ENCOURAGEMENT | Terri's Wellspring

His Creation

3 06 2014

From you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalms 139:13-14 NIV

It is awesome to think about how the Lord created us. We are the individually designed results of God’s hands. All the different features that make us who we are were created by our Heavenly Father. As a mother, I have experienced first-hand the miracle of pregnancy and birth. What a journey each of us has taken to be knitted in our mother’s womb and to arrive in this world as an individual masterpiece.
In this passage, David describes God’s work as wonderful. On our first reflection, many of us would describe ourselves as something less than wonderful. A laundry list of our faults and imperfections may race through our minds. We may want to dwell on features that are not aligned to society’s standards. But I am thankful for this passage that is a reminder of our God Who created the heavens and the earth and Who created you and me. We can give God praise for His amazing handiwork for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.
Isaiah 43:7 NLT

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Tags: His Creation, Isaiah 43:7, Psalms 139:13-14
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

This Time and This Place

12 05 2014

This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today. Psalm 118:24

Our experiences in life come one after another. Being fully present in the blessedness of now requires focus. This time and this moment will never come again. Today is an opportunity to use all of your senses – eyes, your ears, your sense of smell, your touch and your heart to absorb, what is happening around us right now. Not what has happened in the past or not even what tomorrow will bring but focus on the blessing of this moment – in this time and in this place. It is easier said than done with the hurried pace of our living. We can rush through the blessings of love and life or slow the pace of our minds down to realize that now is the perfect blessing before us. So many guided steps and unearned favor allow me to breathe in and out and to be conscious of His blessings. The Lord is good to each of us. His mercy, His love and His grace make this moment possible.

Even in the most difficult circumstance, we can be glad that we serve a God who is with us. Our Heavenly Father is so faithful, so caring and so loving to shield us and to undergird us even when we believe that our hearts will break during the circumstance of the day. The blessing of now may be disguised by difficulty but we are still here, we have faith in our Heavenly Father, we are still on the path and God is still leading. We can rejoice in that blessing alone.

My mind is clear that embracing now is my charge for today. This is the day. This is God’s day for me. I am glad to experience it fully with a grateful heart and attitude of praise for this time and this place.

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Tags: Psalm 118:24, This time and This Place
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Pressing Onward

29 04 2014

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

It is time to move forward in what God is calling us to do. He has put it on your heart. He has given you the vision of the road ahead and it is moving day. You may have unpacked all of your things, expecting an extended stay where you are but it is time to move onward. He is calling us to move forward in our purpose. We can’t wallow in procrastination. We should not be swept up in the emotion of past disappointment and the spirit of fear is not of God. It is time to move forward. You may have wanted a full itinerary of the journey but we are required to step out on faith. We are pressing onward in wisdom and listening for His leading. He is careful to direct our path to make the next steps forward.

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 Msg.

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Tags: Philippians 3:14, Pressing Onward, Proverbs 3:5-6
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Do You See what God Sees

24 04 2014

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:14

Self-image is the powerful lens of how we view ourselves that often influences our circumstance. As a child of God, we should seek to see what God sees in us. Our personal view is often tainted by society’s values where we may adopt a negative view of who we are. Society puts so much emphasis on the look of success – appearance, glamour and wealth. Our measuring tool should be based on what our Creator sees. The same God who created the universe, created the masterpiece that is you. He has instilled gifts, skills and abilities that are uniquely ours to accomplish our purpose in Him. He sees both our inward and outward man through His lens of love. As His children, we can see ourselves as loveable, worthy and capable. We can dedicate the gifts of who we are to God. He sees the bright future ahead if we put our lives and our trust in Him.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day.
Psalms 139:13-16 Message

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Tags: Do you see what God Sees, Psalm 139:14
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, PURPOSE, Uncategorized

On Course

25 03 2014

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. Psalms 119:1-2 MSG

I need a steady pace for my life that continues my path forward. Each day we want to make decisions that propel us closer to our purpose. It is so easy to succumb to procrastination, discouragement or weariness but they are heavy weights that we have to be careful to resist. Some of those feelings may have come to take up residence in our hearts and minds but it is a new morning and a new chance to renew our minds and our strength. With a thankful heart, we can seek Him for the what, how, who, when and where of our next steps. When we seek Him with a sincere heart, He is faithful to show us the path ahead. When we are committed to His will and His ways it makes the next steps clearer. It is time to seek Him. It is time to step out on faith. I am thankful for His leading that keeps us on course.

You’re blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
don’t ever walk off and leave me.
Psalms 119:1-8 MSG

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Tags: On Course, Psalmas 119:1-2
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Bountiful Earth

24 03 2014

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. Genesis 1:29

Our Heavenly Father created the earth with a variety of foods that bring nourishment to our bodies. Fruits and vegetables come in a cornucopia of colors and flavors. Leafy green, sunlit yellow, oranges, blues, and fire red are all God’s creations for the bountiful earth. These precious foods offer life giving properties that fuel our bodies for healthy living and strong life. We can be thankful that we know now more than ever, that wise choices in what we eat can have long lasting effects on our bodies and health. The right foods can lead us into health and healing. We are a nation that consumes too much of things that don’t bring health. Our trend in eating has brought about waves of heart disease, cancer and obesity that is wreaking havoc on our lives. Fatty and processed foods have us in a cycle of bad choices that we can break. I have found myself in the same rut but I am thankful that I am learning more about God’s foods – fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. What if the answer to health and strong living is right in front of us – eating a plant centered diet that feeds our minds and bodies, right from God’s bountiful earth.

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Tags: Bountiful Earth, Genesis1:29
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Give it to Him

21 03 2014

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7 NIV

God cares about every aspect of our lives. He cares about our thoughts, our decisions, our hopes, dreams, our problems and our concerns. I love the scripture that says that “we can cast all our cares on Him for He cares for us”. It is a powerful assurance that no matter what we are facing, God cares and that we can cast, toss, or give our problems to our Heavenly Father. He cares about the big and little things of our lives. We may have concerns about health, finances, relationships or how a whole range of situations will be resolved. We can thank God for His love and that He knows all about it. We can demonstrate our faith and confidence in Him and turn it over to Him. When we give it to Him, He immerses His love, His power and His healing that transforms any situation. It may be a long-standing concern that has burdened our hearts for months or years but I challenge you today to give it to the Father. We can receive a new outlook through the lenses of His faith and promises concerning His children. We may be waiting on Him but He may be waiting on us to put our whole faith and trust in Him. Give it to Him today.

Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7

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Tags: Give it to Him, I Peter 5:7
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Pressing

10 03 2014

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12

Your goal is ahead. It is not behind you and it won’t be found on the sidelines of procrastination or weariness. We have to press forward. We can take every experience that has helped us to reach where we are now to muster courage and to take the next step. This is a time of confidence and knowing that God is working all things together for our good. Our faith is steadfast and firm. We believe in God and where He is leading. He is leading us into our purpose. He is empowering our steps today with His direction and His wisdom. He has blessed us with the added gifts of peace and joy along the way. We are thankful and pressing on.

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:12-14 MSG

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Tags: Philippians 3:12, Pressing
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

He’s Here

6 03 2014

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 RSV

Even when we can’t feel Him, even when we can’t see Him, Our Heavenly Father is here. He is omnipresent. He is in multiple places at one time on behalf of His people. He is present on our perceptions of good, bad and busy days. He is here and we are never alone. He hears our prayers and He knows our heart. He knows all about our petitions, our needs and dreams and the desires of our hearts. He is God. We are not able to add to His knowledge of us and what we are facing. He is all knowing and He loves His children. He desires for us to put our trust in Him. He desires for us to be close and to live in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Our place is to earnestly seek Him, putting Him first in our lives. Our faith and our trust are planted confidently in Him. He gives us the direction and strength to live in our purpose. His love gives us the peace and joy to continue on our path. He is here and we are never alone.

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?
Hebrews 13:5-6

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Tags: He's Here, Hebrews 13:15
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Sufficient

21 02 2014

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

II Corinthians 12:9

Whatever today brings it is what the Lord has provided and it is sufficient for me. The list of things I have to be thankful for far outweigh my faith wish list. God has provided this day, this time and this place for me. I am so thankful for every blessing. The peace in my heart, the love He has for His children provides joy and confidence that He is working things out for my good. It is a good day to employ contentment and to immerse my thoughts into the goodness of God’s grace. It is sufficient for me.

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. II Corinthians 12:7-10 MSG

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Tags: II Corinthians 12:9, Sufficient
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

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