Archive for October, 2026

19 Oct

What Is Worship?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Obedience, Witness, Worship.

Dear readers,

As of this morning the garden is history. It appears the first frost of the season has taken its toll. After all, it is the middle of October, so we are well past the normal first hard frost. There were a few tomatoes, egg plant and cucumbers harvested in anticipation of the cold snap.

In recent days I have been thinking about worship. The Bible tells us that God is to be the focus and recipient of our worship. The word worship is sometimes focused on only one aspect of the worship experience. Some see it as the preaching or the music or some other part of the Sunday service. After some study I have learned some things that might be helpful in our worship experience.

Loving God wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

The Hebrew word is defined “to bow down in reverence.” In the Greek it is “to encounter God and praise Him.” Worship includes the following:

Inner Devotion:

Outward Expressions:

Praise, singing, prayer (Psalm 95:1-2).

Bowing, lifting hands, joyful noise

Obedience and service as daily worship (Romans 12:1, “I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”

A Life-Oriented Posture: Worship is not only an event but a way of life—living for God’s glory in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Worship in the Old Testament centered on the tabernacle and consisted of festivals, sacrifices, offerings and priestly service among others.

Worship in the New Testament shifted from temple-based worship to Christ-centered worship. Jesus teaches worship is not tied to location but to sincerity and truth. Early church worship included teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer (Acts 2:42).

To sum it up, Biblical worship is whole-life devotion to God expressed through praise, prayer, obedience and service, grounded in recognizing His unmatched worth and responding with reverence.

Our worship is not a one-dimension experience. I know there are churches that have designated worship leaders, but it seems to me our worship leader is the Holy Spirit. It is His presence within us that causes us to worship God with all our heart, soul and mind.

There is a cartoon in which a man leaving church says to the pastor, “I didn’t get much out of worship today.” The pastor replies, “That’s okay, we weren’t worshiping you anyway.”

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

12 Oct

Show Respect

Posted by sandhillspastor in Uncategorized.

Dear readers,

We are having some delightful weather for the month of October. I fear these warm temperatures are going to be fond memories very soon. Change will come, as it always does.

We live in a time when respect for life and property are almost outdated. There seems to be an epidemic of hate and violence, and it is not just in other parts of the world. This is a picture of the brokenness that is the result of the first man Adam and his disobeying God’s command concerning the tree in the Garden of Eden.

There are biblical commands and instructions regarding how we are to live and how we are to treat others and their property.

Exodus 20, verse 12 says, “Honor your father and your mother.” The next verse reads, “You shall not murder. This should be self-explanatory. God’s word also tells us if someone takes the life of another that person is to be put to death, not made out to be a victim.

Paul wrote these words, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality… “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position… “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:10-18). “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

In His sermon on the mountain, Jesus got down to specifics: “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19).

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).

The bottom line is this; show respect for others, their lives and property. If we all do that, the world would be a better place for everyone.

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

5 Oct

Security for Life

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Blessings, Contentment, Culture.

Hello friends,

October is here. This is one of my favorite months. First, it is the month of my birthday. Second, I have wonderful memories of hunting ducks during this month. As a youngster, my parents only had to give me shotgun shells for my birthday and I was happy.

A daily devotional caught my eye this week and I felt led to share it with you. It is from Pastor J.D. Greear and concerns the security that is available to us through our faith in God.

Jesus said that people are more valuable than the birds. They don’t store up food, yet the Lord takes care of them (Luke 12:24). In verses 27-28 He tells us if God can clothe the lilies with bright colors, we need not fret over whether He will care for us.

Pastor Greear goes on: “Both significance and security are best found in the present by being obedient to God. If you don’t feel happy or secure right now, that’s not a money problem; that’s a problem in your relationship with God.” From Luke 12:31-32, he reminds us of these verses; “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.”

“God is the watchful Shepherd, intimately aware of where we are and what we are doing; the almighty King, controlling everything according to His good purposes for our lives; and a tender Father, who delights to see us thrive.

You can be sure that if you obey Him, He will take care of you, because He proved His love when He died for you. If He provided for you when  you were His enemy, won’t He supply you abundantly now that you are His child?”

On a personal note, the Lord has provided for our family in ways that we could not explain if we were not aware of His presence with us. There are just more instances of His provision in our lives than I have room to tell.

When we experienced the agriculture crash in the mid-eighties, I know that God took us through that time. He showed me those cows weren’t mine or the bank’s, they were His. Many times He provided for our needs and taught me some valuable lessons in where to place my faith.

Glory be to God,

Pastor Jerry