---Believe to the Saving of the Soul

²²Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

²⁶For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

²⁷But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

²⁸He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

²⁹Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

³⁰For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

³¹It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³²But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

³³Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

³⁴For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

³⁵Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

³⁶For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

³⁷For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

³⁸Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

³⁹But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Sometimes we talk about backsliding like its a normal thing. Like it's something that we just do and will do again. God who is rich in mercy and love does remember our frame. Still, He commands and calls us to be holy like unto Him; to be perfect, and walk before Him.
We aren't of this world anymore. No it wont it doesn't always scream to the world that I am a called out Christian, to my shame; but it sure doesn't mean that my God doesn't want me on my knees asking for Him, and asking for His presence in my life. To kneel before Him pleading for His love, for His faith, and for His spirit; for His right hand upholding me and directing my every way, before in this world I start each day.

Because: I'm not sure why. (:

Proverbs 15

¹A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

²The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

³The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

⁴A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

⁵A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

⁶In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

⁷The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

⁹The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

¹⁰Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

¹¹Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

¹²A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

¹³A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

¹⁴The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

¹⁶Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

¹⁸A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

¹⁹The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

²⁰A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

²¹Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

²²Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

²³A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

²⁴The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

²⁵The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

²⁶The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

²⁷He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

²⁸The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

²⁹The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

³¹The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

³²He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

³³The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

In Him I'll Hide(:

First of all, I just want to say how amazing my Lord is. The ways He sweetly speaks to my heart constantly overwhelm me. It's too much too understand or conceive even a small portion of His great love for me and you.
I hide behind a lot of things. I hide behind my family, my friends, my goals... most often my school, and I always hide behind my sarcasm.
There is nothing that I can hide behind when it comes to Him. He sees me. He knows my fears. When no one sees the tears I blink back, He keeps them. And today I couldn't hide behind anything anymore. I found failure upon failure and mistake after mistake, crowded and mixed up with the fears I try to deny and subdue about the future. I was thinking about how Jesus Christ, My Savior, can answer a lost person's every need. And when my friends would come to me and ask for advice or want to talk... it's hard not to point them in the direction of the One who can heal their every pain. How come sometimes I who am saved don't live like that? Like He IS the answer to my every problem?
I sat down down at the piano and not even thinking about what I was playing, I just started to play.

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

I started to try to sing it, and I can tell you right now it wasn't happening. Secondly, I want to say I'm so thankful for godly friends. God uses each and everyone of you for His glory and honor if you are only willing to be used. Andrew's post broke my heart all over again... He is the Rock of our salvation, He is the great God, He is the LORD God, our very own maker.
Tori's recent blog verses along the very same lines:

"My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD." Psalm 104:34

"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a tower from the enemy." Psalm 61:1-3

"Then they shall cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.... O that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Psalm 107:28-29,31

Thanks for the encouragement of God's Word.
We couldn't be saved, sheltered, or hid by any greater love.

He Is Able

"I Know"

Where do I begin with what to say I've played this conversation in my head so many times I'm
certainly not claiming to know everything but what i do will save your life.
I know that God is able. I know that He still reigns. I know that love
has found a way.
No matter what it is you're going through even if you think you're far beyond where hope can
see i know there is a hand that's reaching out for you because He did the same for me.
it wasn't that long ago when my own world fell apart, it fell apart and everything here inside
of me said to let go, you must let go I found my self crying out to the One who knows my heart,
He knows your heart and holding tight to the few things that I know.

"I Know Whom I Have Believed" (practicing this on the piano all day... think I'm getting it down... fiiinally) (:

1. I know not why God’s wondrous grace
   To me He hath made known,
   Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
   Redeemed me for His own.
   • Refrain:
     But “I know Whom I have believed,
     And am persuaded that He is able
     To keep that which I’ve committed
     Unto Him against that day.”
2. I know not how this saving faith
   To me He did impart,
   Nor how believing in His Word
   Wrought peace within my heart.
3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
   Convincing men of sin,
   Revealing Jesus through the Word,
   Creating faith in Him.
4. I know not what of good or ill
   May be reserved for me,
   Of weary ways or golden days,
   Before His face I see.
5. I know not when my Lord may come,
   At night or noonday fair,
   Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
   Or meet Him in the air.

2 Timothy 1:11-13

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Greater is He

Ecclesiastes 4
⁶Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 5
¹Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. ²Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. ³For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

Ecclesiastes 7
²It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Ecclesiastes has always been one of my favorite books of the bible; but I never understand those last two verses until this past year. I knew it had to be right, because the bible is true... but how could sadness really be better that laughter and joy?

The most meaningful and most memorable times in my life have not been the good times. They have not been the times when I was surrounded by family and friends. I sure do have those good memories, but the memories I have that have had the most impact on me were the times that I was tore up about something. The times when I have wept and prayed with friends. When My heart was literately failing me, when it physically hurt, when I cried out to my God.

It is through pain and sorrow we "lay it to our hearts." We remember the serious things of life. We remember who we are and why we are here. Our hearts are "made better" when things in life hurt us and draw us back to the One who frees us from our pain and loves us without limit or restriction. Those are the memories, those are the late nights that are planted so deep in my heart I wont be able to forget. We are a peculiar people, called with a high calling. What a privilege to serve One who's understanding is "infinite."

I read 1 Peter 2, and if you get the chance read the whole chapter. It really spoke to my heart in following God's will and having Him direct my steps. It's not so much where I work, what I do, where I go, as it is that I follow the example that Christ left behind. It's not a matter of knowing God's will, but doing it.

¹¹Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

¹²Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

¹⁵For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²²Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

²⁴Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 3

...If any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; ²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

What all these verses seem to have in common is the "quietness." Which don't you know is my best attribute. (:

God's in the fixing business though, and He's is a lot stronger than me.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.1 John 4:4