Past Devotions

Fear & Faith – Part 2

by TerryLema

Yesterday we began to look at Mark 4:35-41, one of my favorite lessons in the lives of the disciples – the calming of the storm. In their obedience to follow Jesus’ command to “go over to the other side,” they had ended up in a great storm, one described by Matthew with the word, “seismos,” an earthquake on the sea.

While the disciples were fighting the elements, Jesus, exhausted, was asleep in the stern, resting on a pillow. Finally, when it appeared they were about to sink, they woke Him up, chastising Him for His seeming lack of care. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?“ [v 38 NIV]

I love the people of the Bible, they are so real! Under the same circumstances, I would have done the same thing. And bless our sweet Jesus, He calms the storm. But then He does something else, He asks them where their faith was. They had heard Him teach many times, seen miracle after miracle, and even seen Him raise the dead. Did they think He was now going to let them drown?

Faith will always be tested. It’s not enough to merely hear a teaching, learn it intellectually, or even be able to repeat it. The lessons of God must be put into practical experience. What we hear from God’s Word must govern our daily walk with Him.

Jesus knew the storm was coming that night. It was part of that day’s lesson. The disciples had listened to His teachings, but had they learned them? The storm provided that opportunity.

Tomorrow – the greatest danger was not the storm.

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Fear & Faith – Part 1

by TerryLema

My message at The Way last Sunday was one of my favorite stories in the lives of the disciples – the calming of the storm in Mark 4:35-41. If you have a moment, grab your Bible and read those few short verses. There are so many lessons contained therein for us.

Jesus had been teaching all day. The crowds were so great and pressing upon Him that He had gotten into a boat and had it pushed a small distance from shore. It seems to have been a grueling session since later than night He told His disciples to take the boat to the other side of the lake (the Sea of Galilee). While they sailed, He went to the stern of the boat and fell asleep on a pillow.

He must have been exhausted as he did not awaken even when the storm came and intensified. His disciples were wide awake, however, during what Mark describes as a “squall,” literally a “hurricane of wind.” They were trying to keep their boat afloat and be obedient to what Jesus had commanded them – to go over to the other side.

I have met (and shepherded) some who think that if you are experiencing a trial, it is because you are in disobedience to the LORD. Their “proof” is always the example of Jonah who disobeyed, ended up in a storm and then a fish before finally being obedient.

But these disciples were obedient. Jesus said, “Let us go over to the other side,” and that is exactly what they were trying to do. [vs 35 NIV]

Sometimes we might find ourselves in a storm even though we are in perfect obedience to the will of God. Thankfully, when that happens, Jesus is in the storm with us!

Tomorrow – the fearful disciples awaken Jesus and learn a lesson about fear and faith.

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Let Us Ask in Faith

by TerryLema

One last lesson this week from James 1:2-8. We already seen that we are to count it all joy when you fall into various trials and that if we lack wisdom and ask God, He will give wisdom to us liberally and without reproaching us for the wisdom we might have wasted in the past.

James goes on and adds one last thought and that is the caveat. “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” [NKJV]

Amid the joy in trials and the asking for wisdom there must be a covering of faith. The writer of Hebrews said it this way, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” [Heb 11:6 NIV]

While we are in this body on this earth, our relationship with our Father will be conducted through faith. We can’t hop a plane and fly to where He’s located and take a taxi from the airport to His office to visit with Him for an hour or so – as much as we’d like to on occasion. We must come to Him by faith, which is often difficult when we are assaulted by doubt or fear.

Yet each time we come to Him, each time we present our request for wisdom and receive it liberally, each time we sense His presence with us in the trials of life makes our faith stronger and stronger and our doubts and fears subside.

Father, we need your wisdom as the times grow more and more difficult. Be with us, we pray. Amen & Amen.

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All You Have To Do Is Ask

by TerryLema

After getting past the first part of James 1:2-8 yesterday, the “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing,” it’s the next part that becomes vitally important.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

 A lack of wisdom can send us spirally off in far different directions than what God intends. To achieve God’s purpose in our trials, we better have God’s wisdom. James reminds us that it is available to us … all we have to do is ask. That’s the hard part.

So often in my trials I revert to the “terrible two’s” when every other phrase is either “No!” or “Me do it!” The first thing I do in a trial is usually rebel or try to deny it. On the heels of that comes the part where I’ll just handle it myself. Of course, neither of those approaches will produce the perfect work of patience to make me complete and lacking nothing.

Finally, I’ll get around to asking God how to approach the trials and for His wisdom to thrive and survive. And even though I have often failed to use God’s wisdom correctly in the past, He promises whenever I ask, no matter how many times I’ve failed, He’ll give it liberally and without reproach. He isn’t coming back to me asking, “What did you do with the wisdom I gave you last time?”

No, God simply gives more, and more, every time I ask. Praise His Holy Name, Amen!

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Various Trials

by TerryLema

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in the opening verses of James’ letter. It’s a long passage, but it has much to say to us. If you have the time, read it a couple of times.

James 1:2-8: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. [NKJV]

Did you get hung up on those opening words … count it all joy when you fall into various trials. It’s okay if you did, most of us do. Putting “joy” and “trials” in the same sentence seems totally opposite of what occurs normally in this life. “Trials” seem much more at home with words like “fear,” “sorrow,” “confusion,” than it does with “joy.”

But when you understand that as Christians, we are not to respond to things the way we did before we were saved, you understand that God has a purpose, and a promise, to facing trials with joy. James tells us that counting it all joy tests the depths of our faith – that’s the purpose. And the promise is that we will develop a patience that perfects us, making us complete so that we lack nothing.

One reminder though … don’t confuse count it all joy when you fall into various trials with thinking a trial is joyful. Trials are difficult, strenuous and sometimes downright ugly. They often leave scars and wounds that we carry for the rest of our lives. If we can learn to see beyond the actual trial, however, to what can be produced when we face it with the “joy (strength) of the LORD,” it is then that the trial becomes of great value to us. Otherwise, it’s just a trial and all that often produces is scars, wounds, and a load of bitterness.

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One Mixed-Up Referral

by TerryLema

I had a big surprise and a big laugh early Tuesday morning. When I last saw my primary, she referred me to an orthopedist for evaluation of my suspected PMR. The ortho instead made two referrals, one for an injection in my neck (which I’m still waiting to hear about) and the other for physical therapy (PT) on my neck. I got a call from the regional health system about the PT; then it referred me to the rehab office closest to me.

When I arrived Tuesday morning I was given a tablet, which was supposed to contain the information about my neck. After logging on, I found that they wanted information on my hips and left shoulder. I questioned that immediately since I’m not having any problems with my hips or left shoulder. The receptionist looked it up only to find that the “referral” came from an OB-GYN that I had not seen in seven years. I asked her how often OB-GYNs made referrals for hip and shoulder problems. She said this was a first. We both laughed and eventually it was straightened out and I had my first neck rehab.

I’m still chuckling about my mixed-up referrals. The primary wanted an evaluation on my PMR. The ortho wanted to just deal with the neck for the time being. A referral for the neck was made, but somehow along the route to the rehab office something got horribly twisted and ended up for my hips and left shoulder from a doctor I no longer see. It reminded me of a game of “Gossip.”

It also made me treasure the words of the LORD to Jeremiah for God’s beloved Israel. ”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [Jer 29:11 NIV]

God’s plans don’t get mixed up, they don’t lose anything in the translation or become confused along the way. They are secure, they are true, they will be accomplished because the Creator God of All Things bases them on His Absolute authority and foreknowledge.

Man may get things horribly confused; God never does. God’s promise to His beloved Israel holds true for the LORD’s beloved bride also – to prosper us, not harm us, to give us hope and a future. Praise His Glorious Name, Amen!

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Burst Forth Jubilant Song

by TerryLema

There is one word in Psalm 98 that we looked at yesterday that had me grinning. It comes in verse 4. In the KJV it reads, “make a loud noise.” In the NKJV it’s translated, “break forth in song,” and in the NIV it’s rendered, “burst into jubilant song with music.”

The Hebrew word is patsach, and it means to break out in joyful sound, to break forth into joy, or to make a loud noise. I guess all three translations got it right.

The reason I’m grinning is that it reminded me of my worship walks. I walk, not as far now as I used to, but with the same purpose. I walk for my health, and I worship for my spiritual health while I walk. I’ve been known to “burst into jubilant song” somewhere along the way. I love singing aloud and raising my arms to praise my LORD. I’m sure I look odd to most who see me when they can’t hear the music I’m singing with on my MP3 player.

When you think about the mighty work God has done for you, and the wonderful work He continues to do in you, don’t you want to just raise your hands and give out a shout to Him in praise and thanksgiving? No matter where you are!

The love of God often overwhelms me. That He would even consider me, let alone love me and call me for His purpose is beyond amazing. What joy floods my soul and the more I think about the LORD and express my joy, the more amazed I become and the more I want to praise Him.

I mean very little to this world, easily overlooked by it. But I live in the knowledge and awareness that I am not overlooked by the LORD of all Creation, in fact, I’m regarded as His own, a child of the King. You are too! Doesn’t that just make you want to “burst into jubilant song with music.”

Amen & Amen!

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Amid the Doom and Gloom

by TerryLema

Amid all the doom and gloom out there lately (impeachments, a new coronavirus, flu season, etc.), I went looking for a little joy and found a lot of joy in the Psalms. (53 occurrences of the English word “joy” in the NIV, 20 in the NKJV)

Some of my favorite “joys” are in Psalm 98, three of them! The song begins with one reason for joy, “Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.”

After expressing the first reason for joy, the psalmist shows how we are to express that joy, “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music … shout for joy before the LORD, the King.”

He even invites the sea, the rivers and the mountains to “clap their hands” and “sing together for joy.”

But it’s the end of the song that really speaks to me when the psalmist gives his final reason for joy. “Let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”

 Our LORD, the KING, is coming. And that is the greatest of all reasons for joy. He’s coming to judge the earth and the peoples with righteousness and justice. While that may frighten some who have rejected his salvation and are living outside the marvelous things He has done for us, it brings abundant joy to those who have willingly submitted to His LORD-ship now.

Amen, even so, come quickly KING Jesus.

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Fear Not, Little Flock

by TerryLema

This past Sunday our worship music seemed to focus on overcoming fear by seeing the greatness of God. I loved how God put the music together through our worship leader … “There’s Power in the Blood,” “I Believe,” “You Make Me Brave,” “No Longer a Slave to Fear,” and “How Great Thou Art.”

As I traveled home from church, I thought about how the world works overtime to install fear in all of us, including Christians. First, we’re told a low-fat diet, oh, no wait, it’s now a high protein-high fat diet. Of course, we should also worry about cholesterol clogging our arteries from all the fat, no, wait, it’s really the high sugar that’s the problem. But we can always take medication, can’t we … oh, no, wait, the medication isn’t good for us either. All those medications and pesticides which were supposed to help us are now killing us

If we aren’t fearful about our health, the world will try to make us fearful about our politics … the left says we’re in trouble if we vote conservative …. The right says if we vote liberal, we’ll suffer ….

And of course, if it isn’t our health or our politics that make us fearful, we can always worry about our money (stock market crashes/recessions/layoffs) or be fearful about terrorism or recalls of our food, or cars, or …. Will it never stop?

It must be significant that there are so many references to “Fear not,” in some form in the Bible. I’ve read that there are 365 such. If that’s true, there’s a “fear not” for every day of the year—for every fear in every day of the year. Perhaps my favorite is found in Luke 12:32 when Jesus promised, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [NKJV]

Our Father, who is All Powerful, All Knowing, and Always with us, loves us and is delighted to welcome us into His flock. It’s His good pleasure to give us the kingdom … knowing that, what do we have to fear?

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Teach us LORD

by TerryLema

If you spend any time at all online, you’ll notice that if you do a search on a topic, you’ll find offers for what you’ve searched appearing as ads on your Facebook, Instagram and other online presences. Recently I was searching for vacation ideas. I checked out locations and means of travel, such as by car, air, ship, train, etc. Suddenly, I’m now seeing ads for cruises, vacation packages, train tours to a lot of different places every time I go online.

The one that really made me laugh appeared on my Facebook page this week. “For $2,500 per month, choose from spacious ‘IxxxxxxxA’ vacation homes, five-star hotels, and one-of-a-kind experiences.”

For $2500 a month … can’t you just hear the “only” in there…for “only” $2500 a month, I have my choice of vacations. I’m not a math genius but that’s $30,000 a year! If I had an extra $30,000 in my bank account every year, I’m sure I could find much better uses for it than vacationing in villas, five-star hotels or experiencing one-of-a kind adventures.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” [Hebrews 13:5]

Being content isn’t easy, especially in a society which loves to raise discontent levels to new heights. It has to, it’s built on consumerism. We certainly aren’t going to buy more if we are content with what we have. God reminds, however, that it is not money, nor things that will bring peace and satisfaction. It’s His presence with us. In Him, we can find the highest contentment (not complacency, but contentment … there’s a difference).

Teach us LORD, to find our satisfaction in You. Amen

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