"What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus"

2011-11-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

"Without a passion to disciple believers to Christ-likeness through the ministries of the church, the church will focus merely on perpetuating its programs and the sheep will grow sickly and unfruitful." ~Changed Into His Image

my awakening in the night

2010-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

So, I had fallen asleep around 11:30 and was suddenly awakened out of a sound sleep! The sudden urge to write... but I was tired.

Suddenly a song was playing on my ipod.... Legacy by Sanctus Real.

Free me , my hands are tied , I'm so tired of wasting time , these endless inventions steal my attention from real life ((when its done , when its done))Oh i wanna leave a legacy , to be remembered , more than just a memory that fades away , 'cause we only (we only ) get one life

And will the world see christ , when they look at my life ....Oh will the world see

Come on , give me ,give me , real life , no more no more wastein time .. cause we only we only get one life (Just one life)

So... this is what I wrote.

So its 12:30 am... and I am awakened. Feeling heavy burdened to write this note- so much so I tried to ignore it and could not go back to sleep. I had to get up despite what time it was and what time I have to get up in the morning.

Nevertheless, My heart is weighing heavy as many "Christians" live their lives daily- living for themselves, solving THEIR OWN problems on their own; but say they are relying on God to take care of it. Ever notice man's common problem? -- Themselves. But my heart is aching. We get ONE life ONE chance to proclaim God, the Gospel, HIS work in our lives, the cross, HIS redemption, HIS goodness, HIS just being, HIS righteousness, HIS holiness, HIS righteous anger, HIS sovereignty, HIS forgiveness, HIS sacrifice, HIS choosing us, HIS love for us, HIS hatred of sin, HIS intolerance for the tolerant church, HIS creation, HIS guidance, HIS counsel, HIS trust, HIM not need you, but choosing you, HIS unending grace, HIS mercy, HIS sanctification, HIS imputation, HIM taking your place on the cross, where YOU and I should have died, HIS ability to defeat death and Hell, HIS healing, HIS righteous right hand that holds up the Christian daily, HIS word on our heart, HIM the one who knit you together in your mothers womb, HE who is the beginning and the end, HE who holds your tears, HIM who wrote out your life, for HIS good, HE who gave you breath, HIS desire that none would perish, HIS correction and discipline, HIS friendship for the lonely heart, HE the I AM WHO I AM, HE the awesome God, HE the Creator, greater so much greater than creation. HE of divine love, happiness and peace, HE is first, last and ONLY, HE is omniscient, HE has directed the Spirit of the LORD, HE gives understanding, HE's taught the path of justice, HE gives wisdom to those who ask, HE does not forget those HE has called, HE has inscribed you on the palms of HIS hands, HIS ways are not our ways, HIS thoughts are not our thoughts, HE is almighty, HE is LORD, HE is the lilly of the valley, HE is eternal Father, HE is the Prince of peace, HE is the lamb who taketh away the sin of the world, HE is purer than gold, more precious than silver, HE is wiser than the wisest living man, HE is the Son of man, HE is the Word of God, which is alive and sharper than a two-edged sword, HE is the bread of life, HE is the Shepard, HE is the door of the sheep, HE is all sufficient, HE is the provider, HE is EVERYTHING, HE is JESUS CHRIST and HOLY SPIRIT, HE is the trinity, HE is calling to you, answer to HIM!

I have merely scratched the surface to all He is- we need to serve Him to fear Him to live for ONLY Him and who He is- be in his will not ours. OBEY and TRUST Him in everything not in somethings. Are you ready and willing to fallow Him to the full account- with all that you have- be not of this world but renewed in the likeness of Christ!!!! Christ was NOT sin, He became sin for His name sake to proclaim His goodness. To say I paid that price for you!!! What price are you willing to give for Him. He came to bind up the broken heart and set the captive free. He has anointed His chosen to do the same, to preach the gospel NOT to be ashamed of Him, ----- SO WHAT IF YOU OFFEND SOMEONE! It is called conviction... to their lost soul and their realization of their need of a Savior. This "you're right and I am right" stuff is Satan's tool to keep Christians silent----I AM SICK OF BEING SILENT!!!! being told that if you offend someone you are being too judgemental... AM I????? Is it TOO judgemental of me that I care and know where unsaved people go.... to Hell and I am trying to save them from that eternity if I spread the Gospel than a seed may be planted for God to grow and do work in that persons life. How is it that I am offending when I am only trying to protect and care for an unsaved brother or sister. How is it judgemental that I spread the Gospel in hopes that they would accept God by the conviction in their heart. The gospel is supposed to break and make you feel uncomfortable in your sin. Conviction that you are wrong and in a desperate and dire need for Gods saving grace. Your punishment is death, you and I deserve it for we have sinned against a Holy God, we cannot be in His presence for we are covered in sin. God is NOT sin, HE DOES NOT TOLERATE IT... so why should WE if we are to be LIKE HIM!!!!! A price is needed to be paid. So

" He sent His son into the world not to condemn the world but through Him may they be saved, through Him and ONLY Him. He who believes in Him is NOT judged, He who does not believe has been judged already because he has not believed in the ONLY begotten Son of God. This is the judgement, that Light has come into the world, and man loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil HATES the Light, and does NOT come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." John 3: 17-21

Don't you understand? My heart aches for the unbeliever. If you only focus on loving them, telling them its going to be okay- don't you realize, dear Christian, your TOLERANCE for them and THEIR SIN is you loving them, that person to death straight into their grave and their eternity in HELL. All because you cared for YOUR namesake, YOUR acceptance in this world. Well I AM SORRY! I WILL NOT BE THAT TYPE OF CHRISTIAN!!! I WILL NOT LOVE SOMEONE TO HELL, I BELIEVE IN THE POWER AND MIRACLE OF THE GOSPEL- I WILL NOT BE ASHAMED! because the moment I turned to Christ when He chose me. I said that I was NO longer a slave to sin but a BOND SERVANT of Christ. I am captivated by Him and NO other arms I would want my life to be in! We have this short life- to win souls for Him- we are not of this world - our focus is not on the things of this world but of something higher---- something ETERNAL. So why are we so scared??? If you are truly saved- what is the worst that could happen to you if you stood up for Christ unashamed??? DIE? Well, then you would be in eternity with the Savior--- Doesn't sound so bad now, Huh?

Well. Just to have you all know... Even my own words convicted me!!! Its not just for those who read it.

Love in Christ,

Rach

Three Days Till College.

2010-09-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

Well, Its September already!!!! I am three days from starting my very first day in college.
Some may say I've experienced a bit of college in my Pathways class, though, then I had
a High School teacher not a Professor and yet got college credits...but still was maintained
at a High School level. Though the portfolio I completed was at college level. I am blessed
to say God has provided so much for me this first year. With many scholarships to completely
pay for my year. I will say at first, I was NOT willing to sit there and fill out so many scholarships.
Though, I am beyond thankful for those who made me and pushed me to fill them out. I am
blessed in so many ways. More than I deserve. I will never accredit any of this to myself or my
works for I am nothing aside from my Savior. He deserves all the glory, praise and honor from
my life and He should from yours too? What are you doing this day to live for Him? Does He have
complete control of your life? Are you a fence rider? (It doesn't exist really, either you are for
God and desire only Him or you are of the world and under satans complete control). Or
are you one of those who know all the right things to say, thinking you got everyone fooled
because you have all the knowledge right yet it hasn't fallen into your heart at all. Well you
may have all the right answers and can fool a lot of people. People wont be on your side
when the world is over and you stand alone in front of God and He states depart from me
for I never knew you... and you can say well I did this or that in His name... but it will
not stand. Maybe its time you stand up and now decide whose side are you really on?
If you realize you are not saved... cry out to Jesus and plead and beg of Him to chose and
save you. Never stop praying that until He does, and if you are sincere He will.
Praying for you all,
God bless,
Love in Christ
Rach

New Poetry, after my true genuine salvation on March 15th, 2010

2010-08-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

I am transparent before You, oh Lord
See in my heart every part of me
Purify my unclean being
Separate me, Lord, Separate me!

I don't want to be who I was
And who I was fights for me to join them again
But that's not who I am
That's who I was
But now I'm striving to be like You, Jesus!

So I lay at Your feet,
My selfish being
Take all of me, Lord, Take all of me!

I am trying to do it on my own
But I fall again
Lord, pick me up, pick me up again.

Because, I'm striving to be like,
to look like,
to act like
My Savior.

Lord, take all of me, take all of me
All I have to offer is my sinful heart
All I can give is my praise to who You are, Lord Jesus!

Lord, I give it all to You
I lay it all at Your feet
I'm holding nothing back, holding nothing back from You my Lord!

Let my lips ever praise You
My thoughts always be about You
Lord, let my life, let my life
bring glory and honor to Thy name!

I have done nothing
Lord, You have done everything
I did not choose You, Lord, You chose me!

I am so thankful, Lord
Take away the darkness in my eyes
Lord, let Your word illuminate me to see You, to hear You!

Lord, You are my everything
I am nothing without You, without You
So change me, oh Spirit
Create in me a heart that cannot beat apart from You, apart from You!

I stand in awe in who You are, My Savior
What You have done I cannot explain
You offered Your life for not my sake
But to display the power of Your name!

Your love is beyond all others
Jesus, Your mercy runs free
Lord, freely You gave Your son up for me
My place You took so I might live for Thee!

Lord, I trust You
Lord, I cling to Thee!

I am lost without You
Lord, You delivered me!

No man may boast for they have done nothing
Only You, Lord my Savior, can set the captive free!

We as a body of believers
Join now marveling at the cross
Knowing that should have been us!

So we stand
Working together
Doing what You, Lord, have called us to be.

We encourage
We strengthen
We uplift each other in prayer.

Carrying each others burdens
Lifting them up to You, Jesus, in prayer

Lord, we are thankful
Oh, so thankful
Lord, our tongues will never cease in endless praise.

Lord, make us holy
Purify us with Your blood.
Let us speak Your name
Until the whole world hears!

Lord, the hour of Your return is drawing near
But until that day
Let us begin our endless praise
To You, my Lord, my God, my Savior
My healer, My deliverer, my counselor
You are everything I need
Lord, I bow at Your feet!

posting after........def. WAY TOO LONG. :)

2010-08-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.

my own quote..=P

2008-11-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

"Why seak the counsel of a stranger, when you can receive the HIGHEST counsel of a Savior, who knows what you need more than the stranger"

~Rachel R. Layton~

My Own Personal Psalms Of Truth

2008-11-08T18:45:00.001-08:00

Oh God Your word is clear and true.
Your ways oh Lord are magnificent in the end,
but the fight to understand them along the way deepens my faith and trust in You.
Your love oh God is of one who has never known my faults.
My walk with You changes me and molds me to be like You.
I read in Your word that You love the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
I know this to be true oh God.
For when my heart was broken You loved me.
When my spirit was crushed and saw no hope in the future You saved me!
You’ve taught me to be strong, courageous, and not to be terrified or discouraged during the most hurtful times of my life.
For You were there beside me when my tears were falling and my arms bleeding wanting to help, but I pushed You away when I should have reached out to Your hand oh God!
Then I couldn’t hear You over all the voices in my head!
But now I’m reaching arms wide open to You God.
For Your ways are higher than mine, for You are all knowing, and all powerful.
You have been here, for there is nothing new under the sun, moon, or stars that You have not already seen or have gone through.
Oh Lord You give me hope in the darkness.
So once again I give You my life to guide and to control, for You will carry me through the rest of my days!

written by:

~Rachel R. Layton~

in March 2008

poetry

2008-11-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

People around me say the church is full of
hypocrites,
but that’s just not the case.
The church is the body of Christ.
We all have our mistakes, our shame,
but without God
we would be nothing but filth and dirty rags.
The people who make that accusation,
are the people who see us when we are down
and in the valley.
Church is where we come back to the One of
forgiveness and hope.
People have got to remember that Christians are
not perfect,
but forgiven people who were just like the ones
who think that we are
hypocrites.
But God knows your heart and where you
stand.
You may be a hypocrite and leading people away
from the forgiving
God.
Then again, there are the ones who try to be that
witness and show the
truth!
I want to be that witness.
God forgive me,
and those who try to be that witness but
fall.
Let us leave that legacy that You -the God of all - are
REAL!!!

written by:
~Rachel R. Layton~

in october 2007

Answers to the last blog "how to find a good church"

2008-09-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

1. What is man's biggest problem, sin or self esteem?
Seeker sensitive and felt-needs churches focus on man’s hurts and problems. The Bible says
that man’s biggest problem is sin.
2. What must a man do to inherit eternal life?
Repent and trust is the Biblical answer. If the word "repent" is never used, say, "Thank you."
3. How do you deliver the salvation message?
Ask the pastor to describe specifically what he says. Does he encourage people to simply say a prayer? Does he tell people to ask Jesus into their hearts?
The salvation message should include: God’s holiness, man’s sinfulness, God’s response (hell), God’s kindness (Jesus on a cross), man’s response (repentance and faith).
4. How hard is it to become a Christian?
The "formula" is simple, doing it is not. It is not easy to believe.
5. How often do you talk about sin, righteousness and judgment?
Balance is key. This should not be the only emphasis, but it should be a regular emphasis.
6. How seeker sensitive is your church?
It is o.k. for a church to be "seeker aware" but seeker sensitive means that they lean toward
seekers and not the saved.
7. Who do you do church for, seekers or members?
"Both" is not acceptable. Church should be done for members and the unsaved are welcome to attend.
8. Do you dumb down your sermons?
If he says yes, he is probably not trying to wean his members from milk to meat. Answers like,
"We try to make our sermons accessible to everyone" are sermons that are not meaty.
9. What is your mixture of topical vs. expository preaching?
Topical preaching is fine, but if a pastor never or rarely preaches expositionally (verse by verse),
then you are going to be learning from the pastor and not God’s Word.
10. Do your sermons emphasize theology or are they just relevant?
Everyone should say their sermons are relevant, what you are looking for is if they teach
theology.
11. Describe your youth programs.
If fun and games is the major (and usually first) emphasis, you have a youth program that is trying
to compete with MTV.
12. Describe your evangelism programs.
Don’t just accept, "We have an evangelism committee." Dig. Are they serious about saving
souls?
13. What church growth model do you follow?
Hopefully they don’t have one. Churches should be reaching out to the lost, but churches that
are plugged into new church growth models tend to follow man’s modern ideas rather than the
Bible.
14. How much do you give to missions and the hungry?
Again, this reveals the heart of the church. While most churches give to missions, many never
consider the poor.
15. Do you believe the Bible contains no errors or contradictions?
No equivocation allowed here.
16. Do you believe in a literal 6 day creation?
Jesus did (Matt.19:4).
17. Do you believe in a literal hell and eternal punishment?
Jesus did (Matt.25).
19. When you distribute the Lord's Supper, do you emphasize the need to examine
yourself?
Paul did (I Cor.11:27-32)
20. Can a person who is living in a persistent lifestyle of sin inherit eternal life?
Sinners can certainly be forgiven, but practicing sinners cannot inherit eternal life (I John3:8,9).
21. Does your church exercise church discipline?
Paul said we should (I Cor.5).
22. Do Sunday school teachers, nursery, and youth volunteers fill out an application to answer questions about their core beliefs and salvation, or are all volunteers accepted because of a lack of volunteers?
23.What are the essentials of the faith?
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Salvation through faith alone, the inerrancy of Scripture.
24. Do you have a cross in your sanctuary?
Many remove it because they fear it will turn off seekers. They should glory in the cross.

the answers and questions came from "The Way Of The Master"
i hope you all thought bout them deeply like i asked... sense i got no comments...

"How to Find a Good Church????"

2008-08-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

How to Find a Good Church

1. What is man's biggest problem, sin or self esteem?

2. What must a man do to inherit eternal life?

3. How do you deliver the salvation message?
4. How hard is it to become a Christian?

5. How often do you talk about sin, righteousness and judgment?

6. How seeker sensitive is your church?

7. Who do you do church for, seekers or members?

8. Do you dumb down your sermons?
9. What is your mixture of topical vs. expository preaching?
10. Do your sermons emphasize theology or are they just relevant?

11. Describe your youth programs.
12. Describe your evangelism programs.
13. What church growth model do you follow?
14. How much do you give to missions and the hungry?
15. Do you believe the Bible contains no errors or contradictions?
16. Do you believe in a literal 6 day creation?
17. Do you believe in a literal hell and eternal punishment?

18.When you distrubute the Lord's Supper do you emphasize the need to examine yourself

19. Can a person who is living in a persistent lifestyle of sin inherit eternal life?

20. Does your church exercise church discipline?

21. Do Sunday school teachers, nursery, and youth volunteers fill out an application to answer questions about their core beliefs and salvation, or are all volunteers accepted because of a lack of volunteers?

22. What are the essentials of faith?

23. Do you have a cross in your sanctuary?

answers in a few days.........

the time is now for church examination......

so please think deeply about the ?s above

~thanks

Sarrah and Adams wedding, two days ago....=D

2008-08-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

So, I have realized it has been a very long time since I have updated on here. And for that I'm sorry, I have said before I hardly ever update this, so you cannot say you have not been warned. Any how, Sarrah and Adams wedding was last sat. Seems like just the other day i said that they were engaged... but now they are husband and wife.

Odd? yes, but it's all good right...

I never lost a sister... I gained a brother that I always begged for.

Mission accomplished...

By the way, the first picture here is Bethany and I, the two brides maids, and I being the maid of honor.

The second one is Bethany, Sarrah (my sister), and I.

And this last beautiful picture is my sister and my brother-in-law, Adam.

They make such an adorable couple...

I wonder what their kids will look like... but one thing at a time right?

Hmm, that is all for now...

I'm planning to update more often...

More than I have, I should say...

Well enjoy the pictures.

Updation after hmm idk too longggg!!!

2007-11-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

hmm not that much going on here, and yea im aware that its been more than a month this time since i've updated anything. so yea i've been busy w/ school and alot of other things and w/ thanksgiving and

just doing everyday things can get pretty busy... on the other hand things are going good now...and hmm lets see a few months ago i was dealing with some things - but im getting better...so yay! but that was only through Gods help

or i'd still be doing things and being how i was... hmm so yea only like a 17 more days

till christmas break from school..i cant wait i mean yea we just got off

thanksgiving break but hey it wasnt long enough for me!!!!!! oh and we put up our christmas decorations hehe... but then of course my sis had to say -ya know this is the last time i'll be here to help

since she will be married by this time next year so i guess she'll have her own tree and house

to decorate...but i'll miss those times when we did it together...i guess i didnt think that she would be getting married

this soon...it didnt seem possible or to even imagine...but i guess it is possible...cause its happening..

and hey who knows maybe i'll have a neice or nephew by the time im a senior-

that would be totally AWESOME..

i mean in saying i am the youngest child and grandchild it would be nice to have more lil ones around

me that i could see more than 4 times a year like i do w/ my second cousins...

well i guess thats it for now...ttual8r...

~Rachel

i thought i'd update... especially after a month...LOL!!!

2007-09-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

HEY THIS IS ONE OF MY ART THINGS I WAS DOING THIS SUMMER - ME ATTEMPTING BLACK&WHITE ART!!! =)

SO I THOUGHT I'D UPDATE AFTER A MONTH ... SORRY PPL... BUT I DON'T UPDATE ON THIS AS MUCH AS MY MYSPACE...

HMM... NM GOING ON RIGHT NOW... OTHER THAN GETTING BACK FROM WATCHING THE LIVING WORD OUT DOOR DRAMA... OH AND THAT ITS PAST 1 IN THE MORNING...LOL!!! ITS NOTHING NEW ON WEEKENDS... IM THE TYPICAL TEENAGER... STAY UP LATE AND SLEEP TILL NOON IF IM ALLOWED....ONLY ON WEEKENDS OR DAYS I HAVE OFF...= ) ... HMM ... SOO , AFTER A MONTH I STILL DONT HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ITS HORRIBLE I KNOW.... LOL!!! WELL THEN THERE IS CHURCH... BUT NOTHING GOING ON RIGHT NOW THERE EITHER... BUT ALWAYS PRAY FOR MY YOUTH GROUP IT COULD REALLY USE THE PRAYERS... =) ... WELL I THINK I'D BETTER HEAD TO BED... IM KINDA SLEEPY... JUST A LIL BIT... LOL.... WELL G'NIGHT YALL!!!
LOVE&&HUGS,
~RAQUEL~ AKA... RACHEL~

My sister Sarrah and Adam are engaged!!! = )

2007-08-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

so this is my sister and her now fiancee Adam, they got engaged on august 3rd, the same night she returned
from her month long trip... its soo weird nowing he'll soon be my future brother-in-law!!! but thats ok he's
a nice guy!!! well thats all for now........

sarrahs comin home tomorrow....YAY!!

2007-08-02T21:22:00.001-07:00

hey everyone...

my sisters comin home tomorrow......i haven't seen her in 29 days so i'll b glad to haver her back here at home........and i bet she'll b happy to be back......can't wait to hear all her stories......well thought i'd let yall know shes COMIN HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=)

ello

2007-07-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

hey...
ok so i'm new to this tryin to figure it all out... but im gettin there... lol!!!
i'm just an average teenage girl... who loves hangin out w/ ppl and hates to
b alone... but will fer a short time... i also love trips to places... the farthest
place i've been is las vegas, nevada... for a mission trip when i was nine...
i enjoy helpin others any way possible... and i'm an out-going girl... sometimes!!!
but can b shy also.....= ) also my sis is still on a mission trip in vancouver canada...
and will b back this friday... YAY!!! she's been gone since the 5th of july!!! so we
will b glad to have her back!!! well thats all fer now.....ttu all l8r... byes
~Rachel~