2 Apr

What Did Jesus Do?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, The Good News.

Dear friends,
Another week has gone by. It’s April already, and from all appearances we have moved directly into early summer. I think we might want to start praying for a few April showers before too long.
Yesterday, a worship service was held at the Rose Church. It’s been awhile since the church met there, and we pray this is the first of many such gatherings and ministry in that part of our world. Although just 13 folks were present, you knew the Lord was in that place. The next worship service will be held there on May 6, at 4 pm. Mark your calendars now.
Now, on to some thoughts concerning this week leading up to the Easter celebration. I have a t-shirt that has the slogan WWJD on the back. It means, What Would Jesus Do?” It is a fine saying, and helps us to live out Jesus teachings. However, I think we need to answer another question first.
The more important question for this week is, “WDJD?” What Did Jesus Do? This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. I have compiled a list that answers this important question.
For claiming to be God, Jesus was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. This was part of God’s plan to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin. Jesus then went willingly to Calvary, where he died on a cross for my sins and yours. You already know John 3:16…For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…
He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Three days later, He rose from the dead to prove he has power over death. Speaking of Jesus, Paul says he was “declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead…” (Romans 1:4).
Because of what he did, and because I have placed my faith in Him, I have eternal life. Again, John 3:16…”That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Through faith in Him, I am a child of God with all the rights and privileges and responsibilities of an adopted son. Read John 1:12. “to those who believed in his name he gave the right to become children of God.”
We are adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will..(Ephesians 1:5).
Finally, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
That is what Jesus did!
After we act upon the truth of what Jesus did, we then can answer the question, What Would Jesus Do?

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

26 Mar

Worship the Creator

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Hello from our part of the world,
It has been a very good week. The weather has been spring-like, and new life is everywhere. The early spring flowers are blooming, and baby calves are coming in great numbers. I’m afraid we are going to have to start mowing the lawn, although it just doesn’t seem right.
Last Monday, we attended the funeral of a godly man, a neighbor from our home community. It was the celebration of a life well-lived, and the legacy of a gentle man; a WWII veteran. Then, Friday we spent some time helping our son get some carpentry work done.
Saturday, I was privileged to answer some questions from a young woman, who after getting the answers she was seeking, prayed to receive Jesus into her heart. I don’t know if there is a sweeter sound than the simple prayer of a person asking Jesus into their life.
I heard some Sandhill crane flying over yesterday, and I was reminded of a devotional thought from a few years back.
As I heard those crane, I thought about the Creator, and how he had made these great birds with the instinct to migrate to a warm climate for winter, and then to return north for the summer. There are many people today who see all these wonderful things and still deny or doubt the existence of God.
In Romans 1:20-23, we read this: For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him…although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.”
Today we have people worshiping the creation rather than the Creator. They are more concerned with saving whales and minnows and “mother earth”, than they are with saving the lives of innocent children. They are more interested in self rather than God’s will for them.
The scripture goes on to say that God will judge those who refuse to acknowledge him as Lord, or give him his rightful place in their lives.
May we never forget who he is, or whose we are. He created the world and all that is in it. To Him be honor and praise and glory!

Remembering Him,
Pastor Jerry

18 Mar

Easter: A New View

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Hello everyone,
Here are some thoughts on the Easter season… I have been receiving some email devotionals during this season. One in particular caught my attention, and I’d like to share an excerpt from it. The author challenges us to look at Easter from a different perspective.
He writes: “This is exactly what I’d like to see us do with Easter. I’d like to see us standing in a new place, somewhere outside the realm of the familiar, taking a look at Jesus’ cross, passion and resurrection–beholding with new eyes!
Imagine arriving at Palm Sunday (the week before Easter) with your devotional life finely tuned, your understanding of God’s grace well-practiced, your walk with Jesus in full stride, and your sense of expectation fully engaged. Consider the implications:

What if we allowed everything Jesus achieved and is achieving to impact us as if we heard it for the very first time?

What if we’ve been looking at forty days of Lent from the standpoint of tradition rather than living faith?

What if our understanding of Easter has everything to do with religion and almost nothing to do with a transformational encounter with the living God?

What if we did something new this year, and all of that changed?” **

I’m trying to keep this in mind as I prepare my messages for this Easter season. I pray we all are able to see and understand what God was really doing, when he allowed his only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. How much different would our lives be if that were to happen? What if?
In Him,
Pastor Jerry

**Reaching Toward Easter (Derek Maul)

12 Mar

Repentance

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Greetings friends,
The Easter celebration is just around the corner. In some traditions, there is an emphasis on repentance in the days leading to Good Friday and Easter. For others, repentance is seen as a one time action taken at the moment of salvation. It is my belief that for most of us, repentance needs to be done daily.
I believe everyone sins at some level on a daily basis, therefore, we should not reserve special times for taking action in regard to our sin. Repentance means turning. That is, turning from our sin, and turning back toward God. It is a 180 degree shift in the direction we are going. We are either going toward God, or we are going away from him.
I believe the Bible teaches that as soon as we are made aware of sin in our life, we need to confess it to God and turn from it. Confession must be followed by repentance, or our relationship with God is broken.
Someone has been quoted as saying in regard to their sins, “I ‘fesses ’em as I does ’em!” In other words, we keep a short account in regard to our sins. For most people, this would require daily action.
Jesus preached repentance, as did John the Baptist. The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote, “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).
One final thought, true repentance will show itself through a changed life. John the Baptist told his listeners, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8).
Confession and repentance, they are not for just a season!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Jerry

4 Mar

Removing Sin

Posted by sandhillspastor in Uncategorized.

Dear readers,
The email version of this weekly blog is called “Lake City News”. There is a reason. I grew up in Rock County and Pony Lake was almost in our back yard. At one point in history, there was a town platted there, and it was called Lake City. In the “Remember When” column in our local newspaper this week from 100 years ago, there was this: “The poverty and wealth dance at Lake City was well attended and a good time was reported.” This would have been 1912. The dance hall, lumber yard, and post office at Lake City have long since disappeared, but it’s fun knowing I lived there.
I spent a day last week trying to remove some pesky beavers at Lake George (our other home by a lake). They have worn out their welcome. Actually, I don’t remember ever welcoming them, they just moved in without asking. I didn’t have any success with that project yet, but I’ll be spending some more time there this week.
Removing unwanted rodents could be compared to rooting out sin in our lives. Some of those things creep in, and one day we realize they are not as innocent as we thought, and it is much harder to kick them out after they become established.
In order to begin working on the beaver problem at our lake, I need to get authorization to use the means necessary to evict them. That came in the form of a permit from Game and Parks. I now have the authority to use physical force to remove the unwanted visitors.
As Christians, we have been authorized to deal with sin, and we also are given the necessary tools to get the job done. Our authority is granted by the Lord, and our helper is the Holy Spirit. In addition, we have the Word of God, which shows us the way to not only deal with present sin, but which also instructs us in the way to keep sin from taking over in our lives. The proper application of His Word is very effective in dealing with sin.
Of equal importance are prayer, confession, repentance and relying on the power of God’s Holy Spirit, not our own: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The very best way to enjoy freedom from sin is to never let it take up residence in your life. Here are three commands concerning temptation to sin: Flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18), flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14), and flee the evil desires of youth (2 Timothy 2:22).

In His Truth,
Pastor Jerry

27 Feb

Leaving the Past Behind

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, The Good News. Tagged: .

Hello everyone,
When I first started this project, I was trying to get it out on Wednesday, but over time it has moved to Monday. I now have to make sure it is out before Monday noon in order to meet the newspaper column deadline. I wonder, does this mean procrastination must end at some point?
It was a good week. The weather was fair, our extra piano found a new home, Alex and I went to a Pheasants Forever banquet, and Sunday worship was very well attended.
Sometimes I notice things that get in my thoughts and won’t go away. When that happens, I feel the Lord may be prompting me to address the issue. One that has been bugging me this week is people who seem to continually live in the past. Sometimes it is yearning for the “good old days.” Others don’t seem to be able to get past a family tragedy, or some other kind of personal issue. We do mourn, and grief is a natural part of who we are, but I believe at some point a person must move on.
Living in the past–what does the Bible say? The apostle Paul said this: “This one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the prize…” (Philippians 3:13). I don’t believe Paul is saying we shouldn’t remember the past, but that we don’t live there, and we don’t let the past keep us from going forward with our lives. God has called us to a future.
In Jeremiah 29:11 God’s message to his people is this: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” This does not mean we will be spared pain, suffering or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.
Finally, for the Christian who is experiencing grief, Paul indicates that we do not grieve as those who do not know Jesus Christ. He says, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep (die), or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The rest of that passage (verses 14-17) offers words of great encouragement for those who know and love the Lord.
The past is behind us, and even with trials and struggles yet to come, we have a glorious hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let these words encourage you today.

In His Love,
Pastor Jerry

20 Feb

Life Saver

Posted by sandhillspastor in The Good News.

I started this earlier in the week, but in fact, it is Monday morning as I finish writing this. Since last we talked, our hay from last summer has been sold and shipped. We thank the Lord for this answer to prayer.
Alex spent the weekend with his dad, and Milrae and I spent part of Saturday in Grand Island doing some shopping. Sunday evening I attended the Rose Church annual pancake supper, while Milrae went to Neligh to bring Alex home.
We are getting some rain this morning. It may turn to snow later, but I would be happy if it stays in liquid form.
At our Friday Bible study, one of the ladies was sharing her Lifesaver candies with everyone, and as she gave me one, I thought, “Isn’t it good to know the true Life Saver?”
What a blessing it is, to know the One who came to save the world from the bondage of sin and hopelessness. In him there is not only freedom from sin and guilt today, but a life of eternal joy and blessing after our time one earth has ended.
I just want to share some scripture this week. I pray one or more of these will bless you in some way, or maybe even cause you to consider whether or not you have received his gift of salvation.
Matt 1:21-The angel speaking to Joseph, the husband of Mary: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Hear Jesus’ own words in Luke 19: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Then there are these: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). “…There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Finally, “He saved us, not by righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5).
Do you know my Jesus? Can you say he is your true Life Saver?

Simply His,
Pastor Jerry

13 Feb

First or Last?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Hello everyone,
It’s been another reasonably mild week in the weather department. There were a couple of chilly days, but we’ve seen worse. Still, it’s not too bad for this time of the year. We’re all back to better health, after fighting colds for a couple of weeks.
I visited with my Mom this week. It had been a while since I had been there, because of those cold symptoms. Mom is doing pretty well, it seems. Her wit and humor are still intact, and is able to walk with some assistance.
By the time you read this, our church will have had its 6th annual Valentine’s banquet. Everyone had a good time, the food was excellent as usual, and the entertainment was special.
As I watched the people lined up to fill their plates at the banquet, I saw that all the people in line didn’t get their food at the same moment. Some are first, some are last, but all are fed. This brings to mind a story from the Bible.
In Matthew 20, Jesus tell a story about a man hiring workers for his vineyard. Some worked all day, some for half the day, and some for just an hour. At the end of the day, they were all paid the same amount. In simple terms, this is a picture of God’s grace, and his sovereignty. The vineyard represents the kingdom of heaven the landowner is God, the workers are believers, and their pay is eternal life.
God’s plan for salvation is that every person who believes in his Son receives the gift of salvation. There are no exceptions, and it matters not whether the person came to faith early in life, or on his deathbed. Everyone who comes on God’s terms receives the same eternal blessings (Matthew 20:1-16).
So, the next time you are standing in line at a banquet, I hope you will remember this illustration, and that it will make you think about your relationship with the heavenly Father.
It’s not about your position in line, what matters is that you have responded to his offer of salvation and its eternal reward.

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

6 Feb

Stand Up, Speak Up

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Hi from our house,
Snow fell this week. We were in need of moisture, so it was a blessing in that respect. The snow was preceded by some rain, also. The good news here is we only got about 4 or 5 inches of the white stuff.
It was a rather uneventful week. I did make a trip north and bring back a few bales of hay that I had sold. We had planned on going to the other house and work on a project there, but decided to put it off for awhile.
We watched the Super Bowl game Sunday night, but weren’t really in to it, as none of our favorites made it that far. I don’t do the half-time show, and the commercials don’t seem to be as entertaining as they once were. I wonder if I’m becoming somewhat disinterested in the whole thing?
As I observe the actions of people who claim the name of Jesus, that is, those who call themselves Christians, I recall a devotional thought I had a few years ago. It came from being around livestock, and relates to the behavior of young bulls that I brought home from the sale. Before I would put them in with the older bulls, the new arrivals spent a little time in a separate pen, while they got accustomed to their new surroundings.
The newcomers would stand at the fence, bellowing and pawing dirt, trying to put on a show of strength and voicing their opinions. As soon as I would open the gate and let them in with the older bulls, they suddenly became quiet and tried to blend in with the others. When released into the larger pen, the young bulls seemed less inclined to make a show of their strength, and made every effort to be unnoticed.
I see this kind of behavior in Christians from time to time. Inside the friendly walls of our churches and Bible study groups, we voice our opinions and boast of our strength in the Lord, but when we get out into the real world, those things take a back seat to public opinion. We just try to blend in and keep quiet. The Lord had some things to say about this.
“I tell you whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8-9). Also, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).
Fellow believers, let us not just acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord in our safe Christian circles, but out in the world as well. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. We are called to be separate from the world, not to blend with it. Our message is even more important outside the walls of the church. It is a message for the salvation of the world!

Stand up, Stand up for Jesus,
Pastor Jerry

30 Jan

A Force for God

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living.

Now that football season is nearly over…only the Superbowl left… I probably won’t get much TV time until baseball season starts. I did see a commercial today that caught my attention. It was a plug for the “US Navy: A global force for good.” Backed by the U.S. government, all of our military might should be considered a force for good . However, most of us wouldn’t qualify for a position in the United States Navy or any other branch of military service. The requirements would be too great.
There is another force this ad brings to mind: “The Church: A global force for God.” It is empowered by the God of the universe. Now there is a force I’m proud to be a member of. No physical examination is required, there is no boot camp with extreme obstacles to overcome, and the requirements are few. In fact, the Commander-in-Chief tells us He will carry the load. Listen: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). There is only one requirement to join, and that is to believe on Jesus Christ the Son of God.
It is a powerful force. Hear the words of Jesus: “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8a).
The earliest members turned their world upside-down (Acts 17:6). Current members are still making a difference around the world.
A word of caution here… service in the Lord’s army is not easy by any measure. Its members are promised troubles and trials (John 16:33 and others).
In spite of this, the rewards are priceless and eternal. Faithful service for the Lord will result in heavens blessings and life everlasting. As has been said, the benefits of serving the Lord are out of this world!

Serving in the Lord’s army,
Pastor Jerry

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