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TerryLema

“Let us …” Part 3

by TerryLema

The last of the three “let us” affirmations in Hebrews 10 is found in verses 24-25.

“Let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  [HCSB]

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we need to look out for each other. We need to do that because we see that “the day [is] drawing near.”

The day he is referring to is the return of the LORD Jesus. We know from other Scriptures that the conditions of this world will worsen as we approach that time. Jesus spoke of events such as wars and famines and pestilence and earthquakes. [Matthew 24]

Paul wrote of the conditions of hearts. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good.” [2 Timothy 3:1-3 HCSB]

All we have to do is watch the evening news to find both these events and conditions of people’s hearts mentioned.

In the midst of all this, the Hebrews passage reminds us to watch out for each other, to promote love and good works, to be consistent in our meeting with other believers, and to keep encouraging each other.

If we are still looking for a resolution(?) or an emphasis for 2023, perhaps we have found one?

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“Let us … ” Part 2

by TerryLema

One of the first daily verses to appear in my email prior to the New Year celebration was out of Hebrews 10. Two words contained in that verse really struck a nerve.

“Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” [Hebrews 10:23 HCSB]

Can you guess which two words caught my attention?  They are “without wavering.”

The word is “aklinés” and it means unbending, unyielding, resolute, firm.

We have a confession of hope. That hope is in the faithful promises of Christ Jesus our LORD. That confession is not just our words, that confession is our lives and how we live them.

That confession is not to bend to the wiles of the world. It is not to yield to the lies of the enemy. It is to be resolute and firm.

And that confession is absolutely dependent upon what we discussed yesterday, the previous verse in Hebrews 10. It is dependent upon drawing near to our High Priest Christ Jesus our LORD every day.

I am sure that 2023 will not be without its daily challenges. I am sure the world and the enemy of our soul will renew their assault on our spiritual growth and maturity. So, “let us hold on!” without wavering.

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“Let us …” Part 1

by TerryLema

Shortly before the New Year celebration I received a verse in my daily email out of Hebrews 10. It struck a nerve, so I opened my Bible to the passage and read the verses around it.

In my Bible, Hebrews 10 begins with the title, “The Perfect Sacrifice,” and speaks of the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus for sin, a sacrifice that need never be repeated just because it is “perfect.”

The title for the end of Hebrews 10 passage in my Bible is “Warning Against Deliberate Sin.” I guess that speaks for itself. But in the middle I found my daily verse under the title “Exhortations to Godliness.” Inside that passage I also found a few more similar refrains.

The first reminds us that “since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus by a new and living way … and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.” [vs 19-22 HCSB]

Look at those verses again. Look at that repeated word “since.” Since we have boldness (through the blood of Jesus), and since we have a great high priest (awaiting us), let us draw near (in full assurance of faith).

When we draw near to God, we have the full assurance of everything that follows that word “since.”  We know the new and living way is open to us, and we know our Great High Priest Christ Jesus our LORD is awaiting us.

In this new year 2023, let us draw near more often and with greater assurance than ever before. I am sure the new year 2023 is going to present many challenges that will demand we do so.

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All My Life

by TerryLema

Last Sunday Pastor Laura led worship and one of the songs she choose that morning was “Goodness of God.” [Link: CeCe Winans – Goodness of God (Official Lyric Video) – Bing video ]

I will admit that music touches my soul deeply. I will admit that I have been known to be so captivated by songs that I will break out in tears. Some songs simply take my breath away. That morning, “Goodness of God” did just that and more.

As Pastor Laura began to sing, I started to weep. And when she reached the line, “And I have lived in the goodness of God,” I realized at that moment that truly “all my life I have lived in the goodness of God.”

Whether aware of it or not, even before I knew Him as my Savior and LORD, His goodness and mercy have followed me, pursued me, captured me all the days of my life. [Psalm 23:6]

As we age and find that moving and breathing and living is far more difficult than in years’ past, it is easy to overlook God’s goodness in the midst of pain and struggle.  To be reminded that I have lived in His goodness all my life is a blessing.

His hand guided me even though I was often blind to His leading. I can see where He rescued me from enemies and difficulties even though I was ignorant of the danger. I can see where He held me close when I was grieving, where He strengthened me when I was weak, where He encouraged me when I was downcast, where He loved me when I was so unlovable.

I truly have lived all my life in the goodness of God.  I think I have found a new favorite song, maybe a new theme for 2023.

 

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Reason for This Season

by TerryLema

It is January, the beginning of the new calendar year (a new season). Many of us make “resolutions,” or at least think about some things we might want to begin or do differently this year. Eat better, exercise more, save money are often at the top of people’s lists.

I no longer make resolutions. Why set myself up for failure at the beginning of the year? Instead, I try to simply remind myself of what is just as important this year as last … or just be aware that every day can be a new challenge or a new adventure, depending upon my viewpoint.

I do know one thing that this new year (new season) holds. I have a reason to get up every morning, even on those mornings when I might be tired or hurting.  That reason in this season is the same as the reason for the “holiday season.”

My reason to get up every morning is so the world can see Jesus in my life!

Whatever we face in whatever season, we know that God is still with us. We know we are not alone. We know that we have been called to be children of God. We know that we have a reason to get up each day and a reason to thrive, not just survive.

The world apart from God is without hope. As believers, it is our privilege to model Christ Jesus to others. We may not know where to begin, but if we ask, God will give us opportunities to show the love of His Glorious Son to others.

That’s a lot of incentive to get up each day! Amen

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With Us

by TerryLema

The Christmas decorations are down, put away and stored in the garage for another year. They emerge sometime after Thanksgiving each year and decorate our homes for a few weeks and then disappear.

Santa, it seems, has left the mall, and returned to the North Pole. The reindeer are back to grazing. The bells are silent. The songs of the holidays have disappeared from the airwaves. Christmas 2022 is behind us, and Christmas 2023 is far ahead. (No matter what people advise I cannot bring myself to shopping for next Christmas in January!)

But one thing has remained the same. One thing has never changed ever since that first Christmas two-thousand years ago. Immanuel, “God With Us.” [Isaiah 7:14]

Each Christmas we are reminded that God entered this world containing Himself in a tiny baby. We celebrate that over the “Holiday Season.” It often seems to be the theme in many messages and church services. But … BUT, let us not forget that “God With Us,” never left us. He is still “With Us.”

When Christ Jesus returned to the Father’s House following His death and resurrection, He sent the Spirit of God to dwell – IN-dwell – us.

Immanuel, “God With Us,” is no longer self-limited to a physical body, but now is present in this world in everyone who has through His grace, by faith, become a “Child of God.”

Santa and Frosty and Rudolph and The Grinch and Elf have left us … but Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit never has. NEVER WILL.

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A Nativity Set

by TerryLema

On Christmas Eve a truck pulled up in front of our house and a man stepped out and came to our door. He introduced himself as the President of our HOA. Then he told me that we had “won” an HOA prize for outdoor Christmas decorations in the “Nativity” category. As he said that, he handed me a $100 Visa gift card.

I was surprised! For two reasons. First, I did not know the HOA had prizes for Christmas decorations. Second, our nativity set is not really very much. About 3-foot tall, it is a white outline of a simple manger scene with Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus. I have wanted to add shepherds and wise men and other pieces to it, but it never seems to be a priority when budgets are tight.

I asked the gentleman if we were the only people in our subdivision with a manger … and he shrugged, which probably said far more than if he had responded.

I have noticed there were fewer people with outdoor decorations this year. Maybe our cold weather was a factor. And I have also noticed that most of the decorations were secular, but an entire subdivision and I am the only one that remembered to include in my Christmas decorations the Reason for the Season – the birth of Christ Jesus two-thousand years ago?

I suppose I should be stunned, but I am not. Not Really. Christ Jesus is polarizing. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the most intense question ever asked, “’But you,’ [Jesus] asked them, ‘who do you say that I am.’”  [Matthew 16:15, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20]

That is a question every one of us will need to answer. And while our answer may set us at odds with family or friend, it will definitely set us at odds with this world.

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In the Beginning …

by TerryLema

It is the beginning of the New Year. I wonder if this year will be much different than the past one. I’m sure we will face some new issues. I am sure there will be new challenges to our security. The cost of things may go up some more. (After all they seldom go down!)

Still much will remain the same. We will go to our jobs, our schools, our churches the same as we did in 2022. We will probably at some point complain about the weather, or the politicians, or the traffic, or the long checkout lines.  Some things just never do changes.

I started my Bible Reading Plan for 2023 yesterday, January 1. The first day of each new year I read four chapters, Genesis 1 & 2, Psalm 1, and Matthew 1.

So, the first four words I read on the first day of each new year declare, “In the beginning God ….”

No explanation. No argument. No contradictions. Just, “In the beginning God ….”

 Maybe the deepest words ever uttered in time or eternity. God is, has always been, and will always be. He stands unique, alone, uncreated.

Do I understand it all. Nope. But do I believe it. With everything in my being.

We serve the Eternal God of All. That is probably a great way to begin 2023, reminding ourselves that “In the beginning God ….”

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Thank you!

by TerryLema

I want to take this first day of the new year to say, “Thank You!” to all who have read and maybe shared these daily devotions. I so appreciate you!

I started keeping a daily journal in the 1980’s. I did that for many years and then I realized that many people were going through some of the same hurts, trials, and struggles about which I often journaled. I also realized that some might benefit from what God often brought to me from the Scriptures.

So, I changed from a personal journal to a shared daily devotion. Each day now I send the devotion via email to some, publish on https://TerrysDevotions.com and post on Facebook.

It is a ministry of love for me. And I receive so much love in return when someone comments that the devotion touched their hearts or that it ministered to something they were going through at the time.

Paul wrote to the Roman believers, “For I want very much to see you, so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” [1:11 HCSB]

I want you to know how much your faith has encouraged mine. I pray that in the year ahead, my faith will find opportunity to also encourage yours.

God Bless!

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Reset

by TerryLema

2023 will begin at 12:00 AM. The clock will reset. We will be back to Day 1. Week 52 will give way to Week 1. The old year will go, the new one will come.

This is the time of year when people look back on the old and decide what they want to do differently in the new. It’s the time of year when we think about change. Lots of new diets and exercise programs are begun in the new year. Municipalities and many businesses take a holiday. People will watch football or go to movies or visit with friends and family. Or they might do what I do on New Year’s Day, take down the Christmas decorations while watching football!

And yet for some this new day is like any other. First responders show up for their shifts, as do nurses and other medical personnel in hospitals and facilities. Stores will be open and hoping that the Christmas buying spree will continue for a few more days.

Things are new and yet things are still the same.  I’m not much into the celebration of New Year’s Eve or Day. Oh, I’ll probably try to return to eating right (which always recedes a bit during the holidays) and I’ll get back to walking more hopefully, but celebrate? No, not much.

I celebrate in August. Yep, August. In August 1973, I had a new beginning—an eternal one. That’s when in a small non-denominational prayer meeting, I gave my life to the LORD Christ Jesus. I haven’t always walked worthy of that, but I’ve never looked back nor regretted my decision to submit to Him. August, that’s when I’ll celebrate the anniversary of my New Eternity!

2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 

 

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