Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions
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Kingdom

The Dark Ages

by TerryLema July 30, 2021

We have probably all heard the term, “The Dark Ages.” We may have even studied it in history. There is some debate about the exact time frame and the exact meaning or who even coined the phrase.

I hear a lot today about our world getting darker and darker. “They” say it as if darkness is something new. I beg to differ.  This world has been dark for generations, ever since the first generation caved to the temptation of the enemy in the Garden and doubted God and His Word.  Sin and death entered, and the world became a hostile, dark, ugly realm.

We know it was so dark in the days of Noah that God even regretted creating mankind. [Genesis 6:5-6]

It was dark in the days of Moses when Pharaoh oppressed the people of God with slavery and heavy burdens.

It was dark in the days of Jeremiah when God’s people were so occupied with idols that He had to send them into captivity to get their attention.

It was dark in the 400 years after Malachi prophesied leading up to birth of Jesus recorded in the Gospels.

Then Christ came, and light entered those who placed their trust in Him. But still, the unbelieving world was dark. And as Paul told Timothy in his second letter, perilous times will come in the last days. [2 Timothy 3]

Darkness reigns in this world until Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, comes and banishes sin and death into eternal oblivion. The Dark Ages began in the Garden, but their reign is coming to an end. Christ Jesus, the King of Kings and LORD of Lords defeated them at the cross and will abolish them eternally when this world’s kingdom becomes the Kingdom of our God and King. [Revelation 12:10]

Our Father …Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

July 30, 2021 0 comment
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Seek First

by TerryLema February 13, 2021

I have been thinking a lot about my prayer life lately.  It certainly is not as vital as I want it to be. I wonder if I have been side-tracked in how I pray, or perhaps in my goals in praying.

Recently I read an article in an on-line magazine where the author called out Christians on the way they prayed for this last election.  One of the things he said hit home for my own prayer life.  He said that we should not have been praying just to get a result in the election. We should have been seeking God’s will, His heart, His desire, and His presence.

In other words, we should have been doing what Jesus told us to do in Matthew 6:33:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

As I read the article and as I was reminded of this verse from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, I felt the Holy Spirit’s conviction that I have been drifting in my prayer life.  I have been seeking outcomes rather than God’s will and heart.  I have been giving God my plans and asking for His blessing on them.

I know that we can, and we should, bring our hurts, our wounds, our desires, and our dreams to God in prayer. I know we need to lay those things at His feet.  John in his first letter reminds us that we can have a confidence in coming before our LORD and asking … but John adds a caveat that I need to focus on more as I pray.

“Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”  [1 John 5:14 HCSB]

That caveat is that whenever we bring anything before the LORD, we need to remember in the end, His response will be “according to His will.” Amen.

February 13, 2021 0 comment
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Joy in the Holy Spirit …

by TerryLema October 20, 2020

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.”

October 20, 2020 0 comment
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The Voice of a Great Multitude Singing

by TerryLema April 17, 2020

One last thought today on the part of Jesus’ prayer that reminds us to pray, “Your Kingdom Come.” It is a simple thought. “The LORD God Omnipotent Reigns!”

Yes, we are to be praying for God’s Kingdom to come. We looked at that two-part focus. First, that God’s Kingdom takes up residence within us. That it changes us from the inside out, giving credence to our testimony that God is our Father. Second, we look every day for the return of our Savior and King, Christ Jesus. Our prayer is to be, “Amen. Even so, come LORD Jesus.”

Let us not, however, fall into the mistaken belief that God is waiting off somewhere to assume the Throne and Reign over all. That has never been the issue. Our God is on the Throne today, as He has been since eternity past and will be into eternity future. There is no argument, there is no challenge to His reign that will succeed. He rules over what He created. Man may not like the idea. Man may fight against His reign. But that changes naught. Our God is still on the Throne.

One of the greatest tributes to the reign of God is the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Once cannot listen to that chorus without sensing just a smidgen of what it must be like to hear those words sung in the heavenlies. Handel used the words from Revelation 19:6: “And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!’” [NKJV]

If you are worried about a virus today – let me remind you, “The LORD God Omnipotent Reigns!”

If you are worried about finances or employment today – let me remind you, “The LORD God Omnipotent Reigns!”

If you are worried about this country’s future today – let me remind you, “The LORD God Omnipotent Reigns!”

If you are just worried today – let me remind you, “The LORD God Omnipotent Reigns!”

Take a moment and revive your soul – listen to possibly the greatest piece of music ever written: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c

April 17, 2020 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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Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions
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