The New Year is bringing good things to Ashville Road. During the month of January we averaged 250 in attendance in our Sunday morning worship services, culminating with 271 on the last Sunday of the month, a record for a regular Sunday. That’s up about 30 from last year.

Our search for a new youth minister continues. The elders will conduct at least one more interview before making a decision. It is exciting to think that soon we’ll have a new man to take over the position. The Lord has blessed us by sending several fine men who are interested in working with our congregation.

Tomorrow I will leave for the 73rd Annual Bible Lectureship at Freed-Hardeman University. This year’s theme is Crying Out to God: Prayer and Praise in the Psalms. David Lipe, who preached our gospel meeting a few weeks ago, is the director of this lectureship. Every year, FHU puts together a great program of speakers and subjects, and I’m sure this year will be no exception. I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend and increase my understanding and love for the Lord.

It will be time for the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes convention before we know it. Every spring our young people travel to Atlanta to participate in this program, which is designed to train our kids for spiritual leadership. Thanks to Mackenzie Kizer for directing this effort and to all the coordinators for the hard work they do. Below, you will find two articles that were submitted by two of our young ladies for the Mass Media: Editorial competition. As you’ll see, we have some talented kids at Ashville Road who work hard to grow intellectually and spiritually for God.

Fighting Everyday Temptation
by Rebecca O.

We fight temptations every day. Whether it is wanting to fit in with the crowd or trying to impress someone, we should avoid temptations at all costs. Temptation is defined as “the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire.” We all want to fit in, but sometimes we need to do what’s right. We need to have strength and follow Jesus’ example. Jesus went through a lot, and He even went through temptations-and not just temptations from your average Joe-Jesus was tempted by Satan himself!

When faced with temptation we need to follow Joshua 1:16 and do as God commands us. So, the next time you are tempted, think of what Jesus would do, and if you can’t just avoid the situation, learn to overcome it. In the end you are doing what is best for your salvation.

We read about Jesus’ temptation from Satan in Matthew 4: 1-11. Jesus could have easily done what Satan asked Him to do but He chose not to because of the faith He had in the Father. We face these different trials of temptation, and they help us develop perseverance and allow us to have a stronger faith. As James 1: 2-3 reads, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” That way, we will have a stronger faith and be closer to Him.

Grasshoppers, Grace, and Grapes
by Rachel P.

What do grasshoppers and grapes have to do with grace? Joshua used all three of these images in his life to show the children of Israel the power of trusting God.

We’ve all felt like grasshoppers before, maybe as a new kid at a different school or as a student or employee who is overwhelmed by an assignment. Grasshoppers in Joshua’s day were characterized by self-doubt, pessimism, and their disbelief in the promises of the Lord. Joshua never let himself feel like a grasshopper. He always trusted in the Lord and the help that He promised. Numbers 14:30 tells of how Joshua and Caleb were rewarded for not looking down on themselves and trusting in the Lord.

Grapes in Joshua’s story symbolize the bounty of the land that God gave to the Israelites. Joshua recognized and appreciated the physical blessings the Lord wanted to bestow on His children in giving them the land that flowed with milk and honey.

Because Joshua believed in the promises of God, he was able to look beyond the fear and react in faith and have confidence in God’s grace to help him overcome the giants in the land of Canaan. The grace of God also provided for the Israelites all through the wilderness.

God’s grace can help us overcome the grasshopper times in our lives and give us assurance of the bounty He has planned for our lives.