Hearing the Shepherd's Call

I love sheep.  I think they're so cute.  One of my favorite books that I read to my youngest son was Russell the Sheep.  I mean, look at him, he's so stinking cute.  (and he has a really cute frog that hangs out with him.)

Now in real life, sheep don't look or act like Russell.  They are still cute, but you need to know that they are really helpless.  It takes a special person to be a shepherd.  He or she has to be very patient; be willing to fight off preditors; and be willing to put their sheep's needs before their own.   

The cool thing about sheep is that they will only answer their own shepherd's call.  You can have a lot of flocks all meshed together on a hill and all the shepherds hanging out, but when one shepherd is ready to leave he'll give a special call or whistle, and his sheep will separate themselves from the others and follow him.

We are compared in the bible to sheep.  When you think about it, it makes total sense.  Jesus is our patient shepherd.  He takes care of us; it's in His name that He fights off the preditors; He grooms us and sheers us to keep us healthy.  Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of the Lord as our Shepherd.  You may have said this Psalm hundreds of times, but look at it with fresh eyes.  You're the sheep; you're helpless; you will drown if you drink from water that isn't still; you taste yummy to preditors; you like to run off your own way.  David understood this when he wrote this Psalm because he was a shepherd before he was a king.  I also love John 10:11-15 because Jesus tells us why he's the good shepherd:  He was willing to lay down His life for His sheep. 

Jesus came to give us life. (John 10:10)  He took on the preditors of our very lives and fought them off at the cross.  How do we know He is victorious?  How do we really know He is the good shepherd?  Two simple words:  He rose.  In those words we know He can conquer, set-free, heal, love, change...anything!  Feel the love of the Good Shepherd.  Hear Him whistle for you and follow Him.    

Just call me the Finder of Lost Things

In my family of 6 I am the one who finds lost things. 

This is what I hear:
child:  "Mom, have you seen my shoes?"
me:  "Where did you leave them the last time you wore them?"
child:  "I can't remember."
me:  "Are they in your room...under your bed/dirty clothes thrown on the floor...under the couch in the den...and why aren't they in the cubbie outside or in your closet?"
child:  "I don't know."  (and this is always a standard answer.)
me:  "Keep looking..."
child:  "Mom, I still can't find them..."
me:  "If I find them you're going to get into trouble, because that means you didn't look hard enough."
child:  "...Mom, I can't find them..."
At this point I look for them & 99% of the time find what they were looking for.  Go figure, I guess it's in a mom's job description.  Also, feel free to change the mom to Ashley because my husband asks me the same questions. 

This morning as I was waking up I was thinking about how God is the ultimate finder of lost things.  I've been talking to Him about it a lot.  One of my favorite chapters in the bible is Luke 15.  It's about nothing but things that are lost being found.  I really think my favorite one out of the chapter is the first one about the lost sheep. 

Jesus was talking to the Pharisees because they were grumbling, again, because he hung out with "sinners".  (Hello, we're all sinners:  Romans 3:23 to 'ya)  Jesus knew He had what these "sinners" needed.  He asked the leaders that wouldn't a person who loses one sheep:  "leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home..."  ~Luke 15:4-6a (italics added)

I love the word joyfully!  He found the lost one & was so excited when he found it.  When I find things for my family a lot of times they are relieved and joyful when it's found.  And that's just stuff...how much more excited is Christ when He finds one of His sheep that's been lost!  As we read on in verse 6 it says he calls his friends and neighbors and wants to throw a party because he found his sheep, and read this next verse, it will knock your socks off!  Verse 7:  "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents..." (italics added)   Jesus and all of heaven has a party when a person accepts Jesus as their savior.  There was a party in your honor when you accepted Christ. 

We as Christians are all called to help to look for lost sheep.  You don't have to look very hard, they are everywhere.  But how we all rejoice with Christ as one of His lost ones accepts Him.  So it comes down to this...I double dog dare you to share Jesus with someone.  I dare you to tell them how much He loves them.  Don't worry, it's not your job to convince them about Jesus, the Holy Spirit will do that, all you have to do is share Him. 

If you don't know Jesus and want to, the good thing is it's not hard at all.  He never wanted it to be hard to get to Him, you just need to talk to Him.  Pray this prayer from your heart:
Jesus, thank you for being the good shepherd.  Thank you for searching for me.  I admit that I am a sinner and have done life my way.  Jesus I believe you came to the world to save me and that you paid for my sins on the cross.  I choose to turn away from my sin and follow you.  Thank you Jesus for loving me.  I love you Jesus, in your name I pray, ~amen
    

OK I'm up...

Today the Lord woke me up at 3am.  I don't remember what I was dreaming or even if I was.  All I know is that all of a sudden the refrain of the song, Waiting here for You is playing over and over in my mind...and good morning to me.   Usually when God wakes me up it's because I need to pray and meditate on Him.  Do I like waking up at 3?  Absolutely not, but when He wants me up, I'm up.  But why did He use this song, and why so early?

I do know the answer to that.  He wants to know where my focus lies.  He wants to know that no matter what I'm going to be looking to Him for everything; living a life fully surrendered.  Now let's be honest, God knows the answer to all these things before I even think them.  So in reality He's asking me to examine myself and see where I'm focused.  Am I being pulled away by all the silly little nothings; putting other things in front of my relationship with Him; when I've laid something at the foot of the cross, am I trying to pick it back up.  (something I really like to do...)

Focusing on God is can be easier at certain times.  I love going to church & I love worship.  You know why?  Because I can feel pressed down by life, but when I walk into church I become focused on my purpose.  I love worship because it takes my focus from myself and turns it to the One who knows me.  Now, I should be able to feel this way where ever I go because the Spirit of the Lord doesn't reside in a building.  He resides in me.  I carry my purpose with me, but I have a tendency to muddy it up and then it's not so clear what my purpose is.  But, then I remember to worship, pray, and put my focus back on Him; and the clarity returns.  The clarity that God loves me, wants to be in a relationship with me, and wants to guide my every step.

Thank you Lord for waking me up so I could focus on you.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit that guides me and fills me.  Lord, let there be more of you and less of me.  Let me walk in your ways and love like you do.  Lord, I praise you for not leaving me to do life on my own.  I love you Lord!  In Jesus name, ~Amen

Passing the Torch

I'm starting to get older.  My children would say I'm as old as dirt.  I remember when my parents were my age & I thought the same thing.  I don't feel too old to do some things, but I am.  (either by choice or because my body won't do the things it could do when I was a teenager.  total bummer!)  Can this happen in ministry?  Absolutely.

I read a passage from 1 Chronicles this morning I remembered why I love it & I know what God was showing me through it.  (He's so cool that way!!!)  A little info before I post the verse.  David is King of Israel, and he loves the Lord with everything he is.  God Himself said David was a man after His own heart.  (Acts 13:22)  David wanted to build God a beautiful temple to dwell in, but because he was God's warrior, David was not allowed to build the temple.  (1 Chronicles 28:2-3)  What's so cool is that we don't see David complaining; he decides to have everything ready for when his son, Solomon, will build it.  But, before Solomon was crowned as King of Israel, David has these words for him in 1 Chronicles 28:8-10:

"So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

How awesome is that?  David only mentions one time the building of the temple, all the rest is about following the Lord.  David telling his son to rise to the challenge to be and do everything for the Lord. 

As I get older, this is what I know I'm to do, pass the torch to the younger generations; they are to know they have have been chosen to build God's family, so they should be strong and do the work.  The inheritance is not land or riches but eternal life lived in the shadowless love of the Savior.

So to this next generation:  acknowledge God, serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind.  Seek Him.  Be strong and do the work.  The younger you are when you realize that God has put you here for a reason, the more fulfilled you'll be and His peace will be yours. 

In Him,
~ashley

Forrest, I just wanted to tell you I love you...

My fam loves to quote movies.  Someone will randomly throw out a line of a movie in regular conversation & get everyone else to guess what movie it is from.  We love that game.  (It ranks right up there with guess that song.)  On my way home from church tonight this line kept creeping into my mind.  I was praying about some things on my heart & this is the line that I heard:  "Forrest, I just wanted to tell you I love you..."

Um, ok, thanks God.  I know you love me.  But then I heard, have you told others how much you love them.  Well, I show them I love them.  No, He said, that's not what I'm talking about, have you said it with your mouth.  Have you uttered the words I love you?  But they already know, I told God.  He told me to say it again.  Thank you God for the reminder, just as I want it said to me, I must say it to others...so here goes.  :)

To my family, I love you.  I love the way you make me laugh.  I love the what I see God calling you to be.  You are inspiring to me.  I'm so blessed that God put you in my life.  You are treasures and am so blessed to be part of our family, but I refuse to wear orange, it is not in my color wheel....  Movie, anyone?  Love you guys!

HK leaders & SideKicks, I love you.  Your dedication & faithful service to Jesus to impact the next generation is amazing.  You show the living Christ to kids and are willing to be His hands and feet.  I love serving with y'all & I love sharing my life with you.  HKSK, y'all rock!  To be your age & already feel God's call on your life, wow how incredible that you are willing to answer the call!  My prayer is that you follow Him always.

All my EL classmates...y'all are a bunch of crazy Jesus freaks & I love you!!!  Being with you on Thursday nights makes my week complete.  God is so good & knew I needed you. 

Amy J & Dillian J, thank you for looking into my heart & speaking truth into it no matter what I want to hear.  (and for making me cry on more than one occasion.)  I love for you pushing me out of my comfort zone & making me stretch in my service to Jesus.

To all my VH friends, I love you.  You have stood by me in good times & bad.  Through the years we have shared many things, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

I know I'm leaving out people, so if I am, know I love you.  I'm sure I'll dream about everyone I've left out...I'm a little weird like that.  :) 

Have you told others that you love them?  Don't wait to tell them.  It will make them feel good, and make you feel the peace of God in your heart. 

In Him,
~ashley

Legacy

The way God works is so amazing to me.  I will have lots different things happen in the course of a day that I may think are not related, but God shows me His single strand that holds them all together.

This morning as I was reading in the one year bible, I was getting distracted.  The first reading was from 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4.  This passage is all about linage.  Who was the father of so-and-so, who was born of whom...it can get boring.  (especially if you can't pronounce half the names correctly.)  I started thinking that I really need one huge gigantic family tree, that would really have helped me a lot.  What God planted on my heart was not the names but the legacy they left.  The legacy through:  who and how they worshipped; their family; and their service.

Later this morning I was privileged to stand by a sweet friend and sister-in-Christ as she said her earthly goodbyes to her loving grandfather.  Her PawPaw's pastor talked about legacy.  (coincidence...I think not!)  Her PawPaw left a wonderful legacy.  He loved Jesus and showed it through his actions and words; he showed his family he loved them by the kind of man he was; and he served his country in World War II and then served his church faithfully for many decades.  Legacy....

I love the song Legacy by Nichole Nordeman.  It's not anything about me that creates my legacy.  It's about who I am in Christ and what I do with it.  Did I share Him with others or horde him?  Do others see my love for Him or love for myself?  Do I give His love freely away or make people try to earn it?  There are so many ways to carry out the sharing and love of Christ, and each one of those leaves a legacy.  A marking through time where you can see God smiling and saying:  "good job y'all, you made me proud today".  What will my legacy be?  When it is time for me to leave my earthly home, what will others say about me?

                                 I know I want to leave a legacy, what about you?

Dearest Jesus, You showed me what legacy is.  You left Your mark on this earth through your love of God the father and people.  Help me to love like You do.  Help me to not grow tired of doing what is right.  May my words be life-giving, my hands be uplifted in praise, and the words of my mouth praise and share Your name with others.  My want is for all of this to bring you honor and glory forever.  May this become my legacy.  In Jesus name, ~Amen

I will not be Afraid

God did not give us a spirit of fear,
but one of love, power and a sound mind

2 Timothy 1:7

Fear....  There are times I wonder:  am I the only one who has it; am I the only one who can be paralyzed by it? 

When Paul wrote his last letter to Timothy, he was in jail and alone.  The emperor Nero was in power, and was notorious in his hatred and persecution of Christians.  Paul was telling his friend Timothy not to be paralyzed by fear.  Paul was telling Timothy to use everything God placed within him to share the gospel:  love:  we are called to love God & love people; power:  it comes directly from God and is something we don't have by ourselves; a sound mind:  it says we are clear headed and focused on what God has called us to do.

I am willing to bet that we all have fears.  What do you do when  you are afraid?

True story:
A few weeks ago my daughter was learning to do a back flip off of the high board for a dive meet.  The high board is 3 meters or 10 feet off the water.  From the pool deck it doesn't look that high, but when you're the one standing on the board, 10 feet is pretty high.  She was afraid.  Her legs were shaking, teeth chattering, tears running down her face.  "I'm afraid" she kept saying.  "I don't want to splat I know it will hurt". 

I told her to push through her fear & to be courageous.  We shouted out 2 Timothy 1:7 and claimed it over her fear.  I'm happy to say she learned her back flip, and now has no fear of doing it.

When Elizabeth was standing on the board she was focused on her fear, and couldn't see past it.  It paralyzed her so she couldn't move forward.  Fear stops us where we are.  It takes courage to push through our fears.  God tells us to be strong and courageous. (Deuteronomy 31:6)  When you find yourself in the grips of fear and need courage, look up and fall into the loving hands of God.  You fall into Him by:  prayer; reading your bible; using resources like biblegateway.com;  talking to your parents, pastors, and other adults you trust.  You don't have to face your fears alone!  Jesus has already made a way for you to live free in His name!  Amen!

Loving the Gift

I was reading an online devotion this morning that I receive via email, and it was very timely for me.  The author spoke about our different spiritual giftings.  She had a hard time accepting the spiritual gift God had given her.  She felt it wasn't important enough.  There was a time I felt the same way.  Then I read 1 Corinthians 12  because it is God explaining how each gift He gives is important, even if we don't think it is. 

I wanted to be a person who revealed God's truths to people.  I wanted them to be able to feel God's love through my words.  I wanted...do you see the problem here?  It's me.  God didn't call me to do those things.  He called me to love kids.  He called me to get so excited when a child made the connection of God's love for them and their need for a savior.  He called me to hurt when they hurt and rejoice when they rejoice.  What greater gift for me could there be?

What did He gift you with?  Do you know  your spiritual gifts?  We all have them.  If you don't know yours, I want to encourage you to find out what it is.  Once you find it out, thank God for your gift & chase it with reckless abandon.  God will fill you with more joy when you're doing His work with the gifts He has given you.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your gifts.  I love the way you have made us all different, and given us a desire to work for your kingdom.  I thank you that even in things we may not see as important, You say they are and find value in everything done for Your church.  Help us discover our purpose and embrace it.  Jesus, you are a wonderful savior, and we want to serve you and be difference makers for our generation and the ones to come.  Thank You for everything You are!  In your name I pray, Amen

In Him,
~ashley

The Great I AM

I love to listen to worship music.  When I can sing to the Lord I feel a peace flow through my spirit.  Last night at church we sang a great song.  It's called 'Great I Am' by New Life Worship.  I started thinking about what it means when we say God is the great I Am.  Where in the world did they get I Am? 

The name I AM is first seen in Exodus 3:14.  The bush is burning, God has informed Moses of his mission to set the Israelites free from the bondage of slavery, but Moses has a few questions.  Questions about himself, the mission, and what to say when the all important question is asked:  "...Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?'  Then what shall I tell them?"  (Exodus 3:13)  God tells him to say to the Israelites:  "...I AM has sent me to you." 

Why I AM?   I AM is the Hebrew word that we get Yahweh from.  (You will also see it written as YHWH.)  Another name of Yahweh is Jehovah.  These names were, to the Jewish people, to sacred to be said out loud, so they called the Lord the I AM. 

OK, so I AM what?  I think they call the Lord the I AM because He is everything.  Do you need a friend?  Jehovah-Shammah.  Do you need peace in your life?  Jehovah-Shalom.  Healing?  Jahovah-Rapha.  Protection?  Jehovah-Rohi.  Someone to fight for you?  Jehovah-Saboath.  An encounter?  Immanuel.  Righteousness?  Jehovah-Tsidkenu.  These are just a few of the names of God.  He has so many names because He is everything we need.   I am thankful God is bigger than what I alone imagine Him to be.  I'm thankful He reveals Himself in these different ways, because we all have different needs.  He is I AM!

Lord, thank you for not leaving us alone to fend for ourselves.  Thank you for being I AM.  Thank you for Immanuel, God with us, Jesus.  Lord  you are our everything, and I praise your name!  Lord, when I call on You, I have confidence that You hear me.  You know what I need before I ask.  Lord I rest in You, and want You with me always to guide me in this life.  I love you Lord, my I AM.  In Jesus name, ~Amen.

In Him,
~ashley

Follow Through

Have you ever been a situation that you needed someone to pull their weight with a project, or they promised you something & then didn't follow through?  One of the things that drives me crazy is people who say they will do something and then don't do it.  Something has happened to me recently to see what God says about it, because both sides of this coin are very important.

If you are the person who has said you will do something, do it.  It doesn't matter what it is.  Be trustworthy.  I went to one of my favorite websites, biblegateway.com, and looked up trustworthy.  The first time that word is used is in the book of Exodus.  God had saved the Israelites from Egypt, and Moses' father-in-law, Jethro came out to meet him at the base of God's mountain.  Moses was do everything himself and not letting anyone help him.  Read what Jethro tells Moses in Exodus 18:20-22, about finding people to help him: 
"Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you."

We were not meant to do life on our own.  When we choose to do it by ourselves, we are robbing others of God's blessings.  This is a very hard concept for me.  I have been left holding the bag when others don't do what they said they would do.  But, like Jethro tells Moses I need to pray for wisdom in choosing those who will be sharing my burden, because the load will be made lighter.

On the flip-side, if I am the person who says I will do something, I need to make sure I understand what is required of me, and do it.  When I decide not to follow through several things happen:  1.  People know I can not be trusted to do what I say; 2.  I will not be asked to handle bigger responsibilities, and grow my relationships with my fellow man and God; 3.  I can ruin my testimony of Christ.  Of all the consequences, ruining my testimony for Jesus is the worst.  If someone can't trust me in the little things, how can I be trusted with something bigger?  It doesn't matter how small that responsibility is to you, because it matters to someone who is counting on you. 

Lord Jesus, You had the ultimate follow through.  You could have decided not to die for me on the cross, but You finished the job so thoroughly and have allowed me to approach your throne.  Thank you for Your example.  Help me to be willing to trust my fellow man and when it's my turn to be trustworthy, let me follow Your lead and do it for Your glory.  Thank you Jesus for all You have done for me.  You are my precious Lord.  Guide me in all I do.  In Your name, Amen

In Him,
~ashley

A Light in the Darkness

I don't like walking around when it's dark.  I hear creaks and bumps in my house & I'll rush to turn on the light.  If I'm outside I feel like I'm being watched.  It's creepy.
Have you ever wondered why we feel more comfortable during the daylight instead of the darkness?

In the light it is easier to see where you're going.  In the light nothing is hidden.  The light gives us security the darkness tries to take away.

The bible talks a lot about light and darkness.  As Christians we are told to walk in the light.  To not know Jesus is to be living in darkness.  1 Thessalonians 5:5 says:  " You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." 

We were not supposed to be bothered by darkness.  When satan decided to do his own thing when he was in heaven is when the trouble started. I think that's what boggles my mind more than anything.  He was the most beautiful angel in heaven.  He was put in charge of worship, and I would imagine he hung out with God a lot.  His one major problem is that he wanted to be God.

In the book of Revelation it talks about the light coming from heaven as shadowless.  Meaning this light shines in all directions, and permiates everything. The light is God's holiness shining.  Can you imagine a shadowless light, it is hard for me to.

I want to be a child of light.  I want the light of Christ to shine through me.  I want people to not see me, but see Christ in me, and I want to help show other the miracle of Easter.

Lord Jesus, I love you and want to follow you.  I want to shine your light in the darkness of this world.  Use me Father to be a difference maker for your kingdom.  Draw me close to you and shine Your light in the dark places in my life.  Help me be a child of the light. I am so thankful for all my many blessings!  In Jesus name I pray, ~Amen

Moved

There are two things I know:  I serve a great God & today I was able to serve Him with a group of wonderful people. 

It is two days after so many tornadoes ripped through our state.  As of right now there are 318 who are dead, and countless others who are missing.  It is going to take years for some areas to recover.  What is amazing is seeing one of the things the body of Christ does best.  Minutes after the storms hit the planning began, then the calls went out of how each of us could help, and then the body of Christ answered & it will keep on coming until there is no one left to help.  The body is like that.  Are you hungry, we'll feed you; homeless, we'll house you; injured, we'll get you help; we'll do all of this, but most important, we'll point you to Jesus.  Hopefully, you'll see Him in us.  We are His hands, feet, and heart.


There are times for me that a song will define a time or a feeling.  There are several songs right now that do this.  Music moves me.  I always focus on the words, because lots of times when I'm singing, my words will become my prayer.  The song 'No Matter What' is one of those songs.  Through all that has happened this week I am reminded of Job 1:20b. When Job learned that all 10 of his children had died at almost the same time he said: 

"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Before anything happens in our lives, the Lord knows about it, and He might allow it to happen.  Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen His people?  Because He cares about our holiness a lot more than our happiness.  He knows that even through the hard times we will find peace when we turn to Him during the hard times.

 

 

Lord Jesus, we praise you for who you are.  I praise you because of the love you showed us by taking on the sins of the world.  No one else is worthy, only you.  Lord we ask for mercy on our neighbors.  Guide us to serve them as You would.  Let our actions bring glory to you and may all that we do bring honor to your name.  Help us to not be afraid to share you; the bread of life and living water as we see to their physical needs.  Let us not grow weary Lord.  Give us your love for our neighbors.  We love you Father God, and want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  In His mighty name, ~Amen.

If you haven't had a chance to help the storm victims, call a local church and see what they are doing, and how you can help.  We have lots of great churches in Birmingham who are coordinating workers to help in the hard hit areas.  I promise that as you give your time to help others, you will be blessed.

Praying for our state!
In Him,
~ashley

Tearing it Up

My daughter and I did something really cool Easter night.  We watched 'The Passion of the Christ' together.  It was her first time to watch it, and as we watched I would stop the movie and explain things to her.  I wanted her to be able to see in her mind what it means when she says Jesus took on the sins of the world; and that when we talk about 'Jesus dying on the cross for my sins' that she sees an accurate description of it.  It was brutal and ugly...just like sin.

As Jesus was being beaten Elizabeth & I talked about how He took that beating with our faces in mind.  He would have endured the cross if only the thief to His right would have accepted the grace only He offers.  Christ experienced God the Father removing His presence and leaving Christ to face the consequences of sin alone.  What a relief it had to have been for Him to say 'it is finished'.  Notice He said 'it' is finished, and not 'I' am finished.  The 'it' is the payment of sin for the world.  The 'it' is that there is no more barrier between us and God, and that is why the vail in the temple tore. 

The vail was the barrier between God & man.  With the barrier gone we don't need to go through anyone to get to God; we only have to go through Christ.  The phrase 'it is finished' was changed to 'it has begun'.  Begun is:  our personal relationship with Christ; our serving to advance His kingdom; and our ability to approach God our Father ourselves and hanging out with Him.

I am thankful for so many things.  Besides what Christ did for me, I am thankful for my bible that I can read whenever I want, and that I don't have to guess what God meant when he gave us His word.  I have Christ as my example and living explanation.  How blessed we are!  Thank you Jesus for everything you have done!

Counting my blessings with a thankful heart,
~ashley

Finishing the Job

I had to share this video with you!  It is called 'It is Finished' by Matt Papa.  Through all my fears & failures Jesus still said it is finished.  When I get in the way, Jesus still said it is finished. 

May His name be lifted up in my life, and in everything I do!  Thank you Lord for taking my place!

Happy Easter!
~ashley

Remembering

Today is Good Friday.

This is the day that everything changed.

When my children were young we loved to watch VeggieTales.  One of our favorites was An Easter Carol.  Hope's Song is a beautiful way to explain what Easter is.  In the end of the song Hope sings:  "He died for us to give us life & to give us hope he rose." 

But, for Jesus, there was also fear; I can't imagine the fear He had.  Being fully God & fully man He knew what was about to happen; the pain, the heartbreak, the knowing that God the father had to turn His back and allow it to happen.  The weight of every sin, and the blackness of it all was placed on Him.  Jesus knew, and the fully human side of Him made an appearance in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I appreciate Him showing this side.  But what I also see is His submission to God the Father's will.  Jesus knew we needed a way out, and His blood provided it. 

Even though God had to look away while Jesus was on the cross, He knew what Jesus was going through.  In the movie The Passion of the Christ, they show that God was still there by a teardrop falling from heaven.  The link is graphic, so make sure if you are young your parents are ok with you watching this clip.  A teardrop from heaven is not in the bible, but it is a reminder that God's heart was broken.  In the next scene you see the earthquake and the veil tearing in the Holy of Holies.  The veil was a barrier between man and the presence of God.  Only the high priest, once a year was allowed in the place where God dwelt, and it was to atone for the sins of the Jewish nation.  The veil tore to tell us that we all have access to God through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus.  No better gift has ever been given!  He died for us to give us life, and to give us hope, He rose.

We need the life His death gives us, and we need the hope His resurrection brings.   Can you imagine the sadness His disciples and followers were feeling Saturday?   They did not realize what was about to take place on Sunday.  Are we like that?  Are we Saturday people?  Are we wondering what is to become of us?  Are we hiding our faith?

Good news!  Jesus is Risen!  There is hope in His resurrection.  A hope that we are not left alone to fend for ourselves.  We have a purpose while we are here, and we have a hope that this is not all there is.  We are destined to better and greater things.  We have the assurance of spending eternity with Jesus. 

Jesus, how wonderful you are.  Thank you for accepting my sin, and taking the punishment that was meant for me.  Thank you for giving me a new life through the sacrifice of your blood.  I believe you are the only son of God the Father, and that you came to take away the sins of the world.  I commit myself to you, and will serve you all the days of my life.  Forgive me when I sin, and help me through each day.  I love you Jesus.  In your name I pray, ~Amen

Have a wonderfully blessed Easter!  The grave is empty, He is risen!  Hallelujah!!!
~ashley

Finding Peace in the Storm

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 

I wish bad things never happened.  I wish, I wish, I wish.  Unfortunately, wishin' ain't gettin'.  The only thing we're promised is that Christ has overcome the world & He will love us through good times and bad. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 

"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:3-5

I found out this week there is a child in one of my children's classes whose mother is very sick and could possibly die.  Sadly, he is not the first child to have a parent die, and he won't be the last.  My brother was his age when our father passed away, and I remember the feelings we all had during that time.

You may not have something like this going on in your life, but we all have difficult times in our lives.  Who do you turn to when tough times hit?  The only One who can give you peace in the middle of life's storms is Christ.  God asks so little of us.  He wants us:  our love, devotion, our very selves.  But what does that look like?  It is knowing that everything you do, you do for Him.  It's knowing that nothing can separate you from His love.  It's giving Him the best you have in everything.  Christ went through it all so you wouldn't be alone.

Christ is the peace in our storms.  Lay your burdens at his feet and rest.

Lord Jesus, right now I am troubled.  You know my heart and how I feel.  My heart is burdened.  Forgive me for trying to fix it all on my own.  Forgive me for my selfishness.  You know me.  I know you went through it all so you would understand how I felt.  Thank you Jesus for doing that for me.  You are my refuge when life is coming at me.  You are my strength when I am weak.  You lead me and I will follow you.  Give me your peace while I am going through this trial, and show me what you want me to learn.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

In Him,
~ashley

Fighting Apathy

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25

Apathy as defined by the Miriam-Websters online dictionary:
1.  lack of feeling or emotion:  impassiveness
2.  lack of interest or concern:  indifference

Apathy is a killer.  It's a  killer of purpose, vision, drive, joy, and relationships.  Apathy can take someone who has a heart for God and His kingdom, and turn them into someone who becomes egotistical and selfish; someone who just doesn't care anymore.  It happens in churches everyday.  It's happened to me.  When it does happen sometimes it's better to step back and regroup with God.  Ask Him to reveal His will for your life.  Praise Him that He knows better than you do where you should be.

That is why the verse from Hebrews is so vital.  It can be easy to be apathetic.  We rush around all week:  work, school, activities, and when Sunday arrives we're spent.  Church is meant to recharge us for the week.  Meeting with other believers, connecting with Jesus through praise & worship, studying our bibles, and tithing are just some ways that we can be spurred on toward love (this love is God:  1 John 4:16) and doing good deeds.  (advancing the kingdom of God)  The good deeds have already been prepared for us in advance by God himself.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Another way apathy can sneak in is when we try to do everything.  If I'm doing everything, I'm not finding joy in the things God has called me to, and I'm stealing the works that God has prepared for someone else.  God compares all believers to a physical body.  Every part has a special roll to play.  No one part is better than the other, just different, and those parts fulfill a role that no other part can fill.  You may not think a finger or toe is very important to your body, until you can't use it.  Even the smallest part of your body is important, because when it doesn't work right, it throws the whole body off.  The body of Christ is like this too.  It doesn't matter what job you do within the body; your job is important.  Without you, the body doesn't function like it's supposed to.   I love 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.  I'm not going to put it all here because it's long, but go look it up, it's a great verse. (Hint:  Use Biblegateway, there's a link for it over there -->)  :)
 
Apathy can sneak in when you're not watching and take over your life.  I have a friend who jokes that she is going to write a book called:  "The devil comes to my house on Sunday".  I have felt this way.  Children are bickering amongst themselves, some come down wearing something different than what I told them, some may have overslept, I'm frustrated because we're going to be late to church & get stuck in traffic.  These bumps in my road are intended to make me feel that it's just easier to skip today.  I start to rationalize that it doesn't matter if we show up late, God knows I'm trying my best.  But am I really?  Am I giving God my very best, or just the bare minimum?  What if going to church was suddenly outlawed, and owning a bible could get me thrown in jail?  I am pretty sure I would really value the things I take for granted every day. 
 
Lord, you are a loving father, and like every father you want what is best for your children.  Help me with my apathy.  Help me to treasure my time with you, my time in your word, and my time with other believers.  Lord, when I'm in Your will I find joy.  Show me Your will.  Guide my steps each day, and show me ways to share You with others who don't know You.  Thank you for loving me even through my apathy, and renewing me everyday through Your word and Spirit.
In Jesus Name,
~Amen
 
In Him,
~ashley

Untapped Potential

I am writing this today with a heavy heart.  Last night Billy Hornsby, our pastor's father-in-law, passed away.  He was a true man of God.  Pastor Chris has told Billy's story a few times in church, and it really exemplifies how God wants to grow our untapped potential.

Billy was not the first, and he will not be the last person that God saw who has great potential for the Kingdom.  This morning after I had read the email about Billy, God laid this message on my heart. 

So many heros in the bible were messed up.  God loved taking the mess of their lives and turning it into something He could use.  When you start to run the list, you really see a pattern, and you have to smile & you may even wonder what in the world God is thinking.  God said he would use the weak and foolish to shame the proud. {my paraphrase}  (1 Corinthians 1:27)   I'll mention a few:  Moses, Elijah, Jonah, David, the 12 disciples, Paul...and these are just a handful of guys.  God saw them, saw their weaknesses and tendencies & said, 'Yep, that's the guy I want.'  Moses, David, Paul:  murderers; Elijah:  fearful to the point of running away & hiding; Jonah:  selfish with God's word; out of the 12 disciples, four were common fishermen & one was a tax collector.  In the eyes of the world these guys were not the highest caliber people the Lord could have chosen, but these were his go to guys.

How comforting this is for me.  God sees everything about me & says 'Yep, she's the one I want, and I know right where to put her.'  He has said that about you too.  When people tell you that you're not good enough, smart enough, strong enough, fast enough, you know what God will say.  'Yep, they are the one I want, they are perfect for the job.'  God gives us the tools we need to do the job He needs us to do.  He gives us the ability to do these things,  We know it's not by our own power that we can do the job God has given us, it's only through Him.  He does this so no one can say they did it in their own strength, but we boast because of the Lord's strength in us.  (1 Cor 12:9-10; Philippians 2:14-17)

Not only, will God give you the tools to do something, He'll give you the desire to do it too. It's the whole falling into His will thing.  Knowing God's will can be a little confusing sometimes.  How do I know the will of God?  His will is in the bible.  He doesn't keep it a secret, but He does reveal it to us in different ways.  We are told in 1 John 5:14-15 that if we ask in accordance to God's will he will hear us and if He hears us, we have what we ask for. 

Let me clarify that God is not a genie in a bottle.  You don't rub your bible like a magic lamp and get your wishes granted.  God wants you to choose to follow Him.  He does not bend His will to our needs; we ask Him to show us His will and to bend us to it.  So many people think that they are not loved by God because of things that have happened in their lives that they prayed about, and they think God didn't hear them or answer.  But sometimes God's answer is no.  That can be so hard to hear.  I don't want to hear God tell me no, or to wait, or to trust, but He does.  What I choose is to trust and obey.  I praise Him because His ways are higher than mine. (Isaiah 55:8-9)  I praise Him because He sent His son to die on the cross for me. (John 3:16)  I praise Him because he sees what I can be and molds me to be able to do it.

Ask God to use your untapped potential.  Ask Him to show you His will, and to help you to live in it.  If you choose God, He will send you joy beyond your greatest imagination.  Praise be to Him who was, is, and is to come!

In Him,
~ashley

Beautiful

This morning when I woke up the song 'Something Beautiful' by Needtobreathe was running through my mind.  You know when you get a song stuck & it won't let go?  Yep, that's where I was.  At least it's not 'Do you know the muffin man'.

We all want something beautiful in our lives.  I'm not talking about the things we have.  I'm talking about life.  I want a beautiful life, but the problem is:  life is messy.  (and can be very ugly)  Ask the child who's parents are divorced, or has had a parent pass away.  Ask the adult who has lost their job and doesn't know how they are going to take care of their family.  Ask the orphan, the homeless, the abused,  the addict, the outcast, the hurting.  Ask the Japanese people who have survived the earthquake, tsunami, and aftershocks among other things.  Do these people not want a beautiful life too?   I am not so different from any of these groups.  It might be one decision that makes the difference...and it might not even be a decision that I made for myself, but one someone made for me.  Life is messy.  The best laid plans and turn bad in a minute.

This is where God's grace and goodness come in.  In the bible we read in Jeremiah 29:11:  "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not hurt you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Ok, so if God has only good planned for me, why does all this bad stuff happen?  Two words:  fallen creation.  Our hope and future are not based on anything in this world, it's based on the promise that we will spend eternity in heaven.  (John 14:1-3)  So even if your life is a living hell, because Jesus came to pay the price for our sins, it's the only one you'll ever face.

How can we get something beautiful from something bad?  John 16:33 says it so well: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  Jesus doesn't say if you have trouble, He says you will have trouble.  Your life will be messy.  Do you see where it says that 'in me you may have peace'?  No matter what is going in my life I know my hope and peace are found in Jesus.

There are good things that come from hard times.  Um, come again, please...  Yes, good things do come from hard times.  You may not be able to see God at first in those hard times, but He's there.  He has promised to never leave you.  (Deut 31:6 & 8)  God has told us that in our trials we develop hope. (Romans 5:1-5; James1:2-4; 2 Thess 1:4; Hebrews 12:1-3)  Hope does not disappoint.  Our hope is Christ.

I just want something beautiful.  I see Jesus and know that He is my something beautiful!

In Him,
~Ashley

Raging against the captor

As I think about my time in prayer yesterday there is one prayer request that keeps coming to the forefront of my mind today:  O church arise and rage against the captor.

Rage against the captor. I love that, but in real life how do we do this? As with everything, Jesus provides the perfect example. There's no guess work; no wondering WWJD.  Jesus didn't start spouting his Christian credentials or lengthy doctrine with big words.  He didn't even use His own words.  He used the words God the father provided Him. 

Today is Ash Wednesday.  It is the beginning of the time Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying.  When Jesus came out of the wilderness he was confronted by satan.  Matthew 4:1-11 gives the account.  Three times satan offers something to Jesus, and three times Jesus rebukes him with the word.  Have you ever noticed that satan offers him only things of this world:  food, safety, earthly kingdoms.  Things of this world are all he has to offer. 

When I think of the things satan offers, I remember how the risen Christ fills every one of the three things:   Jesus is the bread of life and living water.  (John 6:35; John 4:10)  The Lord is our strength and refuge.  (Psalm 16-17)  Jesus has prepared a place for us in heaven and has made a way for us to store up our treasures in heaven.  (John 14:2; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19)  All of these are just the tip of the iceberg of what Jesus does for us.  The things of this world are nothing compared to Him.

Through His death the chains of sin are broken.  He sets the captives free.  (notice it's present tense & not past!)  We rage against the captor.  We rage against him through Christ and Christ alone. 

Satan knows the end of his story.  You can read about it in Revelation 19:11-21.  You know that sharp sword that is coming out of Christ's mouth in verse 15 is the Word of God.  (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 2:12-13; Revelation 1:12-18; Ephesians 6:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)  God also gives us a warning in 1 Peter 5:8-9:  "Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."  So we rage on, not in our own power, but through Christ.

Rage on brothers and sisters in Christ, rage on!

In the One who sets His people free,
~ashley

Meeting with God

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart.
  Jeremiah 29:13

Have you ever had true encounter with God?  A connection that you know is of God?  When you have one you’ll know.  You know because it gives you so much joy & breaks your heart all at the same time.

I had an encounter with Him today.   Oh it was so precious!  I was meeting with a group of people to pray for Birmingham & Shelby County.  Can I tell you, God showed up.  His presence was moving in the room where we were praying.  He was pouring scripture into my heart & wowing me with His Word!

God is not some unfeeling deity that wants nothing to do with us.  He loves us more than we will ever be able to understand with our little human brains.  He loves us so much that He was willing to allow His son to die for us.  I love you guys, but no offense; I don’t love you enough to let one of my children die for you.  I’m selfish in that way, but not God.  He knew we needed someone to stand in the gap for us.  It is sin that causes the gap and separates us from God.  Before Christ came, the Israelites sacrificed animals to have the blood atonement needed to cover their sins, but for us Christ came and filled that gap.  Hebrews 9:12 tells us Christ entered not with the blood of sheep and goats, but with His own blood obtaining eternal redemption. 

Before I went to pray I needed to prepare my heart.  While I did this, God truly broke it.  It was not a bad thing.  He broke it to show me my own sin first and foremost, so I could repent and be forgiven.  He also did it so I could have compassion for our city, for people who have never heard the wonderful news of Jesus, and so I could have the unity with other believers Christ has called us to.

The only thing I have to stand on is Jesus.  Not my church, not my any group I’m involved with, not my friends, and not doctrine.  Only Jesus.  Without Him, I am nothing. 

As we prayed, you could feel the Holy Spirit in the room.  In the past and today when I have had a true encounter with Christ, I always feel joy.  It is so hard to put what is of heaven into everyday words, but I’m going to try.  Imagine you have a 2 liter bottle of Coke.  You decide to shake it up, and I mean really shake it up hard.  Now, you’re going to open the top.  What happens?  It spews everywhere doesn’t it?  It might even continue to bubble up and over after the initial part has spewed out.  This is how I would describe the feeling God gives me when I encounter Him.  The joy bubbles through my heart into all of me & I just want to share it with others.  The bible says the Joy of the Lord is our strength.  Why joy?  Why not something else?  I think it’s because joy brings peace even in the midst of heartache and suffering. 

I am thankful for the Lord.  I am thankful that He didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves, but instead gave us Jesus to take away our sins, and the Holy Spirit to be our helper.  I am thankful for the Joy of the Lord.  I am thankful for His promises.  I am blessed in so many ways, and I owe everything to Him. 

Lord, you have said that:  “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  What a great promise!  We are to:  humble, pray, seek & turn.  God in response will forgive and heal.  May you encounter the risen Savior today.  May you feel His love and joy fill your heart.  May you share it because we live in hurting world that is in need of a savior.

In Him,

~Ashley

Seasons of Life

Next Wednesday starts the most holy time of the year for Christians.  We begin the season of Lent.  Lent is the time between Ash Wednesday and the Saturday before Easter.  It lasts for 40 day, excluding Sundays, and it represents the 40 days Jesus fasted, prayed, and was tempted in the wilderness.  (Matthew 4:1-3; Luke 4:1-3)

As I was reading & studying what Lent is, I found it odd how some sites defined what it is.  They said Lent is a time to:  "reflect on the significance of Christ’s death, examine our hearts, and confess our sins. It can be a time of spiritual cleansing and renewal."  (http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/bible/what-is-lent/0)  Another site said it is a time of moderation. 

I had to ask myself one main question.  Why do they say Lent is the time to focus on these things?  In my opinion, it's not meant to be confined to one time of year.  It should be joy to:  focus on Christ's death, examine my heart, confess my sins, and practice what they are calling moderation.  Doing what God has called me to do is not a burden.  If it ever becomes a burden, it is my responsibility to ask God to show me the areas in my life I'm not living within His will.  Once He shows me my sins, I confess them.  It's all for my benefit. 

During this season of Lent, I will focus on the wonderful gift Christ is.  I will focus on what each part of what He went through means for me, because each part of His torture, cruxifiction, and resurrection have specific meanings and promises for every Christian.  One prayer I have for myself and for you is that we will not confine what we do during Lent to the 40 days before Easter.  We are Easter people because Christ is risen, and we are Easter people all year long, not just 40 days during the year. 

I'm including a recipe for Resurrection Cookies.  If you've never made them before it's a lot of fun.  It takes a little time, but really worth it.  You make them the Saturday night before Easter Sunday, and they will be ready Easter.  Just follow the directions, it's easy.

Live in Christ and live free.  Easter is a time where we remember who we are and who we live for.  We are made alive in Christ.

In Him,
~ashley

Listening to the Music

First, I want to put a few disclaimers in before this week's devotion.
1.  I wish I could say I have the entire bible memorized, but I don't.  I love reading & studying the bible, and I know where a lot of scriptures are, but I also use a wonderful website called Biblegateway.com.  You have the bible at the tips of your fingers!  On the left side of the blog you will see a link.  Very cool site!
2.  When I get excited about things I will talk and talk and talk, or in this case write, and write, and write.  If I get long winded, please excuse me.  It's just that I'm passionate about things.  I'm working on being shorter and to the point.
3.  The bible is God's love letter to us.  To not read/study/cherish it is to tell God is love letter is not worth our time.  Like any person who sends a letter, He wants you to be excited to read it, and reread it often.  He wants it to be yellowed with constant use.

Whew, I feel better having said those few things...now, onto the devotion.  :)

I love music.  All different types too.  You know when you hear a song that you love it just makes you feel like you can fly.  I like to turn my speakers up loud & sing.  (I have to turn them up loud because I am going to have to wait until I get to heaven to get my perfected singing voice.)

For as much as I love music, I dislike commercials.  Especially on the radio.  A lot of times when a commercial comes on I will start to press the seek button on my radio.  (This mostly happens in the car, of which I spend a lot of time. :/)

A few weeks ago when I was flipping I came to a radio station & the song Grenade was playing & it says:

Gave you all I had and you tossed it in the trash.  

Tossed in the trash, yes you did. 

To give me all your love is all I'd ever ask.  

Cause, what you don't understand... is I'd catch a grenade for 'ya.  

Throw my hand on a blade for 'ya.  

Jump in front of a train for 'ya.  You know I'd do anything for 'ya.  

I would go through all this pain, take a bullet straight through my brain. 

Yes, I would die for you baby, but you won't do the same."  

For some reason, as I was listening to this song, I thought of Jesus.

I know that it may seem weird that Jesus would come to mind, but He did.  I started thinking of all the things He has done for me; what He went through for me, so I could talk to Him and He can be my best friend.  I know we talk about it, but have you ever really stopped and thought about what He went through?  The emotional and physical pain.  It's sobering.  All he has ever asked for is our love. He put aside all the glory of heaven, was born as a human baby, lived a complete human life, was beaten, bruised, and hung on a cross just so I won't be separated from Him. (Philippians 2:5:11)  And all he wants is my love?  WOW!  I know I'm getting the good part of this, but how many times have I taken the love He has offered and thrown it back in His face?  Every time I sin that is what I do...but, He is so wonderful!  Christ came and He forgives because He wants us all to be saved.  (John 3:16-17)  His love always brings me back. (Romans 2:4b; 2 Cor. 7:10)

Christ's love is the music of our spirit.  He wants you to turn Him up LOUD & SING with everything you have.  Christ wants you to love; hang-out with; talk to; worship; praise; and need Him.  He wants to be everything to you.  When you allow Him to be your everything, and you are listening to His song over your life, you will find there is no sweeter sound.


Tell someone about Jesus!  Tell them that if God had a refrigerator, their picture would be on it.  (That always makes me smile.)  Tell them that He already did everything for them, and all we need to do is ask Him to come into our lives and live in our hearts.  He wants all we are.  Listen for Christ's song over you this week.  Write down all the ways He has blessed you.  And don't forget to tell Him thank you for all He has done, is doing, and will do for you!


In Him,
~Ashley

Speaking and Beliving

Did you know that for every negative comment you say about someone (or yourself) it takes 10 positive ones to counteract it?  That's psychology 101, but more importantly it's bible 101 as well.  I do want to clarify a little between hurtful speech and constructive criticism.  Constructive criticism has your best interest at heart, and is done in a spirit of love.  (Hebrews 12:5-6; )  Hurtful speech is done to intentionally hurt you (Psalm 52:2; Proverbs 6:16-19; James 3:6) 

Why do we listen to the bad?  Why do we let the hurtful things play over and over in our minds.  We listen to the lies that are whispered in our ears telling us what we know isn't true.  Why is it so easy to hear and listen to the bad, but harder to believe the truth?  I wish I knew the answer.  I wish I could say I never believe the lies, but there are times I do.  But, I also know there's a way to combat the lies.  God's truths.  Who does He say I am?  What does He want me to believe? 

Before you say:  "I know it's in the bible, but where?"; "I know it's God's truth, but I've never seen it."; "I'm not a bible scholar, so how am I supposed to find these bible verses."; "I am a bad person, and I know God could never love me."  Never fear!  God always provides a way out and the words He wants you to know.  I did a bible study called LIFE about 5 years ago.  (Living In Freedom Everyday)  My leader gave us all a sheet that changed my life.  I had never seen a list like this one.  It listed what I wouldn't speak over myself and then it had a list of what I would, and it had the bible verses to back it up.  Click HERE to go to the list so you can read it and print it out.

First apply the list to yourself.  Know these verses are about you and how God sees you through Christ.  Then I want you to read it about others, because it explains who they are too.  The bible says in Deut 30:19-20: "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life..."  I think that is such a great life verse. 

When someone says something intentionally hurtful to you, call it what it is:  a lie.  A lie is like a weed.  It wants to grow where it's unwanted and kill what is beautiful.  Ask God to remove the lie from your heart and mind so that you will only dwell on His truths, and if there is anything you need to ask forgiveness for that He will show you what it is.  As we read God's word His truth is shown and it's good for everything our lives.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

I love this list.  The list is the essence of the Lord.  He is love.  (1 John 4:8)  I have a copy of the list in my bible; I have it saved on my computer; and now, I will have it saved here.  Speak and believe these words that God has said about you.  I dare you to do as it says in Deuteronomy: choose life, choose blessings, choose for the Lord to be your life.  Oh yeah, and pass it on to someone else.  Good stuff is always better when it's shared.

In Him,
~Ashley

Life through Rose Colored Glasses

1 Chronicles 16:9-11

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

I love my sunglasses.  I love what they make the world look like, especially the sunrise & sunset.  You see my sunglasses are rose colored.  Have you ever heard the saying:  "That you see the world through rose colored glasses?"  It means that you see things as good and right, and nothing is going to spoil your outlook.  A lot of people see others who look at the world that way as simple and foolish.  But I would have to strongly disagree.  (1 Corinthians 1:27)  Look for glimpses of Christ in our world.  He makes Himself known everywhere and in everything.  Keep a piece of paper handy one weekend and write down all the places you see Him, it will amaze you.

Why should we as Christians look at everything through rose colored glasses?  Why should we try to find
Christ in all that we see?  Why do we focus our lives to Him?  It's simple really.  When we choose to look for Christ, He will show up.  (Deut 4:29, 2 Chron. 7:14, Ps 9:10,  Luke 11:10, Hebrews 11:6) 

Does God show up because He knows He's all that & a bag of chips?  No, He knows we need Him.  Pretend in your mind you see a friend drowning in a lake.  You're in a deep part of the lake where it's about 100 feet to the bottom.  You know it will be bad if you don't get your friend help.   Are you going to quietly talk to your friend as you try to throw them a life preserver, or are you going to be yelling at them to reach for what you know will save their life?  When you choose to look for Christ, worship and praise Him, and live for Him, He is your life preserver.  This world can be a very sad place.  Things have happened throughout history that are horrible, and will continue to happen until Christ returns, because we live in a fallen world.  But Christ is our pair of rose colored glasses.  (Romans 5:17)  He lived the life of a man and faced all the things we face so we would know He understands;  He understands our hurts, our dreams, our very lives.  He gave all He had for me, and I choose to follow Him, love Him, and live for Him.

Choose to look through His rose colored glasses this week and see how you feel.  Write down for one day everywhere you see Him & what you find will amaze you!

In Him,
~ashley

PS~ Make sure you look up the scriptures if you have time.  You should do it to verify what I have said for yourself.  Don’t trust my words, trust His.  It will be a blessing to you.

Here is the regular view out of my garage door.



And here is the same view through my rose colored glasses.



A Light in the darkness

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made…In him was life, and life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness had not overcome it.”  John 1:1-5

We want to be a generation that is unashamed of Jesus & the gospel.  Did you know that the word gospel means ‘good news’?  Who is our good news?  You know it…Jesus!  The bible says in John 1:14 that ‘Jesus is the word made flesh.’ The bible also tells us in John 1:1-5 that Christ, the Word, was with God in the beginning, and that all things are made through Him.   You are here because of Jesus.  All of us exist because of Him; and we exist for Him.   You are His because of His great love for you.  When they asked Him how much He loved you, He spread His arms out the length of the cross.

When you think of His love for you and me that way it is pretty powerful.  Jesus wants us to love Him & love others.  That’s it.  He knows that if we do those two things, which can be hard sometimes, then we are doing what He wants us to do.  When we serve out of love, it’s not hard.  It doesn’t feel like work. 

I remember a time when I felt like I needed to be doing a lot of “church work” to make God love me.  I was so miserable.  I was busy and stressed out.  Someone told me that if you were busy you were:  Burdened Under Satan’s Yoke.  God doesn’t want us busy, he wants us free.  (2 Corinthians 3:17)  He gives us gifts (natural abilities to do something we like) so we can find our passion and fulfill it.  For example:  I love to see when kids have that moment when they understand Jesus.  I want to see your generation be on fire for Him.  I want to be a part of that.  I love it!  I love to watch you worship & study His word.  You are difference makers for Christ, even at your age!   When I get to do stuff for Highland’s Kids, it doesn’t feel like work; it’s fun. 

What is God calling you to do?  How can you shine His light where ever you are? 

In Him,

 ~Ashley

So now you're a servant...

In the last posting I talked about being a cheerful giver.  (2 Cor 9:7)  We talked that it not only deals with money, but also using your spiritual gifts to serve others.  Well, you’ve  decided to serve so now what? 

I started to think about what it means to be a servant.  So many times we think of being a servant as bad, but it’s really not.  There were servants who were purchased for only a certain amount of time.  After the time of service was completed they were free to go.  Sometimes, the person would choose to stay and remain a servant.  Can you imagine...they wanted to stay, they chose to stay.  I’m sure there were many reasons why someone may have wanted to stay.  One of the reasons may have been because they knew they were going to live and eat better as a servant than they would as a free person, but for some, they loved their masters, and served them out of love and obedience.  These slaves had a special name.  They were bond servants.  A bond servant is beloved by his master.  A bond servant serves out of love not duty. 

I want to be a bond servant of Jesus.  Psalm 86:4 “Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.”  I want to stay with Him & serve Him out of love.  (meaning I get to serve instead of I have to, there’s a huge difference.)  I want, when people think of me, they see His name and glory and not me.   I want the children of HK to be able to experience the risen savior every day.  I want that for you too.  I want you to join with the adult leaders of HK and become bond servants of Jesus too.  Be loved by Him and let him be your master.

You are the difference makers of today.  We want you to be a generation that is unashamed of Jesus & the gospel.  Did you know that the word gospel means ‘good word’?  Who is our good word?  Well, we’ll cover that in next week’s devotion.

Be blessed this week!

~Mrs. Ashley

Being a Cheerful Giver

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7

When we think of giving we often think of money, but that is not the only thing we can give.  God wants us to willingly serve others with our spiritual gifts.  This week I’m focusing on the first step, because it is a process.  We first accept the gift that Jesus gave us when he died on the cross.  Along with that gift comes God’s mercy and grace.  Mercy is what God gives us when we sin and ask for forgiveness.  We don’t deserve it, but God grants it to us because of Jesus’ sacrifice.  Jesus took all our sins, past, present, and future and nailed them on the cross. (Colossians 2:14)  Grace is defined in the 1828 Webster’s dictionary as:  “favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin.”  Grace is given to us when we accept Christ:  it is His influence on us that makes us want to live our lives for Him.  God’s love, mercy, and grace can change a person. 

You are a difference maker.  You get to show God’s love, mercy, and grace.  Did you know there are people around you who have never heard of Jesus?  You may be the only Jesus they see.  What a great opportunity to let them look and think they are seeing you when really they get to see a glimpse of Jesus in you.  All you have to do is love.  

I dare you to show the love of Christ to someone.  Tell them about His amazing love, mercy, and grace.  If you take me up on the dare, let me know.  I would love to hear from you. 

In Him,

~Ashley