Archive for the ‘Faith’ Category

30 Jun

It’s His Plan

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Blessings, Faith, Miracles, Planning, Trials, Trust.

Hello all,
We continue to recover from our car wreck. The bumps and bruises are healing, and we continue to attest to God’s providence and protection in all of this. Weather-wise, in the past ten days we have recorded 6.5 inches of rain in our high-tech gauge. After what was a long, dry spell, we are grateful for abundant moisture.

In feedback from last week’s column, it was pointed out that it sounded like I was promoting the idea that God protects us from everything all the time. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that. What it does say is that in this world there will be hardships, including death and dying. There is sickness and disease, pain and sorrow. Sometimes He protects us from harm, but sometimes He doesn’t. Whatever the outcome, God is never surprised and His perfect plan is being carried out.

Let me share some informative scriptures with you: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds (James 1:2). Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of glory that God has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12). Notice that James said when you face trials, not if you face trials.

Peter wrote this, concerning trials, “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: 6). Also, Peter said, “Dear friends do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

The words of Jesus after telling His disciples of trials to come: “I have told you all these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

In Romans 12, Paul reminds his readers to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12).

We may say, If I had done this or that, taken a different road, or chosen a different route, this would not have happened. But as I have said before and continue to say, it is all in God’s plan and through it all He is fulfilling His purpose in each life and in each experience.

Trusting Him,
Pastor Jerry

23 Jun

God’s Protection

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Faith, Milestones, Miracles, Praise, thanksgiving.

Hello friends,
We had one of those weeks you remember for a long time. The weather has been very warm, but we also had some rain. My opening sentence has nothing to do with the weather but with a memorable happening. It started as a normal week, with a couple of doctor’s appointments.

On Wednesday, after our appointment, we decided to tour around and check out some local campgrounds. We had been talking about taking the camper out for a few days but wanted to look around first.

Our first stop was Davis Creek, south of North Loup. Then, we took some dicey back roads, courtesy of Google maps, to Sherman Reservoir. After lunch in Loup City, we went to Ravenna with the idea of visiting Buffalo County Park. We have been there before and wanted to check out the improvements since we last visited.

As I started to turn onto the road to the park, we collided with a pickup I had not seen. Airbags in the car deployed with a loud bang and we came to a sudden stop. I never want to have that experience again!

The car was totaled, but neither we or the other driver had life-threatening injuries, although we were bruised and sore. Over the next few days, we found more bruises, but we are slowly healing. Know this though,
airbags are great but work better if used with seatbelts also.

In all this we are thankful to God for His protection. This could have turned out much worse without it. As I reflected on this, scriptures came to mind that assured me of His guiding hand upon us.

Psalm 121:7-8 reads, “The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.”
Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. And let us not forget Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”

Our experience last Wednesday was not “luck”, but the Lord taking charge for his plan and purpose. He’s not done with us.

All praise to Him,
Pastor Jerry

16 Jun

Waiting For Heaven

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Body of Believers, Eternal Life, Faith, Heaven, Second Coming.

Dear friends,
It’s a beautiful summer day as I write this. Looking out at the lake, with the sunlight glistening on the water, I am reminded how blessed we are to be living here. I trust you can say the same in the place the Lord has put you. The old saying is “bloom where you are planted.”

We have lived in several locations and situations in our married life, but no matter what the location, it was always home. As Christians, we know this world is not our final home, but a stop along the way in our journey to heaven.

“But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). Referring to the faithful believers in Hebrews, the Bible says this, “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:15-16).

Speaking of heaven, the apostle Paul wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1).

“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 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. 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).

Finally, Paul’s words from Romans 8, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (verse 18).

Just passing through,
Pastor Jerry

2 Jun

Blessed

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Faith, Grace, Praise, thanksgiving.

Dear friends,
After the rains of the last week, there is a completely different look to our surroundings. The grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and people are smiling; smiling because there will be grass in the pastures and crops to be harvested. In this part of the world, a little rain makes a great difference in our outlook. For Christians, this is evidence that God answers our prayers. I might add, even if you don’t know the Lord it is proof of his presence.

I often hear someone say, “I was really lucky…” No Christian should ever say “I was really lucky today” or “Whatever will be will be.” Forget that. If you are a Christian, there is no such thing as dumb luck. God has a plan and a purpose. He has a strategy for your life. You may not see it now, but He sees it and always has seen it. God is paying attention to what you are facing right now. He is paying attention to what you really need—not necessarily what you want. The great thing to know is that God is thinking about you and that He cares for you.

“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21). So, we need to make His plan our priority. In Isaiah we read, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord, ‘and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heaven are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (NLT).

You can find God’s thoughts and ways in His Word. If you study and pray about them often enough, you start to align your decision making with them. You make choices that honor the Lord and pave the way for His plans to be accomplished in and through you

God doesn’t reveal His entire plan for your life at once. Instead, He reveals only what you need to know at a given moment, just enough for you to stay dependent on Him.

God’s word doesn’t give us a calendar for Christ’s return. Until then, our job is to discover and embrace God’s plan for our life—and to align our will and our priorities with His. [Credit: Greg Laurie]

Remember, you are not lucky. You are blessed by God.

In Him,
Pastor Jerryr

19 May

Awaiting the Day

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Creation, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Heaven.

Hello friends,
If all goes according to the forecast, we may get some rain early this week. We can only pray for it to happen. Relating to the weather, we extend our prayers and sympathy to those who lost homes and loved ones last week in the tornadoes. Nature can be violent and deadly at times. Christians understand this to be a direct result of Adam’s sin in the garden of Eden.

We live in a broken world, but God is still in control, and He has a plan to restore everything to perfection. There is coming a time when there will be no more storms or illness or anything to bring about pain or suffering or tears.

Paul tells us of this promise of God: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God,
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 firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:18-23).

In the book of Revelation, we read: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw 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, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).

Looking for that day,
Pastor Jerry

12 May

No Worries

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Faith, Peace, Prayer, Trust.

Hello friends,
Another week has gone by with no rain. As I write this, we are experiencing another windy day with high fire danger. Concerns are being raised about whether there will be enough grass in the pastures. It is certainly a time for fervent prayer to the Lord who makes the rain fall.

In times of drought and in many other situations where we are prone to worry, or as Christians would say, “be concerned” (because worry is a sin), we would do well to remember Romans 8:32; He who did not spare His own son, but gave Him up for all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

There is nothing more God could do to prove His commitment to you. Surely if he cares enough for you to send His Son to the cross to die for you, then He will do even more than keep you fed. You can trust Him with your bills, your career, the future of your family and yes provide the needed rain.

“Fear not” is the most repeated command in the Bible, with 366 mentions. The only way those commands make sense is if God is thereby promising He will take care of the things you are worried about.

So, He says, instead of being anxious, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7)

The key words there are “with thanksgiving.” It is impossible to thank God for His answer if you’re still worried about it.

The kind of prayer Paul is talking about in Philippians 4 means laying your problems before Jesus and leaving the burden of them with Him. You cannot say thanks if you do not trust Him to answer.

The God who stands outside of eternity can manage the days of your life. He is always good, all the time, and you can leave your worries (and concerns) at His feet. [Credit to Pastor J.D. Greear].

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

Fully trusting Him,
Pastor Jerry

5 May

GPS

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Bible, Faith, God's Word, Planning, Truth.

Dear friends,
We have goslings at the lake. These, along with fresh blooms of daffodils and tulips, are a sure sign that spring is here. Our weather the last few days is nothing less than delightful.

Another sign of spring is all the field work that is being done. As we returned from an errand late in the day, we observed a farmer in the field. Since it was after sundown, my bride asked how do they do that? My reply was, GPS. She said isn’t it interesting that people will depend on some satellite they can’t see for guidance, yet refuse to follow God? That was a profound observation.

For the Christian, there is another GPS. It is God’s Plan for Salvation, and it is called the Bible. From beginning to end, the Bible gives us guidance for life. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s plan for humanity is made plain. From the garden of Eden to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, that plan was carried out.

It is one thing to follow an unseen satellite at planting time, yet another to follow God, who has made himself known through His creation. The God who created the universe also holds that GPS satellite in its orbit.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have clearly been seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).

The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” Psalm 119:105). This sounds like GPS to me, but infinitely more dependable. Many of us have stories of the man-made GPS leading us astray, not so with God’s directions.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).

Come to Jesus and let Him be your guide. He will not let you stray, nor will He lead you down a wrong path.

For Him,
Pastor Jerry

28 Apr

The Only Way

Posted by sandhillspastor in Eternal Life, Eternity, Faith, Gospel, Salvation, Truth.

Hello friends,
Rain! We have finally seen some rain, although not a huge amount we are grateful to the Lord for His provision.

There are many in the world who, if they believe in heaven at all, think it can be obtained by doing good deeds or following some set of rules. The Bible teaches otherwise. In the very familiar John 14:6, the Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Sinners need a Savior. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” we are told (Romans 3:23). Speaking of Jesus, the apostle Peter told his audience, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). This means we have direct access to God only through the Lord Jesus. We need no one else to intercede on our behalf. There is no other one or any other way to connect with God.

If we believe that God is the God of creation, we must also believe he is the God of salvation. He has provided a way for us to enter heaven, and it is not by any good works we might do. Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For it is by grace you are saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

To those who are depending on works, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me you evil doers.’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Again, Jesus says He is the way, not one of many ways. Proverbs reminds us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him (Lamentations 3:24).

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

21 Apr

Don’t Wait

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Cross, Eternal Life, Faith, Salvation.

Dear friends,
Spring seems to be just out of reach. Daytime temperatures just don’t quite reach the level that would be comfortable for me. However, the spring flowers are enjoying the season, and it is good to see signs of new life.

We celebrated another Easter season with our church family. As I sat listening to the Resurrection message this morning, I wondered how many times does it take for the message of the Resurrection to change a mind? I know it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sins, but the message must be heard.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3).

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

Could it be that a person needs to hear the message of salvation more than one Sunday a year for the truth to sink in? In my own experience, I had been attending worship at our little country church for a few years, until one Sunday morning it all made sense.

No one is righteous by their own “good works.” The scripture says, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:21-24).

We are told the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). For a gift to be of benefit, it must be received. Have you received His gift of salvation? How long will you wait?

Just wondering,
Pastor Jerry

14 Apr

What Do You Believe?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Cross, Easter, Eternal Life, Faith, Gospel, Resurrection.

Hello friends,
. My how the wind does blow here in Nebraska. I have said before that it takes a little wind for the windmills to pump water, but lately it has been a bit extreme.

It is Easter week, meaning that as Christians we acknowledge the apparent tragedy of Good Friday and celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday. I am glad God sent His Son to save the world from sin (Matthew 3:16).

Every person is given the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation. It is the will of God that all will believe, but there are many who will not. In the words of Jesus, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:35). In another place He says, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

I recently read the following: In order for a person to appreciate the gift of salvation, they must believe they are being saved from something. That ‘something’ called sin. Sin is disobedience to God’s commands. Sin came into the world because Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, therefore everyone is born with sin in their nature. Scripture says, “but now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:21-23).

Sin is the thing from which we must be saved, and no one is righteous on his or her own. It only comes through faith in Christ. When we finally realize the only one to whom we can compare ourselves is the sinless Son of God, we are driven to confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness.

If we confess our sins, He Is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives (1 John 1:9-10).

For Him,
Pastor Jerry

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