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Disappointments

See Me Through

by TerryLema May 6, 2022

I wrote yesterday about how I enjoy reading and contemplating Romans 5:1-5.  I hope you took the time to also read it and that it spoke to you.  Sometimes it is good to not just read through a paragraph in Scripture, but to look at the individual words and think about each word, or combination of words.

In that paragraph, you will find faith, hope, and love.  You will come across rejoicing and suffering.  Did you notice the Trinity?  God the father. Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit.

My focus kept coming back to verse 5: “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  [HCSB]

My thoughts centered on the hope that does not disappoint.  I’ve lived 75 years and I must acknowledge that there have been many disappointments in my life.  Many times my expectations have not come to pass.  Too many times people have disappointed me.  I’ve been disappointed in employers, church, friends, products, vacations, locations, you name it.  Disappointments abound in this world.

But Paul’s emphasis here is on “the hope” that does not disappoint.  That hope is born out of suffering; it is produced when suffering is approached correctly.  That hope does not disappoint, Paul says, “because God” … because God in the midst of our suffering poured out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

I can look back on these 75 years and admit there have been many disappointments.  I can look back and see the times when suffering seemed to be the norm rather than the exception.  But I can also look back and see the times that God simply picked me up and set me on His lap and held me close.  I can hear His whispers that He was with me, that this too shall pass.  

 Those were special times, and they produced a hope that whatever suffering might arise, God’s love will see me through.

 

May 6, 2022 0 comment
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Disappointments

by TerryLema January 3, 2022

I wonder how many people were hoping that 2021 would end better than 2020. If they were, they may have been a bit disappointed.

I know I entered 2021 anticipating that the v- and fear-pandemic would decline around the country and the world. Instead, it developed variant after variant, people I knew died, the media and science and politicians each tried to assert their own view. We were fed truths and falsehood and had to try to determine which was which. That was not easy. (Still isn’t!)

I also experienced a few personal disappointments that I need to reconcile in my heart. Suddenly, as I am beginning the new year, the first part of Romans 5 has become more vital for my life. Promises such as “declared righteous by faith” and “peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ” have become promises to cling to daily.

But it is those words in verses 3-6 that truly hit every day living “…we rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.”

Paul reminds us that “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.” [HCSB]

Our hope in God’s love does not disappoint us – unlike the events we experience in the world. God’s hope is a steady, secure, proven hope. It was proven at the cross … for while we were still helpless (and I don’t know about you, but I am still helpless apart from Christ Jesus) … Christ died for us (the ungodly).

Knowing that means that despite the disappointments found in this life, we can (and should) rejoice daily in the hope of God’s proven love! A great reminder for a new year!

January 3, 2022 0 comment
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Disappointments Abound …

by TerryLema November 9, 2020

Last Wednesday we received disappointing news. We have not seen our California son and his family in almost a year, since last Christmas season. We planned to have them here for Thanksgiving, but because of COVID-19 in their state and in our ours, that expectation was crushed. We are hoping to see them for Christmas, but with all that is going on in our world, that too might not happen.

Disappointments abound this year. “Disappointment” just might be the word to describe all of 2020. Everyone in some way has struggled with disappointment, whether in families, employment, school, politics, sports, or health. Nothing seems to be the way we like it; everything seems to be fraught with frustrations, griefs, loss, and hopelessness.

Still, from the Christian, rejoicing and praise should abound. David prayed in the morning in Psalm 5. He began his day by lifting his voice to the LORD. He noted his enemies, but he then took great comfort in God’s care.

“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever. May You shelter them, and may those who love Your name boast about You. For You, Lord, bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield.” [Psalm 5:11-12 HCSB]

We have a refuge and a shelter in our LORD. He surrounds us with favor amid disappointments and challenges. Because of God’s care for us, we are to shout for joy forever.

I anticipate that Thanksgiving this year will be a mixture of sadness (at not seeing our son and his family) and joy (because of the family we have here) … and because the LORD is our shelter and shield, I will rejoice! Even if it be with tears. Amen.

November 9, 2020 0 comment
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2020 Disappointments Abound, but…

by TerryLema July 18, 2020

Disappointments in this life abound. We think something good is going to happen, or something bad is going to be averted, and then the exact opposite of what we expect is what takes place. This year, 2020, has certainly proved that to be true. Teens who worked all their young lives to see high school graduation were disappointed. People who owned businesses that were growing, or flourishing were stunned with the economic hit of the virus-and-fear pandemic. People who planned on enjoying their old age found their lives cut short.

The second half of 2020 does not look much better. Schools may not open, churches are still being bombarded with directives, the virus does not appear to be retreating. Businesses are still struggling. Colleges are deciding how to open and what to do about their sports programs. Truly, disappointments abound.

One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Romans is chapter 5. Paul begins by reminding us of our righteousness by faith, peace with God, and access to grace through our LORD Jesus Christ. Then he reminds us that “we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.” [v2-4 CSB]

“This hope,” Paul tells us, “will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” [v5 CSB]

Three times hope is mentioned in those first five verses. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Afflictions produce much if we allow them, ending in the final product, which is hope. And this hope (both produced by affliction and resting in the glory of God) will not disappoint us.

Life disappoints, but God’s love poured out in our hearts will not. God loves us. He gave us His Spirit to indwell us and one of the primary functions of God’s Spirit in us is to constantly remind us that we are children of a loving, giving, All-Powerful Father. Everything in life may be unsteady, may lead to disappointments, but the hope we have in God, combined with His abundant love for us, will never disappoint. He proves that to us now; He will prove that to us throughout eternity.  Amen

July 18, 2020 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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