Thursday, May 31, 2001
The hope of the next generation does not lay in the Sunday morning “Worship Service” but rather the Monday through Saturday “Christian service.” After all, isn’t Sunday the Christian church’s day of rest!
-1 Cor 12:4-6 NIV
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Wednesday, May 30, 2001
When little children pray for their parents, I believe there is a “holy pause” in heaven. Children’s prayers are so powerful and especially when they pray for their parents.
What do children typically say when they pray for their parents? They don’t typically ask for things for themselves. Often they pray something like this:
“Dear Jesus, please make mommy and daddy quit fighting and hollering at each other. Help daddy to love mommy more and help mommy to love daddy more. And dear Jesus, please don’t let my mommy and daddy get a divorce like so many of my friends mommies and daddies…”
Isn’t it is time for a “holy pause” in the home?
-Ps 103:17 NIV
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children–
Tuesday, May 29, 2001
I enjoy the finer things in life, a great time of worship with God’s people, a time of prayer when God seems to meet with me in a very special way, when God speaks to me through His Word, the loving bond of my immediate family and good Christian fellowship with family and friends. These are the finer things in life to me.
What are the finer things in life to you?
-1 Tim 6:17 NIV
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Monday, May 28, 2001
Every person in the church has special talents to be used for God’s purpose and none of them should be wasted!
-1 Cor 12:4-6 NIV
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Sunday, May 27, 2001
As the decline of the American Family continues, in the future we may find the only place you will find the great traditions we have enjoyed as families is in the history text books!
-Prov 17:6 NIV
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Saturday, May 26, 2001
The world is full of needs. More than any of us can even begin to comprehend. When Christians financially support foreign missions and tithe to the local church there is a tendency to take a deep spiritual breathe and think their part is done. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I once knew a man who gave large sums of money to his local church but, because he traveled a lot for his business, was only in church occasionally and was not involved in any ministry. He usually attended the social functions and special or holiday programs. The money he contributed really helped the church but the ministry of the church is only a shadow of what it could be had he put his talent to work as well.
Don’t ever think that the church doesn’t need your talent and don’t ever think you have no talent to give to the work of the church. Keep on giving but don’t neglect the work of the church.
-Matt 23:23-24 NIV
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Friday, May 25, 2001
Memorial Day is a time to remember. In America, we honor and remember those who fought and gave their lives for freedom. For this, we are grateful.
However, periodic times of spiritual reflection are good for us. From time to time we need to sit down and do a “blessing inventory.” A conscious effort to remember, perhaps even write down, the times and ways that God has blessed us over the years. Don’t forget the special moments when He was especially near.
-Ps 77:11-12 NIV
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Thursday, May 24, 2001
Everything I try doesn’t work but I am trying. I don’t always do everything right but I am doing something. I’d rather be a broken vessel for God than a fine vase sitting on the church shelf! There is no risk in being an ornament in the Kingdom of God! It’s safe to exist where we are just looked at and never touched! God didn’t call us to be pretty; He called us to a purpose. The Kingdom of God doesn’t need more ornaments; it needs more oracles (Def: Divine Utterances)!
-1 Peter 4:11 NIV
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
-Jer 23:36 NIV
“…every man’s own word becomes his oracle…”
Wednesday, May 23, 2001
Frustrations come and go but the words we speak to others out of our frustration can last a lifetime! The freshness of God cannot coexist in the mildew of the past! If we are going to be a new person in Christ it is time to get on with it!
-Eph 4:22-24 NIV
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Tuesday, May 22, 2001
In the quite times with God, when we are sure that no one else is listening or will ever know, we ask God, “Why?”
When God is ready, He will lead, You must follow.
That is the answer to most of the why’s we ask.
-John 10:27-28 NIV
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Monday, May 21, 2001
Recently I put together a slideshow for each of our four daughters from the time they were born until they graduated from high school. There are about 250 pictures of each of them. It was sure fun to see the pictures of them, especially the ones with them sitting by Paul Bunyan’s shoe. He was sooooooo big! It was fun to tell them the stories of how big he was.
As we were looking at the pictures we realized that we had taken our three oldest daughters up to Brainerd, Minnesota to see Paul Bunyan but had somehow never got around to taking our youngest daughter there. Even though she is almost twenty-one years old I could tell that her mother was having thoughts of taking her there to make sure she hadn’t missed out on anything.
We may have come up a little short with Paul Bunyan but we made sure nothing was left out when it came to God. Our children have been taught that God is soooooo big, bigger than life itself! And, unlike the fable of Paul Bunyan, God is Real!
If you are unable to teach your children the scriptures in a way you would want or perhaps your example is a little tarnished, always remember to teach your children how big God is! He is sooooo big!
In the words of the song by Stewart Hamblin…
How big is God, how big and wide His vast domain.
To try to tell these lips can only start.
He’s big enough to rule this mighty universe.
Yet small enough to live within my heart.
*Read Psalm 104
Sunday, May 20, 2001
“You’re invading my space!” How many times have you heard people say that in recent times. People are very self-centered, want privacy and they are going to great extremes to get it. There may have never been a tougher challenge than today for the gospel message, “Jesus, invade my space!”
-Eph 4:24 NIV
“and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Saturday, May 19, 2001
Recently in a nearby community a three-year-old girl died after contracting some form of bacteria. She died in about a week after having severe flu like symptoms. Two other children in the same community have also become ill from the same bacteria, but not as severely. It seems that about the time we think we have conquered all something like this occurs that our miracle medicines cannot cure. It is a solemn reminder that there are no guarantees of tomorrow regardless of our ages.
If we measured age by how long we have left to live rather than how long we have lived some people would be a lot older than they think. This little girl, being perfectly healthy a week before she died, was much older than anyone thought. Using this measuring stick for determining our age is a reminder to cherish the people we love and hold every day precious.
-Ps 90:12 NIV
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
-Ps 27:4 NIV
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Friday, May 18, 2001
The power of God and the purpose of God are totally two different things. We often get them confused. As we wonder why God doesn’t do something we should never confuse that with His ability to do something. God is certainly able but His divine purposes may be different than what we think and they are not always clear to us, at least at the moment. It’s important for us to accept and appreciate the fact that God is God!
-Isa 12:2 NIV
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
Thursday, May 17, 2001
Are Sunday School Teachers Important?
The Sunday School teacher saw him and no doubt felt compelled to befriend him and share the gospel with him. He was only 17 and had just moved to Boston. He had left his family in the small town of Northfield, MA and had set out to seek his fame and fortune in the big city. His father had died when he was only four years old. He was the sixth of nine children. He lived with his uncle in Boston and he got a job as a shoe clerk there.
One day the Sunday School teacher gave this young man opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and he accepted the invitation. IT WAS A GLORIOUS EXPERIENCE FOR THE TEACHER. Of course, it was also a glorious experience for the young man. The teacher continued his ministry in Sunday School, chalking up those souls one at a time, year after year.
Sunday School teachers have a ministry that is very precious in God’s sight. The have opportunity to share the gospel over and over again to a captive audience. Their ministry is perpetual in that it constantly evolves from conversion to conversion throughout the generations. The example of this Sunday School teacher’s ministry perpetually touching lives for Christ is exuberating.
No doubt there were countless conversions that we could share, but this young lad is an especially good example.
He left Boston a short time after his conversion and accepted a position as a shoe salesman in Chicago. The Sunday School teacher’s ministry would continue in the young man’s life and in the streets of Chicago.
The young man attended a congregational church in Chicago, became interested in church work, and was soon asked to be a Sunday School teacher. The scripture says that Christians will be known by their fruits and certainly this Boston Sunday School teacher had now produced another Sunday School teacher. Fruit is reproduction.
Because the young man didn’t know any better and had not been spoiled or soiled by the “It can’t be done” crowd, he went out and gathered enough children for many Sunday School classes. In fact, he had to move his Sunday School class out of the church and into the North Market Hall because it had gotten so large. Fifteen hundred is a rather large Sunday School class by anyone’s standards, wouldn’t you say?
During the Civil War he personally ministered to the soldiers. He injected new life into the Y.M.C.A. and later became its president. He had a part in erecting two Y.M.C.A. buildings in Chicago. He raised money and, at the age of 26, built a church in Chicago. It burned in 1871 and he raised more money…and built it again.
Although he had a meager education and was never ordained, he became a great, and effective preacher and evangelist. Furthermore, he became a great educator and a builder of schools. In 1879 he erected the Northfield Seminary for girls! In 1881 he erected the Mt. Hermon School for boys. In 1886 he started the first Bible School of its kind in the country, Chicago Evangelization Society. He obviously became convicted that the Body of Christ must take responsibility to educate the following generations to carry forth the gospel. He also obviously felt that it should cost his generation to educate those who would carry on the message. Although this school now bears his name, they also maintain the bearing of his heart. To this day, they charge no tuition. The school is funded by the Body of Christ, each generation caring for the future by providing funds to educate and prepare workers for the next generation.
In 1873 he began a campaign in England to evangelize Europe. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, became Christians through his preaching. It is said that he traveled more than 1 million miles, preached to more than 100 million persons, and personally dealt with more than 750,000 individuals.
Are Sunday School teachers important!?!? They have perpetual ministries through the generations, generally untraced but not forgotten by their students. This teacher’s name was Edward Kimball. You won’t find his name in church history but even you or I could be a fruit of his labor. This does not take into consideration the Sunday School teachers he may have had in his life. Sunday School teachers are very, very important in the Body of Christ and we need to appreciate them. Edward Kimball died but his ministry lives on.
By the way, the young man’s name was Dwight L. Moody. He also died but his ministry lives on.
-Lyn Sahr, 1995
Wednesday, May 16, 2001
If the leadership in our churches fail, is it because they failed to lead or that the congregations failed to be lead? It’s like, “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” The answer is that it really doesn’t matter because you still have chickens and you still have eggs!
So it is with churches. It doesn’t matter whether the leaders are failing to lead or the congregation won’t be lead the problem still exists. The church where leadership is failing is going nowhere. Therefore, it is essential that our churches rethink their modes of operation and congregations really support their leadership. The leadership must also listen to the congregation and lead them in the direction that God is moving. And, of course, leadership and congregations both need to be lead by the Spirit.
Pray for and support the leaders of your church. I think it would be fair to say that most of them are really doing the best job that they can and are diligently trying to serve the Lord.
-Ps 61:2-5 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. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah. For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Tuesday, May 15, 2001
To find direction for your life you must look at the road signs. Of course, that only works if you are on the right road!
What is the right road? Just follow Jesus. He is the road sign of the road of eternal life.
-Matt 4:19-20 NIV
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Monday, May 14, 2001
There is never a day that goes by where there is not grievous pain and suffering for people somewhere. However, there is never a day that goes by where God is not meeting the needs of those who are experiencing grief.
Today, if you are experiencing grief of one kind or another, remember that God loves you and is holding you close. It is my prayer that He will wrap His loving arms around you, that you may sense His presence, your spirit will rest in His love and you will have peace. Amen.
-Ps 10:14; 31:14 NIV
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand… But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
Sunday, May 13, 2001
When we speak of pollution these days we hear a lot about the water, ground and the air. There has also been a lot of publicity about the polluting of our food, via bacteria, etc. However, one of the most damaging pollutions today is the polluting of the mind.
Throughout the workplace and the hallways of our schools there are people using language that is violent, offensive and degrading but most of all it pollutes and desensitizes people’s minds. Using obnoxious four letter words to describe a sexual act that is the symbol of the relationship between Christ and the church has serious spiritual implications for our society. Our young people have not been taught and have been deceived by the media to believe to believe that “everyone talks this way.”
I want you to know that not everyone talks this way, only those whose hearts are filled with sin and ignorance. The words we speak reveal the condition of our souls. The condition of our hearts is no secret. Everyone we talk to knows who we are, even strangers who we meet for the first time who don’t know our names but hear us talk!
-Prov 18:7 NIV
A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
-Ps 40:1-3 NIV
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Saturday, May 12, 2001
When we wrestle with God we are over matched and cannot win. Still, it is amazing how many people keep going back for a rematch! Losing a battle to God is a good thing but it is best not to wrestle at all
-Ps 13:5-6 NIV
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Friday, May 11, 2001
The secret to a great prayer life is practice. If you practice in the morning to start your day, a little at breakfast, a little at lunch, a little at dinner and then a final time before you lay down to sleep for the night it will change your life. If you adhere to this practice schedule, you will get accustomed to this over a lifetime. In fact, it will be come a habit.
Many Christians only pray on occasion, special events or special needs. Unfortunately, this too becomes a habit.
Too little prayer makes life hard to bear.
-James 5:16 NIV
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Thursday, May 10, 2001
The heart that burns for God finds little rest until its flame warms the hearts of others!
-Ps 108:1-5 NIV
My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.
Wednesday, May 9, 2001
You will know people by their fruits but you will understand them by their roots!
-Prov 3:13-15 NIV
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Tuesday, May 8, 2001
Too often today pastors and church leaders have given an exclusive listening ear to what the world says the church should be, turning a deaf ear to the people in the church. However, we hear and see little in churches today of what the scriptures teach us that the church should be, often ignoring the fact that Jesus is the head of the church. As my grandfather used to say, “The tails wagging the dog!”
-Eph 1:17-23 NIV
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Monday, May 7, 2001
There is little room for error in a marriage. To exclude God from of a marriage may seem like a little error but will almost certainly result in major disaster!
Human attraction and love generated by man (people) rarely sustains a marriage. Marriage is dependent upon the love of God!
-1 Cor 13:4-8 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…
Sunday, May 6, 2001
Who do you expect to see in heaven? Who do you expect to see who have already gone on before you? Who do you expect to see in heaven that is still alive today? Is there anyone missing?
The eternal destiny of those who have already died is sealed. However, for those are still alive and have not accepted Christ represent a window of opportunity. The question is, “Who will pull open the shade to let the light in?” Perhaps the words of Isaiah the prophet are the answer of the hour.
-Isa 6:8 NIV
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Saturday, May 5, 2001
We often forget one of the great gifts that God has given us, friends. The church provides many things for people but one of the most important is Christian friends. I am thankful for the great Christian friendships that I have obtained through the church. If you are in need of friends or a change of type of friends, dive head first into a local church that God leads you to. No doubt there will be Christian friends there just waiting for you.
-Ps 68:6 NIV
“God sets the lonely in families,…”
Friday, May 4, 2001
The word revival is rarely used in the vocabulary of the church today. In fact, it is a word that is rarely used anywhere. In the medical world they have chosen the term “resuscitate” to refer to bringing someone back from the dead. One of the meanings of resuscitate is to “give the kiss of life to.” This definitely sounds like an intimate experience. No doubt God’s people, the church, needs “the kiss of life.” But this will never happen unless the church is willing to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. And it starts with each of us!
Perhaps we should rewrite the old hymn to say:
Hallelujah, Thine the glory.
Resuscitate us again!
Then maybe we’ll get the idea.
-Ps 85:6-7 NIV
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
Thursday, May 3, 2001
Statistics are a marvelous thing. It helps us to get an understanding the lifestyles, behavior and the life expectancy of people. But there are two statistics that I find more impacting than any. The statistics on death are quite impressive; one out of one people die! The statistics on eternal life are also quite impressive; one out of one people who ask Jesus into their hearts and commit their lives to Him go to heaven!
-Acts 2:21 NIV
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Wednesday, May 2, 2001
Understanding how God works can be quite difficult to do. He seems to use different methods according to His pleasure. When Jesus healed the blind, He didn’t do it the same way every time. Therefore, each person and their problems are special to God and require special attention from Him.
That’s one of the reasons that universal church growth programs do not work effectively everywhere. God treats each situation special, just like He treats people.
But one thing I know, God is always working toward our good. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for us. We are not always working toward our good!
-Rom 8:28 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Tuesday, May 1, 2001
There is a relatively new worship song with the words, “I could sing of your love forever.” I am convinced that people don’t sing enough these days. This song reminds me how important it is to sing praises to the Lord and not just listen to someone else singing them. Even the least of voices is beautiful music to God’s ears when praises are sung unto Him. Sing, sing, sing of His love forever!
-Ps 30:4 NIV
Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
-Ps 33:1-3
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
-Ps 47:6-7
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.
