Past Devotions

Independence

by TerryLema

Independence Day is right around the corner. The fireworks booths in our area have been open for a few days and already the nights are filled with the sounds of fireworks (both the legal and illegal types). I cannot say I am a big fan of, nor celebrator of our modern-day 4th of July events.

At the same time, I cherish American Independence Day. I was raised in Pennsylvania, so the American Revolution was taught and revered. Pennsylvania was one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

One of the greatest experiences of my life was to visit the National Archives and see the Declaration of Independence, written and approved in Philadelphia.  Nine Pennsylvanians signed the Declaration, including the most notable, Benjamin Franklin.

As flawed as some of the men who signed that document were, they risked everything — “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” — for the principle of representative democracy.

By their signatures on that document, they declared open rebellion against one of the world’s then-great military and political powers, Great Britain. They had everything to lose. And they had everything to gain. The result was the creation of a great influence for good in world history, the United States of America.

Still, as I contemplate the upcoming Independence Day, it pales in comparison to the true freedom we have in Christ Jesus. The freedom we have in Christ Jesus transcends American independence. It is far, far beyond any national or political freedom we claim as Americans. (More thoughts on Christ-given freedom this week.)

Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” [HCSB]

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Menó

by TerryLema

We picked our first ripe fruit of the garden yesterday. It was a lovely green zucchini, which promptly made its way into a pan with onions and peppers and tomatoes frozen from last year’s garden. If the heat had not already announced summer’s arrival, that zucchini did!

Bob has been tending his garden and it is beginning to respond to his attention. There are a lot of tomato blossoms and a couple little peppers on the vines. Soon we will also have Armenian cucumbers, eggplant, beans and other wonderful crops.

I was reading in John 15 this morning. The chapter begins with Jesus talking about “The Vine and the Branches.”

Jesus told his disciples that He is that true vine and His Father is the keeper of the vineyard. We are branches meant to produce much fruit. Read those first eight verses and notice how many times Jesus mentions abiding (or remaining, continuing depending on your translation).  I counted seven times in eight verses!

Each of those is a form of the Greek word “Menó,” which means simply to abide, remain, or continue.

As you read those eight verses, you will come away with a few truths. We are to produce fruit. God Himself will prune away anything in our lives that hampers that production of fruit so that we not only produce fruit, we produce abundant good fruit.

We cannot, however, produce any fruit unless we remain in Christ Jesus. In fact, Jesus is noticeably clear that fruit that pleases God cannot be brought forth by our own efforts. We can do nothing apart from Christ Jesus.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” [John 15:5 HCSB]

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Two Years

by TerryLema

I have a doctor appointment today with the Rheumatologist to talk about the two auto-immune diseases which are active in my body.  I see a Rheumatologist because there really are not any auto-immune disease specialists around … I am not sure auto-immune disease is even a specialty, and if it is, it is so new that there are not many in that field.

Because my two diseases involve inflammation, I see a Rheumatologist who specializes in rheumatoid arthritis, even though my diseases are not arthritic.  Others auto-immune disease sufferers may see different specialists. We get shuffled around according to symptoms.

Auto-immune diseases are on the rise, and more are being identified every year. It is confusing since the causes of most are still unidentified. Are they genetic, environmental, viruses?

There is only one medication that is generally effective for my two, some form of prednisone. It will not cure but can keep the symptoms under control … although prednisone itself has a whole set of side effects that are almost worse than the disease! (Some biologics are also being tried.)

My diseases have the potential of remission or even disappearing between two to five years. That is on my mind today since July is the two-year mark for the onset of my symptoms. My diagnosis came the following September, and my course of prednisone began.

All these thoughts are running through my mind this morning as I prepare to see the doctor this afternoon. My life changed drastically two years ago. And yet, I am not alone in this … how often do we find something enter our life that changes it significantly.

As I think about my auto-immune diseases today, I remember the words of my Savior … “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life … which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? … Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  [Luke 12:22-34 NKJV]

Whatever my Rheumatologist tells me, whatever is going on in my body, whether there is remission or not, I need not worry about my life … my Father, my Almighty Heavenly Father, is giving me a part in His Kingdom!  Amen.

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Going Up!

by TerryLema

There is a marvelous promise in 1 Thessalonians. If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you are familiar with it, perhaps even memorized it … maybe even long for its fulfillment every day.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.” [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 HCSB]

Lots of scholarly discussion around this verse (and other similar ones). There is always lots of discussion about End Time events. Does this indicate a Rapture? Or is it speaking of the Second Coming? If there is a Rapture, will it happen at the beginning of the Tribulation, or perhaps in the middle? Will Christians go through the Tribulation, all of it or maybe just a bit of it?

Christians are often divided on End Time events and how they will unfold.  Most of us have formed an opinion. Want to know what I believe?

Jesus is coming back for us.

If we are dead, we are going with Him.

If we are alive, we are going with Him.

We will all meet up with Him in the air.

And the best part of it all … “we will always be with the LORD!”

I do not have to know when or how all that will happen. The LORD knows. It does not matter if I believe in a Rapture or not. I believe in the LORD, I am HIS, so I’m going no matter when He comes for me.

And whenever, however, all this takes place, we will always … ALWAYS … be with our Precious Savior, Christ Jesus the LORD!

 

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No More Tears!

by TerryLema

Music has always nourished my soul. There are songs that cause hope to rise, others bring tears as I think of the love of our Father God. I was running through a playlist a few days ago and one of the songs took root in my mind. I find that since then, when I wake at night, I am silently singing the chorus.

“No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, ‘I am’
We will live in the light of the risen lamb.”

It is, of course, a song based on the prophecies found in the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 20:3-4: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” [NKJV]

Revelation 20:22-23: 22 “But I saw no temple in [the New Jerusalem], for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light” [NKJV]

Can you just take a moment and imagine what that will be like? We will dwell with God our Father Himself. He will wipe away every tear remaining from this life … for there will be no death or sorrow or crying or pain in the next.  We will live forever in a place that is illuminated by the glory of the Lamb of God.

When God promised that He would do more than we could ever think or imagine … He was so true!

(LINK: “No More Tears” David Phelps:  (43) David Phelps - No More Night (Live) - YouTube )
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Elevators

by TerryLema

I have had some strange thoughts going through my mind upon waking, but maybe none as strange as this morning. I woke up thinking about elevators.

I used to work in an 18-story building and once got stuck on a stalled elevator between the 10th and 11th floors. That experience taught me never to enter an elevator without first visiting the restroom. (Smile!)

I worked another building that had an elevator that waited until after the doors were opened to adjust to the floor level. It would be several inches below or above the floor when the doors opened, and you never knew whether it would adjust or just stay like that. I got a lot of coward-inspired exercise taking the stairs!

I remember waiting in the lobby of Boise City Hall for an elevator when a couple came up to me and asked, “Do these elevators go up?” (How exactly do you respond to that? “No, they only go down?”)

I have been in two notable elevators. We took a trip to Chicago a couple months after 9/11. Our hotel was right next to the John Hancock building. After we settled in that evening, we found out the Hancock observation deck was open at night, so we took a long elevator ride up to the 98th floor. I loved that deck, although I must say eating dessert at The Cheesecake Factory in the basement afterwards did make me a bit nervous.

A few days later the Sears Tower re-opened, having shut down after 9/11. So, we took another long elevator ride, to the 102nd floor this time. There was a video playing in this elevator showing the building being constructed during the long ride up. I guess they did not want you to get bored on the way.

I have no idea why I woke up thinking about elevators this morning.  Usually when I think such thoughts there is a spiritual lesson for me to learn or to share, but I cannot find anything spiritual this morning in elevators.

Be that as it may, perhaps I just needed to laugh. The last couple weeks have been difficult and the news in my inbox seems all bad, so laughing about elevators is good medicine for my soul this morning!

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” [Proverbs 17:22 HCSB]

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Golf

by TerryLema

I have always been a big football fan. Growing up in Steeler country solidified my love of football. I love all levels, from the pros down to the little guys who have to hold their helmets on when they run. (They actually may be my favorite to watch!)

Lately, however, I have been watching golf. A few years ago I would have told you that I thought golf the most boring game (sorry Patty, you know that is true!). Over the last year or so, I have changed my mind. Yes, it is far from action-packed, rough-and-tumble football, but I have come to appreciate the subtleties of the game.

Granted I still do not understand all the rules, but I am learning as I watch. I doubt I could ever play golf; I am just not that coordinated. I am loving watching it though.

Two weeks ago, Jon Rahm, a Spaniard, was leading the Memorial Tournament by six strokes finishing up day three of four. Then a positive COVID-19 test forced him to withdraw. The officials told him in full view of the cameras and public after he finished play. His stunned emotions were swift and apparent.

This past Sunday, cleared of COVID-19, Rahm won the U.S. Open. He was off the lead through the first three days, but surged at the end, winning by one stoke with two birdies on the last two holes. His joyful emotions were swift and apparent.

While I see many spiritual lessons in football about teamwork and working together; in golf I am also seeing many spiritual lessons about our singular walk with God. Sometimes we are in the fairway, right on target. Other times we are in the rough. There are times when we have to find our way out of a bunker, a trap the enemy has set for us. And times when we just have to find the inner courage to keep going no matter what is aimed against us.

Through it all we walk our course. Others often walk along with us and we gather strength by their presence. Still, each of us is following Jesus through our own particular course of life.

Matthew 4:18:20: “As [Jesus] was walking along the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen.  ‘Follow Me,’ He told them, ‘and I will make you fish for people!’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”  [HCSB]

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No Longer Waiting for Revival!

by TerryLema

For years I have been praying for revival – revival for our churches, communities, nations, our world. I spent a few of those years simply waiting … waiting to see something different, to see something amazing happen. I looked to the revivals of times past and yearned for what they had.  I have heard promises and read prophecies that revival is just around the corner!

During the waiting time, I came to realize something different about revival.  Yes, there are amazing, miraculous works of God which spontaneously strike regions and nations. But revival, true Holy Spirit revival, is available to each one of us whenever we want.

Last Sunday the message at The Way was on “A Lifestyle of Repentance.”  Revival is found in a lifestyle of repentance.

We are all familiar with 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

In a lifestyle of repentance, there are two things vitally important that link to personal revival. First, when we walk in truthfulness about the condition of our hearts, we walk in the light, and the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from sin. When that happens, we walk in daily revival.

Maybe we should read 1 John 1:9 this way, “Daily, as we confess our sins (both outward and inward ones), He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Second, true repentance, one that takes in a change of attitude and action toward our sin results in a radical and daily pursuit of holy living, walking with God in obedience to His commands. (Daily revival in true repentance is always linked to obedience to God’s Word and submission to the Holy Spirit.)

As we live a lifestyle of repentance, we will have this amazing, joy filled, daily living relationship with Christ Jesus our LORD. In other words, we will experience DAILY REVIVAL!

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Tears

by TerryLema

I was never much of a crier. I was much more an in-your-face-shouting-door-slamming type. (I probably still am, except for the grace of God!) Not being a ready crier served me well over the years, allowing me to minister to others in extremely difficult situations. Many times as a pastor and hospice chaplain I needed to focus on others’ needs and not my own emotions.

But as I drove to Costco last Friday, tears streaming down my face, I realized that because of the grace of God, I cry easily now—especially when I think of God’s love, His mercy, and His care for me.

I was achy, tired, and just wanted to be home in my easy chair with a book. Then a hawk flew over. Hawks remind me of God’s goodness for me (long story!). I began to praise my Father for His loving care, and tears started to flow. Then another hawk went by, more praise, more tears. Then a third hawk!  Before I reached Costco I saw five hawks, each sighting deepening the realization of my God’s love.

I remembered the words of the psalmist in Psalm 56: “You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records?” [vs 7-9 HCSB]

God spoke to my heart that He has captured every tear I have cried. He has recorded every time I needed Him – and found Him!  He knows my weaknesses and strengths. He is with me in both.

I still am not much of a crier, until I remember Christ Jesus my LORD. Then I am very much a crier.  My God is so good!

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The Same!

by TerryLema

Yesterday I was thinking about how everything changes and how difficult change can be, often producing stress that takes its toll on body, mind, and spirit. As Christians, however, we have the assurance that the one thing that remains constant in our lives is our LORD. He never changes.

The writer of Hebrews boldly stated: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” [13:8]

Mark is my favorite Gospel for the image it gives of our unchanging LORD Christ Jesus. Mark does not waste a lot of parchment with words, he just gets right to showing Jesus as He is.

The first chapter alone shows Jesus calling disciples to Himself, driving out an unclean spirit, healing Simon’s mother-in-law, preaching in Galilee, and cleansing a leper.

Chapter two begins with the healing of the paralytic and forgiveness of sins, calling a hated tax-collector as his disciple, and dining with sinners.

Chapter three is all about healing the man with the paralyzed hand and ministering to the multitudes.

It is not until chapter four that Mark records a parable. Up until then he simply lets Jesus’ actions speak about Him.

I also love the way the emotions of our Savior are presented in Mark. Mark tells us Jesus had righteous anger and sorrow over the hardness of hearts. He tells us Jesus was amazed at unbelief, felt compassion for those who were sick or hopeless, was indignant when His disciples kept the children from Him.

This same Jesus is ours today.

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