5 minutes with Gemma
- Tell us a little about you
I’m Gemma. I’m a wife, mother of two beautiful children and I love worshiping God by singing and being good to people. I’m a Pentecostal Christian.
- What’s your favourite Bible passage & why?
I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 Good News Translation (GNT)
I love this verse because it totally changed my perception of God at age 16. I thought that if I dared to believe this it would change my life.
- How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
I try to spend time with Him every day singing to Him, praising Him, thanking Him for Who He is and what He has done for me that day, praying throughout the day, reading His Word, listening to Him, trying to obey Him quickly and have a good attitude, praying for a soft and teachable heart, listening to Joyce Meyer and watching her on the Australian Christian Channel (I record it), as much as I possibly can, listening to Christian radio every chance I get.
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
- What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?
That they are equal to men because of Jesus. (Christianity is the only religion where they are). There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. Galatians 3:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)
To rise up and be who God created them to be and stop comparing themselves. We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Cor 10:12 (NIV)
To just run their own race, keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfector of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Hebrews 12:1-2 (AMP)
That God created them unique, and He has a unique plan for their life. Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way]. This is the rule I make in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17 (AMP)
- What’s one thing you love about your local church?
The preaching is excellent, the pastors are incredibly real and down to earth and open about their own struggles (more than I’ve ever seen before). This gives me hope that I can do great things for God too.
- What did you learn about God at a time in your life you found hard?
That He gives you His peace that passes all understanding. In 2011 and 2014 my husband had to have brain surgery for two life threatening brain aneurysms. They had to be clipped which was a huge operation both times. Then he had complications in 2014 and developed hydrocephalus. He had to be airlifted from where we live to Westmead hospital. He had to have a shunt put in and unfortunately the shunt was taking too much fluid off his brain and he became very ill. He had to have another operation to have the shunt revised. Throughout this time I had what I can only describe as a “peace that passes all understanding”. I learned that God can give us peace even when life events are stressful and hard.
And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Phil 4:7 (AMP)
- What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about singing to God. I sing regularly at my church. I try and do it as though I was doing it just for Him. I try to focus on Him and imagine what His eyes look like and imagine Him smiling at me. I want to bless His heart when I sing to Him.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day His salvation. 1 Chron 16:23
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet and pleasing to Him; as for me, I will rejoice and be glad in the Lord. Psalm 104:33-35 (AMP)
- What do you enjoy doing when you rest?
I love the presence of God when it’s thick and tangible. Sometimes when I can feel His presence like that I don’t ever want to go back to normal life. It’s where I experience fullness of joy. I try and lay down or sit down and just be with Him. I listen to Christian music and sometimes I get goosebumps (I’m a touchy feely person and God knows I need this). It helps me to keep going.
I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6 (AMP)
