Category: Ministry

Your Identity

1^st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Vs. 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

What’s more important? How (people) man sees you or how God sees you?

According to 1st Peter 2:9 and 10 this is how God sees us:

• Chosen…to set apart (but not better than)
• Royal priesthood…God given authority 
• Holy nation…God is not a respecter of persons, being a nation means you are united with others like yourself
• His own…God looks at you as His very own
• Special people…God given gifts and talents
• Gave clear vison in darkness…God wants His people to see clearly, even in darkness
• Have His mercy…God loves so much, His mercy endureth for ever

1^st Peter 2:4 “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. 

• It’s very important that you know who you are and whose you are.
• Knowing your name is important, but knowing your identity is also important.

“One might ask, how do I show my appreciation to God for these blessings?”

The answer is found in:

Psalm 139:14 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.“

We give God praise for His marvelous works.

The bible also describes us as Kings and Priests:

Rev 1:6 “and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

• Kings…rule over a kingdom
• Priests…One who is designated an authority on religious matters

We honor God when we walk in the authority of how he sees us.

Titus 2:14 “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

“Father in heaven, we give you the praise glory and honor that you so rightly deserve. Thank you for loving us and choosing us to a chosen generation, in the name of Jesus…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Snake Bite

“Shake It Off”

Acts 28:5 “But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm”

Danger can be all around and sometimes disguised as something innocent, presenting no harm. This type of danger often will be right in front of people, but yet unseen.

Acts 28:1-6 records how the Apostle Paul dealt with a danger that came upon him, and also describes other peoples view and reactions to what happens.

1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

Vs 1 A place of refuge

2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

Vs 2 First impression “displayed unusual kindness”

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Vs 3 Many times when you are trying to help, evil will be hidden in plain view and then attempt to attach itself to you.

4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”

Vs 4 People are always “watching and talking” and often times are fickle, changing frequently. Especially as regards to loyalties, interests, or affection…bouncing around from one side to another. People who are fickle are not firm or steady in affection, behavior, opinion or loyalty. Sad to say but the reality of it is…a lot of times you just can’t trust them due to the fact that they are ever changing.

5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Vs 5 If or when evil attempts to attach itself to someone, it would be a wise decision to follow Paul’s example. Not only did Paul “shake off” the creature, he eliminated it from returning and bothering him again by using the fire to destroy it.  Because Paul took this course of action, he suffered no harm and eliminated the possibility of this problem returning to harm him again. Being hesitant about confronting danger, or something that is attempting to harm you can have lasting consequences. A person has to also deal with danger in a way that it cannot not return again to harm them.

6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Because people can be fickle at times, the same people that accept you, can change their feelings that they have toward you in the twinkling of an eye, and condemn you. They will often expect a negative outcome about problems they see you experiencing. Once they see that you are victorious, they will again change and put you on a pedestal and make you into what they want you to be in their eyes.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being an ever present help in the time of need…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

 

One person can make a world difference

Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”

Because of Noah’s grace with God, he not only made “a world a difference”, he “made a difference in the world.”

Genesis 6:7 “So the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.”

Noah was one person who was able to “make a difference” by becoming an instrument in saving mankind from total destruction by the flood.

Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

Noah’s priority was to be focused on having a righteous lifestyle that was pleasing to God.

Genesis 6:14 “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch.”

Noah was singled out by God from his contemporaries and God chose him as the person to accomplish this great work.

Genesis 6:13 “And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has become before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Violence and corruption filled the earth during this time that Noah was living. The reason that Noah stood out as one who “walked with God”, was because he did not allow what was going on around him to affect his fellowship with God.

Genesis 6:22“Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Because of Noah’s faith in God and his obedience to what God commanded him to do, Noah became “one person that made a difference”. Noah’s family, the many animals and every living thing that was in the ark during the flood, survived the flood.

Genesis 8:1“Then God remember Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.”

After the flood, Noah continued to show his faith and displayed his gratefulness to God by building an alter and making a sacrifice, which God accepted.

Genesis 8:20 “Then Noah built an alter to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the alter.” Vs 21”And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in his heart, I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.”

Many times we may feel that what we are doing is some thing small, minor or of no significance. That way of thinking can be a distraction and keep us from accomplishing what God has instructed or commanded us to do. When God commands us to do something, let us remember the powerful example that Noah displayed.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

All of mankind have benefited from what Noah did, Noah was truly a person that made “a world of difference”. 

” Lord Jesus, may your people remain focused on what you have commanded them to do, and remember the example that Noah displayed.” Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev.

Philippians 2:3 “let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” [KJV]

The word Esteem means to set a value on. When the word self-esteem is used, a person is viewing their self-worth.

There are basically two kinds of self-esteem:

• High / good self-esteem
• Low / bad self esteem

When a person has a positive value of themselves, they feel worthwhile, secure in who they are, and feel confident in their abilities.

When a person has a negative value of themselves, they feel insecure and may have a lack of confidence in their talents or abilities.

The way a person thinks about themselves will have a lot to do with the type of self-esteem they have.

A person’s thoughts will lead their thinking to an idea or opinion about themselves or what is around them.  

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” [NKJV]

What happens around someone can have an effect on how a person may think. What happens on the outside can conform a person’s thoughts to being like what is going on around them. This outward expression does not always reflect what is happening on the inside. This can lead to someone having low self-esteem about themselves.

When a person’s thoughts are focused on being transformed, a change happens that comes from the inside and can be seen on the outside. This transformation will happen when a person allows the Holy Spirit to change their thinking or thoughts.

Romans 12:1,2 and 3 “I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Vs 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Vs 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

Having good self-esteem about yourself is healthy thinking, but a person has to be cautious to not allow it to lead to a “I’m better than ego.”

1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

Father in heaven, may your people be mindful of who they are and whose they are in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev