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Devotions

Be Careful Little Eyes

by TerryLema

I opened up my daily verse the other day and immediately began to sing a song that my kids learned in Sunday School. It began, “O be careful little eyes what you see, O be careful little eyes what you see, For the Father up above, is looking down in love, So, be careful little eyes what you see.”

The song goes on from there to remind children to be careful with their ears, tongue, hands, feet, heart and mind.

The verse for that day was from Psalm 16:8 and it was delivered in the NIV translation. “I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” 

I looked it up in my HCSB Bible and it read just a bit differently. “I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

When I looked a little further, I found that the word translated as “my eyes,” and “in mind,” literally means “in front of me.”

We have often heard the saying that “the eyes are the windows to the soul,” meaning that often a person’s emotions and vulnerabilities can be seen in the eyes. But this morning, as I read the verse and sung that little song in my head, I realized that windows work both ways. You can see in through them, but you can also see out through them.

The world may see through the eyes into the soul, but as the Psalmist and the song reminds us, we can take the world into our soul through our eyes. We need to be careful what we view with our eyes. We must always keep our eyes (and minds) on the LORD so that we are not “shaken” by this world.

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Unlikely Source

by TerryLema

The amazing Gospel of John, sometimes referred to as the “Spiritual Gospel,” often lifts us into the heavenlies. It is an awesome view of Christ Jesus that opens with the divine genealogy of Jesus as the “Word” who was with God and was God. It also contains many analogies that are made as “I AM” declarations that provide an understanding of Jesus’ ministry.

It is different from the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) in many ways. It omits much of what the other Gospels cover and covers some things the other Gospels omit.

One striking event that we find only in the synoptic Gospels is when Jesus questioned His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” along with Peter’s response, “You are the Messiah.” [Matthew 16:15-16, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20)

John records a different response of the ultimate declaration of who Jesus is. We find that in John 20.

Following the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples. They were gathered together behind locked doors in fear of the Jews. Suddenly Jesus was among them. He showed them His hands and His side, and it says, “the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”

Unfortunately, one of the disciples was missing. Thomas (called “Twin) was not with them when Jesus came.  He heard what the others said about Jesus’ visit, but he proclaimed, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

He wanted to see and touch what the others had seen. After eight days, Jesus came again and gave Thomas his desire. Upon seeing Jesus, it is Thomas’ response that is the summit of John’s Gospel.  “My LORD and my God!”

We call him “Doubting Thomas.” Yet his revelation of the true nature of Jesus stands out from the other Gospel’s account of the resurrection. The other Gospels recount the events of the resurrection, they report of the joy of His followers and record Jesus’ instructions, but only Thomas proclaims Jesus as Who He truly is.

“Our LORD and our God!”

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by TerryLema

The Gospel of John is so amazing. Awesomely amazing!  It has been referred to as the “Spiritual Gospel.”

It begins with the divine genealogy of Jesus. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” [John 1:1]

That first chapter proclaims that “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” [vs 14 HCSB]

John’s Gospel also records seven “I AM” statements that further our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They link Jesus to the OT revelation God gave to Moses as the “I AM WHO I AM.”  [JEHOVAH/YAHWEH]

“I am the bread of life.” [John 6]

“I am the light of the world.” [John 8]

“I am the door.” [John 10]

“I am the good shepherd.” [John 10]

“I am the resurrection and the life.” [John 11]

“I am the way the truth and the life.” [John 14]

“I am the true vine.” [John 15]

But even though Jesus applies God’s name to Himself in John 8:58 and John 18:4-5, it is not until the end of the book that we find the ultimate declaration of who Jesus is. And it comes from an unlikely source, in a surprising way.

More tomorrow

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Friend

by TerryLema

When David was old and advanced in years (as the Scriptures record in the closing chapters of 1Chronicles), he set out preparations for the Temple of the LORD that Solomon would build. He made plans and accumulated much of the materials that would be used.

He also set up the Divisions of the Levites and Priests. He named those who would be musicians, gatekeepers, treasurers, and other officials. Just before the Scriptures record his commission to Solomon, David lists those closest to him.

“Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.” [1 Chronicles 27:33 HCSB]

Most of us know little about Hushai the Archite except that through it all, he remained loyal to David. When Absalom, David’s son attempted to grab the kingdom for himself, it was the counsel of Hushai to the usurper Absalom that saved the kingdom for David. [2 Samuel 16-17]

As I came across Hushai’s name in those final chapters of 1Chronicles, and read David’s description of him, I was reminded of something Jesus said to His own.

“I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.” [John 15:15 HCSB]

To be a friend of the king. I cannot imagine anything more precious or breathtaking. I thought of that Book of Life, when the names of the redeemed are read, that perhaps beside each name will be written, “the king’s friend.”

 

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Birthday!

by TerryLema

Today is my oldest grandson’s birthday. What a delight this young man has been to me over the last several decades. He came into our lives as a blond, blue-eyed nine-month-old. When he was little, I spent many Saturdays with him. We went to parks, finger-painted, played, ate ice cream.

He is now my foodie buddy – the only one in this Idaho family that loves exploring new ethnic cuisine. I look forward each month to going to a new ethnic restaurant or visiting an old familiar one with him.  I love him dearly.

Seeing him reminds me of the beauty of adoption. He has none of my genes in him, but he has my heart. He is just as much my own as the two grandsons who were born into this family with some of my genes.

Whenever I look at my grandson, I understand God’s love for me … and for you.  We have been adopted through Christ Jesus into the family of God.

“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.” [Ephesians 1:4-6 HCSB]

That means that God loves us every bit as much as He loves His beloved Son, Christ Jesus our LORD. Is that not the most amazing thought.  Every year on my grandson’s birthday I am reminded of this. I think I probably remind you of this every year also! It never grows old.

I am a child of God, a beloved daughter. You are a child of God, a beloved son or daughter. Amen & Amen.

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Ain’t Going to Give Up – Is He!

by TerryLema

Recently Pastor Laura at The Way talked about victory over the enemy. She brought her message from the life of David. As she spoke, she mentioned the Spirit of Fear. At that moment, I realized that a Spirit of Fear had entered my life last September when I was so sick.  I realized also that since I had failed to recognize what was going on, I also failed to deal with it appropriately.

I have been around death a lot in my life, beginning at the age of seven when I attended the service for my favorite aunt. The next year it was my grandfather. At the age of 16 after getting my driver’s license I became the transport for my neighbor to his medical appointments as he died from lung cancer.

As a Hospice Chaplain I confronted dying and death almost every day. That experience actually made me less afraid. Plus, faith in Christ Jesus whom I know is the “Resurrection and the Life,” brought great comfort. [John 11]

But when I got sick last September, something changed in me. Little bouts of fear would appear and rather than take authority over them, I would try to reason with them. Not a smart move. It only caused them to increase in frequency and momentum.

Until that moment in church a few Sundays ago when Pastor Laura’s message brought the problem into the light. I took authority over that Spirit of Fear in Jesus’ Name and haven’t been bugged since.

You do know, however, that the enemy of our soul never gives up! This morning when I opened my email inbox, I found a link to a local newspaper. I usually get the major and local news each morning from them – but today was different. Today they sent me a link to the “Daily Obituaries!”

I laughed so hard. The enemy never gives up. But my Savior and LORD never does either and the victory is in His Hands! “But thanks be to God, who [always] gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” [1 Corinthians 15:57 HCSB]

 

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Everyone Who Desires

by TerryLema

I know a man who is running for a school board position in our Treasure Valley. He is a good man, a godly family man. He is open and willing to listen, and to vote each issue according to its worth. His wife recently posted of the opposition he has faced since he started his campaign.

As I read her post I was reminded of the warning Paul gave Timothy in 2Timothy 3:12. I read that verse in two different translations and noticed one thing I had not concentrated on previously.

“In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” [HCSB]

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” [NKJV]

What I noticed is that word translated as “want” and “desire.” The Greek word is theló and it means to will, wish, desire, be willing, intend or be ready to act.

Did you notice what I saw this morning?  We do not have to actually have done anything to be confronted with opposition or persecution – we just have to “want” or “desire” to live a “godly life in Christ Jesus.”

I remember a close friend talking about how often when she walks in a room, she stirs up people who “accuse” her of preaching to them even when she hasn’t said a word. It is because her great desire is to live a godly life in Christ Jesus and when she comes next to those who do not have that same desire, she makes them uncomfortable. And opposition / persecution is often the result of other’s discomfort.

Do not be surprised, beloved, if your willingness to follow Christ Jesus stirs up trouble from others.

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Repentance & Consequences

by TerryLema

All summer at The Way, Pastor Laura has brought life lessons from the life of David in 1 Samuel. David may have been a man after God’s own heart, but he was not a man without faults.

David’s most notable sin, of course, was taking another man’s wife (Bathsheba) and arranging for that man (Uriah) to die when Bathsheba became pregnant with David’s child. The LORD was not pleased with David and sent the prophet Nathan to confront him.

Nathan told David a story about a rich man who takes a poor man’s lamb and when that riles up David’s ire, Nathan informs David that he is that rich man. David immediately acknowledges his sin and repents.

 “David responded to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Then Nathan replied to David, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die. However, because you treated the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son born to you will die.’” [2 Samuel 12:13-14 HCSB]

Whenever I read those verse, I am reminded that when we repent in humility and truth, God forgives our sin. It will not follow us into eternity nor be recorded against us.  But … BUT … sometimes in this life we must live with the consequences of our sins.

Consequences follow us in this life. I have ministered to countless people who sinned and while forgiven by God, will spend much of life dealing with the consequences of their sin.  And yet … YET … even in those consequences God’s grace is abundant and His mercies new every morning.

David and Bathsheba will have another son … Solomon … and it is through Solomon that the Messiah, Christ Jesus our Savior and LORD will come. [Matthew 1:6]

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So Blessed

by TerryLema

I am so blessed. So very blessed by God.

Yes, I have my struggles, but I am never alone in them. He is always with me.

Yes, I do not know what the future holds. But I know that there is nothing in the future that will take my LORD by surprise. I do not need to worry.

Yes, I have a body that is aging, often fatigued, sometimes in pain. But this body is not my home! One day I shall be absent from this dusty old tent and have a new glorious body like unto His.

I am so blessed. So very blessed by God.

I have a husband who has loved me for 55 years – even though I have not always been lovable. Have we had our ups and downs? Surely. Have we fought like cats and dogs sometimes? Yep. But by the grace of God we are still together (and still loving and fighting).

I have three wonderful children who care about and for us. And three grandsons that I am so very proud of.

I have friends that I have had since the 1980’s, who still love to gab and laugh. I pray for them, and they pray for me.

I have a church family that loves me and still wants me around even though I have been retired from pastoral ministry.

I still have enough clarity of mind to read and study and write.

I am so blessed. So very blessed by God.

As I sit here this morning, I can sense His presence with me. Can you get more blessed than having the Eternal, Almighty, Gracious God on your side? I don’t think so.

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by TerryLema

Recently I read my way through the Book of Joshua.  Three times in four verses in Chapter 1, God says to Joshua “be strong and very courageous.”  [Joshua 1:6, 7, 9]

One of the things about being courageous is that it is not the absence of fear.  It is moving forward to do what needs to be done in spite of the fear that might exist.  In fact, if there was no fear present, why would God even need to tell Joshua to “be strong and very courageous?”

Life can be scary.  We are always facing the unknown.  If we could just see what tomorrow holds, whether it will be easy or difficult, maybe we could prepare.  That’s why astrology, fortune telling, and the like are so prevalent in our culture.  Those things promise to reveal our unknown futures.  Of course, they can’t.  The only one who knows our tomorrows is the Lord.

Paul writes in Romans 8 a list of things that are powerless to separate us from the love of God.  He says that neither the present nor the future has the power to separate.  Isn’t that an amazing statement!  We need not fear what is ahead because God is able to keep us through all the unknowns.  We can be strong and very courageous because nothing, present or future, will be able to separate us from the love of our Lord.

Rom 8:38-39:  For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to  come, hostile powers,  height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!.  [HCSB]

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