Past Devotions

Dangerous Grace

by TerryLema

Jude 4: They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Jude told his readers that some have claimed the grace of God as something it is not – a license for immorality.  That is the danger in grace, that mankind will corrupt the freedom it brings into a license to do whatever they want.

I once heard a man incorporate grace into the equation while trying to justify leaving his wife for another woman.  He could do what he wanted now and always repent later on and God would give grace and forgiveness.  I bet there have been occasions when you have heard similar twisted logic.

The men Jude warned about were apostates. They were renouncers or defectors from the faith—if they ever had faith to begin with.

I cannot see how those who pervert grace ever really experienced it. 

The grace of God sets us free from bondage, free from sin. It carries forgiveness on its wings.  It flows from the Father’s heart, through the work of Jesus Christ.  It operates in us in the power of the Holy Spirit.  To experience grace that way, in truth, is an experience that is never forgotten, can never be trivialized.

Each day grace reminds me of the love of the Father.  It reminds me even of the pit from which I have been dug.  It holds me close to Christ Jesus, my Sovereign Lord.  That grace makes me want to do anything He might ask.  I may falter at times in my obedience, but grace always draws me back to God’s love.

I cannot think or write about it enough. Amen!

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I Hope for a Lot of Things

by TerryLema

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. [HCSB]

I hope for a lot of things.  I hope to have enough money to pay my bills each month.  I hope my children and grandsons will be strong in the LORD. I hope retirement will be rewarding and I’ll have many good days to enjoy it.

Paul in the passage for today reminds us that God, our Father, loves us, and because of that love His grace comes to us so that we might have eternal encouragement and good hope.

The encouragement that God brings into our lives through His grace is strong enough to weather the greatest storms and take us into the eternal presence of God.  And the hope that grace brings is good hope.  It is not wishful thinking; it is not based on our efforts; it is totally of God and totally of His grace. It is secured, as Paul reminds us, by the sacrifice of God’s Son, Christ Jesus.

This grace, full of eternal encouragement and God’s good hope, strengthens us in our words and in our deeds.  It makes sure we are founded in truth in our daily lives.  It buries itself deep into our hearts where it can then blossom.  Our words take on its character, we speak grace.  And our deeds take on its strength, we live grace-filled lives.

Our God does not just save us … our God transforms us … and our God keeps us by His grace.  We will thrive when we depend on grace, and we will stand in the presence of God one day.  Eternal encouragement and good hope … flowing in God’s grace.

What a way to live!

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Living By the Well

by TerryLema

I was reminded this morning just how dry we can get if we wander away from the well.  The final months of last year were very different and I didn’t spend as much time with the Lord as I should have, and it still shows.

When pregnant Hagar was mistreated by her mistress, Sarai, after being given to Abram to bear a child, she ran away into the desert.  There she sat down by a spring, a well.  And there the Lord found her.  He gave her instructions to return to Abram and Sarai, telling her that she would give birth to a son and his name would be Ishmael.  When the Lord left, Hagar “called the Lord who spoke to her: The God Who Sees, for she said, ‘In this place, have I actually seen the One who sees me.’ That is why she named the spring, ‘A Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.’ It is located between Kadesh and Bered. [Gen 16:13-14 HCSB]

Beer Lahai Roi means “the well of him that lives and sees me,” or, as some render it, “the well of the vision of life.”

Later in Genesis we read that it was not Hagar’s son who ended up dwelling at Beer Lahai Roi, it was actually Abraham’s and Sarah’s son, Isaac.  “After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who lived near Beer-lahai-roi.”  [Gen 25:11 HCSB]

Isn’t it interesting that Hagar (who we know from Galatians represents the law) visited the well, Beer Lahai Roi, in her time of desperate need, but it was Isaac (the son of promise) who ended up living by the well?

Too often we are like Hagar, we visit the well of God when we are in trouble and need help fast, when we really should be living by the well as Isaac did, drawing living water daily.

Ivan Parker sings a song that I have always liked, “Close to the Well.”  Take a moment to listen to it, I’ve provided the YouTube link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOl4tmqhM08&index=68&list=PLhlFlu7EQ7RjjCsGaVSRB916hkGi4NEh3
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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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