Monday, March 31, 2003
What is the distance from your knees to the floor? Eighteen inches? Twenty-two inches? How far is it?
The distance from your knees to the floor is determined by the depth of your pride!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 95:1-7 NIV
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Betrayal is something that hurts. This past week I watched a friend go through the realization that a friend had betrayed her and many tears were shed. It was a hard thing to see the hurt and all the emotions that go with it.
We need to remain loyal to our friends and acquaintances. The heartache that comes when that trust is broken is unspeakable. As a few of us were talking with my friend about her pain, we were reminded of the fact that Jesus was betrayed by His closest friends. One delivered Him to the authorities, another denied that he knew Him and most of the disciples fled. I think the only one the Bible mentions was present at the crucifixion was John. I’m sure that Jesus was hurt by the actions and words of His closest friends, even though He knew what they would do.
It is easy to be hard on the disciples, and yet, how many times a day do we deny knowing Jesus? We can deny knowing Him by our words and by our actions. Are we ashamed to tell others about our Lord and what He has done for us? Do we talk one way when we are with our church friends and another way when we are with others? How about our actions? Do we give our bosses an honest day’s work for the pay we receive? Do we do what Jesus has asked us to do?
It is important to be loyal to our friends. The hurt of betrayal runs very deep. And we need to remember that when our words and action betray our Lord, it hurts Him too. When I saw the pain that my friend was going through, I was reminded that loyalty is very important—with my friends here on earth and also with my Friend who died so that I can have eternal life.
-Ardis Rivera
-John 15:11-14
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
Saturday March 29th 2003
We all have trials of many kinds that we face during our lifetime. But it’s through the trial that God is molding us and making us in his image, forging in us “character.”
Another definition of character would be who you are (or what you do) when you are all alone and it’s just you and God.
What is God teaching you through your current situation? Are you choosing to be bitter at circumstances, or vowing to learn through them and be “better” equipped because of them? Is your character becoming more Christ-like or more world-like?
One of my favorite Old Testament stories is that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When faced with certain death for not bowing down to an image of king Nebuchadnezzar, the three showed their character (and courage in the Lord) by refusing to bow to a false God. They were then thrown into a fiery furnace where they should have died almost instantly. Instead the guards saw “four” men in the furnace and released the men only to find not one hair on their heads singed (or their clothes for that matter). Yes, standing up for Christ is the right thing to do, but many times even seasoned Christians can get “shaky” legs and let their character slip.
Are you inside the “fiery furnace” right now? Let God refine your character and make you stronger than you were before your furnace experience.
-Garrett Novak
-Dan 3:19-25 NIV
Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, O king.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Friday, March 28, 2003
Are we in a Holy War? The stated purpose for the current war is to protect the United States and to free the peoples of Iraq. This is not supposed to be a Holy War but rather a pragmatic war to serve a rather narrow purpose. Yet, many Christians consider this to be God’s business. There may be a spiritual purpose that we do not totally understand. This time of war may have something to do with End Time Prophecy but this is not the intent of this war.
The United States is a democracy and is a nation based on Christian principles but the United States is not a Christian nation in the way that the Moslem nations consider themselves as a Moslem nation. We have a president who prays and we have many other leaders that pray but we are not in Iraq as a Christian nation seeking to overthrow a Moslem nation. We are a free nation trying to help another nation’s people be free from the oppression of a tyrant who is dangerous to his own people and the other nations of the world.
Continue to pray for the safety of our troops and for the safety of innocent men, women and children. Do not think that this war will christianize Iraq. Only the Holy Spirit can draw men to Christ. All of the bullets and bombs in the world cannot convince men to serve Christ if the Holy Spirit doesn’t draw them. Then, pray the Lord of the Harvest that He will send laborers into the harvest fields to bring in the harvest.
-John Roe
-Luke 10:2-4 NIV
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves…”
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Trusting a God of love is much easier than trusting a God of hate! It is my understanding by what I witness that the God of the terrorist of the world is a God of hate. Who can trust such a God? No one in his or her right mind!
The God of the Christian faith El Shaddai, meaning the “Almighty One” in Hebrew, is a God of love and compassion. Unfortunately, He had to send His people into a war against terrorists as well. In the Old Testament it is obvious that there were times that evil people in the world had to be eliminated by force.
The New King James version of the Bible translates it this way in Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
I interpret that to mean that the church is moving toward the evil of the world and the evil will not hold up against it. And we should get peace from the understanding that “…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” and “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. (IJN 1:4, 16)
Great is the Lord! And great is His love for us!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 John 4 NIV
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
People have always been willing to risk their lives for freedom. We see it with Cubans coming over in old boats to American. Why do they come? Freedom!
Unfortunately when tyranny reigns in countries the people often have little choice but death or live under tyranny. No one wants to live under the tyranny of an outrageous murdering dictator. When the war in Iraq is over we will see for certain the conditions in Iraq and the attitude of the masses.
However, millions and millions of people seem willing to live under the most evil dictator of all time, Satan. He rules the regions of darkness. The difference is that the people in Iraq have no choice but for those who live under the powers of darkness do. It simply requires a step toward God to be free but people choose to remain captives to sin.
Strange isn’t it. Our nation wants to free the Iraqi people and we can’t even free ourselves!
-John 8:32 NIV
“…Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Parenting is quite the thing. When children are just babies they figure out very quickly that if they wine they get attention. Of course we know that babies have limited methods of communication but they use what they can to get parents to do for them what they want.
When children get older they continue to test parents. My little 18-month-old grandson likes to attack grandma’s big plant in the family room. When I tell him “no” he looks at me as if to say, “You don’t really mean that do you grandpa?”
The next stage is usually what I call the “cookie jar stage.” That’s when they are told they can’t have a cookie now but their little hand reaches into the cookie jar, then they pause for a moment and look at their mother as if to say, “You didn’t really mean that did you mom?”
Then comes the lesson on touching things that are hot. They reach out to touch the fireplace and dad says, “Don’t touch, it’s hot.” The child usually pauses for a moment and looks up at dad as if to say, “You didn’t really mean that did you dad?”
This is often followed by the lesson on crossing the street and staying away from the water. Again there is the, “You didn’t really mean that did you dad?” But suddenly the stakes are getting higher for obedience. When children don’t take their parents seriously for this lesson it results in being hit by a car or drowning. Heeding the teaching of parents suddenly becomes huge.
And then there is the “be home before dark” and “don’t ride your bike in that part of town or streets” lessons. Again, there is the question, “You didn’t really mean that did you mom?” A few years ago a woman who had an office next to mine was waken by the police at 3:00 A.M. in the morning and asked if her son was home. She said, “of course. He is in bed.” They explained to her that there had been an accident where a boy was hit by a car on a four-lane road a few miles away. When she ran into the bedroom she found that her eleven-year-old son wasn’t there. He had sneaked out of the house with a friend and was killed. “You didn’t really mean that did you mom?” seems to enter the picture again.
Then there is the teenager who is constantly reminded of the dangers of drugs only to be found dead of an overdose. “You didn’t really mean that did you dad?”
The teenage girl who suddenly is pregnant because she listened to the voice of “friends” or a boyfriend “who really loved her.” “You didn’t really mean that did you mom?”
The teenage boy who is dying from aids who failed to heed the instructions of a loving father. “You didn’t really mean that did you dad?”
The high school graduate whose grade point average doesn’t qualify him or her for college and their lack of marketable skills result in a lifetime of poor paying labor jobs because he or she opted for the “teenybopper thrills” rather than serious study. “You didn’t really mean that did you dad?”
And of course then we have the young adult child who chooses to marry an unbeliever and finds him or herself in a marriage where they have the husband or wife from hell! In spite of the parent’s prayerful hearts and sharing to their young adult child what life will be like married to an unbeliever, they do it anyway. In the process of time the young adult child becomes a responsible parent only to discover that their husband or wife has no interest in God or the church. And where does that leave the grandchildren? It leaves the children/grandchildren in a spiritual dilemma far too serious for such precious little creations of God’s hand. “Do I go to church with mom or do I be like dad?” Now they won’t say, “You didn’t really mean that did you mom and dad?” but rather they will say, “I wish I’d listen to you mom and dad!”
The learned Godly parent is only reflecting the voice of experience and the voice of God in their lifetime of instruction and cautions to their children. But unfortunately, young adult children rarely listen to mom and dad resulting in long term heartache. After all, what do parents know?
And this is not a new problem. God’s first children were faced with a similar question, “Did God really say?”
-Gen 3:1 NIV
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
Monday, March 24, 2003
With the economy and the war in Iraq causing unrest around the world, people need to know where to go to seek refuge and rest. It would appear that some gain this through taking to the streets and voicing their opposition. Others voice their approval. But that’s not really a place of refuge. As we wonder about today and tomorrow there is only one place to go, under His wings. Today is a good day to read the 91st Psalm a few times.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 91 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge
and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling–
even the LORD, who is my refuge–
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Sunday, March 23, 2003
When I arrived home from church on Wednesday night I heard the news that the bombing had begun in Iraq. I was thinking about the terrible things that the people of Iraq must be experiencing right now and the fear that has entered their lives and how so many innocent people are suffering.
Fear seems to be overtaking the world. There is a great sense of uncertainty everywhere. But I am reminded of the promises that we have in the Bible. We have the assurance that Jesus will never leave us, and that He has overcome the world. We may not know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future. And as the world looks to the Middle East once again, it is easy to lose our perspective. We need to remember that God is still in control.
A few years ago, the Gaithers wrote a song called “Because He Lives”. The chorus says
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
© 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
This is a great reminder to all of us. No matter what happens, we can confidently face the future because Jesus has overcome death and the world.
-Ardis Rivera
-John 16:33
“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
Saturday, March 22, 2003
The pictures on all of the cable news channels have been showing men walking in the desert with their hands raised over their heads, kneeling along the side of the dusty road, and waving white flags of “surrender.”
These are the soldiers of the Iraqi army who are surrendering themselves to American troops as operation “Iraqi Freedom” enters its third day. The funny thing is that many of these men are smiling, as if some giant weight were off their back now that that have “given up” and are in the hands of the American soldiers. Here we are in the midst of another “Gulf War” and the enemy is happy that we are there to liberate them.
It’s that way when someone comes to Jesus Christ. When they realize that they have been following their own sinful desires or following someone else (much like dictator Saddam Hussein) who is leading them in a direction away from the one true God. Like those soldiers, when someone finally surrenders his or her life to Jesus, they are in essence “throwing their hands out to him,” they are kneeling down in front of altars crying out to God, and they are truly waving their white flags of surrender, acknowledging that they need help and can’t do it the way they have been doing it. Yes, these soldiers are going to have changes in their lives, just as a personal relationship with the creator of the universe changes Christians. When we finally “give-up” to ourselves, and “surrender” to Christ, we truly do become changed, just like those Iraqi soldiers.
-Garrett Novak
-Rom 3:23-25 NIV
… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Friday, March 21, 2003
Why do Christians experience tough times?
There may be many root causes of tough times. It may be that they are suffering bad times because of some poor decision-making. Poor health may have been caused by bad eating habits or addictions, even from addictions that were overcome years before.
One thing that we can’t rule out is the will of God. Wait, bad times as a part of the will of God? Yes, suffering can serve to make us more like Christ if we allow them. I am not advocating that you should seek out suffering but that you should seek to please God though it when it comes.
-John Roe
-I Peter 4:1-2
Since Jesus went though everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. (The Message)
Thursday, March 20, 2003
I’d like to say something profound about the war, but I can’t seem to find the words. I’d like pray a profound prayer for the war but when I bow my head I seem to be at a loss for words. I’d like to write a poem of hope for those in the war but the words just don’t seem to flow. Nothing seems to work.
That’s probably the way a lot of people feel right now. Many people will die needlessly. The uncertainty of war causes a numbing effect that makes it difficult to grasp our emotions. Yet we understand that there is evil in this world and that it often manifests itself in a dictatorship. Therefore, many innocent people will suffer and others will lose their lives.
If you are having trouble grasping the reality of all of these past few days, if you are at a loss for words and if you are having trouble finding a sense of peace I encourage you to seek God through the scriptures. When everything else seems out of place I assure you God’s Word is always in order. He will speak to your heart. After all, it is the “Word of God.”
-Ps 34 NIV
I will extol the LORD at all times;his praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast in the LORD;let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me;let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant;their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones,not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems his servants;no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Some morning I’d like to pull the covers over my head and live the day in solace. Sounds great, huh? But that would probably be the day that robbers had planned to empty my house and I’d be carried out with my bed!
It just doesn’t work to pretend that the issues of our lives are going to go away. In fact, the more we try to ignore the realities of our world around us the more complicated life seems to get. Sometimes we do need a break from the stress of life but only short breaks. It is much better to deal with the issues that we are struggling with. Over the years I have learned that issues don’t go away, they get solved.
When God sent his Son to die on Calvary there was an issue. The issue was sin and God, through a careful plan, had the answer for sin, Jesus. Our issues are often the same today, our sin or someone else’s. The answer is still the same, Jesus.
There is also the area of trust. Even when our issues do not involve sin there is an element of love and trust. God loved the world enough to give up His only Son to die on a cross. Now we must love Him enough to trust Him for our issues. After all, it isn’t like He stayed in the grave. God knows how to win. He had victory over the issue of death and He can lead you to victory over your issues too.
-Lyn Sahr
-Heb 2:14-3:2; 3:1 NIV
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
If you were going to write down your family tree, how far would you be able to go back and how would it read. For many it is quite shocking who turns up in the family tree. It is always interesting to read about some very sophisticated, wealthy, well educated family who suddenly discovers they have some rather unflattering relatives three or four generations previous. Yes, it can be quite a surprise who is in the bloodline of even the most prestigious folks!
One thing that is not too surprising is the spiritual family in which people belong. Although we can be fooled from time to time, there really are only two spiritual families. A person either belongs to the family of God or the family of Satan. So much for fence riding!
-Lyn Sahr
-John 8:39-47 NIV
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the things your own father does.”
“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Monday, March 17, 2003
No one dares say it but that doesn’t take away the thoughts that are tugging on the hearts and minds of many Christians around the world, “Does this prospect of war have anything to do with the second coming of Christ? Are we seeing the Bible prophecies fulfilled right before our very eyes?”
The scripture teaches us that Jesus is coming back for His church and non-believers will be left behind. We can’t change the fact that He is coming back or the time of His return but we can change who is left behind! We should be prepared in our hearts for the inevitable return of Christ and, while there is still time, we should be showing others the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Jesus doesn’t want anyone left behind and neither should we.
-Lyn Sahr
-John 3:16-17 NIV
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
-John 10:27-29 NIV
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Many churches are observing Lent right now. I grew up in a church in which Lent was observed, but the part of fasting something during Lent was never taught. In recent years, I would hear my co-workers talking about what they would be giving up for Lent, and it seemed that, at least for most of them, this fasting had little, if anything to do with a desire to draw closer to God. It seemed to make them feel that they were “doing their part” in the church thing and the things they would choose to give up were things that they probably should have given up for their own good anyway. Either that or they would “give up” something they didn’t really like anyway. It kind of reminded me of the little boy who said he was giving up broccoli for Lent.
A thought occurred to me the other day. One very good thing to give up for Lent (and for the rest of the year) is unforgiveness. Maybe now is a good time to make a list of people who have wronged you and make a point to forgive them. I have even heard of people who have had to forgive people who have died. The thing is, the act of forgiving is more for the one doing the forgiving than for the one being forgiven. It is a liberating thing. We also need to understand that forgiving others is a commandment given us by Jesus. When you realize how much He has forgiven us, how can we do any less?
I think all of us have gone through things that have hurt us deeply. The most important thing about these things isn’t what happened, but how we react to them.We can choose to harbor bitterness and unforgiveness, or we can choose to freely forgive in obedience to our Lord. When you think of Jesus, hanging on the cross in complete agony, forgiving those who did that to Him, (which includes each of us), how can we withhold forgiveness from anyone who has wronged us?
-Ardis Rivera
-Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
-Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[1]
Saturday, March 15, 2003
As a country, we in the United States are counting down, counting down to a possible war with a country most of us will only see on cable news channels. The “Showdown With Saddam,” as one-network calls it is hitting very close to home for many of us, as family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances are being activated to join the effort of “Enduring Freedom.”
I’m a member of the family club as my younger brother, Matthew, is in Kuwait, having been sent with his unit nearly a month and a half ago. I’m not sure where he is, but I do know that he is ready to do what our commander in chief asks of him, not questions asked. This is the second time he has been to Kuwait, the first being during Operation Dessert Storm when he airdropped into Kuwait City with a radio and a rifle.
No matter where you stand personally on the issue of war, one thing is certain. As Christians this is the time to pray. We need to pray for peace with a ruthless dictator. We need to pray for safety for our servicemen and women in all branches of the military. And we need to pray that those who have never decided to follow Jesus Christ will have the opportunity to do so.
My brother falls into that category, as to my knowledge he has not yet made the decision to follow Christ. He has been bitter at most of our family for years, not having nearly any contact, and has been angry with God. He grew up in the same churches as I did, went to the same youth group, had the same parents, but yet is upset with God.
Maybe you know some soldier like my brother who needs extra “knee duty” right now, don’t wait. Wherever you are this is a great time to lift him or her up in prayer, and then keep praying for their salvation, safety, and their families. And while you’re at it, why not pray for a certain Iraqi dictator that he might meet the God of the universe personally too.
God Bless America!
-Garrett Novak
-James 5:16-18 NIV
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Friday, March 14, 2003
When something goes wrong there is a tendency to ask, “Where was God when we needed Him?” I was thinking about that today and wondered how many times the Lord asked that about me. I wonder if when I am not walking close to Him and not looking for a word from Him if there may be a job that He wanted me to do that made Him ask, “Where is John when I need Him?’
There were times when He seemed to be telling me to meet a need for someone and I resisted, thinking that what I needed was more important. I wonder if that may have been one of those times when He wondered where I was. This is something we may all need to consider.
-John Roe
-James 1:27 NIV
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Until the cause of Christ becomes the cause of man we will never have peace on earth.
-Phil 4:4-7 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Several years ago I lost one of my dearest possessions. I searched day and night for it but it seemed like I was looking for it in vain. It was nowhere to be found. Have you ever lost anything and you just couldn’t find it? It can be very frustrating!
I looked at the church, going back often but to no avail.
I looked at family members homes but it was not to be found.
I looked at friend’s homes but it was not there.
Finally, I found it out in a remote area I had never been before. And there in a time of lonely desperation I found it. I was so relieved to find it because I couldn’t live without it!
Oh, what was it? It was my passion for lost souls.
Unfortunately, I am not the only one who has lost this precious possession. Once you lose the passion for the lost souls of this world you don’t have much left.
What’s wrong with many Christians today and churches? They have lost their passion for lost souls and none of us can live without it! Especially those who are lost!!!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 40:6-8 NIV
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come–
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
The hurting person goes to church to find a refuge from the spiritual warfare in the world only to discover that it originated in the church!
This reality check reminds us that we must address the war in the church before we take the battle to the streets!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Peter 4:17-18 NIV
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Monday, March 10, 2003
Nothing’s Right About War!
Not since the sixties and the Vietnam War have we seen demonstrations in the streets and such heightened feelings of aggressiveness and passiveness contrasted by Americans. No one can really make sense out of going into a little country like Iraq and blowing up billions of dollars worth of property and killing thousands of innocent people. Then again, no one could make sense out of 9/11 either!
There are a lot of things that don’t make sense in this world and war is one of them. However, since the beginning of time there have been forces of good and evil working mightily against each other. Howbeit we try, the real war against good and evil is not going away. Good must always take steps to squelch evil in its tracks or evil will divide, conquer and abound.
The Apostle Paul writes:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then…”
-Eph 6:10-14 NIV
It is evident to me that the war in Iraq, like all wars, has a major element of spiritual warfare that causes this craziness that none of us can understand. Evil never makes sense but it doesn’t change the fact that it is still evil!
So what part does the average American play in this and other wars? Historically the altars in our churches are full during these times. If there is, and there is, spiritual warfare going on then it must be fought on the highest plain of battle, in the heavenlies. Our soldiers in the battlefront are depending upon the warriors back home to fight this war with them. This war is fought on our knees praying to a holy God whose love and compassion is not encompassed or does not end at the borders of America. Will you do your part? Attend the church of your choice on Sunday and join others seeking God’s divine intervention for peace for all mankind. Sometimes we forget that Jesus died for the Iraqis too.
Do I believe in war? Absolutely not. But then again I don’t believe in rape, murder and bank robbing either but I recognize something has to be done about it. Prayer is the first place to start!
-Lyn Sahr
Sunday, March 9, 2003
I can’t think of anything worse than harboring unforgiveness. I know of cases where a person feels that forgiving is saying that the wrong was never committed. I don’t see it that way. Jesus was obviously hurt (both physically and emotionally) when He forgave the very ones who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross. Did He mean that it didn’t hurt Him when He was beaten? No, He knew that He was fulfilling His Father’s will and that He needed to obey the Father by obeying the very ones that hurt Him the worst. Forgiveness is part of God’s plan for us. It frees us to love our fellow man. How can we love others as God has loved us if we are harboring resentment and hate toward others?
As I was growing up, there was one novel that I read so many times that the book fell apart. That novel is Jane Eyre. There is one line that has impacted me. The main character is called back to the deathbed of her aunt who had promised her husband to raise the girl as her own daughter, but instead, treated her horribly. When Jane is called to her deathbed, she discovers yet another lie from her aunt, used to try to hurt her. She asks her aunt to forgive her for anything she may have done or said as a child that hurt her. The aunt turns away. At that, Jane says, “Love me then, or hate me, as you will. You have my full and free forgiveness! Ask now for God’s and be at peace.” That line has meant a lot to me. I can’t force someone else to forgive me or to accept my forgiveness. All I can do is freely forgive and allow God to deal with the other person.
This novel was written by Charlotte Bronte. Her sister Emily wrote a novel called “Wuthering Heights”, which could be seen as a depiction of a life that is ruled by unforgiveness. The differences in the two works in tremendous. One makes me feel good, the other is a dark and dreary story. Could that be a depiction of what our lives become when we disobey God’s command to forgive?
As we find ourselves in the Lenten season once again, let us vow that we will not withhold forgiveness from anyone. Where would we be if God had chosen to withhold His forgiveness from us?
-Ardis Rivera
-Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Saturday March 8, 2003
Twenty-five years ago in a small town in northern Wisconsin a seed was planted in the hearts of two women to start ministering to the teens of the area. Part of that plan was to develop a non-denominational youth group, and have a major outreach event featuring a well-known youth speaker, with the hopes of leading many of the youth to a personal relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Through the years the ladies worked with youth and even though never got what the world would call “recognition,” they persevered and spent time cultivating relationships with the kids. During this time the dream of outreach in the northwoods lingered in their souls. As the years passed the event never seemed to come together, but why was God waiting?
The answer came last Saturday (March 1st) as the vision that God had planted all those years ago came to pass. My wife and I were humbled to be asked to lead the music for the worship service, and a well-known youth speaker flew in for the night. And at the end of the service, 25-youth and young adults had accepted the Lord for the first time or rededicated themselves to him. There were only about 100 people in attendance so a quarter of those came to the front during the altar call. God in his wisdom knew that 25 years ago, on this night, in a small northern Wisconsin town, that 25 hearts would be ready to accept his free gift of salvation. His timing is truly perfect, while we want it “now,” he says in “my time.” Be still (and patient) and know that I am God.
Don’t hurry to push your agenda, but wait for that small still voice to point you in the right direction. It might not take 25-years for the “vision” God has given you to become reality, but stay faithful and don’t give up. God has a plan, and it is good!
-Garrett Novak
1 Sam 16:19-22 NIV
Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
Friday, March 7, 2003
I recently attended a Men’s Meeting put on by a great group of guys. Their stated objective was to minister to men and to help them grow in their Christian walk. The whole evening was inspiring, the food was good, the worship band led us in some great worship and the speaker was really sincere. He began to talk to us about how we need to please God and how we need to be good men, husbands, and fathers. On the surface it all sounded like the thing that everyone needed. He went on to talk about men’s problems and temptations and how so many men were failing at meeting God’s expectations and how if that was you there needed to be a time of repentance. Some men went forward weeping and asked for prayer.
All of this was good but as I contemplated what I had just heard I realized that there needed to be more. The men there that were involved in sin all knew already that they were involved in sin. They had already been experiencing the guilt and the shame and the consequences of their behaviors. They needed more than just to be told how bad they were and that they needed to change, they knew that already. After the meeting many headed for home convinced that they needed to work harder and to be better. The truth was this: They hadn’t been told how to do that, just that they needed to.
As we talk to others we need to point them to that Savior that says, “Come unto me and I will give you rest!”, a Savior that says, “My peace I give to you!”, a Savior that says, “I love you too much to leave you like you are!”, a Savior that offers HOPE in capital letters.
-John Roe
Thursday, March 6, 2003
(Debbie Moseng responded to yesterday’s TFD. I thought you would benefit from her comments. Deb is a severe diabetic who had her legs amputated and had nearly lost sight in both of her eyes. You may read more about her story on her website at http://jmoseng.virtualave.net )
I agree with what you said and I love what that chaplain said. Through my years of being in the Faith movement and claiming healing and it not always working plus seeing many Christians very upset with God when they weren’t healed, I am right where you said you are as far as believing. I pray for healing and seek it but I don’t doubt God if I don’t get it. I was ready to die a couple of times during the past several years. I was so sick it would have felt better than living but God chose to allow me to live.
To tell the truth I have never seen a person completely healed anyway. Think about it, how many people have you seen that wear no glasses, are the perfect weight, have no health problems as sugar, cholesterol or any other than perfect lab results? I have had many people wearing glasses tell me I should be healed. I would think if it is that easy it would be much easier to believe for healing of the eyes to see without glasses than to believe for legs to grow back!
I believe our life is what is most important to God and to others. God does the greatest healing from the inside out and sometimes that does show up in physical healing but it especially shows up in mental healing. God is the Great Physician. I believe that but believe me, I am nowhere near healed but He has made me healthy enough to enjoy life and to be able to go out and speak about Him.
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Healing is a very mysterious thing for most of us. I once was told by a hospital Chaplin that he had no answer for why some people were healed and others were not. He said, “I have watched as some Christians have claimed healing and died while others claimed healing and lived. I have watched while some Christians say that they put their lives in God’s hands and died while others put their lives in God’s hands and lived. I have no answer in the matter of healing.”
That statement alone causes most of us to be somewhat uneasy, as we really want answers not more questions. In reality, I think I accept both perspectives. I am comfortable with the concept of believing God for a healing but I also understand the He is the healer and, therefore, the end result is in His hands, not mine. Believing that God can heal is my choice, who and when He heals is His choice.
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 15:28-31 NIV
28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
Below is the News Release and testimony published in our local paper of Erika Cervantes Amieva Garcia, our cross-cultural ministry exchange youth worker. If you will take the time to read this, you will be blessed.
-Lyn Sahr
Community Church adds Cross-Cultural Youth Ministries Director
Erika Cervantes Amieva Garcia has joined the Pine City Community as Interim Director of Youth Ministries. Erika was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She lives with her parents and her younger sister in Tampico, but is spending up to a year in Pine City with on a cross-cultural ministry exchange. She serves her church in Tampico, Iglesia Agua Viva (Living Water Church), with the youth ministries, leading Bible studies, heading mission outreaches and counseling teenage girls. Iglesia Agua Viva started twelve years ago with four people and now has Sunday morning worship attendance of between 1,000 and 1,200 people.
Erika accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of sixteen. A couple of months later, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She has a wonderful testimony of the healing power of Jesus Christ and has a heartfelt concern for those who are facing serious illnesses. She has many stories of God’s faithfulness in travels in some very remote parts of Mexico.
For those who don’t very much about Mexico and especially the city of Tampico, it is right on the Gulf of Mexico. She says that she lives about ten minutes from the beach. She arrived here during some of the coldest days of the year. She says that one thing that amazes her is that leaving a bottle of water in the car means you have a big ice cube!
In the fall of 2001, she attended the Discipleship Training School at the Youth With A Mission base in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. As part of that training, she took part in an outreach to Marchena, Spain. It was at the YWAM base that she became acquainted with the starting of Pastor Lyn Sahr and the new Community Church starting in Pine City. She approached him with the idea of coming to Pine City and starting the Youth Ministry in the new church. Through many months of planning and paper work, Erika arrived in Pine City February 7th, 2003.
Erika will be working with the youth in Pine City Community Church and in the community. She is available to speak at other churches, youth groups and civic organizations. We encourage you to meet Erika. She has a love for the young people and wants to share God’s love with them. She will also be helping out in other areas of ministry in the church.
You may contact Erika by stopping by the Pine City Community Church office located at 950 Main Street South, Suite 2 from 9-5 Monday-Friday or by phone 320-629-4777 or email via the church website at www.pinecitychurch.org.
Erika’s Testimony
At the age of 16, I accepted Christ as my Savior and one month later, a tumor was found in the uterus when the doctors were running some tests. The doctors told my parents that they would have to operate because the weight of the tumor was around 8 lbs. They set the date for the operation but they had to operate one week sooner because my health was not very good. The pain was so bad that I couldn’t sleep, and when I arrived at the hospital, I was not allowed to leave and they operated very early the next morning. The doctors were surprised because they found that the tumor actually weighed 16 lbs. It seemed that the operation went well, but after about 11 hours, I started having a lot of pain and the doctors told my mother that I was bleeding internally and that I would need a blood transfusion. When the doctor came, he said that he would have to operate immediately. The doctor told my mother that he would do all that he could but that she should be prepared for the worst since I was in such a precarious condition. When I saw my mother crying, I told her that if I didn’t live, I would go to a better place. After 5 hours, the doctor told my parents that I had fought death.
Two weeks after the operation, the doctor told my parents that I had cancer and that I had didn’t have much time left—possibly a few months, but that they could give me chemotherapy in order to extend my life a little bit. The doctor spoke with me about this, explaining the treatment, and what the side effects would be. When the first treatment started, it was very difficult and painful since they had to inject the medicine in my veins and the medicine was so strong that it burned the veins. I was having horrible spells of vomiting; fever, chills and I completely lost my appetite. On the third day of the treatment, I became very angry with God and I told Him that I was only 16 years old. I got to the point that I pulled the tubes out of my arms and then lost consciousness. Even though it appeared I was completely unconscious, I could hear everything and I was thinking that I just wanted them to let me die because I couldn’t take anymore of the treatment. When I came to, the doctor asked why I had pulled out the tubes. I didn’t answer, so the doctor gave instructions to let me rest and not give me any more medicine until the following day.
That night was very special. I had a dream in which I saw myself in a carpet of flowers of all colors. The only thing I could see was flowers and a marvelous light. I was standing there, dressed in white, when I saw a man walking. That man was Jesus. He was coming towards me and He extended His hands to take my hands. He told me, “My daughter, you will have no more pain because you have been healed.” At that moment we sat down together, still holding hands. When I woke up, a nurse was already inserting the tubes to give me more medicine. I closed my eyes, wishing I could return to the dream. When I saw that the needles were again in my arm and that I had felt no pain, I remembered the words that Jesus had told me. After being in the hospital a week, I spoke with my parents and I told them that I wouldn’t continue with the chemotherapy because I didn’t need it. My mother started crying and said it was necessary to continue the treatments. I told my mother that I thanked her for being the instrument God used to give me life, but that at point I would have to make a decision regarding my life. Even though I was only 16 years old, they respected my decision. As the weeks passed, my hair fell out and my mother was very worried about me. One day, my spiritual mother told her that when they had prayed for me, she saw Jesus putting His hand on my stomach, saying that I was healed. She also told her that one of her sons, during his devotions, had sensed that Jesus was reminding him of the hemorrhaging woman and that the faith that healed her had also healed me. These things that were said confirmed the dream that I had had. After hearing these things, I shared with them the dream that I had had.
When my mother saw that I didn’t want to continue with the treatment, she took me to the doctor so that he could talk to me. When I was with him, I asked him if I would die or live. He remained quiet, looked at my mother and she told him to tell me the truth. The doctor told me that out of every 100 cases like mine, only one person survives. When I heard that, I looked at him and told him that I would be that one person. The doctor told me that he knew what was happening on the inside and that I needed to continue the chemotherapy. Again I said no. When he realized that he would not convince me to continue treatment, he said that I would need to come in regularly to be checked. The weeks became months and finally I decided I wouldn’t return since he always would reprimand me and would say that he could not do anything for me if I refused the treatment.
After a year had passed, I went in for some tests and when the doctor saw the results, he was surprised that he could find nothing wrong. Two more years passed and when he saw me he couldn’t believe it. He said that it had to be a miracle because other patients that had undergone the same thing were no longer living. I told the doctor that yes, it was a miracle.
Twelve years have passed and now I serve God carrying the hope of life to anyone who doesn’t have that hope. For those that suffer with disease and especially with cancer, I share my testimony so that the person realizes that we have a great God that did miracles yesterday, that does them today, and will continue to do them until the end of time.
-Erika Cervantes Amieva García
Monday, March 3, 2003
I sat here this morning thinking about the huge step we had taken in our church. Yes, we brought in a cross-cultural ministry person to start our youth ministry. Erika is from Mexico, serves in a large church there in Youth Ministry and will be with us here for up to one year. Yes, it was a big step for a church that was only six months old.
And it was a big step last night because we had our first youth meeting. There were six junior high students, three boys and three girls, who attended. Erika is far from mastering the English language so our interpreter was there to kind of help. Both of these steps had a level of risk.
But the big step that I am really dwelling on today is the four teenagers who bowed their heads with a young woman they barely knew from another country, another cultural and another language and asked Jesus Christ into their lives. The universal language of God is “love” and they saw it in Erika.
Hmm, I wondered, when was the last time most churches ever saw one teen led to Christ in their youth ministries in a year let alone four in one night. Maybe it is time we quit speaking our native language and started speaking the language of God, the language of “love.” Could this be the missing link in evangelism today.
-Rev 5:9-10 NIV
“…with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Sunday, March 2, 2003
Today would have been my father’s 87th birthday. He died over 21 years ago. I can still remember the utter disbelief when I received the news. I am glad that I had had a good relationship with him and didn’t feel that there were any hard feelings left unresolved when he died.
Unfortunately, that is not the case for many. I have talked to people who claim to hate one or both of their parents. I have tried to explain that harboring resentment and hate hurts them much more than it hurts the one they can’t forgive. I had one person tell me that she knew that it was really for her own good that she needed to forgive, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. It’s hard to see people tearing themselves apart with unforgiveness for someone, knowing that the unforgiven person is really not affected as much as the one harboring the bitterness.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors”. He went on to say that if we will forgive those who wrong us, God will also forgive us, but if we don’t forgive others, God will not forgive us. There are times I feel that I have the right to not forgive. I want to tell God the reasons why this or that person doesn’t deserve my forgiveness. But, then I have to ask myself—do I deserve God’s forgiveness? No, I don’t deserve it and it is only because of His love for me that I can be forgiven. Therefore, do I have the right to not forgive someone else when God has so freely offered me forgiveness?
I have come to realize that my forgiving someone may not affect that person, but it will change me. And when it comes down to it, I will only stand before God and answer for what I did or did not do. Since I am commanded to forgive, I must forgive and allow God to deal with the other person. There is a real freedom in that.
If you are finding it difficult to forgive someone, remember how much God has forgiven you and that He can only forgive you if you are willing to forgive others.
-Ardis Rivera
-Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Saturday, March 1, 2003
“Would you be mine, could you be mine, won’t you be my neighbor?” The words and tune sung by “Mr. Rogers” for over 30 years on public television. Words that I had sung along with myself as a child in the 70’s, and those same words rang through our house in the 90’s, as I would sing them with my children. I have been thinking about those words again this week with the news that Fred Rogers, one of my “hero’s,” had gone home to be with our heavenly father, having passed away after a short bout with stomach cancer.
My own children would laugh at me, as I would put on my tennis shoes, and pretend to zip up my sweater and say “hi neighbor,” trying to do my best Mr. Rogers impression. But as I think about how Mr. Rogers treated every “neighbor” with respect, compassion, and his willingness to drop everything that he was doing to help them with the littlest project, it mirrors what we, as Christians should be doing in our “neighborhoods.”
But instead we run to church on Sunday and Wednesday and play the church game, speak “Christianese,” and talk about evangelizing and reaching the “world” for Christ, but yet we go home and sit in our houses and don’t even get to know our neighbors. You know, Mr. Rogers had it right, no matter what we’ve done or what kind of person we are he still liked us just the way we are (just like God loves us), and he was always there (like God is always there for us), and no matter what the situation looked like he was willing to help (God is in control, be patient). He knew what being a neighbor really meant (loving one another as we love ourselves), and wasn’t afraid to let others in the “neighborhood” know it (the Great Commission).
Thanks Mr. Rogers for the lessons. I’m heading out into my neighborhood right now and show them how to be a real neighbor. “Would you be mine, could you be mine, won’t you be my neighbor…”
-Garrett Novak
-Matt 28:19-20 NIV
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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-John 13:34-35 NIV
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
