TerryLema

I was listening to a song by Big Daddy Weave titled “Redeemed.” The song begins, “Seems like all I could see was the struggle.”  Oh boy, did that line catch my attention. I have been struggling lately with my imperfections, with my failures, with my desires and so many other things. Ever just not feel comfortable in your own skin? Things have risen in me that I thought were dealt with, dead and buried, but found instead were very much alive.

I listened to “Redeemed” as it described me, and then suddenly came to this part of the lyric, “Stop fighting a fight that’s already been won…. I’m redeemed…. Now I’m not who I used to be.”

That is exactly what’s been going on … I’ve been fighting a fight that’s already been won. The enemy of my soul has been playing havoc with my soul and trying to make me agree with him that I’m nothing more than the sum of my imperfections. I’ve been fighting a battle that Christ Jesus has already won – He has redeemed me and I am a new person in Christ. I am not who I used to be.

How easily we can be convinced that we are nothing more than our failures, our faults and our imperfections.  It is then that we need to begin to give thanks to God for His great deliverance and shout to the rooftops – I’m redeemed!  “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.” [Psalm 107:1-2 NKJV]

So, I’m saying so!  I’m singing with Big Daddy Weave … I’m redeemed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGAYNKDyIU

Recent studies have revealed that the average human attention span is now eight seconds. Goldfish, on the other hand, are believed to have an attention span of nine seconds. At fault? Our increased digitalized lifestyle.  Our thirst to consume all kinds of media on multiple devices has diminished our ability to focus long-term.

Apparently, we aren’t content to just watch a movie or talk, now we must also check our phones or play games on other devices at the same time.  It is a common sight to see people sitting together in a restaurant or home with mobile devices in hand, texting, surfing the web or tweeting. This constant focus on media has also diminished our ability to be creative.

Still, an eight second attention span? Count out eight seconds: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8–oh look a squirrel!

Jesus chastised the Pharisees for studying the Scriptures and failing to find that they spoke of Him.  “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” [John 5:39-40 NIV]

In how much more peril are we that we now lack even the ability to diligently study? Paul reminded Timothy that it is by studying and rightly understanding the Word of Truth that we show ourselves to God as workers who do not need to be ashamed. [2 Tim 2:15]

Father, by Your Holy Spirit’s power, help me to focus on Your truth. Enable me to study diligently so that I might rightly understand Your word and act upon it as a trusted worker in Your kingdom.  Amen.

I got lost the other day, not in my car, but while walking. I wasn’t walking up in the foothills or on trails either, I was in the other half of my subdivision.  When you enter our subdivision from the highway, it is divided by a main street, from which you can turn left or right.  I always turn right. I don’t think I have ever turned left. When I walk, I usually go from my house to the main street and walk between the divisions up the hill to the school and then turn around and come back. Last Tuesday, I decided that rather than do a U-turn, I’d walk through the other half of our subdivision.

What I discovered is that none of the streets are straight, they curve, dead end into others, go around in circles. I was soon lost.  I kept heading in the direction I thought the main street was, hoping that I’d find it before I ran out of energy. I always carry my phone in case I get into trouble, but this was the one day that Bob was off fishing with a friend. Eventually I found the main road and my way home, but not before I added a lot more steps than I had planned.

I kept thinking how easily and quickly I got turned around. It only took a second and I was in unfamiliar territory and uncertain how to get back where I belonged. Have you ever thought about Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15? Ever wondered how that one sheep got separated from the main flock? I did while I was trying to find my way out of that maze of a neighborhood!

There are many people in our world who have lost their way.  Maybe they took a wrong turn from the right path. Maybe they never have known the right path. Our Savior is concerned about them.  “Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” [Luke 15:4-6 NIV]

Father, may my heart mirror that of your Son Jesus with love and concern for the lost. Amen.

I had a check up with my doctor last week. Three months ago she took me off of all diabetic medicines because I was having horrible digestive issues and put me in a trial period to see if could manage my diabetes with only diet and exercise. I did. My blood glucose averages (A1c) even went down. She asked me what I did to manage. I told her it wasn’t easy, 1300 calories/day, minimum of 10K steps, limiting carbs to 60 grams/day, with no more than 15 grams at one meal. (To put that in perspective, one piece of bread is usually more than 20 grams.)

She asked me to make sure I ate enough to not get hungry. I laughed and told her I am always hungry. I can eat an entire package of Double-Stuffed Oreo Cookies (not that I do that anymore) and I’m still hungry right after. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have hunger feelings all the time, no matter what I weighed or ate. She looked at me funny, then said it must be an anomaly in my brain. Yep, that me! Born with a brain that has me constantly on the prowl for more food.

Jesus said we are blessed when we hunger and thirst – not for earthly bread and drink – but for righteousness.  It’s one of the Beatitudes.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  [Matt 5:6 NIV]

Righteousness.  Merriam-Webster defines righteousness as “acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin.” For believers, it means being like our Savior and Lord, doing as He does, thinking as He thinks. That hunger to have more of, be more like our God should be even greater than our earthly desires and physical hungers.  Just as my brain is always on the prowl for more food, our spirits should always on the prowl for more of Jesus.

Father, make me thirsty for You. Make me hungry to be filled with Your Spirit. Amen.

Isa 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” [NIV]

Acts 2:33-34: “Exalted to the right hand of God, [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” [NIV]

God’s right hand is synonymous with His omnipotence and sovereignty. It is the place of highest favor with God the Father. Throughout Scripture, God’s right hand spoke of the Messiah that was to come.  Peter reminded his listeners that the Messiah they had been waiting for was the man Jesus, and that God had raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to that place of power and authority. That testimony was also confirmed by Paul in Romans, Ephesians and Colossians; by the author of Hebrews; and, by John in the Book of Revelation. [Ro 8:34, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, Rev 5:7]

When we look at this world, at our nation, we might become fearful. As we look at the condition of the church, we might even become dismayed or discouraged. The enemy of our soul wants us to focus on the here and now.  Instead we need to lift our spiritual eyes to the heavenlies and see Jesus exalted to the right hand of God, pouring out His Spirit upon us.

Even now, Jesus is sitting on the throne and ruling over all things. This is the One we love. This is the LORD we serve.  Thank you, LORD.

I wrote yesterday out of Luke 12, verses 4-5, that Jesus warned his followers to fear God rather than to fear man. Man only has power over us in this life … God has power over us for all eternity.  We need to make sure that we are in right relationship to Him.  Yet, right after Jesus tell his followers to fear, He tells them not to be afraid.

 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” [Luke 12:6-7 NIV]

We are not to be afraid. Our peace comes because we are never forgotten by God.  His eye is on the sparrows, yes, but His eyes are always looking for ways to be strong on our behalf. [2 Chron 16:9] Our God is pledged to watch over His own. Sometimes that means we will escape the fires around us; other times it means He will walk with us through them.  Either way, we are not forgotten.

That wonderful song, “His Eye is on the Sparrow” says we can sing because we are free. We are not free of troubles, or threats of war. We are free from the fear of being forgotten or abandoned by God. Our Everlasting Father sees us, knows us, loves us. And He will always watch over us.

Take heart, beloved, as you listen to Whitley Phipps singing “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” And know He watches you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KumK_Y6eyY

NBC News Poll: American fears of war grow.  (July 18, 2017).  “An overwhelming majority of Americans — 76 percent — are worried that the United States will become engaged in a major war in the next four years, according to a new NBC News/SurveyMonkey national security poll.”

That news hit my inbox a few days ago.  The poll said people cite North Korea as the greatest threat.  War is never far from our minds, is it? I am 70 years old, a “baby boomer” born at the end of WWII. Since I was born there have been many wars and conflicts. The world always seems on the brink of another major one. Any reasonable person would be afraid, if not for ourselves, then for our children and grandchildren.

But are we fearing the right thing?  Jesus told those who were close to him, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” [Luke 12:4-5 NIV]

Man can take away almost everything, our safety and security, our food, clothing and shelter, our very lives, but, man cannot take away our eternity. Only God can do that. We need to make sure that we are fearing correctly!  We need to make sure that our souls are right with God first and foremost.

Father, I pray my heart and soul are right with You. I place my faith in Your Son, Christ Jesus, for salvation both in this life and in the eternity that follows. I commit my life to Your Hands. Amen.

I was talking with one of the men who handles sound on Sunday morning.  He arrived early and we sat for a few minutes and talked while we waited for the worship team to arrive.  Somehow the conversation, which began with discussing preparing our hearts before coming to church so that we might receive from God, got around to the idea that we live in the country that is probably the craziest on the planet.

Many countries are in worse shape, of course. Many are terrorized. Many are dictatorships. But for out and out crazy, I really think we get first prize. Hollywood that dictates social change, celebrities that think they possess the wisdom to tell the rest of the world how to think and live, politicians whose sole goal is to get re-elected, social media, Wall Street–all contribute to the craziness. We have so many issues circling us that to simply name them would take up more space than this devotion has.

As believers in Christ, perhaps the greatest issue can be summed up in Jesus’ words, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”  [Mark 7:8 NIV]

Jesus had been confronted by the Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law because they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were, by the traditions of the elders, unclean. Jesus reminded them that the religious leaders had set the ways and traditions of men above the commands of God. The religious leaders were focusing on the wrong things. They were following men who led them away from God instead of towards Him.

Oh church, we must search our hearts. Are we also setting the things of men above the things of God? Are we allowing ourselves to be led by others away from our Father, our Savior, our Life?  If so, we must repent and seek out those who are leading with the anointing and power of God’s Spirit.

Father, we repent of allowing the ways of man to invade Your beloved bride. We seek Your forgiveness. We have, as a corporate body of believers in our nation, forgotten Your commands.  Turn us Lord, send revival and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.”  That is the way Jesus begins the Parable of the Sower and the Seed in Mark 4. He goes on to cite all the places where that seed might fall.  It can fall along the path, on rocky places, among thorns or on good soil. Jesus tells his listeners also about what happens to the seed in those various places.  Later the disciples ask him to explain the parable to them.  And Jesus begins his explanation with, “The farmer sows the word.”

The focus of this parable, of course, is the harvest that is produced. Natural seed that falls on good soil produces a good harvest. The Word of God sown like seed on “good soil,” on those who hear and accept it, will produce a wonderful crop.  But while the focus is on the seed and what is produced, we should also give attention to the farmer.  His role in this parable is simply to scatter the seed—everywhere. That’s his job.

Beloved, that’s our job also.  We are to scatter the Word everywhere by our words and by our actions—by our very life itself. We aren’t to hold back or be selective or stingy with our “seeds.” It isn’t our job to determine whether the seed will take root and produce a harvest, or simply be choked out. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring seed to harvest.

I am reminded of this truth every Sunday. All kinds of people come to church service. I am to scatter the seed of God’s Word, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit and the hearts of those who receive that will determine if it takes root and produces a harvest.

Father, may I always and in every place be faithful to scatter the seed of Your Word. Amen.

“All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last, under their standards.” [Numbers 2:31 NIV]

There was a particular order in which the tribes of Israel camped and marched in the wilderness.  The tabernacle and ark were always in the center, with tribes in front, on both sides and behind.  The Danites were assigned to be the rearguard.  [Numbers 10:25]

I’m not sure any of want to be assigned to bringing up the rear, especially if a few million people are marching in front of us. I can only imagine what it was like for the Danites back there, eating the dust of people, dodging the droppings of the herds of sheep and cattle.  At the 4^th of July Parade in Middleton there were several horse troops and right behind them was the much needed “pooper scooper” crew. It reminded me of what the Danites must have had to deal with as they brought up the rearguard.

And yet, the rearguard is vitally important.  They make sure the stragglers don’t get left behind. They also make sure that the enemy doesn’t go around and attack from the rear. The rearguard must be just as vigilant as those in the front and on the side, maybe more so. The enemy of our soul seldom comes knocking on the front door declaring his intentions to subdue us, but he will mount an attack from the rear and hope we have left that unguarded.

Our Father God thought it so important to have a rearguard that He Himself promised to be ours! “The LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” [Isa 52:12 NIV]

Father, thank you for being my rearguard. Let me be mindful of the Spirit’s warnings and promptings. Help me to remember that the attacks against my soul are seldom from head on, but will often blindside me or sneak up from behind. I know, Spirit, you send out the warning. Help me to be vigilant in hearing Your alert!  Amen.