Come up Higher
Jan 17
/
Dana Grindal
Have you noticed how pictures help us understand principles? After all, a picture
is worth a thousand words! Jesus used parables frequently to help people
understand the unseen Kingdom of God by using common objects or life
experiences they could relate to.
Ascend Your Ministry Mountain
Have you noticed how pictures help us understand principles? After all, a picture is worth a thousand words! Jesus used parables frequently to help people understand the unseen Kingdom of God by using common objects or life experiences they could relate to.
When I was learning how to serve in prayer ministry, the Lord used skiing as an illustration for me to understand the principles. Going skiing is something I grew up doing. If you have been skiing or seen a ski resort, you know that the base of the ski mountain is where the crowds are. That's where everyone arrives. That's where the parking and lines are. That's where you go for ski school. It is the noisiest and most crowded at the base. That's where you start. There are some people who are not there to ski. They are there to observe, waiting for or watching others. But if you are there to ski, you cannot stay at the base. You have to go up the mountain.
Dana Grindal
When I was learning how to serve in prayer ministry, the Lord used skiing as an illustration for me to understand the principles. Going skiing is something I grew up doing. If you have been skiing or seen a ski resort, you know that the base of the ski mountain is where the crowds are. That's where everyone arrives. That's where the parking and lines are. That's where you go for ski school. It is the noisiest and most crowded at the base. That's where you start. There are some people who are not there to ski. They are there to observe, waiting for or watching others. But if you are there to ski, you cannot stay at the base. You have to go up the mountain.
The ski lift line is often crowded and can be somewhat chaotic. But as you get on the lift, you move away from the crowds. As the lift carries you up the mountain, you get away from the noise. It becomes quiet and peaceful. The higher you go, the more beautiful it is. You can see farther. You have come up higher, above the crowds. You have a different perspective.
This speaks to us today. Skiing is a picture of our personal relationship with God. The crowds of the world are very noisy. Media is noisy. Even the crowds of church on a Sunday are noisy. Not everyone is there to encounter God personally. Some are there just to observe, to wait for or watch others participate. There are so many distractions in the crowd. In order to see God's perspective, and hear Him clearly, you have to get out of the noise of the crowd. You have to come up higher.
In Psalm 24:3-4(NIV) David talks about the mountain of God. He says "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god." In order to come up higher and ascend your ministry mountain, you cannot stay in the crowd. You must pursue your own relationship with God above the crowd of public opinion. Three keys to successfully navigate this noisy world every day and ascend your ministry mountain:
- Come clean. Spend personal time daily with God.
- Ask God to examine your heart and show you anything that is blocking your relationship with Him.
- Confess your sins. Forgive others. Be honest and open with Him.
- What you don't forgive will keep you stuck. - Come dressed. Consistently pray to cleanse your body, soul and spirit.
- We all know the importance of hand washing daily to prevent the spread of germs and disease. Our souls and spirits require the same diligence to cleanse from sin and the defilement we pick up daily in a fallen world.
- I recommend the spiritual cleansing and protection prayers listed in the link below. - Come prepared. Be fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and ready to follow His lead.
- Intercede in the morning, or night before, for that day. Ask Him what He wants you to know for that day or for those you will be serving.
- Ask Him for wisdom and discernment.
- Be obedient to what He says, even in the smallest things!
Now is the time to come up higher. Let's agree together to come clean, come dressed and come prepared for what the Lord wants to do through us in this hour.
Now is the time to Ascend!
Dana Grindal
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