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Knock

“Keep It Up!” Day 9

by TerryLema January 26, 2023

Matthew 7:7-12, part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount could be described by just three words, “Keep It Up!

We are to keep asking, keep seeking (searching), keep knocking. The promise that accompanies those exhortations is, “Everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches (seeks) finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” [vs 8 HCSB]

I remember once as a Hospice Chaplain I was called in to be with a mother whose young daughter died suddenly. She asked what each of us would ask, “Why?”

When her pastor arrived, she continued to ask her question, and his response was that as Christians we are not to ask why.  A few days later she showed up at my office and told me she could not seem to stop asking why, but she also could not talk to her pastor about it. After we talked for a while, I told her to keep asking God to either tell her why this happened or take away her need to ask.

She came back more than a year later and told me that God did not answer her why question, but about a month prior she realized she no longer needed to know why.

Sometimes when we ask, search and knock, we do not get exactly what we expect, but we get something equal or better from God.  The thing is not to quit.

I really need to think about this today. When I pray, “Am I quitting too soon?”

January 26, 2023 0 comment
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Delight

by TerryLema July 17, 2022

What a delight this morning to find two of my favorite passages in my Bible Reading Plan. The first is one most familiar to anyone who knows me well. It is found in Exodus 33.

This chapter follows the incident with the Golden Calf when Moses was on the mountain with God. God’s anger burned against Israel for their idolatry. Moses interceded for the nation and God told them He would withhold His presence from them but would send an angel to lead them into the Promised Land.

Wow, an angel to lead them! Most of us would be quite satisfied with an angel leading us along the way, but Moses was not. He simply ignored God’s announcement of the angel and said, “You have not let me know whom You will send with me.” [33:12 HCSB]

Then begins what is a marvelous portrayal of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7, what is known as the “Ask, Seek, Knock” passage. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.” [NKJV]

First Moses Asks: “Please teach me Your ways ….”  God responds: “My presence will go with you ….” [33:12-14 HCSB]

Next Moses Seeks: “If Your presence does not go … don’t make us go up from here.” God responds: “I will do this very thing you have asked ….” [33:15-17 HCSB]

Last, Moses Knocks: “Please let me see Your glory.” God responds: “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you …” [33:17-19 HCSB]

Glorious! But did you notice the progression Moses made?  First, He asks to be taught God’s ways. Then He seeks God’s presence with Him as He obeys God to lead the people. Last, He wants to see God’s glory.

We have to first learn God’s ways before we can dwell in His presence. Finally, in His presence we will abide in His glory. 

July 17, 2022 0 comment
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Knocking, LORD!

by TerryLema September 4, 2021

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches (seeks) finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” [Matthew 7:8 HCSB]

Every now and again I go back to the book of Exodus and read my favorite chapters (32-34). I love God’s invitation given to Moses to intercede for the mutinous Israelites in Chapter 32.

Then in Chapter 33, Moses gives us a perfect illustration of Jesus’ invitation to ask, seek and knock. (You can read the passage in Exodus 33:12-23.)

Moses asks: “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”

Moses seeks: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?”

Moses knocks: “Now show me your glory.”

Moses asks to be taught the ways of the LORD so that he might always please Him. Moses seeks to have the LORD’s presence with him no matter where he goes. And finally, Moses knocks to have all the glory of the LORD shown to Him.

Moses gives us a perfect example of Jesus’ promise that if we ask, we shall receive (God’s leading and favor); if we seek, we shall find (His presence); and, if we knock, the door to the glory of God will be opened to us.

Never stop asking. Never stop seeking. Never stop knocking.

September 4, 2021 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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