Beyond Brightness…
The Webster’s dictionary defines the word SPLENDOR as “great brightness”
The Bible associates great Brightness, Splendor, as the Brilliance of the Sun to our God.
In the Mount of Transfiguration we see the full display of God’s splendor in Jesus Christ.
Mark 9:2-3
He was transfigured before them… “The Glory”
His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them… “The Splendor”
Matt 17: 2 His face shown like the SUN… His clothes became white as light…
Last Sunday gathering, was a defining moment of the Church with the Lord… All I can say is that the Lord visited simply Jesus. We are a small group but chosen group of disciples, witnessed the SPLENDOR of the LORD. The very atmosphere shifted… the heavens opened… the Glory of God’s presence descended.
Just like the disciples on the mountain top… we were surprised… thrilled… overwhelmed… but thankful…
Someone said, “it was crazy” another said, “this can never get any better until the next gathering”
We were speaking because “We did not know what to say”…
We fell on our faces… overwhelmed. Oh!!! What a glorious time it was.
Not many are gifted with these encounters.
In the Bible, Paul had powerful encounter with Jesus two times in his life. One on the road to Damascus and another when he was taken to the third heaven.
Peter had supernatural encounter with Jesus one time in his life, on the Mount of Transfiguration.
These kind of encounters are given few and far between.
I was overwhelmed by what I saw happen, I have seen similar things before, was this just another glorious service? I carried this in my heart and kept meditating.
The Holy Spirit said, Sunny, don’t miss the moment; turn this moment in Glory into a lifetime of Glory.
My heart cries, Lord, I don’t want to miss this moment….
But how to change this moment in Glory into a lifetime of Glory?
Let’s learn from the scriptures how to live our lives beyond brightness.
The Call is always to go BEYOND BRIGHTNESS.
Don’t search for the spectacular and miss the supernatural.
HEAR the VOICE
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NLT)
11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
First there was a great and powerful wind.
Then there was an earthquake.
Then came a fire.
After the fire came a gentle voice.
Just like Elijah, we are fascinated with the wind… we all like to be knocked out by God… fascinated with trembling and earthquake… the fire and smoke.
But there is something beyond the brightness, beyond the smoke, beyond the shaking…
Will you linger?
Will you wait?
Will you walk in?
Until you Hear the VOICE.
Understand the Voice
Acts 22:9 (NIV)
9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
Acts 22:9 (NKJV)
9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light [a]and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
Some saw, crazy emotions.
Few saw, grown people acting stupid…
Was this just emotionalism? Or just hype? Was is manufactured or man made? Or was this of GOD?
Many see the light, the drama… but did not hear/understand the voice of HIM WHO is speaking.
My friend did you hear HIM?
Do you understand WHO was speaking?
Paul and companions are in an encounter…
The companions saw the light but did not understand the voice.
Many of us see the light… the flashes… the splendor… and we return back to our lives… because we do not understand the voice of HIM WHO is speaking.
Please! don’t miss the moment.
Keep his Word
Mark 9: 10 So they Kept this word… among themselves
Don’t let devil steal this word. (the devil comes and steals this WORD)
Luke 8:12
12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
Don’t let your cares crowd THIS WORD.
Luke 8:14 (NLT)
14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.
KEEP this WORD. KEEP this memory, KEEP this emotion, KEEP this experience.
PETER was there on this mountain… the bible says, they woke up from sleep and saw JESUS transfigured…
PETER was so impacted by the mountain that after many years towards the end of HIS LIFE he still KEPT this WORD.
2 Peter 1:17-18 (NIV)
17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[a] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
1 John 1:1 (NIV)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
Apostle Peter and John both remembered that day on the mountain all their life…
Keep this WORD. Keep this CALL. Keep it in your mind and your heart.
Don’t miss the moment.
