Archive for the ‘Trials’ Category

29 Dec

Joy In Trials

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Happiness, Joy, Peace, Trials, Trust.

Hello friends,

We had a good family Christmas. We gathered at Ryan’s house in Neligh. The boys fed us well with steak, lobster tail, and all kinds of other goodies. There were also home-made cinnamon rolls that were to die for. Needless to say, we are in fasting mode the day after.

We are about to enter a new year! 2026 is almost here. The greeting of the week will be “Happy New Year!” We always salute the turning of the calendar to January with those words, but for some it probably will not be happy every day of the year. There will be disappointments, sicknesses, deaths in families and other kinds of personal tragedies. The optimism we have will fade away to reality and we find it hard to be happy all the time.

The Bible speaks of joy. When the angels announced the birth of the Savior, the greeting was Joy to the World! I believe joy is separate from happiness, In the middle of unhappy times, we can still be joyful. The psalmist wrote, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19). In this sense, joy is based on the writer’s relationship with God.

In another psalm we read, “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy… Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy” (Psalm 126:3, 5). Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

The Lord Jesus told His disciples, “I have told you 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). We will not always be happy, but through our faith and trust in the Lord, we will have joy in our hearts.

 “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8).

Trials will come, but they are not unexpected. The good news is that the Lord is with us in those trials. Joy is knowing we have Him in our hearts in those times.

Have a blessed New Year,

Pastor Jerry

15 Sep

Stand Strong

Posted by sandhillspastor in Calling, Culture, Evil deeds, Faith, Persecution, Spiritual Warfare, Trials.

Dear friends,
The weather has been agreeable for most people in the last week. Not too hot, not too cool. The beginning of fall is one of my favorite times of the year. It marked the beginning of the hunting season, and I spent many hours in search of waterfowl and upland game. Great memories were made at this time of year.

Many in our country and around the world were saddened by the murder of Charlie Kirk, a champion of free speech and a devout Christian. His passing brings an opportunity for all who claim the name of Jesus Christ to continue to be His witnesses.

In the words of Jesus, “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” (Matthew 28:19-20).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

I believe Charlie Kirk has joined that great cloud of witnesses. He has fought the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:11). With the apostle Paul, Charlie could say, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

Paul, in his letter to the church in Philippi wrote these words, “But one thing I do: 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 3:13-14).

As Christians, we will be attacked for our beliefs. There is a spiritual battle we cannot see, but it is real. Paul reminds us to, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12).

Stay strong in the Lord,
Pastor Jerry

14 Jul

God is In the Storm

Posted by sandhillspastor in Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Hope, Peace, Trials, Trust, Worship.

Hello friends,
We may see a return to a ‘normal’ life this week. It seems lately we have spent a good deal of time and energy with various appointments, but that may be ending. The weather has been summer-like, but there have been cooler temperatures the last few days. When we were in the ranching business, we looked forward to those sunny days when we could make hay.

Much of the news of recent days has concerned the flooding and loss of lives and property in Texas and other places. One wonders, where was God in all this? But rest assured He was not unaware, nor was He sleeping through it all. There is no situation that is not in His control, or that He cannot use for His purpose and His glory.

The loss of those campers and counselors is being used to bring attention to their faith in the creator God, and their witness to His goodness. There are many stories down through the years telling of people who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through times such as this.

Some scriptures that encourage us are found in the lives of Jesus’ 12 disciples. “Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without warning, a furious storm came upon the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat, but Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed, and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him” (Matthew 8:23-27).

From the Psalms we read, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed” (Psalm 571-2). Also, “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).

Finally, these words from Psalm 23: “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”.

In His grip,
Pastor Jerry

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

17 Mar

Take Heart

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Christian Living, Faith, Hope, Peace, Reward, Trials, Trust.

Dear friends,
Another week of late winter weather has passed. It has been interesting to say the least. Our prayers go up for those affected by the storms of last weekend. Also, our thanks to those dedicated volunteers who battled the wildfires of last week.

Everywhere we look it seems there is unrest or chaos of some sort. Also, persecution of God’s people is on the increase. I don’t think it is any different than in the past; perhaps we are made more aware through all the media sources available today.

The Bible tells us there will be trials in this life, and I believe it to be true. Jesus said to His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).

We should not be disheartened by the troubles in life but, look to the Lord for assurance in those times. Nowhere in scripture does it tell us that life is a bowl of cherries. Peter wrote this to those suffering for their faith, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as tough something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

In Romans we read this; “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, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:22-23).

In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah God told the prophet, ”Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land of ruler against ruler’ (Jeremiah 51:46).

Jesus said to his disciples, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come” (Matthew 24:6).

James tells us to ‘hang in there’, so to speak: Consider it joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

In the words of Paul, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

13 Jan

In all Things

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Creation, Faith, God's Word, Peace, Trials, Trust.

Hello friends,
The weather has taken a more winter-like turn. These temperatures remind us there are seasons. We don’t get to have just one kind of weather. That would get old after a while. We need to keep California in our prayers, along with the folks in Appalachia as they continue to recover from hurricane and fire disasters. There is much to be thankful for here in our little corner of the world.

As we see all the destruction from hurricanes and wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters, we wonder if God is really in control. However, we live in a fallen world. Because of sin, God’s creation is broken. To Adam, God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field” (Genesis 3:17-18).

“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not be 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 pain of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:20-22).

Hear this word of God through the prophet: “I am the Lord and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and disaster; I the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:5-7).

In the middle of disaster, the Christian can be encouraged. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose… What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?… neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:28, 31, 39).

In His hands,
Pastor Jerry

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

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

3 Jun

Who is in Charge?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, God's Word, Obedience, Peace, Trials, Trust.

Dear friends,

The month of June has arrived, the month of weddings. Love is in the air as is cotton from the cottonwood trees, not to mention all kinds of pollen.

We continue to be in the rainy season. Some folks have had much more rain than is needed, yet others can’t buy a passing shower. Agricultural people don’t really need more stress, and we need to pray for them.

After all, the Lord is the one who provides the sun and rain. We can only ask for those things to be provided and rest in the knowledge that he will answer those prayers in His good timing.

I have shared in the past that I used to stress over the weather during the haying season. If there was a forecast of rain, I wouldn’t mow and when I expected dry weather and mowed the grass down it would surely rain. While doing my daily Bible reading one day, I read a passage of scripture that changed my whole outlook. I’ll share it with you here.

“If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie.

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how a body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things” (Ecclesiastes 11:3-5).

After reading and absorbing the truth of this passage, I stopped looking at the clouds and experienced a lot less stress. Another stress reliever was Psalm 50. There was a point during an agricultural recession several years back, when our cows were sold by the bank. I thought those were my cows that I had worked to acquire. Suddenly I learned differently.

The Lord spoke to me through His word again: “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50:9-12).

Simply His,

Pastor Jerry

26 Feb

In God We Trust

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Calling, Faith, God's Word, Persecution, Spiritual Warfare, Trials.

We are experiencing some unusual weather for this time of the year. Temperatures are above normal, and it makes me wonder what is coming. I have seen some nasty winter-like weather in March and early April, so don’t put away those snow shovels just yet! More than once we experienced below zero temps and snow during calving time, which was in the month of March. I’m chilled just thinking about it.

I notice As I read the news each day, that the opponents of Jesus Christ and His followers are becoming more vocal each day. We are threatened with censorship, with legal action and other kinds of persecution. I would encourage everyone who claims the name of Jesus to stand firm in the faith. It looks scary at times, but I am reminded that the same God who protected Daniel in the lion’s den, who kept Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from burning up in the fiery furnace and saved  David from lions and giants (think Goliath), is the same God who protects us from our enemies today.

When threatened by king Nebuchadnezzar with the fiery furnace, the three Hebrew children said, “If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire… but even if he does not rescue us… we will not serve your gods.” (Daniel 3:17-18).

Daniel’s testimony to king Darius after being freed from the lion’s den was this: ‘My God sent his angel and shut the lion’s mouths; and they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent before Him” (Daniel 6:21).

When David faced the giant Goliath, he said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me…, all those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

The battle is not ours to win; our part is to stand firm on the Word of the Lord and His promises. As we read the book of Revelation, we find that despite the devil’s attempts to destroy God’s people, in the end we win.

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

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