Keep Climbing

"Give me this (mountain) that the Lord promised me." Joshua 14:12

I read this story the other day, and it inspired me.....

Admiral Joe Fowler served in both world wars. As a naval architect he designed two of America's largest aircraft carriers, the USS Lexington and the USS Saratoga. He retired from the Navy in 1948.

Shortly after, Walt Disney asked him to head up the design and construction of his first theme park in California. Nothing like it had ever been done before. Not only did Fowler complete the project in 1955, he managed its operation for many years.

Later when Disney wanted to build another theme park in Florida, he called Fowler to do it. When Fowler was 87, and Disney called on him again to build a futuristic theme. That theme park is called Epcot Center.

When asked why he would take on such a project at 87 Fowler replied, "You don't have to die until you want to." In 1993 he completed the job, and laid down his drawing board at the age of 99. Mission accomplished!!!!

This is how God wants us to be in our spiritual life as we advance in years: growing older, but never weaker in Jesus.

At 85 years of age Caleb said to Joshua, "Give me this (mountain) that the Lord promised me (forty-five years ago)" Joshua 14:12

In fact, Caleb wants the fight. He could have asked for an easy place, but he knows that these foes must be faced and figures that he may as well be the one to do it. He doesn’t leave the work to someone else, though he could have, especially at his age.

What if all of Israel had the heart of Caleb?

What if no one in Israel had the heart of Caleb?

Again, Caleb’s secret is clear: he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.

There was a total commitment in Caleb’s life.

Did he get it?

Yes......So keep climbing!!!!

Will you make mistakes along the way?

Yes.......Henry Ford forgot to put a reverse gear in his first car. He also went bankrupt 5 times before becoming the father of the automobile industry.

You'll stumble on your way to the top, but if you seek God's help and stay with it, you'll get there. The truth is, you're not defeated until your doubts and regrets take the place of your dreams......

GIVE YOUR BEST

"Don't just do the minimum that will get you by." Col 3:23

We all want to stay in a 5 star Hotel.

Why??? 5 star is the best we can get....

The best appearance, the best things to offer, & the best service.....

We get the best furniture, & the best linen.....

I mean everything is the best!!!!

We all want to eat in a 5 star restaurant.

Why???? They have the best looking food (Nothing on the plate but it looks good)

WE ALWAYS WANT THE BEST!!!!

THINK ON THIS GOD GAVE HIS BEST JESUS GAVE HIS BEST THE SAD PART IS WE DON’T GIVE HIM OUR BEST.......

TO HAVE THESE 5 STAR ACCOMDATIONS THEY COST A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT WHO CARES “I DESERVE IT, I WORK HARD”

SERVING GOD IT COST:

1)OUR TIME

2) US DYING TO SELF

3) US LOVING GOD ENOUGH TO SAY I WANT TO SERVE GOD.

WE WANT TO BE A 5 STAR CHRISTAIN....

THE FANCY HOTEL WE STAY AT IT’S OVER WITH WHEN WE LEAVE ALL THAT IS LEFT IS THE BILL WHEN IT COMES IN.

BUT WITH GOD IT’S NEVER OVER IF WE WOULD BE A 5 STAR CHRISTAIN, GOD HAS PROMISES FOR US EVEN REWARDS WAITING FOR US.

One of Michelangelo's greatest masterpieces was his sculpture of David. He worked on it with such passion that he often slept in his clothes, resenting the time it took to take them off and put them on again.

He repeatedly examined and measured the marble to see what pose it could accommodate. He made hundreds of sketches of possible attitudes, and detailed drawings from models. He tested his ideas in wax on a small scale, and only when he was satisfied did he pick up his chisel and mallet.

He approached the painting of the Sistine Chapel with the same intensity. Lying at uncomfortable angles on hard boards, breathing the suffocating air just under the vault, he suffered from inflamed eyes and skin irritation from the plaster dust.

For the next four years he literally sweated in physical distress-but look at what he produced!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "If a man is called to be a street sweeper he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause and say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.

"If you're not passionate about what you do, find something you can be passionate about!

Don't just strive to make money, strive to make a difference.......Significance should be your goal, not survival.

Paul gives us the ultimate reason for always giving our best: "Don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best...Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ"

Making important decisions......

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.

PS 37:23 NLT

When you are making important decisions:

(1) Beware of "people pressure."

" Facing 30,000 Philistine chariots, and Samuel the prophet not around to offer the required sacrifice to God ensuring their victory, King Saul decided to usurp the prophet’s office and offer his own sacrifice. When Samuel showed up a week later and demanded an explanation,

Saul said, "When I saw the people...I felt compelled" (1Sa 13:12 NKJV). He gave in to "people pressure." Samuel replied, "You have done foolishly...now your kingdom shall not continue" (vv. 13-14 NKJV).

God’s will must be done God’s way, so wait for His instructions and don’t rush ahead of Him.

(2) Make sure your timing is right. God says:

"I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it" (Rev 3:8 NKJV).

When you open the door you have to work to keep it open; but when God opens it, "no one can shut it." You don’t have to manipulate anybody or anything " you just walk in.

(3) Remember the "restraint and release" principle.

Paul’s missionary team tried to go to two different cities, "but the Spirit did not permit them" (Ac 16:7 NKJV). Ever try to teach a teen to drive? What’s the first thing you teach them, the accelerator or the brakes?

The brakes! If they’re not interested, take your car keys back because they’re not ready to drive. As you get to know God better you’ll discover that He guides by the "restraint and release" principle: the brakes and the accelerator. That’s how it works when your steps are directed by the Lord...........