I fear nothing.

Philippians 1:27-28

27Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

LORD let it be obvious that I fear nothing due to Your salvation! I love you so very much.


Amen

Philippians 2:1-8

"1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Every day I spend with all types of people. My job has required me to deal with people from every walk of life, from the lowest to some of the highest. By Christ's example I pray that I present myself humble and a servent of the gospel in joy to everyone, no matter who they are.

Abba! Father!

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

(Romans 8:12-17 ESV)

I have been doing research on this passage recently. I have been adopted by the creator of the universe!

He is my father. My generation of sin is abolished in His grace.

Amen

I have been listening to Adventures in Odyssey every night and that has been so much fun.

I think some of the best memories I have growing up is imagining stories with my brother.

I pray tonight that God continues to bless my imagination for His glory.

:)

It brings God joy to heal! :)

What a test.

The blanket of gray is ever above me.
 Hey clouds! Move away so I can see!

My vision is a tempest,
 Like the faith of Israel in the wilderness
Fickle in its scope.

LORD be my hope,
 Move these clouds and this test!
I am sorry for being weak,

Send the SUN, and by your SON
 I can best the clouds this week!

Amen

Father Gilligan

The Ballad Of Father Gilligan
Written by: William Butler Yeats

------------------------------
The old priest Peter Gilligan
Was weary night and day;
For half his flock were in their beds,
Or under green sods lay.

Once, while he nodded on a chair,
At the moth-hour of eve,
Another poor man sent for him,
And he began to grieve.

'I have no rest, nor joy, nor peace,
For people die and die';
And after cried he, 'God forgive!
My body spake, not I!'

He knelt, and leaning on the chair
He prayed and fell asleep;
And the moth-hour went from the fields,
And stars began to peep.

They slowly into millions grew,
And leaves shook in the wind;
And God covered the world with shade,
And whispered to mankind.

Upon the time of sparrow-chirp
When the moths came once more.
The old priest Peter Gilligan
Stood upright on the floor.

'Mavrone, mavrone! the man has died
While I slept on the chair';
He roused his horse out of its sleep,
And rode with little care.

He rode now as he never rode,
By rocky lane and fen;
The sick man's wife opened the door:
'Father! you come again!'

'And is the poor man dead?' he cried.
'He died an hour ago.'
The old priest Peter Gilligan
In grief swayed to and fro.

'When you were gone, he turned and died
As merry as a bird.'
The old priest Peter Gilligan
He knelt him at that word.

'He Who hath made the night of stars
For souls who tire and bleed,
Sent one of His great angels down
To help me in my need.

'He Who is wrapped in purple robes,
With planets in His care,
Had pity on the least of things
Asleep upon a chair.'

Perfect Practice

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
(Psalm 111:10 ESV)

Practice makes character.

I love the practice of praise!

Peace and awe,

Man can find no flaw

In my LORD!

Perfect and complete

these only meet in His Holiness!

Amen

Yeats

Yeats, William Butler



To His Heart, Bidding It Have No Fear
Written by: William Butler Yeats
Be you still, be you still, trembling heart;
Remember the wisdom out of the old days:
Him who trembles before the flame and the flood,
And the winds that blow through the starry ways,
Let the starry winds and the flame and the flood
Cover over and hide, for he has no part
With the lonely, majestical multitude.

---------------------------------------

I have personally discovered Yeats! How have I missed out on such creativity?!?!

In any event, I pray that my LORD continues to cast out all ungodly fear. I Fear the LORD and Him alone!

Amen.

1 Corithinians 1:28-2:4

28God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29so that no human being[3] might boast in the presence of God. 30And because of him[4] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Proclaiming Christ Crucified
2:1 And I, when I came to you, brothers,[5] did not come proclaiming to you the testimony[6] of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

-------------------------------------------

I pray I reveal that any strength I have is because of the LORD.

Genesis 39:2-3
2The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.

I pray that God will bless my hands as I work. May I honor Him with all I do.

Everything Praise the LORD!

150th Psalm

1 Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
   praise him in his mighty heavens![290]
2Praise him for his mighty deeds;
   praise him according to his excellent greatness!

3Praise him with trumpet sound;
   praise him with lute and harp!
4Praise him with tambourine and dance;
   praise him with strings and pipe!
5Praise him with sounding cymbals;
   praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!

The LORD my provider.

Today God has provided work for my hands. It is not easy and a bit stressful. All the more reason to lean fully on Him who holds me up.


This position is temporary but that will not hold me back from working with all my strength to be productive for the work God has given me.

I pray that my employers recognize that I am not working for them but my provider in heaven. And when they ask I will smile and let them know that God is the one that gave me work- not them.

The toil is great for the descendants of Adam
Thank you Adam,

But there came our perfect Adam
And He saved our toil by death,

Eternally I rest because
He conquered death for us all

Toil had no sweat to give
He arose from death so we may live.

Where does my strength come from?
The Messiah- The perfect Adam- My LORD.

Stress toil and death have no sting on me.
I am redeemed.

Amen

A Draught of Sunshine

Hence Burgundy, Claret, and Port, 
Away with old Hock and madeira, 
Too earthly ye are for my sport; 
There's a beverage brighter and clearer. 
Instead of a piriful rummer, 
My wine overbrims a whole summer; 
My bowl is the sky, 
And I drink at my eye, 
Till I feel in the brain 
A Delphian pain - 
Then follow, my Caius! then follow: 
On the green of the hill 
We will drink our fill 
Of golden sunshine, 
Till our brains intertwine 
With the glory and grace of Apollo! 
God of the Meridian, 
And of the East and West, 
To thee my soul is flown, 
And my body is earthward press'd. - 
It is an awful mission, 
A terrible division; 
And leaves a gulph austere 
To be fill'd with worldly fear. 
Aye, when the soul is fled 
To high above our head, 
Affrighted do we gaze 
After its airy maze, 
As doth a mother wild, 
When her young infant child 
Is in an eagle's claws - 
And is not this the cause 
Of madness? - God of Song, 
Thou bearest me along 
Through sights I scarce can bear: 
O let me, let me share 
With the hot lyre and thee, 
The staid Philosophy. 
Temper my lonely hours, 
And let me see thy bowers 
More unalarm'd! 


John Keats 

When i was younger I would use my Bicycle to get to work. Work was over five miles away and it was going to be five miles back.

When I made it to work it wasn't an air conditioned place and I would have to clean after animals.

I used all of my money i earned for gas money.

Some times when I look back on what experiences I have had I wonder what God was training me for. I don't see it now, but I trust that it will become apparent in my future.

I know that working with my whole being is something that God has desired and wanted. I pray I show this today as much as I did in my youth.

Lord my life is yours. take and seal it .

I am prone to wonder, prone to leave the one I love. Don't allow me to!

Take and seal me into your courts above!

Amen

What God does is well done.

" He could in one instant change the whole course of my life -- with accident, tragedy, or any event unforeseen. Job is a lesson in acceptance, not of blind resignation, but of believing acceptance, that what God does is well done. So, Father, with happy committal I give you my life again this morning -- not for anything special, simply to let you know that I regard it as yours. Do with it as it pleases you, only give me great grace to do for the glory of Christ Jesus whatever comes to me, 'in sickness and in health.'"

-Jim Elliot

Amen

I am pretty excited today.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring but have every confidence that it is going to bring my God glory.

I am still hunting for a job, and have been pretty proficient in my search. I know that in God's timing the right job will present itself.

If I stay in His word and do not depart from it I will know His voice and be able and determine what He has next for me.

The words of Christ come to mind.


"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
(John 10:27-29 ESV)

I am the LORD's He is going to take care of me, I am in His hands! And this brings me peace un-expressible

Amen

Oh I am praying!
LORD YOU alone are master!
Certainly you know the needs of my spirit!

I am at ease because the word of your truth.
Be not far from me tonight.
Though I am with those I know none
I am at ease with other than you.

Please bring us back together,
That is my prayer
That is my passion
Isn't your joy my joy?

Let it be the way!

Amen

Galatians 6:6
"Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches"

I cannot express my agreement with Paul enough in this manner, both from a teacher's perspective and a student's perspective.

LORD teach me to share what lessons I have been learning with those that You use to teach me.

Amen

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

(Philippians 3:12-16 ESV)

As I press on towards the goal Christ has set before me I will not wallow in the guilt of my past but allow His timing to build character as I don't hesitate to pursue His purpose here now and the future. Certainly my circumstances have come from personal sin; sin that has been forgiven and forgotten by my Father in heaven by the grace of the Cross. And as I imitate Him I will only allow the circumstances define my actions in the pursuit He has before me. Circumstances define where I am now but not my passion for Christ, and only serve to define my prayer life and actions forward. 

Lord continue to give me courage and strength as I pursue You with my whole being. 

I am tickled at the thought of what God has in store for those who love Him. And I look forward to what is coming next! 

Amen

Appreciate

I thank God for allowing me to enjoy beauty on Earth.

From music, plays, reading, art.

I feel bad for people that find life to serious to appreciate relaxing and holding conversation about these things.

I was watching two birds outside my window this morning. They were eating and singing.

Certainly by God's creation I see music, art, stories, and acting!

These birds are obviously talking about their breakfast, and the male is pretending to like the food while the wife is singing about her meeting last night.

LORD thank you for the joys of relaxing and appreciating your beauty and your creativity.

Amen

Jim Elliot's heart was torn; he knew that God was calling him to Ecuador and he knew that God had placed Elizabeth on his heart. But for a time, a time that Jim did not know the length of, he would be single in his missionary journey to Ecuador.

 Jim wrote to Elizabeth before he left alone towards Ecuador;

"Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living!"

He refused to allow his longing for Elizabeth hinder the work God had for him in Ecuador.


I spent today working in the fields for my grandfather. I was alone and had my ipod with me. I listened to a podcast that I suggest everyone subscribe to, it is called "Let my People Think" from a ministry of Ravi Zachariahs. Ravi Zachariahs is a world respected Christian apologist.

One of the sermons I listened to today was Ravi speaking from 2 Kings 7. In particular this text:


Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die.”
(2 Kings 7:3-4 ESV)

The lepers eventually make it to the Syrians camp, and by the grace of God the camp is empty! God made the Syrians hear a loud army and scared them away leaving all of their food and possessions within the camp. The chapter goes on and reads:


And when these lepers came to the edge of the camp, they went into a tent and ate and drank, and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and went and hid them. Then they came back and entered another tent and carried off things from it and went and hid them.
Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household.”
(2 Kings 7:8-9 ESV)

Ravi Zachariahs' main point of the message was, "With nothing to loose and everything to give, why are you still sitting there!?"

These lepers knew that if they took no action they would die, and if they stayed with the people in the city they would die! How much is that like the way I lived before I was saved by grace.

When I became saved I was given the inheritance of life from my father in heaven. Certainly it is not right for me to keep this to myself. I should not spend my days longing for something that might not be, but spend my days living for the grace that is now!

LORD help me to recognize where you are working NOW and meet you there! Not wait for you to meet me here where I am. Help me to share your grace! I have nothing to loose and everything to give!

Amen

Character

I cannot express the joy that I get from being alone with God.

I love to be by myself reading God's word and speaking my heart to Him.

There seriously is no time I enjoy more in the day then this time.

Apart of my time with God I have been using the book "Experiencing God" by Henry & Richard Blackaby. This quote from the study stuck out to me today.

"If God has a great task for you, He will expand your character to match that assignment"

 Christ says this in the Gospel of Matthew;


"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’"
(Matthew 25:21)

I pray that as Christ builds character in me, I show myself faithful in the little things.

From brushing my teeth, filling the wood box, wearing my mouth guard or whatever it is that He convicts me of.

LORD use me in these small matters so that Your character will be instilled in me.

Amen

John Wrote

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
(1 John 2:1 ESV)

Jim Elliot wrote about this verse;
"The Scriptures were written to this very intent: to be a means of grace in struggling against sin. Would that Christians read their Scriptures. We should have a holier band for it."

God has been teaching me the health in reading through the Bible. Certainly He has revealed to me His grace, never more than through the way He writes His laws in Leviticus!

I encourage everyone to read the Scriptures completely not just sections! God will bless you for it by revealing His grace to you as He has done for me.

Thank You Lord for Your word so that I know Your love and laws.

Amen.

Nathan Brown of Burma

A poem by Nathan Brown of Burma that is my heart tonight.

"And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father,
Until it be according unto mine?
But no, Lord, no; that never shall be, rather
I pray Thee, blend my human will with Thine

I pray Thee hush the hurrying, eager longing,
I pray Thee, soothe the pangs of keen desire,
See in my quiet places wishes thronging---
Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire.

And work in me to will and do Thy pleasure,
Let all within me, peaceful, reconciled,
Tarry content my Wellbeloved's leisure
At last, at last, even as a weaned child."

I praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Thank you my LORD for such peace!

Amen

Strange day.

I had a job interview today, it took a whole two hours before they were done with me! 

I accidentally called my home right before I walked into the Q and A portion of my interview and my family listened to the whole conversation. 

When I walked out to the car in order to head back to the grandparents I thought I heard a noise coming our of some place. It was my family trying to grab my attention to let me know they heard the whole thing. 

I talked with them about the whole ordeal and it sounded pretty good to the family and they were sure I got the job. 

I was heading home and saw a man on the side of the street walking with a gas tank. 

He was a good ol' boy from East Tennessee. 

I told Him that I just moved to this area and he instantly knew that I must be looking for work. 

"You must be looking for work, I know of this great place that is hiring." He said as we drove down the road towards the gas station. 

"Well, tell me about it."  I said. 

"It is right up the road and I think you would be perfect for it. Off of North Broadway." He went on to describe the job and was very excited about it.

It was then that I realized he was telling me about the VERY job I just came from interviewing for! 

He was very excited for me and assured me that I got the position. 

I invited him to church, and he said he might come- but he assured me he was a believer. 

God is a very mysterious savior, and provider- I pray he blesses that man. 

Amen

Doing Good

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
(Galatians 6:9-10 ESV)

LORD this is my only prayer tonight. Let me be consistent in doing good to others, and showing your fruit!

God closed the door on a job I thought would be perfect and everything seemed to be lining up. I just need more patience and know He is in control.

I am just excited to be able and look for a job, to be able and work. I pray that as I continue to see new people I will show God's goodness.

I am pretending all my job searching and meeting new people is an opportunity to show the goodness of God with all I meet.

Thank you for this chance to spread your grace LORD.

Amen

Fruit

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
(Galatians 5:25-26 ESV)


Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

(Galatians 5:19-24 ESV)

Tomorrow I am going to a place and hand in a Resume. I am going to meet people that I don't know and might not ever meet again.

I live by the Spirit of Grace given to me by Christ.

When I meet these people I pray that I show the fruits of the Spirit and don't have any signs of the flesh.

LORD let it be the case that tomorrow I be conceited thinking only of myself, don't let me provoke anyone, and teach my eyes not to be envious of others with work!

Let Your fruit shine through me and my joy be genuine! :)

I love you LORD,

Amen

Don't expect anything.

I woke up this morning got myself all ready and prepped for a Resume drop. I walked outside and it was spitting snow and the ground was frozen. 

I had done all sorts of research for the company and felt pretty set on what I was going to say. On my way I prayed for my time and that God would bless the conversation I was about to have.

When I showed up at the location I took a deep breathe and stepped out into the cold and walked towards the building, my resume in hand. 

I walked in and handed in my resume, and was given a application. I was going to be interviewed the same day! I did not expect that! So I braced myself mentally as I filled out the application. 

It came to the part were I was to put down what position I was applying for and I had forgotten the description! I felt like an idiot! 

I approached the front desk and asked the Job Title, and she replied with a different response than I had prepared for! I did not even know that the one she said was one that was being offered. 

I was caught so off guard that I just smiled and said "yes ma'am". 

She then informed me that my interview would be shortly. This was all a surprise to me. 

I was offered a position and was baffled by how I ended up where I was. 

I did not accept the job outright, but I did not leave without having a good conversation with the man interviewing me.   

Today has taught me that I should not go out of this house expecting anything. My God is mightier than I am and He can provide me with what He wills. 

LORD lead me and guide me. Take me where you want and don't let me presume to know anything expect You and the Gospel.

I want you to know

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

(Philippians 1:12-14 ESV)


I genuinely believe that when God places us in dire circumstances is when we have some strong capabilities to spread His gospel.

Thank you LORD for this great encouragement from Paul.

I am bold in speaking of Your work as I live, my confidence is in You!

Amen

History

Tonight the first night of the new year all of us cousins sat around the dining room table and played the game Chronology.

The goal of this game is to set cards from four categories into order of what year you think the event happened in history.

We all took some time to realize how poor we are at world history and the actual times the events took place.

I can't help but think about the Israelites putting the books of history together and reading through them at the synagogue. The works of the LORD were not foreign to the people.

As a Christian and follower of Christ I love to see what work he has accomplished through history. The inventions that have been made by people, and events that have happened.

The LORD is not finished working yet, and until He is I am going to study what He has done and work according to His will.

We did not do that well in the Chronology game, but each of us learned allot.

I pray that God will continue to teach me history, and that I will be looking around here and now as to where and what He is doing today.