Love—Not Hate by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

June 2, 2020 No comments Article

I believe Jesus is crying right now.

He’s crying about the inhumane treatment of George Floyd.

But I think He’s also crying about the violent protests going on around the United States, filled with hate, looting and destruction of property. After all, He represents love—not hate.

I think He could also be in mourning. I imagine Him saying, “This is not what I taught when I walked on this earth. Do you not remember what I told you about those who come against you?” I said, ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you’” (Luke 6:27–28).

Jesus was known as the Prince of Peace, “Sar Shalom.” He himself said He came to this world to bring peace, not war or angst. In one of His most famous addresses on the Mount of Beatitudes, he brought up the importance of peace: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). 1 Peter 3:11 calls us to seek and purse peace.

Have we as a nation turned completely away from the Word of God? Isn’t there another way to solve the injustice committed against George Floyd, rather than revenge? Proverbs 20:22 says, “Don’t say, ‘I will get even for this wrong.’ Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.”

After all, God is the one who made it clear in both Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:17–19 that he wants to handle any punishment or discipline that needs to be doled out. It’s not up to us individuals. The Apostle Paul reminded everyone of this in the book of Romans when he said, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.’”

I know God is righteous and just. While He does not want anyone to perish, I have seen his Holy discipline acted out many times, at times defending me. At other times, defending others. We just have to trust that He is in control, and that, more than anyone, He hates brutal mistreatment of His children. After all, He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground.

So today, I’m pleading with those who are carrying out violent acts of protest. Instead of making the scenario worse, let’s lift this situation up in prayer, and ask Almighty God to intervene. Let’s remember a situation from years ago when the Children of Israel were fleeing from slavery in Egypt and the Egyptians decided to chase them down so they could haul them back into captivity. With the oppressors on their heels, there was great fear but Moses comforted the Israelites and said, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13–14). And that’s when God opened up the Red Sea and the pursuers were swallowed up by the waters behind them.

Evangelist Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, said this about the scenario going on, “Our skin colors are supposed to help us appreciate each other, not oppress each other.”

It’s time to stand still and let God handle this. Let’s put away the bleach, the torches and the spray paint and appreciate each other as equal, created beings of God—formed into God’s image and molded for relationships of love—not hate.

Pouring Your Heart Out by Dr. Lynnette Simm

May 30, 2020 No comments Article

Yesterday, at Pearls of Promise Ministries we were talking about our hearts. What it means to have a pure and clean heart, and what it means to pour out your heart. So much of my time recently as been spent examining my heart.

This time of isolation has really allowed me to reflect on my relationships. I have journaled and blogged about my relationship with God, my husband, my girls, my parents and with my siblings. I have had the chance to love on my niece and my nephew-in-law from afar, as they welcomed into the family the first child of the next generation. And, I have spent countless hours of blessed, quality time via phone calls and zoom calls with my friends. I have loved every minute!

Pouring out your heart starts with love, and communication is the key foundation to every relationship so I have been in extrovert heaven. I must admit I have missed hugs and there are some family and friends whom I just can’t squeeze in person—yes, you Baby Russell!

Thankfully, this time allowed me to pour my heart out to the Lord daily and sometimes well into the night. I have cried out to Him for myself, my family, friends, our country and our leaders, for our neighbors in all the countries around the world. What a time to pour out of hearts. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts for Him, for God is our refuge.”

In Him, I have found my refuge, my strength during this time and I am blessed to have deepened many of my relationships. There are so many of you who are struggling. Jobs lost or overworked, moving, families separated, death of loved ones, and even celebrations, births, or graduations diminished or put on hold because of this time. Yet there has been so much love too.

When we get through it all, I pray that we pour out our hearts even more. I pray that marriages become strengthened, family bonds grow stronger, and the things we truly care about stay our number one priorities. Our Faith. Our Families and One Another. These are the places where YOU need to continue pouring your heart out.

One Way to Hear from God by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

May 26, 2020 No comments Article

Proactive Listening.

That’s what author and pastor Mark Batterson says we need to do to hear the voice of God. I am currently at the beach where I feel closest to God and where I’ve received some profound direction like “I want you to quit your full-time job” after I felt a call to seminary back in 2003. I resisted at first and laid down some parameters for proceeding: “You need to replace my salary in my husband’s salary and make it his idea.” Both happened, but not before I ended up in the Emergency Room with panic attacks at finals and once again the following semester at mid-terms. I should have listened and taken a leap of faith, but didn’t.

Shifting back to current day, there has not been a direct message from the Lord on this beach trip. There has been some great family time and really good food. We also put a 1000 piece puzzle together and had some relaxing outings at the pool and beach. But I think I haven’t heard from above because I have not done any “proactive listening.”

I’ve started the days with my usual morning routine:

Worship.

Bible reading.

Prayer.

But no true silence and meditation.

There is a scenario in my life right now where I need a word from God. I need to know whether to proceed or pull back, because if I am supposed to move forward I may have to let go of something else. I’ve learned my lesson about overextending.

So I am thankful for the reminder during my time with my heavenly Father this morning. I need to be intentional about listening. I need to be more like Jacob who wrestled with God until he received a blessing. Or like Jesus who spent long periods of time with the Lord so He would receive direction from His Father. John 5:19 says Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing.

What about you? Do you need direction about something in your life? Consider Proactive Listening. Push all extraneous thoughts out of your mind. Sit in His presence without saying a word, and ask God to speak.

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes (Psalm 119:98–99).

This Wednesday May 27 is our monthly POP Chat at 6:30 p.m. Our Subject will be “How to Have Peace in Your Life.” We hope you will sign up and join us for a powerful time of Worship, Prayer, Teaching and Conversation online. The link to register is below:

https://share.hsforms.com/15bHBupdrTBugXxD9Y8Q_MQ3jo4z?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Fd6oIw25om50GBkR6HgrBG0x2wbHRc-I-hrq_UD9pFk8BXeRStNn8q9sf_egb5difzFL6

S.O.S. by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

May 23, 2020 No comments Article

Do you feel like sending out a distress signal right now? Need a life raft?

The universal distress signal is S.O.S. It is Morse Code and not an acronym, but everyone knows what it means. Over the years, however, some people have turned it into an acronym: “SAVE OUR SHIP,” so if that’s the case, what is on your ship that you feel needs saving right now?

Your finances?

Your family?

Your health?

As we think about what needs saving, I want to offer some other acronyms for S.O.S.

SINK OR SWIM. In light of COVID-19, sometimes we feel like the world is sinking. Over the Memorial Day Weekend, I am here at my usual happy place, South Padre Island, but this time it’s a little unsettling walking around in a “masked” environment. I have to make a choice: Will I allow myself to sink emotionally because it’s different or will I choose to have a good time and swim? Swimming is always the better choice but it takes more effort.

Over the past few months, our ministry, Pearls of Promise, has been forced to cancel a Level-Up Conference, speaking engagements came to a halt, because of the “Shelter-at-Home” order, we could not gather as a team for our new television show, POP Talk. We also couldn’t do in-person radio interviews, and we felt like we were not teaching/encouraging our Pearls of Promise connections anymore. What to do? We had to make a choice. Sink Or Swim?

SEEK OUR STRATEGY. We chose to swim so this led to seeking a strategy and ultimately, the strategy or chess moves for our lives must come from God. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

As the leader of this ministry, I overcame the initial shock of the hard stop brought on by COVID-19 by spending extended time in God’s presence. It was like I was a little child again, wearing holy floaties. How and where do you want us to swim, Lord? Do we simply float, or do you want us to keep moving forward in some way? And He was faithful to provide the strategy, just as He will provide a detailed plan for you in your life.

SEASON OF SLEEP. This is an acronym that we might not have thought about. Maybe the Lord is taking some things off your plate so you can relax, recharge and bask in His presence. Even though Pearls of Promise is still busy doing ministry, my days are still less hectic and contain more margin than ever before. The pace feels better and allows for a longer quiet time in the morning.

SEEK OUR SAVIOR. Jesus does not want us to sink. He wants us to work things out with Him at the center, and then desires for us to walk on the water, holding His hand so we don’t go under. He is the foundation in the midst of continued uncertainty.

I will close with one of my favorite passages from Psalm 40:1-2:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

SERVING OUR SAVIOR! Here’s the link to sign up for our POP Chat for this Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. We hope you will sign up and join us for a powerful time online.

https://share.hsforms.com/15bHBupdrTBugXxD9Y8Q_MQ3jo4z?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Fd6oIw25om50GBkR6HgrBG0x2wbHRc-I-hrq_UD9pFk8BXeRStNn8q9sf_egb5difzFL6

Life’s Detours—God’s Plan or Not? By Jan Stroman

May 21, 2020 No comments Article

Our guest blogger today is Janice Stroman, Ed.D. Jan, a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, now lives in Las Colinas, Texas. She is the Founder and Director of “Ladies in Touch,” a ministry group that connects with God and others. She is a Bible Study Leader and Teacher, Writer and Blogger of “Jan’s Jewels for Jesus,” that can be found on the Ladies in Touch website, www.ladiesintouch.com.

Jan is also a private music teacher and an Irving League of Volunteers Member and an Irving Salvation Army Advisory Council Member. She has extensive experience in Educational Leadership and Teacher Training and has taught all ages and grades from Elementary School through Graduate School. Both her Masters and Doctoral degrees are related to research on how to teach the reading-writing process more effectively.

Jan’s Hobbies include decorating, gardening, photography, cooking, and entertaining. Most of all she loves, and is dedicated to helping others discover the reality of a faith-based life. She is married to David, her husband of 55 years. They have one son and two handsome grandsons who are the joy of her life.

Are you currently in a Life Detour that has you worried or scared? Or maybe you’re thinking that you are completely alone and Jesus doesn’t care? Perhaps your situation has depleted you of both emotional and physical strength to the point of feeling numb and depleted of all energy.

Please allow me to share with you, my precious friend, that I have been there. In fact, I am right there with you as I write and share these thoughts. Yes, the detour I’m experiencing seems impossible and without any hope. Ever been there? Are you there now?

Jesus tells us in the Bible that He will never leave us or forsake us. He reminds us of that one lost sheep that He took time to find and rescue. Maybe you are the sheep that needs help or rescuing. Could it be that someone very close to you might need to be rescued? Do you ever literally feel like crying out to God, “HELP! AND MAKE IT QUICK!

I am once again reminded that Jesus says in His Word, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, except through me.” It is only through Him and by Him that any of us can find our way out of darkness and despair. He longs to be our dearest and closest friend. He says that we are to cast our burden upon Him because He will never give us more than we can endure. “For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” He asks us to believe in Him with all of our heart, body, mind, and soul, and as we travel though this rough time or detour together, when we do what He asks, we will feel His presence walking along beside us. If we are too weak to walk, He will carry us. Jesus will never leave or forsake us if we keep focused on His everlasting and precious love for us.

So if something or someone has caused you to feel afraid, sad, lonely, rejected, or without hope, think of the words of the familiar chorus entitled “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

A friend who is currently fighting a fierce battle with cancer often sings this chorus when the battle she faces begins to wear her down. I’ve literally seen fear and distress disappear from her face as she sings this chorus. Peace and joy instantly replace fear and distress.

Why? The answer lies in the words of the chorus I shared with you. When you look into the face of the One who is Love personified and trust in Him as a child, then and only then, will you find that everlasting peace that passes all understanding.

Try looking into the glorious face of Jesus. Feel His loving arms surround you and His enduring peace rest within you. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).