December 8, 2015

O Little Town of Bethlehem

The sun slowly rose over the ridgeline of Bethlehem as our Proverbs 31 Ministries bus meandered its way from Jerusalem into the little town.  The view was breathtaking. It was just like a Christmas Card.

A tall wall separated Jerusalem from Palestinian Bethlehem. We easily drove in. The town was peaceful, sleeping.

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We were giddy with excitement as we headed to Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. Church of the Nativity is the oldest church  in Christendom.  It is built over the supposed cave where the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus, placing Him in a manger.  When you see Christmas Eve church services on television, many times from this church is where they broadcast.

There is one feature to me that is even more remarkable. The only entrance into the Church of the Nativity is low, not quite even five feet high.

Called the Door of Humility, we all must bend low to be near Jesus. So true. What a physical reminder.

As we prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, may we “bend low” today and every day. Let’s give more grace, forgive, forget, encourage others, complain less, count our blessings more.

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” –Luke 2:15-19 NIV.

“When they [the Magi] saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” –Matthew 2: 10-11 NIV

Reflect:

–This Christmas season, how can we “bend lower” to be near Jesus? Please comment.

Renew:

–“The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” –Psalm 145:14 NIV

–“He must become greater; I must become less.” –John 3:30 NIV

Lysa TerKeurst after teaching the Bible near the Door of Humility

October 6, 2015

It’s Electric–A Lesson Learned on Light and Darkness

Understanding electricity is not a top priority for me. Please don’t get me wrong–I love light. I like to see the results of inserting a light bulb… and voila, let there be light. I learned a humbling lesson this past weekend about photocells, yes, photocells, and how they relate to our faith.

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In my front yard is a cool “dusk-til-dawn” lantern. It’s peaceful to drive up to my home at night and see it shining brightly.

Recently it burned out. Bummer. Taking the step ladder, I gingerly removed the globe and old light bulb, replacing it with a new. Waiting for the light to radiate immediately, I waited and waited. Still darkness.

Remembering the GFI circuit thingy inside, I went inside the house and reset that little button. Craning my neck to look out in the yard, the lamppost was still dark. I even flipped the breaker switch doo-dad, still nothing. Obviously I had maxxed out any slight inkling electrical knowledge I had, which wasn’t much.

The next day when telling my dear friend about my yard light situation, her husband remarked matter-of-factly. “Some debris may be blocking your light’s photocell, keeping it from shining.” Do what? What in the world is a photocell?

He explained that a photocell is a sensor that detects light. The photocell is what makes my lamp know to shine in the darkness. Ahhh. Once the debris was cleaned from the photocell, my lamp miraculously began shining again.

So what does all this mean? How is our faith’s “photocell?” What “debris” in our lives may be keeping us from shining our Light of Jesus? Could our debris be busyness, unforgiveness, unconfessed sin, jealousy, envy, a critical spirit? Ouch. Any of one these and so many others could be the debris blocking the Holy Spirit’s “photocell” connection in our hearts. God desires a total heart connection with us.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good words and glorify your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Anne Graham Lotz, in her book Just Give Me Jesus, tells this story I’ll soon not forget.

“One night when author Robert Louis Stevenson was a small boy, his nanny called him to come to bed. Oblivious to her summons, he was staring at something outside his nursery window. The nanny walked over, stood at his shoulder, and inquired patiently, ‘Robert, what are you looking at?’

The little boy, without taking his eyes away from the window, exclaimed in wonder as he pointed to the lamplighter who was lighting the streetlamps. ‘Look, Nanny! That man is putting holes in the darkness!’

With the Holy Spirit as our faith’s “photocell,”and with Jesus as the Light of the world, may we each be totally empowered to go “put holes in the darkness!” You shine!

Reflect:

–How is your light of faith shining right now?

Renew:

–“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –John 8:12 NIV.

–“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” –2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

Recharge:

–What is one action item you will accomplish this week to get rid of any “faith photocell debris” you may have?

Resource:

What is a photocell?

July 28, 2015

Wisdom From Wise Women–She Speaks 2015

Hi Friends!

Since we just returned home from the amazing Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks 2015 conference, I thought of sharing just a few profound sticky statements from some of the most godly, wise leaders with whom I have ever had the blessing of serving. My hand couldn’t write down their wisdom fast enough. May you be as encouraged by these Bible-centered truths as I am.

  • “We must stay in alignment with His assignment.” –Lysa TerKeurst
  • “God calls us to 1) Be with Him and 2) Be sent out by Him. ” –Lysa TerKeurst
  • “The Gospel is a change agent. God loves you as you are, but He doesn’t want you to stay that way.” –Whitney Capps
  • “The Comforter will comfort. Sometimes our Bible teaching will make them feel uncomfortable.” –Whitney Capps
  • “There’s no such thing as fame in the eyes of the Famous One.” –Whitney Capps
  • “The only good in us is God in us.” –Liz Curtis Higgs
  • “We need God-confidence, not self-confidence.” –Liz Curtis Higgs
  • “God can redeem our mess with His best.” –Liz Curtis Higgs
  • “Serving God may mean holding a broom, not a microphone.” –Liz Curtis Higgs
  • “Pretending you’re fine when you’re really not fine never healed any kind of brokenness.” –Lysa TerKeurst
  • “We at Proverbs 31 Ministries take the Bible literally, not liberally.” –Lysa TerKeurst
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