There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. For Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. We all need spiritual refreshing from the presence of the Lord; we need encouragement that can come only from being in the presence of Jesus. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. Yet, if we keep going and if we keep climbing, the sum total of all those experiences will keep us moving upward in the right direction. 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 ). I love to see goals attained after hard work. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! This past week I attended a two day conference in Atlanta for facilitators of a program called Listen to Your Life. Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. 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. Husband of Orlena. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. 1:16), so the Word is as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Pet. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. Here is our startling recognition: the Christian's mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! The shekinah glory cloud was gone. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). Tabor. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. We, of course, visited the ranger station and gift shop at the top, and chatted with one of the rangers about what short hikes we could do while we were at the top and about the recent snowstorm that made the road impassible. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. This is the walk Jesus makes of his life. We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. 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. Baptism is NOT something we do. . 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. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! 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. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. 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. I have established you on the mountaintop. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. Both had been shown Gods glory on those mountains. Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. Everything is tiny and nothing seems to matter when you are that far away from people. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. That could prove dangerous and manipulative. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. 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. My help comes from theLord,who made heaven and earth. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. But our mountaintop moments are not designed by God just to give us warm fuzzies at high altitudesthey are designed to go fill us with the Spirit of God that we have the courage and strength to do the work of the kingdom in the valley. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. Recently, when I was complaining to a friend about waiting for God to do something, this spiritually wise person noted that God almost never hurries. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. Lastly, the best part is the toppings. This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-. 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. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. 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. Your Promised Land Is Chosen by God for Your Freedom and Success. Here is our startling recognition: the Christians mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. There are several reasons. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. adj. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. How does a congregation go The problem .read more He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. It is the most sacred spot on earth! 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! Jesus dead on the Cross as the Lamb of God means Exodus, freedom from sins bondage to all who will apply the blood of Jesus to their heart in faith! This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. Tabor. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was because in the days ahead they would be discouraged, disillusioned as they saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! (see Exodus 19) Sinai. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). Define mountaintop. If not, why not today? Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. In Atlanta, as we met and talked and worshipped, I had a strong sense of energy and enthusiasm and knew clearly that God was saying to me, The time is right and you are ready to begin this work of listening. Whereas before, Listen to My Life sounded really interested and well-done, this time it felt truly life giving. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. One of the authors of the book, Sharon Swing says, Listening is the art of creating space so God can do His work in the heart of another., This time in Atlanta was a follow-up to similar work I did in Dallas two years ago. the law and the prophets. 17:1). Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! Have you ever witnessed an altar call? Any place be it mountaintop, retreat center, or worship service, that can change you inside out should be considered dangerous. And what does really matter in life? to what Jesus says in his word. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast & Goodbye to Jack Liskey! I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. 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. 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! Do you understand that Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life; and took your sin, and died in your place that you might experience forgiveness and salvation? It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. We experience gratitude most naturally and intensely when a giver (1) unpredictably and (2) at cost to him- or herself (3) transfers to our full possession (4) a benefit that pleases us. I love life! 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. It is on the mountaintop we receive revelation from God, and it is where we often experience the tangible, felt presence of God. It was the voice of the Heavenly Father, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. The experience completely mortifiedPeter, James, and Johnuntil Jesus calmed them, and they saw that only Jesus remained. - the law and the, Prophets; the son of God and the three great apostles of the church they are talking about the Cross! 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. 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . 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. And it happened at the foot of Mt. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain; and they see His glory, they have a Mountain-Top Experience. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. But dont forget that six days prior, the disciples spent their own time in a theological fog, utterly confused about the proposed suffering and death of Jesus. 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. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. Whoever has ears, let them hear. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. Is what youre worried about really worth the worry? Don't start to rationalize it, no matter how unbelievable it may sound to some. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. On the Mountain of Transfiguration it looks like things happen in a hurry. Mountains typically have steep slopes and are understood to be. Dear Lord, I thank you for every mountaintop experience I have had and look forward to more of them. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. . TheLordwill keepyour going out and your cominginfrom this time on and for evermore. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. 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. as he tells you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. 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. Peter a man who always had something to say when nothing should be said; said: V:33-Jesus, master, it is good for us to be here. The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. 1:18), so the believer does well to pay attention to the Words of the prophets (2 Pet. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. 2. But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. This often propels us into a greater service for God. Sinai. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". How can we reach this mountaintop?. The word, . Their dedication and devotion to Jesus brought special blessings into their lives. 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 was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! Top selling author and speaker, Robert Rohm Ph.D. is founder of Personality Insights Inc. and The Robert Rohm Co. As you will see, Dr. Rohm specializes in helping people better understand themselves and others. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. 1:20). Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? (. Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. 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. Now would be the time to get involved in a church or Bible study. Idioms: I have separated the list into Free Resources, Basic Resources, and Advanced Resources. -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. 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. Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? about evangelism. And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. 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. Moses finally made it to the promise land! Heaven or Hell! 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). At least, that pattern held true for the likes of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. from that experience knowing more about Jesus, more prepared to live and die for him! Why Elijah and Moses? You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. 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. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. Then later, on the top of Mt. Sinai a third time to get a new copy of the commandments we read in Exodus 34 that Moses face was shining so brightly with the spirit of God that he had to veil his face when he was around people. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. (Mark 9:2-3 ESV) Jesus takes his inner circle to a mountain with him and they experience a "God thing." It was something unlike anything they had ever seen. They saw things they had never seen before, they were aware of things they were never aware of before, they were in the presence of God! First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. But dedication to Jesus is the key to blessings. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. 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. But as Jesus might say, We cant work effectively for God in the valley until we have been transformed spiritually with God on the mountain. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of God's reality. As I rest in the valley and meditate on my mountaintop experiences, please have Your Holy Spirit reveal to me what I need to know.Here in the valley, I will rest and feed on the goodness of Your Word. What was the difference? The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. 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. Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. For Christians, it seems that anything from a relaxing woods retreat to a Mountain-Dew-induced sugar-high at a youth conference can gain the mountaintop moniker. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . 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 . Check out my Recommended Resources list. I doubt any of us will go there.
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