I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! adj. Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? The word, . God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. I have separated the list into Free Resources, Basic Resources, and Advanced Resources. 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. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. But heaven will be a place of glory! What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . 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; . 1:18), so the believer does well to pay attention to the Words of the prophets (2 Pet. There is so much to be done here in the valley. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. 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. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. But Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. 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. Then, for another forty days he remained in the fiery cloud of Gods presence, receiving still more revelation from God. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. And you don't have to settle for regular milk! 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. Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). Upon returning from the top of Mt. But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. Peter said it is good to be here. 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. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. Here is our startling recognition: the Christians mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. 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. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Copyright www.personality-insights.com. The valley is not what you may think. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. It is on the mountaintop we receive revelation from God, and it is where we often experience the tangible, felt presence 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. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Jesus death on the cross is the topic of conversation when you have a mountaintop experience! 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). Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. 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. 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). Telling the stories from our mountain tops with others, sharing the insights we have learned and intentionally seeking out stories from others about their time on the mountain. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). We need to pray with Neil Griffith, Builder of mountains, make me like a mountain, Firm let me stand against the winds of strife; Give me a soul that reaches up to heaven, But plant my feet in needs of human life. These guys had seen Jesus on multiple occasions, do amazing things, but they had NEVER seen him like they are going to see him on that mountain. The problem .read more The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. Moses and Elijah were known by Peter, James and John. I'd love to go mountain - climbing. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. Processing doesnt mean well understand each detail of our experience. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. died on Mt. 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. Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. . While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! Moses is a prime example of this. But then, everything about Peters mountaintop experience changes. top maun-tn-tp Synonyms of mountaintop : the summit of a mountain Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web 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 mountaintop. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. as he tells you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. Your Promised Land Is Chosen by God for Your Freedom and Success. Check out my Recommended Resources list. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. It actually turned out to be a good place. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. 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. This is my favorite source for everything Christian. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. 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. He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. 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 truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. But God never intended for us to live there. They didnt last for years. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. 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. (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. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. Idioms: 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). It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of stuff. 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.". Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? We forget what God said to us when we approached the altar during that sermon. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. And appropriately enough, a bright cloud overshadows them, and from the cloud a voice said, This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him! As great as Moses and Elijah were, Jesus was and is greater still. Then later, on the top of Mt. -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. That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? encourage them and help them in the days ahead. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. 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. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in Johns Gospel (John 1:14) as well as in 2 Peter 1:16-18 underscores that Peter, James, and John never forgot their trip with Jesus up on the mountain. 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. 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. Remember, Moses first met God at the burning bush on Mt. was the founder of Israels worship of God. Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. V:29-the fashion of his countenance was altered, a reflection of another light, but this was light, this glory was from within! when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. 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. Then, only Moses and his associate, Joshua moved further up the mountain. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. 1:21). Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. On one particular hike, the sun was setting, the warm air brushed against me, and the silence engulfed me. And it happened at the foot of Mt. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! 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. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. , and respond as he calls you to trust him for eternal life. I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. (. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. What an amazing sight! The shekinah glory cloud was gone. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. II. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". Howdoes that experience encourage you now? 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. Most of us have had a similar experience, maybe not as intense, but a "mountain top" experience nonetheless. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. Husband of Orlena. 17:7)." 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. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. Yet we can quickly walk down off the mountain and return to normal life in the valley. Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Remember, it was on top of Mt. Did we really experience change? Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. All rights reserved. V:31-Which he would accomplish at Jerusalem. . Learn a new word every day. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. 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. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. After hearing those commandments, Moses came back down the mountain and reported to the Israelites all that God had said to him. 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. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. 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. 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. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. 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. 17:4). Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. To save this word, you'll need to log in. I call them mountain-top experiences! You feel overcome by a greater awareness of God's reality. We are to listen to no voice that contradicts his voice, his word! When is the last time you had a mountain-top experience? 2. a large mass or heap; pile. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. But make no mistake Jesus was the unrivalled son of God. Maybe youve realized a new passion you have that you can practice in your community. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. Waiting feels like a waste of my time. Jesus climbing to the top of a mountain not to receive, but to give a new interpretation and understanding of those laws shaping our communal life together as Christians through the Sermon on the Mount. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. Philippians 4:13. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. 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. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. They took my breath away from ground level and, when I climbed them, they whisked away any anxious thought Id ever have. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! And eventually Peter would deny the very one who changed his life. 17:1). It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. 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. This is where audiobooks are helpful. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. They are solid and unmovable. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. 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. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! 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. 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. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. 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. Hermon. The glory cloud was a sign that Jesus was Gods dwelling place on earth, Jesus was the Mercy seat, he alone provides salvation and forgiveness! Like you thought you grasped the concept of our large world, but then you realize its more incredible than you believed it to be. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. 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? 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. A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. Our job is to share Gods reconciliation with them and bring them to the mountaintop for their own personal experience with God. The relationships he had with family and friends had caused him both happiness and sorrow. My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. Jesus Christ, furthering His kingdom, and bringing glory to God through it all. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do!