Past Devotions

One Other Thing … Forgiveness

by TerryLema

Besides learning how not to take offence, there is one other thing we must do if we are going to avoid bitterness taking root in our souls and thus fall into a trap set by the enemy of our soul. That “other thing” is forgiveness.

There will be times when we do succumb to the enemy’s temptation to take offense. There will be times when we must deal with actual offenses, not just ones we perceive as such when we misjudge another’s motives.

When those times come, we must learn how to forgive, and learning to forgive just might be one of the most difficult tasks required of a Christian. Yet the Scriptures make it clear that forgiveness is one extremely important part of Christian life.

“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.” [Colossians 3:12:13 HCSB]

God forgave us when we were His enemies. “Just as the LORD has forgiven [us], so [we] must also forgive.”

With use of that little word “just,” Paul attached our forgiving to the LORD’s forgiving. Our forgiving is to be in like manner to the LORD’s.

Is it easy? No, it is not. It is not easy because the enemy of our soul constantly seeks to take us back to the occasion of the offense so that we become angry and bitter all over again. We have to learn a vital point about forgiveness … tomorrow.

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Offenses

by TerryLema

If we are going to avoid bitterness in our lives, we are going to have to learn how not to take offense. It seems lately that our national pastime is taking offense at everything that we do not like. And that should not surprise us since Jesus included taking offense in His prophecy regarding the Signs of the End Times in Matthew 24. Alongside wars, and earthquakes, famines, and persecutions, He includes taking offense.

Matthew 24:10: “Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another.” [HCSB]

The Greek word for “offense” used in that verse is “skandalizo.” It means to put a snare in the way, to cause to stumble, to give offense, to fall into a trap.

When we take offense because of something someone says or does, we do exactly what that word means, we fall into a trap of the enemy of our soul.  The devil wants us consumed by offenses. He wants us to read wrong motives in comments and actions. He wants us to respond to what others say or do with wounded PRIDE rather than humility.

When we allow offense into our souls, we are digging a hole for bitterness to take root. Eventually the bitterness that follows offenses will kill our spiritual growth, leaving us trapped in anger and resentment.

I like what Proverbs has to say about overlooking offenses.  “A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.” [Proverbs 19:11 HCSB]

We have the “insight” of the Spirit of Truth residing in us. That should give us patience with the words and actions of others and teach us how to avoid the trap of taking offense.

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Again!

by TerryLema

Good grief, the Brits and the French are at it again. NBC News reported Thursday morning: “The U.K. and France were engaged in a naval standoff on Thursday as a long-simmering dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights escalated in the English Channel. France deployed two maritime patrol boats to the waters off the British Channel island of Jersey, its navy said, after the British Navy dispatched two of its own vessels to the area late Wednesday.”

All we have to do is look at history to understand that the Brits and the French do not like each other very much, but I thought in our modern day and time that we were past all that. Apparently, those roots of bitterness run deep and long.

Bitterness is an ugly thing. Twice in the NT we are taught about bitterness.  Ephesians 4:31 tells us that bitterness must be removed from us. “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.”  [HCSB]

Then in Hebrews 12:15 we are warned about a root of bitterness. “Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.” [HCSB]

The Greek word used in both Scriptures for bitterness is “pikria.” It means bitterness, harshness. It comes from a root word “pikros” meaning poison.

Allowing bitterness to take root in our souls is like allowing a poisonous weed to spread in us, slowing strangling out our spiritual fruit and eventually killing our spiritual life. It consumes everything in its wake, sucking up the water of life until we are dry, parched and barren. Instead of dwelling in a wonderful garden full of God’s abundant life, we are living in a wasteland.

We cannot allow bitterness to take over. That means we must learn two things. First, not to take offense. Second, how to forgive.

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Spirit of Truth

by TerryLema

I wrote yesterday that it is becoming increasingly difficult in our society to know whom to believe. We cannot always trust media sources … whether written or broadcast. We certainly cannot trust social media sources. Sometimes we cannot even trust what comes from behind a pulpit or is written in a book by an author who calls himself/herself a Christian.

How can we ever know if what we are hearing or seeing is truth?

Three times in John’s Gospel, Jesus tells us exactly how we are to know the truth.

“He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.” [John 14:17 HCSB]

“When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.” [John 15:26 HCSB]

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” [John 16:13 HCSB]

Three times Jesus speaks of the Spirit of Truth. He tells us God’s Spirit of Truth will not be understood by the world but will be known by those who have Christ Jesus as Savior. God’s Spirit of Truth will testify of our Savior and will guide us into all truth. And the best part … “He remains with [us] and will be in [us].”

We may never be able to trust the media to tell us the truth, but we can always and for eternity trust the Spirit of Truth that resides in us forever!

 

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Whom to Believe

by TerryLema

In my inbox this morning was a media update from a fairly liberal-left-leaning source. It was talking about the continuing Facebook ban on the former president and said that Facebook failed to deal with the real issue. This media source claimed the real issue was not rhetoric that promoted violence, the real issue is the constant lies.

That was followed by another media update email from a site that claims to be impartial, that site had a totally different view of things.

It is becoming increasingly difficult figuring out whom to believe. Now this is not a political commentary on present day or former presidents. Please do not treat it as such. This is a commentary on truth vs lies.

While “Thou shalt not lie,” is not one of the Big Ten (although #9, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor may come close), it would be impossible to read through the Scripture and not realize that God hates lying. He has declared first of all that He Himself is a God of Truth.

“I am Yahweh, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, somewhere in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob: Seek Me in a wasteland. I, Yahweh, speak truthfully; I say what is right.” [Isaiah 45:18b-19 HCSB]

Because He is the God of Truth, He expects His people to also be people of truth and speak accordingly. When we came to Christ, we put off the old man with all his wicked deceitful ways, and we put on the new man.  That new man is a person of truth.

Ephesians 4:23-25a: “You are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor.” [HCSB]

We are created according to God’s likeness … in purity of the truth. Let’s seek truth; let’s speak truth.

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If He commands it …

by TerryLema

As I was studying for the message on PRIDE vs Humility, I came across a sentence which made me stop and think. It was not anything new, or something I had never considered before. It just struck me at that moment.

 “If we are commanded to seek it, God expects us to find it and learn it.”

 That was in the context of God’s commands concerning humility.

 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD and He will lift you up” [James 4:10]

“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” [1 Peter 5:6]

 If God commands us to seek something … He expects us to find it.

 Two “seek” verses immediately come to mind.  Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

 And Colossians 3:1: “You have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.”

 As I read those four verses, I realized that if I spend my life diligently obeying the commands to seek first the kingdom of God and to seek what is above, my Messiah, I probably will not have much problem with the PRIDE vs humility equation.

 Father God, help me to seek You diligently today. Let everything I do bring honor and glory to Your Son, my LORD and Savior. Amen

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PRIDE vs Humility

by TerryLema

Last Sunday and this Sunday at The Way the message is Pride vs Humility. One of my favorite events in Scripture is found in the Book of Esther. It is also one of the best illustrations of PRIDE vs Humility.

Mordecai was Esther’s uncle, a righteous Jew. At the end of chapter 2, Mordecai learns of a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus. He reports it to Queen Esther who then tells the king on Mordecai’s behalf. The plot thickens in Chapter 3 when the king honors a man named Haman. The king promotes him in rank and gives the command that everyone must bow down and pay homage to Haman. Mordecai will not do so, which enrages Haman. Haman plots to execute Mordecai and annihilate Mordecai’s people. That is when God enters the picture. God prepares Esther to intervene with the king at Mordecai’s request. Her rescue comes in chapters 7-10.

But my favorite part of the book happens in chapter 6, before Esther’s daring visit with the king and the rescue of her people. Chapter 6 is the duel between PRIDE and Humility.

I believe that God caused the king to have a restless night without sleep. During that night, while reading the record book of daily events, the king learns that Mordecai had foiled the plot of the assassins but had never been rewarded for it.  He decides to honor Mordecai and looks around for someone to carry out that command. Wouldn’t you know, the first person on the scene is Haman who is coming to demand Mordecai be executed because of his refusal to bow.

Haman is commanded to put a royal garment on Mordecai, place him on the king’s horse and parade him around the city square shouting, “This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.” [6:9 HCSB]

Haman’s PRIDE and Mordecai’s Humility came to blows and PRIDE lost. “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” [Prov 16:18]

Makes we wonder how many people are going to be leading horses around heaven, and how many people will be seated on them!

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Behavior

by TerryLema

I read a report this morning released by the FAA regarding airline passengers. In any given year there are around 150-200 reports of unruly or dangerous behavior. This year so far that number has jumped to 1300 even though the number of passengers remains lower than pre-pandemic years.

These incidents are described as passengers refusing to wear masks, drinking excessively, and engaging in physical or verbal assaults, including political intimidation and harassment of lawmakers.  Flight attendants have been physically assaulted, pushed and even choked. Many are saying enough and simply quitting or retiring.

Unfortunately, this kind of behavior is not just found in the airline industry.  We see it everywhere. People are angry, frustrated, arrogant, unruly, self-righteous, and sometimes just downright mean.

And, this type of behavior is also not limited to the unsaved. It is found in the church and para-church groups as well.

At the end of Paul’s second letter to the Corinth church, he expressed his concern for them. He told them he feared coming to them and finding that “there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” [2 Corinthians 20b HCSB]

After expressing his fears, he gave them a final command.  “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” [13:11 HCSB]

I expect the world to often act in unruly, disruptive behaviors. I do not expect to see that type of behavior among Christians. What are we saying to the world when we act like them? What are we saying to the unsaved when we quarrel among ourselves or engage in selfish ambitions?

It is time we chase worldly behaviors from our midst. It is time we become mature and of the same mind. If we do not, we will lose the opportunities we have to change our world for Christ Jesus.

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Following Me …

by TerryLema

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” [Psalm 23:6 NKJV]

Have you ever wondered about that phrase … shall follow me?  What does it mean to have goodness and mercy follow us?

Actually, in this case, the Holman Christian Standard gives us a better idea.  “Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life….”

The word translated “follow” in most translations is “radah” in Hebrew. It means to pursue, chase, and even persecute. It is used often in the context of war. (Read Genesis 14:15, Deuteronomy 11:4, and Joshua 7:2 for examples.)

To think of goodness and mercy or goodness and faithful love simply following us is a bit passive. The LORD’s love and mercy do not just meander along behind us somewhere.

Instead, they have an intense focus … they chase after us like an army would, but unlike an army that seeks to harm, the LORD’s active and relentless love is not seeking to harm us, but to bless us.

Too often people think that when God pursues them it is to take everything away. They think that coming to Christ Jesus as Savior means giving up everything. Instead, God pursues us so that He might bestow His amazing goodness and love, His goodness and mercy upon us in bountiful abundance!

Praise the LORD God Almighty and Bless His Holy Name Forever! Amen

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Bountiful Abundance

by TerryLema

While we are considered a rich nation, we must honestly admit that there are many people in our society who are “just getting by.” They live marginally. Finances are tight or fixed. Housing options are limited. Health problems dominate their lives. Some do not have good medical care. Some are lonely or isolated. Some live on the very edges of acceptable society.  They are “Just Getting By.” Or perhaps “Barely Getting By” would even be more appropriate a description for many.

And still, those who live marginally in our society may still be better off than the populations of many nations around this world who do not have access to even clean water or a secure, stable food system. If we look closely at our world, it may not be such “A Wonderful World” after all.

David, in writing Psalm 23, was not looking at our world, he was looking at his LORD (JEHOVAH, YAHWEH). He saw the amazing promises of God and could boldly proclaim that he lacked nothing. He acknowledged that in his LORD, he was not “just getting by.”  In fact, in his LORD, he had bountiful abundance.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” [Psalm 23:5 HCSB]

David was not the only one to remind us of our richness. Jesus told us that He came to bring us not just life in place of death, but bountiful abundance in place of “just getting by.”  “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” [John 10:10b HCSB]

When we come to our LORD Christ Jesus in faith, His grace, His goodness, His love, and His mercy flood our lives with bountiful abundance. It is a promise that begins here and sees its final, eternal fulfillment when we enter into His presence!  Glory!

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