The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. 4WD Adventures - Mountain-Top Experience And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. Things may not be the way you want them to be right now, but as long as you do the next right thing and move in a positive direction, you will continue to learn and grow. the last of the apostles to die, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. What is Your Mountain Top Experience? - Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church As he stood there looking out over his life and all of his accomplishments, he looked down and realized that the mountaintop was not at all what he thought it would be. 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. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. So what next? died on Mt. Then, only Moses and his associate, Joshua moved further up the mountain. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. Define mountaintop. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. - Insights It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! . But seriously Im glad to have an excuse for Joani to describe the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in her life. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. 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. 1:19). Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. 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. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. 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. It dishonored Jesus; it put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah! Jesus is the. It is the most sacred spot on earth! the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. 1:16). I have established you on the mountaintop. I doubt any of us will go there. 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. n. The summit of a mountain. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". Now that you have you hot chocolate, it is time to relax. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. 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? 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. 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. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. 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. 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. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! 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. Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-. It actually turned out to be a good place. 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. 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 ). 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. 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! And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. II. Moses still had flaws that would prevent him from entering the Promised Land. After hearing those commandments, Moses came back down the mountain and reported to the Israelites all that God had said to him. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. Theyre moments when we experience God in an intense, intimate way. Sinai. Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. On one particular hike, the sun was setting, the warm air brushed against me, and the silence engulfed me. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Jesus visage became as bright as the sun even as the long-dead Old Testament heroes Moses (representing the law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) appeared and talked with Jesus. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Like you thought you grasped the concept of our large world, but then you realize its more incredible than you believed it to be. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! to love God more than anything else, and love your neighbor as yourself. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. How do you respond? If we stifle what weve seen and heard and done during those mountain top experiences, then we wont know how to carry them with us into the valley. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. Idioms: Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. Jesus gives us his word that we might obey it, put it to practice in our lives, and live it out every day! Cable TV and high speed internet. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. Moses is a prime example of this. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. Here is our startling recognition: the Christian's mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. And then there was Jesus. Confront the Danger. Thats because mountaintop experience is a figure of speech that comes right out of Holy Scripture. He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. BRICKS IN THE VALLEY Text: Matthew 17:1 - 9 We all know from the laws of gravity that what goes up must also come down. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. About Us - Mountain-Top Experience This Lent, follow something deeper than identity Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. Peter, James, and John thought that Elijahs appearance on the mountain with Jesus that day surely was a fulfillment of prophecy. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. Mountain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? 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. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. 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! The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. There is so much to be done here in the valley. 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. Moses finally made it to the promise land! This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. Some only lasted for mere minutes. Husband of Orlena. And you will walk away changed!. The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. 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? 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. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. Did we really experience change? 5. living, growing, or located in the mountains. These three disciples are none as the inner circle; Jesus let them in on things the other disciples didnt get in on. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. 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. as he calls you to leave bitterness behind, and to forgive and find joy. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Mountain Top Experience's season generally runs from April through December each year. Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. All rights reserved. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. But dedication to Jesus is the key to blessings. V:31-Which he would accomplish at Jerusalem. . Then, for another forty days he remained in the fiery cloud of Gods presence, receiving still more revelation from God. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! This is the walk all . Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. 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. Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! 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; . But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. -In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? Moses is a prime example of this. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. Many of us have walked through our own mountain top experience. DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. 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. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. I love life! 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). 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. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. 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. There will be times of recognition, success, fun, laughter, happiness, financial success and many wonderful experiences together with family and friends. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. 1:19). I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. 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. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? A Mountain Top Experience - The Odyssey Online We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. 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. Here is our startling recognition: the Christians mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). Heaven or Hell! Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. 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. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament. Hermon. It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. 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. It was simply a huge heap of stuff (both good and bad) that he had climbed up in order to get to where he was. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. He who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? 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! 1:21). 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. This mountaintop experience takes place during a time of prayer! How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? But Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. Philippians 4:13. Gratitude and the Asbury Revival | Kent Dunnington | First Things Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. Mountain Top The distinction between the two is clear (now). 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! Perhaps they were previously lost, or filled with anger, depression, addiction, confusion. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. Notice, too, that mountaintops offer a perfect setting for life-changing transformation. The greatest experiences of my life have been the times when God moved in power, and make himself none to me through his word and by his Spirit; making Jesus real to my heart! 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. 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. For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. To save this word, you'll need to log in. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. 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. 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.