Nothing gets me much more excited than hearing about saved souls. Because, honest, it is a BIG DEAL. When I hear someone accepted Christ as their savior, I know hope moved into their life and kicked out despair.  They have a new relationship with the one who saved them and no longer can the lover of lies keep a stronghold in their life.  The old person is gone and a new one has arrived. [2 Cor 5:17]  And their eternity is settled.  They will be in the presence of the Lord for ever and ever.  THAT is worth shouting about, crying a few tears and singing some praise songs! Can I get an AMEN?!

On the contrary little makes me more sad, or burdens my heart more, than a child of God living a life lacking the excitement of gospel message. Remember, gospel means “GOOD NEWS”.  And, last I checked good news was something to be excited about.

Before you get all “She sure is on the Jesus haughty train” on me, let me explain what I mean by sad.  It hurts my heart in a deep way to know that fellow believers aren’t feeling the full impact of the promises of our Savior.  It worries me that we have brothers and sisters in Christ who have been so beat down and worn out by this fallen world that they can barely hold their eyes open to the wonders of eternity.  Or they have reached a callousness by the rough edges of life that it allows them to look full face in the gospel without emotion.  I say this because I know the full weight of this place. I have been there.

I was 18 years old when I was saved. It was my first year at University of Alabama and a sorority sister (Adrienne-sweet soul winning girl!) invited me to a Campus Crusade for Christ event.  There is no doubt in my mind that is the moment I asked Christ to come into my heart and life and it is when my eternal location was settled. However, I spent many years since not living like I believed the promises. This translates to not just rebellion (which there was plenty of – like plenty), but years of lost hope and joy and peace.  Years and years of my life still living in doubt of what Christ has done for me. Years of thinking it was good for everyone else, but might not really apply to me. Years of sadness, depression and hopelessness.

Praise the Lord, through personally maturing in God’s word, the strong mentoring by some amazing Godly women and sitting under the preaching of Bible believing pastors, I’ve learned to seek out God’s full promises for my life. Promises in which I build my foundation of joy.  Now the weight of the world still tries to creep back in.  I am human and do live in a fallen world, as do you.  Yet, I have a whole book of promises to stand on. When I have a bad day, there is a new day to come!  Every single day is new and His mercies are new every single morning. [Lamentations 3:22-23].  And when the world tries to remind me of what was, I know I now have no condemnation in Christ Jesus. [Romans 8:1]

And you don’t either my precious friend. If you are that sister in Christ that has lost her joy and the good news just doesn’t feel so good anymore, please know I pray for you daily. I am saddened with you and deeply desire you to find your hope in Christ again.  I want for the fire that burns for Jesus to illuminate you. He gave the most so you didn’t have to live in despair or worse in calloused nothingness. No life isn’t always easy, but it is ALWAYS hopeful! Focus your frail spirit back to the one who died for you, lay your cares at his feet. He bottles every tear [Psalm 56:8] and counts every hair on your head [Luke 12:7]. He is mourning now for your sad or maybe lukewarm spirit and is calling you back to Him.

Pray with me:  Father God, we love you. Thank you for everything you have given us. As we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of your son, may we approach it with a renewed joy and excitement over the truly good news it is.  Father I pray especially right now for the heart of my sisters who are hurting and far from your joy. May they find their way back to you and sense a new fresh provoking of their souls.  Give them inner peace and real refreshing of emotion as they stand on your promises.  In Jesus’ perfect name, we pray.  Amen. 

As we approach this Easter weekend, I am humbly broken as I remember the suffering my Savior went through to cleanse me. Yet I am gloriously praising and celebrating an empty tomb knowing I can claim complete security in the promises of His perfect resurrection story.

Resting In His grip,  Ashlee

If you have never made a decision to ask Jesus into your heart and your eternal salvation has not been settled, please message me.  I’d love to tell you more about this.