Fear

by

True Love

If I could have one wish for you,
I wish that this is what you knew.
That Jesus Christ from up above,
Has shown us what it means to love.

He chose to leave His heavenly throne,
And walk with those who feel alone.
The sick, the poor, the hurting ones,
Were not forgotten by God’s Son.

His life was lived for you and I,
He came to earth so He could die.
His death brought life and hope to all,
Who on His name would choose to call.

For though His body was in the grave,
He came to life with power to save.
His life and death and life again,
Has overcome the curse of sin.

So, back to heaven He did go,
And this is what I hope you know.
He’s coming back again someday,
For those who’ve claimed Him as the Way.

So as you live your life on earth,
I pray you know how much you’re worth.
That you would know the greatest love,
Expressed to you from God above.

And as you live your life today,
May it be words of love you say.
To those around who hurt and grieve,
May your love help them believe.

And when that day arrives at last,
When Christ’s return comes very fast.
I pray that many are with you,
When at last we’re made brand new!
© 2018 by Tom Lemler

I guess I shook my head a little too hard this morning and a new poem fell out.  I’ve been working on a prayer guide for next week while thinking about sermon direction for Easter Sunday, and I guess this is the result for the moment.

In prayer,
Tom

The Honest Truth
by

The Honest Truth

Let’s just be honest
     between you and I.
When I hear these words,
     I must wonder why.
Is what you have told me
     up to right now.
Been short of the truth
     in some way or somehow?

Have we become so much
     afraid of the crowd.
That we can’t speak the truth,
     we can’t say it out loud?
We sugar coat answers
     and make them sound good.
And wonder why we feel
     we’re misunderstood.

Everything’s fine,
     no problems, we say.
But inside our mind
     the clouds are all grey.
We’re hurting and dying,
     it’s painful inside.
But all of the while
     our smile is spread wide.

You can’t tell the truth,
     what will people think?
You tell on them,
     you’re branded a fink.
So problems do fester,
     bad actions do grow.
And we have been silenced
     so no one will know.

When we’re less than honest
     we live life in fear.
That someone will speak up
     and someone will hear.
There is a solution
     that God says is so.
Let your yes be yes,
     and let your no be no.

So next time you’re tempted
     to be less than true.
Be sure to remember
     that just isn’t you.
To live under pretense
     just shouldn’t be.
When you walk in the truth,
     the truth sets you free!
© 2015 by Tom Lemler

My mind seems to be wired differently than what the average person’s is. There are times when I am asked about something that I would much rather say the “polite” thing that I know is the expected answer but I just can’t do it. I was told by an eldership in years past that I was too honest because I couldn’t put the right “spin” on information. Sometimes I desperately want to do just that so I fit in, am accepted, avoid arguments, and so many other reasons but I find that there is something in my wiring that doesn’t allow that. I am able to keep things to myself as long as no one asks, but so often when people do ask about specific things they don’t seem to really want an honest answer. Anyhow, I’ve been in a mental fog/funk for a few days for some reason and I’m not really sure if there was a specific trigger point or reason for this poem, but I believe God gave it so I ought to share it. I pray that it accomplishes whatever purpose He has in mind for it.

In prayer,
Tom

by

An Unplanned Journey

I’m on a journey
     That I did not plan.
I don’t understand it,
     I don’t think I can.
My mind’s in a fog
     Most of the time.
So it’s a surprise
     That I’m finding this rhyme.

It should have been
     A day like the rest.
Where I go to work
     And give it my best.
But something was different,
     My office a mess.
(More so than usual,
     Something’s wrong was my guess.)

Someone had been here
     And they helped themselves.
To whatever they wanted
     From my desk and my shelves.
My computer was gone
     With the work I had done.
To redo it all
     Will not be much fun.

As I sat there that day,
     My mind started to fade.
As the stress settled in,
     I was very afraid.
Of what, I don’t know
     But the fear sure did last.
And into the darkness
     My mind descended fast.

I have to try harder
     To shake off this dread.
I kept telling myself
     While I’m lying in bed.
The harder I try
     The more I do fail.
The strong grip of fear
     Has me by the tail.

No strength I can muster
     Gets me through the day.
So I head to the doctor
     And follow his way.
My mind needs to heal
     And needs time to rest.
Before I am able
     To be back to my best.

Where this journey takes me,
     I really don’t know.
My family stands with me
     As through this I go.
My friends are all helpful,
     My wife is the best.
I do what I can
     And they cover the rest.

As much as I want to,
     I can’t do this alone.
In the midst of my darkness,
     God’s still on the throne.
His presence is with me
     On my darkest day.
His light shines down on me
     And shows me the way.

With His light within me,
     The darkness can’t last.
This valley will end
     And will be in my past.
The lessons I learn
     Will be helpful to me.
When others in darkness
     Need hope they can see.

© 2014 by Tom Lemler

I’m working on a sermon today for this coming Sunday and this poem showed up in my mind about this current journey I’m on. It is a hard and difficult journey but I’m trusting God to not only get me through it, but to use it for His glory.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Battleground

I have a foe
      that lives close to me.
So very close,
      sometimes I don’t see.
If I would just look,
      it’s not hard to find.
 For this kind of foe
      does live in my mind.
It hides in the corners
      and lurks in the dark.
If I don’t pay attention,
      it sure leaves its mark.

Some of the enemies
      I make on my own.
Others arrive from
      some seeds that were sown.
My mind holds to memories,
      both good and the bad.
And some that do linger,
      will still make me sad.
The good’s often hidden,
      and kept out of sight.
The bad steps right up
      and takes a big bite.

I see people talking
      and think of the past.
My mind starts to wonder,
      can these good times last?
I think there are people
      who, much like me.
They have a hard time
      living as free.
They’ve not felt much value,
      they may be cast out.
They look o’er their shoulder,
      and live with much doubt.

I know, for I’ve been there;
      and still do reside.
With a mind that remembers
      and keeps things inside.
God gives me these poems,
      and He helps me to see.
That the things of the past,
      today may not be.
The way people see me,
      is not my concern.
My faith has more value
      than what I do earn.

In times that are hard,
      and jobs that did end.
I’ve always had present,
      an eternal friend.
This friend that is with me,
      is greater indeed.
Than all of my struggles,
      and all of my need.
He’s so much greater,
      than I’ll ever know.
He is the true One,
     that has defeated my foe.
So when I have doubt
      and fear moves on in.
I trust in my Savior,
      for I know He will win.

The power within in me
      is really my choice.
Do I listen to truth,
      or the enemy’s voice?
I have a promise,
      that God Himself made.
Because He is with me,
      I need not be afraid.
For His presence in me,
      leaves no room for doubt.
He fills up my being,
      so the foe must move out.
©

God has blessed me greatly and He continues to help my faith to grow through reminders of some of what He has carried me through.  I was thinking this morning about how far God has brought me and some of the struggles I still have and in the midst of this time with God, He gave me this poem.  I pray that it encourages you to seek God when the foe in your mind wants to take charge.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Encouragement

Do not be afraid
      but take courage now.
It’s a message from God
      yet we wonder how.
Sometimes life is full
      of things that cause fear.
We’re so overwhelmed
      that God we don’t hear.
We should not be alone
      when we are afraid.
We have His Spirit
      and the friends we have made.

Sometimes we forget
      the friends God will give.
He puts them around us
      to help as we live.
A cord of three strands
      is not easily broken.
It’s not only true,
      it’s what God has spoken.
Everyone needs help
      when we get knocked down.
To pick us up gently
      and straighten our frown.

It is a good thing
      when we have each other.
To carry the load
      as sister and brother.
When one who is weak
      is helped by the strong.
It gives us great hope
      that we all do belong.
Sometimes we’re strong
      and sometimes we’re not.
It shouldn’t matter
      if a good friend we’ve got.

To carry a burden
      as if it’s our own.
Is a godly result
      of the seed that was sown.
My life’s not an island,
      I don’t live it alone.
When friends do surround me,
      each other we hone.
As we sharpen each other
      at work and at play.
We look more like Jesus
      each and every day.

So what’s growing in you
      as you look around?
Will you pick up a brother
      when he’s on the ground?
To help those who help you,
      is only a start.
To love the forgotten,
      you must open your heart.
And as your heart opens
      to let others in.
God’s courage will fill you
      and a victory you’ll win.

Before fear takes over
      and courage does end.
Take a good look around
      at who you call friend.
This may be a time
      when they really need you.
It’s also a time
      when you need them too.
So when fear arrives
      take a good look above.
And thank God for friends
      who show you His love.
©

I attended a ministers’ prayer time and fellowship this morning that I am privileged to be a part of every two weeks.  As I was thinking about the encouragement I receive from these guys, as well as the Deer Run congregation, I was praying that God would use me to encourage them as much as they encourage me.  As I was praying, God put this poem in my mind to share.  I pray that it encourages you and brings glory to God.

In prayer,
Tom

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The Act of FEAR (Acts 5)

The fear of God can be a very confusing topic as modern Christianity has done its best to make its version of the gospel more appealing and user-friendly.  We focus on the love of God, even at times to the exclusion of His sovereignty.  God tells us in Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.  Sometimes learning the lesson of the fear of the Lord can be painful and costly.  Such was the case in the New Testament church as it began to grow from infancy to maturity.

As we reach Acts 5 in our sermon series, we find a couple whose lack of fear of the Lord cost them their lives and their example caused great fear to grip the church and all those who heard what had happened.  So, how do we know if we’re growing in a healthy fear of the Lord?  Let’s look at some things that went wrong, and right, in Acts 5 as we learn how to grow in our fear of the Lord.

  • Falsehood:  How much value do you put on truth?  Really?  How do you know?  Would an examination of your actions reveal the same value on truth that your words would say or would your deeds tell a different story?  Ananias and Sapphira hatch a plot that seems to have no benefit other than to perhaps make themselves look better in the eyes of people.  Upon questioning, Peter makes it clear that there was no requirement for them to sell their property, no requirement to give all, or any, of the proceeds once the property was sold.  Their sin wasn’t in keeping back some of the proceeds, it was in giving an impression that was different from reality.  A genuine fear of the Lord requires that we see falsehood as more than “little white lies”, but as the deadly sin that it is in God’s view.
  • Exposure:  I have often heard it said that if God dealt with sin in the church today as He did with Ananias and Sapphira, the church would be full of straight-living Christians.  Unfortunately, while that’s a good thought, I think the church would be pretty empty as most of us would be dead!  Sometimes it is the fear of exposure more than the fear of God that keeps us making right choices.  While intellectually we probably don’t believe it, our actions often say quite loudly that we don’t really think God sees or knows our every action.  When questioned separately, Sapphira had the opportunity to “come clean” and confess her sin, which was already known, yet chose to hold fast to the deadly deception.  God gives us the opportunity to come clean and confess our sins to Him who is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  This voluntary exposure gives us a clean slate before God so that when our deeds are exposed at the final judgement, the sin in our life need not be exposed before God because it has been washed clean in the blood of Jesus!  The fear of the Lord ought to drive us to voluntary exposure where we confess our sins and receive forgiveness that only God can offer.
  • Accusation:  Living a godly life does not exempt you from accusation.  As a matter of fact, satan is the master accuser and the more you seek to live a life pleasing to God, the more he will attack you with one accusation after another.  Sometimes we live as if our fear of accusation against us is greater than our fear of the Lord.  After the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, fear gripped the entire church yet the apostles continued to preach and teach publicly with great boldness.  Even when jailed, and released by an angel of the Lord, they kept on doing what God had commanded them.  How often is a simple accusation against us enough to keep us quiet?  Are we confident of the message and command God has given us?  A genuine fear of the Lord says that I must obey God rather than men even when the accusations hit hard.
  • Rejoicing:  Life is hard!  Living life as a Christian can be hard as well!  It seems that sometimes we forget that or we think that God ought to smooth everything out for us.  Paul writes and tell us, “Rejoice in the Lord always!  I will say it again, Rejoice!”.  He does so because God knows we need that reminder because things get tough in life.  The end of Acts 5 tells us that the apostles left the meeting of the Sanhedrin rejoicing.  Must have been a nice peaceful meeting where everyone was getting along with each other, right?  Oh, wait, there’s more!  The previous verse tells us the apostles were flogged and ordered to speak no longer in the name of Jesus — not quite the action that we would think should bring about rejoicing.  Yet here they were, rejoicing that they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus!  A real fear of the Lord causes us to rejoice at every opportunity to be identified with Jesus — even when that opportunity is in suffering.

So, how is the act of FEAR being expressed both in and through your life?  Are you putting off Falsehood, voluntarily Exposing yourself to God through confession, living life so that the Accusations against you have no place to stick, and are you Rejoicing that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life?  I pray that the act of FEAR brings great knowledge and wisdom to you and to many others through you.

by

It’s Okay, I Know The Author!

It is always nice to have an “in” — a person or connection that gets you special inside advice, treatment, or information.  To be somewhere and realize that you know the person in charge.  You can just walk up, say “hello”, and all of a sudden, you’re “in”. 

My wife has a cousin that used to work at Disney World.  While he was there, he was able to get us in as part of an employee benefit program that they had.  Initially, he would be given so many “special” passes for a year and he could use them however he wanted.  These were great!  They weren’t the normal “one day” passes available at the gate.  These got you in everywhere.  Nowadays you can buy “park-hopper” options, but back then this was the only way to visit all of the parks on a single day pass.  Later, they did away with that system and he was allowed so many “guests” during a years time.  We would arrange to meet him at the entrance to one of the parks and then he could take us through a special line where he would swipe his ID, and state that we were with him — his guests.  Once we were identified as his guests, we received passes that once again allowed us to roam the parks as only someone who was “in” could do.  Wow!  What privilege to know someone on the inside.  We’ve been back a couple of times since he quit working there and it’s not quite the same.

Sometimes it is the special privileges that come with knowing the right person that makes us feel glad we are “in”.  Other times it has more to do with being reassured because of the knowledge that another person has.  This time of year reminds me that I have never liked “haunted houses”, “houses of horror”, or any such “entertainment”.  I do remember going to one that wasn’t really that bad, though.  I was in junior high or high school and my older cousins were going back to one that they had really liked.  They talked me into going with them because they had enjoyed it so much the night before.  The thing that made it tolerable for me was that the people I was with could not quit talking.  They knew what was coming up and would blurt it out before it happened.  They would explain the little tricks that would be played on your senses and how they weren’t fooled by them.  Most of the time, it is the surprise, the unexpected, that brings out the reaction of fear.  When I knew what was coming and how it was being done, it was more funny than fearful.  With that in mind, it is critical that we read and understand how John introduces the book of Revelation if expect to get through it without fear being our overriding response.

John writes this in Revelation 1:4-8,

“John,
 To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
 Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father — to him be glory and power for ever and ever!  Amen
 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
     and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
     and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
                                     So shall it be!  Amen.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John takes the time to introduce the real author of Revelation — not only by name, but by character.  John states that this message that he appears to be writing is really the message of He who is this “faithful witness”.  One that is not simply faithful, and not simply a witness, but one who is both faithful and a witness.  Faithful witness to what?  I think we are given that answer in the context of the middle of verse 4 and in verse 8 — a faithful witness to what is, what was, and what is to come. 

Does this “haunted house” called life scare you?  Perhaps something that you are facing right now has you so frightened that you can’t even think straight.  Or it is something from your past — a fear that haunts you as you wonder when it will catch up with you.  Maybe you are afraid of the future.  The unknown of what is ahead.  The uncertainty of life, family, job, relationships, and so many other details out of your control.  You hear reports that sound bad.  The evening news has nothing that encourages you.  The economic forecasts have you in despair.  It is so easy to be frightened by what we don’t know and what we don’t understand because we recognize we have no control in those areas — and we don’t know who does.

The book of Revelation can be similar to that, especially if you skip the first chapter.  We think, “Ah, it’s just the introduction.  Let’s skip ahead to the “good stuff”.  You know, the part with all the excitement and action.”  And so, many people get into Revelation and the story that is told fills them with dread and fear.  They wonder, “Who is this about?”  “What does that mean?”  “When will this happen?”  Question after question, trying to reassure themselves that somehow this makes sense and will work out.  It does!  The author, the faithful witness, Jesus Christ says, “Blessed is the one who read the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it”.  When you are filled with fear while reading words that the author says, “How very happy is the person reading this”, I would have to say you are not reading it as the author intended. 

Jesus is the author of the book.  The subject of the book.  The faithful witness to what was, what is, and what is to come.  As I read Revelation, I am constantly reminded, “It’s okay, I know the author!  He is the faithful witness and He has me covered.”  May you be encouraged by knowing Jesus, the faithful witness, longs for “none to perish but all to come to repentance”.  I pray that you know the author and that he fills you with hope as He is the faithful witness to what was, what is, and what is to come in your life.