Howdy, folks!
I am so glad Spring Break has arrived so quickly! I have gone shopping and to the movies, got my nails done, and have also been hanging out with my friends and family.
I have finished the "Family Driven Faith" study at church and I must say that the study was very thought-provoking, even for people like myself who are single and have no children yet. I recommend this book to everyone who is considering starting a family in the future. I learned that there are people in the church who may not be saved, and about how important children are as well as the importance of family devotions. It should be our desire even as future parents to raise our children to follow and love Jesus as their Savior and Lord and then impact their world for Him. I have also learned that we are not to be in bondage or slavery to this world, and that families should be a part of the church. Parents, not the pastor, youth, or children's ministers, are responsible for the discipleship of their children. We are to train our children up in the way they should go!
I have been so blessed by the Bible studies that my church has done over the past three years. They are a great tool to help us to study the Word of God for ourselves, for our own personal walk with Christ. I have heard that there is a women's Bible study group that meets online, called womensbiblecafe.com. I think that leading these studies online or on your blog is a wonderful idea for those women who lead busy lives and can't always make it to church to participate in the studies. I have actually thought about leading a study on my blog or Facebook since I have some study guides I haven't used yet and would like to participate with other women in studies, learning with them, and staying accountable.
I have also heard many moving sermons at church over the past several weeks. We are currently hearing a sermon series on the Book of Daniel. It has been amazing and challenging to know that Daniel still chose to trust God no matter what the cost, and that God will bless us when we choose to follow after Him.
That's all I've got for today!
HE is my strength every day and every hour,
Jessica
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Updates
Hey guys! The one and only Jessica Roseanne Ables is back again! I know it's been FOREVER since I last posted, but real life steps in for me all the time with school and work.
I am now at the end of my second year at Southwestern Adventist University, trying to see if I can graduate next year and move on. While I was away from my blog, many good things happened. My friend Heather gave birth to triplets, I turned 22 years old, and I celebrated Christmas and New Year's with my family. I've also been very active with my church, participating in many activities.
Fall 2010 was the first semester that I did not make a 4.0 GPA, and I was upset about it for awhile, but my imperfections show how much I need God in my life. Without Him, I am nothing! He can take our messes and use them for His glory.
During this past year at Southwestern, I have realized that there may be some people there who may not be saved. In a Bible study I attended last year, I learned that there was one girl who was baptized even though she didn't know Jesus. Baptism does not save a person; it shows they are already believers who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and want to live for Him. I have been feeling pressured by a few people there to become interested in and convert to the SDA faith. I feel convicted by God that I should not join this denomination. I feel that this religion is a "faith plus works" system, and I know that faith in Christ ALONE saves me, not by the works of my own righteousness. I have also read that they do not believe in Hell, but I know that Hell is a real place for people who reject Jesus, according to the Bible. We have all sinned and done things that are wrong; we all deserve to be punished. But Jesus died for us on the Cross so we wouldn't have to die for our sins, and three days later, He rose from the grave. He lives and will never turn away any person who comes to Him! God wants everyone to come to repentance and to be saved, He doesn't want anyone to perish. I know without God in my life, I do not know where I would be. I was shocked when I heard this girl's story; I wanted to question her about her salvation. I know that as a Christian woman, I need to tell everyone about my Lord and Savior and what He did and has continued to do for me. I know someone who has been, and possibly still is, in a very dangerous cult that teaches that faith in Christ is not enough to save a person, and they use mind control tactics and demand that good works be done along with faith. The Bible states in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast". Things like tithing, going to church, being baptized, and participating in good works do not save; faith in Christ alone saves. All we have to do is admit to God that we are sinners, that we believe that Jesus took our punishment for us on the Cross, and accept His gift of eternal life by asking Him into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior.
I am currently participating in a Bible study at my church titled "Family Driven Faith" and the book is about how we can raise our children to follow after God. I have gained valuable insights from this book, even though I do not have children yet, but hope to someday if it's God's will for me. I have learned that children are a gift and a blessing from God, and that marriage is a sacred covenant. We need to teach our children to become disciples of our Savior, and set an example for them by loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and with all of our strength.
I hope to be back, posting more often, really soon!
In Christ Alone,
Jessica
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."-John 3:16
I am now at the end of my second year at Southwestern Adventist University, trying to see if I can graduate next year and move on. While I was away from my blog, many good things happened. My friend Heather gave birth to triplets, I turned 22 years old, and I celebrated Christmas and New Year's with my family. I've also been very active with my church, participating in many activities.
Fall 2010 was the first semester that I did not make a 4.0 GPA, and I was upset about it for awhile, but my imperfections show how much I need God in my life. Without Him, I am nothing! He can take our messes and use them for His glory.
During this past year at Southwestern, I have realized that there may be some people there who may not be saved. In a Bible study I attended last year, I learned that there was one girl who was baptized even though she didn't know Jesus. Baptism does not save a person; it shows they are already believers who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and want to live for Him. I have been feeling pressured by a few people there to become interested in and convert to the SDA faith. I feel convicted by God that I should not join this denomination. I feel that this religion is a "faith plus works" system, and I know that faith in Christ ALONE saves me, not by the works of my own righteousness. I have also read that they do not believe in Hell, but I know that Hell is a real place for people who reject Jesus, according to the Bible. We have all sinned and done things that are wrong; we all deserve to be punished. But Jesus died for us on the Cross so we wouldn't have to die for our sins, and three days later, He rose from the grave. He lives and will never turn away any person who comes to Him! God wants everyone to come to repentance and to be saved, He doesn't want anyone to perish. I know without God in my life, I do not know where I would be. I was shocked when I heard this girl's story; I wanted to question her about her salvation. I know that as a Christian woman, I need to tell everyone about my Lord and Savior and what He did and has continued to do for me. I know someone who has been, and possibly still is, in a very dangerous cult that teaches that faith in Christ is not enough to save a person, and they use mind control tactics and demand that good works be done along with faith. The Bible states in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast". Things like tithing, going to church, being baptized, and participating in good works do not save; faith in Christ alone saves. All we have to do is admit to God that we are sinners, that we believe that Jesus took our punishment for us on the Cross, and accept His gift of eternal life by asking Him into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior.
I am currently participating in a Bible study at my church titled "Family Driven Faith" and the book is about how we can raise our children to follow after God. I have gained valuable insights from this book, even though I do not have children yet, but hope to someday if it's God's will for me. I have learned that children are a gift and a blessing from God, and that marriage is a sacred covenant. We need to teach our children to become disciples of our Savior, and set an example for them by loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and with all of our strength.
I hope to be back, posting more often, really soon!
In Christ Alone,
Jessica
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."-John 3:16
Saturday, September 11, 2010
A Sleepwalker's Delight
In February of this year, I had the opportunity to go to McKinney Memorial Bible Church in Ft. Worth to hear Priscilla Shirer speak at her "Going Beyond" event. My friend, Heather, and I were wanting to go to this event, but she had to work that weekend. Instead, I went with several ladies from Oak Grove Baptist Church. Oh, how we were blessed!
Priscilla's message was titled "The Hidden Jesus". On Friday evening, she spoke about how God is here with us even in the difficult places. When we "sleepwalk" through our lives, we may be missing out on a wonderful experience that is part of His plan for us. We have stones in our lives, and we can choose to throw them at others or hold them inside of us. God wants us to trust Him, because He has good things for us. He wants us to ask Him, "How can the stone build us up?". He has good things for us, even in the hard things. This reminds me of a quote by Beth Moore in the "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed" Bible study, in session 4 where she said, "Your God has good things for you, not painless things for you, GOOD things for you". I did that study on my own this summer and LOVED it. I want to attend a Deeper Still event soon, hoping they'll come to Texas in the future! Now back to "Going Beyond". Priscilla told us that stones in our lives can be used for God's glory, and that He uses stones to grow us in Him. He can change us! God will confirm His Word to us even when life does not affirm. God never changes, even when things and people change.
On Saturday, she said that we can walk into the full authority God has for us, and that our circumstances do not define us. She taught us a Bible study method that is featured in her "Can We Talk?" study. The Lord has a specific word for us, and we can read His Word without an actual study. The "5 P's" method was taught, which included positioning ourselves to hear from God, poring over the passage and paraphrasing the major points of the verse, pulling out the spiritual principles, posing a question, and planning obedience and pinning down a date. She spoke to us from the Book of Luke that day, explaining that we have treasures to behold, but we may not be able to actually see them. God is doing things daily for us to behold, and today is the day to see what He is doing. What we celebrate needs to become a reality in our lives. God is ready for us to move forward with our lives. We need to make the decision to "go beyond" instead of dwelling on the past. We need to invite God to be the Lord of our homes, and be able to see God's power working in our everyday lives.
The prayer experience was very powerful at this conference, and I loved the worship time too, which was led by Anthony Evans, Priscilla's brother. These things definitely brought me closer to the Lord. I'm glad He brought me to that event! He knew I needed a fresh word from Him.
If you ever have an opportunity to go to a "Going Beyond" event or to do one of Priscilla's Bible studies, DO IT!!! You will be glad you did.
In HIS Wonderful Love,
Jessica
For we know that all things work together for good to those that love God and to those who are called according to His purpose.-Romans 8:28
Priscilla's message was titled "The Hidden Jesus". On Friday evening, she spoke about how God is here with us even in the difficult places. When we "sleepwalk" through our lives, we may be missing out on a wonderful experience that is part of His plan for us. We have stones in our lives, and we can choose to throw them at others or hold them inside of us. God wants us to trust Him, because He has good things for us. He wants us to ask Him, "How can the stone build us up?". He has good things for us, even in the hard things. This reminds me of a quote by Beth Moore in the "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed" Bible study, in session 4 where she said, "Your God has good things for you, not painless things for you, GOOD things for you". I did that study on my own this summer and LOVED it. I want to attend a Deeper Still event soon, hoping they'll come to Texas in the future! Now back to "Going Beyond". Priscilla told us that stones in our lives can be used for God's glory, and that He uses stones to grow us in Him. He can change us! God will confirm His Word to us even when life does not affirm. God never changes, even when things and people change.
On Saturday, she said that we can walk into the full authority God has for us, and that our circumstances do not define us. She taught us a Bible study method that is featured in her "Can We Talk?" study. The Lord has a specific word for us, and we can read His Word without an actual study. The "5 P's" method was taught, which included positioning ourselves to hear from God, poring over the passage and paraphrasing the major points of the verse, pulling out the spiritual principles, posing a question, and planning obedience and pinning down a date. She spoke to us from the Book of Luke that day, explaining that we have treasures to behold, but we may not be able to actually see them. God is doing things daily for us to behold, and today is the day to see what He is doing. What we celebrate needs to become a reality in our lives. God is ready for us to move forward with our lives. We need to make the decision to "go beyond" instead of dwelling on the past. We need to invite God to be the Lord of our homes, and be able to see God's power working in our everyday lives.
The prayer experience was very powerful at this conference, and I loved the worship time too, which was led by Anthony Evans, Priscilla's brother. These things definitely brought me closer to the Lord. I'm glad He brought me to that event! He knew I needed a fresh word from Him.
If you ever have an opportunity to go to a "Going Beyond" event or to do one of Priscilla's Bible studies, DO IT!!! You will be glad you did.
In HIS Wonderful Love,
Jessica
For we know that all things work together for good to those that love God and to those who are called according to His purpose.-Romans 8:28
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Back to blogging...third time's a charm!!
Hey, guys!
This is my new blog. I used to have a blog here on this site, but I hardly ever used it. I used Xanga, my old blog, until 2007. Glad to be back in the blogging world! Let me tell you a little about myself.
My name is Jessica and I have been a resident of Burleson, TX since December 2007. I was born in Ft. Worth and grew up in Weatherford, 20 minutes west of Ft. Worth. I am now in my second year at Southwestern Adventist University, in the process of obtaining a degree in Elementary Education. I am also an active member of South Burleson Baptist Church. I have been a member since August 2009, but it has been my church home for 2 years, starting in July 2008. I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I don't know where I'd be without Him. I praise Him for loving and saving me, and for all that He has done and will continue to do in my life.
I enjoy traveling, church activities, reading, Bible studies (especially my Ladies Life Group at church...love you gals!), shopping, having my hair and nails done, and spending time with my friends and family. I am a single woman who will be turning 22 on November 7th, and I have three older siblings: Jennifer, 43, who lives in North Dakota, Jason, 39, who lives here in Burleson with me, and Jeremy, 35, who lives in Ft. Worth. I have two nieces: Angelica, 7, and Kristanna, who turns 6 on September 11th.
That's just some of my background info! More blogging to come later!
Love in Christ,
Jessica
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful!-Hebrews 10:23
This is my new blog. I used to have a blog here on this site, but I hardly ever used it. I used Xanga, my old blog, until 2007. Glad to be back in the blogging world! Let me tell you a little about myself.
My name is Jessica and I have been a resident of Burleson, TX since December 2007. I was born in Ft. Worth and grew up in Weatherford, 20 minutes west of Ft. Worth. I am now in my second year at Southwestern Adventist University, in the process of obtaining a degree in Elementary Education. I am also an active member of South Burleson Baptist Church. I have been a member since August 2009, but it has been my church home for 2 years, starting in July 2008. I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I don't know where I'd be without Him. I praise Him for loving and saving me, and for all that He has done and will continue to do in my life.
I enjoy traveling, church activities, reading, Bible studies (especially my Ladies Life Group at church...love you gals!), shopping, having my hair and nails done, and spending time with my friends and family. I am a single woman who will be turning 22 on November 7th, and I have three older siblings: Jennifer, 43, who lives in North Dakota, Jason, 39, who lives here in Burleson with me, and Jeremy, 35, who lives in Ft. Worth. I have two nieces: Angelica, 7, and Kristanna, who turns 6 on September 11th.
That's just some of my background info! More blogging to come later!
Love in Christ,
Jessica
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful!-Hebrews 10:23
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