Past Devotions

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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Summer!

by TerryLema

It is now summer! It is hot! I can almost hear some of you jumping up and down and shouting Hallelujah!  I, on the other hand, hate summer—always have. I do not like the hot weather. My favorite season is fall (probably because that signals that summer is over!).

This is supposed to be a ridiculously hot summer. They are already talking about rolling blackouts and electric failures in several states. From what I understand, most scientists agree that the climate around our globe is changing. Where the controversy occurs is whether this is man-made change or one of the natural climate changes that have occurred down through history.

Change. I have heard it often quoted that “the one thing that never changes is that everything changes.”

Some change is good and welcomed. Some change is not. When change is not what we perceive as “good,” it often causes stress.  I woke up the other morning thinking that even aging changes. Just when I think I have adjusted to some phase of aging and am confident that I can handle it with grace, I find there is a new level waiting for me around the bend with changes I must now face.

Ah, BUT, I have one thing in my favor. No matter what changes in me or around me, the LORD God Almighty does not change!

Malachi 3:6: “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” [NKJV]

James 1:7: “Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.” [HCSB]

Go ahead summer … go ahead life … take your best shot!  My God does not change, nor will He back down from anything. He is with me whatever, whenever, and FOREVER! Amen.

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He is There!

by TerryLema

Recently we looked at God’s power and His willingness on our behalf. I keep going back to those three doxologies found in Ephesians, Jude, and Romans, each starting with those six wonderful words … “Now to Him who is able ….”

Able, the Greek word is dunamai and is the word from which we get our English word dynamite!  It means power.

I also remember Jesus’ willingness to bring that power to bear in the healing of a leper with the words, “I am willing.” [Mark 1:40-42]

As I once again contemplate those two words, willing and able, another phrase popped into my mind. “Ready, Willing & Able!”

Then the words of Psalm 46:1 began to minister to my heart … “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” [HCSB]

You probably learned the last part of that Scripture as “a very present help in times of trouble.”  [NKJV]

No matter which version you are most comfortable with, the truth contained in those words tells us that our God is ready.  If you read the next verses in that song, you will discover He is ready even though the earth trembles, mountains topple, seas roar.  The LORD is our refuge and strength, our help.

Our LORD is ready. Our LORD is willing. Our LORD is able. No matter what we are facing, He is there.

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Exceeding Joy!

by TerryLema

I keep coming back to the NT doxologies found in Ephesians, Jude, and Romans. The one that has been ministering to my heart during those long hours at night when I cannot sleep is the one found in Jude.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” [Jude 24]

Last night I was focused on that little phrase “with exceeding joy.”

The word for exceeding joy is “agalliasis” and it means wild joy, ecstatic delight, exultation, exhilaration.

Our God is willing and able to keep us from stumbling in this life. We can remain steady in our Christ-like walk by the power of His Holy Spirit.

AND, our God is willing and able to present us faultless in the next life. One day we will stand in the glory of His presence … all because of God’s will, Christ’s sacrifice, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

AND, on that day, we will experience an exceeding joy, a wild, ecstatic delight unlike anything we have ever known. I do not know about you but I can hardly wait to see that day.

AND, while I wait for its appearance I can sing to “God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both Now and forever. Amen”

Even so, come quickly, LORD Jesus.

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Down by the riverside

by TerryLema

Well, if you have been on Facebook recently or at The Way last Sunday, you probably already know that my husband fell into the Boise River while fishing last Saturday. He tumbled down the bank and ended up headfirst in the river Thankfully, the flow was low so he was not carried downstream. He struggled to get up on the bank but could only make it halfway out. He said he could not push up with his feet nor pull himself up with his arms.

Two guys and a gal walked by and found him and helped. They got him up the bank. Being the rather stubborn old man he is, he thought he could drive home, but was unable to get in his truck. Realizing he was bleeding, bruised and could not move his left arm, they called 911. Paramedics transported him to our local ER.

His right arm has multiple scrapes and cuts, and over the last couple days lots of bruising has shown up on his right arm and side. His left shoulder blade is fractured, and he has multiple cuts on his left hand. He is bandaged and his left arm is in a sling until we can see the ortho surgeon.  If you ask him what was the worst thing that happened, he will smile and tell you he lost his Marine Corps hat in the river.

It is funny how fast things can change. One minute you are getting ready to leisurely fish on the riverbank, the next moment you are in the river and struggling to get out, cold, hurt, frustrated and maybe even a little afraid (although I would never accuse this former Marine of fear!).

What should show up as one of my daily verses today?  Psalm 91, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” [vs 1 NKJV]

I took a moment to read the rest of the song … and came to rest on verse 15, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.”

Take a moment and read Psalm 91 today. Be reminded of the rescues that are noted there. Too often we become so familiar with a portion of Scripture that we fail to really consider what is contained therein.

“I will be with him in trouble.” That apparently includes taking a header into a river!

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?

by TerryLema

Last Sunday I brought a message about forgiveness and what is demanded of us as sinners who have received forgiveness from God.  One section of the message was titled, “What if?”

I remember when my children were young, especially when they were teenagers. It seemed they were consumed by the “What if?” question.

I would tell them to come directly home from school and that would prompt a series of “What if’s?”  What if I’m hungry and want to stop for something to eat? What if John asks me to take him home? What if Sara asks me to come over and help her with her homework?  What if? What if? What if?  Thankfully, they outgrew the “What if?” phase.

But I am not sure I did. How many time have I asked God, “What if?” when he has commanded me to do something, such as forgive someone I really do not want to forgive.  Or if He asks me to forgive someone who is not at all sorry about hurting or offending me.

I think the Scriptures are clear that none of the elements of forgiveness are dependent on our situations or the actions of other people. God’s Word or call on our lives is never at the mercy of the behavior of others, and His Word stands regardless of the difficulties we face.

Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you”

I think God must hate “What if?” questions as much as I do. Maybe more!

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Able and …

by TerryLema

There are three notable doxologies in the New Testament (Ephesians 3:20, Jude 24, Romans 16:25-27). Each begin with those six wonderful words, “Now to Him who is able ….”

The Greek word is the same in all three doxologies. It is dunamai and is the word from which we get our English word dynamite!  It means power.

Our God has the power for anything and everything we will ever need. That reassures my heart. And there is something that encourages my heart even more! Three little words found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

“Now a leper came to [Jesus], imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” [Mark 1:40-42, also Matthew 8:3, Luke 5:13]

I think you know what three little words minister to my heart.  When the leper asked if Jesus was “willing” to heal Him, our LORD responded with “I am willing.” Then He conveyed healing’s power (dunamai) with a touch and the leper was cleansed.

It is one thing to have the power to do something; it is quite something else to have the willingness to do it.

Our LORD is both willing AND able to move in our behalf. Praise His Glorious Name! Amen.

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