Romelia Adams is wife of the late Tom Adams, a longtime pastor and Director of Missions in Illinois. She is the mother of the Executive Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association, Nate Adams. Romelia does freelance writing and published a book of Tom Adams’ articles from the ILLINOIS BAPTIST called SPEAKING OUT. To contact any writer send an email to edhandkins7@bellsouth.net .
You can check your "church health" on the "Health" page at www.edhandkinsministries.com.
October 21 Viewpoint Matters
He (God) performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 9:10 NIV
Today’s Readings Job 9, 10 Acts 13, 14
Job has just listened to the counseling of his friends. Job’s viewpoint of God is totally different from theirs. Job’s friends were reflecting the cultural ideas of the day. They believed misfortune or illness was the result of sin in one’s life.
Job’s idea of God was higher and loftier than his friends in spite of his personal pain and loss. He described God: “He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on waves of the sea.” Job 9:8.
My husband and I were driving in the Smoky Mountains, driving east from Ridgecrest down the long modern highway. Tom wearily asked, “When will we start going downhill?” I was startled. “But we ARE driving downhill!” He would not agree, no matter how much I tried to show him on the side of the highway that we were going downhill.
I became quite concerned that something was desperately wrong with him. Why could he not discern that we were driving downhill?
When Tom and I arrived home he went to an eye specialist who diagnosed scar tissue on the retina of one eye, which was causing him to lose his depth perception, and eventually sight in that eye.
When I was a child a popular book, Pollyanna, told the story of a little girl who changed an entire town with her positive outlook on life. Later our culture used her name, usually unfavorably, as a term meaning unrealistic and out of touch with life.
Sometimes our experiences, our pain, our sorrow or loss, acts like scar tissue on our viewpoint or perception. Unlike Pollyanna, we see things negatively. Our bitterness makes us see things through a dark film of despair. It affects our thoughts about others and our confidence in God.
Philip Yancey has said he needs the corrective vision of prayer because he loses sight of God’s perspective. I ask myself if more faithful prayer would change my vision?
Prayer: “Lord, create in me a positive outlook. Let me view my world as God sees it. Remove the scar tissue from my vision. Take all bitterness from my heart. Let me honor you with my outlook on life.”
Romelia Adams
October 22 In God’s Hands
For the life of every living thing is in His hand, and the breath of all humanity. Job 12:10 NLT
Today’s Readings Job 11, 12 Acts 15, 16
The day was a hot and sticky day in late July in West Kentucky. A young woman and her husband had come to her parents’ home in the Fredonia Valley just before the birth of their first child. The doctor had been summoned on the party line phone, but he had not arrived when the time came. That was July 31st; the day God granted me life. My Grandmother Koon saved my life, I am told, by quick thinking and removing the dangerous mucous threatening my breathing. As Job said in Job 10:12, “You have granted me life and favor and in your providence watched over my spirit.”
The country doctor arrived later and provided assistance, but he forgot to record the birth of this first granddaughter. Records in the two counties running through the farm’s rich lands were searched. There was no birth recorded. I do not have a birth certificate. I could not get one through normal processes. I am working with other means to get one, however.
I have never met anyone named “Romelia”. However, when I go online there are many others who have this name. They are in almost all cases in the Hispanic community. It offers a different outreach to new friends when I am asked about my name! My Mother thought she was making up the name. (That is another story!)
I am glad to know that God knows who I am. He even knows which Romelia I am. God has provided for me even without a birth certificate. He never forgets even the smallest of His creatures. “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are more valuable to him than they are.” Matt.6: 26.
Job was confident of God’s care. Even in Job’s pain and confusion he said,” Your hands shaped me and made me….clothed me with skin and flesh…” (Job10: 8 NKJV) and the Psalmist adds, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”(Ps. 139:14 NKJV)
Prayer: “Lord, thank You for Your care and for preserving my life. Thank You for Your love that provided salvation for me. Forgive me for the times my pride crowded You out. Let me only walk in the way You have planned for my life.” Romelia Adams
October 23 Following God’s Plan
And he (Paul) came to Ephesus, and left them (Aquila and Priscilla) there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. Acts 18:19 NKJV
Today’s Readings: Job 13, 14 Acts 17, 18
Paul had wanted to go to Ephesus before, but was forbidden by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6). Sometimes we feel sure we know God’s will, but it does not open or is blocked as Paul’s route was blocked for a time.
Graduation Day had arrived at Southern Seminary for Tom and me. I was expecting our first child in four months. Both sets of our parents had come to rejoice with us. It was a time of celebration except for one thing. We were due to vacate our seminary apartment. We had no job to earn a living. I could no longer teach because it was not allowed past the fourth month.
We were ready to go to a church field, but no one had called. Tom was registered in the seminary placement list, as were many other graduates, but still no interview. We had two rooms of furniture and no place to put it. No place for us to live either.
This was a time of testing and questioning for us. It was a time when we asked God, “Why?” In tears we moved out of the apartment, stored the furniture in my parents’ garage, put out more resumes, and prayed. Could we have misinterpreted God’s call? We had no other resource except to depend on God. We had little money so we could not even rent an apartment or buy groceries. Our savings and my salary were almost gone.
When we had come to the end of trying every lead, there came a call for Tom to supply. He had preached at this church for the Kentucky Temperance League during seminary days a time or two. That pastorate was offered to him and we moved to our first church field after seminary. It was a small mining village in Western Kentucky. There was a small parsonage and a loving people. We were indeed blessed. God had provided a place for service… in His timing.
We never forgot that God has a place of service for each of His servants. Sometimes we must come to the end of our own resources and aspirations to completely turn it over to God. Perhaps we have to realize that only God can do it.
Job believed God loved him even in his troubles. We can keep on trusting God even when He permits us to have disappointment and trouble. Through nearly 55 years God never failed to provide for us. And now He continues to provide for me.
Prayer: “Lord, let me depend completely on Your plans for my day. Calm my heart when I feel there is no help. Remind me that You cared for me each day until this day. I want to feel Your peace about each of my problems today. Thank You for the assurance that You care for me.”
Romelia Adams
October 24 God’s Miracles
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul… Acts 19:11. NKJV
Today’s Readings: Job 15 Acts 19, 20
The important part of this verse is the subject of the sentence: “Now GOD worked unusual miracles.” Do we forget what God can do with one man or one woman?
Early this morning I heard a truck at the side of my house in the neighbor’s drive. I watched from my kitchen window as a large truck backed to the neighbor’s back door. Then one man got out of the truck, unfolded a lift electronically, ran a heavy band under a stack of pallets and attached it to the lift. Then, almost with one hand, he lifted the entire pile of pallets. With one swift action he moved them off the truck to the neighbor’s yard. Then he did another pile and another.
Calmly this young man folded his lift, reattached the cables, and backed out of the driveway. Unbelievable! One man with electronic assistance! Unbelievable!
It occurred to me that God did many miracles in the Book of Acts that could never have happened with Paul alone. Paul was an unusual man, but alone he was just a man.
God does miracles today all around us. Do you and I miss giving God the credit because we look at the man or woman whom we can see? One young woman in our area has changed her last name to “Healer”, claiming the gift to be her own.
Recently a falling tree injured our son, Carey, during an ice storm. He survived a fractured C-1 vertebrae, transport by a car to the hospital, and other circumstances, by the grace of God. Many people prayed for him, but it was only God’s healing power. The miracle of life and freedom of movement are from God. We knew without a doubt it was God’s grace and His plan for Carey’s life that spared him.
Perhaps harder to recognize are the miracles that are not what we humanly would choose. My cousin, Beth, a Down’s syndrome child has lived into her fifties. She is a beautiful, loving person. She is a blessing to those around her. Her family has honored God in her care. Has it been difficult? Very difficult. This is also God’s miracle.
Can we give thanks to God in all circumstances? Paul said in Acts 17:25 NIV: “He (God) gives to all life, breath and all things.”
Prayer: “Lord, give to me the understanding I need. For all other things I do not understand, give me the faith to trust in Your wisdom. Thank You for the blessings of life and health. Praise Your name for all You have given.”
Romelia Adams
October 25 God’s Gift: Pain
And all the city was disturbed and the people ran together, seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. Acts 21:30 NKJV
Today’s Readings: Job 16 Acts 21, 22, 23
We read only a day or two ago, in Acts 16, how Paul was beaten with rods in Philippi. And when they had beaten Paul and Silas with many stripes they were thrown into prison. Paul was acquainted with pain.
In yesterday’s readings Job, a righteous man, is suffering. In Job 15, Eliphaz says, “The wicked man writhes with pain all his days.” Maybe his theology was wrong, but human beings are acquainted with pain.
Dr. Paul Brand, a missionary doctor, did extensive research into pain as a part of leprosy. His book, The Gift of Pain: Why We Hurt and What We Can Do About It, presents pain as a gift from God. He tells story after story of children and adults who suffer because they cannot feel pain. These people are terribly handicapped because they injure themselves over and over since pain does not warn them of injury. Sometimes little children chew off their fingers and toes since they do not know it hurts. The value of pain that becomes clearest is when it is absent.
Often our suffering, or the suffering of others, blinds us to the reality that the sovereignty of God is working out His good. Pain is another gift from God. Those who suffer with chronic pain in their lives, often suffer in isolation. Pain can draw one closer to God or it can cause the sufferer to withdraw and blame God.
We felt blessed that Tom, my husband, did not suffer great pain during his battle when cancer had metastasized into the bones. However, we did not recognize his massive heart attack in the hours before we went to the hospital because he did not experience the warnings of pain. We look for pain to tell us something is wrong.
If pain is part of your daily life, look to the Lord to help you deal with it. I found music to help me during long night hours. Prayer is a precious resource when pain overwhelms me, also.
During a time of intense pain in my life, a friend gave me the gift of being willing to have me call her anytime the pain was very intense. I did call her and she prayed with me on the phone. Is this something you could offer to do?
Prayer: “Lord, help me work through the pain in my body. Teach me to lean on You for relief. Allow me to glorify Your name in spite of any suffering. May my every breath praise You even in the midst of pain. Thank You for the way You have formed my body, including the ability to feel pain.” Romelia Adams
October 26 Sin Imprisons
And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29 NIV
Today’s Readings: Job 17 Acts 24, 25, 26
The walls of the gray limestone structure rose high above the streets of my hometown. It looked much like the castles along the Rhine River in Germany. However, it was the Kentucky State Prison for maximum security. About 1,000 men were incarcerated there.
We lived next door to the Assistant Warden’s family. It was a good distance away from the prison. One of the prisoner’s, called a trustee, worked in the home of our neighbor. They called him a “houseboy” and he served the family, cared for the children sometimes and did household work. We children who played with the warden’s children came to know and trust this large Negro man, although we only knew his nickname. We knew him as “Madison” (Not the real name he used) which was the name of his hometown.
Every night Madison had to return to his cell in the prison. Every night he heard the cell door lock behind him. So the freedom he had during the day was not real freedom. It was only a few hours of limited release.
I learned that Madison was a murderer. Our gentle friend had been angered when he found another man with his wife. He chased the man away. He threw a stick of firewood at the retreating figure. It hit him in the head and killed him. The prison sentence was long and unrelenting.
Sin in our lives imprisons us. When we hide it or suppress it, we are burdened within and without every day and night. It is there again in the morning. Only by confessing to God can we receive a complete pardon. God will blot out all our sin. He will break its hold over us.
Job says, “My offenses would be sealed up in a bag, and you (God) will cover over my sin.” Job 15:17 NIV.
Isaiah said, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him.” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
And again: “He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we were healed!” Isaiah 53:5 NLT
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank You for all You have done for me. Thank You for loving me even when I was hateful and unkind. Thank You for music that calms my spirit and reminds me of the Holy Spirit within me. Thank You for bearing my sins on the cross.” Romelia Adams
October 27 Looking Forward
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His dominion. Psalm 114:1-2 NKJV
Today’s Readings: Job 18 Psalms 114
Acts 27, 28
Have you ever seen a clock run backwards? Have you seen its hands move from 2 p.m. to 1 p.m. to 12 Noon? I have just seen this with my own eyes. The owner tells me the crazy clock is malfunctioning. It sets me to thinking: What if we could go backwards in time? Would we want to do this?
I remember in the story of Israel in the wilderness that they cried to go back to Egypt with its onions, cucumbers and meat. You can read the story in Numbers 11.
Our verse today is from a Passover Psalm. It tells of Israel moving forward to an intimacy with their God. This verse seems to forecast a time when God dwells in the hearts of His people in the days when Jesus came.
From the time I married Tom at age 21, until his death last year I was a pastor’s wife, wife of a missionary, mother, homemaker, and sometimes school librarian. I felt my calling from the Lord was to support Tom in his ministry.
Suddenly when Tom went to be with the Lord, the greatest challenge of my life was my own identity. “Who am I?” I asked the Lord, “What do I do now?” “After 55 years, who am I without Tom?”
Added to these questions were the increasing limitations that arthritis imposed on my mobility. As I sought answers every day, God’s presence was so real. The warmth of His promises enfolded me. I prayed to be useful still. Day by day God met my needs. Amazing things began to happen. New contacts began coming to me. Neighbors with whom I had not had much contact came to me. New friends came into my life. I had openings to tell them how God was meeting my needs.
One night about twenty-five people from my church, Calvary Baptist, came to clear, plant, mulch, and beautify my lawn. My neighbors noticed and asked about the people who were there. I was able to tell them of my loving church and invite them to go with me.
Time cannot go backwards. Israel complained against God and begged for the foods of their past. They were granted their cravings. God provided lots of meat. But they were severely punished. Many lost their lives. (Numbers 11:33)
Let us not crave the “good old days” but look to what God has for us ahead.
Prayer: “Lord, let me walk with You into the days ahead. Let me find the paths of obedience. May I see with Your eyes the opportunities before me. Thank You for my life before, with Tom and the children but let me not grieve for days gone by. Fill me with Your joy that others may see You in me.” Romelia Adams