Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Life is not always black and white. Sometimes it is black and blue. To withstand the bruises that this world has to offer you need the presence and power of God in your life. Jesus is the great healer of the wounds of the mind, body and soul!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Peter 2:24-25 NIV
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Monday, September 29, 2003
Telling the truth or rather the lack of it is something that keeps people apart from God. Lying about others is one thing but too many people lie about God. When we give glory to others and things we are really lying about God because it is him who is alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. He was there before you were born, He was there when you were born, He is there with you now, He will be there with you when you die and He will be there with you forever in eternity. Don’t lie about God. Give Him the glory for your life!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 John 2:20-22 NIV
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Sunday, September 28, 2003
If you want your first husband or wife to be your only husband or wife, marry the person who loves God more than you!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 John 4:15-17 NIV
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us…
Saturday, September 27, 2003
It doesn’t come natural for people to share. This is evident from the time when children are old enough to play with toys. And although it may get more polite or politically correct, selfishness remains through all ages and stages of one’s life unless the mighty hand of God gives us a touch from His heart. The problem is that everyone wants a “piece of the pie” instead of “peace of the heart.”
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 14:30 NIV
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
Friday, September 26, 2003
Greed can easily sneak into the heart of young people as well as older people. Actually, it can be easier because when we are young we have a tendency to be idealistic. Greed is the opposite of generous. When people are not generous they are actually a thief at heart!
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 28:25 NIV
The greedy man stirs up dissension,
but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
If the church lowers its standards to meet the desires of many young people we might as well hang a sign out front that says, “Church of the Lost!”
Perhaps the question should be asked, “Is it possible that the old folks know more about God than the young folks realize?”
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Peter 5:5-9 NIV
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Today our state is shocked once again by the shooting of two high school students by another student. There will never be peace until there is purpose for young people and Jesus is that purpose. When we ordered God out of our schools we ushered the devil in.
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
When a person graduates from high school one usually receives a diploma. The same holds true for college and other advanced training. When believers attend the school of life and graduate to the kingdom of heaven there will not need a diploma because God will have already put His signature on your heart! There can be nothing greater or more rewarding.
-Lyn Sahr
-Col 3:23-25 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Monday, September 22, 2003
When we are young, we have many dreams and idealistic concepts. When we consider the greatness of God, it seems like we all have a dream of what He can accomplish through our lives. However, many people only dream and never realize the greatness of what God could do in them. You see, too many people just dream and never wake up!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 13:11-14 NIV
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
When we seek to grow up too fast we stumble.
When we seek to grow up too slow we stagnate.
When we seek to grow up God’s way we become Godly!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 69:13 NIV
But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
Thursday, September 11- Wednesday, September 17, 2003
When the spirit of the Lord moves, there is peace. Moving Ardis Rivera to Mexico to direct the ministry of Home and Away Ministries there has a sweet aroma of peace!
On Thursday we went out to Pastor Gonzales church. There was a great time of praise and worship and then I spoke. The little church sets in a rather remote village outside of Monterrey. Pastor Gonzales and his family have a very special place in my heart. Last June when we were there we prayed for his new grandson who was only a few weeks old. He had been kept in the hospital for three weeks because he had severe asthma. We were asked to pray for him and I will never forget the feeling that I had when I held this little baby and he wheezed for breath. I thought, “This little guy cannot live like this.” We earnestly prayed and asked God to heal him. When we came back now he was perfectly healed from all asthma symptoms and has been ever since the night we prayed for him before. Yes, God still heals!
Ardis rented a house on Thursday and we went to the border (140 miles) to purchase new appliances on Friday. Appliances are about 40% cheaper and appear to be higher quality in the states. The house has three bedrooms so that when individuals, families or couples come in they will be able to stay at the house. A lot of people think that things are cheap in Mexico and some things are. You can buy some of the best pastries you have ever eaten for 10 cents each. You can eat a great Taco dinner with a Coke for $2.50. But razor blades are 25% higher than here, even at Wal-Mart. And gas is about $2.70 per gallon. I stand in awe at how the Mexican’s make financially but then I remember, many of them don’t. There is a lot of poverty!
Saturday we met with fifteen pastors and wives and I shared the vision with them of Home and Away Ministries. All of them too the information sheets to fill out for their churches and themselves to help us better match them up with a sister church. Now we must turn our attention to churches here in the states who desire to be involved with having a sister church in Mexico to have fellowship and share the burden of ministry with in both churches. What a thrill it will be for the people in churches to travel to Mexico and develop relationships that will last for years. Some of our Mexican pastors will come to the states to preach in our American churches. God is up to something good here and it will be terrific.
Saturday night we went up to a house that overlooks the entire city that used to be for the Bishop of Monterrey. It is a beautiful place that seems to put things in perspective as to the size of Monterey, the opportunity of ministry and the great need that exists there.
Sunday I preached in four different churches and Bob Espeseth, board member for Home and Away Ministries preached in two. We had some great services and the Lord was truly there. We left Monterrey at Midnight Sunday night and arrived back in Minneapolis at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday morning. I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace as He continues to bless us by fulfilling our dreams. Thank you for being part of that!
-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.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
It is actually Thursday at 12:45 A.M. when I am writing this. We just got back from an evening service with Pastor Cruz, a short taco stop and now back to the motel. I brought a short-term outreach ministry team to his church in November of 2001. His was the first church our team ministered in. The church was basically a bunch of poles with some tarps hung on them in case of rain. However, they were in the process of building a new sanctuary when we were there before. I was pleasantly surprised to see it finished.
The sanctuary was about two thirds full for the service, which was somewhat in excess of sixty people. I thought this was quite good for a Wednesday night until the 50 plus children entered from the old “open air” church at the end of the service. The ladies all got up front and did a special number “When the Roll is Called up Yonder.” There were about 15 ladies and there were about three songbooks. Most of the women sang all four verses from memory. They didn’t have song sheet inserts; choir music, overhead projectors or LCD projector. No bells. No whistles. Just Praise and worship. God is really blessings this church.
This church is in a very poor area of about 3000 people on the edge of Monterrey. By poor I mean there are many homes that have no floors (except dirt) and they are constructed from scrap construction material and some cardboard. But when I preached there tonight I didn’t see their poverty but rather their riches because of their deep love for God and the joy they experience because of it.
Again I say, in America we just don’t get it but God does!
James 2:5-6 NIV
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
Tuesday, September 9, 2003
After traveling all night and day we arrived at the Mexican border in Laredo, Texas at 2:00 a.m. We went through customs and got our visas without any problems. Then we went to get our car permit and we had a little surprise. We are pulling the “tow dolly” trailer with Ardis’ car on it. The trailer is borrowed from someone and we brought the normal notarized permission papers to take it into Mexico. However, they changed the rules and wouldn’t let us in without the trailer being titled in my name. So we had to go back across the border to the court house in Laredo and reregister the trailer and they didn’t open until 8:00 a.m. Because we didn’t want to back through customs and risk possible further delays Bob and I walked the bridge across the Rio Grande and the dozen blocks uphill to the courthouse. We got the title/registration processed and headed back across the border to get the permit for the trailer only to find that the trailer had to be in the same name as the vehicle that was pulling it! After some debate we headed back across the Rio Grande and walked the hill once again to register the trailer in Bob’s name because the truck is in his name. When we got back to the Mexican officials to get the trailer permit they informed us that the truck and trailer had to be registered as one together so Bob’s registration fo the truck alone was no invalid and we would need a new permit for that too. We finally got on our way at 11:00 a.m. And you thought your life was complicated!
The rest of the story! Last week an old knee injury I had from the 1972 flared up so severely that I was literally unable to walk. The pain was so severe that it made me nauseous. I received and injection in my knee before I left with hopes that the swelling would go down and relieve some of the pain. Then of course, 30 hours straight on the road and sleeping on hard benches at the border. I could have done without the two walks across the border!
But then again I remembered the scripture, God doesn’t give us any more than our knee can handle!
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Cor 12:7-10 NIV
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Monday, September 8, 2002
We, myself, Ardis Rivera and Home and Away Ministries board member Robert Espeseth have been driving all night heading to Monterrey, Mexico to help Ardis move there, initiate the office and meet with pastors to implement the Great Commission Alliance in Mexico. As we head into Texas it seems impossible that we still have so far to travel.
It reminds me of our spiritual journey. Even after we have been traveling through this life with Jesus for what may seem like a long time, we still have so far to travel!
Please keep us in our prayers as we have many obstacles to overcome and are in need of adequate funding to do this properly and be effective.
-Lyn Sahr
1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV
As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Friday, September 5, 2003
A good friend of mine came with exciting news yesterday. His forty-five year-old son called him and asked him to come over for a talk. He didn’t know what it was all about but when he got there the son told him that he had been thinking about his life and realized that he needed to ask Jesus to come in and take control.
This man has heard the Gospel many, many times and had never wanted to do this before. What made the difference? The Holy Spirit and the prayers of his family. My friend is rejoicing and we rejoice with him.
For those of us who still have children, even adult children that aren’t serving Jesus. Take heart, God is still working on them!
-John Roe
-Matthew 18:11
“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
Thursday, September 4, 2003
A love that is built on lies will be a lie. A love that is built on sin will be sin. A love that is built on Christ will be pure. And spiritual purity is high on God’s list for people He can use for His purpose.
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Tim 4:12 NIV
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Wednesday, September 3, 2003
Falling in love isn’t worth it if you fall below the values and principles of God’s Word.
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Cor 6:14-16 NIV
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Tuesday, September 2, 2003
We have been experiencing some computer glitches in recent days that have prevented us from getting the daily emails out on time. Yes, it seems like life is a constant battle of time. Time is something that cannot be recaptured or reused. It goes by very quickly and the older you get the faster it seems to go. Friday (September 5th) I will be 55 years old and next Tuesday (September 9th) my wife and I will be married 37 years. It seems like only yesterday. I was 16 and she was 15 when we met. Yes, we were “high school sweethearts.” Now we are “old school sweethearts!”
I have said all of that to say this; when you are young time is not valuable. To put it in perspective count the Christmas’ that you have left if you live to your life expectancy. There really isn’t that many, is there. And there are only fifty-two Sunday worship Services at church each year and many young people still say they don’t have time.
If a person doesn’t have time for church it would appear they don’t have time for God. And if you don’t have time for God what’s the purpose of time?
-Lyn Sahr
-Eccl 3:11-12 NIV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Monday, September 1, 2003
The celebration in America today called “Labor Day,” a celebration in honor of the workers of America. A lot of young people celebrate in what we consider almost of lifestyle. They “Party.” But earthly celebrations and parties pale the excitement in heaven today when the saints of God enter the gates of eternity! Then we will understand what the word celebrate and party really means!
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 6:23 NIV
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven…”
