An Uphill Climb - life is an uphill climb, but the view is worth it. Life is full of challenges that require us to keep climbing, to keep pressing, and to stay in the struggle. The Scripture says the one who reaches the top will obtain a mighty blessing. God is asking, who will ascend the mountain? Who will press on when the world says quit, when friends say it’s too hard when it would be easier to settle? Are you willing to be the one who will face challenges head-on for the prize set before you? Keep climbing

In Matthew 5, Jesus took His climbing companions to the top of the Mount of Beatitudes and taught them there. 

But that was not the first or only time  the Bible mentions going up to the top of the mountain with Jesus.

Psalm 24 says: "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 

"The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 

"They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God, their Savior." (verses 3-5, NIV)

I love these verses because the psalmist said, “Who will ascend? Who will keep climbing? Who will keep going when it is hard? Who will not only start the journey with God but will continue on when the path heads uphill? Who won’t give up and settle once they get to a comfortable place but will keep climbing until they reach the top?”

Life is an uphill climb, but the view is worth it. 

Life is full of challenges that require us to keep climbing, to keep pressing, and to stay in the struggle.

But not for nothing! 

The Scripture says the one who reaches the top will obtain a mighty blessing.

God is asking, who will ascend the mountain? 

Who will trust Me enough to make the climb?

Who will press on when the world says quit, when friends say it’s too hard when it would be easier to settle? 

Is it you? 

Are you willing to be the one who will face challenges head-on for the prize set before you? 

Keep climbing!

Written by Jentezen Franklin

Jentezen Franklin is the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church. Each week his television program, Kingdom Connection, is broadcast on major networks all over the world. A New York Times best-selling author, Jentezen has written ten books including his most recent Acres of Diamonds, Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt, the groundbreaking Fasting and Right People-Right Place-Right Plan.Jentezen and his wife Cherise have been married 33 years, have five children and four grandchildren, and make their home in Gainesville, Georgia.

sermons-online.org

You might also like:

Rise Up on the Wings of Faith - faith truly does come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. And it is our faith - not just our prayers - that moves the hand of God. It is faith that moves the mountains in our lives. Rise up on spiritual wings and begin to see things from God's perspective - pray from above that mountain and command it to move. Deal with it exactly like God would because you’ve risen up in faith and joined yourself in agreement with Him

You were made to live and establish your faith in the valley - when I take you to the mountain to see and experience my glory, it is for your encouragement and inspiration, but you’ll not be able to remain there. You were made to live and establish your faith in the valley. Life is not about avoiding pain or crisis; it’s about appropriating my grace in every circumstance of life. Drink from my spring in the valley so that you can be my voice on the mountain

Can You Come Down From the Mountain - if God shows you something to do, just do it. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain. Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once - go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain