Archive for August, 2020

31 Aug

Pray for America

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Christian Living, Culture, God's Word, Obedience, Salt and Light, Witness.

Dear readers,
The weather word for the day? Windy! If it blows up a rain, it will be a positive thing. We are in need of some moisture, so we will pray for it to happen. Saturday, we drove to South Dakota to have lunch with Alex and his friend, Amy. It was a beautiful day for a drive, and an enjoyable time. We drove around the campground at Niobrara State Park, and decided it would be our next camping destination.

The unrest in the country continues to take up much of our attention. God’s people need to be earnestly praying for an end to the division, and a return to civil discourse. Also, for wisdom for federal, state, and local authorities as they seek answers for how to proceed in the future. In addition, we must pray for the upcoming general election, that godly men and women would put in office.

There are many scriptures that command God’s people to be involved in these things. We are to pray for leaders, that they would lead well, and be brought to salvation. These are Paul’s words to Timothy: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). We could insert presidents, governors and all elected officials, in place of kings, etc.

Paul also gave this instruction to Titus: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men” (Titus 3:1-2).

Finally, these instructions from Peter: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right… Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 1:13-17).

Pray for America,
Pastor Jerry

24 Aug

Good Advice

Posted by sandhillspastor in Uncategorized.

Hello friends,
We are set to enjoy another week of warm temperatures. I see nineties ahead for several days, but cooler later in the week. Maybe the tropical storms in the gulf will send some moisture our way. There are no camping adventures to report this week, although my summer cold of last week has taken up residence with my dear wife. She handles these things much better than I.

I love the Psalms, because when a person is overwhelmed with the world, and who isn’t these days, there is encouragement to be found there. The first eight verses of Psalm 37 would be applicable in our time. This passage was the basis for my message this morning.

1 “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it only leads to evil.

There are seven words to encourage us in a time when it seems evil is winning. They are these:
Verse 3, Trust: Defined as reliance on the integrity, strength or ability of a person, God in this case.
Verse 4, Delight: To have great pleasure or joy in a thing; in this case God.
Verse 5, Commit: To give in trust for safekeeping, to commit one’s soul to God.
Verse 7, Rest (Be still): Relief or freedom from anything that wearies, troubles or disturbs.
Verse 8, Refrain (Cease): Put a stop to, discontinue. Don’t be angry.
Forsake (Turn from): To give up or renounce a habit or way of life.
Fret not: Stop fretting over what is in God’s control. Place your trust in the Lord and chill!

Be encouraged. God is still on his throne.

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

17 Aug

End Times; Who Knows?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Christian Living, Contentment, End Times, Faith, God's Word, Salvation, Witness.

Hello friends,
We’re back after spending three nights at one of my favorite places to park the camper. It’s one of those out of the way places that I think a lot of people bypass, because there is no Wi-Fi, and cell service is sketchy at best. It gives one a chance to think about things other than what you see on social media.

If there was a downside to the week, I came down with one of those nasty summer colds. I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to a head cold, I’m just a wimp! I have dealt with things that others would consider painful, and they didn’t seem to be a big deal for me; not so with cold symptoms. It is Sunday as I write this, so I expect to be almost normal by Tuesday. An old family doctor once told me a cold lasts a week if you treat it, and seven days if you don’t!

I didn’t get any profound inspiration for a column while we were camped in that quiet place. It was good to just relax and enjoy the surroundings, although in the evenings, the mosquitos would drive me indoors.

The world is certainly in a mess these days. People are talking about the end times and wondering if the end of the world is upon us, but for anyone to say this is the beginning of the end is being presumptuous. No one can presume to know what is on God’s mind, or what day the Lord will return. Jesus said no one could know that day, not even the Son of God. It’s God’s plan, and he will bring it to conclusion in his time, and on his terms.

Our responsibility is not to sit around speculating on days and dates, but to be intentionally sharing the gospel with those who don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Peter said this, “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 promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).

The end will come. Do you know Jesus? Today is the day of salvation!

In Love,
Pastor Jerry

10 Aug

On Being Happy

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Christian Living, Contentment, God's Word, Happiness.

Dear friends,
Warmer temps returned late in the week, but there could be a couple of cooler days before it returns to the nineties again mid-week. Ah, summer! We are so thankful that the Lord led us to this place by the lake, where we can live in relative peace and quiet, yet be part of a larger community. This is contentment.

Speaking of contentment, and being happy with your life, I don’t think I have ever seen an unhappy dog here at the lake. Head out the window, tail wagging, and a big old doggy smile on its face. Most of the human residents and visitors seem to have the same attitude.

True contentment and happiness is not about ‘don’t worry, be happy’, because this attitude denies reality. Not everything is a big party, but it is possible to be happy and content. Not every experience in life lends itself to happiness, but contentment is possible through faith in God. The Bible speaks of happiness, blessedness, and contentment as being connected. In various translations, the words happy and blessed are interchangeable, both being an evidence of contentment.

“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live” (Eccl 3:12).
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:13).
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy (blessed) is the person who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).
The apostle Paul said, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11-12).

Last word: Keep yourselves free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

We can have true peace and joy, even happiness, if we are willing to put our lives in God’s hands, trusting that he has prepared a place in heaven for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:27-28).

Happy in Him,
Pastor Jerry

3 Aug

Heading Home

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Eternity, Heaven, Hope, Rest, Righteousness.

Hello friends,
We made it back home from our last camping adventure. I saw the doctor on Monday, and he told me to come back in six months for a scan. If it looks okay, then I will get annual check-ups. We enjoyed the time away, but coming home is sometimes the best part of the journey. Thinking of coming home reminds me that for Christians, we are just passing through this world on our way to heaven, our eternal home.

God’s people, in various scriptures and Bible translations have been called strangers in the world (1 Peter 1:1), temporary residents (Hebrews 11:13), strangers and exiles / aliens and strangers (1 Peter 2:11).

As God’s people, we are traveling through life as strangers in a foreign land. We don’t belong here, because our true home is at the end of the journey. God has placed each one of us where we are, but this is not our final home. The writer of Hebrews likened this life to a race. “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnare us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us” (Hebrews 12:1). There is a goal in front of us, and we are not to be distracted by the things going on around us, but to focus on the finish line.

I pray we can say with the apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7).

In the last two chapters of Revelation, the apostle John describes what he called the new Jerusalem, along with a new heaven and a new earth. He tried to describe what cannot be described in human terms.

We must not become so familiar with the world and its ways that we lose sight of our heavenly destination. There are blessings along the way as we travel this road, but heaven will be so much more.
Going home to heaven is obviously going to be the best part of our life’s journey!

Just passing through,
Pastor Jerry