Many mornings, I awake still weary, as though I’d hardly slept. I go through my day wincing at the pain in my back. My kids sniffle, cough, and sneeze. And my husband worries he may need surgery again.

Each day I battle the sins in my heart. I fight against the lies of the evil one. I also face the sins of others each day–my children’s, friends, family, and strangers. And I battle feelings of despair, fear, worry and sorrow.

I, for one, long for Christ’s return and for a perfect, healthy body. I long for a heart that is completely free of all sin. I long for my redemption to be full and complete.

Don’t you?

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22-23

We have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, yet we still await our final redemption. There exists an already/not yet tension as we await the Lord’s final return. We are already perfect in the sight of God, yet we still battle sin. We are already raised with Christ (Col. 3:1), yet we still live in the this world that is not our own. We are already children of God, yet we still await our full inheritance. The final battle has already been won, yet evil is still active in this world.

The apostle Paul speaks of this tension when he describes his struggle with sin “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15) We have been redeemed from our sins. We are being redeemed from the sin that lingers in our flesh. And we will one day be completely redeemed when we receive our resurrection bodies.

Not only do we battle with sin, illness, and the weakness of our flesh, but the earth groans too. It also awaits its own redemption and restoration. Not only will we receive resurrected bodies on that final day, but the earth will also receive its own redemption.

“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.” Isaiah 11:6

Until that final day, we cling to His promises and rest in His grace. He is faithful to finish the work He began in us. While our bodies may groan and we get weary, may we never forget that He who bought us–will never let us go. May we keep our eyes fixed on Christ and to the future that awaits us as His children.

Do you also long for that day?

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Grace isn’t fair. Humility is knowing what you deserve but receiving His grace. Pride is always wanting justice. But do we really want to receive justice? No matter what the other person did, my actions were not clean and neither was my heart. I had to ask myself if I really wanted to get what *I* deserved…

Click here to continue reading…

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This weeks question:
What are you doing for summer vacation?

Well I have been planning out what I’m going to do for the next few months. Homeschooling is just about over for this year and I feel like I’m going to have SO much time on my hands, lol!

My plan for June, July, and August is to go to the pool A LOT, and we are also going to do some language and reading for “summer Homeschool” just to keep the kiddos mind fresh, and also to help with keeping them busy. I’m also thinking about taking on a new workout routine (P90X) since I will have SO much time on my hands, lol!

Then in September we are going on our second family vacation in 8 years to Florida! We will be visiting Disney and the beach – this will be my kiddos first time to the beach, and my two youngest will be visiting Disney for the first time too! I’m really excited!

So what are you doing during summer vacation?

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Have you ever had a day where everything just went wrong? And you along with it?

Some mornings we all seem to wake up on the wrong side of the bed. My four-year-old tantrums about every little thing. My oldest tries to daydream the day away, instead of focusing on his school work. And me? Well, I react to all of it.

At the end of the day, I am appalled at my responses throughout the day and by my own tantrums. Guilt weighs down on me, a heavy load. Overwhelmed, I open the Word to give me hope. I pray and ask for grace. Then I hear the Spirit’s quiet whisper in my heart.

“Have you forgotten you were set free?”

Christ’s redemption has set me free from my prison of sin. I’m free from guilt, from judgement, and from despair. God now sees Jesus’ perfect life in the place of mine. When I am unloving to my family, He sees the love Christ gave for the world. When I respond in anger to my kids, He only sees Christ’s righteous anger. When I am overwhelmed and burdened by life, God sees Christ carrying my burdens on the cross.

These hard days will continue to come until the final day when we are completely free from the lingering effects of sin. Until then, I don’t have to live in despair. By remembering the gospel and the freedom that Christ’s redemption accomplished, I can live in confidence. I can approach each new day knowing that my Savior is there to strengthen me, no matter what lies ahead.

It’s because of Jesus that I can come freely to the throne of grace. I can lay my burdens at my Father’s feet and find forgiveness. When I take hold of this freedom, I am living like a true child of God and not an abandoned orphan. And this gives me a thankful heart, full of praises to the One who opened my prison doors.

Tomorrow is a new day, full of mercy and grace. We may wake up on the right side of the bed, or we might not. Either way, I know His grace is greater than all our sins and He is strong enough to carry me through each and every struggle and challenge.

Do you know this freedom?

“You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:18

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“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Malachi 3:6

God never changes, but we do.

God doesn’t allow the circumstances around Him make Him conform to this world, but we do.

God doesn’t let what others think about Him change Him, but we do.

We change. We allow our circumstances, money, success, failure, rejection, fear, acceptance, our highs, and lows to change us. But God doesn’t. He is always there, always the same.

I’m learning more and more that the things I thought would change my life only change my life, and they only change me, because I allow it. But I don’t want them to change my life like that. I want God to change my life. I want God to reach deep down into my heart and change me from the inside out, not the other way around.

Sometimes we allow the world to change us because we think things in this world are a little more important than they really are! They are our idols and when we worship these idols the presence or the lack of this idol determines our emotions and actions. It determines how we feel, what we say, how we act, what we do and don’t do, how we treat the ones around us, and how we treat our self.

But it doesn’t change God. He is always the same.

But when we Delight in Him we stay the same always. Our eyes see the truth of what these worldy possessions represent. Our idols no more determine our worth or how we act. We are finally His, and we know what really matters in this world.

Letting go of these idols is never easy. We need to go through the pain before we experience the joy. But it’s worth it. God is so much more than the idols in our life and in Him we will find peace and JOY.

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Well now, there is! Laurie Cole of Priority Ministries has a wonderful 7-week Bible study that is perfect for mothers and daughters to experience together! Moms use the Beauty by the Book workbook and free online videos while daughters use the Beauty by the Book for Teens workbook and free online videos. Each study mirrors the other with each week providing endless opportunities for meaningful conversations and deeper connections to form between you and your daughter.

By exploring several beauty do’s and don’ts in Proverbs, you’ll discuss topics such as:

• The attributes of true beauty
• God’s dress code
• How to avoid being an irritating woman, and
• How to thrive in your current (or future) role as a wife, mother, and/or career woman.

Each study can be purchased individually, but for a limited time you can get both for 25% off the cover price! That’s one Beauty by the Book workbook for you and one Beauty by the Book for Teens workbook for your daughter for just $17.99! Plus, Laurie’s 30-45 minute teaching videos that complement each week’s lesson are available for FREE on our website.

With today’s culture bombarding us with ungodly images and unrealistic expectations for physical beauty, it’s more important than ever for both you and your daughter to understand and embrace God’s standard for beauty.

So don’t let this summer be filled with strife and misery. Use this summer to draw closer to God, closer to your daughter, and closer to biblical beauty with Beauty by the Book and Beauty by the Book for Teens! Click here to buy yours now.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however we only promote items on CSAHM that we feel helps to encourage and support the Christian Stay at Home Mom!

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This weeks question:
If you could have an endless supply of food, what would you get?

Well I think for me I would request restaurant gift cards…does that count? No? Ok well then I guess I would get shrimp. I love shrimp and could probably eat it every single day. Maybe…lol!

What would you get?

P.S. There is a fabulous blog hop happening this week and you can enter to win a lot of awesome prizes ranging from books, to gift cards, and even a couple of Kindles are up for grabs. Click here to learn more!

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Faith – Four Week Mini Bible Study
When we believe in God we then learn to walk in faith and trust God. But first we must believe, and it’s up to us, we can either choose to believe in Him or not. But faith will mean nothing until we believe with all our heart that God is who He says He is.

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Author:  Elaine Marie Cooper

Published: 2010

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

Overview

In 1777, Daniel Lowe is an escaped, wounded prisoner of war during the Revolutionary War.  Suffering both from the loss of his brother and a serious leg injury, he makes his way through the wintry woods, where he collapses ready to meet his Maker.  Mary Thompson, still grieving the loss of her best friend and brother, Asa, stumbles across the wounded soldier in the woods on her family’s lands.  She must consider both the political and spiritual impact her assistance might have on both him and her family.

Choosing to nurse the wounded soldier back to health, much like the Good Samaritan, Mary discovers that Daniel is both a man of good character and a man in need of a Saviour.  Despite her widowed mother’s misgivings, Mary pursues a course of action that puts both Daniel and her family’s lives in danger.

My Review

LOVED THIS STORY!  Based on true stories of the author’s ancestors, this was a well-written and thoroughly enjoyable story.  The characters came to life and I felt as though I were watching it unfold before my eyes.  Not only were the characters believable, but actual historical events woven throughout the story make it a significant story, as well.

The reading of the Declaration of Independence by an older veteran soldier in a town meeting was both moving and exciting.  The feelings of doubt regarding her decision to take in an enemy soldier was both understandable and believable.  Would Daniel’s background be revealed?  What would it mean to Mary and her family?

More than just a love story in the midst of war, it is a spiritual journey of forgiveness and compassion, and the way the characters wrestle with their inner emotions and their spiritual convictions are almost palpable.

If you enjoy historical fiction and Christian romance, I highly recommend this book for you.

Also by this author:  Promise of Deer Run (Book Two of the Deer Run Saga)

[I received copies of both books from the author for the purpose of a review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.]

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O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7

We hope for many things. On game days, we hope it won’t rain. When we are making plans with friends, we hope they can join us. Even at Christmas time, we hope for certain gifts. Often, these hopes fail. We’re left soaked, friendless, and empty-handed.

But the Bible tells us about another hope–hope in the Lord. Hope is a key element of the believer’s faith, along with faith and love. We have hope in what we long for, what we wait for, and what we believe in. But the hope that the Bible speaks of, is one that does not fail.

The Israelites of the Old Testament put their hope in the one who redeemed them from slavery in Egypt and looked forward to their full redemption in the Messiah. Our hope is found in the Messiah, in Christ and His redemption. Just as the Israelites were redeemed from their slavery and bondage in Egypt, we have been redeemed from our slavery to sin and death. Just as the Israelites were saved by the lamb’s blood over their door frames, we have been saved the blood of the Lamb.

We who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb, have everything we’ve ever needed or hoped for. In fact, there is no hope without the redemption found in Christ. “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.”

To have salvation from our sins and a restored relationship with God is everything our hearts need or desire. We were made for fellowship with God and without it, we wander aimlessly, like the Israelites in the desert, searching for something to fill that void. Jesus alone fills that aching hole in our hearts. Through faith in blood shed on the cross for our sins, we become complete, whole, and full of hope.

Sometimes, as Christians, we can get distracted by the cares of this world. We might place our hope in things like the economy, jobs, status, material possessions, and accomplishments. When these things fail, we despair and feel lost and alone. We’ve forgotten where our true hope really lies.

By placing our hope and trust in Christ, we will not be disappointed. His redemption has accomplished for us what we could not do on our own–a restored relationship with the Father. We now have complete access to our Creator. We can come to Him with all our fears, doubts, and tears and know that He hears us. He is the only one who can fill those empty places that were made for Him alone. His love is deeper than our greatest sins and He is the only hope that doesn’t disappoint.

Do you have this hope? Have you been made alive in Christ?

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13, 14

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” Hebrews 6:19, 20a

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