3:17). One moose, two moose. I have established you on the mountaintop. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of God's reality. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. Finally, one day he reached the top of his mountain. Mountain top definition: the top of a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. 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! adjective situated at the top or summit of a mountain: a mountaintop house. the law and the prophets. And eventually Peter would deny the very one who changed his life. On the Mountain of Transfiguration it looks like things happen in a hurry. 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. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. He has it all in control. Tabor. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. 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. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. There is a mountaintop experience all Christians seek. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. A variety of day trips, long weekends, and extended . This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. 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. There, for Peter, the mountain-hearing of the Fathers Majestic-Glory serves as the paradigm for the churchs engagement with the Word of God. 1:19). How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? They didnt last for years. Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. Theyre moments when we experience God in an intense, intimate way. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. Moses is a prime example of this. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. The people live in the valleys. Dear Lord, I thank you for every mountaintop experience I have had and look forward to more of them. Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. Most of us have had a similar experience, maybe not as intense, but a "mountain top" experience nonetheless. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. Despite this uncertainty, the definition of a mountain is a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding landscape. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! 2023. 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. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. (. But Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. 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 go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. 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. Any place be it mountaintop, retreat center, or worship service, that can change you inside out should be considered dangerous. Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-. 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. 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. Dedication to the Lord still brings special blessings into our lives! The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! Mountain Top Experience's season generally runs from April through December each year. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. Sinai again and again to commune with God and to better understand not just the essential laws for the life of the community, but the rhythms and cycles of what their covenantal life together will be like in the Promised Land. 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. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. He fulfilled what the. I love to see goals attained after hard work. Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. 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). 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. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament. , and respond as he calls you to trust him for eternal life. But then, everything about Peters mountaintop experience changes. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. 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. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. Tabor. Yet over time we go back to normal life. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. Ron & Andrea Camier established Mountain-Top Experience in 1998 following Ron's retrenchment from brown coal research and development engineering due to the privatisation of the power industry. And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. 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. 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. You learn something new about who God is. These three disciples are none as the inner circle; Jesus let them in on things the other disciples didnt get in on. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. That had to be a long six days. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. 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. Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. In that silence, as I sat on the mountaintop looking at the miles and miles of land stretching out before me, I had what some might call a mountaintop experience.. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. 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). It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. Thats why he wanted to build dwellings or booths on top of Mt. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! 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. the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. They see His Glory and they worship Him! It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! They are solid and unmovable. And what does really matter in life? Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. No wonder Peter fell to his face. The relationships he had with family and friends had caused him both happiness and sorrow. Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. Upon returning from the top of Mt. The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. That is the reality of the experience of this thing we call life. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. 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. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. And it happened at the foot of Mt. As for how this takes shape in the coming future, I dont really know and I am okay with that because I am very confident that my job is to be willing and available and He will open and close doors. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. Jesus death on the cross is the topic of conversation when you have a mountaintop experience! Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? 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. Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. died on Mt. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. 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. 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. 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. Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. -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. How does a congregation go And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. -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. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. 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. My help comes from theLord,who made heaven and earth. Just zoom out and think about your problems in the large scheme of things. 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. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. 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. They took my breath away from ground level and, when I climbed them, they whisked away any anxious thought Id ever have. The word, . 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. And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. 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. It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. 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. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? In the Old Testament, the mountains of Sinai and Zion are most significant. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! 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 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! Philippians 4:13. 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. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. 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 created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. Like you thought you grasped the concept of our large world, but then you realize its more incredible than you believed it to be. 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. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. He has performed miracle after miracle and, in that mountaintop experience, my blinded eyes were healed. Remember, Moses first met God at the burning bush on Mt. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. This is where audiobooks are helpful. But heaven will be a place of glory! This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. 17:7)." He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. Yes it is, it is good to be in the presence of Jesus, it is good to be in good company, Moses, Elijah, James and John. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. 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. 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 Whoever has ears, let them hear. The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. There we will walk in His paths and will be taught His ways. For instruction and revelation will come out from Mountaintop Worship Center. 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! The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. 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. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! That could prove dangerous and manipulative. The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. I love to see groups of people work together and everyone succeed. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. Remember, it was on top of Mt. Of course, except for Jesus, even people who undergo mountaintop transformations remain flawed. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! Valleys contain lakes and streams and are where rich grasses and varied types of trees grow.Therefore, ranchers take their cattle and sheep to the valley for the rich food. Confront the Danger. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule. Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! 1:17). God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. 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. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. Peter said it is good to be here. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . The problem .read more 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. This mountaintop experience takes place during a time of prayer! That is how we need to look at our daily issues. If you need it, they have it. 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. The valley is not what you may think. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. Six days earlier Jesus had asked his disciples the question of the hour Who do you say that I am? WhenPeter answered, You are the Messiah, Son of the living God, Jesus was ecstatic, and on the spot named Peter the future head of the church. That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. to what Jesus says in his word. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. How can we reach this mountaintop?. 2. a large mass or heap; pile. (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. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! 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. And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". 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, Later that day in February, Ms. Dean visited the, The Tanners handed the Red & Black their first loss of the season and reminded everyone who sits atop the Middlesex, The duo in recent days flew back to Los Angeles from the snowy city of Aspen, Colorado, where they were huddled in deep planning, and now like holy figures coming down from the, The best team in the states largest classification reached the, In the film, Korean detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) is probing the death of a climber who fell from a, Post the Definition of mountaintop to Facebook, Share the Definition of mountaintop on Twitter, The businesss new computer system proved not to be a. On this mountaintop; theyre going to see who Jesus is; theyre going to see the glory of the son of God; theyre going to hear the voice of God as he says this is my beloved son. Accessed 4 Mar. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. But make no mistake Jesus was the unrivalled son of God. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. 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.". Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? Howdoes that experience encourage you now? But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. . This reminds me of Church! I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. God knows how our brains work and how our individual personalities respond. Heaven will not be a place of strangers. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. 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. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. 1:21). No one deserves worship but Jesus! Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am?
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