THE STORY, Chapter 4
Exodus 1-7, 10-14
Deliverance
You are a Minister of Jesus Christ
"I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Exodus 19:4-6(NIV)
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10(NIV)
You are a Minister of Jesus Christ
God promised to make every man, woman and child of Israel a priest, a minister, a connector of God and people. But that promise was contingent on their obedience. They did not obey and therefore did not live out the promise.
However, in the New Testament all those who trust in Jesus are declared the very same “kingdom of Priests” which God had proclaimed for the Israelites at Sinai. How? Through the obedience of Jesus.
This is not optional. If you are a follower of Jesus and are therefore “saved” your are automatically enrolled with God as a minister of Jesus Christ. Christians serve. There is no such thing as a Christian who is not on active duty in God’s “Salvation army”. Remember God’s job description of all in Abraham’s family tree (including all who are adopted into that family tree through Jesus)? That job description, life purpose was and is “Blessed to be a blessing”.
Prayer
“Lord, lead me this day to someone whom you want me to bless and serve. Thank you, Lord. Amen."
From the book "The Call of our Priesthood" by Wayne Monbleau:
ReplyDelete"God gave Moses the pattern for an entire specific temple in the Old Testament, based upon a heavenly reality of these three unique rooms (the outer court, the inner court and the Holy of Holies). We are now, in this day, the temple of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' name and this same pattern, these same three rooms arefulfilled in us through Jesus Christ. Let us highly value all three. This reawakening of our priesthood has the potential to heal, strengthen and empower the body of Christ in a way that has not yet been seen in this world. Truly this will please our Lord themost-to be prepared for His return-honoring Him in His fullness by living fully in Him-outer court, inner court and Holy of Holies."
The only way we can understand our identity as Priests unto God is to draw near to Him in every way possible. Yearn for that which is deeper, more intimate and more real than we can imagine. Asking and relying on his provision of himself to lead us into the blessing He has graciously bestowed upon us so that we can minister not only for Him but unto Him.