He Is Our Peace

 

Hello all,

Rain! We have finally received some rain. Every drop is appreciated and we are hopeful the well has been primed and we are entering a period of beneficial rains. At last check we have just over an inch here at the lake and there is more forecast over the next few days. Now that the garden beds have been prepared, we can use a few warmer nights to warm up the soil. The garden person is getting impatient.

 

There is much discussion on the topic of peace these days. Areas of concern include the middle east, Iran, Israel, Ukraine. In our country there are conflicts between the political parties and even between communities and our neighbors on occasion.

 

The Bible mentions many conflicts and many promises of peace between various tribes, nations, and individuals. It seems peace treaties were only made to be broken. In the book of Judges, we read that Israel would get a new leader and the land would have peace for a period of time, only to get involved in another conflict. They would cry out to the Lord for a new judge, and the cycle would continue.

 

Isaiah prophesied that there would be One who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace, there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

 

To His disciples, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Further, He says, “I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

 

True peace comes only by placing our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

 

The promise is there. Trust in Christ and God’s peace will fill your hearts. “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace!”

 

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

Look to the Lord

 

Hello friends,

We had what we hope is the last frost last weekend. Maybe we can start to plan for flowers and other springtime blessings. I did have to mow the backyard last week. I’m not sure it didn’t grow all winter, as tall as it was.

In past articles I have mentioned the fact that Christians are in a spiritual battle as we live out the commands of the Savior. Pastor J.D. Greear in a recent article tells us that to fight spiritual warfare we need to be grounded in the gospel.

He writes, “Even Christians sometimes don’t want to acknowledge that Satan and demons are real, but Jesus most definitely believed in them. He (Jesus) gave his followers instructions on how to engage with them, though the instructions may not be quite what you would expect them to be.

“Jesus consistently directs people away from preoccupation with the demonic. He never tells us to go out demon hunting or approach the world like an exorcist. 

There’s really only one passage in which the Bible outlines for us what spiritual warfare is like. In Ephesians 6, Paul lists out the weapons of our warfare. They include the helmet of salvation, which means let the gospel shield our thinking; the shield of faith, which is when you believe God’s promises; the belt of truth, or the good news; and feet covered with a readiness to preach the Word of God.

All of those things can be summarized by faith in the gospel. Cover yourself with the gospel. Saturate yourself in the gospel. When you are grounded in the gospel, Satan can’t touch you. 

Paul gives three model prayers in Ephesians (1:15-23, 3:14-21, 6:18-19), and in none of them is he binding or casting out demons.

In 1 Corinthians 1, when Paul is addressing the division in the Corinthian church (which he said in Romans 16 could be demonic), he never tells them to rebuke the spirit of division. He tells them to be united in their minds and charitable to each other. 

If you want to fight the demonic in your life, don’t focus on the demons at all—just let Jesus be large in your life.”

Pastor John reminded us Sunday morning that to stay strong in our faith, we need to spend time in God’s Word daily. This is how we defeat the devil.

Stay strong,

Pastor Jerry

Spring Cleaning

 

Dear readers,

Warm and windy describes last Saturday. The forecast for the week ahead is for warmer temps, but the rain chances are slim. Don’t give up praying for rain!

 

Spring is the time for cleaning up homes, yards, neighborhoods and many other venues. Have you ever considered it would be a good thing to do some spiritual house cleaning after a long winter? Spring would be a good time for us to take inventory of our spiritual condition and get rid of the things that impede our witness.

 

Think about it. Are there sins we have overlooked over the winter? Maybe we have become lazy about spending time in God’s Word. We can be so busy that important things are neglected. Is there a relationship that needs healing, maybe forgiveness that has been denied? Perhaps your church attendance has slipped during the winter months. I’m sure I could name other areas in our lives that could use some spring cleaning.

 

Probably the first order of business would be to ask the Lord to reveal the parts of our lives that need spring cleaning. The Holy Spirit is good at convicting us of those areas that have become cluttered by neglect or willful disobedience to the Word.

 

David, after his sin with Bathsheba confessed his sin to the Lord with this request. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7).

 

John wrote the following: If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).

 

So, this spring cleaning from a spiritual perspective requires that we must admit that we are sinners, confess our sins to the Lord, turn away from the sin and turn back to the Lord. Realize that you are responsible for your own actions.

 

God’s word says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

That way out is the Lord Jesus. He is the one who gives us the strength to overcome our sins, to get right with God, and live a clean life.

 

Trusting Him,

Pastor Jerry

He is Alive!

 

Dear friends,

We had a nice day to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Sunrise service was a bit cool, but bearable. If we think about it, every Sunday is an observance of the Lord’s resurrection. We know from the Bible that God proved His power by the resurrection.

 In the story of Lazarus, Mary grieving the death of her brother said, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord, she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:21-27).

After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to His disciples and to several others, including Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus. He also appeared to two men who were traveling to the town of Emmaus. Some who heard the news of His appearance were skeptical, but when they saw Him alive and saw the nail prints in His hands they believed. No one alive today has seen Him but the evidence of His existence is all around us. One only has to see lives changed through the presence of His Holy Spirit to believe He is real.

Thomas, the disciple who doubted that Jesus was alive, when he saw for himself the wounds of the Lord, said “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:28-29).

Have you met Jesus? Was it through the witness of a Christian friend? Did the Scriptures reveal Him to you? Have you believed and worshiped Him, or have you doubted? Blessed are those who have not seen Him yet believe.

As the old song says: Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free

Silently now I wait for thee
Ready, my God, thy will to see
Open my eyes, illumine me
Spirit divine!

For Him,

Pastor Jerry