5 Aug

Opportunities

Posted by sandhillspastor in Blessings, Calling, Evangelism, Relationships, Witness.

Dear friends,

It’s hard to believe August is here already. I don’t know if we are having fun or just being busy, but time flies. I am slowly adjusting to my new medicine regime. I seem to sleep a lot during the day and my night sleep suffers because of it. Even so, God is good and blesses us every day.

I have discovered that spending time in the hospital gives me many opportunities to share my faith with others. I have had many deep spiritual conversations with various nurses in the middle of the night. During my recent stay, I was able to give encouragement to a man facing surgery for brain cancer. He was moved to a different floor, and I never saw him again, but he heard about Jesus and the way of salvation.

During another hospital stay, a nurse asked me to pray for her vision to establish a ministry to the Haitian people in Florida.  She was herself Haitian. This happened in the middle of the night, and I was blessed to pray with and for her.

No matter where we are or in what situation we find ourselves, the Lord puts people in our way so that we can share the gospel message with them. I am reminded of the words of the apostle Peter in his first letter to the church: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

This is the reason for our hope: “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 are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Pray for the Lord to reveal those to whom he would have you share your testimony of the gospel message. I will leave you with this thought… If God answered all the prayers you prayed last week, how many new people would be in his kingdom?

For Him,

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

1 Jul

Freedom

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Freedom, Gospel, The Good News.

Dear readers,

It was a relatively uneventful week for us. There were some appointments to keep, but this is a good thing as going to various appointments gives us a reason to get out of bed some days. We certainly aren’t complaining about our weather, these cooler days have been refreshing after the heat of a week ago.

As we celebrate the birth of our nation this week, and the freedom we have, we must remember those who have worked and fought for those freedoms. Many of those who have gone before us sacrificed greatly to attain our independence.

From a spiritual standpoint we must also understand the great sacrifice that frees us from the bonds of sin. Ever since Adam sinned in Eden, mankind has been under the judgment of God. Scripture tells us all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In another place, we are told, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10).

The only remedy for our sin problem is to place our faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Dying, He satisfied the demand of God that there be an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. God proved the truth of this by raising Jesus from the dead. Jesus, referencing the prophet Isaiah said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Tired of sin? Come to Jesus.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).

Peter, writing to Christians advised “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a coverup for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”

Good words for all.

For Freedom,

Pastor Jerry

24 Jun

What is Worship?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Attributes of God, God's Word, Praise, Ten Commandments, Worship.

Dear friends,

When it rains, it pours. Old sayings are sometimes current headlines. Our region has seen record rainfall in some areas, along with flooding along many of the rivers. It was only a few months ago that we were in a drought situation, not so much today.

The topic of worship came up in a recent conversation. I thought it might be a good time to consider what true worship of our Lord is and what it is not. Some would have you to believe that worship is in the music; in the old hymns and the contemporary worship music that is prevalent in many churches today. Others insist it is in the sermon, prepared and delivered by the pastor. Some see worship in the fellowship of the believers. These may all be part of our worship experience, but these are not true worship, they are only a small part.

True worship is not in the music, the message, or the fellowship. Worship is our total focus on the One to whom we owe our very existence. We give Him our total allegiance, all our praise for His glory alone! This is not just for an hour on Sunday morning. It should be on our hearts and minds from the time we rise in the morning until we retire at night, and if we wake in the night we praise and worship Him. Do we always do this? Probably not, if we are honest.

Here are a few passages of scripture that accent the qualities of God that help us to understand that He is worthy of our worship: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness” (Psalm 28:2). “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:2).

Scripture is filled with references to the Lord’s holiness and our need to understand who He really is. When we grasp this truth, we are compelled to get on our knees and worship Him as Lord and Savior.

Ephesians 3:20-21 reads, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

To Him be the glory,

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

10 Jun

One Way

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Culture, False teachers, God's Word, Peace, Spiritual Warfare.

Dear readers,

This week on Friday, we celebrated our sixtieth wedding anniversary. I was privileged to perform a wedding on that day, also. The following day there was a small gathering of friends here at the lake, with cake and conversation. Sunday, we attended worship at our church and had lunch at the local café. All in all, it was a busy weekend for us and good memories were made.

I have been seeing ads from self-identified mediums and fortune tellers. It disturbs me to think these things are being promoted. The idea that these practices bring inner peace and happiness is not supported by Scripture. In fact, God prohibits such things. There is only one way to inner peace and happiness, and that is to trust in the Savior. Cards, crystals, new age rituals, horoscopes, zodiac signs are worthless and those who promote these things have been deceived by the powers of darkness. These are objects incapable of telling future events. After all, these things are inanimate, and without any knowledge of anything.

The thing that bothers me most is why some who call themselves Christians would follow such people? The Bible tells us to depend on God and on His truth as revealed in the Word. In the book of the Law, called Leviticus, we read this: “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31).

To the prophet Micah, the Lord said, “The seers will be ashamed, and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God” (Micah 3:7).

In another place we read, “The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore, the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd” (Zechariah 10:2).

These types of people are also called false prophets in scripture. In 2 Peter 2:1 we read, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them.”

Finally, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits… because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

“Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord” (Proverbs 16:20).

In Him,

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

27 May

It’s Not Complicated

Posted by sandhillspastor in Eternal Life, Gospel, Repentance, Salvation, Truth.

Dear friends,

There were a few cooler days last week; also, beneficial rain and more than enough wind for me. The flags along the Boulevard and around the carousel were a fitting display for the Memorial Day weekend. Many thanks to those who purchase the flags, and to those who put them out on special days. There are many volunteers who make all this possible, you know who you are.

Ice maker connections: Why are they so complicated? There are a multitude of connection combinations that confuse the issue. It seems there should be a universal standard to connect the water line to the refrigerator.

Many people think the gospel is complicated, but it is not. The message is simple, but many are unable to see the simplicity of it. I believe the problem is that they can’t grasp the concept that they don’t have to work their way to heaven.

Men will make comparisons, thinking “I’m not as bad as the next guy down the road, so God will surely choose me over him.” This is the thought that we can get to heaven by our good deeds or our good works. Here is the truth from Romans… “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Salvation leads us to do good works, but good works have never saved anyone.

The simple gospel message is found in John 3:16; “For God so loved the world that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Did you get that? All mankind is born with a sin nature because of Adam’s sin in the Garden. None are sinless and the wages of sin is death. The gospel is this: Admit you are a sinner, Believe on the Lord Jesus and Commit yourself to his lordship. It’s as simple as ABC.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

For Him,

Pastor Jerry

20 May

Appearances

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Evil deeds, False teachers, Righteousness, Service.

Hello friends,

We continue to receive nice rains. This pleases the gardener in the family but calls for more frequent mowing of the lawn.

Last weekend was interesting, as we experienced the demise of our old refrigerator and the adventure that followed. A new fridge was brought in that was identical to the old one… it did not work. Another one was then delivered that worked as was expected. There is a spiritual lesson here for us. I love it when the Lord gives me illustrations for these weekly messages.

Not everything is as it appears on the outside. Here was a brand-new fridge that was of no use to anyone, even though on the surface it looked shiny and new. This reminds me of a story in the Old Testament. God had instructed Samuel to select one of Jesse’s sons as the new king of Israel. As Samuel began to interview each of them God told him, “Do not consider his appearance or his height… The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). When David was presented to Samuel, the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” So, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power” (verse 12b-13­­).

Jesus warned his followers: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-20).

Peter described false teachers in this way; “They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2 Peter 2:1-2).

Looks can be deceiving. It is what is on the inside that matters!

In Truth,

Pastor Jerry

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