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. 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. 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. We see Him working and moving throughout the lives of the people there, and we come home with a new vigor to live life differently, more passionately. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. I love to see groups of people work together and everyone succeed. This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. But those were all just moments. Living on a spiritual high all the time would make for an exhausting life, but there are lessons we can take from each moment and implant them into our routines. They see His Glory and they worship Him! 2. These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. The next time you have a mountain top experience, whether its at church, on the mission field or in the comfort of your room for not all experiences are charged with emotion know those moments arent wasted. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. And you don't have to settle for regular milk! . 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. Both had been shown Gods glory on those mountains. It actually turned out to be a good place. Moses climbing Mt. 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. What an amazing sight! 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. 1:17). 17:1). Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. 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. 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. 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. 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. But seriously Im glad to have an excuse for Joani to describe the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in her life. 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 . The problem .read more Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. Hermon. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! The chosen son of God, the Savior of the world! We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. mountain noun [C] (VERY LARGE HILL) A2 a raised part of the earth's surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow: The Matterhorn is one of the biggest mountains in Europe. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. . Tabor. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus does not fall to temptation but whips the Devil soundly on the mountain, and the Evil One slinks away, biding his time until he can harass Jesus again. But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. Thats when you see people all around you move forward as they listen to the call of their mountain top experience. This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. 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. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. Became pastor of the church in Jerusalem, and was martyred for Preaching Jesus. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. Remember, it was on top of Mt. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! And then there was Jesus. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. Confront the Danger. But then, everything about Peters mountaintop experience changes. In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. No wonder Peter fell to his face. Question Origin of mountaintop First recorded in 1585-95; mountain + top 1 Words nearby mountaintop They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. 17:2). The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. -For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. 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. They are solid and unmovable. Climbing the mountains in Western North Carolina with my former youth from Indiana who made it a tradition to climb together early in the morning and then share affirmations on the mountain top at the end of a Montreat Youth Conference. 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! Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. Mountain Top Experience's season generally runs from April through December each year. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! 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. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 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. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. The relationships he had with family and friends had caused him both happiness and sorrow. about evangelism. 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. Many of us have walked through our own mountain top experience. Shes still not sure whats she supposed to do with what shes learning, and now shes in her own personal waiting period trusting God to clarify her next move. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. And if weve implanted them in some way in our present, then revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. Mountains have a logical religious symbolism for Jewish and Christian cultures since they are "closer to God" who dwells in the heavens (as in the sky). So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! The story in our text today is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke and I believe it's the source of the phrase "A Mountain Top 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. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. n. The summit of a mountain. In the Old Testament, the mountains of Sinai and Zion are most significant. Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. Christianity is living a life of obedience to Jesus!
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