Sunday, January 19, 2014

...at just the right time...He revealed...

So, I attend New Life Providence Church in Virginia Beach, VA.  The sermon series this new year is entitled "Knowing God".  Simple and powerful.  After last week's sermon, I decided I was going to begin the difficult discipline of being still.  Easier said than done.  One night, after about a minute had gone by, I was already thinking about all of the important things in life:  what I was going to wear for my meeting the next day, if I had received an email I'd been waiting on for a few days and so on.  You know, the usual.  Once I caught myself, I realized this was going to be a real challenge.

Earlier that same day during the sermon, the pastor reflected on a time when he asked the Lord to show him what scripture to read during his devotional time.  So, I quieted myself and gave it a go.  

Titus 1:3
 
Okay, great!  So I turned there expecting a powerful verse which would immediately speak to my life.  This is what it says: 
 
"And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this [good] work for him." (NLT)
 
I'd be lying if I said the word immediately resounded in my heart.  My initial thoughts went a little more like, "really?"  An introductory statement?  But then I read it again, and again and again.   
 
...at just the right time...
 
...he revealed...
 
...I've been entrusted...
 
...with this [good ] work....
 
Yeah, now things were beginning to click. 
 
Let me pause and fill you in.  I'm at a point in my life where I'm waiting on the Lord...for a lot of different things.  I've been praying and waiting for the Lord to reveal what it is He wants for my life.  How He wants to work through me to bless others and to make a difference. 
 
Now, this verse really encouraged me on several fronts.  The last phrase really grabbed me and I began to throw it around:  "...this good work...".  I asked, "Lord, what is my "good work"?
 
The Lord spoke to my heart.  This is what He said:
 
"It is less about completing the 'good work' and more about being complete in me."
 
(Good thing I was already sitting down.)
 
Wow... You see, I believe God has a purpose for my life (and for every one's lives) but I have become so consumed with trying to determine what I need to do versus who I am to become.  You and I were created to have a relationship with God.  The Great Commission is about relationship, about leading people into a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. 
 
Our lives are a constant transformational character-building process.  Every good situation, bad situation, it's all being used to shape us into the people God has created us to be. When the Lord spoke to me, He was saying yes the plan and work I want to do through you is important but it is less important than the work I (God) am already doing in you.   
 
God cares more about who we are than what we do.  That should bring comfort and encouragement to you because it certainly did to me.  God sees you as significant and important.  Life with Him promises to be one free from guilt, shame, oppression and depression, past mistakes, etc.  That does not mean it's an easy life nor one free from hurt or pain; however, living in relationship with Christ, you can freely cast your cares (Ps. 55:22) upon Him knowing that He is a merciful and gracious God (Ex. 34:5-8).  He works all things out for the good of those who love Him(Rms. 8:28).  He will never forsake the righteous (Ps. 37:25).  He will provide (Phil. 4:19).  He is good (Ps. 100:5, Nah. 1:7).   
 
Yes, He has things He wants to do through us but more importantly, He just wants us--you and me.
 
Selah

 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Costa Rica Mission

I am very excited to tell you that this March I will be traveling to Costa Rica with River of Life Ministries (Dr. Lee) to serve seven remote mission training centers. Mission training centers train and equip native evangelists who, in turn, plant churches among the unreached people groups within their own country.

On March 14th, the team will leave from Norfolk, VA and travel to San Jose, Costa Rica. We will then travel south to Perez Zeledon, the seventh largest canton (county) in Costa Rica.... Our team will serve primarily as the prayer and ministry support. Each day our team will conduct conferences and church services to bless and encourage the local people. I will have the opportunity to share a short testimony or word of encouragement with the Costa Rican people. At the end of each service, our team will pray for people who need healing--physically and spiritually.



I would love it if you would consider partnering with me. My request is two-fold. I need financial support. The total cost of the trip is $2,500. Any support is significant and will be a blessing. The second way you can partner with me is through your prayers. Please pray for our team as we travel to and in Costa Rica. Pray that God’s will be done as we minister to the people. Also, please pray for the hearts of the Costa Rican people, that they would be turned to the heart of their Heavenly Father.



Would you consider partnering with me as I travel to the nation of Costa Rica? If so, please send all financial contributions to:



River of Life Ministries

P.O. Box 6128

Virginia Beach, VA 23456-0128

Or via https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/send-money-online (my email is ahash07@gmail.com) :)



Please write checks to River of Life Ministries. In the memo line, please write RLM Costa Rica-AH (Due to recent changes at the IRS, please do NOT write my name out in the memo line). All contributions are tax deductible and you will receive a receipt in the mail. Also, all donors to RLM are automatically added to the newsletter distribution list. If you do not wish to receive RLM’s newsletter, please make note of that on the envelope or on a separate sheet of paper.



Thank you for your prayers and support. I will send out a post-mission letter briefing my trip and all of the awesome things the Lord did.



Ashley :)

*River of Life Ministries

http://www.rlmva.org/rlm/