First Reformed Church of Buffalo Center, Iowa

06/13/2026

Worship with us this Sunday June 14 with Larry Gruis as guest Pastor. The service starts at 9:30 AM and will also be live on KIOW 107.3 FM radio.

Link to the bulletin: https://www.firstreformedbc.org/

06/10/2026

Jesus Calls You "Friend"

John 15:15–16 (NIV®)
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last."

Amazingly, Jesus of Nazareth extends to us the opportunity to be not only His servant but His friend. And then, so there's no misunderstanding, He says we didn't initiate this relationship. He says, "You didn't choose Me. I chose you." He knows the worst things about us, and He chose us anyway. But this relationship has responsibilities on our end, too. We have been chosen to accomplish God's eternal purposes. We have been chosen to bear fruit that will last, and that means spiritual fruit. We need to sit with that because we often think of God as a spiritual vending machine: We deposit a prayer, and He spits out the response we have asked for. Friendship with God is a great privilege and one we should never take lightly.

THINK ABOUT IT
We are good friends to Jesus when we acknowledge Him and take Him with us wherever we go.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the great privilege of being Jesus' friend. Help me recognize the enormity of that invitation and opportunity. Holy Spirit, show me how to make friendship with Jesus my greatest priority so I can go into the world and bear lasting spiritual fruit. In Jesus' name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

06/06/2026

Join us this Sunday June 7 with Pastor Sue at 9:30 am. Also on the radio at KIOW 107.3 at the same time.

Link to the bulletin: https://www.firstreformedbc.org/

05/30/2026

Sunday May 31 is Trinity Sunday. Join in worship at 9:30 am with Carole Kettwick filling in for Pastor Sue. You may also listen on the radio at KIOW 107.3.

Link to the bulletin: https://www.firstreformedbc.org/

05/29/2026

Blessing Those Who Curse You

Romans 12:14 (NLT®)
Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.

I live in the American South, where we are known for the saying, "Bless your heart." That little sentence can convey sincere concern or sugar-coated, subtle disapproval. But it takes courage to do as the Bible instructs and actually bless those who persecute us. When people persecute or mistreat us, a headwind of resentment and bitterness builds up. We are not inclined to bless them ourselves or pray for God's blessings on them. We are more likely to treat them badly in return and ask God to repay them with vengeance and retribution. It's time for us to do as Scripture commands. Here Paul is quoting Jesus Himself, who said, "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you" (Luke 6:27–28, NLT®). Even on the cross, Jesus asked for forgiveness for those who were crucifying Him. With that as our example, how can we not forgive those who mistreat us?

THINK ABOUT IT
Our assignment from God is to forgive (Matthew 6:14–15). There is unbelievably great freedom in forgiveness and in blessing those who have persecuted you.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I know You cannot forgive me if I harbor any unforgiveness. Therefore, I forgive (name of person) for (name the specifics). In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of His Holy Spirit, I take back the ground I have allowed Satan to gain in my life because of my attitude toward (the person) and give this territory in my life back to my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for setting me free! In Jesus' name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

05/23/2026

Join us this Sunday for Pentecost, Youth Sunday at 9:30 AM. It's also Memorial Day weekend! We may be having worship outside around the gazebo if the weather is nice in the moring!

Link to the bulletin: https://www.firstreformedbc.org/

05/22/2026

Listening to God's Spirit

John 16:8-11 (NIV®)
"When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."

When Jesus talked to His followers about returning to Heaven and sending the Holy Spirit, they could not understand how the presence of this unknown Helper could be better than having Jesus physically in their midst. But we can recognize and appreciate the enormity of the gift. God has sent His Spirit to indwell us every moment of the day and through the night. The Spirit convicts us of our sin and gives us spiritual insight. He teaches us and leads us in the path of righteousness. He warns us of the coming judgment for those who do not choose Jesus. I encourage you to welcome God's Spirit into every corner of your life. And when you hear His voice whispering in your ear, listen very carefully and do what He says.

THINK ABOUT IT
Thank God for giving you wisdom through His Spirit, and invite Him to speak into your circumstances today.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Spirit to the earth to help me. Thank You that You reside in me as my teacher, my guide, my counselor, and my friend. Forgive me for when I have been uncooperative, disinterested, and critical. Holy Spirit, help me and form the character of Jesus Christ within me. In His name, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

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05/16/2026

Join us in worship this Sunday, May 17 at 9:30 AM. We will also be on the radio at 107.3 KIOW with Pastor Sue. A special baptism for Palmer Gus Voortman will be during the service.

Jon and Alicia Peake will also join us this Sunday with information regarding their mission work in Africa. They will have a presentation during the fellowship hour at 10:30 AM

Link to the bulletin: https://www.firstreformedbc.org/

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05/13/2026

Life-Changing Daily Diet

Isaiah 55:11 (NLT®)
"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."

The daily headlines are reminders that we live in a fallen world. When we see horrible things happening day after day, our response is often, "I feel powerless. I can't do anything to stop that. I can't do anything to change that." I believe there is something we can do to make a difference. I believe, if the people of God will focus on His Word on a daily basis, it will bring His blessings to our nation. Most of us have not been elected to anything. But we have an assignment to make personal choices that will allow God to bring His best outcomes to our lives, our families, our communities, and our nation. We can read our Bibles, from the table of contents to the maps, in one year. I adopted this habit several years ago and have led our congregation to adopt it as well. Thousands of lives have been changed, including my own. Don't wait to get started. Begin today, and see what God will accomplish.

THINK ABOUT IT
Never underestimate how much spending time in God's Word can shift your day. Find a link to today's reading in our One-Year Bible Reading Plan at the bottom of this email

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word—for its power, authority, and availability. Grant me a deeper desire to consistently read my Bible. Open my eyes and heart to know and embrace Your perspective more fully than ever, and help me to make choices that will be pleasing to You and bring Your best to my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Allen Jackson

05/09/2026

Join us this Sunday May 10, for Mother's Day as we celebrate Communion at 9:30 AM with Pastor Sue. We are also on the radio at 107.3 KIOW at the same time.

Link to the bulletin: https://www.firstreformedbc.org/