Paul emphasizes God and His work - no praise goes to us for being saved. We play a very small role in our salvation (just listen and believe [v 13]), but the love and grace that He pours out on us is lavish indeed! We are redeemed, forgiven, blessed, chosen to be holy and blameless before Him, predestined to be His adopted 'sons', given knowledge of His will to give Christ authority over everything, given an inheritance by Him and sealed as one of His with the Holy Spirit. It doesn't seem fair, and is overwhelming, but His plan was never meant to be fair. His plan to save us through Christ was perfect - He alone makes it possible to receive ANYTHING from the Father. Enjoy it! Bask in this identity you've been given through Christ: God's holy, blameless, chosen and redeemed child. This is our foundation. When we stand firm in who He says we are, then we will be able to endure any adversity, all for the praise of His magnificent glory!

Pray: 
Father, You are glorious indeed! All Your works are perfect, and Your plan is perfect. I pray that my salvation would bring praise to Your glory and greatness, both from me and those around me who do not know You. Help me believe more deeply that I am who You say I am, not to be shaken by the opinions of others. In Your Name, Amen.

Challenge: 
Take a few minutes to read this passage and think about these three questions: 

1) What are God's works and His role in our salvation? 

2) What does the passage say about us, as well as our role in salvation? 

3) Where is Christ in all of this?

CLIMB DAY 1
Are we really doing this?! The Climb 20 team is! As surreal as the thought of climbing Kilimanjaro has been over the past months, today the reality comes closer. Team members not from the Atlanta area flew in yesterday to join in on last minute Wal-Mart and Target runs; making sure they haven't forgotten anything. Forgetting anything necessary for the mountain can cause issues - from simple things like ibuprofen (and they could use a lot) to practical items like extreme weather sleeping bags - this ain't your backyard camp out! Good planning and packing is imperative.

After every bag is packed and good-bye said, our team heads to the airport. They will have to go through security, which has the potential to take quite a while for a group this size. Every passport must be in order and every ticket in hand. The team will be spending hours aboard planes today and tomorrow. Considering the impending hike, they must be sure to maintain good circulation in their legs by walking about and stretching on the plane, and they must try to get as much sleep as possible. Sleeping on the mountain won't be comfortable or easy, so to lose sleep now could really hurt.

Are you ready? Have you been planning and preparing as well as our team? We have 39 miles to go together over the next 12 days. Have you planned when, where and how far you'll go each day? Let's climb this mountain!

Each day we will provide specific prayer requests. God loves our prayers and He loves to answer them. Let's support our team by praying them to the top of Kilimanjaro!

Pray for our team this week, specifically by name. Pray today that the Lord would bring to mind anything they may need but have forgotten. Pray for a short and easy trip to the Atlanta airport, for quick and easy passage through security, and a safe takeoff and flight. Pray that they would sleep well on the flight(s) and remember to move about regularly.

Are you prepared to virtually climb with our team? Yesterday we began laying a foundation of our identity in Christ and His awesome work to save and redeem us. Today, Paul prays for all believers. He wants three things for you and so prays for God's "Spirit of wisdom and revelation" (v. 17) to be given to you as well as "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened" (v. 18). The three things? To know Him, to know the hope to which we're called, and to know His great power for us. 

To know Him: there is no greater calling for us than to get to know our Maker and King as fully, accurately, and intimately as possible. And there is no greater way to get to know Him than through His Word. What we believe, or don't believe, about God influences and changes how we act. Paul leads us to what he thinks we should know about God: our hope is in Him - sharing in "His glorious inheritance" with "His holy people" (v. 18), stemming from "His incomparably great power for us who believe" (v. 19). Let that sink in. The great power that raised Christ and gave Him power over everything is the same great power He has for us!

Pray: 
Father, I praise you for creating us to know You and for being so wise and good to reveal Yourself to us through Your Word. Please open our hearts and give us Your Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that we may know You better. Let knowing You change us to be more like You. Amen.  

Challenge:

Meditate on God's great power as revealed in this passage. Reflect on the power He used to raise Christ from the dead and place Him over all other powers and authorities. Get to know Him and His power better. If this is the same great power He has for you, how does that affect or change your life? 

CLIMB DAY 2

What a day! Our team will be arriving in Amsterdam this morning. They only have one connection to make, but it is important that they make it because KLM airlines (a sister of Delta) only makes one flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro each day. The flight to Amsterdam takes almost 9 hours, and while the layover is not lengthy (around 2 hours), it will be a welcome respite before the 8 hour flight to Kilimanjaro!

Flying is enjoyable to some, but a source of fear for others. Turbulence, tight quarters, boredom, and the possibility of lost luggage can cause anxiety and stress, making it difficult to relax and rest. Obviously, we need to be praying for our team. With every flight comes an opportunity: to meet and talk with people you would otherwise never encounter. I'm sure many will ask our team questions about their flight’s final destination (Kilimanjaro), so let's pray there will be an opportunity for them to speak about their true final destination (eternity with Christ).

Another aspect of traveling abroad that our team has been preparing for is possible sickness. All the climbers have been updating their vaccinations and making sure they are medically prepared. Tanzania is a hot spot for malaria. Since malaria is spread mainly by mosquitos, the team will be out of the major threat area after two days on the mountain - mosquitos cannot survive at high altitudes. But while our team is on the ground, malaria is a potential threat. There are medications they can take to recover, but malaria would jeopardize a team member being able to climb. 

Pray for our team as they fly! That they would trust The Lord with every fear and that they would have enough presence of mind to stretch and walk throughout the plane's cabin to keep up blood circulation. Pray for the conversations they may have with those they are sitting next to. Pray for their health, for God's protection over their physical bodies.

I have to admit, I am so thankful creepy beings like Zombies are not real, or at least like in movies and TV shows. But Paul makes some interesting comments in our passage today. He says that you and I were dead in our transgressions and sins. We used to follow the ways of this world, gratifying our own desires and so we were dead. Yes, see where I'm going? We were the walking dead.

So what changed? You and I know we didn't just spring to life on our own, it was God! And why was it God? Because of His great love for us, His rich mercy, and His incomparable grace. We see these fully and completely in Christ's life, death and resurrection - if God did nothing other than save us through Christ, He would still be the greatest. But He goes above and beyond, to not only give us a new heart and mind, but to make us new for a purpose: "to do good works, which God prepared in advance" (v.10).

Pray: 
Father, we praise You for Your rich mercy, great love, and incomparable grace. You are greater than we will ever comprehend. Thank You for giving us new life in Christ and for preparing good works for us to do. Please give us Your power, the power we learned about yesterday, to do those good works. Amen.  

Challenge:
Meditate or reflect on God's character shown here: His great love, rich mercy and incomparable grace in Christ. Then consider, since Paul says this zombie problem is everybody's problem, what good works has God prepared for you regarding the unbelievers you encounter this week? 

CLIMB DAY 3

Although the team will not start climbing today, it is certainly an important day. Orientation! Today our team will meet those they have hired to help them climb Kilimanjaro. There will be plenty of information, recommendations and procedures being given, and it is important for our team to pay close attention and learn all they can. There will be much excitement, but the weight of the difficulty and reality of coming hardships will be felt.

Our team has been planning. They've been exercising and preparing their bodies for months, but no matter how much preparation, there is no knowing exactly how their bodies will respond to the challenges of the mountain. Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest free standing mountain in the world. The summit, Uhuru Point (which our team will reach in 8 days), peaks at 19,341 feet. Altitude, steep ridges, and narrow passages are only a few of the challenges to be faced. 

Tens of thousands attempt to climb "Kili" every year and many do not make it. So many attempt the climb because it is not considered a "technically difficult" hike - there are no walls to be scaled and the terrain is walkable. Altitude causes many to turn back without reaching the summit. Our team needs to be willing to go slow and take time to acclimatize. Some on the team have medical training and all guides are trained to use the medical equipment they may need, so the team is in the best position possible to summit. Be thankful our team has such experienced guides and porters to help bear the load.

Pray for the team to pay attention today. Pray for them to prepare their minds for the climb. Pray for them to prepare their hearts as they will be studying Ephesians while climbing Kili. Pray for rest tonight. Finally, begin praying specifically for Cheryl's lungs as the team hikes. Because of her battle with cancer, her lungs do not function at full capacity, and the fight against altitude sickness will be very difficult for her.

Remember the zombies walking around you every day? Well, are there ever any that you think are too far gone? Although you would never say it out loud, they either really don't deserve God's grace or seem to love sin too much to love Jesus? Paul makes it clear we all begin on the same page - completely dead without Christ; and we are all made right the exact same way - through Christ's death and resurrection.

Who could claim that they were God's chosen people? Jews! But when Christ came He destroyed the barrier and hostility between Jews and Gentiles (everybody else). It is only through Christ that BOTH are reconciled and have access to the Father. Let's be honest, there are times when we act like the Jews mentioned in this letter - we think more highly of ourselves, that we are more deserving or worthy of our salvation. But in light of the clear fact that our salvation has nothing to do with who we are or what we do, we should humble ourselves and realize we are no more deserving than the most wretched person alive.

Paul finished by stating that all believers are being joined together. We do not stand alone, but together with all believers. The reason? Together we "become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" (v.22).
Pray:

Father, I praise You for desiring to make all people Your own. You offer Your free gift without prejudice. Please help us see all people through Your eyes - Your creation made in Your image. Amen.

Challenge:
Prayerfully consider, are there others (poor, rich, addicts, government system abusers) that you secretly deem unreachable? If so, ask for forgiveness. Seek out wise believers who can help you work on this through Christ's strength. Finally, take time to rejoice in who God says you are, "No longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of His household" (v. 19).

CLIMB DAY 4
Today's the day the real adventure begins! Flutterings of emotions run through the group. Everybody has their own strategy as they face the mountain, but today they all start the same. It will be a great hike today, but first breakfast at the hotel and then a 2-3 hour drive to the Londorossi gate for registration. Every person who hikes must have their paperwork in order and pay park fees. While they're waiting, the team will get their first glimpse of local wildlife, maybe even monkeys. Once they receive the word, they take a short ride to the trail starting point, swallow down a quick lunch, and head out.

The trail begins in the rainforest with thin trees towering overhead. The trail is clear but narrow, only 1 1/2-2 feet wide, surrounded by a sea of green foliage. The team treks through this part of the trail mostly in single-file fashion. Excitement and a bounce in their step, they radiate a determined optimism. They could potentially encounter buffalo, elephants, monkeys and smaller animals. The climb will be difficult overall, but today holds promise for all. They gently ascend approximately 1500 feet over 3 miles, taking 3-4 hours.

Tonight they will camp under the canopy of trees. Their faces smile, knowing they've accomplished the first steps, more encouraged than ever that they can do this! They haven't encountered altitude issues yet and this will be the easiest portion of the mountain, but one day in the books is always an accomplishment. They eat and meet together as a team. They'll sleep as well as possible tonight, their bodies tired but filled with a steady excitement.Pray for a good day's hike and a good night's sleep. Pray for safe footing and for everybody to hike at their own pace, not to be rushed by excitement but to be wise with caution.

I enjoy quirky songs, and the Beatles "All Together Now" is no exception! In fact, I enjoy the chorus so much that I have no idea the song contains any other words. But the chorus is perfect for us as we look at today's passage.

Paul was appointed by God to know that the gospel was for all people, Jews and Gentiles (us too)! All believers are joined together as heirs and share in the same promise in Christ Jesus. But why did God reveal this mystery to Paul? Look no further than our verse above. Paul was supposed to bring the gospel to non-Jews in the Middle East and Europe, and establish churches of believers. Although you and I are not members of those specific churches, we're part of God's church worldwide. And Paul gives us, as the church, a purpose: through us God's wisdom will be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.

What's that mean? Angels, fallen or not (so demons too) watch us (read also 1 Pet. 1:12 & 1 Tim. 5:21). Through our work together as a church, they should be seeing the work of God and His great wisdom. Angels can see it all - our sinfulness, weaknesses, as well as the high places to which we've been elevated in Christ. They will carry our souls to heaven (Lk. 16:22) and are responsible for plucking out all and casting all non-believers into hell (Mt. 13:39-43). The angels are watching God's great work through Christ unfold, and they are watching us to see His wisdom and work accomplished. This isn't done alone: we are the church. We must be all together now.  Pray:

Father, in Your perfect wisdom You have created a people for Yourself. Despite all our flaws, You continue to work through us. You even created angels to learn more about You and Your glory by watching us. Help us glorify You, that what is seen brings You glory. Amen.

 Challenge:

Consider, do you seek unity and peace with other Christians? Do you work and live with other Christians in a way that would reveal God's wisdom? How can you seek to live with others in such a way?

CLIMB DAY 5

Ready for the next leg of the journey, our team awakes and prepares for the day. Smiles still abound. All have survived the first day and are eager to get going. Although they begin in the forest, they will soon emerge from the trees and face the reality of the difficult trail before them. Upon exiting the forest, they reach the first ridge to be conquered that day. Over the ridge is rough and rocky terrain, covered in heather and moor. 

As the team continues they will encounter multiple steep ridges and begin breaking into groups, traveling at different paces. This is good; there's no need to exert more energy than necessary. Today's goal is not the summit, just to get a few steps closer, and at the end of today they will be 4.5 miles closer, ascending almost 2500 feet. 

Once they cross over the last ridge of the day they can sigh with relief; the rest of the hike is much easier as it descends into the Shira Plateau. It is a giant basin surrounded by beautiful formations. Tomorrow they will have the opportunity to get to take it all in, hiking and exploring. A  beautiful day, this difficult leg of the journey will possibly be some of our team's favorite day, despite the steep and strenuous hike. Pray for our team to be encouraged as they finish today. They have reached an altitude of 11,500 feet, so altitude sickness will begin setting in for everybody - pray for their bodies to acclimate quickly and for each person to remain sensitive to their own limits and follow their bodies heeding.

The first half of Ephesians lays out teachings while the second half dives into living out those truths. Today we wrap up the first half of the book with Paul praying once again for the Ephesians. Remember his prayer at the beginning, for us to know God better, particularly His power? Well Paul prays for us to be strengthened by that power, but to also grasp something else: God's unfathomable love.

Paul declares that you and I are rooted and established in love. Let's think about this: God created us in His image (definitely shows love), He sent Jesus to be sacrificed because of His love (Jn 3:16), and He saves each of us because of His great love. Your salvation is rooted in His deep love. You are adopted and established as His own child by His powerful love. This is nothing to treat lightly! God's love is described here as "wide and long and high and deep" (think limitless in every direction). It surpasses knowledge - no matter how much you meditate on God's love, you will never fully comprehend it! Are you amazed yet? He wants you to know and think about this love so that you will "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (v. 19). If we are filled, even over-flowing with this love, imagine the unity and work God can accomplish in and through us. He will do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (v. 20) and we will be living for His glory.

Pray:

Our Father, You love is greater and deeper than we can ever comprehend. Please help us know Your love more every day, that we would be over-flowing in awe of Your love. Thank You for rooting and establishing us in Your love and for Your glory. You are so good and Your love never fails. Amen.

 

Challenge:

Meditate on God's great love. Consider as many facets of His love that You can: His creation, perfect planning, sending Christ to make us right with Him, etc. Don't be content with knowing His love the same as yesterday, but seek to know Him and His love more fully today (and every day to come).

CLIMB DAY 6
As our team faces another day, there should be some relief felt. Though today will not be nearly as strenuous as yesterday, it will be a long day. But this long day holds special excitement - they will be taking the road less travelled. Along the Lemosho trail, there is one area where teams can choose to take a different route. This route, taking our hikers to the Moir Hut camp, is far less travelled but well known for its scenic beauty.

Our team will finish trekking across the plateau and enter a land of volcanic rock. The formations they will see are incredible. Here our team will get to see more of our Maker's creativity in designing this mountain. They may even spy elephants roaming across the beds of volcanic rocks. The hike is very hilly and rocky, which could be difficult, but if everybody takes their time and travels at their own pace, all should easily be able to ascend to the Moir Hut camp for the night.

Altitude sickness commonly sets in today. Minor symptoms include shortness of breath and slight headaches. The goal of today's hike, along with getting closer to the summit, is to spend extra time adjusting to the altitude. Other routes would have taken them much higher, but there is wisdom in giving their bodies plenty of time to adjust. Altitude sickness makes this mountain dangerous. People die on this mountain due to altitude sickness, as well as hypothermia and falls (typically caused by the lack of brain activity from high altitudes).

Pray for the goal of today: acclimatizing to the altitude. Pray for everybody to think clearly enough to take plenty of time to enjoy God's creation. Pray for the team to grow in their relationships with the Lord as they experience God’s creation. Pray specifically for Cheryl's lung function.

 

"A life worthy of the calling you have received." Let's recap. What's the calling we've received? Our salvation, the privilege of getting to know God, having His power within us, being made into His people regardless of our blood heritage, a testimony to angels, as well as knowing and being filled with His love. This is a high calling indeed! And Paul implores you and I to live a life worthy of all this.

A worthy life is characterized by being "completely humble and gentle, [being] patient, bearing with one another in love" (v. 2). There's no leeway, justification, or situation to be anything less than these. And did you catch the last word? "Love". If we are filled with God's love, these are a natural out-pouring with His power. Each of these characteristics brings about something: unity. Within the body of Christ, the church, we are to be completely humble, gentle, patient, and bear with one another in order to "keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (v. 3). Eph. 2:14 told us that Christ is our peace! He bonds us together, so let's live that way.

Why is this unity so important?! Realistically, there will be division and strife within the church body, but what we have in common in Christ is greater and more important than any differences we have. "One body...one spirit...one hope...one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (v. 4-6). This is what we share in Christ. Your sister who wronged you, and your brother who mistreated you share in all these. Don't be a doormat, but don't seek your own interests; seek what is best for you and your brothers and sisters around the world.

Pray:
Lord Jesus, Thank You for bonding us together and the high calling You have given us. Please help us keep unity by giving us the strength to be humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. Amen.

Challenge:
Take time to examine yourself in the areas listed in verse 2. Are you continually seeking to keep unity within the body through Christ? Focus on what you have in common with your fellow believers.

CLIMB DAY 7
Today is another wonderful day for our hikers! Today will be even better than yesterday with the focus on testing their acclimation to the altitude, but our team is likely hurting. Sleep was certainly more difficult last night, and energy is running low. It is common that hikers gain altitude at the expense of appetite. Every bite taken today is important, and even more so is every sip of water. The anticipated respite is camp tonight: Barranco Camp is situated 650 feet lower than Moir Hut Camp, and that seemingly slight difference can mean altitude sickness won't seem so bad. But first they have to get there!

While yesterday was an exploration of beautiful rock formations, today will be filled with delightful landmarks. Our team is walking above the clouds and ascends to the base of Lava Tower, a small peak sitting around 15,000 feet. They'll rest here for a few minutes and enjoy the view. Those feeling especially adventurous can try to scale its face! 

Once they get back on their feet, our team will enjoy an easy descent to the enormous Senecio Forest. The trees are beautiful and a pleasant scene in comparison to all the rocks they have been viewing. They will even have the pleasure of passing waterfalls and over many streams. Our team may be reminded of Dr. Seuss' drawings, as this portion of the hike has been compared by those who have travelled before them. As they exit the forest they'll find themselves in camp - at the base of a giant 500 foot wall.

Pray for safety for those who may scale Lava Tower, continued acclimatization for all hikers, and renewed encouragement to persevere to the end.

We all have our roles. At home, work, school, and within the community, and these roles are good. Working together accomplishes great things! We've seen this in Scripture - everybody is given different gifts to fulfill different roles within the body (1 Cor. 12:12-28). Us being a family is seen through the various spiritual gifts Christ has given us (v. 7). To some specific people He has given leadership gifts, and their gifts are for a very specific purpose: to equip all believers to serve within the body of Christ so that we all grow and become mature.

This maturity is seen through unity in faith and knowing Jesus, and reaching the "fullness of Christ" (v. 13). Remember Ephesians 3:19, knowing the depths of God's love leads to being filled with the "fullness of God." ALL of our working together, serving one another, and faithfully following the leaders God has set over us, is to bring us to this point: maturity seen through unity and filled with God's love.

Paul tells us what immaturity looks like: infantile, easily deceived and enticed by teachings around us. Where do you look for help? Don't desperately grab at self-help books - grow in unity in faith and knowing God through His word. Work together with your church family and speak the truth in love (v. 15). When we work together, support one another, and contribute how we are able, the body will grow and build itself up in love.

Pray:
Father, Thank You for Your people, for joining us together and giving each of us different gifts. Give me Your love to serve my church family and encourage others to serve as they are able. Help me care for Your people as You do. Amen.

Challenge:
Read Eph. 4:11-16. Honestly examine your heart and consider, are you mature or immature? Do you know how God has gifted you? If not, ask your leaders to give you a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. If so, are you serving in your church faithfully according to your gifts? Are you encouraging others to do so?  CLIMB DAY 8

Our team awakes, looking upon the face of the Barranco Wall. Today will be the most technically challenging portion of their victory over Kili. Narrow pathways and a host of climbers with their guides and porters is the least of their worries. This hike is described more as "scrambling" up the path, using hands to help grasp and propel forward. Our hikers will have to weave around rocks and be very careful to keep their balance. But what a sense of accomplishment and victory they will each feel as they climb the final steep steps of the wall. And they will be rewarded with a priceless view of Kili and Mount Meru, some 70 miles away.

After conquering the wall, our empowered team will trek across a sea of marbled ice and rock along the south face of Kili. This trek passes them below Heim Glacier, a great setting for beautiful pictures. As they continue, they carefully descend a steep slope, entering the alpine desert of Karanga Valley. This area holds its own beauty, including some overhanging ice formations, but there is not much of an opportunity to stop and enjoy. Just as they endured a steep ascent, there is soon an equally steep descent to arrive at camp. Yes, they have accomplished a lot in this short 2.2 mile day.

In some ways, this day will seem easier despite the difficult climb that began the day. Somewhere around day 2 or 3, our climbers realized that getting to the top of Kili will take more mental strength and fortitude than physical ability. The hikes go on forever (seemingly) with many breaks and rests and the peak doesn't appear much closer. Conquering today's wall, our hikers will be encouraged that they can really finish and defeat this mountain.


Pray for the minds and hearts of each climber to be strengthened and filled with determination and perseverance to complete what God has called them to. Pray for the climb up Barranco wall, for safety and careful vigilance. Continue to pray for the teams acclimatization.

Yesterday we looked at Paul's description of mature and immature believers. That maturity and immaturity can be seen even more clearly in today's passage. Believers are told not to be like the Gentiles (or non-believers) around them. Their understanding is darkened and they are separated by God because of their ignorance of Christ. Their hearts are hardened. No longer sensitive to evil they pursue sensuality to the fullest, indulging in impurity and greed. The Gentiles of Paul's day are the same as today, and we are not supposed to be like them!

So what's the difference? When we became Christians we were made new, but we did not instantaneously stop being like the world around us. Look at the verses above - if we are not putting off our old self, then we are being corrupted by our old self's deceitful desires! This is our work and it is a process called sanctification (which simply means to be made holy). Being holy and righteous like God is the result of putting on this new self (v. 24)!

This process of sanctification begins with changing the attitude of your mind. Start by recognizing your own "old self." As you read through the "old self" activities it can be easy to think of the sins or shortcomings of others, but that is not Paul's goal. You and I are ultimately responsible for our own actions or own self. Focus on your own sanctification first and then speak to others in truth with love.

Pray:
Father, You have been faithful to save me and make me a new creation. Just as You have been faithful to me, help me and my church family remain faithful to you by seeking to put off our "old selves" and become more like You. Amen. Challenge:

Verses 25-32 tells us what we need to stop doing like the world and how to act instead, like the new creation we are in Christ, and Paul even gives us reasons why. List each of these out and prayerfully consider at least one that you can focus on putting off and putting on through the love and strength found in Christ.

 CLIMB DAY 9

"Slow and steady wins the race." "I think I can, I think I can." "Just keep walking." These are just a few phrases our climbers may be playing on repeat in their minds. Today is another short (3.4 miles) trek that will seem endless, as it takes most climbers 3 to 5 hours to complete. It is a steady uphill hike, ascending 2000 feet, filled with lots of breaks and rests.


While mental stamina plays a part in our team’s ability to continue to put one foot in front of the other, so does the reality that in less than 24 hours they will be summiting. They must keep their wits about them. Entering the arctic zone means lower, even plummeting temperatures. In good weather, this is bearable, but in rain, fog, and wind, discouragement creeps in quickly. There is one final challenge today, climbing the Barafu Ridge. This trail up to the top of the ridge, where our team will camp for a few brief hours this evening, is another steep path. Thankfully, while it requires scrambling and weaving like the Barranco Wall, it is not nearly as high or long of a trek.

Once in camp, our team will make their final preparations for the summit tomorrow. There is no knowing how everyone will feel. Some will be excited with anticipation, others are counting the minutes until this is over and they can get off the mountain. It is important to get what rest they can. They will take in an early dinner and turn in for the "night." It will not be much of a night though as tomorrow's trek begins at midnight.  

Pray for the weather to be sunny and clear for the rest of the hike. For the hikers to stay warm, that they would sweat minimally (it will cause their clothes to get wet and their bodies to become cold), and God would protect them from hypothermia. Strength and endurance to continue going.

I have a little boy who is about to turn four. He loves his two younger sisters, but I learn exactly what kind of parent I am when I hear him reprimand his two year old sister. He imitates exactly what he has seen and heard! As imperfectly as I parent, our God is absolutely perfect and wants us to learn from and imitate Him!

He tells us what that doesn't look like. We can summarize it in how we act: no sexual immorality, any impurity, or greed. And how we talk: no obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking. Sure, it can be easy to justify some of these, especially in little ways, but God is serious about them. We are without excuse. We should know God and His word well enough that we aren't deceived and listen to "empty words" instead of His full word.

All of that living is darkness, and Paul is clear that darkness will be exposed. Our sin will be exposed one day for what it truly is. Paul implores us: "Live as children of light...have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" (v. 8, 11). Remember how we're supposed to speak the truth in love? This is the time to do it; when you see darkness being lived out, especially in your church family.

Be encouraged: shining light onto darkness is an opportunity for it to be changed to light (v. 13). Our God is the God of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. Darkness being exposed is an opportunity for His goodness to be seen. Pray:

Father, Thank You for the perfect example You have given us in Your sacrifice to send Your Son and His perfect example of love for others and sacrifice for You. Strengthen us to live as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to You. Amen.

Challenge:

Consider what it would look like to approach a fellow believer about sin in their life. What would speaking truth with love and exposing darkness look like? Turn it around on yourself. Honestly, are you willing to hear your own sinfulness exposed? What would a godly response look like, if turning it to light is the desired outcome?

 CLIMB DAY 10

 Finally! Today's the day! Months of hard work, planning, preparation, self-control and perseverance are rewarded. But there is a long, steep path before our team reaches the goal: Mt. Kilimanjaro's summit atop Kibo, Uhuru Peak.

By the end of today our team will have hiked 13 miles - a half-marathon - up to the summit and then half-way down the mountain. The trek to the summit will take at least 7 hours, and probably more. Our team is equipped with head-lamps, necessary to cover the steep, rocky terrain in the midnight darkness. Although the stars are more numerous than you or I have ever seen, it's doubtful our team will take much notice as they are expending every ounce of their energy to keep moving forward and not listen to themselves. It is during this first half of the trek to the summit that every climber admits they plead with themselves to turn around and give up. If they persevere, our team will reach Stella Point and rest. Here, watching the magnificent sunrise over the rim of Kibo's crater, sweet rays shining on the summit bolster their determination to continue. 

From Stella Point to Uhuru Peak it is a relatively short one hour trek. If they lift their heads to notice, our climbers will experience views of glacial formations of which few others can boast. However, their eyes are not likely to leave the ridge of the rim, which will lead them to the summit. A few steep slopes, rocky terrain and narrow passes and they have arrived. Filled with joy, relief, and a feeling of finality, our climbers present their greatest but exhausted smiles. They won't stay long, just long enough to soak in the beauty of our Creator from the highest point in Africa, and to take a few pictures. Then they begin their trek down, descending almost 13500 feet to their final camp on the mountain, Mweka Camp.

Pray for perseverance and determination to finish. Pray that their bodies and minds will handle the altitude, frigid temperatures, and darkness well. Pray they speak wise words, including Scripture, to themselves to persevere. Pray for safe passage, especially in the dark, up and down the mountain. Pray specifically for Cheryl's lung function.