Sunday, December 31, 2006
Being rich isn’t how much you have but rather how little you need!
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 22:2 NIV
Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Can you think back 365 days ago? You were getting ready to start a new year, full of expectations, dreams, plans and maybe a resolution or two?
Now, how many were you able to accomplish? One? Two? Ten? None? Making plans is easy, but following them through is the hard part. Just check your mailbox this week as the major retailers across the country send out their advertising featuring exercise equipment and clothing.
I have to admit that I have joined the crowd with the “this year I’m really going to lose those 20 pounds.” I’ve said it before, but come the third or fourth day of January, I’m already “slipping” into those old habits.
Isn’t it good to know that God is there to forgive us time and time again when we “slip” into sin? We can ask for forgiveness, again and again. The problem is, we seldom learn the first time, and it takes a bit of “slipping” to make us realize that God is trying to teach us something.
In 2007, make sure that spending more time with your Savior is one of your top priorities, that way when you start “slipping,” He’s right there to help pull you up.
-Garrett Novak
-Matthew 19:26 (MSG)
Then Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
Friday, December 29, 2006
When the world caves in around you, use you Bible to shovel yourself out!
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Sam 22:31-37 NIV
31 “As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
33 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 You give me your shield of victory;
you stoop down to make me great.
37 You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
When I played football and basketball in high school the game days were special. There was a sense of high expectation and urgency. The days in between games were “just days” (I should have used them to study!). Today I no longer have football or basketball game day expectancies. I have something better. I have eternal expectancies!
When we live in the presence of the Almighty every day is game day because there is an expectancy and urgency of the second coming of Christ. Could it be in 2007 that Jesus will come for His own? I’d rather be ready than remaining! How about you?
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Thess 3:13 NIV
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
– Job 19:25-27 NIV
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes-I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
In our recent food/toy distribution in a small town in Western Wisconsin, 385 families lined up for some help over the holidays. That is approximately 1425 people helped!
It has been said about gifts that, “it is the thought that counts.” But when it comes to food for those in need, it is the quality and quantity that counts. Thoughts without action get no one fed!
-Lyn Sahr
-James 2:14-17 NIV
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
In the upcoming year give God more than your tithes and offerings, give Him your life!
-Lyn Sahr
– Ps 29:11 NIV
The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Monday, December 25, 2006
When the little children gather around the Christmas tree today to open their presents there really is only one gift that really matters, mom and dad together with them as a family.
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 9:6 NIV
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
The giving of gifts meets the human need, giving of Christ meets the spiritual needs. Celebrate Christmas with the joy of the Lord.
-Lyn Sahr
-Neh 8:10 NIV
“This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Can you imagine all the commotion? It was a busy time; no rooms left anywhere as people had come back to Bethlehem to be registered in the census. Yet behind an inn, most likely partially carved into a hillside stable, Jesus was born. It was pretty obvious that the teenager, Mary, was with child, and this special child wasn’t going to wait to be born.
Then a bright star starts to shine in the stillness of the night, all of a sudden shepherds are seen in town hurrying towards this stable. Those staying at the inn most likely noticed something “different” going on. I wonder how many decided to go have a look? Travelers from different tribes, mixing with these “common” shepherds…animals, and what is all this fuss about a baby? It was truly a “seeker sensitive” service, as all you saw the baby Jesus bowed down at his feet.
I’m sure they were speechless at the foot of the manger, when they realized who this baby was, the messiah whose birth was foretold for centuries.
This Christmas, take time to be “amazed” that God loved you so much, that He sent His son to make a way for you. If you were the only person on the earth, Jesus still would have come to die in your place.
That truly is the greatest gift of all.
Merry Christmas!
-Garrett Novak
-Luke 2:15-20(NIV)
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the news concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Friday, December 22, 2006
The Christmas story needs to be told year around, offering people the opportunity for salvation. If Christians in your church told one person the Christmas story every week for a year and those people became believers in Jesus Christ and came to your church, the church growth book sellers would go out of business. Often the most simple and obvious things… are the clear answers.
-Lyn Sahr
-John 3:16
“For NIV 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.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
When our family gathers for an early Christmas I was surprised to learn we were eating chili. Hmmm, where’s the turkey, dressing and potatoes? I realized that this was the ladies decision in the family, not the men. I suppose I could object or offer to cook the dinner myself and then I came to my senses. We are having chili!
It is similar in our churches where people would like great Christmas programs but never offer to help or include a time commitment with the gifts they have to make the program better. Yes, for great things to happen someone has got to do them.
So it is with the Christmas story. It must be told.
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 1:23 NIV
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-which means, “God with us.”
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Christmas is a time of year where people need to be remembered. From the homeless on the back alley, the dying in the nursing home, the runaway teen weeping for a parents touch to the soldier across the world in battle people want to be remembered. If you have someone you should be remembering this year, don’t delay a needed phone call to wish someone a Merry Christmas! After all, our Heavenly Father remembered us on the first Christmas when He sent His one and only Son as our Redeemer.
-Lyn Sahr
-Heb 13:16 NIV
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
If Jesus birth had to have been decided by committee we wouldn’t be celebrating Christmas because He wouldn’t have been born yet.
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 1:35-36 NIV
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Monday, December 18, 2006
I don’t understand all the “todo” about not calling Christmas, Christmas. After all, when the government declared it a holiday that’s what they called it!
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 9:6 NIV
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
If Christmas were about gifts they would have called it “gift-mas,” not “Christ-mas!”
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 6:23 NIV
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Have you ever wondered why the angels first appeared to shepherds on the night Jesus was born? Think about it, no respectable person wanted their job, nor would they most likely have been awake at that hour.
There they were, probably telling stories around their fire, when all of a sudden there is bright light, and an angel telling them not to be afraid. Since they were out in the Judean wilderness, they were used to seeing things, but this was different. But the angel said to them “Do no be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy for all people.”
They were so excited; they probably dropped their shepherd’s staff and rushed to see Jesus. Then, they started telling people about the newborn baby!
God doesn’t just use preachers in “mega” churches, or polished speaker to tell about His son. God uses you and me, just as we are! This Christmas be like those shepherds who first saw Jesus and worship Him and tell those around you what Christmas really means!
-Garrett Novak
-Luke 2:8-14(NIV)
And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy for all people. Today in the town of David, a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Friday, December 15, 2006
The world shines at Christmas but Christmas shines all year around!
-Lyn Sahr
-John 8:12 NIV
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The only reason we have referees for games is to keep the rules. Without them a game is chaos.
The Bible is the rule book for living and it appears to me that our conscience is the referee. But, like a good ballgame, sometimes there are so many distractions or the crowd noise is so loud you can’t hear the referees whistle. In the game of life, this can be a disaster.
When you are off your game, you must spend time alone with the coach to know how to play the game of life correctly. When you play the game of life taught by the Holy
Spirit the referee rarely blows his whistle.
When you are taught the game of life by the Holy Spirit, you don’t always win but you never lose!
-Lyn Sahr
-John 14:25-27 NIV
“All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Millions of dollars are spent each year to spray Christmas trees green so they appear to be alive. Too bad we couldn’t do something like that for some Christians in our churches, especially during worship time!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 6:11-14 NIV
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Christmas story has never changed but it has changed a lot of people!
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 2:1-20 NIV
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Monday, December 11, 2006
The state Georgia has 1 out of every 5 homes in foreclosure. That is a staggering statistic and a tragedy for many families. During these times the church needs to play a big role in support to people going through difficult times. Not that they can make their house payments but certainly Christians should be praying for and with those who are struggling. Christmas with no house to put a tree in doesn’t provide a lot of bright lights. Bring Jesus to families living in darkness this Christmas.
-Lyn Sahr
-John 12:46 NIV
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Today I attended the first of three or four Christmas programs I will be attending in the next few days. This program was “home made,” being written by someone in the congregation, and it was excellent. The amount of work that went into it was staggering and obviously it was well planned and many, many people put a lot of work into the props and costumes. Everything was… almost perfect.
Of course most of the program was elementary age children and, even in the group, there were some whose personalities showed through. And there were the common miscues of forgetting lines, waiving at mom and dad, forgetting the motions, etc. One thing that jumped out at me more than anything was the children seemed to forget to go off stage when they were suppose to and had to be prompted by adults, one at a time. They didn’t follow the crowd but just kind of did their own thing once they were on stage and done performing. Yes, even in a great Christmas program everything is not perfect.
As I watched the children perform I small voice spoke to me and said, “Lyn, this is the way church is. Everything is laid out to operate smoothly in the congregations but because there are people in the church they make mistakes, get caught up in their own wants and needs and forget about the others they are on stage with.”
I suddenly realized that I have often been too harsh with my criticisms of the church. It is made up of imperfect people whom we somehow have gotten the idea that they are supposed to act perfect in the affairs of the church. That is so unrealistic!
The church is made up of children, we call them adults, sharing the stage with others and trying to find their part to fit into the whole production. And there is going to be miscues, forgotten things, works spoken out of script and some embarrassing moments. Oh, and did I mention stress?
We expect too much from the people whom we love and call “our church.” That’s why God invented “forgiveness,” patented it in heaven and had His Son perform it live on the earth some 2000 years ago!
P.S. The church’s performance wasn’t perfect then and it won’t be perfect now.
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 7:14 NIV
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Saturday December 9, 2006
Nativity. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as: The birth of Jesus; A representation such as a painting of Jesus birth; or Christmas.
Many churches across the country are holding “live” Nativities this Christmas season and there are usually at least one or two in our upper Midwest city of Eau Claire. If you get a chance to see one, they are quite remarkable.
In fact, you can also see The Nativity Story in theaters this Christmas, and from the reviews I’ve read, many say that it will give a deeper understanding about the conditions at the time Christ was born.
Christ was born just as God had planned, at just the right time. Over the next few Saturday’s I’ll write about the significance of the Nativity and those who were told first, those who were there at the birth, and those who came to worship the baby Jesus.
-Garrett Novak
-Luke 2:1-7(NIV)
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and the line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Friday, December 8, 2006
To live is to love and to love is to live. Without love, no one really lives, they just breathe!
Sounds empty? That’s life without Christ!
-Lyn Sahr
-John 4:16-17 NIV
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
Thursday, December 7, 2006
I have long said that the first qualification of being a leader is to learn how to be a follower. Often leaders have never really served or learned how to serve others. And sometimes they have forgotten what it is like to be a follower, especially if they have lost their reason, purpose or vision to lead or it has become distorted. The result is that the leader thinks they have followers when in reality he/she has prisoners, captivated in bad circumstances. This can happen in the corporate world as well as civic organizations. Oh yes, I know it is hard to believe, but it happens in churches too.
It has been said, “A leader without followers is just a person taking a walk!”
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Sam 12:23-25 NIV
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
I stand amazed at the immaturity of so many believers when it comes to gossip. For years people had a tendency to read a book and just because someone had published it, it was accepted as truth. Finally in the sixties there was a cultural revolution that words written no longer were accepted as fact. In other words, we realized that people wrote lies. Out of this movement many Christian organizations were born that challenged the media, publishing and film industries. But we have not quite yet had the same understanding about spoken words.
Christians are to quick to listen and share as truth what someone tells them about another person or organization without ever knowing the facts, hearing the other side of the story or asking the person who is being maligned about what he or she has been told. No, we seem to thrive on half truths or lies and what’s even worse, we share them. I have done it, you have done it and Christians everywhere have done it.
Assuming that someone listens and believes the words as truth of the “well intentioned dragons,” they have become a gossiper. Gossip takes two people, a speaker and a listener, to be achieved. A speaker without a listener cannot gossip.
When people gossip about me, and trust me they do, I am offended by the half truths and lies that are spoken. But I am more offended that someone who is supposed to be a Christians or is supposed to care about me is participating in the gossip without ever seeking the truth or my perspective on the matter.
Gossip is destructive and it is sin! If we don’t deal with it here, where will we deal with it?
-Lyn Sahr
-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.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
As many of you know, we distribute food to about 4000 people a month not counting the food shelves we serve. We have these big diesel trucks that have to go and pick up the corporate surplus food from various companies. Our oldest truck is a 1993 Ford 7000 diesel. Because it lacked power and acceleration we believed it needed the diesel pump rebuilt and injectors replaced for somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,000. One of our senior volunteers told me he had some stuff to put in the fuel that would perhaps help. I resisted somewhat and made sure it was meant for diesels but realized that we had never tried any additives to help clean the pump or injectors. He said the additive was called “Marvel!” So we dumped some in the fuel tank and away I went to pick up food.
As I was leaving town I decided to stop at the parts store and pick up some anti-gel for the fuel tank also as it was cold and windy and I didn’t want to risk gelling in the fuel line and being stalled. As I was getting the anti-gel product I noticed a bottle of “Marvel” on the shelf. I asked the clerk about it and he said, “Oh, that’s an old product and we don’t sell much of it anymore.”
Well, as I was driving the truck I began to notice that is seemed to have more power. As I was on the freeway suddenly cruising speed had increased 5 MPH and going up the big hills seemed to require less downshifting. As hard as it was for me to admit it, that old outdated “Marvel” had done something positive to the power of our truck!
So it is with our churches. Perhaps we should grab a hold of that old fashioned religion that has produced such “marvels” over the centuries that martyrs died for, missionaries sacrificed for and Christians sang about and get on our knees and pray. Perhaps even face down on the ground as the prophets of old sought God or the forgotten altar calls in our churches, the prayer before the services, healing the sick, feeding the poor and reaching out to the lost. There is an old chorus that perhaps says it best.
“I marvel at the wisdom of my God,
I marvel at the wisdom of my God,
Just like the little lily that pushed back the mighty sod,
Oh, I marvel at the wisdom of my God!”
Today we seem to always want something new to replace what has always worked!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 11:33-36 NIV
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Monday, December 4, 2006
I got up early this morning to attend the Minnesota Hunger Summit where Senator Norm Coleman was one of the speakers. I had been anticipating this for some time. I got up to a dusting of snow with a little ice on the road and started driving down the freeway in the dark to Minneapolis. I came upon a car that had caught on fire and there were two fire trucks, an ambulance and a police car all with their lights on. As I slowed down I suddenly saw the lights of a vehicle coming behind me at a high speed. Obviously he wasn’t watching what was going on and even though he may have tried to brake at the last minute he smashed into the back of my car at a high rate of speed. I was smacked violently forward in the seatbelt toward the windshield and the mirror flew of the windshield. Now I know what the word whiplash really means.
I got out of the car and walked to the back to survey the damage. I thought that the car would be obviously totaled out with the trunk smashed into the back window. I looked at the car in disbelief as there was no visible damage to the vehicle. “How is this possible,” I thought. I got the drivers name and insurance information in case there was further unseen damage to the car or personal injury that needed medical care. I jumped back into the car and continued to the conference.
Logically I can rationalize that there was ice on the road and when he hit me there was no resistance on the tires so therefore he hit me square causing the car to jolt forward on the ice without damage. And that probably makes no sense but it is the only way I can explain this with human logic.
On the other hand, maybe God just put His hand in there knowing I had nothing else to drive!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 95:1-7 NIV
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
As many of you know, we distribute food to about 4000 people a month not counting the food shelves we serve. We have these big diesel trucks that have to go and pick up the corporate surplus food from various companies. Our oldest truck is a 1993 Ford 7000 diesel. Because it lacked power and acceleration we believed it needed the diesel pump rebuilt and injectors replaced for somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,000. One of our senior volunteers told me he had some stuff to put in the fuel that would perhaps help. I resisted somewhat and made sure it was meant for diesels but realized that we had never tried any additives to help clean the pump or injectors. He said the additive was called “Marvel!” So we dumped some in the fuel tank and away I went to pick up food.
As I was leaving town I decided to stop at the parts store and pick up some anti-gel for the fuel tank also as it was cold and windy and I didn’t want to risk gelling in the fuel line and being stalled. As I was getting the anti-gel product I noticed a bottle of “Marvel” on the shelf. I asked the clerk about it and he said, “Oh, that’s an old product and we don’t sell much of it anymore.”
Well, as I was driving the truck I began to notice that is seemed to have more power. As I was on the freeway suddenly cruising speed had increased 5 MPH and going up the big hills seemed to require less downshifting. As hard as it was for me to admit it, that old outdated “Marvel” had done something positive to the power of our truck!
So it is with our churches. Perhaps we should grab a hold of that old fashioned religion that has produced such “marvels” over the centuries that martyrs died for, missionaries sacrificed for and Christians sang about and get on our knees and pray. Perhaps even face down on the ground as the prophets of old sought God or the forgotten altar calls in our churches, the prayer before the services, healing the sick, feeding the poor and reaching out to the lost. There is an old chorus that perhaps says it best.
“I marvel at the wisdom of my God,
I marvel at the wisdom of my God,
Just like the little lily that pushed back the mighty sod,
Oh, I marvel at the wisdom of my God!”
Today we seem to always want something new to replace what has always worked!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 11:33-36 NIV
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
When churches are operated in the flesh we shouldn’t be surprised when flesh appears instead of Spirit.
When preachers preach in the flesh we shouldn’t be surprised when flesh appears instead of Spirit.
When Christians worship in the flesh we shouldn’t be surprised when flesh appears instead of Spirit.
When Christians pray in the flesh we shouldn’t be surprised when flesh appears instead of Spirit.
When Christians live in the flesh we shouldn’t be surprised when flesh appears instead of Spirit.
Death to the flesh is life in the Spirit. Until flesh gives way to Spirit people will continue to cheat themselves out of the greatness God has for them.
-Lyn Sahr
-John 6:63 NIV
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Being a parent today is hard work! With all things that take up our time it’s easy to let the TV or the computer be the babysitter, and do our important “adult” things.
As you are beginning to focus on Christmas this month of December, why not turn off the TV and computer for a time and read the Christmas story (instead of watching another Christmas DVD)? Or how about talking about the Advent season while you light the candles or explaining the significance of the nativity statues as you put them up? Instead of rushing through Christmas, as is so easy to do, take time with your family and talk about the real reason to celebrate.
-Garrett Novak
-Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Friday, December 1, 2006
I was at the local high school this morning and everywhere I turned students were using their cell phones. I think I have finally figured out how to get teens to pray. God can set up a cell phone number where they can call Him direct or text message him. Then they wouldn’t be able to resist being online with God many times a day. They could talk to him on their way to school, in between classes, during lunch hour and after school. It seems like the answer until I realize that they already have full access to God and it doesn’t count against their cell phone minutes. That’s just like God; He picked up the tab for everything!
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Chron 7:14-15 NIV
…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
