How Much Does God Love You?

I was listening to the radio and I heard this song.  It has been a while since I heard it and it is so powerful.  I wanted to share it with you, my readers.

It is by Angela Spivey.  The lyrics I found on www.Music-Lyrics-Gospel.com  The song is entitled:

So You Would Know

Verse 1:
How many times must I prove how much I love you?
How many ways must my love for you I show.
How many times must I rescue you from trouble,
for you would know just how much I love you?

Verse 2:
How many days must I build a fence around you?
How many nights must I wipe your tears away.
How many storms must I bring you safely through
so you would know how much I love you?

Verse 3:
Didn’t I wake you up this morning,
clothed in my right mind?
When you walked up on a problem,
(didn’t I step) step right in on time.
Weak along life’s journey,
my angel carried you,

Chorus:
So you would know,
so you would know how much,
so you would know just how much I love you.

Verse 4:
Didn’t I put food on your table,
show up when bills are due?
When the pains were wracking your body,
(Didn’t I send) healing down to you?
Lost in sin and sorrow,
I died to set you free.

Chorus

Vamp:
So you would know I love You.
I love You, I love You,
I really love You.

Chorus

Here is the video. Don’t worry about the quality just listen to the words in the song.

Be Blessed!

Tereciah

From Me…

For several weeks now it has been on my mind to write a blog explaining the content of my devotionals.

Almost 2 years ago my church was giving them out as additional encouragement to its members and I happened to pick one up.  I totally fell it love with it.  It encouraged me, guided me, comforted me, spoke to me.

I have kept it all this time because of the impact it has had on my life. You should see my copy – it is torn, raggedy and a little worse for wear, but the words on the inside still speaks to me!

When I started this blog my intention was, and still is, to give encouragement through the written word.  I am one of those individuals that like to share what I have learned.  I can read something, hear something or go somewhere, have it impact me and I then want to share what I have gained with others.

I have been blessed by this Devotional and I want you to be blessed also.  So I share.  I am careful to give them the credit.  Any of my blogs you see that has Source: The Word for You Today is from that devotional.  Yes, I did contact them about quoting their work. Everything else is my work.  I have made this devotional a part of my ministry and if you would like to purchase one, you may do so at our website LifeSpark Ministries.

I truly hope that you, the reader, will be and have been blessed by this work.  Please share with others if you too, have been blessed.

Be Blessed!

Tereciah V. Smithen-Quintana

Don’t Cross the Line

“YOU BECOME THE SLAVE OF WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO OBEY.” Romans 6:16 NLT

Set clear boundaries for yourself – and keep them!  Wisdom says:

(1) Don’t cross the line. The first time you do you tell yourself, “just this once.”  But what you don’t know is, you’ve opened a door you may not be able to close.

(2) It’s easier to cross it the second time. The man who slips downstairs while his wife’s sleeping to watch pornography on his computer soon discovers that, like an addict, you have to increase the dosage.  Before you know it you’re driven to seek ever higher states of arousal.  Paul writes, “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?” (Romans 6:16 NLT).

(3) Eventually the line gets blurred.  You keep commuting between what’s right and what’s wrong, thinking, “I can quit any time I want,” and Satan whispers, “Gotcha!”

(4) Finally the line disappears. Like the Prodigal Son, you lose everything.  Spiritually, you loose your confidence before God.  Personally, you lose your sense of self-worth.  Publicly, you lose respect and influence with others.

And “good” things can hurt you too.  A work ethic is a good thing, but lack of balance can make you neglect your family and lose your marriage.  Rest and relaxation are good things, but too much time “vegging out” in front of the TV will stunt your spiritual growth.

Caution and thoughtfulness are good things, but too much of them will clip the wings of your faith and keep you from rising to fulfill your God-given destiny.  So draw a clear line for yourself- and stay on the right side of it!

Be Blessed!

(Source: The Word for You Today, 2008)

Worth-ship

“THE FATHER SEEKETH SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM.” John 4:23

Jesus revealed some of His greatest insights on worship to a flawed woman with 5 failed marriages and a live-in boyfriend.  No wonder His disciples were “shocked to find him talking to [her]” (John 4:27 NLT).  So what is Jesus teaching us about worship?

1. That anybody can do it! True worship has nothing to do with your religious denomination (Jews and Gentiles), and cannot be limited to a physical location (Mount Gerizim or the temple in Jerusalem).  Once you’ve made Him Lord of your life, Jesus accepts your worship.  You’re in!
2. That God is actually looking for people who will do it. Here’s a stop-you-in-your-tracts thought: God created you to do the only thing He cannot do for Himself-worship!  “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev 4:11).  We were actually created to worship God!
3. That there’s no “only” way to do it. According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament words, “the worship of God is nowhere defined in scripture.”  That’s because it’s such a powerful outpouring of our hearts toward the Lord and represents such love, gratitude and devotion that it cannot be put into words; nor can it be defined by a song, a shout, or silence.

Jesus said “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23 NIV).  True worship comes from the depths of your spirit and is based on the truth of God’s Word.  To understand worship, think: worth-ship!  How much do you value the Lord?  We never get tired of talking about what we value most!

Be Blessed!

(Source: The Word for You Today, 2008)

Seeing your trials the right way

“BLESSED IS A MAN WHO PERSEVERES UNDER TRIALS.”  James 1:12 NASB

Too many of us view our trials the way we watch television.  Some televisions have a second channel in the corner of your screen that enables you to divide your focus and watch 2 programs at once.  A lot of us try to superimpose our human viewpoint on the screen of God’s will for our lives.

God gives us a divine perspective, then we open up a second screen, a human one, and try to figure it all out.  Don’t waste your trials by trying to fit them into your limited vision and understanding or you’ll end up frustrated.  It’s much better to trust God, rest in His wisdom and take Him at His word.

A spiritual perspective on your trials will keep you from buckling under the weight of them when times are hard.  When you begin to look at your trials from God’s perspective, your spirit is renewed and you’re enabled to press on and receive what God has waiting for you.

James writes, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of Life.”  Now the Crown of Life is not just something you receive in Heaven, you can enjoy it today.  And who’s it for?  those who “persevere.”  When God gives you this Crown, He’s saying, “You’ve passed another of life’s tests, now you’re ready for a new level of blessing.”

Remember the wonderful feeling you had when you passed some of your hardest tests in school?  Don’t get discouraged.  God is up to something good.  Keep going – don’t stop until you receive the Crown of Life.

Be Blessed!

 

(Source: The Word for You Today, 2008)

A Prayer Flung Up to Heaven

“…THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH.”   James 5:16 KJV

Earlier this week I happened upon an accident that had occurred moments before I came.  A vehicle had rear-ended a motorcycle and the cyclist was thrown on the ground – and was very still.  He looked dead.

I pulled into the Hardee’s parking lot and called 911.  During the call I felt led to pray for the man laying on the grass.  Being about 20 feet away I could see the frenzy on the opposite side of the street.  There were crying and wailing and moanings coming from everywhere.

About 10 to 15 minutes before the accident I made a stop on the way home.  Something I would not normally do especially with the long day I had, had.  I was tired and beat and wanted to go home and lie down.

I entered my vehicle and started praying for the person laying on the grass.  I was so filled with emotions that I couldn’t bring the scriptures to mind fast enough to pray.  Healing scriptures, security scriptures, protection scriptures.  So, I asked the Holy Spirit to intervene for me.  To assist me in what I needed to pray for.

Romans 8:26 says “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

See, I now knew there was a reason I had made that stop.  A reason I came just as the accident happened.  

I prayed for the motorcyclist.  I prayed for the lady driver of the other vehicle.   I just prayed.

On Sunday of this week my pastor mentioned in his sermon the need to thank God for coverings.  How we need to think about all the things that could have happened but didn’t although they were trying to happen.

Why am I telling you this story?  Because we need to learn to pray for each other.  You never know what someone else may be going through.  Pray for strangers, pray for leaders; Pray for yourself.

Has someone’s face ever popped in your mind while driving; eating; sitting at a desk?

Someone you haven’t thought of in …years?  Pray.

Someone you don’t really know to well, maybe met once?  Pray.

A friend’s son or daughter their having problems with?  Pray.

Someone on the side of the street begging for money? Pray.

A friend’s marriage seems to be on the rocks? Pray

You sense a division at your place of worship, office or organization?  Pray.

YOUR PRAYER

It doesn’t have to be long.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  It just needs to be from the heart.  You never knofw how your prayers may, can or will affect that person or situation.

• Your prayer could save someone from committing suicide.

• Could have prevented a robber from pulling the trigger on a store owner.

• That woman from being abused by the mad spouse.

• The husband from leaving his family.

• That child from being coerced into doing something that is wrong.

• That reformed addict from taking a hit or a drink.

• That preacher from falling.

Remember the prayers of the righteous availeth much.  As you pray for others, someone is praying for you.

I’m praying for you.

Be Blessed!

Tereciah

Copyright 2009

Give it to God

“COMMIT THY WAY UNTO THE LORD.”  Psalms 37:5

One day a child playing with a valuable vase got his had stuck in it and couldn’t get it out.  Before resorting to breaking the vase, his father said, “Son, relax just open your hand and pull it out.”  To their astonishment the little guy said, “I can’t.  If I do I’ll drop my penny.”  A lot of us are just like him, so busy holding onto something of little worth that we can’t accept what God offers!

Let go!  Let God have His way!  Loretta P. Burns writes: “As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend, I brought my broken dreams to God because He is my friend.  But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.  At last I snatched them back and cried, ‘How can you be so slow?’  ‘My child,’ He said, ‘What could I do…you never did let go.’”

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Ps 37:3-5).  The words, “trust, delight, and commit” are your keys to success.

Give up trying to handle life by yourself.  Put it into God’s hands and allow Him to work. He’s neither intimidated nor stumped by your circumstances.  Check His resume.  Do you seriously think your problem is to big for Him, or that He can’t do it without your help?  Come on, give it to God and watch what happens!

Be Blessed!

Tereciah

(Source: The Word for You Today, 2008)

Healing Scriptures – What?! You Don’t Believe?!

Last week I was visiting a family member that has chronic leg pain. On my visit I brought pages of healing scriptures for them to read.  This member says they are a Believer in Christ; they go to church, they read their Bible every day.

For months I have been telling this person to look in the Bible for healing scriptures, read them, believe in them.  They wouldn’t do it. So I did it for them.   I did the research, downloaded and printed.  And to be honest with you, I felt like I wasted my ink and my paper – all 35 pages.

A few days later I returned to find out how things were going and if they had started reading the scriptures.  I was told “no, I don’t believe in those things.”  What?!!!!!  I almost had a fit.

I could not believe what I was hearing.  A person that confessed to being a believer, a person that read their Bible everyday, a person that says they believe in God, a person that goes to church…. It just floored me.  When I asked why they don’t want to read the scriptures they said, “I pray everyday, and I know God hears me.  He will deliver me.  He will heal me.  I don’t need to read any scriptures to get healed.”

When I tried to explain the same Bible they were reading everyday and they confess to believe in, is the same Word that I printed out.  I tried to explain that sometimes we as believers have to “remind” God of his Word. Say it back to him.  I  told them that the more you read the scriptures, the stronger your faith.  They were not hearing it.

I TRULY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND IT.  With all that I had to ask them when they die were they sure they were going to heaven.  They waited about 5 -10 seconds and then said “Yes.”   I was determined to figure out why they were so against reading the scriptures – the same Word of God they read in their Bible.  The more I spoke to them the angrier they became – I mean like MAD!   They kept saying it was “nonsense.”  What?!

Something just wasn’t right. I truly believe there are some strongholds there that are resisting the power of God’s Word.

After that episode I realized many things:

1. Not everyone that read their Bible and go to church is a true Believer/Christian
2. There are varying degrees of a person’s faith in God’s Word
3. Although a person may be a believer, there can be strongholds in their life that is hindering them from living a full life in God’s Word
4. I needed to pray for that family member – HARD!

I know now that I am going to have to be that bridge.  I will pray for them.  I will believe for them.  I will still encourage them.  And I will continue to minister to them in love.

Be Blessed!

Tereciah

Copyright 2009

Favor Confession Prayer

I was reviewing some files I had on my desktop computer and came across a poem that was in a book that I once read.  Obviously, I enjoyed it so much, I copied it and saved it to my computer.  I don’t know who the author is but it is a wonderful poem.  Read it, be blessed and pass it along….

FAVOR CONFESSION

Father, thank you for making me righteous and accepted through the blood of Jesus.  Because of that, I am blessed and highly favored by you.  I am the object of your affection.  Your favor surrounds me as a shield and the first thing that people come into contact with is my shield.

Thank you that I have favor with you and man today.  All day long, people go out of their way to bless and to help me.  I will have favor with everyone that I deal with today.  Doors that were once closed are now opened for me.  I receive preferential treatment and I have special privileges.  I am God’s favored child.

No good thing will He withhold from me.  Because of God’s favor, my enemies cannot triumph over me.  I have supernatural increase and promotion.  I declare retoration of everything that the devil has stolen from me.  I have honor in the midst of my adversaries and an increase of assests – especially in real estate and an expansion of territory.

Because I am hightly favored by God, I experience great victories, supernatural turn-rounds and miraculous breakthroughs in the midst of great impossibilities.  I recieve recognition, prominence, and honor.  Even ungodly authroities grant petitions to me.  Policies, rules, regulations, and laws are changed and reversed on my behalf.

I win battles that I don’t even have to fight because God fights them for me.  This is the day, the set time and the designated moment for me to experience the free favors of God that profusely and lavishly abound on my behalf.

In Jesus’ Name,  Amen.

Be Blessed!

Tereciah

Trusting God in the Dark

YOU DO  NOT REALIZE NOW WHAT I AM DOING, BUT LATER YOU WILL.”   John 13:7 NIV

Mary and Martha were upset that Jesus didn’t come until their brother Lazarus was dead.

“Lord…if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21 & 32 NIV). “  But instead of giving them reason, Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you…if you believed, you would see [God glorified  in this]” (John 11:40 NIV).

When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac he didn’t understand, but later he witnessed God’s faithfulness when Isaac was restored to him.   Moses didn’t understand why he had to spend 40 years in the wilderness, but later when God called him to lead Israel to freedom, he got it.  Joseph didn’t why his brothers mistreated him or why he was imprisoned unfairly, but later he saw God’s hand in everything.  His father questioned why Joseph had been taken away from him, but later, looking into the face of the man who had been made governor and who’d saved the lives of the nation, God’s purposes became clear.

Just like your children don’t always think your decisions make sense, we don’t understand God’s ways.  That’s why Jesus said to Mary and Martha, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will.”  God doesn’t expect you to understand, but He does expect you to trust Him.  In spite of his boils, bankruptcy and bereavement Job said: “When he has tested me, I will come forth” (Job 23:10 NIV).  Is God testing yo in this situation?  If He is, what are you learning?  Is the experience making you bitter, or making you better by causing you to draw closer to Him?

Be Blessed!

(Source: The Word for You Today, 2008)