David Crank - Start CLIMBING!

Don't stay at the bottom just because all of your friends are there, when God wants you at the top.

When you get to the top, you can then help elevate them from the bottom.

You do that by elevating thinking. 

You'll never know what the view is from the top until you get there.

Don't be that person that needs a
fire(cracker) lit under them.

SELF-MOTIVATE!


 A rock climber on his way to the top, gets bloody scuffed fingers on the way to the top. Are you focused on your circumstances or on the goal?

In reading 1st and 2nd Corinthians and even Galatians, Pastor David said he noticed how Paul spoke of how his critics said he was a bad writer and wasn't a good speaker.

Yet he wrote 2/3 of the New Testament.

The mountain God told Paul to climb was the mountain of writing what God spoke to Paul.

The enemy (inner-me) will keep you at the bottom with their criticism.
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While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Corinthians 4:18
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In life, sometimes we need to get our eyes fixed - fixed on God!

Sometimes we climb because of people and sometimes in spite of them.

Don't do it because of others...
Do it because God fashioned you for such a purpose.
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Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:5
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You were made in a certain way to be exactly who you are to be.

Are you afraid to climb, do you discount yourself because you keep your eyes on your bloody fingers? All you see is the huge mountain? You've already fallen a few times?  You don't have the needed skills?

KNOW that YOU are called to do this.

Someone out there is hearing me on this...this is what you need to hear...it's speaking to you.

God has given you what you need to get to the top of your mountain.

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Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

Put on the full armor of God...


Armor of God

Stand firm, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace...

Take up the shield of faith...

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:11,13-17

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The following things or excuses keep you from climbing:

1. Pride
2. It's too late
3. Everyone has seen me mess up
4. No finances
5. I'm out of shape
6. Comparisons (I'm not as good as them at doing "that")

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Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT)
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Don't compare.

Are you climbing someone else's hill? We are not supposed to be someone else. 

 

Stop living under the fear of what others think.

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And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” 1 Samuel 9:20-21
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Samuel was having to convince Saul that this was a GREAT thing. Saul had the looks, but not the fortitude to see a good thing when it was right in front of him.

If someone has to explain how great an opportunity is to another, then that person doesn't have the "IT" factor needed to carry it through.

The "IT" Factor

In Chapter 9 and 10, Saul is head and shoulders above the rest in looks, but he lacks self-motivation, Samuel has to hold him by the hand to show him how good this "thing" is and even has to wake him...Even after a banquet honoring him, Saul has not gotten motivated.

Samuel carries the relationship, introduces him to the people and tells Saul what his role is... Remember, Saul entered into this with ihs first response of "Why me? My family is small and unimportant!"

Success is reserved for YOU.

As a leader moves up, they need more self-motivation, drive, skills, and knowledge. You WANT to be that whole package.

I'd rather have a horse that's all go instead of all no...

Samuel is having to hear from God FOR Saul...

Sometimes the giftedness of a person may be greater than the person themself.

New levels have new devils.

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But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22-24
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God's word is a message to obey...not just to be heard. 

Leadership not Leaderslip.

Example of Positional Leadership (UnEarned)

Positional Leadership

1. That person was placed into the position
2. They have no influence
3. They don't have the ability needed to achieve the position
4. They don't have the relationships necessary to stay at the top

Do you ever wish you could learn FASTER? Like you could have known 10 years ago what you know now?

The People Have the Puzzle Pieces,
The Leader Pulls It Together Through Them.

Permissive Leadership

1. They are in position through permission and relationships
2. Leadership and trust has been developed
3. It makes people want to follow them

It's not who YOU say you are that makes you who you are. It's who God says you are.

Don't be self-absorbed. Become a leader that people want to follow.

And don't be so concerned about your house that you forget about God's House.