Pray Through

Hello Church Family!

Today I want to encourage you! In this season of a divine reset, don’t hit snooze!

The Coronavirus seems to have interrupted all our lives in a tremendous way.  Perhaps before this lockdown, we were all going a mile a minute with an overwhelming schedule that was weighing us down.  Maybe this “pause” hasn’t felt like a pause at all. Or possibly it does but then we got busy again somehow, even during the lockdown.

Being overwhelmed can have many faces but if you sum it up, it basically feels like you’re drowning.  When we’re overwhelmed we can suffer from a deficit of being able to focus and we can have low energy from exhaustion.  Maybe in some cases experiencing panic attacks or anxiety.

Somehow with all the conveniences in our modern world, access to infinite information, luxury, and technology, none of this has made our lives feel less hectic and more fulfilling.

You know why? It’s because deep inside, we’re not modern.  Sure on the outside, we might be modern people living in 2020, but inside we’re made up of the same things the ancients were made up of.  The book of James says, "Elijah was a man with a nature just like us."

Our modern self has ancient needs that go unmet when we are drowning in our fast-paced schedules, devices, and entertainment.

Something we might not realize is there's a lot going on beyond what meets the eye. There is someone trying to drown you, overwhelm you and devour you.  The Prince of the Air, he’s ruling a culture that is subtly pressuring you into a sleep. If he can do that, then he can drown you at the most opportune moment.

1 Peter 5:8 says this, "Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your Adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour.”

In other words, stay alert and don’t be pressured to sleep by the temptations around you.  Your opponent, the devil, is walking around in life like a roaring lion; seeking to overwhelm you and swallow you up.

The truth is Jesus taught us not to fall asleep from overwhelmed-ness or anxiety, but to stay alert in prayer. 

Peter, the one who was overwhelmed in the garden of Jesus’ passion, was able to share his revelation with us because he learned it first hand. Jesus said this to Peter. “Pray that you may not enter into-temptation.” - Luke 22:39

If you’re feeling like you’re drowning and overwhelmed, I want to let you in on a truth. Jesus is diving into the mess you’re drowning in right now and He’s going to revive you.  He’s going to revive us all through an ancient path. The path of Prayer, Sober Mindedness and being watchful. 

Let’s pray like we’ve never prayed before! Let’s choose the ancient way, put down the cell phone, turn off the tv, grab your paperback bible, and turn to prayer with Jesus.

We can’t be sleeping through the quarantine. We can’t be sleeping on our marriage - parenting - family - finances - job - our church - our destiny, our LEGACY.

Let’s pray,

Mark Passarella 

Hidden Treasure

Dear Tabernacle Family,

“And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom;from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Proverbs 2:4-10

Our Father God, put inside of you great unique treasures. Jewels that are deep inside of us, woven into our being. Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you? I don’t know what is hidden within you and you may barely know yourself. Though I suspect you have caught glimpses. I don’t know your capacities, your aspirations, your longings, or your secret talents, but I do know something wonderful is sheltered inside of you. I say this with all confidence knowing who created you!

In free will, God asks “Will you find them?” The courage to go on the hunt in the first place is what separates the mundane existence from a life filled with adventure and purpose bringing us into a life of creative living. This doesn’t mean you will be rich in money, famous or perform at Carnegie Hall. Though if you want to attempt any of these feats, please go for it! I’m talking about a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear. The paths and outcomes of creative living will vary wildly from person to person. I can guarantee you this: It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a way more interesting life.

Living in this manner: continually seeking, even stubbornly (because it’s not easy), what God has put inside of you will bring forth not only the jewels hidden inside of you, but help others to find the jewels hidden inside of them! Because creative living is where God, our Creator, will always abide. So go! Explore, navigate, try, fail, try again! Run, walk, rest, dance, laugh, cry. You have permission to embrace every moment of your adventure.

Blessings,

Cheri Leight

Creative Media Director

Trust in the Lord

Dear Tabernacle Family,

I had plans. A year ago, the large training conference I was planning suddenly had no venue. Everywhere I turned in the next few months would not yield another church willing to host such a large event. Why couldn’t I land this? Had I lost my touch? The audience and churches were waiting. Nothing would move this forward. Fast forward. Look at the timing: March 2020. The venue city: NYC.

In our present crisis, I am continuously reminded how God is redeeming the moment. Resources and costs that would have been laid out to run such a large conference have not been spent. A large group of people who would have gathered in mass in the early stages of this pandemic were not together. God orders our steps, and in our obedience, He protects us from things we cannot see.

Isaiah 2:3 says, “He will teach us His ways, And we will walk in His paths.” Our mission is to find God’s purpose in the moment and put our faith and trust in Him, the lover of our soul. Shields Up, Church! Our faith is in the One who knows us best. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord and don’t lean on your own understanding.” Go figure, Father really knows best.

My challenge is to read Psalm 91 daily during this crisis. My husband prays it over our family each morning. It starts like this: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

It is under His wing that I will soar to great heights. You, Lord, are my shield!

Grateful and blessed,

Pastor Sharon Baldwin

Preschool Ministries/Day Care Director