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TerryLema

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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Friends (Part One)

by TerryLema

Today is my friend’s birthday. There are actually three of us that have been friends for more than four decades. We grew to love each other when we attended the same church in California. Unfortunately, we no longer live close to each other. We are in Utah, Montana, and Idaho, but when we are able to get together it doesn’t take any time at all until we are back to laughing and singing and loving.

Proverbs reminds us that “A friend loves at all times.” [Proverbs 17:17a]

That book also reminds us that there is “a friend who stays closer than a brother.” [Proverbs 18:24b]

When I think about the friends God has given me … the ones I have had for decades as well as the new ones I am making now … I am blessed. I know that they love me and that they will stay close to me no matter what is going on in my life.

But there is another friend. “I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.” [John 15:15]

Jesus told His disciples that their relationship was not master/slave, but friends. When He prayed for the disciples that were around Him then, He also prayed for those future disciples who would believe everything He said because of their testimony. That’s us! And as the original disciples were friends with Christ Jesus, so the future disciples would be also.

I have friends who love me all the time … I have friends who are closer than even people related to me … and one of them is named Jesus.

Thank you, LORD, for friends.

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Godliness & Dignity

by TerryLema

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” [1 Timothy 2:1-2]

That verse was my verse of the day recently. It arrived in my inbox on Election Day. I went on to read the full chapter (an interesting one). The following verses after the two above say that “This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” [vs 3-4]

Three thoughts immediately came to mind. First, we have not been praying enough for our “kings and all those who are in authority.” The way our politicians are acting does not lead to anything that could be described as tranquil, quiet, godly, or having any dignity at all. We need to do a better job.

Second, when we pray for our “kings and all those who are in authority” it pleases God our Savior. Paul says, this is a good thing.

Third, our Good God “wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  Everyone!

And that is perhaps what I am most thankful for this morning. There is no one outside of God’s love. While He knows that many will reject Him, He still invites everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth. I have the marvelous privilege to not only pray for those “everyones” but to also speak of the marvelous truth and salvation found only in Christ Jesus my Lord to those He puts in my path.

Thank you, LORD, for putting “everyones” in my path. Give me words of wisdom and love. Amen

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Our Church Family

by TerryLema

Recently I missed church service three weeks in a row. I had a cold and cough that did not want to let go. Finally, I was able to attend church on the first Sunday of November. What a delight!

The moment I stepped into the lobby of CFC Middleton, I felt like I had come home. I got to hug people I had not seen for a month. While I did not sing much during the worship service because I was afraid I would start a coughing spell, I did get to hear the praises of people around me. Then I received a good boost of encouragement in the preaching of God’s Word.

When I walked out the door, I felt refreshed and full of joy.

November is my month to do a deep dive of thanksgiving to the LORD for all those things He has bestowed upon me and upon all His children. Today I want to thank Him for my church family.  My natural family is small, three children and their partners. Grandchildren. My brother. Other than that, I have little or no contact with natural family except an occasional FB post.

But my church family! God has brought me into fellowship with great and wonderful people. I have been abundantly blessed by them in the past and am being blessed by them in the present. I look at their faces on Sunday morning and my heart swells with joy.

“Let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” [Hebrews 10:24-25 HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, for my church family. Amen

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