Glory of God Archives - Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions

2 Chronicles 5 records the things that happened when Solomon’s Temple was completed. Solomon brought all the items David had consecrated into the temple treasury. He then assembled the elders and brought the Ark of the Lord’s Presence to its home in the temple. The musicians and the singers were also called. They raised their voices and began to praise the LORD. Their song was simply, “He is good; His love endures forever.”

What happened next always thrills me: “Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.” [vs 13-14 NIV]

Every Sunday we carry the presence of the Lord into our churches. Routinely we sing and praise Him. I have sensed the Lord’s presence in our worship services at The Way, as I have in worship services in other settings. But I so yearn to see the glory of the Lord fill us – since we are God’s temple now – fill us so perfectly that we cannot stand nor minister. [1 Cor 3:16]

I want to see the glory and the power of God knock us off our feet. Our problems and struggles, our opposition in this day and time are great. The enemy is unleashing attacks against us since he knows that with each passing day his time is getting shorter and shorter. I know that God promises that when evil increases, grace will increase even more. I know those things; I still want to see God’s grace, His glory, His power in such measure that we are on our faces before Him, so enthralled and awestruck that we can do nothing but surrender to His presence.

LORD, I want to see You. Amen.

Ah, I have come to the end of my reorientation in Colossians Chapter 3 (that place I run to when it seems I have diverted my walk with God from what it should be.) The verse that ends my path here is one that you will see as part of my signature on my emails. It is the verse I have tried to live out every day. I do not always succeed, but I never stop trying.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [Colossians 3:17]

I discovered this verse shortly after I was saved and began reading my Bible. I was young and wanted so to be used of God. I told God – “anything, just ask.”

Through a series of events, I ended up volunteering at the Christian School my children attended. They had no cafeteria, so every Thursday, I would come in with a helper or two and in a very tiny (think miniscule) kitchen area off the teacher lounge, I would cook hundreds of hot dogs. I had already baked hundreds of cupcakes and bought chips and drinks. We would sell the lunch for what it cost to make.

I became known as the “hot dog lady.” It was not exactly what I pictured when I told God “anything, just ask.”

Then I came to realize that as those little children passed by my table to get their lunches, I was privileged to give them a hug or a smile or ask about how things were going. When I showed up for Sunday or mid-week services, they would come running to hug the “hot dog lady.”

Have I done greater things since then? Possibly. Maybe in the world’s eyes. But have I done greater things since then in God’s eyes? I doubt it. I was the “hot dog lady” because God asked me to be. I did it in Jesus’ name, and to His glory, giving thanks to God the Father for the opportunity to serve.

It may have been the best thing I ever did.

Glory of God

I Want to See Him!

Whatever You Do!