Past Devotions

Today I choose …

by TerryLema

Last week I walked into a bakery shop. An unbelievably good bakery shop. The selection was amazing. Every kind of cookie, pie, donut, cake, bar, and cupcake. On the other side of the bakery was a case that had savory items. I found quiche, meat pies, and lasagnas. This was my first time in the store.  I was overwhelmed. There was simply too much from which to choose.

It took me 15 minutes, but I ended up walking out with a veggie and ham quiche. I do love quiche.

David tells us that our LORD has presented us with a choice also. In Psalm 25, David reminds us that God offers us much. He lists some of things God offers, i.e., truth, salvation, compassion, faithful love, goodness, grace, rescue, forgiveness, refuge, deliverance. Then he tells us we have a choice.

“The Lord is good and upright; therefore, He shows sinners the way. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth…. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will show him the way he should choose. He will live a good life.” [Psalm 25:8-10, 12-13 HCSB]

God will show us the way we should choose, but He will not force us to choose His way.

He will allow us to reject all the good things he offers us. He will allow us to remain in our sin and dead state if that is what we want. It is called free will. Of course, that free will means we also will live with the consequences our choice carries.

However, if we choose wisely, David assures us that “[We] will live a good life.”

That “good life” will be ours both here and in eternity. Amen & Amen.

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Fragrance of Life …

by TerryLema

I bought pressure cooker at the recommendation of my brother and others. I am learning to cook in it, trying out recipes I find online. So far, it has been a real success for speed and flavor. And since I am often forgetful to take meat from the freezer, the fact that I can use frozen meat is a real plus.

It is nice to not have to stand in the kitchen for hours or remember to put something on to slow cook all day (although I can also do that in this pressure cooker.)

There is one thing that I do not like. When I cook something in the oven or on the stovetop or in my slow cooker, the aromas flow through the house as they cook. When I cook under pressure, with everything sealed up tight in the pressure cooker, nothing escapes until I release the steam and that is just about when we are ready to eat. I do not get to salivate all day about what is waiting for us at dinner!

Thinking about my pressure cooker this morning I was reminded of 2Corinthians 2:14-15:  “But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” [HCSB]

We are the fragrance of Christ to all. To those who are being saved that fragrance is delightful and sweet. It is a fragrance of life in Christ Jesus. To those who reject salvation that fragrance is completely different. To reject Christ Jesus is to reject life. To reject life is to remain in death.

God brought one other thing to mind this morning. When we are under pressure from life’s circumstances, we can get like my pressure cooker and lock the aroma inside.

Only when the pressure in us is released (to God by the power of His Holy Spirit) is the fragrance of Christ released to all. 

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Archippus … Don’t Quit!

by TerryLema

There are new “syndromes” assaulting us in 2020. I have read of “Virus Fatigue,” “Pandemic Fatigue,” “Quarantine Fatigue,” “COVID Fatigue,” and several other “fatigues” associated with this year. I am sure there are official definitions for each one, but I would just call it “Fed-Up-Ready-to-Quit Fatigue.”

There are seasons of life when we just get plain tired of dealing with all the trials that come our way. We simply want to be done and if we cannot be simply done with all of it, show us where to go to quit!

There are times and situations where quitting is an option. I do not think 2020 is one of those, however.

If we are honest, we might also admit that there are times in ministry, in our Christian walk, where quitting looks much more desirable than going on. It is then that we must heed Paul’s words to his co-worker Archippus.

“Tell Archippus, ‘Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.’” [Colossians 4:17 HCSB]

We are not told what was bothering Archippus, or the trial or struggle he might be facing. Paul does not say much to him about how to handle it or what to do. He simply tells Archippus, “Don’t quit! Do not give up on the ministry God has given you, accomplish it! Finish it!”

We, beloved, have been given a ministry in 2020, a year of divide and fear and death, to present to the world the love, compassion, kindness, care, Joy!, and mercy of our Father God. Like it or not, 2020-ministry is ours. So, as Paul would say to us … “no matter how inviting quitting might be—Don’t!”

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Acceptable Words …

by TerryLema

I try to be so careful when I post on Facebook or respond to questions or express any opinion. I try to convey in words that do not enrage people, but instead make them think. That, in our current climate, is becoming more difficult. People are much more likely to respond with irritation and incense than ever before. To hold a differing opinion now seems to be more than just a differing opinion. It means we have become an enemy to be vanquished or at the least silenced.

Still, as Christians, we are to speak truth, but do so with compassion and kindness. Our words are to heal and restore and lead others to saving grace.

In Psalm 19, David points first to the marvelous testimony of the LORD seen in the heavens. Then he marvels about the amazing instruction, precepts and ordinances given to guide our lives. He ends with a prayer … a prayer about his thoughts and his words.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” [Psalm 19:14 HCSB]

Considering God’s testimonies, our thoughts and our words must be acceptable to Him. That word “acceptable” is pretty much the same in the Hebrew as it is in the English. The words we speak should be words that we could utter without reproach or embarrassment in His presence. It sets a godly filter on what we think and say.

People used to wear a bracelet to remind them what would Jesus do. In our times of social media, maybe we need a reminder that requires us to ask ourselves: “Would I say this in the presence of my Rock and my Redeemer?”

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The Presence of His Glory …

by TerryLema

My last thoughts on Joy! for now.  I touched just a bit on it yesterday as I thought about the Joy! that will be ours when we stand in the presence of the Glory of God Almighty…that Joy! that will be ours when we see our Savior and our LORD face-to-face.

“Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy.” [Jude 1:24 HCSB]

Jude reminds us that Christ Jesus is able to protect us from stumbling. He is able to make us stand in the presence of God’s glory. He is able to make us blameless and fill us with great Joy!

As I have aged, and as I have been beset with these auto-immune diseases, I find that the danger of stumbling is much greater than it used to be. I must be ever vigilant to maintain my balance and not trip over things. I have also discovered that standing is much more a chore than it used to be! That is in the natural, governed by the rules of my body and situations.

In my spirit, however, my LORD’s protection is abundant and merciful. His Holy Spirit in me warns me, guides me, enables me to walk without stumbling and to stand firm in Him. One day He will present me blameless (not because of anything in me, but because of all He has done for me through His cross). Then my Joy! will be great and it will be complete.

How I long for that day to come! Amen & Amen!

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Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory!

by TerryLema

Yesterday I said that James and I have differing views of experiencing “various trials” with great joy. While I might disagree initially with James (and that is only initially), I certainly agree with Peter’s “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” [KJV]

I like the way the Holman Christian Standard Bible translates it.  “You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy.” [1 Peter 1:8 HCSB]

Joy! is often inexpressible, but oh, how glorious it is when we find it resident in our hearts in every and all circumstance!

It is difficult for those who do not know Christ Jesus to understand the kind of joy we have. As Peter reminds us, we have not seen Christ Jesus face-to-face and still we love Him. We have placed our trust in Him, and that trust generates a Joy! that is beyond measure. That Joy! reaches down deep, it takes root, and it grows and blossoms into an unshakable faith that no matter the outward appearances, Christ Jesus is in control.

That, of course, makes no sense to the world. How can we know, deeply know, that Christ Jesus is in control amid things that seem so out of control? It might not make sense to the world, but it certainly makes absolute sense to us. God has a purpose and a plan, and God has the authority and power over His creation to do exactly what He purposes and plans. That holds true for our individual lives as well as for this world.

And one day, this One we love so much now, this One we have not yet seen face-to-face will come for His own. Then our Joy! shall be forever in the light of His Glory and Grace. Amen & Amen, Come quickly, LORD Jesus!

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Consider it …

by TerryLema

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.” [James 1:2 HCSB]

I must admit James and I have a different view of experiencing “various trials.” My first impression when a trial hits is to think, “Oh, no, not another one!”  I seldom immediately respond with “Oh joy! Another trial!”

But James does not say our initial response to a trial has to be excitement or enthusiasm. He says we are to “consider” or “count” our trials a great joy. (And notice he does not define the type of trials but leaves it open for all kinds.)

Our English words, consider or count, may not give justice to this Greek word. Consider in English means to ponder, contemplate, or think about.  The Greek word, however, comes from a root which means “to lead” or “to command.”

Joy is to take the lead into and through every trial. Think of it as the general leading an army into battle. There are many soldiers, and much equipment available for the fight, just as we have much at our disposal in Christ Jesus to win every battle we face. But at the head of every army is a general, one who leads, strategizes, and commands.

In our battles, that general is the Joy! that is resident in the Holy Spirit of God.  We face our battles with the knowledge that God will do something good in us through them. We will become stronger, more experienced, victorious, and able when we emerge from the trial. Knowing all that, Joy! leads us through the experience.

Looking back on my life, I see that I have always grown more in times of difficulties than in times of ease. Had I always allowed Joy! to lead I might have grown even more!

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Joy!

by TerryLema

This year, 2020, has accentuated the need for certain traits, some of which are strength, endurance, and patience. The virus and fear pandemic, the combative election, the media (in all shapes and forms), the anger in our streets, the slam on any kind of “patriotism,” and a host of other trials have made personal strength, everyday endurance, and patience needed qualities just to get through each day.

Paul, in his letter for the Colossian church prayed for those exact qualities. But first, Paul prayed that God would fill these beloved followers of Christ with the knowledge of God’s will, His wisdom and spiritual understanding. He said they would need those things to have a walk that was worthy of their LORD so they might please Him and bear fruit. Then he asked for that strength, endurance, and patience that is needed every day.

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy.” [Colossians 1:11 HCSB]

We might call strength, endurance, and patience “The Big Three!” We need that big three if we are going to not just survive the circumstances of life, but thrive in them. We cannot face the battles of life without them. We cannot love people as we should without them. We cannot walk daily through pain, grief, doubt, discouragement, or loss without them.

But, may I add, if we focus solely on gaining strength, practicing endurance, and finding patience, we may see that as drudgery. We may allow it to become a chore, a toil, a daily grind. So, Paul adds another little word to his prayer and exhortation – JOY!

Joy! is the atmosphere of our strength, our endurance, and our patience. It sets the parameters of our heart’s desires. Joy! intercedes when the daily struggles become overwhelming. Joy! intercepts the thoughts of discouragement. Joy! returns our motivations, our desires, our hearts back to the Presence of the LORD where Joy! itself resides.

So, yes, we need strength and power. We must have endurance and patience. But oh, the JOY! that is also ours.

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Joy in the Holy Spirit …

by TerryLema

We live in a severely divided country. It seems so different from what I remember in my younger days. Then we all seemed to be “middle of the road,” with a few far right and far left views. In my voting record, I voted for people in both political parties over the years.

Now it appears we must choose a political side, left or right, and the middle ground has disappeared. If we acknowledge we lean right or left, the other side does not view us as simply someone with a different political view, we are viewed as an enemy, one to be taken down with threats, profanity, and other tactics. The “kingdom” of our country is a mess and I do not see it getting better, only worse. It may be that new “normal” to which we must adjust. I truly hope not.

Of course, this “kingdom” is not my home. My citizenship is bound first to a different King and kingdom. I am a child of God and my allegiance is to my LORD and Savior. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God. My worldview is His worldview. My vote is influenced by His principles and holy standards. My loyalty is to my God and King to do as He bids. And that surely has marvelous benefits.

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [Romans 14:17 HCSB]

The Kingdom of God is full of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Joy!  I am not sure who first put the words together before it was made into a simple little song, but no matter how simple the words or the song might be, they speak a profound truth for every Christian. That is …

“Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart when the King is in residence there.”

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Joy + 2020 …

by TerryLema

We are probably not the same people we were when this year began. We have changed, perhaps viewing life with a bit more skepticism or regret. I know I am looking forward to a time when the virus, the economy, the election, the tension has dissipated and “normal” as I remember it has returned. I no longer want to fear “catching” something if I return to shopping in person in a grocery store or decide to visit a restaurant rather than “take out.”

But will we return to the old normal? That remains a question. AND, an even bigger question, while I may not be the same person I was when the year began, how have I changed. Have I grown in my Christian walk?

As I surveyed those questions, my focus turned to joy. If this year, 2020, has done anything, it has probably stolen the happiness and joy from many (most?) hearts, attempting to replace them with fear, doubt, anger, depression, and a host of other emotions.

Maybe another question is in order. This year may have been able to steal our happiness (since happiness is based on “happenings,”) but can it steal our joy?  The psalmist reminds us that having joy is different from being happy. Joy is not resident in our circumstances, or the events of any year, it is resident in the presence of the LORD.  There it is tucked away where nothing can diminish it, touch it, deplete it, or destroy it.  We always have access to it.

“You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.” [Psalm 16:11 HCSB]

I think I am going to focus on joy in the coming days. Join me?

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