Through God's Grace, I just started this blog and am pretty excited to see how the Lord will lead me, day by day. I started this blog because I figured it will be a good way to allow friends and family to see what is going on in my life (hopefully daily), that way you can all keep in prayer, and know what exactly I'll need prayer for. I have a few friends with a blog, and it has been a blessing keeping up w/them as they go on long term missions trips, and also study in other places, such as Japan. So, by God's grace I'll be able to continue to update this until I come home for good after studying in Jerusalem!
So first off, I think I should tell you that as of right now, I am sitting upstairs at Dave and Jen Hinchey's house, in HIMAMAYLAN, PHILIPPINES!!! Yes. The Lord has been so gracious to me, and brought me out here to the Philippines, to watch Him at work amongst the people. I have been here for 3 days already, and each moment is a new blessing! From 'All you can eat mango's' to the teachings of Pastor Dave, every step that the Lord is leading me to take is incredible!
I decided to title my blog Step by Step, YHWH is With Me Always, because it is so true. I was reading this morning in Exodus 4, where the Lord calls moses to a great work: lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, out of affliction. "But" - is the exact word Moses used in his response to God. Moses was called to do a work for the Lord, and he wrestled with God until God finally had enough of it and called Aaron to do it. Moses told God that he wasn't eloquent and he was slow of tongue. But God, the designer of our mouth, knows all, and rhetorically asks Moses, who made your mouth? Who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Then verse 12 is my favorite: "Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say."
Since I have been here, I have been encouraged twice to read Matthew 28:18-20. My Dad first told me to read it, and it was encouraging to Read that The Great Commission from Jesus commands all of us to not "Go" but to "Make Disciples!" I love this part, because my heart is to see souls Saved to Jesus. And it's great being out here in the PI watching disciples being raised up, under the wing of Pastor Dave, guided by Christ. It's really something sweet. The second time I was encouraged w/this verse was by my sister. I read it again, and caught in verse 20, "... and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." I absolutely love when Jesus tells me that He will be with me always. Who else do you know that is that faithful, to be with you always. None that I know in my life. Only the Holy Spirit can go everywhere I go, and always be with me, always guiding me, directing my words and actions, teaching, and humbly showing me the path to Righteousness, Step By Step. I was talking to Pastor Dave last night, and he reminded me that the Lord leads us one step at a time. He said, "Go up to the waterfall cliffs, in the mountain, in the evening time, and shine a flashlight down at your feet and only at your feet. Now try walking around, and hopefully you won't fall off the edge of the cliff. You won't know where you're going, and all you can see is your feet." I must learn to put full Faith, real living faith, in a real living God, and trust to take those steps of faith for the Lord.
As of right now, I'm not sure how my time here in the Philippines is all gonna play out. It's a bit scary and exciting all at the same time. I know I'm not a great guitar player, I can't understand Ilonggo, I'm not capable of teaching well, but as Dave told his missions students, I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me, and that's all I need! Jesus is all the source I need to rely upon. I just often forget that. So I'm here, desiring to be used by the Lord, in whichever way He wills, and by prayer, I will walk by Faith, seeking Jesus in all that I do, in all that I say, and on each step that I take, I will place my foot upon solid foundation, the Living Stone: Jesus Christ.
I will try to update this as often as possible, so you can keep up with the work the Lord is doing in the lives I come in contact with. I hope you will be as blessed as I have already been, as Jesus directs me step by step.
Love you all very much! Keep me in Prayer as I Pray for you.
In Christ,
Nick
Nick, what a blessing it is to see God working through your life. I know that you will grow in the Lord. Stay focused on the Lord and He will guide your ways. Do not worry about YOUR gutair or teaching skills, the Holy Spirit will work through you and take care of it all for you. We will always keep you in our prayers. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteOh migosh! "Step by Step". I love that song and last night at church Pastor Dan sang that song and now it is your blog title. Jesus has a sense of humor! I am so blown away by what the Lord is doing in you. I pray that some day I can have the trust and faith in Him to walk the way you do. You are such an inspiration to me. Hugs and kisses to Dave and Jen and a special hug to "my son". Love you and God bless,Laura
ReplyDeleteThat was Laura, not Josh.
ReplyDeleteNick,As you can see it will not only be the work that you are doing in the Philippines that has an effect on people,your friends and family here are being touched and witnessed to by the work you are doing there.My favorite verse is Matt.5:16 "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your goods works and glorify your father in heaven"!!God Bless you Nick,Clyde n Teresa
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ReplyDeleteNick, I miss you with all my heart, but it brings me great joy, peace and comfort to know that you are living God's will. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" 3 John 1:4.
ReplyDeleteI know the blog you have created will touch many hearts as it has mine. So not only are you touching new hearts within the people you meet, but also the people that have come to really know you and who you are thru Christ. Many of Jesus apostles wrote leters to followers, so I think it is ironic that this blog has us sign in as your followers. Nick as I told you God has had His loving hands upon you from the day you were conceived, it is obvious that He has great things in stored for you. So I tell you son do not worry about the skills you feel you lack just focuse all your heart and soul on God.
This is my prayer, please reed Philippians 1:9-11
Hey Nick!
ReplyDeleteIt is a blessing and encouragement to hear the work you are doing. More than that your love for Christ has touched so many people. I am praying for you! Keep pressing on toward the prize, the upward calling of Jesus.
Alex Ungureanu
Hey Nick!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made it there safely. I just wanted to thank for starting this blog. It really has inspired me to start reading the book again. Your words are so powerful, so moving, I could FEEL the lord speaking through you. There's no other way I could explain it. Stay safe, God bless, and have fun!
-Yvette T.
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteWow your pictures are awesome!What a joy it is to hear how God is using you.Just think of what an impact you are going to have on these people's live's.Them seeing the love you have for our Lord and Savior must be having a huge effect on them and I'm sure that you will never be the same either.May God continue to bless you and those around you.We pray that God will watch over you and the team and bring all of you home safely.God Bless,Clyde n Teresa
Hey Nick, How are you doing? Well I was writing you earlier and somehow I lost everything! Well let me see if I can remember what I wrote you earlier. We wern't able to have Dave and Jen over the house on Sunday, but we will on Friday. Mom has been sick, she seems to be getting better slowly but surely. Please keep her in your prayers. It was a blessing to see Pastor Dave and Jen on Sunday, they had a booth set up, along with about ten other missionaries from other places. The pastor from the Bocola orfinage was there. But let me tell you Dave and Jen by far had the best set up there, they are pretty organized. I was able to taste the peanut buter, bread, dried mango and some surgar stick (candy). Jen's peanut buter is better than the peanut buter you had to eat(nibble)when you were cutting weight. Speaking of weight I here you have put on a few pounds! Well I won't tell you how prould of you I am, I know you don't like that. However I will tell you that I'm constintly thinking of you and I miss you dearly. I know it is God's will not mine that you are are doing His work. The only peace I get is knowing that our Lord has a strong grip on you and that you are doing God's will. Jesus didn't want to be crucified, but He knew it was our Father's will. Jesus soul was overwhelmed with sorrow as He prayed in Gethsemane three diferent times asking the cup be taken away from Him. Jesus knew it was to be God's will not His.
ReplyDeletePastor Clark tought on this Sunday, If you get a chance you should listen to the last Sundays message. I realy enjoyed all the pictures on the blog. I will continue to keep you in prayer, I miss you and I love you. God Bless you. Dad