Stormy Weather

 

Hello all,

Rain! We have had abundant rain in recent days. This has been accompanied at times with very strong winds and hail in some areas. I drove from Ord to Burwell in one of those storms. As I drove into the torrential rain and wind, I was wondering if I had made the right choice. It is interesting to think that last spring we wondered if it would ever rain, but God’s timing is always perfect.

 

As I ponder the storms we go through in this life, I am reminded that God has promised peace in those times. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we should have no fear of storms, knowing that He will bring us through to the other side. We are not promised there will be no storms, only that He is faithful to be with us as we experience them.

 

No matter what the situation, whether a financial trial, an illness or just a thunderstorm, the Lord is present. We need to trust Him with the outcome, believing that He is in control of the situation, even if we cannot see past the wind and the rain, so to speak.

 

When David was being pursued by Saul, he fled into a cave. His prayer was “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take my refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed” (Psalm 57: 1). We know David was protected in that situation. David also wrote these words in Psalm 23. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (verse 4).

 

From Isaiah; “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

 

In Philippians 4:4-7 we read, “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 everything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

Resting in Him,

Pastor Jerry

Know the Truth

 

Hello friends,

It has been an interesting week weatherwise. Since I last reported there have been some beneficial rains. No large amounts, but enough to stop the lawn watering for a while. The garden was spared from any major damage due to the hail last week. I fear we will be overrun with tomatoes soon, as they are loaded with green ones. Bacon and tomato sandwiches may be regular fare in the coming days.

It is my custom to write these missives Sunday afternoon, but I was distracted by other things, so here I sit at the keyboard past my bedtime.

 

As I read and observe what is taking place in churches around the country, I am seeing much discussion centering on “churches” that are spreading false teaching, and many well-meaning people are being taken in by those who are promoting these things. Scripture reminds us that these things have been going on since the beginning of the Church. We are also encouraged to be discerning in what we believe and to point out heretical teaching. If we are to be informed about these things, the very first action to take is to read the Bible for ourselves and not just take some person’s word for what it says.

 

The apostle Peter had much to say concerning those who misrepresent the Word of God. “But there were also 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 depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2 Peter 2:1-2).

 

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he also warns of these false teachers: “These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3-4).

 

Again, the words of Peter, “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:17).

 

For Truth,

Pastor Jerry

On Aging

 

Hello friends,

It seems we were on the road more last week than we were at home. Who knew retirement would be so busy? The garden is beginning to give us those long-awaited home-grown tomatoes, cucumbers and even an eggplant. We had rain on Saturday morning, just over half an inch. The downside of that was the accompanying hail. Most of the garden will recover and we are thankful for that.

 

The county fairs are wrapping up, and schools will soon be starting. The state fair is just around the corner, and one wonders where the summer went!

 

Seasons change in the lives of people, just as they change on the calendar. Our lives have been characterized as Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and I can’t argue with that reasoning. The Bible speaks to the topic of aging, perhaps Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes say it best.

 

To the young he wrote, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them.” Solomon goes on to describe the process of aging as different functions of the body begin to deteriorate. Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. Solomon’s final words sum it all up this way: “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” (Verse 13).

 

The Christian, no matter their season of life, can depend on God to be faithful to His word. In Isaiah 46:4, God told His people Israel, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will rescue you.”

 

Only God knows how many years he has ordained for each of us. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be’ (Psalm 139:16).

 

I don’t know what season I am in, but I’m pretty sure spring and summer are behind me. This I know, if He gives me more days, I will continue to sing His praises. As the psalmist wrote, “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles (Psalm 34:6).

 

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

New Heaven and Earth

 

Dear friends,

Finally, we are seeing some moderation in the daytime temperatures. Along the way, I recorded a little over an inch of rain. This delayed watering the garden and lawn for a few days. These are exciting days for the Lake Ericson community. Some properties are getting new construction projects and others are being remodeled and/or updated. Weekends see lots of youngsters practicing newly learned driving skills with the family golf cart or atv. Kayaking is another popular pastime.

 

Every day there is more unsettling news from our country and around the world. Every day, I remember that in and through all that’s going on, God is still on His throne, and nothing is taking Him by surprise. His Word tells us of these trials and we are not overwhelmed by what we see and hear.

 

In Genesis, we find that with Adam’s disobedience sin entered the world and God’s perfect creation was broken. God promised a Savior, but He also said mankind would experience hard times until at some point in the future He would return and set up a new kingdom with a new heavens and a new earth. In doing so, He would restore his perfect plan.

 

All the way through the Bible, there are prophecies pointing to the coming of the Lord Jesus, first as His coming as a baby and His earthly ministry Then, His death, burial and resurrection as the means of paying the sin debt of all who would believe.

 

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

 

It is important to remember that God loved the whole world, but only those who trust Christ as Savior will receive eternal life. There is promised to believers a new heaven and earth.

 

“But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

 

“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. (Revelation 21:1).

 

It is a promise, and God doesn’t break His promises. When the world seems out of control, those who believe have nothing to fear. He is still on His throne.

 

All for Him,

Pastor Jerry