SEEK YE FIRST

Written by Allison Sylvester-Conliffe

In this day that we live, it is easy to find pleasure in acquiring “things” unto ourselves.  Allow me to simplify this statement, by posing the following examples.

We find pleasure in going after our degrees, we also find pleasure in acquiring the best job that pays a tidy salary and we take pleasure in moving up the ladder of success to acquire even more money.  We find pleasure in owning our own homes and decorating them with the finest of furniture and accessories.  We find pleasure in owning our dream car and in parking it in our dream garage.  We even find pleasure in going to the gym and developing well-toned and muscular bodies, and acquiring and courting the opposite sex with the intent to get married.

There is nothing sinister or evil about the pleasures mentioned above.  However, there is a tendency to get consumed with these pleasures and the like.

Jesus spoke to us explicitly in the Book of Matthew 6:33 saying

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

What does this phrase mean to us as believers?  This is actually a command given by the Lord Jesus as He taught His disciples on Kingdom living.  By this command, Jesus meant for all believers to have the Kingdom of God, and its advancement, first and foremost in their hearts.  This is supposed to be what we live for.  All other agendas are to fall below in rank into second and third places. 

We, as Jesus’ disciples, are to look for every opportunity to win souls into the Kingdom of God, and we are to promote this new life that Jesus paid the ultimate price to give to those of us who would dare to believe.  By doing so we build up and strengthen the population of the Kingdom of God.  This is our mandate …. but, we have an adversary, the devil, whose aim is to de-rail our purpose and destiny if it takes the last of his strength to do so. 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour 1 Peter 5:8

Do you know that we were also cautioned and schooled in how to deal with the devil’s tactics?  In the Book of James 4:7 we were instructed to

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

This we ought to do and continue to keep our focus towards our mandate from God.

God takes the work of building the Kingdom seriously, as well as our obedience to His Word He takes seriously.  In the Book of Revelation 3:16-17 the Lord addressed the Church at Laodicea. 

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked

We seem to be caught up in the getting of things rather than focusing on the mandate given by Jesus to seek first His Kingdom.

In the Book of Haggai, God spoke in anger against His people because of how they shifted their focus.  They had left off from building His House and were overly concerned and occupied with building their own houses and making themselves comfortable with goods. He told them that because they had moved in their positioning and focus, that they ought to “consider their ways”!  In other words … they should take stock of themselves. In verse 6 of chapter 1 God said this to the people because of their shift in focus…

In short, because of their lack of obedience to God’s Word, they would not see nor benefit from the blessings due to them.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He does not change.  His Word does not change. His purpose for His people will not change.  We are the ones that need to conform to His will for our lives and not yield to that which satisfies our flesh.  When we give satisfaction to our flesh instead of being obedient to the Word of God, it leads us away from God.  Paul the Apostle tells us in this way –

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Romans 8:6-9)

These verses of Scripture are pretty straight forward and clear.  Carnal in the text means pertaining to the flesh.  Spiritual in the text does not mean spooky nor does it speak of having attributes of a ghost.  Rather, to be spiritual simply means to follow after the teachings in the Word of God, and observing to do them without compromise.  It is plain to see that if you prefer to live after the flesh, pleasing the flesh and that which it wants to do … no matter how many times you go to church per day, you would not be counted as one that belongs to Christ Jesus.

Our pleasures should lie in fulfilling God’s command of putting the Kingdom of God first.  This would cause us to make other disciples of Jesus Christ.  How so? You may ask.  Surely, as we follow explicitly the Word of God and seek the advancement of His Kingdom, we will become witnesses to the Grace of God upon our lives and the Holy Spirit will be stirred up in us to draw men and women unto Jesus through us.  God will then be glorified and He will make tangible all the blessings that pertain to life and godliness as is promised in His Word. 

God’s power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowing the One who called us to his own glory and goodness.

Halleluia to the Lamb of God!

THE KITCHEN ENCOUNTER

As soon as the coast was clear 8 year old Danny slipped quietly from his room and headed downstairs to the kitchen. He dared not turn on any lights for fear that someone might be alerted. Stealthily he felt his way until he reached the refrigerator and opened the door. His eyes widened as he saw the bounty, and he quickly began to pile things into the pillow case he held in his hand. 

The half-eaten roast chicken left over from the night’s dinner went in first – drippings and all, followed by a block of cheese, a six-pack of yogurt, a bag of grapes, some salami slices and the rest of the chocolate cake they’d had for dessert. Danny grabbed a handful of macaroni and cheese from the baking dish and dumped it in with his other loot before closing the refrigerator door and turning to head back upstairs. But sudden light blinded him, preventing him from seeing the figure that blocked his retreat to his room.

“Danny, what are you doing?”

The tiny boy did an about-face and bolted away from the voice, but he slipped on the trail of grease that had oozed from the pillow case onto the kitchen floor. Before he could regain his composure Danny felt two large hands lift him to his feet and he found himself face to face with Greg Townsend.

“Danny, what’s all this? What are you doing?” Greg asked.

“I…I…I gotta have enough for tomorrow!” Danny blurted out, his eyes welling with hot tears as he tried in vain to pick up his spoils that had spilled onto the floor.

“Son, “Greg replied, “you’ll always have enough for tomorrow. You don’t have to hide food in your room. You’re part of this family now, and I’ll always make sure that there’s more than enough for you and for all of us.”

How many of us are like little Danny, worried about having enough for tomorrow, so we hoard supplies – money, food, clothes. The world system endorses this kind of behavior, and they provide numerous ways for you to store away for the future. But hoarding and the worry that accompanies it, are indications that God is not trusted to be the Provider that He is.


Jesus said, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6: 32, 33

AS A LITTLE CHILD

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2,3

What does it mean to be converted?

• To change from one state to another
• Conversion comes when you change in the way you think, speak and behave

In order to be converted you have to know the characteristics of a little child. Here are just a few.
A little child...

• Loves unconditionally. He is not prejudiced. He loves just because
• Receives true love readily without suspicion
• Is innocent and defenseless
• Forgives readily and doesn’t hold grudges
• Is excited about life and has uninhibited joy
• Lives in the now. He is not concerned about what happened in the past, or what might happen in the future
• Finds his identity in his parent
• Has a pure heart with no ulterior motives
• Prays and worships from a pure heart
• Believes in the impossible

Jesus never asks us to do something that He Himself wouldn’t do.
He had the heart of a little child.

Notice that Jesus was talking to the disciples who were already saved. They believed that He was the Messiah. Yet He told them that they had to be converted. It is possible to be saved, yet not converted. That is why Jesus told Peter, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31,32

Heaven is filled with saints who have the heart of a child. The Father hears our heart and not just our words.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4

• God heard and saw in Abel’s heart: “Daddy! Look what I brought for You!”
• How do you bring your offerings to the Father?

  
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5

• God heard and saw in Enoch’s heart: “Daddy, what You doing? Daddy, I wanna come with You. I love you Daddy.”

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:7

• God heard Noah’s heart: “My Daddy said it’s going to rain, so I’m going to build this ark even though people mock me. I trust my Daddy.”

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8

• God heard Abraham’s heart: “My Daddy’s taking me on a big adventure! We’re moving to a new place. He told me all about it and it sounds exciting!”

What can stop you from having the heart of a child?
Simply put…your own reasoning. Thinking too much, rationalizing and having your own agenda are all hindrances to having the true heart of a child.

The reality is…

• The more mature you become as a Christian, the more of a child’s heart you have to exhibit.
• Someone with the heart of a child may seem insignificant in the natural. But God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
• Those who have the heart of a child are the most powerful in the Kingdom, and the most feared by the enemy
• The heart of a child is pure. It is the pure in heart who will see God.

Do you have the heart of a little child?

What Are You Really Seeing?

This powerful video produced by Fellowship Bible Church is a wake-up call to all of us……….a reminder of our true call as Christians.

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/LfeXxkbgCVE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

THE DISCIPLE’S PRAYER

Author Unknown

I cannot say “OUR” if I live only for myself

I cannot say “FATHER” if I do not endeavor each day to act like His child

I cannot say “IN HEAVEN” if I am laying up no treasure there

I cannot say “HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME” if I am not striving for holiness

I cannot say “YOUR KINGDOM COME” if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful event

I cannot say “YOUR WILL BE DONE” if I am disobedient to His word

I cannot say “ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” if I’ll not serve Him here and now

I cannot say “GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD” if I am dishonest or seeking things by subterfuge

I cannot say “FORGIVE US OUR SINS” if I harbour a grudge against anyone

I cannot say “LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION” if I deliberately place myself in its path

I cannot say “DELIVER US FROM EVIL” if I do not put on the whole armour of God

I cannot say “YOURS IS THE KINGDOM” if I do not give the King the loyalty due Him from a faithful subject

I cannot attribute to Him “THE POWER” if I fear what men may do

I cannot ascribe to Him “THE GLORY” if I’m seeking honour only for myself
AND

I cannot say “FOR EVER” if the horizon of my life is bounded completely by time.

THE SOUND OF THE KINGDOM

 This article was originally posted in 2009.

Thy Kingdom come, 

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 Matthew 6:10

But the hour cometh, and now is, 

when the true worshippers shall worship the Father 

in spirit and in truth: 

for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23-24

 Each nation has its own unique qualities that make it stand out from others. The laws, the way people speak, their social etiquette, even their money distinguishes them and sets them apart. So does a nation’s music. The music that is indigenous to Jamaica, for example, is reggae, and to Trinidad it is calypso, soca and chutney. Rap, rhythm and blues, and country music are distinctly American.

So too, the Kingdom of God has its own distinguishing features. Hence the reason why the citizens of the Kingdom are called ‘a peculiar people’, ‘set apart’ and a ‘holy nation’.

It is vitally important that we, the sons of God, embrace fully every aspect of the culture of God’s Kingdom. Some features are easily distinguishable. The law of the Kingdom of God for example, is love, and we can look to Scripture to guide us in this law. But there are other features of the Kingdom that are not as easily discerned. One particular area is music, and I believe that it is vitally important that we learn and adopt the sound that is unique to the Kingdom of God.

The music of the Kingdom originates in the heavenly realm – not on earth – and serves only one purpose – to glorify God. It does not have an American sound, or a Caribbean, Hispanic, Asian, African or European vibe. No, the sound of worship that fills the Kingdom is as unique and distinct as each of its other characteristics. It’s a sound that sets it apart as reserved for the King of Kings Himself.

I believe that in this season when the manifestation of the Kingdom of God is imminent, we must re-examine what has until now been accepted as worship music. The pure music of the Kingdom is not a sound of a mixture of the secular and the sacred. Sacred words joined to an originally secular sound are a mixture.

God requires that we worship Him “in spirit and in truth”. A good beat or a catchy tune may be wonderfully inspirational or entertaining. Unfortunately, today many of our most popular Christian songs minister to the people instead of ministering to the Lord.

Is it any wonder that despite the abundance of Christian music being played on the airwaves and in Christian gatherings the presence of God is sadly lacking? God inhabits and manifests Himself in true worship, and it is in His presence that souls are saved, hearts and bodies are healed and people are delivered from all kinds of oppression.

I have personally witnessed the impact that pure worship, played through a cd player, can have on a demon possessed person. This person was manifesting demonic activity, wild-eyed and spewing curses for hours. However, as soon as that pure worship was released into the atmosphere the demon left and the person regained his composure.

The presence and miraculous power of God is the only factor that draws unbelievers to Him. We need to reject the idea that the only way to entice them is with inspirational songs that have a familiar cultural sound.

It is time now to diligently seek and tap in to the Kingdom of God, and let the sound of the Father’s music come on earth as it is in heaven.

ISSUES OF THE HEART – 1: My Brother’s Keeper

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. Luke 15:12

The young man in this parable which Jesus told has often been vilified as selfish, uncaring and wasteful….and rightfully so. As with all of Jesus’ teachings there are so many lessons that can be learned.

First, let us look at this from a historical context. In those days, and in that culture, it was unheard of for a son to ask his father for his inheritance. It was given to him after the father’s death. So in essence, what the young man in the story was saying was, “Father, I can’t wait for you to die. I want what is due to me now.” Or worse, he could have been saying, “I’ve been waiting so long for you to drop dead, and since you haven’t, just give me what is mine.”

What a blow this would be to any parent who has lovingly birthed and raised a child! This must have broken the father’s heart. But it gets worse……….notice that the inheritance was divided to both sons. It was customary for the older son to receive 2/3 while the younger received 1/3, so the older son had quietly accepted his larger portion instead of rebuking his younger brother for his disrespect. The older son may not have wasted his holdings, but he seemed to have the same heart issue as his brother – a lack of respect and honor for their father.

The man in this parable represents God the Father, and the two sons represent two who are part of the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t elaborate on it, but I’m sure that because of the culture of that day his audience would have readily sympathized with the father’s hurt. People lived in towns and villages for safety, so his listeners would have envisioned this man being humiliated in front of his neighbors who certainly would have been aware of what was going on in the family.

Now let’s bring this parable into our time. See the father’s household as the church. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, and the Father in His love gives us opportunities to repent and rebuild our relationship with Him.

There are times, however, when you will be made aware of sin in the church family. The Holy Spirit will reveal to you if there has been no repentance, if the sin is habitual, or hidden from undiscerning eyes.

If nothing is done about it our Father is hurt, the Holy Spirit is grieved, Jesus’ Name is put in disrepute, and the assembly becomes vulnerable to further attacks from the enemy. Political correctness has no place in the Body of Christ.

Jesus tells us that we must first deal with our own sin before confronting a brother’s or sister’s. He said that we should take the log out of our own eye first, and then help the brother or sister to get the speck out of theirs. Could this be why sin is so rampant in the church today?? Could it be that leaders and mature saints are so busy trying to hide their own iniquity that they overlook the transgressions of their younger brothers and sisters?!

It is time for us to restore honor back to our Heavenly Father.

God’s Word is very clear on the protocol for dealing with sin in the church, and He holds you accountable. When dealing with a fallen brother or sister remember…

1. It is not an opportunity to spread gossip.

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matthew 18: 15-17

2. The goal should always be to restore the straying one back to Christ.
Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. – Galatians 6:1 (Amplified Bible)

3. You could be saving that errant brother or sister from great disaster.
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

4. Make sure that your motive is pure.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

The older brother in the parable did not try to stop the transgression against their father. Even if the younger brother had not listened to him, it was still the older one’s responsibility to try to steer him in the right direction.

Confronting someone who is in sin doesn’t guarantee that they will thank you, or that they will even heed your warning. But God doesn’t require you to change them…just to obey Him in pointing them in the right direction. The decision is ultimately theirs, and the judgment belongs to God should they continue to sin.

Seeing a wrong and staying silent makes you just as guilty as the one who is doing the wrong. Be sure, however, to deal with the person in love and humility. Remember…..except for the grace of God, it could have been you.

Do you truly cherish our Heavenly Father? Then it is time to become your brother’s keeper.

WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING?

Written by Allison Sylvester-Conliffe

As God’s creation, created in His image and His likeness, we have the ability to create, to build, to construct.  That’s just part of our make-up.

Some have the God-given ability, in wisdom and knowledge, to build great buildings with intricate designs and with a craftsmanship that is unique to each particular builder.  It’s the same for those who build ships and aircrafts and rockets.  It becomes natural to them because of the gifting and unique creative power that’s given to each of them by God.

Even though the creativity and mastery of craftsmanship is resident in each builder, and it forms part of them, do you know that the builders would still encounter some measure of difficulty while building or constructing the thing?  That difficulty becomes a sort of stumbling block for them and they must cross that hurdle to make their project a success.

Sometimes the threat could come as some outside force.  For the builder of a great building for example, the threat, while digging the foundation, could be heavy rains or snow, or some other uncontrollable element that was not foreseen when the project commenced.  Steps would now have to be taken to protect the work that had already been completed, until it was safe to proceed with the construction.
 

Sometimes the threat could come from within.  The builders of a project themselves may not have the same mind for the work and that could be a major hindrance, if not dealt with swiftly.

A sudden change in the economy could prompt the builder to abandon the work for fear of not knowing what the future would bring.  The result would then be an unfinished work or an unfinished project – A waste of resources.

Finally, those who do not have a vision for the work, who are not even part of the project, may suddenly appear on the scene, to cast words that are negative, so as to plant  seeds of doubt and confusion among the builders.  Remember they were not even part of the team of builders.

What are you building today?  Is it more faith in God?  Is it a deeper intimacy with the Trinity?  Is it souls for the Kingdom of God?  Whatever you are building for God, know that the enemy of our souls – satan the devil, is out to stop you …. at all costs.  Actually, his job is to steal, kill and to destroy.  God, on the other hand, has put us here on earth to build, to plant, to restore and to reconcile one with another.  He has also put things in place to reconcile man to Himself.

Take a closer look at Nehemiah.  God had given him the desire to restore the wall of Jerusalem.  This was God’s idea placed in the heart of the visionary, Nehemiah – and so Nehemiah was in constant communion with God concerning the work.  This is key.  The first thing that he did before the Lord was to repent for the sins of Israel, not by calling himself righteous, but included himself among those who sinned against God and was in need of forgiveness.

The next thing that Nehemiah did was that he brought God into remembrance of His own Word concerning the Jews.  Then, he asked for direction or wisdom regarding how to do the work.  This is another key.  As Nehemiah asked God for direction, the Lord began to grant him favour with men.
 
As he strove to do God’s will, and not according to his own plan, the outside forces began to hold a convention about Nehemiah and the work.  They gathered forces together against the builder.  The detractors increased in number as they attempted to disband the work.  But Nehemiah stood his ground in God – fastening his face on the Lord, and God continued to give Nehemiah grace and favour to build as God would have directed him. As the wall was fortified and the work was finished, the opposition was even greater against the builder, Nehemiah.  However, the project was completed successfully, but the war was not yet over.

We are in a war, saints of God.  We are constantly in battle against the world, the flesh and the devil.  But saints, the work has already been completed and the script has been written to the final letter – we have been chosen to play out the scenes.  God has already given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.  We are already called “conquerors” by the Lord.  We ought just to take the tools given us in the Word of God and use them.

Don’t let fear and the threatening opposition be a deterrent against you completing the job that you have been called to do.  Go forth in Jesus’ Name, and build according to the specifics that He has already revealed to you.  We would never fail if we keep our eyes on the Lord and walk according to the pathway that He has carved for us.  He continues to confound the enemy on our behalf.  Praise the Name of the Lord, Jesus the Christ.

God Bless You.
Allison

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 7

THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND

You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; 

the lampstand shall be of hammered work. 

Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. 

Exodus 25:31

You are now in the Holy Place in the Tent of Meeting. There are three pieces of furniture here – The Golden Lampstand, The Table of Showbread and the Altar of Incense. Walk with me to the left side of the Holy Place where the Lampstand is.

This is an awesome structure made of one piece of solid gold and weighing one talent – about 75 pounds! This gold had been beaten and hammered over and over again before passing through intense fire in order to be purified and shaped. This is a picture of our Beloved Christ who endured severe beatings and fiery persecution for our sake.

Notice that the Lampstand has a central shaft with six branches attached to it – three branches on one side and three on the other. Jesus said, “I AM The Vine, you are the branches.” John 15:5.  The Lampstand depicts the intimate relationship between the Lord and the Body of Christ – His Bride. We are joined to Him as one.

God, being the ultimate Strategist, chose to have six branches on the Lampstand, not five or eight. Six is His number for man. Without the main shaft of the Lampstand we, the branches, would be inoperable and ineffective. Jesus Himself emphasized that point when He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

On the Lampstand were ornamentations of almonds, knobs and flowers. The word “almond” means to wake, watch or be alert. Almonds are symbolic of resurrection. What a beautiful depiction of the risen Christ, and of us coming alive again in Him!

At the top of the shaft and on each of the six branches was a bowl which held oil and a wick. The oil came from olives, and was extracted from the fruit by crushing. Again we are reminded of our Lord’s suffering. Oil is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Here it shows you that when you are “crushed” and allow the Holy Spirit to fill and use you, that brings out the best in you.

The Lampstand was the only source of light in the Holy Place. The Lord had commanded Moses to make it so that the lamps would point toward the Table of Showbread.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

He also said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

In making these two statements Jesus was confirming that when you abide in Him and you have the empowering and anointing oil of the Holy Spirit filling you, then you yourself become a light in this dark world, leading men and women to Jesus who is The Bread of Life – Our Showbread.

In Moses’ day the priests were to tend to the Lampstand twice daily, morning and evening, to make sure that the lamps remained lit and never went out. Here too, you are reminded that sweet intimate communion with the Lord daily is vital if you are to effectively reveal the true light of Christ in this world.

As you go through the Lampstand experience keep these Scriptures in mind:

Job 23:10 – But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

1 Peter 4: 12, 13 – Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Matthew 25:1-4 – Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

John 1:4,5 (Amplified Version) – In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].

To be continued…

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PT. 1

Who would think that a building, and a temporary one at that, would give us a pattern for developing the intimacy that God so desperately wants to have with each of us. But that is exactly what the Tabernacle of Moses does.

In this series we will go step by step and see how each item in the Tabernacle relates to us today, and confirms the Father’s desire to bring us back into sweet fellowship with Him through His Son, Jesus.

Moses built the Tabernacle from the inside out, starting with the Ark of the Testimony and finishing with the erecting of the fence. We, however, will be going from the outside in, since this more typifies how a believer develops in increasingly greater intimacy with the Lord.

OVERVIEW

It is important to note that God does everything in exquisite detail, so each word, each name and each item mentioned in Scripture is there for a specific reason.

The number three is significant of God’s divine purpose and will, and we can see it repeated throughout the Bible. Here are just a few examples.

• Jewish men were to appear before the Lord three times each year for three different feasts. 
• Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days. 
• Saul, before he became Paul, was blinded for three days. 
• God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
• You and I are spirit beings, with a soul and housed in a body. 

 Most importantly, in the passion of Christ…………..Jesus asked the Father three times to remove the cup from Him; three disciples were with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane; Peter denied Him three times; Pilate tried three times to release Jesus; there were three crosses; on Jesus’ cross were three inscriptions in three different languages; He was crucified at the third hour and He rose on the third day!!

In the Tabernacle we also see the same pattern of three. There is the Outer Court, The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies. Each represents a different degree of intimacy with the Lord.

THE FENCE – Exodus 27:9-19 

The outer court was enclosed by a fence which was made with sixty pillars of bronze, each capped with silver. Bronze represents judgment and silver represents redemption. How glorious to know that thousands of years ago the Father used the pillars of the Tabernacle fence to show that God’s judgment of our sin (the bronze) was covered when Jesus redeemed us (the silver) through His death, burial and resurrection!

The pillars were there to suspend hangings of fine white woven linen. White symbolizes purity. Linen does not cause a person to sweat, and in Scripture it represents rest. These hangings, then, tell us that when we enter into a relationship with the Lord, we should cease from self-effort and enter into His sweet rest. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way…

Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.

For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe).

For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter when He said, As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest; and this He said although [His] works had been completed and prepared [and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

The fence hangings were all of pure white linen, with one exception – the only entrance by which men could enter into the Tabernacle enclosure. There was no other way that they could come in. They couldn’t climb over the white linen hangings; they couldn’t crawl underneath. They could not make their own entryway. All who entered had to go through The Gate.

“Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy-laden and over-burdened, 

and I will cause you to rest. 

[I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]”

Matthew 11:28 (Amplified Bible)

To be continued…