Thursday, October 31, 2002
It’s always hard to write on a day like today. Children will innocently dress up and go door-to-door “trick or treating” tonight. But behind the scenes in a world we know little about are people who actually do worship Satan, practicing witchcraft and may actually be doing blood sacrifices. But like a lot of children today, I went “trick or treating” as a kid.
The last time I went trick or treating I was in the seventh or eighth grade. My friend, who was over six feet tall, and I decided we’d go get some candy so we put on nylon stockings over our heads, knocked on doors and said, “Tricks or treats, money or eats!” Most people just laughed or smiled and put some candy in our bags. Then we knocked on this one door and the man came to the house, looked at us and gruffly said, “What are you guys doing, trying to work your way through college? I’m not giving you any candy!”
We turned, walked away from the house and pulled our nylon stocking masks off our heads. That was the last time we ever went “trick or treating!”
In our spiritual lives there comes a time to grow out of the kids stuff as well. Perhaps, like the man at the door did to us, a little embarrassment could help move us into maturity. Unfortunately, many pastors and church leaders would rather not say anything that might offend someone or embarrass them. As a result our churches are full of immature Christians who are still up to their old “tricks and treats!”
-Heb 5:11-14 NIV
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
With the death of Senator Paul Wellstone we experienced a reprieve in the political ads in Minnesota. But this morning the ads for everyone were back up running at full force. Even the death of a highly regarded senator changed things for only a few short days. Although his legacy may live on for a generation or two, in 100 years few will know who he was, what he believed in, how he died or what he did.
But people still remember that he is the Son of God. And that He taught forgiveness and love, that He died on Calvary for the sins of the world and that he raised from the dead that we might have victory over death. When Jesus died, it changed things forever! IN times like these it is good to keep thing sin perspective.
-Lyn Sahr
-1 John 5:5 NIV
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
Spiritual growth is something that should be deeply sought after by all believers regardless of how many years they have been in the faith. But spiritual growth comes with great risk. As we learn more about our Savior and we are drawn nearer to His heart, needed changes in our lives becomes clear. Becoming more Christ-like becomes very obvious to others and provokes questions as to what has caused these changes. The question demands a truthful answer, but is rarely given. Often the cautious answer is, “I’ve been going to church lately.”
Wrong answer! People rarely have a life changing experience with Jesus Christ because they go to church but rather people go to church because they had a life changing experience with Jesus Christ. Considering this, it puts the responsibility of the lost directly on the individual Christians to share their faith with those around them. One of the greatest ways that we grow spiritually is through personal evangelism. It’s the way it “oughta” be!
Therefore, spiritual growth is not for the cowardly but rather for the brave soldiers of the faith who are not afraid to proclaim when asked about their faith by their friends, family and loved ones, “Jesus still forgives!,” “Jesus still loves!” and “Jesus still saves!”
-Rev 3:14-4:1 NIV
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Monday, October 28, 2002
This past summer a number of people I know attended class reunions. It sure is fun to hear them talk about all the people changing and getting old, all but themselves. We seem to see others age but rarely consider out own remarkable march toward the “golden years.” This also holds true in our spiritual lives.
Often we notice how others are either growing or struggling but somehow find ourselves just staying the same. It is commonplace for people to be oblivious to their own heart growing spiritually cold. Not that they don’t know it but ignoring such a thing is much easier than change. However, people also have a tendency to beat up on themselves for not being more spiritual, giving themselves little or no credit for where they have come from in their walk with God.
Today, I encourage you to look back and give God a prayer of thanksgiving and praise for what He has saved you from, for those times He has delivered you, his blessings in your life and for the spiritual growth you have experienced. Taking another step with God may be just that simple.
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Tim 2:10 NIV
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Sunday, October 27, 2002
I had a dream the other night that was very real. I usually don’t remember any dreams, but once in a while one makes an impact.
In the dream, I came face to face with evil incarnate. I cannot explain it, but the very essence of the person was evil. He offered so many things that seemed good and yet I knew he was evil. How could an evil person offer so many good things? Of course, the good things are offered as bait, luring people in. How many people accepted the bait, I don’t know, but I remember the feeling that I needed to get away as quickly as I could. The problem was that it seemed that I couldn’t get away. I felt trapped and I didn’t know how to get free from the trap. The one thing that I remember very clearly from the dream was that I called out to God to help me, the trap fell away and I was able to walk away from the evil.
There are times in this life when we can feel trapped by circumstances, problems, etc. and there seems to be no way of escape. We need to remember that when we call on God, He will make a way of escape. It may not be an instantaneous release, like in my dream, but He will make a way of escape clear.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 68:20
Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
-Psalm 50:15
“…and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Last week I watched an older movie that I hadn’t watched for a while. It was The Sound Of Music. Of course, the scenery is beautiful, but the thing that struck me this last time I watched it was that this very wealthy family left everything. What was the reason they left everything behind? They longed for freedom and knew the new regime would take it away. It meant hardship, but the hardship meant nothing. Freedom was more important. I watched the ending where the entire family is walking in the mountains to freedom in the neighboring country and realized how difficult that had to have been with small children.
Jesus has offered freedom to anyone who will follow Him. This freedom does come with a cost. We may have to abandon some things. He asks us to forsake our sin and follow Him. For many, that is too high a price. It isn’t easy to give up a favorite sin. He may ask us to follow a road that seems too hard. Somehow, I don’t think the road to Calvary was easy, but we seem reluctant to follow Him when the way gets rough.
What is the reward for following Jesus? What does this freedom bring? It brings the peace that the world cannot understand. It brings a relationship with the heavenly Father, and an assurance that even though the road is hard, He is there every step of the way. It brings a hope of a glorious reunion with loved ones who have traveled the road before us.
Many people would rather forego the freedom and stay where it is comfortable. The dangers of staying are real. Ask anyone who lived through the reign of the Nazis. Turning your back on the freedom Christ offers may seem like the safe thing to do, but the only real safety is in following the One knows the path we take.
Are you willing to step out and leave behind anything that will keep you from following the freedom giver?
-John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
-Ardis Rivera
Friday, October 25, 2002
The nation took a sigh of relief yesterday when two men were captured in the Washington DC area and it was announced that the ballistics from the gun found in their car matched the bullets that were shot at eleven different victims. But the question a wounded nation asks is, “Why?”
We find ourselves with a ting of 9/11, wondering what kind of insanity is this? Perhaps this is “last days” insanity. And perhaps it is time to read what the Bible says about the last days and the insanity that surrounds it.
-2 Tim 3:1-5 NIV
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
The size of ones heart isn’t measured in inches, centimeters or in dollars and cents. The size of ones heart is measured in “lovesteps,” the amount of steps you’ve taken to draw close to God so He may teach you the fullness of His divine love. We should not be sitting around expecting some miraculous spiritual growth or understanding of God’s divine nature to overtake us but rather we must pursue God with “lovesteps” of passionate pilgrims on a mission of oneness with Jesus Christ. Now, what is the size of your heart in “lovesteps?”
-1 Tim 6:11 NIV
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Wisdom says that wisdom is powerless when wisdom fails, but God is still there!
-1 Cor 1:20-25 NIV
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Jesus said that we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. So, what does that mean? How are we to be like children?
First, children are innocent. Adults are not. Most people spend their entire adult lives in search of innocence, to recapture their child like purity before God that is lost in adulthood. So how do we recapture the wonderful incense of children? We recapture it through the shed blood of Christ on Calvary and his indescribable love for us. And there is no other way!
-Mark 10:13-16 NIV
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Monday, October 21, 2002
Jesus is the sweetest name I know. When my heart seems to fail within me, when the pressures of this world seem so far beyond my ability to cope I look into the heavens and I whisper the name, “Jesus.” The mere mention of His name brings sweetest to the most bitter of circumstances. I don’t need some miraculous sign, flashes of lightning or mighty claps of thunder to know He is there. I only need the peaceful feeling I get knowing that He forgives me, loves me and that He will never forget me. How do I know? From a song I learned in Sunday School when I was a little boy;
“Have faith, hope and charity, that’s the way to live successfully.
How I do I know? The Bible tells me so.”
And the Bible tells me that and more. It is the glue that holds my faith together and the map that keeps me on the right road in life. And it will do the same for you. Anchor your faith in God’s Word and you will be docked in “Souls Harbor.”
-Heb 6:16-20 NIV
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Sunday, October 20, 2002
Recently, I heard something from the Parable of the Prodigal Son that had never occurred to me before. I had always thought of the brother that stayed home as the “good son” and in a way, he was the good son. He stayed with his father and worked with his father. But, he was not a good example of how to receive a wayward person who returns to the home. I began to think that even though the son was physically with his father, he wasn’t with him emotionally. I wonder if he would see his father watching for his brother’s return and if he sat there, fuming, thinking how could his father even want such a person to come home. The “Good son” didn’t understand his father’s love and if things were left up to him, his brother had better never show his face at the house again.
I think this happens in the Christian world too many times. We can get very comfortable with our group of people and if someone leaves, for whatever reason, we manage to keep going and many times, don’t think about the one(s) who have left. When someone leaves and decides to come back, there can be some judgmental feelings in those who stayed. It is easy to judge a person who leaves the “fold”, even if we don’t really understand the reasons. Just by staying seems to make a person right. But what determines a person’s rightness with the Father is not whether or not he/she stays in the “fold” physically, but whether his/her heart is in tune with the Father. The heart-cry of the Father is for the lost and hurting. Yes, He loves those that are in the fold, but He longs to bring in those that are outside too. We need to remember that when people either come to our churches for the first time or when they return after leaving for whatever reason. They may need to undergo a time of spiritual discipline, but they need to know that it is done in a spirit of love and not out of a spirit of self-righteousness.
-Luke 15:31-32
‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
-Ardis Rivera
-Romans 3:10
As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
Saturday, October 19, 2002
The other day I was translating something into Spanish and came across a word that I hadn’t used in years. Much to my surprise, the word came right to me, as if it were a word that I use everyday. This has happened quite frequently in the past year as I translate these messages and interpret on Mission Trips. I would like to say that it is because I have such a great command of the language, but I won’t lie. I have come to recognize that God brings these long-forgotten words to my mind when I need them the most. What I don’t understand is why, one day last week, I kept translating things to French in my mind. I haven’t really used French for a long time, and yet, there were phrases coming to mind all day.
God has given us quite a gift when we consider our brains and what they do. The most sophisticated computer that will ever be created will never match the power of the human mind. But just like a computer, what we recall depends on what we put in our brains. When I was studying languages, I spent hours studying vocabulary, grammar and sentence construction. It is not unreasonable that at certain times, these things come back to me.
The question arises: With what things are you filling your mind? Do you spend hours listening to music, movies and TV that glorify the world more than God? How much time do you spend in God’s word? I have often thought that if it became illegal to own a Bible, how much of the Scripture do I really know?
I would like to encourage you to take stock of what is entering your mind and if changes need to be made, that you would ask God to help you fill your mind with godly things and with His word.
–Ardis Rivera
-Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Friday, October 18, 2002
Are Angels really “on assignment?” Do we really have guardian angels? Even unchurched people believe in them. Some of the hottest pins and miniature collectibles today are of angels. So how does the church handle the idea of angels today? We ignore it, of course. The world readily accepts the idea of angels but the church, which is supposed to walk in the supernatural of God, doesn’t like anything they can’t explain. And angels are one of those things.
The word “angel” is used 207 times in the Bible, “angels” 96 times. That means that angels are referred to over 300 times in the scriptures but are primarily ignored in the teaching and preaching of the church.
When one of our daughters was 16 years old she had a terrible car accident and was hit broad side in the drivers side by another car traveling 60 MPH. The car was hit so hard that it shattered all of the glass and pushed the side of the car almost to the middle where she was trapped. It took the rescue team about an hour to cut her out of the car.
When they got her out of the car everyone was amazed of her condition. Every window in the car shattered but she was not cut. The emergency medical team who came to the scene said they had never seen anyone who was in that kind of accident that had ever lived let alone not have a single scratch or cut. Although she had a bruised hip she never shed a drop of blood.
I have always felt it was a gift of God and that it was a spiritual lesson for her and our family. It was a living example of grace where she was not harmed and was not cut, as if Jesus shed His own blood for her. After an hour or so she was released from the hospital because they couldn’t find anything wrong with her.
I was at a pastors conference out of state when it happened but I called her at the hospital when I got the news. She told me that God was with her in the car and when they were cutting her out of the car she prayed and He comforted her. Did God send His Angels to protect her? Did they absorb the blow that could have caused her death? Did they wait with her in the car as she was cut out? Did they go with her to the hospital? All I know is that God had such a great plan for her life that he spared her and was with her and/or sent angels to be with her.
Were they Angels? Well, it certainly wasn’t someone from Harry Potter. This was real life, real people, and a real God who really loves us! And I think they were real angels!
-Ps 91:9-16 NIV
If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge– 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him show him my salvation.”
Thursday, October 17, 2002
Who is the most important and famous person you have ever been in a room with? For me, let’s see, I have met Jack Green the country artist. And I have spent time with politicians Allen Keyes and Oliver North, gospel-recording artists Cindy Morgan, Clay Cross, and Jeff Fenholt, heavy weight boxer Earnie Shavers, and evangelist Nicky Cruz are some of the first to come to mind. But none of these are the most famous or important person that I have ever been in a room with.
The most important and famous person I have ever been in a room with is Jesus Christ. I don’t remember the first time I was in a room with Him but I know that He was there when I was born. He never misses a miracle of birth. I know that he was there when I attended my first church services at that little country church where 40 to 50 people gathered to worship on Sundays. I know that He was there at that Wednesday night prayer meeting I reluctantly attended with my grandmother when the old timers knelt in prayer and petitioned the Lord. Often they prayed for me. I know he was in my grandmother’s living room when I was a young boy when I knelt with my grandmother by the old chair and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and be the Lord of my life. In fact, He has been with me in every room I have ever been in. And He is with me here today in this very room.
The thought for today is that God is with us, in the very room where I am and in the very room wherever you are. God is with us. And He should be the most important person in every room we ever enter.
1 Kings 8:56-61 NIV
“Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers. 59 And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, 60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other. 61 But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”
Wednesday, October 16, 2002
A sniper has killed nine innocent people in the Washington DC area in recent days and people are asking why, who and what kind of person does such a thing? The answers to these questions remain unanswered as I write but I am confident that the person responsible for these murders will soon be apprehended. Then we will know who this person is and why he or she is killing innocent people. But we already know what kind of person this is. This person possesses no love for God in their heart and is no doubt possessed with evil hatred.
Hatred is something that we all must resist. When we are disappointed, hurt, slandered, physically abused, emotionally abused or spiritually abused we must resist the evil hatred that tries to make its way into our hearts. This isn’t the first time nor will it be the last that hatred has turned into murder.
If you want to stop sin in its tracks, never let it take the first step!
-Gen 4:2-8 NIV
Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
How tough is it to witness to others about Christ? Sometimes it is not hard at all. I received a call this morning from someone asking me about information to give to a man who has asked her for information about becoming a Christian. His father had just died and his mother is a devout Christian. However, the son cannot seem to grasp the reality of whom God is or if there really is a God.
Put yourself in her position for just a moment. What would you say or do to help them believe? It can be easy to say we believe but much more difficult to tell someone what we believe and why. The thought for today is, “Do you know what you believe and why? If so, can you tell to someone else so they will understand.” Perhaps a small group “soul winning” group would be in order.
It’s pretty hard to expect people in our churches to share Christ with others without them first being taught what they believe and why!
-Isa 43:10-13 NIV
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed– I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Monday, October 14, 2002
Memories are one of the great gifts of God. Without them, our lives would be very, very shallow. Memories add depth to our thinking, love to loneliness, and joy in our meditations. Memories are God’s manna to us when we are in the desert of life.
Perhaps it would be good for you to take a few moments today to have a “Manna Moment.”
-Deut 8:2-5 NIV
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
Sunday, October 13, 2002
When we hear people talking about being thankful, or giving God thanks, we usually think of thanking God for all the blessings He has given us, and for providing what we need. It is equally important to thank God for the doors that He has closed and the things He did not allow us to do.
A few weeks ago, I was seeking God and asked very simply what was going on–not understanding why things were going the way they were and I sensed that His reply was that He had been closing many doors. We all like to talk about the doors that God opens, but I don’t think I have heard anyone thanking God for the doors He closes and the things He doesn’t give us. And yet, we need to acknowledge that, in God’s great mercy and love, He does close doors to things that would not be good for us, and that He doesn’t always give us the things we request.
In the past couple of days, I have been listening to a CD that has a song that put these thoughts in a very concise form.
Things You Never Gave Me
David Meece/Dwight Liles
Had a lot of dreams that never came true
Things I could have done,
But never got the chance to do
When I couldn’t see the path of the storm
Your wisdom wouldn’t let me go that way
And it broke my heart, but now my heart can say
Thank You for the times You said, “No.”
Thank You for the doors that You closed.
All the ways You never let me go
And the things You never gave me
So many times I didn’t understand
And wouldn’t let You take my hand
But now I want to fall at Your feet
And thank You for the things
You never gave to me
When I wanted less than what You had in mind
When I wanted more than I could handle at the time
When I needed You but turned You away
You wouldn’t let me slip out of Your hand
I just didn’t know, but now I understand
I can see beyond the tears
And thank You…thank You.
-Ardis Rivera
-Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Saturday, October 12, 2002
A few years ago, I worked with a person who complained about everything. We were pretty good friends and spent a lot of lunch hours together, but I noticed that nothing was ever right. One day I realized that I was starting to complain more about unimportant things and at one point, I was ready to say something critical, when I sensed the Spirit telling me to be quiet. The Lord started dealing with me on this issue and I realized that being around complaints all the time had tainted my outlook and that God was not pleased. I realized that I needed to make a conscious effort to stop the complaining. I would like to say that my example changed my friend, and I think to a certain point, things did change, but more than that, my attitude changed. I began to counter her complaints with statements looking at the positive and how God is faithful even when things don’t go right. I did notice that she started complaining less around me, but I heard them when she was with other people.
It is easy to get caught up in focusing on what is wrong around us rather than what is good. I don’t recall any Bible verses telling us to complain, but I know of many verses that tell us to praise God for His goodness, His love, His care, etc. I know that there are things that don’t go right, and that there are times that we need to stand up and say that something(s) have to change, but if we spend more time complaining about how bad things are than we do praising God for His goodness, there is a problem.
Start listening to the words that come out of your mouth. If there are more negative words than positive, maybe it’s time to repent and start praising our Lord for all of His blessings.
-Ardis Rivera
-Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Friday, October 11, 2002
Today we are experiencing one of those beautiful fall days that usually makes life in Northern Minnesota exquisite! However, today is the day I have to clean out my garage. I have already hauled a load of books from my garage to the office. It filled the entire floor of the vans with the seats out. Then I unloaded the books in the office and spread them out on the floor, taking the somewhat musty smelling boxes to recycling.
As I loaded and unloaded the books it felt like a lifetime of experiences. I found my fathers bible that he got from the church when he was a youth, a bible given to me and inscribed by Nicky Cruz, another bible given to me by a Spanish church that we helped start in Denver when I was the pastor of the First Alliance Church of Denver, and several more autographed books from other friends. Whether we realize it or not, we all have a trail of experiences and friends that we are reminded of by our possessions. And like my old books, many of them are in storage.
But there is one possession that we can’t afford to store. And that is Jesus Christ, the great possession of our hearts. Is your faith in Christ is being stored and collecting mold like my old books, its time to get your faith off the shelf. A faith in storage is… useless! A faith in storage is… dead!
-James 2:20-26 NIV
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Thursday, October 10, 2002
The body of Christ is made up of “fellow strugglers” who are looking to each other for acceptance, love and encouragement. Somehow the world must see that we are all simply starving people telling other starving people how to get the Bread of Life.
-John 6:35 NIV
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
The little things in life are never little. People often do not realize how important little things are. I once heard a man say, “Take care of the big things and the little things will take care of themselves.” From my perspective, take care of the little things and maybe you won’t have as many big things to deal with!
This holds true in our spiritual lives as well. People get all excited about building projects, church attendance, worship style or mission trips but those things are not the lifeblood of the church. But daily scripture reading and personal time spent with the Lord in prayer and quiet meditation by individual believers is the foundation that causes the church to be strong and effective. Those little things eliminate a lot of negative big things in the church and make the positive big things happen.
-1 Cor 3:10-15 NIV
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Tuesday, October 8, 2002
Living in Northwestern Wisconsin is incredible this time of year (and not just because the Packers are winning). Everywhere you look the colors of the leaves are radiant. The deep reds of maples, the yellows of aspen and birch, the magenta’s of the leaves that turned last week, and the various shades of browns in leaves from the week before.
I firmly believe that there’s no way that someone can look at this vast array of color and not doubt that there is a God. Yet there are those who try. They try to prove with this theory or that theory, that there isn’t a creator. Maybe they’ll open their eyes this fall to the beauty around them, and see the heart of God. Maybe it will be when a their new baby takes its first breath, maybe when their daughter grabs them around the neck with one of the “squeeze until you pass out type of hugs,” when they see a shooting star, or maybe, just maybe it will be in the quietness of a fall afternoon, when they are alone in God’s creation and the only thing you can hear is the sound of falling leaves. Those beautiful red, yellow, and golden leaves.
-Garrett Novak, Guest Writer
-Gen 1:11-13 NIV
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning, the third day.
Monday, October 7, 2002
Just over two weeks ago my wife and I welcomed our new daughter into our lives. Little Kathryn Grace Novak came into this world in the middle of the night, like so many babies do (I wonder, do they know this and say—hey—-I can’t sleep, why should you). Now, every child is a miracle from God, and my new precious daughter is no exception, a beautiful, incredible miracle from our heavenly father.
As I was holding my new daughter in my arms after delivering her (yes, the nurse-midwife let me “catch the football”), a song came on the local Christian radio station, “How Beautiful,” by Twila Paris. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I looked at my beautiful daughter, only a few minutes old, thinking of the sacrifices I would make for her in her lifetime, many that she would never know about, in fact, I would die for her. The song also made me she tears for the love that Christ has for me, his child, for he loved me so much that he gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life.
I told my wife that I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough love to give our new child as she is number “5” in the quiver (for those of you keeping count), but holding my daughter that early morning, I wondered why I ever thought that. And the love that I have for all my children and my wife, it pales in comparison with our heavenly father’s love for us.
Bask in his love for you today, and if you are a parent, give your kids an extra hug and tell them how much you love them, and then share how much more God loves them. There’s no better time than the present!
-Garrett Novak, Guest Writer
“How Beautiful” By: Twila Paris
How beautiful, the hands that served. The wine and the bread, and the sons of the earth
How beautiful, the feet that walked. The long dusty roads, and the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful, is the body of Christ
How beautiful, the heart that bled. That took all my sin, and bore it instead
How beautiful, the tender eyes. That chose to forgive, and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful, is the body of Christ
And as he laid down his life, we offer this sacrifice.
That we will live, just as he died. Willing to pay the price, willing to pay the price.
How beautiful, is the radiant bride. Who waits for her groom, with his light in her eyes.
How beautiful, when humble hearts give. The fruit of pure lives, so that others may live.
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful, is the body of Christ
How beautiful, the feet that bring. The sound of good news, and the love of the king
How beautiful, the hands that serve. The wine and the bread, and the sons of the earth
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful, is the body of Christ.
-Rom 5:6-8 NIV
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Sunday, October 6, 2002
When God opened the doors for me to go to Mexico on a Mission Trip in November, I was told I should be prepared to give a short sermon at least once that week. Within a couple of days, I sensed that if I was given that opportunity, I was to use Joshua 6 as a text. Now, there’s a lot of stuff in Joshua 6. I took notes and studied, and started panicking because nothing seemed to come together. I even started looking at other passages, thinking I would forget about trying to use Joshua 6.
The night came, and we were in a lean-to, covered by a tarp. The pastor was planting a new church and the building was being built little by little. As I looked at the people that had gathered, people with such a burden for their community that they were sacrificing resources and time to reach the area with the Gospel, I realized the significance of the text. Just as the wall of Jericho was a big obstacle for the Israelites to overcome, these people had to feel the obstacles of reaching people that probably didn’t really want to have anything to do with church. I don’t remember a lot of what I said, but I do remember one thing. I told them that if God put it in their hearts to reach this community that He expected them to obey Him and do what He called them to do, and to leave the results to Him. The Israelites could not topple the wall of Jericho by playing the trumpets and marching around the city. But they obeyed the word of God and He honored their obedience.
What things are in your life that seems insurmountable? Nothing is too hard for God. Seek Him, ask Him what He wants you to do, obey and leave the results to God. He only asks that we seek Him, obey Him and be faithful to what He calls us to do. He will take care of the rest.
-Ardis Rivera
-Ephesians 6:7
wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men
Saturday, October 5, 2002
I was thinking recently about what was going on about a year ago. In spite of the fact that I had always vowed I would never go on a Mission Trip, I found myself wanting to accompany a group to Mexico, but since the date for signing up had passed, I knew that there was no possible way for me to go. Within a space of 72 hours, God placed the desire in my heart and two people asked me to please reconsider my (firm) decision to not go. God opened the doors and I went with the group in November.
Since that trip, a lot of things have changed in my life. I have been learning the importance of seeking God’s will in every area of my life. God has opened up new opportunities and has brought some things to a close. I have come to realize that I never really prayed about going on the trip in the first place. I just gave my standard answer in regards to Missions Trips and gave no more thought to it.
I am very grateful that God got my attention and that I realized that I had made a decision without truly seeking God. I won’t say that the past year has been really easy, but it has been interesting and it has been fun to see God working in my life, bringing me into new areas of service.
Perhaps you have been approached about stepping out and doing something in the church or in some area of ministry that you have never considered doing. Perhaps now is the time to really seek God and ask Him if He wants you to take on something new. There’s no guarantee that you will succeed at everything you try, but I would much rather stand before God and know that I stepped out at times, even if it didn’t work out. You see, God won’t look at your success rate; He will look at the willingness of your heart to abandon all to serve Him. And nothing is accomplished for the kingdom without a willingness to step out of our comfort zone. There’s no guarantee of a smooth ride, but God does guarantee that He will not leave us alone. And when the road seems too rough, think of the road to Calvary that Jesus walked for us.
-Ardis Rivera
-Jeremiah 29:11-14a
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD ,
Friday, October 4, 2002
Earlier this week I read a devotional in “Our Daily Bread” written by Haddon Robinson about the formation of geese flying south for the winter. He said that geese fly at speeds of 40 to 50 miles per hour and that they travel in formation as each bird flaps their wings creating an updraft for the bird behind it. Amazingly, they can go 70% farther as a group than if they fly alone. He compares them to followers of Christ, working together for the common good.
Then he went on to say that the geese in the back honk loudly to encourage the ones up front to maintain stay on course and maintain their speed. The first thing I thought of was how much easier the one behind had it compared to the one in front. No one was ‘breaking trail” for the leader and he had to fly against the wind! No wonder the one in the back is honking encouragement. Without the leader carrying the heaviest load the one in the back perhaps would freeze to death in the cold of winter, unable to make the flight on its own. I’ve said all of that to say this.
Pastors, keep up the good work. You are leading some people who maybe can’t make it home without your help. And in the light of eternity and the shadow of the souls you lead, keep yourself pure before God and man.
And to those who are part of the flock, appreciate your pastor. Pastors carry a heavy load and it is often only through your words of encouragement that keeps them flying!
-1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
Thursday, October 3, 2002
Which are the real Seven Wonders of the World?”
A group of students was asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:
1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall\
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn’t turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.
The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”
The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.
“The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch
2. to taste
3. to see
4. to hear
She hesitated a little, and then added,
5. to feel
6. to laugh!
7. and to love
The room was so full of silence you could have heard a pin drop. Those things we overlook as simple and “ordinary” are truly wondrous.
A gentle reminder that the most precious things are before you: your family, your faith, your love, your good health and your friends.
-Author Unknown
In the happiness of others, Lies our own
-contributed by Vinesh Badiani,
Dar-es-salaam,Tanzania
-Eccl 2:26 NIV
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Wednesday, October 02, 2002
Jesus is living in the hearts of His people, that’s not the problem in the church today. Christians are letting Him in like never before. After all, look at the numbers in our churches and the rise of the “star” (Mega) churches. No, people are hearing the Word preached, gospel music sung and Christian videos are being watched in record numbers. Yes, Jesus is living in the hearts of His people. The problem is that He has roommates!
-Acts 4:12 NIV
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
On a recent trip to California I went down to Santa Monica Pier. I enjoy watching the street musicians and artists perform. As I walked along I came upon a man named Keith Parker Gibson playing gospel music in a Belize style. He was playing songs that he wrote which I found catchy and uplifting. He had CD’s for sale with his original songs. I watched from a distance at first to see what he was doing. His long dredlocks were quite an attention getter. Dozens of people at a time came to listen to him play. After a couple of songs he took a break and people dropped some money in his open guitar case. Some came up to talk to him. As they did he shared his faith in Christ. In the hour that I watched him, He witnessed and ministered to more people than many churches do on Sunday morning. Basically he was holding church!
Often we overlook people with ministries like Keith Parker Gibson. He has definitely taken his faith to the streets, or literally to the beach! But the bottom line is that he is witnessing in his own way, where God placed him and with the gifts that he has been given. Each of us should do likewise.
Oh, by the way, Keith Parker Gibson’s CD is called “Victorious Witness!” You won’t find it in any music store but you can find it on weekends at Santa Monica Pier where he is “singing his faith!”
1 John 5:1-5 NIV
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
