Archive for the ‘Faith’ Category

14 Oct

Storms of Life

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Contentment, Faith, Rest, Trials.

Hello everyone,
Cooler weather is in the forecast again. Our first killing frost has happened, and the end of gardening season has come.

Parts of our country are still recovering from hurricanes and others are dealing with wildfires and drought. My problems seem trivial in comparison. You have heard it said there is always someone in a worse situation than you, and I believe it. In each situation, we need to remember God has a plan, even in hardship or good times.

In the Old Testament God told Moses, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Also, the Lord told Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

God, through the prophet, told his people Israel, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).

As Jesus prepared to leave his disciples and return to heaven, he told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

As we live our lives in the present, and if we have placed our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need not fear the storms of life or dread the cloudy days. I will close with the words of the apostle Peter.

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 spoil perish or fade—kept in heaven for you who through faith are shielded by God’s power” (1 Peter 1:3-5a).

For Him,
Pastor Jerry

16 Sep

Dealing with Uncertainty

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Contentment, Faith, Peace, Trust.

Hello friends,
Another week of great fall weather has passed. The extended forecast is for more of the same, but we need rain, as the fire danger is elevated. I continue to adjust to my new “normal”, as the medicine is doing what it is supposed to do.

Uncertainty seems to be a recurring theme these days as we look at the unrest and strife around the world. We worry about the future, knowing that the future is out of our hands. I know there are things that we have control over, but in the big picture not so much. I have always seen myself as an optimist, but I must admit there are times when a note of pessimism creeps in. At those times I’m always drawn to the scriptures for encouragement.

“For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne” (Psalm 47:7-8).

Psalm 2 says it well: Why do the nations conspire, and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off their fetters’. The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them like pottery.”
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lesCt he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

The apostle Peter had these words, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10).

Blessings,
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

29 Jul

The Unchangeable Word

Posted by sandhillspastor in Faith, God's Word, Gospel, Salvation, Truth.

Hello friends,

Update on my health issues… I am slowly adjusting to the new med schedule and gaining back some of the strength lost after spending ten days in bed. I expect to be back to ‘normal’ in a few weeks. I’m thankful the Lord has allowed me to be back home in the place I love. Now, on to the devotional thought for the week.

In a world that is trying to create a “new” Jesus and twist the scriptures to say things God never intended, perhaps we need to review some important truths. There seems to be no end to the ways people try to soften the message of the gospel, or to make up their own set of rules for life. I will share some truths that cannot be denied, no matter how hard they try.

First, we are told many times in the Bible that there is only one God. “For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you (Isaiah 47:13). “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols (Isaiah 42:8).

The Word of the Lord is unchanging: The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations (Psalm 33:11). Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89). All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal (Psalm 119:160).

Jesus is unchanging. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings (Hebrews 13:8-9a).

Finally, salvation is through faith in Christ alone. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6). For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6).

In Truth,

Pastor Jerry

22 Jul

The Calm in the Storm

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Christian Living, Faith, Gospel, Trials.

As promised, I have returned with another edition of this weekly devotional.

First, an update on my stay in Omaha last week. I was diagnosed with a dissection in my aorta (not a good thing). The first option for treatment is to lower heart rate and blood pressure. This is not an easy task, because lowering one raises the other. So, for well over a week, I’ve been the center of attention for a whole group of specialists. I have had plenty of time to reflect on the important things in life,

While here, I have been watching the life flight helicopter as it lands outside my window. As I witness these landings, I’m reminded that every day somewhere a real-life drama is being played out. As I was waiting to get a CT scan Tuesday morning, there was real drama in the imaging room; a code blue episode was playing out in front of me. It was like being in the middle of a TV program. It was a life changing episode for someone.

In all of this I am mindful of the reassuring words of Scripture. Perhaps the most familiar of these is Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Another passage that assures us of God’s care and protection is from Isaiah: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.

I know for certain that no matter what life brings, for anyone who knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior our final home is heaven. Do you have that assurance?

In His grip,

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

6 May

No Other Name

Posted by sandhillspastor in Eternal Life, Faith, Gospel, Salvation, The Good News.

Dear friends,

It did rain last week, so the lawn grass is growing like crazy. Twice-a-week mowing is barely enough to keep it looking nice. I do so appreciate the person who perfected the riding mower.

There are a multitude of ideas that promote the idea that there are many ways to get to heaven. The old saying is there is a God shaped hole in everyone and nothing else can fill it. Every leader of every religious group in the world died and went to the grave. Only Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, proving that he was who he said he was and proving the power of God who raised him.

The power of God was made known through the healing of the blind, the lame and other miracles of Jesus. This same power is the one that accomplished our salvation through Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus didn’t get out of the grave because of a subjective preference about life but because of God’s power over death. That is what is needed for the soul’s salvation: not a subjective feeling of religiosity but the objective power of new life.

Salvation is not about a new philosophy or feelings of comfort. It is about being dead in sin, chained to our depravity, unable to break our addictions to our flesh, unable to walk in righteousness. And so, God did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves.

Jesus paid our sin debt by living the life we should have lived and dying the death we were supposed to die so that we could be declared righteous because of what Jesus has done. He raised himself from the dead so that the Holy Spirit could live in us and infuse us with the power of new life.

There is only one question that separates the gospel from every other religious message in the world: Who can save us?

If we can save ourselves, then there can be multiple ways to God. You choose a path, do your very best, and try to be a good person in the religious way you have chosen.

But if God is the only one who can save us, then salvation is only found in the place where he has provided it. “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

In Truth,

Pastor Jerry

22 Apr

Unmistakable Evidence

Posted by sandhillspastor in Creation, Faith, God's Word, Praise, Worship.

Hello friends,

We enjoyed the time with great-granddaughter Maria, but it is apparent that we are not accustomed to that level of energy and activity. Now, back to our relaxed way of living until our next visit. We received a little rain this week. I did not empty the rain bucket after the first rain and wouldn’t you know it, a frosty night broke the gauge, so we don’t have an accurate report. The gauge has been replaced, so we’re good to go the next time. In other news, the mowing season has begun.

It is that time when we begin to see signs of spring that give us pleasure. This week, we spotted at least three pairs of geese with their broods of goslings. The flowers that escaped the frost lend a bit of color to the landscape and the ornamental trees are in bloom. God’s creation never ceases to amaze me. It takes me to the book of Psalms, and all those references to His wonderful world. Let’s look at a few this week.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat (Psalm 19:1-6).

Praise the Lord.

Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forever more.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? (Psalm 113:1-6).

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6).

Creation announces the presence of the Creator. Don’t miss it.

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

15 Apr

Questions for God?

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

Dear friends,

After a few pleasant days, we are forecast to see some lower temps and possibly some rain. There is some talk of stormy weather, but we will pray that doesn’t happen. My lady got her driver’s license renewed last week, so we are both good for a few more years. Sunday, we enjoyed worship and sweet fellowship with our church family. Also, we have the pleasure of having a little girl visiting our house this week.

I have heard people say, “When I get to Heaven, I’m going to ask God this or that question.” My response is, when you get there, you will be so in awe of Him that those questions will be forgotten. Pastor Greg Laurie had some thoughts on the topic in a recent article I would like to share with you.

He writes, “I think that one second after they get to Heaven, they won’t care about those questions anymore. They will see God for who He is, and everything else will come into its proper focus.

The apostle Paul wrote, all that I see now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Pastor Greg goes on: The most important thing to me about Heaven is that Jesus will be there… To me, heaven is about Jesus. And wherever Jesus is, that is where I want to be. Heaven will be greater than anything we have ever imagined, and the good news is that it will last forever. This is a promise to believers.

Those who don’t know Jesus ought to be afraid. I hope you know that you are going to heaven. It is not the worst thing to die. Rather, the worst thing is to die without Jesus.

It amazes me how people will go to great lengths to make sure they have things like car insurance, health insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and life insurance. But they won’t give a passing thought to their eternal assurance. The most important thing of all is what will happen to us beyond the grave. But if we wait to decide, it will be too late.

On the other hand, if you have put your trust in Christ, then you don’t have to be afraid. Your life is in God’s hands.” (Pastor Greg’s Daily Devo; April 4, 2024).

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

8 Apr

Knowing God’s Word

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Culture, Faith, God's Word, Stewardship, Truth.

Hello friends,

Rain! We’ve been needing some rain and Saturday rain came. It was accompanied by some fierce winds, but with no apparent damage here at the lake. The gauge here at the cabin on the corner showed .70 inch. At this time of year, we usually need rain. As the old saying goes; “April showers…” Before you know it, we’ll be mowing the lawn again.

As I spend time in the company of Christians, the more I understand that many lack knowledge of what the Scriptures say. I would expect those who don’t know anything about the Bible or its message to be ignorant of what it says. I’m not involved with many social media platforms, but the things I read show a surprising level of illiteracy when it comes to God’s Word.

God’s Word is quite specific regarding the need for the Christian to be well-schooled in its message and purpose. Many years ago, I was challenged to read the Bible from beginning to end in a year. The result was that I did so several years in a row. I highly recommend it as a worthy endeavor. Now to those scriptures that relate to the subject.

First, it shows us the way to live: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Paul challenged Timothy to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (1 Timothy 2:15). “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (3:16-17).

The writer of Proverbs stresses the benefits of knowing God’s Word, which brings wisdom; “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity (Proverbs 3:1-2).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

In closing, don’t depend solely on the preacher’s words, but get into the habit of reading the Bible for yourself. It will bring a greater knowledge of God’s Word.

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

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