Snares

“I do — oh, indeed I do — desire to live up to my profession, to be His, for time and eternity. But I am learning to see how very weak I am, and how easily Satan can conquer me even when I do strive against him. I do believe with my head that Jesus can, and will give me His grace, and I do not need to fear, yet somehow my heart seems to be hard and cold and not to take it in. Oh, if we were but there — where there is no more sin ! Oh do not forget to pray for me, and don’t ever doubt the love of your unworthy friend.” – Francis Havergal

When I do not strive, when I don't make great effort to fight the good fight, then my heart becomes hard and Satan can easily conquer  me.

At times, my heart is hardened slowly, it becomes numb so that I do not feel hungry for the fellowship with my Saviour each morning. I may not go in out right rebellion and sin, in fact it is almost always just the simple "non-actions" that begin my faltering. James 4:17 so plainly states that that is sin. Even as a Christian, "the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." (Mark 4:19) [emphasis added] It is so easy to get distarcted to kick off our shoes and watch TV, or spend our morning time with God sleeping in instead.

But when we are not focused on Christ what happens? When we are in the very action of obedience what consequences come?
We are given so many examples. When David comitted his sin with Bathsheba was when he ought to have been doing his kingly responsibilities and been out with his men at battle. When Peter obeyed Christ he could walk on the water, but as soon as his eyes were off of Christ and on the worries before him he began to drown. When Moses had his eyes fixed on what God could do he didn't fear when in the middle of a sea and the armies of pharoh. When they stoned Stephen he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” because of his faith!

When we set our hearts on Jesus, He promises to give us the strength we need to endure. Sometimes it’s through the very trials and weariness that we’re experiencing that God is using to help us find the strength to get through. Even when He doesn’t relieve our trials right away, we must have faith that He will give us what we need to persevere through them.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were able to look king Nebuchadnezzar in the face and bodly say, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (emphasis added) Daniel 3:16-18

Whether God shows us a way around the fire or brings us thru the fire to safe ground we are to have faith. God uses the hardest time in our lives to bring us closer to Him. I have no greater desire than to become more like the One who has stolen my heart. And my Jesus uses hard times to stretch, mold, and prune me into the child of God I was called to be. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. " 2 Corinthians 12:10

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

Through it all I can look to Him and give thanks! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

I don't want to let the seed the Spirit planted inside me become choked by the cares of this world, and desire for other things. I want to be the one "which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."(emphasis mine)  Luke 8:15

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." 1 John 5:4

God is the one who prepares the light for the sun each day. Psalm 74:16  He can undoubtedly give us the strength we need to have victory all that He called us to do!

May your eyes be fixed on Him,
Ashlin

Oh Lord, You're Beautiful

Happy Mother's Day

A  mom takes a house and makes it a home.

A godly mother is one who aspires to be all that Christ has called her to be.

Mothers have a special way of filling homes with love, and when the home is filled with love - you'll always find God spoken of there. - Helen Steiner Rice -

"Every wise woman builds her house." Psalm 14:1

The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom. - Henry Ward Beecher

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

No man is poor who has had a Godly Mother. - Abraham Lincoln

"Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28

Thank the Lord for godly mothers who know how to pray, how to share the importance of the Holy Word.

Thank you God, for moms who always strive to be loving, gentle, and kind, helping her children grow wisdom, and grace.

Happy Mother's Day!

Verse of The Week

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Let all that you do be done with love.

 ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ~

Little Sins and NDP

     Many people hesitate coming to Jesus because it would mean giving up a sin they like. Whether they admit it or not, they are to weak to give up their sin. Yet the moment one puts their life in Christ's control He gives the needed strength to overcome any sin. The smallest sins and the biggest.
     Once any person has been saved by the blood of Jesus they are no longer separated from God because of their sin. That is to say, not  eternally separated. Though sin unconfessed and unrepented in a Christians life can build a barrier in their relationship with God.
     You know, both the devil and the Lord make us aware of our sins, however they result in different ends. The devil says, " You sin; you're only human! The sin you committed is exactly your nature. There is no hope trying to change, the sin will last your whole life. (And that's really not so bad!)"
     He is a lair.
     He comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  He wants to steal the truth from your heart, he wants to kill your hope, and he wants to destroy your every opportunity to seek salvation. But the Holy Spirit gives a different message altogether. He says, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Cor. 9:8)

I take the life of victory.

Not I, but Christ Himself in me.

He conquers now, He sets me free.

He gives, I take, the victory!

     When we take that life of victory through Christ we are set free from our slavery to sin. But it seems to me, that we Christians sometimes forget that when we must first confess our sins, then Jesus and only Jesus is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
     Our little sins are as deadly as our big ones! Why do we only entrust the big ones to the Lord! Surely if He is capable of saving our souls He can keep us from our little sins! Or are we so foolish that we think think that although Jesus had to begin the work in us we are now able to complete it? When I look at myself I must humble myself dare I see any good in me and become possessive of my "little" sins. Constantly I must seek Him that He may increase His work in me.
     Turn your eyes away from yourself and onto the cross today. Only then can we see the truth: that we can do nothing, but Jesus, oh sweet Jesus, He can do everything! "...When I am weak then I am strong"! (2 Cor 12:10)
     "Seek the Lord. Keep seeking through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other Christians. Give Him opportunity to multiply what He gave you. He longs to open His resources to you. God is more grieved by powerless Christians than powerful atheists." -Corrie Ten Boom
     What joy we can find because Jesus, Wonderful, Victorious, Saviour found us! Hallelujah!

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     Because today is national day of prayer, I can't really help myself, I must write a little bit about prayer. I know last year on National Day of Prayer I posted four blog posts on prayer, but this year it will be really short I promise!
    I think our biggest battles as Christians, our greatest strength, our best defense comes when we get on our knees. Since I've been a Christian, I've felt passionate about the need for prayer, and more praying. But I don't know how much or how "well" I can pray. God is constantly changing my beliefs and making them more in line with His. I think it is eay to have our own idea of what a "good idea" is, but we need to match it with the Bible.
    I want to become more and more like the Man who has stolen my heart. To be like Him I must know Him and what He did. When I think of Jesus and prayer, I think of John 17 and Matthew 6 (vs. 9-13).
   First, I'd advise that you read through John 17 today, it always blesses me when I do. Did you know Jesus prayed for you? Check it out. Next is the Lord teaching us to pray. First He tells us "your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Then He gives us the model prayer: "In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. "
He starts with praise and ends with praise. As many needs as you and others have, do you spend more time on you list of "Can I please have this?" and "Will You please do this" than you do just praising God. Important though our petitions may be, spend more time in thanks and praise. Spend more time in prayer proclaiming who He is. Shepherd, Judge, Healer, Holy, King, Counselor, The Beginning and the End! Also, I'd like to mention that I see five requests being made to God in Jesus' prayer, four of them are for spiritual need, only one is for our physical needs. Sometimes we tend to reverse that.
     Anyway, I think that's short. *shrugs* Short enough for me anyway. =)
I pray you all have a blessed day, that you rejoice in hope, are patient in tribulation, and continue steadfastly in prayer.
~ Ashlin

Verse of the Week

But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11b