Terri's Wellspring

A Strong Tower

2 05 2014

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

I am so thankful that we serve a living God that is available to us to provide refuge and protection. The world we live in today seemingly has so many pitfalls and dangers that seek to destroy our lives – our families, our marriages, our hope and our peace. But when we turn to the Lord, He provides refuge. We can go to Him in prayer, meditate on His word and lift our voices in praise and find ourselves enveloped in His presence. In this place of protection, we can experience peace, renewed spirit and strength and receive direction for the next step. Whatever we are facing, we can turn to our Heavenly Father – The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower.

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. Psalm 46:1-3

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Tags: A Strong Tower, Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 46:1-3
Categories : REFUGE

Surrounded By Faith

1 05 2014

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.
Hebrew 11:1 Msg.

We are on a journey of faith. Each step of the way we are compelled to believe that we serve an all-powerful sovereign God. We serve a living God who is aware and cares about the issues of our lives. At times, we need to increase and stretch our faith in Him to provide for our needs. It is a time to surround ourselves with faith and to meditate on His promises: He provides salvation for those who believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior. He provides healing in response to believing prayer. He is a source of deliverance to our mind, body and soul. God loves us beyond measure. Our faith and confidence in God is a precious ingredient in pleasing service to Him. Our faith is to be nurtured and protected from unbelief and the negativity that may come to discourage us. Whatever we are facing, we can turn to Him. We can stand on His Word and remind ourselves of His unmerited favor and grace that has kept us thus far. We stand in faith with a deep knowing that He will never leave us alone and that there is no thing that can separate us from His love.

It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 Msg.

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Tags: Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, Surrounded by Faith
Categories : FAITH

Rooted in Love

30 04 2014

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 4:14-21

We want our lives to be grounded in a firm knowledge of His love for us. The Creator of the earth and all things has a deep immeasurable love for you and me. It is mind-blowing to know and to experience His tremendous love for us. Unearned, grace and mercy has brought me to this place of knowledge of Him. I am so thankful for where I am today and where the Lord is leading ahead. It is a journey of faith moving into the fullness of life. He empowers our steps. He renews our strength daily. He provides what we need and we are never alone. His victories in our lives will never cease to amaze us. They are beyond what we could ask or think and we are thankful.

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Tags: Ephesians 4:14-21, Rooted in Love
Categories : GUIDANCE, LOVE, 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

Foundation Words

28 04 2014

“Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
“If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.” Luke 6:45-49 Msg

The Word of the Lord is life giving and a solid foundation for building our lives. The truth of His Word establishes the building blocks of love and redemption that is available through Christ. We can build our tents and houses on the blowing sands of our best thought and the ways of this world but they only provide fleeting moments of shelter. Jesus is the Rock. He is the solid foundation for building our lives. His Word and the Holy Spirit provide the eternal building blocks for us to use when we set the stage for our living. We are to work His Words into our lives. Not just reading His word but establishing them as a way of living.

For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. I Corinthians 3:9-15 Msg

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Tags: Foundation Words, I Corinthians 3:9-15, Luke 6:45-49
Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Think on These Things

25 04 2014

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Our thoughts and our words influence our faith. Our emotions which can bring about depression, anxiety and worry, often don’t convey what we know about God. Our circumstance during good times and challenges are always an opportunity to trust Him. We can put our trust in the truth about God. – He will provide for my needs. He is a refuge and a safe place in the time of storm. God loves me and has never failed me. We can align our thoughts, our concentration and the meditations of our heart on what we know about our Heavenly Father. These truths we can repeat over and over again as mantras in our hearts. We can trust Him with our circumstance today and tomorrow. We can have faith concerning the big and small details of our lives. Jesus is working everything out for my good. We can choose to think on His goodness and His unfailing faithfulness to us. He is good and His mercy is everlasting.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

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Tags: Philippians 4:8, Psalms 19:14, Think on These Things
Categories : 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

Oneness

23 04 2014

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. Ephesians 4:4-6 Message

As a family of believers of Jesus Christ, we are called together in unity. We are fellow travelers on the same road in service to God. The journey requires us to nurture oneness and encouragement for one another. Creating bonds that will make each of us stronger and more able to stay on the road ahead. Even the lessons we learned as small children are important. We are to “stay together”. No one is wander off the journey to avoid being lost. We are to “be nice” to one another; demonstrating kindness, patience and gentleness to each one in love. We are “to hold hands” helping to stay connected to the family of God. Along the journey, our love for one another is a powerful witness to others who will be compelled to join us as new believers. The reward of oneness and unity allows each of us to reach our destination safely.

We can take a quick inventory today of those in your circle of travelers. Who needs encouragement? Who has wandered off the path? Who could benefit from more patience, more kindness, more love? Who could benefit from our prayers to stay on the journey?

How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, Flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life. Psalm 133 Message

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Tags: Ephesians 4:4-6, Oneness, Psalms 133
Categories : Uncategorized

This is the Day

22 04 2014

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will be glad and rejoice in it. Psalm 118:24

We approach this day with expectancy about the Lord’s continued work in our lives. Our Heavenly Father is faithful to each of us and is continuing to perfect us in Him. He is smoothing out the rough spots of unforgiveness and lack of compassion in us for His people. He is renewing health and thinking. He is making us stronger and more able. He is providing renewed vision for ministry and service to the least of these. He is compelling His bright light of love and mercy to shine through His people. He is working out our situations for our good in ways that we could not imagine. He is God. We thank Him. We honor Him. We give Him all the glory for this day.

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Tags: Psalm 118:24, This is the Day
Categories : Uncategorized

Jesus is Alive!

21 04 2014

And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” Matthew 28:7 NLT

For many the Easter festivities have come and gone. We have attended Easter programs, worship services and even had special dinners with family and friends. I am so glad that the celebration of a risen Savior continues today. We can give God praise for the blessings that came with the Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary. We thank Him for blessings of salvation, healing and deliverance that is available to each person that acknowledges and believes that Jesus Christ is Lord. I was so blessed to attend a program celebrating the Resurrection complete with children’s speeches and songs. One of the youngest participants had a simple but powerful message that “Jesus is Alive”. I thought to myself, what fitting words. Jesus is alive. We don’t have to look for Him in a tomb. He is alive and He is still providing the blessing of relationship with Him that brings healing, deliverance, peace and joy. We can continue to give praise that Jesus is alive from now into eternity.

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Tags: Jesus is Alive, Matthew 28:7
Categories : Uncategorized