Terri's Wellspring

Everyday Easter

18 04 2014

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 MSG

During this season, we recognize the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for our sins. It is a time to reflect on His suffering and death at Calvary for you and for me. God’s love for us is so vast and so complete that He gave His Son Jesus to the world. The Son of God came that we might have salvation and that we would see an exemplary Holy life in flesh and blood. We thank God for this season of celebration and recognition of His life, His death and His resurrection. It is a season that we can extend throughout the year. We can celebrate Easter every day. We can honor His sacrifice by accepting Him into our hearts, confessing that He is our risen Savior. We are so thankful for the gift of salvation and the opportunity to live in relationship with Him, doing our best to honor His example every day.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10 NLT

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Everyday Easter, John 3:16-18
Categories : Uncategorized

A Fight to the Finish

17 04 2014

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I’ll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.

Ephesians 6:10-20 The Message

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: A Fight to the Finish, Ephesians 6:10-20
Categories : Uncategorized

Clean Slate

15 04 2014

I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins. Hebrews 10:17 MSG

I need a fresh start. I need a turned page to begin again. I don’t need to wallow in past shortcomings. I don’t need to rehearse past mistakes or missed opportunities. I need to recognize where I am and focus on moving forward. I am so thankful that the Lord provides new mercies each morning. We can ask for forgiveness and He is faithful to respond to our repentance. He creates a clean slate for us. Our sins are wiped away and we start with a new canvass. What a blessing to start anew and to begin again. We can say thank you for the day ahead and a new beginning. Today is a chance to listen with an open heart about His will for our lives. We can start with a clean slate ready to heed His voice and to follow his lead into my future.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Clean Slate, Hebrews 10:17
Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Open Heart

14 04 2014

Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts…”
Hebrews 3:15

We can open our hearts to what the Lord is saying. He is speaking words of love and instruction that emanate from His Word and His Holy Spirit. His love for us tugs at our hearts, as He desires for us to be close to Him. Our first response may be to create fences around our hearts out of fear of what our future holds, if we were to accept Jesus into our hearts. We may wonder what really lies ahead if I were to surrender my ways for His ways. We may anxious about releasing control of the details of our lives for something different. An open heart is a first step of faith that allows us to receive the abundant life He desires for us. He came that we may have an abundant life that provides peace, love and joy and puts on a journey to fulfill our purpose. Our purpose is beyond ourselves. It is to be of service to Him and to others. It is beyond who we are today but creates a God-given vision of who He intends for us to be. We can open our hearts to what the Lord is saying. We can put aside every pre-conceived notion about living a Godly life and put our trust in Him. The relationship starts with an open heart, acknowledging the Savior, repenting of the sin our lives and a commitment to walk with Him. This decision is not about “church”, it is about you and God. We can open our hearts to what the Lord is saying and receive His Son Jesus Christ into our hearts today.

Dear Lord Jesus,
We come today with an open heart. I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
In your name,
Amen.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Hebrews 3:15, Open Heart, salvation
Categories : Uncategorized

Have you never heard?

11 04 2014

Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31
The Message

Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

Open Doors

10 04 2014

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16

The world needs to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. As people of faith, we have to remain vigilant and alert for any opportunity to provide encouragement, to share our faith and to lead someone to Christ. Darkness and sin are pervasive but we carry the light for the world through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Being a consistent example of His transformative love sets the stage for us to reach out to others. In our daily travels, the Lord provides open doors for us to make connections with other souls through a smile, a greeting or a shared conversation. We can use these opportunities to be nice, be encouraging, to be a light for Him. The witness of our living and our interactions with His people helps the world to see Him more clearly. The world needs to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. We can pray for the right words, the right action to maximize our interactions on behalf of our Heavenly Father. He is faithful to lead and to guide. Let’s share the Good News of hope, love and salvation each time we encounter an open door.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Light of the World, Matthew 5:14-16, Open Doors
Categories : Uncategorized

Powerful Praise

28 03 2014

I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3

The words of our mouth contain great power. We use our mouths all day long to say words to others, ourselves and even to God. What we say in each case is critical. Our words often reflect what we believe and the concerns of our heart. The conversation that goes on with me, myself, and God can make or break my day. I experienced this recently, where I made a conscious effort to praise God while I was working on each project. It was a busy day full of pressure and demands. But the Lord blessed me where I kept a flow of praises on my lips. “Lord, I thank you.” “Lord, I bless your name.” “You are great and greatly to be praised.” It was peaceful flow that allowed me to finish tasks and assignments with relative ease. I was so thankful for this blessing. This experience showed me the power that we have to choose praise instead of worry or strife. Praises on our lips can bring peace, contentment and joy even in the middle of confusion around us. Our praise is powerful.

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.
Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Powerful Praise, Psalm 34:1-3
Categories : PRAISE, Uncategorized

Bright Lights Shine

26 03 2014

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:14 – 16 (New Living Translation)

“This Little Light of Mine” is a timeless children’s favorite. The song has several familiar verses reminding us about the importance of letting our light shine. It is a vital message for the young and the old in today’s dark world. Just imagine if everyone were committed to being a light in their homes, work and relationships. What if we used our words to build people up, being a positive influence and eliminated complaining? Just as natural sunlight penetrates the darkness of night when the sunrises, it would transform the world we know.

Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : 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

Comments : Leave a Comment »
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.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Bountiful Earth, Genesis1:29
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized