Focus on The Son

Focus on the Son

I am captivated by His incomparable majesty, unwavering faithfulness, unconditional mercy, and mysterious power. His authority always remains, He never changes and His love last for eternity.

I was once dead. I was dead in my disobedience and trespass toward the Most High; separated from truth, from light, and from hope. How can dead people chose life? Can a dead person save themselves from the charges of sin? It can’t be done. It is impossible! But by the grace of the Most High and the blood of the Son I have been pardoned. He has adopted me as His very daughter. How could I want anything more than Him?

However, even after my adoption I struggled with my old self, my sin. For so long I still felt the charges of sin weigh heavily on my shoulders. After I was revived from death, I believed by my own efforts would make me like the Son. With my effort to fix my sin it seemed to disappear for maybe a week, or a month, but then that very sin came back again and again! I was trying to clean the outside when it was the inside that needed a Healer. All I did was displaying myself as a white washed tomb. I couldn’t escape death on my own why would I think I could handle the power of evil on my own? The King did not release me from death to then desert me and expect me to fend for myself. No, he saved me from death so that I would depend and trust in Him for my progressive progress in becoming like the Son; for only He has the power over evil. We are in a spiritual battle. I will always have sin tempting me, twisting truth, and trying to separate me from the King, but I can REST knowing that I don’t need to fight on my own. The King doesn’t want me to correct myself. He wants my focus to move from my sin to the Focus on The Son.

For the rest of the life I have been giving the greatest thing to do is: Praise His Name. I was taken from death to life to bring Him glory. I am a redeemed child to forever worship the Son. Is there anything better a human can do but to abide in the Creator? He is worth y of all the Glory. All Glory belongs to Him!

Fall is in the Air kind of, just not in Southeast Asia

There are many other things to celebrate though! Ashton’s parents came to Southeast Asia this week! They connected well with the locals, especially with the college students and our Homestay Parents. Ashton’s parents have a great excitement for the work being done and a great hope for all the nations. It was good to have new blood on the field, especially well-known faces. J They are encouraging and brought many instants of laughter; especially when Ashton’s mom danced with a local woman! It left quite an impression. Hahahaha! The time of their stay flew by, but the moments given were memorable. Ashton and I are very thankful for their coming and the continued support of our loved ones. I am very grateful for the Body of the Son. Thank you Steve and Janeen for taking the time to be with us!

Speaking of loved ones – mine will be here shortly! So exciting, exciting to see them once again and to show them my side of the world! I very much look forward to the time spent with my family and Caleb, and the many moments they will have with the locals. It feels unreal that they will be here in less than 5 days! I am honored that my family and Caleb have sacrificed their time and money to come all the way around the world to see me and to take part in the work here. What an incredible blessing! I’m excited to dialogue with them about what they have tasted, seen, and heard from their new environment! There will be many adjustments such as: jetlag, the abundance of fried food, weather, and culture in general!  I am so thankful that I get to share this piece of my life with my loved ones in such a way.

Continue to keep Ashton and I in your thoughts and pr*yers. We need to be discerning, but bold with the moments the Good King gives us. By His Will we will continue in the relationships we have here amongst the locals, with the hope of them coming to the knowledge of truth. Please also pr*y for unity while Ashton and I are sharing. The Father continues to provide in this way which is amazing; but we still must be on guard against the schemes of the enemy! The English Club has about 18 Students that arrive regularly! This is wonderful! This allows continued building on the same relationships which helps a lot with being intentional. While my parents and Caleb are here they will help me in the Health Topics for English Club next week. We will be discussing the Heimlich maneuver, 1^st response (ex. Motorcycle accidents) and safe drinking water. Most of our topics must be more interactive than performed in a teaching style. Therefore, we’ll have to get crafty with our delivery! But I do believe these topics will be profitable for their knowledge, especially motorcycle accidents and the safe water. These are very common issues in my area and need to be addressed.

Until then let us all seek the Son. Let our eyes be fixed on the One who has conquered death!

Light of the World

How many more times will the ugly beast show its hideous face? It lurks behind every corner seeking to kill, steal and destroy life. The beast is never satisfied but continues in its vain pursuit to devour all who hold breathe in their lungs. The beast is without mercy, grace, or love; only death is its possession. I am but prey to its greedy claws. I am helpless, for my strength is not enough to defeat my enemy!

Woe to me a woman who deserves such fate. For I have fallen far from the Perfect Law where I remain guilty on the judgment stand. Shackles of sin are strapped to my wrist and ankles; weight that I cannot carry on my own. My weary arms collapse near my side and my head hangs low. I am without any hope of redemption. My eyes begin to shut with the blurry vision of darkness enclosing around me. I draw in my last gasp of air while salty tears roll down my face. Just as my forefathers were long ago, I too have become a slave to sin.

            Out of the darkness I hear a cry, “It is finished!” My chains break free from my body and I am set apart from such bondage. The Light of the World with holes in His hands picks me up from the ground. With radiance in His voice He says He has paid my debt. He says that I alone belong to Him. He says I am Redeemed from the Law for I am now under Grace. Praises to the One who defeated my debt, who defeated the Sin of the World! He sit on the right hand of the Father where He is forever praised! We were made to Worship Him!

            Let us be on guard against the enemy; captivating every thought and making it obedient to the Father. Let us rest in the strength of the Son as we continue in the Battle. Let our thoughts no longer dwell in the oppression of Sin but in the Victory of the Son. May our lives be not of legalism or strife but deepening our love for the SON. He is worthy of all the glory.

Recently Ashton and I have been blessed with opportunity to investing in the young ladies of Southeast Asia. Since our time is limited we need to be discerning in whom to share the Good News with. We are seeking “People of Peace.” People who desire to hear the stories and the truth of the Son. Too many times we have come across girls who only want to hang out with the white skinned and blonde haired foreigners. We ask that the Believers would lift us up in communication with the Father in this area.

Ashton and I are learning much about the different approach in sharing the Good News. It’s so different here. Talking about the “purpose of life” is such a common conversation vs. America. We ask also for additional communication with the Father in being BOLD in the Word. We desire to be ready with answers and to explain the joy within our lives.

The English Club is growing in numbers here in our overseas home! There has recently been a large amount of females attending. This is very exciting! Before we use to have an overwhelming attendance of males…. This can be difficult when the ratio is 3 females against 12 males….. However, we are looking forward to more time with our new ladies and expecting new relationships with them!

Additional news is the coming of Ashton and I’s parents! They are coming soon! We are thrilled to share with them the work that is being done among us! We are so thankful for their willingness to come alongside us and assist in any way possible. Honestly, encouragement and support from them is a blessing I never want to take for grant it. I’m look forward to seeing how the Good King will use this time in our lives and the lives of the Asian people!

I want to thank all of our supporters in this journey! The Body is a beautiful thing. Being here I am seeing more and more the need for the unity of Believers! Until then continue to live life with your eyes set on the Ultimate Prize! Press On Brothers and Sisters!