Archive for January, 2021

25 Jan

Stormy Weather

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

Dear friends,
We are living in stormy times. I say this partly because of the prediction of another winter storm coming our way. The past week has been colder, with some sunshine early in the week. The last couple of days have been cloudy, but with light winds. Such is winter in Nebraska. For those who live here, we understand this is part of the journey to springtime weather.

It is a stormy time in our country and culture, as well. We wonder what lies ahead, and to be honest, we can become discouraged as we see the storm clouds gathering. The disciples of Jesus were crossing the sea in a boat and got caught in a severe storm. There is a lesson here for us as we face the storms of life.

From Luke 8:22-25, we read: One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke Him saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, all was calm. “Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples
In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”

In the middle of the storm, they forgot who was in the boat with them. They had seen evidence of His power over creation by the miracles he had done, yet there in the middle of the wind and waves, they panicked.

Isn’t this what we are prone to do? We commit to following Jesus, but when the storms roll in, we forget that He is present in the stormy weather, as well in the sunny days. He is our Rock and our Salvation in the good times and the bad.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?… For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 38-39).

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

18 Jan

Visible Proof

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Blessings, Creation, God's Word, Praise, Witness, Worship.

Hello friends,

As we begin a new week, I can tell you I have had a six-month checkup of my aorta repair. Doc said to come back in a year. Praise the Lord for gifted doctors, and for healing.

Weather update… The yo-yo effect continues as we move from one weather extreme to another. How about blizzards and prairie fires in the same week? Have you noticed the daylight hours are lengthening? It’s encouraging to think that longer days and shorter nights are just ahead.

We are blessed to live where we do. The sunrises and sunsets I believe, are unequaled anywhere in the world. Every day we are shown God’s glory in creation. I would add this; no matter where you may live, the Creation testifies to the existence of the Creator. As the scripture would indicate, mankind has no excuse for not knowing God. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen… so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

If anyone has difficulty grasping the evidence of a Creator God, I suggest reading the following verses, and spend time taking in the beauty of this world. God is not hiding from us.

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the Earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” Psalm 8:1.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1.

“The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of holy ones.” Psalm 89:5.

“The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.” Psalm 97:6.

“Be exalted, O God, above all the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 108:5

“The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.” Psalm 113:4.

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” Psalm 148:3

Having read those preceding verses, our proper response will be to praise Him, as is done in the following:

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise Him for his acts of power; praise Him for his surpassing greatness… Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:1-2, 6).

Praise the Lord,

Pastor Jerry

11 Jan

The Source of Truth

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Culture, God's Word, Gospel, Politics, Prayer, Truth, Wisdom.

Dear readers,
It has been a week of cloudy skies, with a bit of fog, mist, and a snowflake or two. The best part is there has been no big snowstorm, and the temperature has remained cool; something I can live with. The news of the past week has been all about the situation in our country, with all the political upheaval and its related headlines.

I have always considered myself an optimist, but sometimes it is difficult to retain a sense of optimism. I’m learning to spend less time with the so-called mainstream media, and also most social media. There is so much misinformation out there that it is nearly impossible to discern the truth. The one exception would be World magazine, which brings news from a Christian perspective (world.wng.org). There are others out there with a Christian worldview, but sadly, they are not well known. And, yes, that was a plug for the magazine.

The one source of absolute truth is the Bible, but far too few people are informed about what it says about the human condition and the solution to healing a broken world.

Answering Pilate’s question about whether Jesus was a king, Jesujs said, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37).

Familiar passages in the Old Testament speak if the importance of knowing and obeying God’s Word:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word (Psalm 119:9).
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (verse 11).
Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens (verse 89).
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (verse 101).
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word (verse 114).
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me (verse 133).

Finally, Jesus’ words in John 14:6. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The result of ignoring God’s truth is found in Romans 1:18-32. I encourage you to read it for yourself.

For Truth,
Pastor Jerry

4 Jan

What Do You Believe In?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Culture, Faith, God's Word, New Year, Salvation, The Good News, Trust, Truth.

Dear friends,
As we begin the year 2021, we are enjoying some nice weather. I was glad for the melting of the snow, so that we could get the Christmas decorations and lights taken down in relative comfort. A bonus was that the extension cords were not frozen in the snow. Christmas was different this year, with all the Covid precautions in place, but one fact remains; Jesus came to earth and He will return again, at just the right time, and in accordance with the Father’s plan and purpose.

Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, said this; “Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:1-5).

I read a headline recently from the UK, in which people were encouraged to “Believe in Science.” I don’t know about you, but I choose to believe in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am not opposed to science, but I know that science will not save me from my sin. It might provide answers to scientific questions, or provide a vaccine for Covid19. Science changes with new discoveries, and gives us many benefits that were unheard of in earlier generations, but it will never take the place of God’s unchanging word.

Unlike science, God does not change. “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.” (James 1:16-17).

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).

“He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind” (1 Samuel 15:29).

In Him,
Pastor Jerrygggg