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Devotions

From Victory!

by TerryLema

I like sports. Each time I watch a game, I look for the backstories. As I wrote yesterday, I was captured by the backstory of Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams. He and his wife are strong Christians, dedicated in their love and service to Christ Jesus.  One of the things he said following the game was that he had a vision from God a few years prior after the Rams lost a Super Bowl. God told him that they would return, win, and he would be the MVP. He told one person of his vision. That is exactly what happened.

He went on, however, and it is this statement that has encouraged my heart today. He said, “It was written already and I just got to play free, knowing that I got to play from victory, not for victory. I got to play in a place where I was validated not from anything that happened on the field but because of my worth in God and my Father.”

He played from victory, not for victory. God had already spoken the ending. That was just a football game. How much more for us as believers?  We, too, play from victory (obtained by Christ Jesus), not for victory!

1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary on this verse: “Praise for the victory (it is great and glorious in itself), and for the means whereby it is obtained (it is given of God through Christ Jesus), a victory obtained not by our power, but the power of God; not given because we are worthy, but because Christ is so, and has by dying obtained this conquest for us. Must not this circumstance endear the victory to us, and heighten our praise to God? Note, How many springs of joy to the saints and thanksgiving to God are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests, of our Redeemer! With what acclamations will saints rising from the dead applaud him! How will the heaven of heavens resound his praises for ever! Thanks be to God will be the burden of their song; and angels will join the chorus, and declare their consent with a loud Amen, Hallelujah.”

Yes, Thanks be to God, Amen & Hallelujah!

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A Ring and a Crown!

by TerryLema

I watched this last Super Bowl game. Loved the game. Not so thrilled with the halftime. And as a disclaimer, yes, I am not thrilled with the organizations or politics behind most professional sports. I am however, enthralled by some of the backstories behind the men and women who play the sports.

This year’s Super Bowl had a myriad of backstories. Matthew Stafford, No. 1 draft pick in 2009 by the Detroit Lions never won a playoff game before coming to the Rams this year. Now he’s won a Super Bowl.

Van Jefferson who caught a number of Stafford’s passes found out at the end of the game that his wife left the stadium in labor. She made one request to the Rams before the Super Bowl: if she goes into labor during the game, do not tell her husband until afterward.

But the backstory that enthralled me was that of MVP of the game, Cooper Kupp. Kupp and his wife are strong, dedicated Christians. They live their lives for Christ Jesus. Kupp was on the losing side of a Super Bowl the last time the Rams played. God gave him a vision as he left the field in defeat. Here are his words: “God revealed to me that we were going to come back, we were going to be part of a Super Bowl, we were going to win it. And somehow I was going to walk off the field as the MVP of the game.”

Kupp told one other person about that vision. What God revealed to him is exactly what happened. But Kupp had more to say, “It was written already and I just got to play free, knowing that I got to play from victory, not for victory. I got to play in a place where I was validated not from anything that happened on the field but because of my worth in God and my Father.”

 He added, “I think the thing that He has taught me is that you will find that you are most fulfilled, you will find the most joy, when you are rooted in your purpose, and specifically rooted in His purpose for you. That, to me, has been one of the best things about this year.”

Kupp has said that one of his favorite Bible passages is 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, which reads: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

 The glitter on that Super Bowl ring will fade, but that Crown (!), it will last forever! Amen.

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Spiritual Growth is Deliberate

by TerryLema

I love it when Paul gets to meddling in the way we live our lives. He was great at outlining the Christian faith, and much of what he wrote is used to formulate Christian doctrine. But Paul never left us wondering how to apply doctrine to practical living, he told us how it applies. He does that in his letter to the Ephesians. He says we are to “grow up into [Christ] … as each part does its work.” [4:15-16]

In other words, spiritual growth is a deliberate work. We know we do not work for salvation; Christ took care of that on the cross, but we must work to grow spiritually. It does not just happen without effort on our part.

So where do we start? Paul started by reminding us that we are no longer to live as we used to live. “I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.” [Eph 4:17 NIV]

The King James translates that word “futility” as “vanity.” It is vane, futile to think as the world thinks. The world ignores sin, refutes even the concept of it. If the world thinks at all of God, it designs a god who is docile, without fire or judgment, one made to its own liking. The world thinks one need only die to gain heaven, that faith is for the weak, and that right or wrong is an individual determination.

One of the first things we must do as believers is to reject the world’s view of spirituality. We can no longer live that way. We must live now in the light of God’s Word, in the love of the Father and in the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

That is an intentional choice if we want to grow and mature spiritually.

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I repeat myself …

by TerryLema

Fanny Crosby wrote, “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.”

Kathryn Hankey wrote, “Tell me the story often, For I forget so soon; The early dew of morning Has passed away at noon. Tell me the old, old story … of Jesus and His love”

Sometimes as I sit writing a devotion, I will think to myself, “I have said this before. It is nothing new.”  Then I will remind myself that it is okay to repeat the wonderful truths of God. Not only is it okay, but it is also necessary.

I began reading Galatians this morning. I got as far as verse 6 in Chapter 1. The first five verses are a salutation, a presentation of Paul’s authority as an apostle (not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father), and a declaration of the love of our LORD Jesus Christ (who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age). [vs 1-5]

Then suddenly Paul expresses the reason for his letter, and it is a reminder and warning to us also.  “I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel ….” [vs 6 HCSB]

Paul was amazed that the Galatians so easily and quickly surrendered the truth of the Gospel. They had accepted the true Gospel but now had discarded it for a perverted message of grace and law. In the remainder of this letter, he will confront them on their readiness to accept error.

I would like to say that modern day believers are smarter than the Galatians, but are we?  We seem to also forget that old, old story and are looking for something new and “improved” to replace it or add to it.

But that old, old story still stands strong, and will stand strong throughout eternity. It never diminishes, it never dulls, its brilliance will light the cosmos forever. Tell it to me again and again and again and … the story of Jesus’ love.

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One More Time

by TerryLema

I enjoy sports. I enjoy most all sports so when the Olympics roll around, I usually watch. I like the summer games best but also enjoy the winter ones which are going on now. I like the backstories almost more than the actual events.

Recently snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis won the first gold medal for the USA at the Beijing Winter Olympics. I watched her race, and it was great, but Lindsey’s backstory is even greater.  Her snowboard cross win and her personal first Olympic gold medal came at the age of 36 years, in her fifth Olympic appearance.

Lindsey first appeared in the 2006 Winter games, and despite a brutal fall, claimed a silver medal. Following that auspicious start, she came in fifth in 2010, seventh in 2014, and fourth in 2018.

“It doesn’t define you,” she said when asked what message she’d send to younger racers about mistakes of the past. “Especially if you’ve made it to this stage, you’re a winner. And look at what you’ve learned from the experience and take that with you later in life.”

Mistakes do not define you.  Failures do not define you. Jesus defines you. So run like a winner because you are!

Hebrews 12:1: Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance [perseverance] the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. [HCSB]

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Happy Birthday Abe!

by TerryLema

Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (2/12/1809-4/15/1865). Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.  Born into poverty and self-educated, he became a lawyer and statesman. He led the nation through the American Civil War and succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.

During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was purportedly asked if God was on his side. He replied, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side, my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

Those words present a significant challenge.  Too often we plan and prepare and then ask God to bless what we have planned and prepared. Sometimes we act without thought and expect God to walk through our foolishness and protect us.

He loves us, so He is by our side even when we expose ourselves to danger or act without thinking—just as we protect our children. But Lincoln’s words remind us that we should consult with God before we act and make sure we are on His side (in other words, in His will).

 “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” [Romans 12:2 HCSB]

Everything in this age is geared to short-circuit that “Consult God First” action. This age wants us to be reactive, rash, hurried and self-absorbed. God wants us to take the time to actively renew our mind through His word. He wants us to discover His good, pleasing, and perfect will before we act.

That is the only way to know decisively that we are “on God’s side.”

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Disclaimer

by TerryLema

When I first started reading my Bible through each year back in the 80’s, I used an outline that had me reading the Psalms and Gospels twice, the rest of the books of the Bible once. I also read five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs each day. I fell in love with the songs of Scripture. I am still in love with the songs of Scripture.

I woke to Psalm 59 this morning. It is a song of David and it was written when Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him.

The main them of the song is a cry for deliverance. It begins, “Deliver me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.” [HCSB]

David’s description of his enemies throughout the song is vivid, but it is the ending that gets me every time. It begins in verse 16, and it begins with that word “but.”

“But” is a disclaimer of everything preceding it because of what follows it.

“But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in the day of trouble. To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold—my faithful God.” [vs 16-17 HCSB]

The enemies may have been prowling around outside waiting to do him harm, but David was safe inside the stronghold of His Faithful God.

And so are we! Amen

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Lead Me to the Rock

by TerryLema

I have been reading the songs of King David. We need to learn to pray as David prayed, sing as he sang, worship as he worshipped, and yes, even dance as he danced—with abandon. (If you get a chance today, read Psalm 61.)

Ps 61:2-3: I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for You have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. HCSB]

David had a wonderful way of expressing his deepest thoughts, his circumstances, and his emotions. He never seemed to be afraid to admit to such things as, my heart grows faint. Yet his prayers seem to always contain petitions for a closer walk with God, as well as praise and worship and remembrance for all God had done.

David’s petition – lead me to a rock that is high above me.

David’s praise and worship – For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy.

 David’s petition is to be led. He didn’t want to follow his own path, but to instead take the path God would give to bring him to solid ground. God had been David’s refuge before. He had provided protection from his enemies. David knew that God would always be there to lead and to protect.

Our hearts must be open like David’s—open to the leading of the Lord.

God will not drag us down the pathway to the Rock, but He will lead. We must have hearts willing to follow.

 

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The Throne of Grace

by TerryLema

“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.” [Hebrews 4:16 HCSB]

The beginning of Hebrews is an admonition to not allow a pattern of unbelief and disobedience to take up residence in our hearts.

In the middle of the chapter, the writer reminds us that the written Living Word of God is able to discern when that happens. And that our Living WORD, Christ Jesus our LORD, is also able to scrutinize our hearts and see if what is there matches our words and actions.

The writer also reminds us that the Living WORD understands our weaknesses. He walked this earth and was tested in the same way we are. He grieved, He cried, He suffered loss, He died. He not only reveals our weakness, but He also knows them and understands them. He is sympathetic to us.

The end of Hebrews 4 is an invitation to approach the Throne of Grace. To come with a confidence that we will receive the mercy and grace that we need to help us.

We do not come arrogantly, as if we deserved this invitation, we come with a quiet assurance that we will be welcomed because Christ Jesus our High Priest sacrificed Himself for us. He opened the way to the Throne of Grace.

Warning, scrutiny, sympathy and finally an avenue to grace and mercy.  Thank you Jesus! Amen

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The Understanding Savior

by TerryLema

After the opening passage on unbelief in Hebrews 4, the writer issues two strong warnings. First that the written Living Word of God is able to discern any pattern of unbelief and disobedience in our lives. It can tell the difference between what is in our hearts and what our words and actions proclaim.

Also, our Living LORD, Christ Jesus, to whom we will one day give an account of our lives, is able to discern everything about us. Nothing is hidden from Him. He sees it all. He knows it all.

If the writer had stopped there, we might be left in a state of hopelessness, but he did not. He goes on to remind us that we have an understanding Savior, our heavenly High Priest.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:14-15 HCSB]

Biblical high priests were held to a higher standard of holiness than the rest.  Their main duty was to make sacrifice for the people’s sins on the yearly Day of Atonement.

As Believers, we have the ultimate High Priest. He Himself was our sacrifice, taking on our sins and the punishment for them.  Not only that, but because He walked this dusty earth the same as us, and was tested as we are, He is our sympathetic High Priest.

The Living Word of God (Scripture), and the Living WORD (Christ Jesus our LORD) scrutinize us. They reveal to us the depths of our heart. They expose any pattern of disobedience or lack of faith.

Along with the scrutiny, however, our Blessed Lord also provides mercy and grace. He knows we are needy. He knows what it means to hurt, to grieve, to suffer loss. He knows the difficulties and circumstances we face daily. And more than knowing, He understands because He was tested just as we are.

And He also opens the way to mercy and grace. (Tomorrow)

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