Small Steps

The higher we go the more important it may be to take smaller steps. Climbing mountain ranges requires smaller and more-sure steps as we approach the higher altitudes. When man walked on the moon, it was small steps for a man but giant steps for humanity. In our spiritual lives, maturity and longevity often calls for smaller and more-sure steps.

Sometimes a simple call or word from the Lord requires simple obedience. For Abraham it was a call to leave his kindred and home. He took the simple step and left behind a legacy of nations. He was without child when he started but was given the child of promise and nations followed. Elisha was called by Elijah to come with him. Elisha burned the plows and sacrificed the oxen he was working with. For a season, he simply followed the older prophet. He probably cooked, washed the old prophets feet and served him. However, he later received a double portion and did twice as many notable miracles as the one who anointed him to follow. The Children of Israel were told by Moses to kill a lamb and put the blood on their doorposts. Soon they were free and on their way to the promised land after 400 years of bondage. In the wilderness they were given manna and quail each day (except for Sabbath) and that was their simple provision. A cloud gave them direction by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved they moved. When the cloud rested even for a long season, they stayed in that place. It was step by step - often - small steps.

The disciples heard Jesus call them by simply saying, “Follow me.” They left behind family, jobs, and plans. With a small step of just simply following him, they became the ones who turned the world upside down. Jesus told them that those who left houses, land, family, etc. would receive a hundred times as much in this life and in the eternal life. There would be persecutions but the results were great. (see Mark 10:29) In Luke 10, Jesus tells the disciples how simple it is to minister. They just needed to go to some cities, find a house, and announce peace. If there was peace, then they needed to eat and stay there. Then, they were to heal the sick and announce the coming of the Kingdom. Simple. So simple. Such small steps.

Small steps can take us into the destiny we were born to have. Small steps can bring great favor and open up abundant doors of grace. Stewardship can kick in and the small things we have been faithful in will lead to greater things. (see Luke 19 and the parable of the Landowner) When we come to a place where mystery is appreciated and we don’t have to have all the answers, we have arrived at a new level of maturity. At this level we will enjoy taking small steps. We will be satisfied to take one step at a time. It will deepen our trust and increase our intimacy with the Lord. It may be a simple word, scripture, or promise that we will hold dearly and with that go forward. Faith will increase as we rest and trust in the simple revelations. For some of us it will truly be “one day at a time” as the old song of the last century told us. However, it will be meaningful and we will learn to rest in Him in a way unlike anything we have ever known.

Taking the Higher Ways

The Scriptures tell us that God dwells on High (see Isaiah 57:15). There is no question that His ways are higher than our ways. However, we are also invited to join Him in all that He is doing. This includes taking the higher ways. We can live the lifestyle of Heaven now. The Kingdom dwells within us as believers. We are not called to be just normal. We need to transcend.

Before the first coming of Christ the power of God came upon people. They received words, visions, and dreams at times. Some, like David and Elijah, reached beyond their time and walked in great power and anointing. The power of God was upon them. After the Resurrection of Christ, the power of God now resides and works within the believer. Everything has changed. The earth has never seen such a people. Even creation groans for us to be released into our full potential. It is no longer about a visitation of God; it is about enjoying His habitation with us. We are not asking for His presence, but resting in it and enjoying it in greater measure as we are awakened to the revelation of His ways. Things God has already done and decreed no longer need to be begged for. We need to step into His promises and declare the beauty of the Lord.

When the word high is used in scripture, it usually refers to a place where someone has transcended. In laymen terms, it means going beyond our previous place or experience. We are going higher because we are advancing to another level. These levels usually come because of revelation that the Spirit opens up to us. There are things that are almost unimaginable but God reveals them to us by His Spirit. So, the question is, are we willing to go beyond our previous experience? It is a choice. It is a mindset. It is an adventure.

In Luke 9, Jesus took three of His disciples upon a mountain we know as the Mountain of Transfiguration. Jesus took them outside their normal boundaries. He showed them things that were not normal for them. In those moments, Moses and Elijah appeared. Jesus Himself was transfigured before them and glistened in His Glory. They were amazed. Peter suggested staying there and building tents. His suggestion wasn’t accepted. When the moments were over they again descended down the mountain to a major problem as the other nine disciples were struggling to cast a demon out of a child. Although they descended they had transcended. They would never be the same. They had experienced something great, powerful and new. They were not to even speak of it until after the Resurrection. Peter wanted to stay there but Jesus knew there would be even greater experiences. We are never to remain with a great experience. We are to go forward. We must choose to allow God to take us beyond any previous experience. The cloud moved in the Old Testament to teach the Children of Israel that He was a God on the move. He is still ever so much on the move. His personality stays the same yesterday, today, and forever but His ways are always worth finding out. They are fresh and exciting as He is.

Are you up for the adventure? Do you want to go higher? Fear or satisfaction may cause us to balk. Fear can always take the best out of any adventure. Satisfaction with life as it is, usually ends up in boredom and regret that we didn’t take the chance to go different directions we could have taken. Holy Spirit stands ready to take us forward as revelation unfolds. Will you go beyond the previous experience? May we joyfully experience the higher ways of our God.

When Eagles Fly ~ Part Five

In Revelation we are given a beautiful picture of what happens when we are given wings like that of an eagle. A woman is given two wings like that of a great eagle. She then flies into the wilderness to her place. There she is nourished for several seasons. She is protected from the enemy in a special prepared place. (see Revelation 12:14)

There is always a place prepared for God’s people. There are three major times in Scripture in which these prepared places stand out. First, Joseph invites his family to Egypt to a special place called Goshen. Here they were blessed while world-wide famine took place. They remained there for four hundred years until Moses led the people out. Even in Moses’ time and while judgments were falling, they were protected from the judgments. Second, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to Egypt for protection from an angry king wanting to kill all of the little boys. They remained there until the king died and then resettled in Galilee in the north. Third, there is this promise in the end time that God will prepare a place in the wilderness for His people - a place of nourishment and protection.

The wilderness may not sound like the best place to go. However, anything can be turned around for good. Things that were meant for bad can become a blessing. After all, we are the people that can see deserts turned into gardens. We are world changers. Our mission is all about transformation. We were created for hard places. We are fashioned in the hand of the Potter to be overcomers. We are a generation of strength. We are history makers.

In the Song of Songs, we have a picture of someone coming out of the wilderness. She is leaning on her beloved. This is a beautiful picture of the Bride of Christ. We come out leaning on Him. Every trial, struggle, or hard time should cause us to lean on Him. Anywhere or anything that causes us to lean can be a good place or good thing. Leaning on Christ is the result of being in a beautiful place of intimacy with Him.

In times like these…. we need to trust that the Lord has a special place for us. It is called “our place.” It is here that we find nourishment for times and times and half times. It is our season of nourishment. Like Goshen we are safe from judgments that are against sin. When the world is nervous, we have confidence. Alignment is important. We need to be real sure we are in the right place doing the right things. As the Holy Spirit has positioned us, we need to trust in His alignment and just stand. We will see the salvation of the Lord. We will see the strength of His victorious right hand. It is time to take up wings like eagles. The place we land may resemble a wilderness, but the joy will come as we walk out of that wilderness leaning on our Beloved Jesus Christ. Take courage when the world is stressing out. Make sure of your alignment and stand. This alone will be a great witness.