Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12
Thankful that my heart belongs to Jesus!
All posts in category Spiritual
A Conversation Heart From Me to Jesus
Posted by M. Terry on February 12, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/02/12/a-conversation-heart-from-me-to-jesus/
A Conversation Heart From Jesus to You
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9
Posted by M. Terry on February 5, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/02/05/a-conversation-heart-from-jesus-to-you/
A Conversation Heart From God to You
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Posted by M. Terry on January 27, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/01/27/a-conversation-heart-from-god-to-you/
1 Route, 2 Views – A Look at the Year Ahead
While training for the marathon, my sister-in-law and I sometimes met at a park where we were able to vary our route in order to complete the scheduled long run for that week. For our 14-milers, we ran a 7-mile circle twice. We would start at 5:30 or so in the morning, and the first part of our runs were done in the dark. You never knew if the dark spot you were stepping into was a pile of leaves, just some dirt, a muddy puddle, or something a little more messy! During the beginning of our second trip around one day, she commented on how it was like a whole new route since the sun had appeared and had begun to light our way.
This observation triggered a thought in my mind: We are all on this journey of life, but which route are you racing down- the Lighted path or the dark one? You are either running it with or without God. With purpose, or aimlessly. Knowing where you are heading, or wondering where you’ll wind up.
As 2012 begins, my prayer is that the steps of your life are illuminated by God’s Word (Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Ps. 119:105). While God does not reveal to us all that lay ahead in our path, we can trust that He will make our paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6) when we keep our focus on Him- the immovable focal point! May God’s love compel you in all that you do in this upcoming year, and may He receive all the glory for what will be accomplished in and through you! Happy New Year to you and your family!
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10
Posted by M. Terry on January 1, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/01/01/1-route-2-views-a-look-at-the-year-ahead/
Christmas Day – The Christ Candle
Today we celebrate God’s gift to us- Jesus Christ. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas Day, and may the love of Jesus fill your heart throughout the new year!
John 1:1-14
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Posted by M. Terry on December 25, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/12/25/christmas-day-the-christ-candle/
A Merry Christmas Because of a Happy Easter!
As we come upon Christmas Day, it is important that we remember that we celebrate the birth of Jesus because we can celebrate His death and His resurrection. Without His death on the cross, we would still be dead in our sins, and without His resurrection, we would not have victory over the grave and the gift of eternal life in Heaven. Therefore, the celebration of Jesus’ birth is dependent upon His purpose for coming to the earth- to seek and save the lost.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very naturea God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
So as we wish one another “Merry Christmas”, let us remind ourselves of a “Happy Easter” to come!
Posted by M. Terry on December 22, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/12/22/a-merry-christmas-because-of-a-happy-easter/
Celebrating Advent – The Shepherd’s Candle or Candle of Joy
This, the third Sunday of Advent, leads us into the week of the Shepherds’ Candle or the Joy Candle! The shepherds represent the message of great joy that is brought to the world about Jesus’ birth.
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.!
Luke 2:15-21
Posted by M. Terry on December 11, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/12/11/celebrating-advent-the-shepherds-candle/
Celebrating Advent – The Bethlehem Candle: the Candle of Peace
Celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent The Bethlehem Candle- the candle of Peace:
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2-5
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:1-7
Posted by M. Terry on December 4, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/12/04/celebrating-advent-the-bethlehem-candle-the-candle-of-peace/
Pockets of Refreshment
A strange phenomenon occurred while Terri and I were doing a long run around Wickham Park not too long ago. As we rounded the back side of the park in the already 80+ degree weather, pockets of cool air had rolled out of the wooded area and was wrapping around our legs. It was a welcomed relief from the mugginess that we were pressing through! It reminded me of how God can send times of refreshment our way when we are trudging through the heavy points in our lives.
I think of Elijah…
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 1 Kings 19:3-5
How many times do we say, “I have had enough, Lord,” and then God answers us by providing just what we need or even more than what we expected? Or how about Jonah? Even in the midst of his constant struggle with his selfishness (sounds like someone I know- me!), God even provided the leafy plant to shade Jonah from the sun. (Despite his complaining) And then there is Peter who boldly stated that he would follow Jesus even if it meant death, but later denied Christ three times within just hours. After his resurrection, Jesus came directly to Peter and reassured him that He knew that Peter’s love for Him still filled his heart. Peter, at one of his lowest points, was gently restored by the Lord himself.
Blessings from the Lord. Meetings with Jesus. Encounters with our God. As we run this marathon called life, these pockets of refreshment are the moments that help us to press on to win the prize for which God has called us heavenword in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:14) May we run alongside God so that we never miss the pockets of refreshment that He sends our way.
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake Ps 23:3
Posted by M. Terry on September 14, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/09/14/pockets-of-refreshment/
Hunger Pangs, Physical and Spiritual
Scott has been gone for almost a week, and so my running schedule has not been what it usually is. Because I am behind on my runs, I have not had much of an appetite. I love having that stomach-growling type of hunger, and needed to get that feeling back. Thankfully, my mom sacrificed her Tuesday evening so I could get out and sneak in a run and meet with my book club. I came home hungry and had my usual greek yogurt with granola, raisins, and mini chocolate chips!
As I was doing my hill work, I was thinking about the parallel between physical hunger and spiritual hunger. Watermark has a song titled, “ Still “, and the opening line is, “The more I get alone the more I see I need to get alone more.” Isn’t this so true when it comes to our relationship with Jesus? 
When we flex our spiritual muscles, when we carve out time to meet with our Creator, we hunger for more of God. When we get out of the habit of meeting with the Lord, then we break fellowship with Him, and our hunger for seeking Him subsides. Just as physical activity creates hunger within our physical bodies, so spiritual activity creates hunger within our spirit. May our hunger pangs for the Lord never be quenched!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
Posted by M. Terry on June 29, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/06/29/hunger-pangs-physical-and-spiritual/
Proverbs 31 Devotionals
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