Archive for October, 2023

30 Oct

Contentment

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Blessings, Contentment, Faith, Peace, Possessions.

Dear friends,

In weather news, as predicted earlier in the week winter has arrived. Cold and snow were the words of the week. We had a small amount here at the lake, but others had more. Another arrival happened this week, also. Our new great-grandson made his appearance on Friday. Mom, Dad, and baby are doing well as of last report. He weighed nine pounds and is named Maverick Wayne Schoenenberger. Quite a handle for one so small, but I’m sure he will grow into it.

I have been holding down the fort here at home while Milrae has been with Alex’s family in South Dakota. His work takes him out of town for a couple of days a week, and Breanna wanted someone to stay with her. I expect she will be coming home soon. Our camper is up there, but it has been winterized and may stay there for a while.

As I age, I find it easier to see good things around me that I probably overlooked when I was younger. There is a tendency to be more content, I suppose because I don’t feel like I must be chasing some dream. I’m not fast enough to catch one and wouldn’t know what to do if I did. It has gotten to the point where I can’t even find anything in the farm supply catalog I want or “need”.

I am just content with what I have and where I am. Part of this comes from understanding that God will supply my needs. Even when I didn’t know it, he always provided. Sometimes by not giving me what I thought I couldn’t live without, and other times giving me things I didn’t know I needed.

Here are some verses of scripture I have come to love. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:3-4). “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2). “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:33-34).

Blessings to all,

Pastor Jerry

23 Oct

God is Still on His Throne

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, End Times, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Peace, The Good News, Trials.

Dear readers,

Our weather has been a bit average this week. Just three words dry, mild, and sunny would cover it well. We are still waiting for the arrival of the new great-grandson; perhaps there will be something to report next week.

The cold bug found me early in the week, and I do not wear it well. I’m somewhat of a wimp when it comes to sneezing, coughing and all that goes with it. The thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that it only lasts for about a week. I was once told by my doctor that a cold lasts for a week if you treat it, and seven days if you don’t. So here we are.

The world news doesn’t get better. Every day there is new evidence of a world that seems to be spiraling down to destruction. Are we living in the end times as described in the Bible? The only answer I have, is that scripture tells us that the earth will be destroyed at a point that only God knows. We cannot know when the end will come, only that it will. Jesus told his disciples, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it you are not alarmed. Such things must happen , but the end is yet 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 24:6-7).

The apostle Peter wrote this to the believers: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith a shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:3-6).

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33.)

Whatever is causing you to be apprehensive about the future, remember this; God is still in control of every circumstance.

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

16 Oct

Pray for Israel

Posted by sandhillspastor in Calling, God's Word, Judgment, Obedience, Truth.

Hello friends,

Rainfall total for last week at our address was 2.25 inches. Some places had more, others less, but it was well received. We moved the camper to Mitchell, SD last week in anticipation of the arrival of a new great-grandchild. It will serve as living quarters for great grandma as she helps with the new little one. I am sure there will be an update to this story soon.

Unless you have been hiding under a big rock, you know that Israel has been under attack from her enemies lately. There are those who wonder, what is the big deal with Israel? One has only to read the Bible record to see that God has a special relationship with the people he calls his own. Through Isaiah the prophet, God said this to Israel:

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, my friend—I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are my servant; I have chosen you; I haven’t rejected you (Isaiah 41:9).

I am the Lord. I have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6).

Now this is what the Lord says—the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel— “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine (Isaiah 43:1).

God’s good plan was for Israel to be His shining light to the rest of the world. He would bring salvation through the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. Israel rejected the Savior, however and God sent Jesus’ disciples into the Gentile world with the message of salvation through faith in the promised Messiah. This did not mean God was finished with Israel. In fact, God promised to keep a remnant of Jews who would acknowledge Christ as the Messiah.

Those who would destroy Israel will be judged by God eventually. God’s words to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

9 Oct

Why Do You Wait?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Gospel, On Aging, Salvation.

Dear friends,

We have had our first frost. As usual, there were preparations for the garden. Peppers, tomatoes, and some late planted cucumbers were covered. They survived the chill; however, I have my doubts for the next time. Most folks are welcoming the cooler temperatures after the hot summer, but I suspect it won’t be long before we want it to warm up. That’s just human nature, I guess.

I observed another birthday anniversary last week. As the old saying goes, if I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. We know that aging is part of life, and no one is guaranteed a long life. It is important that we have a personal relationship with the Lord, so that when our life is over, we know we will be with him. The Bible says nothing about second chances. “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Salvation comes to all who believe. A favorite scripture of mine reads, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Then this; “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10: 9-10). Verse 13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I suspect some who have read these devotional thoughts over the years have yet to place their faith in the Lord Jesus. My prayer is that you do not wait any longer. As I wrote earlier, no one is guaranteed a long life, in fact we are not even guaranteed tomorrow. As it is written in God’s Word, “today is the day of salvation.”

In the words of the old hymn, “Why do you wait dear brother, O why do you tarry so long?” Jesus is waiting.

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

2 Oct

God Speaks in Creation

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Blessings, Creation, God's Word, Praise.

Dear friends,

We were able to get in a couple of days away with the camper. We didn’t go far, but it was enjoyable just to do something different. I wonder how long we will be able to do this, and I am not really looking forward to the time we can’t. I keep telling myself we live by a pretty little lake in a beautiful part of God’s creation, so what is the need for a camper?

More random thoughts as I looked out my window: Sunrise is special from the window of a camper. Any sunrise signals the beginning of a new day. We should be grateful for each sunrise and the promise it brings. The following Psalm reminds us that both creation and God’s Word testify to his existence and sovereignty, if anyone should doubt.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their outer end; nothing is hidden from its heat.”

The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life, the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold—than an abundance of pure gold, and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward” (Psalm 19:1-11).

One more random thought from my early morning meditations: Someday Jesus will return, not to get opinions, but to set up his kingdom. Jesus’ words, “Look I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

Blessings to you,

Pastor Jerry