Today’s devotional really spoke to my heart. This is an area in my life that God has challenged me on recently- to let go of my complaining and focus on the big picture- God’s Kingdom, the eternal party. God has so richly blessed me, and therefore, I have nothing to whine about and everything to give in order to live life abundantly and to store up my treasures in Heaven!
All posts in category Christianity
The Eternal Party
Posted by M. Terry on March 21, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/21/the-eternal-party/
Your Body, the Temple
Here is a devotional to start of your weekend. Enjoy your Saturday and Sunday!
Posted by M. Terry on March 19, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/19/your-body-the-temple/
The Longest Run of My Life
I received a text from my sister-in-law the other day asking me if I could run 10 miles with her on Friday. “Sure!” I texted back and then realize that the furthest I’ve ever run was 6 miles (and that not very often at all). I begin to hope that I will actually be able to finish the run since I have not trained for it. Despite that, I accepted the challenge without the assurance of ever having completed that distance. I do know that my consistent running will be the one thing that will help me press through the tough moments that I know will come.
Sometimes life throws a challenge our way that we must face without the proper “training” with which to tackle it. A heart-breaking trial is difficult to overcome, but, just as my consistency in running will help me in completing my longest distance yet, a consistent walk with Jesus can ensure that my hardest struggle in life will be handled with peace and hope. If we neglect our daily walk with the Lord, we are that seed that grew up and was strangled by the worries of the world. (Matt. 13:22) We will face trials- that is a promise from Jesus. Train now for that hardship that will one day present itself. Remain in Jesus and the challenge that you encounter, even though you wonder how you will go on, will be handled through faith, in grace, and with hope. And, at the end, victory through Jesus is oh so sweet!
Posted by M. Terry on March 4, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/04/the-longest-run-of-my-life/
Consider the Cost
28“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?
29“Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him,
30saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
31“Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and onsider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
32“Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
33“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. Luke 14:28-33
Today, I was reminded of those around the world who know that the cost of following Christ will cost them their freedom, their family, their health, and even their life. There are no carnal Christians in a country where persecution is inevitable. My prayer is that we, as followers of Christ, would live in a manner worthy of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It’s easy for American Christians to lose focus on the significance of eternal matters, and I am asking the Lord to use me in a way that will bring glory to Him!
Posted by M. Terry on March 1, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/01/consider-the-cost/
The Power Team at 1st Baptist Melbourne Wed.- Sun.
The Power Team is coming to 1st Baptist of Melbourne this Wed. – Sun. They will be performing nightly at 7 PM.
THE POWER TEAM is a group of world class athletes who have performed the world’s greatest exhibitions of power, strength, speed, inspiration, and motivation in every state and in over 40 countries for over 30 years. These giant men, many weighing over 300 pounds, can blow up hot water bottles like balloons, snap baseball bats like twigs, lift telephone poles overhead, rip phone books and license plates like pieces of paper, and smash walls of ice and concrete.
Posted by M. Terry on February 22, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/02/22/the-power-team-at-1st-baptist-melbourne-wed-sun/
Freedom
Most people think of Christianity as a list of dos and don’ts. They see their lifestyle as becoming cramped and boring if they give control of their life over to God. The irony of dying to self and living for Jesus is that one actually finds an unexplainable freedom in living. The freedom from the sin that so easily entangles us allows for one to live without fear and with love. There is no life that is lived more abundantly than the one lived in Christ.
Today a friend of mine said she feels guilty sometimes when she reads my blog. That is not my intention, and I don’t want anyone to ever feel that. I simply share my healthy lifestyle because I love it! While I hesitate to compare eating and exercising to my relationship with Jesus, the freedom that I receive from being healthy is not so dissimilar to the freedom in my Christian walk. This 10- year or so process of changing how I eat and my exercise habits has enable me to feel good physically, emotionally, and mentally. The freedom from food addiction and being consumed with the struggle of losing weight has allowed me to focus on other important things in my life and have the energy to do so. My prayer is that this blog is a helpful and useful tool to help you become healthier. Changing your eating and incorporating daily exercise is NOT an overnight miracle. It is a process and a great learning experience. Enjoy the adventure and encourage someone else to join you on the ride!
This devotional by Lysa TerKeurst offers great insight into the struggle of trying to use food (or any idol!) as a replacement for Jesus. Check it out!
Posted by M. Terry on February 20, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/02/20/freedom/
The Greatest Valentine
Posted by M. Terry on February 14, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/02/14/the-greatest-valentine/
A Way Out
January 24th devotional from proverbs31.org
Posted by M. Terry on January 28, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/01/28/a-way-out/
Jenga and a Poetic Masterpiece
Do you remember that game, Jenga, where you pull a wooden block from the tower, place it on top, and hope that your decision doesn’t mean the fall of the whole building? 
I remember that there were times that I tried to loosen a certain block but, as I tried tapping, it wouldn’t budge. This game was brought back to mind as I read Ephesians 2. In verse 20, Paul talks about Jesus being the chief cornerstone, and we, his followers, are the ‘building, being fitted together’ and ‘built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.’ Jesus is that immovable Jenga block, and we are the movable pieces. While our unsteady status can seem disheartening, we have the promise of Eph. 2:10. We are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ to do good works. The Greek word for masterpiece is ‘poiema’ which is where we derive our word, poem. We are a poem designed by the Master. Just as one would handle an original Picasso with care, we are to treat ourselves in the same manner. We too often have the tendency to place our own spirituality, our own health, and our own emotional stability on the back burner. If we have neglected our own body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, then we become a loose piece within the “Jenga tower””- the church body. The good news is that Jesus remains the unshakable chief cornerstone. It is through Him that we receive our strength to once again become a steady stone. Take some time to feed your mind with God’s Word, to fill your emotional tank through loving others and receiving love in return, and to fuel your body with nutrition and exercise. Receive some encouragement from Lysa TerKeurst as she challenges you to make the courageous choice in her daily devotional.
Posted by M. Terry on January 24, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/01/24/jenga-and-a-poetic-masterpiece/
"I Can" through Christ
A devotional about victory – “All of God’s Girls Have Issues”
Posted by M. Terry on January 17, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/01/17/i-can-through-christ/
Proverbs 31 Devotionals
Whole to the Core Blog 