Dear IFCA Family,
Greetings in the Mighty Name of our God, the Name that's above every name!
One of the greatest truths that you'll find resounding throughout scripture is the immutability of our God. Simply put, he changes not but is the same yesterday, today and forever. For example, many teach and would have you believe today that grace came by way of the New Covenant. The truth, however, is that God has always been a God of grace, both in the Old and New Covenants.
Remember Noah? Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." Same thing can be said of Israel. Deuteronomy 7 actually tells us that the reason God choose Israel to be a "special people unto himself" is because "He set His love upon them." In other words, they did nothing to merit or earn His favor, it was freely bestowed upon them as an act of grace.
In fact, it's with this truth in mind that I now share the first of several Communiques where my focus is going to be on making the tabernacle or God's dwelling place "According to the Pattern."
Again, the last thing that God tells Moses prior to coming down off of the mount is, "See, that you make all things according to the pattern shown thee in the mount." And why is God so adamant to remind Moses of this? It's because the tabernacle that Israel was to erect was nothing more than a type and shadow of God's true tabernacle, his church. As Peter so accurately writes, we are all “lively (or living) stones, being built up as a spiritual house unto God, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone."
Furthermore, even as Israel was instructed to make all things "according to the pattern," I believe the same admonition holds true today. It's part of God's immutable character. That means that although we live in a natural world, we are not to be defined by it.
Again, what are you personally using to build your life as a believer? Better yet, what is the church building with? Is it wood, hay or stubble; the ideology and teachings of the world or is it the gold, silver and precious stones of God's Word? Remember, the day will declare it for what it is.
As always, may God bless you richly!
In His Service,
Bro. Rick George IFCA General Overseer
(Click here to download the May Communique)