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TerryLema

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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His Shoulders

by TerryLema

My heart is heavy and yet it is light. My heart sorrows and yet is full of joy. How can that be?

I see so much need, so many hurts, so many lonely and struggling. And then I see the manger and the Christ Child … I see Jesus and my heart grows light with joy.

I see the manger and the Magi and the shepherds and hear in my imagination the angelic hosts proclaiming and I am filled with pleasure. Then I remember the cross, the crown of thorns, the whipping and mocking and spitting and I mourn for a world that rejected its Savior.

The cross gives way to the empty tomb. I see the surprise on the faces of the disciples, I see the delight in a mother who embraces a son that she thought was forever gone from her. I rejoice in a life that death cannot conquer.

And I see a world that still does not know its salvation, a world that abides in turmoil and struggles. I see the homeless man leaning on his cane outside the Dollar Store, fearful even to make eye contact with me as I go by. I see the children who have nothing and expect nothing even during this time of year. And my heart breaks.

But deep inside I hear the prophet remind me. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.” [Isa 9:6]

The government—the rule—is on His Shoulders, not mine. I can allow my heart to break with the things that break His and rejoice in the things that give Him delight. My Savior, my LORD, loves me. And He loves you. Today, that is enough.

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Prince of Peace

by TerryLema

“Wonderful Counsellor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6]

 Jesus came, and He preached peace. He preached peace, Paul says in Ephesians 2, to those who were near (the Jews) and to those who were far away (the Gentiles). He removed the divisions between people.

He brought peace between God and man by removing the barrier caused by sin. “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  [Rom 5:1-2]

And when He left to return to the Father, He left His peace with us. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [John 14:27]

The world’s peace is temporary, dependent upon the desires and demands of man. It is often an enforced, false peace. It can disappear as fast as it came. How many peace treaties have we seen in the Middle East alone in the last 50 years? While greatly celebrated, they have mostly been broken and are no longer in effect.

The peace of the Lord, however, is so different. It is inside the heart of man. It flows toward God, toward each other and permeates our own hearts, minds, and emotions.  While the world is yearning for peace, we abide in it. He is the Prince, the Son of Peace, and He abides in us.

His name will be called, “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

 

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Everlasting Father

by TerryLema

Wonderful Counsellor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father.”

This One to come, prophesied by Isaiah, our Messiah, our Christ, is the One who ushers in Eternal Life. He is “everlasting.” [Isaiah 9:6]

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” [Col 1:16-17]

He is everlasting and the source, purpose, and sustainer of all things. And He is Father. A father not only sparks life, but a father also protects.

I remember once when Bob and I took our kids to Southern California on a fun vacation at all the theme parks and fun places we could fit in our schedule.  While there we went to visit a friend in San Diego.

Our friend wanted to take us to the border and into Tijuana. It seemed like a good idea at first. But some things came up and delayed our friend so that by the time we got to the border, parked, and walked across, it was getting dark and late. On the other side we went about two blocks and Bob said, enough. He thought it was too dark, and too dangerous a location and insisted our friend turn around and go back.

A father protects.  Our Everlasting Father is revealed to us in Jesus, His Son. He is our provider of eternal life, and He is our protector.

“Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father.”

 

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Power

by TerryLema

Have you noticed the movies and video games that are out now? Notice a theme that runs through almost all of them?  It may be defined by one word – POWER.

Our culture is hungry for someone that has power, real power…the kind of power that makes things right. We don’t have it in our politics. We don’t have it in our educational systems. And sadly, we often don’t have it in our churches. So, what does that leave? Hollywood steps in and provides imaginary, powerful, mighty superheroes on the screen, on television and in video games.

When Isaiah foretold of the character and nature of the Messiah to come, his second title was “Mighty God.” 

“His name will be called, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God….” [vs9:6]

 This one to come will be “mighty.” The shortened version of the word is “gibbor (ghib-bore) and it means powerful. It describes a warrior, champion, or chief who is mighty, strong, and valiant.

Not only will He be “mighty,” He will be “God.” The Hebrew word is “El” and it is used only of Jehovah God. The One to come is God Himself, Mighty, Strong, and Valiant.

God is not some impersonal force; He is not distant or uninterested in us. As John says, “The Word was God …. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”  [John 1:1, 14]

 Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. The Word, God Himself, came to us in flesh and blood and dwelt with us. He is Mighty God. There is no power like His power. Hollywood can have their make-believe superheroes, I’ll take the real, eternal power – our Mighty God!

“Wonderful counselor, Mighty God.”

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He Shall Be Called

by TerryLema

I have been thinking a lot about the name given to the Son, the Child, foretold by Isaiah 9:6. “His name shall be called,” the prophet said. Isaiah was giving us not just a name as we think of a name but giving us the character and nature of this One given by God. “His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor.”

The Child, the Son given, was fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth, born to Mary by the miraculous power of God, and entrusted into the care of a simple carpenter. This “Wonderful Counselor” came and imparted the deep things of God to us.

Paul wrote to the Colossians, “My purpose is that [you] may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that [you] may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that [you] may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” 

When Paul said that all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge were hidden, he didn’t mean that they remain hidden. He meant that those deep things of God which were a mystery down through the ages are now revealed to us in the nature and character of our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ.

Christ Jesus now counsels us about what life is all about, He tells us about true love, love from God, love for God, and love for each other.  It is in this “Wonderful Counselor” that we find the answers to all life’s questions.

What joy it is, not just at this time of year, but throughout all of life, to know that if we but turn to God and listen, He will reveal to us love and life. The problem is not with God’s revelation (He’s done His part), the problem is with us when we fail to ask or fail to heed and obey.

He is Christ Jesus, our “Wonderful Counselor!”

 

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