Respect Yourself

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. – Rev 5:10

On this Earth, it is us, Believers, who view Jesus as “King” and respect Him as “Lord”. That is what happened at the point of our salvation: we all accepted Him into our lives as our LORD and call Him our KING. But, if Jesus’ official title is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (1Ti 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16), don’t you realize that implies that WE are kings and lords?

The manifold and multifarious implications of the New Birth are so profound; yet many Believers spend a lifetime barely even scratching the surface. We are more than just reformed sinners or hopeful saints; we are “NEW CREATIONS” in Christ 2Co 5:17.

The phrase, “in Christ” is literal – we are seated together with Him in heavenly places. Eph 2:6 (GNB) says, “In our union with Christ Jesus He raised us up with Him TO RULE WITH HIM IN THE HEAVENLY WORLD.” Hallelujah!!!

As Believers, we live in a higher plane than that of this world, we’re not just conquerors, we’re “more than conquerors” far above principalities and far above all powers, might, and dominion, (Rom 8:37; Eph 1:20).

This is our heritage in Christ Jesus, and while this is just “New Creation 101”, many Believers are ignorant of these fundamental truths.

Is it any wonder then that we live our lives defeated and downcast? Is it any wonder then that the Devil has turned us into his virtual punching bag?

Beloved, we need to rise up to our identity and true nature in Christ. You’re a King and a Lord, show some self-respect and act like one.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN

Dignity in Adversity

O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? – 1Co 15:55

Do Christians experience troubles?

Absolutely. Being a Believer does not automatically mean that your life will become one sweet ride. As a matter of fact, scriptures indicate that your problems may not be in spite of your faith but actually because of it! (Mk 10:30; Jn 16:33, 2Ti 3:12, etc.).

Problems are a common trait of everyone on Earth (Job 14:1). Nevertheless, our response to said problems is what separates us from the world.

Because we are kings on this Earth and because we possess a heavenly citizenship though we live down here (Rev 1:6; Phil 3:20), there should be a level of decorum and decency with the way we face life’s challenges.

If when we receive bad news we scream and shout just like every other person then what testimony do we have to show our neighbours and colleagues? If a doctor’s report instantly turns us morose and grief-stricken, will we now not excuse him/her if we hear them later saying that all these Christians’ “faith” talk is hypocrisy?

In Judges 8:18, when Gideon confronted two Midianite rulers about the identity of some men they had killed earlier, they answered, “They looked like you – every one of them like the son of a king.” (GNB).

Yes, Beloved, even your enemies should be able to observe something dignified about you; something un-common, something royal.

Though adversities may befall us, we’re not like the people of the world; we’re not without hope, without help or without resort.

No matter the news you just received, or your present condition, just know that your God is still on the Throne and everything will yet work out for good.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN

Spiritual Dignity

And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father – to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen. – Rev 1:6 (AMP).

The Bible says in Rev 5:10 that Jesus our Lord has made us “Kings And Priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Being Born Again is more than just an altar-call decision. It’s a total change of your identity and nature. Your spirit was re-created in Christ, you were given a new nature and, yes, you were given a new status: You are now a King, and you are now a Priest.

As king, it means you’re a ruler, a chief or a royal even here on earth. It means you should essentially see yourself as leader wherever you are.

It therefore behoves us to act out this privileged status of ours in our speech, our character and our actions.

In 1Cor 6:3 the Apostle Paul chided members of the church who were litigating one another in secular courts and told them such behaviour was beneath the status of people who would one day judge angels!

In the same vein, because scriptures is replete with promises of a time of reigning to all saints (Mt 19:28; Lk 22:29-30; 2Ti 2:12; Rev 3:21; 5:10; 20:5; 22:5), we ought to live in a way that reflects that truth.

You’re a King, Beloved, act and live like one. 

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN

Stop Looking at the Messenger

“God is no respecter of persons.” – Acts 10:34

There’re no physical cars, houses, jobs, clothes, money, etc. in Heaven. When God wants to bless us with any of these, He places it in the hands of someone around us.

We’re mostly aware of this fact. Nevertheless, sometimes we make the mistake of expecting the blessing to come from the people who look like they can afford it.

Surely this would be true if the blessing was a gift from a well-to-do benefactor. But if the blessing is actually your blessing: a direct provision from God to you and not just someone’s wish, then it doesn’t matter the state or status of the person.

Stop looking at the wealthy around you for your blessing. God put Elijah’s food in the hands of a widow who could barely feed herself. (1 Kings 17)

Stop looking at the state of the people around you for your blessing. The Israelites slaves were inundated with gifts of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing by a people who had just lost their firstborn sons! (Ex 12:36)

Stop looking at the “anointing” of the people around you. Naaman, the leprous Syrian general, got his healing breakthrough from a captive girl (2 Kin 5:1-3).

Indeed, stop looking at people; look to God. A messenger does not need to be a millionaire first before he can be asked to deliver a million-dollar cheque to another party. When we remember this principle, we’ll respect everyone around us equally; because the money, the resource, the wisdom that you need for that breakthrough could come from anyone and from anywhere.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN

“Destiny Helpers”…And Helpers of Destiny

Much of our “help” theology today seems to revolve around so-called “Destiny Helpers”: ostensibly rich, powerful individuals who can singlehandedly do something that will change our lives around forever.

We now have messages on “how to identify your Destiny Helper”, admonitions on how not to offend one’s destiny helper, HOT prayer points on making your destiny Helper appear, etc.

But actually, what many people term “Destiny Helper” should be more correctly called “Helper of Destiny”.

A “Helper of Destiny” is one whose act of generosity helps you fulfil your destiny. A “Destiny Helper” (in the context of this series) is one whose destiny it is to help you.

There’s a subtle but important difference between the two. The former is just been nice, the latter is actually fulfilling their own destiny. If you’re David, the former is Jonathan – someone who simply loves you and will do anything to help you become king; and the latter will be Samuel – someone who will not sit down until they make you king because that is their divine assignment.

You may need to be nice and friendly to a “Helper of Destiny” (Jonathan), but your countenance and friendliness is of no importance to a “Destiny Helper” (Samuel), because what is moving them to help you is beyond you!

A “Helper of Destiny” will help you at their convenience; a “Destiny Helper’s” prosperity is tied to their helping you.

When we know this distinction, we’ll spend less time praying to be in the favour of the former, and pray to meet the latter.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN