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Faith

The Amazing Centurion

by TerryLema

Luke 7:1-10 introduces us to a Roman Centurion. A Centurion was the highest rank held by men who were not part of Rome’s elite political or social classes. They were commanders of a Legion, usually comprised of 80-100 fighting men. Often, they were men who worked their way up through the ranks by acts of courage and bravery.

The Centurion in Luke 7 lived in Capernaum. This Centurion had a dying slave that was highly valued. He sent some Jewish elders to Jesus to request that He come and heal the slave. These elders brought the Centurion’s request to Jesus and added that “He is worthy for You to grant this, because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” [vs 4b-5 HCSB]

Jesus goes with the elders but when He is not far from the Centurion’s home, He is met by a second group who conveys another message. “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured. For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” [vs 6b-8 HCSB]

I have always noted that the Centurion understood not just what it meant to be a person of authority, but he knew what it was to be person under authority.  But I noted something a bit differently this morning.  Jesus responded to the Centurion’s declaration with “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!” [vs 9b HCSB]

This morning I considered the distinction between what the Jewish elders thought of the Centurion and what Jesus thought of Him. The elders regarded the Centurion because of what he did … he built them a synagogue.  Jesus was not impressed apparently by what the Centurion did, but what the Centurion had … faith.

Our worth is not found in what we do (although there will be rewards for those who serve God according to His plan). Our worth is found in who we are in Him. We are saved in Him through grace by faith. It is that faith combined with our need that Jesus responds to. Praise God!

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“What do you want?”

by TerryLema

I woke up last Monday morning with those four words recycling through my mind over and over. “What do you want?”

I do not know if they were the end of a dream, or if it was the LORD asking me, “What do you want?”

I decided to go ahead and answer that question. I had spent a restless night with pain in my shoulders, arms, neck, and hips, so my immediate thought was, “I want this disease in remission, the pain and fatigue gone, so I can walk a couple miles a day again.”

Then I thought about what else I wanted. It came down to two things. First, I want a meaningful ministry to the LORD once I retire from The Way.

The second thing I want is simple, I want my children and grandchildren and their spouses to know and serve the LORD.

“Jesus replied to them, ‘Have faith in God.  I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them.’”  [Mark 11:22-24 HCSB]

If I truly want these things, I need to be praying and asking for them.  And if I am praying for them, I better “believe that [I] have received” healing, ministry, and salvations. Hallelujah!

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Ready for Action!

by TerryLema

After reading in Peter’s first letter about our “imperishable uncorrupted, and unfading [inheritance], kept in heaven for [us]” and about God’s power protecting us, I read a little further and a couple words caught my attention.  They are words that we often do not see or think about in the same context.

Peter had already talked about the trials and tribulations his readers were currently encountering and now he urges them to have their minds ready for anything else that they might have to confront.

“Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [1 Peter 1:13 HCSB]

Their hope, like our hope, is focused on the grace that Christ Jesus brings with Him when He returns. Grace, that marvelous gift of God that combined with mercy gives us what we do not deserve (salvation) and does not give us what we do deserve (punishment.)  The NT is clear that it is by our faith in God’s grace that we are saved and set apart for Him.

Then in the very next verse there is a word that seems at odds with grace.

  “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct.” [1 Peter 1:14-15 HCSB]

Obedience and grace are seldom seen together.  As Christians we often hold to the “just-as-I-am” principle of salvation. And while God does accept us just as we are, that does not mean we are to stay just as we were.

Upon being saved, we are to become “holy in all [our] conduct,” just as He is holy.  We are to become “obedient children.”

Let us never forget that our faith, while founded through faith in God’s grace, is to be an obedient faith.

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Resolutions & Certainties

by TerryLema

The first of a new year is usually the time when we think about making changes. That often involves “resolutions” to eat better, spend less/save more, read our Bible through this year, grow spiritually. If you are anything like me, I begin great, then I tend to fade as the days move on. Honestly, I cannot remember what my resolutions were from last year or if I even made any.

This year I am resolving not to make resolutions!  However, I am thinking about those “let us” phrases that often appear in Scripture. The Book of Hebrews, which was written to people who had been Christians for some time, survived one early round of persecutions and were now facing a second discouraging round, contains quite a few “let us” thoughts.

We can probably all agree that 2020 was a difficult year, and while we hope that 2021 will be better, there are no certainties in that hope. We will just have to see how it plays out day-by-day.

While we cannot be certain what this new year will have for us, we know we can be certain about what Scripture has for us.  Hebrews 4:13-14 gives us three certainties and one great “let us” command.

“No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession.” [HCSB]

It is certain that nothing is hidden from God – not the past, present or future. It is also certain that one day everyone (no exceptions!) will stand before Him and give an account of their lives.

The third certainty is that we (believers) have a High Priest, Christ Jesus the Son of God. We are commanded to hold fast to our confession of faith in Him. When we give the account of our lives, it will begin and end with, “my faith is in the Son of God, Christ Jesus my Savior and LORD.”

We can be certain that will be enough!  That is a great thought for the New Year. Hold fast, beloved!

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One Giant Leap or One Small Step …

by TerryLema

I remember July 20, 1969. That is the day that Neal Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.  A few hours after landing, Armstrong would step foot where no man had ever been. His famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

 I could not sleep the other night and my mind was drifting when those few words came into focus, giant leap or small steps. I was not thinking about the moon; I was thinking about faith.

Too often we think acts of faith have to be giant leaps, like when a young shepherd boy named David raced down into a valley with a slingshot and a few stones to face a giant with a sword and a large army of trained soldiers behind him. Or maybe we think of Elijah having a “Fire from Heaven” challenge with a bunch of false prophets on the top of Mt. Carmel. Those kinds of giant leaps of faith are daunting—at least to someone in their 70’s!

There are, however, those small steps of faith in which all of us can participate. Faith, like most of our Christian walk, is so daily; it is something we practice every day of our lives. We display acts of faith much more often in little steps than in giant leaps.

Small steps of faith are demonstrated when we speak to a neighbor about the LORD, or when we write a note of encouragement to someone who is struggling. A small step of faith might buy a few groceries or gasoline for a single parent. A small step of faith might be that praise that we offer to God amid our own sorrow or uncertainty. It might be offering to pray for someone, or walk with them to the altar, or hug them and cry with them, or share their loneliness.

The one thing about small steps of faith, in the end, they mount up. If we had started putting $1 in a savings account each day when we turned 20, we would be amazed at how much we had accumulated by the time we turned 75, especially with the accruing interest the bank would add. One small act of faith, with compound interest added by God, will one day equal that giant leap. It is never too late to start!

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Decision vs Discipleship

by TerryLema

By Faith, Abel …

A Sunday ago at The Way we continued our study out of Hebrews 11, “Finding Faith and Courage in Difficult Times” by looking at the life of Abel. We started with the question, “What would the heroes of faith think of our prosperity Gospel that promises fortunes and wealth for faith?” Their lives are a sharp contrast to the message from that kind of Gospel. Abel, the first man listed in the Hall of Faith was martyred for his faith, as were many that followed him.

I also wonder what Jesus’ disciples would think of our message that invites people to make a “decision” for Christ. The Great Commission speaks of something totally different. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” [Matthew 28:18]

We are commanded to make “disciples” not “decisions.” Decisions are momentary and easily changed. Disciples are formed over many years, through many trials, and with much determination.

Discipleship involves intent first. We must determine that we will surrender our lives to Christ Jesus, all parts of our life, not just a mental decision. It involves reading the Scriptures to get to know this God Whom We Serve. It encompasses study, practicing Christian disciplines such as prayer, fasting, church attendance, sacrifice and giving.

It often includes refining fire, facing opposition, being joyful amid trying circumstances, standing for Christ when others run away, and witnessing even when people do not want to hear.

That is a lot more than simply going to an altar and deciding for Christ and it is certainly not an “immediately” prosperous life that brings fortune and wealth.  It is, however, a life that brings complete and eternal prosperity and reward when we see Him face-to-face in all His glory. Then, whatever sacrifice made here will be richly rewarded when we receive our inheritance in the saints. And honestly, I doubt we will care much about anything beyond just being in His Presence and sharing eternity with Him. Amen.

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Choosing Life Brings

by TerryLema

This morning I read through the part of Moses’ sermon to the Children of Israel as they were camped next to the Promised Land. He reminded this generation, which would be the ones to enter the land promised their forefather Abraham, that God had given them the right to choose their response to His invitation.

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” [Deut 30:19-20 NIV]

He said if they chose life, they and their children would live and be blessed. Then Moses added three things that would be part of that life they chose. They would love the LORD their God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.

What a beautiful picture of our life with the LORD God our Savior, Christ Jesus. It is one of love, obedience and faith.

They say the basics of life are food, water, air and light. Those may be the basics of physical life, but the greatest desire of our heart, I think, is to be loved and to love. We search for love (sometimes in all the wrong places). It drives us to seek out others who will allow us to love them and then love us back.

To know that we are called to a life that includes loving God is incredible. That blessing moves us to listen for and to God’s voice, the way someone listens to the words of a lover. It moves us to clink to Him in faith and loyalty.

Our relationship with the LORD God our Savior, Christ Jesus, meets us at the place of our deepest needs. It fills the yearning of our souls. I know He fills the yearning of mine.

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Calls to Me in My Weakness

by TerryLema

Music always ministers to my soul. I hear a song about my LORD and suddenly my heart soars into the heavenlies. It seems that no matter what is going on around me, when I hear a song about my Jesus, I meet Him there.

One of the simplest of songs is what we often consider a song for children. “Jesus Loves Me.”

Verse 1: Jesus loves me! This I know / For the Bible tells me so /Little ones to Him belong /They are weak, but He is strong. [Chorus] Yes, Jesus loves me / Yes, Jesus loves me / Yes, Jesus loves me /The Bible tells me so.

That song is more than just a children’s song … it is the very essence of our heart’s faith. Jesus, God’s very Son loves us so much He didn’t just agree to die for us, He chose to do so. Even in His darkest moment in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was so overwhelmed with grief that He felt like He would die right then, He reaffirmed His decision to obey the Father’s will and die for the Father’s children. [Mark 14:32-34]

When I am reminded of that love that calls to me in my weakness, I move once again into His embrace. There I am safe and am strengthened.

This morning, rather than listen to my words, listen to the words of “Jesus Loves Me.” My favorite rendition of this is by Marshall Hall. You may not like it; it is a bit different … but you can’t help but be touched deep in your soul by the audience’s reaction. It’s not a reaction to Marshall Hall’s singing. It’s a reaction to the realization that they are loved by a Wonderful Savior.

Here’s the link:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Jesus+Loves+me+you+tube%2c+marshall+hall&&view=detail&mid=439B305201A851F741E6439B305201A851F741E6&rvsmid=B4FD7246F56A2EF15893B4FD7246F56A2EF15893&FORM=VDRVRV

 

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Does Not Disappoint

by TerryLema

I was reading Alton Garrison’s book, “A Spirit-Empowered Church*” for our Act2Journey at The Way when I came upon these words: “We know faith is a process—comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. The more Scripture you get inside you and the more you believe it, the more faith you will have. Faith is almost educational in nature. But hope is emotional. You can’t educate people into hope. Yet even in our darkest moments of disappointments and heartache, the Spirit of God can renew our hope.”

Then Garrison quotes Paul in Rom 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

This is a difficult time as we walk through this COVID-19 pandemic. We are isolated. We are forbidden to “gather.” The relationships that we often depend upon in our daily walk aren’t there. As I got up this morning I was sad as I remembered I wouldn’t be heading over to The Way building to set things up for all the people I love who would normally “gather” at the 10:30 AM service.

My faith in God is not diminished. We serve an Almighty LORD. If anything, faith is stronger because many of the things of this world that distracted me are gone…I’m locked away with just my LORD.

But I miss my brethren. And I know that they probably miss me. My hope diminishes just a bit. So, my beloved, this morning I pray for you and for me that through this time of distress, we persevere. That our character will be shaped by our faith, and that character strengthened in faith will produce hope. And that Holy Spirit given hope will invade our emotions – and when it does, it will not disappoint us! God bless you this Sunday!

*Influence Resources

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What are You thinking?

by TerryLema

Political ads are everywhere. You can’t turn around without seeing or hearing one politician or another blather on and on about something. As I listen, I often wonder to myself, “what are you thinking.” It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you are on, or if you are in the middle, politicians spout ideas that often make no practical sense.

And while on the subject, have you ever watched the media press someone for a response (someone who doesn’t want to give a response)? They can ask the dumbest questions, often repeating over and over what other reporters have asked, or what the interviewee has already said they will not comment on. I wonder, “what are you thinking?”

Having railed on politicians and the media, I must now admit that there is another time when I wonder, “what are You thinking?” That’s when my God is talking, and I must admit that as He told Isaiah, we can’t really understand His ways or His thoughts. “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” [Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV]

God is God. He is perfect in wisdom, knowledge and holiness. He has perfect foreknowledge, knowing all that can be known. If I could understand His thoughts, or perceive His ways completely, He wouldn’t be any more intelligent than I am – and (said with a smile), we’d all be in big trouble.

It is precisely that we can’t understand Him that makes His thoughts and ways toward us all the more precious. He doesn’t operate on our finite level but is infinite in power and knowledge. So, while it may seem a bit silly to you, this morning I am so thankful that I don’t always understand my blessed LORD but lean on Him by faith through His grace. Amen.

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