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Devotions

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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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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