Tag: Inspirational

Seeking from Thence

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

So often, we get imprisoned by “how far we’ve gone” that we never stop where we are at to seek God.

Deuteronomy 4:29 gives a special look on this, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (emphasis mine)

God promises that when we seek Him “from thence” (where we are, at that moment), with our whole heart, we will find Him.

Are you caught in a place you know you shouldn’t be? Stop and seek God from right here.

Whose Doctrine?

Published on by Amanda Tero1 Comment
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” John 7:16

We would do well to test the doctrines to which we cling. It is easy to get swept into the doctrine of men and then cling to it with a vice-grip, not even weighing it against God’s Word to see if the doctrine is of God. A good test is to consider verse 18 of this passage, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” 
Whose glory are we seeking? When someone contradicts a doctrine (or belief, conviction) that we cling to, what is our reaction? Are we grieved because such does not glorify God — or merely upset and try to prove that our way is right? 

Trusting Without Feeling

Published on by Amanda Tero1 Comment
So often, we want to seeGod at work. To feel Him working. But, we don’t have to see evidence to know that He is there, working in hearts and lives.
“Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him: On the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him: He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him: But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:8-10)
Sometimes, we just have to trust the promises of God’s Word, even if we feel nothing. As the next verses in this passage indicate, we must continue in God’s way and commandments even if we “feel” no change.
“My foot hath held his steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:11-12)

Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not!

Affliction

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As I recently read through Psalm 119, I noticed a lot about afflictions and God’s Word, so I decided to hone in on those verses. In doing so, I discovered that there are two definitions for the words of “affliction” used.
The first is from the Hebrew word, ‘oniy, meaning, “depression, misery.”
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. (Ps 119:50)
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. (Ps 119:92)
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. (Ps 119:153)
This affliction is not brought on by our sin, necessarily, but is when we get low in spirits in daily living. The beauty is that, in these situations, we can turn to Christ and His Word for comfort and deliverance, knowing that focusing on Him will keep us from perishing in these afflictions.
The second definition for “affliction” is slightly different. It is from the Hebrew word, ‘anah, and gives the impression of browbeating, depression.
    
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Ps 119:67)
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Ps 119:71)
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Ps 119:75)
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. (Ps 119:107)
This type of affliction lends the idea of affliction as punishment (directly linked to our wandering from God). Affliction like this, from God, is used to get our attention so that we can better keep God’s Word. The answer is not found in soothing ourselves with promises from God’s Word, but in checking our obedience to the Scripture (because God’s promises are usually contingent on our obedience).
When I feel myself in affliction, I need to do a quick evaluation: is this affliction because of my disobedience to God? or is this affliction just part of life? God’s Word has the answer to both afflictions, but I need to search my heart and be sure I’m applying His Word correctly to my life.

What is something that you have noticed from God’s Word recently?

Surrender

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Surrender. 

It seems that every time I work on projects with a theme, the Lord has lessons concerning that theme to teach me. As I have been working on editing and putting “Surrender” into book form, the Lord has been working in my heart regarding surrender—whether it was hopes and dreams for this project, daily choices, or my ideas and will.

We tend to think of surrender regarding life-changing issues, big things. But most often, surrender is an ongoing process involving small sacrifices. It is in daily life that we must learn to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, as this is our reasonable service (see Romans 12:1).

The songs in the upcoming piano solo book are commonly known as “invitation songs,” and the messages ring true. Have we laid all on the altar for God to control? Have we acknowledge our need for Christ and turned fully to Him? Have we truly surrendered all to Him? Are we daily seeking to be near Him so that we can say in assurance, “It is well with my soul?” Are we eagerly awaiting His eternal plans for us or do we still cling to that which will one day fade away?

God’s call to surrender is not limited to just one season to life. Wherever it is that the Lord has you, may you learn to surrender fully to Him.

More information here

"Wherever You Lead … but There…."

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
There is something alluring about sharing the Gospel with the heathen in Africa (or Europe or South America, etc.), smuggling Bibles, working in closed countries, boldly standing in courtrooms, translating God’s Word, preaching to thousands, seeing souls changed by hundreds.
But what about washing dishes, praying, loving our family, serving our church, ministering where we cannot be seen? Even as I write this list, I feel my heart deflating a little. Washing dishes? What is that compared to handing a Bible to a hungry soul? Staying with my family? What about being a “mom” to some orphans out there in a remote orphanage?
We say, “Lord, I’ll follow You wherever You lead,” but do we truly mean it?
Africa – “Yes, Lord, I’ll go there.”
Stay home – “Um, I think You got things wrong here. That’s not ministry.”
China – “Ah! Yes, Lord, I’ll go there.”
Pray – “Pray? Really. That’s not doing something for Christ’s kingdom!”
And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, 
and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: 
but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 
(Luke 9:23-24)
“Oh yes, Lord, I’ll do that … but the cross must look like ministry in my eyes. If I am to lose my life, it must be burying myself in some foreign country, not in piles of laundry.”
How do we view “taking up our cross?” Does it really mean following Christ — or following our preconceived ideas of “what this cross looks like?”
If the cross leads somewhere exciting … somewhere “going” … somewhere “doing” … yes, we’re willing to go, to follow. But what if that path leads somewhere that looks very un-ministry? Are we submitted to God’s guidance — or the guidance of our ideals?
We can spiritualize the paths we want to take. Desiring to be a missionary, pastor, orphanage worker, or participating in some other visible ministry is not bad — in fact, they are all Scriptural. But just because we want to do it does not mean we’re following God, taking up our cross, and denying selves. For some people, staying home and washing dishes takes more self-denial than the excitement of going out of country for ministry. Following God will not always look like some grand adventure, because God doesn’t measure our service by actions but by obedience and submission.
I am not trying to be anti-missions/ministry here. I am all about mission-work. I love the missionaries and ministries I know and fully support them, whether they be home or abroad. Jesus said to pray for more harvest workers, He said to “go ye therefore.” But He also says simply, “Follow Me.”
If any man serve me, let him follow Me; 
and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve Me, 
him will My Father honour. 
John 12:26
I don’t notice any specific ministries or mission-points mentioned in this verse. For some, “Follow Me” will mean “Go to the Philippines” or “Go to Iraq.” For others, “Follow Me” will mean, “Be an orphanage worker” or “Reach out to those unloved and hurting.” For yet others, “Follow Me” just might mean, “Stay single and serve with your family” or “Get a job and be a light there.”
When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” are we willing to give up our ideals of where the path may lead? Are we really willing to go wherever and do whatever?

Do we…?

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Do we believe that God’s Word converts (turns back)? Do we read it when we notice our hearts straying towards the world?
Do we believe that God’s Word gives wisdom? Do we turn to others or God when we need wisdom?
Do we believe that God’s Word rejoices the heart? Do we seek it or secular entertainment when we need cheering up?
Do we believe that God’s Word is pure? Do we turn to it when we need cleansing or wallow in our sin?
Do we believe that God’s Word endure forever? Do we try to cling to worldly, temporal things for our security instead of clinging to God’s Word?
Do we believe that God’s Word is true and righteous altogether? Do we dwell on the lies and fears of this world or dwell on the truth of God’s Word?

Do we truly desire God’s Word? Is this evidenced in our daily lives? Do we spend more time seeking worldly things, following worldly entertainment and devices, letting the world determine our thinking–or do we spend time renewing our minds according to God’s Word? 
~*~*~
7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10

Happy New Year!

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Wow…2015 flew by SO quickly and it was packed with so many amazing adventures! I look back on a long–and in some ways, tough–year and am so grateful for everything the Lord allowed me to do, and all of the lessons He has been patiently teaching me.

I didn’t get around to designing the graphics I wanted to for today, but a few days ago, these verses really encouraged me. As we look into a new, unknown year, may we strive to continually press forward and seek the Lord in all that we do!

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 3:13-14