Weekly Devotional "Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus" 8/20/12

by Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON JESUS

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Hebrews 3:1

When Jesus went up to Jerusalem to the pool near the Sheep Gate, He saw a great number of disabled people lying there. They were blind, lame, and paralyzed. They were probably discouraged and defeated as well. Minds can put on many miles and thoughts can travel a lot of territory when you’re sick, sad, or up in the middle of the night unable to sleep.

One of the people that were among the sick on the day that Jesus visited was a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. His demeanor must’ve communicated hopelessness because Jesus had to ask him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)

In his self-pity and excuse making, he said, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me” (John 5:7).

When things don’t go the way we think they should go, disappointment can sink our spirits. In his mind, the way to healing was the pool. In his single-minded focus on the water, he nearly missed the presence, power, and mercy of the One standing in front of him, willing and able to provide healing.

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked (John 5:8-9). Healing comes when we fix our eyes on Jesus! Hope is restored when we fix our thoughts on Him!

Sadly, the miraculous transformation that took place in the man’s body failed to reach his soul. He walked right into trouble, but he didn’t go alone. Jesus found him. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14).  

Is your soul downcast, dejected, and despondent today? Jesus asks, “Do you want to get well?” If so, by faith fix your thoughts on Jesus. And then keep your thoughts fixed on Him, not just in the moment by the pool when your legs can suddenly move again, but every minute of every day, no matter where your feet tread.

Think on it: Like the man who was focused on the pool, are you single-minded in your expectations of what you need most right now? Choose to surrender your wishes for His will.

It isn’t wrong to ask God to relieve you of your pain, but it is more important that in the midst of the pain that you rely on the promise of God to work such experiences for His glory and your good—to use these times as a means of perfecting your faith, strengthening your spirit, and transforming your life in such a way that you are becoming more like Jesus.

Joe Thorn

Weekly Devotion "Think on Your Name"

From Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

THINK ON YOUR NAME

To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

Revelation 2:17, NLT

In Bible times, names were especially important. If something did not have a name, it’s as if it didn’t exist. Egyptian documents describe the time before creation as “when no name of anything had yet been named” (Nahum M. Sarna). Within Scripture, a person’s name was closely connected to his or her reputation or identity. When God changed someone’s name, for example from “Saul” to “Paul” or “Jacob” to “Israel” it demonstrated a new direction God had given to that person’s life.

When an angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12) Gideon must’ve wondered if he had heard correctly. Gideon was from the weakest clan of Israel and was least in his family. When God gave Gideon the assignment to tear down his father’s alter to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it, he did it at night because he was afraid of his family and the men in the town (Judges 6:25-27).

Gideon is mighty? A mighty mouse maybe, but a mighty man? I just don’t see it. Obviously Gideon didn’t initially see it either as he pointed out his weaknesses to God, asked for signs, and worked at night in fear rather in daylight with boldness. God called Gideon by name, “Mighty Warrior,” and then told him to go forth “in the strength you have” (Judges 6:14). Gideon walked by faith, not sight, and is listed with the other hall of faith famers in Hebrews 11.

Jesus gave Peter his new name and said he was the rock on whom He would build His church (Matthew 16:17). Did Peter question his name and inwardly scoff at the thought of being a rock? At this point in his life the only rock-like quality he had displayed was sinking like a rock while walking on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:30). Peter also walked by faith, not sight, and “was the first great voice of the gospel during and after Pentecost” (NIV Study Bible).

God has given you and me a new name, too. Our identity should rest in Christ alone. We are His children (1 John 3:1), saints (Ephesians 1:1), redeemed and forgiven (Ephesians 1:6-8), a member of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), a partaker of a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1), and so much more. Do you believe it? Do you believe it not by what you see, but by what you know to be true by faith?

Think on it: Think on a name that God has given to you that you struggle to see in your life. Use that name often today in the soul talk that runs through your mind.

Jesus is smiling at the very mention of your name in heaven.

Bob Goff

New Jersey Workshop

Enjoy these pictures from our August 4 NJ Workshop....

Thank you!

A big "thank you!" to all of the counselors that came to the NJ workshop yesterday.  Thank you for spending the day with us!  It was a pleasure interacting and sharing with you.  Be sure to check our "Workshop Information" link for additional resources.  If you have any questions, please contact either of us!  It is our joy & pleasure to work with all of you.  Continue to dream big counselors!!

Much love,
Amy & Lisa