Be Encouraged

 

Dear friends,

Our camping trip last week was interesting as usual. My best laid plans usually go awry somewhere along the way, and this was no exception. The first and most important lesson learned; find out about water availability before leveling and unhooking the camper, especially when it is 95 degrees out and there is no breeze! After solving that issue, things went reasonably well. We’ll wait for cooler weather before venturing out again.

 

On a more serious note, it has again been brought to my attention through various conversations this week, that there are many people dealing with the difficulties of life. Health issues, relational issues, economic trials, and nasty weather are just a few I could name. The passage of scripture referenced in church this morning seems appropriate for a devotional lesson.

 

I have used these verses before but am drawn back to them this week. “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings (Romans 8:22-26).

 

When the cares of the world begin to weigh heavily on us, we feel weak and defeated. We cannot even find the words we want to say to God and this scripture tells us that God’s Holy Spirit will help us. He will bring our prayer requests to the Lord with the clarity we are unable to put into words. God knows our needs, even if all we can make are groaning sounds as we pray.

 

The next verse encourages us in those times of groaning under our burdens in this way, “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (verse 27).

 

Take heart in your trials, God hears and understands your groanings.

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

Meetings That Matter

 

Dear friends,

July is passing quickly it seems. We have had some decent rainfall but can always use more. If the forecast for the next week holds true, we are in for some very hot temperatures. We will be glad for air-conditioning for sure. Our plan for the first few days this week is to go camping at Victoria Springs. If I had checked the forecast before reserving our spot, I might have changed my mind.

Update: I saw the doctor last week for a follow-up visit and he told me to see him in a year. He is pleased with the result, and positive the aneurism is no longer a concern. Praise the Lord!

I had an interesting conversation with a lady while in the clinic waiting room. She said she would be 102 years old in August. We shared some experiences we each have had, and some of them were quite similar. She and her late husband had been farmers during the mid-eighties and went through tough economic times just as my family had. She and her husband came to faith in Jesus during that time, as did Milrae and I. Our conversation ended when I was called back to see the doctor. Before I left the lady said, “We’ll meet again.” To which I replied, “yes we will.”  It is great to have that common bond in the Lord Jesus, and to know that as believers in Him we will all meet again in heaven.

We never know when a conversation will turn to things of a spiritual nature. We who are believers in the Lord Jesus are told to be lights in our surroundings and in our culture. The old saying is we are just beggars telling other beggars where to find bread. We never get anyone saved, that is the Lord’s work, but we can show them the way. I was once told we only make the sales pitch; God seals the deal.

Jesus’ words: I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:47-51).

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

Re-Creation

 

Dear friends,

Weekends at the lake remain busy. From Friday to Sunday, the river, the lake, and the streets are filled with people enjoying the summer days. The rest of the week is less busy, but there are still those who can get away for a few days. As someone who used to see Sunday as just another day to work, I wonder how many give a thought to the Lord on His day as they seek recreation and enjoy God’s creation.

 

The word ‘recreation’ gives the idea of something being re-created, that is, to be restored or made new. One would think that God’s command to observe a day of rest might remind us that we need rest from our work. God did not rest because he was tired, he did it as an example for us to follow. That one day was set aside for God’s people to focus on Him. There was to be no work, but time to honor the Creator.

 

In the Ten Commandments, there was not only the one concerning a day of rest, but there was also one that forbade the worship of idols. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in worship. Could the lake become an idol? How about a nice bass boat, or maybe the sporting event that keeps us from attending worship service on the Lord’s Day? (Exodus 20:1-9).                

 

Our work becomes an idol if it keeps us from putting God first in our lives. I used to ask the question, if I feel I need to be making hay on Sunday, is that Bale worship (play on words there); or if I think I need to be present when each calf is born, is that worshiping the calf? Remember, Israel got in a heap of trouble with a golden calf idol.

 

I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip on anyone here, just a reminder to check our priorities to see if there is something that is taking the place God has reserved for Himself. I am not opposed to taking time to renew and recharge our batteries, so to speak. I am just encouraging you to take time to put the important thing at the top of the list. Everything else will fall into its proper place and God will be given what He desires from his people, their worship.

 

Just thinking,

Pastor Jerry

Storms of Life

 

Dear friends,

After the long 4^th of July holiday weekend, it seemed like just three days later we arrived at another weekend. By all reports the long weekend was a success. A large number of residents and guests enjoyed a great fireworks display and many memories were made. During the week we received some nice rain. Early Friday morning my gauge showed an even two inches. It was very much needed, and there is room for more. On the flip side, there were damaging storms in the panhandle with hail that destroyed crops.

 

Nature is unpredictable, and we are told in the Bible that God’s creation is broken. We are also told that at some time future, the earth will be restored to newness, and those who believed in Jesus for salvation will get to experience this new earth. All this is of little consolation to those whose crops lie in ruin, but better times are coming. Many years ago, we were looking at a bumper corn crop, when a hailstorm near the end of July left only bare stalks. As they say, if it weren’t for next year, farmers and ranchers would give up. So, the next year, we harvested a nice crop of corn again.

 

To quote a passage of scripture; “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:22-25).

 

God will have the last word, as reported by the apostle John in his revelation from Jesus: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I say the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people” (Revelation 21:1-3).

 

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

Freedom

 

Dear friends,

It’s another of those early copy weeks, so I will try to write something that makes sense on short notice. I am back to normal after my visit to the fine medical professionals in Omaha last week. I am continually impressed by the gifted doctors, nurses and others who have chosen to make medicine their career choice. I have nothing but highest regard for every one of them.

The Independence Day holiday will be celebrated in grand style here at Lake Ericson and in the village of Ericson. We have it all, from fireworks to food, from parades to a junior rodeo. There is an avenue of flags along the lake front that is nothing but inspiring. There are games at the lake and a street dance in town. A visit to our little community is well worth your time.

As we read and hear the negative news about what is going on in our country, it is easy to become disillusioned with the things that we see. I believe the USA has been, is today, and will be in the future the best country in the world. Who we are and how we came to be what we are as a country is why we can celebrate this thing called Independence Day.

As we celebrate, we must not become complacent, but be ever vigilant to defend our God-given rights and freedoms. Let us be informed about government and politics and raise our voices in support of the Constitution and the American way. As Christians, we cannot sit idly by while the enemies of morality and the truth of God’s Word trample them in the dust.

In Galatians we are told that through faith in Christ we have been set free from the bondage of sin. We are also reminded not to use that freedom to keep sinning, but to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:1, 13).

Also, we find this command: Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone; Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:16-17).

So, on Independence Day and every day, stand tall and be proud of our country. Thank God for those who founded and defended her, and pray God bless America, again!

For God and for country,

Pastor Jerry