Mountain Top Magazine #3

Here is a copy of our third magazine. We have had to change the magazine from full color to black and white to be more cost efficient. As a result a partnership with the Banner of Truth Fellowship (banner.org) our mailing production went from making 50 copies to 300 copies. We now distribute our magazine to those on The Banner of Truth mailing list. We praise God for this increase and for these brethren. They have proved themselves to be able ministers of the new testament and faithful co-laborers with Christ.

The Mountain Top Magazine is 24 pages of fitting words pertaining to life and godliness. Here is the statement of purpose found on the last page of each issue:

It is our desire to preach Jesus. We want to see Him high and lifted up. Our purpose is to declare the Son of God, the salvation of God, the ways of God through the word of God. 

The purpose of this magazine is to preach the gospel through writing.
We have chosen the name “Mountain Top Magazine” for spiritual reasons, not topographical reasons. (We live by the Delaware beaches and our biggest “mountain” is actually a sand dune.) We desire to share with others that which we have seen and heard while on the “Mountain Top” with God. By dwelling in heavenly places and walking about Mount Zion, God will show His people many precious things. This magazine will serve as a report of those things which He has shown us. And that which we have received from the Lord, we will declare unto you.

That being said, feel free to read, download, duplicate and distribute any of these materials. If you desire a hard copy of this magazine, or to be put on our mailing list, please let me know.

Mountain Top Magazine #3

Mountain Top Magazine #2

Here is a copy of our second magazine. The Mountain Top Magazine began as a production of Rockswitch Street. This is where I live. When we began DeRonte and Sarah Polite were living in an apartment above our garage. Erik and Kayla Olmsted with their two children (at the time) moved in to the upstairs of our house. There were 10 people on our property and we all loved Jesus...and we all wanted to be more productive. Among other things, we began writing this magazine in hopes of encouraging the brethren with words of life. It proved to bless us and others in the process.

Since then, the Polite's and the Olmsted's have moved away but continue to contribute to this work. May we not grow weary in well-doing. May God cause this ministry to flourish in the furtherance of the gospel.

The magazine is 24 pages of fitting words pertaining to life and godliness. Here is the statement of purpose found on the last page of each issue:

It is our desire to preach Jesus. We want to see Him high and lifted up. Our purpose is to declare the Son of God, the salvation of God, the ways of God through the word of God. 

The purpose of this magazine is to preach the gospel through writing.
We have chosen the name “Mountain Top Magazine” for spiritual reasons, not topographical reasons. (We live by the Delaware beaches and our biggest “mountain” is actually a sand dune.) We desire to share with others that which we have seen and heard while on the “Mountain Top” with God. By dwelling in heavenly places and walking about Mount Zion, God will show His people many precious things. This magazine will serve as a report of those things which He has shown us. And that which we have received from the Lord, we will declare unto you.

That being said, feel free to read, download, duplicate and distribute any of these materials. If you desire a hard copy of this magazine, or to be put on our mailing list, please let me know.

Mountain Top Magazine #2

Mountain Top Magazine #1

Here is a copy of our first magazine. It is 24 pages of fitting words pertaining to life and godliness. Here is the statement of purpose for this magazine:

It is our desire to preach Jesus. We want to see Him high and lifted up. Our purpose is to declare the Son of God, the salvation of God, the ways of God through the word of God. 

The purpose of this magazine is to preach the gospel through writing.
We have chosen the name “Mountain Top Magazine” for spiritual reasons, not topographical reasons. (We live by the Delaware beaches and our biggest “mountain” is actually a sand dune.) We desire to share with others that which we have seen and heard while on the “Mountain Top” with God. By dwelling in heavenly places and walking about Mount Zion, God will show His people many precious things. This magazine will serve as a report of those things which He has shown us. And that which we have received from the Lord, we will declare unto you.

That being said, feel free to read, download, duplicate and distribute any of these materials. If you desire a hard copy of this magazine, or to be put on our mailing list, please let me know.
Mountain Top Magazine #1

Christ is Not Divided

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

The apostle Paul looked upon the landscape of the Corinthian church and penned these words:

"Now this I say, that every one of you saith, 'I am of Paul,' and 'I of Apollos,' and 'I of Cephas,' and 'I of Christ.' Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)

The "church of God which is at Corinth" manifested their infantile and carnal condition by making and maintaining divisions among themselves (cf. 1 Cor 3:1-4). That being true, what can be said of today's church? There is reported to be approximately 41,000 denominations according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (for whatever that is worth). And make no mistake about it, the division goes much further than names on a building. The people are divided over most things pertaining to life and godliness.

All of these sects name the name of Christ...the same Christ who prayed "that they may be one" (Jn 17:11). The rhetorical and sobering question of the apostle must be asked again, "Is Christ divided?" And if not, than how can those who have been joined to Him be divided? The abundance of confusion and discord cries out "an enemy hath done this" (Mt 13:28).

Flesh: the Source of Division. It is categorically stated that division is the work of the flesh, not the spirit. That is, where the people are divided, at least one of the parties are living after the flesh. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are...variance...strife, seditions" (Gal 5:20). Other versions read "sects" (YLT), "factions" (NIV) and "divisions" (ESV).

One of the deplorable traits of today's church is that it often boasts in its division, supposing it to be a good thing. "We just belong to different traditions," many say. But in Christ, we have been delivered from the traditions of men (1 Pet 1:18) and are admonished about being corrupted by them (Col 2:8). Today men cause separations based on race, age, gender, nationality, just about any distinction imaginable. But there is no benefit to be obtained from these things. The diversity of the church is a source of strength, not a reason for division.

We know no man after the flesh (2 Cor 5:16). Division only occurs where worldly interests are promoted. Where men recognize that they are dead (in the flesh) and their life is hid with Christ in God (Col 3:3) there is no need to speak about fleshly things or earthly interests. The multitude of divisions betrays the carnal condition of the people. "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Cor 3:3). Where this is the case, it is as though the Corinthian church has been resurrected.

Be Zealous and Repent. It is high time for all believers everywhere to throw off their carnal distinctions and grow up in Christ. "Brethren, be not children in understanding...in understanding be men" (1 Cor 14:20). God does not see men as those who are "of Paul" or "of Apollos" or "of Cephas." God does not recognize men as being "of Luther" or "of Wesley" or "of Campbell," and neither should we. Let everyone who is born of God reason this way, "ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Cor 3:23).

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ," and He is not divided. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Cor 12:12-13). How can this union, that has been brought about in Christ, be destroyed by men? "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mk 10:9). Walk no more after the flesh. Think no more as a child. Consider one another with the mind of Christ and enjoy sweet fellowship as those alive from the dead.

Christ: the Source of Unity. When men are joined to Christ they are also joined to one another. Christ, the Prince of Peace, makes all those in Him "one." "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). Oneness, is not something to be pursued, but something to be acknowledged. We are not called to work toward being one but to recognize that WE ARE ONE.

In Christ we are "one fold" with "one Shepherd" (Jn 10:16). We have been "called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" and therefore God expects that we "all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among [us]; but that [we] be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:9-10). I question whether such a thing is even possible in the flesh. But it is absolutely possible in the spirit. For, God had promised concerning His people, "I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you" (Ezek 11:19) and God has fulfilled this promise in the salvation which is in Christ Jesus: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul" (Acts 4:32). Unity among the brethren is the work of an exalted Christ, and indwelling Spirit, and a satisfied Father. The work of men is to endeavor to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3).

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (2 Cor 13:11). We have good reason to praise God because Christ is not divided.

Jesus: Sent to be the Savior of the World

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 5:14)

All the sons of Adam have corrupted themselves and rendered themselves unfit for the Master's use. There is "none righteous, no not one" (Rom 3:10) says the Scriptures. Yet in order to accomplish His purpose, God needed one to intercede for this fallen race. He need a man in order to save man. But, "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him" (Isa 59:16). In other words, "the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."

What it means to be "the Savior of the world" is determined by at least two things: 1) the requirements of the Father and 2) the condition of the lost. The Savior will accomplish the will of the Father when no one else could, thereby delivering the lost from their certain condemnation.

The Will of the Father. God's will is loftier than any thought of man could have ever conceived. To this day the wisdom of men, abounding in philosophy and speculations about God, has not yet come to know God or what He has purposed in the earth. But God is not pleased with this ignorance. He is a revealer of secrets and He desires to make His will known. So, though His will "in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men," it has now been "revealed to His apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (Eph 3:5).

God has revealed that His will is eternal. It is called an "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11) that was resolved before the world began and has been manifested in these last days. It is a will that has determined every action of God. He is working "all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph 1:11).

His will or purpose involves men being conformed into His image (Rom 8:29) - God is righteous and His people must be as well. His will involves delivering us from this present evil world (Gal 1:4) - this world must give way to the world to come. His will involves making us to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Col 4:12) - there will be no unfinished projects in heaven. Christ's apostle's have declared that "this is the will of God for you, your santification" (1 Th 4:3) - all things that offend are excluded from God's presence.

Now, these are lofty tasks, to be sure, but they are quite necessary if man is going to dwell forever in the tabernacle of God. That being said, salvation involves the accomplishing of this will. No one can lay a claim to salvation if God's desires and demands are not satisfied. Men are going to need a Savior in order to fulfill this purpose of God and Jesus is equal to the task. He is "the Savior of all men" (1 Tim 4:10) and was, for this purpose, sent into the world. Thus, the culmination of God's purpose comes when all things are gathered together in Christ (Eph 1:10) resulting in "the praise of the glory of His grace" (Eph 1:6).

The Condition of Man. In order to understand why Jesus was sent to be the Savior of the world we must also consider how inadequate is the race of man. Why did we need Another to do the will of the Father for us? Why couldn't we do it ourselves? Were we really that bad? Could we not save ourselves? "And Jesus looking upon them saith, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible'" (Mt 10:27). We needed a Savior.

Salvation is not possible with men because of how far men have fallen in sin. The affect of sin can never be overstated. As a result of sin, all have "come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). Man is "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). He is "foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another" (Tit 3:3). He is not "good" or "righteous;" he does not understand or seek God; he is unprofitable and out of the way; his way is one of destruction and misery he does not fear God and his mouth is stopped and he is guilty before God; he is under sin (Romans 3:9-19). Man is not good and getting better; he is bad and getting worse.

Now, it is going to take Savior to correct this condition. It is going to take One who can deliver men from this present evil world that drew them away from their God (Gal 1:4). It is going to take One who is able to bring such corrupt people even up to glory (Heb 2:10); One who is able to raise them out of the dust and out of the dunghill, to set them among princes (Ps 113:7-8). It is going to take One who is able to bring those alienated from God into fellowship with Him (1 Pet 3:18). It is going to take One who would be able to present them before God as holy, blameless, without spot or wrinkle (2 Tim 1:9) AND keep them from falling before they get there (Jude 24). In short, they need One who is able to save them. Jesus is such a One.

Conclusion. Men are not free to speculate or philosophize about why Jesus came into the world. He came because the Father sent Him (Jn 5:23,30,36,37 etc). He was not sent to be an example for us, although He is. He was not sent to solve all of our problems, although He often does. He was not sent to stamp out a corrupt government, bring financial peace, or be your family counselor. Those things are too small. Jesus came because He was sent to be the Savior of the world. "...And thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21).

Made to Cleave Unto the Lord

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Concerning His people Israel and Judah, the Lord said, "This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah," saith the Lord; "that they might be unto Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear." (Jeremiah 13:10-11)

Jeremiah was often used by God as an illustration for the people. In this case (Ch 13) he was told to take off his girdle (what we call a belt or sash) and hide it in a cleft of a rock near the Euphrates. This girdle was new and made of linen before he placed it in the rock but when he returned for it "behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing" (Jer 13:7). We were all this way - profitable for nothing. Praise God, we are this way no longer.

The Flesh Profits Nothing. Jesus said, "that which is born of the flesh is flesh" (Jn 3:6). No matter how many advantages, no matter how much provision is given to the flesh it will still profit nothing (Jn 6:63). The flesh of man, what he has naturally received from Adam, is good for nothing. In being accepted by God, nothing offered by man has any worth or merit. Israel is the premier example of this. Who had more provision from God? Who saw more miracles? To them was given "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" (Rom 9:4). Their's "are the fathers" and through them "as concerning the flesh Christ came" (Rom 9:5). What else could God have given them? He advantaged above all others yet it did not make them better than anyone else - they, like all the sheep, went astray.

Isaiah also illustrated how the flesh always falls short.

Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching His vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: and He fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein; and He looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes...What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? (Isaiah 5:1-2,4)

The vine brought forth wild grapes because it was a fleshly vine. No matter how much provision and support was given, it still produced wild grapes. This vineyard, like the girdle, is the house of Israel and the house of Judah - advantaged above all others, yet fallen just like the rest. No matter what you do with flesh, it will still, only be flesh - and the flesh profits nothing. 

You Must Be Born Again. The Lord challenged the people to repent and the challenge still stands - if you can change yourselves and make yourselves righteous, then do it. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" saith the Lord, "then ye also do good, that are accustomed to evil" (Jer 13:23). Man cannot change himself to this degree. He may be able to stop bad behaviors and start good ones but he cannot come high enough so as to escape judgment. He cannot be spotless and unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God by the efforts of the flesh. He must be born again.

"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much in every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Rom 3:1-2). The advantages of being a Jew are numerous but those advantages must be used. The Jews who loved the Lord and were looking for the Messiah quickly identified Him and received Him. They believed the preaching of the gospel and they turned to the Lord. Jesus said, "Come unto Me" and they came and they, like a girdle, cleaved unto the Lord with purpose of heart (Acts 11:23). They joined themselves to Him (1 Cor 6:17).

It is as though the girdle which had become marred and profitable for nothing has now become new and profits much. As a result of sin being put away and Christ being exalted, God has also made His people new creatures with new hearts. He has delivered them from the bondage of sin so that they are no longer slaves to it. They were made to cleave unto Him and it is in their heart to do so. He has made them willing in the day of Christ's power (Ps 110:3). He has made the tree good, therefore, it's fruit is good also (Mt 12:33). He has made them to "be unto [Him] for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory." How? by changing them within.

Jesus, Thou hast bought us,

Not with gold or gem,

But with Thin own life-blood,

For Thy diadem;

With Thy blessing filling

Each who come to Thee,

Thou hast made us willing,

Thou hast made us free.

By Thy grand redemption,

By Thy grace divine,

We are on the Lord's side -

Savior, we are Thine!

(Frances Havergal)

Take Off Your Sandals

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5, NKJV)

There are some things that only God can do. When God was speaking with Moses it was not a time of negotiation. God told Moses that He had heard the cry of Israel and He was going to deliver them. He then said, "I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt" (Exod 3:10). 

God did not ask Moses about his views on the situation. He was not consulting Moses about his plans or availability. This was a directive; a revelation of the Divine purpose. And as such, this was not a time for Moses to speak or to act but a time to hear. 

When To Take Your Sandals Off. There are times and specific works that only God can do. There are times when it is man's task to simply observe. These are when the most precious things are being done and man cannot participate lest he corrupt the work. In other words, when it is time for God to speak man must listen. When it is time for God to work man must watch. When it is time for God to provide, man must rest in that provision. These are the times when man must take his sandals off.

Though God would use Moses to do His wonders and deliver His people Israel, when he was on that mount and God was speaking to him, it was not time for him to "do" but time for him to "hear." He had to hear first, before he could do anything. This was a time and place when he had to take his sandals off, for he was standing on holy ground.

Rest. The sabbath day was also a day when men were to take their sandals off. The essence of the sabbath day is rest. "Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death" (Exod 31:15). This day was a day to cease from work and trust in the provision of the Lord. This was a holy day and and a time to take off your sandals or, in the words of Isaiah, "turn away thy foot."

“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasures on My holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isa 58:13-14) 

When God reveals His purpose we are on holy ground. When He shows us His covenant we are on holy ground. When He opens our understanding we are on holy ground. And when we are on holy ground - we must take off our sandals, or in other words, "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10). The strength which God supplies, that enables us to be a co-laborer with Him, is received during these times. Paul spent three years with the Lord before going to Jerusalem (Gal 1:18). Jesus would spent countless nights on the mountain in prayer (Mt 14:23; Mk 6:46; Lk 6:12). It was at these times that they were supplied with strength and comfort and revelation from God. They were holy times and times to take off their sandals. Praise God for such times. 

When To Put Your Sandals On.  It is after we have been given the instruction, after we have seen and heard what God would do, after we have been strengthened with might in the inner man, that we are to lace up our sandals and go to work. 

Sandals on the feet represent a man that is working, has ability (strength and speed), and is ready to move. The Passover meal was to be eaten "in haste," "with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand" (Exod 12:11), that is, the people were to be ready to move. Likewise, when Peter was miraculously loosed from prison the angel of the Lord said, "Arise quickly! Gird yourself and put on your sandals" (Acts 12:8). It was time to move. 

In the wilderness the "sandals" along with the clothes of the people, did not wear out for forty years. This shows us that God gave the people the ability to survive. If the "garments and sandals have become old because of the very long journey" (Josh 9:13) it would show a condition of weakness and vulnerability. Whereas, if the "sandals shall be iron and bronze" (Deut 33:25) the people have been given strength.

The magnitude of the work of Christ made it so that John the baptist was not even worthy to carry His sandals (Mt 3:11). That is, he was not worthy to participate in any of the work that Christ would do in accomplishing our redemption.

This is the stance of believers in Christ: ready to move, prepared to work, able to minister in the strength of the Lord. When it comes to ministry we have our "feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph 6:15). But there are also times when we must take our sandals off. These are times when we must cease from work. These are times when we must be still and trust in the God of our salvation. These are holy times - when we are standing on holy ground.