TerryLema

Ah, I have been waiting for this day! I completed my four-month temporary assignment yesterday. I don’t have a commute this morning or afternoon, Praise God. I’m going to lunch with a friend and don’t need to worry about keeping it to an hour. I’m going to go pick up ribbon to finish a baby blanket. And, I’m going to stay up late tonight since I don’t have to get up tomorrow at 4:30 AM.

What I’m looking forward to most of all though is the unrushed mornings when I can sit for as long as I want and think about sermons and devotions, converse with my Lord, read my Bible just for pleasure. I can also go for a worship walk in the afternoons when it warms up.  How I have missed those times.

Last week as my temp assignment was ending, I received a few compliments by the department management that my work was high quality and that my smile, joy and sense of humor were appreciated during this stressful work period.  I left a good impression, mightily important since they knew I was a Christian and a pastor.

If you ever get an email from me, you will notice a Scripture verse after my signature. It’s one I truly try to live by. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [Col 3:16-17 NIV]

Whether working in a secular setting or behind a pulpit, it is vitally important that we leave a good impression … because that impression of us will be transferred to our Lord Jesus. If we claim to be of Christ, we better honor Him in all we do.

It’s National Peculiar People Day!  If you are peculiar, this is your day to shine. The website said that Peculiar People are described as un-ordinary, extraordinary, unusual, strange, odd, uncommon, intriguing, different, abnormal and quirky.  I know a bunch of people that would fit any one of those descriptions.

One of the first Scriptures I learned was 1 Peter 2:9-10; I even learned it in the King James!  “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 marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  [KJV]

The newer translations changed peculiar people to special people, which is what Peter was saying. We are a special people purchased by the blood of Christ and called to be God’s own. Yet, somehow, eliminating that word peculiar lost a little something for me.

The fact is the world doesn’t see believers as special, it really thinks we are peculiar–applying the descriptions of odd, different, abnormal. After all, we are called to a much different lifestyle, serve rather than be served, give to receive, die to live. We talk of picking up crosses and things like humility and wisdom. We are to seek eternal rewards rather than recognition. Yep, odd, different, peculiar!

So brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s special treasure, we are a peculiar people indeed!  Celebrate—today is our day!   Amen.

The prophet Micah asks the profound question we all must ask.  “With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God?”

Then he goes on and lists many things he could bring … burnt offerings of calves a year old, thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil. He even wonders if he should offer his firstborn for his sins and transgressions, hyperbole for the most extreme offering imaginable.

None of that is what the Lord requires of us and Micah goes on to admit that.  “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” [Mic 6:6-8 NIV]

Justice, Mercy, Humility. I am reminded that if we strive to act justly in this unjust world, and walk in humility amid the proud and arrogant, we are certainly going to need to love mercy!  Mercy is God’s loving kindness and favor toward us that we also show toward others.

I must love and cling to God’s mercy for me because there is nothing resident in me, apart from His mercy, that will enable me to be just and humble.  It doesn’t take much more than one 5 PM rush hour 30-mile commute after a long workday to prove that I need a constant infilling of God’s mercy.

Father, fill me anew with Your mercy so that I might also show Your loving kindness and favor to others. Amen.

Titus 2:12-14:  “…while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own eager to do what is good.”  [NIV]

For years I have heard the saints of God speak of that Blessed Hope. They mean, of course, what Paul wrote to Titus. That Blessed Hope is the Second Coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We long for that time when Christ returns for His own, when His Kingdom is established across the cosmos. I can’t wait to see it all play out!

In the meantime, however, we aren’t sitting idly by, rocking in our rocking chairs, bemoaning the fact that it is taking so long! We aren’t arguing or debating the timing. We are to be eagerly doing what is good while we wait.

Jesus said that we need to be dressed and ready for service and keep our lamps burning as we wait for our Master to return.  He said it would be good for those servants if the master finds them ready for His return. (Luke 12:35-40)

I truly believe that being ready means we anticipate the Lord’s return at any moment but we keep working (and when we cannot physically work anymore, we pray for and with others)  – eagerly doing what is good as we wait. I may or may not see the Lord return in my lifetime; I have far fewer days in front of me than I have behind me. I cannot miss even one opportunity to do what is good!

Father, keep my heart set the anticipation of that Blessed Hope, and my eyes constantly searching for where I can do what is good. Amen.

Today at The Way Assembly of God in Middleton we begin a new series titled “Godly Principles – Belief Impacts Behavior.” The first principle is simple, “You Are Not Your Own” out of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We were bought with a price, the precious blood of our Savior, Christ Jesus. We are to honor God with our bodies.  As Romans 12 says, we are to “present” our bodies to God as a living sacrifice.

In the Old Testament, believers made a sacrifice; in the New Testament, believers are to be a living sacrifice.  That means we need to learn self-control.  Honestly, I am not sure I like that phrase “self-control.” It makes it sound like something I must work up or find within myself.

We need to understand that being self-controlled is really being grace-controlled.  Paul wrote to Titus: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age….”  [Titus 2:11-12 NIV]

I’m not sure I have ever thought of grace as a teacher, yet among all the other functions of grace in our lives, teaching is a primary one … through grace we learn to turn from sin and the world’s passions. We learn how to live lives that are pleasing to God … which is what a sacrifice is to be after all—even a living one.

Father, may I learn from grace all that it means to be a pleasing sacrifice to You. Amen.

James 3:18 “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” [NIV]

James 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” [NKJV]

Matthew Henry comments on this verse, “That which is sown in peace will produce a harvest of joys.”*

I think the key word in this verse no matter which translation is used is the word “sown.” It means to scatter, as a farmer scatters seed to produce a harvest.  Interesting that it follows James’ description of wisdom.

Godly wisdom is not to be hoarded. Godly wisdom is meant to be shared; it is meant to produce righteousness in our own lives and in the lives of others. Wisdom doesn’t turn us inward – it turns us outward.  It’s not about sitting in our little caves and contemplating the universe, it’s about moving in the world among people who are struggling, hopeless, and desperate and bringing to them God’s harvest of peace and righteousness and joy.

When I began the week, I wondered where I was going to begin the year. Apparently, the beginning of 2018 is all about wisdom.

 Father, set us on a course in 2018 of wisdom. May we apply Your wisdom not just to our own struggles and challenges, but may we share it with others. Amen.

James 3:17:  The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Wow. What a description James gives of godly wisdom – the wisdom that comes from heaven. Look at the words James uses.

Pure. In the Greek it comes from the same root word as holy. God’s wisdom is uncorrupted, morally pure. James says it is holy first of all. Holiness is its origin and its foundation.

Peace-loving, considerate (gentle) and submissive.  Godly wisdom is neither harsh nor demanding. Instead it is … Full of mercy (active compassion). Don’t you love that word “full!” There is no lack of active compassion in God’s wisdom.

 Good fruit. (And it is after all by their fruits that we shall know them. Matthew 7:16-20)

Finally, it is impartial and sincere (without hypocrisy).

I was thinking as I focused on those words how lacking our society is in wisdom. We are perhaps one of the most knowledgeable in the world, but I really doubt we could apply James’ description of wisdom to our politicians, universities, media, corporations or organizations. Maybe we could not even apply them to our churches!

Father, as we begin this new year 2018, help us to strive for wisdom in all areas of our lives.

James, Chapter 3, is one tough chapter! It begins with a warning to teachers that they will be judged “more strictly,” and then goes on to talk about the tongue (our speech) being unruly and a “world of evil among the parts of the body.” And he doesn’t stop there, he reminds us of the hypocrisy of using our tongue to bless and praise our Lord and Father one moment and curse men who are made in God’s likeness the next. (Both of which I seem to accomplish on my daily traffic-laden commute!)

James then turns his attention to wisdom.  “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  [James 3:13-14 NIV]

Read James’ instructions again, “Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done….”

How often we think of wisdom as being expressed solely by words, James says wisdom is expressed by “deeds done.”  Then he adds a caveat … our deeds are done “in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Knowledge alone often gives rise to arrogance. Wisdom, on the other hand, breeds humility. Wisdom governs how we use our knowledge and apply our good deeds so that they produce a good life. A good life is one that has its focus on God and His good and pleasing will.

Father, may I be wise as well as knowledgeable about the principles and ways of the Lord for my life. Amen.

My son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons head back to California today.  It’s hard for us to say goodbye. While they were here we tried to make memories, snow ball fights, building a snow man, movies, time together just talking. Building good memories with my grandsons is important to me since I have very few memories of my own grandparents.

My paternal grandparents were never close. My maternal grandmother died before I was born. The only memory I really have is of my mother’s father.  He was a tough atheist, a house painter by trade who liked to visit the “French Club” and drink with his cronies. He’d often take me with him.

That ended when my parents moved out of town. I started Catholic School and began to write letters to him about God and going to heaven. They were a little child’s viewpoint and he never responded nor acknowledge them. We moved again, this time to California, and he died shortly after.  As he was dying, he asked for a priest and turned his life over to God through a sinner’s prayer.  Later my aunt found all my letters tucked away under his mattress; he’d kept everyone.

When I think of my grandfather, I think of the thief crucified next to Jesus, and how he waited until the very end of life to get right with God, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus promised that He would.  [Luke 23:42-43 NIV]

I am thankful that I will see my grandfather again, but it sorrows me that he waited until the very end to find God. What opportunities and delights he missed.

Father, I pray as we begin this new year, we embrace loving You and delighting in You. May we not miss any opportunities you place in our path in 2018. Amen.

Back to work today for the final two weeks of my 4-month temporary placement with the State of Idaho.  I’m tired. Not the kind of tired that a good night’s sleep cures. I’m the bone-weary kind of tired that has slowed my thinking processes as well as my body’s.  It’s going to take a couple weeks or maybe even a month of not having to drive a 60-mile commute each day and work an 8-hour day to recover my energy.

If there is a way to describe this past autumn season it would be ‘too busy.” I was too busy to read my Bible the way I should, too busy to pray as I should, too busy to study, too busy to do the things I needed or wanted to do … too busy.

In a way, my past autumn season reflects our culture … too busy.  We are too busy with the trivial and immediate, too busy trying to stay ahead financially, too busy with activities and sports and what-not to do the really important time investments.

Each of us has a daily allotment of time. No one gets more, no one gets less.  It’s 24 hours per person per day. Some of those hours are relegated to sleep, the rest are ours to spend wisely. That’s the hard part – applying wisdom to the allocation of our time.

Eph 5:15-16a:  “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity….” [NIV]

Father, help me to apply Your wisdom to my hours. May I make the most of every opportunity You place before me, and never be “too busy” to hear Your voice and do Your will. Amen.