All posts in category Spiritual

Ruth- A Shining Example of Romans 8:28!

I finished teaching the book of Ruth today to the youth Sunday School class. As I finished my studies on this book, Romans 8:28 came to mind- And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God used the hardships and the blessings in the lives of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz to ultimately bring glory to Himself. Isn’t that what it is all about? God blessing us, challenging us, and using us in order to fulfill His divine plan- the redemption of man through faith in Jesus. We are His instruments to show others the boundless love of God, pointing them to the path of everlasting life. While we each are granted the choice to choose His way or our way, His Word is clear that He desires no one to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Our purpose is to be used by God and, in that process, we are promised that all that happens in our lives will result in the good.

John Piper has written a book titled, A Sweet and Bitter Providence . This is a great read for further study on Ruth. You can download it to your computer for free! Here is a sampling of his thoughts as he concluded his thoughts on Ruth…

 The book of Ruth wants to teach us that God’s purpose for the life of his people is to connect us to something far greater than ourselves. God wants us to know that when we follow him our lives always mean more than we think they do. For the Christian there is always a connection between the ordinary events of life and the stupendous work of God in history. Everything we do in obedience to God, no matter how small, is significant. It is part of a cosmic mosaic which God is painting to display the greatness of his power and wisdom to the world and to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Eph. 3:10). The deep satisfaction of the Christian life is that it is not given over to trifles. Serving a widowed mother-in-law, gleaning in a field, falling in love, having a baby — for the Christian these things are all connected to eternity. They are part of something so much bigger than they seem.

So the word glory is not too strong. The life of the godly is not a straight line to glory, but they do get there — God sees to it. There is a hope for us beyond the cute baby and the happy grandmother. If there weren’t we would be of all men most miserable. The story points forward to David. David points forward to Jesus. And Jesus points forward to the resurrection of our mortal bodies (Rom. 8:23) when “death will be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

The best is yet to come. That is the unshakable truth about the life of the woman and the man who follow Christ in the obedience of faith. I say it to the young who are strong and hopeful, and I say it to the old, for whom the outer nature is quickly wasting away. The best is yet to come.

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on May 29, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Spiritual
Tagged , , ,

Posted by M. Terry on May 29, 2011

https://wholetothecore.com/2011/05/29/ruth-a-shining-example-of-romans-828/

Commitment

I began teaching the book of Ruth last week to the youth during Sunday School. This is my favorite book of the Bible. I love the parallel between the courtship of Boaz and Ruth and the pursuing love of Jesus and us. Only God can orchestrate such a beautiful story of redemption and love!

Our focus today was on Chapter 2 as Ruth sets out to glean in the fields in order to provide for her mother-in-law and herself. I emphasized the significance of commitment- Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, Boaz’s commitment to both Ruth and Naomi, and, ultimately, both of their commitments to loving and trusting the Lord.

Unfortunately, just in the past day, I have been in touch with three different individuals who are facing struggles in their marriages for various reasons. I am reminded that commitments can be hard to keep at times, and that it is only through the power of Christ that we can see them through.

Due to some hurting hearts surrounding me, several end-of-the-school-year activities, and our youth golf tournament fundraiser on Saturday, I am committing myself to these needs and taking a week break from blogging. I covet your prayers for all those, in my life and yours, who are facing attacks from the enemy. For our battle is not against one another- it against the prince of this world.

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on May 15, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Spiritual

Posted by M. Terry on May 15, 2011

https://wholetothecore.com/2011/05/15/commitment/

A Reminder to Refocus

This is not what I intended to post today. But as I read this devotional this morning, God snapped my focus back to Him and so I had to share. Scott and I leave on Thursday on a cruise. There are many things to do this week to get all of us ready for our departure. I have meetings lined up, a house that needs tons of TLC after a crazy weekend, dog obedience training :/ , packing for us, packing for the kids, and a 15-20 page paper of Scott’s to review and correct before setting sail- and this on top of the never-ending, everyday stuff (i.e. laundry, meals, dishes, 5 hour long bedtime rituals) My mind is racing with my ‘to do’ list. However, when I read this devotional just awhile ago, God clearly reminded to keep my eyes open, for He has opportunities for me to minister to others this week no matter how busy I am. Having the chance to serve God by loving others is my prayer every night with my girls, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when He reminds me of the very thing I ask him to do!

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on April 11, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Spiritual
Tagged , ,

Posted by M. Terry on April 11, 2011

https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/11/a-reminder-to-refocus/

Christ Through Me

Pastor Jim Johnson recently did a five lesson Bible study at our church. Since I was unable to get there every night, Scott brought home the CDs and I have been listening to them over the past few weeks.

I love how God’s Word is like a blooming rose, revealing more and more beauty as it opens. I don’t think I will ever stop being fascinated by how verses I have read countless times always provide me with new insight into who God is and how He wants me to live.  One of the statements that Jim made was one of those times when God revealed a truth to me that I had not caught before. Or maybe it is a truth that I have known all along, but it has been lost in the “churchyness” that we, as believers, can sometimes get bogged down in. Here is what he said (my paraphrase)…

We are not called to go out into the world and be like Christ. We are called to go out into the world and have Christ live through us.

As Phillipians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We throw that verse around so often, that I think we forget exactly what it means. It is through Christ that we are able to complete what He has set forth for us to accomplish. If Christ is not the driving force in what we are doing, we will fail. It may not be an immediate failure, but you can be sure that you will encounter unnecessary frustrations along the way.  However, when we abide in Him, just as Jesus said, then we will bear much fruit. And he continues on in John15:5 to say that, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” And while he promises a challenging road ahead as we follow Him, He is able to handle our trials and give us victory as we allow him to live through us.

In an age where we are swallowed up by lengthy ‘to do’ lists and hectic schedules, it is easy to forget to lay our lives at the foot of the cross and seek God and His strength to live a holy life that glorifies Him through our service to others.

God has laid a “project” on my heart, and I know that I cannot do it in my own strength. I don’t have the stamina, the patience, the knowledge, or follow-through to complete it on my own. I thank God that He does, and I am praying that I will daily remember to allow Jesus to live through me- because I will never be able to live like Him!

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on April 3, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Spiritual
Tagged ,

Posted by M. Terry on April 3, 2011

https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/03/christ-through-me/

Regroup and Refocus

Losing heart is something we all experience. I’m thankful that God’s Word has refreshment for my soul so that I can refocus on the task He has called me to!

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on March 27, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Motivation, Spiritual
Tagged ,

Posted by M. Terry on March 27, 2011

https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/27/regroup-and-refocus/

The Eternal Party

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!

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on March 21, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Spiritual
Tagged ,

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!

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on March 19, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Spiritual
Tagged

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!

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on March 4, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Motivation, Spiritual
Tagged , ,

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!

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on March 1, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Spiritual
Tagged ,

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.

Leave a comment
by M. Terry on February 22, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Motivation, Spiritual
Tagged

Posted by M. Terry on February 22, 2011

https://wholetothecore.com/2011/02/22/the-power-team-at-1st-baptist-melbourne-wed-sun/

« Older Posts
Newer Posts »