OUT ON A LIMB Kay K. Peebles 3/13/2020 20.08
The visual parable was graphic! It happened as my husband and I were praying about an unexpected opportunity that arose. Last summer, while on a ministry trip to Kenya, a prophet from the church we support spoke to us a powerful word involving our future ministry in new territory. We knew the word was from the Lord and we believed the Lord would fulfill it when the time was right. Two weeks ago a potential link to that prophecy’s fulfillment was introduced to us. As we considered the possibility, we felt both excitement and some fear. It would stretch our faith to say the least.
I often walk when I pray; and this particular day we were in our family room interceding when I stepped in front of our large family room window and looked out at our back yard. We sit on a rather steep mountain lot overlooking a forest of 50 ft. trees with mountains behind. As I prayed, I stared out at the beauty of God’s creation for inspiration. Quickly, I noticed movement in my peripheral vision and turned my head to see more clearly.
There were several tiny birds flitting from branch to branch enjoying the warm sunny day but that was not the movement I had seen. Again, a tree swayed nearby and I saw a squirrel at the very pinnacle of the tree breaking off the new growth and eating the leaf buds and new stems. I was transfixed as I watched. The branch he was clinging to was ever so small and it was located at the highest point of this 50 ft. tree, yet he stretched with all his might to reach the very top growth for a tasty meal. I gasped at the “chance” he was taking to get that green leafy morsel. He apparently felt it was worth it, but if he slipped, he might plummet fifty feet down onto hard ground. It was at that moment the Lord spoke, “Are you willing to go out on a limb for Me?”
The word of God encourages us to dream bigger and higher than our natural mind can fathom. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20. The Gospel calls us to believe God for immeasurably more whether it’s more faith, more of Him, more revelation, etc. It doesn’t take much faith to believe for small things but going out on a limb requires full commitment. As I contemplated the ramifications of what the Lord was asking, two powerful scriptures came to mind.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out [all] fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18, NKJV.
“For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit gives you mighty power, love, and self-control [a sound mind]. So never be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor be embarrassed over my imprisonment, but overcome every evil by the revelation of the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:7-8, The Passion Translation. Emphasis mine.
From the very first time one witnesses the Gospel of Jesus to someone they are going out on a limb. Leaving home and travelling on a mission trip for the first time is going out on a limb. Giving a first prophetic word or praying in public for the first time is going out on a limb. It becomes easier each time we are obedient but every new level that “stretches” us spiritually is a step further out on the limb!
The Lord will not ask us to do something we are fully confident in doing because it would not require us to be completely dependent upon Him. If we are ready for anything that comes our way, we are self-confident. He calls us to do things that are impossible to make us wholly desperate for His intervention!
A few years ago while on a mission trip to El Salvador, I heard one of my favorite worship songs for the first time. It is Oceans by Hillsong.
You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail. And there I find You in the mystery in oceans deep My faith will stand. And I will call upon Your name, and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace, for I am Yours and You are mine.
Your grace abounds in deepest waters. Your sovereign hand will be my guide. Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me; You’ve never failed and You won’t start now.
So I will call upon Your name and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine.
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.
Every time the Lord calls us out on a limb there will be fear from the devil to try to thwart our venturing out into the “unknown”. When the Lord gives us a revelation He also gives us the gift of faith for that revelation to manifest results in our life. Once we have overcome in victory, we will carry an anointing to break others free in that same area. He will then provide an opportunity for us to use that revelation to help someone else. The more revelation we have and anointing we carry, we will be able to influence more people breaking them free. Each new venture is a new test but one victory builds faith for the next one and so on. If we are too fearful to try then we will not be able to bear fruit and multiply. The enemy will have succeeded in keeping us from the amazing purpose for which we were created! May we have the courage to say “NO” to fear.
When our faith in Him is secure, we are willing to try. The moment we step out, He surrounds us and “backs us up”. If we could see into the spirit realm, we would know that as we step out on the limb, the enemy doesn’t just see us, he sees either a mighty warring angel standing behind us to defend us or the Lord Himself! The works He tells us to do are backed up completely by Him. Therefore, we can confidently and boldly declare: “Fear will not keep me from my Destiny to live in Him and do the works He did and more!”
In Matthew Chapter 10 Jesus sent out His 12 disciples to do the works He was doing. See Matthew 10:5-8. “He said to them, ‘And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.’” Another time He sent out 70 disciples. They returned after their ministry rejoicing saying: “‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!’ And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan falling like a lightening [flash] from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven.’” Luke 10:17-20.
This was before Jesus had ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit had fallen upon the 120 in the upper room. How much more does He have planned for us! Right now is the time for the final Harvest of the ages. Wherever we go we see fear, uncertainty, depression, sickness, immorality, brokenness, and/or bondage on the faces of many we encounter in our daily lives. Jesus showed us the answer. He is The Door, The Way, The Truth and The Life. He is The Light and The Only Way of Salvation. Those of us who believe in Jesus and His kingdom have their answer. We don’t have to leave the country to minister the Gospel to others. When we allow the Lord to break our hearts for those who are hurting, we will become willing to go out on a limb.
Seeing a need in others is a powerful motivator but we may feel inadequate or insecure about sharing our faith with others. Our spiritual authority is only as great as our revelation of Jesus. When we get a true revelation of Jesus, we will also discover who we will become when we empty ourselves and allow Him to fill us with HIMSELF. That comes by seeking Him in the Secret Place.
“Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, Jacob.” Psalm 24:3-6, see all.
The blessing and favor of the Lord rests upon those who give outwardly, bearing fruit for His Kingdom.
Abraham went out on a limb and became the father of all who believe in God. Moses went out on a limb and delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. Elijah went out on a limb and raised the dead. Elisha went out on a limb and got a double blessing. Ezekiel went out on a limb and spoke life to the dry bones. John the Baptist went out on a limb and baptized the Son of God! Jesus went out on a limb to become our Savior and Resurrection Life!
“Faith manifests His Glory when we stretch out on a limb to grasp His hand.”
