February 10, 2008.

My Pastor preached a very practical message on Sunday morning entitled, "Moving Forward In The Will Of God." He's been preaching in the book of Numbers on Sunday mornings for several weeks now, and this message was talking about the spies and how they were commanded to go spy out the Promised Land:

"Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel."

~ Numbers 13:2~

One point Pastor brought out was this:

They weren't sent in to bring back an evil report; they were sent in to bring back an intelligent report.

It was God's Will for the children of Israel to go in ~ all they needed to do was bring back a report of the land before they did the actual going in. Pastor then laid out seven points about God's Will:

• The will of God is clear
• The will of God is best
• The will of God is personal
• The will of God is practical
• The will of God is peaceful
• The will of God is permament
• The will of God is urgent

I'm sure some of you are wondering what this has to do with me going back to Thailand:o). First of all, I believe it is God's Will for me to go back, so the obvious next step is to move forward! Secondly, it was a wonderful reminder that God does not leave His children without direction and guidance. This morning I read in Job a sweet verse that reminded me of the awesomeness of our great God:

"I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:"

~ Job 5:8-9~

I'm still in the "early stages" of planning on going back to Thailand. Just like it was God's Will for the spies to enter the Promised Land, so it is God's Will for me to go to Thailand. But just like the spies had to put some "prep work" in before they entered the land, so too must I. This prep work is being done by putting in extra hours at work: going in an hour early or working on Saturdays. I don't mind admitting that my life seems extra-chaotic right now and at times I wonder if I'm coming or going. I don't know where my days and weeks go, and just today I was reminded that I need to make sure I prioritize my time as well (translation = work on keeping relationships going!)

So if you're reading this blog, would you mind becoming a prayer partner with me for the details of this trip to come together? I want to move forward and I've seen God opening doors... but there is still much money to earn/raise (the figure is several thousand dollars), visas to figure out, car insurance to take care of, people to see, etc.

But just as God was with the children of Israel, I know He is with me! All I need to do is just put one foot in front of the other and take it a step at a time..