Climbing Mount Zion (Pt VII)

The Master plan is for Christians to climb Mt. Zion as a team.  Each team member supports each other during the grueling ascent.  Secured to one another with ropes, spiritual climbers can make it to the top safely and keep each other from sliding into the crevasses of sin.  When the team nears the top the revelation of God’s Kingdom is revealed.   At these heights, confusion can set in, so climbers will often start to fight with each other and debate who has the highest position, which is another sign of “altitude sickness” or pride.  The goal of a team of Christian climbers is to reach the summit, the city of God, then turn and behold the most wondrous beauty of all — God’s kingdom.  Those who endure will reach the top and walk safely in the heavenly city of New Jerusalem, in the presence of the Lord.

Ezekiel 20

40 “For on my holy mountain,

the mountain height of Israel, says the Lord God,

there all the house of Israel, all of them,

shall serve me in the land;

there I will accept them,

and there I will require your contributions

and the choicest of your gifts,

with all your sacred offerings.

41 As a pleasing odor I will accept you,

when I bring you out from the peoples,

and gather you out of the countries

where you have been scattered;

and I will manifest my holiness among you

in the sight of the nations. RSV

Climbing Mount Zion (Pt VI)

Mount Rainier

“For you have need of endurance,

so that you may do the will of God

and receive what is promised.”

Hebrews 10:36

Unprepared Christian climbers can easily slip into crevasses of past sin.  Avalanches engulf the spiritually unprepared with the cares of this world choking out spiritual goals.  Altitude sickness, better known to the Christian as pride is when they forget their past sins for which they have been forgiven.  The only way to overcome altitude sickness is to return down to base camp.  In the “valley of humility,” the Lord reminds us of what we have come through and teaches us the value of grace.

Climbers often get caught in snowstorms and have to cling to the slopes sheltering in their tents, as the winds swirl snow forming a “white‑out” that blinds a climber.  Be warned, at high altitudes on Mount Zion, a” white-out of doubt” can blind a Christian.  These storms will treacherously stall a team of climbers for several days clinging to a high mountain ridge.  Waiting out a storm uses up valuable supplies and many times the climber will have to abandon the expedition.  Patience and perfect timing are essential to a successful climb of any mountain.

Climbing Mount Zion (Pt V)

https://www.uphillathlete.com/training-for-mountaineering/

Expert climbers take the time to prepare at base camp reviewing maps and considering the future weather conditions for the climb.  A Climber will typically take a path that a previous successful climber used.  Christian climbers use the Bible to find the successful path of others who have reached the heavenly city at the top.  We should take time to study the topography of the mountain using a powerful telescope to preview the best course and watching those who have gone before us.  From this vantage point we see the grandeur and beauty of the mountain slopes inspiring us.  Now is the time to organize your climbing tools – the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Unfortunately, there are some who are content to stay at base camp, but Spirit inspired Christian will press up into the heavenly heights of God’s presence. 

Be wary, thousands attempt to climb the peak of Mt. Zion, but only a few are willing to make the commitment to reach the holy city at the top.

Climbing Mount Zion (Pt IV)

“But for thee, O Lord, do I wait;

it is thou, O Lord my God,

who wilt answer.”

Psalm 38:15 RSV

Base camp resounds with an air of anticipation.  At this spiritual base camp obedient Christians hear the Master’s instructions of repentance, which allows entrance into His Holy presence for provisions.  Here we receive our spiritual tools and clothing for protection.  Wisdom is the most valuable tool the Christian climber needs to have a successful climb.  At high altitudes, the sun melts the snow, freezing at night and forming a treacherous surface.  Climbers must wear spiked shoes, called crampons to avoid slipping on this surface.  Christians without these spiritual shoes will slip on the slopes of false doctrine as they wander off into the high mysteries of God.  His holy tent is overflowing with provisions for each climber, providing strength to climb.  His Tabernacle tent is a temporary dwelling place designed in the image of God’s heavenly throne room.  Here we get a foretaste of our heavenly goal.  Here the Lord begins judgment in preparation for us to stand in His presence, which is holy.  Listen carefully and the Lord will speak into your heart, “Because you have obeyed and sacrificed your life for Me, I will recognize you with the reward of a successful climb to the top of Mount Zion.”  We have our sights on His dwelling place on the side of the mountain where there is a beautiful place for the saints to enjoy Mt. Zion.   

Climbing Mount Zion (Pt III)

Monarch, CO – copywrite John H Nye 2020

“Waiting on the Lord” is the first step in a successful climb of Mount Zion

Expedition teams fly to a base camp to climb high mountains without hiking and packing in equipment for days.  A wise climber will not exert all his energy crossing streams in the foothills.  A professional climber will focus all their energy on the mountain.  Christian climber, the Holy Spirit is your only way to base camp.  The base camp for Mount Zion is beyond mortal reach.  Christians must wait on the Lord in prayer and then they will fly like eagles into the mountains on a spiritual updraft to greater heights.  To be successful you must learn what it means to wait on the Lord to know God’s will.  Surprisingly, waiting on the Lord does not mean — do nothing at all.  An experienced restaurant waiter works endlessly, but always waiting for the customer’s call.  An excellent waiter always has an ear attentively listening for a call from the one he is serving.  A highly skilled waiter anticipates the needs of those he serves.  Christians must learn to discern the subtle signals of Jesus.  As a true servant of the Lord we will learn to respond to His needs.  We will know His perfect will, because of our personal relationship with Him.  Our lives are transformed when we learn to pray according to God’s will.

Climbing Mount Zion (Pt II)

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

and who shall stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false,

and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the Lord,

and vindication from the God of his salvation.”

Psalm 24:3‑5 RSV

The first phase in preparing for climbing Mt. Zion is to repent and drop the weight of sin.  When we are free from sin, we are given a new strength in our inner man by the Holy Spirit.  Since we are living in the end-times it is important to climb Mount Zion soon to gain the full benefit.  The requisite for the church is to climb this holy mountain so they are pleasing to the Father.  A Christian who hesitates or turns back from climbing will not be pleasing to God

A worldly mountain climber will wisely prepare for an expedition by exercising, so that when the going gets rough they do not give up.  A steady diet of the Word of God is essential for building spiritual powers.  Preparation requires physical fitness and proper supplies, such as oxygen, because mountain air is thin.  When climbing Mt. Zion, the earthly air fades too.  Christians must prepare for high altitude by dwelling within the Spirit of God.  Prayer is the catalyst for our actions that lead us toward a solid relationship of faith in Jesus Christ.

Expert climbers should have a strong relationship with the other members of their climbing team to be successful.  The members of a church must also have strong relationships with each other to form a victorious climbing team.  A lone climber should not attempt to ascend a spiritual mountain by himself.  We can only successfully climb the mountain of God when we are a unified church body in support of each other.

Preparation to Climb the Mount (Part I)

It shall come to pass in the latter days

that the mountain

of the house of the Lord shall be established

as the highest of the mountains,

and shall be raised up above the hills;

and peoples shall flow to it,

and many nations shall come, and say:

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob;

that he may teach us his ways

and we may walk in his paths.”

For out of Zion shall go forth the law,

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:1-2 RSV

Each Christian must focus on the top of Mt. Zion their ultimate goal, just as any mountain climber does when they look at an earthly mountain.  When a Christian looks at the majestic mountain of heaven, they must allow the Holy Spirit to birth a desire to climb into the heavenlies.  Expert mountain climbers spend weeks studying the mountainside ridges for the best path to climb.  Christians need to study the Holy mountain in the scriptures and look for the path God wants us to follow.  Mountain climbers prepare for months before they attempt to climb a mountain.  Christians must prepare themselves before attempting to climb the holy mount.  A Christian that has planned before climbing the heights will realize the cost of following Jesus before they make the decision to ascent.

Mountain climbers carry heavy backpacks with all the needed supplies.  They will do everything they can to cut the weight of their backpack down, even shortening the handle of a toothbrush.  Christians too carry excess baggage through life, such as emotional scars, resentment, and secrets.  For a Christian to be successful in their climb of Mount Zion, they cannot take any preconceived ideas.  Christians must lay their burdens down, only then will they be able to climb unencumbered.

The Real Lovestory

https://wallpapersafari.com/w/6UTbvu

We can not praise God enough for His plan fulfilled on the cross to seal His bride unto Himself. The world thinks Cinderella is such a great love story, but that is only because it mimics the truest and greatest love story of all time. We lost gentiles who had no hope of being part of a chosen people like the Israelites, but thanks be to God and the preaching of Paul we are confident in this new relationship. We have not only been adopted as sons but betrothed as a bride. Is there any other religion in the world that has such a loving story as ours with Jesus? This prophecy was planned from the beginning and revealed by David thousands of years before the wedding feast.

“The princess is decked in her chamber
with gold-woven robes;
in many-colored robes she is led to the king;
behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.
With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.”
Psalm 45:13-14 NRSV

Becoming a Son in Christ: Building a Relationship with our Father

Want to know how to get closer to God and build a lasting relationship? Through Jesus’ prayers, we understand better His relationship with His Father and how He is inviting us into this holy relationship. By praying as you read this book you will be transported into a new relationship with God. You will gain a greater understanding of Jesus’ life decisions, so you can make the same choices. Allow these Holy Spirit inspired words from God your Father bless you.

John Nye went to Melodyland School of Theology but realized his calling was not a pastor. In the seventies, he moved to San Jose, CA to assist in starting a fellowship. During the eighties and nineties, he was a licensed minister and served as a teacher in home groups and adult Sunday school. Through the years of prayer and meditation in the Word, he accumulated pages of inspired writings that have now been consolidated into a book for the blessing of future Christians.

See Past Blogs

Promote Prayer Intercessors

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/a-prayer-for-unity

Sorry I have not been posting regularly because I just finished proofing and publishing my new book. (see below)

My next book is on prayer. We have all neglected our conversations with God and most of all the art of listening to God. Pastors all too often value teachers and deacons more than the prayer intercessors in their church.  But if the church had a core of intercessors there is so much more victory.  God wants pastors to nurture the people who pray with encouragement and meet with them often to share personal needs and challenges, so they can pray a shield of protection.  Prayer will change troubled people in your church calming attacks from the enemy.  A church that is in prayer agreement is less likely to have division.  The Holy Spirit is calling the church to build up its people in prayer because where two or more agree in prayer there is power beyond our understanding.

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