When I see a mountain, my heart leaps for joy! Although I have never been an expert mountain climber, some hiking in sand dune hills of the UAE, mountains of Alberta, Montana and near my birthplace in Eastern Canada has fueled my inspiration over the years! I grew up near some rather steep cliffs beside an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. It quickly occurred to me that my success of reaching the top meant always practising two essentials. First, my focus remained on looking up to my next step. Secondly, I identified a solid rock, a firm tree, or other objects that were firm enough to hold me and keep me from falling so I could keep moving upward. The view at the top was always amazing, prompting in me an awe of God who created it all!

In Psalm 119, I’ve discovered my daily planner to ensure a winning day. The key is yielding my heart and life to the Lord each morning regardless the issues or trials facing me. Choose to let God make your day a winning day by putting your grip in His eternal hand and looking with a laser focus on Jesus. The New Living Translation states Psalm 119:31a and 32a this way: “I cling to your laws…I will pursue your commands….”  As I clung to a solid rock or deeply rooted tree in my climbing, so I cling to God and His written word in the Bible. Then, I must pursue or look totally on Him who is always on top and able to pull me up to that winning perspective every day!

Spiritual climbers are real encouragers. The Bible tells us of one named Barnabas who travelled around to meet new Christians and encouraged them to remain true to Jesus and firm in their faith (Acts 11:23). Later Barnabas and Paul revisited new disciples of Jesus in certain cities “…strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to remain true to the faith…” (i.e. true to Jesus). God calls you and me to acts as encouraging mentors in the lives of others after He has saved and encouraged us. That is exactly what Jesus told the disciple Peter (Luke 22:31-32, new NIV), “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers”. This is a core commission in God’s daily planner for each of us: strengthening and empowering others as He empowers us!