Tag: savior

Free Gift

by Terri Sestina, posted in Providence, Uncategorized

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Christmas was two weeks ago and I am still trying to figure out where to put all the toys my son received. It is amazing how much loot one little person can acquire in 24 hours! What’s even more amazing is that none of it even matters to him. At 22 months of age he is just as content with the gift box as he is the present inside. Yet, even though he was not asking or expecting, he was showered with packages. Our God is like that. He longs to give us all good things. He, who did not spare his own son, freely gives us all things. From his storehouse he desires to pour every good gift of Heaven into our lives. These gifts can not be measured in earthly terms. These are Heavenly treasures. Gifts of more value than any material possession; these gifts of the spirit he yearns to graciously offer us, if we will but ask and accept. He gives in great abundance. God’s intent was never for us to merely “get by” in this life. Christ came to bring abundant life, now and for eternity. Unlike the innocent nature of my son, who willingly accepted each gift bestowed upon him, we are too often driven to strive for these good gifts. In my heart I know I could never earn or deserve the gifts of Grace, however I often find myself striving as if I am trying to. Unlike my son, I know what sin is. I know where I have been. I know who I once was and I know it is only by God’s love and forgiveness that I am set free. The more I come to know the Lord in real, personal and intimate ways the less I find myself striving and the more I learn to accept the gifts he so freely gives. Today I choose to come. I come as a child, in innocence, with my hands open, amazed at a Father who would love so much as to lavish upon one so undeserving. He is only good.

Luke 11:13, James 1:17, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:32, Galatians 5:22-23, John 10:10

One Hat

by Terri Sestina, posted in Providence, Uncategorized

As women we are often called to wear many hats. Wife, Mother, Friend, Co-Worker, Employee, Daughter, Leader, Financial Expert, Taxi Driver and the list goes on. No offense to the men out there but there is something innate in a woman that makes her a multi-tasking ninja. These many roles bring abundant blessings but can also lead to a whirling swirling mind and a weary parched soul. There are moments when all the hats must be packed away and only one thing is needed. In these moments, I choose to come before the Lord and be only his. All the other roles, responsibilities and chatter of the rushed life fade and I am standing before the throne in the presence of the Almighty One. I am simply his baby girl, his chosen child, a daughter of the King. This is the one role I am always favored in; the one hat that always fits just right. It never matters how I come, I am always welcomed fully. When I am still long enough, the Holy Spirit will flood my heart and mind so I can lay my cares at his feet. He does this so tenderly and gently. A wise saintly woman I grew up under in the church used to say, “The Holy Spirit is a gentleman”. He will never force you into the stillness of his presence, but once you come, it is here that you will want to abide. Today, even as I take up my many hats and head into the day, I choose to abide in His presence.

Psalm 46:10

Roadblock

by Terri Sestina, posted in Providence, Uncategorized

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With a new year at hand I have been focused on goals; personal goals and business goals. I desperately want to be debt-free this year. God revealed to me this morning that I have been so focused on the end result that I have neglected to take the necessary steps to get there. In order to achieve any goal we must take action steps to achieve it and clear any road blocks in our path. He showed me an unresolved sin of jealously blocking my path. I have set myself up in comparison to others and feel inferior and unsuccessful when my accomplishments fail to meet theirs. He reminded me that my path, the path He set for me long ago, is completely unique. Comparing myself to others will only hinder the progress of my journey. How can I take forward strides on my path if my eyes are focused on someone else’s? “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” Clearing the stumbling block of sin from our path is the first step to achieving our goal. Not only did God remove this sin of comparing myself to others but I found myself lifting these people up in prayer. I want to see each of us succeed and be blessed by seeking God’s perfect plan. We are all His children and in this business we are all one team. We are all running the race set before us and are subject to the same pitfalls and spiritual attacks. God wants to bless each of us with that which he purposed for us long ago. Only the Holy spirit can reveal these things to us as we stay connected to Him. Today I allow God to clear my roadblock and begin to take the steps to achieve the goal set before me.

James 3:16, Hebrews 12:1, Ephesians 2:10

Burden Bearer

by Terri Sestina, posted in Providence, Uncategorized

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There is nothing like a teething toddler and a long restless night to remind you of your need for a burden bearer. At some point around 2am I was searching frantically for the Tylenol, crashing through the cabinets in the dark without my glasses, looking for something to ease this baby’s pain and help him sleep. Then at 6am I awoke in a panic thinking I had inadvertently given him a tablespoon of the medication rather than a teaspoon. To my relief he was sleeping soundly in his crib and as I checked through the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, was pleased to find a pink stained teaspoon. Alas, his rest was not completely drug induced. Burden Bearer. I placed my weary soul before the Lord and found him once again, constant. As I took a moment to rest in his presence I was reminded that no matter what little mess we find ourselves in, he remains the same. Strong, unchanging, ever-faithful is our God. For those who wait upon him, who hope in him, he renews their strength. They will mount up on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Our God is an ever-present help in times of need. He will never leave us nor forsake us. So run to him. Fall in his arms of grace and let him be your burden bearer. There is no need too great nor too small. He is ready. He is able. He is your burden bearer.
Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 46:1, Deuteronomy 31:8

Sanctuary

by Terri Sestina, posted in Providence

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Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could wake up each morning and spend time with the Lord in a serene sanctuary; a quiet temple in nature?  I’ve spent such mornings with the sweet presence of the Savior and it is refreshing to the soul and healing to the mind and body.  Imagine what life would be like if we walked with him in the garden each day as the Creator intended.  Peaceful, Quiet, Stillness.  Is there a way to have this even in the midst of the rush of our busy days?  I believe there is.  God’s word is alive and his presence is with us even in the chaos of the world we live in.  Rarely do we take the time to seek him, but more and more over the last year I’ve needed that stillness of his abiding presence and I’ve learned to seek him even in the common and everyday tasks of daily life.  My sanctuary is occasionally found in getting alone with him in nature but on most days my sanctuary is the bathroom.  Yes, the bathroom.  Where the hum of the vent fan drowns out the noise of the day and I can find solace in time with the One who loves me constantly.  Each morning I come to my little sanctuary and if it’s only for a moment I breathe in the presence of my Savior.  Trusting he is with me, even there, changes my outlook and refreshes me.  What I’ve learned is that I don’t need perfect conditions or beauty around me to seek him and sense his nearness.  He is with me in the mess of my day and in the small sanctuary of my bathroom or car or anyplace I choose to find him.  He never leaves me.  Psalm 63:2 says, “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.”  That sanctuary is wherever you are.  At work, at home, in your car…even in the bathroom.  You may behold is power and glory right there in the midst of the commonplace; there in your own sanctuary!