Verse of the Day 6/17

Through the Bible - Jeremiah 32-33, Matthew 26:26-50

 

Good morning,

Yesterday, after completing business in Denver I had the privilege to drive through Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado with my co-workers.  It was a wonderful experience enjoying God's majesty as displayed in the mountains, snow, lakes and wildlife.  It was definitely a mountaintop experience.

 

We enjoyed the trip but as we left the park, we realized that we had to make the long trip back in the dark and be back to the real world in the morning.  Fortunately, we would be able to share the experience in conversation and in pictures with friends and family.

 

For today's verse, we'll go to Matthew 17 where Peter, James, and John are coming down from the mountain and are told to keep quiet about it until the time was right.

 

Matthew 17:9  English Standard Version (ESV) And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."

 

I his daily devotional for today, Pastor Greg Laurie wrote, " after witnessing this remarkable event, the disciples had to leave the mountain and return to the valley—the cold, hard reality of life and the problems that were waiting. The disciples were learning they could not always live on mountaintops.

When we are on the mountaintops of life, we should enjoy them. But we also should remember they are preparing us for life in the valley, for the challenges, hardships, and reality of living in the real world."
 

There may be times in life where we may have to hold our tongues in sharing "mountaintop experiences".  But how are we in sharing the receiving of our greatest gift with others in the hopes that they may have the same joy.

 

I'm reminded of one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs, "The Mountain".  I'll share a few of the lines.  God has a purpose behind the mountaintop experiences we've shared with Him, that we do share them with others.

 

You bring me up here on this mountain

For me to rest and learn and grow

I see the truth up on the mountain And I carry it to the world far below

So as I go down to the valley

Knowing that You will go with me

This is my prayer, Lord

Help me to remember what You've shown me

Up on the mountain

Up on the mountain

 

I cherish these times up on the mountain

But I can leave this place because I know

Someday You'll take me home to live forever

Up on the mountain

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

 ¹ And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. ³And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ⁴And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." ⁵He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." ⁸And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

 ⁹ And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead." ¹⁰And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" ¹¹He answered, "Elijah does come, and he will restore all things.