Weekly Devotional - "A Gospel Mindset" - July 30, 2012

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

 

A GOSPEL MINDSET

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Romans 1:28

In the last 24 hours, what have you thought about most? Be honest. What person, project, or possibility has taken up the most space in your thought closet? With middle daughter Stephanie’s wedding on Saturday, you don’t have to use much imagination to know what’s filling my mind!

The Apostle Paul had a gospel mindset. He was set apart for the gospel, he preached it with his whole heart, and he did all things for its sake. The gospel filled his mental space and we should strive to have it fill our minds, too.

In Romans chapter 1, Paul unpacks the thought processes of the wicked and the devastating consequences of squeezing the gospel out of your thought life.

The wicked:

·      Suppress God’s truth (v. 18)

·      Trade in God’s truth for lies (v. 25)

·      Ignore God’s truth (v. 19)

·      Refuse to think about God (v. 28)

The consequence? God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done (v. 28). Even though they knew God’s righteous decrees, and understood that their disobedience deserves death, they continued in their wickedness and encouraged others to do the same (Romans 1:32)!

Before we get too wild in pointing fingers or shaking our heads in disbelief, let’s take an honest assessment of our own thought closets. How often do we suppress God’s truth, thinking gossip doesn’t matter much if we only tell a close friend? How often do we trade in God’s truth for lies thinking that obeying God is bondage instead of true freedom? How often do we ignore God’s truth, thinking how we live is up to us, as long as we’re Christians?

These thoughts are stinkin’ thinkin’! We must power up and fill our minds with Gospel truth! Paul said, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes (v. 16).

Read His Word. Memorize Scripture. Meditate on it and apply it. Let it so fill your mental space that there’s no room for any thought that is contrary to what the Spirit desires.

Think on it: How will you more fully set your mind on the gospel today?

If we will fill our souls with the written gospel, we will refuse to devote our mental space and energy to the fruitless, even stupefying and degrading stuff that clamors for our attention.

Dallas Willard

Weekly Devotion - "Mountain Thinking" July 23, 2012

From GEMS area Trainer, Lenae Bulthuis

 

Let’s think together about our GEMS theme, Think Right: Win the Fight!

MOUNTAIN THINKING

Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain,

for the LORD our God is holy.

Psalm 99:9

When was your most recent spiritual mountaintop experience? Was it at the 2012 GEMS Conference in Chicago? Maybe it was a personal spiritual retreat or a Sunday morning worship service.

On the heights our thoughts can be filled with wonder and worship, repentance and renewal, awe and obedience, surrender and trust. Our minds are renewed as we set our hearts and thoughts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-2).

It’s been said that what goes up must come down. Maybe your mountain descent has been in dependence on God, each step surefooted in His Word and Spirit. Or maybe your decline has looked more like a downhill skiing wipe out – limbs one way, skis another, head dazed and buried in the snow. Stunned, you wonder: What’s wrong with me? How did that happen . . . again?

It can be messy and chaotic at the bottom of the mountain. When Moses descended Mount Sinai the Israelites were singing and dancing around a calf-shaped idol (Exodus 20, 32). When Elijah descended Mount Carmel he was running for his life, afraid, and praying that he might die (1 Kings 19). When Jesus and three of His disciples descended the mountain where He was transfigured, they met a desperate father of a demon-possessed son who was frustrated that Jesus’ disciples were unable to drive out the demon (Luke 9:28-43).

In the chaos, crashed at the foot of the mountain is the temptation for stinkin’ thinkin’:

·      Even when I try hard to live God’s way, I still mess up. I’ll never change. I quit.

·      God gave me another chance and then I blew it. Again. He’s going to give up on me.

·      There’s no way I can break free from these bad habits. I thought I could, but I can’t. It’s just who I am and always will be.

Idolatry, doubt, and despair are traps of the enemy. May we pray with the Psalmist, Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge (Psalm 31:4).

His grace is sufficient for you on the mountain peaks and the valley floor. Nothing can separate you from His love, neither height nor depth (Romans 8:38-39). Think on Truth at every elevation of your journey.

Think on it: Think about your spiritual journey. Identify stinkin’ thinkin’ thoughts and trade them in for Truth.

Don't let these precious hours of testing be a waste of time. You have some valleys to go through and mountains still to climb. And as I chart your progress and decide you've passed the test, then I'll erase your pain, my child, and give you needed rest.

Mariane Holbrook

Weekly Devotion "Whatever is Admirable"

From Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

 

WHATEVER IS ADMIRABLE

This is what the LORD says ­– Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

*Isaiah 44:6

When you think about God, what thought pops in your mind first and most? What is He best known for by the words you speak to yourself and the words you speak to others? Thoughtfully answer this before reading the next sentence.

A.W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied that some people thought He was John the Baptist, others thought that He was Elijah, and still others thought He may be Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

Then Jesus separated public opinion from personal conviction.  He got personal and asked, “What about you? Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16).

What you think about God is critically important. We must recognize that His Name, His works, His attributes, and His glory cannot be separated. And when we rightly think about our admirable God, we will be changed and His reputation will be on display in our lives. The ripple effect is that as His fame and reputation grows and spreads worldwide, other people’s lives will be changed, too.

Think on the admirable (Philippians 4:8) names of God.

I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (*Jeremiah 32:28) Think on His name in your hardship.

I am your shield, your very great reward (*Genesis 15:1). Think on His name in your battle against the enemy.

I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you (*Isaiah 41:13). Think on His name in this moment’s worries and fears.

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more (*Isaiah 43:25). Think on His name in your guilt.

Be still, and know that I am God (*Psalm 46:10a). Think on His name now.

Think on it: What do your words and life demonstrate to the world about what you think about God?

God revealed each of His names in a specific situation where one of His people had a special need. The name that was revealed related to the aspect of His character that would provide the solution to the problem that person was facing.

Dick Purnell

*God’s names emphasized

"A Mindset of Trush" - July 9, 2012

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

A MINDSET OF TRUST

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:8

When the Israelites were sandwiched between the Red Sea and the Philistine army, their minds were filled with terror. They cried out to the LORD and complained to Moses who assured them that the LORD was trustworthy. He said, “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).

Keeping your mind and thoughts still when you’re encompassed by the sound of roaring waves, pounding horses’ hooves, and clanking chariot wheels, had to be a little bit like sitting in the doctor’s office awaiting test results or discovering that your job has been terminated, or your spouse is calling it quits, or there are more bills due than money available at the end of the month. Be still? Really? God says, “Really.”

Moses told the Israelites what God was going to do: He is going to deliver 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).

They felt trapped and Moses was telling them to trust. They were filtering their situation through what they saw and felt instead of standing firm in faith. Can you identify?

Be still and know that God is God (Psalm 46:10). He alone is trustworthy. Set your mind on His promises instead of your problems, His character instead of your circumstances, His ability instead of your anxieties.  

The Israelites’ trustworthy God hemmed them in by having His angel travel in front of them. He took up the rear guard by moving the pillar of cloud between the armies of Egypt and Israel to bring darkness on the Egyptians and light to the Israelites. Their trustworthy God drove the sea back so they were safely walled in by water. They were hemmed in on every side by God’s hand of protection and provision! God made a way.

By faith, open your eyes and recognize that He is doing the same for you! You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain (Psalm 139:5-6).  God will make a way in your situation, too.

  

Think on it: What do you need to trust God with today? Set your mind on your trustworthy God instead of your troubles.

Trust Me in all your thoughts. You can direct conscious thoughts much more than you may realize. Practice thinking in certain ways – trusting Me, thanking Me – and those thoughts become more natural.

Sarah Young