A word for 01-19-12

Ps. 27:1. "The Lord is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?

Someone today is struggling with fear and anxiety.  A dark cloud of mistrust is hovering over your mind and thoughts. You are confused and don't know what course of action to take. Your mind tells you to "run" but your heart is telling you to "stay." You are afraid things are going to get worse and you will be hurt again.

But the Lord your God, who knows your thoughts before you even speak them says, "Keep your eyes on Me and not the troubled waters. For I am your salvation, your stronghold, your strength to carry you through this perplexing time."

Let your light so shine before men that they may see Christ in you. Let Christ in you arise to the occasion instead of giving in to the temptation to run away from the crisis. Stand your ground against the enemies of your soul who want to overwhelm you and see you defeated. Stay humble and submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Trust in your loving Father God who works all things for your good because you love Him and are called to serve Him alone. Pray in the Spirit until you know God is with you and will not fail you.

Just say, "NO, in Jesus' Name" to all your doubts, fears and negative expectations! Turn on the light of faith, hope and trust. Watch as the darkness is dispelled. For greater is He who is in you, than all your enemies. Overcome! Be victorious! Rejoice in His salvation and His love for you!

Ps. 27:14. "Wait for the Lord; be strong (full of faith, hope and love) and take heart (be full of courage) and wait for the Lord."

If you read this word, identify with it and wish to have further prayer, leave a comment or send me a private message. May the Lord bless you with peace and hope!

"The Trinity Abiding in Us" Part 2

God's Word can be understood on various levels. First, we can have a literal understanding of the terms (a house is a place where we live) versus understanding the rich figures of speech used to teach us Biblical truth (tabernacle means to dwell in us) . Secondly, there is the natural understanding of the facts and experiences written there: names, places, commandments or the historical significance of an event. Then there is the deeper, spiritual level of understanding and revelation given only by the indwelling Holy Spirit which comes by studying the symbolism, analogies, similes and by waiting on the Lord for Him to open the eyes of our understanding. Finally, there is also the logos or written words found in the Bible, and the rhema or spoken Word of God. By reading and studying the written Word, the Holy Spirit (if we are open to receive it) can give us a rhema word spoken specifically for us on a given day and season in our life.

 

Now let us look deeper below the natural understanding into the spiritual significance of what is written in these passages in Exodus. What spiritual ideas do we need to understand? What is God saying to us today from the symbolism of the past? Everything that took place in the past, or is written in the past by God's divinely ordained authors can provide revelation and inspiration for us today. God reaches out to us all through the ages with types and shadows to speak truth and draw us into a closer, more intimate relationship with Him. Let us begin with old testament understanding and move into the new revelations of today. Hopefully, we will move from the logos to the rhema so we can draw closer to the Lord, grow stronger in our commitment to love, obey and serve Him, and become the person in Christ we were destined to be.

As I studied this passage, I realized that these same triune colors used in the curtains of the tabernacle were repeated in the cloths of service and the high priest's garments as well. Everywhere the children of God looked in the tabernacle they saw blue, scarlet and purple representing: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. God instructed Moses to have skillful engravers, workmen and embroiderers make holy garments of fine woven linen for the priests to wear when performing service before the Lord. The color gold was added to the embroidered designs of each piece. The garments included the ephod, belt, breastplate, robe, tunics and turbans for Aaron and his sons. And on the turban was a gold plate inscribed, “Holiness unto the Lord.”  They walked around barefoot in the tabernacle because it was holy ground and God did not want the area soiled by dirt from the outside. These garments set them apart from other Israelites and indicated their position of service in the tabernacle before the Lord. In my research on the color gold, I found the following information and an artist depiction of how Aaron may have looked. ¹

 

Gold or yellow symbolizes the Glory of God; divine nature; holiness; eternal deity; the Godhead; purification; majesty; righteousness; divine light; kingliness; trial by fire; mercy; power; His Deity; Glory. (Revelations 3:18; Revelations 4:4; Mal: 3:3; 1 Peter: 1:7.) The color of gold also speaks of trial and purging. ²

"That trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ".(1 Peter 1:7)

Today we understand that the construction, priesthood and sacrifices of the Old Testament tabernacle were types and shadows of what was to come 1,000s of years later. They have been replaced with the revelation that God sent His Son Jesus Christ as the atonement for our sins. It is through his Name and His blood that we can enter into the Holy of Holies and worship the one true God face-to-face. Jesus Christ is now our High Priest and we are called to be priests who serve alongside Him in the kingdom of God. We are commanded to be holy as God is holy.

I realize there are various types of readers following this blog from different religious backgrounds and personal experiences. For some, nothing you have read so far is new and you have been walking in these spiritual truths for 30 years of more.  But for others who are new to the kingdom of God, or who are returning to their "first love" this blog will be a real eye opener for you, a fresh, rhema word from the Lord. There is nothing new under the sun, but in the course of time, people discover spiritual truths as the Holy Spirit begins to draw them closer into a more intimate relationship. As He prepares their heart and mind to receive it, they are given new revelations into the deeper truths of God. Stay tuned for Part 3.

1. http://www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priestly_Garments.htm

2. http://raisedpraise.com/id19.html, “Biblical Color Meaning In The Bible”