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Sensible in the Present Age

by TerryLema January 16, 2021

Sensible is an interesting word that I think is out of favor.  Merriam Webster gives the English definition of sensible as “having, containing, or indicative of good sense or reason : rational, reasonable.”  I think we could agree that “sensible” is not a word to define our society in this present age.

There is a Greek word that has a similar definition as the English “sensible.”  It is “sophronos” and it means “soberly, with moderation, prudently.”

We see the Greek “sophronos” translated as “sensible” in Titus.  It is part of a series of words used to describe how Christians should behave in our “present age.”

“For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.”  [2:11-12 HCSB]

Isn’t the grace of God the most marvelous thing! Not only has it brought us salvation so that we might become the children of God, but it also instructs us and empowers us so that we might live the life God intends for us.

That life, that absolutely wonderful abundant life, denies godlessness and worldly lusts. But it does not stop there. While we are to eliminate things like godlessness and worldly lusts, we are also to embrace a life that is sensible, righteous, and godly.

Beloved, we must always affirm truth and act honestly and with integrity. We must deny entrance of any thoughts or habits into our lives that go against the inspired Word of God. We must abandon the lust and unholy desires with which the world entices us.

And we must be sensible. Of all, that may be the most difficult part! 

 

January 16, 2021 0 comment
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My God, How Amazingly Wonderful You Are!

by TerryLema October 13, 2020

As I was combing my hair a few mornings ago, I was reminded to read the Psalm sequence for that day. I mark that sequence in my Bibles every time I get a new one. Five Psalms per day, so Psalms 1-5 on the first day of the month, Psalms 6-10 on the second day, reserving that wonderful long Psalm 119 for the 31st day. I began reading the psalms like this in the 1980’s! They have taught me so much—how to pray, how to worship, the wonderful character and love of my LORD.

The Psalms God directed me to that day were Psalms 36-40. When I opened my Bible to read, I did not get past the first one. Psalm 36, written by David, is labeled in my Bible as “Human Wickedness and God’s Love.” The opening four verses and the last two are directed at Human Wickedness. Verses 5 through 10 are all about God’s love.  (Suffice it to say, those are my favorite.)

Human wickedness is summarized simply. “There is no dread of God before his eyes, for in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to discover and hate his sin.” [v1a-2 HCSB]

Then David tells us that the wicked person’s words are malicious and deceptive, and their actions are unwise. They have stopped doing good and have set themselves on evil paths. They even spend nights thinking of more maliciousness.

Suddenly David turns his attention from wicked persons to the LORD, and his vision soars. “LORD, Your faithful love reaches to heaven, Your faithfulness to the clouds. Your rightness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments, like the deepest sea.”  [v5-6a HCSB]

Stop and read that again. What a wonderful, faithful, holy God we serve. David goes on in the remainder of those middle verses to describe just a few of the blessings that flow from our wonderful, faithful, holy God. If you have a moment, open your Bible and read Psalm 36. Savor the words and the descriptions about our LORD. Meditate on how David’s words apply to your life today … no matter what you are facing!

God’s promises! God’s Faithful love! God’s righteousness! Amen.

October 13, 2020 0 comment
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The LORD Rises to Argue …

by TerryLema September 19, 2020

We have been studying in the first six chapter of Isaiah over the last few week on Sunday mornings at The Way. We have been doing this in preparation for a time of repentance the last weekend in September. One of the passages that we looked at last Sunday morning is found in Isaiah 3.

“My people, your leaders mislead you; they confuse the direction of your paths. The Lord rises to argue the case and stands to judge the people. The Lord brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: ‘You have devastated the vineyard. The plunder from the poor is in your houses. Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?’” [v12-15 HCSB]

God gave this warning to the leaders of the Kingdom of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. He promised to hold leaders accountable for the way they led. That is a fearful thing, especially if you are a leader.

The leaders of the nation were getting rich and oppressing the poor. Not only were they holding the poor in their poverty, they were the cause of the poverty. That’s a double-woe!

What if we applied this condition of God’s people in the nation of Israel to the condition of God’s people in the God’s Church today?

Could we say that in many churches across our nation, the leadership is creating a poverty of Spirit in the way in which they teach and lead. Perhaps preaching a diminished Gospel and a warped view of the work of Jesus Christ. Or preaching only the parts of the Gospel that tickle the fancy of people and none of the Gospel that pricks hearts with godly sorrow and leads to repentance, confession, change and growth.

God promised to rise and argue against the leadership in Israel. I think He is doing the same right now to the churches in America. He is bringing His charge and we would do well to heed it. We must make sure that the leaders we follow have God’s will, God’s way, God’s Holy Spirit as their sole motivation.

Oh LORD God Almighty, Heavenly Father, fill our churches with good righteous leadership! Amen.

September 19, 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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