Dedication to the Lord still brings special blessings into our lives! But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. Moses finally made it to the promise land! Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! They knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. For Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. Believe: What Secret Does It Hold For You Today. 2023. Don't start to rationalize it, no matter how unbelievable it may sound to some. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. And eventually Peter would deny the very one who changed his life. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. 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. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. They are solid and unmovable. 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. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? When the back doors of the church opened, and there. V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. Maybe it was getting married or having children. I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. He has performed miracle after miracle and, in that mountaintop experience, my blinded eyes were healed. I love to see goals attained after hard work. This is where audiobooks are helpful. The mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? 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. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 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. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. Every Christian needs a place to be alone and talk with the Lord, when he described this mountain top experience, he called this high mountain; . God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. And you will walk away changed!. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? They see His Glory and they worship Him! Husband of Orlena. SEE IT FOR THE FATHOMLESS MYSTERY THAT IT IS. The problem .read more They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. That somebody is my wife, Joani, and Ive asked Joani to briefly describe her mountaintop experience with us today. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Both had been shown Gods glory on those mountains. Frankly, I cant imagine being stuck in a dense mountain fog for six days with absolutely nothing to do but look at the fog! Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. 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. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! Amen. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. We recognize that many of us will not have the privilege to live our lives on the top of a mountain, whether literally or figuratively. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in Johns Gospel (John 1:14) as well as in 2 Peter 1:16-18 underscores that Peter, James, and John never forgot their trip with Jesus up on the mountain. 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). And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. Moses still had flaws that would prevent him from entering the Promised Land. died on Mt. The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. -The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the light thereof. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Climbing the mountain we now claim as Mt. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. If you need it, they have it. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). A time when you just felt like Gods Spirit was all over you, and around you, and joy filled your heart, and you just felt like you were going to bust! Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. There are several reasons. That could prove dangerous and manipulative. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. Remember, Moses first met God at the burning bush on Mt. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". How does a congregation go 1:17). In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. V:30-31-And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 1:19). What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? Sinai. 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. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. After surviving his 40 day and night fast, Jesus climbs down one mountain only to go up another, where he delivers the greatest sermon of all time, the Sermon on the Mount.. 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. 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! But, before we get into the prophetic message, lets look at the importance of the mountaintop experience.The mountaintop experience is something many Christians seek after. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! 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. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. He who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep. I have established you on the mountaintop. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. The valley is not what you may think. When you looked at Jesus he was a common, ordinary Jew-, YET Jesus Christ was much more than a common man when he walked on this earth. All rights reserved. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. 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 . Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. So where one person might be on their knees in tears over an experience with God, another might simply acknowledge the fact that theyve learned something new about God. He has it all in control. 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. Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. God knows how our brains work and how our individual personalities respond. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. glory cloud Ezekiel saw rise from between the cherubim and move to the threshold of the Temple because of Israels apostasy and then slowly rising to be seen no more from the Mount of Olives. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 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. And dont forget that Jesus didnt make a move until he had spent his own forty days and night on top of a mountain, and thirty years plying his trade as a carpenter before that. And then there was Jesus. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. 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. 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). 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. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. For six days Moses lingered in the cloud of God at the top of the mountain. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. David Benner says, Our challenge is to unmask the divine in the natural and name the presence of God in our lives. The second part of Listen to Your Life is just as important and that is developing the gift of listening to each others stories. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. The distinction between the two is clear (now). Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! How can we reach this mountaintop?. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. It dishonored Jesus; it put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah! 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. A review of both the Old and New Testaments makes it clear as daywhen it comes to entering sacred space where you can meet God and/or Jesus face to face, theres no substitute for a mountaintop. (see Exodus 19) But those were all just moments. The Rockies are a mountain chain / range in the western United States. while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. Define mountaintop. A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. What was the difference? when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. But Jesus saves the day, and then sends his disciples on deeper into the valley, urging them to have the kind of faith that can move mountains, because they were just on one. Our job is to share Gods reconciliation with them and bring them to the mountaintop for their own personal experience with God. Think of those wonderfully cheesy G.I. 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. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. top maun-tn-tp Synonyms of mountaintop : the summit of a mountain Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Barkley spent his final four seasons with the Rockets, but the team's big threecomprised of him, as well as Olajuwon and Clyde Drexlerwas never able to get them back to the NBA mountaintop. The people live in the valleys. Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. I found myself late every afternoon sitting and simply meditating on the mountains, remembering what it was like to be on top of them and giving thanks for their ancient and imposing beauty. And that moment made such an impression on Peter that years later he would refer to it in one of his New Testament letters as proof positive that that he didnt make up the gospel, but was an eyewitness to the very power and majesty of Jesus that changed his life forever. Would you pray and ask God to give you a mountaintop experience; when he does you will see his glory and worship him, understand his work and trust him, hear his word and obey him. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Mountains typically have steep slopes and are understood to be. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. The relationships he had with family and friends had caused him both happiness and sorrow. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. If you keep striving and climbing you will eventually get on top of it and you will have a life that is helpful to you, profitable to your family and a good influence on your friends. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, Come, lets go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.
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