Good morning everyone and praise the Lord for another day and another chance because there is somebody that didn’t get a chance this morning. The question now becomes; what are you going to do with your chance? When I got ready to do this message the first thing that came to mind was the King of Kings so I started searching scriptures that had to do with crowns. Walk with me for a little while.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come before you on behalf of my brothers and sisters in Christ to ask that You would remind us that bitterness and hopelessness are not just emotions, but rather choices that we make. Help us each day to count our blessings and to give You thanks, for we can always “choose” our attitude. Help us to choose to walk each day with You, so that we can find an inner joy and the “peace of God which surpasses all understanding.”* In Jesus’ Holy name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
FOUR CROWNS
Of Thorns
Matthew 27:27-31
Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
The Savior’s Crown of Gold
Revelation 4:1-4
Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.
The Saint’s Crown of Rejoicing
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.
The Servant’s Crown of Glory
1 Peter 5:1-4
And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
The Savior’s crown was the fruit of the curse; the saint’s crown is the fruit of the Cross; the servant’s and the shepherd’s crowns are the Master’s rewards for faithful service.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them– every day begin the task anew.”
Francis de Sales
WITH HOPE AND FAITH; follow us on the foundation community site: http://facebook.com/therelationshipfactory
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION & THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY