep us from getting bitten by rattlesnakes, but will also keep us from being bitten by the devil, who in scripture, is called “that ancient serpent” (Revelation 12:9).
I pray our cautious walk will be something people will remember about each of us, as well.

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

28 May

Remembering

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Memorial Day.

Dear friends,
I am writing from our Rock county property this morning. I can see the sun on the water, and it is a pretty sight. I sometimes wonder why people travel far and wide to see beautiful scenery, when many times it is right outside the front door?
Last week was pretty hectic, so I’m glad for a day to take a few minutes to enjoy this place.
As we celebrated the Memorial Day holiday, I thought about those of my family, friends, and acquaintances who have died this past year. Most have been well up in years, some not so old. The holiday was originally to remember those who had fallen in battle while serving our country. It has lost some of its meaning over the years, in that many now see it as another day to head for the lake, or wherever else they get their recreation.
Last week, I was privileged to participate in a graveside service honoring a friend of my mom’s. This lady was 91, and had been an army nurse during WWII. As I watched and listened to the American Legion part of the service, I was touched, and reminded once again of those many who have served, and those who continue to do so.
In the “Our Daily Bread” devotional for Memorial Day, there was a diary entry from Oswald Chambers mentioning the battlefield death of a young solder. It read as follows: ” And so Ted Strack has ‘gone to be with Jesus.’ That is just how he would have put it . . . . [He] was a rough beauty of nature and of grace, a fearless, loveable little saint. Thank God for every remembrance of him . . . . So they are gathering one by one.”
So they are gathering one by one. As I read this sentence, I rejoiced that Christians from all ages, be they soldiers or citizens, are being gathered one by one, as they are taken home to heaven, where we all will gather some day.
Will you be there? There is a way to know for sure. Scripture says, “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… everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 9:10, 13).

Remembering and rejoicing,
Pastor Jerry

21 May

In The Spirit’s Power

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Holy Spirit.

Hi again,
It’s time for another weekly update. I’m trying to take a little time to “smell the roses”, but other important things keep popping up. I suppose I’ll catch a glimpse of the roses now and then. There may be some material from the archives in this letter over the next few weeks. I’ll try to keep from repeating myself too much.
Last week, I managed to get some of our noxious weeds sprayed. The wind blew hard enough to keep us from putting the boat on the lake, but we were able to get some fishing done from shore with some success. I also noticed the wood ticks are active. They keep trying to hitch a ride with me.
During those windy days at the lake, I spent a little time watching the birds fly around the place. It’s a pretty common sight in most places, but how often do we think about what is going on as they sail through the sky?
It’s not just the bird up there making its way in its own strength, there is an unseen force that allows that bird to fly. That force is air, or wind.
In somewhat the same way, God’s Holy Spirit, although unseen, lifts up the Christian and allows him or her to rise to spiritual heights that would be impossible otherwise.
Jesus compared the work of the Holy Spirit to the wind: “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). We read in the Bible of the Holy Spirit moving people, and guiding them. The scriptures were written by men who were inspired by the Spirit to record the very words of God.
In the book of Acts, we read of the Spirit’s empowering of the apostles, allowing them to speak in other languages, in order to spread the Word among the people.
Although unseen, the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin (John 16:8), and convinces them to seek God’s forgiveness, leading them to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit controls the believer and enables him to understand the words of the Bible. Paul writes, “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:12).
So, the next time you see an eagle or a hawk soaring above the earth, remember the invisible force that keeps them suspended in space, and may it remind you of the unseen power of the Holy Spirit, who enables Christian to “soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

14 May

Temporary Blessings

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Dear friends and family,
It’s looking like a great spring day here. I wonder if we might be past the danger of frost? Everyone seems to be outside, getting the things done we looked forward to all winter. I’m pretty sure that by fall, we’ll be ready to put away those lawn mowers and other tools for another season.
Yesterday was Mother’s Day. I trust you took the time to honor your mothers properly, and to honor the memories of those moms who are no longer with us. I remember my own mother saying “every day is Mother’s day.” I’m not sure that was a positive statement…
Also, congratulations to all those who graduated from high school and college these last few weekends. May you look to the Lord for his guidance, as you travel down the path of life.
Here is a thought that came to me a few days ago: After my mom’s funeral service, there were several arrangement of flowers left at the church. I really do like flowers, and Milrae spent quite a bit of time taking out the wilted ones, and rearranging the rest, so they might look nice as long as possible. However, as I watched them wilt and fade, I couldn’t help thinking of the words of scripture.
From Isaiah 40:8… “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” As we try to keep these things looking nice, we know that at the end they are temporary, at best. That is why Jesus instructed his followers to store up treasure in heaven. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
It is good to remember that the things of this earth are temporary, but the things of heaven are eternal. Let’s be about storing up treasures in heaven, while we enjoy the temporary blessings here.

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry
lakecitynews@nctc.net

7 May

Flee From Danger

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Temptation.

Hello everyone,
It’s a beautiful spring morning. As I write this from Lake George, there is a family of Canada geese outside my window. There are six goslings, and of course, their parents. I’ll be here today for some personal renewal, along with some mowing and other chores. Tomorrow I’ll be on the road, starting the process of finishing up Mom’s affairs. Then back to Ericson to pick up the regular schedule.
Thanks to all for your prayers and support this last week. Thanks to all our church family and other friends for helping make the memorial service go smoothly. May God bless each of you in a special way.
As I sit at watching these geese, I have noticed that every now and then, one of the parents will give an alarm, and they all race toward the water and safety. The parents are teaching the young ones to flee from danger. I don’t know what danger they sense, but obviously they are teaching their young the proper response to any threat to their safety.
I’m reminded by this of scriptures that warn Christians to stay away from temptation: “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:16); “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14).
In regard to making the love of money rule our lives, Paul wrote this, “But you, man of God, flee from all this…” (1 Timothy 6:11). In his second letter to Timothy, Paul says, “Flee the evil desires of youth..” (2 Timothy 2:22).
As Christians, we need to be aware of our enemy, the devil. The apostle Peter describes him as a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” What are we to do? “Be self-controlled and alert” (1 Peter 5:8).
We will be tempted. Flight is the best response. Waiting around to see if there is really any danger can be deadly.

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

30 Apr

The Last Shall Be First

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, The Good News.

Dear friends
I’m starting on a somber note this week. Some who read this are personally acquainted with my mom. Others have read of her in this newsletter down through the years. Mom passed away Saturday, about six weeks short of her 91st birthday. We are glad she is with the Lord, but we will also miss her here.
We received a high school graduation card last week. At the top was inscribed the class motto, and I quote: “If you’re not first, you’re last!”
Now, I know that every class tries to come up with a meaningful motto that no one else has ever used, but I wondered how this one ever got approval from a class sponsor. One of the first things I thought of was, the Bible says “But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30; 20:16). To his disciples, Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Obviously these statements from the Lord contradict the class motto. The idea of being first comes from the value system of the world that says getting to the top of the heap is what is matters most. Jesus indicates here and elsewhere that in His view, our status is measured in completely different terms.
As I spent time with Mom during her last hours on this earth, I was acutely aware that at the end, our position in the world means absolutely nothing. At that point the only thing that matters is our relationship with Jesus Christ. All the “stuff” we strive for is meaningless when we stand at eternity’s threshold. At the end of our lives, the only question left to answer is “what did you do with Jesus?”
I know the choice Mom made. What about you? What will you do with Jesus?

Held in His everlasting love,
Pastor Jerry

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »