Joanna Fruhauf

I was just recently asked in an email what I thought of an idea someone had to have their church host a dinner for next thanksgiving for those in their fellowship that have no where to go and to extend it out to those that may not be part of a church, even saved, and invite them as well...

I thought it was a wonderful idea...How many people we know don't have family around...perhaps everyone of their family members have either passed away, moved away for jobs or in retirement... or those that have made this island their home at least for the time being...

What a great and loving thing to do.  what  a tremendous way to bless others and share Christ's love in a genuine and real hands on way...a sacrifice of their own day for the sake of others...And so in a lengthy response I encouraged her to follow be in forward Motion!

I know for myself there have been those times when God has dropped something into my heart to do, but I got stuck and don't go forward with it... hindered by my own fears, laziness or the words of others.  

Too often I wanted to 'pray' about something only long enough until the opportunity which was presented was gone.  Giving the phony justification, I need to hear from God when  It was an idle excuse to not obey His commands to GO.  Too many times I just wanted to send money and let someone else do the thing I knew God was saying I should physically do myself...Too many situations presented themselves when I heard someone shoot me down like a balloon with a cannon my desires and so I retreated back to a cave and wouldn't come out for fear of being shot through again.

This has happened several times in the past decade with me...and even though there have been areas where I have stepped out of the boat to walk on water in faith before, I still find myself wrestling with these same things from time to time....Yet this past year I have been truly encouraged to step out IN SPITE OF ALL OF IT!

I don't really have any suggestions, but certainly want to encourage you to step out in faith...

If you feel the Lord has placed something on your heart, you should do everything within your power to move forward on it...

Too many people want to 'pray' about something instead of actually doing something..We never need to pray about something Christ commands us to do...which is to love others as our selves, to serve others and 'Go, into all the world' -our world however small or large it may be....

If you move forward and prayerfully consider how to approach the idea, God will open up your understanding, grant the needs and empower you to hurdle over all obstacles...But God can not steer a vehicle unless it is in forward motion...a parked car goes nowhere.

The thing to remember is that whether others catch the vision for it or not, if God has called you to move forward on something, He is the one you must obey. And He will grant the open doors and opportunities, volunteers, practicalities and location...It may start small, it may only be a one time event, but if the Lord is telling you to go, then go in the confidence of His authority.

May the Lord bless you as you step out into a New Year that is full of His blessings!