THE ART OF A GREAT START


As any good athlete will tell you: “The way you start your race is very important.” In the same way, it is also very important how we start this New Year.

Let’s have a look at what God says in EXODUS 40:2 (AMP) ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH YOU SHALL SET UP THE TABERNACLE OF THE TENT OF MEETING [OF GOD WITH YOU].

We know that the Old Testament is a shadow and a type of what was to come in the New Testament. The plan given to Moses on the mountain established the way for the Israelites to approach God and hear His voice and also the way we should do it.

The three parts of the tabernacle depicts the body, soul and spirit of man: THE BODY corresponds to the OUTER COURT where we receive sense knowledge. It was illuminated by natural light. THE SOUL corresponds to the HOLY PLACE where the Spirit reveals truth to our mind. It was illuminated by oil in a lamp stand. THE SPIRIT corresponds to the HOLY OF HOLIES where we receive direct revelation within our hearts. It was illuminated by God’s Presence (Shekinah Glory). Therefore God speaks to us on three levels.

We also know that each piece of furniture has a specific meaning for us today. Look at the following checklist to see if your tabernacle is set up correctly for the New Year:
· ALTAR — I AM A LIVING SACRIFICE.
· LAVER — I HAVE WASHED MYSELF BY APPLYING THE WORD.
· SHOWBREAD — MY WILL IS GROUND FINE BEFORE GOD.
· GOLDEN LAMPSTAND — GOD ILLUMINATES MY MIND, GRANTING ME REVELATION.
· INCENSE— MY CONTINUAL OFFERING OF THANKSGIVING AND WORSHIP TO GOD BRINGS SELF AND EMOTIONS UNDER.
· ARK— I HAVE LEARNED TO WALK INTO HIS IMMEDIATE PRESENCE IN SILENCE AND RECEIVE HIS WORDS SPOKEN INTO MY HEART.

To be sure you make a good S-T-A-R-T and have a great year, look at the acronym and make sure you have them all in place:
S et up a tabernacle
T he art of worship
A great love for the Word
R ight confessions
T ime management

If you diligently apply these principles on a daily basis, you will not only master THE ART OF A GREAT START, but at the end of 2010 you will hear these words:
"THIS IS MY MUCH LOVED SON (DAUGHTER), IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED" (MATTHEW 25:21)

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2010 at 5:20 PM

    Hi Pastor Sam, why is it the man always uses the 1st of January(New Years day) to start afresh. As the Spirit leads so should our hearts respond with trust,hope and faith.
    We need to be more aware of the voice of God and START the race today.
    Great words, looking forward to hearing the message. Rob

    ReplyDelete

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