Memories

 

Hello friends,

Now and then we have one of those holiday weeks when I have to put my mind in gear early to compose the devotional message. This month is the Memorial Day observance. It is a time set aside for us to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Over the years, the day has become a day to remember not only our deceased soldiers, but also family members who have gone on before us.

 

Our memories of loved ones have been given to us by our Creator. I can’t imagine not having the ability to bring up memories, good or bad. Obviously, we cherish the good memories, but the not-so-good have a purpose even if it is to recall lessons learned.

 

We have recalled memories that have us asking, “what was I thinking?” On a personal level, I have more of those than I care to list. The best memories are those that recall good times with family and friends as we grew up.

 

My lady and I took a road trip last week to visit the cemeteries where our family members are buried. Along the way, we stopped at our old home grounds where memories are somewhat fresh. A few tears were shed as we remembered good times and shared memories of hard times and good.

 

Later, as we visited graves there were more times of remembering those who have gone on before us. We cherish those memories, but we wouldn’t want to relive our lives. It is much better to look ahead in anticipation of things to come.

 

I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13: “Brothers and sisters, I do  not consider myself yet to haven taken hold of it But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

 

God has called us to be saved and to live for Him. That goal to which Paul refers is eternal life. Looking back is good to remember our old ways, but we are to concentrate on our eternal reward. Living in the past is of no benefit. I have said many times, the best memorial we can leave our families is that we have trusted Christ and are in His presence.

 

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

Live Holy Lives

 

Hello everyone,

Sunday is here again and it’s time for another devotional thought. Locally, we received a mere 27 hundredths of rain last night, but there is a possibility of more today. Hopefully the rough stuff stays away, and we just get beneficial moisture. Not much is happening locally. Volunteers have been busy here at the lake, getting ready for summer activities. If you’ve never been to Lake Ericson in summer, check us out at lakeericson.com.

 

All the things happening in the world remind me Jesus told His disciples to be aware of things that would precede his return for his church. They had asked Him what would be the sign of His coming.

 

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:4-8).

 

He went on to say, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:30).

 

The apostle Peter writes in his second letter, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief… and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth… So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him” (2 Peter 3:11-14).

 

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

New Beginnings

 

Dear friends,

The garden beds are finally ready, and plants are being placed in them. Now if we can get them watered when they need it, we’ll have a harvest at the right time. My newest project is to tidy up my office. This could be a major undertaking. I have taken out the oversized desk and replaced it with a smaller version. Now, I must find places for all the ‘stuff’ that was taking up space.

 

This reminds me of a comment heard often when sharing the gospel with people. They say things like, “But my friends will go away.” Or they will say, “I will have to give up some of my enjoyable habits”!

 

The truth is, when we come to the Lord in faith and let Him take over our life, He will replace those friends that left with new friends that share in Christian fellowship. Those old habits will disappear, and new and better ones will replace them.

 

Another perceived hurdle to becoming a follower of Christ is this: “I have to get my life cleaned up before I can be accepted by the Lord”. This is far from the truth, He says come, nothing is said about getting your act together ahead of time. There is no person capable of getting his life in order to be acceptable to Jesus by his own strength. The truth is when we come to Him in faith, he makes us into the person He wants us to be.

 

2 Corinthians 5:16–18a: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God…”

 

If we could save ourselves, then Jesus died for nothing. We cannot save ourselves, nor can we do anything to make ourselves worthy of His salvation. We must come by faith and by faith alone.

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10).

 

Saved by grace,

Pastor Jerry

Seasons of Life

 

Dear friends,

May has arrived. After last week’s rain, it is beginning to show signs of spring, and we are anticipating the appearance of May flowers. We are a little slow with the gardening this spring, due to the threat of frost still hanging on. The other limiting factor is the fact that we are older and slower.

 

Spring reminds me of the seasons of life. In the spring, we are newborns with our whole life ahead of us.

 

Summer reflects growth, both physical and mental. This is the time of life when we are most productive.

 

Then the fall season appears, when we begin to decline in strength and look forward to retirement. The Scriptures do not speak of retirement except in the context of relinquishing some of our responsibilities to younger workers. We are not in management anymore but continue assisting them in their work.

 

The last season is probably the hardest. Our usefulness is diminished and we understand that we are nearing the end of our earthly journey. Our bodies seem to have abandoned us to every kind of ailment and we spend much time at doctors’ appointments. Most of our social life is built around meeting our friends at the pharmacy.

 

Solomon wrote the following in Ecclesiastes. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).

 

The apostle Paul had this observation: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

 

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

 

In all the seasons of life let us keep heaven in mind. It is God’s will that we be saved for eternity through faith in Christ. (John 6:40).

 

In Christ,

Pastor Jerry