Whose Ministering to You?

"These search for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean" (Nehemiah 7:64).

Who do you have ministering to you? This question is vital and it impacts the quality of your spiritual life. Nehemiah as he was moving to re-establish the eminence of Jerusalem, knew that he had to ensure that the priesthood was not corrupted by individuals with impure or improper motivations, but they had a track record and a legacy of ministry.

The priesthood in those days were passed on through clans and family lineage. The Levites were from the tribe of Levi and they handled the responsibilities of the temple and ministering to God's people. Those who ministered in those days were not self-proclaimed with no background and experience to minister. These men were groomed into ministry and they were tested according to the Word of the Lord.

Paul tells Timothy of the importance in placing individuals in ministry in the books of I and II Timothy. Why is this vital and important? Because one who ministers to you are dealing with you in a most vulnerable state. When one is hearing the Word of God, they are a open vessel. All guards are placed down and spiritually they are very vulnerable. If one does not take care in their ministry and take into consideration God's people one can easily be spiritually taken advantaged of or even abused. That is why we hear of such outrageous stories of spiritual abuse where people never left the church. Spiritually they were vulnerable and were open prey for the misguided minister.

In my almost three decades that I have been in ministry and over two decades that I have been a pastor of a church, I recognize the importance of being committed and devoted to the things of God in my life. There is no substitute for holiness and sanctification in the life of a minister. In my younger years of ministry I wish I had really understood the dynamics of leadership and the enormous responsibility of living by a Godly standard. My experiences have taught me that one who follows a minister can be no greater than their teacher. The Minister of God sets the standard in every aspect of the ministry. It is not just on Sunday mornings, or for Bible Study, but it is in the power of his or her life-style.

In essence, if your Pastor is a blessed man or woman of God, that influence will be in his preaching and teaching. I do believe their is an anointing on the lives of men and women of God who minister, those who follow our teachings of the Gospel participate in our blessings and in the anointing that God has graced us with. If a Pastor is Holy and Sanctified, his preaching and influence will impact the ministry to the standard of Holiness and Sanctification. If a Pastor is Prosperous and Abundant in the Biblical context (Not raping the sheep financially)! The people of God will also be influenced to embrace their prosperity and abundance. The Church is nothing more than a reflection of the Man of God.

This is why Nehemiah was serious about who he placed in the priesthood. These individuals had to have a track record of ministry success and it had to be verified!

Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!

Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA

Spiritual Prayer Treatment

Father, bless the men and women who share
the Gospel. May their lives line up with
you and may the influence of their ministry
be magnified!
In the Name of Jesus and Through His Power!
Amen! And So It Is!

Special Note: It is Awesome to be back sharing the word of the Lord! I took a little break, but will be back to my daily schedule! Also for more inspiritation go to www.powerfaithandliving.com