Archive for the ‘Milestones’ Category

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

28 Oct

Remembering

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Milestones, Praise, Wisdom.

Hello friends,
I trust you are enjoying the nice October weather. It’s not often we have these temperatures at this time of year. The only downside is we still need some beneficial moisture.

Sunday morning, I was doing some mental review of the past year. Our great-grandson is one year old, we celebrated our 60th anniversary in June and in October I reached the age of eighty. We are truly blessed!

The Bible has many commands to remember the times we are blessed by God. The Israelites were to place markers in remembrance of the times he blessed them with protection or provision. I believe we also need to remember those instances when we have been blessed. That is why we celebrate birthdays and other important events and give the Lord praise for those many times. Let’s look at some examples of God’s provision from Scripture.

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name (Psalm 111:5,9). He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call (Psalm 147:9).

Yet he has not left himself without testimony. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy (Acts 14:17).

After the people of Israel crossed the Jordan river into the Promised Land we read: And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God. (Joshua 4:20-24).

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me (Isaiah 46:9).

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry