It is Finished 3-25-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open my eyes to see You and open my ears to hear you, as I wait and watch for Your leading. ... "It is finished" (John 19.30). On a Friday long ago that we now call good, You poured out Your blood and gave up Your spirit for us all. You Who knew no sin were made to be sin for us. Everything that could keep us from receiving the fullness of our salvation and living in deepest intimacy in relationship with our God was laid upon You that day -- as You hung naked and alone, rejected and despised upon the cross for us. "Surely He has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the punishment that made us whole, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53.4-6). Though it did not seem good that day, it would be revealed to be the greatest day. Death would give way to life, despair would give way to joy, and defeat would give way to victory. Your light overcame the darkness, and the Kingdom of Heaven was eternally established upon the earth. The plan and purposes of God were finished, accomplished, and fulfilled. Give us the faith to believe it and the courage to live it. The power of Your blood is available to overcome every obstacle to the fullness of our salvation through the victory of Your cross, but You have left it to us to enforce the victory and apply the blood, by Your grace. Let us fulfill our responsibility, because You have already fulfilled Yours. 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!