December 15, 2015

What Do You Want for Your Birthday?

December is a month for some significant birthdays in my life. My precious Mom’s birthday was last week on December 6th. Two dear high school friends’ birthdays are this month.  The birthday of one of my Godly mentor friends is December 26th.

Oftentimes, a simple question is asked to those we love before their birthday: “What do you want for your birthday?” If you are like me, I just want to ensure my loved one is honored in the most meaningful way. Isn’t that what we want for our birthdays…to  know we are loved and cherished?

The most significant person in my life, really in this world, celebrates His birth each December 25th. Isn’t it wonderful that we all adorn our homes in Christ-mas finery and decorate the inside and outside with bright lights in honor of His birthday?  We bake treats, buy gifts and send cards to our most significant loved ones , friends, and coworkers (and even strangers), and go above and beyond to volunteer and do “random acts of kindness” this time a year. Why? Perhaps it truly is all part of His birthday celebration, honoring the Light Of  The World.

However you may feel about Him, one fact is irrefutable. History sets its time stamp of demarcation with Jesus’ birth—BC, “Before Christ”, and AD, “Anno Domini,” Latin for “In the Year of Our Lord.”   Even the Old Testament prophesied Jesus’ birth (especially in the book of Isaiah) at least 700 years before He was born! Isn’t it fitting that we give Him our best as we celebrate His birthday?

When I was growing up, we baked a birthday cake for Christmas Day and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. I will always remember those sweet memories.

So, on this December 15, 2015 AD, in the year of our Lord, 10 days before we celebrate His birthday, I  encourage you to ask Him a simple question:  “Lord, What Do You Want For Your Birthday?”

Then listen…

Could His birthday gift be:

–to reconcile with your loved one…

–to rake the yard of and sit with an elderly neighbor…

–to babysit for a worn-out married couple to have a date night…

–to share your testimony and love of Jesus with your co-worker…

You can almost hear His still, small voice, can’t you?

“Your Heart, Dear One. That’s all I want. Your Heart.”

Reflect:

  • How will this Christmas, Jesus’ birthday celebration, be different from years past?
  • How can we listen and act more intentionally after asking the question, “Lord, what do You want for your birthday?”

Renew:

  • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” –Colossians 3:23
  • “I am sending Him—who is my very heart—back to you.” –Philemon 1:12.
  • “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the Truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart.” –1 Peter 1: 22

Recharge:

  • After asking, seeking, and listening, what intentional actions in your life have you been prompted to take?
  • Consider baking a birthday cake on Christmas Day and singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. Let’s party!
  • Please leave a comment.
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

December 1, 2015

Bible Navigating Confessions

On this first day of December,  Lysa TerKeurst poignantly shares about a time she couldn’t find what she needed in the Bible. She says what my heart has felt also. May you be as encouraged also today by her testimony.

Proverbs 31 Ministries devotional

We at Proverbs 31 Ministries prayerfully desire to reach more people for Jesus and His Word. Thank you for joining us in the huge God-sized vision to eradicate Biblical poverty together.

On this Giving Tuesday, please share this message and prayerfully consider giving your best gift (after your church tithe) to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.

Reflect:

–Please comment on how Proverbs 31 Ministries has impacted your faith. To God be the glory.

Renew:

–“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” –Psalm 119:105 NIV.

–Respond:

Proverbs 31 Ministries–Be With Jesus

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