Rev.Dr.Jeffry David Camm

1.         Many people are called, but very few accept the challenge, and answer the call of God upon their lives. This study is to try and identify why this happens.

2.         Revelation # 1: Is to realize that God Almighty never, ever, CALLS A PERSON TO FAILURE! God’s plans are perfect! He knows who you are (in your heart). He would never call you to do a task that would end in failure, because that would not bring glory to the Son, to the Father, or to the Holy Spirit.

3.         Revelation # 2: We all have to get it into our heads is that if God “calls you”, then God will also “equip you”, with the equipment and skills that you will need for the task. God never sends His soldiers on a “Mission Impossible”!

4.         When David went out to confront Goliath, he went out fully equipped “in the spiritual realm” and in the “physical realm” to completely destroy his enemy. Even though he was only a teenager, small in physical stature compared to Goliath, he had honed his skills while he was guarding his father’s sheep, to the extent that he had even killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands, when they tried to attack the sheep. What do we learn from this? David was not afraid of a fight, no matter how big the opposing enemy seemed to be. He trusted in God to bring him through the task victoriously, so that it would give glory back to God.
 

5.         Revelation # 3: When God gives you a task to do, it is for His glory, not yours! So, God has called you up the mountain. What are you going to do about it?
Are you going to cover your head with your pillow, roll over and go back to sleep, or are you going to get out of bed onto your knees, and start to thank God for being selected, for such a special task as this? Just think, out of all the people on earth, Jesus has singled you out, specifically for this task

6.         Revelation # 4: God knows the end from the beginning. He knows what you are presently capable of doing; He knows your present state of spiritual maturity, and your present physical strength, and your mental stamina.
Already God knows that you are ready to move to the next spiritual level on your journey to spiritual maturity.

7.         In Hebrews chapter 6, verses 1-2 Paul indicates that He is tired of people being continually taught “elementary teachings”, or, in his mind “kindergarten stuff”. He urges pastors and elders to encourage their congregations to move out of this spiritual “merry go round” and move past this point, to the next level of spiritual maturity. However, verse 3 says simply: “If God permits”.

8.         Why would God not want you to move on? The only reason that God would not want you to move on is if you have not learnt what you have previously been taught. There has to be a test!

9.         If you pass the test, then the new path is set out before you. You are ready now in the valley where there are many mountains, so which one does the Lord want you to climb? You are ready to start your climb, but first you must make sure that you are at the base of the correct mountain, and then find the climbing companions to make up your team. God would never send you on a mission like this on your own.

10.      This can only be determined by going to the Lord in prayer. Once that has been confirmed, by prayer and confirmation, you are now at the starting point on the diagram on page 1.

11.      You are now ready to take the first ascent, but before you start out, you must survey the terrain, look for possible climbing routes, and check that you have all the equipment in your backpack that you will need. Now comes the hard part; if you take too much in your backpack, the extra weight will become a heavy burden, which will ultimately cause you to fail.

12.      Revelation # 5: Many people fail on their journey with God, because they have not learnt to get rid of unnecessary baggage. Extra baggage slows you down, and causes you to waste valuable energy along the way on your journey, and in many cases, the extra baggage is of no use or value, at the place you are now standing with God.

13.      For example: When you board a plane, there is a 30 Kg baggage limit. If you pack more into your suitcase than this, when you get to the airport, they give you a choice, remove some of the items, re-pack your suitcase, or pay a penalty – paying for excess baggage. The same now applies to your spiritual journey with the Lord. You must do a spiritual, mental, and physical audit, and only take along with you the equipment that is needed for the journey; to climb the mountain of your God. (Leave the TV at home – you do not need it on the mountain.)

14.      As I have stated previously, many people fail on their journey, with the Lord, not because God planned for them to fail [Absolutely not!] but because they did not do some (or all) of the following;

a)    They did not exercise their faith! Believers have each been given “a measure of faith”. Jesus is given faith “without limits”. As we become more like Christ on our spiritual journey, then our measure of faith is increased. Jesus expects us to use the full limit of our faith, all of the time. Faith is like a muscle; it has to be exercised.

b)    They failed to give all of their problems to the Lord in Prayer. Whenever you are on a journey with God, you have to keep checking in along the way, for spiritual updates, new warnings, encouragements, and guidelines, for the next phase of the journey.

c)    They did not listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit does nothing of itself, but He relays to us what He has heard as conversations between Jesus and the Father in heaven. These are of course the answers to your prayers.

d)   Those people who do not have a close relationship with Jesus will not recognise the voice of the Holy Spirit. This is really sad, because Jesus promised that He would send to us the Comforter, (the Holy Spirit) who would lead us into ALL truth. He even went on to say that greater things will we do, because He is going to the Father. But, if you do not know and recognise His voice, then you will be easily misled and/or misdirected by an evil, false representation of the Holy Spirit.

15.      [Refer to the drawing]: You start and travel through part of the journey and reach to Point “A”, then proceed back towards the edge of the mountain and upwards to Point “B”. At point “B” you rest, ready for the assault on the overhang to reach Point “D”, but something happens which sends you off track, and you end up at Point” C”.

16.      This should cause you to re-evaluate your last set of directions. Were they from the Lord or not? It is time to go back into prayer.

17.      Did the last set of instructions give glory and honour to the Lord? Paul says quite clearly in the word, that we must test every direction we receive from the Holy Spirit, to make sure that it lines up with the scriptures. If it does not, then the messenger was NOT the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit would never send you a message which does not glorify God.  Having ascertained this, it is time to plan another route to get from Point “C” to point “D”. It has taken a little longer than God’s original plan for your trip, but you are now back on track, and hopefully, learnt a valuable lesson, about checking the instruction your receive in the spirit realm, and making sure that they have come from the Holy Spirit, the true image of the light, not from the false image, which Satan has put into your path to try to derail God’s plans for you.

18.      At Point “D”, you are more than halfway to the summit, now the air is getting thinner; each breath seems not to give you enough oxygen to move forward; the physical strain on your muscles and joints makes each step a painful journey; but now is the time to rely on scripture. “In my weakness moments, then Christ’s strength can become more effective in me”.

19.      Now is the time to put you faith into action. Let us look at what faith really means:

a)    “F” = Forsaking

b)    “A” = All others

c)    “I”  = I (me)

d)    “T” = Trust

e)    “H” = HIM

20.      The climb up the cliff face will be a test for even the best climbers, so you will now be a “spiritual warrior” at the forefront of the battle between good and evil. It will require excellent team work, to make it safely to the next stage of the climb. God has protected you so far, even when you went off track, but now is not the time to make mistakes; it is a dangerous place you are now about to attempt to climb. You will need all of your physical wits about you, and your spiritual ones as well. One mistake will cause you to fall and you will end up back at Point “B”, with possible physical and spiritual injuries.

21.      So now is the point of decision. Will you continue on your journey, or stop and say “This is as far as I go”!

22.      Unfortunately many Christians get to a place where they think it is too hard for them to continue, because they forgot that Jesus did not call them to this journey so that they would fail. Jesus is in the “success making business”, so that your life can bring glory and honour to the Father in Heaven.

23.      So upon reflection, you decide to continue, surprisingly with renewed vigour, as things do not seem to be as hard as you expected. You seemed to have got your “second wind”, and your muscles are not paining as much as before. Even though you are now higher up the mountain, even the air seems to have more oxygen in it. It is not as painful to breathe now. This is the Holy Spirit’s power at work within you.

24.      At Point “E” you can almost see the top. This excitement wants you to rush on to the summit, but do not be fooled, there are still many obstacles left in those last few hundred metres to the top, and the closer you get to your goal to glorify God, the more likely is it that Satan will attack you when you least expect it. So consult the Lord continually, and take each step carefully, as you move those last few hundred metres to reach your goal at Point “F”. (Flag # 1)

25.      The Summit # 1: Now it is celebration time, to give thanks to the Lord for His protection, and His strength, and for His guidance throughout the whole journey.
As you look down, you can see for miles, and you now have a totally different perspective of the places around you. You can almost imagine that this is how the Lord sees us from above, as we go about our daily lives. You now get to partially understand the scripture which says that at the moment we see partially, as if through a hazy window, but the Lord sees with 20/20 vision.

26.      You have reached your goal; you deserve to have a celebration. God has proved His word to be true. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall rise up on the wings of eagles, they shall walk and not be weary, and they shall run and not be faint. (They shall climb mountains to get a better view of the city of our God).

27.      And for many Christians, that is as far as they ever go. Their attitude is: “Been there, done that, never, ever, want to have to go through that experience again”! And so an exciting, possibly miraculous journey with the Lord is cut short.
Let us look at Apostle Paul. Both He and Barnabus were called by the Holy Spirit and commanded to be set aside “for the work I have called them to do”.
Both of them set out on their first missionary journey together, with John Mark as their helper/trainee. This was to be an important apprenticeship for John Mark as well.

28.      They travelled and then argued and went their separate ways. Paul remained on that first missionary journey for 14 years, before coming back to Jacob (James) to report to the Jerusalem Council what had taken place as a result, of the gospel being preached, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, across the region.

29.      Apostle Paul had reached the summit (Flag #1) like in the diagram and He could have chosen to remain back in Jerusalem, teaching and preaching, and resting upon his laurels, but that was not the case.

30.      Paul was called to a higher calling, and that again required a decision, before he would act. The same applies to us today. God has called us up to a higher calling, to a place of complete spiritual maturity. That is why He has provided the Holy Spirit to the Body of Christ – the “church”, and also the 5-fold ministries, so that this goal can be achieved.

31.      There are many misunderstanding about what and why the 5-fold ministries are provided to the Body of Christ, but the clearest instruction is found in Ephesians chapter 4, starting at verse 11 (Living Bible Translation).  Some of us have been given special abilities as apostles; to others he has given the gift of being able to preach well; some have special abilities in winning people to Christ, helping them to trust him as their Saviour; still others have a gift for caring for God’s people, as a shepherd does his sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God.

32.      The Bible then goes on to ask a simple question: “Why is it that He gives us these special abilities, to do certain things best?”  It is so that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for Him, building up the church, to a position of strength and maturity until finally we all believe alike about our salvation and about our Saviour, God’s Son, and all become fully-grown in the Lord – Yes, to the point of being (completely) full of Christ.

33.      Now when we become full of Christ, then we will have faith like Christ also – that is, faith without measure and greater things shall we do, as promised in the scriptures.

34.      Now, it would be a very foolish pastor, or church leader who says that his church has reached this goal! If that was the case, there would be no poverty, and no sickness in his church, and there would be 100% unity within the church congregation, and 100% unity with the surrounding churches, of any denomination. But alas, that is not the case. But it could be, if every person in every congregation was prepared to go up the mountain, to the city of our God.

35.      So the next calling comes. God wants us to go up another mountain, a much higher mountain, than we first successfully attempted. This will cause many people to question their decision to follow Christ. “We have just completed one glorious task for the Lord, and now He wants us to go and do a much harder task. Why doesn’t He get someone else”?

36.      Many Christians will attend this “pity party” and their walk with the Lord will falter. Whilst others will jump at the chance to go on further with the Lord, to discover a deeper level of communication, prayer and knowledge of His word, as they continue to build a deeper relationship with Jesus.

37.      But even for those who have decided to take up the challenge and follow Jesus on the next journey of discovery, they are faced with another test.
They have successfully ascended one mountain and now are still sitting on the top of that mountain (at flag # 1). They have identified the next mountain they have to climb, but they are faced with two (2) important choices.
 

38.      Option 1: Should they climb back down the mountain, back into the valley below and then proceed to climb this higher mountain from the valley floor, or
Option 2: Should they put their trust in a trapeze ladder and swing across to the next mountain, using their faith as a safety line.

39.      Many choose “Option #1” and climb back down the mountain, but never start to climb the second mountain. They have endured so much and could have learnt so much, but when push comes to shove, they failed the second test.

40.      Those people who chose Option #2, put what they had learnt on the first climb into practise, when making their decision to climb the second mountain.
They fire the gun and send over the stronger line and affix it, so that the first member of the team is ready to cross.

41.      The first member of the team to cross has a great responsibility. He has to prove that the line if strong enough and secured well enough, to take his weight while he is fully suspended over the valley, which is many hundreds of metres below. If the line breaks, or becomes loose, he could fall and crash against the cliff face, causing serious injury or the worst-case scenario, fall to the valley floor, and almost certain death.

42.      Eventually, all members of your team cross “the bridge of faith” and establish a staging camp at Flag #2. You are now well on your journey to climb mountain # 2. Those who chose “Option # 1 are still climbing back down Mountain # 1 and have not yet reached the valley floor.

43.      Revelation # 6: Faith in Jesus Christ always makes the journey easier!

44.      Assessing the landscape you traverse the mountain, through point “G” and then do a short ascent climb and start back across the mountain face through Point “H” until you reach the eastern face once again. Now it is time to bunker down and seek protection from the ever increasing winds, and snow, and ice, which is not starting to form on your eyebrows, mouth and eyelids. You must be very careful to rug up as best as possible, so you do not get frostbite. Already you are wearing two pairs of socks, with thick protective boots and gloves, but still the cold seems to be seeping into your body.

45.      You are now more than 75% up the second mountain, whilst those who took Option #1 on mountain # 1 have only just reached the valley floor after their mountain decent, and are getting ready to start their climb once again.

46.      Some will refuse to start over, and lose their chance to get to know Jesus better, to have a deeper relationship with Jesus, which is so important in spiritual growth. Others will start, but their choice to go back down the mountain have put them way behind the first team. They can still arrive at the top of mountain # 2, but it will take them longer, they will use more energy, they will be tested for a longer duration, and be in situations of higher risks, all because they failed to put the lessons they had learnt climbing mountain # 1 intro practise. They failed the “faith” test.

47.      Now back to team # 1, who have been sheltering on the cliff face, at the edge of the eastern cliff face. The next ascent is straight up, through Point “I” and requires all of their skills (spiritual, physical, and mental). Again there is a risk of falls and possible injuries. Much prayer is needed before this ascent is attempted. Confirmation of the actual route to be taken must be confirmed, before the climbers set off on this climb. God must provide protection and fine weather, so that risks are minimised. Sometimes waiting and listening are the hardest things for Christians to do. They have to be logged into God’s perfect timing, so that God’s protection can be manifested.

48.      After this stretch is completed, it would seem logical that they just continue straight up the eastern cliff face to the landing point above Point “K”, but the Holy Spirit says no. A storm is coming and if they were out on the eastern cliff face, there would be a great risk of being blown off the mountain. We have to always be sensitive to the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit. If we do not listen, or we do not correctly understand the message, there is a grave risk of harm to us, or to others around us.

49.      It is recommended that the team traverse across the northern cliff face, through Point “J”, as this will allow them to still continue climbing, but will protect them from the southerly wind gusts, which the Holy Spirit warned them about. Sometimes it is safer to take the long way round, to get to the safer place and to home.

50.      Here again we see that the logical route would be straight up the western cliff face, but that is just as unsafe as the eastern cliff face. The southerly winds are blowing around both cliff faces. It is not safe to be on either of them.
Sometimes our Christian walk seems to be like this. The logical and quickest route to our destination is prone with dangers, both seen and unseen. As the team is nearing the summit of Mountain # 2, Satan is more determined than ever to stop this climb and to take the glory away from the Lord. But we know that plans that Satan has to de evil, God turns around to do good.

51.      While the winds are howling around the eastern and western cliff faces, the team is still able to traverse back across towards the eastern cliff face, through Point “K” and make camp in the lee of the mountain, to rest and wait for the final assault to the top in the morning. So with tired legs, aching backs, and chests which feel like they are on fire, they try to get some sleep, ready for the new day, and the next challenge.

52.      But in the morning, the wind is still howling down around them. It is unsafe to go directly for their existing position to the summit. They must traverse once again, through Point “L” to the western face and rest, and wait, continually checking with the Lord through prayer, and listening for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, which has to compete with the howling winds to be heard.

53.      Some of the team are starting to question; “Are we ever going to finish this climb”? But the Holy Spirit gives words of encouragement and everyone is once again in sync with the goal and the purpose of the climb. They once again remember why they are here. They were specially selected by Jesus to undertake this journey, so that they can grow in the knowledge of the Lord, and deepen their trust in the promises of God’s holy Word.

54.      At dawn the sun shines though, it’s a new clear day and the wind has subsided, it is now time to make the final ascent to the summit, and put up Flag # 3.

55.      There is a time of celebration and of thanks as they have made this journey, have completed the task and now they pray and give thanks for the glory of God, His strength, His guidance, and His protection. For the ever present Holy Spirit, who never left them nor forsook them, even when the wind was howling around their tents. God’s presence was there, just like He promised in His word.

56.      The view from this mountain is so much clearer than from Mountain # 1. You can see further into the distance, and you get a better perspective, of the things going on around you. When you look down from here, you see the eagles gliding on the thermals below you and watch as they climb higher and higher, with almost no wing movement at all. Now you start to understand why God uses the examples of the eagles and how they fly, many times in the scriptures. They are the kings of the skies, and we are told to learn to be like them, soaring effortlessly on the spiritual thermals that God sends down to us, each and every day. But is we do not understand them, we will never recognise them.

57.      After resting at the summit for some time, comes the question: Does God want us to climb another mountain, or is this challenge over for the time being? Are we to go on, or are we to go back down the mountain and rest, waiting for the call that you know is going to come once again, when God calls us up another mountain.