Have you noticed that as you get older, things begin to change—what may have been a breeze to you in your younger years can suddenly become a major challenge? A few years ago Phyllis and I were with some friends who wanted to go on a zip line, so we went. Personally, I love adventure! I love doing things that are out of the norm for most people. God created an amazing planet for us to live on, and I fully intend to make the most of what my Father created.
In my younger years, a zip line would have been no big deal, but this time was different. We went to the ticket office and paid for the ride—no big deal. Then we went on to next station where we learned the safety features of the paraphernalia—again, no big deal. Then we walked to the actual structure where we climbed the stairs to the top for the final jump off—once again, no big deal.
It was once we got to the top that everything changed for me, but our friends didn’t seem to be bothered by the height of the jump. With much uncertainty in our eyes, Phyllis and I looked at each other, and then turned to our friends and said, “YOU FIRST!”
So many times it just helps to see someone do it first. In my own life and ministry, I watched my spiritual father, the late Kenneth E. Hagin, “do it first.” He taught us everything about the life of faith and paved the way for tremendous advancement of the kingdom of God, and his influence is nowhere near being over.
In Hebrews 11 we get a glimpse of Moses’ fascinating life. From the time he was born, his life was threatened, and it was faith that kept him alive and cared for, which placed him in position to free God’s people. Take a look at where it all began…
Hebrews 11:23-24, By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
Then in verse 27, By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
What if Moses’ parents had never taken the step of faith—hiding him in a basket? What if Moses’ parents accepted the king’s decree as final authority in the life of their child? What if Moses’ parents had feared?
The beautiful thing is that they took the first step of faith in the life of their son, and this action paved the way for Moses to step out in faith when the time came. It wasn’t just the children of Israel in that day that benefited from Moses’ actions—generation after generation benefited from it.
How many people are waiting on you to take the first step? I can assure you of this—people are watching and listening, and WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR FAITH MATTERS!
Romans 12:3 says, For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as GOD HATH DEALT TO EVERY MAN THE MEASURE OF FAITH.
Christians who fail to confess God’s Word and fail to possess their inheritance by using the faith God has given them fall into the same category as the ten spies and the children of Israel who believed the evil report instead of the Word of God. God gave them the land, and instead of possessing it, they compared themselves to the giants. Instead of trusting God and taking Him at His Word, they acknowledged the giants and ignored God’s promise to them.
Believers who refuse to exercise their faith are either ignorant of what the Bible says or they have chosen to see themselves as subject to the way the rest of the world lives, refusing to acknowledge their position as righteous children of the Most High God—raised up and seated together with Jesus!
In this world where politics and laws and rulings are growing darker by the day, I’m so thankful for the life of faith that Jesus made possible for me. I’m so thankful for those that went first, paving the way for the Word to come alive in me at just the right time. I recognize that not only are my children and four grandchildren affected by my life of faith, but generations to come will be affected by my choice to live the life of faith.
As you enter the second quarter of 2016, I want to encourage you to step out in faith in the things that are before you and refuse to fear. Never hesitate being first! Just like Moses’ parents preserved the life of their child and affected many generations thereafter by their act of faith, you too will pave the way for others to boldly step out in faith and take their place in Christ Jesus.