ThreeSixty participant Andrew Mandis is our guest writter this week. Here is what the Lord has spoken through Andrew.
On February 3, 2007 I was traveling by bus from Sudan to Kampala Uganda to attend school. While sleeping on the bus I heard a voice asking , “Andrew, who do you want to follow?” I answered I will follow Jesus. I then heard the question “how?” Wow this is head question. I said “God give me the right answer.” God gave me the answer in my heart, I said, “I will say yes to Jesus and do whatever he wants of me through the strength he gives me, but I will say NO to evil.” I then awoke thanking God for the change that had occurred. God used this opportunity to teach me to be a true follower of Christ. To be a true follower of Christ is to hate sin/sinful nature the same way to fear the lord is to hate evil (Ps 8:13). God chose us and appointed each of us to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. How can we bear a good fruit that can last? Well, through the spiritual gifts. We were called to serve and to lead many others (John 15:16 ). God is speaking to us to be strong and courageous and to be careful, to obey all the laws (Joshua1:6-9) because he is preparing us for is work. May the peace of our lord Jesus Christ be with you as you read this testimony.
Written by Andrew Mandis
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Out of Nothing...
"Out of nothing, God chose me from the jungle of Sudan to educate me for the people of southern Sudan and the world beyond." These were the words written by Andrew on his ThreeSixty application. Can you recognize the glorious picture of the gospel within these words.
"Out of nothing..." - before the new birth we are all spiritually dead and legally guilty before God. In John 3:3 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Without being born again we are hopeless, corrupt and guilty. We are nothing and have nothing apart from the grace of God.
"...God chose me..." - Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." The effectual call awakens the dead, gives sight to the spiritually blind, opens the ears of the spiritually deaf, humbles the proud, softens the hard, and brings forth faith. 1 Corinthians 1:9 says "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
"...to educate me..." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." The Word of God does not state that all scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness for Christians to have a better life now but rather says it is "SO THAT the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
"for the people of southern Sudan and the world beyond" - Contrary to the majority of college students Andrew is not looking at what job he may be able to get with his education, he is not concerned with the temporary things of this world. His purpose for getting an education is not for himself, to better his life or to have a good career. He does not even mention himself in his description of why he is getting an education. It is not for him, it is for others, his life purpose is to glorify God amongst the people of southern Sudan and the world beyond. Matthew 28: 18-20 says "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
May each of us arise every day knowing that out of nothing God chose us to (fill in the blank) for the people of Alabama and the world beyond.
"Out of nothing..." - before the new birth we are all spiritually dead and legally guilty before God. In John 3:3 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Without being born again we are hopeless, corrupt and guilty. We are nothing and have nothing apart from the grace of God.
"...God chose me..." - Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." The effectual call awakens the dead, gives sight to the spiritually blind, opens the ears of the spiritually deaf, humbles the proud, softens the hard, and brings forth faith. 1 Corinthians 1:9 says "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
"...to educate me..." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." The Word of God does not state that all scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness for Christians to have a better life now but rather says it is "SO THAT the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
"for the people of southern Sudan and the world beyond" - Contrary to the majority of college students Andrew is not looking at what job he may be able to get with his education, he is not concerned with the temporary things of this world. His purpose for getting an education is not for himself, to better his life or to have a good career. He does not even mention himself in his description of why he is getting an education. It is not for him, it is for others, his life purpose is to glorify God amongst the people of southern Sudan and the world beyond. Matthew 28: 18-20 says "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
May each of us arise every day knowing that out of nothing God chose us to (fill in the blank) for the people of Alabama and the world beyond.
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