Like the testing of Abraham ( Genesis 22:1-19 ), the receiving of the Ten Commandments ( Exodus 19-20:21) and, of course, the transfiguration ( Matthew 17:1-13 ). The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. The glory cloud was the sign of Gods approval on the work that Jesus Christ had come to do; to die on the cross as a sacrifice for mans sin, and be raised from the dead the third day. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. In the Old Testament, the mountains of Sinai and Zion are most significant. I love life! Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. Husband of Orlena. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. Keep reading Matthew 17 and youll see that during their descent from the mountain the disciples have a frightening encounter with a demon from hell. for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: Jesus was not alone on the mountain, two famous men from the Old Testament show up. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. Those moments at a worship concert or at the end of a sermon when the person holding the microphone makes a powerful speech with emotional music playing in the background. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Have you been born again? Sinai with Joshua and Owen during our last days in Egypt, watching the sun rise over the vast chains of mountains in the desert there, and experience a diverse and international group of pilgrims praying their unique prayers at the top. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. Nighttime temperatures drop wellbelow zero, the air is razor-thin, and killer storms can strike without warning. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. 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. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. And then there was Jesus. 1:21). 5. living, growing, or located in the mountains. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. On one particular hike, the sun was setting, the warm air brushed against me, and the silence engulfed me. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. The words of Psalm 121 came to my mind each afternoon gazing upon the mountains, and they are what I expect will be transporting me back there over the next several months. It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. Sinai. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. 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. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. This reminds me of Church! Accessed 4 Mar. 1:20). Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Here is our startling recognition: the Christians mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. The one time I climbed a mountain of any size, I was amazed at how long I enjoyed spending time just looking at the view in the distance, enjoying the air, and experiencing the warm sun. Finally, one day he reached the top of his mountain. 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. Everything is tiny and nothing seems to matter when you are that far away from people. But God never intended for us to live there. about evangelism. 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. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. No one deserves worship but Jesus! The Apostle who once fell at Jesus knees upon a miracle of Christ (Luke 5:1-11) now offers His skill in tent-making to the transfigured Messiah (Matt. Perhaps they were previously lost, or filled with anger, depression, addiction, confusion. Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. 17:1). As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. 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. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. This works in making work more enjoyable too. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Learn a new word every day. to what Jesus says in his word. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. To get on higher ground, to climb above the mundane, and get in the place where the glory of God can touch our lives, and we can see JESUS as He is in glory and power, and hear God speak to our hearts. Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. But the ecstasy was short-lived because when Jesus predicted his suffering and death on a cross, Peter reacted so negatively to this unexpected news that Jesus said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! Have you ever witnessed an altar call? Still, nearly a thousand people everyyear train vigorously, pay steep fees, and make the trip to south Asia for the opportunityto enjoy an ultimate mountaintop experience. They were the Lords closes friends, they were with him when he raised Jarius daughter from the dead, and they would be with him in the garden of Gethsemane. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. The greatest things that have happened in my life have all been. , and respond as he calls you to trust him for eternal life. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of stuff. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! Gorgeous mountain views off the deck 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. This is what all our experiences, all our theology, all our work should come to; bring is to the place to see Jesus! Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. 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. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). For that reason, even people who follow God to the mountaintop will likely find themselves waiting patiently and praying for Gods guidance for their next move. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! We dont know the name of the mountain or its heightthe tallest peak in the region was less than ten thousand feet highbut we know this eventbecame the trios ultimate mountaintop experience. They didn't last for years. 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). Moses and company obeyed, hiking to the foot of the mountain where an astonishing thing happened: they saw the God of Israel, and they lived to talk about it! The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? b : an elongated ridge 2 a : a great mass a mountain of a man E. K. Brown b : a vast number or quantity a mountain of mail a mountain of debt They didnt last for years. And you will walk away changed!. Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? After hearing those commandments, Moses came back down the mountain and reported to the Israelites all that God had said to him. Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. Think of those wonderfully cheesy G.I. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. We learned this word in school, a caterpillar goes through metamorphosis, that caterpillar wraps a cocoon around itself and goes through the process of change. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. adj. These three disciples are none as the inner circle; Jesus let them in on things the other disciples didnt get in on. In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. 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. Heaven will not be a place of strangers. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. So, over the past week I went searching for stories and quotes about Mountain top experiences, and I stumbled on this comment: "The Outing Club is hosting world traveler and Mount Everest Climber, Jeff . We know how important it is to feed our faith and build our knowledge through reading Christian books. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape.