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Devotions

Three Songs (Psalm 22)

by TerryLema

Whenever I am in a difficult position or circumstance, I will recite Psalm 23 in my mind. I find it calms my spirit and emotions and gives me the strength to do what I need to do at that moment.

Psalm 23 is part of a trilogy of songs. Psalms 22, 23 and 24 go together. They have been described as songs of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (Psalm 22), the Great Shepherd who lives to care for and provide for His sheep (Psalm 23), and the Chief Shepherd who is coming again to gather His sheep (Psalm 24).

When I read them, I see them as Christ Jesus my Savior (Psalm 22), Christ Jesus my Shepherd (Psalm 23) and Christ Jesus my King (Psalm 24).

When we approach Psalm 22, we must do it with gracious humility and honor. It truly is “holy ground.” It begins with that great cry Jesus uttered from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”

Psalm 22 is a song of David, but it seems to go far beyond anything David might have experienced. It is not the cry of a man who is sick or even a soldier in battle. It is the cry of a man being crucified. He is stripped naked, nails driven through hands and feet. As the hours wear on, he is thirsty and becomes dehydrated. People are growling at him as he dies on the cross.

But the song does not end with death, the second part (verses 22-31) speaks of resurrection and expresses glorious praise to God.

It is hard to read this song without picturing what our LORD Christ Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. As I read it, I keep hearing two words over and over … “for you.”

He did it all “for me” and “for you.” It truly is “holy ground.”

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Three Women in Five Chapters (Hannah)

by TerryLema

There are three notable women in the Old Testament found in the space of five chapters, the Book of Ruth and the first chapter of 1Samuel. They are Naomi, Ruth, and Hannah.

We meet Hannah in 1Samuel, Chapter 1. Hannah was the wife of Elkanah. Elkanah loved Hannah, but there were two problems. Problem number one—Hannah was childless. Problem number two—Elkanah had another wife (Peninnah) who was not.

In that culture, to be childless was seen as a disgrace. The most important role of a woman was to present her husband with children. Hannah desired children and was brokenhearted that she had none.

Once a year Elkanah and his two wives went to Shiloh to offer sacrifices. On this one occasion, Hannah went before the Lord and prayed. She poured her heart out to the Lord with many tears. Then she made a vow, “Lord of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life….” [1 Samuel 1:10-11 HCSB]

God answered Hannah’s prayer and Hannah kept her vow to the LORD. She took her young son Samuel after he was weaned and gave him to Eli the priest and judge. Samuel would be the last of the judges and serve as a transition from the judges in Israel to their Messianic king, David.

The one thing that always touches my soul when I think of Hannah is the love and sacrifice she must have poured into Samuel before she gave him over. Even at such a young age, Hannah’s love makes a lasting impression on Samuel. How do I know that?

Elkanah and Hannah lived in the town of Ramah. When you read 1Samuel, notice how many times it says that Samuel went back to his “hometown Ramah.”

Loving makes an eternal impression.

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Three Women in Five Chapters (Ruth)

by TerryLema

There have been so many books written and messages given about Ruth. Not only is Ruth’s character noble, but she is also mentioned in the lineage of Jesus. [Ruth 3:11, Matthew 1:5]

Ruth loved her mother-in-law, Naomi. She loved her enough to leave her own people, her own land, her own gods and follow Naomi into a new land.

She loved her enough to care for Naomi by working long hard hours in the fields, gleaning the grain during the harvest.

She loved her enough to bring part of the food she acquired each day back home so that Naomi too could eat.

She loved her enough to obey Naomi’s instructions to sneak into the threshing floor and curl up at the feet of Boaz, their Kinsman (family) Redeemer.

She loved her enough to marry Boaz and bear a grandson (Obed), and enough to allow Naomi to be Obed’s nanny.

Ruth’s love for Naomi is what moved her into the lineage of God’s Blessed Messiah.  What a love!

(Tomorrow Hannah)

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Three Women in Five Chapters (Naomi)

by TerryLema

I enjoy reading about the women in the Bible. One section is especially notable. That is the section that spans the Book of Ruth and the first chapter of 1Samuel.  In that section we meet Naomi, Ruth, and Hannah.

I remember hearing a minister give a message on Naomi. He did not paint a very nice picture of her. He called her bitter (that is fair since she also refers to herself as bitter). But he also called her angry, full of self-pity, and unpleasant. By the time he finished, no one would want to have anything to do with Naomi.

That seemed harsh and a bit misguided to my way of looking at Naomi. Naomi had been taken by her husband away from her home in Bethlehem into the land of Moab along with their two sons. Her husband died in Moab, and she was left with her sons, who took foreign women as wives. Then after a bit her two sons died, which prompted Naomi to leave Moab and return to her hometown.

Initially her two daughters-in-law accompanied her. Along the way, Naomi released her daughters-in-law (Ruth and Orpah) to return to their native land. Orpah took Naomi up on the offer, but Ruth refused. Ruth insisted in one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture that “wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.” [1:16-17 HCSB]

When Naomi reached Bethlehem, the whole town met her. It was there she referred to herself as “Mara,” which means bitter. Naomi went away with a husband and sons and lost all of them to death. No wonder she thought of herself as “bitter.”

I think of her as grieving. She was consumed with the sadness that comes with loss. I also think that if Naomi was everything that minister said she was—bitter, angry, full of self-pity and unpleasant—her  daughter-in-law would not have loved her the way she did.

Ruth’s love for Naomi proved Naomi was worth loving.  (Tomorrow Ruth)

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He Psalm 119:33-40

by TerryLema

I was reading Psalm 119 this morning. Longest chapter in the Bible, covering 176 verses. This psalm contains the profound truth that the Word of God is all sufficient.  Common words are the Lord’s commands, precepts, statutes, decrees, judgments, and instructions.

Psalm 119 reminds us that God’s Word reflects the very character of God Himself. God’s attributes of righteousness, trustworthiness, truthfulness, faithfulness, unchangeableness, eternality, light, and holiness are also on display.

As I was reading, I halted at the section contained in verses 33-40. Then I began to pray through that section.

Vs33: Teach me, LORD, the meaning of Your statues …

Vs34: Help me understand Your instruction …

Vs35: Help me stay on the path of Your commands …

Vs36: Turn my heart to Your decrees …

Vs37: Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless …

Vs38: Confirm what You said to Your servant …

Vs39: Turn away the disgrace I dread …

Vs40: Give me life through Your righteousness …

As you read through (pray through) that small section, you will notice that for almost every one of those prayers, there is to be a corresponding reaction in our hearts.

Pray this passage with me today … I think you will be blessed. Amen!

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New Direction for Me

by TerryLema

I have been reading through my Bible at least once (almost every year) since 1985. I have a specific Bible-reading plan that I like. I have read through my Bible once already this year (a plus of “adjusting” to retirement).

I am about a third of the way through the second reading, but I noticed that something is off in this second reading. I am skipping over some things, rushing through others, looking at passages with an eye on devotions rather than on my own heart’s needs and desires.

I talked to a friend who recently came back from a two-week vacation visiting others. One of the persons she visited remarked that his reading had become “routine,” so he changed the way he read. He decided rather than just reading through, he would search out topics or themes and study that way.

That is what I need to do also. As I thought more about that this morning, I realized that God had already dropped the theme in my heart. I need to study the Holy Spirit – not in a superficial way leaning on others’ discoveries in books, but an in-depth study of my own through my Bible.

I think the Holy Spirit is being pushed aside in our churches. It is far easier (and less dangerous) to study what other churches have done or are doing and employ their ideas than it is to turn the Spirit loose and let Him do as He wants.

Maybe, also, we carried the “decently and in order” [1 Cor 4:40) way past where Paul intended, so much so that we are rigid and obstinate to anything the Spirit wants to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 contains a series of things we often quote, “Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” but how much attention do we give to the next verse, “Don’t stifle [quench] the Spirit.” [HCSB]

If we want to see God move, if want to see miracles and multitudes of people come to the living God, we must stop stifling (quenching) the Spirit of God in our midst.

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Believing

by TerryLema

A couple Sunday’s ago The Way had a guest speaker. Her message was about “Crazy Faith” and she shared some of the miracles God had done in her life and the lives of others that she witnessed. At the end, she asked anyone who needed a miracle to come forward. I do, so I did. I was the only one who did.

She prayed for a miracle healing from the auto-immune diseases that want to control my body. I am believing for that miracle.

My auto-immune diseases had been under “control” until recently. In the last month, they flared up again. In addition to the diseases, I have had to deal with the side effects of the medications. Yes, I need a miracle.

I will admit that I have learned a lot dealing with chronic disease. That said, however, I think God now wants me to be healed. So, I am putting this in writing … I received a miracle on Sunday.

I am believing with “crazy faith” that God is healing my body of chronic disease. He is opening up a new way for me.

I want “crazy faith” to believe for a miracle – not just for me, but for you also!

“Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness … my God, that is Who You are!”

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My God

by TerryLema

I love music. My mother played a mean piano, and then eventually a home organ. My dad had a collection of records that ranged from Dixieland Jazz to classic. Music was part of my life growing up. My tastes run a bit like my dad’s. I love almost all kinds of music with a few more “modern” exceptions. Not fond of Hip Hop or RAP or a few others that appeal to these latest generations.

A couple Sunday’s ago we had a guest speaker. That allowed Pastor Laura to do worship. She included the song, “Way Maker” written by Nigerian gospel singer Sinach.

I really love that song.  The chorus lists characteristics of our God. “And You are Way Maker, miracle worker, Promise keeper, light in the darkness, My God, that is who You are.”

 A friend from church gave me a lovely coffee mug inscribed with that chorus on one side and my name on the other. I use it every day for my afternoon iced coffee. And as I use it, I am reminded that …

I am reminded that my God makes a way where there is no way. I am reminded that He is a miracle working God. I am reminded that all the promises in Him are “Yes” and “Amen.” I am reminded that my God has taken me out of the darkness and brought me into His Kingdom of Light.  That is my God – that is Who He is!

What do you need today? Do you need to find which way to go? Do you need a miracle? Do you need to be reminded of one of the promises we have in God and how we can appropriate it today? Is your way dark, do you need to be led to the light?

That is my God. That is your God. That is Who He is. Call on Him!

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Be Filled by the Holy Spirit

by TerryLema

In that lovely passage in Ephesians 5, titled Consistency in the Christian Life in my Bible, Paul reminds us of a number of things imperative in our Christian walk. First, we need to make the most of our time, and second, we are to avoid any action or thought that leads us away from God as His beloved children.

Third, we are to be “filled with the Spirit” of God. In case we might not know what being filled with the Holy Spirit means, Paul goes on to show us just a tiny bit of what the Spirit does in us.

“…speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.”  [vs 18-21 HCSB]

Being “filled with the Spirit” involves action. It is not a passive event but one that promotes activity in our own hearts and in the lives of others. Look at those verbs … speaking to one another, singing, and making music, giving thanks, submitting to one another.

There is so much in the Scriptures regarding the Holy Spirit. There is fruit born through Him. There are gifts that He grants to flow through us. He teaches us how to pray. He is our Helper. He is the guardian of our inheritance. You could spend a year or more just searching the Word of God for all that the Holy Spirit does.

For me, I love those verses in Ephesians 5. He enables us to sing and make music from my heart to the LORD.

LORD, let me always make music in my heart to You! Amen

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Consistency in the Christian Life

by TerryLema

Yesterday as I was reading in Ephesians 5, I was led by the Holy Spirit to think about the last seven months of my life—those months where I have been adjusting to retirement. I wondered if I had been “making the most of the time,” or simply whiling it away. That thought is contained in a passage labeled in my Bible as “Consistency in the Christian Life.”

After Paul reminds his readers (and me) about redeeming the time, he goes on to other things. First, he tells us what we should avoid, and second, what we should be doing instead.

“And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit.” [vs 18 HCSB]

We are not to get drunk with wine because that leads to reckless actions. So often we breeze by that warning because we do not drink and alcohol is not a temptation for us, but I think the warning is far deeper than just a warning about wine.  If we go back to the passages that begin Ephesians 5, we see far more and broader warnings.

The chapter begins by telling us to be “imitators of God, as dearly loved children.” We are to walk “in love.”

Then it reminds us to avoid a number of things … some of which we can even find in the church today, things like, sexual immorality, impurity, greed, coarse and fooling talking, crude joking. We are told to not participate in the fruitless works of darkness, or partner with those who promote “empty arguments.”

I believe we could embrace Paul’s warning as encompassing anything that promotes the reckless actions that lead us away from God or diminishes or thwarts our walk as dearly loved children of God.

Instead, we are to be “filled by the Spirit.” (Tomorrow)

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