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Consistency in the Christian Life

by TerryLema August 2, 2022

Yesterday as I was reading in Ephesians 5, I was led by the Holy Spirit to think about the last seven months of my life—those months where I have been adjusting to retirement. I wondered if I had been “making the most of the time,” or simply whiling it away. That thought is contained in a passage labeled in my Bible as “Consistency in the Christian Life.”

After Paul reminds his readers (and me) about redeeming the time, he goes on to other things. First, he tells us what we should avoid, and second, what we should be doing instead.

“And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit.” [vs 18 HCSB]

We are not to get drunk with wine because that leads to reckless actions. So often we breeze by that warning because we do not drink and alcohol is not a temptation for us, but I think the warning is far deeper than just a warning about wine.  If we go back to the passages that begin Ephesians 5, we see far more and broader warnings.

The chapter begins by telling us to be “imitators of God, as dearly loved children.” We are to walk “in love.”

Then it reminds us to avoid a number of things … some of which we can even find in the church today, things like, sexual immorality, impurity, greed, coarse and fooling talking, crude joking. We are told to not participate in the fruitless works of darkness, or partner with those who promote “empty arguments.”

I believe we could embrace Paul’s warning as encompassing anything that promotes the reckless actions that lead us away from God or diminishes or thwarts our walk as dearly loved children of God.

Instead, we are to be “filled by the Spirit.” (Tomorrow)

August 2, 2022 0 comment
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August Already?

by TerryLema August 1, 2022

Where has the time gone? Seems like I just retired at the end of 2021 and now we are more than halfway through 2022. And what have I done or accomplished in these last seven months. Ah, from my perspective my greatest accomplishment has been “adjusting to being “retired.”

Reading Ephesians 5 this morning gave me a bit of a shock. My Bible translation calls this passage, “Consistency in the Christian Life.” Verses 15-17 jumped off the page and into my heart.

“Pay careful attention, then to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is.” [HCSB]

“Making the most of the time” is often translated as “redeeming the time,” meaning to intentionally walk in wisdom and in submission to the LORD. It means seeking His will. It means staying away from the sinful things of this world. It means walking each day in the ways of God that lead to holiness and maturity (as Paul goes on to explain in the following verses).

Time is the one thing we all possess equally. There are exactly 24 hours in each day, 1440 minutes. No one has more and no one has less.

Someone wrote, “Time is a gift of God,” and if that is true, then it means we need to carefully steward it like we must do with all God’s gracious gifts.

August 1, 2022 0 comment
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Greed

by TerryLema July 31, 2022

We live in a consumer economy. That is defined as an economy that relies heavily on how much people are buying and spending. I am not an economist, but it seems to me that this type of economy is dependent on making us either use up what we have so we need more (like food, gas, etc.) or making us desire or want more. In other words, encouraging us to be covetous or greedy.

Since retiring I’m spending a bit more time in front of the television than I did. I have been subjected to more commercials that are designed to make me want more … advertisements that feed greed.

I am 75 years old and I must admit I have seldom heard messages about greed, and I must also admit that I have seldom brought a message about greed.  All the while, greed has spread throughout our nation and, yes, even the church.

In Mark 7, Jesus had a confrontation with the Pharisees about the traditions of the elders involving the ceremonial washing of hands, vessels, couches, etc. He pointed out that it is not what goes into a person that is important but what comes out of them.

“What comes out of a person—that defiles him.  For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.   All these evil things come from within and defile a person.” [7:20-23 HCSB]

The word for greed is pleonexia, and is often translated as covetousness, avarice, aggression, or a desire for advantage. Pleonexia comes from two words meaning 1) numerically more, and 2) the desire for more (things), i.e., lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best.

I am not sure where I am going with these thoughts this morning, but it was that second meaning of the Greek word used for greed that really has me searching and thinking … “lusting for a great number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best.”

July 31, 2022 0 comment
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I Will Remember

by TerryLema July 30, 2022

King David assigned worship leaders in 1 Chronicles 6:31-32. One of those men, a descendant of Levi was named Asaph. You may have noted his name in the superscriptions on some of the psalms, specifically Psalms 50, and 73-83. Like David, Asaph was a skilled singer and poet. He was a gifted individual, and he recognized his gifts as coming from God.

I was reading Psalm 77 this morning. Asaph is struggling in the beginning of the song with his emotions and expresses his troubles. He seems to be seeking God, but unable to find Him.  Then in verse 11, everything changes.

“I will remember the LORD’s works; yes, I will remember Your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all You have done and meditate on Your actions.” [HCSB]

What follows is a retelling of the Exodus when God parted the Red Sea and when Moses and Aaron led the people through.

“I will remember … I will remember … I will reflect … and meditate.”

Asaph retold the story of God’s glory among His people. Asaph remembered, reflected, and meditated.

When we are going through life-altering events, when we are surrounded by enemies of our soul, when we are stunned by the actions of others – it is a good thing to remember the story of God’s glory in our lives. We need to look back and see how God has moved in other life-altering events. We need to see His glory and grace as He has ministered to us along our way.

Have you ever told others your story? Have you shared the deepest, darkest moments of life that God brought you through? Have you recorded, as Asaph did, the glorious miracles God has wrought for you?

Might be a good time to start – leave a legacy of God for others to follow.

July 30, 2022 0 comment
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Are We Done Yet?

by TerryLema July 29, 2022

Are we done yet with the heat! It has been near 100 degrees for weeks, sometimes a few degrees over and occasionally a few degrees under, but usually right around that 100 mark. I know “it’s a dry heat,” but it is still miserable.

The worse part about this time of year is the compound effect of hot days. Sure, in the spring we get a hot day now and again, but usually that is followed by some relief. The house cools down, the AC is not needed, windows are opened and walking outside once again becomes delightful.

When we hit these summer months of consistent hot temperatures, the house never cools down, the AC blasts 24 hours a day, mornings begin hot and walking outside is unbearable before the day barely begins.

As I sat here this morning, at 5 AM and 75 degrees already, I thought about the compound effect of not just the hot days, but the compound effect of the storms of life as well.

We can handle the occasional storm, but when they follow one on top of another, we get increasingly worn down and discouraged. That is where our nation, our society is right now.  Pandemic. Rising cost of food, gas. People being priced out of their homes and apartments. Mass Shootings. War. There is little around us on a daily basis to delight our hearts and minds.

Well, that is not exactly true. There is little around us on a daily basis to encourage us if we are only listening to the evening newscast. There is much around us to encourage us if we turn our attention to the daily Holy Spirit Good Newscast!

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by His Grace. Eternal Encouragement. That is sufficient for each and every day.

July 29, 2022 0 comment
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A Miracle Life

by TerryLema July 28, 2022

I read a thought from Charles Spurgeon that stopped me in my tracks. “The life of a believer is a series of miracles wrought by ‘the Mighty God.’”

We love miracles, all of us do. Nothing better than to hear about a miracle. Maybe it’s a tumor that was there and after prayer suddenly isn’t. Or perhaps it’s an accident that should have happened while we were driving to work but somehow didn’t. Miracles do come in all shapes and sizes and to many different people.

But when I read Spurgeon’s comment that the life of a believer is a series of miracles, it truly made me stop and think. I came from a family whereby all indications I should be in therapy today! But God called me, me! He gave me an invitation to become His child. Then He provided the grace I needed to respond positively to that invitation. He did away with the old man inside me that had a dark, corrupted heart and made a new creation in me. He turned my hard heart into one that was tender before Him.

If that was not enough, He sent His Spirit to dwell in me, to lead, convict, guide, teach, enable me to become more like His Son, Jesus, my Savior. He speaks to me – God speaks to me! He speaks of His love for me – for me!

He has provided a miracle healing for a child of mine; He has kept a marriage going for 55 years; He has opened doors I needed to walk through and closed others.

He has promised me an inheritance kept for me in heaven. He’s promised rewards and crowns and the wonder of an eternity spent in His presence.

This is not limited to “me” – every believer can write a story like this of the miracles that have flowed into their lives from the Mighty God. What’s your story?

July 28, 2022 0 comment
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The Good Shepherd

by TerryLema July 27, 2022

I am seeking the care of my Shepherd today, looking for those green pastures and quiet waters He promises the weary and worn. What better place to find Him than in John 10, the chapter about our “Good Shepherd?”

Jesus says three things in that chapter that make my heart rejoice, but first he reminds us that He alone is the doorway to the sheepfold. There is no confusion, no uncertainty, no debate. We enter through Him, He is “the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father but through Him.” [John 10:7, 14:6]

But then Jesus goes on and tells his disciples what we will have when we enter His sheepfold. First, we have life, but not just any life – abundant life. When we enter that sheepfold, we give up death. It must relinquish its hold upon us because Jesus has made us alive in Him. [v10]

Not only do we have life, abundant life, but we have the assurance and the security that our “Good Shepherd” lays down His life for His sheep. No foe can harm us. We may face opposition in this life, we may even be taken from this life by the wickedness and evil around us, but we go straight to the loving arms of our Father God because God’s Son, Christ Jesus our LORD, gave His life on that cross for us. [v11]

The third thing Jesus reminds His disciples is that He knows His own sheep (and they know His voice). He knows us! He does not just know about us, or lump us all together in a group, or see us all the same. He knows us individually, our deepest needs, regrets, desires and wants. He knows our voice when we call out to Him and responds to us so that we grow to recognize His voice. [v14]

Ah, beloved, what a wonderful green pasture by a quiet stream to rest in today. Think about the Shepherd who opened the door, laid His life down for us, protects us, and speaks words of love, grace, and mercy to us.

July 27, 2022 0 comment
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Until … Until

by TerryLema July 26, 2022

I love mornings. I am an early riser, usually between 4:30 and 6:00 AM. I wake up, grab a cup of coffee and head to my bonus room in the quiet. I watch as the world gets lighter around me, darkness flees with each passing minute.

In those early morning hours, I write, I pray, I study, I converse with my LORD and Savior. Those hours are the most precious to me – I hate anything that interrupts them.

I think David must have been an early riser. Maybe all shepherds have to be so. Many of his songs speak of mornings and his attention to the LORD upon rising.

“But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.” [Psalm 59:16 HCSB]

God is a stronghold and refuge in the day of trouble. I think the last few years could be described so far as “years of trouble” not just days. They certainly have abounded with fear, misinformation, loss, hopelessness, and opposition. The horizon of change still seems to be far off. So much talk of things not getting back to normal until we end the pandemic … until inflation reverses … until mass shootings are stopped … until ….

There seems to be no set plan or date for returning to normal, and I wonder if the old normal will ever return.

Amid all this the church is being called upon to repent and turn back to God. So many heavy-duty issues to deal with daily. Still God continues to remind us that He alone is our stronghold, He alone is our refuge. It is His strength and His faithful love that comes to us every morning.

Thank you, LORD, for being there each day, providing a stronghold and refuge for your people. Amen.

July 26, 2022 0 comment
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Still Standing

by TerryLema July 25, 2022

One of the most difficult things about growing older and suffering from the fatigue and lack of stamina associated with some diseases is the inability to stand. I can walk much easier than I can stand still. Not too long ago I had to wait at a counter and after a few minutes I thought I would pass out if I did not find a place to sit or begin to walk around.  Standing still can be much more difficult than moving.

I think that is true not only in my natural world but also in the spiritual.  Paul wrote about spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6. Three times in that chapter (vs 11, 13, 14) he references standing. “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand … having prepared everything to take your stand … Stand, therefore….”

In Philippians 1:27, Paul urged his readers to “Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel.”

Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:12: “I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus … to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it!”

We are living in difficult times. These last years battling a pandemic, now with the addition of war, out of control inflation, mass shootings, political discord, and social unrest, have left us all a bit battered. That does not even consider the personal storms that some of us have endured. All that eats away at our joy and our spirits.

Yet, we are still here … and even more we are still standing. Whatever the storm, no matter how strong the winds, we have not collapsed. We are still standing by the grace of God. Amen & Amen

July 25, 2022 0 comment
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Again

by TerryLema July 24, 2022

This devotion came up in my “memories” on Facebook the other day. I thought I would re-send it this morning!

 

I had a cousin, Tommy, on my father’s side of the family. He was a few years older than I. Tommy’s mother contracted German measles when she was in her first trimester and Tommy was born mentally challenged. It was before there were schools available, so Tommy spent most of his time in his room with his record player.  We visited them in Cleveland, Ohio, when I was around nine years old.

Tommy loved to play his records. The problem was, he’d get stuck on one song and would play it over and over and over again. That weekend Tommy was stuck on “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford.  To this day whenever I hear it, I think of Tommy.

This morning as I was walking and listening to my worship music, “Amazing Grace” came up, and as it always does, it made me weep. I spent most of my walk thinking about God’s amazing grace. I thought when I get back home, I’ll sit and write about God’s amazing grace. It always just amazes me so!

Then I thought, good grief girl, if you write about amazing grace again, they are going to think you are a broken record. Then I started to laugh and thought, I am not so much different from Tommy – I could listen to “Amazing Grace,” and write about amazing grace all day long!

I don’t want you to think I am a broken record, however, so I won’t talk about how God’s grace is so amazing. I won’t remind you that we are justified freely by God’s grace through Jesus Christ. I won’t even remind you how God is able to make all His grace abound to you.  I won’t write that it is by God’s grace you are strengthened. I won’t even speak of the incomparable riches of grace that will be ours for all eternity.

Nope, won’t talk about any of that. Don’t want you to think I’m a broken record!

July 24, 2022 0 comment
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Pastor Terry Lema

Pastor Terry Lema has been married for 53 years, and has 3 children and 3 grandsons. Terry graduated from Trinity Bible College, and and recently retired as Lead Pastor at The Way Church in Middleton, Idaho.

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