Genesis 28:12 says, “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.”

John 1:51 says, “And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

Are you afraid of heights? The fear is typically not being up so high. In reality, it is what would happen if you fall. Fear does not creep in while you are looking up. It happens when you look down, battling the “what if’s” in your mind. Psalm 3:3 (NASB) says, “But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” Psalm 121:1 (NASB) says, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?” Psalm 123:1 (NASB) says, “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” It is about having a faith-filled or fear-filled perspective. How can you fall when you have your eyes on the throne room of heaven? When you know you are stepping into a new dimension of God’s glory, you have nothing to lose. Your help and strength comes from the place towards where your head is lifted. Just like the Apostle Peter, keep your eyes on Jesus, not on the troubling circumstances surrounding you.

What if you fell? What if you go back to where you once were? Maybe if you just gracefully step down it will be easier and safer to get towards the ground. It seems easier to take one step down because it seems calmer, comfortable and less challenging because if you fall on ground level, it will not hurt as bad. However, you only damage yourself because you never reach the full potential you have on earth when you are minimizing your salvation to ground level. You waste life in not making an impact on others. That is why the higher you lift people up the harder they fall. It is why you have to get your eyes off of people and get them on God. If someone else’s failure results in your own, then you are walking in idolatry. Your walk with the LORD should never be based on how others live. You must work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Proverbs 24:16 (NASB) says, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.” You may fall, but it is better to fall towards Jesus instead of away from Him!

1) The Roller Coaster – Our opinions may vary concerning roller coasters. Some of you hate them in general. Some of you enjoy them if they are taller and faster. Others would rather go upside like 20x with all of the twists and turns. Sometimes, you ride the ride because you were pressured to do so. Maybe it is because you enjoy being scared. You are totally ecstatic but it is a thrill or joy ride for you. I believe the roller coaster ride of exceeding new heights relates to may in the church. Some of us are enjoying the thrill of the revival lingo, but while we are trying to go to new levels, we are strapped in with our own insecurities, going through the same cycles and beginning where we have finished. It is almost like you are pressured into prayer because your heart is out of alignment. You go to church because you have to, and you want to fit in with the Charismatic culture. We are nothing to and remaining at new levels, but as fast as we go to them, we go down from them. I do not know about you, but I am nauseated with the hype because the hype is only temporary! It is time we put a stop to the spiritual roller coasters and climb to new dimensions in the Holy Spirit!

2) The Ladder/Stair Case – A stair case is required to go to the new floor, or, better yet, the “upper room”. Are you willing to make the next step towards becoming like Christ and walking in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit? A ladder foreshadows some form of working to complete something. In scripture, when you read of a “ladder”, you will see angels ascending and descending upon it. Are you willing to go where the angels are in operation? In Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreamed of angels ascending and descending upon the earth. It signifies the glory of the LORD, how angels carry our prayers before His throne while they return to deliver messages from His throne! It speaks of access to an open heaven, as God released and assured His covenant with Jacob. He would call that place where he dreamed this “Bethel”, meaning, “house of God”, and he would build a memorial there. God will assure His truth at the place where you make the choice to go higher in Him! In John 1:51, Jesus promised Nathanael that he would see angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man, a mirror reflection of the prophesy, dream and promise God gave Jacob at Bethel. If you want answers from the LORD, God to confirm His Word in you, to be blessed upon the earth, then you must be willing to climb the ladder. Are you willing to make the climb? Do not look down. Keep your head up!