"Sing to Me" 6-21-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill my heart with Your Spirit, as You form my heart to be more like my Father's heart each day. ... "Sing to me, PaPa." In the physical realm my three year old son, Elijah, just wanted to hear his great-grandfather sing his simple song again as he held his hand at the edge of the hospital bed. In the spiritual realm, the Holy Spirit of God was calling deep to deep, as the breath of Life filled PaPa's lungs every time he rose to the call of a little boy's heart. "One day at a time, Sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking of You. Just show me the way, hmm hmm hmm hmm, one day at a time." You were using that old song and that little boy's unrelenting, sweet little voice to cause Life to overcome death for yet another season, as the spirit of pneumonia gave way to the Spirit of the Breath of God. Then it was Elijah's turn to sing back his little song -- one of his great-grandmother's favorite little songs that she's taught all of us to sing at an early age: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." The nurses seemed to keep finding reasons to come stand at the door, as we would clap and laugh with each chorus of this medley of healing. "A cheerful heart is a good medicine" (Proverbs 17.22). PaPa's doctor, a man from India, marveled and said he was "one hundred percent better." He is discharging him to return home today. He said our coming to visit had "worked magic," but we said, "Praise God!" You are the God Who sings over us (Zephaniah 3.17). You are the God Who heals us of our diseases and redeems our lives from destruction (Psalm 103.1-5). You call us to prayer and to praise because You know the power You release through a humbled heart singing praises to Your name. Though we wonder at the mystery when healing does not come this side of heaven, we rejoice when it does. No doubt there will be struggles and challenges to come, but it seems You have not yet fulfilled all that You have purposed through this life. "But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, so that those who love Your name may exalt in You. For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover them with favor as with a shield" (Psalm 5.11-12). In the power of Your righteousness, where we stand in Christ alone under the covering of Your blood, our spiritual enemy who comes to steal and kill and destroy is defeated. He will not steal away our lives before our destiny is fulfilled, as we take refuge rejoicing in You. You redeem even the blows he strikes and the temporary victories he seems to win, by the power of Your life and the breath of Your Spirit. Sometimes we see signs of the victory and sometimes we have no idea of all You are doing beyond the veil of our natural senses. Regardless of the apparent outcome of each battle, the victory is already won through the sacrifice of Your cross, the glory of Your resurrection, and the certainty of Your return. This day is a good day. Keep giving us each the grace to take each day one day at a time. We'll never know how that day will end unless we press through, persevering in faith, by Your grace, to see it. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep my grandfather Hays in your prayers. Becuase there have been frequent battles with pnuemonia resulting from food coming in his lungs, they inserted a feeding tube in his stomoch, not through his mouth. He will still be mobile, active, and able to talk and sing, but no longer recieving food through the throat, which will require much adjustment and much grace. God bless you as we pray for one another. To subscribe/unsubscribe 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.