The Cup of Fire 5-8-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the all-consuming Fire of God. Fan the flame of Your presence You have placed in my heart. ... We gathered yesterday for our final day of teaching, impartation, and commissioning for healing prayer ministry. During worship, one of the pastors had a vision. He saw the heavens opened above us and the torn veil of the temple. But it was not torn in one tear down the middle. The veil was torn in shreds, and the shreds were falling down on us as flames of fire. Then he saw a cup and heard You say, "the cup of fire." As we tested the vision and prayed about what this meant and what to do, Scriptures that refer to the fire and the cup came to mind. As we sent for a cup, another pastor reminded us of the passage where You asked James and John, "Are you able to drink my cup that I am about to drink?" (Matthew 20.22). Then we were reminded of the cup You chose to receive from our Father in Gethsemane before laying down Your life for us all at the cross (Matthew 26.39). To share in Your ministry is not only to share in the joy of Your glory but also to share in the persecutions and rejections of those who will not understand and will not receive. As You have taught us, "Servants are not greater than their master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you" (John 15.20). "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when His glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you" (1 Peter 4.12-14). John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God, saying, "I baptize you with water for repentance, but One Who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3.11). As You spoke to our hearts of what You were setting before us, one by one, we chose to drink of the cup of fire. Let the fire of God purify and cleanse our souls as You send us forth in Your power. You have set our hearts ablaze with a passion for Your living presence in us, to pray for others and continue Your ministry on earth as Your Spirit leads. As the Father sent You, so You have sent us (John 20.21). In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouarged 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!