Terri's Wellspring

on’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

For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11  NLV

Our Heavenly Father created us with vision and purpose. We are not here to lead our lives according to the values of this world but we have an eternal purpose for His kingdom.   Each of us is uniquely built for what God has our hands to do.   It is amazing to think of the specific attention God places on who we are, our abilities and our experience to allow us to journey in His purpose for our lives. So many are searching for purpose and meaning. The purpose of anything comes from the One who created it. We may try to change that purpose but seeking God’s intent allows us to seek His vision and will that can transform the mundane into amazing. Aligning our vision and journey with His will gives us the ultimate peace, joy and wellness we desire. Our passage for today is a reminder that His plans for us are for good and not for trouble. As we make goals and commitments, ask the creator first for His will and direction. His response and our compliance to His direction will allow us to make progress toward fulfilling His vision and our purpose.

Confident Hope

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The Lord is my source of hope.

His plan for me is full of hope as I trust in Him.

I can trust Him with my whole life.

Every concern….

Even in the bright and dark places,

I can put my whole life in His loving hands.

He can transform the struggle into strength

He can transform the worry into peace

In Him, my life becomes beautiful

The Lord is my source of hope.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

Anticipation

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the blessing of another day.  We approach this day with anticipation about how you will show yourself strong in every situation. My eyes are scanning the horizon, looking for signs of turnround.  My ears are attentive to even a whisper of good news on the way.  My anticipation is fueled by deep knowing of your faithfulness to me.  We can look for answers to come and ways made out of no way.  You are our Heavenly Father.  We are so thankful that we can wait confidently and begin this day in You.

In Jesus,

Amen

Keep Going

Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers). Galatians 6:9-10

Dear Heavenly Father,

We are thankful for the motivation to keep going.  We will not let weariness set in or to let fear still our feet. We will keep going,  moving forward in purpose and in power.  The Holy Spirit surrounds us, giving each of us peace and direction.  We are so thankful for the blessing of an empowered journey.  We will keep moving to see what the Lord has in store for our lives.

In Jesus Name.

Amen

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I need to take things one day at a time. My focus should be on today and not worry about what may be way down the road and not in my control. God created this day, this time and place. I can have confidence of the love, grace and peace that will surround me today. I am nurturing my faith and trusting my Creator to be with me. Challenges will come but I am not alone. Opportunities will come to share my love with others, I will respond with an open heart. This is the day that God created. I can approach it with thanksgiving, love and anticipation of everything that it will bring.

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. II Timothy 1:6-7 NLT

We were each born with a God-given purpose. We are equipped with unique abilities that give us all the tools and talents needed to accomplish our assignment. During our life’s journey, we explore and nurture our gifts as we accept the call on our lives for God’s service. We are all called to serve. We may not be called to proclaim God’s Word from a pulpit but in our families, our communities and in our interactions with one another we are to demonstrate God’s love in ways that fulfill our purpose. Our hands, our words, our tasks emanate His love, His compassion, His mercy that exemplify His Son, Jesus Christ. What a tremendous gift to the world to use the gift that is inside of you. You have what it takes to accomplish the task and to carry it through. He made you for this task. He has given you the tools and the talents to make it happen. You are empowered, careful not to embrace fear but to walk in confidence of the God we serve. Our passage today reminds us to keep our gifts active, alive and on fire. We are to fan the flames within us to keep our gifts fueled with the air that it needs to grow and to shine bright. We fan the flames today within us to use our gifts for His Glory.

That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.  II Timothy 1:5-7 MSG

I will give thanks and praise the Lord, with all my heart; I will tell aloud all Your wonders and marvelous deeds. Psalm 9:1 AMP

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am so thankful that we can approach each day with a heart full of thanks. Even when we experience unanswered prayers,  we can be grateful for the blessing of a new day. My heart is full of thanksgiving for this morning, and this opportunity to experience God‘s grace and mercy. Today I can approach each part of my day knowing that God is leading my next steps and that the Holy Spirit is empowering my journey.  For this blessing alone, I am thankful. 

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Walk by the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22 – 25