Day 64 Shepherd, King, Priest

 

3/6/2025 

With the threat of a cyclone sweeping across diverse places in the earth, threatening effects around me with strong winds bending and snapping trees like twigs and rain in gales and torrents sweeping wildly across the roads, I stand in awe of the presence of the Lord. Yesterday, I had an appointment, and I was caught in the mess of the storm. Fortunately for me, the roads were relatively clear. Had I known all this would break loose, I would have canceled my appointment. 

This morning I received an urgent prayer request from ministry friends in Australia about a Tropical Cyclone Alfred anticipated to cross the SE Queensland coast early on Friday morning. Add to that all the excitement, good and bad, in our world, it is apparent that God is on the move, and He is determined to show us all that He is the only One who will be praised when all is said and done. If you doubt it, do a word study on when God says, "and they will know I am God," or better yet, do one on "If...then...!"

As I began my day, I had to ask Abba to forgive me for choosing to answer a phone call last night, rather than continue what I was doing. The phone call was not bad in any way, it just lasted two and half hours or better, and mostly it was one sided. God keeps reminding me that "love covers a multitude of sins," which is the only advice I can offer to myself and others. The Word of God is, after all, a sword of the Spirit, that is active and alive, quick and powerful, more so than any sword in the natural, even the Japanese samurai sword! His Word should always be our go-to for answers to all of life's questions.

I was so excited this morning to see Jurgen Buehler, our CEO at ICEJ, at the meeting. Seeing him lifts my spirit. The prayer was directed from 1 Timothy 2:1-8, one everyone should be familiar with, as it teaches us through the writings of Apostle Paul, called by God, to younger Timothy, pastor of the church at Ephesus to pray for leaders. Before that I had been in my personal study of the book of Hebrews, continuing my study of the priesthood. Both readings from 1 Timothy as well as Hebrews were so exciting and insightful that I don't know which to share in one blog. So whatever I write, know that it will be shortened for brevity of time.

In Hebrews 7:11-14 Andrew Murray is explaining that the priesthood as we know it began with Aaron, brother of Moses, as the assigned High Priest, and the tribe of Levi as the priesthood. In Genesis 14, the King of Salem and High Priest Melchizedek is introduced. When Abram successfully wins the battle against several kings who raid Sodom and Gomorrah and take Lot, after rescuing his nephew and while  taking the spoils of war he, is approached by Melchizedek who brings out bread and wine, and he is identified as the priest of the most High God. He blesses Abram by saying: "Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand." Abram then gives his tithe of 10% of all the plunder into the hands of Melchizedek. Abram did not keep any of the goods, however. Aaron did not become a High Priest until much later in scripture after God sent Moses to rescue Israel from Egypt. Melchizedek appears and disappears, but he is a shadow of the great High Priest, greater than Aaron, Jesus Christ, our King of kings and LORD of lords.

I know Hebrews is not an easy read, but if you are a daily reader of the Word, it becomes so alive and real, and as you seek God, He promises that He will be found. I'll share more about this later on. But, until then, think about these words, "who brings out bread and wine." 

My title "Shepherd, King, Priest" may be a little misleading or misunderstood, but in time, perhaps, you will begin to see. I am certain you are familiar with Jesus' discussion with His disciples in John 10 when he identifies Himself as "the Good Shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep.

It is so important that we properly align ourselves with scripture. It takes time, alone with Abba, to understand. This is why discipleship is so important, and it is why each pastor should make certain that his sheep, entrusted to him by God, receive additional instruction in the word and support in their individual walks. I am always saying that men need men to walk beside them. I was criticized by a pastor long ago, because I begged someone to be a friend to my husband who was struggling. So I was called a Jezebel, but if you know who she was, I don't resemble her at all, plus my request was for assistance nothing licentious. It is clear from the scriptures that men are the heads or leaders of their families, a spiritual umbrella of protection as well as a protector physically. If they are weak, their umbrella has holes in it, and the wife and children are vulnerable to spiritual attack. God holds men accountable in this regard. So if there are any ladies listening, respect your husbands and pray for them. Be honorable in your life choices. God is merciful, and he cleans us up when we stumble, but their are consequences. Use 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, and Proverbs 31 as guides.

God commands us in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for all men, greater and lesser in responsibilities. So let me end by writing an expansion of these words for clarity:

1 Timothy 2:1-8 Therefore, I exhort (urge, strongly encourage, admonish) that supplications (petitions), prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, for kings (Romans 13:1) and all who are in authority (high responsibility, prominent places) that (outwardly) we may lead a quiet (undisturbed) and peaceable life (inwardly) in all godliness and reverence (dignity, seriousness in every way.) For this is good and acceptable (Romans 12:2) in the sight of God our Savior (2 Timothy 1:9) who desires all men be saved (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; John 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:10, Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9) and to come to the saving knowledge of the truth (John 17:3; John 14:6). (The Amplified Bible says: who wishes all men to be saved and increasingly to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the divine Truth.) For there is (only) one God and (only) one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 3:20; Hebrews 9:15), who gave Himself a ransom for all (people, a fact that was) (Mark 10:45) to be testified in due time (the right and proper time) for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle (Ephesians 3:7-8; 1 Timothy 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:11; Galatians 1:15-16). I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying - a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands (Psalm 134:2) without wrath and doubting (anger or quarreling or resentment and disputing).

The verses that follow relate as to how women should behave, but I will forego that delicate discussion, but suffice it to say, God says so. Be blessed in your adventure in the Word of God.