Captivated

Standing Firm in the Storm

2011-12-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

”Trials always change our relationship with God. Either they drive us to Him, or they drive us away from Him. The extent of our fear of Him and our awareness of His love for us determine in which direction we will move.”
-Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness

Trails, suffering, hardships, burdens; they lace through our lives, crushing us, tempting us to just give it all up, drown in depression, and let go of all hope. Mother’s with cancer, parents dying, losing all we have, friendships torn apart, car accidents, illness…these afflictions come and we stand there like Job, with a choice, we can curse God or run to Him.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”-2 Corinthians 4:7-12

We have a God of all comfort, all strength, all power, all sovereignty, he does not leave us or forsake us, our hope is in all of heaven and our foundation is on Him who will not be moved. James says we can count it as “all joy,” in our trials all possible hope surrounds us and leads us to see what lies ahead. Such grace is shown to us in these momentary sorrows and we have a grace beyond anything imaginable, a grace that brings not tears to our eyes but wipes away each one, comforting us.

Now, before straying to far, this is not meaning we sit there and expect all comfort and ease, (http://ashleynicolecaptivated.blogspot.com/2010/03/as-he-removes-his-robes-of.html or http://ashleynicolecaptivated.blogspot.com/2011/06/walking-according-to-law.html) rather let us be faithful as He is faithful, we find comfort in our obedience, knowing that He gives us strength.

Where do we begin when trials come our way? We must begin before they come. If Christ is not first and foremost our foundation, where do we expect to stand when the waves of trials come. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “If Jesus be our hope for everything, except one thing, we shall utterly fail, because in that one point we shall come to nought…Beware of mixing even a little of self with the mortar with which you build, or you will make it untempered mortar, and the stones will not hold together.” If our foundation in daily living is filled not fully of Christ and him alone, one mix of our worldly desires or strongholds will quickly crumble under the weight and so will we. Jesus is our all in all, our everything, daily we must trust and rely on Him through prayer, reading his word and obedience.

Secondly, where is your hope? Do you hope in the things to come of a life that will sooner vanish than smoke here on earth? Or are we longing, yearning, even desperate for heaven? Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." If our hope and steadfast longing does not dwell in heaven than we fail to see how our trials here prepare us for the “eternal weight of glory,” that Paul mentions here and the things unseen will seem as something less than those seen. Let us let go of what we so desperately cling to here on this earth, what causes sin in our lives or what you say “I hope I have this before I die…” and exchange it for the thought and true desire for the glory that awaits us as Paul says in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Last of all; let us remember what we have been given when trials come our way. Unlike the world who seeks after faulty understanding, we have been given the mind of Christ, we have all wisdom and understanding through him who created and is sovereign over all trials and test in our lives. Let us look at what 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 says,

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

The most common phrase that a person who has encountered trials says is, “What do I do now?” Well, as Christians we are given the wisdom and understanding of Christ, God so desires to give his people wisdom, we just need to seek it! When trials come do we first think to what action would please or glorify God first? Let us run to having the same mindset and action of Christ in life’s circumstances, Paul while in prison began to sing hymns, worshipping God even in his trials, how are we seeking to do the same? Our attitudes so affect how we over come in trials, Oswald Chambers said, “We all know people who have been made much meaner and more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering: it is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person...the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus.” Will we so be those people in trials? Let us strive for endurance and growth in trials, to endure is to never resort to a sinful means in trials, but to overcome in obedience and joyfulness in the Lord.

I leave you with the exhortation in James when it comes to your trials and encouragement to know that no man suffers alone, when we are tempted and tried, know that men before us have so been through the same and overcame these trials and affliction through Christ, and I with great confidence tell you He will do the same through us.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”- James 1:2-4

Homeward Bound

2011-09-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Something recent has come to my attention, I’ve come to truly appreciate this little item, that may seem so small but means so much….it’s the “lives in” verses “hometown” information option on Facebook. After recently moving to Santa Clarita to attend the Master’s College I myself changing my residency information on Facebook and noticed that I could put “hometown” and one my profile it comes up as “from.” Later that day a friend came up to my room and talking with my roommate said, “Never call this home, this is temporary.”

“The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.”- 1 Corinthians 15:47-49

Too often we as Christians become comfortable with this world, calling it our home, living in it and sometimes sadly, of it. We do not think to ourselves enough to never call this world home, to remember that it is only temporary, we are not of this world, but rather we are of heaven.

The day that you repented of your old life and proclaimed Christ as Lord, placing your faith in Him for salvation is the day you left this world and became a citizen of heaven. Do we understand the cost of this citizenship? Do we understand the depth of which we have it? We have citizenship on three different levels:

1. Purchased- Christ, on the cross, paid the price for sins, taking on all the wrath God, purchased us for ransom, that we might become citizens with him. 1 Corinthians 6:20 mentions how we were bought with a price, we were bought from this world by Christ to become a part of heaven.
2. Birth- To enter into heaven we must be born again as Christ said to Nicodemus in John 3:3. To be born into citizenship is to have a natural right in it.
3. Adoption- The last level of citizenship is adoption, to be chosen, hand picked for the kingdom. We did nothing in this adoption, we were in no way attractive, and this is not something comparable to a family picking out the puppy at the pound. Rather Ezekiel 16 gives the description of us in verse 5 as those who, “No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised.” In this state he chose us and adopted us as sons, to be in his kingdom.

We live in a world we are not apart of, set apart from those in it Philippians 3:19-21 states, “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” So, if our belonging is not here but in heaven, what do we do now? We will be made glorious when he returns, so do we just live here now with the mindset of heaven? No! Rather we strive to live now as citizens! 1 Peter 2:11 urges us “as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” We are to run far from what this world is living for and live for heaven, acting like we belong there.

Spurgeon states that, “If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.” Let us think through our lives, cutting out what looks of the world, what causes us to call this place “home.” As Christians we are not to be comfortable with this earth, but longing for what lies ahead, perfection, which is Christ likeness, so let us press on toward that goal keeping our mind on heavenly things.

As for Master’s I love it here, I take care of my dorm, care for those around me and follow what I’m called and told to do here, but I look forward and even long for when I can go home.

“Every Christian could have “heaven” as their hometown on facebook.’-Bobby Blakey

Walking According to the Law

2011-06-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

In the High School ministry I serve at we’ve been reading through the Psalms and just finished 119 today on a little thing we call SOTD. It’s so encouraging to see a little over a hundred high schoolers get online to read God’s word and post a comment on what they learned from it, instead of just jumping onto Facebook, Youtube, or any other site. Check it out at:

http://www.churchforhighschoolers.com/!

Anyways back to the main thought for this blog, it’s been awhile but I’m looking forward to what God has planned for this summer in some brainstorms about a blog series on worship and some book reviews from the summer reading list.

But what’s always on the reading list is God’s word, everyday! Today we read Psalm 119:161-176 and verse 165 just jumped out at me. It says,

“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

“Great peace,” that’s something we don’t expect to have in this life, I mean sure people always fight for peace (ironically enough) and search for it through various means but really you can search high and low, striving everyday of your life for peace but never find it unless you are found in Christ. He is called the “Prince of peace,” and we find our source of comfort in Him alone, especially through His word.

How are we doing in reading God’s word?

Are we just skimming though, maybe pondering on it, or not reading it at all? Or are we all about God’s word, hungering for it, studying it, looking for any moment of the day to get back to it?

Peace outside of God’s word is a hopeless endeavor.

In John 14:27 Christ says to his disciples,

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Why does God word bring us peace? It guides us in living upright and righteous lives! Ever notice how the less you sin, the more peace there is among you? The Psalmist does. He connects peace with avoiding stumbling in verse 165.

I love this analogy of walking rightly and not stumbling through loving God’s law, knowing it, studying it and obeying it daily guides us in the way we walk and not to stumble over certain sins.

Last night our church’s college ministry had a beach night and there was a log right in the middle of where everyone was walking or standing around talking. As I went to join in with a group I also ate it tripping over this log, and someone said, “Watch out for the stumbling block!” Unfortunately the warning was post almost eating sand, but someone came and removed the log far away from where anyone could trip on it again.

God’s word opens are eyes to what is causing us to stumble or could potentially cause us to. If someone had warned me before walking over there I would have carefully and thoughtfully walked around it. Proverbs 4:12 says how when our eyes are open to the path before us “when you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.”

Not only does God’s word point out specific stumbling blocks but warns us that there will be many we are unaware of, if I had kept a close eye on how I was walking I could have kept from almost falling. When you study and begin to better understand God’s word “then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.” (Proverbs 3:23)

Lastly, God word guides us to helping others to see and remove what stumbles them. We need to be helping out our brothers and sister in Christ, like my friend did in removing the log far from the group in pointing out their sins and helping them to remove them from their lives. Following what we read in Galatians 6:1 that says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

We need to be in God word to keep a path of walking that is right and pleasing to God, beginning to sin less and turn to guiding others in a path of righteousness. Donald Whitney said,

“Our bodies are inclined to ease, pleasure, gluttony, and sloth. Unless we practice self-control, our bodies will tend to serve evil more than God. We must carefully discipline ourselves in how we “walk” in this world, else we will conform more to its ways rather than to the ways of Christ."

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”-Jude 1:24-25

All Dressed Up

2011-04-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

So there is this weird trend I’ve noticed on my school campus, people all dressed up. And not just “Oh, they look nice,” kind of way but more of a in-between prom and extremely nice dinner dressing. I keep thinking, what are they trying to be ready for? And then today it hit me, “dressed for action.” I should probably mention this is happening in the fine arts area of the school, where theater, vocal, and instrumental classes and performances take place. These people are constantly ready to look nice for ANYTHING that comes their way, they are ready to be performing at any time, because that’s what they are, performers!

But they aren’t the only ones being called to be ready at all times, in Luke 12:35 we see Jesus tell us to be staying “dressed for action.” You may be thinking, “Okay Ashley, but these performers are told what to wear so they can be ready, how am I as a Christian supposed to adhere to dress code?” Glad you asked cause in Ephesians 6 Paul tells us!

He writes,

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” –Ephesians 6:13-18a

(I’d love to go into detail about each of these pieces to the full armor of God but John MacArthur did a wonderful series on this passage which you can find, read, and listen to at the “Grace to You” website.)

Are you ready Christian? “Ready for what?” you may ask. Performers are ready to be on stage and perform, Christians are ready for battle, spiritual battle that is, in the full text of Ephesians 6:10-20 we see the battle Paul is addressing, here’s what I left out:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”-Ephesians 6:10-12, 18b-20

There is a spiritual warfare going on both in our flesh and outside! Are we ready to stand and fight?

I end with some encouragement from Charles Spurgeon on the thought of war,

“We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is proof that we are on the Lord’s side and are doing the Lord’s work and in His strength we shall win the victory and triumph over our adversary.”

May we not try to fight this battle alone, but like small children who looked towards their parents to be dressed each day, depend on our Father for the defense we need.

Caring is Sharing

2011-03-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

So, Greenpeace sometimes bothers me. I mean can't a girl buy organics without being told she needs to "save the polar bears" too? Like most people I usually whip out my phone or haste by them with a smile and a "no thank you!" But last week my encounter with Greenpeace went a little differently...

I was at the mall with a mission in mind, get in and get out, no dilly-dallying of the sorts. Then I saw a sign that read, "The Irvine Spectrum Company does not hold the views of the solicitors here." "Oh no" I thought. I started to walk through looking like I was in a rush when a girl asked, "Excuse me but would you like to help out the dolphins and whales from dying?" I quickly answered, "No thanks!” and flashed a smile. To which she replied, "Well do you care about people then?" That stopped me dead in my tracks. I said, "Actually yes I do!" So, I agreed to listen to her speech about air pollution causing death and other various problems affecting mankind. As she pulled out the donation form, I said "Wait, before we get into money, can I share with you how it is I care about people?" She agreed and I shared the gospel with her and that I cared more about souls then bodies. I told her I stopped and listened because I cared about her more than anything. She was very open to everything and actually carried out this conversation and agreed to go to church, she told me her time was up to be there and I had a choice in that moment, to donate or not to donate...

"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.... I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."-1 Corinthians 9:19,22

As Christians we are going out to a blind and deaf world proclaiming the most important message anyone will ever hear, but how we carry that message is of upmost importance. The saying goes, "They won't care what you know, until they know that you care." I mean, you could tell someone "I love you" in a stern voice while hitting over the head with a bat, and they most likely not believe you. That's what we're doing when we share the message of the saving Gospel with just the objective of telling in mind.

The "donation" of time and interest can often mean much more than a couple of bucks given to help out a cause, we need to show our care through actions, not just the deed. May our mindset be more like Paul's in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 where he tells the church, " So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." Another translation says "our own souls," are we ready to give our entire selves to someone for the sake of their eternity?

The situation may have played out differently had I went into the conversation without letting this girl talk. She even told me some experiences she had with other "Christians" that made me so sad for that witness. But in the end I donated telling her why I was donating, because I cared about her. And she thanked me and is prayerfully going to attend church this weekend.

Moving Forward

2011-03-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

So, "Spring Forward" is today, hope you all remembered! But as we al know, moving the clocks ahead an hour means losing an hour of sleep, which is hard! But it also means that summer is on it's way! Vacations, breaks, more time with your kids, and just all around great weather is just around the corner; but for now we have to press on through the spring...

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for othe prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:13-14

As Christians, fighting this fight and running this race can be hard work, it takes perseverance. But I wanted to give you a short bit of encouragement to press on to the Day awaiting. Christ is going to return and we will enter into His Kingdom and rest, but will you be found hearing "well done good and faithful servant" or "what were you doing with your time????" Run till you finish the race.

Press on you saints!

See the Day approaching!

See seeing Christ something to press forward for.

Never be lacking in zeal.

Be ready, to be used.

"For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend ofrom heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."-! Thessalonians 4:15-18

Give Me Fever

2011-03-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

So, there is an global epidemic happening right now, it’s name:

Bieber Fever

Worldwide people have it.

He has over 8 million people following his Twitter account and on Facebook almost 23 million ‘likes!’ The world has truly caught the fever. How do you know if someone around you has “Bieber Fever?” They LOVE him, and the more they stay in “Bieber Fever” the more their love grows! Here are some symptoms of the “Bieber Fever” love:

-Following his twitter
-Listening to his music
-Reading what others are saying about him
-Following and knowing every detail of his life
-Doing anything and everything they can to even catch a glimpse of him

And lastly

-They talk about him, non-stop

Let’s just say their burning love for the Biebs, is known to all.

But what I want to know is…

What ever happen to “Jesus Fever?”

“Here, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”-Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Did you know, that on any given Twitter account relating to God, Jesus or the Bible has less than ½ million followers, some less that 5,000. And on Facebook the groups relating to God, Jesus, or the Bible barely even add up to Beiber’s 23 million. I think its safe to say, that “Jesus Fever” has burned out.

But there is hope and are still people who claim to have this burning love for Jesus, but it isn’t always shown so clearly.

Those who have “Jesus Fever” are:

-Reading His word
-Listening to songs about Him
-Reading what others say about Him
-Listening to sermons about Him
-Wanting to know, and follow after, every detail of His life
-Talking to Him

And most importantly

-They are telling everyone about their “Jesus Fever”

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first…” –Revelation 2:2-5

We can be doing all the things listed above, but have not love. Love for others you ask? No, love for Jesus. May we not be trying to do these things on our own but know where our love for Jesus comes from, God. God gives us the ability to love him and gives us the fever we need to carry out his will.

Now you may not have “Bieber Fever,” but your “Jesus Fever” may be overrun by another fever, to which I “appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

We need to be checking our lives for fevers that are conformed to this world and asking what we are holding to that robs us of these affections for Christ and what are we clinging to which heightens our affection for Him?

Beloved, may we remember from where we have fallen and holdfast to the love of Christ because the “superlative beauty of Jesus is all attracting; it is not so much to be admired as to be loved.”-Charles Spurgeon

An Outward Appearance

2011-03-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

So as I was cutting up some strawberries today, I noticed there were a lot more “mutant” one than normal. You know, the ones with extra tips, lopsided, or just huge! They never seem to faze me, I just look, chuckle and cut; but I remembered talking with someone once about how they refuse to eat those strawberries, claiming there is no way they could taste the same or be good for you, crazy right?

Just because it doesn’t fit the normal criteria of a strawberry doesn’t make it taste any different….

But is this the way we think about lost people?

Do we ever look at people and think, “they do not look like they could ever love Christ!” I know I’ve thought that before, and it’s so foolish and unloving! In 2 Peter we see that God doesn’t want “any to perish” not just “the clean cut or friendly looking to perish.”

We see an example of this in 1 Samuel 16 when God is going to call a new king from the sons of Jesse. Samuel sees the strapping brothers and though they were it, they looked like king material, but God said, “do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (v. 7)” By an outward appearance we cannot tell if someone is going to faithfully obey God, or is already obeying God; a persons actions flow from his inward being.

So, my challenge to you is to go tell the gospel to that person you’ve been putting off thinking they would want nothing to do with it, even if that is the outcome, you’ve been obedient to God!

Waging War.

2011-02-16T00:54:00.000-08:00

Sin, it began with temptation.

Where did it come from?

God?

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”- James 1:13

No.

Satan?

Why do we have the need to shift blame for our sinful desires and actions? We see this done right after the fall of man, Adam blames God for giving Him woman, and the woman gave him the fruit; and then Eve blames the Devil for deceiving her. They shifted blame.

By saying the serpent deceived her and she ate, gave Satan glory for winning over one of God’s people. We need to stop giving Satan glory by saying he is the one who leads us into sin!

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” -James 1:14

We are lured away by our own desires! It’s time to stop making excuses and blames for sin but to make war against it! Lou Priolo described this luring in his book “Pleasing People” in this way:

“Like a largemouth bass that is lured away from the safety of it’s covering into captivity by a flashy new artificial bait, our inordinate desires can draw us away from the safety of obedience to Christ into many different captivating sins.”

These are our own desires waging war within our flesh against the Spirit! The blame of misconduct must be entirely on us, “neither the devil nor any other person or thing is to be blamed so as to excuse ourselves; for the true original of evil and temptation is in our own hearts.” (Matthew Henry)

It’s time to move from blame and into action.

“Let the goodness of God excite us to a sacred jealousy and to a holy revenge against those iniquities which are hateful in His sight.”-Charles Spurgeon

For God’s glory may we desire to overcome sin, not our own! And there is no reason to not strive after battling sin because:

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”- 1 Corinthians 10:13

We are weak in the flesh, but God is gracious not only to forgive our sins but also help us fight against them! May we never put down our armor and sword, always “dressed for action” in the midst of war!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over m this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and s having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18

For the Love of Books: Feminine Appeal

2011-02-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

I don’t need or get as much sleep as a normal person usually would. Lately I’ve been putting that time to better use by reading, it’s amazing what you can finish with an extra two or three hours every night! After reading some really great books these past two months, I thought I start some book reviews and share with you what I’ve learned from them! Now, I know that I’m no book critic but I do love read and writing about God’s truth, so here we go:

Book: Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother

Author: Carolyn Mahaney

Written: 2003

Genre: Christian; Women

Summary:

In this book Carolyn is addressing the virtues of a godly woman seen in Titus 2 and the appeal to follow them. She shares all the blessings and reasons to be following a course f biblical womanhood, being transformed by God’s word not the world. Carolyn is the wife of C.J. Mahaney, has been married for nearly thirty years, and has four children. In this book she focuses on 7 specific virtues, which are:
* The delight of loving my husband
* The blessings of loving my children
* The safety of self-control
* The pleasure of purity
* The honor of working at home
* The rewards of kindness
* The beauty of submission

Personally:

I enjoyed reading this book as a single woman desiring to one day be married, understanding what it is to be prepared for and how to be serving others now and ultimately how to be glorifying God through living out biblical womanhood. Carolyn is straightforward and doesn’t “beat around the bush” with things that God has commanded! This book is focused more on biblical doctrine and less on personal experience, her ultimate view is to keep God first and glorifying Him in how I act.

Key Points:

(Some of the main quotes that stuck out)

“Our emotions are a warning system God graciously gave us to attract attention to the sin in our hearts.”

We need to be using emotions to stir us into action, not as an excuse to sin. Checking our feelings and emotions for sinful motives or being out of order in the least bit. Often what needs to be done isn’t what we “feel” like doing.

“In fact, our husbands’ particular sins, unique weaknesses, and even their idiosyncrasies are tailor-made for us. Likewise, our sins and weaknesses are custom-designed for them. Both husbands and wives will become more Christ like by having to deal with each other’s sin and deficiencies.”

Before reading this book I had a difficult time in confronting or rebuking a friend’s sin, whether not at all or not lovingly, I would come off blunt and harsh. After reading this I was humbled in the fact that one day I’ll have to submissively and lovingly confront my husband one day, so I need to cultivate a gentle and quite spirit in this area now.

“But if we submit to these temptations…”

This is kind of a random snippet from the book, but it made me think through my actions throughout my day more, asking myself in each action what/who I am submitting to.

In conclusion this book is so full of truth and practical application but to ultimately adorn our lives with the gospel, showing others the transforming effects it has and the greatness of our God!

Worth Following...

2011-02-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”- 1 Corinthians 11:1

I recently had the joy of joining the high school ministry True North; it’s so humbling to think that God has placed me as a leader. To be a tool in reaching out and teaching high school girl’s of Orange County the truth of God. But it has definitely got me thinking as to what it means to be a “leader.”

“But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”—Mark 10:43-44

Leading first begins with submitting, submitting to authority is not optional and all leaders have someone they are under and ultimately we all serve under the Lord. To rebel against leadership is to rebel against God, He has placed them over us as we see in Romans 13:1 that every man is to “be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” We see this in Christ, He is Lord of all and yet came to serve, not to be served, doing the will of the Father, John MacArthur makes a great point that “leadership is ministry, not management.” If we do not first have the attitude of submission and longing to serve one another, being as leader who is a loving servant of all; then leading can become a desire to reign over others for their own benefits and not to the growth and benefit of those they lead.

[Now, it is important to remember who you can lead, by God’s grace I lead a small group if high school girls and if it is the Lord’s will one day my children; I cannot think that I would lead men or a husband, or that (like in the example of children) my desires in which way to lead would come over his.]

“We can lead others only as far along the road as we ourselves have traveled. Merely pointing the way is not enough. If we are not walking, the no one can be following, and we are not leading anyone.”- J. Oswald Sanders

This quote is so humbling; it ties in with the thoughts on being a servant leader, but also caused me to look into my own heart and life to see what is worth following. Where am I standing still, yet telling others to walk? Leadership requires a blameless character and spiritually maturity. Leaders determine the direction of those who follow. In the example of shepherds leading their sheep, the shepherd must first go out and create a path for them to walk on, we must do the same, though we will not be sinless, we will create a path for ourselves and others to be sinning less! For example we see in Hebrews 5:12-14 the exhortation for moving from spiritual milk to solid food, they still could only heard the basis principles of God; as leaders (as Christians!) we need to be string in growing in understanding and knowledge who our God is.

“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”-1 Thessalonians 1:6

My desire and prayer as a leader is to be able to say to my girls that they become imitators and that I would be able to be imitated and through that then example to others able to lead them in the command from God to be “holy as I am holy.”

Readings:
“Spiritual Leadership”- J. Oswald Sanders
“A few Good Shepherds”-John MacArthur (Article)

An Interest in Sin

2010-12-21T12:14:00.000-08:00

So it’s been a rainy week here in Orange County and you know what I’ve realized? We are really into accidents. I mean think about…how often are we like “Wow what happened?....Did you see that accident today?....Look at that, what a mess!” People love seeing accidents, the carnage of it all, it is almost obscure to us…some almost mesmerized. Have you ever thought about why that is? I tried and their really isn’t a good answer!

“May we never take a dry-eyed look at sin, lest ere we have a tongue parched in the flames of hell.”- Charles Spurgeon

As I was driving in some heavy traffic last night from an accident, I began thinking about some people are so interested in other people’s sins just as they can be with these car accidents. We may sometimes want to know about other people’s struggles or sins so we can “pray for them.” Just as with the accidents why do we want to know so bad? Do we have a reason for knowing? There really is no good answer it ends up piling into a mush of gossip, because once we are privy to this juicy information we go to others and say “Be praying for so and so, they are really struggling with (whatever it is) right now.” Is that really carrying out what we see in 1 Peter 4:8-

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Cover means to make hidden, but by telling others and learning about it, this becomes uncovering. Charles Spurgeon also said on this area that, “he who is not angry at transgression become a partaker in it.” In what ways are you partaking in sin? Whether its someone else’s struggles with sin you want to information too, a tv show, a book, or maybe even that Star magazine you read only to “pass the time in line.” We should abhor sin, when we don’t we are saying that we are okay with it! We are warned in 1 John 2: 15 too “not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” May we work daily to not become used to the ways of the world but constantly see sin through God’s eyes.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”- Romans 12:1-2

"There was Silence in Heaven..."

2010-12-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

Revelation 8:1

“There was silence in heaven…”

This struck me, caused me to be silent…this silence was over the great wrath and judgement about to be poured out onto the world, it makes me wonder if there was silence in heaven right before all the wrath of God for every saved person was poured out on Christ…His beloved Son.

Does this silence you?

Are we in awe of it each and every day?

Knowing that the silence in heaven being spoken of in Revelation should be over what is about to happen to us? We deserve that wrath and so much more, a kind of wrath that makes all the heavens silenced! This is no purgatory, this is no simple separation from God or outer darkness, but the justice of God, the punishment, gnashing of teeth kind of punishment! And yet, we so often see christian’s throwing around Christ as if He is some kind of medication to help us! Or as if we invite Him into our heart, that He is "standing at the door knocking"....in the words of Paul Washer "Jesus Christ owns the door if He wants to knock it down He will!" God owns us, He created us, we are under His authority either as children of His manifold mercy or as children of wrath!

The point in all of this is that we should not have days where it does by where we do not sit in awe and silent of the grace given to us, this should cause more silence then God wrath because wrath is what we deserve and grace is as almost a scandal.

May this "Jesus is a friend of mine" atitude not be true of us, may we be in constant awe and extreme gratitude and humility towards what amazing grace that has been given to us.

David Clotfelter said in his book “Sinner’s in the Hands of a Good God”,

“It is because we are guilty- because we have no right to express anything from God but punishment-that we may speak of redemption through Christ as a work of mercy and grace” (pg. 34)

We so often hear about God's love that we could almost be desynsatised to what it truly means. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to read Jonathan Edward's "Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God." Once we understand that we deserve wrath but are under God's love, song's such as these could are penned:

The Love of God
By: Frederick M. Lehman

The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall for evermore endure

The saints' and angels' song.

When years of time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men, who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God's love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam's race-The saints' and angels' song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.

Beautiful?

2010-10-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

"Beauty, according to the Christian worldview, is established by God himself, and is inseparable from truth and goodness. Attractiveness is the mere delight of the eyes. In a sinful world, our eyes delight in many wrong things, and many of the most beautiful realities are, to the mere eyes, unattractive."- Albert Mohler

I recently did a study through Proverbs 31:10-31 and learned a great deal about myself…something disgusting.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”- Proverbs 31:30

Have you ever thought through this verse? Yes, we as women quote it often to ourselves and know that to men this whole passage is what should be sought after in a wife, but have we really used this passage as a mirror for ourselves? Does it really reflect what is in our hearts?

Not in mine.

What great conviction came when I read a “GirlTalk” blog on beauty and they asked these questions: (I urge you to answer these as well, not just in thought actually write it down as if you were truly having to answer these questions)

"Why do you try to make yourself look more beautiful and attractive? What do you hope to gain?”

and

"How has it worked out for you? Has the pursuit of physical beauty helped you achieve all you hoped it would? Explain.”

As I began to answer, heaviness came upon me and I became absolutely disgusted with myself, I was not living out this verse but actually holding beauty as an idol. Here’s what was answered:

"Why do you try to make yourself look more beautiful and attractive? What do you hope to gain?”

Most of the time I try to make my self more attractive and achieve beauty, not because this is most glorifying to God, but rather because of a standard that has been set. Before I was saved I modeled, which is a field that focuses so much on outward appearance you almost begin to lose who you truly are as a person...your looks define you. Putting on make-up and nice clothing becomes almost a putting on of yourself (the opposite of things such as "clothing yourself in humility"). This past life has embedded itself so deep into my mind that it has become so difficult to overcome since salvation, spiritual beauty has not yet come to reign over physical beauty in my heart and it is truly a daily struggle. I had someone say to me the other day "What would life be like the day Ashley doesn't receive a complement?" This hit me so hard...because honestly I would see myself as less beautiful and ultimately of lesser worth, this is why I strive for physical beauty...value.

and

"How has it worked out for you? Has the pursuit of physical beauty helped you achieve all you hoped it would? Explain.”

Physical beauty has not helped me achieve much except in a worldly sense, in the past I used it for many evil things, even getting a stranger to pay for my meal and when I find myself now a days trying to gain from physical beauty I am disgusted. From the world's eyes I had gain and achieved great things but in my heart and in the eye's of God all I gain is conviction of my sin. It's easy to flash a smile and bat your eye lashes; but it is beyond difficult to sit reverently at the Lord's feet allowing His view of beauty to become yours.

“Specifically, God's will includes salvation (1 Tim. 2:4); self-sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2); Spirit filling (Eph. 5:18); submission (1Pet. 2:13-15); suffering (1 Pet. 3:17); satisfaction (1 Thess. 5:18); and sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3).”- John MacArthur

When God graciously exposes our sin to us we become humbled, falling at his feet. God’s view of beauty is us following His will, it is not aligned with the world’s view of beauty.

I challenge you to perform a “heart check” in this area, even if you do not see it as being a struggle for you, because I didn’t think it was for me either…

“But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."- 1 Samuel 16:7

Redeeming the Time

2010-10-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”- Ephesians 5: 15-16

What I’ve come to realize about myself is that I love books…okay, I love buying books with the idea of reading them. Recently this problem has been getting better, I stay out of the bookstore and have organized all my unread books into categories to read on a monthly basis. But, as time went on and school started up again I thought to myself “I barely have time for personal prayer and bible reading time, let alone books!” Oh boy, was I wrong…

I had gotten a book awhile ago recommended by my pastor’s wife, Shopping for Time written by C.J. Mahaney’s wife and three daughters. I figured since I enjoy C.J.’s writings and sermons his wife and daughters are probably just as good. But to no surprise it sat on the shelf for months. That is until I spoke with a woman about how “busy” I was and feeling as if I had no time for anything, she mentioned the “5 am club.” Is it just me or does that sound like self mutilation? I barely sleep as it is, let alone wake up at some dreaded time! She said just to read the book and that I’d understand, so I did and here is what I gained from it…

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”- Haggai 1: 2-5

How often we are like these men who claim to have no time for the work of the Lord, claiming we are just too busy for bible study and prayer and when life “settles down” we will start it up again. What foolishness this is to put off what God has commanded us to do, Charles Spurgeon was right in saying:

“If you have not the time, God gave it to you, and you must have misspent it. Nobody has more than twenty-four hours in a day, and you have no less.”

So, let us redeem the time, for we ourselves are redeemed!

How can you redeem the time? Think first of what “time wasters” we can take out of our day; such as TV, Facebook, books that are not geared to edifying your knowledge of God…? Then, take them off your mental list of things to do, plan ahead and finish your priorities before these activities!

Secondly, how can you add more time to your day? By arising earlier! This psalmist had it right when he declared “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” (Psalm 5:3) Remember the “5 am club” I mentioned earlier? Well, this past month I have joined what the “6:30 am club.” Waking up at 6:30 to begin my day had led to a series of amazing mornings! First I wake up, text my accountability partner, pray for the strength to be awake, drag myself to the kitchen for some coffee, then it’s straight to over an of hour of bible study and prayer time. As an extra bonus I get to see my parents before they leave for work. So, by the time I am finished with all these things is about the time I would have normally been waking up! I encourage you to start this as well, you can modify it to your schedule like most of the women I know doing this did, but just start by waking up earlier the amount of time you spend for quite times.

Thirdly, kill procrastination. This by far can be our biggest struggle when dealing with redeeming our time, but Alexander MacLaren makes an excellent statement about this:

“No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.”

By putting off those daunting tasks placed in front of you it becomes the same as the people putting off the building of the Lord’s house because we are told that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) Replace procrastination with diligence. (See Proverbs 12:24)

“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.”- Jeremiah 10:23

Your plans are not your own. Please keep this in mind as it is of the most upmost importance to surrender your plans to God’s will. He directs our path and prepares us to walk in it. We usually see these plans as “interruptions,” when in fact they are blessings! In the Mahaney girl’s book we get a nice insight to how their dad (C.J.) views his to-do list in sight of God’s:

“Only God get his to-do list done each day. We are not God. We are finite creatures with serious limitations.”

I began this blog with Ephesians 5:15-16 and would like to end with the verse following afterwards; “therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (v.17)

What is the will of the Lord? You may not know ahead of time that His will for you on a certain day is to not clean the house but to minister to a brother or sister in need or end up with a family emergency; but we can know that the will of the Lord is perfect and will be done over ours! Submitting ourselves to God’s will down to the smallest of tasks is the beginning of redeeming time because only from God do we receive the ability to carry out each and everyday. So, let’s give it back to Him.

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”- Psalm 118:24

The Sheep who Cried Wolf

2010-10-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

“More fierce than the evening wolves…” Habakkuk 1:8

The evening wolves have gone all day without food, they become more and more fierce as night moves on. Upon finding a small flock of sheep, he stalks, attacks, and kills one of the sheep; filling him-self on her precious flesh. This sheep was alone and weak, separated form the rest of the flock easy to be targeted by the wolf. What if this sheep had cried “wolf.”?

Who or what is this wolf amongst the flock? Perhaps your first thought was trials or tribulations…

We are promised in our Christian walk that trials and tribulations will come our way: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…” 1 Peter 4:12. But how do we respond to these trials?

A few months ago I found myself in the middle of a trial. I was broken, confused and actually very scared of what could happen. I cried to God for this trial to be taken away, I didn’t want to go through it and felt as if a wolf were destroying me limb from limb. I wanted this trial to be over and desired comfort. How wrong was my thinking! One morning I found myself confronted and rebuked by God through a quote from Charles Spurgeon which reads:

“O that we thus walked more in the footsteps of our Lord, cheerfully enduring trial for His sake, promptly and willingly putting away the thought of self and comfort when it would interfere with our finishing the work which He has given us to do. Great grace is needed, but great grace is provided.”

This trial, at once shed of it’s costume of wolf became a blessing, a time of growth and entrusting myself completely in the arm of my Shepherd. Knowing that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

So often we cry and plead for God to take away these trials, crying “wolf” to our perfect Shepherd. We think and see these trials as evening wolves coming out of nowhere to destroy us. Marked by thoughts such as “How could this happen to me?” Reconsider asking yourself this by pondering the last part of 1 Peter 4:12, “…as though something strange were happening to you.”

Christian, may you stand firm in trials and tribulation. Though the ways crash over head, remind yourself that your Shepherd is there to lead you through and it is for His glory and your benefit, seek to see grace in these roaring sea billows.

So, what are the real wolves?...

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation, which leads to sin, which gives birth to death. Sin has the power to destroy us, like the ravenous evening wolf. We see this exact warning in 1 Peter 5:8:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

We can often let ourselves think we are strong enough for temptation. This like a sheep meeting a wolf eye to eye and saying “bring it on.” Foolishness! This sheep is dead meat by tempting temptation, he needs to cry out for his Shepherd to save him from the wolf, and guide him to a safer path.

Friends, I plead with you to know view yourself as stronger than your sin, because you are not, God is. He is your great and merciful Shepherd who provides you with all strength necessary to overcome the world and not become conformed to it. Seek out your Shepherd before the wolves come.

Establish it in your heart to not “cry wolf” when none is there to destroy you, but stand firm in trusting God who knows the wolves before they come and is ready to protect you at all cost.

What Do We Know of Holy?

2010-08-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

“My self perception is as accurate as a carnival mirror. If I am going to see myself clearly, I need to hold the mirror of God’s word in front of me.”- David Trip

Hi everyone! So, I thought I start off today to let you know how I’ve been. I have been growing like crazy, so spiritual these days. I’m getting pretty holy if you know what I mean; reading, praying, studying, and going to church. Oh, and sin…what sin? I’ve been battling more than a solider in the heat of battle and defeating every time! Pretty soon pastors from all over will be getting material from this blog right here…

“This is the one whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit.” Isaiah 66:2

Okay, really glad you are still reading after that. You may have been thinking, ”Wow, this girl is making me sick! Who does she think she is???” But think about it, how often do we actually elevate ourselves (maybe not to that extent) by thinking that we are content in our sanctification? This is pride my friends! Our worst enemy looking for every way to pull us away from God, some have called it “the root of all sin.”

I just finished reading C.J. Mahaney’s book “Humility: True Greatness” and conviction is what I got out of it, praise God! I could tell you all the great practical things C.J. gives to fight pride, but I highly recommend you pick it up instead.

What’s been stirring in my heart lately is how often God’s people think they are “okay” in where they are at spiritually…I sure was! I’ve only been saved for almost 3 years and I was content with my relationship and knowledge of God and His word, which is sickening. I need to have a passion, zeal, and desire for growth, for His word, for knowing Him. Let’s look at how David describes his longing for God:

Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;   my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Psalm 43:1-2
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

Psalm 84:2
“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

We should have this desire to see God in Heaven, but for now we need to have the desire to see Him now as well, through loving and exulting Him and growing in our sanctification daily. We can go to God now, how? Prayer and reading His word!

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall”1 Corinthians 10:12

Let us see ourselves for how we truly are, not exulting our present works as if they are great, but humbling ourselves knowing we can do nothing apart from God. Who ever thinks he is standing firm in the truth will be tested and from this warning he could fall and be humbled by God.

In light of all this being on my mind lately, a song has been on repeat that truly helps me remember this truth and I can speak the lyrics as if they were my own words (and totally inspired this blog), so I wanted to share it with you :)

“What Do I Know of Holy”
Addison Road
I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

When we begin to look at how big God really is, we will realize that being “holy as I am holy” requires much more training of us and from grace.

The Greatest Thing

2010-07-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

“The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” - Toulouse-Lautrec: The Moulin Rouge

Love.

Ever notice how much we long for love? And yet do we turn to find that love in people…or Christ?

Christ proved His everlasting perfect love for us when He died on the cross, replacing our punishment to gain His glory. How could we doubt that? A while ago I wrote a blog on God’s love for us but what about our love for Christ?

“Love shows the true character of a man, according to the object which he loves more than anything else: for as is the love, so is the man. According to his love, so might you confidently designate the man. If he is a lover of honour, he is an ambitious man; a lover of pleasure, a sensual man; and if he chiefly love the world, he is a covetous man. If a man loves righteousness, he is a religious man; if the things above, a heavenly-minded man; and if he love Christ with a pre-eminent love, he is a sincere man”- Thomas Doolitle

I recently attended as conference called Resolved, where there was amazing fellowship, theologically rich worship and pure doctrinal teaching all about Christ! (Basically that was my ad for it) Before that week I knew what it meant to love Christ and to be loved by Him, but I learned what it means to truly be in love with my Savior, my God.

I’ve been reading Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening” daily devotionals and the first day we were there I was reading on how our relationship with Christ is like climbing a mountain, at first your at the bottom, you don’t see much the mountain has to offer but as you climb higher you are revealed much more as to what surrounds you, until you reach the summit where the full glory of what the mountain offers is revealed! Spurgeon definitely has more finesse at explaining this but what a true wonder it is that just as we gain more awe and appreciation for the sight of the Mountain View, we grow in our knowledge of Christ we learn about what “surrounds” us being hidden within Christ. (“Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:2-3)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” Matthew 7:21-23

During one of the sessions it clicked, many say they love Christ, but am I in love with Christ? We can fall in love with people here in a marriage relationship, but the body of Christ is his chosen bride! We should, no; we must be deeply in love with Him! Giving Him our all and desiring all from Him. How could we not love Him this way!

Honestly, I had been trying to satisfy this in temporary places, my love had been for people or things and Christ was just another thing I said I loved. I wasn’t giving Him my all in all or trusting and abiding fully in Him alone, my heart may be hidden in Him but it was filled with idols. Learning about my High Priest, Savior, God, Redeemer, Creator, Sustainer, Lord (it goes on and on) made me fall in love with Him! He is jealous for this love and rightly deserves it, so I am resolved to give Him my whole life in love. Crushing those idols and running towards the goal of my Savior and First Love; with undying adoration and knowing him here and dwelling with Him there.

Bold as a lion

2010-06-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

It's fathers day! God has blessed me so much with not just one dad but two!!! Love you both so much!!!! As a daughter my dad has always wanted to give me the world and provides for my earthly needs when I ask.....he's there for me.

Earlier today I was pondering on our Heavenly Father, and how he has adopted us as sons and daughters by killing His own son! He has loved us far beyond measure and we as children can and should abide in Him for he has given us everything! Today at church we heard a sermon on Romans 8:31-34, Pastor Mike talked about how as christians our hearts should not be fearful, anxious, or worried, all these things are contrary to a heart of a christian because even "when we walk through the valley of death, we can fear no evil." He is for us and no one or thing can take us down, how amazing is that! I loved the example of David and Goliath, David knew his father in heaven was with him and the armies and that was the greatest weapon at all. He approached Goliath with boldness and righteous anger and his faith in God defeated a very fearful opponent!

Today was so convicting, I often struggle with worrying and anxiousness and try to pass it off as "not to big of a sin." But I shouldn't worry, the things I do worry about are usually idols in my heart! When God is on the throne of my heart, He is all I fear, so praise God that through His Spirit living in me I can conquer this sin and be bold and courageous as a lion!

Friendships Part 2

2010-06-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

So, it has been brought to light that my last blog is angering some people. I do not change my thought on the subject but have done an even deeper study on it, hoping to clarify myself and allow God’s word to do it for me. Thank you to those who gave words of encouragement.

I would like to first clarify “friends.” Here are two different friendships and definitions:

1. Close Friends–This to me means people you spend a great deal of time with (outside of a job or other forced time). You spend time by choice. This means you call each other often, email often, spend time together often, go out to eat, see movies, etc. These are people you trust, people you care very deeply about and usually have a lot in common with them. You have a serious and deep relationship with these friends. Close friends, these are the ones we should have the most common with and what better than the strongest common bond of all, Christ.

2. Acquaintance Friends–These are people you merely come across in you daily life. Perhaps it is a co-worker; perhaps it is a friend of a friend, perhaps a neighbor, someone online, etc. These are people who you like or want to stay on great terms with, but don’t really have enough in common with them, or for some other reason, simply never really spend any time with them. You tend to only see them or talk to them on rare or isolated occasions (unless you work together), and that is the extent of your relationship. These are usually shallower in terms of emotions and bonds, but still a loving type of friendships in the spirit. Acquaintance friends, those we know and show a love toward, sharing the gospel of truth with them.
Should we elevate ourselves as higher then them? Absolutely not, that is not what I am saying, I mean look at Psalms 14 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-29! I want us to look more closely and examine our human relationships.

Leading up to my last blog I had a lot of thought, study, and conversations about the Body of Christ; i.e. the church. How there seems to be a wall or division between many members, we do not put as much time into our relationship with those from our home church as they did when Paul spoke in Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Who should we lean on, trust, encourage, be the closest with here on earth concerning earthly relationships?

Hebrews 10:26-28 26 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Psalm 119:115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Mark 9:44-46 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell

These, and a number of other passages, with out a doubt show us that those you regularly hang out with will affect you. Some will say, "Well, what about Jesus? He's our example and he spent a lot of time with unsaved people." This is completely true. I do not deny that truth but, lets look at the whole picture, dig a little deeper. Jesus knew the truth what he believed, was unwavering in His belief, and did not just hang around the unsaved for friendship. He continually taught the unsaved, by His example and by His words (i.e. Mark 2:13). And still, Jesus had a close group of friends who were believers (the disciples) whom he spent more time with than anyone else. (Not to mention that He regularly took time out to be alone with God, out most important relationship, see Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12)

Another point I was addressing in my last blog was how these people are influencing us? If you go to where the unsaved go, and do the things the unsaved do, and laugh at the jokes the unsaved say, etc., etc., what witness do you have? And who is influencing who? What "new life in Christ" can you offer when you live in the old? Do we sin when we are around them? Jesus was a friend of sinners because he took the message of the gospels to them -- and lived out that message, being different (separate) from them, even while he was with them (see Matthew 11:19-24) This is where the enemies topic stems from, if you reread the part in the last blog about what Psalm 119 goes on to say about people who set traps for, dig pitfalls…why do we constantly allow ourselves to be influenced by the world, instead of influencing it?

I am all for missions trips, preaching the gospel to those around us and serving everyone in love.

God is so good

2010-06-17T22:46:00.001-07:00

So, it is time. The first day of summer is days away and like my wardrobe, time for a blog template change, from spring green to summer blue (plus I love the cute little humming bird!).

Anyways, I wanted to take this time to thank those who have been praying with me and following me in this blog and encouraging me with your comments. Delivering praise to God! :]

I've been thinking lately its time to make it less like once a month huge study blog, to day to day thoughts about God and discussions with you all. So, I'll still post my study blogs (because sometimes theres just so much to ponder about!) but God reveals so much to us day by day that I can't ignore it any longer. I just love sharing with you all the awesomeness of our God and pray that this new venture glorifies him all the more!

So, keep an eye out and join in with your comments, opinions and verses about certain topics placed on my heart! I'm looking forward to hearing from you all more and getting excited about the Word!

P.s. Resolved is in like less than a week and I'm like way excited!!!! I'm sure I'll have a lot to talk about afterwards :]

Psalm 66:5 "Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!"

God is so good! Even when life seems at the pit of darkness, it isn't, because God has granted salvation to his children and we can trust in HIm that as he carries out his will for our lives it is best and through all He conforms us to be more like his Son each day in sanctification! Glory to God in the highest!!! I am so excited to see what God will do this summer and how he will grow me and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and I hope you are too!

With Kingdom Eyes!
Ashley <3

Stubborn Fat

2010-06-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

"The insolent smear me with lies,but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law." Psalm 119:69-70

Okay, so the topic is fat. And no I'm not talking about that stuff hanging out in places you really wish it wouldn't and yet at the same time let's see how we relate with that "fat" and then move on to what I really want to talk about. In today's culture there is so much pressure to have the "perfect body", having no fat. (I know your feeling me on this one girls!) We do anything it seems like to get rid of this fat, we work so hard, take supplements, eat right, don't eat at all, spend money on gyms, work out and try to look good before going to the gym we pay for, and we are constantly on that bathroom scale, which we all know is so not accurate. ;] So, we will do just about anything to get rid of this fat right? But what about other "fat" in your life?

"Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33

So, you may be thinking, "Ashley, what's up with that Psalm and why is it making you freaking out about fat?" Well, it's because we as christians will work very hard to get in shape, but do nothing about the "good friends" in our lives who have hearts of fat!!! That verse is referring to the proud whose hearts are so thick that the Word is unable to penetrate, like the heart of stone. Yet, do we keep non-christians close to us? Think about it this way, if you are trying to lose weight you probably wouldn't hang out with people who do not want to lose weight and eat all the food that is causing the fat right? Then why are we making non-christians our friends when we are striving to delight and obey in the Lord, when they want to mock and denounce Christ?

These people are our mission field, not our best friends. In fact they are our enemies, because they are enemies of God. Psalm 119 goes on to say that these same people "lie in wait to destroy me" (v.95), "put me to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehoods" (v.78) and they have "dug pitfalls for me." (v.85) We are to witness to them and share the gospel with them, nothing more.

When you are around these people are you more tempted to sin....do you sin? I remember when I was first saved I didn't have to many christian friends at my school, so I hung out with people I was friends with before...a lot. This caused me to stumble and stunted my growth so much, but I was afraid of being alone at school. Eventually, I was convicted, God showed me it was more important to delight in his word then to have "friends." So, I ate lunch alone in my car, spent many breaks in my car, and even sat alone in class to be away from sinful conversations. Was it hard? You bet it was! No one likes being alone. But what is more important, God or company? Now, I have such amazing godly friends, who I call my brothers and sisters in Christ, they love me and lift me up, encouraging me to strive after God and admonish me when I sin.

So, I urge you brothers and sisters, to examine your relationships, are you equally yoked? Or are dead oxen keeping you from moving forward and striving after God with all your heart and all your soul?

A simple yet profound truth

2010-04-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

The past 5 days I have been doing what I call "Fifty Days at the Cross." I have been reading one chapter each day from "Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die" by John Piper, as well as "Living the Cross Centered Life" by C.J. Mahaney. These readings have been such a blessing becoming more knowledgeable of why Christ died on the cross and also what that means for me now. This afternoon the reason was "To show His (Christ) own love for us" and the day before that was "To show the wealth of God's love and grace for sinners." All I could think was "Wow!" How often to I go throughout my day without pondering the love of God, thanking Him, praising Him, but no I question and wonder and doubt."

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

We all are familiar with this verse, we can easily quote it and same with the rest of America, but do we really know this verse? Cherishing it's truth and having it make out hearts jump for joy and explain "How great is our God!" I wanted to share with you a passage from C.J. Mahaney that convicted me so heavily I couldn't keep it from all of you.

"Who Killed Jesus?"

God did. God the Father was ultimately responsible for the death of His Son. God is telling us, "I purposefully determined to crush My Son with My Wrath-for your sins, as your substitute."

Why?

"Because I love you"

When you're tempted to doubt God's love for you, stand before the cross and look at the wounded, dying, disfigured Savior, and realize why He is there. I believe His Father would whisper to us, "Isn't that sufficient? I haven't spared My own Son; I deformed and disfigured and crushed Him- for you. What more could I do to persuade you that I love you?"

C.J. Mahaney "Living the Cross Centered Life"

My prayer is that I and you as well will each day live my life as cross centered, in conviction of God's amazing, endless, profound love. That we will not doubt but proclaim to all what He has done for us!

As He removes his robes of righteousness...

2010-03-11T21:53:00.000-08:00

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12

As I stood there infront of the court room, my heart was beating fast, hard....my eyes watering....palms wet....knowing that God was with me...had a plan..it was perfect...but the fear was still there. I knew I was guilty, I deserved my sentence. "300 hours and community service, 3 years of probation, and fines due to the court and family of Miheala Zagoni." That was it, my judging was over and I walked out and began my sentence.

This was justice, Ashley Bell versus the People, and I was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. I had failed to see I had the red light and she had the green, I turned and she died. It was right in the eyes of the court for my punishment. I imagined how at the Great White Judgement when God serves the sentence to those who sinned the angels will be like those people....agreeing with the sentence, with righteous anger they will see it was just and right....and yet....

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

What if, after being told my punishment, Miheala's father got up and said "When do I start?" Week in and week out, he carried out my sentence, and carried my burden...as if he had been driving that day and killed his own daughter....What if her whole family stood up and embraced me and took me in as their own daughter? People would be furious, yelling, questioning...confused....

And yet...this is God...

What if after giving our sentence of eternal separation, wrath and torment in hell...stood up as He removes his robes of righteousness and serves this sentence....this isn't a what if question...because he did. Christ died on the cross and that is the exact picture. When I heard this picture of grace, mercy and love my soul was silent and my heart dropped....I was amazed yet again at God's amazing grace.

Forgiveness is the one thing I desire and I know that I don't deserve it from that family and yet at times I think I deserve it from God? No. It was a free gift to me but it cost God his son! Why do we often take this for granted in our day to day lives, sinning and just thinking "Oh, God will forgive me, He already has." We should be falling to our knees, broken that we grieve Him each and every time, as if we were murdering and murdering again and again.

I was convicted so much this week through a message about imitating God, realizing I can be just like this and also not forgive myself. I need to kill my pride and walk in love and humility before God, knowing all He has done for me.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5: 1-2

The Time is Now

2010-02-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. Psalm 39:4

This morning I received some sad news. A family member had died last night. Slightly shocking, but at the same time we all knew it was coming. Death is not a surprise to those who are old and those around them, but what about those who die "before their time." It is a shock, we are stopped dead in our tracks, utterly perplexed how someone young could pass. Each time it happens we wake up and realize maybe we do not have our whole lives to do something, but this realization leaves as soon as it comes.

How often have you had someone your age or younger, let's say college aged tell you that they will "do God" later, you know, when they are married, have a career and kids. Seems like the best time to follow God, after you do everything you desire to do. Do you or they know that God wants them to follow Him now?

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. James 4:13-15

A little over a year ago I was in a car accident while heading to church. I had planned on making it to Jr High small groups that night, but God had very different plans. I turned on what I thought to be a green arrow, when a motorcyclist hit the back of my car in cross traffic. She did not make it through, that night Miheala Zagoni died. She was 26 years old and had been riding her motorcycle for only 3 weeks, this girl had some serious plans. She had recently graduated from college as an architect and had a good job and now was taking up riding a motorcycle. Where ever she had planned on going that night, she did not make it there, God had very different plans.

We cannot trust in our lives because we do not know how long our lives will be. This is the time, now is the time to surrender our lives to God and put our trust in Him. We are born into a state of depravity, children of wrath as it says in Ephesians, deserving hell, but God came down in the form of man, Jesus Christ, to take on the punishment we so deserve after living a perfect life of no sin nailing it to a cross, so that we may gain salvation into the Kingdom of Heaven. Imagine, the eternity of hell for all those who become saved poured out onto one man. Being a christian and "doing the God thing" is not just going to church and raising your family to believe in God, it is a way of life, a life that no longer belongs to you. Please, I implore you to get rid of the worlds way of viewing God, because you do not know if you will make it to the end of this blog!

Christians! For us this means we need to be sharing the Gospel because it saves souls! I had never heard the gospel until I was 17 years old and praise God I lived long enough for someone to share it with me! Because whether death or Christ's return, which ever comes first, there is no "time" because the time is now.

You've got a friend in me...

2010-02-11T23:13:00.000-08:00

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13: 6-7

As I was reading in Matthew last night I realized something that struck me. When Judas comes to betray Jesus this is what is said:

While he (Jesus) was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Matthew 26:47-50

I don't know about you but I was stuck here for a little, thinking "Friend?!? I mean in what way is Judus a friend to Christ??" Knowing who Christ says are his friends in John 15:14, there was no way Judus was doing as Christ commanded and thus how could he be a friend. Well, Greek is a much more specific language as I found out while checking out what my study bible had to say about it. It reads:

"Friend represents Greek Hetairos, implying not the closeness and the affection of the usual word for friend (philos) but only acquaintance and association. It was used previously by Jesus in parables concerning someone who has taken advantage of a privileged relationship."

How often are we like Judus? We like to think of ourselves better than that, I mean no one wants to be compared to Judus even those who are not christians. Well, the sad truth is we sometimes are.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4: 1-3

What an amazing and privileged calling we have received! But how often we neglect and abuse it; we put other things before what God has called us to do and we love things more than Christ, then on top of it, we justify our sin. When we are doing all these things we hide the gospel and do not share it and we do not stand up for Christ.

Yesterday, I was given by God the greatest opportunity to share the gospel, someone specifically said to me "I was never brought up around church, I have no knowledge of religion or belief." Oh boy did I blow it! God gave me this perfect opportunity and I turned my back on Him, I sold Him over for comfort, just like Judus did for some silver coins. I was not worthy of my calling at all in that moment and I was a hetairos.

My prayer is that each day I would less and less neglect the privileged relationship I have with Christ, because in the same chapter of Matthew I also saw how much He was about to go through for me.

Dirty bathrooms, Rotting Bodies, and Filthy Hearts..Oh My!

2010-02-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. Matthew 23:27

So, last friday I finally cleaned my bathroom, which was a huge event because it was disastrous. Gross right? I mean its probably the dirtiest place in the whole house, any bathroom that is. But for a long time to me it seemed perfectly fine because I kept things picked up for the most part so when you glanced in looked clean and fine, but we all know about germs and that nasty stuff that builds up in bathrooms so by actual definition this bathroom was not clean...we can become the same way.

In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23: 28

After I has finished, which was hours later, I came downstairs and said to my mom "I think I know why I don't clean my bathroom very often...because I'm so OCD about it once I get going it just takes up my whole day!" (Go ahead moms its okay to laugh, I laugh at it now too) In reply my mother said "Well maybe if you just cleaned it more often it wouldn't take so long." In other words, stop being lazy...which I have recently really been revealed how bad this condition of laziness had become...but for now I'll stick to my point.

Now your probably wondering why I compared us to my nasty bathroom, if you haven't figured it out already that is! We pick up the things on the surface of our lives to appear "clean" because we are lazy (which is a sin, which means, yes, we are sinful). And then we see ourselves in the mirror of God's word and think, well all appears to look well, when on the inside we are dirty bathroom scum, just as Jesus said to the pharisees about them being rotting corpses inside a pretty white tomb. Day by day the build up of sin continues...making everything unusable.

This laziness causes a multitude of sin to build up inside our hearts and when its exposed ourselves and others around us are disgusted. Cleaning out that filthy heart build up takes way longer than if we had been checking our hearts for the beginnings of filth each day. Through doing this we become more glorifying and a more useful tool for God each and everyday!

Prideful Comfort Sacrificed for Humble Counsel

2010-02-08T23:12:00.000-08:00

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.” Philippians 2:3

Do you ever get uncomfortable with certain topics and do anything to avoid talking about them? I know I do! Recently though I found that it can become a sinful habit of placing yourself above others.

The last few months I have been working through a bible study through Ephesians and it is so awesome how much God has revealed to me and others through it, what great conversations have arisen from the scripture! But some conversations we wish to avoid, we all have those things we’d just rather not talk about. Once during a conversation something came up that I personally am awkward and uncomfortable with. That was it, another very close friend and I did all we could to stop the conversation and we succeeded....

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

About a month later the same friend called me up and began to talk with me about the situation. By the end of the conversation it was a mutual agreement that we had placed our own comforts above someone else who may have been crying out for help and counsel on how to deal with something. Now, we are not sure why the comment was made whether it be just for fun or if they really needed counsel hidden behind a kind laugh.

I felt horrible, why do I so often find that my comfort is more important than anyone else's needs. I mean, I was perfectly fine with any other topic or cry for help, I was even the one asking for advice sometimes, thinking, what other place would be best for it besides with your own sisters in Christ? Perhaps this lady was thinking the same thing and we shut her down so quickly because that was just something we felt is "awkward."

What a horrible habit to have, continually placing our feelings before others needs, this is not “bearing with one another in love.”

So, what creates this habit? Pride. We all have it and we all show it sometimes, some of us are just better at hiding it than others. Almost like a form of dress us girls play to be a princess, but at the end of the day they are just normal girls. Let's stop playing dress up Christians and truly clothe ourselves with humility and loving the body of Christ more than our own bodies, even if that means being a little uncomfortable sometimes.

I can do it al by myself!...or can I?

2010-02-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

So all the work on the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses. Exodus 39:32

So, I have been reading though through the Bible in a year with my church family at Compass Bible Church and we just finished Exodus today! I must admit it was difficult to get through and I just could not understand why I couldn't focus and wasn't learning anything, sometimes I felt as though I was wasting my time...and I was.

There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. Deuteronomy 1:31-33

Recently, I was talking to a wonderful, godly friend of mine and she turned and asked me, "What does it truly mean to be saved and how do you know that you are?" I answered "Through repentance and faith, right?" She replied, "Yes that how we are called to respond to the gospel but how do you know if you or someone else is saved?....It's a transfer of trust, from yourself to God, with your entire life." This really made me think and I was especially convicted when she said "I mean even when I go to have my Bible reading time I go and think 'Well I'm a big girl I know how to read.'" But we both agreed this was foolishness, how can we understand God's word, if we are not even asking Him for that understanding?? We cannot trust in ourselves to do anything without God.

Sure the Israelites finished the work of the temple with the work of their hands, but how, because God had not only given them the most clearest set of instructions but He also gave individual people within the camp specific skills to do the work (Exodus 28:3). After reading today I realized, I did nothing in the work done on the cross except give Christ that pain through sinning and yet God being so loving chose me to restore that relationship with me broken in Eden. And I don't have to wait once a year to enter into His presence I can do it anytime, any place. Now that I went off on a tangent let me get back and finish, because we can only trust in God for salvation, we can only trust in Him with our lives, every last detail, just like the temple work.

My new life...

2010-02-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. John 3:3

I was born at age 17, no not physically born, spiritually born. Nineteen years ago I was born into a sinful world in a sinful body, I was "dead." I grew up in two separate households, when one decided to start going to church, I followed; at age 11 I was Mormon. I went to the Mormon church for about 7 years, thinking I was perfectly okay and my works plus Jesus would lead me to where I wanted to go, I mean no one really wants to go to hell and be punished forever right??? Eventually, the hardships of life and my desires for horrible things took over, but I was still a Mormon of course going to heaven. Well, God disagreed and here’s where the real story begins, His story.

I was working at Jack's Surfboards, wonderful place, gotta love it...don't miss it. But never the less eternally grateful for how God used that job. Well, there was this boy whom I became fond of and visa versa, well to make a long story short after a long time of waiting he asked me out (later to know it was his mom who told him to and bring me to church :D) our first date church and a movie, pretty much the next few weeks followed in that pattern, after a while I began to see a difference from his church and mine, but I did not believe on any grounds that God could change a person, that was of course until Jordan was saved. Wow did I hear A LOT about God and the bible from both him and his mom (Mechell <3) they told me something I had never heard before, the Gospel. I was sinful, which deserved separation from God in hell, but Christ came and He took on those sins after living a life of perfect righteousness and then was punished in my place for all I had done and would ever do, this free gift of grace. Still, God couldn't really change someone...could He? I had seen how Mechell lived quite differently from everyone else I knew and now Jordan had radically changed! But, I was a "Christian" I "believed" in Christ.....

One night at work Jordan was talking to the other guys who worked there defending what he knew to be true but they were against him....I knew at that moment he was right and I wanted to defend God with him but God used that to show me that I was not a follower of Him and that I did not trust in Him with my life. That night after a long talk with Jordan, God replaced my heart of stone with a heart that yearned for Him, I repented of all my sins and placed my faith and entire life in the hand of the Living God...That night I was born into a true life, a life worth living, a life in complete devotion to Christ...

My prayer for this blog is that it would really be God's not my own. That it would be a blessing to not only myself but to others and to share what God has done in my daily life that is so captivating and so truthful!