What Do We Do Now? By Dr. Lynnette Simm

November 24, 2020 No comments Article

The whole world has been in pain. Unfortunately, that statement isn’t an exaggeration. The losses we have all experienced can’t be understated. Whether the loss has been personal, communal, economic, or physical this season, it feels like there isn’t an end. Yet, all is not lost, because so much can be gleaned from this season of hardship.

What is most important is to keep our foundation vitalized and Dr. Michelle Bengtson reminds us of six ways to do just that.

Pray fervently (more, deeper, without ceasing)
Speak God’s promises (Remind Him of His promises)
Declare your trust in Him (Let Him know you trust Him)
Let God be your comfort
Seek Him with everything you have (earnestly in His word and in worship)
See every difficulty as an opportunity for God to do what only God can do. (And for us to show His light, feel His love, share His grace and reveal His glory.

Each of use are dealing with something but we must remember that “pain is pain, and God promises to be close to the broken-hearted,” says Dr. Bengston.

So what can we do now as the holiday season begins? There is one more thing you can do—GIVE. ‘Tis the season of gratitude and giving. There are so many people who need you. Family members could use a word of encouragement, friends need prayer, and there are communities who can benefit from your generous heart. Call loved ones and ask how you can bless them. Reach out to friends and ask how you can bless them. Find a local food bank, shelter, or church and ask what needs they have so you can determine how to bless them. We are called to love one another and now is the time. Our beloved country, communities, friends, and family need your love.

How to Love Unconditionally by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

November 21, 2020 No comments Article

It’s been one of those stretches. People I was trying to book for our television show didn’t get back to me. Hurtful things were said by a couple others and another person I know complained about one of my personality traits. Combined with the underlying stress of COVID, ministry deadlines and an approaching final at school, the dam broke. After our POP Chat event on Wednesday night, I had one of those ugly cries and I couldn’t stop crying. Swollen eyes. Mascara streaming down the face. I hadn’t cried like that in years and one of our team members, a leadership coach, had to guide me out of the abyss.

But it was like the flood of tears did something miraculous. It washed away the negative thinking and gave me a new perspective on all that happened.

God then put the people who I was “offended” by in front of me again as if to say, “Give them another chance. See them through My eyes.” The people who didn’t respond to my emails about the television show, finally did, and now they are booked for the program. They had a good excuse for their silence. I actually saw one of them randomly at a restaurant. What are the odds? Once again the LORD spoke, You didn’t choose these guests for your show. I did, and now I am confirming it.

Meanwhile I was reminded that oftentimes, when individuals are sharp or less than complimentary, it often comes out of their own woundedness. God says “love is patient” and that means to have a heart of compassion for them, not judgment.

I read a verse this week that really spoke to me, especially since I am in school. It say, “But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church” (1 Corinthians 8:1). At that moment, I prayed, Lord, please don’t let me get so caught up in my studies that I don’t have time to love Your people. And it was after this prayer that God gave me the practical experience in unconditional love.

Jesus commands us in John 13:34 to love others as he has loved us. I know that I have probably offended Jesus, irritated him, turned my back on him, haven’t given him the time I should—so many things. But He still loves me and that is how we need to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

If there is someone in your world that gets under your skin, ask God to see this person through His eyes and to help you love him or her like He loves them. I promise it will be a valuable lesson you will never forget.

How to Overcome Downer Days by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

November 17, 2020 No comments Article

“Lisa’s had lots of experience.” Someone had just complimented my writing skills and another followed it up with a comment inferring I was old, negating the compliment. It’s been a stretch full of jabs like that, both external from other people and internal—punches I’ve thrown at myself.

Maybe you understand what it’s like when it seems like the positive reinforcement has retreated into a back closet.

It’s safe to say we all go through low periods, and when we do, thoughts surface like I have no value. I am unattractive. I am not lovable. When these negative thoughts begin to take over our minds and the downward spirals commence, we need to ask some questions.

What is going on in my life?

Do I have an important “God appointment” on the horizon?

Have I gotten away from my daily spiritual medicine—Worship, the Word of God and Prayer?

In my case, when I go through these downer days, I generally have some important ministry dates on the calendar. The more speaking engagements, the greater the attack. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The enemy of our souls wants to take us off our game so we are ineffective in our calling. His mission is to make us feel so bad about ourselves that we quit, and he’ll often use other people’s comments, or even silence, to bring us down.

We all have an Achilles heel—the place where we are most vulnerable—and he’s locked in on that target. Sometimes those making statements that needle us did not intend to do damage, but the enemy will twist what’s said and the derogatory whispers start: See, they think you’re worthless. You don’t belong. You are old. Why don’t you just hang it up?

When this happens to me, it may take a while, but I eventually realize that what is coming around the corner is going to be powerful. Otherwise, the devil wouldn’t be working so hard. I am going to be used to make a difference, and that when I am feeling weak, I must press into the strength that God provides.

Are you feeling a little south of center today? Then it’s time to get even lower, to your knees, and ask God to encourage you or to send one of His servants to provide a kind word. And while you’re down there, ask Him to help you to think rightly about yourself, and others. Today, I am humbly bowing along with you—seeking help from the One who loves us and provides for all our needs—Jesus. I am praying for both of us to feel an outpouring of His love, and to embrace the truth that we are beautiful daughters of God, as well as valuable to our heavenly Father.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”

(Ephesians 3:17–19)

Expect the Unexpected by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

November 14, 2020 2 comments Article

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

It was 2013, and our Pearls of Promise team was in a small bookstore in Kerrville, Texas. We were there to see if the store would carry our first book, however we never anticipated what would transpire. Besides the shop owner and two other women, a mother and a daughter, we were the only ones in the store. The daughter told the bookstore owner, “Lock the door.” She then asked him to play a certain song, and Christian music filled the atmosphere. The younger woman then glided throughout the room prophesying over us. As the words flowed from her mouth, my feet were planted and I could not move. It was the closest I’ve ever come to being “slain in the spirit” as I fought to stay upright. Then this prophetic woman stared at me and said, “You will speak to the nations, but it will not be what you expect.”

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve thought about that day and that particular prophetic word. I believe it was a once in a lifetime experience and a foretelling of what was to come.

I think about it when I see how far God has taken our POP Talk television shows—through several networks—to nations all over the world. I never thought I’d go back to television. It was unexpected.

And this week I realized something else I never would have expected, I have become a teacher and missionary to the country of Pakistan. I didn’t see that coming.

Since our POP Talk show has been airing on King Television in Pakistan, many Pakistani faith leaders have reached out to Pearls of Promise.

I am preaching online at a Pakistani church next Saturday. It will be early. Pakistan is in a time zone that is eleven hours later than Texas. Our ministry team is also planning a women’s conference for another Pakistani congregation in February.

We’ve taught special hour-long segments on King Television. This was not what I expected but what I am seeing is the doors have flown open for us in Pakistan and the beautiful people there are hungry for biblical teaching, so we are answering that call.

So when unusual opportunities like this occur, are we willing to take a leap of faith?

If we are open, sometimes God leads us into the unexpected. He will use us in places that we never fathomed we’d go to or put us in front of someone we never thought we’d meet.

We serve a creative God. When we pray for divine direction, are we ready to let go of our expectations and expect the unexpected?

Dear Lord, we give our journeys to you. Help us to receive whatever you send our way with open arms—even the unexpected. In Jesus Name we pray, AMEN.

Speaking with Grace by Dr. Lynnette Simm

November 10, 2020 No comments Article

What a roller coaster life has been for my family and me, heck for the world! It seems like this Thanksgiving will probably be unusually more difficult. Families still keeping distant or gathering with trepidation will bring more emotions into an already heavy season.

That’s why it’s especially important to speak with grace to each person. The Bible says in Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Each one of us are working through uncertainty, difficult changes with home, work, and school life, all the while dealing with the ever changing and turbulent “outside world.”

So it is now that we need to show the grace of the Lord to others. “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James‬ ‭1:19-20).

With raw emotions so easy to rage, we are called to slow down. Let our actions speak of love, grace, and thanksgiving. I have noticed that during this chaotic time my faith has been deepened and my relationships strengthened.

I have leaned heavily into my Savior with the full knowledge of my future. I am secure in His love and provision. I am warmed by His love and understanding. I am blessed with all the opportunities He has given me to love on others, to dig deeper into HIS word, and have been given time to slow down and listen. You, too, have the opportunity to extend respect, listen and show love, and speak with grace to one another.

As the weeks move quickly towards Thanksgiving Day, may we all prepare more than our travel plans, our homes, or food—may we prepare our hearts with grace.

Join us for POP Chat November 18th as Dr. Lynnette Simm will be teaching on “Gratitude is the Antidote.”

Flautist Katherine Legg will be providing our worship music. It will be a powerful hour of worship, teaching and discussion. Click on the link to sign up! ttps://share.hsforms.com/15bHBupdrTBugXxD9Y8Q_MQ3jo4z