Tag: Scripture

Scripture Graphics 23

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

“The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:7-9
So much in these verses!
– Is my path in uprightness?
– Do I wait, keeping in the way of God’s judgments?
– Is my desire to God’s Name?
– At night, do I let my thoughts wander or turn them to Christ?
– Do I seek God early? (Early in the day, early in a decision)


Do I put as much effort in *living* Christian as I do in trying to “sound Christian?” God can see through a facade. We may deceive others into thinking we’re pleasing God, but He knows our heart and motives.
Do I search God’s Word (daily!) for myself to see His standard for fear and honor? Or do I apply rules that man has set because it “sounds good for a Christian to do that?”


This was spoken to Israel, but it also applies to us. We tend to think if God answers “no” or “wait” to our prayers that maybe He didn’t hear, or maybe we didn’t pray hard enough or use the right words, or He didn’t understand our request. But it easily could be that God is waiting because He is being merciful and gracious to us.


Instructions for all people: praise God. Instructions for older generations: make known God’s truths. If these two pillars crumble, society will crumble. Which begs the questions: Am I actively praising God? And, even though I’m not a parent, am I making God’s truths known to others?


“I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour….I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:11, 25
What comforting words: “I, even I.” Isaiah has several beautiful promises attached to “I, even I.” I encourage you to look them up today!

Scripture Graphics 22

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment


When was the last time we examined our hearts and “thought on our ways?” If we find our ways not in line with God’s Word, do we make haste and delay not to keep His commandments (vs 60)?


A good pattern to follow in our daily lives: praise God, call upon Him, declare His doings, exalt His Name among others.


How faithfully do we attend the “school” of God’s Word? We will never truly have understanding and wisdom if we do not learn AND apply God’s Word in our daily lives.


I found this circle interesting: we need understanding to know God’s testimonies, yet God’s word gives understanding. Seeking God so that He can give us understanding for His Word and actively being in the Word so we can get understanding go hand-in-hand.

Scripture Graphics 21

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Claiming to follow the Lord or saying that we seek Him means nothing if our actions violate His Word. It is easy to apply this verse to our government — we say “in God we trust” or “God bless America” yet as a whole, our actions deny God as King. But what about at personal level? We can say we’re leaning on God, trusting in Him, seeking Him, yet are our actions rooted in personal glory, selfish decisions, and carnal gain?


Some of my favorite verses. Work however God has gifted us, our focus on the glory of God.


We often quote verse 7 alone, but it is connected to verse 6 — it takes humility to fully cast our cares on Christ.

Scripture Graphics 20

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

 (yes, I designed two with the same verses)


I love this testimony of Amos. The Lord took him from where he was faithfully doing what he was supposed to do, and called him to prophesy. I think today, so many people want to “do big things” for God that they neglect to stay faithful to do what He currently has them to do.

‘

This verse hit me in a new way this morning. I was pressed for time and couldn’t do my devotions like normal — you know, get “my list” checked off in my preferred time. Then I ran across this verse. Though it applies to walks of life and possessions, it applied to me. Was I coveting others’ “freer” time? Was I content to take a different approach to my devotion-time than usual? God is God and He is faithful when I seek Him — that faithfulness is not contingent upon “if I read so many chapters” or “say so many memory verses.” It is not an excuse to neglect devotions, but His grace is sufficient–He doesn’t leave me in the busy days.


When we reach the lowest point, when our soul faints, what is our response? Do we go to friends — or to God? Do we ask others to pray — or do we pray ourselves?

Scripture Graphics 19

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

If I seriously evaluated every activity with, “Will this keep me from pleasing God?” then how different would my days look? my time be spent?


“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:16-18
– Are we willing to stand, even if no one stands with us?
– Is it enough to “only” have God and His strength?
– Are we confident–not in this life–but that God will eternally preserve us?
– If I am the only one who will go, is that good enough for me to follow God’s leading? Or will I only follow Him if my “network” is big enough, I have a good “support group?”

Scripture Graphics 18

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” Hosea 10:12-13
Even as believers, we need the reminder of how we sow and reap, because we can still fall into the trap of hardening our hearts and not seeking God, but trusting in our own ways.


As a new day begins, these verses are highly encouraging. I had exceeding abundant mercies to live by yesterday — and those mercies are renewed today. They will be renewed tomorrow. Every day, God extends to us His mercies and His compassions to face what is in store for us.


Are we faithful to hold to this commandment among our family and friends, in our daily life?


To be a good minister is simply to remind others of God’s truth. This means that I myself must know these truths, which in turn makes me a healthier Christian, because God’s Word nourishes.
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
It’s not about “no man despising” the youth/young, but about me being an example in these things — about knowing them and applying them so we can, in turn, lead others in these truths and be a good minister.

Scripture Graphics 17

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Twice in this Psalm is the reminder that God endures forever — and both references come after the Psalmist acknowledge difficulty or dark times. He didn’t stay focused on the sorrows of this world — he turned his eyes upon God and His eternal kingdom. We should learn from this example and, when tempted to surround our thoughts with the dismal events of today, instead turn our focus to our eternal God and praise Him!


In writing “Journey of Choice,” I definitely desire God’s Word to have free course — and have had days struggling to know exactly how to portray God’s Word in perfect truth. I know this verse applies to preachers, but I don’t think it would be taking it out of context to say that it is a good prayer for writers as well. We never know whose hands our books will fall into — and oh how much we need to be surrendered to writing God’s Word in accuracy so that it is glorified!


God not only has given us everlasting consolation (solace) and hope, but He also gives us daily comfort and stablishes us *today* to do every good word and work!


If God holds us up to His standard, would He have controversy with us? Do we pursue mercy AND truth AND the knowledge of God?

Scripture Graphics 16

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

The key to being holy and unblameable before God is not how many sermons we listen to, how many chapters in God’s Word we read daily, how we dress, or what convictions we hold to. All of these are important, but if “I have not charity, I am nothing.” How is our attitude towards those around us? We can do all “the right things” externally, yet be selfish, arrogant, judgmental, and unloving.


“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…He hath made every thing beautiful in his time…” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11a
God’s timing is always best, because He is all wisdom and understanding. He sees that which we do not see; He knows all of the details of what surrounds us. Do we trust Him?


I know I’ve shared this verse before, but it does me good to be reminded to spend my day — not just serving, but with GLADNESS. And then the latter half seems to be a key with how to do that — because I can’t sing praise to God and grumble as I work at the same time.

Scripture Graphics 15

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
“So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.” 2 Chronicles 27:6
Compared to 2 Chronicles 12:14, “And [Rehoboam] did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.”
Too often, we try to be “accidental Christians” — assuming that we will do right just because God is good, or because we’re saved. But doing right (even for the believer) takes work and preparation – purposeful living. How much time do we spend daily, preparing our hearts and ways before God? If we don’t spend any time seeking God, why do we wonder when He withholds blessings, or if we fall?


There is no better way to start our day than in praise to the Lord — whether in song or in gratefulness to Him.


He sought God…with all his heart…and prospered. His goal was not just following the law and doing good works — his heart sought God. It is easy to get so pulled into doing and checking off my “spiritual checklist” that I stop seeking God and just follow the rules.

“And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.” 2 Chronicles 34:14
If Josiah hadn’t been faithful in doing what he knew to do, they would not have “stumbled” on God’s law and, by it, further led to do right. It never hurts to examine daily: am I doing that which I know to do?

Scripture Graphics 14

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments


“And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.” 2 Chronicles 18:12-13
Whether we are preachers, counselors, writers, speakers, or just friends, what do we speak? Do we veer from God’s truth to speak that which ears want to hear? Or are we faithful to speak only that which God says?


“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17
Some battles are won by seeking the Lord (2 Chron 20:3) then standing back and letting Him work.


The power of influence is shown here. But living upright only under godly influence is not enough. If that influence is taken away, will we still follow God? If not, then were we following God or a person?