By Pastor Stephen Andzel
A lot of times people get caught up with labels. “Oh I’m a Republican.” “I’m a Democrat.” “I’m a socialist.” “I’m a capitalist.” Do you know what I tell people when they ask me? I tell them I’m a Christian. In God’s kingdom, Jesus said we’re kings and priests. This means we have to stop thinking like the world, always trying to solve our problems by figuring things out, arguing our point of view and passing the blame. Washington is broke, busted, and out of ideas. The only thing you ever hear about on the news is who is at fault; nobody seems to be providing real answers. God hasn’t called believers to think our way out of problems, He’s called us to believe. He has made us a nation of kings and priests (Revelation 1:6). As kings and priests, we are not subject to the circumstances holding this world back. We have been given power to reign in this life and establish God’s kingdom on the earth.
God created Adam with dominion. He spoke; Adam obeyed; things got done. When Adam sinned he gave up his dominion and death reigned. The devil became the god of this world and set up a system governed by natural law (2 Corinthians 4:4). If you stay subject to the devil’s kingdom, then he’ll use you, abuse you, destroy you and when he’s done with you, drag you to hell. But if you change your mind and choose to believe in Jesus and receive His free gift of righteousness, He’ll make you a king in His kingdom (Romans 5:17). The choice seems pretty clear to me; I know which kingdom I want to be a part of.
Just because it doesn’t look like you are reigning as a king, doesn’t mean you’re not one. If you’re in Christ, then you’re in the King. You can’t be anything but a king in the King! The Bible calls us “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). That means Christ’s inheritance is our inheritance and we have access to the same power given to Him by God and we reign together with Him in His kingdom. Being a king doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. Kings and priests have duties and responsibilities. If you’re not doing what you’re supposed to, you’re not going to see the results kings see. You can’t behave like an unbeliever and get kingdom results. God won’t respond to you if you’re operating in the Babylonian system; He will only respond when you operate in His kingdom. Just like in the Old Testament, if a king or priest failed to do his duties, not only did he suffer, but the entire nation suffered. If you fail to carry out the purposes God has created you for, not only will you suffer, the church will suffer. Your duties as a king and priest are to use the gifts, talents and anointing God has given you to build up His kingdom. They are not given to us to serve the world, but to serve one another. God’s kingdom is always about serving others, not ourselves. In the world, it’s all about survival and self-preservation. This mentality causes people to be hoarders, afraid of losing what they have. “Will I lose my job? Will I lose my house? How will I feed my family?"
Our nation is in a downward spiral without any end in sight because our leaders have been trying to think their way to a solution. The world’s system will always fail because the problems are too great for our minds to solve. God never intended man to think his way through life. As believers we are called to live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). We have to renew our minds. When we get out of the “thinking realm” and move over into the “faith realm” God’s supernatural power can go to work and solve the problems we could never figure out. This is thinking like a king and priest in God’s kingdom.
Washington can’t figure out how to solve its money problems. Their only solution to the debt crisis is to throw more of your money at it and go deeper into debt. This kind of thinking just doesn’t work. Heaven isn’t broke. God’s economy always has a surplus and is ever-increasing. God’s system is based on sowing seed. Sow a seed, and have faith that God will meet your need. Simple. No supercomputers are needed to solve complicated financial equations like in the world’s system. Hear God’s word and do it and you’ll start living like a king and priest.
Stephen J. Andzel is the Founder and Pastor of New Creation Fellowship of Buffalo, New York. Pastor Andzel was born in New York on the West Side of Buffalo. He served as a Gunner in Vietnam from 1967-1968 and in 1968 was honorably discharged. He accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior and was filled with the Holy Ghost in 1972. He then attended a local Bible college and served as an associate minister.
Pastor Andzel was ordained by the late Dr. Lester Sumrall, and recently by Bishop Keith Butler of Word of Faith International Christian Center, Southfield MI. He currently belongs to Bishop Butler's Ministerial Association. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the ministry of Dr. Jerry Savelle. He is a member of the International Convention of Faith Ministries, Inc., as well as partners with Dr. Creflo Dollar and Reverend Kenneth Copeland.
Pastor Andzel was ordained by the late Dr. Lester Sumrall, and recently by Bishop Keith Butler of Word of Faith International Christian Center, Southfield MI. He currently belongs to Bishop Butler's Ministerial Association. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the ministry of Dr. Jerry Savelle. He is a member of the International Convention of Faith Ministries, Inc., as well as partners with Dr. Creflo Dollar and Reverend Kenneth Copeland.
