New Snow - New Life

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow,"

Psalm 51:7 NKJV

This morning as I crawled out of bed and looked out the window, my eyes were blessed with the beauty of a new fallen snow. Now, please don't misunderstand me. I do not like snow, but something inside me rose up and took in the beauty of my world covered with a fresh blanket of new-fallen snow. I pulled on some clothes, boots, gloves, coat, and hat; grabbed the shovel and opened the door. Much to my surprise the snow was packed against the bottom of the door so I found myself shoveling before my feet exited the house.

As I was shoveling, I enjoyed close communion with my Lord and prayed for and about many things. During this time, I couldn't help but notice how clean everything looked. As I moved the snow away, the dirt began to show and my heart was drawn to a powerful truth of our lives in Jesus.

When we come to Jesus, He cleans us. He washes us by His blood that He shed at Calvary for our sins and He makes us clean: "whiter than snow". Just as the new fallen snow covers the dirt and mess of this world, Jesus blood cleanses us from our sin and makes us new creations. However, it is not long before we go back to our human ways and commit sin: large or small. A negative thought, a judgment towards someone, overeating, lust, jealousy: you name it. These things are all sin in our lives and push away the cleanliness that Jesus offers us by His blood.

The question in all of this is: what will we do about the dirty sin in our lives? Will we continue in it or will we repent and seek restoration with Jesus and seek to be cleansed once again? Without repentance there is no salvation. Without repentance there is no restoration. You get to choose. Jesus is calling and waiting for you to make a decision. When you do He is good to bring you back to a healthy and thriving relationship with Him. Choose Him today.

Blessings, Natalie

Your Freedom, Christ's Gift

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 NIV Freedom, it's a wonderful word and a great concept but are you living in freedom? Are you walking in the inheritance that Jesus died to give you? Have you claimed your birthright after accepting Jesus as Your Lord and Saviour? If so, congratulations and praise Jesus for your freedom. If not, why? Paul wrote the book of Galatians to the church as a handbook for Christian freedom. His desire was to share the freedom we have the right to claim as children of Christ. This first verse in chapter 5 is exciting to me, but also demonstrates that although we can live in freedom, we can quickly revert to the ways of the "old man" and find ourselves back in bondage that Jesus died to set us free from. So how do we walk in freedom: we seek Jesus to be Lord of our lives. We must submit to His will and seek the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with His wisdom and power. Freedom in Christ does not mean we can do whatever we want. It means we now have within us the power and strength to follow Jesus and do His will. Living in the fullness of Christ is the most freeing, fulfilling life you will ever have, with the mountain tops and valley lows! Dear reader, I encourage you to take some time to prayerfully read Galatians. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and reveal the truths that God has there for you. Seek Him with your whole heart to break the bonds that keep you from walking in the freedom you have inherited as a child of the King. Trust in Jesus. I am praying for you. Natalie

Joy in Trials

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials," James 1:2 NKJV. Is this your reflex action when you encounter trials - to count it all joy? Congratulations to you if so, however, if not, welcome to the club. Now this is not a club I am proud to be a part of nor do I want to remain in it. I long to "count it all joy when I fall into various trials" and one by one slowly will learn to do just that if I consciously make the decision to accept trials with a joyful attitude.

The problem is that we have been deceived into believing that the Christian life is an easy one. We somewhere along the line bought into the idea that once we accept Jesus, everything will be easy and simple. I apologize if this is where you are. There is nothing recorded in the Scriptures that tells us that. Trust me, I have looked long and hard to find it. It's not there. However, Jesus tells us that there will be trials and tribulations but that we will never have to be alone in them (John 16:33, Hebrews 13:5). There is cause for joy!

When you read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and study Jesus' life, there is nothing simple or easy about it. He had one trial right after another. Anyone who calls themselves a Christian is claiming "little-Christ" so we are guaranteed trials. John 16:33 concludes this way, "but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Isn't that a wonderful promise? We can choose joy because Jesus has overcome the world. Dear sister and brother, trust in the Lord, count it all joy, and store your treasures in heaven. Jesus loves you so much and one day when you close your eyes for the last time and look in the face of Jesus Christ, it will all be worth it. Whatever valley you are in, whatever mountain you may have to climb, whatever the trial or tribulation you find yourself battling, count it all joy and put your faith in Jesus.

Rebuilding in Victory

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 will be a day my church family will not soon forget. We lost our church to a fire. However, in the midst of the turmoil there is always victory. The Sunday after the fire, our service was held on site and it was an incredible time. The next week we were relocated to a space at the A.D. Lab in Weymouth. Our congregation did not miss a beat. The Lord provided and everyone worked together to make it happen.

It always amazes me when God shows up. Our prayers go up and sometimes it seems as though they will never be answered. I have learned and am continuing to learn that His time is the right time. His way is the right way. His will is the will we need to be seeking. When we follow His plan, we will rise from the ashes victoriously.

The plans are proceeding as the building committee meets and prepares to bring ideas to the church body. As a congregation our task is to be in prayer-continuously and unceasingly. Prayer is what will move things along. When we pray for God's will to be revealed, He will reveal it. I also believe He will provide for all our needs if we give it all to Him for His glory and for His work to be done here on earth. Second Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; NASB.

Please pray for our church as we go through this time of rebuilding. Pray that God will reveal His plan and purpose for His people of Havelock Wesleyan Church-wherever He wants us to be and whatever He wants us to be doing.

For more information on the rebuilding of our church please go to www.rebuildingfromtheashes.blogspot.com.