My Yoke Is Easy

Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

End of Day

Before:

End of day:

Back in Business

I have just a moment - I really ought to be sleeping, but my best friend just left (my preaching partner from church) so we are running late - so here is a really quick update. Since my last round of posts, I have two business I have been working on. The one which I posted about earlier is not nearly as far along as I would like, but at least it is more on its way to making money. I have my local business license and a retail office space set up. I am just in the long wait for Federal approval...

The other business was sort of an impromptu idea that the Lord arranged by making the remodel company I was planning on working for go out of business. I decided I might as well start my own. Here are a couple things I've been doing since getting up and running:

Drywall: My first job was a drywall job, made necessary by a builder not getting the insulation inspected. I had to cut open the drywall all over the house for the inspection. The Lord was very good to me in having me build my apartment - that's where I learned how to do the work that is now providing my living... And honestly, I never had anyone teach me how to do drywall. I learned watching youtube videos. So if you need work and all else fails, take some free job training off of youtube and you might be able to start a business! - just be sure to pay close attention to detail.

The repainted wall:

 

After repainting:

  

Repainted wall:

All told, there were over 30 panels I had to cut out and redo. 

My next project was a small landing and stairway: 

Now, I am working on a screened porch. The porch has 6 6x6 posts which I am replacing with 4x4 posts, railing and screen:

I ran into an issue of a short ladder and needing to reach the top of the posts so I rigged myself up a quick scaffold. OSHA might not have appreciated my design but it is good and sturdy...: 

I hope to have all four remaining posts cut out and replaced and the rails built by the end of the day tomorrow. We shall see if the Lord so blesses my labors.

The sky one day while I was working:

The Lord is good; His mercy endures forever!

And They Saw God

Exodus 24:9-11 KJV

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Pollen Attack...

It is pollen season here in the south, and the other day, the city of Youngsville was burried in a pollen storm...

This picture was taken looking east down Main Street as the trees in the background were engulfed in a cloud of pollen. 

 

An outside bench and table covered in pollen.

:-{ !

More Progress

Today, I had my Certificate of Assumed Business Name notarized so that tomorrow I can register it at the Register of Deeds office as well as pick up my business permit from the county.

I'll probably pick up FBI approved fingerprint cards at the Sheriff's department and passport photos tomorrow as well. (Yes, this business is a little more regulated than my last one...). Then its fill out the government paperwork for the federal side of the business license. We'll see if I can get that approved, 'cause without it, this business is dead in the water.

New Things are Happening

Alas, I have got the entrepreneurial bug. I started my first business (Soter's Windshield Repair) last December. I have done various contract jobs, but they are all stand alone, so I guess they don't count as a business. This week, I am off on my second real business that, Lord willing, should be operating by July. If the Lord blesses, it will be my favorite job for sure, although the one with the most liability. So what have the last couple days looked like? Well, Saturday I was trying to figure out if I could actually start the business with cash on a hair string of a budget (ie, less than one half of my tax return which isn't very big). I got the affirmative on that so today was spent pouring over laws, regulations, government forms, sole proprietorship vs. LLC, zoning regulations, etc. I visited the local city hall, the sheriffs department, talked with the county zoning commission... The result? I got tentative permission for the business from the zoning board, just have to go in and pick up the permit. I determined what form of company I would be setting up (sp vs. llc question) and studied the best way to protect my assets (think I answered that question as well). I also found a lot of questions I hadn't realized I would need to answer. Red tape... I'll keep you updated as to the success or non-success of this company as time goes on. The name by the way starts with Soter's, just like my last one. As to the business itself, that is to be announced on the success of this operation. Until next time...

Walk in the Spirit - 1

Romans 8:13 KJV

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Consider How Dear Our Sins Cost Christ

To consider how dear our sins cost Christ may cause tears to distil from our eyes. Christ is called the Rock (1 Cor. 10:4). When his hands were pierced with nails, and the spear thrust in his side, then was this Rock smitten, and there came out water and blood. And all this Christ endured for us: 'the Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself' (Dan. 9:26). We tasted the apple, and he the vinegar and the gall. We sinned in every faculty, and he bled in every vain...

Can we look upon a suffering Saviour with dry eyes? Shall we not be sorry for those sins which made Christ a man of sorrow? Shall not our enormities, which drew blood from Christ, draw tears from us? Shall we sport any more with sin and so rake in Christ's wounds? Oh that by repentance we could crucify our sins afresh! The Jews said to Pilate, 'If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend' (John 19:12). If we let our sins go and do not crucify them, we are not Christ's friends.

- Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance

The Reason Rally - How to Deal with Atheists

Romans 12:14-21 KJV Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Full Sermon - A Call to Anguish

You must listen to this sermon by David Wilkerson.

Psalm 77:1-15
I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

Be Thyself My Treasure

Faithful Shepherd, feed me
In the pastures green;
Faithful Shepherd, lead me
Where Thy steps are seen.

Hold me fast and guide me
 In the narrow way;
 So,with Thee beside me,
 I shall never stray.

Daily bring me nearer
To the heavenly shore;
 May my faith grow clearer.
May I love Thee more!

Hallow every pleasure,
Every gift and pain;
Be Thyself my Treasure.
Though none else I gain. Amen.

I am Thine Inheritance

Lord, let me be consumed with Thee, so that for me to live is Christ.

Why Do Ye also Transgress the Commandment of God by Your Tradition?

In Matthew chapter 15, we find the direct contrast between the Pharisee and the lover of God. The Pharisees loved commands, both those of man and those of God. They looked to the law for their righteousness and believed that external obedience to this mixture of law and tradition was equivalent to the worship of God. Yet Christ showed that this was not worship for by it they not only made void the commands of God, but it showed that they loved their tradition and not God.

The true believer views Christ, and not tradition or law, as the source of his righteousness. Therefore, he does not equate law keeping as worship. Rather, his worship and love of God produces obedience. Obedience simply flows from the focus on God. The believer then will not seek to make void the commands of the one from whom he draws his righteousness and life.

Because the Christian is drawing his righteousness from Christ, he recognizes that in and of himself he is not righteous. He does not contribute in any way to his righteous standing before God. In every area of obedience, he must view himself as an unprofitable servent because he has only done that which he was commanded. The Christian then realizes that his place and standing is only the result of God's mercy and grace. This understanding results in mercy and grace being shown to those who are around him. The Pharisees knew nothing of mercy and grace for their righteousness came from their own work, and not from Christ. They exalted the law as the source of righteousness and as the law showed no mercy, they could show no mercy.

My friend, upon which side do you fall? Do you condemn a man because he violates the traditions of man? Do you know nothing of mercy and grace and then show no mercy? Mercy rejoices against judgment and those who show no mercy will receive no mercy

Abomination in the Sight of God

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Why then will you continue to hold yourself up as a good person? Why will you keep the facade of being a true Christian while inwardly you walk in darkness? In that day when all secrets will be know, shall it be worth it to you? How long O ye simple ones will ye love simplicity? Are not the words of our Lord clear? Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

It is not worth it my friend, to uphold your facade of righteousness and live a pseudo Christian life. Only radicals can be Christs disciples. Only radicals can go to heaven. Only radicals will hear Christ say, well done, thou good and faithful servant. Only radicals will shine as the stars of heaven. Only radicals will look upon the return of Christ with joy. Only radicals will reap life everlasting.

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

So my friend, are you abomination in the sight of God, or are you a radical follower of Jesus Christ? Remember, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.