The Mountain Top Experience

"The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For he has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation." 
Psalm 24:1-6 NKJV

How magnificent the world looks when you are high up on a mountain top. As I looked down, I could see the Los Angeles Reservoir and many houses all lined up next to each other. I stood there wondering what was going on below. As I wondered this, I thought to myself how God knows what is happening every second of our day and how magnificently He created the world and all its inhabitants!

Nature brings me physically close to God our Creator. There is such an unexplainable feeling  within me  whenever I stand on a mountain top looking out to the world.  On this particular day, standing there, I thought about Martin Luther King's Jr.'s speech "I've Been to the Mountain Top." I am not going to go through the speech. However, I do want to point out what his closing paragraph was in this famous speech...

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

There is planning and preparation to achieve a goal or to achieve a dream. Whatever our mountain top is; we have to believe that we can make it there. We invest in the battle against our paradigms, strengthen our bodies, our minds and prepare for the elements. Because something in us knows it is worth it and that when we set foot on that mountain top, the taste of victory is beyond delicious! It is beyond comparison!  

There is an incredible feeling when standing on a mountain top in God's presence. Whatever your body went through prior to hiking to the top, it doesn't compare to the victory. What was holding you back is realized, that it was not as powerful as you thought. 

As I hiked, I felt as though I was shedding weight that was weighing  me down spiritually. Each step I took, I prayed and cried out to the Lord for strength and eventually felt a spiritual breakthrough. I felt a cleansing occurring within me. When I finally got to the top of the mountain, I was able to stand high up above the Hollywood hills and overlook the Hollywood sign and the L.A. Reservoir, with a transformed heart that began its revolution at the bottom. Yes, transformation and revolution begins in the valleys, not at the top.

Standing victorious at the top, I felt the peaceful presence of the Almighty, close to Him and understanding that all of my "whatevers" don't matter. The God who created every intricate piece of this world and all its inhabitants, has  a plan for me. He has promises ready to offer. 

This mountain top experience is what I want to carry with me when in the valley. The valley is where transformation happens, it is where you build up endurance, you build up your heart and your body begins to tone up. This is where we have the opportunity to look to Him and trust that He will make the impossibilities possible.

Martin and the Psalmist had it right...they both saw the glory of the coming of the Lord! But a transformation of paradigms had to occur first, to understand what God was requiring from them; more of Him, and less of them.

"Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:4-5 NKJV

Come Follow Me...What does it take to Follow Jesus?

This past week I went hiking up the Hollywood Mountains. The weatherperson said that it was going to be in the high 90s on this July day. So, I made sure to drink my protein first thing and then pack enough iced water, bug spray, sunscreen and a protein bar. It was early morning when we started and it was hot, so hot that I had to wet my hat to keep me cool and so happy that I had my iced cold water with me, which quenched my thirst as I walked. This hike was for endurance building, not one for speed.

Because I forgot once again to take my allergy pill, the only way I could breath with a stuffed nose, was through my mouth. I walked huffing and puffing up all the steep inclines. Yes, embarrassed that others heard me, but either I breathe or die! LOL!

Others quickly passed me with less equipment than I had, which made me wonder how could anyone do a 6 mile hike without water. Their insides must be crying out for relief! I asked my hiking buddy this question. She responded, "They probably hydrated themselves prior to the walk." I responded, you can only hydrate yourself so much, I would think they would still need water for the duration.

Many of these people that walked quickly past me seemed to be in good health, laughing and talking with their friends. Watching them brought to my attention how some Believers can look good on the outside, trying to live on Sunday's or Wednesday's sermon,  or involved in their church by doing helpful things based on their skills that they have acquired and not based on the guidance and leadership of the Spirit.

Jesus says to Philip in John 1:43

"The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."


The moment that we answer God's call, the Spirit enables us to follow. But what does it take to be successful in the Christian walk? No, this is not going to be an expository on the subject, but more of my thoughts on what works for me; daily preparation. For example, I have to wear the right shoes and clothing for each hike and my mental attitude has to be right. My thoughts have to be directed to the right focus or goal; I have to look beyond the heat and the pain.  Each hike for me is a separate experience from the one I took before and it will be different from the one coming in the future. Even my preparation during the week can affect a hike 5 days away. If I start my day eating junk food, I have a choice to either stop or continue. Because I know, that if I indulge in too much junk food, it will impact me in some way.

What keeps me hiking in heat and pain is the goal to accomplish those things which I couldn't before. In other words to make my physical failures a lie and my physical victories...true. Each victory moves me to the next level!

What keeps me walking with Jesus is His love for me and knowing that I will be with Him one day. Your goals, hobbies or focus may be different, but if you are a Believer, we all have the same plan and same basic instructions...The Holy Bible. 


If you wonder why you quit on those inclines, consider what preparation you have done. What does your spiritual life revolve around?

Is what you are doing taking you to victories in Christ or do you wake up thinking about communing with the Lord and then never attempting to get around to it because of excuses? Have you allowed yourself to become complacent with other things?

Why do we fail? Simply, because we don't execute our spiritual life like we do other things in our lives. Eventually, if we don't allow the Spirit to be dominant we will see gaps in other areas in our lives.

I don't know the next mountain that I am going to hike, but I have a mental list of the places I would like to adventure.  Some of these places I don't know what the terrain is like. Regardless, the unknown isn't going to stop me. I am going to do my research and ask my advanced hiking friends questions about the land, paths, etc. Same with the Lord, He is taking me to new places that I have never been. As long as I communicate with Him on a daily basis and allow Him to lead, everything is going to be okay and I will get through each day's situations. When Jesus asked me to "Follow Him" the adventure began.

For myself being diligent and preparing my heart with His Word is what will keep me successful and transform me to the person He sees me as, but it is important that I see it too. Each adventure with the Lord is different and deeper. I don't want to be the person who talks about what I did years ago, I want to be that person who always has something new to share on how God is working in my life! I want to be so overwhelmed with His Spirit and know that it was God who made things unstoppable for me. I want to be left speechless!

1 Timothy 2:15

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." NKJV

These things I have Spoken to YOU...

Recently, a couple of friends and I went on a hike to a waterfall. It wasn't a long hike only a little over 4 miles. The first time I hiked the trail, I had noticed how smooth it was the first part of the hike. However, the last mile and a half the easiness had changed. I had to walk on and over rocks and boulders, and sometimes walked in the creek. Others walked on and over the rocks that were bedded in the creek to avoid getting their shoes wet. But since it was a very hot day and the hike was not shaded all the way, for me walking in the creek was refreshing!

As we walked along the way we saw people coming back from our intended destination. We  constantly asked them if we were taking the right path and one individual told us, "Just follow the path." I laughed to myself, because I wasn't sure which path to take. Those close to me, know well enough not to depend on me as a trail guide. I have no sense of direction. I get lost even using my GPS. Our dependency on hiking on the correct path was on the information from those who were coming back from the waterfall and by keeping an eye on those who were hiking ahead of us.

Since it was a hot day and there wasn't much shade for the first part of the trail, walking in or next to the creek was very welcoming and it took my mind off of the heat. I told my hiking partner how this trail reminded me so much of life in this world with Christ. We have our smooth spots and then the rough parts come along, but the Living Water is there to quench and refresh us.

John 16:33 says:
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."NKJV

This is the hope I hold on to every waking moment of my day. That in Him I have peace. I may not be able to control circumstances around me, but I can look to Him and have His peace control what goes on inside of me and be able to smile and joy because He has overcome my circumstances.

Just like my hiking partner and I depended on the information given to us by other hikers; we believed their report and kept on hiking because something in us believed it was worthwhile to walk in the heat, over rocks and boulders.

In my life I depend even more so on the information that has been written in God's Word by those who have gone before us. With so much uncertainty in this world, this I know; He has overcome this world and the promises that have been written I hold on to dearly. I don't always feel that "faith" feeling, but I believe that it is true and it doesn't matter what I feel. Because our hearts can fail us. But God is greater than our hearts and I trust Him and His Word. This is what God wants from us, to trust Him, to employ Him for those areas we lack.

1 John 3:20 says:
"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." NKJV

Yes, we did get to the waterfall. As I sat on a boulder surrounded by the majestic nature God had created; I was overwhelmed. I did go under the waterfall and as I stood under the cool refreshing water splattering all over me, I raised my hands towards heaven and thanked Him for what He created for me.

Psalm 23:2-3
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." NKJV

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."NKJV

Abiding in God's Love: John 15:9-10

I have been thinking about the power of God's Love and trying to capture the dynamic of what it means to love Him. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface.

In my reading today, these two verses shouted out at me:

"As the Father loved Me. I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love."
 John 15: 9-10 (NKJV)

There was an actor who said that he thought God is a punchline. How ignorant we humans can be when trying to define the Mighty and Powerful God within our own paradigm.

"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24 NKJV
This is what Jesus told the Woman at the well. She had her definition of who God was and how one should worship Him.

We cannot understand who He is by our standards. It is important to ask Him to show us who He truly is and to learn from Him. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7 NKJV


What is the Power of His Love? 

Because Jesus abided in the love of His Father, He succeeded in the relationship with the Father and was able to conquer His existence as "God-Man." All the criticism He received from His creation, feelings of anguish, His joy in loving those around Him, etc., was put into proper perspective.

Through Christ's example, He showed us the Power there is when abiding in God's Love. It isn't just a feeling we encounter when we are worshiping, it goes beyond that. There is a protection that surrounds our daily lives when we abide in Him. The two verses shows that there is a benefit just by following Him. Simply invest in His love, by abiding.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "abide" in two types of verbs:

Transitive: 

• to wait for
• to endure without yielding: withstand
• to bear patiently: tolerate
• to accept without objection

Intransitive:

• to remain stable or fixed in a state
• to continue in a place
• to conform to
• to acquiesce

When one abides within the closure of His love, nothing can penetrate these walls. His love covers and  strengthens us within our daily living. The Psalmist expressed the power of God's love through this verse; "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." Psalm 91:4 NKJV

So many times we want God to fix our situations or we pray "Lord change us, we want to do your will." But there isn't any change until we accept His truth and learn from Him. Transformation comes when we "abide" in Him. "Don't let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of His presence as you seek His will." Charles Stanley

What does Jesus mean by keeping His Commandments?

I don't believe He was directing this specifically to the "10 Commandments." The Law of Moses was a pointer to Christ, for us to get saved. Once we are saved, we follow the Law of Christ. "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. " Galatians 5:14 NKJV

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." Galatians 2:16 NKJV

"But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
1 John 2:5-6 NKJV

An acquaintance told me last week, that he was trying to be good. We can try all we want and never succeed. But once we make the decision allowing Him to do it for us, then success begins.

Jesus made it easy for us, all we need to do is follow Him. Once we accept without objection then conformity begins within our lives. Changes to our relationship will occur. Yes, there may be some shattering of weaknesses that have engulfed our lives. The hoarding of our human soul needs to be cleaned out; the negative beliefs, desires, pains that the fleshly soul doesn't want to let go of, or whatever is holding us back from being successful in our relationship with Him.

When we abide in His Love and follow His words, we allow Him to refocus and adjust our vision. We begin to understand and trust what He is saying. A total transformation! You may not feel what He is saying at the moment, but that doesn't change the power of His words. Just believe through the Spirit. Allow Him to be your faith.  So many times  I told the Lord, "I am not feeling it Lord" but I believe what you said and so I am standing on your Faith."Something happens when you approach a situation with that type of attitude. Because, when you trust what He says, you look at your situation differently. In Him there is success like you could never imagine.

Where does our love reside? "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 1:15-17 NKJV

Where our hearts abide is what will dominate and command our direction. If you desire to be transformed and be directed by Him, then abide and allow His love to teach you. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30 

The results are amazing when we abide and follow Him.