Tabernacle

Tabernacle was a great experience... Though I took a shorter time this time around, I could still feel God's presence and hear His words... Entering the Tabernacle built at Magic Box, the basement of the church this time, was a totally different experience from the last June's Tabernacle at East Coast Park...

Tabernacle at ECP was in the elements, just as it was during Moses' time... We encamped, set up the tabernacle and began entering from sun-down to sun-rise... When we enter the tabernacle, all footwear must be off... For the ECP tabernacle, we were all barefooted and stepping on the grass and pine cones, the wind was howling, you could hear those outside talking and there were bugs... (Ouch) Tabernacle @ Magic Box was super comfortable... We had the airconditioning, clean ground and soft gospel instrumental in the background... Yet, I felt more down-to-earth at the ECP Tabernacle than I was @ Magic Box... It was a little too comfortable @ Magic Box...

Both Tabernacle experience are unique... I heard God both times, but this time around it was a lot clearer... I think the clarity came because I was slightly more familiar with the process... Another was probably also because this time around I was more prepared spiritually... The week of Sanctification - restoring the altar was very good as I was seriously set apart and sanctified to go into the Tabernacle...

The ECP Tabernacle, we went through an "Exodus" moment as we trek through the west end of ECP to the east end of ECP... It was a time of witnessing and praising God... By the time we reached the campsite and set up camp, we were seriously tired... The whole ECP Tabernacle experience was very much one where God gave me rest... It was really all in God's perfect plans... I was going through a rough time in ministry back then, so God gave me a wonderful time of rest and comfort... Though the ground was very hard and uncomfortable, especially with the pine cones poking at me... Tabernacle @ Magic Box, God gave me 2 words... I am just in awe...

At the golden lampstand, God showed me this word...

The Love Passage from Romans 12: 9 - 21 (MSG)

      ⁹Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. ¹⁰Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. ¹¹Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, ¹²cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. ¹³Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. >>>

    ¹⁴Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. ¹⁵Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. ¹⁶Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

    ¹⁷Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. ¹⁸If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. ¹⁹Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." ²⁰Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. ²¹Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Then as I come before the Ark of Covenant, in the Holy of Holies, God showed me...

Psalm 28 (MSG)

A David psalm

¹Don't turn a deaf ear when I call you, GOD.

If all I get from you is deafening silence, I'd be better off in the Black Hole.

²I'm letting you know what I need, calling out for help

And lifting my arms toward your inner sanctum.

³Don't shove me into the same jail cell with those crooks,

With those who are full-time employees of evil.

⁴They talk a good line of "peace,"  then moonlight for the Devil.

Pay them back for what they've done, for how bad they've been.

Pay them back for their long hours in the Devil's workshop;

Then cap it with a huge bonus.

⁵Because they have no idea how God works or what he is up to,

God will smash them to smithereens and walk away from the ruins.

⁶Blessed be GOD- he heard me praying.

⁷He proved he's on my side;

I've thrown my lot in with him.

Now I'm jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him.

⁸GOD is all strength for his people, ample refuge for his chosen leader;

⁹Save your people and bless your heritage.

Care for them; carry them like a good shepherd.

It is as if God is telling me to persever on in school... To be His salt and light to the world... I was feeling rather downtrodden by the rude remarks my classmates make about God... I was beginning to question myself as to why do I not stand up and defend my God... But then, both passages seems to be telling my to return evil with kindness, God would judge them accordingly... I just need to love them as Jesus would...