WOW…three months has flown by before my eyes as a fading
leaf falls from the tree in the autumn wind, but “This
I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the
LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lam. 3:21-23 I cannot count the times which God has been faithful to me or even
just the instances that He has been faithful when I am UNFAITHFUL! Praise the
Lord that His loving-kindness is not dependent upon my
performance, but it is because He IS
love.
As I recall to mind these last three months, they have been
some of the most difficult and challenging months of any off semester, but that
to God’s glory! Because you see, in my weakness He is made strong and in my
inability He is made able! God has taught me things I will NEVER forget, He has
added to me brothers and sisters in Christ who I will NEVER forget and He as
blessed me with heavenly and eternal blessing which I have NEVER before known…the
gift of “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!
There is not a valley so deep which Jesus’ love is not
deeper still, not a mountain so steep which Christ’s compelling love has not
already scaled and not a void so great which God cannot completely
satisfy! The hidden key to the mystery of knowing the fullness of God’s love
for you is veiled within the well of Living Water which springs up from John
15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in
me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do
nothing.” Abiding in Him and He in you is the ONLY
channel by which we can begin to grasp the unconditional love of God that has
been poured out for each one of us limitlessly in the person of Jesus Christ!
I have tried many things such as friendships, saving money,
investing in sports and hobbies, “ministry life” and the list goes on all to no
avail, but the ONLY one thing that has satisfied me fully and completely is
being at-ONE with the Father in an abiding relationship with Him through Jesus
Christ…it’s the only way. (John 14:6) God lovingly allows us to experience the
pain and hurt that we have caused ourselves and others by trying futilely to
fill a void which only GOD can fill…but God allows this that we might repent (change
your mind) and turn to Him knowing His fullness of being the great “I AM”. True repentance can only come from a change of mind
and a change of mind can only come from abiding in the unchangeable One and His
written Word to you!
So all this to say, these are some of the many things which
God is day by day teaching me as I grow closer and closer to Him. Yes, the Way
is narrow but remember, FEW will ever enter in so STRIVE to enter not in your own
strength but in resting in the strength of the One who has already entered in
for you! Just be still and know who your Father really is and how much He truly
loves you, and you will be forever changed!
As I follow the Good Shepherd into this next semester which
begins August 25th 2012, I rest assured “Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of
Jesus Christ:”. I covet your prayers and want to thank each and every
one of you for continually lifting me up before the Father, that the Kingdom of
God might be magnified in and through me upon the earth. As you continue to rest and abide in your relationship
with your Father, please don’t
be weary in well doing, because in due season you WILL reap if you do not
faint! May the love of God cover and clothe each and every one of you as you
learn to know Him in His fullness day by day!
With Deep Love and Gratitude in Christ,
Nate
Paine ~ John
15
Trusting, Resting, Secure IN Him…
Thank you for sharing! Still praying for you.
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