JESUS WANT TO HANG OUR WITH YOU.

Ex. 25:8, “And let them make me a sanctuary; 

that I may dwell among them.”

The title of this series is “Dwelling with God.” The title of the blog that this series is a part of is “From God’s Heart to Yours.” I need to share some of God’s heart on this topic before finishing up the teaching with a review of the applications of the priest's uniform.

Let’s start with some Scriptures that mostly clearly express God’s desire for what our heart’s desire should be. 

Psalm 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

2   I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.

3   Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

Psalm 27:4   One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 63:1   O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

2  So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

3  Because Your loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

While my wife was doing most of the driving down to and back from Florida on our Christmas trip to see our son and his wife, I had time to lay back and pray, and as I did the Lord stirred up a heart cry, “God send us people to disciple who will in turn make disciples.” After I cried out to God for awhile I asked the Lord about what steps we, as a church, may need to take, or be prepared to take as HE answers that prayer? The following 6 things came to mind.

1)
Be a people who spend time alone in His Presence. We follow the words of the old song, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus until the things of earth grow strangely dim." Disciples must, above all else, practice the Presence and hear from God personally.

2) Walking in the Spirit while in the world, we also practice the Presence. This practice in all parts of life we consequently lead others by that example.

3) We need to have a powerful prayer life so that people know we are a people of prayer and seek us out when they face the stuff of life and realize they need prayer. I’m not necessarily talking about mature believers. May we have such an experiential understanding of our role as priests of God that people will seek us out for help.

4) We experience God’s Presence as the power and experience Him so that others are provoked to do likewise.

5) As we stand in the gap for people we eventually will see them get connected to Jesus. Then we step into the role of the great commission and take the opportunity to make disciples.

6) The Lord sending us “fresh fish” may require us to change our routine, to alter our time priorities, perhaps make changes in our church services. We need to be willing to do whatever the Lord leads us to do when He leads us to do it. Jesus is Lord and works all things together for our good.

Let’s pray for, and expect, that after a few months of the Evangelistic Crusade type meetings with Peter Kumar every 1^st Friday, we will see this happen. Let’s make every effort to invite the people that need to hear the message of salvation, healing and deliverance and that they experience Jesus. May God give us more and more opportunities to share our testimonies and brag about Jesus to those outside the church.

Meaningful results of any outreach requires that the intercessors be faithful to saturate things in prayer.

Exodus 19:6   And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ …

As we review the teaching on the priests’ uniform, let’s keep what I just said in mind. Everything I’ve taught about the Tabernacle all leads to our role in God’s process of building His church.

God’s Call of the Priesthood:

Heb. 5:4   And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5   So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” (NKJ)

Likewise, we are children of God.

God’s Purpose for the Priesthood

Heb 5:1   For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2     He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also beset by weakness.

Moved with compassion, Jesus did miracles. We should follow His example and see Him do things beyond our human capabilities.

https://blogs.bible.org/impact/hal_warren/

gods_heavenly_pattern_for_our_spiritual_transformation

_-_part_vi_the_priestly_garments

God’s Purpose for the Priests Uniform:

Exod 28:2      "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. (NKJV)

Psalm 132:16   I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. (NKJV)

This calling is to a joyous lifestyle of loving others more than ourselves. It’s is so rewarding and liberating.

As we looked closely at this uniform, we saw things that apply to how we conduct ourselves as a nation of priests unto God. It is like when you dress up in a fancy dress or suit, you are more mindful to watch your manners and are acutely aware of why you are dressed up. It is also like a solder dressed in full battle gear, ready to use everything he (or she ) is wearing.

Ø The clothes are a constant reminder of the dignity and responsibilities of the office the Lord has called us to. We are Christ’s ambassadors. Our lives reflect Him to the world. We should conduct ourselves in such a way that people see His love and holiness in us, without hypocrisy, without grounds for accusation.

Ø These clothes were for beauty and glory. God sees us, His bride, as beautiful. He invested His Glory in us - Christ in us, the Hope of Glory.

Review of the NOW applications of various parts of the uniform

Ø the Golden Crown of Aaron,
 

o   Would you live your life any differently if you wore a hat or tee shirt that said Holy to the Lord on it?

Ø The Ephod, a fancy embroidered over garment held together at the shoulders with stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes

o   WE CARRY THE NAMES OF OUR LOVED ONES ON OUR SHOULDERS

o   Sometimes we may experience this weight as a burden to pray.

 

Ø The weight on the shoulders was increased 

because also hanging from the them was the 

Breastplate of Judgment:

o   9” square plate holding 12 engraved stones is hanging from the shoulders and fastened around the body, held close to the heart. Each stone was big enough for the name of a tribe to be on it.

When we are empowered by the Spirit, even the heaviest of these burdens is

   light because Jesus is the burden bearer.

o   Exodus 28:30 Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chest piece Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people.

    

Hear the still small voice of God directing your steps.

Bells on the bottom hem of the blue robe

Ex. 28:33   "And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

35   "And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when he comes out, that he may not die.

The fancy embroidered pomegranates could have been symbolic of the sweetness of God’s Holy Presence. The bells were a signal to everyone within earshot that the priest was going into the Holy Place; it was a call to prayer. Thank God it’s no longer an annual ritual.

Conclusion: Experiencing the Shekinah.

History changed when the Tabernacle was completed. Everything was in place.  Then suddenly, like on the day of Pentecost, God did the unexpected and started something marvelous in motion.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/strange-physics-trick-lets-people-create-a-cloud-in-their-own-mouth-10476817.html

Ex. 40: 34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

All the Hebrew and Greek words translated as Tabernacle refer to a dwelling place, a booth or a covering. Just as the cloud covered Israel in the wilderness, and the fire held enemies at bay and provided light at night, the Shekinah enters our room. Because they followed the cloud & the fire, they became bearers of the Presence.

Psalm 65:4   Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.

Psalm 85:9   Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

The Almighty dwelling with man, showing us His glory can be such an awesome demonstration of God’s great love There is nothing in life as fantastic as experiencing the Shekinah, God’s Manifest Presence in such awesome power. It causes you to just fall in love with Him, intensely. Things happen when the Lord shows up in His power. Lives are changed. Miracles, healings, deliverance, Divine callings are realized. The chains of the power of sin and of the enemy of our souls are broken. Our emotions react to Him, tears may flow, hysterical laughter may break out, bodies may shake, people may dance and sing – all spontaneously.

Let me repeat what I said in my opening of this sermon find an altar,  to do this and pray for whatever specific needs you may  have. Please, don’t leave still carrying burdens you came in with. 

You can send your prayer requests as a MESSAGE from the Glad Tidings Tabernacle facebook page  

https://www.facebook.com/gladtidingstabernaclegreersc/

Let’s pray for and expect that after a few months of the Evangelistic Crusade type meetings with Peter Kumar every 1^st Friday, we will see this happen. Let’s make every effort to invite the people that need to hear the message of salvation, healing and deliverance and to come to Glad Tidings Tabernacle, that they experience Jesus. May God give us more and more opportunities to share our testimonies and brag about Jesus to those outside the church.

DWELLING WITH GOD, PART 2

A study on the Tabernacle in the Wilderness,

IT'A ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

Special thanks to Daniel Brooks for a great picture 

Things to learn from What the Scripture Doesn’t Say

It is easy to get side tracked, the enemy would love to see you so busy with what doesn’t matter that you miss the things the Lord has for you. There are many specifics not mentioned in the description of the tabernacle. As an engineer, my carnal mind finds this irritating. I want more detail. The Lord wonderfully gives us all we need, so let’s not make an argument out of what manna was.

Exodus 25:3-7 list some things, but no quantities are mentioned. Nothing is said as to how to gather it, how to store it. They didn’t know if they would be in 1 place long enough to complete the project, or if they might have to be transporting all this stuff before the project was completed. The scripture didn’t have to say any more for us to get the message to give what the Lord puts on your heart to give, give willingly, give generously, give specifically.

https://www.369universe.com

Ex. 25:10-12 describes the ark, but my engineering brain wants to know how were the sides joined? How was the bottom held in place? How thick were the boards that it was made of? How thick was the overlay? What was the diameter of the rings to hold the staves?– Who cares? The fact that these scriptures don’t mention these details is that they don’t matter. Those details won’t help you win the lost or become more like Jesus.

V13-15 – How long were these sticks? What was their diameter? Did they stick out past the Ark, like we see in pictures, or where they same length as the Ark, so it was carried like a coffin? After all, the Lord did say not to remove the sticks from the rings. Can you just do what the Lord asks you to do without knowing all the details? Do you really need to know all the long term implications of obedience? Isn’t God trustworthy? He will give us all we need so let’s not complain or get hung up on tangents that don’t profit.

The Tabernacle symbolizes the unity of the Church

Exodus 26 contains considerable detail about the construction of the tabernacle. The walls are curtains, and boards, support pieces and connectors. The roof is made of several layers of different cloth and skins. There is significance in the typology of all the detail, however, lets look at it from above, as the eagle looks down and sees it.

http://www.livingbeishamikdash.com/posts/the-most-private-space

First of all, this is no ordinary tent. It is extremely beautiful and ornate. It is built 1^st class. From above, however, the most ornate is hidden under a roof and covered with animal skins. It takes a deeper look, at ground level. We have to get to the heart level to see the most precious.

In some Hebrew texts, the Holy of Hollies is compared to the bedroom of a married couple. It expresses the exclusive relationship between a husband and wife, between God and His people.

This shows the nature of God and also how the Father sees the heart of His kids. We can be comfortable in such beauty and splendor, in such extravagance, because we are children of the King of Kings. This is a beautiful place and God sees you as so beautiful, so lovely. He loves you enough to have given His life for your redemption. The Holy of Hollies is such an awesome place, so much gold, so much amazing craftsmanship, such a beautiful veil to pass through to get inside. It is in this place that the Father wants to meet with us, at the Mercy Seat, at the heart of everything that the Tabernacle is all about.

Another amazing thing about this tent is that it all fits together. There are lots and lots of pieces. There are big pieces, little pieces, heavy stuff and small lightweights, wood, gold brass, silver, cloth, animal skins. Each piece has prophetic significance, has practical functions and some life application of scripture. For example:

Ex. 26:2   These ten curtains must all be exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide.

3   Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, then join the other five into a second long curtain.

4   Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set.

5   The fifty loops along the edge of one curtain are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other curtain.

6   Then make fifty gold clasps and fasten the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle will be made of one continuous piece.

All this stuff can only be put together “according to the pattern shown thee on the mount.” Can you see the analogy to the church, to the Body of Christ?

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/479483

What would happen if the blue loop on the edge of the curtain told the gold ring to stay away, “leave me alone, I don’t want to be connected to that other blue loop.”? (Ex. 26:6). There wouldn’t “be one tabernacle.” What about that big wood board (Ex 26:16), covered in gold? It is happy to be between 2 other boards just like itself, but Oh No, it refused to be put into that socket, thinking it is too good to be put into inferior silver. It would fall down! I believe the Lord sheds tears over the disunity within churches and between churches and denominations. Psalm 133 becomes more important in this light.

Psalm 133:1   Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2   It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.

3   It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

God’s Presence Goes With Us:

https://www.369universe.com

The first piece of furniture listed is the Ark of the Covenant. Just the name of this item indicates that a relationship with God is a place of safety. Noah built the ark that God used to save life from the flood. A covenant with God is more binding than a legal contract so entering into God’s covenant is a safe thing to do.

http://www.livingbeishamikdash.com/posts/
the-most-private-space

Exodus 25:22   I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

Here is the place to hang out, at the Mercy Seat.

The Ark of the covenant played a very significant role in the Exodus, and at other times in ancient Jewish history. This verse sets the Biblical precedent,

http://godbricks.blogspot.com/2015/06/
ark-of-covenant.html

Num 10:33 They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the Lord, with the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest.

It is symbolic of God’s omnipresence, you take Him with you wherever you go. The whole tabernacle was designed for mobility, for frequent set-up, tear dawn and transport. From wherever you were when you 1^st got saved, until you get to heaven, your life is an exodus and the Lord is with you throughout the trip. The following promise to Moses is something we can cling to today:

Exod 33:14   The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

15   Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.

16   How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”

Indeed, the Presence of God must always be the calling card of the church.

It was work to take the ark with them. It was heavy. It takes some work to carry His presence with us wherever we go. It involves staying prayed up and walking in the Spirit. It requires understanding and bearing the weight of His glory, not just in church, but in the world. Jesus is our example, remember what happened when He showed up at the wedding party. He didn’t steal the show but He sure made a difference.

Challenge:

http://www.kathleendeggelman.com/2012/07/09/

five-strategies-for-how-to-manage-time-like-a-millionaire/

I read an article that challenged me, and I put this out to you, to look at things that have become habits, especially concerning cell phones and technology in general, to determine if those habits are beneficial. Do they help cultivate His Presence and love in my life? Do I spend time in face to face communication with people on a regular basis – no phone allowed? Do we use technology as a tool or does it just captivate our time and attention feeding us dribble and junk? How much precious time do we waste on things that don't matter, things that are of no benefit to the call to love people like God does and make disciples as we support our families? Time spent can never be retrieved.

Desperate

Have you ever been in a really intense circumstance? In a situation where it looks like there is no hope to get through? How we act under the stress of adversity defines our spiritual and emotional condition. This teaching will help you handle those life events graciously.

Let me begin with a personal testimony to set the stage for what the Lord will teach you as you read through this sermon.

Way back in 1999 I started a new job in Maryland. After a long haul we finally sold our house in Charlotte and we were all packed up and ready to move. The packers were done and the truck was coming in the morning. The phone rings. Our realtor, almost in tears tells us that they buyer’s mortgage didn’t go through. “Oh God, now what do we do?” Feeling ready to just cry I took a walk to let the dust settle in my head and heart. By the time I got back to the house I knew what the Lord was directing. We asked the people we were buying our house in Maryland if they would be willing to rent to us week to week until this situation was settled. They were willing and off we went to a new city, and a large beautiful house. Only one week later our buyer was able to arrange for a mortgage which enabled us to close on the house in Maryland. God came though in a miraculous way. We lived there four years and made a large sum of money when we sold that house to move north for another job.

What do you do when it looks like there’s no hope? When you’ve waited, and prayed, and waited and prayed and nothing is changing and it seems like God is far away?

Let’s look at some heroes from the Bible and see what God did in their desperate circumstances.

 

Stephen’s in a bad situation in Acts 6 and 7.

Stephen was a Deacon and in the Jerusalem church at that time that meant he was like a waiter. He was passing out food. Much of that church lived in 3^rd world poverty and the deacons were appointed to pass out the donated food. As he did this he had many opportunities to pass out the realities of the Gospel. As always happens, there were some legalists who didn’t like what he was saying

Acts 6: 10       And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

11        Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."

12        And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

13        They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

14        "for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us." (NKJ)

Now what’s Stephen thinking at this point? Doesn’t this scene sound like Jesus’ trial? Surely he knows what’s coming – it’s a lynch mob. Before I got saved I studied some things about mob rule and learned how to stir up a riot. People tend to follow the crowd and get caught up by whatever spirit is motivating the crowd.

Look at what God does in this situation.

Acts 6:15        And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. (NKJ)

In the next chapter we see Stephen launch into an amazing speech. Obviously the anointing was all over him, he had no time to prepare this speech. He takes the religious leaders through a beautiful history lesson. He hits on all the major events from Abraham to Solomon then turns it right against his accusers. Super natural things are happening here. Look back at Acts 6:15. Read Acts 7 to get the full speech, its great. For now, let’s look at Stephen’s conclusion and the reaction:

Acts 7:52-52    "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

53        "who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."

54        When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. (NKJ)

In the natural it’s getting really ugly,

Acts 7:55        But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,

56        and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

57        Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;

58        and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59        And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

60        Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (NKJ)

Did Stephen have intestinal fortitude or was this an example of a super natural gift of Grace? You’ll have to answer that for yourself. I can not believe it was the former. Here was a supernatural event that reshaped the future of the world because of its long term effect on Saul who latter became Paul the Apostle. Stephen was just a man like any of us, serving the same Jesus we do.

If you like great action drama with great life lessons, read Acts. Paul’s life story takes up much of this book. The apostle Paul was in many tight spots and suffered many things for the sake of the Gospel. We should not have the mind set that says, Oh, that was Paul, the great apostle, that stuff doesn’t happen to ordinary people like us.” History is filled with stories of ordinary people going through horrendous situations and/or doing spectacular things.

Let’s look another dramatic story with a great life lesson - Paul getting ship wrecked near Malta. Remember, Paul was just a man like any of us, serving the same Jesus we do.

Read Acts 27 if you want all the details, let me summarize to save time.

Paul was on trial in Jerusalem but a Roman citizen. Apparently to save his neck from the Jewish authorities he appeals to Caesar. Now Caesar is in Rome and that’s a long way from Jerusalem. They put him with many other prisoners under Roman guard and sent them to Rome. Most of that trip would be by boat and the boats in those days were nothing like the cruise ships of today. They pull into a port along the way and Paul advises that they spend the rest of the winter there because the Mediterranean gets pretty ugly that time of year. Paul says, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." (Acts 27:10). It wasn’t a great place to stay and the centurion in charge was persuaded by the ship captain to go and off to sea they went

They don’t get very far and they hit a very bad storm. After 3 days they stopped trying to go in any direction and let the storm drive the boat and threw the ship's tackle overboard.

Acts 27: 20    Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

 

No hope – what a desperate place to be. Now let’s see what God does.

21        But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

22        "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Where does he come off to say this? Every natural indication is that they are all doomed. The answer is that God did something super natural to change everything.

23        "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

24        "saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'

25        "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

26        "However, we must run aground on a certain island."

Somebody heard from God. Paul was able to give a word from God that brought hope and direction. The storm didn’t stop but Paul encouraged them some more.

33        And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.

34        "Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you."

35        And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.

36        Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.

How do you react when you’re hungry & you see someone eat? Paul had something good; they saw it and wanted some too. Do our lives reflect this to spiritually hungry people?

I hate to be left in suspense, so here’s the rest of the story.

39        When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible.

40        And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.

41        But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.

42        And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.

43        But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,

44        and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Wow, what drama; but there’s a key lesson for us – in desperate situations we can trust God to do whatever it takes to accomplish all he intends to do through the situation. The problem is that we don’t always recognize our circumstance as so desperate. It’s easy to get content with less than God intends for us. It’s easy to get used to things as they are and loose the vision of what they are supposed to be. We tend to take the path of least resistance or to leave well enough alone. In doing so we miss so much, and worse yet, we do not accomplish all God intends.

In an obviously desperate situation, Paul had an angelic visitation. This happened several time in the Word. Let’s turn to Daniel 3.

Dan 3:28        Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him,

Other situations are not so obviously desperate. Circumstances in the natural may be OK, no unusual problems. These are times when it’s easy to miss God unless your heart is in tune with Spirit of God. In Daniel 9 we see a man who saw something in the Scriptures that sent him to his knees.

Dan 9:3          Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Daniel saw the spiritual condition of the Jewish people and saw in the Word what God intended to do about it. Read the next 19 verses and you’ll get a great lesson in intercessory prayer. The result is found in verses 20 & 21:

Dan 9:20        Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,

21        yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.

Daniel, like Paul in Acts, has an angelic visitation and receives a word of encouragement and direction. Whether these men had an angelic visitation or heard from God in other ways isn’t the point. The point is that they were men of prayer who interceded with desperation. They prayed through until they had a breakthrough. We need to be so desperate for the Lord to do great things through our churches. We should be able to relate to Daniel 9 because the circumstances in the natural are not so life and death as with Paul in Acts 27, yet in the Spirit concerning the change God wants to bring about in our localities, it is a time for the prayers of desperation.

I can tell you from experience that this kind of burden can only be something birthed by God in your heart. The only way one can give birth is by getting pregnant and that happens through an intimate relationship. God desires to put prayer burdens in His people, burdens that you will feel in your gut. As we draw close to God in prayer, in Church, at the altar, in the Word, or wherever, He draws close to us. It’s great to feel His Holy presence - but don’t stop there. As a church, it is time to get into the Secret Place of the Most High, to follow Him into His chambers and have a life changing experience. Your prayer life will never be the same; your times alone with God will get longer and more intense. You will love to spend time at the altar, just seeking His face with others of like mind and heart.

I believe what God is saying to the Church is to draw closer to Him. I was talking with my former pastor in Charlotte and we said simultaneously, “You can’t give what you don’t have.” As a group of believers, we need to get something supernatural that we can give to our communities. What characterized Jesus’ ministry? Signs wonders and miracles attracted people so that He had an audience to speak Words of life to. Its time to find that place of prayer Paul must have found in the lower decks of that boat and seek God together, so that we can ask Him together to speak to our hearts and give us that prayer burden that births His plans and purposes for our churche

s. This is too big a job for any Pastor. Pastor’s can’t do it all; it’s safe to say we need to share this job. I invite you to find an altar and spend some time waiting on God. Let your church leaders pray for you that God would accomplish all His plans and purposes in and through you.