focus 2011

"Unto him that loved us, and washed from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Revelation 1:5-6

In this coming new year may we have a renewed focus in pursuing the Lord, allowing Him to work out in our lives the truth that we are kings and priests unto God.

In the Old Testament kings reigned over a certain territory or geographical region and they exercised their authority over that region.

Priests, on the other hand, dealt entirely with the ministry to God. Their purpose was to minister to God daily through sacrifices and rituals.

As New Testament (Covenant) believers we no longer minister to the Lord with animal sacrifices and rituals, but we minister to the Lord through our daily lives. Giving Him first priority, worshiping Him, yielding to His Spirit. Romans 12:1 tells us that we are now the sacrifice that He desires, "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God..."

Through a renewed focus of worship and dedication to God may we be Priests that minister to God.

As kings unto God, we exersize our divine authority in extending the Kingdom of God throughout our world. It was the purpose of kings, not only to rule over their region but to extend their kingdom as much as possible.

As believers it is God's desire that we are a witness to those around us, extending the Kingdom of God. This could be in our workplace, school, neighborhood, city and so forth. Spreading the Gospel.

As New Testament believers, kingship and the priestly office is not reserved for only a select few whom God calls, but we are all kings and priests to God.

"This is the 'day of the saints' - the age of the priesthood of all believers - not centered on one superstar 'man or woman of God' but on the entire Body of Christ being mobilized to do the work of Christ in the world"

- Colin Dye, Senior Minister, Kensington Temple, London

May I yield my life to a higher degree this coming new year, may I not live for myself but give of myself to the Lord.

prayer:

Father I praise You, I thank You that we are kings and priests in Christ. Help us to live worthy of this calling yielding everything we are and have to You. I praise you Lord, in Jesus name. Amen.

Hidden Treasure

"if you seek (Wisdom) as for silver and search for skillful and Godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of (our omniscient) God."

Proverbs 2:4-5

These verses give us the key to knowing God on a more deeper level. We are told that if we seek Wisdom, which is Jesus Himself, as we would seek after silver then we would understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

The key is that we must seek. It continues to say, that the knowledge of God is like hidden treasure.

There are treasure hunters that give their time, resources and energy to find certain treasures. Their life is consumed with finding treasures, they go to the remotes, most dangerous places taking immense risk seeking and searching for treasure.

To have a depth of knowledge of the Lord we have to seek Him as we would seek hidden treasure. In other words, that knowing God would consume our lives; we would hunger and thirst to know more of the Lord. We would seek Him with all of our heart, our mind, our soul and strength.

Many Believers are satisfied with knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior, they know He has saved them from sin and destruction; but there are few who will press on and seek to know the Lord in a much deeper and intimate way as the Apostle Paul exhorts, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

May we press on to know the Lord in a more intimate, deeper level. That we would know His heart beat, what His agenda is, where He is moving on earth, what His secrets are; being consumed with knowing the depths of God, giving our lives to seek the Lord in all His fullness and glory.

prayer:

Father I thank You that You desire to reveal Yourself, but You want Your children to seek You and search for You as hidden treasure; give us strength and a heart that burns to know You more. You said in Your Word, ask, seek, and knock Lord help us to seek You with all our strength. I love You Lord, Amen.

Highest Priority

"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, (a normal working mans's yearly wages) and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her."

Mark 14:2-5

As this story continues Jesus condemned the attitude of his disciples and commended the act of worship that this woman had done. I think many times we can have the attitude of these disciples.

Jesus is not looking for what we can do, He is more interested in who we are, our motives and the intents of our heart. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7).

It is interesting to note that the disciples called this act of worship a waste. They said, "This perfume could have been sold and given to the poor." But Jesus rebuked them and said, "The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want." There will always be ministry to do. But God is more interested in our love and sacrifice to Him.

Sometimes, we may think that taking time out of our busy day to spend alone in prayer is a waste of time. Never think that time alone spent in fellowship with the Lord is wasted, as we spend time in His Presence we are transformed into His image and likeness. (2 Corinthians 3:18) The Lord wants our love, the devotion of our hearts.

In Revelation chapter 2 the Lord says to the Church in Ephesus that they had left their first love. They had neglected the Highest Priority, which is Jesus Himself. He is our Highest Priority, to worship Him and love Him with all of our heart.

prayer:

Lord Jesus I thank You that You are calling us back to our First love, which is You. Forgive us for the times that we strayed from You and neglected time with You. Draw us back to You. I love You Lord. Amen.

Birthday

"For I know the plans I have for you, " Declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Today is my birthday and I thought I would share the card I received from my mom. It has an incredible message.

It says:

In the journey of life,

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU...

In the challenges of life,

GOD HOLDS A HOPE FOR YOU.

In all of life,

GOD HOLDS A LOVE FOR YOU.

Our hearts are full of love for you always, and we thank God for all that He has in His heart for you.

Love Mom and Dad.

In all of life God is in control, this is a message for all of us. May God richly bless you.

Philip

Promises of God

"but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place."

Luke 24:21

In Luke chapter 24 verses 13 through 32 we have the story commonly called, The Road to Emmaus. Two disciples were going to Emmaus and as they walked they discussed all that had happened the days before when Jesus was crucified and buried. Then that morning they received the report from Mary Magdalene and others saying they had found the stone rolled away from the tomb and the Lord's body gone and an angel saying that Jesus had risen from the dead.

As they walked and discussed these things the Bible says that Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him.

It is interesting to note that as they talked with Jesus, even though they did not know it was Him, they confessed their doubt as to the promises that they had received from the Lord before He was crucified.

The promises that He would be crucified at the hands of the Gentiles and on the third day rise from the dead. Jesus reprimands these disciples for being foolish in doubting and slow to believe the promises that were spoken in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah.

I believe that many times we are like these two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. God has given us countless promises in His Word, specific promises that He has spoken to our hearts and because we don't see them fulfilled right away we begin to doubt and say within, "Well, time has passed, and I still don't see it. I had hoped that it was true but maybe..."

Jesus reprimands the disciples for doubting and for being slow to believe.

Let us hold onto the promises of God, let us not doubt, if He has spoken something to you hold on and believe because when the time comes he will fulfill it.

prayer:

Lord Jesus I thank You for Your Word and the promises You have given us from Your Word. I pray that we will not doubt but believe and I pray that You will open our minds and hearts to trust and understand. Give us strength in the time of waiting. Thank you Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.