Monday, May 31, 2004
In America, this is Memorial Day. We take time to remember those who have died serving our country, those who have served in the military and loved ones who have passed away. As I did the invocation at the local cemetery this morning I couldn’t help but think of how much of the “community” we have lost in recent years. Small businesses have went the way of WalMart, the family farm is practically nonexistent, marriage is not a prerequisite of co-habitating, we can’t figure out what or who our neighbors are and our churches schedule for convenience.
Now there are those who want us to abandon the heritage of what our soldiers have died for. This war can only be won on our knees seeking the face of God Almighty. Prayer not only changes things, it protects things like our Godly heritage!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 33:12-15; 20-22 NIV
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth–
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
Sunday, May 30, 2004
A couple days ago, I moved to a different house. The house had been shut up for several months and there was a smell in the house that I couldn’t identify. Then it dawned on me—no fresh air had entered the house for a long time. I opened the windows and it didn’t take too long to get the stale smell out of the house.
In the Christian life, we need the “fresh air” of the Holy Spirit in our lives every single day—better, every minute of every day. Without it, spiritually we can have a stale smell that is not pleasing to those around us.
Allow the “fresh air” of the Holy Spirit to refresh you today and every day. Then you will have a sweet aroma that will draw others to the Lord.
-Ardis Rivera
-John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Saturday May 29, 2004
I hadn’t spoken to my younger brother in over five years. Not that I hadn’t wanted to, but he had estranged himself from our family and had no contact with anyone. My wife and I had prayed about a way to go find him (as he lives several states away), and when a business trip possibility came along that would take us less than an hour from where his last known address was, we knew that it was God opening the door.
We drove by his house, and there he was out in the yard. I said a quick prayer and up to his house I walked. Sure the initial contact wasn’t real “warm,” but he soon opened up and even invited my wife and I back the next day. The lines of communication were open, and even though we are a long way apart (half-way across the country), the relationship is on the way to being restored.
Was it easy to forgive my brother? No. Does God want us to go after lost relationships and try to restore them if possible? Yes. What broken relationship in your life is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart today?
-Garrett Novak
-Gal 6:1-2 NIV
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
-Gen 50:17 NIV
This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’
Friday, May 28, 2004
Last Sunday I started a series of sermons on our Church Family Covenant, our commitment to how we treat each other in the church. Most churches do not have one but should. Understanding, accepting and living its words is part membership. With such a covenant there is no doubt as to the anticipated Christian behavior of members. The fact is that too many churches take in members with little church background and then Christian behavior toward one another is never taught. By emphasizing the covenant to all people in the church, members and non-members alike, it is our hope and prayer to avoid much of the un-Godly behavior we see demonstrated in churches today toward brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Most certainly our church family is our neighbor.
-Lyn Sahr
-Mark 12:30-31 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Thursday, May 27, 2004
The difference between good and evil is never more prevalent than in war. The problem is, both sides see themselves as good and the other as evil!
This is not the case in spiritual warfare. This is never a doubt who is good and who is evil.
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 14:19-22 NIV
Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Aren’t television programs something theses days? It makes you wonder what in the world they will possible have on next. The one that has intrigued me lately, although I don’t watch them, is the “extreme makeover” programs. People will go through all kinds of extremes to become beautiful. I have a friend who is a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and I have seen first hand what these people go through in surgery. It is no small matter. They are anesthetized, cut, bruised, broken and even immobile to improve their appearance. In some cases, this is done repeatedly. Strangely enough it seems like a small price to them for their beauty. Too bad people are not more dedicated to “spiritual beauty.”
In the church today, we strive to minimize what it takes to become a beautiful spiritual person. This is extremely unfortunate because the beautiful Godly people that I know have gone though spiritual pain, cuts, bruises, disappointments and brokenness to become “spiritually beautiful.” Yes, to be the person God wants us to be requires “extreme spiritual makeover” at the hands of the “Master Spiritual Surgeon.”
And to think that we even have some people who try to do their own surgery!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 50:1-2 NIV
The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
When the little things in life become too big, we must bring them to a God who is bigger. And nothing is too small for His loving attention and the gentle care of His children. Remember, prayer is commonplace among common and uncommon Christians!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 66:20 NIV
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
Monday, May 24, 2004
The other day my grandson, who will be three in September, picked a flower and was holding it in his hand. After a while he decided to put it back. He tried and he tried to get that flower stem to reconnect from where he had picked it. Finally he gave up and threw it on the ground. He learned the lesson that once a flower is picked there is no putting it back.
Hopefully in time he will learn the same lesson about words as painlessly.
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 12:18 NIV
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Sunday, May 23, 2004
I used to say that there is no person that God cannot use. I realize that I have been mistaken. There are two types of people that God cannot use.
First, He cannot use the proud. Before God can use the proud, He must humble that person. We need to humbly accept the fact that we can do nothing apart from Him and allow Him to work through us.
Secondly, God cannot use a person who will not say “here I am”. There are many people who won’t respond to the call of God. They prefer to remain seated in the pews week after week, letting others do the work of the Lord.
God wants to use each Christian and He has a job for each person to do. But He won’t force the issue. Are you willing to allow the God who created you and who redeemed you to use you for His purposes? It is time to stand up, roll up your sleeves and get to work.
-Ardis Rivera
-James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
-Isaiah 6:8
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 22nd, 2004
Do you have regrets in your life from broken relationships, a broken family, or a broken heart? Is there a trail of “destruction” in your wake? Do you constantly live in your past?
Why? Jesus paid the price for all your past mistakes once and for all. The enemy says you “can’t,” but Christ says you “can!
Faith gives us the power to look beyond the “past” and move on to the ”present” that God has in store for us.
-Garrett Novak
-Phil 3:13-14 NIV
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Too often mother in laws are the brunt of many negative jokes. I am privileged to have a wonderful mother in law who is loved by all of her son and daughter in laws.
Recently we celebrated her 80th birthday. We had a program and each of her eight children shared things about their mother. It was a very precious time. I learned things about her that I never knew before and I was touched by their sincere love and appreciation for her. Although I have known it for a long time, I was reminded that day of what a wonderful mother in law that I have. Why? Many reasons but one is her positive attitude.
A positive attitude is not something that is determined by ones condition in life. A positive attitude is determined by ones condition of the heart. And my mother in law has a great heart for people and the things of God.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 31:24 NIV
Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD.
Monday, May 10, 2004
Recently someone said to me, “I have three voices inside of me. God’s voice, the devils voice and my voice and sometimes I have trouble figuring our which one is whose.” I think most people struggle with that problem at one time or another, determining whose will we are focusing on. I have found that the scripture is the great “voice confirmer.” It tells me of Gods’ will, His plan for His people and His love for me. When I put the scripture in the backdrop of the voices and the battle of will, I usually can see the picture clearly. When I don’t know who to listen to I listen to God’s Word!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 119:105 NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Sunday, May 9, 2004
Today is Mother’s Day in the United States. Mothers are being treated to dinner and gifts. And this is right. We need to honor our mothers, not just today, but every day. But look around you. Is there a mother whose children are far away and will spend the day alone? Can you brighten her day a little bit today? How about the woman with no children who has taught children in Sunday School for years? Is there someone who has really helped you in your Christian walk?
Honor these women as well today. They may not be your mother, but they deserve some attention today too.
-Ardis Rivera
-Proverbs 31:30-31
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Saturday May 8, 2004
While driving home from work this week, a car passed me that was missing its rear window. How could I tell? It was easy…. as there were strips of duct tape covering the space where the rear window should be.
Now this wasn’t very safe, as he could not use his rear view mirror, or see out the back for vehicles that were behind him. In fact, I wondered how long it would be before the vehicle and its driver would be involved in an accident.
In our Christian life…we can many times be like a car without the rear window in it. We become so focused on what’s ahead that Satan can come up behind us and temp us with little things, and we can’t see the “whole picture” because of a blocked window. Then the accidents (sin) happen.
God gives us a clear view…and helps us “restore” the windows in our life that have been covered. In fact…the best way to keep the windows in your vehicle clear is to let God be your co-pilot!
-Garrett Novak
-Deut 31:8 NIV
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Friday, May 7, 2004
A wealth of spiritual wisdom that is not used will always bring forth spiritual poverty.
-Lyn Sahr
Prov 1:7 NIV
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Thursday, May 6, 2004
If some people had the love of God sent to their house they would want it sent in a plain brown wrapper so no one would know they received it!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 36:7 NIV
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Wednesday, May 5, 2004
We are producing a short video presentation to be shown to churches, church boards, missions committees, foundations, corporations and individuals interested in Home and Away Ministries’ Great Commission Alliance “Sister Church” program. As I am watching it after each edit it gets closer and closer to being a finished project. It made me smile to think of how that seems to be the story of my life, many reruns and lot’s of editing! How about your life?
It’s a good thing we are in the hands of the Master Producer!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 73:23-26 NIV
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Tuesday, May 4, 2004
Next door to our church is a women’s fitness center. I notice people getting in and out of their vehicles smoking, eating candy bars and 20 oz sugar sodas. They do this on the way in to exercise and on the way out after exercising, counter production activity.
I paused for a moment and thought, “Is that the way people come and go from church, stepping into and out of counter productive activity?” I am concerned that too often this is true.
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Thess 4:7-8 NIV
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Monday, May 3, 2004
In 12 days we will do the first of a monthly food distribution program out of our church that will provide groceries to families who are willing to come and get them. We expect somewhere between 100 and 150 families to take part in the program. It takes a lot of work by a lot of people do things like this but the rewards are great. Lives are touched that our church would never have opportunity to reach otherwise.
In recent months I have had my eyes opened to a new kind of ministry, tangibly helping people with some of the most basic needs of life. I have made new friends with people who also have a passion for reaching the lost through tangible things. As I reflect on what I have witnessed through this kind of ministry, I find myself wondering where I have been the past twenty-five years, why I couldn’t see this before. Then I wonder why there are not more churches that are reaching out to people in this way?
Then I realize that for generations we have taught out pastors to train their church leaders to train the people to deal with the spiritual affairs of peoples lives. And somewhere in between there we have also developed the deep commitment to the social part of the church. Not that any of these things are bad, but it has removed us from some of the most basic forms of ministry.
When Jesus was preaching out in the countryside and there was a large crowd gathered He did a most basic thing. He fed them with some bread and a few fish. He could have said to the disciples, “What is the matter with these people. Are they so helpless, uneducated, undisciplined and lazy that they did not even bring any food for themselves to eat? It’s not my responsibility to feed them. Let’s get away from them before they try to get our food too!”
No, Jesus didn’t say that, He fed them. But the church says it everyday, almost word for word, by their statements and the actions or lack thereof in regard to the poor.
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 14:12-14 NIV
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Sunday, May 2, 2004
I have not watched American TV for almost eight months. Some might wonder why. I don’t live in the states any more and don’t get American channels. But the other day, I put on a movie and within 15 minutes, I had to turn it off. This is a movie rated PG. Children watch it. And it made me sick. It grieved me to hear how many times in those few minutes, Jesus’ name was used in a light and flippant way.
The name of Jesus is a name we need to revere. He is our Savior. How would the Muslims react if the names Mohammed or Allah were used in such a way?
I understand that my viewing choices are now severely limited, but if I am grieved over the use of the name of Jesus, how much more is He grieved? And as His child, my first desire is to honor Him and to revere His Holy name.
-Ardis Rivera
-Exodus 20:7
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Saturday May 1st, 2004
As a parent, there have been few greater joys in my life than watching my children grow. They take their first breath , soon afterward they are taking baby steps, and not too long after that… the school bus in picking them up. Of course there have been many “hurts” along the way—and as parents, my wife and I were there to pick our children up, fix the hurt, and send them on their way.
As an adult, there is someone who takes care of my hurts—and that is my heavenly father. When I get “knocked down” by the situations around me, feel “beat up” by co-workers, or just have some “hurts” of life, he is there to gently speak to me, tenderly love me, and give me the strength I need to face the day. Why does he do it? Because I’m his child!
-Garrett Novak
-1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
