ENCOURAGEMENT | Terri's Wellspring

Our Vision – While it is Day!

13 11 2014

We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light. John 9:4-5 MSG

We are so thankful for the opportunity that comes with a new day, a new week. Vision, goals and plans continue to be on my heart and mind. The Lord is so faithful to provide inspiration, ideas and resources to point us in the right direction. Our Heavenly Father provides “God ideas” that compel us to move us forward. We may feel a little unsure if it is the right idea but if God has put it on your heart it is time to step out on faith. Do the research, collect the information, make the call, and register for the class. Do something that moves you closer to your goal. I heard one minister say that if we make the initial steps the idea starts moving toward you. You begin to hear about opportunities. God sends people in our path to make the needed connections. It does require action on our part. It requires us to step out on faith and to do it now. Time continues to march on and it seems that things are moving at even a faster pace. We have “to be energetically at work” doing the work of the Lord, while it is day.

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Tags: John 9:4-5
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Seeking His Face

10 11 2014

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; I Chronicles 16:10-12

We can make a conscious decision to seek the face of the Lord. Our desire is to be close to Him and to dwell in the center of His will for our lives. He is our Heavenly Father that loves us and orders our steps along our journey. Seeking His presence through prayer and praise provides a vital connection with the author and finisher of our faith. We seek to know His word that provides careful instruction and shares the powerful narrative for His love for us. He loves us and we desire to be closer to Him. Seeking Him through prayer, praise and reading His word draws us closer to our Savior. Jesus is the one we love and He loves us.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

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Tags: Hebrews 11:6, I Chronicles 16:10-12
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Resiliency

5 11 2014

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 ESV

The power to rebound after a set-back requires courage and faith. We need this level of constitution in our hearts and souls for everyday living. The unexpected in our lives will at times bring events that are designed to make us feel defeated and discouraged… but God. When we experience a set-back we may be tempted to stay where we are to nurse our wounds but know this is the time to get-up. The Lord has given us the tools of hope, faith, courage and determination to stand up and try again when we experience failure. This is a time to muster more strength, more courage and more faith for our relationships, our health, our ministry and our work. We may have missed the mark last time but recognize the God in us is bigger than the challenges that we face. We are His children and we are called to be strong and courageous. God loves us and He helps us to learn, grow and mature into our purpose. God is working every detail in our lives together for our good. This promise and assurance gives us the stamina to get up and start again.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

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Tags: Resiliency
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, FAITH

A Satisfying Life

3 11 2014

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 (New Living Translation)

I often think about God and His gift of His Son to us. Jesus came that we might have an abundant life. When I think about God’s abundance, I imagine having more than enough. An overflowing supply of the fruits of the Holy Spirit: peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. This translation describes it as a rich and satisfying life. Another says that He came that we might have everything that we need.

What an indescribable blessing! This journey into abundance begins with accepting His Son and grows as we mature in our walk with Him. Wherever we are along the path, I believe there is always more available to us based on our walk with Him. As we pray, give praise, study His word and walk in His ways, I believe this satisfying life grows. I am so thankful for a risen Savior and that each of us can begin this journey when we open our hearts to Him.

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Tags: A Satisfying Life
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Our Point of Need

21 10 2014

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV

I am so thankful that the Lord meets us right at our point of need. Whatever we may be facing, the Lord knows about it and is able and willing to provide for us. He is Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider. His blessings come in both in tangible and intangible means. My heart is full of thanks for His provision of strength, revival and encouragement. He can encourage our hearts and give us the wisdom to move in the right direction. At times we can feel a little over whelmed by the demands of the days ahead but the Holy Spirit will remind us that we can make it in Him. He sends people across your path with the words and deeds that help us in ways we could not have imagined. We are never alone. We can look to our Savior for His help. He is so faithful and I am so thankful.

And now I have it all-and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes. Philippians 4:18-20 MSG

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Tags: Our Point of Need, Philippians 4:19
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

The Secret Place

20 10 2014

Psalm 91

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

    he is my God, and I trust him.
 For he will rescue you from every trap

    and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers.

    He will shelter you with his wings.

    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

    though ten thousand are dying around you,

    these evils will not touch you.
 Just open your eyes,

    and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

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Tags: Psalm 91, The Secret Place
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

What’s Ahead – He promised to Meet Every Need

10 10 2014

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

He promised to meet every need. Our Heavenly Father promised to provide for our needs. A great spiritual leader, Bishop Walter Jordan described every use of the word “shall” in the Bible, as loaded. Shall is a strong word of commitment, promise and assurance that it will happen. We don’t have to wonder or fear if our needs will be met. God will meet the need for the various aspects of our lives. He is Jehovah Jireh, God our Provider. We can thank God now for needs being met concerning our finances, our health, our relationships and our souls. He is working everything together for our good. He promised to meet every need and we are thankful.

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Tags: Jehovah, Jireh, Philippians 4:19
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, FAITH, Uncategorized

A New Season

6 10 2014

There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

At one time, I had a large Maple tree in my backyard. It was more expansive in width than it was tall with limbs and branches that made a beautiful display of God’s creativity throughout the year. It gave me hints of the upcoming season. As we transition from summer to autumn, sometime in late August or September, I could usually spot one leaf that had traded its green color for red or yellow. It was a sure sign to me that we were soon to feel cooler weather and that a new season was upon us.

New seasons in nature or new seasons in our walk with the Lord are a blessing. As the seasons change, we can anticipate different experiences, different opportunities for growth, maturity and blessings as God’s children. I am thankful that a new season is upon us. It is natural and spiritual time of harvest. We can look to see results from continual planting of seeds of faith, peace and love. We can experience the benefits from approaching our decisions with a yielded spirit to God’s will. We can see how God was moving on our behalf even when His favor and power were not visible with the naked eye throughout the season of planting. But in this new season, we can see his marvelous blessings in its entire splendor and we are thankful.

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Tags: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

He promised to be with Us

26 09 2014

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

God’s promise to be with us gives us confidence. It is not a promise of ease or unfettered progress but it gives us so much more. He promised to be with us. He gave His unfailing Word that His presence would be with us always. His presence is a place of peace, joy and strength. In His Company, we can receive renewal, strength and confidence. We can be reassured to be strong and courageous. We can thrive. With Him, fear has no place. We can leave our anxiety behind. We can shed anything that hinders our walking fully in our purpose. In His presence we can be healed of the past and look focused toward the future. Growing, maturing, and completing the work of our hands. He promised to be with us. His presence in my life is sufficient for me.

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG

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Tags: Deuteronomy 31:6
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

God’s Best

18 09 2014

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

Many of us approach life with some knowledge, a portion of common sense and hopefully a good dose of wisdom. Armed with these components, we often think we can move forward in making good decisions. We try to figure what to do, how to do it and even when to make the right moves. We pray and ask for His leading and sometimes His favor in opening the right opportunities for our lives. We remember His word in Proverbs, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, He shall direct they path.” And God is faithful to hear our prayer and is also faithful to who He is as God. Despite our best thinking we know that God’s thinking is above all. His ways are above and beyond all that we can ask or think. We may think that He is moving on our behalf in one way and then He moves in a way that is best that might be totally different than we can ever imagine. I am so thankful to God for his unlimited ability to work in us and on our behalf. He is able to bless us with His Best.

God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 MSG

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Tags: God's Best
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

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