Change Your Perspective

Tabernacle Family,

“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 27:4).

This weekend we celebrate MEMORIAL DAY, a time to pause to remember and express our respect and appreciation for the brave individuals that made a great sacrifice to preserve our freedom. May we never take liberty lightly, nor forget its great price.

Liberty can be likened to a clearing in a jungle. If you do not work to keep the clearing, the jungle will move in and consume it.

In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches by parable about good seed that falls in soil with thorns, is choked by the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth. Good seed has been sown into our lives which has sprung up, but if choked from receiving life, it cannot be fruitful.

We have concluded another week of our world reduced to limited travel, wearing masks, gloves, disinfectants, and “social distancing.” There is hope that we are moving ever closer to a relaxation of the imposed mandates. Despite desiring relief from the restraints, there is an ongoing debate as to how this should happen, while avoiding a second wave of the disease.

We are anxious for the time when we can safely resume corporate worship in our Sanctuary. People are growing weary of the restraints and pushing to return to a more “normal” lifestyle. BUT, do we really want to return to the life that we were living before the pandemic struck?

In this period of imposed quietness, I pray we consider where we are and are determined to rid our lives of unfruitful endeavors and pursuits. Many have found great delight in doing things with family, reading books, playing games, etc. that they were too busy to do before; or have reached out to people.

This season has been a great opportunity to renew our focus. A time to change our perspective on someone, something or ourselves. The greatest perspective that we can change is how we see God; understand Christ and His ways.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Seek His wisdom! Exercise wisdom in your choices.

In His Service,

Pastor Allen Baun

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

This week the Body of Christ lost a great warrior when Ravi Zacharias went to be with his Lord, whom he served so faithfully as an apologist and evangelist. His radio ministry, “Let My People Think,” and writings have significantly influenced my life. I want to also honor Dorothy Levulis who finished her course on this earth. She was not famous or well known outside her circle of friends and acquaintances, but like Ravi, was faithful to her calling and produced fruit.

Triumphant Kingdom of God

Hello Tab Family!

Today, I am sitting in my sunroom (where I apparently spend the far majority of my time lately) pondering this season we are all in, while leaning into the Holy Spirit to stay postured to hear heaven’s perspective.

This time is unprecedented in history,

yet still echoes the stories of nearly every generation.

When I listen to my dad speak of the World War II era, or the times overseas where they experienced political upheaval … when I am teaching world history to my girls for school, or studying it for my Master’s courses, the patterns are clear and similarities undeniable. Go back to the earliest history in the Word of God and read of the plagues in Exodus, the rebuilding of the walls in Nehemiah, the famine time of Joseph, the corrupt leadership of Saul in 1 Samuel, sarcasm among political leaders in 2 Kings, the prophet Jeremiah weeping over the nation, the rise of Rome in the Gospels, Jesus facing the religious spirit of the Pharisees, Paul under continuous persecution and imprisonments, and so on. History continues through the political turmoil of Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire and the Papal States, plagues like the Black Death, ignorance seeming to abound in the Medieval times, the rise of knowledge in the Enlightenment, the persecution of Jews and Christians throughout all the ages, the spread of disease, poverty, and the desperation of human condition abounded in every generation.

We stand on 6,000 years of Prophetic History!

We are not alone. The times seem unique to us, but they are but an echo of every proceeding generation. Yet also woven into history’s narrative are the victories and triumphs of every generation, as one season fades into another. Joseph moves from the prison to the palace and saves a generation. Esther faces Haman and saves her people from annihilation. God uses Moses to save His people from slavery in Egypt via the plagues. David arose as righteous King over Israel after Saul. Paul established the churches and saw immeasurable people converted and established. Jesus rose from the dead and shifted History even after culture crucified Him. The Reformers arose and saw the political power of the papal structure weaken, with true Biblical faith advanced, Bibles in the hands of ordinary people and the rebirth of a supernatural faith.

The Kingdom of God always WINS, always ADVANCES, and always TRANSFORMS culture.

We are about to see a CHURCH TRIUMPHANT emerge. The Kingdom of God will be born and established in our generation. A new harvest of souls, alongside signs, wonders, and miracles is at hand. The church is discovering new techniques to advance the gospel, new strategies for building, and new platforms of influence. As society and political structures search for answers, we already have them. A remnant people is arising, taking their place as pillars in the 7 mountains of culture: government, education, health and sciences, business, media and arts, family and the church.

It’s time to arise as kingdom leaders, be equipped and take our place in culture.

I fully believe that the season of “celebrity Christianity” has halted and the time is here for the people to arise. You are today a part of an Apostolic House, that is here to equip you for the work of the ministry in all spheres of culture (Ephesians 4:11-16) … and through this, we will see REVIVAL!

Pentecost is Coming!

Aimee

Set Your Mind on Heaven

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3: 1,2 NKJV)

Dear Tab Family,

In this season, this scripture has become a reminder and challenge to myself to have the “perspective of Heaven” in my daily thought life. When our focus is on the things of this earth, we can get caught up in the emotion and distraction of what is happening around us and lose our focus on the Father; and the peace of Heaven that He brings us. This doesn’t mean we are unaware of the realities and times we are living in - but we know we can have a totally different perspective when we set our minds on the things above as the scripture tells us. Some simple ways to accomplish this could be starting your day in prayer and scripture reading. Quieting your mind and having that communion with the Lord will form the rest of your day and set you up to hear from Him. Another way is to be living in community during this time! Technology makes it so easy for us to be having relational check ins with our friends and family, as well as those the Lord might highlight to reach out to! This is a season for us to be creative with how we can show love and care to one another! When we focus our time and energy into these things, automatically we are looking above with our mind and living this scripture out. 

I hope this encourages and challenges you to change your perspective to the one of Heaven. Our team at The Tabernacle is praying for you and your families. I cant wait to be together again soon!

Looking above,

Michael Wulf 

Young Adult Ministry Director