Saturday January 31, 2004
Isolation is Satan’s breeding ground and when we have a “pity party,” he’s the first guest to arrive!
Don’t sit home this Sunday morning. Take your family to a local bible-preaching church and join the “fellowship” party!
-Garrett Novak
-Acts 2:42 NIV
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
-1 John 1:3 NIV
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
-1 John 1:7 NIV
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Friday, January 30, 2003
As I left my house in 20 degree below zero weather, a fox crossed the road and bolted through a snow covered open field. It was an extremely lonely sight. Just a single fox all-alone with no man or creature to be seen. Take a moment and visualize the scene.
That’s the way life is for many people, cold and alone. It may not be a fair comparison in regard to the physical climate but I assure you it feels the same way emotionally and spiritually. The difference is that people can have others all around them and still be very alone if no one interacts with them or treats them with loving kindness and respect.
Perhaps the next time you see someone who is lonely and overlooked you will remember the picture of the fox and you will be motivated to pause for a moment, say a kind word and remember them in a heartfelt prayer.
Loneliness is not a disease but rather a dilemma that can be solved by spirit led believers.
-Lyn Sahr
-Mark 6:34 NIV
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Greatness is not determined by ones ability to bully or manipulate other people. Greatest is determined in ones ability to allow God to shape them into His purpose. There is no greater place to be than in the hand of the Master Potter.
The strange thing is that God never molds “self made men.”
What does God mold? He molds great people. We call them servants!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 72:11 NIV
All kings will bow down to him
and all nations will serve him.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Be careful how you judge others. The scripture makes it clear that you will be judged in the same manner. And this was not written in jest.
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 7:1-5 NIV
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Tuesday, January 27, 2003
Exercise is good for us. If we walk with God daily, we will not live for him weakly!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 84:10-12 NIV
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Monday, January 26, 2003
There are an extraordinary amount of thieves in the church these days. They run around carrying the “weight of the world” on their shoulders, stealing God’s pleasure.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 124:8 NIV
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
I have been reading through the book of Exodus and just rewatched the movie “The Ten Commandments”. It always amazes me how the people could see the power of God manifested in such mighty ways and yet so quickly they quit trusting and started complaining, even wanting to return to Egypt—the land of bondage. But really, are we any different? It is so easy to forget the wonderful things God has done the minute problems arise.
Perhaps it is a good time to start keeping a journal of God’s faithfulness—a book of remembrance. Then when the tough times come, take it out and remind yourself of His great faithfulness.
-Ardis Rivera
-Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Saturday, January 24, 2004
To have a heart like God, we first need to hide God’s word in our heart!
-Garrett Novak
-Psalm 119:11 NIV
“I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.”
Friday, January 23, 2004
“Purpose”, like “choice,” is meaningless in itself. What purpose? What choice? Christians are not “driven”; they are led: by the Spirit.
-Martin Wishnatsky
-Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
In this day in age when we are engrained with feel good worship, feel good sermons and feel good theology it is hard to imagine that we can expect anything more than feel good people attending feel good churches. Have we forgotten that the most important thing is that God feels good about our churches, our worship and our lives!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Chron 29:15-17 NIV
Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
If the purpose of human life is to have fellowship with God, which I believe it is, we need to re-think the purpose of our churches. Obviously, self-centered “feel good” Christianity is not the purpose of human life or the church. Feeling good as a Christian is obtained through fellowship with God, because that is His purpose for us!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Cor 1:9 NIV
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Everything that happens in life may have a purpose but the question is whose purpose, God’s or ours? If Christians are going to attend and experience “purpose driven churches” they must live “purpose driven lives.” But again I say, “whose purpose?”
-Eph 1:11-13 NIV
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Monday, January 19, 2004
There is something really wrong when the same people that hug trees advocate killing babies!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 9:16 NIV
The LORD is known by his justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
Sunday, January 18, 2004
The other evening I was working at my desk and I sensed that something was moving. After having a lizard in the house, I didn’t know if I wanted to look. There was a little puppy. I picked him up and realized he really needed a bath. But I noticed how he was trembling, and so I held him and tried to overlook the horrible smell. As I petted him, I could sense that the fear was leaving. Unfortunately, there is no way I could keep him and so I took him outside to see if I could see anyone looking for him. When I set him down, he went running back into the house. I finally had to put him in front of the house where I think he belonged.
As Christians, we need to welcome the lost who come to our churches and homes We may not like some of the things we may see in them. But once they sense the love of God, exhibited by His people in the church, they will be ready to let God clean them up and wash away the stench of sin. They just want to feel loved in a very unlovely world.
I have not seen the puppy since. I wonder if God sent him to teach me a lesson.
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 22:37-40
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. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Saturday January 17, 2004
My oldest daughter turned 15 this past week, and on her birthday I was sitting in the stands at her high school watching her cheer for a high school basketball game. I was so proud to be her Dad, even when she said she “goofed” up on a cheer. It didn’t matter, she is my child and I am her father, and even when she messes up I will cheer her on. Later that night at home I again told her what a great job she had done.
Your heavenly father does the same. He cheers for us (he’s your biggest fan you know), and when we goof up and feel terrible, he’s there to pick us up and love us (he’ll never leave you or forsake you). And when we finally come home one day he’ll say what all his children long to hear, “Well done my child!”
-Garrett Novak
-Matt 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!’
Friday, January 16, 2003
Home and Away Ministries recently added another ministry called Ruby’s Pantry. We collect food and distribute “Blessing Boxes” to people who have a temporary crisis or need as a gesture of encouragement. The congregation of Pine City Community Church and others are taking an active role in delivering the boxes. The boxes of food are delivered unannounced to people in need, usually to someone the volunteers know. Last week we distributed 23 banana box sized “Blessing Boxes!”
The lessons learned from this are many. The blessings are two fold and there are plenty of tears from those giving and receiving. I think that perhaps the church has forgotten the how important it is to give something to people as a human, physical acknowledgement of caring. I also fear that the church has forgotten how important it is for people to take an active role in giving in ministry.
This simple ministry is mobilizing our church with experiencing the giving and receiving of ministry. So many churches today are so performance, entertainment and social oriented that the value of hands-on ministry has been forgotten. And there is never a shortage of those who need help.
There may be a time that you cannot get help, but there is never a time that you cannot receive help!
-Lyn Sahr
-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.
-James 3:17-18 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Thursday, January 15, 2003
The blessings of God are like a garden hose connected to the heavenly throne and the blessings are flowing our direction at maximum “Blessing Pressure.” Because there is no nozzle on our end of the hose the blessings roll in!
You may be thinking, “When did that happen to me? I have never experienced maximum “Blessing Pressure!” “
Perhaps you have been stepping on the hose!
-Lyn Sahr
-Heb 11:1-35 NIV
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Unhappy people are not the result of having nothing going in life but rather, they are people who have nothing going with God.
No God = No Happiness
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 11:7 NIV
For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
We are learning a lot about ministry these days. We have been picking up food weekly and distributing it to families who are struggling as a result of temporary circumstances primarily of being unemployed, illness or family problems. The beauty of this ministry is that it has a dual spiritual benefit. The receiver of the food is blessed and the giver/deliverer of the food is blessed.
I had forgotten how important it is for people to make helping and giving to others part of their lifestyle. When someone delivers food to a family they experience ministry, something that many Christians do not do or do not have an opportunity to do. I believe this is what is wrong with many churches and Christians today. They sit in church learning and growing but never giving out anything they take in.
Spiritual blockage is a direct result of never passing on the goodness of God that you have experienced or sharing His blessings with others.
-Lyn Sahr
-Philem 6-7 NIV
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Monday, January 12, 2003
When God gives someone a dream of Ministry, He also calls them to the dream and equips them with the gifts, knowledge and experience to fulfill the dream.
-Lyn Sahr
1 Cor 1:2-9 NIV
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way-in all your speaking and in all your knowledge- 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Brave. That is what I have been called by lots of people lately. I guess I understand what they mean—the thought of a woman living alone in a foreign country sounds like a brave person to many. But I don’t really feel all that brave. So, every time I hear that adjective used to describe me, I start thinking about it.
I have come to realize that I am not brave—just doing what I feel the Father wants me to do, where He wants me to do it. I thought it would be like a father telling his child that there is a job that the child must do. The father goes ahead of the child, removing the obstacles one by one, so the child can do the job. Without the father’s presence and help, the job would be much harder. And if the child decides he doesn’t want to go where the father wants him to go, the job becomes much more difficult and doesn’t accomplish what the father intended to be accomplished.
Maybe that’s why there are so many Christians who are discouraged and burned out. They are working hard in ministry, but not where God wants them to be working. Each of us needs to find where God wants us and what He wants us to do and then do it. The way is much easier when the Father is going ahead, preparing the way for us.
-Ardis Rivera
-Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Saturday January 10, 2004
I think I caught a glimpse of what God feels like when we “ignore” him this week.
While my wife and I were dropping our daughter off at her high school for a weekend competition, I opened my van door one more time just as she was walking towards her friends and said, “I love you and I’m proud of you!” She just turned and gave me “the look”—and walked away. Now, I know that she loves my wife and me, otherwise she wouldn’t have given us each a kiss on the cheek (before we pulled into the school parking lot), she even told us. I just wanted her to know that we are proud of her, and it was another chance to express my love for her. I can almost hear her friends ask, “Is that your Dad?” I wonder what her response was? It could have been “Yes it’s my Dad,” or “No, just my ride here!”
It reminds me of someone Jesus called “The Rock” in scripture. Yes, Peter said he would “lay down his life for the Lord.” Yet, Jesus told him, “not once, but three times before the cock crows, you will deny you know me.” If you know the rest of the story in the gospel of John, after Christ is arrested, Peter denies being one of his followers, even to the point of using profanities, and after the third denial, there was the rooster crowing.”
Is God giving you opportunities to reach out to others in 2004? Are you the only believer in your workplace, but instead of showing you are a Christian, you “blend” in with the crowd—and no one can tell. Is it easier to “fit in” than stand up for what’s right as a Christian? What do you think God feels then? After days like that can you hear a rooster crow?
-Garrett Novak
-John 13:35-38 (NIV)
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Friday, January 9, 2003
Full time ministry is the dream of many people. Unfortunately, they never get started. Dreams with no beginnings can never have happy endings.
-Lyn Sahr
-Acts 2:17-21 NIV
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Thursday, January 8, 2003
Sunday after Sunday many people go to church thinking about all the things that are wrong and rarely thinking about all the things that are right with their church. When it comes to the church, seeing the glass half empty instead of half full may not only be negative but sinful!
-Lyn Sahr
-Phil 2:5 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Wednesday, January 7, 2004
I have been having fun with my oldest grandson this week as he is spending a few days at our house. Today I was on my own because Grandma had to substitute teach. We went to the office for a while to do the bare minimums and then we headed to McDonalds before we ran some errands. At McDonalds we shared a couple of Quarter Pounders with cheese and he definitely ate his share. Oh, by the way, he is only 28 months old but it seems like yesterday that I held his 4 lb 15 oz body in the hospital the day he was born. But let’s move on from the grandpa stuff.
We give mothers too little credit. It is hard work to take care of children and it is a divine calling of the highest magnitude, caring and nurturing a creation of God’s own hand. I don’t think there is anything greater on earth than to be a mother. We should honor them, encourage them and help them.
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 23:22-25 NIV
Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
24 The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.
25 May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice!
Tuesday, January 6, 2004
As I gaze across frozen, snow covered Seekers Bay this morning there is a sense of beauty even with sub zero temperatures. The snowmobilers and four-wheelers are out on weekends driving on the ice. Fish houses are starting to dot the landscape and pickups and cars are driving on the frozen lake. Yes, winter is here!
The seasons in Minnesota are quite different and winter is the toughest. Yet, people here make the best of it and have developed ways and an attitude to actually enjoy it.
Life also has different seasons and not all of them are easy. But with a good attitude the coldest seasons in life can be tolerable, beneficial and even enjoyable. Our attitude is more visible than the clothes we wear or anything else about our personal appearance. Our attitude determines our altitude, the plain of life that we live on.
When people want to improve their personal appearance they go to a fitness trainer, image consultant, dentist, beautician, plastic surgeon, psychologist or clothing salesperson. When a person wants to improve their attitude there is only one place to go, to God. Heavenly attitudes are not made on earth!
-Lyn Sahr
-Phil 2:5 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Monday, January 5, 2004
Last night I was in a fast food restaurant and a young couple was sitting near us. Suddenly they started to argue and swear. The wife said that she was tired of taking “the kid” to that (swearing) babysitter. Obviously, it was an inconvenience to her and had nothing to do with the babysitter. In fact, I was clearly left with the impression that her child was an inconvenience, period!
Parents, don’t be so quick to curse your children or despise them. They are a gift from God and God’s gifts are special to Him, as they should be too you. Children may be inconvenient to parents but they are never inconvenient to God.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 127 NIV
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat–
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
Sunday, January 4, 2004
I was asked to share in a New Year’s Eve service and in the preparation, I was thinking about what God has done in the past year. As part of the message, I asked the people to consider the miracles God had done in the past year, and reminded them (and myself) that the fact that we are still breathing is a gift of God. Too often we take each and every breath for granted. It is easy to forget how fragile this life is. I was reminded of it a couple of weeks ago when I heard that my 13 year old niece had been rushed to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. When I found out what was happening I learned that her heart had stopped and several minutes passed before they got it started again. It is a sobering reminder that no one is guaranteed another day, not even another minute.
I encourage you to never forget the great gifts that God is continually giving us. Miracles are all around us. We just need to open our eyes and see them. And as long as we have breath, let us praise the Lord, the One who gives us life.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 146:1-2
Praise the LORD .
Praise the LORD , O my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
-Psalm 39:4-5
Show me, O LORD , my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.
Saturday January 3, 2004
There was a “sign” in my mailbox this week that the Christmas and New Year’s holidays are over. We started receiving flyers from the local stores announcing their exercise equipment “sales!”
This rite of holiday passage, and hopes that all the New Year’s resolutions of losing weight and getting into shape will push throngs of people through the doors to buy new exercise equipment push the retailers.
I have to admit that I would also like to lose a few “holiday” pounds, but even more than that—I want to develop some better New Year’s resolutions as a Christian husband and father.
*I want to read through the whole Bible this year
*My quiet times will be more consistent
*When I ask someone if I can pray for him or her, I really will
*I will seek God’s will first (not after I “mess” it up and ask him to “fix” it)
*Patience (My wife says I could use more of that)
*Discernment (yup, that too)
*Spending more quality time with my wife
*Spending quality one-on-one time with my children (Daddy-child dates)
While you are writing down your resolutions for 2004, don’t forget about the ones that really matter in your life and in the lives of those around you.
-Garrett Novak
-Isaiah 43:16-19 NIV
This is what the LORD says- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to
rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Friday, January 2, 2004
I remember a song from when I was a young boy that went something like this:
“The object of my affection, changes my complexion, from white to rosy red.”
For some reason I have hummed the tune and sang those words many times in my life. The tune has just stuck with me. I don’t know who wrote it or sang it but I sure have remembered that catchy little line.
Today I was humming and singing that line and I thought about the “object of my affection.” I realized that Jesus is the object of my affection and, although He may change my complexion, He has changed the color of my heart. And not only has He changed the color of my heart but He ahs changed the heart of millions of others who have sought Him and received Him as their Lord and Savior. His great love for us causes His children to love him. Yes, He is the object of my love and affection.
This year I encourage you to make Him the object of your love and affection. Thus, a heart changing experience!
(You may be wondering how I can have affection for Jesus? Because I love being with Him day and night!)
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 13:5-6 NIV
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
To have a new beginning in 2004 you have to put an end to 2003. Too often people just keep living day after day, year after year never putting an end to their past. Perhaps this is the time for you to make the changes in your life that you have been putting off for years. To do that you need to evaluate your commitment to Christ and make the needed changes in that area of you life first. Without making God part of the change you will still live in the past!
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Cor 5:16-17 NIV
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
