Archive for April, 2024

29 Apr

Beware of False Doctrine

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, False teachers, God's Word, Truth, Wisdom.

Dear friends,

We were spared from the rough weather on Friday. We did get an inch and a half of beneficial rain. We keep the victims of the tornadoes in our prayers and give thanks for safety in the storms.

The Bible warns of false teachers in the last days. We are seeing more evidence of this. Almost every day, we read of someone bending the truth of God’s word to fit into his or her personal agenda. Paul warned his readers: “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

In 2 Peter 2, we read: There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved ways, and the way of truth will be maligned because of them. They will exploit you in their greed with made-up stories. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep. Verses 1-3.

Paul warns against false teaching in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

So, how do we combat the false teachers who lead people away from the truth? Paul gives this advice to Timothy: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:15-16.

To be able to recognize false teachers and their false gospel, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word. Read the Bible. Find a good Bible study group. Attend a Bible believing, Bible preaching church. Check out what the pastor or Bible study leader tells you. Be like the folks at Berea. In Acts 17:11, we read concerning the church there; “For they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

For Truth,

Pastor Jerry

22 Apr

Unmistakable Evidence

Posted by sandhillspastor in Creation, Faith, God's Word, Praise, Worship.

Hello friends,

We enjoyed the time with great-granddaughter Maria, but it is apparent that we are not accustomed to that level of energy and activity. Now, back to our relaxed way of living until our next visit. We received a little rain this week. I did not empty the rain bucket after the first rain and wouldn’t you know it, a frosty night broke the gauge, so we don’t have an accurate report. The gauge has been replaced, so we’re good to go the next time. In other news, the mowing season has begun.

It is that time when we begin to see signs of spring that give us pleasure. This week, we spotted at least three pairs of geese with their broods of goslings. The flowers that escaped the frost lend a bit of color to the landscape and the ornamental trees are in bloom. God’s creation never ceases to amaze me. It takes me to the book of Psalms, and all those references to His wonderful world. Let’s look at a few this week.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat (Psalm 19:1-6).

Praise the Lord.

Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forever more.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? (Psalm 113:1-6).

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6).

Creation announces the presence of the Creator. Don’t miss it.

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

15 Apr

Questions for God?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Eternal Life, Faith, Gospel, Salvation.

Dear friends,

After a few pleasant days, we are forecast to see some lower temps and possibly some rain. There is some talk of stormy weather, but we will pray that doesn’t happen. My lady got her driver’s license renewed last week, so we are both good for a few more years. Sunday, we enjoyed worship and sweet fellowship with our church family. Also, we have the pleasure of having a little girl visiting our house this week.

I have heard people say, “When I get to Heaven, I’m going to ask God this or that question.” My response is, when you get there, you will be so in awe of Him that those questions will be forgotten. Pastor Greg Laurie had some thoughts on the topic in a recent article I would like to share with you.

He writes, “I think that one second after they get to Heaven, they won’t care about those questions anymore. They will see God for who He is, and everything else will come into its proper focus.

The apostle Paul wrote, all that I see now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Pastor Greg goes on: The most important thing to me about Heaven is that Jesus will be there… To me, heaven is about Jesus. And wherever Jesus is, that is where I want to be. Heaven will be greater than anything we have ever imagined, and the good news is that it will last forever. This is a promise to believers.

Those who don’t know Jesus ought to be afraid. I hope you know that you are going to heaven. It is not the worst thing to die. Rather, the worst thing is to die without Jesus.

It amazes me how people will go to great lengths to make sure they have things like car insurance, health insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and life insurance. But they won’t give a passing thought to their eternal assurance. The most important thing of all is what will happen to us beyond the grave. But if we wait to decide, it will be too late.

On the other hand, if you have put your trust in Christ, then you don’t have to be afraid. Your life is in God’s hands.” (Pastor Greg’s Daily Devo; April 4, 2024).

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

8 Apr

Knowing God’s Word

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Culture, Faith, God's Word, Stewardship, Truth.

Hello friends,

Rain! We’ve been needing some rain and Saturday rain came. It was accompanied by some fierce winds, but with no apparent damage here at the lake. The gauge here at the cabin on the corner showed .70 inch. At this time of year, we usually need rain. As the old saying goes; “April showers…” Before you know it, we’ll be mowing the lawn again.

As I spend time in the company of Christians, the more I understand that many lack knowledge of what the Scriptures say. I would expect those who don’t know anything about the Bible or its message to be ignorant of what it says. I’m not involved with many social media platforms, but the things I read show a surprising level of illiteracy when it comes to God’s Word.

God’s Word is quite specific regarding the need for the Christian to be well-schooled in its message and purpose. Many years ago, I was challenged to read the Bible from beginning to end in a year. The result was that I did so several years in a row. I highly recommend it as a worthy endeavor. Now to those scriptures that relate to the subject.

First, it shows us the way to live: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Paul challenged Timothy to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (1 Timothy 2:15). “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (3:16-17).

The writer of Proverbs stresses the benefits of knowing God’s Word, which brings wisdom; “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity (Proverbs 3:1-2).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

In closing, don’t depend solely on the preacher’s words, but get into the habit of reading the Bible for yourself. It will bring a greater knowledge of God’s Word.

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

1 Apr

He has Risen Indeed

Posted by sandhillspastor in Eternal Life, Resurrection, The Good News, Truth.

Hello friends,

I trust you had a great celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday. Our day started with a sunrise service at Lake Ericson, then breakfast at our church. We finished with worship at the regular time. All in all, it was a blessed time of celebration.

We are reminded at this season of Easter that God provided the way to restore our relationship with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, we are all sinners in need of a Savior.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

Lest we get the idea that we can work our way to heaven, the scripture tells us this: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given its proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Jesus said this: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well” (John 14:6-7). To the Jews who questioned His claim of divinity, He said, “I and the Father are one.” (John 1:30). His answer enraged them to the point that they were ready to stone him, but His time had not come.

Some other scriptures that point to Him as the only way to heaven are these: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). 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).

This is our message for today. He is risen, He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

To God be the glory,

Pastor Jerry