Life Beyond the Laver

A“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” Acts 14:21-22

Have you realised yet that seeing the Kingdom and entering it could be two totally different points on the faith walk continuum? Paul’s statement above is one scripture that proves that entering the Kingdom does not happen at the same time when we ‘got saved’. One doesn’t just happen upon the kingdom. We must deliberately and purposely seek and find the kingdom. We must push almost with violent aggression, through thick and thin, troubles and heartaches to enter.

I’ve always heard it said that Joseph was able to get through his many trials because his dream kept him going. I don’t support that view. The character we read about in Genesis known as Joseph does not strike me as the type that would gloat over the fact that the rest of his family will one day bow down to him. you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.’ Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, ‘God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.’” Genesis 50:24-25 Joseph always knew that Egypt was nothing more than a brief stopover on the way to the greater goal.

Paul wrote, “I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.” Philippians 3:12- 14 (CEV)

Something bigger than his dream motivated Joseph and kept him going. Yes, he believed in doing his best at whatever he put his hands to and God also blessed him so he could excel. Closer inspection will reveal, however, that it was the promises of God that motivated him. It was the place he would be transported to in his death that really powered his engine. God, we know, was very displeased with those whose mentality was stuck in Egypt and Joseph was never to be one of those. Joseph could see well beyond Egypt and for us to enter the Kingdom we must fix our gaze on things above not on things below. It all started when we entered through the narrow gate and boy was it glorious but there is yet a Canaan to enter, a Kingdom to possess. We must travel the straight path towards eternal life.

If Joseph highly regarded Egypt he would have allowed his body to be left there but Egypt was not the destination. “And Joseph said to his brethren, ‘I am dying; but God will surely visit Brethren, stop dwelling on the salvation experience and begin to press towards entering the Kingdom. Move on from the Brazen Altar but don’t get stuck at the Laver either. Continue into the Holy Place. So how do we know we have entered the Kingdom. I may not know all the signs but this I do know. Those who enter the Kingdom have had a heart and mind reset. As the Israelites could not enter Canaan with residues of Egypt so also those who enter the Kingdom must have transcended this life in their hearts and in their thinking. “... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2

Of this we can be sure, those who enter the Kingdom have already departed this world. They might be here physically but not in heart and mind. Those who cannot leave will not possess the promised land. p

By Homer Slack author, preacher, Bible teacher, IT tutor, programmer & graphic designer

God works according to His wisdom, in mysterious ways; He sees the human heart; our motivation and commitment. He knows each one of us better than we know ourselves. Therefore each baptismal experience will is unique. There are two forms of baptism; one by water and the other by the Holy Spirit. Whatever our journey, through these two baptisms I believe we should all come to that same unity in the Holy Spirit that is not contrary to God’s Word. Jesus in The Tabernacle It is amazing how our spiritual journey is mirrored in the Godgiven pattern of the Tabernacle. At the Bronze alter we acknowledge our sin and realise Jesus’ perfect ‘lifeblood’ that atones for us as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Sin enabled us to remain ignorant, deceived, tempted through our weaknesses and ultimately death because it blinded us to our need for the blood of Jesus. My Baptism Experience G

By Caron Moore

From My Own Experience. Firstly, I wasn’t a ‘bad’ person; I always tried to do right by people but I was ignorant, I did not know God. I decided to attend church after reading a ‘Why Jesus’ booklet, I said the sinner’s prayer; without really understanding and in obedience I told a friend I’d given my life to Jesus.

We cannot assume our ‘good’ lives will bring us to God or protect us from deception. That was the big challenge for me. When you live with this void you are weak and you don’t realise it until you have entered into the Kingdom of God. I did not know I was getting weighed down by my worries, guilt and mistakes, yet when I was ‘born again,’ I felt a weight lift off my shoulders’. This is what Jesus said, “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

I knew very little about Christianity and no-one influenced me in the steps I needed to take to become a Christian. As I made the journey I might have thought I made it on my own but I realised God’s hand had been on my life. I remember my mind being like a battlefield; doubts and feelings of inadequacy taunted me. Thanks to God, I overcame those negative moments.

As I attended the Methodist Church several months passed, hymns became personal prayers. The intercessional prayers provided comfort and relief about world events that worried me. I purchased a Bible, I’m not an avid reader but as I started reading the gospels I became engrossed in the life of Jesus, it touched me deeply. Jesus who brought love, healing, deliverance and truth gave up His life to be humiliated, scorned, beaten, mocked, nailed to the cross and pierced. Ashamedly, in my ignorance, I could’ve easily been part of the crowd shouting, ‘Crucify Him’!

My First Easter Journey. On Easter Sunday, Holy Communion service, I found myself oblivious to those around me, it was just me and God. I shook emotionally as I contemplated going to take Holy Communion. I knelt was given the bread and then the wine; the body and blood of Christ given for me. As I got up to return to my seat, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. At that moment I felt overwhelmed by God’s Love, It was bursting from my heart. I told my husband later that I was ‘born again’. I knew I’d received acceptance and love by someone far greater than any human expression and this instantly impacted on my low self- esteem. I had also been baptised by the Holy Spirit.

That was almost 30 years ago, my journey has had its challenges; bereavement, depression, anxiety and rejection have played their part in my development. The next stage of the Tabernacle- the Bronze Laver correlates with my journey. It was lined with mirrors (Exodus 38:8) the Priest was required to ceremonially wash his hands and feet in the water while examining himself in the mirror before entering the Holy Place, otherwise, he would die. (Exodus 30:20).

Gods’ word is the mirror that I use to examine myself, my attitude and actions. Through correction and discipline, I am being washed as the High priest would wash after sin offerings.

My High Priest; Jesus Cleanses me (Hebrews 7). Jesus had more authority than the High Priest when He washed the disciple’s feet ( John 13) and told them to do likewise. He washes us clean, makes us presentable to God and calls us to be Holy. Therefore we have the boldness to come before the throne of Grace. I am forever grateful. p