Knowing the Truth

 

Dear friends,

The weather has been anything but delightful. These cold days make life hard for everyone, except maybe for ice fishermen. We have not strayed far from our warm home in recent days. I have always said that if tractors or other machinery is going to fail, it will be on the coldest days.

 

Gremlins are sneaky. In my last article I meant to use Job as an illustration of God’s presence in trials, but it came out Jonah. Sadly, no one corrected me. This just shows that we should not take everything we hear or read for granted. Pastors make mistakes, but there are also those who will lead you astray on purpose.

 

Pastor’s message Sunday encouraged us to know what the Bible teaches, because there are those out there who will mislead us with false teaching. I believe the scriptures that follow are worth repeating.

 

From Paul’s second letter to Timothy: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

 

In chapter 3, Paul describes false teachers in this way; “ Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people… They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and swayed by all kinds of evil desires. Always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of truth” (2 Timothy 3:4-8).

 

In 1 Peter, chapter 2, we read, “But there were false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up” (vs.1-3).

 

How are we to know what is true about the messages we hear? The answer is to immerse yourselves in the reading and study of the Bible. God will reveal His Truth.

 

Stay warm,

Pastor Jerry

Worth it All

Dear readers,

It is time for another edition of my attempts to encourage you in your spiritual journey. I have considered putting this project to an end, but after all these years, I wonder if that is possible. The Lord has been good to give me ideas of what to write, and I don’t expect Him to stop now. If He does, I am sure He will let me know when that time comes. As I have mentioned before, this project started in 1999 as a weekly newsletter charting my journey as a new Christian. It has become something far larger than I first envisioned. This week, I will share some thoughts that have encouraged me along the way.

 

There was a time I understood that I couldn’t make it without Jesus. Along came a word from the Lord that changed my life forever. Let’s look at some important things to remember from the Bible.

 

First, we have all sinned and need a Savior. (Romans 3:23). Second, there is a way to be saved. It is found in Romans chapter ten: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ an believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (‘Romans 10:9) Verse 13 sums it up nicely: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

 

It does not say life will be a bed of roses, only that we are saved by confessing Jesus as Lord. Difficulties still come but as the Scripture says, the righteous will live by faith.

 

In my experience troubles do come. From financial hardships, health issues, family tragedies and the trials of old age we must trust that the Lord is there. Along with the trials of life, He also blesses us in many ways and through it all, His plan for us is being worked out in our lives.

 

Jonah, as we read in the Bible, suffered great loss because God had allowed Satan to test Him. Jonah couldn’t see what brought on his trials, but he knew God was there with him. There is an old hymn that says it well.

 

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.

One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

 

Simply His,

Pastor Jerry 

Stand on the Rock

 

Dear friends,

January continues to provide mild temperatures. We usually don’t see this, but I’m not going to complain. Facebook reminds me occasionally by way of those memory photos, that we could be experiencing deep snow. We have much to be thankful for, as we remember the recent holidays. We have another great-grandchild. The oldest great grand turned six last week, and we are in relatively good health. God is Good!

 

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you know that the world is a mess. From demonstrations here at home to unrest in other parts of the world, one wonders who is in charge? I have the answer from the Word of God. Bear with me as I share some encouraging truths from the Bible.

 

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121: 1-2).

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly He is my rock and salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:1-2, 7-8).

 

He (God) will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).

 

Then this, from Romans 8; “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword…? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

 

The person who trusts in the Lord for his salvation has nothing to fear from this world. It’s in the Bible; we are on God’s side and His side wins. Be blessed and encouraged with these words.

 

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

 

Road Conditions

 

Hello friends,

The New Year is here! Now, for the next few weeks we will have to relearn how to date our checks and other documents. Not to worry, though, it happens every year and we learn quickly. Winter weather returned for a short time, and now we are in a warming trend again.

 

Winter brings the need for up-to-date road conditions. Most people have apps on their phone to get the needed information. Weather reports are helpful, but first-hand experience provides the most complete picture of the road ahead. Those already on the road will warn you of white-outs, cross winds, icy spots and other hazards.

 

This makes me think of our spiritual journey, and how do we get to the desired destination? There seems to be a plentiful supply of ideas about how one gets to heaven. Many of those put forth the idea that there are many roads to get there, others will point to human leaders who claim they have the answer. None of these provides a suitable answer to the one who seriously seeks the truth.

 

The best way to find the path is to follow someone who has already traveled the road, so to speak. If someone wants to know how to make the trip safely, they should seek out a Christian who can tell of his or her personal experience in seeking the Lord. The truth of salvation is found in the pages of Scripture and points the person reading it to the Savior. However, the testimony of someone who has personally made the journey can provide valuable advice. This is called discipling and will be much the same as eyewitness advice during winter travel conditions.

 

We must be careful to seek wise counsel because there are many who would steer you wrong. Here are some helpful scriptures to guide you.

 

“But there will also be false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you” (1 Peter 2:1). “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction” (Matthew 7:13).

 

One path, one Savior. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:5-6).

 

In Truth,

Pastor Jerry