December 2015 Spirit Food

This month let’s focus on our position in this life!

1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people...

In this passage of scripture, God calls us “a royal priesthood”. This means that we are kings as well as priests under the king-priesthood of Jesus Christ. This had never happened before in the history of God’s people. In the Old Testament, kings and priests were two distinct groups of people. You were either a king or priest, but not both at the same time.

Today, because we are in Christ, we are king-priests—a royal priesthood. This means that we have a double portion of speaking power because as kings, “Where the word of a king is, there is power” (Ecclesiastes 8:4), and as priests, “by their word every controversy and every assault shall be settled”. (Deuteronomy 21:5)

So if you are a Christian businessman, you will have an edge over worldly businessmen. What you say about your business deals will come to pass. And if you are falsely accused, know that by your very word, every controversy and every assault will be settled!

As a king-priest parent, when you bless your children, your words have the power to set in motion supernatural events which will bring them into God’s abundance and superabounding grace. There will be such a courage and resilience about them that it will empower them to win the fights of life!

When the devil comes to you and says that you will die young because your father and grandfather died young, or that you will never be successful because you are not well-educated, you must remember that the devil is neither a king nor a priest. There is no power in his words. But there is power in yours because you are a king-priest in Christ!

The majority of times, the devil’s words come to you in your thoughts. With every thought that comes to you which appears to be negative, know that our Heavenly Father only desires you to be well blessed, so you can be a blessing to others. If you have a negative thought, don’t listen or focus on it. Instead of agreeing with him, believe and declare, “I am the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. With long life He will satisfy me and show me His salvation!” Say, “The Lord will make my way prosperous and give me good success!” Use your double portion of speaking power and see these blessings come to pass!

John 16:23 - “…Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

Jesus! His name in Hebrew, Yeshua, means salvation—healing, preservation, wholeness, wellness, provision, safety and deliverance for you and your family!

Realize that whenever a prayer is spoken and it’s prayed by saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end, the entire faith for that prayer to be answered; not in who I am or what I have done, but in the person and name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and what He has done at the cross!

Whenever we ask God for anything in Jesus’ name, Jesus says to us, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” This means that in your prayer for healing, when you say “in Jesus’ name”, healing comes over your sick body because it is by His stripes that you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24) In your prayer for protection, when you say “in Jesus’ name”, you are kept safe because the blood of Jesus protects and delivers you from evil. (Exodus 12:13)

So, slow down at the end of prayer and say, “Father, I ask all this not based on what I have or have not done, but based on Jesus and His finished work at the cross. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

In the Bible, God clearly shows us that He wants to meet not just our needs, but also our wants. For example, the famous “shepherd psalm” begins with “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”. (Psalm 23:1) Another psalm says, “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:9–10)

This fear is not that of being afraid, but that of worshipping His Holy Name. One of the names of our God is Jehovah Jireh, which means “the all-providing One”. He provides more than enough. The God of more-than-enough came in the flesh and walked among His people. And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He did not give His disciples small blessings. That is why He said to Peter, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets [plural] for a catch,” (Luke 5:4) and not “let down your net [singular]”. And what a catch it turned out to be—a boat-sinking, net-breaking catch! It was such a big and unexpected blessing that Peter and all who were with him were “astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken”.

See God’s heart for you today. He desires to prosper you. Don’t settle for anything less, thinking that He only supplies your needs and not your wants. If you need a job, know that He wants you to pray not just for a job, but for a position. When you have a position, you have influence and you are able to impact lives. Maybe what you need is a pay increment. Then, pray not just for that, but also to be in a position to give increments!

2 Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

The verse tells us that we have “this treasure” in earthen vessels. Who is the treasure? Christ! The Holy Spirit! Who are the earthen vessels here? You and I! Thank God the treasure is in the earthen vessels.

The Holy Spirit, the treasure is in you. So don’t get frustrated when you see your “earthiness”. You will always be “earthen” as long as you are in your mortal body, but remember that Christ is the treasure is in you.

Should you lose your cool with your spouse or children, remember that Christ in you, is your patience. When I feel impatient, I don’t pray, “Lord Jesus, give me patience...now!” No, I look to Jesus and I say, “Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are my patience.”

When I’m dealing with an issue, and it becomes what I see as persistent, I like any earthen vessel, have a tendency to get frustrated. I pray: “God, I am so frustrated trying to overcome my (whatever the issue is). I realize this is bigger than me. I roll the care of this issue over onto You, as I cannot handle it alone. Holy Spirit, and ministering angels, attend, In Jesus Name, Amen. Heavenly Father, You can. I rest and depend on You.”

The more you see that treasure in you, the more Christ’s brilliance shines forth in you. And in the midst of your earthiness, God gets the glory, as you yourself are transformed from glory to glory! (2 Corinthians 3:18)

John 14:27 KJV - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Proverbs 4:23 - Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. ... Above everything else guard your heart, because from it flows the springs of life.

Each individual needs to make the quality decision to “Guard your heart”, and “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” This isn’t something one “earthen vessel” can do for another. But thank Jesus Christ that He sent The Holy Spirit to be our comforter and instructor in showing us how to accomplish this! Glory Be to His Name!