Speak To Your Mountain!

This was my incredible view from the top of Mount Carmel in Israel on February 19, 2020. I did not know all that this year had ahead for me but on this day, WOW I could see forever up there. This is the very site of the amazing showdown between Ahab's 450 prophets of Baal and Elijah the prophet of God. Now, Elijah's situation may have appeared to be bleak. He was outnumbered physically but we are not told to see things in the physical. The prophets of Baal cried out loudly, they leaped about the alter, they cut themselves from morning to the evening sacrifice, to no avail. (See 1 Kings 18). Their alter sat untouched. Their request unanswered. Elijah knew what he had been told to do. He knew that God would be faithful and when he called out to God fire consumed his alter even when it had been drenched in water.

This picture is of the sunset on the Mediterranean Sea on February 15, 2020. It made me think of that fire from heaven.

Imagine that fire that completely consumed the entire alter including the stones with the water. What a sight to see!

This brings me to the thing that God has been having to remind me about repeatedly. I spend a lot of time alone in thought and I talk to God, most often in my mind and not aloud. He has been connecting some things that I forget to put into action. I want to share with you a key to agreement.

When you read the story above, the prayer by Elijah gives us reason to believe that he prayed this prayer aloud, it says, "he said" the prayer. Now stay with me, lets go on a little journey for a moment.

God created the universe by speaking the world into existence. God is creative, He created us in His image. Still with me? We are creative because God is creative. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. James 3:8 warns us of the evil of the tongue and difficulty taming it. If left to our own ways and untamed, the tongue is a deadly weapon of destruction. We can tear ourselves apart and bring misery to ourselves and others with our words. When we speak we either agree with God or we agree with the enemy. often we are agreeing with our adversary without even knowing it. Agreement is powerful. An example is when we pray in tongues. The Holy Spirit prays through us but by allowing Him to use our voice we are agreeing with what is being prayed. What?! Yes. That is agreement and so is what we say throughout our day. One way or another.

So where does the mountain come in? I'm getting to that. When we have a mountain in front of us, something that is blocking our path, we often forget to use our words. That's right. Speaking to the problem out loud! Agreeing with God that what He sees is what is true. Example, you may be worried about finances or your health right now, but what does the word say about it? What has God promised you? Speak that! I am fighting a health issue myself and have been for a month, I do not understand it but I know that God does. I must agree with the Word of God that says, by His stripes I am healed.

Another aspect of this that was highlighted to me today comes from Matthew 26. In this chapter a woman came while Jesus was reclining at Simon the Leper's house. She poured expensive perfume on Jesus' head. The disciples were dismayed and criticized the action. They were looking at it from a natural standpoint and not a godly standpoint. Jesus pointed out their mistake. He said that she was actually preparing him for burial and she would always be remembered for this. Now there is a lot going on here.

From her stand point, she felt this was the thing to do. She probably did not know why and it may have seemed outlandish. I mean she just went up and poured perfume on his head. Wow! What bravery, and faith to do what she was led. Now, the disciples, agreed with what their eyes saw and they spoke that. Jesus pointed out that they were seeing it the wrong way.

When you encounter things in life you are not always going to see them as others do. Especially if you look through spiritual eyes and not natural circumstances. When you look at that mountain and ask God what it really is and what needs to happen, He will direct you. The next thing is to agree with Him. Agree with what He sees, what He wants to do, His plan. That's when agreement brings about something wonderful. Like Elijah calling fire from heaven. Not like the disciples calling it like they saw it.

We may find ourselves feeling odd or misunderstood at times but Jesus said that would happen. It is not a surprise. So when you encounter a mountain, ask God how to speak to it and then do it. Use your voice, not just your thoughts. Get into your secret place and call it out. That's the part I forget. I get into my head.

Often the ways of God confound man. So when others do not understand your view of the situation, or way of dealing with the mountain (problem, obstacle, infirmity, etc), do not be dismayed. Elijah and that woman are still remembered for being obedient and believing that what God says is right.

Be bold and speak to your mountain! Agree with God out loud and see what happens!