Sunday, March 06, 2005

Gentile and Jew are One in You 3-6-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me to discern Your thoughts from mine as I listen closely for the leading of the still, small voice of Your Holy Spirit. ... "Gentile and Jew are one in You." You woke me early with these words on my heart, as if Your Spirit were praying through my spirit in my sleep. By 4:12 am, I took note that I was wide awake with thoughts from Your Word, praying about the days and events at the fulfillment of this age. The unity of Your children throughout all ages -- responding to the grace of Your "eternal gospel" from every tongue and tribe and nation -- is a key to these events in the consummation of all things (Revelation 14.6). Father, I submit these words and prayers to You through the cross and the blood of Jesus, praying You would sift and refine what is the chaff of my confusion and what are the kernels of Your truth: The Messiah of the Jews is the Christ of the Gentiles, and Your name is Jesus. "But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ, for He is our peace. In His flesh He has made both groups into one, and has broken down the diving wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death the hostility through it. So He came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through Him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2.13-18). The children of the twelve tribes of Israel are united as one with the children of the twelve apostles of the church in You, Lord Jesus. One does not replace the other, but both are fulfilled in You. In this way, Gentile and Jew "are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Cornerstone" (Ephesians 2.19-20). The message of the prophets of the Old Covenant are united as one in the Spirit and one in the Lord with the message of the apostles of the New Covenant. It is one message, with the old fulfilled in the new, the living Word revealing the written Word. You are the Message; You are the Word. "In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Ephesians 3.5). With Your Word living in us, we are the children of God throughout all the ages, as we abide in You and You abide in us. "In Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you are also built together spiritually into a dwelling place of God" (Ephesians 2.21-22). Come live Your message and speak Your word through us as we become one with You and one each other in the fulfillment of this age. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe/reply please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- "preparing the way of the Lord" -- MessiahMin@aol.com Our mailing address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502. God bless you!