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TerryLema

JOYbook Joy!

by TerryLema

I love going to church! I love seeing all the young people around me! I sit in the back and rejoice watching those up-front leaping and jumping for joy during the song service. It makes my heart leap along with them (since my body can no longer leap or jump)!

I post a daily JOYbook quote on Facebook. It can be a quote that is serious, funny, or thought-provoking. One recent quote was … “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” [Pierre Teilhard de Chardin]

There have been times that I have been discouraged with life, hurting physically or emotionally…any hosts of differing emotions on Sunday mornings. I would wake up and all I would want to do was sit in my recliner and feel sorry for myself. Instead, I would head to church.

There I found joy. I found it in the smiles of others. I found it in the hugs. I found it in the concern expressed by people I know and love. I found it in the music. I found it in the message. I found it in the presence of God.

Joy. Nehemiah 8:10 is a familiar verse regarding joy. “The Joy of the LORD is our strength.”

The Holman translations renders it this way, “The Joy of the LORD is our stronghold.”

The word for strength/stronghold is maoz/mauz and it means “a place or means of safety, protection.”

As I read that this morning, I realized that Joy is more than just an interior reaction to the Presence of God, no matter how wonderful that is. Joy is also that place of ultimate protection and safety … safety from the wiles of the enemy … safety even from my own distresses and emotions.

God Be Praised!

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Oh My, It’s Started!

by TerryLema

It is Black Friday, the unofficial start of THE SEASON. Whatever you call this SEASON (the Holiday Season, the Christmas Season, the Silly Season, etc.) it has begun! There are 31 days until December 25, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior.

The stores are decorated. Christmas music floods the airways and the malls. Santas arrivals are imminent everywhere! Homes are being decorated. Christmas light shows are set up and raring to go. Craft fairs are abundant with a plethora of items.

But at the origin of all of it is the most wondrous of wonders. The birth of a baby who was the Son of God, and who would become the Savior of the world.

There will be those who want to argue that this baby was not born in December but in the spring. My thought? “Who cares?” My love of the LORD won’t be different if Jesus was born in April rather than December. I don’t think it matters so much WHEN we celebrate as it does THAT we celebrate.

And celebrate we should.  Jesus left His throne in glory, giving up His divine privileges, to be born a little baby totally dependent upon an earthly dad and teenage mom. He lived His life here on earth only to die on a cruel Roman cross … all for us. We celebrate His birth always aware of the cross.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” [Philippians 2:6-8 NLT]

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So Thankful!

by TerryLema

I am so blessed. As I look back on my life, I find blessings upon blessings abound. Yes, there have been trials and difficulties. There were times when I wondered what God was doing, but His way always proved to be the best. I am so blessed!

Today, I’ll keep my thanksgiving very simple. I am thankful because I know Jesus loves me.

“Jesus Loves me, this I know, For the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but He is strong.

“Jesus loves me, He who died, Heaven’s gate to open wide, He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.

“Jesus, take this heart of mine, Make it pure and holy Thine, On the cross, You died for me, I will try to live for Thee.

“Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so.”

“I pray that you … may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.” [Ephesians 3:17-19]

Thank you, LORD. Amen

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My Favorite Holiday!

by TerryLema

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It was a big event in our home when the kids were growing up. We gathered as family, invited friends and people who had nowhere else to go. I cooked for days. Probably drove the kids crazy trying to get and keep the house clean. We would often play games, such as Trivial Pursuit, while football played out on the television throughout the day.

Even after the kids were grown and had their own families, I still loved family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day.

This year, it will be a bit quieter. We are going to our daughter’s house. There will be a few of us and we are looking forward to a Cajun style thanksgiving meal catered by a local restaurant. I am making pies, and maybe deviled eggs. But probably won’t be spending days cooking!

Still, it will be Thanksgiving. Whether we are in a large crowd or a small intimate dinner, it is a day that is dedicated to being thankful. As Christians, we have so much for which to be thankful. I have been focusing on many of our blessings throughout this month.

The scriptures are clear that it is to be thanksgiving and praise that are to be on our lips when we enter the Presence of the LORD.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.” [Psalm 100:4 HCSB]

What a privilege! To come before Him with praise…to give Him thanks for all He has done for us. Amen

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Encourage!

by TerryLema

Five decades ago, I surrendered my life to Christ Jesus my LORD. I did it in a small Pentecostal prayer meeting that I was invited to by my mother.  Not too long after that, the leader of that meeting had a service where he spoke into the lives of a few people. I was one.

When he began to pray over me, he said I had a “gift of encouragement.” I was a bit disappointed because a couple people before me “had” gifts of healings and miracles. I didn’t think encouragement stacked up very well against those.

“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.” [Romans 12:8 NLT]

Over the years I came to appreciate the gift of encouraging. I found it was a deep motivation for everything else I did, including pastoring, teaching, working in Hospice and with grieving people.

I was a bit lost after retiring from full-time ministry. I wondered what I would do now. Well, I have discovered that I am finding much delight in simply encouraging.  I love going to church, love talking to people. I love giving hugs, sharing love, praying with and for others.

We all need encouragement. We all need someone willing to pray for us, willing to help share our burdens. We need people to pick us up when we are down, to walk with us when we are lonely, to fight with us when we are in times of testing.

I love being an encourager!

Thank you, LORD, for the best gift! Amen.

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Light in the Darkness!

by TerryLema

This is the time of the year when it gets dark early. Every day we lose a few minutes of daylight until we reach the winter solstice. Then we begin to add minutes of daylight.

This also seems to be a time of darkness around our world. There are wars on various fronts. Terrorism is a real threat everywhere. Perhaps greatest of all, however, is a spiritual darkness that seems to be pervading everything. So many are rejecting God and living for their own glory.

That is why I am so thankful today for the light that comes to all who are in Christ Jesus! The OT promised that the Word of God would light the path in front of us.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” [Psalm 119:105 HCSB]

The NT tells us that the light in front of us is Christ Jesus Himself.  He is the “light of men.”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.” [John 1:1-5 HCSB]

No matter how much darkness abounds in this world, those who abide in Christ Jesus have a light that darkness cannot ever overcome!

Thank you, LORD, for Your light in our world and in our lives! Amen

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Surprise!

by TerryLema

I love surprises! When my husband turned 30, I threw a surprise party for him. I threw another when he turned 40. Then an even larger one when he turned 50 picking him up for the party in a hearse (a story for another time). He got another when he turned 60. (See a pattern here?) Finally, I threw a big party when he turned 70 with people flying in from other states to surprise him).

His sister called me shortly before he turned 80 and asked if he was getting a surprise party for his 80th birthday. I told her only if she was the one throwing it!

One of my most precious surprises recently was when Beth and Lou got together on piano and flute to play my favorite hymn at church, “My Jesus, I Love Thee.” My heart was overwhelmed by their surprise. I do love surprises.

Today, as we approach Thanksgiving, as I dig deeper into gratitude for all God has done for us, I was reminded that He has a few surprises up His sleeve also.

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” [1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV]

We have a glimpse of these “things which God hath prepared” in the here and now through the Holy Spirit. But I think there will be so many more to be unfolded when we see Him face to face. I think God loves to bless and surprise His children with goodness and eternity will be full.

Thank you, LORD, for the things you have prepared for those who love You. Amen.

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Glory!

by TerryLema

I am going to physical therapy. My doctor thought it might help my mobility after years dealing with PMR. She also suspected I have lumbar stenosis since I have cervical stenosis. Spinal stenosis is where the spinal column narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord. I also have degenerative discs in my neck. To sweeten the pot, the physical therapist also thinks I have an arthritic left hip.

My goal with physical therapy is to be able to walk inside the house without the cane, walk a mile outside (I’m at .6 miles), stand and greet at church, and be able to stand for an entire song service to worship my LORD.

The physical therapist took me through a few exercises, then printed them out so I could follow them at home. The next day I read the sheets. The first four words on each sheet were “Lying on the floor ….”

What? I haven’t been on the floor except by accident for four years! Well, I really want to achieve my goals, so I got on the floor. Getting up when I finished was an entire other experience. This is going from bad to worse. (The spare bedroom firm mattress is now my “floor.”)

As I thought about all the fun I am having growing old in a body that is deteriorating, I heard the LORD remind me that while this old body is going from bad to worse, the “true me” is being transformed from “glory to glory.”

“We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” [2 Corinthians 3:18 HCSB]

Transformed into the “same image!” That is an incredible promise of God. My earthly image is crumbling but as I fix my eyes on Jesus, as I seek Him above all things, I am being transformed into His image. From glory to glory.

Thank you, LORD, for the promise that one day I shall leave this old image here on earth and reflect Your glory forevermore! Amen

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Lovin’ Those “Therefores” (Friends Part Three)

by TerryLema

Our friend, Christ Jesus, not only sits at the Right Hand of the Father and lives to intercede for us, not only understands all our weaknesses, but also provides an avenue for us to approach.

Hebrews 4:15 told us: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.”  

Then the writer of Hebrews begins the next thought with that wonderful word, “Therefore.”

“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.” [Hebrews 4:16 HCSB]

I love the “therefores” we find in the Word of God. They connect the cause and the consequence. Because Jesus is our High Priest, because he sympathizes with our weaknesses, because He too was tested in every way just as we are … we now can approach the Throne of Grace with boldness!

Not with arrogance, as if there is something in us that deserves what we will find there, but with a boldness that recognizes we can approach because of our High Priest who awaits us there.

At that throne of grace, we receive mercy and find the grace to help us when we need it. What joy!

Thank you, Christ Jesus, for all you endured to provide the “therefore” to approach Your Throne of Grace. Amen

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Knows My Weaknesses (Friends Part Two)

by TerryLema

Remember that friend I spoke about yesterday? The one named Jesus. The Scriptures tell us some wonderful things about Him. First, we are reminded that our Friend Jesus was exalted to the Right Hand of the Father. That is the place of authority and power. [Acts 2:33]

In that position we are told that “He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” [Hebrews 7:25 HCSB]

But the truth that ministers to me the most is that as He sits at the Right Hand of the Father, as He saves those who come to God through Him and intercedes for them … He understands and knows our weaknesses because He, too, was tested.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15 HCSB]

Tested. In this life we are tested. The enemy tests us just as he tested Jesus. He wants us to doubt God. He wants us to deny God. He wants us to live for our own glory.

Jesus passed His test with flying colors. [Matthew 4, Mark 1]

Now He not only understands when we are tested, He provides all we need to also pass our tests with flying colors.

Thank you, Jesus, for understanding our weaknesses. Amen

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