TerryLema

When I think about examples of obedience in Scripture, I immediately go the obedience of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was so amazing for someone so young. Historians believe Mary was a young teen when she gave birth to Jesus.

When the angel Gabriel visited her to tell her about God’s plan for the birth of His Son, she was initially disturbed and confused. Unsure of how this would be accomplished, Gabriel told her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” [Luke 1:35 NLT]

Her immediate response was obedience. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”  [vs 38]

Mary said yes to a call from God with a purpose beyond what she ever could have imagined. She could not anticipate what the future would hold for her or for her son. She simply said yes to what God’s asked of her.

“I am the LORD’s servant” should be the cry of every heart redeemed through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Mary’s “Son.”

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” [Philippians 2:12-13 NLT]

I am still thinking about obedience, something we seldom talk about anymore. One of the results of our salvation, obtained through the absolute obedience of God’s Precious Only Son Jesus is that we too learn obedience. [Philippians 1:6-11]

The promise of Philippians 2:12-13 above is that God is working in us! He works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit given on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit produces a desire in us to do what pleases God – and then He produces the power to carry out that desire.

Isn’t that an amazing thought! We are given the ability to please God through our obedience. I admit that my soul can get so ugly at times I cannot even “please” myself – let alone please God. But God doesn’t give up on me. He doesn’t write me off.

Instead, He provides all I need. He provides a desire to obey Him with deep reverence (not shallow!) and fear. And then gives the power to obey and to please.

Thank you LORD Jesus for your obedience which provided all I need so that I too can be obedient. Amen

I turned 79 years old today and to celebrate I’m off to have my every monthly infusion for the two stubborn auto-immune diseases that refuse to leave.

When I look back on this past year it seems I spent a great amount of time dealing with doctors, tests, surgery and hospitalization. I joke that I’m really suffering from “Early On-set Rigor Mortis!” The problem with that joke is that it hits too close to home!

In another year I will enter the next decade, my 80’s. I’m hoping to have that privilege. Psalm 90:10 declares, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty” but then it adds that, “even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.” [NLT]

When I look back there are good years and difficult years in the rear view. Life can be hard, full of pain and trouble. But life can also be wonderful, full of joy and purpose.

I surrendered my life to Christ Jesus when I was 26, 53 years ago. It was the best decision, the best way to live life. I was given purpose. I was given joy. I was given a promise that one of these days I really will “fly away.” More than anything I was given grace and mercy and the Presence of the LORD to accompany my days.

Thank you LORD for these 79 years. I’m hoping for 80 (or maybe even a few more!) But however many days there will be, I am so thankful to be Your child. Amen & Amen

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” [Philippians 2:12-13 NLT]

I woke up in the middle of the night singing the old song, “Trust and Obey.”  The song begins, “When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good will He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey.”  And the Chorus declares, “Trust and obey, For there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.”

I have been thinking about obedience a lot lately. The word obedience seems to have disappeared from our everyday conversation (unless we are talking about canine training). I hear a lot of messages about trust and faith in God. I hear fewer about obedience. Yet you cannot have one without the other.

Nik Ripkin in his book, “The Insanity of Obedience,” recounts a story told to him by a man who was awakened by the Holy Spirit and told to gather a load of food and take it by horse and sled to a pastor’s family who had been left to die in a one-room hut in the frozen tundra. The man argued with the Holy Spirit that there was no way he would survive the trip and get back home.

The Spirit replied, “You do not have to come back; you simply have to go.” 

Obedience.

I received the all-clear on my neck surgery post-op last Wednesday (2 more to go between now and July). The pain in my neck is gone! Unfortunately, as I have told a couple people recently, my neck is the ONLY place without pain. Simply put, I hurt everywhere, every day.

I found an article recently that listed ten reasons why God allows the elderly to suffer. They were good reasons, things like spiritual growth, divine purpose, encouragement for others, preparation for heaven, preparation for the next stage.

As I read through the article that morning (which I should have saved but did not), I agreed with every one of them. In the middle of the night as I struggled to sleep, I agreed a lot less!

Pain was sporadic when I was younger. Just before I turned 72 I was walking three miles in about an hour, getting 10-14K steps each day. Then it all came to a screeching halt. Two auto-immune diseases became my daily companions and pain became a lifestyle.

I believe God heals; I’ve seen Him do it! But as often as I have prayed for Him to change this, He so far has not. Still, I have found “value” in this stage of my life. I am dependent upon my LORD to do even the basic things. I have slowed down, and I sense His Presence with me more. And I have come to truly appreciate the promise in Revelation 21:4.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” [NLT]

“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.” [Hebrews 13:5 NLT]

Thanksgiving is behind us; Christmas is in front of us – followed by the beginning of a New Year. I will also turn 79 years old I a few days.

I am a bit sad (and maybe a bit surprised) that it took me almost 80 years to get smart. For too long I have lived this culture’s idea that more is better. I am realizing how shallow the life that arises from that idea is. Instead, I am truly discovering that “less” is often better and that simplicity is much more rewarding. (Maybe aging has shifted my perspective!)

Thanksgiving was spent with family. Our son, daughter-in-love and grandson had traveled from California to be here for the holiday. We had dinner at her parent’s home in Star. The home was beautiful, the food abundant and delicious. I sat at a table with Bob and our two grandsons, our daughter and her husband and the hosts. We talked and laughed. In the other room I could hear our two sons and their wives and a few others having a great time doing the same thing!

The following Sunday we repeated the experience with my Idaho son, daughter-in-love, her parents and our precious grandchildren and great grandson.

Celebrating is about people. Honestly, it didn’t matter what we ate, or whether we ate on china or paper plates. What mattered were the loved ones and the time spent with them. How precious every moment.

The Book of Hebrews ends with an exhortation to show hospitality to strangers. It promises that “some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” [13:1-2 NLT]

Then it makes a noteworthy command to remember those who are going through persecution for their testimony. “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” [Hebrews 13:3 NLT]

Around this world Christians are imprisoned and tortured because they love Jesus. For many, opposition is all they know. Mistreatment and pain are their daily experiences.

I was struck by that verse today as I looked out my windows. My neighbors have put up their “Christ”mas decorations—several lighted reindeer and a couple minions dressed as Santa. On the next street over, I saw Santas, snowmen, more reindeer, a grinch or two and other non “Christ”mas items.

There is one lady on that street who will put up a nativity scene, but in years past, she and I are the only two who will acknowledge that the “Reason for the Season” is the birth of Immanual, Christ with us.

The comparison of how believers are treated in other countries and the foolishness that often attends Christmas in our nation made me weep this morning. I would remind us to “remember” – remember and pray for those being persecuted for their faith, those whose pain are scars born gladly for the love of Christ Jesus.

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” [Psalm 126:5-6 NLT]

I have often heard that some plant seeds, others water them, and still others do the harvesting. I was reminded recently how joyful it is when we are allowed to witness the harvest of seeds we have planted in tears.

It seems odd to me that I love the City of Middleton when we live in the City of Caldwell. We are just a few miles from Middleton city limits, but still, it would seem to be more apt to love Caldwell. God, however, gave me a love in 2009 for Middleton.

I can remember going into The Way church building and praying and weeping for Middleton. I so wanted to see the move of God in that place. As pastor of The Way, I never did. It took the wisdom and courage of the pastor who replaced me (Pastor Laura) to change the alignment of The Way and make ready for the harvest.

That building is now Christian Faith Center Middleton, and as I sit in that same place where I once prayed, I am watching others bring in the harvest. People in Middleton are coming to that same building, surrendering their lives to Jesus, and being baptized.

I don’t have much to do with the harvest going on now. God has given that privilege to others. But, oh, how I rejoice to see it! Thank you, LORD, for your answers to prayers sown long ago. Amen & Amen

A few weeks ago, Colossians 3:17 was one of my daily verses. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [NIV]

That verse along with two others have had special meaning throughout my Christian Walk. Early on, they expressed three aspects that I hoped would define my walk with God.

First is the Parable of the Unworthy Servant [Luke 17:7-10]: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” That verse taught me that I have been called (it is my duty) to serve God and others without expecting gratitude or reward.

Second is the verse in Colossians 3:17 above. Whenever I see that verse, I am reminded that the important part of my service is not the “WHATEVER” I do, it is doing it all in the NAME of my LORD Jesus. “Whatever” can be grand or lowly, but it is not the task that matters, it is my service with thanksgiving which has eternal purpose.

The Third verse is Proverbs 17:22a: “A merry heart does good like medicine.” [NKJV] That verse is to define my attitude in every and all circumstances. It is to provide the fragrance of my life.

My three precious verses. I certainly don’t live up to them, but they are what I strive for every day of my life.  Have you thought of what yours are?

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us.’” [Isaiah 7:14 NLT]

Approximately 700 years after that prophecy was given to Isaiah, a virgin named Mary from a little town called Nazareth was engaged to a man named Joseph. Joseph found out Mary was pregnant before they were married. As Joseph was considering what to do, an angel visited and confirmed that Mary had conceived a child through the Holy Spirit. When the child was born they were to name Him Jesus.

This was all reported in Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew understood that this was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. [1:22-24]

God with us. Jesus, fully God and fully human, walked with us, talked with us, laid down His life for us. “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” [Colossians 2:9 NLT]

As we enter this holiday season with all its hoopla, stress, and worldly emphasis, let us never forget the “Reason for the Season.”

Jesus, Immanuel, “God is with us.” Amen & Amen