A Plethora Of Promises

 

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

We all make promises. We try to keep them, but sometimes we fail miserably. Thankfully, as a follower of Christ, I have witnessed over and over that we serve a God who is faithful, just and good, and we can count on His promises.

These past few years, I’ve leaned especially heavily on the Lord in prayer and in meditating on His Word; in particular, several promises have been an important part of my walk with Christ. Without the love of my Savior and the support of family and friends, I would have crumbled long ago, but God is faithful!

God’s promises offer hope, and hope is a powerful thing! It was such a blessing to share the hope I have in Christ, helping to lead chapel time at Simonka Place women’s and children’s shelter yesterday evening. Once again, the Lord inspired me to write a new poem only the day before! Here it is:

“The Promise Maker”

The promises of God forever stand;
He is faithful, His Word is true.
Clinging to Him as I walk this land,
I trust His love will see me through.
Yet some promises have a condition:
We must first ask, seek and knock.
A give-and-take of holy volition
with full surrender and daily walk.
If we believe, if we confess,
if we commit our ways and plans,
He will save, forgive our mess
and guide our lives with His hands.
God will never leave or forsake us,
He’ll finish the good work He’s begun.
The enemy seeks only to break us,
but in Jesus, the war is won.
God’s promises offer victory and power,
and all are “yes” in Christ our King,
on Whom we can rely every hour
to carry us through anything.
Claiming God’s promises, hearts overflowing
with thankful awe and peace, we pray
for wisdom and strength, seeking and growing
closer to the Promise Maker each day.

1-20-18
©Ladeena Ashley

As my teammate shared during chapel time, some are general promises, like God’s love for us. Other promises were directed at certain people or groups, but to all believers, as well. Many promises require action on our part before God will act, such as 1 John 1:9, which I referenced in my poem: “If we confess ours sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

According to one count, there are 3,573 promises in the Bible… a plethora of promises, you might say! The great news is, in His perfect timing and wisdom, God will fulfill every one!

No matter who else has broken promises to you, or let you down, God is good and He’s got your back! He loves you so much! If you seek Him with all of your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13), and He will faithfully direct your paths as you trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). Give your hurts to God, claim His promises, and watch Him move!

Here are a few of my favorite promises:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:4-6

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you…” Psalm 55:22

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

“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

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2018 All Rights Reserved (Blog content and photos)

 

 

The Greatest Gift

 

Thanksgiving is over, and we’ve survived “Black Friday”, “Buy Local Saturday” and “Cyber Monday”. As the Christmas season goes into full swing, everyone continues to shop for those “perfect gifts” for loved ones. I don’t know about you, but the pressure society places on buying and giving Christmas gifts – items that others may or may not even use or want – somewhat diminishes the holiday fun for me.

Those who know me know that I’m no Scrooge or Grinch. I do give gifts (sometimes I even make them), but just not always at Christmastime. My gift radar is active year-round. If I had to find gifts for all of my loved ones within a month, they would not only get less-than-inspiring presents, but I’d go broke in the process. Instead, items come home with me as I happen upon them throughout the year. Occasionally I don’t even wait until Christmas, birthday or some other special occasion. It’s partly out of excitement, but also because tomorrow is not promised, let alone Christmas. (Disheartening thought for a Christmas post, I realize, but there it is.) One of my favorite quotes is: “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Though it may not work for everyone, giving as I feel led is a true blessing!

Gift Options
What we give is just as important as when we give. Honestly, however, do we all really need more stuff? (I’m asking myself also.) Friends and family could likely live without some of what is given, thoughtful and useful as it may be. We are all so blessed; our “first world” holiday problems consist of scheduling conflicts, fighting traffic and discovering that “must-have item” has sold out. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to help the growing homeless population, the “working poor” in our communities and the needy abroad. Instead of that game console or gadget, for instance, a more meaningful, inspiring, life-giving gift could be purchased in a loved one’s name. Some ideas: buy a cow or sheep through Heifer International, help sponsor drilling a well in a remote African village, donate to the American Red Cross, or provide meals or socks to the Union Gospel Mission or another organization. Less clutter, no lines, and knowing you’ve helped someone in need…that feeling is priceless!

The Greatest Gift
The greatest gift of all, the One we celebrate this season, is Jesus Christ. He came down from Heaven and wrapped Himself in flesh to live with us – Emmanuel “God with us” – showing us how to love one another. It truly is “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), but His example goes beyond gift-giving: He gave His ALL for us. We should pass along this gift by giving sacrificially of ourselves: being “present” for others, caring and sharing our time and talents. While opening our pocketbooks is great, opening our hearts is equally or even more important: showing our love for Him by shining His light and hope into the world (Matthew 5:14-16). One should never underestimate the power of a hot meal, a hug or even a smile.

Here’s a simple poem I wrote about the greatest gift of all, Jesus:

“A Gift to Remember”

The greatest gift ever
was sent from above
Jesus our Savior,
the sacrifice of love.
Power for living
because of the cross.
Reminds the enemy
just Who is boss.
Eternal gift, Jesus
God’s only Son:
Victory is assured
– the battle has been won.
Death is conquered forever,
Hallelujah! Christ is King!
What a gift to remember,
for He gave His everything!

7-17-96
©Ladeena Ashley

Reason for the Season
Without Christ in the center, Christmas can easily become just another few days off from work, and a reason to shop, party and watch cheesy Christmas movies (guilty). I challenge you, even as I challenge myself: step away a bit from the commercialism of the holiday and pray for opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas with everyone you care about. Let’s keep Christ in Christmas, and may His love shine through us all year!

“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 (NIV).

Bah Humbug!
Just for fun, here is a brand new song by one of my favorite artists: Owl City
Humbug  (Note: Link will open in new window.)
The singer, Adam Young, has the same struggles with holiday shopping as I do! He has a fun way of expressing it, too.

©Ladeena Ashley
2016 All Rights Reserved (content & blog photos)

Transformed Through Service

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Lately I’ve been thinking: why must there even be “the least of these”? While I understand it in the practical sense (being socially, emotionally or monetarily limited), something in me has always cringed a bit about that verse. Not so much out of regret – but because it’s just sad that in teaching His followers to serve others, Jesus had to acknowledge that such distinctions, labels or classes existed.

For myself, I’ve never subscribed to the hierarchical mentality, if you will. No one deserves to be pigeonholed, categorized or judged by their current station in life. It’s not only a waste of time, but also far too easy to make the wrong assumptions, which only lead to misunderstanding and dissension. Instead I simply respond to words, actions, and attitude; treating everyone as the souls they are: cherished and loved by their Creator. I ask questions and listen. While I may not fully understand what someone is going through, or where they’re coming from, God does. My job is to trust that He will lead me and give me the words to speak, sharing the hope I have in Him with all who ask (1 Peter 3:15).

Here’s a prose poem I wrote a long time ago, thinking about the needy among us…

“The Least of These”

They wipe off the food with
careful touches
Embarrassed to be seen with a
smudge
on their faces.
But I rub my coat sleeve
across my dirty face
Unable to find enough food to feed
my angry stomach.
I shuffle past the lively eateries
— The smell of a thousand herbs
fills my nostrils
If only someone would give me
something to
revive
my aching feet
Someone please care, give me
and others
something to hope for
something to live for.

5-12-94
©Ladeena Bell

True Service

We are all beloved souls wrapped in flesh, looking for love, hope and acceptance. In serving, we aren’t merely providing resources and help. On deeper levels, we are sharing our relationship with Christ through relationships with others: His hope shining into the darkest despair, His love healing broken hearts, and His truth exposing the lies that the enemy uses to keep the “least of these” believing that they are the “least of these”, and not the precious sons and daughters they truly are.

JOY

We all know: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), but I’m here to tell you that JOY (Jesus Others Yourself) itself indeed comes to vivid life when I serve! As I mentioned in my TRANSFORMED post, one of the ways I serve is by attending and helping facilitate the chapel time at Simonka House (women & children’s homeless shelter) once a month. There’s a song or two, a message, and a couple times I’ve shared my poems aloud. After our Spirit-filled time together, I feel positively giddy! As our group leaves, the guests and staff are always so appreciative, thanking us with frequent hugs that send us off with grins on our faces and thankful joy in our hearts.

The Bigger Picture

It truly is both humbling and invigorating to be used by God to bless others. Setting aside our own concerns to focus on the needs of others blesses us and helps keep life in perspective. In the bigger picture, serving also broadens and enriches our experience; building relationships that help pave the way for future ministry opportunities we can’t even imagine now. It’s a win-win-win!

Gifted To Serve

God has endowed each of us with a unique set of talents, skills, interests, and of course, material things, and He has a plan and purpose for them all. In fact every day should be lived to His glory as a form of worship, regarding ourselves as no better than anyone else (Romans 12:1,3). Some are called to distant countries, but most of us can love and serve wherever we are. God says in His Word that we should use what we’ve been given and network (Luke 16:9); leveraging it for the kingdom. It’s the best investment we can make. The best part is: we can’t out-give God. The more we give, the more His Spirit flows and we are transformed – and the world along with us.

Faith Notes

Here’s a “classic” song by Audio Adrenaline…
may we all be His Hands And Feet wherever we go.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

©Ladeena Ashley
2016 All Rights Reserved (blog content & photos)