Past Devotions

Overcoming!

by TerryLema

Romans 12 – that marvelous chapter outlining our spiritual service as well as practical principles of Christian conduct ends with an admonition on how Christians are to handle a hostile world.  It tells us that we are not to repay evil for evil and we are to leave vengeance for evil perpetrated against us in the hands of Almighty God. Vengeance is His prerogative as the Great Judge of All.

I sometimes wish Paul would have left it there.  But he did not. In fact, his next thought begins with that little word, “but.”

“But, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  [Romans 12:20-21 HCSB]

If our attempts to live at peace with everyone fail and after leaving any vengeance we might desire in the hand of God, Paul commands us to go the extra mile. We are now to show unexpected kindness upon those who want to visit evil upon us.

We are to feed our enemies if they are hungry and give them something to drink if they are thirsty.  We are not to give into the temptation to meet evil with evil, but we are to confront evil with good.

Evil cannot be overcome by more evil, it simply escalates the situation further. Only good can overcome evil. God’s people have always been called to reflect God’s goodness in any and every situation. There is no way we can forget Romans 5:6-8:

“For while we were still helpless [sinners], at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” [HCSB]

While we were alienated from God, while we were His enemies, God’s ultimate goodness overcame!

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Peacemakers

by TerryLema

Today is Inauguration Day and as I write this, I have no idea what this day holds for anyone. The National and State Governments have been warned there might be trouble and have taken steps to mitigate it. Whether or not they are successful remains to be seen.

Christians too must be on guard – not as much against the trouble that might arise today, but in keeping our actions and responses in line with God’s Word.

Romans 12 is one of those heady chapters that begins with our spiritual service in the opening verses and then outlines principles governing Christian conduct in the middle. It is, however, those last verses (17-21) that may be most appropriate for today.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.  If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.  Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written:  Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:17-19]

Paul gives explicit counsel about how believers are to face a hostile world. We are not to follow the sinful nature which is inclined to repay evil for evil. Instead, we are to be sure that our behavior rises to higher standards found in the Gospel.

Of course, the charge to live at peace with everyone is qualified. First by the words, “if it is possible.” Sometimes it is not possible, conflict with others cannot be resolved. Even if others refuse to live at peace with us, however, we need to make sure that we are not the instigators of trouble. God expects us to be peacemakers when that is within our ability to do so.

The second qualification to our living at peace with everyone is that others might take advantage of our desire for peace. That may rise to the level of not just opposition, but outright persecution. When that happens our path of duty is still clear – we are not to become vengeful or act upon that. We are to leave room for God’s wrath.

Vengeance is God’s province. He is the Great Judge of all. God will visit wrath upon the enemies of His people. It may not happen immediately, but if there is no conviction of sin and repentance, God’s wrath will come. We can rest in that.

 

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Imitate!

by TerryLema

Last Sunday at The Way we studied what it means to love.  The world has a fascination with the word “love.” We love God and family, football and rock bands, pizza and popcorn. The word becomes diluted from its strength when we apply it to things we merely “like,” because love is not about what we feel, it is about what we do. Love is an action word.

Christian love takes it one giant leap forward in that it involves sacrifice. It involves loving people we may not even like. Jesus reminded us that we are to even love our enemies. [Luke 6:28]

A couple of the Scriptures I studied for the “love” message were in 1 Corinthians.  In Chapter 11 Paul told his readers to “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”  [v1 HCSB]

Paul had already told them what that imitation looks like in Chapter 4.  “When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the world’s garbage, like the dirt everyone scrapes off their sandals.” [v12-13 HCSB]

While we casually read Paul’s actions about how he dealt with his enemies, I do not imagine that was a casual response for Paul.  I imagine it took every bit of courage, determination, and grit to respond to enemies the way he thought Christ would, rather than the way he probably wanted to respond.  It is far easier to respond in kind to harsh, unfair, slanderous treatment than to respond as Christ would, but Paul was determined to imitate Christ.

I am sure at the forefront of Paul’s mind was Christ Jesus’ response to His enemies at the cross. Jesus gave His life for the very people who were demanding and performing His execution, then He asked His father to forgive them.

We must remember that when Jesus was dying on that cross, not only was Paul his enemy, but we were also. Still, Jesus’ love reached out to us. Now it is our turn to reach out to our enemies as He would.

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Better?

by TerryLema

The striking question mid-way through January is probably, “Will 2021 be better than 2020?”  From the way the month began, and from the daily headlines about security, vaccines, politics, and virus mutations, I am thinking that the answer to that question is probably “No.”

Perhaps a better question for us, beloved, might be, “Will we be better in 2021 than we were in 2020?”  Hopefully, the answer to that question will be “Yes.”

Joshua, Chapter 3, describes the Children of Israel crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The priests carry the Ark in front of the people and the moment their feet touch the edge of the water, the waters part. The priests lead the way up out of the Jordan and the nation follows.

The day before that happened, however, Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.” [v5 HCSB]

Consecrate means “to be set apart.” It means to be dedicated to a sacred purpose. God had promised Abraham centuries before that Abraham’s descendants would possess the Promised Land, but God also told Abraham that before that happened, they would be enslaved for more than 400 years in an unholy land. [Genesis 15]

I find it interesting that even though God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land, they still had to set themselves apart. Even though Joshua promised that “the LORD will do wonders among you,” the people still had to dedicate themselves for the sacred purpose of possessing the land.

God works, and most often the way He works is through His people. So, will 2021 be a better year? From a worldly perspective, perhaps not. But will God’s people be better this year, consecrated to God’s purpose … hopefully, the answer to that will be a solid, resounding, “Yes!”

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Perhaps

by TerryLema

Amos and I do not hang out much. I read through my Bible at least once a year usually, so I am familiar with Amos. It is just that the book is so heavy. God begins by declaring judgment against Israel’s neighbors. He says, “I will not relent from punishing” and lists Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, the Ammonites, and Moab. Then God adds “I will not relent from punishing” Judah and Israel.

God also gives his reasons for punishing His own people (Judah & Israel) as social and spiritual corruption which has led to apostasy.

By the time I get to the part that exhorts God’s people to seek Him that they might live, I am exhausted.  More so now as I find described in Amos much of what is happening in this present age.

The LORD, however, is a gracious God. He reminds His people that mercy is available if they turn back to Him in repentance.

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant….” [Amos 5:14-15 HCSB]

Repentance, of course, is always marked by a changed behavior.  It is not merely asking for forgiveness (although that is a necessary component), it is also making a 180-degree turnaround in our actions.  A change in attitude and actions is evidence that our repentance is sincere.

So, beloved, what should God find in us … He is quite clear … we are to love good and hate evil, we are to maintain justice for all people. Perhaps then, the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on our land.

Amen & Amen.

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Sensible in the Present Age

by TerryLema

Sensible is an interesting word that I think is out of favor.  Merriam Webster gives the English definition of sensible as “having, containing, or indicative of good sense or reason : rational, reasonable.”  I think we could agree that “sensible” is not a word to define our society in this present age.

There is a Greek word that has a similar definition as the English “sensible.”  It is “sophronos” and it means “soberly, with moderation, prudently.”

We see the Greek “sophronos” translated as “sensible” in Titus.  It is part of a series of words used to describe how Christians should behave in our “present age.”

“For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.”  [2:11-12 HCSB]

Isn’t the grace of God the most marvelous thing! Not only has it brought us salvation so that we might become the children of God, but it also instructs us and empowers us so that we might live the life God intends for us.

That life, that absolutely wonderful abundant life, denies godlessness and worldly lusts. But it does not stop there. While we are to eliminate things like godlessness and worldly lusts, we are also to embrace a life that is sensible, righteous, and godly.

Beloved, we must always affirm truth and act honestly and with integrity. We must deny entrance of any thoughts or habits into our lives that go against the inspired Word of God. We must abandon the lust and unholy desires with which the world entices us.

And we must be sensible. Of all, that may be the most difficult part! 

 

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Deliver Me

by TerryLema

We have come to the last of David’s two-word requests in his “Cry for Help” Psalm 143. It too, is extremely relevant for our times.

“Because of Your name, Yahweh, let me live. In Your righteousness deliver me from trouble.” [v11 HCSB]

Deliver me … from trouble.  Trouble surrounds us. As Christians, we seem to have exited decades of quiet and if not acceptance, at least indifference from society. Now we appear to be entering a time of opposition that may lead to persecution.  To ask our LORD, YAHWEH, to deliver us from trouble is timely.

Trouble. The Hebrew word means adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble. It definitely could be applied to what we see around us daily, whether it is coming from the virus-and-fear pandemic, politics, nature, or opposition to us as individuals or as the church corporate.

As I survey our world, I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24. Jesus’ disciples asked Him what the signs of His return would be. So, He told them.

“For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of birth pains.”  [vs7-8 HCSB]

One particular phrase stands out this morning in those verses, “All these events are the beginning of birth pains.”

Beloved, this is just the “beginning!” Unless I am grossly mistaken, we will not see our world get better, but will see a consistent decline. It will get darker and more evil.  In fact, Jesus said it will be like it was in the days of Noah. [Matthew 24:36]

God Himself described what it was like in “the days of Noah.” He said that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [Genesis 6:5 NKJV]

But as God protected Noah, God can protect us in times of trouble. So, we pray each day as David prayed, deliver me from trouble, LORD. Amen.

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Teach Me

by TerryLema

We live in a generation that could be described as “unteachable.” People have opinions which often have little foundation in truth. They are driven by emotion. If you try to refute an opinion, even with facts, you are shouted down.  We have allowed our emotions to rule, rather than follow sound doctrine, critical thinking, and transcendent truth.

Follow your heart. If it feels good do it! You hurt my feelings. I am offended. Those are the slogans of our culture.  Unfortunately, they can also be the slogans along the pathway that leads to death and hell.

David never feared to express his feelings. He never feared to admit that he was overwhelmed at times by the trials and dangers of life. But once expressed, David turned his attention to God. He remained teachable. And, the primary thing he sought was to know God’s will so that he might do it. As he learned God’s will and ways, that ruled and directed his life.

The fifth two-word request found in the “Cry for Help” song of David, Palm 143, speaks much to us today.

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.” [V10a HCSB]

We must know the freedom of expressing our feelings to our LORD and Savior. We must know the liberty of acknowledging those times when we are overwhelmed by life. But once voiced, we must never allow emotions, no matter how strong, to lead. We must remain teachable.

David’s request to God was to be taught how to “do” God’s will. God’s will in our lives requires more than head knowledge, it requires action. It is to govern how we respond to every circumstance in our lives.

I want to remain teachable. I want to “do” God’s will each day. I want my emotions to follow my actions, not determine them. I will pray as I rise in the morning …. “LORD, teach me to do Your will. Amen.”

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Lead Me

by TerryLema

The fourth two-word request found in David’s Psalm 143 is one that I have often prayed and found so true for my life.

 “May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.” [V10b]

I used to walk at lunch around downtown Boise when I worked for the City and at St. Luke’s. Many of my paths were through older sections of the city where the majestic old trees had broken up the sidewalk and left it uneven and in places even dangerous. I had to concentrate on my path.

Now I walk in newer areas around my house, but I still must think about level ground since my walking is affected by my physical limitations. I must concentrate on what is under my feet even more since even the slightest bump or crack can trip me up.

We can easily understand what it means to walk on natural level ground, but what does it mean to walk on spiritual level ground? Spiritual level ground is the Word of God, revealed to us in Scripture and through the illumination of the Spirit of God.

Spiritual level ground neither incites nor enflames. It provides a true and steady path from generation to generation. The path of God we walk is the path set out in the teachings of both the Old and New Testament. They are the teachings of our LORD and Savior Christ Jesus. The path future generations walk will be the same.

The ground we walk becomes uneven and full of potholes and things that trip us up only when we divert from the foundation of Christ Jesus. “For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.” [1 Corinthians 3:11 HCSB]

It is wise to pray each day that God leads us on “spiritual level ground!” Amen.

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Rescue Me

by TerryLema

The third two-word request of David in Psalm 143 is “rescue me.”  It comes right after David’s requests to experience God’s love in the morning, and for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will, knowledge, and wisdom.

“Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I come to You for protection.” [vs9]

No one likes to think they have enemies. I remember my mother telling me once that “no matter how wonderful, charming, and great you are, there will always be people who don’t like you.”

I know I have irritated many people throughout my life by my personality or my words or my actions or inactions.

I also know that in this world we will certainly gain enemies if we stand up for truth. We will gain enemies if we align ourselves with God Almighty. We will gain enemies if we promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ to an ever-darkening culture.

David was God’s anointed king. That anointing by God brought the wrath of a rejected king down upon his head. He needed God’s protection and rescue. The anointing of God on our lives will also bring down the wrath of those who do not understand (nor want to understand) it.

Most of our enemies now only oppose us with words or by rejection. That could change in our country, opposition has certainly become more aggressive and violent in other countries. To pray each morning as we awake, “grant me protection and rescue, O God,” is becoming more necessary than ever before.

 

Amen & Amen.

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