Judgment and Mercy 1-3-05

Monday, January 3, 2005 -- Morning by Morning Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of Glory, I welcome You this day to come fill my heart anew with the fullness of Your presence. ... Though the pillars of the earth are shaken, though rivers of fire may flow into the sea, our hope is in You, our security is in Your presence. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the pain of human suffering. At these times we can tend to focus on what You have not done, rather than what You have done. In a broken and fallen world, damaged and defiled throughout the ages by human sin, we have no idea of the mercy You extend to us every day there is not a cataclysmic event in our midst. As You have said, "At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, with all its inhabitants, it is I Who keep its pillars steady" -- Psalm 75.2-3. Thank You for Your mercy, Lord, even in the midst of suffering. Thank You for using even the tragedies that come upon us to turn our hearts to You. Though these days at the end of this age are days of great suffering, they are also days of great opportunity. In these days, let us be Your words of peace to troubled hearts, let us be Your hands of mercy to thirsting souls. Let us be rays of Your light and vessels of Your love. As we give of ourselves to one another, we give of ourselves to You. Problems will come that no human mind can solve, challenges of provision will arise that no nation can supply. Our only true hope is in You. You are giving us all eyes to see this truth and wisdom to accept this reality. Thank You for the mercy of Your presence as we press on through these days. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you are looking for a specific way to help a specific mininstry in need from the devastation in Asia, please consider giving to Gospel Friends in India. This is a ministry led by my friend Ghuna Kumar in Tamil Nadu, India. I have been there for ministry and seen the fruit of thier ministry to orphans and to the poorest of villages in that region, which was devastated by this tsunami. They have asked for funds to be given through Fishhook International, a ministry that helps cover Ghuna in prayer and provision. The address for these contributions is: "Fishhook International", PO Box 910691, Lexington, KY 40591-0691. Every check marked "tsunami relief" will go directly to them. God bless you! 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!