Archive for the ‘Best Life’ Category

10 Feb

Stay Connected

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Faith, Grace, Obedience, Relationships.

Dear readers,
I’m trying to get psyched up for some more winter-like weather. If the forecast holds true, we are in for some cold and snowy conditions. It seems harder to adapt to those changes as I get older.

The Bible tells us to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are to stay connected with Him through the reading of God’s word, so that we may know him in a personal way. In life, relationships go nowhere if we don’t get to know another person intimately. No one gets to truly know another person without spending time with him or her. What kind of marriage would it be if the couple only communicated for an hour each week?

There needs to be constant communication if a relationship is to be meaningful. Whether in our human relationships or in our fellowship with God, we need to stay connected. Spiritually speaking, Jesus tells us he is like a vine to which we are connected as believers. Here are His words from John’s gospel.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while very branch that does not bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful… I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:1-8).

It is much the same as using an electric appliance. The only way it works is to keep it connected to the power source. If there is no connection, there is no way said appliance will live up to expectations. Your car won’t start if the battery is disconnected, nor will your relationship with the Lord be complete if you aren’t connected with him through prayer and the reading of his Word. Remember to stay connected to your power source.

There is power in Christ,
Pastor Jerry

16 Dec

Christmas Memories

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Blessings, Christmas, Giving.

Dear friends,
Winter-like weather has returned. Not with snow, but with cooler temperatures. I’m glad for a warm house these days, because I really can’t cope with the cold anymore.

As our thoughts turn to Christmas Day, a bit of reflection is in order. Rather than focusing on what we might get in the way of gifts, let us consider the Greatest Gift of all. I have received many wonderful gifts from family and friends over the years, but some stand out more than others.

There was the Red Ryder BB gun when I was a youngster. I took it out hunting and came across a mouse. No, I didn’t shoot it. I beat it with the gun stock and broke my new gun. A memorable experience and a lesson learned. An earlier memory is of a Christmas when “Santa” brought a puppy in a burlap bag and dumped it out on the floor of our living room. How exciting that was!

After I became a believer in Jesus Christ and we were going through some hard times, there was no money for Christmas gifts for our boys. I had mentioned our predicament to our pastor and he and his wife gave us money out of their savings so we could have a good Christmas for our two boys. I will never forget that gift, given in the truest picture of Christian love for others. I have had opportunities to pass that gift on to others in the name of Jesus.

In John’s gospel, we read the following: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17).

Paul wrote to the church in Rome: “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2)

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:10, 13). “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)!

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

30 Sep

Searching for Bargains

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Eternity, Gospel, Grace, Hope, Planning, The Good News. Tagged: , , , , .

Greetings all,
You have to like this fall weather. If we could get a little rain, it would be a lot better. On a personal note, we traveled to Colorado to visit my brother and sister-in-law last week. It’s been a few years since we have seen each other, so it was good to reminisce over old times. The trip was mostly uneventful, although the roads were a lot rougher than I remember. The best highway was US 30, and I-76 in Colorado was the worst! I have nothing to say about our local county road…

When we returned on Saturday, we were reminded of the Junk Jaunt weekend. As we approached our home territory, we started so see hand-made signs alerting us to the many bargains to be had at various locations. This was the worst traffic of the whole trip! People were everywhere looking for a bargain.

Our pastor pointed out Sunday morning that Christians have the best bargain ever. We have as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. There is no better deal in this world. As it is written in God’s word, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God’s gift of salvation is free for the asking. The price has been paid at the cross of Calvary. No extra taxes or fees are due. All that is required is that one comes confessing their sins, asking for God’s forgiveness, and accepting his Son as Savior. Scripture reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

In another place we are told, “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). You won’t find a better deal than that anywhere!

I repeat myself, but if you are looking for a bargain, look no further than the Lord Jesus. His salvation is the ultimate great deal.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)! It’s a deal you must not refuse.

For Him,
Pastor Jerry

9 Sep

Resting in the Lord

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Peace, Rest.

Dear readers,

Another week has gone by, and I think I might be adjusting to the new medicine. I still have no appetite, but the food is beginning to taste a bit better. Weather-wise, we are settled into a more fall-like season as the temperature has moderated. This is good for me, since I seem to have become cold-blooded. Sitting in the sun is my favorite pastime recently.

The world keeps on turning, and each day it takes a turn for the worse. In times like these, it is important for us to remain focused on the important things, and to downplay those minor distractions.

I am reminded of a part of scripture that I memorized once. It is from the book of Isaiah. “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. He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down in the dust. Feet trample it down—the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor. The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night, in the morning my spirit longs for you” (Isaiah 26:3-9).

Are the cares of the world weighing you down? Does it seem there is no hope? Hear the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give your 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

As we sang in church this morning: O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Looking to Him,

Pastor Jerry

2 Sep

Sharing the Truth

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Calling, Christian Living, Relationships, The Good News, Witness.

Dear readers,
It was a great weekend to celebrate Labor Day. I doubt you could have asked for better weather. The lake community was a beehive of activity, and I’m sure everyone had a good time. A Nebraska football win on Saturday only added to the fun. Shout out to our neighbor who volunteered to power wash the siding on our house and repair the back step. What a blessing you are! Thank you.

This morning in his message, Pastor John reminded us of all of the need to be sharing our faith every day and in every situation. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are called to be a witness for Him. A witness is one who tells others what they have seen and heard. We are commanded by the Savior to testify to what he has done for us. A changed life is our best testimony to His grace, by which we have been saved from our sin.

Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Ephesus, “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:15-21).

Jesus’ command to his disciples applies to every believer today. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28;19-20).

Finally, these words from Paul to Timothy; Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine… (2 Timothy 4:2-3).

Those times are here. May we be witnesses to the Truth!

In Christ,
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

1 Jul

Freedom

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Freedom, Gospel, The Good News.

Dear readers,

It was a relatively uneventful week for us. There were some appointments to keep, but this is a good thing as going to various appointments gives us a reason to get out of bed some days. We certainly aren’t complaining about our weather, these cooler days have been refreshing after the heat of a week ago.

As we celebrate the birth of our nation this week, and the freedom we have, we must remember those who have worked and fought for those freedoms. Many of those who have gone before us sacrificed greatly to attain our independence.

From a spiritual standpoint we must also understand the great sacrifice that frees us from the bonds of sin. Ever since Adam sinned in Eden, mankind has been under the judgment of God. Scripture tells us all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In another place, we are told, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10).

The only remedy for our sin problem is to place our faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Dying, He satisfied the demand of God that there be an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. God proved the truth of this by raising Jesus from the dead. Jesus, referencing the prophet Isaiah said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Tired of sin? Come to Jesus.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).

Peter, writing to Christians advised “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a coverup for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”

Good words for all.

For Freedom,

Pastor Jerry

17 Jun

A Backward Glance

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Change, Faith, Gospel, Planning.

Hello friends,

Reflecting on the past can be beneficial. Early last week, we took a trip down memory lane and decided to drive past the place where we spent our first four and a half years of married life. It was sobering to see only weeds growing up where our little house used to be. There were some recognizable landmarks, but little remains of what was there. Memories came back, but I wouldn’t want to go there again.

There are some who want to live in the past, and I don’t mind visiting there now and then, but when it comes to living there, no thank you! I’m with the apostle Paul who wrote, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:13-14).

I don’t believe it is wrong to take a backward glance now and then, just to be reminded of our journey to the present. There are exceptions, but to try living in the past can be disheartening, especially if we continually ask ourselves, “what if”? As Christians our focus needs to remain on the Lord Jesus, so that we don’t go astray. As one who came to faith later in life, I can look back and see God’s hand at work in my life, even as I had no idea at the time that he was directing my steps. I would not want to relive that experience, making all those mistakes over again.

Each one of us has a story, and I would hope our story would be our testimony of how God has drawn us to himself. Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Also, Proverbs 19:21: Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

In all our moves and job changes, it is evident that God was bringing me back to the place I grew up, for me to attend the little church down the road. In that place, I learned that I needed a Savior and all my so-called works meant nothing.

Wherever you are in life, God is leading you to the place He wants you to be. Don’t mistake the journey for the destination.

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

10 Jun

One Way

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Culture, False teachers, God's Word, Peace, Spiritual Warfare.

Dear readers,

This week on Friday, we celebrated our sixtieth wedding anniversary. I was privileged to perform a wedding on that day, also. The following day there was a small gathering of friends here at the lake, with cake and conversation. Sunday, we attended worship at our church and had lunch at the local café. All in all, it was a busy weekend for us and good memories were made.

I have been seeing ads from self-identified mediums and fortune tellers. It disturbs me to think these things are being promoted. The idea that these practices bring inner peace and happiness is not supported by Scripture. In fact, God prohibits such things. There is only one way to inner peace and happiness, and that is to trust in the Savior. Cards, crystals, new age rituals, horoscopes, zodiac signs are worthless and those who promote these things have been deceived by the powers of darkness. These are objects incapable of telling future events. After all, these things are inanimate, and without any knowledge of anything.

The thing that bothers me most is why some who call themselves Christians would follow such people? The Bible tells us to depend on God and on His truth as revealed in the Word. In the book of the Law, called Leviticus, we read this: “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31).

To the prophet Micah, the Lord said, “The seers will be ashamed, and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God” (Micah 3:7).

In another place we read, “The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore, the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd” (Zechariah 10:2).

These types of people are also called false prophets in scripture. In 2 Peter 2:1 we read, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them.”

Finally, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits… because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

“Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord” (Proverbs 16:20).

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

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