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TerryLema

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah

by TerryLema

Their names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (Hananiah means Yahweh Has Been Gracious. Mishael means Who is Like God. Azariah means Helped by God.)

We know them better as Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego (pagan names given to them by their captors). They were the “Three Hebrew Children” captured along with Daniel and taken to Babylon.

They were commanded by the king to bow down and worship a golden statue when they heard the “sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music.” To refuse to do so meant being thrown into the fiery furnace (capital punishment).

They famously responded, “If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king.  But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” [Daniel 3:17-18 HCSB]

These three young men refused to bow down in idolatry, and God honored their response by rescuing them from the fiery furnace. They stayed faithful to JEHOVAH God, never considering what that faithfulness might require of them.

I have always considered it a shame that we remember them by the pagan names (Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego) given to them by their captors.

Should we not remember them by their names which were prophetic of their faithfulness to God Almighty? And God Almighty’s faithfulness to them!

Yahweh Has Been Gracious (Hananiah)

Who is Like our God (Mishael)

Helped by God (Azariah)

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Longing for that day

by TerryLema

“For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.’” [Romans 14:11, Isaiah 45:23 HCSB]

Our news reports lately have been filled with violence. There have been multiple mass shootings (recently defined by the government and the media as shootings involving three victims.) There have been multiple incidents between police and citizens. There has even been an increase in violent incidents in our area, which typically is not the case.

Whenever I am confronted by those kinds of things, I long for that day when, as the LORD says, “every knee will bow to [Him].”

That is so important a promise that we find it three times in the Scriptures. It is in Isaiah and Romans and Philippians 2:10 also promises that “at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” [HCSB]

There are no exceptions to that promise. There is no place in the cosmos where that promise will not be fulfilled. “Every knee” is just that … “every knee, everywhere.”

That is a simple truth, but it carries the greatest ramifications. It means God rules! He reigns over everything! There will be no outliers to His rule and reign. No one is exempt. When the name of Jesus is uttered, every knee bends. The knees of the penitent and redeemed will bend willingly. The knees of the impenitent and condemned will bow—even if grudgingly.

There will not be even an inkling of rebellion to the rule and reign of Almighty God!

How I long for that day. “Even so, come quickly, LORD Jesus!”

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Stress

by TerryLema

I found a book on my two auto-immune diseases (polymyalgia rheumatica PMR, and giant cell arteritis GCA). It was written by the head of the PMR & GCA foundation in Great Britain, a PMR survivor, in conjunction with a number of specialists. I skimmed the book yesterday and will go back and re-read more thoroughly. I must say, it was the most impressive information I have seen in one place since my diagnosis.  I think I will learn a lot!

The one thing that caught my eye as I was skimming through the chapters was information on stress. Apparently, stress makes PMR and GCA worse. The suggestion was to eliminate or control stress to reduce the pain and flares.

I did not actually laugh out loud, but I came close! Eliminate stress! That refrain is all around us, and it is easier to recommend than to do. The pain, fatigue, and stiffness of the diseases, accompanied by the side effects of the only medication that seems to work to fight them are sources of stress themselves.

While thinking about that, I was also bombarded with the mistaken notion that Christians never have stress since we have given all our cares over to the LORD.

Christians do have a resource for their stress that other do not. But part of maturing spiritually is to learn how to cast all our stress, burdens, and cares upon Him. We strive to avail ourselves of His resources through the power of the Holy Spirit, but like much of Christianity, it is a learning process. I am working at it but have not yet achieved perfection! Thankfully, He keeps reminding me to give it all to Him.

Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”

1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.”

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Heroes

by TerryLema

Hebrews 11 is called the “Heroes of Faith” chapter in Scripture. It lists a number of Biblical heroes, some of them well known, some of them a bit more obscure.  I was reminded recently about heroes that are all around us – ones that we only notice on occasion.

We had a horribly windy day recently, a steady wind around 35 MPH with guests up to 55 MPH. A home around the corner from us caught fire. It appears that the fire started in the garage or attic. Our neighbor across the street and his friend were driving by and stopped to help before the fire department got there. The house had recently been up for sale and a new family had just moved in.

A man who lived on the same street began helping a woman and her children evacuate the downwind house next door threatened by the flames.

Our neighbor and his friend went to the front door of the house on fire and pounded on the door. They could hear voices, but no one came to the door. They kept pounding and shouting. Finally, they kicked in the door and found a teenager and four younger siblings. Their mom was at work. They got them out safely, and then our neighbor went back into the house to rescue their dog.

A single mom and five children had just moved in. The house is a total loss. But the work of these three men possibly saved the lives of two families.

Everyday heroes are just people in the right place at the right time doing what is right. I believe God put these three men, men not working in the middle of the day, in the right place at the right time. And they did what was right.

Look around. I bet you can find everyday heroes all around you! Thank you, LORD!

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He Sees…I Trust

by TerryLema

Psalm 31:7 “I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful love because You have seen my affliction. You have known the troubles of my life.” [HCSB]

Psalm 31:14-15: “I trust in You, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ The course of my life is in Your power.” [HCSB]

In my Bible, Psalm 31 is labeled, “A Plea for Protection.” In it, David bounces back and forth from talking about his enemies to remembering his LORD. It opens with a prayer for refuge and ends with a testimony and an admonishment to others to be strong and courageous for “the LORD protects the loyal.” [vs 1, 23 HCSB]

For me, as I read through David’s song this morning, I was touched in my soul by two thoughts. First is David’s acknowledgment of joy and gladness because of the LORD’s faithful love in the midst of affliction and troubles. David knows that God has seen His affliction and known all the troubles of His life.

We can rejoice with David that God both sees and knows the difficulties we face. He knows the smallest and most intimate details of our daily lives. But is that enough? Is it enough for us that God sees and knows?  Do we need more than that to put our trust in the LORD?

David also reminds us that in addition to rejoicing in God seeing and knowing, David can trust in the LORD because the course of his life is in God’s hands.

We, too, can trust our God, because the course of our lives – all of our life from beginning to end – is in the good and gracious Hands of our Loving God. 

Amen & Amen!

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Thank you, Jesus, for …

by TerryLema

I was reading a book recently and one of the chapters ended with, “Thank you Jesus for ….” The book’s author thanked Jesus for a spiritual truth and then thanked Him for chocolate!  I chuckled, especially since I often reach for spiritual truths and a bitter chocolate square on a difficult day.

It is April, about five months past Thanksgiving. Maybe we have been slacking a bit in our response to God for all He is doing in our lives. I think I have. My attention has been on other things the past month and my thanksgiving and praise has ebbed a bit.

I had my 11th infusion on Tuesday. Do I feel any better than after my 10th? Not really. Thank you, Jesus, for doctors who are concerned and trying to find a solution for my auto-immune diseases.

I have had my 2nd COVID vaccine and was able to go to California and spend time with my son, daughter-in-love and grandsons. Was it enough time?  Nope. Thank you, Jesus, for those that developed that vaccine that enabled Bob and I to go to California and hug our loved ones.

I woke up this morning with aches and pains from the disease and side effects from the infusion. Does my body hurt. Yep. Thank you, Jesus, for walking with me today, for letting me sense Your Presence with me on these difficult days.

All our bills are paid for this month and there is a little left over. Do I worry about paying the bills after I retire from the church? Yes. Thank you, Jesus, for my “daily bread” and for the assurance that I need not borrow trouble from tomorrow since today is all I need to concern myself with.

I am thankful today, Jesus, for the blossoming spring flowers, for the beautiful blue sky, for the everyday beauty around me.  I am thankful that I have family and friends that I love and who love me in return. What a glorious day to be alive in the LORD!

“Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [1Thessalonians 5:18]

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Great! Awesome!

by TerryLema

In Deuteronomy 10, Moses renews the covenant between the LORD and Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The second half of the chapter outlines what God requires of them. The opening sentence sets the standard.

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul?”  [vs12 HCSB]

 Our God never changes, so that standard applies to us as well. It is one we all work towards, yet none is able to achieve. That is why the Father sent His son. He lived that standard and when we place our faith in Him, He imparts that righteousness to us.  I am so thankful for that!

But the verse that impacted my heart this morning is found right in the middle of that section. Amid all the requirements outlined, Moses reminds us of the nature of our God.

“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe.” [vs 17 HCSB]

Great! Mighty! Awesome! Showing no partiality and taking no bribe!  In every country, the rich, powerful, and politically connected are favored, but the common person is not. Often the rich and famous escape punishment, not so with the poor and unknown.  But that is not how God responds.

God is impartial, it means He will not bend nor ignore His holy standards for certain individuals. He saves everyone who believes in Christ Jesus. They do not have to do any good works in order to get to heaven. All are saved the same way, by grace alone, through faith alone and in Christ alone.

How can we not love and worship and serve such a God!

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The Bible

by TerryLema

I was reading a meme on Facebook recently about a Gallup poll. It began, “Americans revere the Bible-but, by and large, they don’t read it – Gallup.”

The post concluded that ministers of the Word cannot assume people will be familiar with the Scriptures, even well-known ones. One minister commented that we have our work cut out for us.

There are probably many reasons why people do not read their Bibles. How many have you heard?  “I don’t have time.” “I don’t understand it.” Etc. Etc.

There is a reason, however, that few will admit to, but it may be the primary one.  It is found in Hebrews.

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.”  [Hebrews 4:12 HCSB]

The Word of God is alive and powerful. It is also sharper than a sword. And, as such it judges the thoughts and intents of our hearts.  The Word of God judges us, we do not judge the Word.

The Word of God reaches deep into our souls. It compares our outward parts with our hidden ones. It makes us see ourselves as we really are. To see ourselves in the Word usually highlights a need for repentance and change.

While that can be a difficult experience, it is the only thing that will set us free.

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One Big Toe

by TerryLema

Our main goal in going to California recently was to celebrate the 12th birthday of our youngest grandson.  We hoped to surprise him, and we certainly did!

One perk we had not counted on was that his older brother, a senior in high school, was finally going to be able to play football. (High school sports have been shut down in California for a long time because of COVID.)

When we arrived on the field, I felt an immediate urge to pray for our grandson to be kept safe from injury. This young man has a football scholarship from Arizona Christian University to attend in the fall.

The first play in the game, a player on our grandson’s team ran the kickoff back for a touchdown. Our grandson was sent in to hold for the kicker for the point after. The kicker missed, and our grandson was injured when a player from the opposing team leveled him illegally. He had to be helped off the field. The trainer was called, and our grandson had a dislocated big toe. The trainer popped it back into place and our grandson played the rest of the game.

An x-ray followed the week after, along with a c-scan, and much conflicting information before it was decided that there were no broken bones, but a tear in the ligament and some tissue damage. Thankfully, he probably will not need surgery, but he is in a cast for a month and cannot put any weight on his foot. That will be followed by physical therapy before he can get back in the game.

It was a big toe. One big toe. It is taking him out of the game for a while, and when any player is missing, the team is diminished.

That reminded me that all it takes to cripple the Body of Christ is one big toe being taken out by the enemy of our soul. We all depend upon each other in the Body of Christ. We may not be eyes or ears or heart or lungs, we might just be one big toe … still when we are taken out of the game, everyone is diminished.

We must pray for and watch out for each other; it is imperative if we are to be victorious.

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Everyday Miracles

by TerryLema

Our God is a miracle working God! I truly believe miracles are all around us and we just do not always notice them. When we do see them right in front of us, it amazes us—often beyond measure.

I saw a miracle on Monday when we drove into Reno to go to our hotel.  We needed to exit Highway 80 onto Highway 395 South. That exit is a bit confusing when it is not under construction. It can be dangerous when it is.

There are three “right-turn” exits there, one onto Highway 580, one to Highway 395 North, one to Highway 395 South. Bob got in the wrong lane toward 580 and had to correct. After moving over one lane he was still in the wrong one, heading onto Highway 395 North. When he realized his mistake, he faltered a bit. And in those few seconds, we ended up in the middle of both exits, with a car on our right and one on our left and a concrete barricade right in front of us.

I thought we were goners, there was nowhere to go. Miraculously the car on our right shot ahead as we swerved into its lane. We missed the car by inches, and the barricade by a couple feet.  After catching my breath, I began to praise God.

In those few seconds I did not have enough time to utter a prayer, shout a praise, offer thanksgiving – but God performed a miracle anyway. He made a way for us out of what could have been a fatal accident.

Do I believe He is a miracle-working God?  Yes. Do I believe in His faithfulness to us? I definitely do!  He must not be finished with us yet; we are here this morning to do His will because He made a way where there was no way!

Hebrews 2:4: God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to His will.

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