from Lenae, GEMS training manager

God is Greater Still 

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4b

Mark Twain was quoted as saying that “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” There certainly is rhyme and rhythm to Israelite history. The first time their toes touched the border of the Promised Land, they backed down in fear. The spies reported that the Israelites were like grasshoppers in comparison to the giants of the land. Ten of the twelve recommended retreat rather than attack, and the people agreed, rebelling against the Lord.

Forty years later it’s round two. The next generation now has their toes on the tip of the border, but nothing has changed in the enemy camp. Moses said, the nations are still “greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky” (Deuteronomy 9:2).  This wasn’t new news. They had heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?”  

Moses assured this generation like he did the one that preceded them, “The LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you” (Deuteronomy 9:3).

God will do what He promised to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He will do what He said He will do, not because of their righteousness, but because of His greatness. Would they trust Him?

No matter what our toes are lined up to today, the enemy will always be too much for us. The enemy is always bigger, stronger, and more powerful then our weak wills and feeble hands. So stop focusing on the enemy and look up to your Great God! Will you trust Him?

* Are you fearful and frustrated? God is greater still.

* Are doctors’ reports too much to bear? God is greater still.

* Are you weary of whiney toddlers and troubled teens? God is greater still.

* Are you trapped in the lie that you’ll never change or be free from this destructive life pattern? God is greater still.

Maybe you can’t feel that truth in your soul today. That’s OK. You don’t need to feel it. God’s not a feeling; He’s a fact. With His help, choose to trust that His greatness is enough to point your toe in the right direction and His grace is sufficient to get you to the day’s end.

He>i: What feels too great for you to handle today? God is greater still. Will you trust Him?

God’s heart and mind are greater than ours. All that is asked of us is trust.

Henri Nouwen

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

 

At the Table

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

Luke 22:24

The disciples are at the table with Jesus. They drank from the cup and ate the bread with thanks. Unknown to them at the time, they were the original participants of the Lord’s Supper. While the taste of wine and bread is still on their tongues they’re disputing at the table as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

While Jesus’ mind is fixed on the suffering at hand, they’re stuck on status. While Jesus is focused on the cross, they’re wrapped up in their own concerns. They’ve missed the meaning of the shared supper.

Disputes around the table are not uncommon whether in the upper room, the church, or our own kitchen tables. How different mealtimes and life would be if we’d stop jockeying for positions of honor at the table and ask, “Who am I? That You would love me so gently? Who am I? That You would recognize my name? Who am I? That You would speak to me so softly? Conversation with the love Most High . . . who am I?” (“Who am I?” words and music by Nathan and Christy Nockels.)

At the table, Jesus teaches what it means to be truly great. He said, “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). Christ exemplified Kingdom service before the meal by bowing low and washing their feet. He demonstrated true greatness after the meal when He willingly offered His life.

Opportunities abound at the table to point people to God’s greatness:

• Begin and end each meal with thanks to God for the gift of His daily bread.

• Invite needy and broken guests to your table who cannot repay your favor.

• Share God Sightings. Have each person tell one way they’re seeing God at work in their lives or in this world.

• Show genuine interest in others. Laugh until it hurts, celebrate, share honestly, and ask thoughtful questions.

•  Serve wholeheartedly in meal preparation and clean up as if serving the Lord, not to impress your guests.

• Have more hunger and thirst for righteousness then what’s on your plate.

He>i: How can you use tonight’s meal to point others to God’s greatness?

What’s becoming clearer and clearer to me is that the most sacred moments, the ones in which I feel God’s presence most profoundly, when I feel the goodness of the world most arrestingly, take place at the table.

Shauna Niequist

Weekly Devotional "Once-Were Thoughts" 4/2/2013

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manger

 

Once-Were Thoughts

              But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

What’s the first thing that popped into your mind this morning? Morning thoughts can be telling, can’t they? Think about the initial thoughts of grief that Mary Magdalene and the other women must’ve had on that first Easter morning. Yes, on Easter morning. They woke up very early that morning to take spices they had prepared and went to the tomb (Luke 24:2). Tombs are for the dead, and they went expecting to see the dead.

But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:3). Angels shared the glorious news asking why they came looking for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:5).

The next morning, think about how radically different their morning thoughts must’ve been. He’s alive! He’s alive! This changes everything! Jesus is alive!

Sisters, that’s our Monday morning story. He once was dead, but now He’s alive. It’s the great reversal! It’s the joyous news of what once was and what is today! Think on His Word. Focus on the difference between what once was and what is now for you and me today.

For now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). The cross bridged the distance between God and us!

For you were once darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). The cross gives us purpose and guides our living. Shine your light!

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:21-22). The cross transforms our minds and lives. We’re no longer His enemies; we’re reconciled, holy, forgiven, and free!

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God (1 Peter 2:10a). The cross gives us our identity, and binds us to the Father and to one another as His family!

What unspeakable joy! We don’t live in the once was. That was then, this is now. We serve a risen Savior!

Think on it: Is there anything in your life today that belongs in the once was space in your life? For example: I once was a grumbler, but now I’m grateful. I once was a worrier, but now I trust Him in all things.

I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

John Newton

GEMS Area Fun Day ~ 6/8/13

We are excited to bring you the GEMS Area 28 Fun Day!  

Willow Lake is in northern NJ and is easily accessible from Route 15 (which you can access from Route 80). We understand that this location/distance is not feasible for all of our Area 28 clubs, but we hope that as many clubs as possible will take this opportunity to join us for a day of fun and fellowship.

The cost is $40 per person and that includes all of the day’s activities.  

We are excited to get as many GEMS together as possible! If you have ANY questions, please reach out to either of us!  Information and forms were mailed to Club Coordinators on March 6.  If you did not receive them or need additional copies, please let us know.

Looking forward to a fun day!

Lisa & Amy

Weekly Devo "Hypocrisy of the Heart" - 3/4

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manger

 

Hypocrisy of the Heart

              Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:8

If one is good, two is better, right? Well, that depends. When it comes to chocolate, yes, yes, of course! But being double-minded is another matter entirely. James tells us that double-minded people are unstable (James 1:8). They have divided loyalties that waver between two opinions.

On the showdown at Mt. Carmel between God and the false prophets of Baal, Elijah stood before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Same people, different time and place. When Joshua gave his farewell address at Shechem, he said to the people, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).  

Double-minded people try to serve two masters. They flip flop how they think about things based on their feelings, what they’re doing, and who they’re with at the time.  They’re like waves of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6).  

It’s hypocrisy of the heart to waver in our thought life. Choose where you will set your mind.  Will it be in accordance with the Spirit and what the Spirit desires or on the sinful nature and what it desires? (Romans 8:5)

Are we going to be single-minded and steadfast in thinking on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy? (Philippians 4:8) Or are we going to keep running back to thoughts that are hostile to God? (Romans 8:7)

In Psalm 119:113 we read, I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. The more we love God’s Word and saturate our minds with its truth, the more we’ll be aware of double-minded thinking that does not submit to God’s law.

Accept His invitation, double-minded women. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Purify your hearts and thoughts! (James 4:8). Be single-minded and fix your thoughts on Christ alone (Hebrews 3:1).

Think on it: Is there a showdown going on in your mind? Stop shifting like a wave, and stand firm on His Word!

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. It’s ok to stare.

Bob Goff