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12-09-2007, 08:12 AM
Mountaintop Experiences
I will not... speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.
Romans 15:18 NIV
One day Jesus took His disciples to the top of a mountain where He was transfigured before them: "His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus" (Matthew 17:2-3 NIV). Peter was so caught up in the experience that he wanted to stay there. "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah" (Matthew 17:4 NIV). But Jesus said "No," and led them down the mountain to minister to a demon-possessed boy. It's good to have mountaintop experiences with God; but you can't stay there. There's work to be done and you have been called to do it!
In the Old Testament tabernacle the High Priest went into the "Holy of Holies" once a year where he had the privilege of seeing the glory of the Lord. But the work of the Lord was done outside amongst the people! Imagine being in God's presence to such an extent that the building shakes around you. It happened to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-4). But afterwards he had to go out and perform the purposes of God. There's a balance. We must spend quality time with God, then carry away from His presence the answers needed by those around us.
Paul said, "I will not… speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me." Paul didn't glory in what Christ had done for him, but in what Christ was doing through him. Getting the idea? It's time to come down from the mountain and go to work!
The Word For Today
I will not... speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.
Romans 15:18 NIV
One day Jesus took His disciples to the top of a mountain where He was transfigured before them: "His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus" (Matthew 17:2-3 NIV). Peter was so caught up in the experience that he wanted to stay there. "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah" (Matthew 17:4 NIV). But Jesus said "No," and led them down the mountain to minister to a demon-possessed boy. It's good to have mountaintop experiences with God; but you can't stay there. There's work to be done and you have been called to do it!
In the Old Testament tabernacle the High Priest went into the "Holy of Holies" once a year where he had the privilege of seeing the glory of the Lord. But the work of the Lord was done outside amongst the people! Imagine being in God's presence to such an extent that the building shakes around you. It happened to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-4). But afterwards he had to go out and perform the purposes of God. There's a balance. We must spend quality time with God, then carry away from His presence the answers needed by those around us.
Paul said, "I will not… speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me." Paul didn't glory in what Christ had done for him, but in what Christ was doing through him. Getting the idea? It's time to come down from the mountain and go to work!
The Word For Today