Weekly Devo - "Surrounded" - 2/18/2013

From Lenae, GEMS Training Manger 

Surrounded

              As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Psalm 125:2

I can’t wrap my mind around it. Those were the words of a middle-aged man being interviewed this morning on television after a news-breaking tragedy.

I can’t wrap my mind around it. Is there a similar wrestling in your thought life today? This makes no sense. I don’t get it. I can’t get my head around it! Around and around we go: Why, LORD? Why this? Why now?

No matter how many times futile thoughts are looped, they can’t be wrapped and tied with a neat and tidy bow. There are some things that we simply will not understand this side of heaven. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

When we can’t wrap our mind around our hurt, we need to trust in the One who encircles and surrounds us. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore (Psalm 125:2).

He goes before you. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

He walks alongside of you. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).

He comes behind you. The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8b).

He watches over you. The LORD watches over you–the LORD is your shade at your right hand (Psalm 121:5).

His mighty arms are underneath you. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).

You’re surrounded! You hem me in–behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me (Psalm 139:5).

Think on it: What are you trying to wrap your mind around today? Surrender it to the One who surrounds you both now and forevermore.   

The things we think about, focus on, and surround ourselves with will shape who we become.

Author Unknown

Weekly Devotion "What Counts" - 2/25/13

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

 

What Counts

              For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6

In Scripture there may be times when we read God’s Word and think, “This doesn’t apply to me.” If you can relate, Galatians 5:6 may be one of those “non-applicable” verses for you: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.

Rather than dismiss this, let’s replace circumcision or any other ancient Hebrew practice, with today’s spiritual disciplines:

• For in Christ Jesus, neither going to church nor not going to church has any value in and of itself.
• For in Christ Jesus, neither tithing nor not tithing has any value in and of itself.
• For in Christ Jesus, neither reading the Bible nor not reading the Bible has any value in and of itself.
• For in Christ Jesus, neither serving in GEMS nor not serving in GEMS has any value in and of itself.

What we do doesn’t make us righteous. It’s what has been done for us in Jesus Christ, our righteousness! Paul, who had an amazing resume of spiritual achievements and credentials, considered his “doings” garbage that he may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith (Philippians 3:9).

God uses spiritual disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, service, and so on as a means of receiving His grace. They are important and are intended for our good if we don’t twist them into law or external righteousness.

Have you ever had thoughts that ran along these lines (although we’d never say it aloud, of course!) maybe God will love me more if I pray longer, bless me more if I increase my giving, or answer my prayer if I stop _______________ or start  _________________. Although we are to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12), works in and of themselves count for nothing. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6).

Think on it: Are you living performance-based Christianity or living out the only thing that counts?

Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again, until you can scarcely distinguish which is one and which is the other.

William Booth

Weekly Devotional - "Speak Your Mind" - 2/4/13

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

 

Speak Your Mind

              There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be silent and a time to speak.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b

Today’s social media provides multiple platforms for people to speak their mind. Blogs, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, and more have created instant access and opportunities to say what you want, when you want, to whomever you want.

Maybe you’ve heard or even said, “I’ve got to get this off my chest” or “I have to speak my mind.” Whether you’re on break with your co-workers or texting your sister, God has a word about our words! He desires that we make our minds mind before we go public and speak our mind.

Think: Should I speak or be silent? Timing is everything. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7b). Is your goal to be heard and to prove you’re right? Or do you have the mind of Christ that does nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility considers others better than yourself? (Philippians 2:3)

Think before you speak. Listen with big ears and a closed mouth. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Pray for discernment. Respond with love and wisdom. As you speak keep Proverbs 10:19 in the forefront of your mind: When words are many, sin is not absent, but he (she) who holds his (her) tongue is wise.

Think before you choose silence. Why are you keeping silent? Is it because what you were thinking about is stinkin’ thinkin’? If so, good choice! If your zipped lips are due to fear of people instead of your fear of God, think again. Ask with Paul, Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).

Think Philippians 4:8. Is what I’m going to post, pin, text or tweet true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy? If not, there’s a button on your keyboard for that. It’s called delete.

David’s prayer continues to be right and good for the words in our minds and from our lips. May it be our daily prayer, too. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Think on it: What’s on your mind right now? What would be most pleasing to God if you choose to speak or be silent?

Hope leaves an aftertaste of encouragement; fear leaves an aftertaste of doubt. Our words linger in people’s lives.

Bob Goff

Weekly Devo "Trade in Escape for Entrance" - 1/28

from Lenae, GEMS training manger

 

Trade in Escape for Entrance

              He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20

As young girls my sister and I would lay our backs to the grassy ground around our farm home and watch cloud formations. We talked and thought about Jesus’ return thinking that this is what Jesus meant when He said, “Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

We also spoke very specifically about the timing of His return. We never wanted Him to return right before our birthdays and always begged Him to come before dentist appointments. As I grew, I prayed for His return during exam week, when I was sick with the flu, and when life was hard and messy.

Certainly the prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus” is good and right (Revelation 22:20). John’s vision of the new heaven and new earth should cause us to look forward with great anticipation of what is to come! (Revelation 21 & 22)

Sadly, my motives behind my prayers for Jesus’ return were clearly misguided. I cared more about fleeing my problems then seeing my Savior. I was seeking an escape route–whisk me to heaven, LORD, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). Rather than entering into death, mourning, crying, and pain with His prayer on my lips–your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

Rather then seeking to escape injustice, let’s enter in and bring His Kingdom to earth by seeking justice, encouraging the oppressed, defending the cause of the fatherless and pleading the case of the widow (Isaiah 1:17).

Rather then searching for the nearest exit from a difficult relationship, let’s enter in and bring His Kingdom to earth by loving one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35).

Rather then looking for an escape route from plans God has for you that you don’t like, let’s enter in and bring His Kingdom to earth by trusting Him with all our heart and following Emmanuel, God with Us, wherever He leads (Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 1:23).

Think on it: What do you most want to escape today? Trade in escapist thoughts for right thoughts about entering in so His Kingdom will come to earth.

Because we know that one day God’s Kingdom will come fully on earth as it is in heaven, we work by His grace and His power to make His Kingdom come in small ways today.

Phil Moore