Messenger - Weekly Devotion - 11/16/15

Messenger

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:1

Have you ever noticed in the darkness of despair and disaster that the world asks, “Where is God?” and even His people question His love? Within the opening verses of Malachi, we see just that. Israel doubts God’s love for them.

“I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’” (1:2).

God loves by remembering His covenant! In Genesis He established an eternal covenant, a divine promise of blessing. And in Malachi God is still keeping His covenant, though the people did not (1:6-3:12).

The priests were superficial, the people sinful, but God’s promises remained sure. The Lord does not change (3:6). Nor does His message! He reiterates His radical love and rescue plan in Malachi, whose name means “my messenger.”

God promises to send two messengers. The first messenger, John the Baptist, will prepare the way for the second Messenger, Jesus! (3:1, Matthew 3:1-11)

Four hundred years passed and John arrived. At his circumcision his father Zechariah prophesied that his child was the messenger who will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him (Luke 1:76). Zechariah recognized God’s love and praised Him for sending a Rescuer to remember his holy covenant (Luke 1:72).

Jesus is the Messenger of the covenant! By His grace and mercy He poured out the blood of the covenant, which God commanded us to keep (Hebrews 9:20)! He died as a ransom to set us free from the sins we committed under the first covenant! (Hebrews 9:15)

If today is dark with disappointment and you’re asking God, “How have you loved me?” Remember the message of God’s Story and the Messenger—His Son.

What’s your story? In Malachi Jesus is the Messenger (Malachi 3:1). How does His Story help you tell your story?

Get in the Book: Read the book of Malachi.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Justice, Mercy, & Humility - Weekly Devotion 10/26/15

Justice, Mercy, & Humility

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). 

To those connected to GEMS, to read or hear Micah 6:8 brings thoughts of club. The first time I recited the club aim was in second grade in the basement of my childhood church. When asked what the Lord required of us I joined another generation of girls and women who said, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. Micah 6:8” And the “doer” part of me got super glued to a checklist. Act justly. Check. Love mercy. Check. Walk humbly with God. Check.

And in the reciting and trying to do what God required, I missed Christ. Instead of first asking myself, “What does this verse show me about God?” I got it backwards and made it about me. My lone question was, “What am I supposed to do?” At a tender age I got snagged on doing. Rules trumped the relationship God desired.

Ironically, this mirrors the warning Micah gave to Israel and Judah! Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? (Micah 6:7)

Then comes verse 8. Within the verse we know by heart is the message God wants our hearts to really hear! Religious activity detached from a humble heart that seeks to present an accurate reflection of God’s justice and mercy is really no religion at all. Jesus reiterated the warning, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” (Matthew 23:23). More people getting it backwards!

Micah 6:8 is not the gospel, a checklist, or an entry fee to God. First it shows us Christ and then by His grace compels us to follow in His steps! Because Jesus brought justice through to victory, by His grace we act justly. Because Jesus loves to love us, by His grace we love God and people. Because Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross, by His grace we humbly obey our Savior and Lord!

What’s your story? In Micah Jesus is Justice, Mercy, & Humility (Micah 6:8).  How does His Story help you tell your story?

Get in the Book: Read the book of Micah.

Loving justice and mercy reflects God’s own character. Choosing humility acknowledges and displays His supremacy. — Mark Dever

Mighty Savior - Weekly Devo - 10/19

Mighty Savior

from Lenea, GEMS Training Manager

But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance. Obadiah 17

From the very beginning Esau and Jacob struggled. It began in the womb and continued to Edom’s doom promised within the book of Obadiah (Genesis 25:23, Obadiah). Edom (descendants of Esau) would be destroyed for their treatment of Israel (descendants of Jacob).

When Jerusalem fell to Babylon in 586 BC not only did Edom fail to help his brother, he applauded Jacob’s downfall! Remember Lord, what the Edmomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!” (Psalm 137:7) While Israel was carried into captivity, Edom stood aloof on the sidelines. He gloated over Israel’s destruction, looted his city, and aided his enemies.

Edom was arrogant. He put his confidence in his natural defenses—his home on the heights—rather then trusting in God (v. 3). He defied God and his ending was sure! “Esau will be stubble . . . There will be no survivors from Esau,” The Lord has spoken (v. 18).

But for Israel, a Mighty Savior was coming! King Jesus would deliver His people! But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance. The kingdom will be the Lord’s (v. 17, 21).

Whether Jacob and Esau chose to acknowledge their need or not, they were both desperate for a Savior. So are we.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy (Titus 3:3-5).

Jesus is our Mighty Savior! Because of His kindness, love, and mercy He saves us from guilt, the power of sin, and eternal death. He delivers us from strongholds of addictions, bitterness, insecurity, and more. He rescues us from the pit and sets us free!

If that’s your story, will you choose to share it? It is cruel to stand aloof on the sidelines and gloat over the destruction of others. We all need a Rescuer who is mighty to save!

What’s your story? In Obadiah Jesus is the Mighty Savior (Obadiah 17). How does His Story help you tell your story?

Get in the Book: Read the book of Obadiah.

Savior He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save. He is mighty to save! –Hillsong United, “Mighty To Save”

all is grace,

Lenae

Giver of the Holy Spirit - Weekly Devo - 10/12

Giver of the Holy Spirit

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:29

It could be worse. Ever sought comfort or perspective with those words? Your pit is deep, your day is hard, but it could be worse.

Within the first verses of Joel’s short book, he implores the people to remember a time when it was worse (1:2). They couldn’t. They were in the worst of the worse!

They had trouble today. An army of locusts stripped and devastated the land. And more trouble was on the way. A human army with forces beyond number was close at hand. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? (2:11)

In His righteous judgment, God gets to the heart of the matter—our hearts! “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity (2:12-13).

Is He calling you and me to do the same today? Return. Repent. Rend. Not with behavior modification, but a true repentance that comes from within.

To those who repent, listen to God’s great promise! “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (2:28). In Joel we see Jesus! Jesus is the Giver of the Holy Spirit. He is the Advocate Jesus promised to send to us from the Father (John 15:26). True to His word, on Pentecost, He did just that! (Acts 2:17-21, 41)

You need comfort or perspective in your pits and on your hard days? You need power and perseverance to write a good story that points to Jesus? Think on truth! The power that raised Jesus from the dead has been poured into you! The Holy Spirit’s eternal presence is within you applying the work of Christ into your life. He is your Encourager, Teacher, Helper, Strength, Advocate, Counselor, Truth, and Guide. (Plus He’s more! Look in The Book!) He fills our hearts, shapes our desires, renews our minds, and shows us Christ.

What’s your story? In Joel Jesus is the Giver of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29). How does His Story help you tell your story?

Get in the Book: Read the book of Joel.

You have all of the Holy Spirit. Does He have all of you? — Anne Graham Lotz

The Everlasting God - Weekly Devo - 10/5/15

The Everlasting God

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:14b

My sister’s latest adoption update contained another change in the process. Things are in flux, and this one was huge. As she asked for prayers for patience and perseverance, she shared what a good friend had recently said to her about a completely different situation: “Change is hard. God is Sovereign.” My sister believes that. Her prayer is to embrace it.

Daniel knew change. As a teen he was carried into captivity to Babylon and spent the next 70 plus years serving four different kings—Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. Not only did the kings change, the kingdoms did, too. Note the irony when the queen enters Belshazzar’s banquet hall after fingers of a human hand wrote on the wall. She says, “O king, live forever!” Yet on that very night King Belshazzar was slain and the Medes took over the kingdom! (Daniel 5)

The fulfillment of what God made known to King Nebuchadnezzar through a dream about a large statue had begun. (Daniel 2) And the hope God promised in Daniel’s interpretation of that dream continues to bring peace and assurance. “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44).

Jesus is The Everlasting God who reigns forever! He is the Anointed One who rules and sustains all! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation (Daniel 4:3b). Though circumstances change, He does not. He is on the throne actively ruling, sustaining, leading, and guiding.

You may question that if today’s circumstances feel like you’ve been exiled to a foreign country, are walking through a fiery furnace, or have been thrown into a pit of lions. (Daniel 1, 3, 6) Take heart! The deliverances we see in Daniel’s story are ours in Christ. By His grace He delivers today and will deliver for eternity!

What’s your story? In Daniel Jesus is The Everlasting God (Daniel 7:14). How does His Story help you tell your story?

Get in the Book: Read the book of Daniel.

I confess that God’s delivering power is mine! He has rescued me before; He will rescue me now; and He will rescue me when I need His power again in the future. — Rick Renner

Weekly devotion - The Life - 9/28/2015

The Life

by Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 37:6

This is going to date me, but here it goes. The song girls swooned over in my day was “Almost Paradise” by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson. (And for those who cannot resist checking this out on youtube, don’t miss the 80’s hair while you’re there.)

Thinking that paradise can be found in a place like prom or a boy’s arms is not limited to teenage girls. For the Jews exiled to Babylon, the temple was their almost paradise. It was a symbol of security and God’s gifts—the Davidic monarchy, the Promised Land, and the city of Jerusalem. And though Ezekiel warned that it would be destroyed because of their rebellion, they didn’t listen. Surely nothing would ever happen to the temple!

Until it did . . . In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has fallen!” (Ezekiel 33:21) Like the collapse of a human heart that seeks life in idols instead of God, the city was in ruins. And from that point of hopelessness, Ezekiel preached life.

The One who can breathe dead bones to life, can breathe new life into us from the inside out! So people will know He is the Lord, God cleanses, forgives, and purifies. For the sake of His name, He gives us a new heart, a new spirit, and rebuilds from ruins (Ezekiel 36:26, 33). And in the newness of life, we see The Life—Jesus!

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it (John 5:21). That’s why Jesus came! So we may have life, and have it to the full! (John 10:10)

If you’re feeling lifeless, think about where you’re seeking life. Are you looking for paradise in gifts from God or in the presence of God? At the conclusion of Ezekiel’s book, his final vision is a new temple—true paradise! Is it a place? Yes, but it’s so much more. Just check out the name of the city.

The name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE (Ezekiel 48:35). In God’s presence is fullness of life!

What’s your story? In Ezekiel Jesus is The Life (Ezekiel 37:6). How does His Story help you tell your story?

Get in the Book: Read the book of Ezekiel.

His presence filling me. This is what it means to fully live. — Ann Voskamp

Heartbroken for Us - Weekly Devo 9/21/2015

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

Let’s think together on our Annual Theme, Choose Truth.  

Heartbroken for Us

My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within; my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city. Lamentations 2:11

What breaks your heart? What sickens your spirit and moves you to tears? ____________________________.

For Jeremiah it was Jerusalem’s destruction. Although he had 40 years to prepare for it while he prophesied, it didn’t soften the blow. From the inside out he grieved. He cried to God, “See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death” (Lamentations 1:20).

Jeremiah wasn’t the only one to weep over Jerusalem. Jesus did, too. He said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37).

And Jesus weeps over us, too! It was for our sin that He lay prostrate in the Garden—His heart poured out on the ground (Lamentations 2:11). It was for our deliverance that He cried, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). And from His overwhelming sorrow and overflowing love, He went from Gethsemane to Golgotha where He was broken for us. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Whether our suffering is self-inflected like Jerusalem’s persistent rebellion or part of living in a broken world like Lazarus’ death, Jesus weeps. The Man of Sorrows is heartbroken for us! Our sin, sorrow, and struggles, pain Him, too. He doesn’t stand helpless or idle at a distance, wondering what to say or do. No! He draws near and empathizes with our weakness and gets what we’re going through. He counts our tears and comes close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 56:8, Psalm 34:18).

When your heart is breaking, cry out to the One who is heartbroken for you! Because in the remembering who He is and all He’s doing, we find hope (Lamentations 3:21).

What’s your story? In Lamentations Jesus is Heartbroken for Us (Lamentations 2:11). How does His Story help you tell your story?

Get in the Book: Read the book of Lamentations.

A holy despair in ourselves is the ground of true hope. For the God who dwells in the highest heavens dwells likewise in the lowest soul. — Richard Sibbes