As you prepare yourself for ministry, ask yourself the following questions ...

Why are you here?Why are you here?What is one thing that is important to you?What is one thing that is important to you?

Have you been waiting upon the Lord?Have you been waiting upon the Lord?

Learn from the beast and the birds of the air

Job 12:7Job 12:7"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

Wait Upon the Lord…

Soar Like An Eagle!Soar Like An Eagle!

4 Species of Eagles in Palestine

(1) The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos); (1) The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos); (2) The spotted eagle (Aquila naevia); (2) The spotted eagle (Aquila naevia); (3) The imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca); (3) The imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca); (4) The Circaetos gallicus, which preys on (4) The Circaetos gallicus, which preys on reptiles.reptiles.

Eagle, the King of Birds

Measuring 27-33 inches Measuring 27-33 inches (70-84 cm) in length, the (70-84 cm) in length, the golden eagle has a golden eagle has a wingspan of 78 inches (2 wingspan of 78 inches (2 m) and weighs 7-14 pounds m) and weighs 7-14 pounds (3.2-6.4 kg).(3.2-6.4 kg).

Majestic bird, magnificent Majestic bird, magnificent appearance and awesome appearance and awesome skillsskills

Symbol of : power, Symbol of : power, freedom and greatness.freedom and greatness.

Represents : beauty, grace Represents : beauty, grace and confidence.and confidence.

Why or When Eagles don’t Fly?

IgnorantIgnorant - of the Abilities - of the Abilities and Privileges.and Privileges.

InexperienceInexperience – lack of – lack of opportunities.opportunities.

InsecureInsecure - Uncertainties - Uncertainties and Unknown.and Unknown.

InjuredInjured – wounded and – wounded and hurt.hurt.

In BondageIn Bondage – caught and – caught and in captivity.in captivity.

A Call to… Wait Upon the Lord

Isaiah 40:31Isaiah 40:31

Those who hope (wait) in the Lord Those who hope (wait) in the Lord

will renew their strength. will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles.They will soar on wings like eagles.

I. Nesting in High Places

Eagles are birds of open country, not Eagles are birds of open country, not forests, from desert grasslands to above forests, from desert grasslands to above timberline. They take timberline. They take great care to buildgreat care to build

large stick nests in trees or cliff walls large stick nests in trees or cliff walls where they have plenty of room to where they have plenty of room to

maneuver.maneuver.

I. Nesting in High Places

They always build their They always build their

nests in the highest nests in the highest

possible place for three possible place for three

reasons :reasons :

1.1. As a protection from As a protection from their enemies.their enemies.

2.2. As a perch for As a perch for surveying the territory.surveying the territory.

3.3. As an energy-saving As an energy-saving launching pad.launching pad.

Ps 91:1-4Ps 91:1-4He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge

and my fortress,and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust." my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,4 He will cover you with his feathers,and under his wings you will find refuge;and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

II. Stirring up the Cozy NestII. Stirring up the Cozy Nest

““Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and

carries them on its pinions.”carries them on its pinions.”

Deut. 32:11Deut. 32:11

Nest and Egg of Golden Eagle

The single clutch The single clutch consists of 1-2 (rarely 3 consists of 1-2 (rarely 3 or 4) eggs which hatch or 4) eggs which hatch

after an incubation period after an incubation period of 35-45 days. The young of 35-45 days. The young will fledge when 72 to 84 will fledge when 72 to 84

days old, and depend days old, and depend upon their parents for upon their parents for

another 3 months.another 3 months.

Stirring the Cozy Nest

Removes the Soft Lining.Removes the Soft Lining.Kicks off the Nest.Kicks off the Nest.Free “disastrous” fall.Free “disastrous” fall.Carries on its pinions.Carries on its pinions.Repeats process.Repeats process.Learns to Ride on the Current.Learns to Ride on the Current.

III. The Molting Process

1.1. Seeks a Secluded Valley.Seeks a Secluded Valley.

2.2. Sits for hours and days waiting.Sits for hours and days waiting.

3.3. Starts battling - loosing feathers and weight, Starts battling - loosing feathers and weight, talons brittle. talons brittle.

4.4. Stops soaring.Stops soaring.

5.5. Sounds of SupportSounds of Support

6.6. Strength Renewed Strength Renewed

7.7. Starts soaring again - Mount up with wings.Starts soaring again - Mount up with wings.

Isa 40:30-31Isa 40:30-3130 Even youths grow tired and weary,30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall; and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who 31 but those who hope (wait)hope (wait) in the in the

LORD LORD will renew their strength.will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.they will walk and not be faint.

A. Appearance of Youth after Molting

It is said that the eagle sheds his feathers in It is said that the eagle sheds his feathers in the beginning of spring, and with fresh the beginning of spring, and with fresh

plumage assumes the appearance of youth. plumage assumes the appearance of youth.

B. Soaring Above the Storms

In the Heavenly

Eagles are masters at Eagles are masters at soaring. soaring.

They may catch strong They may catch strong storm thermals, rising storm thermals, rising masses of warm air, to masses of warm air, to carry them in a spiral carry them in a spiral

fashion upward high into fashion upward high into the sky. the sky.

They make use of the They make use of the storms to rise even higher storms to rise even higher

and soar even further. and soar even further. Is 40:31; Eph 6:12Is 40:31; Eph 6:12

 C. Swiftness of FlightDuet 28:49; 2 Sam 1:23

Bald eaglesBald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, a bald eagle can achieve speeds of During level flight, a bald eagle can achieve speeds of

about about 30 to 35 mph30 to 35 mph. .

If the If the golden eaglegolden eagle spots prey while soaring, it can spots prey while soaring, it can tuck its wings and swoop at speeds up to tuck its wings and swoop at speeds up to 200 mph200 mph

D. Power of Vision

The eagle has 2 sets of eyelids – one to soar towards The eagle has 2 sets of eyelids – one to soar towards the glaring sun and yet not blindedthe glaring sun and yet not blinded

Job 39:28-29Job 39:28-29

28 He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; 28 He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is his stronghold. a rocky crag is his stronghold.

29 From there he seeks out his food; 29 From there he seeks out his food; his eyes detect it from afarhis eyes detect it from afar..

E. Love for Solitude

The golden eagle is a The golden eagle is a solitary bird, which can be solitary bird, which can be found in remote areas. He found in remote areas. He

has chosen a lofty has chosen a lofty dwelling away and above dwelling away and above

all to be alone. all to be alone.

Ps 91:1Ps 91:1He who dwells in the He who dwells in the

secret place (shelter) of secret place (shelter) of the Most High the Most High

Shall abide under the Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. shadow of the Almighty.

F. Symbols of LeadershipJohn Maxwell

Eagles make things happen Eagles make things happen Eagles see and seize opportunities Eagles see and seize opportunities Eagles influence others Eagles influence others Eagles add value to others Eagles add value to others Eagles possess an uncommonly great attitude Eagles possess an uncommonly great attitude Eagles have excellent relationship skills Eagles have excellent relationship skills Eagles have an eagle track record of success Eagles have an eagle track record of success Eagles think differently  Eagles think differently  Eagles continually grow Eagles continually grow

G. Fidelity Till the End

““Wings of Wings of Courtship” – Courtship” –

Once paired, eagles Once paired, eagles remain together remain together

until one dies, the until one dies, the survivor will not survivor will not

hesitate to accept hesitate to accept a new mate then.a new mate then.

Some days end more beautifully than others

And some seem to mean more

But be sure to appreciate each and every one

And your heart will always soar.

Wait upon the Lord…

Be renewed in your strength…Be renewed in your strength…Soar Like An Eagle!Soar Like An Eagle!