And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. Mountains typically have steep slopes and are understood to be. But Jesus was not reflecting the glory of God; He was shining out the glory of God from within. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. They see His Glory and they worship Him! 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). Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! There is so much to be done here in the valley. Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. Copyright www.personality-insights.com. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. 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? First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain; and they see His glory, they have a Mountain-Top Experience. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? You are a stumbling block to me. Jesus recognized the voice of the Evil One again, this time speaking through Peter, and he told him to back off. These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. They are solid and unmovable. 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! Mountain top definition: the top of a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a. The aspect of a beautiful mountaintop experience has a whole new meaning when you realize that it does not matter what the mountain is made of. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. This often propels us into a greater service for God. 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. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? 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. Living, Planning, Dying Well: Getting Your Affairs in Order, 2023 Youth Sunday & Souper Bowl of Caring, Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Advent Gift Market a yearlong commitment to mission. God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. 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 sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. adjective situated at the top or summit of a mountain: a mountaintop house. One of the principles of listening to God speak through scripture is that you should notice what causes you to resist as well as resonate. But seriously Im glad to have an excuse for Joani to describe the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in her life. 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? Think of those wonderfully cheesy G.I. 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. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. 17:7)." 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. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. 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. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! But those were all just moments. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? 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.. Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. 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 mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. Perhaps they were previously lost, or filled with anger, depression, addiction, confusion. adj. I wasnt so eager to leave the mountaintop. I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. That could prove dangerous and manipulative. 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.. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. 3:17). To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. (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. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! 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. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. 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! Send us feedback. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. When the back doors of the church opened, and there. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. 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! Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. 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. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. The distinction between the two is clear (now). Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. On one particular hike, the sun was setting, the warm air brushed against me, and the silence engulfed me. Mountain top removal means a coal mining operation that will remove an entire coal seam or seams running through the upper fraction of a mountain, ridge, or hill by removing all of the overburden and creating a level plateau with no highwalls remaining instead of restoring to approximate original contour, and is capable of supporting postmining Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. 2. 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. He fulfilled what the. Of course, except for Jesus, even people who undergo mountaintop transformations remain flawed. But then, everything about Peters mountaintop experience changes. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule. 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. 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. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. I love life! The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Peter, James, and John climb up this high mountain with Jesus; probably Mount. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? There we will walk in His paths and will be taught His ways. For instruction and revelation will come out from Mountaintop Worship Center. Check out my Recommended Resources list. They are solid and unmovable. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. We forget what God said to us when we approached the altar during that sermon. 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. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? Yet over time we go back to normal life. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Amen. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. Sinai. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! 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. In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. Moses is a prime example of this. Jesus is the only one to ever walk this earth who was absolutely sinless and holy! 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. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Then later, on the top of Mt. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. In. It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. V:31-Which he would accomplish at Jerusalem. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Accessed 4 Mar. Yet we can quickly walk down off the mountain and return to normal life in the valley. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Christianity is living a life of obedience to Jesus! The aspect of a beautiful mountaintop experience has a whole new meaning when you realize that it does not matter what the mountain is made of. But heaven will be a place of glory! All rights reserved. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. 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 ). They didn't last for years. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. 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. This is my favorite source for everything Christian. I'd love to go mountain - climbing. there is only one way to be saved and that is through. These three disciples are none as the inner circle; Jesus let them in on things the other disciples didnt get in on. 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. 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. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. Jesus Christ, furthering His kingdom, and bringing glory to God through it all. 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. those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. 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. 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. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . But Jesus came and touched [the disciples], saying, 'Rise, and have no fear' (Matt. 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. Of all the things the apostles witnessed, none was more spectacular and the vision of the glorified Christ on top on the Mount of Transfiguration. 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. 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! 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. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". This is the walk all . the last of the apostles to die, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. 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. 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. How do you respond? (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. 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. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. 17:2). What was the difference? They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. Processing doesnt mean well understand each detail of our experience. 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. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. 2. a large mass or heap; pile. 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. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mountaintop, Nglish: Translation of mountaintop for Spanish Speakers. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? 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. 17:4). There will be times of recognition, success, fun, laughter, happiness, financial success and many wonderful experiences together with family and friends. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. . 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. On the Mountain of Transfiguration it looks like things happen in a hurry. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. 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.