Archive for August, 2024

26 Aug

Circumstances

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Contentment, Eternal Life, Heaven, On Aging, Witness.

Hello all,
Welcome to second summer. The warm temperatures have returned! I suppose most of us would expect some hot days in early September. After all, it is State Fair time.

The worst part of my current health situation has been a loss of appetite. Food has no appeal and tastes nothing like I remember. My own cooking even tastes awful! If there is an up-side, it is that I have lost a few pounds. Along with that, I want to sleep a lot, and naps are a large part of my days.

In times like this, it is easy to see only the situation we are in and focus on the negative. The medicines I am taking are having their intended effect, but there are unpleasant side-effects. Keeping in mind the end result is of great importance.

Many times, in our Christian walk, we endure times that are difficult, and it is hard to keep our thoughts directed toward heaven. As someone once said when asked how they were doing answered, I’m doing okay under the circumstances. His friend said, “What are you doing? Get out from under there!”

Our joy in life does not come from our circumstances. In poverty or in wealth, our true joy should be in our relationship with the Lord. When King David was in the desert, hiding from his enemies, he wrote the following:
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:1-8).

So, in those difficult times we must not keep our eyes on our circumstances but keep looking up to Jesus. He is our peace, our hope and joy.

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

19 Aug

God is Good All the Time

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Blessings, Faith.

Hello friends, Another week has come and gone. We received just over an inch of rain Sunday morning, so no watering of the lawn and garden for a few days. I’m still adjusting to my new medicines and will go to Grand Island to see my vascular specialist on Tuesday. There will be a scan, and he will determine where we go from here. What follows is an excerpt from a devotional by J.D Grear.

Sometimes, as Christians, we don’t fully realize all that God has done for us. We take His blessings in our lives for granted far too often. God is faithful. God is good. And God is consistent.

The Bible promises that God will not just pardon us for our sin but will abundantly pardon us. Isaiah 55:7 tells us, “Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously” (NLT). Not only is God able to do what we ask of Him through prayer, but according to Ephesians 3:20, He is able to “accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (NLT). Not only are we conquerors in Christ, but according to Romans 8:37, “we are more than conquerors” (NIV). He gives us not just peace but a peace that “exceeds anything we can understand” (Philippians 4:7 NLT).

The psalmist and shepherd David was able to look back on his life and say, “My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:5–6 NLT). As Christians look back at their lives, if they have been walking closely with God, they’re able to see a pattern of God’s blessings over the years.

Sometimes, when we’re going through certain situations, we may not see God’s goodness or mercy. In fact, we may even question God on occasion. But as the years pass, as we look back, we can see God’s hand in our lives in a way that perhaps we couldn’t see it before. And we can look back and see the same thing. Really, the Christian life is the greatest life there is. It is better than anything this world has to offer.

Blessings, Pastor Jerry

12 Aug

True Assurance

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Peace, Trust, Worship.

Dear friends,

We have been experiencing some fall-like temperatures. This is a welcome change from the hot days of recent weeks. I continue to recover from my stay in the hospital. The medication seems to be working, but I am soooo tired. Naps are frequent lol!

I have had much time recently to reflect on my life’s journey. From the early days when I was unaware of my need for Jesus in my life, to the day I came to the realization that he was all I needed. In these days of uncertainty, it is so encouraging to know that He is in total control. Whether it is the craziness of our world or turmoil in my own situation, the Lord of the universe will work it out for his glory. There are scriptures that encourage and strengthen us in our walk through this life. I will share them with you this week.

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side” (Psalm 3:5-6). “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

“My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared” (Proverb 3:21-26).

In the New Testament we find these words of Jesus: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

Finally, the words of Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6a, “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. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.”

Sweet dreams,

Pastor Jerry

5 Aug

Opportunities

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Calling, Evangelism, Relationships, Witness.

Dear friends,

It’s hard to believe August is here already. I don’t know if we are having fun or just being busy, but time flies. I am slowly adjusting to my new medicine regime. I seem to sleep a lot during the day and my night sleep suffers because of it. Even so, God is good and blesses us every day.

I have discovered that spending time in the hospital gives me many opportunities to share my faith with others. I have had many deep spiritual conversations with various nurses in the middle of the night. During my recent stay, I was able to give encouragement to a man facing surgery for brain cancer. He was moved to a different floor, and I never saw him again, but he heard about Jesus and the way of salvation.

During another hospital stay, a nurse asked me to pray for her vision to establish a ministry to the Haitian people in Florida.  She was herself Haitian. This happened in the middle of the night, and I was blessed to pray with and for her.

No matter where we are or in what situation we find ourselves, the Lord puts people in our way so that we can share the gospel message with them. I am reminded of the words of the apostle Peter in his first letter to the church: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

This is the reason for our hope: “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 are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Pray for the Lord to reveal those to whom he would have you share your testimony of the gospel message. I will leave you with this thought… If God answered all the prayers you prayed last week, how many new people would be in his kingdom?

For Him,

Pastor Jerry