Least in the kingdom

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 3

The Least in the Kingdom? Part 3 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 The power of the low place can never be overlooked. Several years ago after sensing God’s call in my life for time ministry, in 1989 I wrote a letter to the beloved R.W. Schambach (a man I have grown to love so much and refer to as my faith mentor from afar) seeking for his counsel and prayers. He replied and amongst many things told me, “stay in the low place, you can never fall from the low place. As God lifts you up, treat your elevation as your new low place. Be the least and God will do great things in and through you”. What a godly word! Humility and a low place disposition will qualify us for God’s mighty acts and elevation. Look at the statement of these three men. Gideon, Saul and Paul. They acknowledged their low place and were in awe of God’s choice despite that. And God did amazing things through them. Gideon:But Gideon replied, “Sir, how can I save Israel? My family is the poorest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least thought of in the entire family!” Judges 6:15 (TLB) Saul:Pardon me, sir, Saul replied. “I’m from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of the tribe! You must have the wrong man! ” 1 Samuel 9:21 (TLB) Apostle PaulFor I am the least worthy of all the apostles, and I shouldn’t even be called an apostle at all after the way I treated the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9 (TLB) When Saul fell, God asked him why he left the low place – when he didn’t think much of himself. 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel told him, “When you didn’t think much of yourself, God made you king of Israel…. Let’s be intentional about our Humility. It is when we are the least in our eyes that God lifts us up. Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 1 Peter 5:6 Amp. Selah.

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 2

The Least in the Kingdom? Part 2 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 Being the least ranks high however, how we treat the least matters most to our Lord. The least are the down trodden, the weak, the poor and the less privileged in our world. Going to the rural areas of India with my covenant friend and brother Rev. Rajushalem Vaska was such an humbling experience some years ago. We experienced first hand the joy of ministering to the least. However, while seeking for partnership from fellow ministers someone said to me, “why go to India, they don’t have money to give you, you will just spend for nothing”. This is the reality of our error. Why do we do ministry? Is it so we could amass wealth? Is that why we focus our mission work only in cities and nations with affluence? Let’s reconsider. Jesus said that he will class people as sheep or goats to go into heaven or hell based on how they treated the least of His disciples by visiting, feeding, clothing and quenching their thirst. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matthew 25:45 KJV If you didn’t do it for the least then you didn’t do it for Christ. We must redefine ministry in the light of pleasing the Lord and ministering to the least. Stop chasing after kings, rulers and wealthy men – that counts little in God’s eyes. Let us pursue the purest form of religion which entails giving attention to the least. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 KJV It is good to give seeds, gifts and offerings to great people to engender the grace they carry but it is of much more blessing to minister to those who can not repay you, to support rural missions and be part of wiping off the tears from the eyes of the least. Let’s minister to the unreached and unchurched. Consider giving to support our “Mission to India Phase 4” efforts to the unreached people groups in India and to strengthen ministers in the fields. If you are feeling led to, kindly ask me how to partner with us. Selah!

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 1

The Least in the Kingdom? Part 1 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 Jesus clearly states that the only one who surpasses John the Baptist is he that is the least in God’s kingdom. What an oxymoron? He that is least in God’s kingdom is greater than John whom we just concluded is the Greatest of All Time Prophet. How can the least be greater? Just as we have observed in previous teachings, God doesn’t look as men see or judge as men judge. In Christ’s estimation, the humbler, the greater. The least in God’s kingdom of grace (divine love reaching down to save men) is greater than the greatest in the world of the law (human endeavor to reach out to God). But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) Both Pride and Humility are only found in the heart and thats where God sets His eyes on. He who must be the head must be he who serves. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it! But among you, the one who serves you best will be your leader. Luke 22:25-26 (Living Bible) The least, the servant or the humble in Christ’s estimation is the greatest. That’s the leader. That’s the Boss. We must become servant leaders if we must gain Christ’s affirmation and promotion. Beloved, to be better or greater than John, we must humble ourselves and pursue the least position. This is what pleases God. Drop all your trophies at His feet, lay low all your titles and achievements and in your patience according to Luke 21:19, possess your soul. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 (KJV) Whoever exalts himself [with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor. Matthew 23:12 (Amp) Please have a modest opinion of yourself so God can raise you to honor. Irrespective of how men perceive you, God’s estimation is what matters most. May God help us to humble ourselves.

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