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by Larry Stockstill

I was standing at the top of an escalator, helping people at a conference to step safely onto the escalator.

One elderly lady stood on the top landing and carefully stuck her foot out to “touch” the moving staircase. She tried several times and then gave up, petrified.

I told her that if she “stepped out” on the stair, it would safely carry her to the bottom.  She never did.

“Stepping out” is not easy.

Here are three crucial things to help you take your first step into something that seems impossible:

1. “Lead with Presence”

Joshua and the Israelites stood near the Jordan River, ready to cross and enter the Promised Land.

God told them to put the holy Ark of the Covenant in front of their camp about 1000 yards.

It represented the presence of God.

I have learned to approach an impossible situation with devotion. Prayer and praise are more critical than ingenuity.

Start facing impossibilies with an attitude of praise. Thank the Lord daily that He is moving supernaturally in that situation with your family, business, health, etc.

Lead with praise.

2.  “Take an Action”

Israel’s second secret for crossing the Jordan River was to put the Ark on the priests’ shoulders and have them step into the Jordan River.

The River, usually 100 ft. across, was at “flood stage” (almost a mile across!). The dark, rushing waters flooded past them.

When their feet touched the water, the river began to rise 30 miles north of that point, at a city called Adam.

All that water between them probably flowed past them in a few hours. It looked like nothing was happening.

THEY TOOK A STEP.  Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, which identified him as a beggar, and was healed of blindness. The ten lepers went to show themselves to the priest BEFORE they were cured of leprosy.  They were healed as they acted.

That step to take is to speak against the impossibility with Scripture.

STEP OUT. Take an action. Act as though God has told you the truth in His Word.

3. “Renew your Covenant”

A third and final step prepared Israel for the miracle of conquering the Promised Land.

They had to renew their covenant with God.

The men born in the wilderness had not been circumcised with the mark of Abraham’s covenant. God told them He would not be with them unless they entered His covenant.

They did.

Sometimes, when you need a miracle, you search your heart to see if anything is “missing” in your obedience to God. It may be:

• A relationship that is bad and needs to be forgiven and repaired.

• A marriage issue of selfishness or dishonour.

• A parenting issue where you are not prioritising your children over your public influence.

• A financial issue where you are leaving God’s kingdom out of your spending.

Let God search your heart and “circumcise” your heart so that nothing prevents your miracle from happening.

Presence. Actions. Covenant.

You WILL cross your Jordan and possess your Promised Land. Your miracle is attainable.

You can just get on the top step of the escalator. I promise you will be “OK.”

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Republished with thanks to Larry Stockstill. Image courtesy of Adobe.