18 May

Live Holy Lives

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, End Times, Faith, Planning, Second Coming.

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

11 May

New Things

Posted by sandhillspastor in Change, Relationships, renewal.

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

4 May

Seasons of Life

Posted by sandhillspastor in Faith, Grace, Milestones, On Aging, renewal, Trust.

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

27 Apr

He Is Our Peace

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Christian Living, Faith, Peace, Rest, Trials.

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

20 Apr

Look to the Lord

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, God's Word, Obedience, Trust, Truth.

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

13 Apr

Spring Cleaning

Posted by sandhillspastor in Obedience, Relationships, Repentance.

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

6 Apr

He is Alive!

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Cross, Easter, Eternal Life, Praise, Resurrection.

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

30 Mar

Holy Week

Posted by sandhillspastor in Cross, Easter, Faith, Good Friday, Gospel.

Dear friends,

Our warm weather continues and still no precipitation of any consequence. The large fires in western Nebraska have been extinguished, but smaller blazes continue to pop up here and there. The balmy weekends show an increase in activity here at Lake Ericson andzss4444 I’m sure people are looking forward to spring and summer activities.

This morning (Sunday) we observed Palm Sunday in our church. At this time of year, Christians are reminded of the sacrifice the Lord Jesus provided when He died for our sins. From His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on that Sunday, to Good Friday and the Resurrection three days later we follow those events with gratitude and respect.

In Jesus’ day, there were those who believed He was who He said He was, but there were many more who had no idea that He was God in the flesh. They thought he was some kind of nut job, not worthy of their time. This same thinking prevails among many in our world today.

Some say Jesus was a great teacher, or just a good man. Some deny His deity, insisting that He was just a man like you and me. If we believe the Bible, we understand that He has always existed, He is God in human flesh, who came to die on a cruel cross so that those who believe will have eternal life.

In John’s gospel we read, “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18).

In Acts 4:12 we read, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Everyone since Adam and Eve is born with a sin nature. We are naturally sinners from birth, separated from God. The only way to restore that relationship is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Will you come to Him today, if you haven’t already?

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

23 Mar

Facing Disaster

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Faith, God's Word, Hope, Trials, Trust.

Dear friends,

Our temperature went from the mid-nineties Saturday to the mid-fifties on Sunday.  This is after we called off church last week because of cold and snow. Could this be called whiplash?

What do you do when things seem impossible to overcome? I’m thinking of those who were impacted by the wildfires in Nebraska last week. Having spent my life in ranching, I can’t imagine the thought of facing a loss of this magnitude. We lost our cows to financial troubles many years ago, but we still had our feed, fences, machinery and home.

This was just a few years after I had trusted Jesus with my life, and I’ve always said I don’t know how I would have handled this without Him. People who make their living off the land are subject to weather events and challenges that others just don’t understand, but this is nothing new.

If you read the Bible for any length of time, you soon find this is a part of life. The good news is that God knows what you are going through, and although He may not take you out of the situation, He will see you through it.

The psalmist Asaph wrote this when he was discouraged, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:23-26).

Psalm 62 also became a source of encouragement to me in times of trouble. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and salvation; He is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out  your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:5-8).

The Lord Jesus left His disciples with these words as he prepared to go to the cross. “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).

Trusting Him,

Pastor Jerry

16 Mar

Our Broken World

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Creation, Eternity, Trials, Trust.

Hello friends,

As I write this, the western part of our state is on fire and the eastern end is experiencing winter weather, including snow and wind. There has not been enough snow to have an effect on the fires. We must keep asking the Lord to send rain or snow to put out the fires. Hopefully by the time you read this He will have answered our prayers. Pray for safety for firefighters and those affected by this disaster. It appears that conditions will not improve greatly, but God knows what we need and will answer in His time.

In the beginning, the creation was perfect, then Adam and Eve disobeyed God and the creation was broken. Because of this, we have droughts, floods, fires, earthquakes and many other things that have resulted. Someday, the creation will be restored to a new beginning and will exist in a perfect state for eternity.

In Genesis, we read of the curse God put in place after Adam and Eve sinned. “To Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it.’

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground from which you were taken.’” Genesis 3:17-19).

In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he wrote, “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21).

God, through the prophet Isaiah said, “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

Finally, from Revelation chapter 21 John writes, “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). Take heart, the Lord is still on His throne! Keep praying.

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

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