This word is submitted by Linda Carper (revcar3@cox.net)

-----

                            Word of Promise


O my people have you waited so long that you would now turn away from me. Have 
you for so long awaited the promise that "Once more I will pour out my Spirit 
upon you, your sons and your daughters?  Would you turn away at this time in 
despair, just when the time has come that you have long waited for?

I know it has been hard. I know you have struggled, wondering "How long O Lord, 
will you leave us here forever." You have said many times the Lord has brought 
us into a dry and barren land and there is no water. There is no life and there 
is on vegetation.

But, I the Lord would say to you look again! Open your eyes unto the harvest, 
for it is white, it is ripe and they are coming, the lost, the wounded, the 
outcast, they are coming. They are coming and there will not be enough room. 
You will surely have to expand your boarder to the right and to the left.

Yes you have wondered if you really heard me in days past. You have said many 
times, many times, "How long O Lord, will you forget me forever?" And I would 
say, open your eye, for NOW is the time. NOW is the time to lead my people 
into worship. Take them into my presence, into the holy of Holies.

But as I began to bless you, remember from which you have come. Remember how I 
have led you and do not turn to the left or the right. Do not rely on the old 
garments, for I will surely give you a new garment of praise for the spirit of 
heaviness. Suddenly, I will turn your mourning into dancing and you will put 
off your sackcloth and My Presence will go with you, and I will give you 
rest. This is that, which I spoke of to the Prophet Joel (3:18), And it will 
come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine. The hills 
shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; 
a fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord.