The Christmas Spirit: Humble Beginnings

Here is another devotion from the book Kari got me "Voices of the Faithful" -- a book of devotions written by missionaries around the world. I actually want to post both the one from today and the one from yesterday. I don't know if I will have time to type out both right now, so I am going to just start with the one from yesterday.

Love ya!

Humble Beginnings

"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand or cling to His rights as God." Philippians 2:5-6 (NLT)

Another language blunder, but I never imagined it would be so meaningful. It was our fourth Christmas in China, and we had recently moved from a large capital to a more remote town.

Each Christmas we made a manger out of bamboo and filled it with hay, then we wrapped a doll in a blanket and placed it in the manger in our living room. A floodlight shining on the doll's face helped remind us of the wonder of Christmas.

I explained to a Chinese guest that when Jesus was born, He was placed in a feed trough. Instead of saying the Chinese word for "manger," I accidentally used the word for "toilet." My wife quickly corrected me, and we laughed at my mistake.

Reflecting later, it wasn't stretching it to say that Jesus was born and then placed in a toilet. The trough most likely didn't smell much better, and compared to the glory He had enjoyed in heaven, a feed trough surrounded by smelly animals probably did seem comparatively like a toilet.

I realized that the sacrifices made to live in this remote town were pathetically small when compared to those that Jesus made in leaving heaven to come to earth. I was encouraged, though, to think that moving to this town was in line with the Christmas message.

Jesus left a place of comfort to seek the lost in an uncomfortable and remote place called earth. it took a language blunder to be reminded that our relocation was merely our humble attempt to follow His example.

--A worker in China

Father, it is hard to grasp that Your Son emptied Himself to be made into the likeness of man. May I never forget the price He paid for me. May I always realize that my sacrifices are nothing compared to His. Amen

Eating Humble Pie : )

This weekend Kari gave me a new devotional called Voices of the Faithful, compiled by Beth Moore, that contains devotions written by various missionaries around the world. I really liked the one from December 10 and I just had to share it with you.

Eating Humble Pie

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus . . . And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5, 8 (NIV).

After arriving in Latvia (LAT-vee-ah), our family began the arduous process of learning Russian. Many missionaries refer to the Russian language as the language of heaven because it takes an eternity to learn it! Day after day, month after month we spoke on the level of a 1-year old. My husband often said it was like being a message in a bottle.

At the home of the national family, we eagerly wanted to communicate, but it was impossible. So we drank tea, ate pastries and smiled a lot.

We were so needy. We couldn't open a bank account, obtain a post office box or even order a meal without a national there to speak for us. We must have seemed like children to them as they taught us how to dress, eat their foods, how to ride a city bus and how to live in an arctic climate.

During my quiet time one day, I began to reflect upon Jesus. He knew all about the heavenly Father, yet He came as a tiny infant. Being the Word Himself, He had no words with which to communicate. He was utterly helpless, dependent upon Joseph and Mary for His needs. The ones He came to serve had to serve Him as He waited day after day, year after year in order to tell us about the Father.

We could identify with Jesus. The ones we came to serve ended up having to serve us, but in the process we learned dependence upon them and upon God for all our needs.

--Cathy, Central and Eastern Europe

Lord Jesus, You understand what it's like not to be able to communicate with others about the Father. May I learn from Your humility and ask that You make a way for me to clearly share the gospel with _____________________________. Father, please give missionaries who are learning a new language a miraculous ability to grasp the grammar and pronunciation while also gaining understanding. Amen.

We are beginning Joel and Revelation

Locusts

feeding

swarming

a woman and a swarm of locusts


a little boy and swarming locusts

Looking at those pictures makes me think that the flies in Ontario are NO BIG DEAL!!! LOL This morning I was reading my Bible and I noticed that our reading for today was the book of Joel and the first few chapters of Revelation. These books are a little more challenging. And I wanted to give you some help so you don't miss out on the amazing treasures that are there for you. Chuck Smith's commentary on the book of Joel has some really helpful information. And David Guzik's commentary on Revelation 1 is also really good. I would encourage you to use a commentary like the Believer's Commentary or the Blue Letter Bible online to look up the verses that you want a better understanding of.

You can also listen to Dustin's teachings on the book of Joel. If you go to our church website, click on "Recent Messages" and scroll down the list all the way to the bottom. You will see two teachings from Dustin, the first one is called "Listen and Obey" and the second one is called "The Day of the Lord." I wish Pastor David's Revelation series was online, but you can order CD's from the bookstore. It is very good.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy your readings this week. I can't wait until Sunday, to hear what the Lord is speaking to you. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me and I can help you.

Love ya : )