Matthew 17 - 7.17.26

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “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.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Observation

This is the Transfiguration of Jesus, he transformed from the inside out right in front of Peter, James and John. He was shining like a bright light, like the sun and standing right there with him was Moses and Elijah. The disciples were terrified and didn’t know what to say, so Peter said he could build three shelters or tents for them, but you can’t contain God’s Glory in a tent. As Peter was talking, he was interrupted by a bright cloud that covered them and a voice from the cloud told who Jesus is. Jesus is the radiance of God’s Glory. We see the same thing spoken about Jesus at the beginning of His ministry.

Matthew 3:16 - 17 - As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

If the disciples had any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah, I think this would have been a real eye opener. God was pulling out all the stops! He was showing up for our Jewish disciples. The law being given to Moses is now here…Jesus. All the Glory from Mt. Sinai, which shone on Moses’ face and all the Glory of Jesus was right here in front of them. They were overwhelmed by God’s Glory…it was wonderful and scary but they didn’t want to leave.

Application

As Believers who are blood bought, saved by Grace, we too want to stay in our safe buildings and structures and enjoy God’s presence while the world outside is dying. Jesus took the disciples down the mountain right back into the messiness of life. The Glory of God goes out into the world, community and our screwed-up lives. God’s Glory is not just going to shine from a mountaintop, it’s going to be found in you and me. The Glory of God won’t be contained, we are reflections of His Glory. God’s Glory is found as we live out Jesus among us. God’s Glory is all over the place. You can be part of God’s Glory. If the Church of Jesus isn’t about the business of reflecting God’s Glory, we are missing the mark. You have to leave the sunset, the mountain, the awesome worship and the building because the Glory of God is to be lived out. Jesus has called us to be the Bearers of His Glory to the world. Are you bearing God’s Glory?

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help us to be busy about your business. We are your hands and feet in this world and we ask that you use us for your kingdom. Lord, search our hearts and purify us, so that we will be bright reflections of your Glory. Give us a heart that has compassion for the world that is hurt and dying. Help us to be bearers of Your Glory!

- Michelle Craig

Psalm 125 - 7.16.26

S - Psalm 125:1-2

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”

O - Sometimes I can fall into the belief that my trust in the Lord, the faith that I choose to put in trusting Him when it is hard to, is not doing much if I look around and that situation I am CHOOSING to trust in doesn't look much different. Ever been there?

I love when scripture gives us a visual, like this one in these first few verses of Psalm 125: those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.

For context, Mount Zion was the highest point in Ancient Jerusalem. So I can imagine this visual for those who had seen this mountain, was one of vastness and incomprehensible greatness in sight. When I stand at the bottom of a mountain, I often look up and feel so small. The vastness of mountains often gives me perspective as to how physically small we are in this world, but simultaneously stirs up this strength in me and I sit in awe and wonder in how big the mountain’s creator is. When I think of this passage and its connotation to our lives, I see it as a perspective shift in the moments we fall into discouragement towards the choice to trust in the Lord. I am here to say, your trust in God is bigger than you may believe. I do not say this because I made this truth up to make all of us feel better in a time of discouragement, but this is the word of God and truth of God. Your trust in God is not something miniscule, but it is ultimately big.

Though it may feel small in the moment or when you feel discouraged that what you see is not changing, the word of God says that your choice to trust in God is comparable to Mount Zion. Tall and vast, strong and mighty, and your trust in God is what will be your ultimate protection, your ultimate provision, and your steadfastness that keeps you from being shaken by the wind that comes and storms that pass.

I believe someone reading this needs to be encouraged in that your choice to trust is doing bigger things for you than you may see or you may believe. Continue to choose to trust.

A - Write down the areas you are choosing to trust in God right now, especially the areas that feel harder to trust in Him. Choose to intentionally shift your perspective to that of the Psalmist . . . declare over your trust, this is bigger than I may see.

P - Lord, thank you for bringing strength in my trust in you. No matter how big or small, choosing to trust in you is greater than my eye can see. Bless me with perspective that will help me continue on in choosing to trust you when it doesn't make sense. I love you Lord, thank you for loving me first and having my good at the front of your mind. Amen.

- Tess Schrupp

Exodus 32 - 7.15.26

Scripture: Exodus 32:1

“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

Observation

The people of Israel knew that Moses went up the mountain to talk with God. In fact, just a few chapters earlier in Exodus 24, Moses shared with them everything God had told him from his last trip. And the people replied, “Everything God said, we’ll do. Yes, we’ll obey.” But a short time later, they got tired of waiting and they forgot everything they had promised to do. They thought - we don't need Moses (who they had asked to speak to God on their behalf) - we'll take matters into our own hands.

Application

Was there ever a time you got tired of waiting for God to answer or intervene and you decided to take matters into your own hands? Maybe we didn't trust God to provide, so we took a job that kept us away from fellowship with other believers. Maybe we got tired of waiting for a godly partner and settled for a bad relationship. There are so many times that we justify our actions, when deep down we know that it is not what God wants for us. And like the people of Israel, we pay the consequences.

I'm also struck by how quickly they went from we'll do everything God said to we'll make ourselves a new God. If we don't pursue relationship with God every day, it is amazing how quickly our hearts can become hardened. It seems pretty obvious that God knows what's best for us - far better than we do. And in spite of that we so easily lose faith.

This is where the family of God steps in - to encourage, support, and pray for each other - to hold each other up and strengthen each other's faith.

Hebrews 10:24-2: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.”

Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Hebrews 3:13: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Prayer

God, I acknowledge your lordship over my life. I know that you have a purpose and plan for me. Continue to strengthen my faith and help me to trust you in all things. Thank you for the many times you have brought others alongside to pray for me, encourage me, and support me. I pray for others who need their faith strengthened today. Speak to them and let them know of your great love for them. Remind them that you are a good father and your plan is better than anything we could ask or imagine. Amen

- Debbie Dunn