Twelve Year Journey: Meditations for Reflection, Encouragement & Building Trust in God

By John Terhorst

A collection of Christian meditations which first appeared in “Trowel & Sword”, a publication of the Reformed Churches of Australia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781470991982

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First Edition

Published in 2022 by John TerHorst

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no part of this book may be reproduced by any process or in any form without prior written permission of the copyright owners.

ISBN 978-1-4709-9198-2

Also available in paperback

Bible quotations are from the

New International Version of the Bible,

unless otherwise stated.

Copyright © 1990 by the Zondervan Corporation.

Front cover design by Elizabeth Coleman

Photography by davecolemanphotography.com

Introduction / Explanatory Notes

The brief meditations/musings that follow first appeared in the now defunct monthly magazine, Trowel & Sword, a publication of what was then the Reformed Churches of Australia. The denomination now goes by the name, The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia. The references to dates and/or years of publishing have not been changed.

The journey began when I was requested to submit a monthly contribution with a focus on encouragement. Articles that people would find easy to read and reflect on. They were intended to stimulate faith in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. At that time, I was serving in my third congregation. My submissions continued through my fourth and fifth congregations. Each meditation concludes with a brief prayer.

The meditations/musings generally follow the order in which they first appeared, beginning sometime in the late 1990’s, and continued for about twelve years, or so. They have been slightly edited, only for ease of understanding. Not every submission of that time is included. I have added a Reflection, to some, encouraging a response to the original devotion.

The inspiration for this came from my wife Corrie, who presented me with an early edition of this work and prompted me to complete the work in this format.

I trust the meditations will remain to be a stimulus in your walk with the Lord.

John TerHorst

Encouragement - Whose Responsibility?

Many years ago, now, during a worship service one of our organists played a wrong note. So minor was the mistake, most of the congregation did not notice. But I did. As I glanced across to the organist, I was met by their momentary look, in my direction. We both smiled. Later, I asked myself, 'Why was that the only time, during the whole service, that our eyes met?' I put it down to this. It is easy to notice mistakes, and by way of comment or gesture, to let the other person understand that we noticed. Complimenting others for a task well done, does not come so easily. I too, should make a point of acknowledging the good work done by our organists and musicians.

Encouragement, whose responsibility is it anyway? Is it the task of only the Youth Elder to encourage the young? Are our ministers the 'all-round' encouragers? According to Romans 12:8, the ability to encourage is a gift which a person receives from God. In other words, it does not come automatically with a task people are elected to. Paul writes in chapter 12:6, We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. And the apostle does not refer to gifts in the natural realm. In other words, some people are by nature more suited to certain tasks. That is not Paul's concern here. He does not describe natural abilities, but specific gifts from God, according to the grace given us. Then in verse 8, he writes, if it is encouraging, let him encourage; ... The pronoun him is generic here. Women are also given that gift.

Well, that lets most of us 'off the hook'! When we believe we do not have the gift of encouragement, we then cannot be expected to encourage other people. Phew! That ought to deal with any lingering thoughts of guilt. Anyway, most of us are better equipped to notice deficiencies and mistakes. Therefore, we may safely assume that is our task in the Christian community. That we have the responsibility to point out where everybody else is wrong.

Sorry, I have some bad news. Without in anyway undermining the truth of what the Bible tells us in Romans 12, we ought also to consider such verses as 1 Thessalonians 5:11. It reads, Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. This is a charge to ALL God's people. This is what God expects from every child in His family.

How do we reconcile these two verses? If the ability to encourage is a specific gift given by God, how can the Bible command every believer to be a source of encouragement for others? Perhaps an example will help. Not everyone is gifted to teach. You may have discovered that after volunteering to lead a Sunday School class. Yet all of us are engaged in forms of teaching. Parents teach their own children. Young people teach one another during a Bible study at youth group. The same is true with regards to offering encouragement. One person I know springs to mind immediately when I think about those who have been gifted to encourage. But that does not exempt others.

In reality verses 10 and 11 are very closely linked. That is normally a safe assumption when a verse begins with the word, therefore. We read in verse 10, He died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another ... Offering encouragement to another person is not something vague like a cloud of hot air rising from a boiling kettle. In the verses mentioned above, the fact that Jesus died for us is to be the source and content of our encouragement. We remind another of it when their faith begins to waver. When their guilt over a particular situation shakes them like a young tree in a windstorm. When Satan wants them to believe not even Jesus could love them. When confidence in God's promises is slowly drained away like water through a small hole in a bucket. He died for us ... Therefore encourage one another ...

Encouragement - Whose responsibility? It is your responsibility, and it is my responsibility.

Prayer

Father, teach me to notice the good things people do, and compliment them on it. Teach me to be perceptive and offer a word of encouragement to those who seem discouraged. Amen.

Reflection

Why does finding fault come so naturally, while offering a word of praise so difficult? When was the last time you found fault? How can you encourage someone today?

The Ultimate Source of Encouragement

I was once given a Compact Disc, titled, Eric Clapton Unplugged, released by Reprise Records, a Time Warner Company. One of the songs on the C.D. has fascinated me ever since I heard it played on the radio, years earlier. The song is entitled, Tears in Heaven. I understand Eric Clapton wrote and dedicated the song to a son who had died. In that song he asks several questions about what it would be like, if he met his son in heaven. For example, he asks, Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven? Quite understandable, many of us have asked similar questions. Regularly, people ask me about our ability, or inability, to recognize people in heaven.

But the statement, by Eric Clapton, that has indelibly been imprinted on my mine is this one, I must be strong, and carry on, 'cause I know I don't belong in heaven. That last phrase he repeats twice over at the end of the song, ... 'cause I know I don't belong in heaven. The statement leads me to wonder at what exactly Eric Clapton understands by that. Namely, that he doesn't belong in heaven. I suppose I will never know. What I do know is that he is absolutely correct in his observation. He does not belong in heaven. Unless, yes unless he believes in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and accepts Him as the Lord of his life.

I have done that. I know many who read these lines have accepted that gracious, free gift as well. That is why we gladly confess, That I am not my own, but belong - body and soul, in life and in death - to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. (Lord’s Day 1 – Heidelberg Catechism) It rolls of the tongue as easily as water down a waterslide. However, the abundant richness of the concept 'belonging to God' never ceases to enthrall. Yet, as Christians we too are susceptible to the feelings of despondency. We still live in a broken world. The effects of sin, most real. The pain of our human-ness undeniable. The temptations to doubt and fear an ever- present reality. So, I would be surprised if you told me you have never known the experience of melancholy.

Let me suggest a remedy when discouragement rolls over you like fog on a winter's day. When it seems there is precious little light at the end of a tunnel of despair. At a Bible study meeting we attended at one time, we were contemplating the book of Ephesians. We began by looking at the verses 3-14 of chapter one. Well, the encouragement contained in these verses is as beautiful to the soul, as the Great Barrier reef is to the eyes.

As you read these verses slowly, the encouragement greets you like the embrace of a dearly loved friend. How wonderful is our God!

The apostle begins with a general principle in verse 3. This verse, in some ways, is like a kaleidoscope of resplendent lights and diverse colours, reminding believers that God has blessed them, with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Then he lists a few of those blessings. Allow their full impact to resound in your mind. Personally, selected by God before the beginning of time. Adopted into the same family as Jesus Christ. Perfect forgiveness of every single sin, unconditionally lavished upon the believer. Given the guarantee of God's love by means of the Holy Spirit. Being assured that there waits for every child of God, a home in the mansions of glory. Armitage Robinson suggests these verses are, ... like the preliminary flight of the eagle, rising and wheeling round, as though for a while uncertain what direction in his boundless freedom he shall take.

How phenomenal is the love of God for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! In the passage of Ephesians 1:3-14 we have the kernel of God's message to a fallen humanity. In the pages of the Bible we are indeed introduced to the ultimate source of encouragement. A God who loves us without conditions. A Father who desires only what is best for His children. This source of encouragement, offered without charge, will stifle every thought of discouragement. It will extinguish every flame of doubt. Unlike Eric Clapton, I know, that I belong in heaven! Belong in heaven not because I am so good, by the grace of God in His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus, the Messiah.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your word, which reminds us of Your immense love for us. When times of disillusionment cloud our thinking, highlight Jesus. When the storms of doubt hide your love, blow them away by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reflection

The Christian always has hope because of God’s love and promises, never let go of the hope God has placed in your heart.

Fragile - Handle with Care

It is a familiar image. Cardboard boxes with the words, Fragile - Handle with Care written boldly on all four sides. For us as ministers of the Word, and for our wives, it is an image that paints memories of moving. Some of our most loved and delicate items are packed in boxes so labelled, and we trust they will be intact when we open the box at our destination. You have them, and I have them, items which are delicate and precious. Items quickly damaged or disfigured when not treated with due care.

As I ponder that thought, it seems to me we would all benefit by having those words stamped on our foreheads, Fragile - Handle with Care. Human beings are fragile too. You and I, our spouse, our children, our parents, our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, are delicate and breakable. Paul Barnett once wrote, "Human life is short, its form easily defaced and its fabric destructible in a second. We need to be treated, and treat others, accordingly.

Saint Paul describes people as jars of clay. A familiar concept and characteristic of scriptural thought. In every place where the Bible uses that image it emphasizes the frailty of what it means to be human, finite, made from the dust of the ground. According to T.W. Manson, Paul drew his analogy from the small earthenware lamps which could be easily purchased in one of the many shops in Corinth. They were cheap and fragile. The whole point in 2 Corinthians 4 is to draw a startling contrast. Paul demonstrates the disparity between the brilliance and power of the Gospel message, and the frail unworthy vessels in which it dwells and through which it is revealed to the world. You and I are jars of clay, easily damaged or broken.

As is true in the realm of our physical being, so it is true in the realm of our spiritual and psychological being. We are fragile, easily damaged, and breakable. Conceivably the greatest threat to our spiritual and psychological well-being comes from a small, moist, pink, velvety looking muscle. This muscle, which is common to mankind, is more generally known as the 'tongue'. This single organ is variously described in the Bible as a scorching fire, or drawn swords. Something able to separate close friends when used inappropriately. James has, a world of evil among the parts of the body. Peter writes, For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

Interestingly the tongue, like bubble wrap purchased from the Post Office, is also capable of providing the greatest source of protection and preservation for our fragile egos. For example, The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, or, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Timothy is provoked by these words, but set an example for the believers in speech ... And the Christians at Ephesus are challenged Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

It requires the same amount of effort to encourage someone, as it does to criticise them. The former is more necessary. Our fragile beings receive more than their share of harsh, unloving criticism and unnecessary rebuke in day to day living. On occasions we are even carelessly dropped, exposing our spiritual and psychological being to the reality of serious damage. Let us remember, ... the tongue of the wise brings healing. Healing through an acknowledgement of what people do. The good they contribute to our lives. Healing through a word of encouragement for a job well done. Offering support is not restricted to a correct use of the tongue. An affirming smile, nod or wink for a child has great effect. For friends, a literal pat on the back, a firm handshake accompanied by a sincere 'thank you', or a warm embracing hug can often achieve even more than words.

We are but 'clay pots', sensitive, fragile, breakable. Like that treasured trinket we so carefully wrap for transport, let us enfold one another with the love that comes from some positive input.

Prayer

Father, surround me with people who love me, care for me, and treat me with gentleness and care. Also, help me to realise that I ought to be this kind of person for others. One through whom the Lord Jesus is portrayed. One who is Christ-like in speech and deed. Amen.

Reflection

It seems most people are insecure. Becoming a Christian does not automatically change that. Focusing on who we are in Christ, will help.

The Pain of the Perhaps

They sat quietly in the lounge room of their home. The morose silence was to a large extent, brought on by perceived guilt. Without speaking a word to each other about the thoughts they were contemplating, both were asking themselves the same question, Where did I go wrong? Patsy, their daughter, had grown up in a home with loving Christian parents. They weren't perfect, but mistakes were openly and honestly confessed, and forgiveness asked for from the person aggrieved. This was a rule they had insisted on, and mum and dad led by example. Apart from the normal sibling rivalries, the children had related well to one another. Ben, now twenty-one, was still active in the youth leadership team at their local church. Cathy, who turned seventeen last month, had started attending a public profession of faith class led by her pastor. She was following in the footsteps of her brother. But Patsy had never been particularly interested in the affairs of the church. The activities she had attended of late, were not by her own choice. Now she had come to a decision. No longer would she attend church services. Just as she left to go to her bedroom, she had told her parents that if God did exist, He certainly meant nothing to her. And as for her local congregation, well, the hypocrisy sometimes evident amongst them had been too great for her impressionable young mind to cope with.

The story above is fabricated. The names are fictitious. The pain of parents in similar circumstances however, is very real. It is a suffering that cuts deep to the inner being of every parent facing that type of rebellion. An anguish made all the more intent by feelings of guilt, often more perceived than real. I wonder what pain pulsated through the heart of Father-God when He cried out, Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: 'I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.'

If a parent's greatest delight is to hear one of their children confess Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, then a parent’s deepest anguish, is to hear one of their children deny any relationship with God what-so-ever. That pain has to be felt, to be understood.

It is good for parents to examine their relationships with their child/ren. After all, in one of our baptismal forms we read, It is the sacred duty of believing parents, aided by these great promises, to bring up their children instructing them in the fear of the Lord, by prayer and example of Christian living, and so by the Spirit of God lead them to conversion and faith. (p.182 Book of Forms – Christian Reformed Churches of Australia)

Do we then draw the conclusion that when children of believing parents turn their back on the church, it must be the parents fault? No! No, we do not. Neither do believing parents need to feel totally responsible for, and guilty when their child refuses God's love. Perhaps they are partially responsible, perhaps not at all. Parents therefore should continue to pray for such children daily, asking God to surround that child with His love. The wider Christian community also needs to constantly examine itself and its ways. The hypocrisy evident at times in our churches is unacceptable. The bickering over minor issues can have a lasting and detrimental effect on children. Local congregations need to be in constant prayer for those who are backsliding.

The child itself, of necessity, also needs to examine their personal responsibilities before God. Provided they have reached an age of discernment, they are accountable to God for their actions. And while at times it seems they do not take it very seriously; we should never underestimate the power of God's Holy Spirit.

What thoughts and promises ought to believe parents to cling to? Does the Scripture offer any solace to mums and dads of rebellious children? Let's remember the following: First, God is a God of families, as we read, The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call. Second, God is a God of the covenant. Our children, when baptised are children of the covenant. Third, if God can declare children of mixed marriages holy, is it too hard for Him to bring rebellious ones home again? I don't think it is!

Prayer

God of families, bless our rebellious children. Forgive them their sins. In love draw them constantly closer to your side. In faithfulness, hold them near forever, please. Amen.

Reflection

Trust in God’s amazing grace.

Our Golden Oldies

In an edition of the Reader's Digest, (July 1996), I read with interest an article titled, 'Exposing the Myth of the Generation Gap'. Not that I have ever been a great believer in this mystical, unexplainable, but apparently rigid Generation Gap. Yes, I do agree, the logic of some teenagers is at times difficult to comprehend. I cannot understand the words of songs they listen to. The things that entertain them I do not long for. I fail to grasp their sense of priorities. But then again, I have the same difficulty with some of my contemporaries, and some older folk too. On the odd occasion, I still stand amazed at the reasoning of the fairer sex. So, to believe in a Generation Gap has never been one of my strong points.

Our society however, driven by an out-of-control and non-accountable mass media, has different ideas. It seems quite willing to foster a Generational-Gap-Mentality by the sheer amount of focus on young people. It almost idolises the young, the energetic, the beautiful, the creative, the slim if you're a female, the strong if you're a male, the enthusiastic. Everything from wrinkle eliminating cream to sewing patterns is advertised by the young and for the young. An article in a recent edition of, Family Circle offers this overstated invitation, Be slim and healthy forever! - She did it and you can too.(are we to suppose the woman photographed has lived forever?) The implication of all this seems to be, all that is young and new must of necessity be good. All that is old, or senior, of necessity is antiquated, and irrelevant.

Is this mentality creeping into our churches? For example, the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia have a National Youth Worker, but would our Synod ever consider a National Seniors Worker? Some of our churches have/are calling youth workers, and the majority of us host annual Youth Services. Yet, how many Sessions would entertain the idea of a 'Golden Oldies Service'. Just imagine it, no new songs, all singing accompanied only by the organ, and the minister would lead the whole service. Yes, believe it or not, there was a time when that was the norm.

I do not make any judgement concerning the work for and consideration of our youth. Please understand that. These things are good in themselves. We ought not to underestimate the importance of young people. Many of them face pressures unknown to our older folk when they were at an equivalent age. Many of them are expected to have answers for which a couple of generations ago, we didn't realise there was a question. The temptations they face are many times multiplied compared to a few decades ago. Let's give our young people all the help and encouragement we can. This is not wrong. Not unless it comes at the expense of others, who ought to be equally important to us.

One group of people who may be overlooked in our busy schedules are the elderly. They ought not to be passed over when we hand out our parcels of encouragement. The majority of them sacrificed family and friends to carve out a new life in an unknown land. Many of them have given us a firm foundation on which to stand. They have given us a firm position from which we can develop and experiment. They have worked hard, (maybe too hard) and sacrificed much. We owe them a great debt.

They also made mistakes; they would be the first to admit that. At least the honest ones would. Some of them can even be stubborn, and a few of them are cranky. Some find it hard to cope with change, and a number will resist it because of the uncertainty it introduces into their lives. But we ought to love, and respect them anyway. Take the time to listen to them. Appreciate their input when it is offered. Acknowledge and encourage them during the sunset time of their lives. After all, Jesus' love for us is not dependant on how loving we are. Neither does He withhold His compassion till our mood is better. Jesus' kindness, and willingness to forgive is available freely to all who ask, whatever their circumstance, disposition, or age for that matter. And we are to model our life on that of our Lord.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank you for the wealth of experience and wisdom we can glean from our older folk. Thank you for their lives, and help us to love and respect them. And thank you for the enthusiasm of youth, help us to learn from both. Amen.

Reflection

Read 2 Timothy 1:5.

Is there someone for whom you can give thanks?

The Big Picture

The National Bank is airing a very clever set of television commercials at the moment. At least in parts of Victoria they are. I don't know about elsewhere. Although the storyline of the commercial varies, the theme is the same. Let me give you an example. A young married couple enters a terrace house. It becomes immediately apparent the house is undergoing major renovations. The couple are filmed walking amongst scaffolding and building materials. The look on their faces betrays a sense of discouragement. Once upstairs, the woman speaks. She says, 'It looks nothing like the plan', or something to that effect. Then, while both gaze out of the window, they see a sight which brings a smile to their faces. A man coming home to his renovated terrace house, his daughter greeting him at the gate. Then the following slogan is shown: Never lose sight of the bigger picture. Never lose sight of what you set out to achieve. While the scenery changes in a number of different advertisements, the same quote completes every commercial. Never lose sight of the bigger picture. Never lose sight of what you set out to achieve.

As Christians, you and I fall into an equivalent pitfall. That is, losing sight of the bigger picture. Sometimes, simply living from day to day consumes all our energy. Our responsibilities can drain from us all that we have to give. Even our involvement in Christian activity can conceal from us, the bigger picture. The worldly way of thinking does encourage us to plan for the future, financially. It does want people to think and organise for retirement. And many of us do. But even that view of life pales into insignificance with, the bigger picture. Did Jesus not say as much? We read, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Of course, we are to be financially responsible. Also, with a view to our future, our retirement perhaps. But, that is not the big picture!

The big picture is beautifully stated in question and answer one of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. We read, What is the chief end of man? And the answer, Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. [emphasis on forever is mine] That is the bigger picture, the wider angle, the panoramic view. Moses, in Psalm 90 compares our life on planet earth to that of a blade of grass, ... though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. (verse 6) But do not neglect the inspirational reality, we will live eternally. And live it with Jesus. Our real home, in a state of being where time is no more, is in the presence of Almighty God. Is with the Seraphim, and Cherubim praising the Saviour. There we shall walk on those streets of gold in the new Jerusalem. There we will sit down with our brothers and sisters in Christ, by the river of the water of life. That was, and remains, God's plan for every believer. It may be a plan Adam and Eve interrupted. But it is one God reset on its proper course, in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Being aware of the big picture, the full panorama, sets life here in its proper context.

'But there's more', as the popular saying goes. On our journey, and our preparations to thoroughly participate in, ... an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, is the following promise. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, Surely, with a God such as He, we are able to keep focussed. Not in our own strength, but in His. Nor because we keep this vision of eternity from blurring our sight, but because God is able, and willing.

Never lose sight of the bigger picture. Never lose sight of what you set out to achieve. The bigger picture is our eternity with God. What we set out to achieve, ultimately, is as Jesus commanded, But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

A Prayer

Dear Father, help us to take seriously our responsibilities here on this earth. However, help us also to never let that work push from our horizon, eternity with you. Amen.

Reflection

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

- Eph 3:14-17a

Virtues Have the Potential to Vitiate

The title seems self-contradictory. A virtue is something positive, a trait to esteem. On the other hand, to vitiate is to impair, pollute, or even corrupt. So how can something that is good, have the potential to pollute? Let me give you an example from my own life. I have only one arm. I lost my right arm in an accident in 1969. When people see me struggle with a particular activity, many offer to help. That is good. It is an act of kindness (a virtue) on their part. However, they can abuse their kindness. Some people are so 'kind' that they insist on doing things for me, things I can do for myself,