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The Beauty Around

by TerryLema September 19, 2018

Last year we bought a glass storm door for our front entry. We wanted a solid glass door that securely locked, so we could open the wood door when someone knocked without allowing entry.  One of the unexpected benefits turned out to be the warmth coming through that door in winter. The winter sun hits the front side of the house and the glass door acts like a magnifying glass for the heat. Our front room with the high ceiling has always been the hardest to heat in winter, but since we installed the storm door, it is now the coziest.

One other benefit is that my chair faces that door and when it is open it is as if the outside is inside. Saturday morning as I sat studying and writing, I watched the sky lighten and the neighborhood awaken. I watched people drive by in their cars, early morning runners, and the dogs leading owners down the sidewalk. I love watching. I can sit in a mall, airport, restaurant, doctor’s office, coffee shop and just watch.

God is so creative. People are beautiful, different colors and shapes. The little and big dogs walking by are all different, even if they are the same breed. The leaves on the trees are just beginning to turn all shades of reds, yellows and oranges. I have a couple purple petunias that are hanging on to branches that are shriveling and growing sparse. Every moment some sight or sound grabs my attention.

Solomon, the Preacher, noted that “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.”  We usually miss all that beauty because we are so busy doing that we don’t take the time to just be still and observe. We fill every waking moment when we should reserve some of those moments to simply be. We even feel guilty when we stop and just sit for a while. (It must be that old Puritan/Protestant work ethic!)     [Eccl 3:11]

Saturday, I spent the morning being still. I watched God’s creation awaken and I thought about the beauty He has given us. My soul was refreshed.

In His Time:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo-rGzx2OZk

September 19, 2018 0 comment
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Where do we go?

by TerryLema September 18, 2018

I woke up Saturday with a backache. It was the kind of backache where any movement caused a lot of pain. Of course, as soon as I let Miss Molly out of the laundry room (where she sleeps at night), she wanted her treats and her milk. She expects both as soon as she wakes up and will walk around vocally demanding that I get it for her. She will barely wait until I get the coffee started. Saturday morning was a challenge. Treats in hand. Bowl of milk on the table. Now how to bend down and put them on her placemat on the floor and then get back up again!

I did it, but it sure wasn’t easy. Then I went scrounging for the ice pack and hopefully some relief. Pain. It debilitates, motivates, reminds, crushes, and warns. When physical pain hits, we search for relief in medications, therapy, treatments. When emotional pain arises, we often act out.

Saturday as I sat with my ice pack and hoped for relief, I thought about spiritual pain. Where do we find relief from spiritual pain? David dealt with that issue in Psalm 38.  “For my iniquities have flooded over my head; they are a burden too heavy for me to bear.”  [Christian Standard Bible v 4]

David’s distress in Psalm 38 is difficult to read … difficult because we have all been there. We’ve been consumed by the consequences of wrong actions. We’ve sorrowed over the pain we caused others and ourselves. We’ve at times felt like everyone saw the blackness in our own hearts and set themselves against us. Yet David, even during that distress, knew the solution to his pain. “I put my hope in You, LORD; You will answer, Lord my God.” [v 15]

The ice pack and maybe some heat will probably relieve my back pain.  In August, 1973, Christ Jesus the Lord relieved my pain of soul and spirit. He “hurried to help me” when I turned to Him in my distress.  [v 22]

September 18, 2018 0 comment
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It’s Almost Here!

by TerryLema September 17, 2018

We are entering my favorite time of the year.  Next Sunday is the autumnal equinox. There are two equinox each year. One in September and the other in March.  This is when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. Autumn begins this year on Sunday the 23rd.

Autumn is my absolutely favorite season. Maybe that’s because I was born back east, in Pennsylvania. I grew up with the fragrances of fall. We played in the fallen leaf piles and I still recognize that aroma. The trees in fall in the east are magnificent with color. I remember once flying into Pittsburgh in the fall and seeing the blazing colors for miles and miles as we made our approach. People come from all over to see the fall foliage in the east.  I wish I could see it one more time.

I love autumn for other reasons as well. The cooler days always appeal to me (not a fan of summer). The shorter days appeal to me also (hate going to bed at 10 PM with the sun still shining in the window!). And, of course, autumn signals the approach of the holiday season, Thanksgiving through Christmas.

I know consumerism has tried to stretch the holiday season. In the stores it now begins in August! And they have tried to include Halloween (a big money-maker). But in my heart, the true holiday season begins with Thanksgiving.

That is when our hearts are reminded once again to be grateful.  It is often when we begin to count our blessings, and of course, we celebrate the coming of the greatest blessing of all in the birth of Jesus.  As Christians, that gratefulness and thanksgiving should be ours every day. And it is, but it’s still nice to be reminded at Thanksgiving of the goodness of our God.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” [Psalm 100:4]

September 17, 2018 0 comment
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I Don’t Know

by TerryLema September 16, 2018

“Why?” That is one of the most powerful questions ever asked. And it is asked all the time. I started thinking about the “Why?” question when I saw a recent advertisement for a book that is supposed to, if not answer that question, at least point us in the direction of settling it.  The theme of the book is “Why did God let that happen.” Why indeed.

I thought I’d check out “why” in my concordances. In the New King James, there are 430 “why” questions, and 550 in the New International. The first “why” question is God asking Cain, “Why are you angry?” The last “why” question is asked of John by the angel in Revelations, “Why are you astonished?”  [Genesis 4:6, Rev 17:7]

While those are the first and the last, there are plenty more “why” questions in between. Perhaps the most profound was uttered by Jesus on the cross when He used David’s words from Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

David’s full statement reads, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” [NIV]

As a pastor and hospice chaplain, I’ve heard that “why?” question many times over the years. I’ve come to understand that in this life, we will never have an answer that we can completely understand or completely accept. “Why?” is as often a simple cry of pain as it is a question that we think someone other than God can answer to our satisfaction.

“Why?” I don’t know. But I know God loves me, He is for me, and He will one day bring me home to Him. I can leave “Why? for now in His hands.

September 16, 2018 0 comment
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“Since God …”

by TerryLema September 15, 2018

I was studying for last Wednesday’s Bible Study in the Book of Judges. Yes, we are doing a Bible Study in Judges, specifically because the times we are living in now resemble that book’s message. The key verse in Judges is 21:25: “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes”

That certainly sounds like us, no right or wrong, every person a judge of his own actions.  But that wasn’t where I was heading with this devotion today. It was another thought, and another verse from another book that initially grabbed my attention as I studied.  “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Paul asked that question in Romans 8:31. It is a profound question, one that I think we ask and answer many times in our lifetime.  Just when I think I have that question settled, something comes along and I end up asking it again. The sickness, poverty, and violence I see around me drive me to that question. I see others struggling with circumstances and trials, opposition and persecution and I ask that question. I face my own struggles and once again that question arises.

Yet, each time I ask that question, I get the same answer. I hear the sweet Holy Spirit speak to me in His still small voice, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for [you], how shall He not with Him also freely give [you] all things?” [Rom 8:32 NKJV]

As the Spirit reminds me, my question is no longer a question. Instead it is my statement of faith, “Since God is for me, who/what can be against me!” Thank you, Lord.

 

September 15, 2018 0 comment
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The Un-Happy Wanderer!

by TerryLema September 14, 2018

Wanderlust. It was my “Word of the Day” recently.  It came with a definition: strong longing for or impulse toward wandering.

Someone who loves to travel once asked me years ago if after I retired, didn’t I want to travel. This person loved to travel, spending months on the road with their RV, towing their little car behind them. I said, nope. I have no desire to spend months away from home. I guess I’m just a homebody … maybe I just don’t really like the idea of retiring.

Yet, I have to admit there is a wanderlust in all of us. In me, also. We have all “wandered” away from God, or as Paul says in Romans, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [v23 NKJV]

Adam wandered away from God in the Garden and all of mankind has since inherited his lifestyle. But as God did with Adam, He comes calling us back, calling us to abandon our wandering and return to Him.

In addition, once we have given up our wanderlust, James reminds us we have a duty to help others. “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”  [James 5:19-20 NIV]

Father, keep us from our wanderlust. Help us to abide with all joy and delight in you. Enable us to help those who have wandered away. Amen and Amen.

September 14, 2018 0 comment
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The Will of God

by TerryLema September 13, 2018

In Psalm 143 the psalmist prays, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.”

Too often we fuss about God’s will. Is this God’s will, or is that? Should I go there, or not? Should I do this or something different? I think the enemy of our soul loves to keep us fussing about God’s will because then we end up doing nothing.

So dare I say this … it’s more simple than we make it out to be. It can be summed up in one verse. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”  [Rom 8:29 NKJV]

The will of God for His children is that we be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus, our Lord. The Father intends for all of us to have the character of His Son. It is that simple … and yes, it is that complex.

What makes us look like, talk like, and act like Jesus? That is what plays out differently in each of us. The goal is the same for all, the pathway to that goal is different for all.

Yet, as we all aim at and walk towards that same goal, we can encourage each other, and help each other along the way. When we know what we are aiming for, it’s a lot easier to get there.  We can judge each opportunity that comes our way in light of the goal … will this serve to make me more like Jesus?

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Do whatever it takes, Father, to make me more like Jesus. Amen.

September 13, 2018 0 comment
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Level Ground

by TerryLema September 12, 2018

I’m walking during my lunch hour around the complex where I’m working. It gives me exactly one mile. I haven’t worked my way back up to my two-mile worship walk in the mornings, but at least I’m getting a mile done at lunch. My step total is beginning to climb past the 10K mark at last. It’s taken some time, and some patience on my part.

There is only one problem with the walk around the complex, parts of the sidewalk are broken and very uneven. I resorted to taking one of my walking sticks and leaving it in the office to use at lunch. My balance is not as good as it was when I was younger and the walking stick keeps me on an even keel.

Even ground is a must when walking, but it is even more important when walking with God. One of my favorite verses comes from Psalm 143. Verse 10 is a prayer, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.” [Christian Standard Bible]

Learning God’s will for His children is vital, but even more vital is doing God’s will. It is “walking in His will” that produces level ground. So often I hear people call Christianity “a crutch.” Well, in some ways maybe it is. It’s like my walking stick. When life gets uneven, broken and full of cracks that can trip us, God’s will enables us to keep our balance. It produces that “level ground.”

Learning God’s will is not as hard as we often make it out to be. In fact, it can probably be summed up in one sentence. We’ll look at that one sentence tomorrow.

September 12, 2018 0 comment
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9/11

by TerryLema September 11, 2018

Today is the remembrance of the 9/11/01 attacks in New York and DC, and the crashing of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. Not only were so many lives lost, but on that day the United States was awakened to the reality of terrorism. Surely, we were aware of terrorism around the world, and up to that point we had a few home-grown terrorists, but on 9/11 we came face to face with our own vulnerability to outside terrorism. No longer were the oceans on our east and west borders able to keep us safe.

We are vulnerable. The word means susceptible, weak, exposed, helpless, defenseless. And when we are any one of those things, we are often fearful.  Being at the mercy of others can easily give birth to fear.

Whenever I remember 9/11, I hear the words of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” [v1-3 NIV]

The psalmist long before 9/11 painted a picture with words of what we saw. The mountainous buildings falling, the dust clouds looking like waters roaring and foaming over everything and everyone, the earth shaking. But the psalmist also included that little word “therefore.” We do see all the devastation and we are reminded of our vulnerability, but we must always view that considering the “therefore.” Because “God is our refuse and strength,” because He is our “ever-present help in trouble,” therefore, “we will not fear.”

The psalmist ended with a gentle reminder, “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” – even as the mountains tumble around us. [v11 NIV]

 

September 11, 2018 0 comment
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Maturity

by TerryLema September 10, 2018

Remember taking those tests in school where you got a list of words and were asked to pick out the one that didn’t belong?  How about this list:  Politics. Sports. Hollywood. Media. Maturity.

Can you find the word that doesn’t fit in? If I had to pick, I’d pick the word “maturity.” I don’t think I have ever seen a time when people displayed such an astounding lack of maturity. Politics resembles a circus. Sports are often dominated by prima donnas who can’t spell “teamwork,” let alone participate in it. Hollywood? Most celebrities float from one relationship to another. The media? Both the professional and social media have descended into a pit of arrogance and vitriol.

Is it really that bad out there? I’d say yes.

“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect [mature] in Christ Jesus.” [Col 1:28 NKJV]

There is one more word we could possibly add to that list, but I’m hoping not.  That word is, Church. Church is to be the place where we preach, warn and teach in all wisdom so that every person might learn what it means to be mature in Christ.  Church, also, is a place where that maturity can be tested so we might know how far we have come and how much farther we still must go.

I pray that all churches preach the true Word of God, for only then will we be able to omit church from that list!

September 10, 2018 0 comment
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Pastor Terry Lema

Pastor Terry Lema has been married for 53 years, and has 3 children and 3 grandsons. Terry graduated from Trinity Bible College, and and recently retired as Lead Pastor at The Way Church in Middleton, Idaho.

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Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions
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