Archive for February, 2020

24 Feb

Worship Together

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Body of Believers, Christian Living, Family of God, Praise, Worship.

Hello friends,
Here we are at the beginning of another week! Just a short update on my recovery: It is going well. Last night, I slept in my own little bed all night, instead of in the recliner. There will be a visit with my cardiologist on Wednesday, at which time I expect to receive rehab orders. A week after that, I will be cleared to drive, and then in another week, I will see the heart surgeon for a checkup. I don’t want to make this a huge deal, but people also want to know. I can see the hand of God in every aspect of this portion of the journey. He is with me in this, as He has been in all my life.

It was good to be back in church Sunday morning. There is no better place than in fellowship with other Christians, as we worship and study the Word. These days, we can access any number of church services by way of podcasts, live streaming, television broadcasts, and other media tools. There are those who say they can worship God at the lake, sitting on their deck, out in nature (there’s one I used before I knew Jesus). However, the Bible is rather specific about meeting together in a worship setting. One only has to read a few verses into the book of Acts, before it is clear that there were no Lone Ranger Christians in the early days.

After Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given, Peter preached and many came to faith in Christ. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship and to the breaking of bread and prayer.” Further, we read, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and age together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:42-43; 46.)

The writer of Hebrews spells it out in everyday cowboy language. “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Meeting together, not texting altogether.

In His love,
Pastor Jerry

17 Feb

The Creative Creator

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Attributes of God, Blessings, Body of Believers, Creation, Gospel, Miracles, Praise, Prayer, Worship.

Hello friends,
Last week, I told you of my planned heart bypass surgery. I can now report the surgery went well, and I am at home recovering. I have no rehab schedule presently, but somewhere, someone is preparing a plan. I now know much more about the process than I might have wanted to know. Word like saws, titanium plate, tiny screwdriver, screws… you get the idea. There were tubes and all kinds of wires and assorted monitors.

As I heal, I have been thinking about the wonder of the bodies God has given us. I met a man while in the hospital who claimed to be an agnostic. As I understand it, an agnostic will claim it is impossible to know God, and an atheist denies the existence of God, or even of a supreme intelligent being. My question at this point is, how then do you explain the complexity of the human body? How can you not see the hand of God in creating his own?

Oh, some will say it is the result of some random accident through which life began, or that some primitive life form ‘evolved’ to a human being. I for one, am glad for a Creator God, who not only designed mankind in His image, but that he equipped some to perform amazing procedures and others to help us on our way to recovery. In the last week, I have experienced some wonderful medical progress, and met some amazing individuals. From the doctors, ICU staff, nurses, CNAs, to housekeeping and nutritional staff. You are all special people!

Jesus is called the Great Physician and Healer, but he has some very talented individuals involved in the process. Thank you, also, for prayers for me this past week, I know they had much to with my speedy recovery from the immediate effects of the surgery and my eventual dismissal from the hospital in record time. God is King, and He is still on His throne. Praise Him daily!

It is not always God’s will for healing, but we should not fail to always pray. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16)

Praising His goodness,
Pastor Jerry

10 Feb

Trusting Him

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Christian Living, Faith, Peace, Praise, Witness, Worship.

Dear friends,
My computer lost several of your email addresses last week, so if you did not receive the weekly newsletter, I apologize. I discovered this after sending out last week’s article. I have since restored those and they are in a separate file, in case it happens again. If you fail to receive the emails, they are always available on Facebook and at sandhillspastor.com.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned having some medical tests. The results are in, and I will be having what is called CABG, better known as bypass surgery. After having a heart cath last Tuesday, my cardiologist said stents were not an option. This procedure will take place Monday, February 10. Prayers will be appreciated. I hesitate to share the following, but you who read these weekly messages are like family to me, so here goes…

In all the testing, which included much poking, prodding, ultra-sounding, CT scanning, etc., I have been given a new appreciation for Psalm 139:13-14; “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” I have gotten a glimpse into the wonder of God’s creation, and it is a wonderful thing.

I am also thankful He has equipped other wonderfully created persons to repair our wonderfully created bodies as needed. I have complete trust in my doctors, but most importantly, I have complete faith and trust in the One who saved me through His Son Jesus Christ.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him
He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

That’s all for this week. God willing, I will be back next week. Until then I am…

In His grip,
Pastor Jerry

3 Feb

God Helps the Helpless

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Faith, False teachers, God's Word, Obedience, Planning, Salvation, Truth.

Hello friends,
As I write this, it is 54 degrees and sunny, with a light breeze. There are geese resting along the shore of Lake Ericson, and I’m thinking of warmer days to come. Those who are interested in the ground hog are predicting an early spring, but the near forecast calls for the return of winter weather. The truth is, only God knows. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray for that early spring.

Here is an interesting bit of information from my reading this past week. According to Barna research, 82 percent of Americans believe that ‘God helps those who help themselves’ is a Bible verse. Before blaming the biblical illiteracy of our post-Christian nation, you should know that more than half of practicing Christians thought the same.

First of all, if we could help ourselves, we would never see the need for a Savior. Scripture plainly tells us that without Jesus, we can do nothing. No amount of self-help will save us from our sins, or gain favor with God. Four times in Isaiah, God says, “Apart from me, there is no God, or savior.” In the New Testament, Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The writer of Hebrews says without faith it is impossible to please God.

There is more; The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations (Psalm 98:2). Romans 1:17… “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteousness will live by faith’”. No one will be declared righteous by their own works, only by faith in Jesus Christ.

God has revealed himself though His Son Jesus Christ, but also through His written word, the Bible. I quote, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17)

From Psalm 119; “My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word… Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens… Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119: 81, 89, 105).

Remember, if we want to know what the Good Book says, we need to read it for ourselves. Don’t depend on hearsay.

Standing on the Word,
Pastor Jerry