From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Us, Kingdom priests? Yes, it's true! He has made us His royal priesthood. Paulette Reed asks a potent question in her article: "Are you prepared for your royal moment?" This is a great message about our Kingdom roles and after you read it, you'll have a greater perspective of who YOU ARE in the Kingdom as you rule and reign with Christ Jesus.
Here are also a couple of resources that will help you to walk in the supernatural and God's power:
Blessings,
Steve Shultz
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The ElijahList, Breaking Christian News and Prophetic.tv
http://www.elijahlist.com
Paulette Reed:
"Sitting At the Feet of a King As Royalty"
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.—Revelation 5:10
A few months ago I had a supernatural moment while driving to a supernatural conference. I experienced a spiritual shift in my life and I'm so excited to share it with the Body of Christ so my encounter can become your encounter. As I drove into Phoenix, AZ, my cell phone rang and a team member shared that a few supplies needed for our conference had been inadvertently left at the resource center. I quickly turned my car around and headed back toward the desert to pick up the items. Once the supplies were loaded I hopped back into my car. While driving I asked Jesus to accelerate my journey as I was longing for corporate worship and didn't want to miss a single note.
A few minutes had passed since my little prayer when a semi-truck/trailer came off the ramp onto the freeway. It was Knight Transportation and it pulled up directly to my right. A few seconds later another semi-truck/trailer approached behind me. Again, Knight Transportation and this one pulled up directly to my left. I smiled as I strongly sensed I had just received a royal escort. Next, a third semi-truck/trailer entered the freeway and drove directly in front of me. It was Swift Transportation.
Now, I know our ministry has an angel named "Swift" who frequently helps us accelerate the Lord's work, so I chuckled as my vehicle was now sandwiched between three huge transportation vehicles. I realized I was traveling much faster than I had been when I was alone. I put the pedal to the metal and arrived at the church on time! I hadn't missed one beat of the worship music.
As I recalled the testimony later, someone asked me if I was able to keep up with the huge "escorts." I commented, "I didn't have a choice!" At that time I thought to myself how we should be mindful of what we ask the Lord for.
We See So Dimly
Friends, I am often amazed at how dimly we actually see. God is not a deceiver–He does hear and He does see and He does answer! Of course we never want to sound or be "super spiritual," but we must realize that God is everywhere and in everything (Psalm 24:1). I had asked and immediately I received. I know Holy Spirit could have supernaturally transported me to the conference, but He chose to use the practical things of the world…perhaps to confound the wise. Or, perhaps to allow the supernatural interventions in life to happen naturally. I wonder how many we miss daily?
That day in the car with Holy Spirit reminds me of a husband and wife married fifty years. They've spent so much time together that they know each other extremely well. They're quietly, confidently aware their partner will always be there to hear their requests. They seem to know what each other is thinking or is about to say, even before it happens.
It's the same with the Lover of our souls. As we send our requests to Heaven, He already knows our needs/wants and may have dispatched "escorts" to guide us, long before we even ask. Oh beloved, the more time we sit at the feet of our King, the better we know Him and become like Him. Matthew 13:58 tells us, "And He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." How often do we simply wish rather than ask in faith and then assume God has not heard the desires of our heart?
A Royal Moment
The longer I follow Jesus the more I realize we live out the Living Word, and I believe the King of kings has a royal moment waiting just for you! You will know it when it happens.
According to Isaiah 61:3 there comes a time when the Lord bestows a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. His people are called "oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor."
Listen, beloved—are you prepared for your royal moment? Do you realize the King's daughter is all glorious within? Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She will be led to the King in embroidered work (Psalm 45:13-14). Oh, how exciting to watch God raise up a great company of women in this hour who proclaim the good news (Psalm 68:11).
As all things are restored it's crucial that we walk in our proper roles as royal priests and kings. Ephesians 1:10 tells us that in the dispensation of the fullness of time God will gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven and which are on earth—in Him. Jesus is in Heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, and God has placed all things under His feet. As Blood bought children, we have been crucified with Christ and have been raised together with Him to live a resurrection life. Ephesians 2:10 goes on to say, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
We are the sons of God in the fullest sense of the word. We are one with the Son, which is the most intimate, knowing relationship in all of creation. There is no separation in God's eyes. When will our eyes be opened to fully see our partnership in the Godhead? Alleluia, dear priests and kings! What an amazing journey as we walk out the good works God has prepared for us.
We Are Priests
We see clearly in I Peter 2:9 that all Believers are priests. This seems much easier for the Body of Christ to grasp than the truth that we're all kings. We know we are a priesthood, chosen by God, possessed by God, holy like God and royal to God. We have immediate access to Him and we don't need a human priest as a mediator because our Heavenly Father provided one Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. We have direct access to God, through God.
Now, we're certainly not chosen, possessed, and holy to do nothing and to live mediocre lives. Of course not! We're called to minister in the presence of God, to live an active role in His presence. Our lives are a priestly service and we're always in the court of the temple while our lives are a spiritual service of worship (Romans 12:1-2).
In other words, as priests, we are to serve God no matter what our vocation. Not because we have to, but because we want to! And, there is not one vocation that is more "sacred" than another because Christ is Lord over all. His Word applies to all. The Word does not say that ministry is "sacred" and other vocations are "secular." Life itself is sacred. God is life and all Believers are life-giving priests.
So, the same Priest "who loves us, and released us from our sins by His Blood," made us to be a Kingdom priests to His God and Father (Revelation 1:5-6). What a wonderful message! Christ as our High Priest not only atoned for our sins, but made us companions in the priestly office. He bestowed upon us a royal priesthood.
Because we are royal priests, we are to serve God daily by proclaiming His excellencies and reigning upon the earth to His glory. In other words, by His grace, we can serve Him and reign with Him, for Him. Wow, what an honor to be a royal priest who intercedes before God for another person, a family, a city or a nation. We can bear the burdens of others and we are the go-between for them before God. We identify with the weak, helpless, fear-filled, unborn, sick, poverty stricken, homeless, hungry and depressed in prayer. We ask on their behalf, in faith, believing. Then, as the Father gives direction, we GO and minister to them and His POWER becomes available to set them free.
We Are Kings
Now our kingly role seems to be more challenging to accept and riles up the flesh. When I shared this message a few months ago, asking about 200 women if they believed they truly are kings, maybe 30 or so raised their hands. This is a problem because the Church must come to the realization that as we GO we must function as kings. A true priesthood goes behind the veil. However, the royal priests need to come OUT with a strategy to exercise dominion in the world. How do we do that?
Here's what happens. As we're serving God as His royal priesthood, a day comes when He no longer calls us servants, but He calls us friends. I love the timely prophetic song we are hearing in the Body of Christ, "He calls me friend." Well, you know how it is with friends. You want to find out what they're doing and join them right? So, we simply find out what God is doing in His Kingdom and join Him. He's told us to ask and we shall receive. So, we go before the King and ask Him for what we need in order to be His ambassadors. We need what He has. We can't represent the King of kings without His power, His finances, His healing.
It seems a dichotomy that a friend gives us commands, but it is so. Here's how the marvelous truth is stated in John 15:11-16 in The Message Bible:
I've told you these things for a purpose: that My joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is My command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are My friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father. You didn't choose Me remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to Me, He gives you.
Kings Bear Fruit
How do we advance God's Kingdom? We become one with the King—hearts beating as one with His passions becoming ours. The desires of our heart are His desires. Perhaps ask yourself today what your passion is. There's your destiny for as you delight yourself in the LORD He will give you those desires (Psalm 37).
Be aware that a religious demon opposes the desires of the heart and believes we'll all be sent to the brutal jungle to serve as an act of penance, perhaps. We must choose heavenly wisdom over this deceptive thinking or we actually can become the greatest enemy of our own desires, sabotaging the dreams of God by neglect. How sweet when God no longer calls us servants, but friends, and we give our hearts permission to dream! We are then free to plan our course while we allow God to determine our steps.
Isn't it interesting that sometimes we think it's illegal to administrate our dreams? It's not. Write down your dreams for the Kingdom (sphere of influence) God has given you. Count the cost and then march into your kingdom boldly, victoriously. Kings don't cower in doubt and uncertainty.
How exciting to know that when we become friends of God and priests and kings serving the extreme King of kings, we're in a great position to receive God's favor.
Moses is an excellent example of a friend of God. He spoke face to face with Him as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11). Did he have God's favor? Absolutely! He led millions of grumbling and murmuring people. As kings we need favor because often we're commanded by the King of kings to make unpopular decisions. As we're surrounded with His shield of favor we're able to take ground and advance the Kingdom even in the face of adversity—especially the face of adversity. Why? Because we're friends of God, displaying His nature and carrying out His will. Any resistance from the enemy only makes us stronger. Think about it. We're our own worst enemies when we get sidetracked with doubt and fear.
Today, friend of God, I pray you receive greater revelation into the nature of His Kingdom and realize you have access to it. You are a priest and a king and can enter into the joy of serving as Jesus served. How marvelous that since we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, He shares His authority with us! Demonic forces have to bow to the authority of a king who speaks the living Word. Praise God as the King of kings sends out His kings to deliver His Word knowing it will NOT return void!
The Kingdom of God is in the kings—that's YOU! As soon as we're saved we are to be discipled so we can be disciples doing what Jesus did. Then, we GO and make more disciples (Matthew 28). We move out of the church building into the works of the Kingdom! "The Kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power" (I Corinthians 4:20). We exercise authority as kings. We GO and preach saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!"
We also know everything needed will be provided as we arise and shine. For nations will come to the light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Rejoice, because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you and the wealth of the nations will come (Isaiah 60). Alleluia! "Oh, King Jesus there is more gold, incense and myrrh about to be delivered. This time not to a baby in a manager but to Your kings, so we can lay it at Your feet."
How exciting to be ambassadors for Christ, knowing our role is a consequence of what God has already done. We are called into royal service, to bear a wonderful message to the world! We have been commissioned to display His nature, His kindness, and His goodness to a world that needs to know Him. Unless we know Him and trust Him we fall short of revealing Him to the nations.
Beloved, you are now impregnated with the truth of your calling in Christ Jesus. He is no ordinary king. He wants to partner with you in all He does. Yield to the kiss of the Bridegroom and move forward fearlessly! We must clearly discern the times and find out what God is doing and wants to do in our little kingdoms/spheres of influence. It's then that we are aligned in 2009, marching daily into divine appointments. Isn't it amazing that as we remain in Jesus He gives us the crown of authority? We choose to live by His Kingdom principles and pray them to earth as they are in Heaven.
For God has made us to be a kingdom and priests and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10).
Paulette Reed
Extreme Prophetic Ministries
Email: info@xpmedia.com
About Paulette Reed: Paulette is operations manager for Patricia King and Extreme Prophetic Ministries, in Maricopa, Arizona. She is a powerful preacher, prophetic minister, encourager, and author. Her passion is to share the love of Christ and unite people to the inexplicable love of our Heavenly Father, exhorting them to arise and reach for their destiny. Paulette loves to see God's people awakened and proclaim the active extension of the Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. She ministers in the revival anointing accompanied by revelatory ministry, healing, miracles, signs and wonders.
