4 Dec

Herald Angels

Posted by sandhillspastor in Advent, Body of Believers, Christmas, Praise, Worship.

Dear readers,
The snow of last week has disappeared and moderate temperatures are forecast for the immediate future. I doubt there are any complaints over this news. The Lake Ericson Trail of Lights for this season was a success. Our family appreciates all the volunteers and their donated time and talent to bring this about. The weather conditions were near perfect both nights.

As the media coverage and fan support for Nebraska volleyball grows, one wonders what would happen if people got excited about Jesus in the same way? Think about it. Churches would be full; Christians would spill out into the streets proclaiming the name of Jesus. There would be an increase in sales of tee shirts and other advertising merchandise. The Good News would be the top story of the day every day.
Church service times would look like sports schedules complete with times and places those events would take place. All the focus would be on Jesus as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). Every word from every mouth would be praise for the Lord. Think about that! In fact, this sounds a lot like heaven as described in the book of Revelation.

Here is a part of that description from chapter 19: The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”
Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
Praise our God, all you his servants,
you who fear him, both small and great!’
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:4-7).

In this Advent season, let us proclaim the Good News of Jesus every day and in every way. Christmas is His season; the beginning of God’s plan to redeem the world from the debt of sin. Praise Him, Praise Him!
In the words of the old Christmas carol,
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”
He is the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, and the Greatest of all time! Praise Him, praise Him indeed!

For His glory,
Pastor Jerry

27 Nov

Watching

Posted by sandhillspastor in Advent, Assurance, Christmas, Gospel, Hope, Second Coming.

Dear friends,

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We hope to be able to say the same about the leftover turkey. Having cooked a turkey a few weeks back, our Thanksgiving meal was liver and onions. It was a quiet affair, with just the two of us. And I doubt anyone else would have enjoyed it as much.

Snow happened this week. The weather man guessed we would get less than an inch, but it turned out to be more like 2 to 3 inches here. We will now need to get the rest of the Christmas lights up and plugged in.

It is the advent season, when Christians focus on the first coming of the Lord Jesus. While there are differing opinions over the exact time of year He was born, there is no doubt in His followers’ minds that He was born in Bethlehem, just as the scripture says.

In today’s world, there is renewed interest in His second return, or second advent. Jesus plainly told His disciples to expect His return at some time in the future. As we read the New Testament, it seems they anticipated He would come back in their lifetime. He did not, however, give them a specific time for His return. He told them some things to look for and warned them not to get caught up in false prophecies.

These are His words: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed… As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:4-39).

Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him (Matthew 24:42-44).

“He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority” (Acts 1:7).

He will return. Are you ready?

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

20 Nov

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Blessings, Christian Living, Peace, thanksgiving, Worship.

Dear friends,

We have been enjoying some great fall weather, but there is a cool-down in the forecast. We have no room to complain about the weather to this point. With the Thanksgiving holiday coming this week, we have plenty to give thanks for.

In family news, the adoption of our great-granddaughter is complete. She takes great pleasure in telling everyone, “My name is Maria Schoenenberger.” We were excited to be able to attend the court proceeding finalizing this blessing. It was a great day, finished off with cake and ice cream. Also, I saw my cardiologist on Wednesday last week, and he said to come back in six months.

All of this reminds me to give thanks to the Lord daily. Every day holds some new or repeated blessing from Him. Continuing a thought from last week, how could anyone deny the existence of a loving and caring God, when there is so much evidence of his presence?

I understand that not everything that happens to us is something we would consider a blessing. Some things are far from being pleasant or pleasing, but if our faith is in God through a relationship with Jesus, those things are meant for our good. I’m reminded of a passage of scripture that speaks to this issue.

“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” (Romans 8:28). We should not stop with the first part of that verse, but understand the promise is not for everyone, only those who love God, and are called by God to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. That happens as a result of placing our faith in the resurrected Son of God.

We come now to verse 35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Paul says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35-39).

Life is filled with both blessings and hardships. Scripture reminds us that there will be suffering, but in good times and bad if we have placed our faith in the Lord, we can give thanks to Him in every situation.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (1 Corinthians 9:15)

Blessings,

Pastor Jerry

13 Nov

Thankful to Whom?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Attributes of God, Blessings, Praise, thanksgiving, Worship.

Dear readers,

To those who are accustomed to getting this early in the day, I apologize. We have an almost four-year old in the house, along with her puppy. The activity level has greatly increased. Tomorrow we will all go to Mitchell, SD, for an adoption celebration and return to our boring life.

The weather has been unexciting this week and that is a good thing. Sunny skies and mild temperatures this time of year are always welcome. I visited the cardiologist last Wednesday and he was successful in getting my heart back into rhythm. I think it’s been almost two months since this started. I’ll have another checkup this week, so we will see what is next.

The holiday focus shifts now to Thanksgiving, which happens next week. If you haven’t had the opportunity to pause and consider what you are thankful for, now is the time. Of first importance should be the focus of our thankfulness. To whom, or to what are we directing our thankfulness? If a person does not acknowledge the existence of God who created everything, what is the point of being thankful?

God’s Word tells us that he alone is worthy of our praise and honor, and yes, our thanksgiving. Several of the Psalms speak of thanking God. “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name.” “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, make music to our God on the harp.” (Psalms 69, 95, 100, 147).

In Jeremiah, we read; “No one isA like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.” {Jeremiah 10:6-7).

In the book of Revelation, there is a scene where the twenty-four elders fall down before God’s throne. We read, They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:10-11).

Keep looking up,

Pastor Jerry

6 Nov

Defending Human Life

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Evil deeds, Sanctity of Human Life, Ten Commandments.

Dear readers,

Fall weather has returned after our snow of last week. The snow was a reminder that I need to make some preparations for winter. It is easy to put off those things when the days are warm, but a wake-up call will come.

Milrae returned home on Wednesday last week. Little great-grandson Maverick seems to be doing well, as are his parents and sister. Grandma did her part, but was glad to return home, and I was glad to have her back. Cooking and cleaning were beginning to lose their appeal, and I fear things were beginning to go downhill.

As I sifted through various news articles this past week, I saw that it is a sad commentary on the state of humanity when the lives of stray cats and dogs are more important to some folks than the lives of human beings. The people who object to the hunting of animals for food are in many instances the ones who advocate for abortion on demand. The terrorists in the Middle East have no regard for humans at any stage of life. What kind of mind must it be that condones the slaughter of infants and the elderly?

The Creator of the universe will judge all of this at some point but we cannot sit and be silent until he does so. Christians and all civilized people must not be silent in the face of these atrocities.

Return with me to the book of Genesis. After God created the earth, the sun, moon, and stars, he created the animals, wildlife of all kinds. Then we read these words: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”

So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

After Adam and Eve sinned and were sent out of the garden, they were still responsible for stewardship of the creation. It would be a harder task now that sin had entered the picture (Genesis 1:24-3:19).

Later in Genesis, we read God’s words, “if someone murders a fellow human, I will require that person’s life” (Genesis 9:5).

God’s judgment is sure to come.

In His Truth,

Pastor Jerry

30 Oct

Contentment

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Blessings, Contentment, Faith, Peace, Possessions.

Dear friends,

In weather news, as predicted earlier in the week winter has arrived. Cold and snow were the words of the week. We had a small amount here at the lake, but others had more. Another arrival happened this week, also. Our new great-grandson made his appearance on Friday. Mom, Dad, and baby are doing well as of last report. He weighed nine pounds and is named Maverick Wayne Schoenenberger. Quite a handle for one so small, but I’m sure he will grow into it.

I have been holding down the fort here at home while Milrae has been with Alex’s family in South Dakota. His work takes him out of town for a couple of days a week, and Breanna wanted someone to stay with her. I expect she will be coming home soon. Our camper is up there, but it has been winterized and may stay there for a while.

As I age, I find it easier to see good things around me that I probably overlooked when I was younger. There is a tendency to be more content, I suppose because I don’t feel like I must be chasing some dream. I’m not fast enough to catch one and wouldn’t know what to do if I did. It has gotten to the point where I can’t even find anything in the farm supply catalog I want or “need”.

I am just content with what I have and where I am. Part of this comes from understanding that God will supply my needs. Even when I didn’t know it, he always provided. Sometimes by not giving me what I thought I couldn’t live without, and other times giving me things I didn’t know I needed.

Here are some verses of scripture I have come to love. “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” (Isaiah 26:3-4). “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” (Psalm 62:1-2). “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:33-34).

Blessings to all,

Pastor Jerry

23 Oct

God is Still on His Throne

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, End Times, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Peace, The Good News, Trials.

Dear readers,

Our weather has been a bit average this week. Just three words dry, mild, and sunny would cover it well. We are still waiting for the arrival of the new great-grandson; perhaps there will be something to report next week.

The cold bug found me early in the week, and I do not wear it well. I’m somewhat of a wimp when it comes to sneezing, coughing and all that goes with it. The thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that it only lasts for about a week. I was once told by my doctor that a cold lasts for a week if you treat it, and seven days if you don’t. So here we are.

The world news doesn’t get better. Every day there is new evidence of a world that seems to be spiraling down to destruction. Are we living in the end times as described in the Bible? The only answer I have, is that scripture tells us that the earth will be destroyed at a point that only God knows. We cannot know when the end will come, only that it will. Jesus told his disciples, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it you are not alarmed. Such things must happen , but the end is yet to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:6-7).

The apostle Peter wrote this to the believers: 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 perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith a 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).

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33.)

Whatever is causing you to be apprehensive about the future, remember this; God is still in control of every circumstance.

In His grip,

Pastor Jerry

16 Oct

Pray for Israel

Posted by sandhillspastor in Calling, God's Word, Judgment, Obedience, Truth.

Hello friends,

Rainfall total for last week at our address was 2.25 inches. Some places had more, others less, but it was well received. We moved the camper to Mitchell, SD last week in anticipation of the arrival of a new great-grandchild. It will serve as living quarters for great grandma as she helps with the new little one. I am sure there will be an update to this story soon.

Unless you have been hiding under a big rock, you know that Israel has been under attack from her enemies lately. There are those who wonder, what is the big deal with Israel? One has only to read the Bible record to see that God has a special relationship with the people he calls his own. Through Isaiah the prophet, God said this to Israel:

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, my friend—I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are my servant; I have chosen you; I haven’t rejected you (Isaiah 41:9).

I am the Lord. I have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6).

Now this is what the Lord says—the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel— “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine (Isaiah 43:1).

God’s good plan was for Israel to be His shining light to the rest of the world. He would bring salvation through the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. Israel rejected the Savior, however and God sent Jesus’ disciples into the Gentile world with the message of salvation through faith in the promised Messiah. This did not mean God was finished with Israel. In fact, God promised to keep a remnant of Jews who would acknowledge Christ as the Messiah.

Those who would destroy Israel will be judged by God eventually. God’s words to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

9 Oct

Why Do You Wait?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Gospel, On Aging, Salvation.

Dear friends,

We have had our first frost. As usual, there were preparations for the garden. Peppers, tomatoes, and some late planted cucumbers were covered. They survived the chill; however, I have my doubts for the next time. Most folks are welcoming the cooler temperatures after the hot summer, but I suspect it won’t be long before we want it to warm up. That’s just human nature, I guess.

I observed another birthday anniversary last week. As the old saying goes, if I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. We know that aging is part of life, and no one is guaranteed a long life. It is important that we have a personal relationship with the Lord, so that when our life is over, we know we will be with him. The Bible says nothing about second chances. “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Salvation comes to all who believe. A favorite scripture of mine reads, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Then this; “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10: 9-10). Verse 13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I suspect some who have read these devotional thoughts over the years have yet to place their faith in the Lord Jesus. My prayer is that you do not wait any longer. As I wrote earlier, no one is guaranteed a long life, in fact we are not even guaranteed tomorrow. As it is written in God’s Word, “today is the day of salvation.”

In the words of the old hymn, “Why do you wait dear brother, O why do you tarry so long?” Jesus is waiting.

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

2 Oct

God Speaks in Creation

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Best Life, Blessings, Creation, God's Word, Praise.

Dear friends,

We were able to get in a couple of days away with the camper. We didn’t go far, but it was enjoyable just to do something different. I wonder how long we will be able to do this, and I am not really looking forward to the time we can’t. I keep telling myself we live by a pretty little lake in a beautiful part of God’s creation, so what is the need for a camper?

More random thoughts as I looked out my window: Sunrise is special from the window of a camper. Any sunrise signals the beginning of a new day. We should be grateful for each sunrise and the promise it brings. The following Psalm reminds us that both creation and God’s Word testify to his existence and sovereignty, if anyone should doubt.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their outer end; nothing is hidden from its heat.”

The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life, the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold—than an abundance of pure gold, and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward” (Psalm 19:1-11).

One more random thought from my early morning meditations: Someday Jesus will return, not to get opinions, but to set up his kingdom. Jesus’ words, “Look I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

Blessings to you,

Pastor Jerry

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