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“…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

~ 1 Corinthians 2:9 ~

As I look back over the last 4 years, all I can truly say is, “God, THANK YOU”! Words cannot describe the joy and peace I have found in Christ Jesus, as I continually press forward to experientially know Him. More and more, I am coming to the realization of who I am not and who HE IS and always will be! He is the Faithful One, the Righteous Judge and the Savior of my soul. Without Him I am nothing and can do nothing…praise His name (John 15:5)!

On November 14^th, 2014, I graduated from the International Ministerial Institute in Burnet, Texas. The time I had at IMI cannot be matched to anything I have ever experienced before in my life. I have found that it means nothing to know about the Savior, but it means everything to be known by the Savior. I guess the greatest treasure that I have walked away from IMI with, is that Jesus Christ KNOWS me!!! WOW, words cannot express what this means to me, to be intimately acquainted with the One who loves me the most!

I have found that a relationship with Jesus Christ does not mean having it “all together”, but rather becoming totally dependent upon the indwelling Life of the Holy Spirit. It’s not me who lives anymore, it is Christ Jesus who lives in me (Gal. 2:20). This was put simply when one stated, “It’s not the better, it’s the deader”. When I come to Jesus Christ, I come bringing all that I can: ME, my sinful, self-centered and arrogant SELF.

This is all I have to offer the Lord in the covenant exchange He has made with me through Jesus Christ, and this is all that is required. I trade my selfish and idolatrous desires for the selfless humility that is in the resurrected Person of Jesus Christ. It is by Him, through Him and in Him that I live and have my being (Acts 17:28). This is the essence of the abiding relationship with the Father. His Life must increase and mine decrease.

There is no life, no fruit and no purpose for existence outside of a branch’s fixed position, resting in the vine. For the branch, the vine is all that matters. The branch needs only to rest, drawing its life from the flowing sap of the vine. So is our relationship with Jesus Christ. All those who abide in Him walk in Light and know no darkness. In this position of rest and confidence, I can only look expectantly to the Lord for what He has in store for the future, for He IS my future. I can rest in peace and joy as my hope is set confidently in my Savior, knowing that I will never be ashamed!

May God bless you as you remain in the Secret Place of the most High. He is your Shelter, Strength and Joy in the midst of the storm, for He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. Press on and don’t give up or give in to the enemy of your soul, the world, the flesh and the Devil (Psalm 91).

Here are some pictures from IMI…