All Categories - Gem's Corner

The Joy Thief

5/18/2017

Are those worry lines furrowing your brow? Has the brightness of your smile grown dim? What is making the joy in your heart to lose its power?

Could it be that you have been visited by the greatest stealer of our joy (a.k.a. "the Joy Thief")?

Worry is not only fruitless, but it steals our joy.
- Priscilla Shirer

We are often guilty of spending so much time worrying over so many things that our out of our control. Yet, the act of worrying itself will not cure or resolve anything. It only takes away from the joy and contentment we are entitled to have during our trying circumstances and troubles.

There is good news; there IS an essential cure for worry - prayer.
Through prayer our trust is renewed in God's faithfulness (Matthew 6:25-34). He invites us to cast ALL of our anxieties and problems on Him, because He cares (1 Peter 5:7).

Through prayer we receive the peace of God, which comes to guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7).

Through prayer we receive the strength needed to do what is required of us to do (Philippians 4:13).

Through prayer we can rest assured that God does work all things for our good (Philippians 4:11).

Do not let fear and worry bind you with their relentless shackles but bring yourself before the God of peace and hope. Give Him your troubles and sorrows. Restore your joy.

Why Good Friday is so Good

4/14/2017

John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Let's be honest here. Obviously, the hours leading up to the Crucifixion seemed anything but "good" to the followers and disciples of Christ. And to the common Bible reader it seems like it wasn't even a good day for Christ. Read the chapters describing this dramatic story and you will probably come to the same conclusion.

Following a triumphant and exciting entrance into Jerusalem (John 12:12-13) he was confronted by many skeptics, experienced physical agony in prayer (Luke 22:39-44), betrayed by one of his own followers, and died after an excruciating experience. All within ONE week!

The word excruciating actually comes from a Latin word excruciare, which means, to crucify. It literally means, unbearably painful, or extreme agony. This word originates from the torture experienced in crucifixion.

That really puts the pain and disappointments that we experience into perspective, doesn't it?

So what makes Good Friday good today?

Now we are are probably aware that in order for Christ to have Resurrected on Sunday the Crucifixion couldn't have taken place on Friday, but we won't get into all those details right now.

We observe it on Friday; we call it Good Friday. So, again, what makes it so Good?! The simple reason is that Christ came for the Cross. He didn't deserve it. He told His disciples that He "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) He lovingly did for you and me. To save us. To keep us from experiencing eternal death, which would also be excruciating.

I love how Oswald Chambers describes what Jesus did on the cross:
"The Cross was a superb triumph in which the foundations of hell were shaken. There is nothing more certain in Time or Eternity than what Jesus Christ did on the Cross: He switched the whole of the human race back into a right relationship with God. He made Redemption the basis of human life, that is, He made a way for every son of man to get into communion with God." - Oswald Chambers

Understandably, Christ's disciples didn't understand the good that came out of the Crucifixion until they saw Him resurrected a few days later but we can reflect on the selfless act of love that was performed for us. Oh, what love! What grace! We are redeemed by the sufferings of Christ. THAT is what makes Good Friday so SO good!

"No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like the scene on Calvary.
Nowhere does the soul find such consolation as on that very spot where misery reigned,
where woe triumphed, where agony reached its climax." - C. H. Spurgeon

What impact has the Cross made on you today?

Written by: Sonia E. Vargas

Enough or Everything

2/25/2017

What is God to you?

To some, God is … a daily vitamin. They are satisfied with 1 or 2 routine intakes.

To many, He is … a curse word.

To others, He is … a lucky charm; merely something to keep handy in case of bad luck or circumstances.

To the believer, He is (or at least He ought to be)… a Lifeline.

Is God your “Backup” or “Lifeline”?

Backup
· Definition: that which takes the place of another

Lifeline
· Definition: support that enables an individual to survive or to continue doing something, often by providing an essential connection

To experiment, why don’t you take a deep breath, and hold it. Hold it. Hold it.

For 15 minutes!

No? Why not?

You have plenty of air in you. But only to last for a few moments, right? Why? Because what was enough for that moment wasn’t enough.

Isn’t that how we treat God?

We take or accept what is needed for the moment

He is Enough… for the moment.

He is Enough… to survive.

When do you go beyond surviving to living as a Christian???
When God becomes your Lifeline.

When He is your absolute reliance to live.

When the God that is Enough becomes Everything.

The Lord is the strength of my life.
Psalm 27:1

When God becomes your Everything, everything changes.

Your view changes, your attitude changes, your life changes.

As an example, God’s Word was David’s life source. He was often found reading, writing, or singing God’s Word. Is it no surprise that he became Israel’s hero? His well-known story took place because He made God Everything.

The smooth stones were not enough. If that were the case, anyone else could’ve been the hero.

David isn’t known for merely being a survivor. He’s known for being a conqueror.

He went beyond enough.

Because he had faith in his Lifeline, he conquered.

Are you satisfied with being a
survivor, or will you be a
conqueror?

The Truth About Valentine

2/14/2017

Valentine’s Day often reminds us of love notes, red roses, hearts, and CHOCOLATE…What is the real purpose of Valentine’s Day though? Where did these traditions come from?

Actually, the original story is far from pleasurable and “romantic.” It all began when a wicked Roman emperor named Claudius, around mid- 200s A.D., declared an edict that marriage was no longer permitted among young people. He believed that families hindered the effectiveness of his army. He thought that commitment to a wife and children would cause his men to be more loyal to their families than the Roman Empire. This edict in particular stirred up a God-fearing priest named Valentine. Valentine still believed that marriage and family were sacred and should be protected. He did not protest or trash the emperor’s home, but instead held secret wedding ceremonies until he was caught and thrown into prison. Valentine suffered much torture and- long story short- eventually became a martyr to his cause. It was not until many years after his death that he was officially recognized as Saint Valentine and had an official holiday named after him. February 14 was set aside by Christians to commemorate his life and dedication to preserving the traditional family. (However, it was originally a pagan Roman holiday for their god of love,Cupido, or Cupid as we know it.) Just like most holidays though, it has been heavily commercialized. Love is not all candy hearts and roses. It is not just a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Sometimes you might have to suffer for love, true love, that is, just like Saint Valentine and even Jesus Christ.

I am inspired by the original Valentine story because marriage and family are under attack today. Not in the same way but the underlying enemy is the same- Satan. Satan hates God and everything about Him. Satan hates marriage and family because they are God’s ordinances that beautifully reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church. With gay relationships, couples living together outside of marriage, abortion, and such things running rampant in our society and trying to destroy those holy ordinances, I thought I would go by Valentine’s example. I will not protest or hurt anyone that disagrees with me, but I will stand up and unashamedly live what I believe. If I get persecuted, I will take it with patience by God’s grace and to His glory. I hope you will choose to do the same.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Enjoy your flowers and candy… or lack there of. :)

Written by: Kristyn Johnson

All About Love

2/14/2017

This time of year there's many expectations and emotions about love, or what we believe is love.
There's a big push and promotion for those warm, fuzzy feelings one gets when they are assured of having a special someone in their life. The stores certainly make good use of the amount of items they sell with big read hearts or short poems about that special "Valentine". Or maybe it's just a day where we've made a habit of giving everyone in our lives a pre-written, valentine card with cheezy sayings about love, whether you really like them or not. Right?
Valentine's Day is here again - a day when many people exchange cards, candy, gifts, or flowers with their special "valentine". It's also called "A day of romance". Did you know that Valentine's Day is originally a day to remember a Roman Priest called Valentine?

It actually began as a time of blood and imprisonment. In the 5th century, the Roman Emperor, Claudius, placed a ban of marriage among young people because he wanted more soldiers for his army and believed that they fought better unmarried. Valentine was a priest who believed that marriage was very sacred between a man and a woman for life so then attempted to perform marriages in secret. He was caught, thrown in prison, tortured, then was sentenced to death by beheadment. (Read more on the story here...)

Now, doesn't that give you those warm, fuzzy feelings?!

When we were in school, everyone was our valentine according to our little folded cards with the heart stickers. As you grow older, you secretly (or not so secretly:)) desire to be cherished and chosen by a special "valentine". It's natural, it's normal, but I know how difficult it can be to be satisfied with your relationship status no matter how old, or young, you may be.

It makes it even harder when you watch your friends and coworkers receive lovely flowers, boxes of delicious flowers, showered by beautiful gifts or sought after by a handsome man. There you stand empty handed and wonder, "When will it happen to me?".

Then something occured to me during one of those pity-party moments, "Is it all about love, or is it all bout me?" Did my dissatisfaction have to do with a lack of love or a lack of attention?

Love is necessary for salvation.

God SO loved...
Without the love that God had for us, we would have no hope of eternal life, no hope of freedom from sin's bondage. Without the love that God has for us, we are miserable and feel an empty void in our hearts.

Love has been cheapened.
People take their ideas and expectations of love from movies, romance novels, and wordy cards that show up mostly around V-Day. You can proclaim love to multiple people to attempt to find your true love but mostly what it leads to is emotional entanglements, false hopes, and bruised hearts.

Love is also dangerous.
Love is not a path you can casually walk through. If our heart is naturally wicked, should we always trust it? (Read Jeremiah 17:9) Nothing disgusted me more than seeing a girl do all in her power to get the attention of a man in an effort to win his heart. It doesn't work that way.
First of all, let me say it is NOT up to us women to do the "wooing" or "chasing". Your character will win his heart unless he's only seeking a pretty face. Your character is developed IN your heart (1 Peter 3:4-5) You must prayerfully step your way through, not hurriedly. Even the wisest man in the world (Solomon) was stumped on this issue and he had how many women? 300 mistresses & 700 wives! Talk about stress and never-ending drama!

When it comes time to choose your spouse, begin in prayer. Then seek advice of your pastor and parents over your peers. Listen to the warnings if they are given because we can be so easily blinded by emotions. It is dangerous to fall into the pressure of finding out what society's version of love is. You don't have to have a boyfriend to be considered beautiful or cherished. If you have to stand alone among your peers to remain pure, stand strong. You may end up being the only one NOT living in regret.

GEM Lesson given by Sonia E. Vargas

Who is King?

12/30/2016

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25

This verse precedes the book of Ruth, which opens with the introduction of a man who did exactly what the last part of this verse describes. Elimilech clearly decided that God was not King in his home or his heart. (Read Ruth 1) He had no earthly king and he certainly did not trust the Lord to be his king. He did whatever he saw fit. What Elimilech felt like doing, he did.

This sounds so familiar, especially in our day. Take a moment to think of how often we have done the same and consider the many people around us who continue to do just that - rule their own lives. Only chaos follows that kind of monarchy. Instead of living with God as our King, we continue to do what is right in our own eyes, and ignore His guidelines.

Let's think: When we find ourselves in a tough situation, do we stop and consult God or do what we see fit? Do we take the time to pursue God's Word or seek His face on the matter?

Our decisions determine whether we've truly placed Him on the throne of our heart and submit to Him as King or if we've been sitting on that throne ourselves. He makes a much better King that we can ever hope to be.

How much better would my life be, would yours be, if we just got off the throne and let Him take over?

Written by: Sonia E. Vargas

O Come!

12/21/2016

My favorite Christmas carol this year is O Come, O Come Emmanuel. It’s not the tune you choose at a party or while you decorate; it doesn’t even sound very cheerful. It’s a sobering tune, the kind that make you listen to the lyrics.

The reason why it happened to catch my attention this year is because I recently had done study in Genesis and some of the Old Testament. Because of the study I was able to relate to the words and realize just how true and important they are. I just love songs whose lyrics are full of Biblical truth.

I decided to do some research to find out the history of the song and the author. It was originally penned in Latin by an unknown monk about 800 A.D. in Europe, during a time when the Bible was not a regular household item. What is so amazing is that the hymn is full of accurate Biblical terms and prophecies! It was rediscovered in the 19th century by John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest. Neale was a very intelligent man. He could write and speak over twenty different languages and easily translated the song into English. The more than twelve-hundred year old hymn lives on today, still accurate, and still touching he hearts of many with its lyrics of hope for people everywhere.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny ;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav'nly home ;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Adonai, Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Written by: Kristyn Johnson

Single Girl, I Prayed For YOU

11/12/2016

One Saturday morning, as I prepared to run errands and fulfill the day's tasks, I got on my knees and was instantly burdened with a prayer for a specific group of girls.

Single Girl, I prayed for you.
I prayed for us, because I am right there with you.

I am now in my mid-twenties, but I still remember the battle that raged in my heart when emotions of insecurity, loneliness, worthlessness, and fear would attempt to take over. Those feelings tried to suffocate me when friend after friend would either announce their new boyfriend or engagement.

I've been in that group of girls when the discussion would turn to subjects like boys and relationships. They would talk about which one was SO cute, the notes they had passed to a certain boy, the one they held hands with, and the list goes on and on.

Those giggly girl talks, along with the princess movies, fiction novels, and the numerous inquiries of well-meaning adults leave us wondering...

Does Singleness = Worthlessness?

I'm here to tell you...

NO!

Having a guy by your side does not determine your worth!

This is such a hard lesson to grasp as a teen girl, I know, but that's why I was so burdened to pray... for you, for myself, for every single girl out there struggling to find her purpose in this world.

Single Girl, I prayed that you, and I, would do the following in these precious years that our Father has given us:

to serve with a heart of gratitude.
to love without boundaries.
to walk humbly.
to commit every day to follow Him.
to surrender our desires.
to help us to be a blessing to those around us.

Indeed, these years you are living as a single are precious. 10-15 years from now you will look back and reminisce about the wonderful things you were able to accomplish or regret about the time that was wasted away by wishing for your future to take shape.

Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you.
1 PETER 5:7

We serve a God that truly cares!

Feeling lonely, forgotten, worthless, fearful, incapable, or insecure? Take it to the One Who cares. Hand over the pen that is writing your story and allow Him to write not only your love story, but your life story. Trust me, it will be so much more satisfying!

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
PSALMS 31:24

Check out these other articles on the topic of singleness...
5 Reasons to Cherish Singleness
Soaring Single

If you would like us to pray for you or would like to contact GEM Ministry about a subject of interest, email us at thtgems@gmail.com.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Written by: Sonia E. Vargas

Never Enough

10/8/2016

Our society has adopted the ideal that enough just isn't enough. The goal is to strive to receive or accomplish whatever makes them happy. Yet, once they've achieved it, "everything" just isn't enough. The soul is still barren. The heart remaines unsatisfied.
Very few come to realize that the key to their satisfaction lies in the heart of God. To know His heart is to know satisfaction. To know His will is to know His heart. To seek His face is to know His will. "When GOD becomes your Everything, everything changes!"

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory. - Phil. 4:19

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. - Eph. 3:20

Discontentment demonstrates our lack of faith and satisfaction of God's provision! You will never be truly happy until you are content. If you struggle with contentment, find an older and wiser woman as your mentor, read God's Word, and pray.

Loving Obedience

9/23/2016

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
- Deuteronomy 5:29

Can you hear the longing of God for His people to draw near to Him in the passage above? This was said to the children of Israel thousands of years ago, yet God continues His tireless attempts to draw us away from sin and to Himself.

Every sin has a consequence. Every decision has an outcome. He longs for us to stay away from the evil clutches of sin and draw near to His presence.

Ask yourself these questions:

Am I attentive to His call to draw near?
Does my heart long for him?
Do I strive to obey His commands at all times?

Today, make the decision to draw away from sin, honor God with your life, and obey His commandments.

"Obedience is love fulfilling every command. It is love expressing itself."
- E.M. Bounds

Oh Lord, empty my heart of all sinful desires and fill me with a longing for You. I submit myself to Your authority and give up my ways to obey You.

Renewed Strength

9/20/2016

Isaiah 40:29-31
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

ECM Trip - Sonia (Pt. 2)

8/30/2016

"To be little with God is to be little for God." - E.M. Bounds

During this trip the Lord was really impressing on my heart to focus more on spending quality time with Him and interceding for the broken and the lost. We must spend more time with Him if we wish to do great things for Him.
As we spent more time working and praying together I felt that the rest of the team had the same burden as well. Even if it was only to close my eyes, take a breath, and remove myself from distractions for a moment to praise my Savior and thank Him for loving me then it was time well spent. You never know how a whispered prayer has the power to transform your day.

As we continued to prepare for the last part of the trip, this was my prayer...

Lord, May we all have a burden to pray, mourn, and fast for our people who are in captivity. Spiritual bondage is the most miserable. May my heart be full of Christ's compassionate love. May our prayers be filled with an anguish for the lost and spiritually dead.

revive us, again!

- Amen

In preparation for Bongdong English Camp we felt more limitations than at Taein Camp. We felt a few obstacles when it came to presenting the Gospel to the children but we were able to take advantage of every opportunity we had to share Christ to the children of atheists, Buddhists, and more.

A popular saying in South Korea is, "If it happens it happens." so we learned that no matter how detailed of a schedule we had mapped out as long as the main event occurred then it was OK. This took some getting used to but we just went along with the flow.

Since we never knew if our Bible hour would be shortened or cut out completely several of us took the time to tell Bible stories during our English classes, encourage discussion on Biblical topics, or just take the time to tell them of Jesus. One day in Morgan's class he took an hour to talk about the Flood, the result of sin, and salvation. Towards the end he had been challenged by an atheist boy but took the time to kneel down and speak to him one on one. By the time he finished one or two boys had tears in their eyes.

Ruth and I spent a few classes going over the Bible Story from the day before to our PreK-Kindergarten Class. Many times we felt the language barrier so strong and it seemed as if we could make no progress with English or the Gospel but we continued to smile, teach, and laugh with the children. We knew that God was still able to work in their hearts and pray that He continues to do so.

Lord, may our simple teaching style be enough to bring a searching soul to You!
- Amen

We had up to 40-50 children every day during the Bongdong Camp so it was always bursting with energy (and sometimes chaos!) when they were all together. One of my favorite parts was teaching the songs to the kids. We taught them how to say the words, what they meant, and why we praise the Lord.

We sang the songs, Building up the Temple, Father Abraham, He Made the Whole World in His Hands, Hallelujah-Praise Ye the Lord, and my all-time favorite Making Melodies in my Heart! It didn't matter how silly I felt doing the crazy action songs, I knew that they needed to understand that we were willing to get to their level and lay aside our pride in order to reach out to them.

Our mission doesn't end in South Korea but continues when we go home. The following verse was the text of one of the devotions I shared with the group and it continues to remind me where our help and strength comes from...

Through God we shall do valiantly.
- Psalm 60:12b

We ought not to focus so much on what we are able to do but on how we are able to do it. "Through God..."
Yet, not only are we able to accomplish tasks through God but we are promised it will be done valiantly! Now, THAT is awesome!

Thanks for taking the time to read about our experiences. Feel free to leave thoughts or comments. You can also check out blogs from our previous trips here...

ECM Trip - Sonia (Pt. 1)

8/18/2016

"For our God is a consuming fire..." (Hebrews 12:29)

This thought was foremost in my mind as we made final preparations for our trip. To be honest, I have to admit that I was not mentally or spiritually prepared for this trip as the months turned into weeks. Life was busy and my concentration was into trying to make sure my lessons were put together for the English camps. Then, the Sunday before we left our pastor preached a powerful message from this text. My heart was set on fire. I was finally ready. My spirit was burning with the passion I knew I would need for this trip.
My worries and fears were burned up and I was trusting in the Lord to do whatever He desired to do... IN us and THROUGH us. The following was the prayer I wrote in my journal:

Lord, May your Spirit be welcomed wherever we dwell and transform hearts, including our own. May my mouth be ready to sing your praises, speak of Your goodness, and glorify Your name. Thank you for counting me worthY to do Your work.
- Amen

English-Korean Hymn Book

The journey took about 2 - 2 & 1/2 days. Once we arrived, we were able to do some site-seeing in Seoul before meeting up with the last of our group at the airport. Then began our 3 hour bus ride to the church. I fell fast asleep until I was awakened by Morgan, who asked me if my phone was going off. Me? My phone doesn't even have service! But, I checked it anyway and sure enough it was a random alarm. It had been going off for about 10 minutes and no one knew whose it was. The entire bus, full of Koreans, was beginning to get angry because apparently it had awakened everyone but me, it was annoyingly loud, and it was 1 am! Big oops!
We finally arrived around 2 am (Saturday - July 30), slept a few hours, then began to make preparations for the camp in Taein the following week.

Eating breakfast Saturday morning

The camp in Taein seemed to be disappointment at first, then a series of miraculous events. In Korea, we come to the conclusion that when a schedule is set you must be prepared for anything and everything to change it around.

One of my favorite things about this trip was the daily devotions we had as a group in the morning and the spontaneous prayer meetings we had a few evenings. Even if we had to meet at 6:30 or 8 am, we determined to have this time of devotion, prayer, and exhortation. Many times, if not every time, they lasted at least an hour. We felt the Lord's presence numerous times and received the strength that was needed for that day.

Before the Taein Camp even began we were praying for 2 people in particular that Morgan was desperately hoping would be able to come. One was Darius, a young boy around 8 years old, who had captured the hearts of the group (especially Morgan's) the previous year. The other was Grace, a girl of about 13 years, who was visibly depressed and rarely smiled. They had a burden to see her set free from whatever was oppressing her. As Monday drew closer, Darius and Grace were names that were consistently mentioned in our prayers and they were the first ones to enter the door on Monday!!! Hallelujah!

Due to circumstances beyond our control we only had 6-9 children that faithfully participated in the first camp, but we were determined to continue the camp as if there were 30 or so in attendance. We prayed just as hard, sang just as loud, and played just as long as if it was a camp overflowing with children. We felt such a burden for these children and their country. There is such a spiritual oppression. It's hard to describe in so few words but it does exist.

What I loved about Taein Camp is that we visibly saw a difference in the children, including Grace, from when they first came until the last altar call. There were times that all we did was play water games (it was SOOOOOO hot!) and have a fun time with them. These children spend all of their time in school, on their phones, or doing homework that they don't get much of a fun childhood like many of us have had. So we were unashamed to spend 2-3 hours chasing them around with water balloons or a water hose, then spending an hour telling them about a God that loves them, a concept most of them could hardly comprehend. We may never know the impact of the small work we accomplished in Taein the first week, but we believe the Lord will continue to allow the seed to take root in the hearts of these precious children.

(...to be continued)

ECM Trip - Krissy

8/15/2016

South Korea. I never dreamed that I would have the privilege of travelling there for a mission trip. Now, here I am flying home from one of the best trips I've ever taken, with many new fond memories. God is so good! One of my favorite attributes of God is He can make what's worthless into something priceless, He can take what's old and make it brand new, He can take what's useless and make it useful and He can take the worst of situations and work out His perfect will.
Through this trip, God has reminded me over and over that I'm not extra special because I'm a preacher's kid but it's only by His grace that I've had such opportunities. I'm no better than the most wretched sinner without God's grace. Because of that very thought, I've had great hope and confidence in what God would do in the lives of people who know nothing about Jesus' gospel.
Now with all that being said , let me tell you what God has done just in the past two weeks. When we first left the states to travel to South Korea, I was very anxious and somewhat nervous. I was very unfamiliar with the culture, I was really skeptical about the food, and I'd never taught English -let alone in non-English speaking country. I felt so incapable and just knew I would fail in one way or another and I didn't want to let the team down. I hoped and prayed that the feeling would go away by the time we arrived but it didn't. The feeling seemed like it would never go away but, one morning in group devotions, there was a message in tongues. I don't remember the entire interpretation but I do remember this. God said,"I will empower EACH of you..." When I heard that, a rush of peace flowed over me and I began to praise God. He let me know that I wasn't excluded and that He would give me the strength to accomplish the tasks that seemed impossible.

We were able to host two English day camps with a VBS in the last hour of each day. It was a lot of work but the team pulled together and worked in unity. We all had an equal vision, not so much that we teach the children perfect grammar and pronunciation but that they would hear the Gospel and would come to know Jesus. At times it was a literal battle against the enemies of darkness. When that happened we would call on Jesus to fight for us and He always came through. He is so faithful! Many, many children and adults were affected by what was taught. I know that God will continue to work on each heart even while we're gone!
I thought I went to South Korea to teach but I'm completely convinced that God used this trip to teach me as well. He taught me that I'm not the only person in the world, that He loves us all equally, that He doesn't always choose the most "qualified" person, that hard work and sacrifice is worth it for just one soul to find Christ, that His will always prevails, and SO much more. There is so much more I could say but this blog would be a mile long. Thank you all for your prayers and support! They definitely played a huge role in the success of this trip. Lastly, thank You God for allowing me to work with such wonderful people with a heart for You and for the impact You made on the Korean people through us.

Dedicated Devotions

7/6/2016

Planning Your Daily Devotional Time

Have you established a habit of having a time of daily devotions? If you haven't then now is the perfect time to start!

Prayer and devotions are a very important part of the day. Especially on those crazy and busy days. We fail to recognize that we need more of a spiritual boost than a burst of energy that comes from a blast of caffeine.

Below we will give you a few steps to begin planning your daily devotional time. It is better to get into the habit of it now when life is not so full of responsibility, crammed schedules, and such. You might want to get a pen and paper handy!

1. Establish a definite time.
Determine which time frame works for you. If you tend to find extra time before bed where you spend an hour or two on your phone or reading a book then try to set aside that time to fit a devotion in.
I know some have a hard time getting up early and focusing on a time of reading or studying, but if that is the best time of day to seek spiritual refreshment and encouragement then try it out!

Personally, that's my best time of day. I give myself an hour or 2 before work to make myself a cup of coffee (a must have!), find a quiet place to read a devotional book or a plan on the YouVersion Bible App. I have a study Bible to also go along with any Scripture references than is given in the devotional to do a little bit of indepth study.

Always keep a notebook handy in case questions or thoughts come flowing from your reading or studying! The mornings are generally a good time as well because it's the first part of the day and the rest of the day can be spent meditating or remembering what you have learned/read about that morning. It can greatly affect your attitudes and emotions for the day!

Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

2. Choose a definite place.
Find a place where you can get alone without any distractions. Make this a special time between you and God.
Do you have a certain place in your room, your house, or even outdoors where you like to just sit and enjoy quiet solitude? What about taking a walk on a beautiful day listening to an audio Bible or sermon?

3. Goal and content of devotional time.
Are there any battles you currently face? Have you gone to the Bible yet for a source of strength or encouragement?
Try looking up words or phrases that go along with your current struggles or feelings.

Do you struggle with loneliness? Or fear? What about worthlessness?

I've struggled with all of those and have found great sources of hope and encouragement in the Psalms and throughout the Bible by looking up words that went along with those feelings.

Here are a few examples:
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Find a good concordance or use the search tool in your Bible app to find verses to help you with the battles you're facing.
Write it down.
Meditate on it.
Study it.
Memorize it.
Don't let your struggles bring you down.Pray the promises of God. Let God's Word fill you with peace.

Written by: Sonia E. Vargas

What suggestions would you give about planning a personal devotion? Do you need help on finding ways to make this a habit in your life? Feel free to contact us or comment with any questions, suggestions, or thoughts.

Beyond Surviving

6/25/2016

Isaiah 40:29-31
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

So many times after a great experience, it seems that we feel the effects of being in God's presence, but it seems to slowly fade. It's not that his presence has left, but because we depend on that one experience to get us through. For example, are you still full from last week's food or do you still live off yesterday's breakfast? Just like we cannot depend on last week's meal or nourishment to give us strength, we cannot survive spiritually depending on last month's or last week's or even yesterday's experience.
When you go so long without a refreshing, weakness begins to overtake you. You lack the strength you want to had. When we get to the point where our prayers feel weak, or it seems that we can't feel God as strong as we did last week, you must realize that we cannot live on our own strength. We will fight. We will fall. We will fail.

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord , the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding." - Isaiah 40:28

God's strength never fails.

When are dependents allies in the Almighty; when our hearts and our hopes are renewed in Christ; we will be carried above our difficulties.

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord ? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." - Psalms 18:30‭-‬32

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalms 27:1

Did this post make you think of God's strength and our dependency on Him? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.

The Burden of Nineveh

6/19/2016

Jonah 1:1-3; Nahum 1:1

Nahum was a prophet who was also sent to Nineveh, the city that repented when Jonah finally obeyed God and preached to them, warning them about coming destruction.

The Ninevites listened to Jonah and did the very thing God asked. Yet, in Jonah, we find that he is disappointed in God's decision to spare them.
Nineveh is called "the bloody city" in Nahum 3:1 because large numbers of people that had been conquered were massacred there.

And God spared them?! That's correct.
He kept their city from being obliterated when they repented under the preaching of Jonah. But then Nahum comes along more than 100 years later with the same message.
By this time they had returned to their idolatry and cruelty to an even greater extent. They were now in a battle against God. (Nahum 2:13a)
The time for their repentance was over. They would now receive the judgment they deserved.

At the beginning of the book of Nahum we read the words,
"The burden of Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum." (Nahum 1:1)
In this prophet, Nahum, we see a much different attitude. This "minor" prophet had a burden. It was his job to let this evil city know that their period of grace was about to come to an end.

The books of Nahum and Jonah end in a question.
In Jonah, we are left wondering about Jonah's fate, yet we know Nineveh has been saved.
In Nahum, the prophet remains fervent in his burden and vision while it is declared to Nineveh that there is "no healing" available for them.

Nahum 3:19 There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?

At this end, we know that Nineveh is no longer repentant but rejects the warning. The description of their destruction is given and occurs in exact detail in 612 BC. Notice the comparison of these 2 prophets.

Jonah - warned the people out of obligation yet desired to see them destroyed.
Nahum - carried a burden for the wicked people of Nineveh.

Even though Nahum knew that they were going to be destroyed, he still preached his message. He never gave up. If perhaps there was one or two individuals that he was able to save, would it have been worth it? Yes! Even though the city as a whole ignored the warning, what if God saw a faithful few that were still holding onto hope? If God sent us to a place that seemed hopeless, where our voice was ignored, would we continue with a burden and vision?

Notice more comparisons between the burdens of Jonah and Nahum.

Jonah had pity... for a plant! (Jonah 4:6-11)
Nahum had passion... for a wicked city. He was a committed preacher
Jonah flees. Nahum fights.

Think of these 2 men and their attitudes towards their calling. Think of their message. Think of their character. Which one represents you? Or are you a little bit of both?

Any comments about this article? Feel free to write in the comment section below!

Your PRAYERS NEVER DIE

6/6/2016

Do you ever wonder what you will leave behind when you die? Perhaps you've not gone so far as to think of that moment when you take your last breath, but granted it will happen. Will you leave a legacy, a family, a book of memories? How about prayers? Have you uttered prayers for a seemingly hopeless situation? Have you pounded on the doors of Heaven for a lost loved one?
Think on this... your prayers never, EVER, expire! Isn't that amazing?! Ponder on the fact that when you have said your goodbyes on this earth, that your prayers still linger and Christ continues to intercede on your behalf. This ought to make us more determined to never take for granted the power and the lingering presence of prayer.

It has been said that “prayer moves the arm that moves the world;” and if there is anything that can prevail with God, it is prayer - humble, fervent, earnest petitioning.
- Albert Barnes

So Pray on. Cry on. In time we will come to realize how much an effect a whispered prayer really had in an individual's life.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16c

Finding God in the questions...

5/24/2016

The following is a portion of a friend's blog post. Click here to view Chrissy's blog.

It is a challenge indeed! Life is full of so many questions marks in every direction…
Questions are not wrong. How does one learn…simply by asking questions. Often times, however, we ask questions of God and when an immediate response is not given, we begin to... (Read more)

The Issue with sin

5/2/2016

I believe that the issue facing us today is more than an outrageous bathroom policy, a recurring terrorist threat, a dramatic political show, and an increasing lack of respect from our youth. It's a sin issue. It ought not to be that one is considered worse than another.
Lying is just as great a sin as murder.
Stealing is just as great a sin as adultery.

Sin is a disease that begins in the secret places of our hearts and continues to take control until it has our actions, attitudes, and thoughts completely under its grasp.

The problem is that many want to continue living with the "pleasures" of their sin but reject the possibility of consequences of their sin.

"For the wages of sin is death..."

Aren't you glad we have a Father Who loved us so much to pay the "wages" of our sin!

"...but the gift of God is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

This disease called sin is destroying the Godly foundation this great country was founded on. It's eating away at the morals of our government, chueches, and families.
And finally, it's causing us to destroy our own selves by making us believe that we can enjoy it's clutches and make Heaven. How wrong we are!

Choose the free gift.

Choose Christ!

Miracles vs. Magic

4/21/2016

We are living among a generation who believes more in magic than in miracles. It is a generation who believes more in fairy tales than in faith.

We are urged to believe in a world of fantasy than in a Father Who created the world.

In the Gospels, we read of wonders done by Christ and His followers. As the desert was dotted by thousands who listened to His teaching, He didn't sprinkle them with pixie dust or wave a magic wand for a feast to appear. He performed a miracle. A miracle which is produced by faith and dependency on the Father.
(Read Mark 6:32-44)

Yet, the disciples soon forgot this wonder they had witnessed when they again thought they were capable offulfilling such needs on their own. (Read Mark 6: 45-52)

Magic may seem harmless for the imagination but when it slowly breaks down the foundation of faith it can mean destruction for the soul.
A fantasized love may seem harmless for the heart but when the sacrifice of self never takes place the shattered pieces of broken relationships lie in the dust.

How much greater to know that your child, your friend, or your sibling believes in a God to part a sea than in a fairy who waves a dusty stick?

... Do ye now believe? - John 16:31

You are worth it!

3/31/2016

Have you spent time today with the Savior? If not, right now is a wonderful time to start. To begin, come before Him and get a fresh glimpse of your worth in His eyes. God invites you to do so with a powerful promise from Hebrews 4:16;

let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The following is an excerpt from Jackie Kendall's book, Lady in Waiting Study Guide:

"When you are confident that you are worthy of the Savior's love, you will refuse to settle for anyone or anything that does not reflect His love in like fashion.
God the Father purchased you for the highest price in history - the blood of His Son. You are worth it!
You are loved. You are whole. You are precious. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are royalty. And you deserve a Boaz who agrees with each of these truths!"

When you struggle with feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, shame, or guilt, come before the throne of God where grace and mercy are so readily available. Always remember that you are beautiful, cherished, and valued by your Loving Savior! Seek His face now and always.

Read more on being confident and satisfied in who you are and what you are in Christ here.

Lady of Security

3/31/2016

What does the word "security" mean to you?

Definition: the state of being protected or safe from harm.

Who or what do you receive your security from? Is it your job, your money, a relationship? Who do you trust with your life?

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

In Him, you have safety: freedom from danger. We have a Father Who protects.
Through Him, we have freedom from fear: He gives us peace.

A Life Surrendered

3/18/2016

Are you secure in the good plans of God for your life? Is your heart satisfied with the love of Jesus? Surrender your heart, plans, and ideas to God and trust that He will "do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask our think" (Ephesians 3:20) #GEMministry #truth #heartchallenge

You Can't Fool Him

3/14/2016

Have you ever been in a position where you felt one way about a person (whether disgust, admiration, distrust, etc) yet acted in a totally different manner in their presence?
Has someone ever treated you with utmost kindness and respect only to find out that they are the very ones spreading lies and gossip about you?

That's a very harsh and hurtful feeling isn't it? Has it ever occurred to you that we treat God in the same manner?
Francis Chan puts it in plain terms in his book, Crazy Love:

If you merely pretend that you enjoy God or love Him, He knows. You can't fool Him; don't even try.

Do we really think that we can tell others and even God Himself that we love Him, yet our lives tell a completely different story? It's as if we forget that God is all-seeing and all-knowing. We end up fooling ourselves, not God. We make ourselves believe that we're ok by saying the right things or even doing the good things, but if the heart is not in sync with God and His Word, then we become the fool.
May we recognize those areas and strive to make it right before the time comes when we give an account to God. You can't fool Him now and you won't fool Him then.

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5

If you don't love Him as you should know then you can tell Him that you want to love Him. Read the Bible and trust in His promises.

When you strive to study Him you will learn to love Him.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

Sonia E. Vargas

Sonia's desire and hope is to write for the purpose of inspiring this generation, especially young woman.
She is 26 years old and is a teacher, GEM Ministry Director, short-term missionary, and writer.

Alexis Johnson

Alexis is a tender, loving, and vibrant young woman of 18 years. She loves to make people laugh and feel loved. She is a faithful member of GEM's Ministry.

Hannah Johnson

Hannah Johnson is a fun and outgoing young woman who loves to bring laughter and joy to anyone she comes in contact with. She is 23 years old and is a leader of Girl's Exalting the Master Ministry.

Paula Vargas

Paula is a passionate follower of Christ and loves to encourage others around her to do the same. She is 25 years old and is currently attending Free Gospel Bible Institute. She was a part of the Guatemala GEM team in 2014.

Kristyn Johnson

Kristyn is a sweet and gentle young lady from Trinity Holiness Tabernacle. She is 18 years old. She plays the piano and sings beautifully. She was a part of the Guatemala GEM team in 2014 and Honduras team in 2016.

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