Fasting for His Presence 1-27-05

Thursday, January 27, 2005 -- Morning by Morning Good morning, Lord Jesus. I hunger and thirst for You and the fullness of Your presence. May I be emptied of myself and filled with You as I begin this new day. ... We humble our souls with fasting -- Psalm 69.10. The mind, will, and emotions of our souls yield along with our bodies to the leading of our spirits, which hunger and thirst for You. Fasting is a physical expression of our spiritual hunger for You and the fullness of Your presence. The food and drink of this world does not satisfy our deepest longings, nor was it ever meant to. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" -- Matthew 5.3-6. You are our Righteousness, Lord. You are not what we do or don't do. You are the Living Presence of the Living God, Who comes to dwell in our hearts -- hearts humbled from selfish pride and yielded in trusting surrender to You. As we allow You to empty us of ourselves, You fill us with Yourself. Then we begin to think more like You think, desire what You desire, and live like You live because You are living through us. Then our lives will satisfy Your deepest longings: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your Vindicator shall go before You, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord shall answer; you shall cry for help, and He will say, 'Here I Am" -- Isaiah 58.6-9. Yes, Lord. Empty us of ourselves and fill us with You. Fill us continually, this day and every day, as we make room for You to live Your life through us. 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 God bless you!