Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Marriage is obviously difficult for a lot of people. There are many reasons for failed marriages but one that has recently caught my attention is probably not often thought about. Many men love to do little things for their wives, to buy them special things from time to time. But some woman don’t accept gifts from their husbands very well and even reject the gifts with the famous “We can’t afford it line” even if it only costs a few dollars. Soon the husband just quits buying her anything.
But here is the sad part. She is content with the fact that he never buys her anything or does the little extra fun things with her because then he is not spending money!
But here is the really sad part and a lesson for all wives who may fall into this category. If you reject the gifts of your husband and don’t graciously allow him to ever buy you anything without complaining or making negative comments about it, someday he will find someone who will let him buy her gifts, who won’t make negative comments about the money and who enjoys the extra attention. And I know whom it will be with and I know her name. She is called “The Other Woman!
-Prov 12:4 NIV
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
-Prov 19:13-14 NIV
A foolish son is his father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
This is a response from one of our readers, Deb Moseng, to yesterdays Thought For The Day. It is a wonderful lesson for all of us. Truly, this is a good thought for today! Thanks Deb!
Heehee, it is me again Lyn, you asked for what Spiritual lessons we all could get from your ‘walk’. Mine, I am sure, are quite different from anyone else’s so I will send them.
1) Be thankful you could walk that 1/2 mile, many people can’t.
2) Be thankful you woke up that morning and could breathe and were alive! Many people, me included, have problems breathing at times.
3) Be thankful you didn’t have to think about a dozen things that could go wrong if you were very far from home without medical supplies.
4) Be thankful you could see quite well where you were going and could see to read the paper if you had gotten it! Many people can’t read papers.
5) Be thankful you could even bend over to get the quarter, I wish I could bend like that! I would be on my nose if I tried it.
The old saying ‘don’t judge someone until you have walked in their shoes for a day’ is so true. We all have our burdens but I would be so thankful today if I could walk normal, if I could see normal, if I could hear normal, if I could breathe and do things normal. We can always gain spiritual lessons from everyday life and you are very good at putting those lessons in to words. Since being handicapped I guess I have learned a new lesson, be thankful for today and for everything you are able to do today, whether it be walking or reading or whatever, tomorrow it could be gone! We have this moment but we aren’t promised the next, appreciate this moment, savor it. I didn’t appreciate what I had until I started losing it either, now I would so appreciate my legs if I had them, thank God for them everyday!! Same with my eyes and hearing etc!
Deb
http://jmoseng.virtualave.net
Monday, April 28, 2003
This morning I decided to take a different path for my occasional morning walk. I decided to walk to the little country store that is about one half mile from our house, buy a paper, walk back and have a leisurely breakfast reading the morning news. So I began my trek and after the first quarter of a mile I turned onto the busy county road and began walking on the shoulder toward the store. As I was walking I saw a quarter lying on the ground. I thought, “Just the price of the morning paper and now I wouldn’t need to get change. This is going to be a great day!”
As I walked a little further I noticed all of the trash along side of the road that I somehow miss when I drive my car by it daily. I wondered what kind of people would just through their garbage along side of the road and expect others to pick up after them. Somehow it seems very inconsiderate and arrogant to do such a thing. It seems that a person who does such a thing thinks they are more important than others, expecting them to clean up their mess.
Well, I finally got to the store and I noticed the paper machine was empty! Well, I thought perhaps they had them inside today. Then I tried to open the door of the store and it was locked. I noticed a big sign on the door that read, “Be Back in 30 Minutes!” After hanging around for a few minutes I turned and walked the plus half mile home thinking about what lesson I had learned in this rather frustrating first ever walking trip to buy a paper. Here is what I learned.
Just because you have the money doesn’t mean you can buy the morning news if no one fills the machine.
Free money still can’t buy the morning news if no one fills the machine.
It’s a long, lonely walk if you don’t get the prize you went after.
I had a lot of questions I couldn’t get answered because the store was closed!
How do I relate that spiritually. A number of ways but I would say it this way;
Don’t put your money into a church that doesn’t give you the Good news on Sunday Mornings!
Don’t depend on anyone else for the Good News of Jesus Christ because you may come away empty!
If you’re going to go a long distance to get the Good News, make sure it is worth the trip!
And what spiritual lessons come to your mind from my morning walk?
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 24:30-34 NIV
I went past the field of the sluggard,
past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest–
34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
Sunday, April 27, 2003
This past week I received a message from a friend and former co-worker. She informed me that more people were laid off in the company where I used to work and told me of some with whom I had worked that were at that moment cleaning out their desks. Even in an e-mail message, I could sense from her words (and her lack of words) a feeling of desperation, probably wondering when it would be her turn to be called into an office to be told that her services were no longer needed.
I remember the day that I received that message. It was hard, and yet I knew that God had something in mind for me. I really feel sorry for the people that work for years to establish their careers and yet neglect to establish a relationship with their Creator, who is the only One who is truly in control of things.
I have no doubt that it was in God’s will that my position was terminated. Did that knowledge make the news easier to take? Probably not. There were good-byes to be said and a there was a time of grief. But, knowing that He is still in control is a great comfort, because I know that no matter what, He has promised to never leave me or forsake me. I can only pray that my former co-workers who lost their jobs this week can find that peace that only God can give during a tough time.
-Ardis Rivera
-Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
”Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”
Saturday April 26, 2003
My wife and I saw the movie “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” last evening. Now, movies don’t normally touch me the way that this one did, and knowing that the author of the Lord of the Rings books, J.R.R. Tolkien was a Christian, we still weren’t ready for what we saw. The battle between good and evil was the focus, as men battled for the future of the planet against demons and such from the dark side.
Now many people would watch this movie and not see the Christian applications, but for me the reminder that the battles are not fought on our level but on a spiritual level everyday could not be missed. As believers, the enemy is trying to destroy us, our families, our reputations, everything that is good in our lives, including our relationship to our savior. We have the weapons to fight against him, God’s word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
Wherever you are in the battle today, know that God’s army is fighting for you! And it you don’t know Christ as your savior, he’s fighting for you too! It’s not too late to open your heart to the one who gave his very Son for you.
-Garrett Novak
-Eph 6:12-14 NIV
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.
Thursday, April 24, 2003
When faced with change, many people pull the blanket of life over their heads like a small child pretending they are not there. The problem is that change, like a loving parent, pulls the blanket up to discover the small child. Hiding from change does not make one better or safer, just paralyzed!!! So, if the winds of change are blowing, put up your sail and enjoy the ride! If God is in it will be a safe ride and a wonderful journey.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 61:2 NIV
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
When I look at the wonders of spring I recognize that change is good. Too often I become entrenched into the “What life is supposed to be syndrome” and I almost miss out on some of the greatest adventure God has for me. Think of what life would be like without seasons, quite bland really. So when you sense God is leading you into new and exciting things called change, at least take the time to peak at the possibility. God may want to bring you into “High Adventure in Jesus!” Remember, in Jesus the sky is not the limit!!!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 61:2 NIV
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Loneliness is not something that you can take a pill for! There is no cure for it except a relationship with another person. Friends and family are a great way of curing loneliness. However, there are many people who have all of those things and are still lonely. How can that be? Because they have rejected the one who is closer than a brother, Jesus Christ. The good news is that this loneliness is curable.
Loneliness is not possible in the presence of God unless you ignore Him and pretend He isn’t there!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 68:6 NIV
God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Monday, April 21, 2003
There are a lot of Christians who focus their faith on Jesus death on the cross and almost forget that we are a church of the resurrected Christ. Frankly, with power over death, Jesus most certainly has the power to help carry or lift off your shoulders whatever burden you have today. Sometimes we just need to focus on the power of God rather than the problems of life.
-Col 2:9-12 NIV
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Sunday, April 20, 2003
Easter Sunday. What does that mean to you? For many people, it means new clothes, Easter eggs, candy, family get-togethers. And there are many people who have no idea of the true meaning of Easter. I remember hearing of a woman who complained to a friend that she had seen some display representing the resurrection and that she couldn’t believe that the church was trying to hone in on Easter.
It is easy to get caught up in the world’s view of Easter, but for the Christian, our celebration today is the basis for our faith. No other religion can point to an empty tomb. Not only did Jesus rise from the dead—He gave us complete and total access to the Father. We don’t need to be afraid to approach Him.
I was thinking about the priests in the Old Testament and how once a year, one would be chosen to pass through the veil and enter the Holy of Holies. The priest had to purify himself before entering the Holy of Holies. When he entered the sacred place, he had a rope tied around him, so that if he didn’t meet God’s standard and was struck dead, he could be pulled out. He had bells attached to the robe of the ephod, and as long as the bells were ringing, the people knew the priest’s sacrifice was acceptable before God. I think many of the priests must have entered the holiest place with a sense of fear, wondering if they could measure up to God’s standard.
When Jesus died, the veil was torn. We no longer have a barrier standing between us and God. We can draw near to Him because Jesus has taken our sin upon Himself and paid our penalty. Jesus is at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us.
My faith rests on the empty tomb. If Jesus is not resurrected, my faith is of no value. But He did come out of that tomb and He lives forever to be my friend and advocate with the Father. If that isn’t a reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is!!!!!!
A few years ago, Ray Boltz recorded a song that talks about this.
Chorus
The bells are ringing
He’s alive
Oh yes the sacrifice is worthy
A sound that cannot be denied
The price has been paid
And as our hands are being raised
Let His holy name be praised
Tell ev’ry nation ev’ry tribe
The bells are ringing He’s alive
Verse 1
The high priest would move
Through the temple
The bells around the bottom
Of his skirt
And as he prepared
An offering there
The sound of the bells
Could be heard
Now there in the Holy of Holies
A sinful priest
Surely would die
But the sound of the bells
Sent a message
To all those who waited outside
Verse 2
Now Jesus was born the Messiah
A man sent to save other men
And scripture proclaims
He is the high priest
Who offered Himself
For our sins
And cold was the tomb
Where they laid Him
And there only silence was found
But on the third day
The stone rolled away
And the whole world
Woke up to the sound
Miscellaneous 1
(BRIDGE)
Open up your heart and listen
Tell me what do you hear
It’s the sound
Of salvation ringing
He’s alive
And there’s no need to fear
1998 Shepherd Boy Music (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)
Words and Music by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan
-Ardis Rivera
-Romans 8:31-39
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Saturday April 19, 2003
It has been said that Easter is the rest of the Christmas story. Thirty-three years after being laid in a manger, Jesus was nailed to a cross, fulfilling his earthly duties. He had triumphed over all sin and temptation that is common to you and me, but yet was willing to give himself to die for our sins instead. He died for all the sin we have committed and will commit throughout our entire lifetime.
Three days after being placed in that cold tomb, the son of God rose from the slab he had been placed on and he took his place (after appearing to hundreds of people) at the right hand of the father, and at the same time assuring every believer of eternal life and a hope that heaven awaits all who call him their savior.
Yes, Easter is indeed the rest of the Christmas story!
-Garrett Novak
-John 19:30 NIV
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
-John 20:1-2 NIV
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Friday, April 18, 2003
It’s always hard to name a church. So often these days congregations try to choose a contemporary name that has a cutesy ring to it. When we started our church we went through a lot of name ideas and settled in for a simple name, Pine City Community Church. In fact, I rather like the traditional names of Our Redeemer, Zion, Holy Cross, Calvary or Christ Community Church because it means something. It tells something about the people in the church and what they believe.
But frankly, I am not convinced that the name has much to do with the success of the church. I have seen churches with magnificent ministries with basic names such as First Baptist, First Assembly, First Presbyterian, etc. It’s not the name on the sign of the church but the name of the one who died on cross for the church who lives in the hearts of the people in the church that brings success to the church. The sign of the cross in our hearts will attract more people to Christ than any sign in front of a church building no matter what the name on it is!
-Lyn Sahr
-Deut 30:6 NIV
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Thursday, April 17, 2003
Early this morning I received an email from a pastor friend asking me if I knew that his brother in law, who was a good friend and a former member in one of our churches, had passed away a few weeks ago. I was stunned. First because I had not been told but secondly the fact that we had not kept much contact the past three or four years. It was a reminder to me to catch up on contacting old friends because you can’t catch up with old friends after they have died.
The bond of love of friends is often neglected in our world today because of the busy schedules we keep. Perhaps this Easter is a good time for all of us to take a moment and remember the great sacrifice Christ made for us. A little of our time spent with an overdue greeting of encouragement and kindness to old friends is not much of a sacrifice for us to give.
Reach out and touch somebody this Easter!
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Thess 2:16-17 NIV
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Spiritual warfare has never been fiercer than at Calvary because it was the battle for the souls of all mankind, not just the life of Christ. All of the evil and demonic power Satan had to offer was unleashed. No wonder the same people who shouted “Hosanna” during the triumphal entry screamed “Crucify Him” only a few days later.
I never cut Peter any slack for his denial of Christ until now. Considering the level of spiritual warfare at Calvary that failed to deny the eternal sacrifice of Christ, I realize that this same onslaught of demonic activity was now lashing out on those who would build the church. And Peter, the rock, would certainly be the place to start.
It teaches me to be careful of my criticism of Peter and of others in the greatest war never reported on the 6 O’clock news, the spiritual war for our souls.
-Matt 26:69-75 NIV
Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.”
74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of it’s troubles, it empties today of it’s strength.” Corrie Ten Boom
Simple but yet profound. Worry never accomplishes anything positive it only saps our strength, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
-John Roe
II Timothy 1:7
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind.”
Monday, April 14, 2003
I stand in awe of God. He is the great caretaker of the faithful. His commitment to us is unmoved by difficult circumstances that may surround us. In fact, at times it seems like He thrives on those difficult circumstances to show His love for us and to bring the shining of His glory in our lives. But too often, when we need Him the most, we shut His love out and prevent His glory from shining in our lives or through our lives. God wants to show His overwhelming love for you, if you will trust Him for your circumstances. He proved it on Calvary and He continues to prove it today.
1 Thess 5:16-24 NIV
Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Sunday, April 13, 2003
This last Wednesday, I showed the children a video about the last week of Jesus’ life. It is easy to forget exactly how horrible the crucifixion was. In this particular video, the camera shows Jesus’ face as the people are crying out for His crucifixion. I saw such a look of sadness that it broke my heart. As hard as the cross itself was, I believe that Jesus’ heart was breaking for the people who were rejecting His offer of love. Of course, He knew the end of the story.
The other day I was asked a question that made me think. The question was if I thought Jesus ever got angry when His disciples just didn’t get it. I see Him as a patient father with a child who just doesn’t get it. I was thinking of the various times when they would ask for explanations of a parable. Sometimes He would just proceed to explain, and at other times, he would make a statement like, “Why are you so dull?” (Matthew 15:16) So I started thinking about what He must have been thinking as the people who were praising Him a few days earlier started crying out for His death. I’m sure His heart was breaking.
But, do we still cause His heart to break over sorrow for our inability to grasp His message for us? How many times do we doubt His promises? How many times do we try to want to do His will, but on our terms? I don’t read anywhere in the Bible that we are promised an easy journey, but we have the promise that He will make the journey with us.
We are called to a life of sacrifice, not of luxury. When I think of the glories of heaven that Jesus left for us, that is sacrifice. When I think of the horrors of the cross, that is sacrifice. Thinking on the sacrifices that He made for me, I can’t think of any sacrifice that is too much. Yet how many times do we make excuses?
The late Rich Mullins made a statement once that I have never forgotten. He said, “If our salvation cost Jesus His life, what makes you think it will cost you any less.” God doesn’t just want us to be in church on Sundays. He doesn’t just want us to give money to His work. He wants us to give Him our entire being, serving Him with everything we have, seven days a week. He gave us His all—how can we do any less?
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 16:24-27
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
Saturday April 12, 2003
When God could have stopped the “mock trial,” and beating of his only Son, He didn’t!
When God could have answered his Son’s cries for help and removed him from the cruel cross, He wouldn’t!
When it came to God not loving us and giving us what we really deserve, He couldn’t!
-Garrett Novak
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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Friday, April 11, 2003
God never wants us to walk in the dark when we have the choice of light.
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 5:20-21 NIV
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Thursday, April 10, 2003
Evil is always evil, and one of the worst evils in this world is greed. It is evidenced in Iraq where a man was so greedy that he killed and abused thousands of people to gain wealth and power. It sounds terrible but the fact is there are people like him in all professions and walks of life, just in a smaller scales. Under the right circumstances, many could rationalize destroying others to keep their wealth or gain more.
Greed causes people to overcharge and malign others in business regardless of the personal degradation of others. Customers used to be someone that you served in business. Today, too often customers are someone you try to take advantage of in business.
Greed has no place in the life of the believer and especially Christian business people and professionals. With their great gifts of success comes great responsibility. God has not called us to greed but rather generosity!
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 12:15 NIV
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
-Rom 1:28-32 NIV
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Wednesday, April 9, 2003
Today a woman told me that she didn’t go to church anymore because the church she had attended wounded her. In listening to her story I realized that the church was operating with good intentions, trying to be obedient to the scriptures while being very short on grace and mercy. The teachings of Jesus can be never be compromised but most certainly must be viewed through the eyes of grace and mercy. Without this essential element to our faith, “love is missing in action!”
-Lyn Sahr
-Heb 4:16 NIV
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Tuesday, April 8, 2003
If we issued “prayer statements” and “prayer reports” like we do “financial statements” and “credit reports,” I suspect there would be a lot of Christians spiritually bankrupt!
When prayer becomes a priority, our priorities become our prayers.
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Peter 4:7 NIV
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Monday, April 7, 2003
People love heroes. We seem to idolize celebrities, sports stars, rock stars and superstars of all types. But wouldn’t it be interesting if we had tee shirts and hats printed with names on them of people who where champion soul winners! It kind of puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?
This Easter Sunday bring your friends and family to church to meet Jesus, the real superstar!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rev 22:16 NIV
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
2 Peter 1:19 NIV
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Sunday, April 6, 2003
The other night, I woke up and of all things, found myself thinking of porcupines. I remember hearing that we had had a dog that had tangled with a porcupine (and lost). I began to consider that, since they cannot really throw their quills, that it really would be stupid to get close enough to one to suffer the consequences of having to pull out its’ quills. I can’t imagine an instance where I would knowingly approach a porcupine, but I am sure that if I knew that I had to deal up close with one, I would wear lots of protective clothing. I am quite sure that if I saw one coming, I would not go anywhere near it unless I had the right kind of clothes on. That would just be utter foolishness.
However, many Christians try to wage spiritual warfare without the proper covering. The Bible instructs us to put on the full armor of God. There is a reason to do this-to be able to stand firm against the attacks of the devil. Trying to stand firm against the devil without the armor of God in place would be like a soldier going to war with no arms. It wouldn’t take the enemy long to figure out that the soldier has no protection. In the same way, we as Christians need to be sure that we are prepared for the attacks that come. We can’t fight them off unless we have taken on God’s protection. Once we have the armor of God on, the devil can throw his “fiery darts” against us, but they won’t harm us. It’s like the porcupine. His quills can’t hurt if I am prepared and have protective clothing on. At that point, his quills can’t hurt. And when we take the armor that God gives us, the enemy can’t hurt us. But it is when we try to fight him in our own strength that we find ourselves in trouble.
-Ardis Rivera
-Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Saturday, April 5th, 2003
It has been said that a hero isn’t any braver than anyone else; they are just braver five minutes longer. This week we have seen a 19-year old American POW (Jessica Lynch), rescued from the hands of Iraqi soldiers by many “heroes.” The coalition troops performed flawlessly, storming the Iraqi “hospital” and freeing one of their own. The soldiers who went on the rescue mission knew one thing, if they did not act a soldier surely die, and they had no choice but to go on a “rescue mission.”
Over two thousand years ago Jesus was sent on his own rescue mission, but instead of allowing even one “POW” (prisoner of the world) to perish, he gave the ultimate sacrifice, himself.
Are you willing to go on a rescue mission for those around you who haven’t yet met the living Son of God? Gather your armor and be ready, thousands upon thousands are perishing daily and it’s time for God’s children to enter the battle. Is today your day to be a hero?
-Garrett Novak
-Eph 6:10-13 NIV
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.
Friday, April 4, 2003
The cross stands between many people and God. By itself it is nothing but as a symbol it represents Christ crucified, His suffering and sacrifice. And this symbol has great meaning to the church.
However, the message of the cross has often been replaced by the message of worship. Now worship is good and essential to the life of the Christian and the church, but it is not the message of redemption. Many people depend upon the worship service to be the focal point of evangelism and so many churches are being filled with people who are attending for the concert atmosphere with awesome music. But who and what are they worshiping. Or are they worshiping at all or just attending a “gospel concert.”
Now don’t misunderstand me, I am all for lively worship services and I love the contemporary worship songs. But I want to point out that worship without the experience of the cross has little or no substance. And it certainly is not, from my understanding and perspective, the evangelism arm of the church.
To lead people to Christ is to lead them to the cross of Christ, His death and resurrection. If people do not experience the cross through repentance then what do they have to worship? When people experience the cross they experience Christ and they have someone to worship. When this happens they also understand the concept of suffering and sacrifice. And the church is dearly suffering from the lack of “repentive heart Christians” who are willing to suffer and sacrifice for the cause of Christ. If this were not so then why is it that most churches are always short of money and we have so few people willing to carry on the ministries of the church such as Children’s Church Leaders, Sunday School Teachers, Nursery Workers, etc.
One of the most common answers people give when they are asked to do Children’s Church or Nursery is, “I don’t want to miss the worship service!”
When people are asked to help with Awana they often say, “I have too many meetings already and with work and all.” Too many meetings often mean too many wrong priorities.
When asked to help at the church cleanup day they often say, “Saturday is the only day I have off to do my work.”
The point is simply this, since worship has become to focus of the church we have lead people to an understanding that worship is what the church is all about. I simply suggest that too many people “got saved” through the joy of worship and missed the whole point, the suffering and the sacrifice of Calvary.
Could it be that we should consider doing something as traditional as leading people to the cross outside of the church and then bring them to worship when they have someone and something to worship. Of course, that means we will have to sacrifice our time and perhaps some money to take the time to share our faith with those who are lost.
-Lyn Sahr
1 Cor 1:17-19 NIV
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Gal 6:14
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Heb 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 13:15-16
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Thursday, April 3, 2003
The greatest gift God gave to us was salvation through His Son Jesus. But that didn’t come without sacrifice. It was the cross that fired the heart of the early church.
Perhaps the real difference between the early church and the modern church can be summed up in that one word, sacrifice. Without personal sacrifice for Christ in the work of God and the church Christians struggle with relating to the great sacrifice of Calvary. Unfortunately, sacrifice is noticeably missing in the modern church.
So without sacrifice, what do we do to fire the heart of the modern church? Well one day someone had a great idea and turned the “house of God” into the “factory of God” and began to manufacture emotion and called it worship!
-Lyn Sahr
-Eph 5:1-2 NIV
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Wednesday, April 2, 2003
Early this morning I loaded up my van with the remains of cardboard boxes and headed to the recycling center. As I struggled to unload my big folded boxes a woman drove up with a small amount of cardboard that she easily carried in one hand and leisurely threw it into the recycling bin. I had never seen anyone bring such a small amount to the recycling center. I thought why didn’t she just wait until she had a big load. For some reason I pondered it off and on for several hours.
Then it suddenly dawned on me. Some people only show up at church like I do at the recycling center, when they have a really big load! And there are those who are wiser than others, they show up at church often with a light load!
Show up at your favorite “recycling center” every Sunday morning!
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 57:15 NIV
For this is what the high and lofty One says–
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Tuesday, April 1, 2003
Being a Christian has a lot to do with forgiveness, God forgiving you and you forgiving others. Anything less would not be Christian.
-Lyn Sahr
-Col 3:12-14 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
