Archive for March, 2025

31 Mar

Have a Good Day

Posted by sandhillspastor in Cross, Easter, Good Friday, Resurrection, The Good News.

Hello everyone,

March is over and for some folks it was not a good month in the weather department. In our little corner of the world we missed any major storms, but not everyone can say the same. We are still in need of some beneficial moisture. My prayer is that April will bring those proverbial showers and some genuinely soaking rains.

As we enter the time leading up to Resurrection Sunday, or Easter as it is called, it is a good time to reflect on what it is we celebrate. I am reminded of a B.C. comic strip by Johhny Hart. It goes as follows:

Character #1… “I hate the term Good Friday!”Character #2… “Why?”#1… “My Lord was hanged on a tree that day.

#2… “If you were going to be hanged on that day, and He volunteered to take your place, how would you feel?”

#1… “Good.”

#2… “Have a nice day.”

I am sure the Lord’s disciples didn’t see that Friday as a good day. To see the one they saw as their Messiah tried, convicted, and executed for speaking the Truth of God was not what they had expected, even though Jesus had told them this is what was going to happen. They were expecting Jesus to kick out the Romans and set up His kingdom.

The Old Testament scrolls, and Jewish prophets had predicted that one from the lineage of David would rise up to be the salvation of Israel, they didn’t understand that Jesus was the one. After Jesus was resurrected and appeared to His followers, they then began to understand. They went out and boldly spread the good news, taking the gospel to the world. Their message was that Jesus is indeed the long-expected Messiah, and that through His sacrifice those who believed would be saved from their sins.

“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13).

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

“It is by faith you are saved, not by works” (Ephesians 2:8).

Have a nice day,

Pastor Jerry

24 Mar

The Real Thing

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

Hello friends,
March is almost gone, and I won’t be sorry to see it go. Hopefully, April will bring those proverbial showers, followed by the May flowers. We got very little snow from the last storm, but oh how the wind did blow. I know the wind must blow, but really?

This week, due to time issues I am going into the archives for our devotional thought. I think this still applies to our current situation.

I have always enjoyed a glass of grapefruit juice, but because of the different medications I take, I no longer am afforded the pleasure. I would at times buy it in place of a sugary soft drink. I believed one grapefruit juice was the same as any other, but I found out otherwise when I purchased another brand with a look-alike label. I soon discovered there was no comparison in the taste of the two. The “real stuff” was much better tasting than the bargain brand in spite of the similarity of the labels.

How do I apply this to spiritual matters? In our search for meaning in life, we try many things and seek answers in many places. If we know where to find the right answers and experience them, it is easy to spot the counterfeits and the “wannabes.” If we are grounded in God’s word, that is if we study and learn from the Bible what it says about Jesus Christ and the way to eternal life, we won’t be led astray by false teaching and popular thoughts and ideas. We need to be able to distinguish between the authentic and the look-a-likes.

In his letter to Titus, Paul gives advice that should apply to all of us. “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Tituss 1:9).

To the church at Ephesus, he wrote that we are to be mature in our faith so that, “We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching (doctrine) and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching… then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

For Him,
Pastor Jerry

17 Mar

Take Heart

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Christian Living, Faith, Hope, Peace, Reward, Trials, Trust.

Dear friends,
Another week of late winter weather has passed. It has been interesting to say the least. Our prayers go up for those affected by the storms of last weekend. Also, our thanks to those dedicated volunteers who battled the wildfires of last week.

Everywhere we look it seems there is unrest or chaos of some sort. Also, persecution of God’s people is on the increase. I don’t think it is any different than in the past; perhaps we are made more aware through all the media sources available today.

The Bible tells us there will be trials in this life, and I believe it to be true. Jesus said to His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).

We should not be disheartened by the troubles in life but, look to the Lord for assurance in those times. Nowhere in scripture does it tell us that life is a bowl of cherries. Peter wrote this to those suffering for their faith, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as tough something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

In Romans we read this; “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:22-23).

In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah God told the prophet, ”Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land of ruler against ruler’ (Jeremiah 51:46).

Jesus said to his disciples, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come” (Matthew 24:6).

James tells us to ‘hang in there’, so to speak: Consider it joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

In the words of Paul, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

10 Mar

Getting There

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Contentment, Happiness, Planning, Righteousness, Temptation.

Hello friends,
Winter is still hanging around. Our storm last week left us with about four inches of heavy, wet snow. Some areas got less, and others more. it was all welcome moisture and with warmer temperatures it won’t be here long.

In life we are often tempted to take shortcuts to achieve a particular goal. In scripture we read of Jesus being tempted by Satan to short cut God’s plan for Him.

“The devil led Him to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So, if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only,’” (Luke 4:5-8).

Pastor J.D. Greear has some thoughts on this topic: “Satan’s offer is Jesus’ chance to avoid the pain of the cross and get there through a shortcut, to walk on a path parallel to the will of God, but not in it.

It’s the temptation to compromise, and we all have had a taste of it in our own lives.

You really, really want to get somewhere, and you think that’s what God wants, but God doesn’t seem to be getting you there fast enough. And so, you are tempted to take a shortcut to get what you think you are entitled to—to pursue a good thing in the wrong way.

When we think this way, we are being tempted by a lie from Satan. This lie starts in the moment when you are frustrated with life, and you think the issue is your circumstance. You think, ‘If I could just get this other thing, then I would be happy,’

At the end of His life, Jesus got all the kingdoms of the earth—because He sought unbroken fellowship with the Father first.

Joy doesn’t come in getting wherever “there” is but in knowing, wherever you are, you are exactly where God wants you to be, doing exactly what God wants you to do. You get there by pursuing God, His Word, and the things He loves.”

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. (Matthew 6:33).

For Him,
Pastor Jerry

3 Mar

Know What You Believe

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Evangelism, Faith, Gospel, Wisdom.

Dear readers,
Winter may be returning, stay tuned. We have enjoyed some spring-like weather this past week, but it appears this will all change in the coming day. We would certainly welcome some moisture, even if it comes as the frozen kind.

As I contemplate what to write this week, I am drawn to the fact that there are a lot of people who criticize Christians and the Bible, but they have never opened a Bible to see for themselves what it says. They may go to church occasionally and hear a sermon based on a couple of verses, but that is all the Bible they know.

The scriptures tell us that faith comes by hearing, but it is also important to study the Bible for ourselves. There were many false prophets in Old Testament times who were preaching feel-good messages, and God had harsh words for them. “But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word” (Jeremiah 23:18).

If we don’t examine the scriptures for ourselves, it is easy to be led astray by false teaching. The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Joshua was told by the Lord, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).

A passage of scripture we heard in our worship this morning reads, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!… Consequently, faith comes by hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:13-15, 17).

The Word of Christ is the Bible. Read it every day, then study and meditate on what you read; how else will you be able to defend your faith? As the saying goes; believe what you know and know what you believe!

For Him,
Pastor Jerry