Ok Michelle...this is for you. Sorry that I havn't kept up with my posts. But busy doesn't even begin to describe my life. It has been a difficult summer but God has allowed me to expierence joy in the midst of it. Spending time on the Island with my kids and parents was wonderful. The weather was horrible but the time away was heaven. I also did manage to read "The Shack" by William Young. I will add this read to "The Best books I have ever Read" list. And then I had the priviledge to attend the Joyce Meyers conference in St Louis. Filling up on the "Word" was just what I needed. And then the worship...togther with thousands of women...it is so hard to put into words. But it left me breathless in a good way. The theme of the weekend was "Being a Relentless Woman of God" and "Never Give Up". So I will press in to Him and run on towards the prize. This last two weeks God has been speaking to me out of Exodus 14:10-31. The Israelites had just left Egypt and were on their way to the Promised land. But they could see the Egyptians in their chariots close on their trail. They were struck with fear and began to murmur..."Moses, why have you treated us this way and brought us out of Egypt, let us alone; for it would be better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness". But God had a plan. God told Moses to tell the people to "go foward". It didn't matter that the Red Sea was in front of them. So per God's instructions Moses lifted up his rod and stretched out his hand over the sea and divided it. I think the words GO FORWARD are very signifigant for me. The dictionary meaning of forward is: advance, encourage, onward, being in a condition of advancement, ready, eager, prompt, applies to any movement towards a goal, to promote, to start on a journey. All of these are very positive words. So I know God you are telling me that I am begining a journey, a journey of faith towards a goal, towards promotion, towards advancment in the Kingdom of God. God never tells an individual to quit. He has one command, Go Forward. It is the only means of getting ahead. The promised land is always out in front of us. It is more than a place, it is God's destiny for us. We have three choices to make. #1 We can turn back, #2 We can stand still (frozen in fear) or #3 We can Go Forward. It is never enough to stand still. We must go forward in spite of seemingly impossibilities. When we position ourselves to go forward God gets the glory. We must Go Forward in the light of divine promises. Have you ever tried to go forward in your life but found something blocking your way? Something you could not find your way around, a way over, or a way under? Did you think that maybe you were just stuck in that place forever? Then remember how the red sea was parted that day long ago. If it is God's will that you go forward, then God will open up your way. All you need to do is stand still and have faith. Doors will open, obstacles will move aside, if necessary even the sea itself will part. God can bring His people through the greatest difficulities, and force a way where none can be found. It was an instance of His wonderful favor to Israel. This was done in order to encourage God's people of all ages to trust Him in the greatest of straits. So Lord, I surrender to Your will for my life. I lean the whole of my trust on You. I will not look back and be swallowed up with fear but I will go forward to where you have called me...the promised land. Thank You for the favor on my life and on the lives of my family. We put ourselves in Your capable hands. We place ourselves today in the position of advancement! In Your name Jesus...Amen
