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TerryLema

That Good Thing

by TerryLema

Black Friday deals no long wait until the day after Thanksgiving. I think they started advertising them the day after Labor Day.

I have been exploring various websites trying to find ideas for my loved ones for Christmas. I am trying for something meaningful, but not too expensive. I can find all manner of things outside my budget and a few things inside it. Choosing gifts that matter, however, is not always easy.

As I have been looking to find that good thing for each person, I thought about the gifts of God. The Psalmist reminds us that the Lord “gives” grace and glory (GREAT things) and that He will not withhold any “good thing” from those who love Him.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” [Psalm 84:11 HCSB]

Paul also reminds us of God’s gift of grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [Ephesians 2:8-9 HCSB]

I am always blessed when I think of God’s grace. And especially so with the reminder that God’s grace is a gift. God graciously gives us the gift that meets the deepest needs of our hearts. We usually do not realize just how deep those needs are, but He does. He does and He meets them.

Thank you, LORD, for your gift of grace. It is the greatest gift ever granted to us. Amen.

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Ready!

by TerryLema

A few years ago, I made a mistake. It was a big mistake that offended a couple of people. Making it right was not possible. I admitted my guilt and asked those I offended for forgiveness. They expressed surprise when I asked but were unwilling (or not ready) to grant forgiveness.

That is why every time I read Psalm 86, my heart is comforted. My comfort is contained in two words.

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” [Psalm 86:5 HCSB]

The first comfort is found in that word “ready.” Our LORD is ready to forgive. That word is “callach” and it means exactly how it is translated here, “ready to forgive.”

When I come to Him sincerely in repentance, there is no delay, no doubts, no refusal. My God is good, and He is ready to forgive.

The second comforting word is “abundant.”  That word is “rab” and it means much, many, and great. The mercy God gives is not stingy, or limited, or miserly. It is abundant “to all those who call upon” Him.

I am still waiting for those people I offended to grant their forgiveness. But I had forgiveness and abundant mercy the moment I called upon God and asked His forgiveness.

Thank you, LORD, for Your readiness to forgive! Amen.

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Be Courageous

by TerryLema

There was another mass shooting. This time in Lewiston, Maine. Eighteen people died at the hands of one crazed man. Sadness. Disbelief. Confusion. Abound.

The one voice that keeps repeating in my mind was that of a young girl who was injured. She was shot in the leg. She sat next to her mother as they were interviewed about their experience. After expressing her amazement that being shot was part of her life experience now, she asked a profound question, “Why do people do these things?”

Indeed, why do people do these things?

Evil is in this world. We can give it all kinds of modern definitions, but ultimately it comes down to the fact that evil is a real presence among us.

Jesus said, “You will have suffering [tribulation] in this world.” But then He did not end there. He reminded His listeners to “Be courageous!” because He had “conquered the world.” [John 16:33 HCSB]

As children of God, we do not have to be afraid. Cautious, yes. Wise, yes. But afraid, No.  Jesus has given those who have surrendered their lives to Him the ability to be courageous. He has provided the strength to face the world’s evils knowing that even if they kill this body, they cannot divert our eternal destiny from that day when we will be with Him in glory.

Thank you, LORD, for the courage to face this world’s evil. Thank you, LORD, that you have conquered the world. Amen.

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God’s Children

by TerryLema

I’m watching an ad for a financial institution where membership is limited. Not everyone can join, but only those who are or have served in the military … or those who have a family relationship with those who are or have served.

The commercial plays up the fact that not everyone can experience the privileges and benefits but only those who have certain qualifications.

That commercial reminded me that I have certain privileges and benefits that not everyone has. I have those delights because of God’s great love.

“Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are!” [1John 3:1 HCSB]

For me, to be called a child of God is the greatest and most wondrous of privileges. God’s child. Me. I don’t deserve that privilege. I did nothing to earn it. It is not based on my service. It is not based on my family’s history. It is all because of God’s love. For that I am so thankful!

AND, in addition, I have found a family of brothers and sisters who also have been given this great privilege because of God’s great love.

Thank you, Father, for Your great love for us. Thank you for the privilege of being called Your child. Amen.

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With Me!

by TerryLema

I have been battling a cold for weeks. My generous husband brought it home and kindly shared it. (Next time he brings something like this home I’m checking into a hotel with room service for a week.

I cough, cough, cough, during the day and mainly at night. I have missed church for three weeks! I am sick of being sick. I have tried cough drops, OTC cough syrups and even a prescription cough med that was supposed to loosen and suppress the cough at the same time (which I totally do not understand). Nothing works.

My nights are spent traveling from bed to recliner to rocker to bed again, trying to find a place and position where I do not cough. So far, nothing seems to work. My sleep is spotty and rough.

I have discovered something about myself amid the coughing. I am not a very patient patient. I am more than ready to have this behind me.

And yet, as I sit here this morning wrapped in a warm sweater and blanket, I am thankful. My God has promised to be with me always. Well or Sick. Fussy or Patient. Peaceful or Struggling. I have His promise.

“Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:20b HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, that You are here — always. Amen.

 

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It’s November!

by TerryLema

This, without a doubt, is my favorite month of the year! When November rolls around, and Halloween is behind us, and the wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and Christmas season is ahead, my merry-meter definitely starts to rise! Today my heart sings with thanksgiving.

I try each day in November to focus on one thing for which to thank God. I do try to be grateful all the time throughout the year, but November is my in-depth-thank-you-God time each year.

This first day of November my mind turned to Psalm 138, a psalm of David, labeled in my Bible as “A Thankful Heart.”  It begins …

 “I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else. On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.” [vs 1-3 HCSB]

“On the day I called, You answered me.”

My thanksgiving begins there, on that day 50 years ago when I called out to God and He answered me with grace, with mercy, with salvation. I may not have known it at the time, but it was the greatest day of my life – to be only equaled by that day when I see Him face to face.

Thank you, LORD, that you not only heard my call but that You answered the deepest need of my heart! Amen

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Kindness

by TerryLema

I saw this quote the other day on Facebook.  “I’d rather my kids be the ones who are average in school and sports but hold the door open for a teacher with too much in her hands, comfort a crying classmate, invite everyone to their table. I want my kids to be the kind kids above anything else, because that’s how they’ll change the world.” [Danielle Sherman-Lazar]

The quote was posted by a group called Creative Healthy Family.

It’s a great quote, especially the second sentence. But then as I read the first sentence again, I wondered … why can’t our kids be both excellent in school/sports and kind also? One does not negate the other.

Kindness is encouraged throughout the NT. It is listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.”

The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Jesus. It is to be the character of all those who have placed their faith in Christ Jesus.

It is a character trait that seems to be severely lacking in our culture on many levels—politics, media, social media, freeways(!), etc. Yet, when given opportunity, kindness still overcomes rudeness every time.

Let’s make sure that as Christians, we are an example of kindness in all things.

 

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A Guessing Game

by TerryLema

Various people and agencies are trying to predict what the weather will be like in Idaho this winter. As I write this, we have a bit of an assurance of winter as temperatures this week are in the 20’s for our lows.

I was reading an article in my newsfeed that said, “According to the Climate Prediction Center, most of Idaho has a 40-60% chance of above-average temperatures and a 33-50% chance of below-average rainfall from November through January.”

I must admit as I read that glorious prediction I laughed. It was that little word “chance” that got me. So, in other words, it’s anyone’s guess what winter holds for Idaho this year.

Much of life is a guessing game. We try this and try that and then try to determine what we should do next. But—there is one thing we can do in life that is absolutely certain. That is, to place our trust in the LORD Christ Jesus as Savior and LORD. When we do that, Scripture tells us, we are SEALED!

2Corinthians 1:22: “He has also SEALED us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.”

Ephesians 1:13: “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:30: “You were SEALED by Him for the day of redemption.”

There is no guessing what the future holds for us. There is no 40-60% chance. We are 100% assured of our redemption and salvation. Our eternity is SEALED!

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Guardian

by TerryLema

Reading in 1 Peter, Chapter 2, I came to the section about “submission of slaves to their masters.” [vs 18-25]

Slaves and masters seem to us to be archaic terms. Because they are terms seldom used, we might think we should skip or skim through that section. We should not, however, because it holds wonderful truths.

At the end of that passage, Peter tells us to follow the example of Christ Jesus who gave His life for us. He reminds us that while He suffered, He did not threaten, but entrusted Himself “to the One who judges justly.”

Then Peter tells us that Christ Jesus bore our sins, and that by His wounds (stripes) we have been healed—a quote out of Isaiah 53. But it is the final verse of that chapter that drew my attention this morning. It begins with another quote from Isaiah 53.

“For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian [overseer in the NKJV] of your souls.” [HCSB]

The word for Guardian [HCSB] or Overseer [NKJV] is episkopos. Traditionally that word has been applied to a position of authority.  But in reality, the focus is upon the responsibility of caring for others.

That is what a guardian does. The role of a guardian (even in our day and age) is to ensure that the person under their care receives proper care and support in all aspects of their life.

Beloved, the One who died for us, Christ Jesus our Savior and Master, has taken on the responsibility of Guardian of our souls. Rejoice!

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Do Not Imitate Evil

by TerryLema

Ok. I readily admit. I hate Halloween. I walk around our neighborhood and see witches and goblins and grim reapers (giant sized ones) adorning yards. It makes me cringe.

I think dress-up is fun for children (maybe adults too). But dressing our children in evil is just … well imitating evil.

John in his third letter warns the church about a man named Diotrephes. He calls him one “who loves to have first place,” one who is “slandering us with malicious words,” and one who not only “refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.” [vs9-10]

Then John immediate declares, “Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” [3John11 HCSB]

John does not want Gaius, to whom the letter is written, to act like Diotrephes. But I think the advice he gives is broad enough for us to apply it to other times and situations.

“Do not imitate what is evil.”

 The world has made evil “fun.” It dresses evil up as entertainment. It seeks to make it exciting. Or it seeks to make us think it is just a “harmless” activity. But evil is never harmless. Just ask Adam and Eve.

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