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Saturday, February 7th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Exodus 26:1-27:21
Matthew 25:1-30
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 8:1-11
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1gRLJkh
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain. – Ex 26:30
‘On the mountain’ refers to Moses ascending into the Presence of God in Exodus 24. What we see here is that God will give us concrete, specific plans when we spend ample time with Him in prayer. We can then take those plans and execute them when we’re engaged in the activities of daily life.
The intricate details and dimensions for everything in the tabernacle are not included in the Bible by accident; the inclusion is intentional in that it shows the level of detail God is willing to reveal to us in prayer. We must pray – in advance of conflict, and not just as a result of it – if we are to know specifically what He wants us to do in the midst of every situation!
In Matt 17:19, the disciples ask Jesus, ‘Why could we not cast [this demon] out?’ His response is that certain demons can only be dealt with when we pray and fast. I firmly believe that Jesus was not saying, “When someone comes to you and is obviously afflicted, tell them to come back in a week after you have prayed & fasted.” That would be ludicrous.
Instead, I believe He is commenting on the disciples’ lifestyle. He is telling them to regularly engage in prayer and fasting. We must be praying and fasting all the time – before we find ourselves in tricky situations which require intense prayer. The disciples weren’t doing their work and praying and fasting, on their own, before it was required. When we intentionally discipline ourselves to do those things in advance, signs and wonders will follow us wherever we go!
Prayer:
Father, help me to spend ample time in prayer with You. I want to receive specific blueprints for my life: detailed plans for exactly what I will face, and exactly what to do in every situation. You are my God; I will not step out in any direction until You show me where to go!