Got Mountains?

Have you got mountains in your life that you don’t know what to do about? Though they were usually too ashamed to talk to Jesus about their issues the disciples often faced that too. The great news for us is that these totally ordinary guys who also had to pay their taxes figure out where their next meal was coming from and who even argued about who was the most important were loved by Jesus Christ. He didn’t get fed up with them and go out looking for more spiritual disciples.

Instead in answer to their fears and doubts He said something like; “Hey guys why don’t we go for a hike up this mountain today?” As they trudged up the steep winding path towards the summit suddenly Jesus turned around and they saw that His clothing began to shine brighter than anything they had ever seen on earth.

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3

Then a strange series of events took place beginning with the appearance of Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus; and just when they thought it couldn’t get any weirder a shining cloud surrounded them and a voice spoke to them from heaven. As Peter recounted many years later; that was an experience that forever changed their lives. Though they had faithfully been following Jesus for a couple of years and had witnessed miracles and listened to His teachings they all still had questions and doubts just like we do. But God in His mercy called them up the mountain to see who Jesus really was and He is calling us  this morning too. He is waiting to show us great and mighty things that we don’t know anything about (see Jeremiah 33:3) There is still hope and we can still praise Him. This is a new day and as the sun rises today we need to remind ourselves that God is still in control and that if we will look to Him He will give us a hope that will change us forever.

wp-1580814833445.jpg

 

When the Mountain Moves

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ … Mark 11:23 NKJV

Have you ever tried working up enough faith to move a mountain? I sometimes wonder if I could even move a pebble but maybe we’re missing the point of mountain moving. Jesus never did miracles just to put on a show. He calmed storms, multiplied bread or healed the sick to meet a need. If we are called to move mountains with our faith then it must also be for some good reason.

Can you imagine people waking up asking, “Where in the world did that mountain go that was here yesterday. The answer is in Zechariah

‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ” Zechariah 4:7

By God’s word the mountain moves so that we can walk across the plain with God’s love to a new destination of Grace.

The Mountain of the Lord

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. Genesis 22:14 KJV

People often say that God will provide all our needs, or if they are really trying to be spiritual they may say, He is “Jehova Jireh”.  In this part of story of Abraham and Isaac, God made a very strange request. He told Abraham to take his son (and God reminded him that it was his only son) and to sacrifice him on the top of a mountain. Wow! What a terrible thing to even imagine! But rather than hesitate, argue with God or try to find some way out, Abraham simply began to walk to the mountain where God told him to go. When Abraham got to the top he made a stone altar, tied up his son and was ready to do as he was commanded when God sent an angel to say “Stop!” Then God showed Abraham a ram with his horns tangled in a thicket and that was when God provided.

So ask yourself this morning; “Where is God sending me to go and what is He asking me to give?” Following God may seem scary; but our biggest adventure and our greatest opportunity begins when we obey Him. There at the top of the mountain of the Lord, He has sent us to is where God becomes our very own Jehova Jireh!

Imported from phone 786