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TerryLema

Forgetting the Basics?

by TerryLema

It is football season. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard a losing coach say, “we need to get back to the basics.”

Back to basics. For football players that means relearning how to tackle or catch the ball or block or throw or kick.

For believers, it often means remembering what we were before Christ and what we are now in Christ.

I often repeat myself. I often remind people about those basic principles of Christianity. It seems I talk about the same things, things like grace and forgiveness and God’s presence with us. I often mention that we are children of God, that we have a marvelous eternity ahead in the presence and glory of God. Basic things.

I wonder why people read what I write. Why don’t they get tired of me saying things I have said before. You know, those basic things.

Then I realized, I too need to go back to the basic things now and again. The deeper I explore my relationship with God, the more wonders I find in those basic things. The more I search the heart of God, the greater those basic things become.

Christ died for me. He is my Living Hope. I am a child of God. His Presence is with me always. I am indwelt by the very Spirit of the Living God. Forgiveness is mine. There is glory to come. My eternity and my inheritance are set. My treasure is safe with Him. Basic Things. Glorious Things.

Thank you, LORD. I remember. I am Yours. Jesus loves me this I know. Amen

 

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His Possession

by TerryLema

I was born in Philadelphia shortly after the end of WWII. My parents took me back to their hometown in Western Pennsylvania when I was just a few months old. I grew up in a little town outside of Pittsburgh called Charleroi.

My father worked for Corning Glass and then in the steel mills. Sometimes he had to work out of town and only came home on weekends. I remember times when he was out on strike, and we stood in line for the food given to those who worked the picket lines.

My parents did not have much money.  At Christmases, my brother and I would alternate who got the “big” gift and who got the small one. I remember one year I wanted a bike, but it was my brother’s year for the big gift. I was shocked on Christmas morning when there were two bikes under the tree. I still don’t know how my parents made that happen.

I also remember the following summer when that bike remained in Pennsylvania while we packed the car with what we could take to California. My parents had enough of the strikes and accepted an invitation from mother’s aunt to move where my dad could find steady work.

Maybe that is why I am so moved each time I read Peter’s description of what we are when we surrender our lives to Him.  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” [1 Peter 2:9 HCSB]

Instead of a poor little girl in a nothing little town, I am a chosen race and a holy nation. Instead of a little girl holding her dad’s hand waiting in line for milk and cheese and bread, I am a royal priesthood. Instead of a heartbroken little girl leaving her most prized possession, her beloved bike, and moving 3000 miles away, I am a possession of the King of Kings and LORD of Lords (with all the benefits and privileges that accord).

Thank you, LORD, for calling me out of darkness and into Your marvelous light. Amen.

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Wisdom Available for All

by TerryLema

When I listen to politicians, when I read some things people post, when I watch some of the commercials for reality television, I am reminded that not everyone is wise. In fact, I could say, many are downright foolish!

I do not say that from a position of superiority or arrogance. I, too, have had my share of foolish thoughts and deeds.  I must also admit that I still have times when I say or do something foolish.

Perhaps the greatest foolishness in my life stems from forgetting that I have access to wisdom.

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.” [James 1:5 HCSB]

God gives wisdom generously. No questions asked. No criticism about how we may have neglected it or misused it in the past. We ask, He gives. It is a simple transaction.

Yet sometimes I forget that. I struggle on in my own wisdom without stopping to ask Him for His. It isn’t until I get to the end of my rope that I remember to ask. Instead of it being my first thought, it is my last.

And, I admit, sometimes I may not want to do things God’s way. In my own rebellion and stubbornness, I want to do what I want to do. So, I ignore the wisdom He gives. Until I end up at a dead end. Then I must return in repentance and ask again. Praise His Holy Name, He still gives.

Thank you, LORD, for the wisdom You give when we come to you. Amen

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Peace

by TerryLema

I am spending the month of November thinking about and thanking God for the many gifts He has given us. Grace. Salvation. All Good Things. Courage. Mercy. So many!

It is a Saturday morning as I write this. Bob is off to breakfast with a friend. It is raining. I am sitting in my rocker. While I write I am staring out my glass front door. I see the leaves on the trees are changing colors and that many have already lost all their leaves.

The thing I am enjoying at this moment is the quiet and the peace in the house. No television blaring Bob’s westerns. No radio. No noise except for the sounds coming from the laundry room. Today I am grateful not just for the peace around me, but also the peace inside me.

I am eternally grateful because I have peace WITH God. I am no longer waring with Him. I still fuss and sometimes it takes me awhile to get where I need to be, but I am not in open rebellion with my Creator as I once was.

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Romans 5:1 HCSB]

And I am also eternally grateful because I also have peace WITHIN my own heart. God’s peace guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I may have moments (some that last longer than a moment) of anxiety, but God always returns my heart and mind to His care and concern for me … and when that happens, my peace once again rises to take its rightful place.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:8 HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, for peace. Amen.

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Wrestling with Suffering

by TerryLema

It is difficult to watch the unimaginable suffering happening now in the Middle East. As Americans we are still a bit removed from such tribulation, even after 9/11. That event reminded us that we are not immune from the terrors of this world, but for many it has faded into the past. We remember, yes, but … the fear and horror have faded.

Suffering. How often have we heard people question, “If God is good, why do we suffer? Why doesn’t He do something about it?”

That is probably the greatest question about Christianity. Why do people suffer?

People more intelligent than I have tried to answer that question, so I’m not even going to try.  I will acknowledge two truths, however. God IS good, and yes, we DO suffer.

I understand that God granted mankind free will, and with that free will comes all the underlying dangers and disasters mankind can think up. I understand that the suffering in this world is directly linked to the rebellion that began with Adam and Eve in the Garden and that continues in us.

But I also understand two more great truths. God did not wipe us out because of our rebellion, neither did He leave us in our squalor. He sent His Son Christ Jesus our LORD so that we might have life eternal. [John 3:16]

And I also know that our suffering is confined to this world. It will not, cannot, enter the next. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” [Romans 8:18 HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, that suffering is only in this present time, and for the glory that will be revealed in us. Amen!

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For the Good

by TerryLema

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetic in 1999. The first thing I did was lose about 110 pounds. Since then, I have mainly managed it with diet and exercise. That ended when I acquired two auto-immune diseases about four years ago. The medications I needed to maintain control of them meant I lost control of the diabetes. My doctor prescribed plain old insulin.

About a month ago, I experienced a middle of the night event. I awoke in a cold sweat. When I tried to stand up my legs were shaky. I felt as if I was going to collapse. I took a blood glucose reading and found it was 47—way low. (Around 40 is when you can experience convulsions, coma, even death.)

When I told my doctor about it, she had me come in and talk to a young pharmacist, who asked me why I wasn’t on a continuous glucose monitor that would warn me of such events. I told her I tried a few months ago to get one approved, but the insurance company said I only took two insulin injections a day instead of the required three for coverage. She said, “nonsense, anyone on insulin needs one,” left the room and came back with one (and insurance company approval).

Over the next week, I experienced three warnings of low blood sugar in the middle of the night. I never knew that was happening. She changed my medication and I have not had another one.

Now I know that was a lot to read about something that probably doesn’t apply to you. But let me tell you what else happened. For two years I have been experiencing an unexplainable fatigue. I have had about every test you can take to find the cause, and nothing has been identified. Since I have eliminated (apparently) the middle of the night low blood sugar events, my unexplainable fatigue has vanished. I still have fatigue that can be explained … but the other is gone.

As I was thanking God this morning, I realized that I experienced Romans 8:28 and knew that I did in the space of three weeks. Usually, it takes me years to realize the “for the good,” but not this time. “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28 HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, that you can work all things “for the good” of those who love You. Amen!

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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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