I have such a sense that 2005 is the year we choose to respond to the call of Jesus Christ to move on to new and greater things. It is a choice we all have to make. Yes or no. No maybe or in between.

The Spirit of the Living God is calling men and women to follow Jesus to a higher place. Jesus himself is calling you…. Are you going to follow Him or are you going to think up some valid sounding reason why you can’t this year…

We will discuss:

The call of Jesus to follow up the mountain
What to expect going up the mountain.
What awaits you at the top of the mountain.

1. THE CALL
Mark 3: 13: ”And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.”

What an amazing scripture. There are a few main points in this that struck me.

Where was Jesus going?
Jesus was going up a mountain. He was moving in a specific direction. He was leading. He had a purpose in mind that would change history.

‘He called to Him’
Jesus is calling us to Himself. To come with Him on this journey up the mountain. To follow Him for who He is. Jesus is today calling you. He is saying the following:

“Come Son / Daughter, come to me – walk close with me and I will lead you up this mountain. There will be difficulty and challenges but I am calling you to come close to me. In being close to me I can show you the view from the top, I can release you to achieve more than you ever dreamt of for me.”

I can almost picture Him ahead, looking back at you with His hand held out saying – come.

'Those He Himself wanted’
Jesus wants you. He really really wants you. Today as you hear this word, your heart is tugging because THAT is Jesus calling you BECAUSE He Himself WANTS you. He has chosen you because He loves who you are and wants you to be part of His journey up the mountain – to the top. He wants your company. Your past does not matter, what matters is your choice today to say: Yes Jesus, I will come to You!

2. GOING UP THE MOUNTAIN
Okay… so now you want to follow Him up this mountain. What does climbing up this mountain entail:

Commitment:
You cannot decide to climb a mountain without some cost involved. Your commitment will determine if you achieve the top or not. Are you going to push thru even when you have lost sight of the top, even when all your buddies or family tell you that you are stupid, even when you can’t seem to see Jesus. Do you give up when the going gets tough? Or are you committed to follow the call of Jesus no matter what?

Training:
In your Christian walk are you training to follow Him or are you content to stay in the valley of existence and dull living? Are you doing whatever ‘fitness’ training you can so that you are able to climb. In the same way a natural trainer has to physically train his body for climbing a mountain, so you must train your soul by having intimate time with Jesus on a regular basis. He is your leader. Your rope attached to Him will determine tour survival. Other important training aspects are: REGULAR attendance of prayer meetings, church etc. Prayer meetings are the place where Jesus Himself trains you.

Cost:
Yes this will cost. To follow Jesus will cost you sometimes family and friends. Comments may sound like this: “you are mad, your team leader expects to much of you, they want to control you, you do not need to be at church(training ground) so much. Etc etc. These are normally voiced by those who cannot see Jesus calling, or they themselves are stuck in the valley and want all to stay with them their so that it will justify their mediocrity. It will take up your ‘personal time’ But the voice of Jesus is still calling “COME!”

3. THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
At the top of the mountain the view is awesome. You have won! The prize is worth it all.

Mark 3: 14 -15: “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have power to heal sickness and to cast out demons.”

At the top the following happens:

Jesus Himself appoints you to be WITH HIM – you have a personal new relationship closer than ever – closer than the people in the valley. You encounter Jesus in a life changing intimate way.

Jesus Himself appoints you to go do something WITH POWER! Not woesie Christianity, but a real supernatural demonstration of Jesus being with you.
Matthew 17: 2-5: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, led them up a high mountain by themselves.

And He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light.

……Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

…….behold a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud saying: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

At the top of the mountain you encounter the glory of God the Father and Jesus, the Son, in all His might, power and splendour.

Jesus is calling…. Will you follow?

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