Heart Focus

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind... (Ro 12,2) - Whatever your focus is on will effect your heart.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Grateful Ignorance

We would not wish to say that man cannot evangelize at all without coming to terms with this doctrine - the sovereignty of God; but we venture to think that, other things being equal, he will be able to evangelize better for believing it.  J.I.Packer.  - Let us embrace the revelations God has givin us according to his word and be willing to admit our ignorance concerning the deep things of God. After all, they're purpose is to bless and empower not to cause fear and confusion.

SAI

Prayer: Pattern of the Tabernacle

"I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6

     As the Spirit of God works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, let's search for the ways He is providing. 
     We have been given great grace by a bit of understanding of the Tabernacle's use as a model of prayer.  If you are an intercessor, you will recognize this as we go because it is a definition of the experience we have as we go before the Throne in prayer.  If you have not yet experienced the true and mighty and humbling presence of God, see what revelation He will give you as you apply this pattern.

1) Gates & Courts:
     The Word of God tells us to enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. 
     As you begin to pray, find ways to speak out loud thanksgiving to God. Thank Him for all that is in your life, and thank Him for all that is not in your life. Be thankful genuinely. It may take a little practice to get the words right, but God knows the intent of your heart. If you are trying to be thankful and verbalizing that to Him, He will give you grace to complete it. This takes you through the gate.
     Begin to lift up your voice and verbalize praise to God. Praise Him for His name. His names include Healer, Provider, our Banner, Deliverer, Mighty God, the Most High God, Father, ect...  let every word you speak be a praise and acclimation to God. Here, let every word you speak lift God up.  Verbally shout praises to our King and loving Father.  If you need help, take time to read the Word of God, especially in the Psalms.  Here you will find many ways that David praised God.  Be prepared before you begin to pray and flow from Gates to Courts to Altar to Laver to Candlestick, to Table of Showbread, to Altar of Incense, to the fullness of His presence.

2) Brazen Altar & Laver of Washing:
     The Word of God tells us that Jesus Christ provided the perfect sacrifice for us and our sins on the cross. The tabernacle contained a brazen altar, and on this altar the sacrifices were brought. This altar is no longer used in the same manner because of Christ's perfect sacrifice.  In prayer here, continue to praise God by recognizing that your sin, your shame, your condemnation, and all the things of fallen creation were broken through the cross and Jesus' sacrifice. Be thankful and praise God that by the Blood of Jesus He has made you worthy and that no other work is sufficient. Praise Him that the blood is enough at this altar. Praise Him that Christ's body was wounded for your transgressions, bruised for your iniquities, His stripes healed you! Here at this alter, take time to recognize Christ's sacrifice. Here at this altar, take time to recognize and discern the Body and the Blood, preparing yourself for communion in God's presence.
     The Laver of Washing was hammered from brass and filled with water. The priests would wash their hands and feet before going any closer to God's presence. Here in this water, looking into the hammered brass, a mirror-like reflection of themselves was seen. This is a place of self examination. In prayer here, recognize the water of God's Word cleansing you. Use Psalms 139:23-24 and Psalms 19:7-14 to help you examine yourself honestly. Remember, it is the Blood of Christ that makes you worthy, so here in this place is an opportunity for you to recognize that. As you examine yourself and see the things of sin in your life, confess those things verbally to God and say to God that those things are sin. Thank Him that the Blood of Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection provided forgiveness for your sin. As you recognize your sin has been covered and washed, glory to God, and you feel that repentance has taken root in you, it is time to enter the next step into the tabernacle TOWARDS the presence of God.

3) The Golden Candlestick & Table of Showbread: 
     The golden candlestick was hammered from one piece of gold. Gold represents here in this piece the Spirit of God. Gold generally represents deity. The Table of Showbread was made from Acacia wood and covered in gold. As gold represents deity and the wood represents humanity, we see a picture of the Bread of LIFE, Jesus Christ Himself.
     In this area begin to welcome the Holy Spirit. Begin to call for Him and welcome the gifts of the Spirit to operate in you.  Welcome the presence of the anointing.  Welcome the presence of the Spirit. Continue to call for more of the Spirit.  Call for an increase in the Spirit. Begin to welcome the presence of Christ begin to welcome God's Word. Listen and hear the Word of God, eat from the table. As you call for more of the Spirit and more of God's Word, as you ask Him to fill you overflowing with His Spirit, and give you fresh revelation of who He is, the things of this world will be consumed and your attention will be fully focused and prepared for the next step into the tabernacle.

4) Alter of Incense:
     The Word of God tells us that the incense that was burned on the altar would go into the Holy of Holies, behind the curtain, and enter into the nostrils of God. The smoke is a symbol of the prayers of the saints. Here, since there is no vale, the presence of God is genuinely discerned. Here, in this place, you will find room for prayers, supplications, to cry out, to receive repentance, to receive a purifying, to receive grace, to receive mercy. Here the Spirit of God is free flowing and the longer you spend here the more He washes you, the more He consumes you, the more direction and understanding you will be given. Spending time here is continually getting closer and closer to the Throne. It is to this place which God draws nigh.  It is this place where you know He has heard you and you know that He will answer.  It is after you have been here that a peace that passes understanding becomes real and your faith becomes something that will triumph over any question, any doubt, any reason that dares attempt to stand against it... What a great reason to enter into His gates right now!

Thank God!  They tell me that someone has written a book on this pattern.  The Lord gave this to us to share with you just last night.  A Pastor began to go through this pattern and we were taking notes as God gave them.  We have hope this will help and we want to know more about how it's effected you.  Please contact us and let us know your thoughts.  Bless you in the name of Jesus Christ.