Mountain Top

Mark 9
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me,
it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and
he were cast into the sea.    Mark 9:42

LET IT GLOW

How beautiful are the Appalachian Mountains that God created. One time we
drove up to a very high mountain called Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
When we reached the peak, we could see for miles the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It was a breathtaking sight. We would have liked to have camped and stayed
there for a few days, but it was not permitted.

So it was with Peter, James, and John, who went up on a mountain with Jesus.
There the disciples saw Jesus tranformed-His face shone like the sun and His
clothing was white as light. Also, they saw Moses, who represented the law,
and Elijah, who represented the prophets. These two were talking to Jesus.

Matthew Henry says:

"All the institutions of the law and all the predictions of the prophets,

pointed at Christ, and were fulfilled in Him."

Hebrews 1:1 says, "In these last days, God speaks to us by His Son."

The disciples experienced the resurrection of Christ that was to come. Moses'
body was never found and Elijah's was carried to heaven in a fiery chariot.
After His death, Jesus Christ did rise from the grave, just like He said He
would. Over 550 people saw Him.
What a mountain top experience the three disciples had that day! I'm sure
they talked about it many times, among themselves, for Jesus said to keep
quiet about it.

On the mountain top, we have communion with God with great peace and
joy when we're cleansed from our sins. Sometimes we don't want to come
down from the mountain, but come down we must. There is a world below
who needs to hear and find the love of Christ. They need to be taught His
Word and Ways. We teach Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead.
Our mountain top experience, whether it occurs at a camp, a revival, on a
retreat, or in our own home, is one we will never forget because we have
been with Jesus.

LET IT GROW

In verse 42, Jesus warns against causing believers to stumble or fall into sin.
The word stumble means to strike against.

Romans 14:13 says,"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but
judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his
brother's way."

Romans 14:21 says,"It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any
thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak."

These verses tell me to watch myself, how I dress, my words spoken,  the
things I do, so I honor Christ and not cause my brothers or sisters to stumble
or fall into sin.

Romans14:23b says,"for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

1Corinthians 6:19-20 asks,"What? know ye not that your body is the temple
of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your
own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God's."

These are some strong words to take in and ponder over. Is there anything I
do that could cause someone to sin? I need to look at myself for an
evaluation.

LET IT GO

Meet Jesus on the mountain top and surrender to His will.

Trust in the ressurrection of Christ.

Ask Jesus if there is anything in my life that I need to change so I won't
cause my brethren to stumble or fall into sin, then change it.