January 9, 2014 - "The Mountain of Joy"

We spoke tonight in our Bible study about hearing God speak. In the days of the Old Testament, God spoke in unique ways and through his chosen prophets. In the New Testament days, He chose to speak through the Spirit of His son, Jesus. Following the encounter on the Day of Pentecost, God now speaks through the Holy Spirit in various manners: the Bible, circumstances, prayer, and His church. I am still amazed that the one who spoke the universe into existence desires to speak to me - daily. How about you? But he does. God speaks to His creation to share His plans and purpose and to invite us into a love relationship with Him. The deeper that love relationship, the more we hear and understand our heavenly father. Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, writes, "You cannot understand God's Word unless the Spirit of God teaches you. When you read the Word, the Author himself is present to instruct you. Truth is never discovered; truth is revealed. When the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you, He is not leading you to an encounter with God. That is an encounter with God." I LOVE that! As we read the Word of the Lord and understanding and truth enter our hearts and minds and connect with us in such profound ways, we HAVE had an encounter with God. That's cool to me! I wanted to shout tonight, as I connected with the fact that the Holy Spirit revealed something to me this morning and that experience was an encounter with God. Check this out from Hebrews 12: 18-24 (NIV): The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. As I began reading this passage I though about how dreadful to encounter the mountain of fear. And while the Old Testament Law seemed unbearable, it sets up the scene for Jesus to come and fulfill the law, as none of us could. Even though vs 18 begins with "you have not come to a mountain," there was still a moment of yikes. HOWEVER, when the words from 22-24 came into my spirit, my heart began to leap and say, "yes, yes I have!" I began to rejoice in my salvation, again. Sometimes we need to pause - - - and remember what mountain we have come to and the majesty of that mountain. And here's the revelation...I didn't do anything to enhance the mountain, deserve the mountain, create the mountain...I simply come. Just as I am. Oh that makes me smile. How about you? Have a great one! PK Hebrews 12: 18-21