Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions
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Blessing

The Hits Keep Coming

by TerryLema August 16, 2023

How often we hear the phrase, “And the hits just keep on coming!”

I got curious about the origin of that phrase. It originally meant that someone had a series of hit songs or that a radio station kept playing the hits songs. It now has evolved into different meanings depending on the context or tone. It can mean, “one bad thing after another is happening,” or “one good thing after another is happening.”

I talked to someone recently that was experiencing the negative of that phrase. One thing after another challenging life and emotional stability. It is difficult when one problem compounds upon another, when one loss follows another.  But those times do happen in this world—one wave of tribulation following another.

As disciples of Christ Jesus, we can, however, experience the positive of that phrase. Blessing upon blessing.

David, in Psalm 23, wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.”

The NLT expands that last phrase, “my cup overflows with blessings.”

I think that is exactly what David meant. Our cup overflows with the blessings of the LORD. Yes, in Christ Jesus, “the [good] hits just keep on coming.” Amen & Amen.

August 16, 2023 0 comment
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Blessing in Discipline

by TerryLema November 30, 2022

I was complaining the other day and a bit ungrateful. I made the mistake of voicing that to a friend. I should have simply taken my frustration to the LORD.  I needn’t have worried that God would miss my attitude, however. He did not. Before I went to bed that night, I had to get right with Him. I repented and asked forgiveness. He gave it, then helped me to change my attitude the next morning.  Perhaps that is why this next blessing is so important.

“Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of trouble….” [Ps 94:12-13]

“How Happy!” we are in the midst of discipline. Most of us would shout “Not!” at the end of that statement.

Discipline isn’t usually something that we associate with happiness. And yet, when discipline is received correctly, when we allow ourselves to learn what God wants to teach us, discipline can create happiness in us.

The psalmist tells us how that happiness takes shape after discipline … it becomes “relief from days of trouble.” 

God was gracious to me the other day. He did not allow that ungratefulness to linger in my life. He did not allow it to take root and bring deeper and more lasting problems. In the space of a few hours, He grabbed my attention, poured out a spirit of godly sorrow over my actions, and brought forgiveness to me.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing me in discipline, for restraining my wayward ways and bringing me relief from days of trouble. Amen.

November 30, 2022 0 comment
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Blessing in Praise

by TerryLema November 29, 2022

If there is anything that being blessed should do in us, it should be to cause us to become people of joy and praise, people who exalt in who God is and what God does.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.” [Ps 89:15-16]

“Acclaim” in the original language indicates a roar of joy or a battle-cry (KJV joyful noise) – both fit the Christian walk. I love to hear the saints of God worship and praise their Savior. I love to see hands in the air, hear the clapping and shouts, singing and joy.  There is something that ministers deeply in us when we rejoice.

The psalmist reminds us that we are to rejoice in the Name of the LORD all day long! It is not just a Sunday-Morning-Go-To-Meeting rejoicing. We exult God in every situation and setting.

Often when I drive somewhere, I pray that when I arrive I might be a good Christian witness. I pray whatever I do I will do in the strength of the LORD through my day. Then I rejoice. And when I rejoice, I sense God’s presence with me. My car, my home, my walk become filled with the praises of God, those “How Happy!” (blessed) shouts of joy.

Thank you, LORD, I am blessed to praise You and rejoice in You. Amen.

November 29, 2022 0 comment
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Blessing in Being Near

by TerryLema November 28, 2022

Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.” [Ps 65:4]

“How Happy!” (Hebrew: ‘esher) are those you bring near.  Is that not the goal of every true Christian – to be “near” to God. David, in writing this song, reminds us that being near to God fills us with the good things of God’s house, the good things of God’s holy temple.

When David wrote about the good things of God’s house, God’s holy temple, Solomon’s magnificent temple had not yet been built. The Ark of God dwelt in a tent. David must have understood that “the good things of God’s house” was the very presence of God Himself.

The writer to Hebrews wrote: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith….” [Heb 10:19-22]

When the writer of Hebrews spoke of the Most Holy Place, he, too, was not looking at an earthly temple. He was looking to that heavenly house which was opened to us by the blood of our Savior and Lord.  He too, understood that the “good things of God’s house” was the presence of God Himself.

“How Happy!” we are that God has chosen to bring us close to Him. When our sin blocked entrance into His presence, He, Himself, came and opened the way for us to be near to Him.

Thank you, Lord, I am blessed to be near to You. May I always seek the good things I find in You. Amen.

November 28, 2022 0 comment
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Double Blessing

by TerryLema November 27, 2022

I think I will spend the remainder of November thinking about the blessings we have in God. So why not start with a double blessing day?

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” [Ps 32:1-2]

The word for “blessed” is ‘esher in the Hebrew. It could simply be described as “How Happy!”

“How happy!” we are when our sins are forgiven and covered.  John reminds us that “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:9]

God is faithful to us. He forgives all our sins in Christ Jesus. They are covered by the blood shed by God’s very Son on that cross nearly 2000 years ago. Forgiven. I can think of no greater blessing than to know that because of Jesus, nothing now stands between my Father God and me.

“How happy!” we are when the LORD does not count our sins against us ever again. I have often heard it said that the LORD will both forgive and forget our sins. How can the All-Knowing God forget anything?

When we say that God forgets our sins, it means exactly what the Psalmist says here. God does not count them against us. Once they are forgiven in Christ, they are gone. We need never worry that one day God will remind us of them or change His mind and condemn us because of them.

Maybe the blessing that is at least equal to or possibly greater than having my sins forgiven in Christ is that assurance that they are forever buried in His love, never to be resurrected.

November 27, 2022 0 comment
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In the Morning!

by TerryLema November 10, 2022

How delightful that Psalm 4, which speaks of our prayers in the night, is followed by Psalm 5, our prayers in the morning!  “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice. In the morning I plead my case to you and watch expectantly.” [vs 3 HCSB]

The early morning hours are often when I hear God’s voice best. They are also times when I am comfortable, with little or no pain. I stay snuggled in bed, trying to stall having to rise and face the day. I am like David in that I “watch” or “wait” expectantly for God to speak to me.

If you read Psalm 5 today, you will find three things that should thrill your soul and make you want to shout in praise.  They are abundant love (vs 7), blessing (vs 12a), and favor (vs 12b).

Abundant Love (Multitude of Mercies as some render it). “I enter your house by the abundance of your faithful love.” God’s love, His mercies, are more than can be numbered. That is exactly what keeps us day to day. His mercies are great, they renew every morning. His love is too much to even comprehend.

We see His abundant love, multitude of mercies, in the enormous sacrifice made by our LORD and Savior so that we might one day have entrance into the very presence of God Almighty.

Blessing. “For You Lord bless the righteous one .…” In Scripture blessing usually connotes preference, happiness, God’s approval. It is difficult to define, but it is so wonderful to experience that security found in the “blessings” of our LORD. Blessings come to the righteous not because they are morally excellent, but because Christ Jesus, the sinless One, took our sin upon Himself so that “we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” [2 Corinthians 5:21]

Favor. “You surround him with favor like a shield.” Favor means goodwill, delight, acceptance. Might we say, “Grace?” It is all because of God’s Amazing Grace!

Thank you, LORD. Today our praise focuses on Your Abundant Love for us that brings us into Your presence. We thank you for your blessings and favor to us. Amen

November 10, 2022 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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