Would you rather go to the mountains or the beach? I always answer that question with "The Mountains!"

I have had so many awesome experiences in the mountains, times when I've been overwhelmed by His awesomeness.

But did you know that mountains play a huge role in the Bible? Did you know that mountains have been places where God shows up and speaks to His people?

Here's the question: Are you listening to God?

Is his message about you the most important for you?

Do you care more about what others say than what He says?

Do you make your choices based off what He says or do you think about what your friends say before you make a choice?

The truth is: if you listen to God, He will transform your life from the inside out.

This is the turning point in exodus.
God shakes the mountain. Fire wraps around it. Smoke billows. And God speaks.
God reminds the Israelites of who they are: kingdom of priests, holy nation
They have a special purpose. And they can only live up to it, if they listen to him.
They won't be a light to the world if they don't obey Him.

Moses showed up to listen to God.

Are you showing up to listen?

This is a depressing moment for Elijah
All the people have turned on God and on Elijah.
And God doesn't show up in the earthquake, hurricane or fire...but in the whisper.
This is different than the first mountaintop God-explosion.

Elijah came wanting to hear from God.

God came ready to speak.

So, will you listen like Elijah?

I'll ask again: Are you listening to God?

This is something different. Jesus calls three of his peeps to follow him to the mountain.
And something crazy happens.
And guess who's on the mountain with Jesus. Moses and Elijah.
And God speaks: This is my son. Listen to him.

What God always has to say...
Affirm you.
Remind you of your purpose.
Call you out of your sin. (Never affirms your sin)
Think about the cross. This is what it does. It shows you that you are worth something. jesus died for you. And it reminds you of your purpose...to carry your cross with Him, to join him in his mission. And it calls you out of your sin. If he died for your sin, don't go back to it!

I'll ask you again: Are you listening to God?

This isn't a complete list, but it's a great starter list. The first three are essentials.

Read the Bible.
Pray every day.
Be still...just to listen.

If you want to hear from God, you have to listen. :)

Too often we let distractions be the most important thing in our life. We spend more time playing on our phones than we do listening to God. We spend more time hoping people will like our instagram post than we do reading God's word. We spend more time in front of the mirror (or taking selfies) than we do trying to figure out what God wants to do in our lives.

I could make a long list of things that distract us from God. But you already know what it is in your life, don't you. You know what you would have the hardest time giving up. You know what would make you twitch if you didn't have it.

What do you need to remove from your life in order for you to listen to God more?

What do you need to add to your life in order for you to listen to God more?

Now, commit those things to God.