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TerryLema

Anticipation!

by TerryLema

We will be going to Christian Faith Center (CFC) Caldwell campus Sunday morning. The Way’s property is in the process of being refurbished and we need to attend services in a different location for a few months. We have decided to go to the Caldwell campus since that may closely resemble what the Middleton services will look like.

I am full of anticipation, eager to see and experience the excitement that may be ours one day. Today I feel like a child waiting for school to let out and vacation time to begin. I want to see what God has done for CFC Caldwell.  All the while I will be praying that He will do a like work at CFC Middleton soon.

One of my greatest delights is to praise and thank God. I do it when I am alone. I praise when I walk around my neighborhood. I praise when I read through the psalms and hear those old ‘songs’ ringing out from the pages of my Bible. But the time I love best is when I gather with others who are singing and shouting their praises to God.

Tomorrow it will be in a different location with many people I do not know, and, perhaps with new songs and a new style. But the God I praise and worship tomorrow is the same God I have praised and worshipped at The Way for many years. He never changes.

“Shout joyfully to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awe-inspiring are Your works! Your enemies will cringe before You because of Your great strength. All the earth will worship You and sing praise to You. They will sing praise to Your name.’ Come and see the wonders of God.” [vs1-5a HCSB]

Oh, and I can hardly wait to stand at the door of the old “The Way,” and shout to the world, “Come and see the wonders of God!”

 

Amen & Amen

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Comforted or Comfortable?

by TerryLema

2 Corinthians 1:3: “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.”

We serve the God of all comfort. To me that is one of the most precious titles of my Father God. It reminds me that when I am sorrowing, grieving, or mourning, God is there is give me comfort.

It reminds me that when I’ve been hurt, when I’m angry, when I’m losing hope, God is there to bring me comfort.

It reminds me that when I have sinned, when I need to repent and ask forgiveness, that not only will He give me forgiveness (as the Father of Mercies), but He will also provide comfort.

However, I think there is a major difference between thinking that because God wants us comforted that He also wants us comfortable. In Ezekiel 16, God rebuked Jerusalem and called her an “unfaithful bride,” comparing her to her “sister Sodom.” One of the charges he leveled against her was that she “had pride, plenty of food, and comfortable security, but didn’t support the poor and needy.” [vs 48-49b HCSB]

Too often being comfortable leads to smugness. We begin to expect God to cater to us. Our needs rise to the surface and become our priority. We can even begin to think God is “safe,” and while not admitting it out loud, we treat the Almighty God of the Universe as our personal pleasure fountain.

But God has never been safe.  Ask Abraham after God told Him to offer his son Isaac. Ask Moses when God told him to go back to the place he fled and confront Pharaoh with “let My people go!” Ask David as he stood before Goliath. Ask Paul when he was told he would stand before Caesar. Or ask him during the storm and shipwreck!

No, our God has never been a safe God. And we are never to become so comfortable that we choose to not go or do what our dangerous God sends us to go and do!

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Fighting Against God

by TerryLema

Many signs and wonders were being done by the Apostles in the Book of Acts, Chapter 5. That made the Jewish High Priest jealous since signs and wonders were not being done by him or his colleagues.

Jealousy prompted the High Priest to arrest the Apostles and put them in the city jail, but just as quickly an angel of the LORD opened the door and let them out. The apostles went back to teaching in the temple but got arrested again and brought before the Sanhedrin.

The High Priest was indignant that the Apostles had not followed his orders to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. When he expressed his indignation, Peter uttered his illustrious response … “We must obey God rather than men.” [5:29]

That so angered the Sanhedrin’s members that they were ready to kill the Apostles and would have except for one man’s argument. His name was Gamaliel, a teacher of the law and he told the Sanhedrin, “if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown, but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” [5:38-39]

With that, they released the Apostles, telling them once again not to teach about Jesus. The next day the Apostles were right back at it, teaching all who would listen about their LORD and Savior.

I am impressed by the courage and determination of the Apostles, but the few words that moved my spirit today were those final words of Gamaliel … “You may even be found fighting against God.”  

Somehow, I think fighting against God is a losing proposition. If God is in it, whether we agree or disagree, whether we like it or not, God will have His way. And I for one do not want to be “found fighting against God.” Amen & Amen.

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It’s About …

by TerryLema

A couple weeks ago a lovely couple from Christian Faith Center (CFC) Caldwell campus came to The Way Middleton. They came to share their experiences with joining CFC, hoping to make our path easier. It was thought that hearing from someone who was on the other side of the transition would be helpful.

What I heard from them was such delight and enthusiasm for touching the lost, for salvations, for people bound by addictions being set free. They were thrilled at the number of commitments and baptisms they were experiencing. As I listened, I realized that I needed to repent. While I anticipated hearing something about the transition, what I heard was, “It’s not about us!”

It’s not about the changes that will be made to the log cabin building.

It’s not about the changes that will be made to the kitchen or the children’s church or the office or the music or the media.

It’s not about my comfort level.

It’s about the lost souls in Middleton.

It’s about people bound in addictions being set free.

It’s about the people who have never known Christ Jesus as anything but profanity finding a loving Savior.

Insisting on remaining in any comfortable church, among just the people we have been with for so long, would eliminate any opportunity for others to come to Christ.

Father, if that viewpoint ever excluded a lost soul from our midst, forgive me. Amen.

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Closed Doors, Open Doors

by TerryLema

We closed our doors yesterday at The Way Middleton. The next time we open them we will be Christian Faith Center (CFC) -Middleton. Between the closing and re-opening, the building will be modernized, outbuildings will be plumbed, the grounds will be updated.

When we reopen, Pastor Laura will not need to support herself with a second job but will be fulltime staff at CFC.

I honestly did not know what my emotions would be closing those doors (symbolically). I figured going in that I would have a wide range of emotions, from sadness to excitement, perhaps even a bit of regret that I did not do things differently.

As it turned out, the one emotion I did not expect was the one that almost overwhelmed me yesterday afternoon – gratitude.

I felt such gratitude and thanksgiving that I had the privilege of being The Way’s pastor for a little over a decade. The line from the song, “Why Me?” kept running through my mind.

“Tell me, Lord, What did I ever do That was worth lovin’ you For the kindness you’ve shown”

God never told me “Why me?” Just like He never explains “Why me?” every time I think about being His child.

I always remember what I was before Christ Jesus came into my life. I always know what I would be without God’s grace.

“Why me?” I don’t know. I just know I am so grateful to be able to ask Him that question.

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He Is Alive! Resurrection sunday

by TerryLema

Last Sunday Pastor Laura brought her closing message out of the life of Elijah, Faith Through Fire. She talked about Elijah hiding in the cave, after he had run away from Jezebel. As Elijah cowered in a cave, God asked him a question, “What are you doing here Elijah?”

She said that often God asks us questions in order to change our perspective.

It is early Resurrection Sunday morning. The women who had been waiting through the Sabbath to bring their spices and oil to anoint the body of Jesus are finally able to leave. “They came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared… They went in but did not find the body of the LORD Jesus…They were perplexed….” [Luke 24:1-5a HCSB]

Suddenly they were confronted by two men in dazzling clothes who asked them a question – “Why are you looking for the living among the dead.” [Luke 24:5b]

If ever there was a question that would change perspective! They came seeking the dead. They came to anoint a body. They came grieving and mourning loss and defeat.

Instead, they found life! They found rejoicing. They found victory!

We all must go to the cross. We all must surrender our lives there – not to a dead Savior, but to a Risen LORD. Our perspective has changed for all eternity.

He’s not in a tomb. He is alive. And we are alive with Him! Amen & Amen!

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Waiting – Silent Saturday Holy Week

by TerryLema

Isn’t it interesting that the body of the One who came to fulfill the law, the One who is LORD of the Sabbath, is alone in a borrowed tomb, buried quickly, without the prescribed anointing because the Sabbath was beginning?

Isn’t it interesting that the ones who loved Him are unable to do anything to anoint His body because they are still abiding under the provisions of the LAW of the Sabbath?

Everything has been done, prepared before the Sabbath began. They have the spices and oils to anoint. They visited the tomb before the Sabbath began and know where they will need to go once it ends.

They are simply waiting. Grieving their loss. Waiting for dawn.

Isn’t it interesting that when dawn arrives, all their preparations would be useless. There would be no body to anoint.

Isn’t it interesting that that Saturday was their last Sabbath under the provisions of the law?

Now they would celebrate – not the Sabbath – but the LORD of the Sabbath.

Now they would celebrate not because they had to, but because they want to.

Now they would rest – not because they were told to – but because they could rest forever in the presence of the LORD of the Sabbath.

Isn’t it interesting!

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Around the Cross – Good Friday

by TerryLema

A few years ago, I was studying the groups gathered around the cross of Christ for a message during the Easter Season. The writers of the Gospels give us a glimpse of those gathered there and their reactions.

John 19:25: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.”

Luke 23:27: “A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.”

 All the Gospels identify the Roman Soldiers, the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus and the Roman Centurion (who would later call Jesus “the Son of God.”) [Mark 15:39]

Matthew 27:41: “In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.”

John 19:21: “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.”

 And John reminds us that he also was there. [John 19:26-27]

There were many differing people and many different reactions around that cross. Some were mocking, sneering, and calling out insults. Others may have been there to see the “show.” And some – the ones who loved Him – were sorrowing, crying, and mourning.

I still remember that as I was studying, I heard the LORD say to me, “Don’t be so sure you would have been in the group that was shedding tears.”

And I realized (stunned!) – I could have been, maybe would have been – one of those mocking and sneering.

Because … it is only by the grace obtained and given by Christ Jesus through His death and resurrection that my heart has been made tender and grateful.

Good Friday—a Good Day to reflect on that.

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A Garden, A Prayer, A Choice – Holy Thursday

by TerryLema

As much as the agony on the cross reaches deep into my soul, there is a passage in Luke that perhaps for me reaches even deeper. It is defined simply in my Bible translation as “The Prayer in the Garden.”

Following the last Supper, Luke tells us Jesus had to deal with a dispute among His disciples over who would be considered the greatest in the kingdom. He had to warn Peter about his coming denial and warn the others to be ready for the trouble ahead.

Then He made His way to the Mount of Olives and there in the Garden of Gethsemane He knelt to pray. He began His prayer with a request – and a decision.  “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” [22:39-44 HCSB]

Luke uses a word translated as anguish or agony to describe Jesus at that moment. The word is agonia, which means great fear or terror of death, anxiety, agony. Matthew emphasizes that point. “Then He said to them, ‘My soul is swallowed up in sorrow —to the point of death.’” [26:38 HCSB]

Amid the anguish, even knowing what was directly ahead of Him, Jesus made a choice. He accepted the Father’s will.

From that moment, Jesus’ determination to complete what He had come to do is evident. He is in charge as He stands before His accusers. He is in charge before Pilate. Even as His body fails Him on the cross, even as He suffers pain beyond measure … He forgives the soldiers, He takes care of His mother’s future, He gives the promise of salvation to the thief hanging next to Him and He declares to all that the question of salvation is “FINISHED!” forever.

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A Fateful Decision – Holy Week Wednesday

by TerryLema

Matthew Chapter 26 reports that on Wednesday, Judas would solve the problem the chief priests and elders faced (when and where to have Jesus arrested). They were conspiring together, trying to find a way to arrest “in a treacherous way and kill Him [Jesus].” [vs 5 HCSB]

While the actual betrayal would not take place for another day, Judas made a fateful decision. Judas would, for 30 pieces of silver, betray Jesus as soon as he could find a “good opportunity.” [vs 14-16 HCSB]

After walking with Jesus for years, Judas for whatever reason, chose to join the conspiracy of the chief priests and elders. He chose to surrender his teacher, his friend to those who hated Him. When the actual betrayal took place, Judas identified Jesus with a kiss. He told the mob sent by the chief priests and elders “The One I kiss, He’s the One; arrest Him!” [26:47 HCSB]

Jesus’ response to the kiss of betrayal? “’Friend,’ Jesus asked him, ‘why have you come?’” [26:50 HCSB]

Friend.

As I think of this betrayal, I am reminded of Psalm 55. David, too, was betrayed by a friend, Ahithophel. He wrote of his anguish. “Now it is not an enemy who insults me … it is not a foe who rises up against me …. But it is you … my companion and good friend!  We used to have close fellowship; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.” [v12-14 HCSB]

I wonder if Jesus thought of Psalm 55 as Judas betrayed Him with a kiss?

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