Monday, April 11, 2011

Post #3-God's Faithfulness


First of all, thank you to everyone who prayed and helped me out financially last quarter.  I want you to know how much it means to me.  God supplied more than enough, and now all I need is $1900.00, not $2500.00 for my last quarter fees.  God is sooooo GOOD!! He is nothing but faithful to me.
Third Quarter is here and graduation is approaching real quickly!  The school has been flying by and outreach is just around the corner.  I have to admit, I’m exhausted, but it’s worth all of the work.  We have completed the Old Testament and are now in the New and it is soooo good!! At first, with going from Old, to New, my brain was having a hard time switching over because the people are in a completely different place. But With studying the bible Chronologically, I have seen that the Old Testament is looking forward to the cross and the stories within the books are what created a need for a savior. And the New Testament is about looking back at what Christ did on the Cross.
This week we are studying Galatians and our Key Verse is, Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery”.  God used Paul to speak to the Galatians to teach them that salvation is a free gift from God.  They needed to know that they cannot reach salvation through works, but only by faith and believing in Christ. It started with a promise to Abraham, then the law came and then Jesus fulfilled that Promise. This is a prime example of God’s faithfulness to his people.  He was faithful in his promise of a savior, even though his people time and time again, were not faithful to him. He sent his son to save them and it was important for them to see that.  He did nothing but pursue them because of his jealous love for them.  I think that is AMAZING!!  It brings so much into perspective for me.  His love is steadfast because he loves his people so much, and he loves me.  If anything, this is what I have learned most from my time here doing this school.  God has given me a greater revelation of his love for me and shown me that his love will never waver, because he is faithful. And he has been nothing but faithful to me.
     Outreach!!!
 I’m very excited to tell you that i will be going to Zambia, Africa for about a month from the end of June, until the end of July (we don’t have exact dates yet).  As you know, this is super exciting for me because God has placed a passion in me for the people and the kids of Africa. I don’t have details yet, because my leaders are in the process of planning the outreach, but I know God has called me to go…so I’m going! I wish I could share more, and as soon as I have details, I will let you know and keep you updated.
Prayer Requests:
Ø  That I don’t get burned out in homework and am able to finish the school strong.  The work load is massive, but VERY WORTH IT!
Ø  Wisdom and direction for my outreach leaders in choosing places for us to go while in Africa.
Ø  Finances.  I need $1900.00 for the rest of my school fees and then there are outreach fees on top of that! J. I need $350.00 for a deposit for outreach by Thursday, so we can get the plane tickets before the price goes up.
Ø  More revelation of God and his faithfulness!!! I want to see everything he has for me and don’t want to miss out
Ø  Direction for after the school.  I have a couple opportunities and have been praying, but still am not clear on what to do.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! If you would like to support me financially, you can send a check to 11141 Osborne St, Lake View terrace, CA, 91342. Please email me and let me know if God is leading you to do so, so that I can know what is coming in. Love you all!!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

February Update

As part of our weekly assignment and  after we study every book, we write a book application. Through the book of Ezekiel, God showed me some amazing stuff about myself and my relationship with him, so I thought I would share it with you because God did some amazing stuff in my heart.  I sound slightly angry in the beginning, but please keep reading, because it's important to me for you all to see what God has been doing with me.


God has been showing me a lot this week, and last, about his faithfulness to us as a father.  He is a father who follows through.  His actions come from his love for us, and it is for me just as much anyone else.  His character is portrayed through his love for me and he will never leave me stranded.  I feel like since I have really realized this, my whole brain thought has changed.  I want to be just as faithful to him as he is to me because he deserves it.  He obviously deserves a lot more and I deserve nothing, but he does it all, not because he has to, but does it because he loves me. 
            Last week I was to the point of giving up and being so angry at God.  I didn’t really know why I was feeling that way, and that was the most frustrating part about it all.  I was so mad at him and feeling abandoned and alone, but at the same time, annoyed because he is always there.  I just wanted a reason to be mad at him because I felt like he was going to leave me at any second.  When I stepped back and was actually thinking about the way I was feeling, I realized that I was doing with him, the same exact thing I do to people.  Once I get close to someone, I push them away because I’m so terrified that I’m going to get hurt, so I do it before they get the chance.  I had never felt that way towards God before and thought there was no explanation for it.  When I did take that step back, I realized I was doing the same exact thing to God as those people I get close to.  What is really cool about this is, is that I actually feel close to God, and with my natural reaction of pushing people away, God showed me that he is closer to me than ever!  To me, this is just confirmation that I'm in the right place and learning God's word is showing me truth about myself, and most importantly, learning truth about God.  Amazing how God can use a really hard week, to show me something life changing!
            God, thank you for never leaving me, even when I’m angry at you.  Thank you for constantly pursuing me, even when I run away.  Thank you for being my heavenly father.  Thank you for loving me, when I feel unloved.  Thank you that you  don’t judge me for my weaknesses and want only what is best for me.  Thank you for being gracious and merciful and loving and amazing in every way.  Thank you for knowing my heart and seeing me for who I really am. 

Thank you guys for reading and please keep me in your prayers.  God is obviously doing amazing things in the midst of a very challenging time. Every second has been worth it!