Gifts and tithes
Exodus 35:20~29 “All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.” (29)
♬Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #436 Lately the Life of Christ (#493 in previous version)
There is something that a child of God should enjoy during his lifetime. There are many Christians who don’t know about this blessing and therefore do not enjoy it. The blessing begins with knowing the Gospel accurately. Why did God allow the Israelites to wander in the desert for 40 years? It is because He wanted them to focus on three things and gain strength from them. Because knowing the Gospel correctly and enjoying the Gospel in the field is the start of evangelism, there are three types of strength that an evangelist should gain from prayer.
1. Focus on praying for the blessing of the three feasts
The problems and difficulties around us cannot swallow us. Passover represents the day when we were freed from the problems of all curses. Pentecost represents how believers are being led and the Feast of Ingathering represents our citizenship in heaven. The blessing of the three feasts must relate to us in our fields. We must be able to pray according to the content of the three feasts. Moses was unsuccessful in the palace in Egypt. But after experiencing God on Mount Horeb, he was used by God and was victorious. God wants us to experience Him. The way to focus on tabernacle-centered prayer is to find our personal method of prayer. Prayer is a spiritual science. Children of God will certainly receive answers to prayer.
2. Focus on praying about your expertise
The Israelites who made tents in the desert discovered their specific expertise. We must pray to God who takes care of us regarding our profession and field. Similar to when Joseph was a slave and when David was a shepherd, we must hold on to the greatest covenant and put our best effort into our expertise. If we do what is necessary, we will be able to see what more we need to do. If we discover our expertise, we will be in a position of uniqueness. God is pleased when we are able to develop our sense of specialty enough to give glory unto Him and do world evangelization.
3. Focus on praying for finances
We will reach true victory when God desires to use us. When He needs us, we need to receive economic blessings and answers. It is not about bowing on our knees with materials for the Gospel, but it is important to lead people financially. We must pray to receive God’s strength and the blessing of tithe. God will give us evidence through our future generations whose hearts are moved to serve God.
- We thank You for giving us the covenant in order for us to focus on today’s prayer. Allow us to enjoy the blessing of life and the blessing of expertise so that we may give you what we have to our heart’s content. May we find all of today’s answers within this prayer.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service / 2010.7.18