THE WORKER

I see in a vision an African man working in a field. The field is large. The day is hot. He is weary from the many hours of toil. He works alone. There is no one to help him. I see him pause and straighten up from his labor. He wipes his brow with an old, faded piece of cloth. He looks around. There is so much work yet to do. The going is slow, sometimes tedious. He is tempted to quit. "The work is too hard he would say; there is no one to help me. I have done my share." But he does not give up. He will continue what he is doing. He put his hand to the plow and he will not turn back now. Once again he bends over and works with his hoe.

Now, I see another man coming to him from across the way. This man is different. He walks straight to the weary man and touches his shoulder. "I have been watching you," he says, "and I have come with a message for you. God sees your labor and your faithfulness. It will not go unrewarded. He has sent me to you to tell you to be strong, do not give up, your reward will be great. And He has also asked me to give to you this cup of cool water."

Many times I preached to pastors in Africa, knowing I could not do the work that they were doing. They are with their own people. They know the language, live in the culture. I was a stranger, of a different culture, language and color. But I could give them a cup of cool water in the name of the Lord. How refreshing it was to see them drink in the encouragement and resolve not to give up, but to be faithful in what God had called them to do.

WEEPING IS FOR A SEASON

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Weep now for the pain, the hurt, the sorrow. Cry for healing and rebuilding, but soon the weeping will be over. Time will come when the tears will be wiped away; then you will understand why the sorrow came and can see behind the pain that God has allowed. Then there will be cause to rejoice for even the tears. And even if you tried, you will not shed a tear for you will see why God was pleased to permit the suffering and you will understand and weep no more.

BE FAITHFUL NOW; DON'T WAIT

The world is in end-times. It is not good for the USA. Calamities are coming. No politician has the answer. Only God can save America. Deception and division are prominent among our political leaders. Our hope, as the Church of Jesus Christ, is only in Christ. We must not fret over evil men or their deeds, but be stedfast in our faith in God. Whatever comes will not destroy (but will purify) the Church. God's plan will succeed, but these will be trying times for the Christian and for Israel. We must be persistent in prayer. Your endurance will be tested. Decide ahead of time to remain true. Don't wait until the fiery trial comes to decide whether to be faithful or not. Your mind must be made up ahead of time, by faithfullness, holiness, integrity and walking in the fear of God.

HEAVEN IS COMING

The world in in turmoil, but I am at peace. I have no money to lose in the stocks of this world; all my treasures are in Heaven. Though I am a stranger to this world, I have eternal citizenship in God's Kingdom. This world will pass, but Heaven will last, and it's getting closer with each passing day. I think old age is a way that God has made to help us to fall out of love with this life, and give us greater anticipation for that which is to come.

About Shepherds' Hands

SHEPHERDS' HANDS is a not-for-profit organization, founded by Pastor Jerry Sanders, served by a board of other ministers and advisors. It's purpose is primarily one of the giving of aid to widows and orphans. St. James said, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world." We also include evangelism and giving encouragement, instruction and aid to pastors in foreign lands, and doing other charitable works.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT: To continue the work of Christ, our Chief Shepherd, to His church, to build up, strengthen and encourage; and to reach out to the world as those outside of the fold of Christ.

OUR AREAS OF MINISTRY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. ORPHANS / ORPHANAGE
Country _____________________
Orphan’s name ________________
Orphanage____________________

2. WIDOWS
Food, Education / Job training, Equipment

3. PASTORS / EVANGELISTS / OTHER MINISTERS
Seminars, Education, Motorcycles, Bicycles, Equipment,
Bibles, Literature

4. EDUCATION / SCHOOLS
Children / Adults

5. CHURCHES
Bibles, Supplies

6. MEDICAL CLINICS
Medical supplies, Medical teams

7. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Churches, Schools, Orphanages, Clinics, Hospitals

8. OTHER CHARITABLE PROJECTS
Well drilling, Other

9. EVANGELISM
Children, Crusades, Literature

10. ADMINISTRATION
Office supplies, Postage, Transportation, Salaries

My Philosophy of Ministry

MY PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
Having established a personal foundation of repentance, baptism and sanctification, out of that relationship with Christ, I give myself to devotion, searching the Scriptures, praying thoroughly over what is studied, and then to live out from that devotion a ministry to God, to the church and to the world by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The calling of God is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It is not necessarily according to natural abilities, but is implemented by the obedience of our abilities to the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is what brings the healing, deliverance, and the life changing preaching (Luke 4:18, 19). Flesh begets flesh, but the Spirit begets spiritual things (life). Christ must increase, but the preacher must decrease.
The work of the shepherd is one of service to the body of Christ. It is to preach the Word, visit the sick, seek the young and the lost, and to not make merchandise of the people (Ezekiel 34:15, 16; Zechariah 11:15-17).
The following is easier to say than to live, still they are guidelines that I take for my life and ministry: I will endeavor to abide in the Vine, to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, to seek first the Kingdom of God, to hold fast to my faith, and keep the first love, to be little in my own eyes and esteem others better than myself, to be teachable, to be the servant of all, but maintain holiness, to take up my own cross daily and follow Jesus, to resist the enemy unto blood, and look for the coming of the Lord.
In such devotion, by the grace of God, I hope to be found faithful in His service when He comes.
Pastor Jerry D. Sanders

At What Age Are We Mature

What do you think? Shouldn’t there be a set age when God says, “Okay, you’re good, no more trouble for you; just sit here and rest until the others catch up.”? If there is such an age it must be past sixty-seven, or maybe I missed it while I was in Africa.
The Scriptures that are catching my attention most, of late, are those that have to do with perseverance. They tell me that endurance is not optional, but very necessary. Even in old age there is to be no slacking off. The trials keep coming, revealing what is inside of me, and most of what I see in me, I don’t like. Sixty-seven years is not long enough to become perfect (mature). I am still having to learn obedience by what I suffer. Even the trials of my own causing, God seems to smile at and say, “Okay, I’ll use that too.” He reaps where He has not sown.