9-21-2024 Know Your Calling

How many people actually know the calling Father has placed upon their lives?

Matt. 28:19-20            Therefore, go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you and know that I am always with you until the end of the world.

First and foremost, Jesus calls us to share our faith with those around us and to the best of our knowledge, how to live in Father’s love.  It is the calling for all Christians.  No, we don’t have to be 24/7 evangelists, but as Father shows us opportunities, we should step up for we don’t know if either we, or the person with whom we share, has tomorrow (Prov. 27:1, Matt. 6:34).

Two passages Father has given me as examples as recognizing the calling He places upon our lives.

(1) Ezek. 37:1-14         Ezekiel was carried out into a valley filled with dry bones.  Father had him walk in and amongst those old dried bones (to get the feel).  “Son of man, can these bones live?”  Ezekiel replied “Lord, God, you know.  Then God said ”  Speak to the bones “Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord.  Behold, I will cause breath to enter you and you shall live.  I will lay sinews upon you and flesh and skin and put breath in you and you shall live and you will know that I am the Lord.”

Note that God told Ezekiel to do this.

                                    Ezekiel did as commanded and there was a noise, a shaking and the bones came together, bone on bone.  And Ezekiel saw the sinew, flesh and skin come upon those bones but there was no life in them. 

Then, God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the wind “Thus says the Lord, God come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these that are slain that they might live.”  Breath came into them and an exceedingly great army stood up upon their feet. 

God said these bones are the whole house of Israel and what do they say ‘our bones are dried, our hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts.’

Then God tells Ezekiel to prophecy “Thus says the Lord God; behold my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come out of those graves.  I will put my Spirit in you and place you in your own land.  Then you shall know that I the Lord have said and performed it, says the Lord.”

As in the day of Israel, when they strayed from God, is today’s church filled with dry bones?  Yet, today there is an army waiting to arise up.  Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s song “Break Every Chain” reflects this, “There’s an army risin’ up … to break every chain …”  And I say look at the world around you, an army is beginning to rise up.  Today, many Christians are half asleep or fallen into a drowsy slumber of comfortability.  Father says first (and He’s been doing this for 700 years) He’s going to gather those old dry bones and start connecting them together again into proper alignment.  Christians just might start recognizing ‘common denominators’ instead of the differences between the ‘denominations.  We are a body.  Spiritual ligaments assure a connection and strong foundation and that foundation is upon the Rock and that Rock is Jesus Christ (Psalm 62:5-6, Luke 6:46-49).  Remember that Jesus is our cornerstone and that all things are properly placed into perspective in Him that we may become a Holy Temple for the Lord (Eph. 2:20-21, 1 Corinth. 6:19-20). Let me rephrase that.  We just might become that Holy Tabernacle Father intended us to be.  That is we might become that resting place where Father can commune with us – individually!  God’s glory came upon Israel’s tabernacle in the wilderness, now He desires to come and rest in our tabernacle (our body) and commune with us!  Glory to God!

He’s giving us Spiritual muscle.  That is He’s pouring His Word into our heart and mind and building our faith so as we abide in Him we CAN do all that He (Jesus) did and more (John 14:12) in love (1 Corinth. 16:14).  Jesus does give us the authority (exousia) over things of this world as well as authority over the power (dunamis) of the devil (Luke 9:1).  Jesus tells us that as we believe, we can tell a mountain to move and it will (Mark 11:23-24).  That mountain is anything that comes between us and the Lord and that means that’s ‘authority’ over things of this world.  We can cast a demon out in Jesus’ name and it must go (Acts 16:16-18) and that’s authority over the spiritual world.  And as we love Jesus, an outer layer of love will envelope us and those around us will see that love emanating from our heart (Gal. 2:20).    

Father tells us HE is giving us life, that is pulling us up, out of that grave of indifference to become that spark, that light unto the world (Matt. 5:14-16) which He intended us to be.

It is our responsibility to do that for which He has called us.

(2) Jer. 1:1-10              The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah between the times when Josiah was king until Israel was carried way into captivity. 

The word of the Lord came and said “I knew you before I formed you in the belly.  Before you were born, I sanctified you and I ordained you to be a prophet to the nations.  “

Then I said “Ah Lord God!  I cannot speak for I am like a child.”  Then the Lord said “Don’t tell me that you are like a child.  For you shall go to all that I send you and speak what I give you to say.  Don’t be afraid of how they look (before you or at you), for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth and said “I have put my words in your mouth.  This day I have set you over nations and kingdoms to root out, pull down, destroy, overthrow then to build and to plant.”

(That is to clean house and rebuild us into a new man, even a new church).

This passage pretty much speaks for itself and to some degree, each one of us should have had this type of experience with the Lord.   God knew what He wanted us to be and do before mama and papa even thought about having us.  Before we entered into this world, He had already ordained (nathan H5414-appoint, ascribe, commit) us into the ministry He has for us.  We can’t cry about being ignorant because the Holy Ghost will give us what to speak (Luke 12:11-12).  So why would we be afraid to speak out?  Or course, we do have to study the bible so the Holy Ghost has something  to bring back to our remembrance  All we need to be concerned about is being aware of when He calls us, then being obedient to go when, where and then speak! 

Remember, Jesus is always with us (Matt. 28:20)!(the Holy Ghost is in us - Acts 1:8, John 14:17).  Jesus says that as we abide (meno G3306, stay with endure) in Him (His Word) we will bear fruit and we will have what we ask of God (John 15:1-7).

As we search for our calling, Father will confirm when we have discovered it (Heb. 2:4). 

So how can we recognize our calling? 

As with me, Father might give us a scripture or scriptures (the bible) declaring that to which He is calling us.  Father didn’t speak the word to me, audibly, but He did speak to me in my heart and mind as He showed me the scriptures.

Yet He did speak directly (audibly) with Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  The Holy Ghost was with them, but now, the Holt Ghost,  abides (or should) in us.

A man or woman of God might give us a word (2 Peter 1:21).  “God said to tell you …”

Father may show us something in the world around us that suddenly ‘rings a bell’ (Rom. 1:19-20).  Birds in the grass looking for food – ‘My children are hungry, feed them.’

Father gives us gifts (without repentance – Rom. 11:29), talents and abilities.  These are those things which we seem to have a natural ‘knack’ for (to do) or those things which seem to always grab our attention (skills).  These things just might give us a ‘clue’ to that which Father is calling us.

When in doubt, or even if you think you’re pretty sure, ask Father for confirmation and then follow the lead of the Holy Ghost.

Amen

Note significant numbers for this season

5          grace, favor

9          fruit of the Spirit, divine completeness, God’s visitation

8          new birth, new beginnings, new creation

2          union (with Father), witnessing

24        (this year, 2024) priesthood  

Father’s grace and favor bring the fruit of the Spirit and God’s visitation which brings new beginnings which results in a closer union with the father so we can be witnesses for Him as we become His modern day priesthood in 2024.

also

3          divine completeness, perfection

25        (next year, 2025) forgiveness, repentance, grace

5, 9 & 8 read the same while 3 replaces 2 as Father brings us into His completeness (maturity) in Him, which as souls repent, Father’s forgiveness will abound in 2025 and His grace will teach us to live in His love.  

 

9-7-2024             The Church, the Tabernacle and the Temple                                        

The Church

Webster’s        Building for public (Christian) worship, clergy or official religious body, a body or organization of religious believers (congregation), public divine worship.                       

OT                   not used

NT                    Ekklesia (G1577) [fom kaleo G2564) bid, call forth] church, meeting place for a religious congregation especially for religious purposes.

The Tabernacle

Webster’s        Tent or sanctuary used by Israel in Exodus, receptacle for the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, a locked box reserved for he ‘host’, house of worship, a building or shelter used for worship.

OT                   ohel (H168) [from ahal H166 to shine] a covering or tent

                        Mishkan (H 4908) [from shakan H7931 habitation, lodging, rest, remain] habitation, dwelling, tent, tabernacle.

NT                    Akene (G4633) [from G4639 akia a shadow] tent, habitation, tabernacle

                        Akenos (G4636) [from G4633], temporary residence, human body.

                        Akenoma (G4638) God’s residence as a housing a body for the soul.          

The Temple

Webster’s        Edifice for worshipping a deity, one of three successive national sanctuaries for Israel, a building for Mormon sacred ordinances, reform or conservative synagogue, building to house a ‘local lodge’ for a fraternal order (Elks, Shriner’s etc.), place devoted to a special or exalted purpose.  

OT                   Bayith H1004) [from banah H1129 build, make or repair] contain hangings, home one is born in, prison, tablet, place, temple

                        Heykkal (H1964) [from yakol H3201 might, endure, overcome, prevail, suffer] public building, palace, temple.

NT

Heiron (G2411) Sacred place, sanctuary, temple

Naos (G3485) Shrine, temple

So, when looking at the words used, we also need to note the context or usage to derive the correct reference. 

As we read through the definitions, we clearly see that a church, tabernacle or temple is a place to gather and honor ‘something’ greater than ourselves whether a deity, a concept or whatever. 

As we look at the definitions, we also note some specific qualities mentioned. We note that, for the tabernacle especially, we see the word ‘shine’ and we note that Israel observed the glory (presence) of God whenever He ‘came down’ upon the tabernacle (Exod. 40:34-37).  Also take note that the Holy Ghost came upon the apostles ins the upper like ‘tongues of fire’ (Acts 2:1-4).  As Christians, we note that the Holy Spirit of God seals us for that last day (Eph. 4:30) because He rests upon us (1 Peter 4:14) and more so because Jesus promises us that the Holy Ghost will be “in” us (John 14:14-17, Acts 1:8).  Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Ghost will come upon us (Acts1:8).  AND His abiding in us is shown when the apostles received Him in the upper room (Acts 2:1-16).  How often do we look at someone (notably Christian) and we say “there’s just something about him!”?

As Christians, the Holy Ghost, who is the presence of the Lord, our God, whether upon the tabernacle as with Israel or in the tabernacle - us!

Understand, for the Jews, the Holy of Holies is where God came to earth and visited with Israel (2 Chron. 7:1-7).  It was unique for the Holy of Holies housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained Aaron’s rod, the manna and the tablets of the Law, which represent the presence of the Almighty God, and was separated by a veil within the Holy place which housed the items of worship, which was within the Priest’s courtyard which is where all the sacrifices were performed which was separated from the women’s courtyard which is where the buying and selling of sacrifices were exercised and the people, in general, could gather.  In case you missed it, the women’s courtyard, the priest’s courtyard, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies.  This is the veil, separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy place, the veil which was torn at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross.  Understand, the general populace had access to the ‘women’s courtyard.  The head of the household and the priests had access to the ‘priest’s courtyard’.  The priests had access to the Holy Place but only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies.  We are a royal priesthood before God (1 Peter 2:9)!  This means that we (Christians) now have direct access to the Father, through the Holy Ghost (thank you Jesus) in us.  For Israel, only the high priest had direct access to the presence of God.   Through Jesus, we now have that direct access to the presence of Father.  Think about it!  Israel knew God at a distance (if you will), but we now have access up close and personal.  It’s like talking with a friend on the telephone then being able to talk with Him as a friend face to face!  Job made an amazing discovery.  He realized that he knew all about God, but by the time his ordeal was completed Job said “… but now I have seen you with my own eye.” (Job 42:5). 

Have we experienced Father?  Do we quench Him (1 Thess. 5:19) or is the Holy Ghost alive and well within our heart giving us that connection? 

In the book of Acts, we have several occasions where the Holy Ghost comes upon us.  When Jesus was baptized by John in the river, the Holy Ghost came upon Him as a dove (Matt. 3:16-17).  When the apostles were baptized, what appeared to be tongues of fire alit upon each of them (Acts 2:1-4).  Cornelius and his family received the Holt Ghost while Peter was still preaching, then they were baptized with water (Acts 10:44-47).  On the road to Ephesus, Paul encountered twelve men who had been baptized by John.  As they talked Paul asked if they had received the Holy Ghost yet and they responded that they hadn’t even heard that there was a Holy Ghost.  Paul baptized the in the name of the Lord Jesus, laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-7).  In each of these instances, one thing was true, they all knew Jesus when they received the Holy Ghost and yes, water baptism was still a part of the event.

Whether we are called the ‘church’, the tabernacle or the temple, as Christians, by the grace of God, our hearts are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17).  And for us to be successful in our walk with the Lord, the Holy Ghost needs to be an active part of our life.

The Spirit of God rested upon the tabernacle in the wilderness with Israel.  We ae the tabernacle (temple) of God!

Do we live like it?

Amen