Past Devotions

Would you …

by TerryLema

I opened my computer this morning and found an interesting question as the subject of an email from a spiritual organization. The question: “Would you bow to an idol or face death?”

My immediate reaction was “what kind of a question is that?” I deleted the email. But the question kept bugging me and I decided to visit my deleted mail and find out just what the sender wanted of me.  I should have known. It was an advertisement for a series of children’s books it wanted me to buy, the first one was about the “Fiery Furnace.” [Daniel 3]

Still, that question remained in the forefront throughout my morning. I wondered if it is a question any of us could answer with certainty when faced with a situation that would demand an answer to it.

I would say right now, “I will not bow!” But then, I am sitting on my couch in my bonus room, surrounded by peace and quiet with no immediate threats to my life. Would I have the courage of those Three Hebrew Children when standing in front of a fiery furnace or other means of violent martyrdom.

As I consider my own bravery or cowardice, I remember the promise of Jesus. In Matthew 10, Jesus sends His disciples out into the surrounding countryside with His message of hope. His instructions to His own later morph into predictions of persecution. Then in verses 19-20 He gives them a promise.

 “But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.”  [HCSB]

After His promise that His followers will not be alone in that hour of trial, He also promises that we are worth more than many sparrows to our Father and that He will both watch over us and reward us for our loyalty to Christ Jesus.

I can say with confidence that in my own strength I might hesitate, but I will not face tribulation in my own strength but in the power and with the presence of God’s Almighty Spirit within me. Praise His Holy Name!

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A Memorable Hug …

by TerryLema

Our main focus in going to California last week was to attend the high school graduation of Marcus, our middle grandson. That happened last Friday night. There were private events throughout the week for the seniors and parents, but Friday night graduation was open to everyone and the room was filled with grandparents, other family members, and friends of the graduates.

The most amazing moment happened when our grandson went up on stage to receive his diploma. Our son, as part of the school staff was invited to come up on the stage to shake his son’s hand as the diploma was passed. A number of staff members had done that already with their children. As Marcus moved across the stage to receive his diploma, instead of offering his hand to his father, he opened his arms wide and engulfed his dad in a hug. You could feel the love between these two men, father and son, as they embraced each other.

My son is a great dad to his children. He has dedicated his life to their physical, emotional, spiritual well-being. He loves them unconditionally, listens to them, guides them, encourages them, and is always there for them.

As I watched that moment unfold, I thought of the words of Jesus … “how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” [Matthew 7:11 HCSB]

Repeatedly in the Gospels, Jesus referred to His Father as “your Father.” He reminded his listeners constantly of the love and blessings that flow from “our Father in heaven” and how they are “much more” than what man can give.

One of these days, we are going to walk across that great heavenly stage and “our Father in heaven” is going to open his arms of love wide and embrace us for all eternity! What a moment that will be. Amen.

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A Touching Trip

by TerryLema

We returned on Memorial Day, exhausted, from our California trip. We were so grateful to our friend Patty who flew in from Montana and helped us drive from Boise, Idaho, to Modesto, California.  I kept thinking along the way that this may be our last time to drive this route. I think she agreed with me!  It is not an easy drive and because of our ages and health issues, it has become more difficult over time.

I cannot say I will miss California. What I will miss are some of the events in the lives of my children and grandchildren. We were blessed before we left to see our youngest grandson via the internet at his sixth-grade awards ceremony. But as wonderful as it was to be present via technology, it could not compare with attending the high school graduation of his older brother in person.

We can talk via phone or one of the apps that allow us to see each other when we talk, but nothing can take the place of a physical touch. The greatest joy was putting my arms around my grandsons and his parents. (Yes, I still want to hug my children even at their ages!)

One of the most frustrating parts of the COVID-19 rules for me was the social distancing. I hated being “around” people and yet not being able to give them a hug, or a comforting or encouraging touch.

All the Gospel writers report that Jesus touched people, often to convey a healing. Two “touching” events reported in Matthew’s Gospel always leave me wondering. The first is Matthew 8:3 where Jesus touched a leper and told him, “I am willing, be made clean.” The second is in Matthew 9:19-21 when the woman with the issue of blood reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.

I always wonder what it felt like for the leper to receive the touch of the Savior as he was healed. As a leper and considered unclean, he would not have been touched very often. I always wonder about the courage of the woman (also considered unclean) to reach out and touch Jesus.

Jesus did not shrink from being touched or touching those the world considered unworthy. He still does not shrink from “touching” us to bring healing, encouragement, comfort, salvation into our lives. Bless His Holy Name!

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Heroes

by TerryLema

The Sunday before we left for California, we watched the final day of the PGA Championship. Phil Mickelson, at 50 years of age was leading the field. Winning would make him the oldest golfer to win a major event.  By the 16th hole it was looking good, and because he and his closest opponent, Brooks Koepka, were the last ones on the course, the fans followed them all the way through the day.

I do not know if you can imagine what that looked like. When Mickelson and Koepka left for Hole 2, they took all the Hole 1 fans with them; then when they left for Hole 3 they had Holes 1&2 fans following. By the time they reached the 18th Hole the size of the crowd was enormous and began to press in on Michelson who now looked like he would be the winner.

They were so thick they had to have security around Michelson. At one point a fan pressed in close and tried to jump on his shoulder. At times it looked like he would be swallowed up.  At the 18th green they had to wait for Koepka (who did get swallowed up) to make his way out of the crowd and onto the green, all the while the crowds are screaming for Michelson.

I thought about all the people around Michelson. It has been a while since people were allowed into a golfing event after COVID-19 shut everything down. They were rooting for the underdog. It is as if they were finding hope in his win and they could celebrate vicariously with him.

As I watched all that unfold, I thought about Jesus and the people that pressed in around Him. Luke tells us in Chapter 5, verses 1-3, that the crowd as He was standing by Lake Gennesaret “was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word”. He had to get in a boat that belonged to Simon Peter and push away from shore just to be able to teach.

The crowds that pressed in around Jesus were looking for hope. They prayed that this homeless preacher who often defied the religious leaders would have the hope their hearts yearned for.

Unlike Michelson who could only provide a momentary thrill, Jesus, Savior, LORD, provides hope, salvation, eternal life, and an inheritance in glory.  Praise His Glorious Name!

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Sleep, Blessed Sleep …

by TerryLema

I do not sleep well. There are multiple reasons why. I know the medication I take for the auto-immune diseases can often produce insomnia. There is also the fact my sleep is frequently invaded by pain. But I think the worst thing is the inability to roll over (often a symptom of the disease). Because I cannot roll over, I must sit up and then change positions. I do that often during the night, more often on nights when I am struggling with pain and trying to find a comfortable position.

To me, uninterrupted sleep is a memory from the past … as well as a desire for the future!

I am blessed, however, in the middle of the night when the aches are winning and sleep is elusive. I am blessed because I know the LORD is not asleep either.

Psalm 121 describes “The LORD our Protector,” and it promises us that our Wonderful LORD will never be slumbering when we need Him.

“He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.”    [Psalm 121:3-4 HCSB]

Whether I am having a good night of sleep or one where I am awake much of it, the LORD will not be slumbering but watching over me. Whether I am having a good day or one that is not, I need not worry, the LORD is not asleep but watching over me.

The LORD is my Protector, he neither slumbers nor sleeps. Hallelujah!

 

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I am sure of this …

by TerryLema

I was saved when I was 26 years old, married, pregnant with my second child. I already knew some of the basics of Christian doctrine, that our God is Trinity, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I knew that Christ died for me. I knew that I had a responsibility to know, love, and serve Him.

What I did not have was a personal knowledge and relationship with God, and I did not know how to “know, love and serve Him.” I had tried many times before and failed miserably.

Then someone came into my life who showed me that I was “doing” it all wrong. I was trying to “do” all the things that Christ had already “done” for me. I simply needed to receive God’s salvation through grace by faith. By “doing” that, I could know, love, and serve Him the right way.

Shortly after getting saved at the age of 26, I memorized my first Scripture.  “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 1:6 HCSB]

I had no idea at the time how often I would bolt back to that Scripture for the confidence, the reassurance, that my God would complete what He started. I had no inkling when first saved how life would play out, what trials would come my way, what illnesses, what griefs I would have to bear.  The future was still an unknown for me.

Ah, but it was not unknown to God. He knew every day of my life. He knew how often I would need to be reminded that what He had begun, He would complete.  He gave me that Scripture first in my life knowing I would need it the most. Bless His Holy Name!

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Rounding the Corner

by TerryLema

“I am getting better.” That is a sentence from a book I am reading about the two auto-immune diseases I am currently battling. (“Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis—a Survival Guide” by Kate Gilbert)

It is the book which has given me the most information about these diseases in one place. In addition to being a book about the diseases, it is also a book of hope. Gilbert reminds sufferers that there is a good chance they will recover from this disease, that it can go away as quickly as it came, and that our daily mantra should be, “I am getting better!”

I have also been praying and others have prayed for and over me for healing. I am trusting that God will heal me. (“by [Jesus’] stripes we are healed…” Isaiah 53:5b)

While I wait, I do what the doctors tell me to do, I research, I work toward healing. I know that God will heal, whether it is divinely or through the medical means He provides.

There have been times I felt like I had “turned the corner,” but those times have proven to be just a temporary time away from the symptoms, which soon returned. As I thought and prayed about “turning the corner” this morning, I realized that life is just that, a series of “turning corners.”

We never know what is around the next corner. For some of us it may be healing. For others, it may be difficulties or trials. We may experience a season of good times or we may experience a season of troubles.

The one thing we can build our foundation on is the knowledge that we are not alone. Whatever lies around the next corner, Jesus will be there too.  “I will never leave you or forsake you.” [Hebrews 5:1s]

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Receive

by TerryLema

Friday morning I spent some extra time in bed. I am usually up each morning between 4:30 and 5:30, but that morning 6:30 shown on the clock when I finally rolled out of bed.  It was one of those mornings when I realized at waking that I had no pain, so, I just stayed still and enjoyed that for about an hour. I knew as soon as I started to move something would start to hurt.

As I laid there, a song we had sung in church the previous Sunday was winding through my mind. It is a song that I love, but one that I do not think is immensely popular – well, maybe it was years ago before I first heard it.  It is titled, “Receive,” written by Nicole Binion.

The part of the song that kept repeating that morning was the chorus, “LORD, I receive your love, here in this moment. Your mercy flows like rain, on my heart dry and broken I receive Your love today. It’s hard to believe but all I must do is receive. Sweet mystery, sweet mystery, all I must do is receive.”  

The Scriptures brim with the wonderful things we receive from our Father in Heaven.  There are things like inheritance, and love, and salvation, and compassion, and mercy. In fact, one of my favorite Scriptures of all time contains that little word “receive.”

1 Peter 2:9-10: “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. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” [HCSB]

Once we had nothing. Now we have everything in Christ Jesus our LORD. Once we were nothing. Now we are a chosen, royal, holy people who belong to Him. Once we existed in darkness, now we live in His marvelous light. And we did nothing to earn these things, nothing to deserve these things, we simply received them by faith in the Son of God.

Sweet mystery, sweet mystery, all I must do is receive!

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Moving On

by TerryLema

I was on staff at a church and working in a Hospice in California in 1993 when we pulled up stakes and moved to Idaho. California was taking a long time coming out of her current building recession and Bob was having a difficult time finding work and getting paid for the work he did find. He heard Idaho was booming at the time, it was the home state of our pastor, so off he went to check it out. In a matter of days, I was told we were moving to Idaho.

There was a gentleman in the church who came up to me and told me I should not go; it would leave a large hole in the church that could not be filled. I told him that he was wrong, that it would be like throwing a rock into a quiet pond. There will be some initial ripples, but soon the ripples disappear, and the pond becomes still again.

I doubt very much if you went back to that church today you would find more than just a small handful of people who even remember me, and the hospice I worked at would be the same.  People, organizations, even churches move on.

All that came flooding back to memory the other morning when I opened my daily verse. “For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them.” [Hebrews 6:10 HCSB]

That verse touched my heart deeply because I am facing another leaving. This time I am leaving “The Way” in Middleton, Idaho, at year’s end. This leaving is different in that I am not “going anywhere else.” I am not moving to another town, or another state or another ministry. I am moving to another time in life, exiting active ministry.

I pray I have provided the people of “The Way” with a strong scriptural foundation. I pray that even if they forget me, they will not forget the LORD who means everything to me.

I rest assured that even though people, organizations and churches move on, God has promised that He will not forget our love and our service. He will not forget anything we have done for Him! What a joyous promise! Amen.

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