The Lodging Place - The Place of Preparation


I have always enjoyed reading the first six chapters of Joshua because it tells of vision and what is yet to come. Additionally, it gives the pattern about how to move forward in the service of the Lord. Today I want to give us some concise instructions according to the plan God has already set in place. I am taking the “PLAN” from Joshua.


1. There is always a time of LODGING


2. There is always a time of PREPARATION


3. There is always a time of CROSSING


Joshua 3:1-7 NKJV

 

1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over.

2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp;

3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.

4 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before."

5 And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."

6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

7 And the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

 

Joshua 1:11b NKJV . . . 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.'"

 

This body of people, known as Eagle’s Flight Ministries, is at a time of LODGING.

 

FIRST - What is a time of lodging?

 

A time of lodging is when you are in transition. A time of transition takes place when you are going from one place to another. I like to describe a time of lodging/transition as staying in a motel while you are on a trip. You know where you have come from. You know where you are going. You’re just not there yet. You’re in a time of transition.

 

We are going from one place to another. We have crossed one Jordan River. We now see another Jordan River. We are on our way to that river, but it is still a ways off. So, we have to lodge a while before we get there. We have to prepare.

 

The time of lodging allows us to be also in a time of PREPARATION.

 

SECOND - What is a time of preparation?

 

A time of preparation is when you prepare for the future. It is not always for the immediate future - you can be in a time of preparation for the future which is far off.

 

1. Last week we had 5 people expressly prepare for the future as the were baptized.

2. We again prepared for the future as we together decided to go back and present a television program.

3. We are making preparation for the future by getting this building back into shape. Fixing lighting, fixing electrical, working on sound system etc.

4. We share the Word of the Lord at least two times a week which speaks to our spirit-man.

 

ALSO - Here at Eagle’s Flight Ministries our time of preparation includes bringing CLOSURE.

I suspect each of us has many things we need to bring closure to. Examine yourself to see if there is anything in your life which the Lord needs to adjust and bring closure to.

 

After the time of lodging and preparation, there will come a CROSSING.

 

THIRD - What is a time of crossing?

 

A time of crossing takes place when the Lord gives the release to move, the commander gives the command to move, the priests step out into the water, and the body follows.

 

If we have been faithful in prayer, fasting, tithing, giving, this time of crossing will be so easy. We will just ease into our inheritance (because we are prepared). However, do not think you can take the enemy all of a sudden without any preparation.

 

During our time of LODGING and PREPARATION God is bringing us into greater revelation and experience with Him. Here is what is taking place.

 

God has given us the overview of where we are right now. We look back and we all see where we have come from. We look around us right now and we see where we are. In our spirit, we look into the future and we see where the Lord is taking us.

 

Remember, we are to go EVER ONWARD & EVER UPWARD.

 

The challenge we receive today is to prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for where the Lord desires to take us.

 

Be blessed and may Jesus be your peace.