Thursday, July 31, 2003
Yesterday, several children were around me at different times of the day. They were of different ages and you can see how they mature. The oldest that came is 9 and the youngest just turned 3. There are behaviors we expect from a nine-year-old that we would never expect from a three-year-old. When the one of the two three-year-olds asked me to help her in the bathroom, it didn’t surprise me. But if the nine-year-old had asked me that, it would have shocked me. We would think that child had some special physical problem if he or she required that type of help at that age.
There are a lot of Christians who remain babies in their faith. They always are looking to others to guide and direct them instead of growing up and learning to lean more on God and less on other Christians. I am not saying that we should ever stop helping our brothers and sisters in Christ, but each of us needs to grow up feed and nourish our spirits to the point where we are mature enough to go to God first for guidance, not to everyone around us.
-Ardis Rivera
-2 Peter 3:18 NIV
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
I was noticing the grass yesterday when I walked to the apartment. There are parts that are very dry. I thought that this was a little strange, considering that we have had a lot of rain. I began to wonder why there are dry areas, and I don’t really understand it. It could be that the water ran off in those areas rather than being absorbed into the ground. Possibly the ground was so hard from people (like me) walking on it, the water couldn’t even penetrate. It could be a lack of nutrients in the soil or any number of things. The fact is, without water and nutrients in the ground, the grass dries up and withers.
The same holds true for Christians. Many Christians feel they can be strong Christians without church attendance, Bible study, prayer and fellowship with other Christians. When I hear a person say that he or she is a Christian, but that he/she chooses not to go to church, and I know that there is no Bible study or prayer in that person’s life, I have to wonder about the spiritual state of that person. Just as the grass needs certain things to survive, we as Christians need certain things to survive spiritually. God intended for us to live in communion with Him and with other Christians. He never intended for us to walk through this life alone. We need Him and we need other people. Spending time with God, studying His word, praying and fellowshipping with other Christians are like refreshing rains in our spiritual being. We can’t survive without them.
-Ardis Rivera
-Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
-2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
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.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Today was a sad day. A lady who just recently started coming to church died after a long battle with cancer. I didn’t really get to know her well and yet, I felt I knew her and I learned some things from her life and death.
First, she and her husband of over 50 years truly loved each other. Her husband was telling me today of laying down by her, putting his head on her shoulder, and how at the very end, he realized that he would have only one more chance to hug her while she was alive and that he hugged her as she took her last breath. I watched him today. He didn’t want to take his eyes off the body of his beloved wife. He went up to the casket many times before the service and had requested that the casket remain open during the service. I could see him looking at his beloved throughout the service.
Second, this woman’s faith came alive in her last days. She mentioned by name those in her family who would not join her in heaven unless they asked Jesus into their lives. When I think of the pain and suffering she was enduring, and that her concern was for her lost family and friends, it makes me realize even more what is really important.
Lastly, I heard friends and relatives share happy memories. We all were able to laugh a bit in spite of the sorrow.
As I have pondered the day, I have a couple of thoughts. Seeing a couple so much in love after many years of marriage is wonderful. I grieve for the husband, knowing that he will have some tough days ahead. It is very important for the body of Christ to reach out to the grieving and help them through the tough times. I also think about what is really important in life. Death puts everything in its’ proper perspective. When faced with eternity, only one thing matters and that is whether or not Jesus is your Savior. Lastly, as I heard people share memories, I thought of what people would say of me. But then, I realized that it may be nice to have people say good things about me when my life is done, but I desire one thing far more. I long to hear the Father say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when it is my time to leave this earth and enter eternity.
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 25:21 NIV
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Monday, July 28, 2003
In our area, we have been blessed (?) by an abundance of mosquitoes this year. It’s almost dangerous to go outside.
The other day, I was reading about ways to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your house. Things like making sure there is no standing water and changing water in birdbaths, etc were mentioned, in addition to using chemicals to kill them. It seems to me that the best thing is to do whatever is needed so they don’t come in the first place.
Sin is like that. Many times we wait until it is a real problem to deal with it, when it would be easier to get rid of it early on. Don’t let sin hatch in your life. Get rid of in the infant stage. Life will be much easier if you do.
-Ardis Rivera
-Romans 6:11 NIV
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
-Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Tomorrow is my birthday. It’s funny how the years pass so quickly. It’s hard to realize that all of my children are grown and on their own and they like to remind me of that fact. This could be a hard time. Sometimes, it’s easy to feel not needed when the children grow and leave home. But I believe that God has plans for each of us, and those plans don’t stop when the children leave home. I believe that God wants us to serve Him wholeheartedly as long as we are physically able to do so. And for those who have physical limitations, God may ask you to pray for others, write notes of encouragement or something similar.
Moses didn’t begin his “ministry” until he was 80. So I don’t think God believes that when we reach middle age that we are too old to serve Him. In His eyes, our best years of service may be just starting.
Do you feel the stirrings in your heart to step out in faith to do something for God but have felt that since you are no longer in your 20’s that you missed your chance? God just may be calling you to something new. Seek God and follow His leading. Remember, God may have something very special for you to do. But you will never experience the blessing of being obedient if you are afraid of the first step.
-Ardis Rivera
-2 John 6 NIV
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Saturday, July 26, 2003
I’ll admit it; I don’t like to go to the doctor. Even with my wife assuring me that it will be fine (she’s a nursing student); I still like to be the “man” and work through my pain. But, when a lump on my cheek wouldn’t disappear, and for the past two months has been growing, well, even I knew that it was time for the doctor to take a look.
“Yes”, he said, “it’s most likely nothing, but let’s remove it and have the lab run tests on the growth anyway.” So now after my first minor surgery, a piece of me is in a jar somewhere in a lab waiting to be tested for cancer or other diseases that I can’t pronounce. I wear a bandage on my face (to cover the incision) and pop pain meds every so often to help, but the “man” is a bit nervous. What if the news comes back as cancer, or something else? Now I’m not afraid of dying (I know where I’m going), but I am afraid of leaving behind my wife and children. I haven’t seen any of them graduate or get married yet, I haven’t become a grandfather, and I haven’t had a chance to grow old with the wife of my youth. What if…..? So many things went through my mind in the surgery room, but yet a peace is within my soul, a peace that knows no matter what happens in my life, God is still in control, and he has a plan for my life. Maybe that piece of me in a jar is to remind me to “slow down” and take more time for my wife and kids. Maybe it’s God’s way of saying “hey…take more time to listen to my voice instead of all those around you.”
Don’t wait until a piece of you is in a jar in some laboratory awaiting testing before crying out to God. He wants to hear from you today. In fact, he’s probably speaking to you right now, are you listening?
-Garrett Novak
-Phil 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Friday, July 25, 2003
My son told me of a place that serves large ice cream cones really cheap. I didn’t know if I could really believe what he said, but it was a hot day so a friend of mine and I went to check it out. I have never seen such a large cone for so little money. I’m sure people think I am exaggerating when I tell them about the size of these cones, but they are huge. In fact, it is hard to eat all of it. I really feel like I’m getting something for my money when I buy one of those cones. It’s kind of hard to go someplace else now and spend more money for a lot less.
Sometimes as Christians, we can settle for a lot less than what God has for us. He wants to fill us up to overflowing, but many times we want just a little bit of God. There are those that just want enough of God to keep them from an eternity in hell. I heard a person say that all these people look for is “fire insurance”. Then there are those who want a little bit more. But God wants us to so filled with Him that He is spilling out of us and falls on all of those that surround us. But He won’t force Himself on anyone. If you choose only a little of God, that’s what you will get. But if you want to be filled to overflowing, just ask. Your life will never be the same! And then you will wonder why you were ever content with so much less of God.
-Ardis Rivera
-Luke 11:13 NIV
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
-John 7:37-38 NIV
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Thursday, July 24, 2003
It costs a lot of money to be poor. Poor people usually pay higher prices for the goods they buy and higher interest rates for the things they finance. The wealthy have relationships and networks where they know where to get better deals and they get the best interest rates. You don’t have to think about this very long to realize that there is something very, very wrong with this.
Thankfully God does not operate the same way. If He did the requirement for getting into heaven would be based on our wealth and worth. You see we don’t get into heaven because of what we have or what we are worth. We get into heaven by recognizing and accepting what God has and what He is worth. When we figure that out we see the wealth of His love, not ours and we wor(th)ship Him, not us!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 95:6-7 NIV
Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
It is very difficult being a teenager. Why, because teenagers all want to be adults. Strangely enough, adults want to be teenagers. Although we can yearn and pretend, in reality, we can’t go forward and we can’t go backward to another time in life. We live in the “here and now,” that stage of life we are in. That’s why the decisions we make in the “here and now” are so critical to the life we live in the “there and then.”
My mother used to tell me not to be in a hurry to grow up and now no one has to tell me not to be in a hurry to grow old. But now that I am living in the second half of my life I recognize that it doesn’t matter what stage my life is in but rather what stage my heart is in.
-Lyn Sahr
-Eccl 3:11 NIV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
If you think the cost of following Jesus is high, take a look at those poor bankrupt souls lost in the wilderness of sin!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 119:33-40 NIV
Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.
Monday, July 21, 2003
None of us really likes change very much. The older we get the more we seem to resist it. I guess that’s what I enjoy so much about what we are doing these days; it forces me to embrace change.
When we write letters to Mexico it seems they never arrive. So we email to every pastor we work with. It is interesting how these pastors, many with so little and certainly no computers, find a way to communicate with our ministry via email. For the sake of the Gospel, they are making changes. Part of our mission is to better equip them with technology to do their ministry. As we link them to sister churches in America and other parts of the world it unites the churches in a way never before obtainable without state of the art technology.
In America many of our small churches, and 75% of them are small, have not really embraced change. In fact, some have resisted it. They have no website or email capabilities to communicate with their congregations, other ministries or missionaries. Even more puzzling, some of them have the capabilities but still have not made the effort or taken the time to be trained to use them. When you walk into their offices you see outdated computers, printers and copy machines. It reminds me of the war in Iraq where the Americans have all of this high tech weaponry and Iraqi weapons are one, two, three generations old or older. Many of our pastors and church leaders are fighting the war on spiritual terrorism with equipment that is now three equipment generations old.
Yes, it is a new day and our churches need to embrace the equipment and training changes needed to carry on the ministry. God doesn’t change but people do. When the church ignores change, change ignores the church.
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 5:37-38 NIV
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Several years ago, when our children were small, we would make a yearly trip to Mexico to see the grandparents and other family and friends there. It seemed we always left on July 20th. Of course that meant that we got in on some of the hottest weather of the year. It was important to keep hydrated so we didn’t end up getting sick on our vacation. I remember one year when I suffered heat stroke and lost consciousness. It kind of ruined the trip, at least for a few hours.
Spiritually, we need to keep hydrated in the Word of God and allow His cooling word to help us maintain a good perspective. I can testify that losing consciousness due to lack of water in the heat is not a good thing. It scared the entire family, and I was not much of a mother to my children during that time. And basically, it could have been avoided by taking a few precautions.
We need to take precautions in our spiritual life. Don’t let anything come in that could possibly hinder your relationship with God. We need Him with us every single minute of the day. We can’t last long without Him. Just as we need water on hot days to keep going physically, we need a continual infusion of God’s spirit to keep us going spiritually. Don’t wait until you “pass out” spiritually to start drinking in His refreshing word.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 42:1-2 NIV
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
Saturday, July 19, 2003
Last weekend while my wife and I were on our way to the Sonshine Christian Music Festival in central Minnesota, we stopped with our crew of “20” teens and grabbed lunch at a fast food restaurant. While we eating, a young man named Matt kept clearing our tables as soon as we would finish with a french fry container, burger wrapper, or soda.
Now I haven’t seen many fast food restaurants offer this kind of service, and I was impressed. But, even more impressed with the service, was the fact that Matt has several disabilities, but that wasn’t stopping him from serving others. His speech was slurred and his hat sat crooked upon his brow, but his demeanor and joy in his job was contagious. He loved serving others. Unfortunately, not everyone in the restaurant appreciated Matt like I did, there were many sneers and comments (most I can’t repeat), many I’m sure he was aware of, but none the less he continued clearing tables and waiting on customers in the dining room.
Now, I don’t know where Matt stands with the Lord, but you can bet that when I next go through that small Minnesota town, that we will be back at that restaurant, and I’ll be asking for him. Would you please pray for Matt this week, that if he hasn’t yet met the Lord, that seeds would have been planted from our youth group that would continue to blossom in him, and that more Christians would grace the door of that restaurant, also sharing the love of Christ with him.
And you can bet that I am serving my wife and children with extra vigor and a bounce in my step this week. Thanks Matt!
-Garrett Novak
-John 13:12-17 NIV
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them
Friday, July 18, 2003
When I was a little kid I, like most kids, had a “piggy bank.” The difference was, mine never got filled up! But I remember a relative of mine whose bank was filled many times. Every time company came to his house his father had him bring out his “piggy bank” and he went around to all the guests and held it in front of them until they put something in it. Sometimes I think he would have been a great usher!
Today I recognize that many people are still trying to fill their “piggy banks” but now they’re called Savings Accounts, Bonds, Certificates of Deposit, Individual Retirement Accounts, 401K’s and Stocks. Strange thing about money, it doesn’t care who owns it, how it is spent or for what.
Today I will spend some time with a person who may not live through the day. We have been talking the last few weeks about her life and her death. The strangest thing is her “piggy bank” has not come up in a single conversation nor her Savings Accounts, Bonds, Certificates of Deposit, Individual Retirement Accounts, 401K’s and Stocks. You see, when people are thinking about death they are focused on “eternity” not “security!” That’s the way we were meant to live, not just die!
-Lyn Sahr
-Eccl 3:11 NIV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
As I ponder the difficulty many churches and ministries are facing financially, it is impossible to ignore the reality of the struggle that many people are having in their own personal finances. Household debt is growing not only in America but also around the world. Even among Christians large debt seems almost fashionable today, until you can’t pay the payments. Many Christians need their “wanters” fixed! Christians were not meant to be burdened by huge debt.
The local church and para-church ministries are suffering because the personal debt load of Christians has eaten up their incomes and choked off their ability to contribute in the generous manner of a servant of God. Some may say this is a financial crisis. I believe it is a spiritual crisis. We want to buy too much with too little resulting in too much debt with nothing left for the Lords work. If we only have enough money for ourselves, we don’t have enough!
So what are Christians supposed to do to be set free financially? First, quit spending excessively and develop prudent spending habits. I have seen so many people who continue to spend excessively even when their income has decreased. Then, rekindle your giving habits to the Lord’s work. I have seen very few Christians ever get out of debt and stay out of debt without contributing to the Lord’s work faithfully in the process. Why? Because they still are bound in the mindset of only making money for themselves, their needs and their wants. Giving to the Lord’s work is one of the ongoing marks of God’s people.
Most people need some teaching instruction to understanding this concept. There is a Christian non-profit organization that was started many years ago to help people accomplish this. They have a program to help people overcome the spiritual credit crisis in their lives while paying off their bills and rekindling their giving to the Lord’s work, first through their local church. If you would like more information on overcoming the spiritual crisis in your life I encourage you to contact Family Life Credit Services at (800) 747-9307 and they will be delighted to talk with you or send you free information. Or you may view their website at http://www.familylifecredit.com in English or Spanish.
You will never be free to be in God’s service until you free yourself from debt service!
-Lyn Sahr
(Note: I am not personally affiliated or benefiting in any way from Family Life Credit Services nor is any organization that I am involved or affiliated with. My recommendation is based solely on the needs of Christians to get out of debt and the service that is offered to them through Family Life Credit Services.)
-Rom 13:8-9 NIV
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
In recent months many ministries have indicated that giving is down. Giving is sometimes difficult for people but it is essential for the Lord’s work to continue. And this holds true of all ministries. Yesterday I heard of a ministry that closed its doors because their expenses, as minimal as they were, were higher than their income and they could not continue to operate. Our ministries, ChurchMouse Chronicles and Home and Away Ministries, are both in need of funding. To say they were not would be a lie. Is it stressful? Yes and no. Yes, because we have obligations that must be met in a timely fashion and no because we know that God has always been faithful. We are always thankful for those who support this work.
Therefore, I want to encourage you to do the best you can to support first your local church and then other para-church ministries that God has put on your heart. When things are personally financially tight for you, cutting back may be practical but quitting to support the ministries as important as your church or missionaries is not spiritual. The God that I serve seems to bless us when we give out of our poverty, not out of our wealth!
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 4:24-26 NIV
“I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.(See also I Kings 17)
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
I have been hearing one word quite often in the office lately and that word is “backup”. Someone lost one of the hard drives in his computer and the importance of backing up the data on the computers is a reality. It means saving lots of time in case something happens.
I think there is another kind of “backup” we need to think about. Have you neglected to make a phone call you know you need to make? Have you put off writing a letter you should write? Has God been dealing with you about supporting in some way some ministry and you have put it off?
There are people that need to hear from you. You may never know how much a short note or a phone call could mean to someone. Has someone impacted your life? Let that person know. Consider being a “backup” for someone in the ministry. Every person involved in ministry needs to have people backing him or her up. Moses had Aaron; Paul had Silas. I have been studying some of the major figures in the history of the church, and each one had people backing him or her up. These aren’t names that are well known to us, but I know that in God’s eyes, they are champions of the faith.
Is there someone that you can “backup” today? Don’t wait. You may be the next Aaron or Silas.
-Ardis Rivera
-Exodus 17:10-13 NIV
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Monday, July 14, 2003
On the news last night there was a story of a fourteen-year-old soccer phenomenon. A shoe company has paid him $1,000,000 for a shoe endorsement. Can you imagine getting paid that for wearing someone’s shoes? Although it sounds like a big deal it is not so much in compared to the reward to those who wear Jesus shoes, eternal life!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 John 2:6 NIV
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Sunday, July 13, 2003
I have a “to-do” list on my desk. It seems that I have a lot of things that need to be done in the next few weeks, and it just seemed that the only way I would get everything done would be to make a list and check things off as they are done.
We live in a time when everyone is busy. I remember when I was little that my mother would talk to her friends on the phone everyday. I remember getting impatient at all the time she would spend on the phone. Then there were the “visits” when I had to go with her on a visit. Usually I could have thought of something better to do—like watch TV or play. But I went with on the visits.
Today, it seems there is little time for friends. Many times, we don’t even know who our neighbors are. And sadly, for many people, there is no time for God. I remember when it was rare to know a family that didn’t attend church, and when a family moved in that had no church affiliation, we were shocked. After all, what does a person do on Sunday morning if s/he is not in church. Now, it seems that it is harder to find people who regularly attend church than it is to find those that don’t attend church.
As I look at my “to-do” list, I know I need to accomplish all these tasks. But I will not sacrifice time with friends, and more importantly, time with God, to accomplish them.
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
-Galatians 5:14 NIV
The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Saturday, July 12, 2003
As you read this, my wife Andrea and I will be with a group of 20 teenagers from Northwest Wisconsin at the SonShine Christian Music Festival in Willmar, Minnesota.
Now if the idea of sleeping in a tent in a hay-field for three days, eating “fair-type” food, swatting mosquitoes the size of small birds (they get that big in Minnesota—after all I think it’s their state bird), not sleeping much, and listening to a lot of loud Christian music doesn’t appeal to you—don’t go. BUT, if you want to have an experience with a teenager on their level, bond with them, and show them the love of Jesus, THIS is the place for my wife and me this weekend.
Could I encourage you the let the “Son” SHINE in your life to some teenagers around you this summer? In fact, if you are close to one of the 30 major Christian music festivals, why not coordinate a group of teens from your church to “caravan” to the festival. And while you’re at it, have them invite some of the un-saved friends. You won’t regret it.
No matter what age you are, spend some time with a teenager or two this summer, and share the love of Christ with them, not just with your words, but your actions too.
Well, I gotta run—there’s a climbing wall to scale, a mosh pit to jump into, teenagers to “hang” with, and you know what, I kind of like this band after all.
-Garrett Novak
-Prov 22:6 NIV
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Friday, July 11, 2003
Faith is the key to hope and love. Without faith we have no hope because we can’t make hope a reality without first believing that it is meant for us.
We can’t love without faith, either. It requires faith to love when we don’t feel like loving and when we don’t feel that others love us or that God loves us.
It is also faith that brings spiritual freedom to us.
-John Roe
-Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Recently I heard someone say about another person, “They are a quart low.” The question is, low of what? Now obviously they were making a derogatory remark about the intelligence of the other person. Ironically, intelligence is not the key that opens heavens gates in eternity. Can you imagine an intelligent person standing at heavens gates and being asked by God, “Why should I let you in?” and the intelligent person answering, “Because I am not a quart low!”
I’d rather meet God a “quart low of intelligence” than a “quart low of heart!” After all, a person with a full heart of God’s love lacks nothing!
-Lyn Sahr
-Col 2:2-4 NIV
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
I was sitting in the office this week chatting with a couple of people and one of them said, “I just had a brainstorm.” The other person said, “I think heard the thunder!” Obviously the first person had an idea and the second person thought they were thinking the same thing. No one has ever had a brainstorm and no one has ever heard the thunder from it. But perhaps what is even stranger is when we realize that no one has ever had an idea that God didn’t have first. There is no such thing as an original idea unless God had it!
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 55:8-9 NIV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Another strange saying is when dairy farmers call their cows when it is time to get them out of the pasture and into the barn to milk. I still don’t know for sure what they said but what I heard was, “Caboss.” I think it may have been “Come Boss.” I don’t know but it seemed every farmer said this to call the cattle. Amazingly, even though I couldn’t understand what they were saying the cows could and began the trek from the pasture to the barn.
But the part that I find interesting is how the farmer, who was supposed to be in charge, referred to the cow as the “boss.” Obviously the “tail was wagging the farmer!”
Well, this analogy doesn’t cut it with God. He never calls us “boss” but a many people think so! The tail doesn’t wag God, God wags the tail!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 64:9-10 NIV
All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him;
let all the upright in heart praise him!
-Jude 24-25 NIV
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Monday, July 7, 2003
Many people use phrases that don’t clearly mean what is intended. A parent hollers out at a child when it is time to eat, “Come and get it!” Get what? No one would know by what they’ve said but amazingly the listener knows and comes in to eat. Strange, isn’t it?
God speaks to people much more clearly but they still don’t get it. Even Jesus taught either through direct teaching or illustrations. In fact the scripture is very clear, but like a parent who had simply hollered, “Come and get it” may find a child non-responsive, people don’t seem to react at all. Perhaps God should speak to people through Colloquialisms. Then instead of saying the road is narrow He could have said, “Narrow Numbskull!”
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 7:14 NIV
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Sunday, July 6, 2003
In the United States, we are ending a three-day weekend that started with the July 4th celebration of Independence Day. For many, Independence Day means a time to get away, not really thinking about the meaning of the holiday. Of course, there are the fireworks, parades and celebrations everywhere as we celebrate the freedoms we have in this country.
I am grateful for the freedoms we have in this country. But, I am beginning to think that maybe, as Christians, we should declare a “Dependence Day”. There are many people who don’t want to depend on anyone else, not even God. But I am coming to realize that I can only do so much and if I don’t depend completely on God, not much will happen. When we talk of being dependent on God, it doesn’t mean that we sit back, do nothing and expect God to do it all. He expects us to do our part and He will do His part. We are working together with Him. I have heard a phrase quite often in the past year, “We do everything we can do and God will do His part”. God doesn’t want us to be lazy spiritually. He wants to do all we can do to further His kingdom. We just need to remember that we work with Him and depend on Him for everything. So, let’s celebrate our “Dependence Day”.
-Ardis Rivera
-Philippians 4:13 NIV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
-1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Saturday, July 5, 2003
This is Independence Day Weekend, one of the “big three” holidays we American’s celebrate during our summer.
Yes, there will be plenty of “oohs and ahhs” as families across the nation gather to watch fireworks, and listen to marching bands, and grill their Johnsonville Brats (no gratuities received). We are remembering over 225 years of independence as a nation this weekend. Yes there are many freedoms we enjoy in America that many nations do not.
Enjoy one of them this weekend. “The freedom of religion,” and attend a bible teaching, bible preaching church with your family during the holiday. You will never be the same, and as matter of fact, neither will your family!
Happy Birthday America!
-Garrett Novak
-Gal 5:1 NIV
5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Friday, July 4, 2003
The love of God is able to set us free from one of the most disabling things known to man, hate! No one can love who is filled with hate. Love and hate cannot coexist in the same person. Once we are free from hate we are free to love.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 97:10-12 NIV
Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
Thursday, July 3, 2003
Tomorrow in the United States we celebrate freedom that our forefathers fought and died for. We call it Independence Day. But around the world there are many people who live in countries who are not free, who do not have the right to worship God in their own way and in their own time. Many people in non-free nations risks their lives daily for the cause of Christ while many in our own country can’t even get out of bed on Sunday mornings to attend church.
Despite living in a free nation millions of Americans are not free. You see, freedom is a relative word. For many it means the freedom to self-govern and to others it means the freedom to self-exist. But for some it has even a greater and more powerful meaning. Those around the world who risks their lives daily for the cause of Christ have discovered the ultimate freedom, the freedom from the fear of death.
To discover the joy of life you must lose the fear of death! Then, and only then, are you truly free.
-Lyn Sahr
-Heb 2:14-16 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.
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
“As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I am scared of evil.” No, the Psalmist didn’t write that but a lot of good Christians could have. Sometimes I think that we have too much fear of evil and not enough fear of God. If we always live our lives playing it safe we will probably always be shadow boxing evil instead of getting in the ring and going a few rounds.
The Church wasn’t built on people watching evil or pretending it didn’t exist but rather on spiritual warriors who fought the battle against evil knowing the Lord was on their side!
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Tim 4:6-8 NIV
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
If you had to guess how God would like for you to spend the rest of your life, how would it be? Perhaps you haven’t given much thought about it. I know that He would like for each of us to grow in our faith and blossom as exemplary children of God. But what if God actually has a plan for your life that takes you totally out of you environment or your comfort zone? Would you respond, “Yes, Lord, send me?” I believe that one of the greatest tragedies in the church today is how so few people are following the call of God in their lives to be missionaries, evangelists, teachers, pastors and other servants to the King of Kings.
What is the answer? Perhaps we need more preachers who can break the “hearing barrier.” The call of God is only as loud as we can hear!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 95:6-8 NIV
Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts…
