An Open Door of Opportunity: Once in a Lifetime, Once in a Moment…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were created and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” ~ John 1:1-3

Truly in life or death, this is all that matters…the WORD! The Lord continues to impact me with the realization of why I was ever created, and that was to KNOW Him! Wow, a lot of things change in life when you begin to view it through these wonderful eyes! Perspectives, motives, outlooks and the WHOLE meaning of life changes when you begin to realize the purpose for which you exist and then when you begin to put it all into motion!

I don’t know how to really explain what the Lord has been doing in my life, but I truly know without a shadow of a doubt that He is leading me and there is evidence in the fruit of blessings…MUCH evidence! Over this Christmas time I have truly been just overwhelmed, because I am again seeing the whole reason why Christ came to earth and that was to G.I.V.E. I didn’t, I don’t and will never deserve my Father’s love for me, but He continually gives it anew moment by moment and day by day.

It has been a privilege to be able to spend Christmas with my family and also New Years with the ones who were still in OK! It is neat to see the different avenues of ministry that my different siblings are pursuing and how that Lord IS working in their lives! This next year is going to be a very different year, an interesting year and a year in which only the One who holds the future has the keys to. But I know I can rest assured that if my Lord is the Commander in Chief of my life, I have not one thing to fear because He not only holds the future but He also holds me!

As I continue to work at IMI and to pursue my studies, I am TOTALLY looking forward to what my Father has for me the rest of this off semester! Things have been going VERY well at IMI and I can clearly see God’s finger prints in His work here! The Lord has been teaching me invaluable lessons which I will never regret learning in the quietness of my work and in the pursuit of Him in the wilderness! Lessons that I know that many people might have given half of their life to have known at my age, but again this is a doing of the Lord and He alones deserves the glory! I am reminded of the beautiful quote from Hudson Taylor that goes something like this, “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” Praise the Lord!!!

Lord willing in February I will be starting my 3^rd semester at IMI, what a blessing it has been! Wow, who knows but God what lies ahead! The burden that the Lord has laid on my heart still continues to be prison ministry, I will be making some important contacts in regards to this so if you remember please pray for God’s will to be done in my life as it is done in heaven. This is my heart’s cry, desire and passion to see those who are bound receive freedom, to let the oppressed go free and to trade the pain and sorrow of a broken life for a life that is whole and perfect within Christ Jesus!!! (Isa. 60:1-3) With man, this is NOT possible but with God ALL things are possible! J

Well, that is a little glimpse into what the Lord has been doing in my life. May the Lord pour out His Spirit of purity and love upon you all this New Year as you set your heart to fully seek Him without return!

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Thessalonians 5:23

Blessings…

Nate

Isa. 61:1-3

Ps. here are some pictures from my time at IMI and from my time with my family. If you want to see more of what my family is up to, please visit our website at www.12paines.com )

At IMI...