I am currently reading Dr. David Jeremiah’s devotional entitled, Signs of Life: Back to the Basics of Authentic Christianity. In the meditation entitled “Turn on the Lights” he refers to a short story he found in a devotional by Kim P. Davis with Beth Moore, called, Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World (page 164). It stresses the importance of letting our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify the Father in heaven, Matthew 5:16. Let me share the inspiration I received today. It reads:
"A missionary named Gerri told of working in an African town. One day exciting news reached her. The Lozi king is coming to attend church services and to eat at her house. As far as Gerri knew, the king usually didn’t visit private homes, and word of his upcoming visit spread through the town like wildfire.
When the day finally arrived, the king entered Gerri’s house. She explained in the Lozi language that she was a missionary and that, in Lozi, the name Gerri sounded like “Jelly” because the “r” sound is hard for the people to pronounce. She boldly asked the king for a Lozi name. Though she didn’t know it at the time, such a request was against protocol, but the king smiled and said, “I’ll think about it.”
Later as he prepared to leave, the king said, “My wife and I have decided upon a name for you. It will be Liseli [pronounced lee-SHE-lee]. It means ‘light.’ Just as the sun gives light and life to plants, animals, and people, I want God’s Word to be life and light to the people of Western Province.”
Gerri later wrote,” I was stunned and pleased to receive this blessing. After the king left the room, a lady seated nearby privately said, ‘Ah, you are a very lucky woman to be given a name by a king.”
Well, the King of Kings has given you a name – and it’s LIGHT! (pp. 14-15).
When the day finally arrived, the king entered Gerri’s house. She explained in the Lozi language that she was a missionary and that, in Lozi, the name Gerri sounded like “Jelly” because the “r” sound is hard for the people to pronounce. She boldly asked the king for a Lozi name. Though she didn’t know it at the time, such a request was against protocol, but the king smiled and said, “I’ll think about it.”
Later as he prepared to leave, the king said, “My wife and I have decided upon a name for you. It will be Liseli [pronounced lee-SHE-lee]. It means ‘light.’ Just as the sun gives light and life to plants, animals, and people, I want God’s Word to be life and light to the people of Western Province.”
Gerri later wrote,” I was stunned and pleased to receive this blessing. After the king left the room, a lady seated nearby privately said, ‘Ah, you are a very lucky woman to be given a name by a king.”
Well, the King of Kings has given you a name – and it’s LIGHT! (pp. 14-15).
May the glorious light of God's presence shine through our very lives so that there is no question as to who we are or Whose we are.
10 comments:
Pastor McGhee,
WOW!!! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful and inspiring story. What a wonderul name to be given to a child of God. Matthew 5:16.
I will continue to pray for you and your ministry.
Evangelist Janae'
Thanks for the book recommendation, and thanks for the birthday shout out.
Lance
Pastor McGhee,
This is Steve Wagers' wife. I was going to tell you how to install a counter on the bottom of your blog. If you visit my blog and click on the counter it will take you right to the website so you can paste which one you choose on the page. Let me know if you need extra help!
I enjoyed your reading today. I have read that David Jeremiah book and really enjoyed it.
In Christ Alone,
Kim Wagers
www.1dancingwallflower.blogspot.com
Very wonderful story, I agree with the Evangelist my first thoughts take me to Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We should not only strive for that light but also his zeal, I believe these two are one in the same?
Brother: Wilson!!!
Thanks for the book recommendation. Be blessed in the Lord!
Man. I like the synopsis!!! I will have to pick up this book; even though I haven't finished reading some other stuff!!! :)
Wow Incredible brother, I have not been on this computer for 2 weeks and here I look at your site and your talking about the light. Last night I preached that we are sons and daughters of light and how we neede to let our light shine, so that those that are in the darkness can recognize the difference, what a confirmation, Amen.
Aloha Pastor McGhee..
Thank you for your visit and your encouraging words.
I really enjoyed reading your post this morning, what a beautiful story, I love that name *smile*. My boss at work gave me the nickname.."sonshine" he said you're blog makes the light of God shine in your life.. and Pastor McGhee I see him shinning here in your blog as well..
God Bless Lorie
Thanks for the book. I will add this to my library!!
Thanks Pastor for sharing your reading material. I'm going to purchase this book as a direct result of your blog. Thanks again.
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