Devotions Archives – Page 5 of 9 – The Gathering Place Atlanta

Strange Faith

Posted on Feb 23, 2016 in Devotions |

Some of my favorite biblical characters are the 4 young friends named Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Aariah. At the age of 14 they were abducted from their homes in Judah and taken to Babylon to be fully indoctrinated by their conquerors. Every attempt was made to rewire these young men and make them Babylonians. They were even given new names in hopes of erasing all affiliation with their Hebrew religion and culture. Their Hebrew names each reflected a focus on Jehovah. For example, Daniel means “God is my judge”. Their newly assigned names pointed to the false gods of the Babylonians. Daniel and his friends would be called Belteshazzar, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego. Yes, these were Daniel (of the lions den) and his three amigos who where thrown into the fiery furnace. Do you remember why these 4 were given such stiff punishments? Because they refused to turn their backs on Jehovah and worship the king of Babylon or his gods. Furious with their insubordination King Nebuchadnezzar gave Sadadrack, Meshack and Abednego a second chance to bow and worship the statue he had erected. If they refused, they would be burned alive in the king’s furnace. The three stood their ground with a response more poetic than any Hollywood screenwriter could dream up. They replied: ” King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Daniel was sentenced to be fed to lions for disobeying a law that forbade him to pray to the Lord. Instead of praying in secret to avoid detection, he knelt down at an open window on the second floor of his home, three times a day…for everyone to see…just as he had always done. What gave these four young men such courage and faith in their God? Throughout their young adult lives every attempt had been made to remove the God of Israel from their minds and hearts. How did these young men trust God so completely? I think the answer can be found in Daniel 6:10 which tells us that multiple times a day, Daniel stopped what he was doing to “…give thanks to God”. Despite the traumatic events that tore him from his family, he found reason to give thanks to God. Despite the fact that he lived as a captive in a foreign land, he found reason to give thanks to God. Despite the fact that people who were jealous of his success twisted the laws to have him put to death, Daniel found reason to give thanks to God. And that constant focus on giving thanks for the things that God had done in the past made it easy to trust Him to come through in the future.

The best way to bolster our faith is to remember the things He has done for us in the past and give thanks. Everyday thank him for the ways he has come to your rescue. And when you have trouble remembering them, think of the cross. There is no greater moment that he demonstrated his undying love for you than he did at Calvary.

Be Fearless!

Pastor Jonathan

Got Success?

Posted on Feb 16, 2016 in Devotions |

Are you successful? Do you know someone who is? What about that person is it that makes you see her or him as successful? Is it a nice home? An established career? A good education? A happy marriage?

Is there something that you are reaching for, trying hard to get, that would make you feel successful? A promotion at work? A partner? A college degree? A bigger house?

I want to encourage you that while nothing is intrinsically wrong with any of those things, not a single one of them signifies success in God’s kingdom. In fact, it’s often the people with the least concern for these things that we find most successful on God’s terms.

While society defines success as having an education, a upward-moving career, a house, a spouse, etc. we find a very different assortment of expectations expressed in scriptures. A few come to mind that I would like to share with you, but I encourage you to find others – instances in scripture where God expresses the good results of life on God’s terms and the qualities needed to participate in God’s kingdom. To name a few:
-Thankfulness (1 Thessalonians 5)
-Justice, compassionate mercy & humility (Micah 6)
-Concern for the lonely and broken (James 1)
-Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness (Galatians 5)

Beloved, fellow kingdom dwellers and house of God builders – THESE are our benchmarks for success. These are the achievements we should strive for. These will endure not only in this life but in all that is to come! Patience and love and thankfulness and justice will endure when the college degrees, fancy cars, and powerful careers are long gone.

And so I ask you again, are you successful? Do you know someone who is? Let’s encourage each other in these achievements, nurturing God’s work in each other. It’s a beautiful, glorious work and I think we are super blessed to see it unfold within our community!

Love,

Pastor Deb

Be Peculiar…

Posted on Feb 9, 2016 in Devotions |

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9

Peculiar is, well a peculiar way for God to want us to be… The word itself means to be unusual, eccentric, and odd. But being peculiar also has another meaning; belonging distinctively, exclusively to one person – being special and unique.

Yet, today many of us are trying to do the exact opposite. Instead of trying to be “odd,” they are struggling to fit in with a world.

Instead of wanting to stand out, many of us are trying to blend in and go unnoticed. Honestly, I believe it is when we try to blend in, that we actually start losing who we are, and who our creator is. Like a strawberry, each of us is unique, filled with seeds and hope. Each of us has been created for a specific reason, and in a special way. But as soon as we blend a strawberry with other types of food, the uniqueness of the strawberry becomes lost, and it’s flavor unidentifiable in the midst of everything else. Perhaps even more importantly, the seeds of the strawberry become fruitless, being devoured in the mix instead of springing forth new plants.

If we allow ourselves to become blended in such a way that we are unable to share the Gospel or proclaim the good news. If we sacrifice our values to fit in and lose our identity in him, what good are we? God calls us to be a peculiar people, a people who others can identify as His. A people that the unsaved will look at with wonder, asking themselves what makes us so different, so unique, and so special.

Today, what will you do with your seeds of life, the knowledge of the Gospel? Will you let others know that you are peculiar, or will you give up what makes you special to blend in seamlessly?

Blessings,

Pastor Gina

That “P” Word

Posted on Feb 2, 2016 in Devotions |

If you are a part of one of our TGPA Home Groups, you know that we are currently studying the Book of James. In the first chapter, James tells us that the testing of our faith produces patience. That “P” word is the one that most of us do not want to hear. Most of us want our answers as soon as we ask the question. We simply do not like to wait, even if it is on God. Some of us even have a timetable where we give God a set amount of time to answer before we take things into our own hands and pave our own way. Often we get in trouble because of this, as we often put ourselves in danger when we move ahead of God’s timing.

As humans, we are more goal-oriented than process-oriented. This contrasts with the kingdom of God. God is much more about the process than He is the end result. Part of His plan for our lives is to develop character.

Throughout Scripture, we see many people who had to wait on the Lord. One of them is King David. His life really teaches us about waiting on God. When David was a young shepherd boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him as Israel’s next king. Yet, he did not become that king for many years. I am sure he questioned God, and asked why it was taking so long, but by faith, David continued to wait. Waiting for the Lord to place him on the throne was made more difficult because the current king, Saul, turned against David and repeatedly tried to take his life. Despite the opportunity to take matters into his own hands and kill his enemy, David held back, even when he could have killed Saul himself. He also would not allow anyone else to attack Saul. Instead, David waited on God and was greatly blessed for his obedience.

As believers, we want to obey the Lord, but there may be situations when intense desire propels us forward without waiting for His direction. God may speak to your heart about a ministry, job, or relationship. The important thing to remember is if God reveals part of His plan for your life, you have to wait for Him to open up the doors for you. So TGPA folks, as James 1:2-4 says, “Know that the testing of your faith produces patience, and let patience have its perfect work that you may be complete, lacking nothing.”

Blessings,

Pastor Keith

This Year – Be Set Free

Posted on Jan 27, 2016 in Devotions |

“Oh my son and daughter, set your face to look at Me. Turn your eyes away from what you see. Place your faith in knowing only Me. For I have come….yes, I have come to set you free.” SK

In 1986 as I was walking along a beach in Florida God gave me a song in my heart. Here is a portion of the chorus:

“I am come that you might live abundantly….I am come that you might live your life for Me. I am come that you might live abundantly. I am come, oh I am come to set you free.”

Here are a few hints to start your year living free in Him:

1. Remember – Your battle is not against people who have wronged you or who are gossiping about you. The battle is spiritual. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”

2. Don’t rely on your own natural ability. The battle is the Lord’s – not yours. Allow that to take some of the pressure from you.

3. Life and Death are in the power of the tongue; be cognizant this year of the words you speak and the power they hold.

4. Change your thoughts; change your words; and tell God you are willing to let His power change your life. “Take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.”

5. Read the book of Ephesians with me this month, and begin to learn about your inheritance. You will be reminded that our struggle is not against flesh and blood; the wrestling is in the spirit. And you have a huge inheritance in Him!

6. Remember – Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Knowing the Truth will set one at liberty-free from sin, free from condemnation, and free from death (Romans 6:22; 8:1-2). Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives (Luke 4:18). “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16, ESV).

7. Remember the Three P’s as some of your mightiest weapons for this year:

A. Proclamation – Proclaim His name and how He has set you free!

B. Plenty of Thanksgiving – Daily give Him thanks for all He has done!

C. Praise – Praise the name of God with a song in your heart!

Psalm 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; proclaim and bless His name.”

Love,

Pastor Sherry

All are a part!

Posted on Jan 19, 2016 in Devotions |

Hello Church Family,

As home groups get ready to start back this week, I felt lead to share with you from my heart about our very special community we have here at TGPA. We have without a doubt some of the most incredible people in our church family. In the last 7 years of being a part of TGPA regularly we have met so many people that have become much more to us than just people we go to church with. We have made relationships that are very much family to us. These are relationships that grow us and stretch us and have been such a huge part of our personal spiritual growth over the years. We have been able succeed and fail and be loved either way because of this very organic group God has brought together. We are so thankful for the gift of the body of Christ.

Home groups are so much more than a Wednesday night church meeting. These groups are intended to foster this incredible community we have and to allow for people to be accepted and loved and encouraged and have a safe place to be human and walk and live out what it means to be you and be a Christian in this day and time. “You see, we were created to need each other. We were not created to walk this journey alone and without community. To truly grow and develop we must learn from each other and experience life together.”(Rick Warren) Think about it, can one learn forgiveness without a relationship? Can you learn loyalty without relationships? Can you truly learn love without relationships with people? What about kindness and selflessness? How will we use our spiritual gifts without others and without others what’s the point? We all know that no one can be everything to everyone all the time, but what if each of us just brought to the table the little we can be and give it to this amazing community in friendships, prayer partners, encouragers, shoulders to lean on, and a kick in the rear (in love) when needed. What if our community was all in? What if?

We need each other and all of us are equally needed. What a beautiful picture of the body of Christ that God intended from the very beginning. I sure hope you can get plugged in to a home group and learn about what James was trying to teach us about being a part of community. If you work on Wednesday nights and are unable to make it, don’t let that stop you from getting plugged in. There is always something going on in the body of Christ. See a need that you can help with? See someone that needs some prayer and encouragement? Is there someone sick that needs a visit? There is never room for boredom in the body. What an exciting life we live with Jesus!

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body-whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

So thankful to be a part! With love,

Pastor Ginny

God Works Through Our Obedience

Posted on Jan 12, 2016 in Devotions |

The book of Jonah tells the story of the amazing revival that took place in Nineveh when the entire city (every man, woman and child) return to the LORD in a single day. But, the majority of this book (75% of it) is devoted not to the greatest revival in human history, but to the disobedience of the prophet named Jonah.

When Jonah decided to disobey the LORD’s command to travel to Nineveh he instead went to the shore in Joppa and happens to find a boat heading for Tarshish…2500 miles in the wrong direction. The ship was there, right when he needed it. Doors seemed to be opening for him. However, just because a certain way seems facilitated does not mean that God has provided it. Sometimes opportunities present themselves that are not God’s will. Just because you are asked out on a date, offered a job, asked to enter a partnership…does not always mean that it is God’s will for your life.

If Jonah had gotten all the way to Tarshish he would have been a 4 months journey away from Nineveh – a destination that was only a 3 weeks journey from where he had started. If God had not interrupted Jonah’s travel plans with a giant fish, his disobedience would have taken him on a 9 month detour.

But God did intervene and had a great fish swallow Jonah to change his course for Nineveh. And the bible tells us that Jonah spend 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of this fish before he prayed to God. I don’t know about you, but I think the first thing I will do if I am ever swallowed by a giant fish is pray. I will be crying out to God within 3 seconds…not days. But, I have noticed in my ministry that the longer people remain in rebellion against God, the harder it is for their heart to be softened toward Him when things really get bad.

When Jonah finally obeys and speaks God’s word to Nineveh, it took just one day for the whole city to come to repentance. For almost 3 years now I have been telling you that I believe God intends to use TGPA to bring revival to Atlanta. Maybe like me you are becoming impatient and perhaps you are questioning if God really intends to use us to turn our city inside-out. But what I since God saying to us is that He is not the hold up. The Godlessness of our city is not the hold up. It is our reluctance and disobedience that is keeping Him from bringing salvation to Atlanta the way He did to Nineveh.

Jesus gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 (Message Bible)

Let’s make 2016 the year of eager obedience to the great commission of sharing the gospel. Let’s make this year the year that God turns the hearts of our city back to Him because we were obedient to what He has asked us to do.

Blessings,

Pastor Jonathan

The Good Shepherd

Posted on Jan 6, 2016 in Devotions |

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” -Psalm 23:1 NIV

The scriptures are full of images which help us understand God’s relationship to us. God is called a Rock, a Fortress, a Parent, and a Shield- just to name a few. A recurring image given in scripture is that of God as Shepherd. The people to whom the scriptures were originally written were very familiar with sheep herding and would have understood several things about God just by this one image:

1. God protects
2. God provides
3. God nourishes
4. God leads & guides
5. God speaks
6. God is near
7. God comforts
8. God defends

Jesus reiterates this truth in John 10:11-17. He says that He is the Good Shepherd- the One who lays down His life for His sheep, the one who knows His sheep, the One who is known by His sheep.

Beloved, our God is a good, good shepherd. As we walk out our lives at the Shepherd’s side, the Shepherd protects us, provides for us, nourishes us, leads and guides us, speaks to us, comforts us, and defends us. Take some time to read Psalm 23 and John 10. Ask the Shepherd to be near you, to lead and protect you. What a wonderful way to begin a new year- close by the Good Shepherd’s side! I want us all to exclaim as the Psalmist David did with confidence and joy, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing!” I’m convinced this is the Good Life.

With love from the sheep pen,

Pastor Deb

Tidings of comfort and joy

Posted on Dec 29, 2015 in Devotions |

Have you ever felt like you really needed some encouraging news? You know, like finding out that you just got a promotion, or learning that the person you are interested in romantically feels the same way about you, or being offered a much-desired ministry or position? It’s easy to believe that once some good news finally comes our way, we’ll be joyful and content at last. How quickly we forget that the most amazing news we could ever hope for has already come! I was reminded of this truth as we were singing Christmas carols the other night, and a line from “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” stood out to me – “Oh tidings of comfort and joy!”

What were those “tidings of comfort and joy” the song was referring to? Luke 2:10-11 gives us the story. The angel of the Lord visited the shepherds to announce the most amazing, spectacular, glorious news ever: “Behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Notice that these “tidings of great joy” were meant for ALL people…that means you and me!

We could never ask for better news than this. God, in His great mercy and infinite love, sent a Savior into the world to set us free from the power of sin and death; to give us the hope of eternity with Him! This Christmas, may we bask in the astounding reality of what He has done for us!

Whenever we are tempted to look for comfort and joy in our circumstances, may we remember that we have already been given the greatest news of all…”Unto you is born this day…a Savior who is Christ the Lord!”

Truly, we have every reason to rejoice!

Pastor Gina

Psalm 139:13-15 TMB

Posted on Dec 23, 2015 in Devotions |

Psalm 139:13-15 TMB

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God-you’re breathtaking!

Do you understand the difference between being dependent and being insecure? God wants us to be dependent on Him. He wants us to understand that He has promised to meet our needs and that no matter what, He is there for us. While He wants us to be dependent upon Him, He does not want us to feel insecure. They are actually very different.

To start with, insecure people have difficulty establishing good, lasting relationships. They simply cannot see how they could add value to anyone else’s life. This is a tragic loss, because every single person is a unique and special gift from God. It is similar to art, as the real value of the painting comes from the artist who painted it. All of Pablo Picasso’s works are extremely valuable, mainly because He was the artist. In the same way, your value comes from the Master Artists Himself, God.

Men and women who feel insecure are often seen as prideful, since a lack of confidence can often cause them to over compensate, which can easily be mistaken for an act of arrogance. Insecure people can also struggle with anger and bitterness. As they continue to live their lives feeling so poorly about themselves, they start to resent the success and happiness of others. What’s more, insecurity frequently leads to indecisiveness and fear. People can be so consumed with self-doubt that it prohibits them from making any decisions at all. They may say to themselves, what if I make a mistake? Well, so what if they do? Making mistakes is one of the best ways to learn how to do something correctly. Don’t be afraid to try. Even if you don’t succeed, you can at least rest in the fact that you did your best.

If any of these tendencies describe you, then ask God to address that root of insecurity. You see, it really is about His strength in our weakness. Let Him be your security. Don’t allow a root of insecurity bring devastation to your life, ministry, and relationships. Know that God created you and that He wants you to be secure in Him! Start today by asking the Lord to heal your insecurities.

Blessings,

Pastor Keith