Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Today's scriptures are about being born into Royal Priesthood, by the blood of Jesus Christ. Did you know that you're considered a Priest? A Priest is teacher of the Word of God, a leader, counselor, and one who encourages his (or her) fellow brothers and sisters with the love of God. He (or she) serves God in all that he does, makes it his personal responsibility to keep His commandments, and shares the Gospel of Christ. In the world, a Priest is the head of a church organization, but in Christ, he's much more than that. In the church, he may also be called a Pastor, Minister, Rabbi, Reverend, etc.
Jesus was known as the "Chief Priest" and He taught us how to effectively work for God. Through Him, we should walk with authority, integrity, and with faith in knowing that we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, which gives us the privilege and ability to share the love of God with others. We're all vessels that He uses to touch others in many different ways. Service is a part of the Law to love God and love your neighbor, so we should wear our title with honor and truth.
You may be thinking to yourself, "how could I possible be a Priest, I'm not qualified to do that?" and I know this because that's something that I struggle with often. When I was first called to share His Word through writing daily devotionals, it kind of snuck up on me. I was urged to forward a small message with daily devotional scriptures that I received via e-mail. It started off as three or four sentences, explaining how my day was going, and what that day’s message meant to me. Then the urge became stronger, and I started to thirst for more knowledge. All of a sudden the messages that were delivered through me became stronger, the list of recipients grew longer, and a few years later I look up, and I have a ministry. There's not a day that goes by that the enemy doesn't try to convince me that I'm not smart enough, anointed enough, perfect enough, or qualified enough to teach the word of God. However, each day my Spirit matures a little more, I become a little wiser, and the message is a little better. After all, the blood of Jesus gives us the authority to minister the Word of God, so we don't all have to go to seminary, especially if we don’t feel that calling. If your Spirit leads you to tell a friend about Jesus, or to share your testimony, you'll be doing an injustice if you don't follow His lead. Doing the right thing, helping someone in need, offering prayer, and gathering with people for bible study are all duties of a Priest.
It's written: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Eph. 1:3-6) Paul started out his letter to the Ephesians with this very special message. He let them know that we are adopted sons (and daughters) of God, through Christ, and that alone gives us the ability to be anything we want to be. As long as we're serving Him, and following His will, we'll be blessed with all of the tools and wisdom required to be Priests, and share the Word of God. We cannot get sidetracked or caught up with what other people think, because God said He chose us “to be holy and blameless in his sight”, and that’s all that matters.
Being a Priest isn't always a glamorous job. It's said that conversations about politics and/or religion are sure ways to lose a few friends, and I could surely testify to that. Jesus warned us to be careful about what people would try to do and say to us, and what to expect, because we live in a wicked and perverse nation. They actually beat and killed our Chief Priest, so just imagine the reception could get, when we come in His Name. Jesus said: If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (John 15:19-21) These are some heavy words, and it almost makes you think, "if I'm going to be persecuted, why even bother?" and I have a one word answer to that question, "Obedience". Because of our obedience we'll be filled with God’s awesome love, joy, and peace that surpasses all understanding. His love will radiate in and through us, and cause us to better love our brothers and sisters, which will make us want the same for them. We'll get to a point where all we can talk about is the love of God, and don't care what anyone thinks about it. Remember Dr. Stanley's quote "Obey God and leave the consequences up to Him"?
As believers in Christ Jesus, we're given awesome gifts, however, we're also expected to give a little as well. We enter into a covenant with God, and all He expects from us is love. He doesn't expect us to be perfect human beings, or to never make mistakes, but He expects us to rely on Him in our weakness, and praise Him through all circumstances. Considering our gift of eternal life alone, is that too much to ask? If you are not a believer of Christ, but feel like something’s missing in your life, that's probably it. It's not an accident that you're right here right now. If after reading this you want to learn more, here's a great resource for you, take the God Quiz today, I promise you want regret it. My favorite verse today is: Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests. (Revelations 5:9-10)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455394&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you!