(CLICK THE PICTURE) Good morning everyone. Today we will have a feast that may be bitter to the taste but oh so satisfying to the spirit. Please let it hit your spirit as it did mine. We say that we want to be in God’s will; today is the day for a heart checkup. Pastor Vic, this message came out of a prayer we shared together awhile back.
Today’s Prayer
(This is a prayer for my spirit. You can make it yours also)
Dear Lord, “I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.” I thank You, Lord, for the difference You have made in my life. Help me as a Christian, to be a person who can make this world a better place, because I have learned to seek Your will and be obedient to it. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Kings and Priests
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. – Revelation 5:10 KJV
The Bible describes two distinct roles in the Old Testament; kings and priests. Kings were the rulers; priests were the spiritual leaders. The New Testament reveals we all are kings and priests because of the redemptive work of Christ.
Today, kings are most often represented by business and political leaders, while pastors represent the priestly roles. God calls each of us to fulfill both roles in our lives today. However, our occupational roles often create a division that is misunderstood by both believers and pastors. These misunderstandings have led to a weakened and less effective Church.
Pastors have been guilty of viewing their believers as dollar signs. They sometimes see them for what they can contribute to their ministries instead of equipping them to use their gifts and talents to impact the believer’s mission field-their workplace.
Workplace believers have tried to get pastors to operate their churches like businesses, and have used their worldly ways for spiritual purposes. They often view the pastor as the primary ministry worker instead of taking on the responsibility themselves to do the work of the ministry.
This is a grievous sin that exists in the Body of Christ, and it requires repentance from both groups. Unless we recognize this, we will never see the reality of revival that God wants to bring to the business community, and pastors will fail to gain an ally to fully complete the work of the Church in their community.
Are you a pastor who has failed to see the calling that workplace believers have received to the workplace? If so, ask God to forgive you for viewing your workplace believers as those to be used for your own purposes.
Are you a workplace believer who sees your church as another business to be run based on worldly measurements? Do you see the pastor’s role as one who is primarily responsible for the work of the ministry? If so, you must repent and ask God to forgive you of this view which is not biblical. God has called both of you to fulfill His purposes together through your gifts and talents.
Quote of the Day
The cry of this world for meaning and hope and life, was met one morning far away in the cry of a tiny babe. And with that cry time stopped and started again. And it was new.
Anonymous
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY
James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.