Terri's Wellspring

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

On earth in the 21st Century, we face billions of people living in poverty and extreme poverty. Some define extreme poverty as living on less than $1.00 per day for all of your needs. More important than the definition, it means hunger, poverty, homelessness, sickness and death for countless around the world.   As people of God it made me think about Jesus and what He requires of us – What would Jesus do. In the bible it references our need to show, mercy, compassion and justice for people who are poor. This instruction shows up time and time again in God’s word. What if every follower of Jesus would make it a priority to prayerfully consider what they can do to help people who are in poverty? Just think about how my prayers, my words, my advocacy, my time and my resources could reflect Jesus’ love for people here and around the world. It would be a powerful start.

He answered, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.’ And ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” Jesus told him, “You’re right! Do this, and life will be yours.” Luke 10:27-28

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless. I Corinthians 15:58

The Lord’s work is the most important fruit of our hands. God may have put things on our heart to do and we are compelled to continue the work until it is done. We have to avoid the temptation to be tired, weary or complacent. One translation of this verse is to “always work enthusiastically for the Lord.” There may be days when we feel tired in our bodies and need our next wind but our God is faithful to renew our strength. We can be assured He provides strength, joy and peace as we continue to serve Him. We can be encouraged that our work is not in vain. Stay steadfast and encouraged!

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. I Corinthians 15:58 NLT

Seek the Kingdom of above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Our life with the Lord is a blessing beyond measure. When we consider the many treasures of peace, joy, contentment and love, it is hard to think of anything worth more. I know people who seemingly “have it all” according to societal standards but lack peace, joy and concern for others.

We can give thanks for Jesus who came to give us life and life more abundantly. We need an abundance of His peace, His love and His joy. We want it be so evident in our lives and overflowing to everyone who is in need of His touch in their lives.

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

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119: 105

Our life’s journey is full of decisions. Knowing what path to choose or which road to take can be challenging. We can depend on our own wisdom and our best thinking but relying on that alone can lead to a wrong turn. We may hope for a booming voice from God or even a quite whisper that tells us clearly how we should proceed. Still at times we may remain unsure where our next step should be placed.

This portion of Psalms reminds us that our God’s Word provides a lamp unto our feet. God orders the steps of the righteous. Seeking guidance from His Word and the powerful leading of the Holy Spirit can provide the clarity we are seeking. We thank God that He provides a bright light to our path. We can step out on faith knowing that our Father is there every step of the way.

You won’t succeed by might or by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Armies. What a high mountain you are! In front of Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring out the topmost stone with shouts of ‘Blessings, blessings on it!’  Zechariah 4:6-7

Have you ever wondered how change was going to come about in a situation that you have been praying about? You may have vacillated from fear to faith and from confidence to doubt in your feelings. You have even tried to bring about change yourself. Trying to strategize or force something even though you have no idea about how to bring it about. The truth is besides walking in full faith, confidence and trust in God, we have wasted our time. We can’t force it or bring about change with our own power. But “It is by Lord’s Spirit” that we have the Victory. We serve a God that can speak to the mountains or obstacles in our lives and flatten them out. He will clear the path for His children to achieve what they have been called to do. Let’s put our trust in God.

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 (Message)

We often come to making big decisions loaded with preconceived notions about what is best for our lives. We take all of our experiences, what we think we know and our feelings and collectively they influence what we desire for an outcome. We may pray earnestly for God’s will in our lives to be done around this particular outcome not fully recognizing that our Heavenly Father is all knowing and able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think. What if we were to approach each situation with an open heart and mind about God’s grace and ability to lead us and to make full provision for the path that is chosen? Yielding our hearts creates space for God to show us His superior plan. Surrendering what we think we know to the Father, who is all knowing, allows His perfect plan for our lives to reach clarity in our vision. When we seek His leading first without all the baggage of what we think is possible, it opens our eyes to a limitless God. Let us open our hearts and our minds to His vision and His plans for our lives.