Archive for the ‘Assurance’ Category

27 Nov

Watching

Posted by sandhillspastor in Advent, Assurance, Christmas, Gospel, Hope, Second Coming.

Dear friends,

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We hope to be able to say the same about the leftover turkey. Having cooked a turkey a few weeks back, our Thanksgiving meal was liver and onions. It was a quiet affair, with just the two of us. And I doubt anyone else would have enjoyed it as much.

Snow happened this week. The weather man guessed we would get less than an inch, but it turned out to be more like 2 to 3 inches here. We will now need to get the rest of the Christmas lights up and plugged in.

It is the advent season, when Christians focus on the first coming of the Lord Jesus. While there are differing opinions over the exact time of year He was born, there is no doubt in His followers’ minds that He was born in Bethlehem, just as the scripture says.

In today’s world, there is renewed interest in His second return, or second advent. Jesus plainly told His disciples to expect His return at some time in the future. As we read the New Testament, it seems they anticipated He would come back in their lifetime. He did not, however, give them a specific time for His return. He told them some things to look for and warned them not to get caught up in false prophecies.

These are His words: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed… As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:4-39).

Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him (Matthew 24:42-44).

“He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority” (Acts 1:7).

He will return. Are you ready?

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

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

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

18 Sep

The Winning Team

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, End Times, Faith, Gospel, Heaven, Second Coming, Truth.

Dear friends,

Weather-wise, it was an almost perfect week. Cooler temperatures were the highlight, along with some nice rain. It doesn’t get much better in September. I continue to adjust to a new medication schedule after my recent visit to the ER and what followed. I can see improvement every day.

I’m not as rabid a football fan as I once was, but congratulations to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on their win Saturday night. It was good to be on the winning side for a change. May they continue to show up in the win column. Go Big Red!

Speaking of a winning team… as the world seems to be spinning out of control, and the devil appears to be winning the battle between good and evil, we may get discouraged. There is good news. I have read God’s Word from beginning to end and it is encouraging to find that in the end, God’s people are on the winning team.

There is a spiritual battle going on between God and the devil. The Bible tells us Satan has been defeated, but he has not stopped attacking Christians for the purpose of damaging their testimony. The apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Ephesus: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12).

Peter wrote, “Be sober minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

A final word for this week from Peter. “Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; … Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:8-13).

In His grip.

Pastor Jerry

28 Aug

Adopted by God

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Blessings, Children, Families, Family of God, Praise.

Hello friends,

In the weather news, it was much cooler last week. There is speculation that the heat will return, but not quite to the level of past days. September can be hot, but fall weather is just around the proverbial corner. As usual a request for rain is at the top of our prayer list. Our immediate area could use a good soaking again.

I have joined the community of CPAP users. A recent sleep study indicated some issues with my nighttime breathing, and I now own one of those machines (or does it own me?). This is a learning experience I had hoped to avoid, but here we are. If I stop breathing for a short time, the machine will supply me with air. This is good but it requires some adjustment. I’m not comfortable enough with the mask and all, so I can’t tell if there is any benefit, but I suppose that will come.

News came to us this week that Alex (our grandson) will be able to adopt his wife’s little girl. She will be our great-granddaughter, Maria. This is something we have all been praying for and we are praising the Lord for working it all out. When it is finalized, we will all get together for a celebration. This is the inspiration for my devotional thought for this week.

The Bible tells us that we are all sinners. It also says that sin is the act of being disobedient to God. The penalty for that sin is death, or separation from God (Romans 6:23). As sinners, we were enemies of God. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we become adopted sons and daughters of God, co-heirs with Christ of all the blessings of heaven. When the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us at the moment of salvation, we read; “For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back in fear. Instead, you received the spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ… (Romans 8:14-17).

When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be! This upcoming adoption is but a glimpse of that day.

In Christ,

Pastor Jerry

31 Jul

Be Encouraged

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Peace, Trials.

Dear friends,

Our camping trip last week was interesting as usual. My best laid plans usually go awry somewhere along the way, and this was no exception. The first and most important lesson learned; find out about water availability before leveling and unhooking the camper, especially when it is 95 degrees out and there is no breeze! After solving that issue, things went reasonably well. We’ll wait for cooler weather before venturing out again.

On a more serious note, it has again been brought to my attention through various conversations this week, that there are many people dealing with the difficulties of life. Health issues, relational issues, economic trials, and nasty weather are just a few I could name. The passage of scripture referenced in church this morning seems appropriate for a devotional lesson.

I have used these verses before but am drawn back to them this week. “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings (Romans 8:22-26).

When the cares of the world begin to weigh heavily on us, we feel weak and defeated. We cannot even find the words we want to say to God and this scripture tells us that God’s Holy Spirit will help us. He will bring our prayer requests to the Lord with the clarity we are unable to put into words. God knows our needs, even if all we can make are groaning sounds as we pray.

The next verse encourages us in those times of groaning under our burdens in this way, “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (verse 27).

Take heart in your trials, God hears and understands your groanings.

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

10 Jul

Storms of Life

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Creation, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, renewal, The Good News.

Dear friends,

After the long 4th of July holiday weekend, it seemed like just three days later we arrived at another weekend. By all reports the long weekend was a success. A large number of residents and guests enjoyed a great fireworks display and many memories were made. During the week we received some nice rain. Early Friday morning my gauge showed an even two inches. It was very much needed, and there is room for more. On the flip side, there were damaging storms in the panhandle with hail that destroyed crops.

Nature is unpredictable, and we are told in the Bible that God’s creation is broken. We are also told that at some time future, the earth will be restored to newness, and those who believed in Jesus for salvation will get to experience this new earth. All this is of little consolation to those whose crops lie in ruin, but better times are coming. Many years ago, we were looking at a bumper corn crop, when a hailstorm near the end of July left only bare stalks. As they say, if it weren’t for next year, farmers and ranchers would give up. So, the next year, we harvested a nice crop of corn again.

To quote a passage of scripture; “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, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:22-25).

God will have the last word, as reported by the apostle John in his revelation from Jesus: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I say the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people” (Revelation 21:1-3).

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

26 Jun

Security

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Peace, Praise, Trust.

Dear friends,

The last week was mostly spent preparing to be gone for a few days. The garden was covered with hail screen (in case of hail). Shade was provided for the cucumbers (in case of too much hot sun), and everything was given a last watering (in case it didn’t rain). The reason for all this was so I could go to Omaha and get a final repair to the aortic aneurysm we have been watching for the last several years. I can report the procedure was successful, so that concern is behind us.

N.M.C. is an interesting place (to say the least). How anyone can find their way around that place is beyond this old country boy. We stayed in what is called Nebraska House, what I think is a floor of patient rooms converted to sleeping quarters, like motel rooms. There is a shuttle service supplied by the Med Center. At 5 A.M. the shuttle vehicle is an SUV staffed by two security guards. We were picked up by them and dropped off at the entrance to Clarkson Hospital. As Milrae and I were entering the vehicle, those two men were on high alert, searching their surroundings until we were seated in the back. I had the feeling of being a K-9 officer in its barred cage. We were securely in the care of these two young men.

This got me thinking about where we are most secure. Is it at home or in our car? With family or friends? Or is it in an SUV escorted by two armed guards? Obviously, homes can be broken into and there is safety in numbers to a point. Security guards cannot stay on high alert indefinitely because they will need to sleep eventually. As a matter of fact, the only secure place in the universe is in the arms of our Lord.

“Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in your rent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings” (Psalm 61:2-4).

“He will not allow your foot to slip, your protector will not slumber. Indeed, the protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4).

Is your security in the Lord? He’s always awake and alert!

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

19 Jun

Justified

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Blessings, Faith, Gospel, Hope, Peace, The Good News.

Dear readers,

We have received wonderful rain! Amounts vary, but most places near to us have seen some moisture. Friday and Saturday our gauge showed just over 1.5 inches. The garden is happy! The camper has been cleansed of the evidence left behind by some mice who lived there last winter. We are now ready for the next adventure. Several memories were made on the last journey, most of which centered around the absent mindedness of a certain elderly man.

The Bible tells us that when a person puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, that person is declared righteous because God sees that person as being covered by the righteousness of Christ. The term used is justification. What follows are some results of the believer being justified in the eyes of God.

We have peace. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) There was a time we were God’s enemies because of unbelief, now in Christ we have peace with God (Romans 5:10). Peace with God means our problem with sin has been settled by the blood of Christ.

We have access to God. “Through whom we have gained access by faith into the grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2a) Before our salvation we were condemned; but now in Christ, we have perfect standing before God and can enter his presence (Hebrews 10:19-25).

We have hope. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2b). The unsaved person is “without hope” (Ephesians 2:11-12). Through faith in Christ, we have the sure knowledge of eternity with him.

We have confidence in the trials of life. “Not only so, but we also rejoiced in our sufferings” (Romans 5:3). We know for certain that in those trials God is with us, because of our relationship with Christ (Romans 5:3-4).

We experience the love of God. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God showed us his love at the cross when Christ died for those who were without strength, who were ungodly, sinners, and enemies, thus proving His great love.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, who came as the only one who could save us from our sin. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

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