The Bride of Christ 5-27-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. One day You will return in glory in the clouds; today You are returning in glory in our hearts. ... "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations" (Isaiah 61.10-11). Father, You have sent Your Holy Spirit to prepare the bride of Christ. Your Spirit is at work within us to heal our wounds and cleanse away our shame, to free us from everything that holds us back from our calling and destiny -- to be the holy bride prepared for the coming Christ. Just as all Your children are "sons of God," so are we all the "bride of Christ." Together, we are the body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, to be joined into eternal union with Christ -- one with Christ, one each other, and one in ministry to all the world (John 14.18-24). We welcome You to do all You need to do in us to prepare us for Your coming. We confess we have far to go, but nothing is impossible for You. "Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, in order to make her holy by washing her by the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to Himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind--yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5.25-27). Though we will not know the day or hour of Your return, we will know the sign of the season (1 Thessalonians 5.1-11). And this will be the sign -- there will be a holy bride on earth to receive her holy Christ (Revelation 19.7-8). Come, Holy Spirit; prepare the holy bride. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please cover us in prayer as I lead a weekend retreat at Cumberland Falls, Ky with Aglow International on healing and deliverance to prepare the bride of Christ. We will have the weekend recorded for dvd to share this teaching and ministry with others through our ministry. 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!