Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thanksgiving is a celebration of America where we spend time with family and friends, reflecting on the things that we are thankful for. This morning I read a devotional (Our Daily Bread) about a man in the 1800’s who had walked into the cold water of the ocean when there was a ship wreck and personally rescued seventeen people. Because of his time in the cold water while rescuing the people he had health problems the rest of his life. Ironically, not a single one of the people he rescued ever thanked him.
That is exactly why Thanksgiving Day is so special. It teaches us to remember what to be thankful for because if you spend your life waiting to be thanked for what you have done, you will be disappointed.
Too often, in and out of church, people do things expecting others to show or express gratitude for what they have done. Unfortunately, it is the exception rather than the rule. Don’t expect “thank you’s” and when it happens it will be a special blessing. We must find a greater reason to be doing acts of goodness that to receive thanks.
Gratitude is a Godly attitude!
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 17:11-19 NIV
Now on his way to Jerusalem , Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee . 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him-and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Once I encountered a wonderful Christian women who suddenly had her demeanor changed through anger and bitterness. Her whole body appeared to take on a different look, her face seemed to twist in an unusual shape, her eyes became cold, her voice was changed and her words were like a vile poison. So how does one account for such a dramatic change? Is it just a bad day or could it be the “D” word? The problem is it wasn’t for a day, it became a life. But none dared call it demonic!
I believe that we are seeing this kind of behavior accelerated in our churches today. Denominational leaders have been teaching pastors and Christian organizations have been giving seminars for years on how to deal with this terrible behavior in the church. Until we recognize that the problem isn’t the behavior of these people but rather what is causing them to behave this way, we continue to be “Dancing with Demons!”
Interesting, even the Jews believed in demons!
-Lyn Sahr
-John 10:19-21 NIV
At these words the Jews were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Living under the pretense that demons do not exist is like pretending that there is no snow. But for someone who has never seen snow or heard of snow they would recognize what snow is but wouldn’t know what to call it. So it is with demons.
People recognize the evil behavior, hatred and poison of heart in people but often do not know what to call it. None dare call it “demonic.” Perhaps it is time to “call a demon a demon.” After all, it seems many Christians are “dancing with demons” but don’t know what to call them!
If demons don’t exist then Jesus was badly mistaken when He cast them out of people!
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 17:17-18 NIV
“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.”
