Monday, March 14, 2011

Weekly Devotion - "DON'T MISS HIS SIGNS" - March 14, 2011

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager


DON’T MISS HIS SIGNS

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.”
Exodus 10:1-2

Last winter my husband and I were driving in a city that we weren’t familiar with. As we made our way from the motel parking lot to a service road we stopped, but didn’t see a sign. Nor did we see traffic, which would’ve immediately clued us in to determining if this was a one way or two way street.

“I think it’s a one way,” Mike said.

I disagreed. “I think it’s a two way. Just take a left then we’ll be closest to the exit we need.”

He should know better than to listen to me when it comes to directions. He took a left and we met a semi in our supposed lane. Thankfully it was a slow moving semi. The driver simultaneously swerved and wailed on his horn letting us know that it was indeed a one- way street. Oops. I missed the sign.

God performed multiple signs for the Israelites before the exodus – a river of blood, frogs in kneading bowls, dust to gnats, swarms of flies, dead livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of firstborn so that they would know that He is the LORD (Exodus 10:1-2). On their way to the Promised Land, the signs continued – a pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night, a walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, manna, quail and so much more (Exodus 13:22, 14:22, 16:13-14). Yet they missed the signs!

The spies that were sent to explore the land of Canaan returned with a large cluster of grapes, pomegranates and figs, all signs that what God said about the Promised Land was true. It is a rich, fertile, and bountiful land! Sadly, the people were so blinded by the stories of giants that they missed His signs.

The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:11). Only because God is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion were they spared from plague and destruction (Numbers 14:12- 20).

Does He say to you and me, “How long will she refuse to trust Me and believe in Me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed for her?”

PASSION Step: Don’t let the giants of disaster, disease, or other distressing circumstances blind you and cause you to miss seeing His signs.

Keeping our eyes on Jesus takes work. If we can’t find a window to see Him through, find a knothole.
Bob Goff

Weekly Devotiona - "NOTICE GOD IN THE ORDINARY" - March 7, 2011

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

NOTICE GOD IN THE ORDINARY

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

The Psalms contain a number of cries and pleas that God not hide His face from His people. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever/ How long will you hide your face from me? Do not hide your face from me. When you hid your face, I was dismayed. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me? Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly (Psalm 13:1, 27:9a, 30:7b, 69:17, 88:14, 102:2).

Horror of horrors if God turns His face from us or sets His face against us! Yet, how many times have we turned our face from Him, or shut our eyes to His works and wonders, our ears to His Word and Spirit, or failed to notice Him in the ordinary?

The Psalmists acknowledged and understood that we need God’s face to shine on us so that we may be saved and restored (Psalm 80:3, 7, 19). They also gave the repeated reminder that we must seek God’s face!

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. My hearts says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek (Psalm 105:4, 27:8).

To seek God with all our heart means that we passionately look for Him. It’s a fervent, zealous search for God that doesn’t hope to see Him, but firmly expects to see evidence that He is near! We seek God when we read the Bible, when we listen to God the Holy Spirit and His promptings in our mind and heart, when we open our eyes to His presence and spot Him at work in our lives and the world around us.

During this season at GEMS we’re calling our seeking after God Noticing God in the Ordinary. Some call it God-Sightings, others call it God STOPs (Savor The Observable Presence of God), and still others have termed it going on a God Hunt.  Regardless of what expression you use, it’s the daily practice of being on watch for God. And when we go on a wide-eyed, wholehearted search, we will see Him! You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

Noticing God in the ordinary feeds the fire in our hearts because we see Him making Himself known to us, and we take note of all the tender ways He cares for us.

PASSION Step: At the end of the day ask: Where did I see God at work? Repeat daily for the rest of your life. Record it in a journal as a spiritual act of worship.

The lesson I learned early on [from my mother] was to remember to look for God in my day (what I once heard someone call “God sightings”). She explained that God shows up every day; however, we don’t always recognize Him.
Marilyn Hontz

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

FaithGirlz!

The FAITHGIRLZ BEAUTY OF BELIEVING TOUR is coming to Northern NJ!

This event is designed for moms and girls in grades 2-8. This fun afternoon is designed to open dialogue between girls and moms (or mentors if moms can't come).  Tween specialist and author, Nancy Rue, will speak about girl friendships, gossiping, bullying, self-image, cliques, and much more!

Praise and worship leaders, Colleen Reinders and Grace Moes, will also lead in worship.  There will even be prize giveaways throughout the day!  More information will be sent to club coordinators very soon.

May 7, 2011
1:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Hawthorne Gospel Church
Route 208 North ~ Hawthorne, NJ

http://www.faithgirlz.com/tour

This is a very special event you won't want to miss!
Tickets can be purchased at http://www.itickets.com/events/259956/Hawthorne_NJ/Faithgirlz_Beauty_of_Believing_Tour.html