I AM sufficient for you in your time of need…

Don’t be loud, noisy or busy about what everyone else seems to be anxious about, just be still…

Let the world go by you in its mad drive for “success” or the “American Dream”, it’s ok because you can abide in the timeless One…

Don’t be afraid of “wasting time” at the Master’s feet listening to His still small voice when the world, friends and even family seem to be calling your name…

Stop and listen, is not the GREAT I AM more than enough for you?

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  ⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9

The Lord has been really teaching me a lot recently, but it is moment by moment, day by day. This passage from Philippians is not just some random passage I picked that could match the text, but instead it is a passage that the Lord is using in my life to teach me to “Be still and know that I am God”. While working here at IMI, God has really been challenging me to completely trust Him; this includes trusting Him in timing, relationships, opportunities, works projects and simply in my relationship first and foremost with Him!

The verse in Psalm 46:10 which speaks of being still is not referring to just quitting all your tasks and doing nothing, but instead it has a much deeper and more personal focus. Do you remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42? Martha was very busy about the necessary things that were to be accomplished in her own house, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and simply listen to Him. Notice what Jesus’ response was to Martha’s protest of Mary sitting at His feet and not helping, “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  ⁴² But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Mary gives the perfect example of the heart of Psalm 46:10…she was simply abiding in the Father (John 15). Being still is not sitting around and doing nothing, but instead it is taking time away from the cries of the world to satisfy the deepest need that a human being will ever have; a need for relationship! This is exactly what the Lord has been showing me, that I can invest in the eternal treasure of knowing my Father more intimately while the world and those who love it invest their lives in that which will soon fade away.

So in short PLEASE take time, consume your life with and invest in an eternal treasure which can never be taken away from you … time with the Father!

Here are some pictures of the beauty of Texas wild flowers…these flowers are SO incredibly awesome!!! :D

Jesus' blood cleanses us from ALL sin...

One day, we shall see Him even as He is...

Seeds will always been sown somewhere and somehow in every action, but are they  the seeds of righteousness?

God's glory is magnified in little things....

A tender heart towards the Lord is more acceptable than sacrifice... 

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen...."

The aroma of a purified life is a sweet savor to the Lord... 

Beauty declares its Creator...

Seeds of truth last for eternity...

Strength only comes when abiding in the vine...

  

                                   

Fellowship to the soul is like rain to plants...it brings life....

Life soon fades away, but God's Word never will....

Alone, yet not forsaken....

The harvest is plenteous...

"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" 
Matthew 6:30

Eternally Grateful!

One of the most impacting experiences you will ever have in your life is time spent with your family! You should NEVER take it for granted and you should ALWAYS treasure it as one of the most precious gifts that has been given to you from your heavenly Father. I am reminded of Psalm 127:3-5,

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  ⁴ As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  ⁵ Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

As a sibling to five brothers and four sisters, I cannot ask for a more intricately designed family that is seeking to please the Lord and to serve Him in what they do then what the Lord has so richly blessed me with! I had the privilege of spending a short 3 weeks with them during which I was able to participate in many exciting family activities such as shopping at Bass Pro, swimming, shooting, fishing, picking blackberries and more! But most of all, I was blessed with the opportunity just to be able to spend time with them in fellowship…this is what makes lastly memories! ;)

Even though our time together was very short and extremely busy, an opportunity with the family is ALWAYS a treasure! Living, learning and growing together is what the Lord chooses in many ways to prepare you to be used of Him in mighty opportunities for His glory! Thank you SO much Dad, Mom, Tabitha, Chad, Tom, Hannah, Abby, Brielle, Josiah, Danny and John Michael for investing into my life treasures which can NEVER be repaid! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

May God bless you as you continue to seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Love,

               Nate

                          Isa. 61:1-3

Here is a couple picts of our time...

My Family!

NEVER to be forgotten...

When you walk in the will of the Father, you will have experiences that will never be forgotten and treasures will be stored, which can never be taken away…

People come and go in life; moment by moment daily experiences pass you by during which you will never put much thought into what is happening around you.  Opportunities and goals that you try to accomplish sometimes never seem to get completed and unfortunately, so many times even these efforts turn out to be of no eternal significance or value. This is when you begin to realize the frailty of the passing cares of this world and deep value of human life and relationship …

Almost always the most powerful influence you will ever have on someone is during a time of challenge, pain or difficultly. In short, this is when one’s character is put to the test and the REAL you must come to the surface being exposed to all who can see. This is just the beginning of the mystery though, because it is one thing when you are tested and the “normal” ugly ME (sarx – Greek word) comes out which is ONLY seeking for self-gratification, but it is a totally different story when the fruit of a tried life exudes the pure LOVE of God! This incredible response can be possible only in one way… and that is if the tested one has been abiding in the life giving Word of God!

I am reminded of Galatians 5:22-23,  

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Notice that LOVE is the first and foremost fruit of an abiding life! The Bates family has exemplified these awesome qualities which only can point to an abiding life within the Father!

Whether it was doing things together such as playing card games, basketball, volleyball, shopping and going to the Smokey Mountain Knife Works, whitewater rafting, zip lining, working or just sitting around having fellowship, the Bates family demonstrated a Christ-like love to our family in a way I have NEVER seen it demonstrated before! True love is selfless, it is giving, it is disciplined and sincere and I have seen all of these and more in this family!

I will ALWAYS be grateful to God for the Open Door of Opportunity that He gave to my family and me to spend a week with the Bates enjoying fellowship around Jesus Christ’s love for one another! Wow…I am blessed! Thank you Bates Family for opening your home to us and allowing us to experience Christ’s love through you in a more fuller and real way than EVER before!!!!!!!