many lessons learned

Matthew 26: eleven
For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.

This is one of verses the Lord has given to me that has kept me in Bible College. I know I sound really dumb to even think of not finishing or "dropping out" but I have. It has actualy crossed my mind every semester. The same reasons come in to my head. God is so faithful to stick with me. Every four months I want to quit and start my own life somewhere else. But He always reminds me of scene in His life where He reminds Judas the same lesson. In John twelve Mary uses the most precious item she could ever own on the feet of Jesus and Judas as the audacity to stand and require her to give the fragrance to the poor.
In my life I want to be in ministry and help out everywhere (literally). But these years of Bible Collgeg are few and one day I will HAVE to "grow up" but right now He has given me a chance to soak it in. To gain and learn from great christian men and women. Now Judas's real intentions were to steal from the church. I was reminded this last week that there is absolutely no difference between Judas and I. CHemically we are made the same. This means that I am capable of doing such an evil thing. Many times we over look Judas and think "oh i will never be THAT bad" or "oh i could never do THAT" but we can. And its only by giving our life, mind, heart, and soul to Jesus everyday that stops us from commit these sins.
He is faithful to show us this and also reminding us of the grace given and mercy we receive. Romans eight:1 (there is) therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We must be walking in the Spirit. This could be uncomfortable many times. I have found in the church the Spirit wants to move and we often quinch the Spirit by stricktly just "doing things" I want to encourage you to fall back on the Holy Spirit. He is here. He is real. And the best part is that He wants to be here. For me walking in His Spirit means every four months (for now) I pray pray pray and wait until He reveals my next destination. I have fought many times. But the key is He KNOWS. Why don't we trust Him more? Why would we think we have it all figured out?
John 14: 16-17
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Please pray as Adrianna and I head off to Spain for our third semester. Pray that our eyes will be open and our hearts ready and wiling to recieve. ANd pray for His will in both of our lives as we finish next year...only He knows what is to come

mandy

1 samuel chapter 3
1Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the [fn1] tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!" 5 So he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me."
And he said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down.
6 Then the Lord called yet again, "Samuel!"
So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me."
Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears."

"mandy"....
i turn and ask "did someone say my name?" ...
"nah... ur jus hearing things hahaha"
"no seriously i thought i heard my name"
"no seriously i didnt say anything"

this happens to me all the time... now im not saying that everytime i hear something that sounds like my name.. that it is the lord calling out... but i do have faith and know that god has called and yearned for my attention and i so easily turn and look for something or something else...
i was reading this passage tonight jus glancing at it and the lord grabbed me... i have been such a slacker at keeping this blog posted... but hopefully i will get back in the routine... but this is a lesson i learned awhile ago but i still and learning to do. samuel was listening... he heard god... he heard his name.. but his response wasn't to the lord... he was seeking the voice of a man. seeking something here on earth... seeking the noticable and logical... i hope you know by now in your walk with the lord that he doesn't work logically... he usually doesnt work the way we see it... he uses the impossible to do the impossible... i feel that often i find my self hearing god.. knowing its god... but looking for what i think it is... wheni heard god calling my name and the word kentucky was in the same sentence... i completely turned and said it was a person telling me i should go... i confused the voice of my creator for the created... i say here i am lord... here... but then i wait for a person to confirm his voice. i find (myself included) believers offering their lives to the lord and then sitting there waiting for someone to open the door of ministry or to suggest a ministry....
i have also learned that when god calls you somewhere... no matter if he confirms it through the stranger and the store or your senior pastor... you must follow with everthing you got. we cant wait for him to open doors either we need to step out in faith believing that he will close the proper doors and guide us in his direction. FAITH... believing in the things unseen....
god is good... my summer was unbelievable... i wish i could tell all the stories of gods provison, guidance, blessings, trails, and amazing love i was shown this summer... i cant wait to see whats next...
as of right now im in so california spending some time with my family and friends... off to spain september 3...
thanks for all your prayer and support...
mandy
manfree136@yahoo.com 19095288964