Praise the Lord everyone! What is on my heart this month! The Holy
Spirit, but more directly the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and
in our church. So today to clarify some questions, and calm peoples
unrest I wish to share this teaching for this months newsletter. Re-
cently it has been shared with me that there are some, that have said,
“Why doesn’t the Holy Spirit move in our church like He used to?”
Or…“I want to get back to how things used to be.” Can I encourage you
with this truthful statement from the Lord, “The Lord doesn’t!” Their is
not one part of the Lord, who wants to take us back, 3 years, 5 years,
10 years, etc…He with every ounce of his being...wants up to MOVE
FORWARD!
When God’s people were hemmed in by the sea, and Pharaoh's army
were bearing down on them….God would unveil 3 great miracles...for
all the people to see. 1) He brought a huge massive pillar of fire 2nd) A
pillar of cloud, to separate the people of Israel, and the chariots of
Pharoah’s great and powerful chariot army.
Exodus 14:19–20 (NKJV) And the Angel of God, who went before the
camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud
went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between
the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud
and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that
the one did not come near the other all that night.
But the Lord was just getting warmed up, while all the people were
afraid, wondering what was to happen next...the Lord shows His power
in his 3rd miracle.
Exodus 14:21–22 (NKJV) 21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the
sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all
that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were di-
vided. 22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the
dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and
on their left.
Now I am sure, many on that day were in awe, can
you imagine seeing all of this? The pillar of cloud, the
pillar of fire, then...to top it off, you fall asleep in the
night and wake up too two massive walls of wa-
ter...as high as sky scrapers on either side...with a
way opened up between them. A way that was even
on dry ground….no risk of slipping and sliding on
mud or wet sand, or even slipping on the slimy rocks
on the Red sea floor...no...the Bible says… “dry
ground!” But before we ever get to see these mira-
cles, and experience the witness of the Lord’s power
and might...they had to first obey God’s command…
“What was God’s command?”
Exodus 14:15 (NKJV)
15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to
Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.
This was the command of the Lord! TELL THEM TO
“GO FORWARD!”
The miracles that were about to happen, the move
of God about to be demonstrated on such a large
and visual scale, WAS FORWARD! (NOT BEHIND)
And this is my word to all of you today...who would
say, “Remember how things were in the past? “How
the spirit used to move?” or “How the presence of
God was so strong back then?” We need to stop
this….and “MOVE FORWARD!”
God’s greatest miracles, God greatest demonstra-
tions, and manifestations are forward! NOT BE-
HIND!”
Never once has the Lord told me to quit, never once
has the Lord said to me “Stop, your done!” Instead
when I was visiting the young Evangelist Josiah
Schluckebier in Quincy, he looked at me and prophe-
sied…”And said, “You know the Lord’s voice, and you
have done much for the Lord, he sees your work and
your labors, but He wants you to know….there is an-
other level for you...it is coming!” It shook me to my
core...I stood there just weeping, and now he
(Josiah) is coming to our church to minister to all of
you! Sept. 15-18. (you better get ready) there is an-
other level coming...and guess what direction it is?
“FORWARD!”
Jesus said this powerful truth to those who live in
the past…
Luke 9:62 (NKJV)
….“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and
looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
This word “fit” in the Greek, is euthetos and it means
well-placed, ready for use, useful.
Listen to what I about to say, “You are not useful,
(fit) for the Lord’s service, if you constantly live in
the past!” You must move your head, (your thoughts
and ideas) your eyes, (your desire to see) your body
(your life and you’re energies) ...but especially your
heart (your desire and trust) forward!”
So you can spend more and more energy, talking
about the past, (or complaining) re-living the glory
moments, comparing what is now to what use to
be…or you can obey the Lord by obeying His com-
mand….Exodus 14:15 “Tell the children of Israel to
go forward.”
The Lord would speak this truth to the prophet,
Isaiah, listen to His words…
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring
forth; Shall you not know it? Isaiah 43:19
Get ready for your revival!
Jesus loves you and so do I! ~ Pastor Doug
