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

13 May

Making Plans

Posted by sandhillspastor in Humor, On Aging, Planning, Wisdom, Work.

Dear readers,

The summer season is upon us. The traffic level is increasing here at the lake, and it is good to see people enjoying the lake life. We have been working in the yard on the warmer days and even I am okay with that. We will be planting our little garden soon. It takes both of us to get one person’s work done; I guess that’s part of aging.

High school and college graduations have been the topic of discussion lately. High school graduates are looking forward to college or perhaps finding a job. College grads are looking to the beginning of a career in their chosen field. Both are stages of life and part of a journey. Grandson Alex graduated Friday from Mitchell Tech, concluding another chapter in his life.

The plans he had made earlier in life didn’t turn out as expected, but this is just a reminder that our plans don’t always go as expected. God has something to say about this in His word.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9) Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21). It is important to include God in our plans. As we do that, He will guide us in the way he wants us to go. It may not be the easy way, but in the end, we will see the outcome He has planned for us.

In the book of James, we read the following: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).

As a youngster, Alex was interested in engineering and robotics. He graduated from welding school, but his health was affected by the welding environment. He went back to school and graduated with an associate degree in Automation Engineering Technology, also a degree in Automation Controls/SCADA. Go figure.

It has been said if you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans!

In Christ,

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

29 Apr

Beware of False Doctrine

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, False teachers, God's Word, Truth, Wisdom.

Dear friends,

We were spared from the rough weather on Friday. We did get an inch and a half of beneficial rain. We keep the victims of the tornadoes in our prayers and give thanks for safety in the storms.

The Bible warns of false teachers in the last days. We are seeing more evidence of this. Almost every day, we read of someone bending the truth of God’s word to fit into his or her personal agenda. Paul warned his readers: “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

In 2 Peter 2, we read: There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved ways, and the way of truth will be maligned because of them. They will exploit you in their greed with made-up stories. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep. Verses 1-3.

Paul warns against false teaching in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

So, how do we combat the false teachers who lead people away from the truth? Paul gives this advice to Timothy: 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. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:15-16.

To be able to recognize false teachers and their false gospel, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word. Read the Bible. Find a good Bible study group. Attend a Bible believing, Bible preaching church. Check out what the pastor or Bible study leader tells you. Be like the folks at Berea. In Acts 17:11, we read concerning the church there; “For they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

For Truth,

Pastor Jerry

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