Tag: Articles

According to the Need

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35 has been popularized as “the shortest verse in the Bible.” But the verses surrounding this “shortest verse” paint a beautiful picture.
In this time of great grief, Jesus drew near to both Martha and Mary, yet we see that He comforted them differently.
With logical, hardworking Martha, Jesus had a discussion of theology and belief:
“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” John 11:21-27
With tender Mary and her tears, Jesus simply wept:
“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.” (John 11:33-35)
For each woman, Jesus saw their different needs and met them. This amazing realization encourages me in two points:
            1) Jesus sees my needs and He knows exactly how to fulfill that need according to my personality.
            2) Not everyone is comforted in the same way. As a child of God, I need to follow Christ’s example and be sensitive to the different needs of others.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

In the Potter’s Hand

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
The Lord occasionally places little reminders in my life: that in His eyes, I am the clay and He is the Potter. Within a week’s time, I read Isaiah 64:8, a random blog post on Isaiah 64:8, and heard a sermon on Jeremiah 18 (oh, did I mention that Isaiah 64:8 was a reference my pastor used in that sermon?).
I don’t think it was of any coincidence that God formed the first man out of the dust of the earth and then used the analogy of us being but clay, the work of His hand. But sometimes I need that reminder. I must come to the point daily of recognizing that I am the one to be molded, shaped, and changed; that God is the One Who has authority to mold, shape, and change me.
God may decide to use trials to shape me. He may put on a little pressure. He may convict me or correct me. If I am hard, He will have to break me in order to shape me. But if my heart is tender and pliable, it takes only a gentle touch of His hand to create that new and better shape.
Just like forming pottery takes hours and days, God’s work in my heart and life is not complete in one small instance. He still shapes and molds throughout the years, perfecting and finishing the work which He has begun (“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalm 138:8). The question I need to ponder is: am I moldable in the Father’s hand?
Some verses that benefit to review:
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Not ANOTHER White Van!?

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Our van had been slowly dying. For the past three years, my Dad claimed that our van ran on, “A hop and a prayer.” I know that we often saw God’s hand at work in our long, white Chevy Express as we prepared for local and long-distance ministry trips. However, there is always the point when it is time for the new.
Our faithful “White Elephant”

The beginning of this year, as God directed our family to focus more on traveling with our singing ministry it became very obvious that our eight-year old van needed replacement. Our dreams ballooned as Dad and my brother browsed the internet for vans and . . . buses!!!! Oh, to travel in the luxury of a 24-seat bus instead of cramping us fourteen Teros in a fifteen-passenger van with instrument cases stowed under seats, keeping my feet strictly in front of me and my brother’s camera back-pack limiting my stretch-ability in front. And to have a bus! That meant no six-foot white trailer bumping behind with our ice-chest hidden under an avalanche of sleeping bags and duffels. Instead, we would have luxurious over-head storage, under-the-seat storage and extra room behind the seats! And an ice-chest that we could reach without stopping.
Months passed and we looked. My favorite bus we nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” bus – white with red swirly accents. But there was always one major downside: buses cost almost twice as much as a fifteen-passenger van and . . . we did not even have money for a new van. This is nothing new, though, as we have watched in awe how God has provided to the penny our needs every time. We knew that, according to God’s will, He would provide. And as God is so faithful, He did it again! When God provided the funds for a new vehicle for the ministry, the search began genuinely. It did not take long to realize that our dreams for a bus were not a need but a want. Yes, it would be luxurious to travel in a bus, however, God did not provide money for a bus – He provided just enough for us to get . . . another fifteen-passenger van (“Please, Daddy, can we find another color besideswhite? How boring to get practically the same van!!!”).
Three months passed and the search for a fifteen-passenger van poised some difficulties. Dad found a van and he and Mom drove four hours to get it. They arrived at the dealership and began talking with the man only to discover that they changed the price that morning. Difficulties swelled and my parents came home in our old faithful “big white elephant.” We were disappointed, but this experience answered our prayer: it was very clear that this van was not for us. This experience also helped us to realize that though we were dreaming smaller, the dreams were still too big. We were having a difficult time accepting the exact amount God had given us for a new van and were searching above our limit.
More browsing online. Dad found another van – this time 6 ½ hours away in Texas(TexasDirectAuto.com). Dad called the dealership and told them the price that God had given us for a new van — we needed the van and all of the legal work completed with that price. They were more than willing to work with us and long day short, the drive was made to Texas, the van was bought (complete with the extra blessing of new tires), and is now gracing our driveway. 


Another fifteen-passenger. Another Chevy. Another white van. But, it was another lesson to learn that God may not provide our desires but He is always faithful to provide our needs.

The old . . .


. . . the new!

Romans 5 – The Second Adam

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

On my memory list for the 52-verse challenge is Romans 5, but I have not waited until January 1st before starting! 🙂 By God’s help, I have tackled the first eight verses and am eager to jump in further!! It has been exciting to memorize such a unique chapter in God’s Word.

Memorizing through Romans 5 has spurred me in writing an article about it, mainly focusing on Christ as the Second Adam. I’ll give you the article here, but it will also be posted at Rubies Like Ruth, Lord willing, sometime next week, for their “Names of Jesus” topic.

Jesus Christ – The Second Adam
By Amanda Tero
Romans 5 has become a very special chapter to me. I remember the first time that the words really reached out to me with a special meaning. I would like to share that special meaning with you.
                                        
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
When God created the world, He created it in the beauty of perfection. However, it did not take long before the one man that God created sinned. That sin passed from Adam to Cain and to every man born – including you and me.
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Romans 5:14
It took only one man to bring the curse of sin to all mankind, but the next verse holds very blessed news!
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:15-17
Since it took only one man to bring sin into the world, it only took one Man to bring the gift of grace and righteousness. That one man had to be perfect: a humanly impossible feature. That is why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be transformed as a man living on earth, living a perfect life.
Jesus Christ was born in a manger (see Luke 2:7), lived a perfectly sinless life (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), took the sins of the world on Him when He died (see 1 Corinthians 15:3), and rose after three days to bring us the gift of new life (see Matthew 28:5-6).
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19
The free gift of eternal life is made available to every single man, woman, boy, and girl on this earth. There is no sin so great that Christ’s blood cannot cover it.
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Romans 5:20
Like any gift, it is held out, offered to you. But it does not become your own until you reach out and receive the gift. (But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: John 1:12) To receive the gift, one simply has to admit that they are sinners and unrighteous before Holy God, believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He came to earth to die for our sins, turn away from their sins to God, and confess that Jesus is Lord.
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21
Because Jesus Christ came down to be the second Adam, we can receive God’s gift of grace, be made righteous in His eyes, and live eternally with Him.