Post by cspain03 on Jul 13, 2014 3:06:33 GMT
Hey everyone. I don't know about you, but I struggled with finding something in this scripture that really spoke to me or my situation, but I thank God that He is faithful! In a church meeting I attended this morning, my Pastor spoke about the story in Exodus that we are reading, but most specifically about the building of God's tabernacle - what we're reading RIGHT NOW! What was amazing was to not only be able to recall, virtually word for word, what my Pastor was speaking about, but from what he said, I was able to gain new perspective on this part of Exodus. My Pastor emphasized to us that God gave the Israelites SPECIFIC instructions on how to build a place for GOD to reside WITH THEM on earth (as the traveled) and that they were to construct this magnificent holy place (with all the fixings) with materials and skills THEY ALREADY HAD! WOW…just let that set in. They Israelites to this point have complained many a time about Moses bringing them out to the desert to die of thirst or hunger, they complained about the journey and why they had to leave their homes in Egypt, even though they were enslaved in Egypt. What they forgot what how God had blessed them with abundance upon them leaving Egypt, God had protected them and always was there to provide if they but ask. God knew exactly what He wanted and was able to give Moses specific instructions on what the Israelites were to build and the best thing was, the Israelites had ALL that they needed to meet God request in the MIDDLE OF THE DESERT! The Israelites did have to go somewhere to get supplies (they just needed to give to the cause with WILLING hearts) and they didn't have to seek out anyone's help/skill set, they had the artisans that they needed to construct the beams and fabricate the structure and sew and design the fine lines and do gold and silver melt work - EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED THEY HAD. I think that's so encouraging. It doesn't matter where God is leading us, if we remain faithful to Him (and even when we don't because the people of Israel weren't perfect), as long as God is leading, He will make sure we have everything we need to carry out His SPECIFIC plan - even in our desert situations. Another encouraging fact is to remember that no one person could do it all - just like we all make up a different part of the body of Christ, we are all important. Everyone had something to give and contribute but no one Israelite had all the gold or could perform all the craft work or could do all the preparations need to complete this grand task, everyone had to come together, WITH WILLING HEARTS, to make this thing work. As members of our congregations, we have to all come together, with whatever skills and resources we have and WILLING HEARTS to be a part of the grand task before us. God isn't asking us (in most cases) to build a tabernacle, but are given instructions to build and grow His Kingdom of Believers and that's what we most do and in most cases that means taking an active roll in giving/participation/prayer/sacrifice for our church homes - so be encouraged, in your personal life that God has given you all you need to carry out His specific task for you and in your church life that all will come together to lend a hand and make this thing work!
I was also really encouraged by Day 26's Surrender Fast readings. What I really was moved by was when God spoke to Dr. Owens and said :
"you can't miss out on what I have for you"
WOW! Now that's a comfort like no other. If we but remain in God's will and follow His Word and instruction, we can't, and I truly believe we won't, miss out on what He has for us! And, because of the loving and forgiving and awesome and righteous and faithful and merciful and gracious God that we serve, even after we stumble/falter, as long as we repent and find our way back to Him, He'll still make sure we get what He has for us! God is so awesome and I am truly encouraged. I am not one for the constant "name it and claim it" messages because I feel like it takes away from us remembering the other responsibilities we have as children of the Most High God, but I can say that I am encouraged by knowing in keeping God first, I can't miss out! No matter what the world says or does or doesn't say/do, no matter what the enemy tries to steal from me, I CAN'T miss out on what God has for me - YOU CAN'T MISS OUT ON WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU!
love y'all
I was also really encouraged by Day 26's Surrender Fast readings. What I really was moved by was when God spoke to Dr. Owens and said :
"you can't miss out on what I have for you"
WOW! Now that's a comfort like no other. If we but remain in God's will and follow His Word and instruction, we can't, and I truly believe we won't, miss out on what He has for us! And, because of the loving and forgiving and awesome and righteous and faithful and merciful and gracious God that we serve, even after we stumble/falter, as long as we repent and find our way back to Him, He'll still make sure we get what He has for us! God is so awesome and I am truly encouraged. I am not one for the constant "name it and claim it" messages because I feel like it takes away from us remembering the other responsibilities we have as children of the Most High God, but I can say that I am encouraged by knowing in keeping God first, I can't miss out! No matter what the world says or does or doesn't say/do, no matter what the enemy tries to steal from me, I CAN'T miss out on what God has for me - YOU CAN'T MISS OUT ON WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU!
love y'all