Is your mind willing?

A WILLING MIND

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

1 Chronicles 28:9

It’s one thing to be good at something, to have the ability, power, or giftedness to make something happen. It’s quite another to be willing to use it.

Pharaoh had the power to let the Israelites go, but he wasn’t willing (Exodus 10:27). Bezalel, Oholiab, and other skilled men and women had the ability and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship that were needed for the construction of the Tabernacle, and were willing to come and do the work (Exodus 36:2).

King David understood the importance of willingness. He instructed his son Solomon to serve God with a willing mind, and it was his personal prayer: Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:12).

God speaks to us through His creation, His Word, His Spirit, and others. He prompts thoughts during Bible reading, morning runs, afternoon commutes, and coffee with friends. When He nudges us to write a note, or whispers that we’ve been neglecting time in the Word, or presses a person or situation firmly in our spirit, how do we respond? Are we willing or reluctant? Do we obey or retort with excuses and delay tactics?

If you’re currently mulling over something you know God is prompting you to do, think on this: The LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts (1 Chronicles 28:9). We may fool others and even ourselves with our reluctance, but we’ll never deceive God. He sees and understands all of our thoughts, words, and ways.

Nehemiah thought about the broken walls of Jerusalem, and after fasting and prayer was willing to take the lead to rebuild it. Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and heard His question, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And he readily and willingly responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:1,8). When the Holy Spirit repeatedly warned Paul that prison and hardship were part of his future, he didn’t stall or turn around. Instead he willingly followed where God led and said, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:23-24)

Think on it: How willing are you to complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to you?

The faith that saves is the total response of the whole self to the will of God.  It is the response of the mind in belief, the heart in trust, the will in conduct.  It is to accept the fact that God goes all out for us, and then to be willing to go all out for God.

John Redhead

grace and peace,

Lenae         

Whatever You Think Best

WHATEVER YOU THINK BEST

“Your servant is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

Genesis 16:6

The first time Sarai did what she thought best, she told her husband Abram to sleep with her maidservant Hagar so they could build a family through her (Genesis 16:2). Although Abram knew and believed God’s promise that he would have a son, and in God’s time would be blessed with offspring as uncountable as the stars in the sky, he agreed to do what Sarai said (Genesis 15:4-6, 16:1-2).

When you do what you think seems best, instead of obeying God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go (Isaiah 48:17), trouble is sure to follow. As soon as Hagar realized she was pregnant, she began to despise Sarai. Sarai in turn, points her blaming finger at Abram, and Abram treats the messy affair like a hot potato (Genesis 16:4-5).

“Your servant is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best” (Genesis 16:6a). History repeats itself. Instead of pursuing God and His wisdom, Sarai again does what she thinks best and mistreats Hagar who then flees (Genesis 16:6b).

It’s the natural inclination of our heart to do what we think is best instead of seeking and surrendering to God’s best plan for our lives. There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God (Romans 3:10-11).

The world consults horoscopes, friends, blogs, and their gut feeling to determine what to do when. If it feels good, it must be right. If it doesn’t, they take the opposite fork in the road.

There’s one sure way to know what steps God wants us to take next, and that’s to ask Him! Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your way truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5).

Many who seek God say, “I wish He would just write the answer on the wall, or send an email or a text, telling me what I’m supposed to take next.” The good news is that when we seek God’s best, for the sake of His name He will lead and guide us (Psalm 31:3), not occasionally or randomly, but the LORD will guide you always (Isaiah 58:11, emphasis added). God uses His Spirit (John 16:13), His Word, (Psalm 119:105), and His wisdom (James 1:5) to reveal what He knows is best for you and me.

Think on it: What decisions are weighing heavy in your mind right now? Think about what you’re thinking about and follow His will, instead of your way today.

Since God expects you and me to live in obedience to His will, He will not hide it from us. But He does expect us to prayerfully seek it.

Anne Graham Lotz

Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus

Have a wonderful, P48-filled thinking week!

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

grace and peace,

Lenae         

Think on your Name devotional

Another devotional from our training manager...and this is one of my favorites!

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

grace and peace,

Lenae         

Please pray

I received a prayer request today to pray for a GEMS Club in Minnesota. Last week, on the way to GEMS, one of their middle school girls was killed in a car accident. Her older sister was driving. Please pray for this family, the school community, and the girls and counselors in this GEMS club.

Voices in my head?

Sorry it's been a while since I've updated the blog! I've been subbing quite frequently and just haven't had the chance. I'll try to post a little more frequently for a while since I don't anticipate working again for another 4 days or so. Enjoy this devotional about the Voices in our Heads.

THE VOICES IN YOUR HEAD

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

I have a confession to make. I talk to myself. Aloud. You may have strong opinions about the sanity of people who talk to themselves, but the reality is that we all do it. Some of us are just a little less discrete about it than others!

Think about the voices in your head. The ones that ask recurring, everyday questions like, “Where’s my cell phone or car keys?” and the dark and ugly chatter that can fill our minds in the silence of the night like, “I don’t trust God with _____________.” Or, “I’m not good enough.” Or, “If people really knew what I was thinking they’d judge me or think I’m crazy.”

Within her blog post, “Doing Battle with the Crazy Lady” Eyvonne Sharp gives the voices in her head that speak stinkin’ thinkin’ thoughts a name. She calls that voice the Crazy Lady.  (http://www.eyvonnesharp.com/doing-battle-with-the-crazy-lady/)

She writes, “After 35 years, I give her a face and an identity. Not to give credence to her words, but to call her out so I can see her more clearly. It’s much easier to fight a seen enemy than an un-seen one.” Whether you name the enemies of our sinful nature, the world, and the devil, the “Crazy Lady” or not, the spiritual, invisible battle is indeed real, and ongoing (Ephesians 6:10-18).

At first, Eyvonne tried to do battle with the enemy through positive thinking. She’d fake confidence on the outside, but the battle was still raging within because victory is not a matter of willpower, but of God’s power! Then God revealed the missing piece of her arsenal. She realized, “God’s Word is true, no matter how I feel.” That was her “silver bullet against the crazy lady.”

I love that visual: God’s Word is our silver bullet against the enemy! Does the voice in your head say, “You can’t trust God with this?” Blast it with truth: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:13-14). Does the voice in your head say, “You’re not good enough?” Take aim and discharge truth: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Trade in stinkin’ thinkin’ for Truth!

There is One Voice that we must heed and hear, listen and obey, and that’s God’s. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

Think on it: What Voice or voices are you listening to today?

Who we listen to predicts how we’ll act. My voice sounds like I want control; God’s voice sounds like He’s in charge.

Bob Goff

grace and peace,

Lenae         

A Gospel Mindset Devotional

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

grace and peace,

Lenae         

Devotional on "A Mindset of Trust"

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

grace and peace,

Lenae         

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy...

A new devotional from our GEMS training manager, Lenae Bulthuis:

WHATEVER IS EXCELLENT & PRAISEWORTHY

We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:4

A friend of mine will occasionally send an email saying it’s time for a Pow-Wow. We then take turns sharing a pow—one low point of our day and a wow—a high point of our day. It’s a conversation starter that I now regularly use with my children and the young women I mentor. It opens the door to what’s going on in their heads and hearts and gives opportunity to praise God in our heartaches and our joys.

God gives repeated commands in His Word to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children (Psalm 78:4,6).

Before the Israelites exodus from Egypt, God gave instructions for the Passover and how it was to be commemorated for the generations to come. “And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ they were to tell them how the LORD passed over their homes, sparing their lives because of the protection of the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12).

After the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, twelve memorial stones were set up. Joshua said, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that what God did to the Red Sea when He dried it up, and how He did it again in the Jordan River. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God (Joshua 4).

In the book of Joel, God urges parents to pass on the lessons that He’s taught them – the Pow-Wows of their story. Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation (Joel 1:3). 

What is God doing in your life right now? Think about your pow and like Job fall to the ground in worship. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21).  Think about your wow and like the crippled beggar that was healed by Peter jump to your feet, walking and praising God (Acts 3:8). Think on God’s excellent and praiseworthy deeds, and then go tell the next generation.

Think on it: Think about what God is doing in your life right now. Now go and tell someone who is younger than you.

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.

Neil Postman

grace and peace,

Lenae         

Fall Workshop!

Please pray for Tami & I as we lead counselors from all over WA state in our annual Fall Workshop this Saturday, September 8. Pray for safe travels for all involved and for the women to be blessed by worship of our Lord, training, and fellowship with each other. Pray that God will speak His words of encouragement and love into each counselor's heart.

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

grace and peace,
Lenae

Another devotional from the GEMS training manager

Let's keep thinking about our upcoming theme together!

WHATEVER IS LOVELY

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

In the Peter Pan movie there’s a segment where the children are in their bedroom with Peter Pan, wishing they could fly. “How do you do it?” John asks Peter.

Peter answers, “You just think lovely, wonderful thoughts and they lift you up in the air.”

Lovely thoughts won’t make you or your flip-flops airborne, but they are exactly what God requires in Philippians 4:8. We are to think on whatever is lovely or acceptable to God.

That was David’s request when he prayed, 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). Within Psalm 104 a similar plea is made: May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD (v. 34).

For sacrifices to be acceptable to God, specific requirements needed to be met. The priests needed to be clean, the sacrifice needed to be without defect, and the person offering the sacrifice needed to be sincere in repentance and worship.

David is approaching God, offering His mind as a sacrifice to Him. He’s asking that his words – the ones he speaks from his lips and the self-talk he speaks in his mind – meet God’s requirements.

What kind of words do you speak aloud and to yourself?

In her book, Silver Boxes: The Gift of Encouragement, Florence Littauer writes about a delightful children’s sermon that unfolds based on Ephesians 4:29, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

As she spoke to the children about how our words should minister grace and be presents to one another, a “precious little girl stood up, stepped into the aisle, and said loudly to the whole congregation, ‘What she means is that our words should be like little silver boxes with bows on top.’”

What a beautiful picture of what our words should be to each other AND a lovely illustration of what our words should be when we talk to ourselves! As God tests our self-talk, may He find that they’re lovely gifts fit for a King.

Think on it: Would you describe the words you say to yourself and about yourself as lovely? If not, make Psalm 19:14 your prayer today.

Wise, truthful words are never harsh or unkind. They are gracious. Even the hard truths we speak to ourselves should not be condemning.

Jennifer Rothschild

grace and peace,

Lenae         

Whatever is Right devotional

WHATEVER IS RIGHT

He has showed you, O man, 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

God instructs us in Philippians 4:8 to think on whatever is right or in some translations, to think on whatever is just (ESV and KJV). We live in a world that does just that. In a Barna Group survey it was reported that, “close to nine out of every ten Americans (86%) describe themselves as ‘caring deeply about social injustice.’” Social awareness is on the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike.

It’s important to recognize the difference between awareness and action, between thinking about injustice and taking needed steps to right the wrong. God requires both! We must think on whatever is right and just and do what is right and just (Philippians 4:8, Micah 6:8).

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other” (Zechariah 7:9-10).

God repeatedly told His people to have concern for the weaker members of society, but they gave no thought to His commands. They refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry (Zechariah 7:11-12).

Injustice angered God’s Son as well. Jesus said to the spiritual leaders of that day that although they think they’re doing the right thing by giving a tenth of their spices, they’ve neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness and love of God (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42).

“Woe to you!” Jesus said to the teachers of the law and Pharisees. “Woe to you!” He says to you and me when we fail to act justly as the LORD requires.

Sometimes we draw a line in our minds for how far we’re willing to go or how much we’re willing to do as activists for Jesus Christ. God has drawn a line as well. Justice is His measuring line; righteousness is His plumb line (Isaiah 28:17a).  Jesus will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever (Isaiah 9:7). May His Kingdom and His will that we act justly be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Think on it: What’s the last time you thought to yourself, “This just isn’t right!” Ask God how you can move that thought into action as you seek to administer true justice.

Lord, to those who hunger, give bread. And to those who have bread, give the hunger for justice.

Latin American Prayer

grace and peace,

Lenae         

Whatever is Noble Devotional

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

WHATEVER IS NOBLE

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2

Within Scripture the firstborn son carried noble rank within the family. His birthright included a double portion of the estate, leadership of the family, and other special privileges and responsibilities. Beyond the tangible, material inheritance, the heart of his birthright was spiritual blessings.

In Genesis 25, we meet Isaac and Rebekah’s sons, Esau and Jacob. Although they were twins, Esau was born first and the lawful heir to the birthright. Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said, “What good is a birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:29-33).

Philippians 3:19 is descriptive of Esau’s impulsive choice. His destiny was destruction, his god was his stomach, and his glory was in his shame. His mind was set on earthly things.

Esau hungered for the immediate satisfaction of stew, instead of God who satisfies the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). He traded in an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade for the temporal, fleeting pleasures of this world. He gratified the desires of the flesh and showed complete disregard for God’s covenant blessings. God’s Word warns us not to make the same mistake! See that no one . . . is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son (Hebrews 12:16). 

Those whose names are written in heaven, are the church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). Through Christ, the firstborn of the Father and over all creation, we have been gifted an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Our true citizenship is in heaven! Are those noble thoughts at the forefront of our thinking? Or are we shortsighted, impulsive, selfish, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God? (2 Timothy 3:4)

Esau was famished and the only thing on his mind was the short-lived gratification of soup rather than the eternal glory that far outweighs our light and momentary troubles (2 Corinthians 4:17). His choice came with severe consequences. God turned Esau’s mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals (Malachi 1:3).

Think on it: What choices are you making in your famished situation? Do not be shortsighted. We need a heavenly perspective! Choose to think on whatever is noble by setting your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

Everything is about God and his glory, not us and our needs. If we always keep God at the center of our lives and minds, we will never be overcome by self-absorption.

Anthony Selvaggio

grace and peace,

Lenae         

A typo

It has been brought to my attention that the registration forms for Fall Workshop have the wrong deadline date on them!! OOPS!!! The forms say August 30, but the deadline is August 15, as I shared in some emails. PLEASE mail your registration forms in asap so that we can have time to order materials for this upcoming Fall Workshop. I apologize for this error and hope you won't hold it against me!! :)

Reminder to Register!

Greetings Area 3 GEMS Counselors!

Even though we are enjoying great summer weather, it is time to start thinking about our GEMS Area 3 Fall Workshop! This year it will be held at Bellevue CRC on September 8. The deadline for registration is FAST APPROACHING! These registrations need to be in the mail by August 15!!

In case you don't get the snail mail or you want to mark your calendar now, here's the pertinent info:

Who: Area 3 GEMS Counselors
What: Fall Training Workshop
Where: Bellevue, CRC, Bellevue, WA
When: September 8, 2012, 8:30 am - 3:45 pm
Why: To learn and be encouraged, inspired, and refreshed!
Cost: $30/person
How: Fill out a registration form and mail it with payment to Julie Ball, 313 Christopher Lane, Everson, WA 98247. Forms are available to print at the top of the right hand column of this blog!

In case you want to know a little more about these training workshops, GEMS has put together a fun little 3-minute video for you. Click here (http://vimeo.com/40026712) to watch it and learn more about what happens at Fall Workshop!

If you haven't yet signed up to receive email updates on this blog, please go ahead and do so by entering your email address in the window on the right. This way you'll stay up to date on GEMS information and receive theme-related devotionals from Lenae Bulthuis, our GEMS Training Manager.

If you are a Club Coordinator and you know that you have new counselors who just signed up to help you out this year, we definitely DO NOT have their emails and addresses yet. Please be sure to give them each all the information about our Fall Workshop and feel free to print and make as many copies of the registration form as you need.

Finally, registration forms are due August 15. This is the date we need to have registrations by so that we can order materials. If you anticipate having more counselors attend, but you just don't know who they are by that time, please shoot me an email and we'll work it out. We want to have as many come as possible, but will just need a ballpark number in order to have enough supplies for everyone who attends.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our workshop in September! It's always great to reconnect and hear how things are going for you!

Blessings,
Julie Ball, Area Coordinator
Tami Cleveringa, Leadership Trainer

Whatever is True

WHATEVER IS TRUE

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:17

Last week we experienced two days of relentless, oppressive winds. It rearranged my front porch furniture, ripped rugs off the clothesline, and caused drivers to keep an iron grip on their steering wheels. As a kid I learned that the word windy has a duo definition. Whenever a certain neighbor invited himself in to sit a spell, he took that expression to new, expanded timeframes. An hour or three later when he said his good-byes, my dad would say something to the effect, “Nice guy, but he sure is windy.” To which mom would say, “Great guy. You just have to let most of what he says go in one ear and out the other.”

There is no one windier then our enemies – the propaganda of the world that distorts God’s Word, our persuasive sinful nature that diminishes the consequences of sin, and the deception of the father of lies who by his cunning leads our thoughts astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:3).

To think right and win the fight, we must think on whatever is true (Philippians 4:8). Christ is the truth (John 14:6) and the Holy Spirit our guide is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). If we are not rooted in truth we will be tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:25). If we doubt God and fall for the enemies’ tall tales, we’ll be like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6).

To be like a tree planted by streams of water instead of chaff that the wind blows away, we must delight in the law of the LORD, and meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1). There is a difference between reading our Bibles and meditating on it. To really know God’s Word and have it change us, we must think on it, ponder, and study. That doesn’t happen with a quick read through for the day or by osmosis because our Bible is situated just so on the nightstand. To think thoughts that run plumb to what God’s Word says, we must delight in it, dig deep, and let it direct our lives.

Truth is not what we feel, not what we see, not what the winds of the enemy tells us. Truth is the infallible Word of God. Does it have the first and last word in your thought life today?

Think on it: The most effective way to think on whatever is true is to memorize Scripture. Choose a verse or more that you’ll memorize this week. Need a place to begin? Memorize Philippians 4:8 or Psalm 1.

A man [or woman] who loves the Word of God, a man who dwells upon what it says, a man who keeps a little text in his mind to think about as he is walking on his way, and that meditates upon it day and night, "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."  If you can find a man who carries out this direction and doesn't prosper, you can doubt the inspiration of the first Psalm; but find the man first.

J. Hudson Taylor

grace and peace,

Lenae

The Esther School

The Esther School is to open its doors to children in September! Praise God! The new administrators are already in Zambia, preparing and planning and dealing with all the final details. You can read about their adventures at these two blogs:

Roelofs in Zambia
and DeKams in Zambia

Remember to keep the Esther School in your prayers as they prepare to welcome their first students!

Think Right: Win the Fight!

As we think about the Philippians 4:8 thinking that God the Spirit desires, may we always remember the verse that follows it: put it into practice! Then what will happen? And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9). 

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

THINK RIGHT: WIN THE FIGHT!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Rhonda grew up in a small town where everyone knew your name. As a little girl, she would regularly run with her sisters to their elderly neighbors, ring the doorbell, and ask for a happy pill. The couple smiled, put a happy pill in each extended palm, and the girls went on their merry way. It wasn’t until years later Rhonda learned the pills had a name: jellybeans.

Philippians chapter 4, verse 8 has a happy-pill ring to it. You can’t help but smile as you recite the positive words and repeated “whatevers.” That said we must recognize that this isn’t a soft, jellybean truth that you can swallow and go on your merry way. The reality of living out this verse requires wartime living.

There is a continuous battle in our minds between God the Spirit and our sworn enemies: the world, our sinful nature, and the devil. To think thoughts that are pleasing to the Spirit we must concentrate, focus, and ponder on God’s Philippians 4:8 think-about list. Here’s a nutshell definition of each word that we’ll unpack together in the weeks to come.

Truth: Think thoughts that run plumb to what God’s Word says. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17).

Noble: Think thoughts that are worthy of respect and honor. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

Right: Think thoughts that are just and good. He has showed you, O man, 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).

Pure: Think thoughts that are blameless and holy. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

Lovely: Think thoughts that are beautiful and pleasing to God. 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).

Admirable: Think thoughts that are wonderful and worthy. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom (Psalm 145:3).

Excellent and Praiseworthy: Think thoughts that God approves of. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

Think on it: This week memorize one or more of these Scripture passages from God’s think about list.

The very fact that Paul is telling us what we should focus on reveals a critical point: We always have a choice. We have a choice. With God’s help, we can control our thoughts.

Tommy Newberry

grace and peace,

Lenae

Think Right!

Now that the 2012 conference is over and we are beginning to consider our theme for the 2012-2013 GEMS year, I'll be posting devotionals here often relating to that theme for encouragement, your own personal Bible study, and background to teaching the theme to your girls this year. These devotionals are written by the GEMS training manager, Lenae Bulthuis.

Let’s think together about the upcoming GEMS theme, Think Right: Win the Fight based on Philippians 4:8.

THINK

For as he (she) thinks in his (her) heart, so is he (she).

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

Whenever I start a conversation with my husband by saying, “So, I was thinking . . .” the man gets nervous. I don’t blame him. That line of thinking typically involves a plan of action and more often than not, it involves him. In reality, every action (whether it includes husbands or not) originates with a single thought.

When Eve thought about being like God and gaining wisdom, she took action and taste-tested fruit (Genesis 3:4-5).

When David thought about how God delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear, he took action and trusted that God would deliver him from the hand of Goliath, too (1 Samuel 17:37).

When the Israelite community thought about what the ten spies said about the giants living in the land of Canaan instead of thinking on what Caleb and Joshua said about taking possession of the land, they took action and rebelled against God (Numbers 13-14).

When Esther heard about Haman’s wicked plan to kill all the Jews in the land, she could’ve thought to herself – for such a time as this, I’m safe in the palace! If she was tempted to think that, her cousin Mordecai challenged her to think again. He said to Esther, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape ” (Esther 4:13).  Esther thought on that, took action and interceded for the Jews.

Think about Abraham. If his thoughts would’ve been based on what he saw and felt, he probably wouldn’t have walked up the mountain to sacrifice his son Isaac. If he would’ve based his thoughts on his circumstances instead of God’s promises, he would’ve failed God’s test and missed out on the blessing of having descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22).

It’s clear in Scripture and in our own lives that our behavior follows our thoughts, not the other way around. The book of Proverbs confirms it: For as he (she) thinks in his (her) heart, so is he (she) Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV).

You don’t put chocolate chip cookie dough in the oven and pull out a pepperoni pizza. It doesn’t work that way. Nor can you think one thing about yourself and become someone else. This is why it’s so important that we think about what we think about. Because what we think about determines who we become, studying Philippians 4:8 for the next season has the potential to change our lives forever.

Think on it: What thoughts do you give the most airtime to in your mind? Recognize, for better or for worse, how these thoughts are shaping you.

Our thinking is something we must take charge over. If we don’t, it will control us.

Bruce Goettsche

grace and peace,

Lenae

Fall Workshop Registration Information

Greetings Area 3 GEMS Counselors!

Even though we are still in the midst of summer, it is time to start thinking about our GEMS Area 3 Fall Workshop! This year it will be held at Bellevue CRC on September 8. The details, information, and registration forms are on their way to you in the mail as of this morning! We are praying that each of you will be able to attend this very useful and inspiring workshop.

In case you don't get the snail mail or you want to mark your calendar now, here's the pertinent info:

Who: Area 3 GEMS Counselors
What: Fall Training Workshop
Where: Bellevue, CRC, Bellevue, WA
When: September 8, 2012, 8:30 am - 3:45 pm
Why: To learn and be encouraged, inspired, and refreshed!
Cost: $30/person
How: Fill out a registration form and mail it with payment to Julie Ball, 313 Christopher Lane, Everson, WA 98247. Forms are available to print at the top of the right hand column of this blog!

In case you want to know a little more about these training workshops, GEMS has put together a fun little 3-minute video for you. Click here (http://vimeo.com/40026712) to watch it and learn more about what happens at Fall Workshop!

If you haven't yet signed up to receive email updates on this blog, please go ahead and do so by entering your email address in the window on the right. This way you'll stay up to date on GEMS information and receive theme-related devotionals from Lenae Bulthuis, our GEMS Training Manager.

If you are a Club Coordinator and you know that you have new counselors who just signed up to help you out this year, we definitely DO NOT have their emails and addresses yet. Please be sure to give them each all the information about our Fall Workshop and feel free to print and make as many copies of the registration form as you need.

Finally, registration forms are due August 15. This is the date we need to have registrations by so that we can order materials. If you anticipate having more counselors attend, but you just don't know who they are by that time, please shoot me an email and we'll work it out. We want to have as many come as possible, but will just need a ballpark number in order to have enough supplies for everyone who attends.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our workshop in September! It's always great to reconnect and hear how things are going for you!

Blessings,
Julie Ball, Area Coordinator
Tami Cleveringa, Leadership Trainer

GEMS Camp Slideshow

The slideshow of pictures from GEMS Camp is now ready to view! It's a private video on YouTube -  only those with a link can view it. Click here to watch and enjoy! Make sure to turn on your audio to hear some fun GEMS music, too!

Updates

GEMS Camp 2012 is over and it was awesome! We had a great time worshiping, playing, learning, and being silly together. Thanks for all your prayers, donations, and assistance. This camp could not have happened without all of you! I hope to post a link to pictures here later this week.

Two important things:

First, if you or anyone you know ended up with an extra sleeping bag after camp, would you please email me? One gray sleeping bag ended up in a white or light colored van by mistake. Thanks!

Second, counselors - SAVE THE DATE! We will hold our annual Fall Counselor Training Workshop on September 8 in Bellevue! More information will be mailed later on this summer, but mark your calendars! You won't want to miss this time of fellowship, networking, praise & worship, and learning about the theme.

Be sure to sign up for email updates to the blog so that when the year starts up you get all the devotionals and information you need as a GEMS counselor for the 2012-2013 year!

Micah 6:8

Check out this fun craft I found on Pinterest:


Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

Initial Camp 2012 Information!

Dear GEMS Counselors in Area 3,

Thank you for your continued service to the GEMS in your church! What a wonderful mentorship you are providing for them. You are a blessing!

We are writing to you to let you know about our upcoming Area-wide GEMS camp which will be held June 8-10, 2012! We are very excited to bring you the details and look forward to planning this camp and leading it WITH you.

Area 3 GEMS Camp 2012 will be held at the Lake Retreat & Conference Center in Ravensdale, WA. This camp is located on a lake about 35 miles southeast of Seattle, so it is centrally located for most of Area 3. You can read more about the camp and its facilities at the website: www.lakeretreat.org.

Camp will cost $100/camper or counselor. Please consider how your GEMS club may be able to help financially for your own girls. This is an opportunity you do not want your girls to miss out on simply because of finances! Soon there will be a link on this blog to print a promotional flyer you can use with your girls. It will also be emailed to you within a week.

Each club will be asked to provide at least 1 adult counselor per every 5 girls. Counselors-In-Training are also welcome and will be used as a 2^nd counselor in a cabin. GEMS Camp is open to all girls who have completed at least one year at GEMS and who have finished (or will be almost finished with) 1st grade through 8^th grade. (Please use your/parental discretion for the younger girls and send moms along with girls who may have a hard time being away from home, if possible). Registrations for both adults and girls will be emailed to all clubs so that you can print enough copies for each girl & counselor. Moms make GREAT camp cabin counselors! Please have all the girls in your club return their forms and payment to your Club Coordinator. Club Coordinators will receive a special form to record all girls in their clubs who are attending for their own records and for us to be able to place girls in cabins accordingly. Registrations and payments must be postmarked by May 5. Confirmation letters will be mailed out after May 15.

Registrations will be emailed and available on this blog.

Each club is asked to consider now how they can help. At the Fall Workshop in Olympia, those who attended were given the opportunity to sign up for how they wanted to help. If you did this, you will be contacted soon about your involvement. Here are the areas in which we still need donations of items, money, or time:

One morning/afternoon snack

S’more Fixings

Plan Craft

Donate craft materials and/or money towards the craft

AV person                   

Guitar player/song leader

Mixer games (plan & lead)

Write cabin devotions

Lead Praise & Worship          

Camp Nurse

If you are willing to help us in these areas, please email Julie or Tami as soon as possible. Thank you in advance.

We are praying daily for this GEMS camp and for God to bring all the pieces together and to provide a way for everyone HE wants at camp to be there. We are also praying already for safe travels, safety while at camp, and the weather! Please join with us in these prayers and then consider how you can serve and promote GEMS camp at your club. This opportunity provides girls with the chance to meet other GEMS from all over WA state and to be part of something bigger. It will create lifelong memories for them and for you!

Serving with you,

Julie Ball, Area Coordinator, Area 3

Tami Cleveringa, Leadership Trainer, Area 3