Real Priests
 
The word “priest", typically conjures up an image of an ordained Catholic minister sporting a black jacket, shirt and white collar. The Bible however, presents a different picture of “priest".


Under the old covenant, men from the tribe of Levi served God as priests. As such, they had three primary duties:
1. They presided over Jewish worship rituals, offering assorted sacrifices to God (Deut. 18:5).
2. They were responsible for teaching the Israelites the statutes that the Lord spoke to them through Moses” (Lev. 10:11).
3. They regularly pronounced the following blessing upon Israel, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;  the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace”  (Num. 6:22-26).
 
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Under the new covenant EVERY Christian serves God as a priest.
“…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Pet. 2:5).
 “…you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…" (1 Pet. 2:9)
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever” (Rev. 1:5-6).


As such, ALL Christians are empowered of God to:
1. Worship Him with the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15).
2. Teach others the gospel and the words of God (Mk. 16:15, Col. 3:16 & 2 Tim. 2:2).
          3. Encourage other Christians daily (Heb. 3:13, 10:24-25).


Praise God for allowing us to serve Him in this admirable capacity!


Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

ARE YOU LISTENING?


Scientists claim that normal ears are capable of detecting up to 73,700 vibrations a second. In fact, our ears are so sensitive that if we were placed in a sound-proof room we would likely hear the sound of the blood coursing its way through our veins, and possibly even the beating of our heart.


Which makes it ironic that, despite the divine complexity and remarkable sensitivity of our ears, many of us find it challenging to listen carefully. It is not that we cannot hear; we sometimes just choose not to. Although this can occasionally be a blessing – such as when people nearby use profanity – not listening is frequently counterproductive.

It is said that marital breakdowns begin the moment one or both spouses quit listening. The so-called “generation gap” is more accurately described as a “listening gap”. Even the closest of friends will inevitably drift apart when one or both stop listening. A wise counselor once observed, “If people would only listen to one another I’d be out of a job.”


And what about our relationship to God? Does it not also thrive on healthy communication? Do we not grow spiritually when we speak to our heavenly Father daily in prayer and likewise listen to His replies via His word (Rev. 2:11)? It is no wonder that the Bible has so much to say about the importance of listening. “Be swift to hear...” (James 1:19); “Take heed how you hear...” (Luke 8:18); and “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear...” (Rev. 2:7).


After speaking to His disciples of those whose “ears are hard of hearing” (Matt. 13:15), Jesus commended His faithful followers by saying, “But blessed are your…ears, for they hear.” (Matt. 13:16).


Are WE listening to our Lord?


Jesus, always Jesus!


Dennis