Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! IN THE BOREDOM AND PAIN OF IT NO LESS THAN IN THE EXCITEMENT, AND GLADNESS: TOUCH, TASTE, SMELL YOUR WAY TO THE HOLY, BECAUSE IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, ALL MOMENTS, ARE KEY MOMENTS AND ALL OF LIFE ITSELF IS GRACE. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". Since the first reported successful climb of that 29,000-foot peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, more than four thousand different individuals have experienced the thrill. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. Confront the Danger. Don't start to rationalize it, no matter how unbelievable it may sound to some. Finally, one day he reached the top of his mountain. It actually turned out to be a good place. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. One of the principles of listening to God speak through scripture is that you should notice what causes you to resist as well as resonate. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. Horeb, Elijah stood in the mouth of a cave and heard God speak not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the sounds of silence. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. One moose, two moose. Jesus climbing to the top of a mountain not to receive, but to give a new interpretation and understanding of those laws shaping our communal life together as Christians through the Sermon on the Mount. It was a great privilege to see Moses and Elijah, but Jesus was the son of God! Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Check out my Recommended Resources list. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. It involves a series of visual maps which are designed to help us sort through the chapters of our life story and rediscover clues about those places in our life where God has been, and is continuing to work. Copyright 2023, Good Faith Media | Site by, Lincoln Lessons: Real Church, Real Theology, New GFM Podcast on Race, Religion and Politics Drops in, Five Things to Listen for in Raceless Gospel Podcast. Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. However, there will be times of hard work, traffic jams, taxes, wasted time, frustrating situations, wrecked dreams, lost money, broken relationships and the list of challenges that we face at some point in our lifetime could go on and on. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. The aspect of a beautiful mountaintop experience has a whole new meaning when you realize that it does not matter what the mountain is made of. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! Tag-along Tours run for past customers by the MTE club enable you to travel in your own 4WD vehicle, but with the confidence of knowing you are being looked after. That had to be a long six days. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. The distinction between the two is clear (now). This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? If not, why not today? -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. We cant leave them behind us. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Jesus wants them to know that he is the King of glory, and one day he will wear the crown; but the cross would come before the crown. Scripture gives us stories of literal mountain top experiences that color our expectations for what it means to encounter the divine - Abraham and Isaac climbing together in an act of extreme devotion to God and experiencing the mercy of God at its apex. But if we dont use what we have experienced on the mountain to affect the valley, then they might as well just be quick reactions to a fleeting moment. White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. 1:16). He reflected on the massive amount of time, effort and energy it took to reach the specific goals that he had laid out for his life. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Jesus is dazzling glory is talking to Moses who had been dead over fourteen hundred years and to Elijah who had been gone about nine hundred. Dan Allender has written, God has crafted our character and gives us a role that will reveal something about Him that no-one elses story can reveal in quite the same way. I am excited to see How God can lead us to discover our unique stories and then become Holy Listeners for each other. So many of us begin to desire to leave God's mountaintop through lax engagement with God's Word because the experience feels so ordinary. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". But make no mistake Jesus was the unrivalled son of God. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' He fulfilled what the. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. Sinai again and again to commune with God and to better understand not just the essential laws for the life of the community, but the rhythms and cycles of what their covenantal life together will be like in the Promised Land. I love to see groups of people work together and everyone succeed. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. tain maun-tn often attributive Synonyms of mountain 1 a : a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill The sun set behind the mountains. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. What was the difference? Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. In that silence, as I sat on the mountaintop looking at the miles and miles of land stretching out before me, I had what some might call a mountaintop experience.. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a mountain top experience. The valley is not what you may think. You learn something new about who God is. Questions for further thought: Where and when have you been overwhelmed by a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for you on the cross? It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. When Jesus entered this world, he came as a man, he was born in a stable, wore peasant clothing, and worked as a carpenter in a small town. Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. But sitting each day in the shadow of the mountains made me wonder how we can find better ways to continue to connect with and draw inspiration from those brief moments when we have been on the mountain - meditating on the scripture or hymns that remind us of our mountain top experiences, bringing images back with us from our spiritual mountain tops and keeping them in places that call to mind our moments on the mountain. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. He will teach us about his ways so that we may walk in his paths. For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3 CSB). Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. Wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot drink and some calming music is one of the best ways to spend and indoor kind of day. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. This past week we spent our vacation at the base of the Rocky Mountains and went into the National Park each day to climb this mountain or that mountain - all reasonable morning hikes. The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. Yet over time we go back to normal life. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! Nighttime temperatures drop wellbelow zero, the air is razor-thin, and killer storms can strike without warning. I love to see goals attained after hard work. The word, . n. The summit of a mountain. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! In the last days the mountain of the Lords house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. There we can change the world and share Gods love and faithfulness that is as stolid as the mountains.We come down from the mountaintop because very few people are there. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. At least, that pattern held true for the likes of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. Valleys contain lakes and streams and are where rich grasses and varied types of trees grow.Therefore, ranchers take their cattle and sheep to the valley for the rich food. Cable TV and high speed internet. But those were all just moments. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. As we walked onto a short trail through the snow and frozen ground, Owen remarked that it must be a strange job to drive to the top of a mountain and talk with thousands of visitors who pass through the center every day - like an environmental guru waiting at the peak for travelers to come seeking knowledge and insight. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. Then later, on the top of Mt. Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. A variety of day trips, long weekends, and extended . encourage them and help them in the days ahead. Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. Why Elijah and Moses? Here at Mountaintop Worship Center, we spend every Sunday and Wednesday on the mountaintop. And appropriately enough, a bright cloud overshadows them, and from the cloud a voice said, This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him! As great as Moses and Elijah were, Jesus was and is greater still. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. On the days when I find myself worrying about temporary issues I need to take a step back and look at life as if I was looking at the world from a mountaintop. A Mountain Top Experience This is such an awesome piece of Scripture that describes the imagery of a future time when "the mountain of the LORD" and "the house of the God of Jacob" will be a holy place for all the diverse people groups from every nation and of every ethnicity, worshipping God and learning the ways of His wisdom - Amen! Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. For six days Moses lingered in the cloud of God at the top of the mountain. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! Of course, except for Jesus, even people who undergo mountaintop transformations remain flawed. Theyre moments when we experience God in an intense, intimate way. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. It is the most sacred spot on earth! Lastly, the best part is the toppings. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. I doubt any of us will go there. Now, even though Joanis Listen to Your Life conference in Atlanta took place in the suburbs rather than on top of nearby Stone Mountain (which is where, by the way, I proposed to Joani), she still refers to the conference as a mountaintop experience. And so: Often, 2 Peter 1:16-21 is presented with the idea that Peter contrasts the visual mountain experience with the Word-based experience of heeding the prophetic word more fully confirmed (2 Pet. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. It is part of your sacred story and it will be a tremendous source of comfort and strength to you when you have to face the dark valley. They knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. Processing doesnt mean well understand each detail of our experience. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. Thats when you see people all around you move forward as they listen to the call of their mountain top experience. But it will give us time and space to allow the intensity of those moments to sit raw and open as we transition back to the valley. For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. 1:18), so the believer does well to pay attention to the Words of the prophets (2 Pet. They didn't last for years. Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. The sum total of all of the things he had done and experienced in life had brought him to the place where he stood at that moment in time. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Waiting feels like a waste of my time. They are solid and unmovable. Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. SEE IT FOR THE FATHOMLESS MYSTERY THAT IT IS. First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. Moses who represents those who die; and Elijah who represent those who are caught up and never die; will both see Jesus in his glory! Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. It dishonored Jesus; it put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah! God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. Sinai still a third time because he shattered the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments upon hearing that the Israelites had manufactured and worshiped a golden calf in his absence. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil.
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