ENCOURAGEMENT | Terri's Wellspring

Strength for Today

15 09 2014

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Today is a precious gift. No matter how the day ends, we will never be able to relive or recapture the time available to us on this day. I have a lot of things and maybe an unreasonable amount of tasks that I hope to accomplish today. So I want to put first things first. I am so thankful for the opportunity of today that I am asking God for wisdom, clarity of direction and strength to accomplish what is needed according to His plan for my life. I don’t want to squander time with distractions and toiling. I am asking our faithful Father to provide laser focus on His will and His ways for me. I will honor God in my thinking and my actions, with full confidence that He is able to activate the gifts in me to advance His plans for my life today.

Always…

12 09 2014

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.

Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9 NLT

Things we should do consistently at all times – Always…

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Tags: Always, Philippians 4:4-9
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

@50

9 09 2014

It is finally here… I have lived 50 years on this earth. 50 years translates into more than 18,000 days and more than 26 million seconds. It sounds like a long time but sitting here at my computer I realize that precious time passes us quickly. One scripture advises us to number our days. The New International translation of Psalm 90:12 reads “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. I meditate on these words and its meaning. My first thought is that our time in this life is not infinite. It is something to be treasured and to be prudently quantified and spent. We in fact do not have forever to achieve purpose, meaning and fulfillment. The time between our sunrise and sunset daily and over a lifetime are increments of existence that we should consider carefully. Each day is an opportunity to move closer to who God is calling us to be. Honoring God… Loving His People… Doing His will… Gaining a “heart of wisdom” is a life journey. We can nurture all the things that God gives to us… the ability to love, to be loving and to use the gifts of our hands for His glory. These gifts dedicated to God and His purpose puts us on a blessed journey of a lifetime. Reaching the milestone of 50 seems like a good time to reflect upon where I have been, counting my blessings, and evaluating where and how to live the next segment of my journey. I have so much to be thankful for, so much to give praise God for, and so much to look forward to in the days ahead.

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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

The Work in Us

4 08 2014

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

As long as we are still on our life’s journey, we continue to be a work in progress. Each day is a chance to grow and mature in the way we think and feel. I am thankful for the journey and the Lord’s promise to continue His work in us. His Holy Spirit continues to reveal things in our hearts and minds that need to change and to mature. Places where we have stored up resentment or hard feelings come into the spotlight and we are compelled to respond. Jesus is asking us to release our hearts to Him and choose to respond with love, forgiveness and a higher path in Him. We may want to hesitate to let go of things that may have taken up residence in our lives but God is able to help us to clean them out and to replace those feelings with love, peace and healing. In His hands, He can take any situation and transform it into something with beauty that gives us strength for the road ahead.

As we approach this day, we can consider what things Jesus is showing to us about ourselves that need to change. We can respond with repentance, we can seek reconciliation and we can forgive. We can release our hearts to Him and let Him continue the work of love in our lives.

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Tags: Phillipians 1:6, The Work in Us
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

All That I Need

14 07 2014

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalms 23:1

This verse is familiar with a powerful message for His children. It is worthy of our meditation and our full comprehension of His role as the Good Shepherd. He provides for all of our spiritual and natural needs. Food, shelter, safety, peace, deliverance, comfort, healing and joy are all available from the Savior. He is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. My provisions are met. What is required for me to achieve my purpose is available to me. This is a state of abundance and a promise that we should hide in our heart and inhabit our thinking. Where I am right now with what I have right now is enough. The Shepherd, our Savior, is leading. His grace for me is sufficient. He is preparing me at each juncture for the next step ahead. The Shepherd provides for all of my needs. I lack nothing, as I follow Him. And I am thankful.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalms 23

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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Don’t Give Up

10 07 2014

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. II Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

Stay encouraged. Don’t give up. We can stay in faith even when things get hard and even we don’t understand. His Grace is unfolding before our eyes. We can focus on what our Heavenly Father is doing and the new life that is created daily in us. Things may be difficult and hard but we can look for His inner renewal to take place in our souls. He can revive our spirits and give us the courage to face what’s next. Discouragement is not of God and should be resisted on every hand. We have to be careful not to let it take root in our hearts. When we feel weary, we can take a moment to reflect on His goodness, His grace and His love that has allowed us to stand where we are today. He provides courage and strength. He provides the direction to move with confidence to take the next step. We will not give up.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
II Corinthians 4:16-18

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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Renewal Comes

27 06 2014

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLV

We thank God for renewed mind and spirit today. Jesus can bring a fresh wind in our hearts and minds that give us a renewed sense of purpose and the energy to move in His direction. It comes with a refreshed mind and eyes that can see with a grateful heart of His goodness, His grace and His mercy. We are so thankful that God is our Heavenly Father that can turn our difficult situations into opportunities to grow and to expand and to become the individuals that He is calling us to be. We may be going through a situation that seems long and arduous but there is an end that will come. The hurt will soften and heal, the answer will become clear and God will provide the grace and mercy for you to be able to move forward. We thank God for being the source of renewal and revival in our lives.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLV

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Tags: Philippians 4:8, Renewal Comes, Romans 12:2
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, REVITALIZATION, Uncategorized

Keep Your Hearts and Minds

25 06 2014

Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy. Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected .Do what you learned and received from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

This passage of scripture has blessed me over and over again. During different seasons of my life, the Holy Spirit is gracious enough to remind me where our focus should be in daily living. We are so inundated with things that don’t reflect God, His word or His love. It is a source of discouragement, anxiety and depression if you choose to stay focused on it. Our God provides a perfect place for guiding our thoughts and our actions. It is a place where truth and peace abide for His children. With our focus on Him, we can leave fear behind and walk with His peace in our hearts.

Dear Heavenly Father:
I thank You for this day. I thank You for all the blessings that have allowed me to come to this point in my life. As I move forward, I want to be focused on the truth of your word, which provides guidance and peace for each step in my life. Lord, where I have fallen short I ask for your merciful forgiveness. I am thankful for the promise of peace as I stay focused on You. Have your light and your love to shine bright today every place I go.
In Jesus name, Amen

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Tags: Keep Your Hearts and Minds, Philippians 4:4-9
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, REVITALIZATION, Uncategorized

Help is Here!

18 06 2014

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3

Our Heavenly Father provides countless blessings to us as His children. He is faithful to be with us always and provides help to us along our journey in this life. We give praises with our hands and hearts lifted to God for this powerful blessing that has the ability to provide strength and protection in any situation. We live in a time when change and problems may arise quickly like rising flood waters but we are not consumed. God provides a place of refuge, safety, peace and well-being, even during the storm. We can look to Him for direction, for wisdom and peace concerning whatever we are facing – health, jobs, finances, relationships – listening and obedient to His direction. In our passage today, God is described in the present tense for each of these blessings: God is our refuge. God is our strength. God is a very present help in trouble. He is our Help now and forevermore.

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need Him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea storm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Psalm 46:1-3 MSG

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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Strong and Able

17 06 2014

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. III John 1:2

My vision for my health is that I will be strong and able. God created the human body as an amazing organism that supports healthy living, well into our senior years. Our health is a blessing that we can treasure. As God’s children we can strive to be a good steward in reaching and maintaining optimal health. We know more now than at any other era in time about how to support our health through healthy eating, exercise and rest. We know how harmful habits of smoking, overeating and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to disease and sickness. We were created to be an active, strong and able people. Each day we can take steps toward this vision of our lives. We may be in a place where we need healing or direction on how to get there but our God is faithful to answer our prayers. He desires to provide healing for our bodies. He will give us instruction on how to move our health in the right direction. Eating fruits and vegetables is a key for me. A consistent active lifestyle with exercise will keep my body and my mind strong. I am thankful for this time of re-dedication to my best life so that I can work toward being strong and able.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 103:2-5 NLT

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Tags: III John 1:2, Psalm 103:2-5, Strong and Able
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

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