I am able to tell you today that this past Sunday was my official last day to preach at Sandhills Baptist Fellowship. The pastor search committee of the church has found the person they believe to be God’s man for the job. I had requested some time ago that they begin the process, as I felt the Lord leading me to pursue other interests.
I will continue to write these articles, and seek other ways to be involved in ministry. But, for the immediate future, we will finish moving into our house at the lake, and finding homes for all the items we don’t have room for. Then comes some time camping and just relaxing.
I am sure that God has more for us to do. I find no solid reference in the Bible to what we in America call “retirement.” In fact, the only reference I find is to the Old Testament priests retiring at age 50, then assisting the younger priests in their work (Numbers 8:25-26).
There are other passages that indicate God intends for us to commit to the long-haul as we serve and obey Him. Neither does He at some point stop His work in the believer’s life. Here are some scriptures for us to meditate on this morning.
Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The apostle Paul tells us God has work for us to do. After he tells us our salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, he says this: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Again in Philippians, Paul tells the believers there, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13).
I have many great memories of these years at SBF, and we have been blessed to serve here, but we will move on, seeking and following the Lord’s leading, as we go forward. I would not change these last 15+ years for anything, but we must go forward, running with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1).
Simply His,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 
Posted by Ernesto E. Carrasco, M.C.Ed. on April 25, 2016 at 3:11 pm
I agree with your point about retirement. This coming Saturday, I reach Social Security age. I am nowhere ready to retire. I plan to continue serving the Lord until the day He calls me home or Jesus returns – whichever comes first. Enjoy God’s new direction for your life!
Posted by Dixie and Gary Laughlin on April 25, 2016 at 10:26 pm
Hello Neighbors…So glad to welcome both of you! Retirement is bittersweet as you will learn. You will find yourself wondering how you had time to work! No doubt, your life will be God lead as ever and only he knows what the future holds. Isn’t it just an amazing gift he gave us that we cannot know what the future holds? We can plan on and work toward things…but, it is always in HIS hands. Learning to live one day at a time is not an easy thing to accomplish but it is a true blessing when we let go and “let God”. Sincere prayers for you that this new journey will be happy, HEALTHY and peaceful! Caringly, The Laughlins