Going Forward with God

We have been in a series at our church called moving forward. It has stirred my thinking and pushed me into action. There are a lot of things that hold us back from moving forward with God. In order to stay obedient to God we have to do the things He calls us to do.
At this time in my life He is calling me to move forward and take baby steps. A lot of times I think we have this vision of way out there and it looks hopeless because we are so far from the way out there we see. No one gets to the finish without taking the first step, and another, and another, etc.
Our relationship with Christ is a journey we take day by day. And the little decisions are what decide the outcome for the turns our lives will take.
Sometimes we make excuses of why things can't change in our lives. God is full of grace and mercy. When we first start following Him he holds our hands as we learn to walk. Then comes a time when He lets go and says come on, keep coming. When a baby is learning to walk he has to fall a few times before he learns how to balance himself. Just like us when we begin to put God first in our lives we take baby steps and each time He gives us just a little more. We have to learn to balance our lives around Him.
It's painful as a parent to watch our children hurt. God has that same passion and care for us. Some pain in life cannot be avoided such as when our loved ones pass away. Then there is the kind of pain that can be avoided. Pain that comes from wrong decisions we have made. God has given us a plan to walk out and we find it in His word. If you want to avoid that kind of pain ask for Godly wisdom. Make a choice to put God first in every area of your life.
In order to know Him we have to know His word, we have to make time for His word and make time to just rest in His presence. Be still and listen.
I've been setting aside special time to listen to God and I have heard Him. I always wonder why I drift away. It's because I have an enemy that is always trying to crowd my life with distraction so I cannot hear God's voice.
Years ago God put Africa on my heart and about five years ago specifically Mozambique. He has awakened in me the call to go to Africa, although I am not going to Mozambique I will be in Zimbabwe. It is amazing to watch how God brings everything together. For years I waited and I was ready to throw in the towel...But God! Right when all hope is gone He comes again faithful to finish the work He begins. He who begins a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! Amen I believe it! Do you believe it?
Just to look back and see where God has brought me from a life of pain and destruction to now is amazing. I had to make some tough decisions. I've had to leave some relationships behind. I've faced ridicule and backbiting but God has never left me. Anything I give up He gives back to me more than I ever expect.
I have a family who serves together. A long time ago that was just a far out vision, but now we are walking it out! To see the way God is raising up my children to serve Him is the ultimate prize for this mother!
All of us have dreams whether we share them with anyone or not. Some of you may have watched the Daytona 500 as Trevor Bayne won, a twenty year old rookie! That must have been an awesome moment for him. His mother was interviewed and she said this is something he has dreamed about and worked hard to get! No one would have believed he could have done it, but He believed. And HE WORKED HARD FOR IT! It takes our belief to move forward in the things of God. It's not every one's dream to be a worship leader, a pastor, or evangelist. May be your dream sounds too little. I want to be a good mom and wife! I want to be loving and gentle and I am believing God is working that out in me! How is that for a big dream!
Whatever your dream is, it takes two things...God....and the willingness to work for it. God sometimes miraculously blesses us but most of the time He has to walk us through things so we can handle the things He gives us. If God would have given me Africa the first time my heart was called I would not have been ready. We have to take time to grow in Him.
One of my pastors said he heard from a Christian leader that when someone is called, they need to be taken and put in a box until they are ready to come out. When God calls you there isn't anything that can stop us! When we go out ahead of Him, well lets just say we learn to be humble really fast. Lord knows I have been!
So don't give up on those dreams God has planted in your heart. Get close to Him and listen and wait. He will answer! I promise! AND HE CAN USE YOU IN THE WAITING! So don't sit and wait, start taking those baby steps toward Him!
Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
That's our purpose, amen! We are all called to share the gospel in our unique way!
I want to close with a neat little instrumental worship video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DjBicTbgMk&feature=related
I love some of the scriptures shared.
Be blessed and until we are together again, keep Dreaming Big!