Saturday, August 31, 2002
If there was ever a group of people in Jesus’ day that should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah, it was the Pharisees. After all, they were the learned religious leaders. At times, I have wondered why they were so blind to who Jesus was. I think one of the reasons is that Jesus went against everything they expected or wanted in a Messiah. Maybe they wanted someone to come and defeat Rome and give them back their homeland. Or maybe, they wanted the Messiah to come and tell them what a good job they were doing at being religious. Jesus didn’t do that—as a matter of fact, he was tough on them. For a long time, I thought that Jesus was kind of mean to them, but I have come to see His words in a different light. I don’t think Jesus blasted them; I think He told them the truth, all the while pleading with them to open their eyes and see who He was and what He was offering them. There is nothing better than to have the truth spoken in love.
We do no one a favor by being quiet when it comes to sin. In our world today, we hear the word “tolerance” a lot. It seems we are to tolerate everything today. We are told that we are not to hurt someone’s feelings by telling them the truth. I remember hearing about classes in the schools that would teach self-esteem. But the thinking was so messed up—I tried to get one student to get help in math from another student. The good student happened to be younger, and the reply was that it would hurt the student’s self-esteem to ask for help from that younger student. I wondered what failing math would do for the student’s self-esteem.
As Christians, we need to be careful to speak the truth, but we also need to be careful how we speak the truth. Those around us will recognize if we do it out of love or if we just are trying to pass judgment. Let’s follow the example of Jesus—speak the truth, always showing the way to the Father when speaking the truth.
-Ardis Rivera
-Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Friday, August 30, 2002
Discouragement is something that most people are familiar with and have experienced at one time or another in their lifetime. I once knew a young man who was a good lead guitar player who moved to Nashville thinking he was going to “take the town by storm.” But he was naive and had totally underestimated the skill and connections of the lead guitar players already in Nashville. He was good, but they were great! He was ambitious but they were experienced! His pride forced him to compete with them instead of being taught by them. And he failed miserably.
Was he discouraged? Devastated would be a more accurate term. He did drugs, alcohol and smoked dope. Through it all he lost his wife, his family and his self-respect. In seeking his dream he gave up the most important things in his life. And the story became more tragic as the years went on. Some people never learn and live the rest of their lives with resentment, jealousy and envy as a result of shattered dreams. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
When Jesus was resurrected from the dead He wasn’t thinking of only Himself. When your dreams turn to ashes you need to scrape them up and sprinkle the remains at the feet of Jesus and He will make something beautiful of your life. He may not resurrect your dream but He will replace it with His dream for you, for your life.
God will have the last word and it will be good!
-Isaiah 61 61:1-3NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Thursday, August 29, 2002
Peace is something everyone wants. We hear a lot about the need for peace in the world. I don’t believe we will ever live in a world that is completely at peace. But we can have internal peace. This peace doesn’t come from world events, the state of the economy or anything else the world has to offer. This peace comes from knowing God is still in control, no matter what the circumstances look like.
For a couple of months now I have been wondering what God is doing in my life. I can’t explain why, but I am not worried. I just keep asking God what He is doing. The only way I can explain it is that He has given me a peace that He is in control and that He knows what He is doing.
There is a song that I first heard in Spanish, and I have always liked it, although I don’t hear it very often. I think it sums things up pretty well.
My Peace
Keith Routledge
My peace I give unto you.
It’s a peace
That the world cannot give.
It’s a peace
That the world cannot understand.
Peace to know, peace to live.
My peace I give unto you.
My love I give unto you.
It’s a love
That the world cannot give.
It’s a love
That the world cannot understand.
Love to know, love to live.
My love I give unto you.
© 1975, 1980 Sovereign Music UK (Maranatha! Music [Admin. by The Copyright Company])
–Ardis Rivera
-John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
-Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, August 28, 2002
I have been reading again a book that is very good. I would highly recommend it, but it is written in Spanish, so that could be a problem for some. The book deals with how to find out what your giftings are and how to use them to serve God. The title of the book (translated) is “Lord, How Can I Serve You?” by Marcos Witt. The author talks about being in different conferences and having people come up to him and tell him of a situation where the person was removed from an area of ministry. These people wanted this speaker/author/worship leader to tell them that they belong in a certain ministry. But that is impossible. In the second reading of the book, I noted something that I either missed the first time around, or I just don’t remember reading it. We are encouraged to seek out advice from those around us, but we need to seek the advice of people that know us. It is unrealistic to expect someone who doesn’t know you to be able to give you much (if any) good advice. I realize that God can give someone an insight into a person that he/she does not know, and He has done that. But I do believe that God puts people in our lives to help us in our Christian walk. That is why it is so important to have a group of people that know you around you, so that these people can help you find where God would have you serve.
In a day when bigger seems better, I think we are losing a personal touch. I remember going to school and the teachers (both of them) probably knew all the students in all 6 grades by name, knew their parents’ names and their siblings names. I remember knowing I wouldn’t get by with anything. It was the same way in church. There were people there who probably knew more about my family than I did. The same held true with the neighbors. These people knew me and cared about me. Today much of that has been lost, and in many cases, people would feel uncomfortable thinking that someone really knew them. But, in order to get clear, concise advice from someone, I think there must be a relationship. In the past couple of years, I have needed some advice, and have gone to a few people. I can tell you there is a big difference in talking to someone who knows me than in talking to someone who needs to have me explain who I am first. As we look for the ways we can serve God, we need to have someone objectively point out things to us, and the only way that can be done is if the person knows you. If I say I feel led to be a preacher, but it is apparent that I can’t put two words together or that I freeze up in front of a crowd, chances are I am not really called to be a preacher. Only someone who knows me well would know those things about me. This does not mean that I cannot be trained to be a preacher, but someone who knows me would probably sense this.
There is another side to this. A person who knows me probably cares about me and wants to see me succeed.
We need to seek out counselors and advisors. The Bible instructs us to do this. But let’s make sure that our advisors are trustworthy and that they know who we are and what our heart’s desires really are.
-Ardis Rivera
-Proverbs 20:18
Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.
-Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
-Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisers make victory sure.
-Proverbs 24:6
for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers.
-Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
Tuesday August 27, 2002
We all want results to come from our efforts. Whether in the workplace, at home or in our efforts to evangelize our world, we want to see results. I remember a day not too long ago when I was busy all day and yet I could not see that anything had been done. I couldn’t see any results for the busyness of the day.
We also want results when we witness to friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Oftentimes, we want immediate results. But God doesn’t guarantee us immediate results—as a matter of fact, He doesn’t guarantee any results. He just asks that we be faithful.
I think of Ezekiel. God told him to go and preach to Israel, and then He told him that Israel would not listen. I began wondering if I would have even tried, knowing that the people wouldn’t listen. But God wants us to be faithful in getting out the message, whether or not we see any results. He asks that we be faithful in what He calls us to do, and leave the results up to Him. The sobering thought about all of this is His warning to Ezekiel. God told Ezekiel that if a man rejected the message, Ezekiel would not be held responsible for him if he was faithful in giving out the message, but if he did not give out the message, God would hold him responsible for that person’s soul. We need to take seriously the need to point our fellow man to Christ. I would not want to stand before God and hear that due to my failure to talk to some person, that that person missed out on heaven. After all, I can give out the message—only God can soften the person’s heart to receive it.
By the way, that day that was so busy and yet I could see no results—the results of the day full of work became evident within a couple of days. So, hang in there and keep doing what God has called you to do.
-Ardis Rivera
-Ezekiel 33:7-9
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.
Monday, August 26, 2002
Sometimes it is easy to forget that we are to be a blessing to others. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians about being harassed in Macedonia, and how God used Titus to comfort Paul during a very difficult time. I have often felt that I have nothing to say to encourage someone who is hurting. But there are times that words aren’t needed—the presence of a loving brother and sister can mean a lot during a tough time.
It used to be that we all knew our neighbors. That has changed and I am as guilty as anyone. There are new people moving into the area and I don’t know who they are. We are living such busy lives that we have forgotten to take the time to get to know one another. I don’t think that’s the way God wants it to be. I think He wants us to take time to get to know those around us, and to be a blessing to them. We need to remember that there are many people today who don’t go to church, and who have no one near that they feel they can call on for support. We as the church need to reach out to those around us. We may be the ones that will cause an unbeliever to start seeking out God. It doesn’t need to involve lots of money or time—Jesus said that whoever gives a cup of water in His name will be rewarded. Let’s not do it only to get a reward, but let’s do it because it is what our Loving Father would want us to do.
There’s a song we used to do in the choir when I was growing up that pretty much summarizes the point.
Make Me A Blessing
Wilson, Ira B. / Schuler, George S.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow’r to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true
Every moment you live.
Give as ’twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.
© 1924. Renewed 1952 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 10:40-42
“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Sunday, August 25, 2002
It isn’t nearing January 1, but I have a resolution. My resolution is to strive to draw nearer to God. You may think it is strange to come up with a resolution in August, but for many, August does mean the start of a new year. Many children are starting a new school year and we need to instill in our children the importance of a close, personal relationship with Jesus.
Just because I have come up with this resolution doesn’t mean that I will automatically meet the goal. I have found that there are lots of things that pull me away from God. I don’t watch much TV anymore. I used to turn it on just to have the noise, but we don’t get many channels now, for some reason and I am finding that I don’t miss it. I used to be tied down to the TV schedule—there were certain programs that I just had to see. Now, I can’t see them, and it’s not a big deal. Some people work long hours at their jobs and come home and are just too tired to spend time with God. We can be too busy with “Church Activities” and miss out on our personal time with our Heavenly Father.
The only way that I have found to draw near to God is to spend time with Him. Nothing will ever take the place of prayer and Bible Study. Remember, good things may keep us from the best thing. And drawing close to God and learning from Him is the best thing. I have often thought of how it would be to just lay my head on His shoulder, to hear the beating of His heart and to sense a closeness to the Father. We can experience that, but only when we are willing to spend time with Him, because we love Him.
Draw Me Close
Carpenter, Kelly
You’re all I want, You’re all I’ve ever needed.
You’re all I want,
Help me know You are near.
Draw me close to You
Never let me go,
I lay it all down again,
To hear You say
That I’m Your friend.
You are my desire,
No one else will do,
‘Cause nothing else
Could take Your place.
To feel the warmth
Of Your embrace
Help me find the way,
Bring me back to You.
© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
-Ardis Rivera
-James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Saturday, August 24, 2002
There has been a lot of talk in the past year about the Muslim faith. Before the attack on September 11th, I remember hearing people, who felt they were “good Christian people”, say that all religions are the same and that we all worship the same God, but we just have different names for God and that all religions will lead us to heaven. I actually surprised myself when I became very bold and stated that any other god is a false god. There is still only one way to heaven and that is through the death of Jesus Christ.
There are a few things that I have noticed about some of the other religions. One is that you can visit the tombs of the founders. But, remember, Jesus’ tomb is empty. No other religion can claim an empty tomb. Also, there are religions today that put great emphasis on dying for the cause, such as the suicide bombers, etc. It is an honor to die for their god. These religions want man to die for their god, but only One God sent His Son to die for us.
I have often wondered why people are so willing to die for a lie, and yet, many Christians are unwilling to stand up for the truth. Maybe we need to ask God for a glimpse of His love for the lost world. If we could see just a fraction of His love for the world, I believe that nothing would keep us quiet.
I am reminded of a story of a pastor who was visiting someone in the hospital and stopped by the bedside of a person he didn’t know. It turned out this person was dying and he informed the pastor that he was head of a large group of atheists. The man told the pastor that he was an atheist because of people like him. The pastor asked why he said that, and I will never forget the response of the atheist. He looked at the pastor and said that if the Christians really believed the Gospel message, they would be willing to crawl on broken glass to spread it.
There is a lost world out there that longs to hear the truth. Let’s do all we can to get the Good News out.
-John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Friday, August 23, 2002
Fish In A Rain Barrel
Last year our part of the world experienced a serious drought. To help with water conservation I set up a plastic rain barrel. This year, with the drought a distant memory, it has been nicely filled barrel with reserves for watering plants and casual drinking for our dog in the backyard. However, there was one problem that arose. The plentiful volume of water in the barrel also provided an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes by the hundreds.
To solve this problem I bought some pond goldfish for about nine dollars and put them in the barrel. They loved the larvae and ate them up like popcorn. But after three days they ran out so I went to the pet store and bought them some fish food that cost close to six dollars. To protect my investment, I also put an old screen over the barrel to keep the fish from jumping out. Now not only do we not use the captured water for watering plants (because the fish need it) but the screen keeps our dog from her casual drinking.
The above illustrates a phenomenon that happens at many churches. It all begins with a crisis and need to be met (the drought and the need to save water). In the process of meeting the need in question a problem arises (mosquito larvae in the water) and a program is developed (my fish in the barrel) to help manage it so the original mission can continue. Unfortunately, though, when the program is successful and no longer needed, many churches are so enamored with it that they begin spending their time, money and effort in keeping it going (buying fish food and putting a screen on the barrel) while they abandon their original goal altogether (conserving water).
Proof of this phenomenon in ecclesiastical circles abounds. Take for instance one particular denomination that championed the Sunday Evening service as an opportunity to invite unbelievers to church and hear the Gospel. Today these Gospel meetings continue even though there it is seldom any unbelievers are in attendance. Instead of trying a new program or method to reach out to the lost, they have become worshippers of their program. Take also the example of one church that converted their sanctuary into a multipurpose hall so their children’s programs would have room to meet. Upon the completing of the nice, new edifice, some in the church sought to restrict what kind of activity could take place in order to protect its nice new appearance. Along the way in their program to build for ministry they had become programmed to sacrifice ministry for their building.
Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not against preaching the Gospel when there are people around that have never heard it. And I certainly don’t think that church buildings should just be wantonly abused. I just think that when a program has served its purpose it should be put to rest. In the end, to keep doing some ineffective program out of habit, or for the sake of nostalgia, makes about as much sense as putting fish in a rain barrel.
Pastor Tim
-contributed by John Roe
Thursday, August 22, 2002
Futility may be one of the biggest stress causes in the church today. Congregations feel futile because they cannot find the time or energy to do the work of the church and pastors are feeling futile because they cannot get the congregation motivated to do the work of the church. Then pastors dig in their heals to protect themselves from the frustrated congregation and they begin to spiritualize everything and everybody around them. This causes tremendous pain in the churches as the pastor takes the role of being “Ordained by God” as the spiritual leader and the congregation has suddenly been demoted to the “spiritually inadequate.” The pastor has turned from being the “humble servant” to a “spiritual tyrant!” Unfortunately this is taking place far too often in our churches. Some people are being eternally damaged and some of our churches devastated beyond recover.
If you suspect that you may be in a spiritual abusive situation in your church, know someone who is or if you are a pastor and suspect that you may becoming spiritually abusive I highly recommend that you go today to your favorite bookstore and purchase the book, “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse” co-authored by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen, published by Bethany House.
Is this a problem in our churches today? Not if we turn our heads, cover our ears, close our eyes and harden our hearts!
Wednesday, August 21, 2002
“It’s just another day!” Too many people approach life that way. But life is not an assortment of meaningless days. Life is a precious gift and every day we have on this earth is special. And regardless of how we choose to view each day it doesn’t change the fact that each day is a gift from God and special.
Have a special day!
-Ps 118:24 NIV
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
-Ps 118:28-29 NIV
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Tuesday, August 20, 2002
The sunrise on Seekers Bay this morning is exceptionally beautiful. It’s light dances off the water as diamonds with dazzle beyond description. This morning it is so bright that I cannot look directly into the bay. Only God can make something as beautiful as this. Sometimes I’d like to just have people over here for an early morning time of prayer because the sense of God presence in the beauty of His creation is breathtaking. I am so foolish as to want to think that sometimes God is painting the skies and water just for me when I need it most. And this morning I needed to be reminded of the splendor, beauty and majesty of God.
I am also reminded today of a beautiful Hymn written by Fanny Crosby;
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God.
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above;
Echoes of mercy whispers of love.
Perfect submission – all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and blessed;
Watching and waiting, looking above.
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Fanny Crosby was blind and never saw the beauty of the sunrise or any of God’s creation, except what He placed in her heart. Think of how much more we should be “Praising my Savior all the day long!”
-Ps 28:6-9 NIV
Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Monday, August 19, 2002
When do we trust God, what do we trust Him for and what do we trust Him with? That’s a really tough question but is has a great answer.
The first thing we must do is to trust God through the light of eternity, at all times. If we try to trust Him through the light of this world we all fail. No one is pure enough or strong enough to do so. Too many Christians trust God through the earthly light of their careers, their houses, their cars, their investments, their toys, their family or even their ability. But when we trust God through the light of eternity we see the divine picture. And nothing made here has true light because Jesus is the light of the world.
The second thing we must do is trust God for everything, even the things we love most. If we are living in the light of eternity the things that we love the most and hold dear to our hearts God also loves and holds dear to His heart. This includes our spouses, children, other family members and friends.
And finally, we must trust God with ourselves. It seems a lot easier to trust God for other people’s well-being but when it comes to ourselves we panic easily. Recently a person said to me that one time when she was under a lot of pressure she prayed, “Jesus, I’m really getting worried now!” It made me laugh out loud because of the way she said it and her frank honesty with God. When it comes to trusting God for ourselves I believe that is important that we are frankly honest with Him. I don’t think He can hear a dishonest or untruthful prayer.
And always remember, tears are a language God understands.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 112:4 NIV
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Sunday, August 18, 2002
I have a new CD that has a wonderful song about continuing to sing the song of the Gospel until people hear the message and are set free. The thing that strikes me is that the words of the song say I will sing as long as it takes. Sometimes, we think we only should have to sing it (tell it) once or twice and that’s it. And if by the second time, someone doesn’t get it, it is easy to give up and move on. However, there are people that may need to hear the message many times before they realize what the truth is. I think if we think back to our school days, we can relate. I’m sure there were concepts that took much repetition to learn. Maybe you didn’t experience that, but it was that way for me.
We need to be patient with the people around us. There are times that a person will immediately sense his/her need for God. There are other times that it may take awhile. I know I have become very frustrated at times because there are people around me that just don’t seem to grasp their need of a Savior. Just as the farmer doesn’t expect to plant the seed and reap the harvest the same day, we need to keep planting the seeds and allow God to cause the seeds to take root and grow, creating a desire for the truth.
-Ardis Rivera
-1 Corinthians 2:14
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
-2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.
Saturday, August 17, 2002
I am back playing keyboard at church these days. I have never claimed to be a great piano player, but I realized one thing recently. I have been playing in church and school since I was in the 5th grade. It was never something that I sought to do, but it just happened. About a year ago, I played at a wedding, and even though I struggled learning one part of one of the many songs the couple wanted me to play, I made it through. After the wedding, a couple that I didn’t know came up to me and remarked how wonderful the music was and said that I really had a gift of playing. I wanted to laugh at first, knowing how hard some of the music had been for me. But, I graciously thanked them. But, since that day, I have thought a lot about what they said. I have also heard people talk about hearing someone play a song, and how the song was played perfectly, but it was dead. All the right notes were played, but there was no feeling put into the song—it was just a combination of notes. I became very grateful that I had a teacher who taught me what it meant to put feeling into each and every song. Music without feeling is just a group of notes put together.
I think there are a lot of people who go through the motions of Christianity today. They go to church and probably pray and read their Bibles, but they do it out of obligation. There is no life in their religion. It is purely obligation. Jesus was very blunt with the religious leaders of His day. He told them that they were missing it. They did all the right things outwardly, but their hearts were not right. We need to do the right things—attending church, reading our Bibles and pray. But we need to allow the Holy Spirit to breathe His life into it, or it can become a dead ritual.
I know of a young girl who studied the Bible more than anyone I know. This young girl is not a Christian. She studied the Bible as a mere book, as a means to understand Christianity. She did not read it, allowing the Spirit to reveal things to her. She read it to be able to argue her point. A young man asked me if I would lend him a Bible. He read it and laughed at it. At first I was upset—how could anyone laugh at something so precious! But again, he wanted to prove how wrong the Bible was. I do believe if these two people continue to read the Word, God will get His message through to them, but it won’t be by their intellect, it will be through the Spirit who will quicken the Word to them.
I would encourage you today to commit yourself to not allow your Christian walk become a routine, but to daily ask God to breathe His life into your relationship with Him. Then you will have vibrant, living relationship with Him.
-Ardis Rivera
-2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Friday, August 16, 2002
Burglars used to go into people’s homes at night. They would watch a house and see if the lights came on after dark. Then if it appeared that no one was home they would break in. Or they would wait until people went to bed and then break in. Today the life of the burglar has changed dramatically. They work days!
Since everyone in the family is either at work, school or daycare it is much easier for burglars to break in to houses in the daytime. And then consider that in many neighborhoods no one is home who is going to see them. And even if someone does see them, the neighbors don’t know each other so they wouldn’t know if it was a burglar or the neighbor’s family just moving some junk around. Or perhaps they would think it is a repairman. Regardless, the burglar is working the day shift.
We have really given up a lot when we left the neighborhood world of “Ozzie and Harriet”, “Dennis the Menace” with his neighbor Mr. Wilson and “Leave it to Beaver” for more jobs, more money, more house, more cars, more clothes and more stress. In return we got less relationships, less free time, less family life, less emotional stability and less church life. Is it any wonder that fellowship is a forgotten thing in the church these days or that we gravitate toward larger churches that are not relationship or responsibility oriented?
People don’t have time to have friends these days. But the greater tragedy is that too many people have long forgotten or have never known how to be a friend.
-1 John 1:5-7 NIV
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 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.
Thursday, August 15, 2002
Years ago I asked to borrow a cassette duplicator from a church to make copies of some special community services that were taking place. The pastor told me they were running x number of thousands of copies per week and they just couldn’t allow it to be used by anyone else because they had so many copies to run. This was a small church of about 50 people. I calculated the number he said he was making per week based upon the speed of duplication and discovered there wasn’t enough minutes in the week to make them all if he ran 24 hours a day! He was claiming something that wasn’t thus affecting his ability to live, function and minister in the here and now.
Sometime ago another pastor led me to believe that the attendance at the Sunday morning worship service at the church he was pastoring was about 175. Sometime later I became aware that the average attendance was just over 100. In other words, he was overstating his attendance by over 40%. He was living in an imaginary world that caused him to have a false sense of reality. It clouded his vision as to what was really going on and made his ministry ineffective. He was only kidding himself.
Recently another pastor told me that their 175-seated auditorium was filling up and that they would soon be going to two services. Because of the circumstances I found this hard to believe. A short time later I found out they are averaging about 50 in attendance for their Sunday morning worship service.
Another pastor told me that money wasn’t any problem in their church only to discover that they were running about $2400 a month in red ink!
And then we wonder what’s wrong with the leadership in our churches. Pastors need to start “pastoring” the churches they have and not the churches they want to have. It’s okay to dream, to plan and have vision but it’s not okay to pretend.
Now, what is the attendance in your church again?
-Matt 5:37 NIV
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Wednesday, August 14, 2002
Too often we measure our needs based upon what other people possess. And, of course, we pick those who have much as our measuring stick. However, God’s measuring stick is quite different from ours. He sees our needs in a totally different light.
When I have specific needs I bring it to God and plea my case. But I confess that there are times that I feel we are not on the same page. What makes perfect sense to me God seems to ignore and remains silent. Sometimes I just don’t get it but then I am reminded how God’s sees my needs.
God’s sees my needs in the light of eternity!
-Eccl 3:11-12 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.
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
(Responsive Comment on TFD, Friday, August 9, 2002. Can be found on http://www.churchmouse.net )
Worship is as personal as how you love your spouse. Each couple has signals that they send to one another that don’t mean anything to those around them but are very meaningful to them.. The same is true for our love relationship with the Savior. We each relate to Him in our own love
language. What works for some may not be meaningful to others but is sacred to that individual. Just as our marriage relationships have highs and lows, sometimes we are more expressive than at other times, so is our relationship with and our worship of the Savior. Whether exuberant or quiet, spontaneous or orchestrated, God desires our worship as an expression of our love to Him.
-John Roe
Monday, August 12, 2002
The worship service at the church I attend was somehow more meaningful this morning because of a series of events that happened last week. The worship leader’s 17 year-old son had been the driver in an accident where a bicyclist was killed. The situation was made worse by that fact that he had been drinking and that he left the scene of the accident and never called 911 even though he had a cell phone. Three hours later he turned himself in to the police. I could not stop the tears as the worship leader, a
broken-hearted father, not knowing what the outcome of this will be for his son ministered to the congregation.
“For over fifteen years,” he started out, “I have led worship in this church. I have encouraged all of us to worship God in spite of the circumstances. Whether you are on the mountaintop or in the valley, worship is still the key. I ministered to you, not knowing what you were going through or where you were at in your life, and have always talked about the faithfulness of God being sufficient. Even in a time like this, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is faithful!”
After his remarks the worship team began the song, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. What a moving time that was: Faith being lived out in worship.
Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
-John Roe
Sunday, August 11, 2002
I guess I have Spanish on the brain these days. Here’s another thought that has to do with Spanish. I have discovered in the past 6 months that I prefer listening to Spanish music. It used to be that I could listen to a Spanish CD a couple of times and then I would just have to get back to the American music. Now, it is just the opposite. I have also discovered that as God is using this music to really minister to me, that I have to remind myself that most people around me on a daily basis will get absolutely nothing from the very thing that is really ministering to me. Sometimes, I actually forget that those around me don’t speak Spanish. I have come to realize that Spanish has been a part of my life for more years than I care to mention and it is easy to think that everyone can speak and understand the language. I also have come to realize that from the start, I was a little radical in my love for the Spanish language. I would hurry through my other homework and then spend hours studying verb conjugations, sentence structure and vocabulary. I couldn’t get enough of it. Just to give you an idea—I finished the 2nd year book in 4 months. I have found myself trying to explain to people how great these CDs are and how they are blessing me, and if someone actually listens, I can tell that person probably is missing out on the most important part—the message of the song. I now realize that the only way that I can get someone to appreciate the message of these songs is to teach him or her Spanish. And guess what—that is hard work. But a lot is lost when I try to explain what is said and especially to try to relate the spirit I sense behind the words.
Sometimes, as Christians, we can forget that there is lost world out there. Just as most people thought it was strange that I was devouring the Spanish grammar lessons as fast as I could learn them, there are a lot of people that can’t understand the love we have for our Savior. We can try to explain it, we can use lots of spiritual words, but until that person experiences God’s love first-hand, our explanations will not make much sense. You see, I am convinced that any person who really learns another language will just be blown away by their immense love of language study. However I have been proved wrong on this one. But I do know that very few people can resist God’s love once they experience it first-hand. So, maybe we need to stop using the spiritual sounding words and phrases and just simply introduce them to a God who really loves them and let Him teach them to understand the message of His love for them. He will teach them in way that they will understand and then we will see that these people truly understand what God’s love means to them.
-Ardis Rivera
-2 Timothy 4:1-2
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.
Saturday, August 10, 2002
About 3 ˝ months before we left for Mexico on the Mission Trip, I was on my way to work and I sensed God telling me something that I thought was so obvious that there was no need for Him to tell me that. The thing is—He said it to me 4 times that morning. So, at that point, I figured that there was more to it than what I originally thought. The statement that He kept repeating was very simple: “The people going on the trip in June don’t speak Spanish”. I knew that. I was going as the interpreter, and a group that can speak Spanish has no need of a Spanish interpreter. After the 4th time, I sensed that God wasn’t going to let me in on the secret right away. I had several days to think about it, and one day (again on the way to work), God explained it to me. He showed me that the Spanish language is something that I love and I am good at it. Then He told me that I could either lord it over the group that I could communicate with the people in Mexico and the rest couldn’t, or I could serve the group with the ability He had given me in the first place. Well, I knew immediately what the right answer would be. I also realized that since God had taken the time to reveal this to me, that it might not be as easy as I thought it would be to serve the group with this God-given ability.
Each of us has been given certain talents or abilities that God wants us to use to further His kingdom. Some are very gifted preachers, teachers, or musicians. Some are gifted in teaching children. Others are experts at fixing things. The thing is that once we realize where our giftings are, we need to start using them for God, and for His glory and not for our own glory. It really doesn’t matter what your talent is, take it and use it for Him and allow Him to use you any way He chooses.
Once we realize that the gifts and talents we have come from Him, it should make it easier to keep pride out of the picture. However, pride does come in. One of the biggest dangers comes when we forget that God gives the talents. Therefore, we have nothing to be proud of. The fact that I can interpret for almost anything fairly easily is something that I now know is from God. Of course, I studied and worked hard to learn the language. But every time I have stood alongside someone to interpret, I have been amazed how God helped me remember words and phrases that I hadn’t used or even heard for years. That is truly God. There is no way I can take credit for it. If we can just remember to humbly do what God has for us to do, and give Him the glory, He will pour out His blessings.
-Ardis Rivera
-2 Corinthians 4:5
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Friday, August 9, 2002
It’s easy to be critical of people who may a little over exuberant in worship. When we sing songs of praise unto the Lord it is an expression of our love for Him. Some people have the terrible misconception that singing praises and worshiping God has something to do with ones level of spirituality. In other words, how perfect or holy a person is. Singing songs of praise and worship has everything to do with our love for God, our appreciation of God, our reverence of God but has little to do with our own spiritual perfection. One thing I have learned over the years is how truly imperfect we as people are and the desperate need we have for a perfect Savior. The next time you attend a worship service at your church look around the sanctuary. You will not be looking at perfect people but rather imperfect people worshipping a perfect Savior whom they dearly love, trust and need. I suggest you do the same.
-Ps 33:1 NIV
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Thursday, August 8, 2002
Homeless is a rather polite word to describe someone who has no place to live, no place to work, no money, no food, no possessions, no friends and no family or is forgotten by them. They don’t have “less home,” they have “no home!” But a person who feels unloved does not say, “I am loveless.” No, they say, “I have no love in my life” or “no one loves me.” Never once have I heard someone say they were “loveless.” Why, because they personalize it! We need to start personalizing the plight of those who have nothing and then perhaps we will do something about it.
They next time you see someone who is homeless remember, they do not have “less home” they have “no home!”
-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.
Wednesday, August 7, 2002
There is a misconception these days that God has done all that He is going to do in this world. That signs and wonders are a thing of the past, miracles are no longer necessary and people are somehow supposed to think their way to heaven. I am surprised that some people have not made a computer generated map on how to get to heaven! Can you imagine what the map would look like? If the intellectualism, rationale and reason of people are supposed to carry them to heaven the journey it’s going to be a very, very long. In fact, a lot of people are lost just thinking about it!
But Jesus said, “I am the way…” and declared that there is no map but He will lead, guide and take you to heaven. How does He do that? He does it through the Holy Scriptures. Heaven? No map needed!
-John 14:6-7 NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Tuesday, August 6, 2002
The more we give to God the more we get back. That concept has been widely preached to the past two or three generations. Although I certainly believe we can’t out give God, I think He would have people giving out of their love for Him without consideration whether they got anything in return or not. I don’t think the widow in the text below was expecting anything in return but was giving from a grateful heart. The amount we give is not nearly as important as the attitude and reason for which we give it.
-Mark 12:41-44 NIV
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.”
Monday, August 5, 2002
Interesting, the things we experience in life. Yesterday we held the first service in our new church and today I officiated a funeral for twin boys who died at birth. The difference was dramatic. Yesterday we celebrated, today we mourned. Yesterday we had surprisingly high attendance and a great time of praise and worship. Today the parents, grandparents, family of twin boys mourned their death from the very depths. But I sensed God’s presence in both services.
Although it is difficult, we must remember to trust God in all seasons (experiences) of life.
-Eccl 3:1-8 NIV
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
-2 Tim 4:2 NIV
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;
Sunday, August 4, 2002
I heard a story about a man who entered a village and asked an old man if any great men were born there. The old man wisely replied that no, no great men had been born there, only babies. In order to go from being a baby to being a great man, one must grow and study. Other people must invest time and energy in the life of the “baby” so that he can become a “great man”.
It is the same in the church. No one gets saved and is immediately a “great” man or woman of God. In order to be used by God, it takes a lot of time on the part of mentors, teachers, pastors. I am sure that if we read about any man or woman that has been used by God, there would be a long list of people who invested years in teaching and mentoring that person. Yet, it seems that there are those that expect a new Christian to be ready to take on the world immediately. We don’t expect a month-old baby to do much on his own. We realize he needs to grow and mature. Let us remember that spiritually, the same thing is needed. The new Christians need to be nurtured before they can give out. They need to be allowed to study under the leaders in the church and they need to know that when they start taking their first steps of faith, that the rest of us will be there to encourage them, and not to criticize them for each mistake that is made. Those who have been Christians for a while need to take the time to mentor and disciple the new Christians. Then and only then we will see the babies grow into great men and women of God.
-1 Peter 5:1-5
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
Saturday, August 3, 2002
I was just reading an article that stated that many people who go to church regularly have never been taught the importance of evangelism. They have been taught to be good people, to do the right things and to live good lives. But they have not been taught to witness of their faith to others. This is strange, since the last words Jesus spoke before leaving this earth were instructions to evangelize the world.
I began to wonder why this is the case. Since we have the key to heaven in our hands, we should be willing to give it to all who will listen. However, there seems to be a feeling (even among some of the “church people”) that we don’t want to antagonize anyone and to imply that someone may be lost and headed for hell could antagonize that person. I have heard people say that it doesn’t matter what you call God, whether Allah, Buddha, or whatever else, that all names refer to the same God and that all religions lead to heaven. Needless to say, I was shocked the first time I heard that, but statements like these made me realize that a lot of people are living every day, believing lies. And if they continue believing these lies, it means the difference between heaven and hell. All of a sudden, at least it seems that way to me, I became very bold in pointing out that there is only one-way to heaven. Being a good person isn’t it and going to church every Sunday isn’t it. The only way to heaven is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. And I decided I needed to share that with anyone who would listen.
I challenge you to be on the lookout for people with mistaken ideas about faith. Don’t be afraid to stand up for the truth and share the Gospel with these people. The worst that can happen is that your message will be rejected. But that person will not be able to say he never heard the message. And the seed you plant may be what will eventually lead that person to Christ.
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
-John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”
Friday, August 2, 2002
We have waited with great anticipation for this weekend. There have been struggles along the way but God has truly blessed us. And here we are, ready to have our first service in our new church. We have Praise Team practice tonight where we will be holding our first service.
People keep asking me how many people will be attending the first service. The answer is as many as God calls and they respond to His call. How many people are in attendance is not nearly as important as that God is in attendance!
Please pray for our weekend. There is a good chance of rain, which will affect our Praise in the Park Saturday afternoon and cause us to move it inside. And pray that the presence of the Lord will be mighty among us for our first service on Sunday morning.
-Ps 89:15-17 NIV
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. 17 For you are their glory and strength,
Thursday, August 1, 2002
We have all heard the phrase, “Sweet Revenge” used by people from time to time. Nothing could be further from the truth. Revenge is never sweet and, in fact, only digs a bigger pit of emptiness leaving a residue of bitterness in the person who even seeks it.
-Rom 12:18-21 NIV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
