Monday, April 28, 2008
We have some serious concerns in our world today. Millions and millions of people around the world are now being placed into slavery. Yes, even in the United States millions and millions of families are facing financial collapse the kind not seen before in most of our lifetimes, economic slavery. Yes, yes, yes… poverty is the new slavery.
If we as Christians fail to understand and act on this we fail. People are running out of choices because of inflated prices from greed that threaten the family’s ability to provide. This is real! The battle to free people from the slavery of poverty is monumental. Suddenly, with groceries facing 100% increases, churches are now talking about feeding the poor. Sure is interesting that we are so stubborn as to have to experience such drastic things to do what God called us to do anyway. Feeding the poor is a scriptural mandate we should all be involved in not just the few.
-Lyn Sahr
-James 2:26 NIV
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
April 27, 2008
Hate is not something that is NOT often discussed in church. Perhaps it is a surface issue that hurts a little when it is conversed. It is my observation that there are people in our churches who truly do hate. The problem is, they hate what is good!
Hate is a strong word that should not be confused with bitterness and unforgiveness. From my perspective, bitterness is a root that dominates a person’s existence as a result of an incident or an ongoing lifestyle. Naomi was bitter (Ruth 1).
Unforgiveness is a condition of the heart that refuses to let God’s grace manifest itself through ourselves to another. The result of unforgiveness is a tormented spirit that is certainly not of God (Matt 18:21-35 KJ).
But hate is something entirely different. It is often manifested through numerous sinful spirits, envy being one of the most popular. Hate is a willful condition of the heart and spirit that rots the body and the soul.
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 14:30 NIV
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year! What a great thing it is to have a fresh start to another year. It reminds me of how God gives us a fresh start to another life! I know that many people are struggling these days with finances, marriages, family problems, poor health and other burdens that bring despair. Maybe you need another life!
Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead that we might have another life and have it abundantly. If you have never made a personal decision to starting another life in Christ I encourage you to do so today. Check it out here http://www.billygraham.com/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
For Christians, the things that bring us despair can be a lack of faith. In other words, wanting to take all of life’s problems and keeping them our hands instead of putting them and leaving them in Gods hands is personal arrogance, foolishness and a lack of faith. It’s kind of a subtle new age faith believing that we have to be in control instead of God. How foolish and faithless! If we are only Christians by name and refuse to rest in Christ’s wisdom then we are not Christians by heart.
And finally, I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and bring your church on a “Mission for My God” to Monterrey, Mexico this year. Your understanding of God will be expanded and your faith deepened. It will affect your entire congregation with a contagious faith that will create both spiritual and physical growth. Some churches send the kids but it is the leaders who need to be on a mission for their God. Then the rest of the church will be moved to physical missions. The cost is reasonable and the experience is rich. Every church should strongly encourage their leadership to participate immediately. Oh yes, we take youth groups as well. But we are only accepting 20 teams this year so if you have not already registered your group, do so today. Just email me for more information.
Quote of the Day: “It helps to know a God who knows us.”
-Lyn Sahr
-John 3:16 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.
