Going to the Mountains: Mount Carmel

by David Chadwick

Don’t you love going to the mountains this time of year? The majesty and colors of the leaves often leave us breathless.

When you see the beauty of the mountains, remember to also take time to visit the different mountains in the Bible - ones that hold special significance for our spiritual development.

For example, make sure you visit Mount Carmel.

What happened there? Elijah, the mighty prophet of God, did battle with the 450 godless prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Some call it the Super Bowl of faith.

As the contest begins, Elijah confronts all the prophets and says, “If God is God, you should follow him. If Baal is god, then follow him." Then he prayed in fervent faith and God’s victory over Baal was overwhelming (James 5:17).

Here is the spiritual importance of visiting Mount Carmel: Who is your God? The Lord God who created the universe? Or the counterfeit gods of this world: money, sex, and power?

God or Baal?

How would you answer?

Going to the Mountains: Mount Moriah

by David Chadwick

If you’re going to the mountains this fall to enjoy its splendor, do some spiritual mountain-gazing as well. How can you do so?

Go to Mount Moriah. It’s where God told Abraham to go and sacrifice his only beloved son, Isaac (Genesis 22). Why would God ask Abraham to do this heinous act? Abraham had waited 25 years for this promised son. He was now a teenager and the love of his life.

The answer is given to us in Genesis 22:1. God was using this command to test Abraham’s faith. God wanted to know if he was still the primary passion of Abraham’s life. Or had Isaac replaced God’s place of primacy?

When you visit Mount Moriah, God tests your faith as well. Tests determine whether we know the information. And here is the one question God wants to pose: Does he possess first position in your heart?

How would you answer? Is Jesus first in your life?

It’s a very important question we all must answer. It’s a test God wants you to pass with flying colors.

Will you?

Going to the Mountains: Mount Ararat

by David Chadwick

The fall season always offers a chance to see God’s multi-colored glory like no other time during the year. How? By going to the mountains.

If you do so this year, always remember that mountains in the Bible are called “the high places.” They are places where you can experience God like nowhere else.

This autumn, make sure you visit the biblical mountains that will enhance your life in Jesus.

For example, visit Mount Ararat.

As the rain ceased and the flood waters abated, the ark that carried Noah, his family, and all the animals landed on Mount Ararat (Genesis 6-9). It was from there that they descended to dry land and the human race had a new beginning.

Mount Ararat can mean the same for you in your spiritual journey. In Jesus, your sins are forever forgiven and you can begin anew. Start over. Have a new beginning. The old, your past, has passed away. The new, your present and future, begins today (2 Corinthians 5:17).

No sin is beyond God’s grace. Nothing in your past is beyond God’s goodness.

Make sure you visit Mount Ararat. It’s a place of new beginnings.

And new hope.