Ministry Together 8-15-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me humble myself to listen for Your leading and wait for Your word. ... Paul spoke often of those who worked alongside him in the ministry of Your love and power and grace. He spoke of Timothy, who "like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel," and of Epaphroditus as "my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:19-30). He spoke of Philemon as a "dear friend and co-worker" and of Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke as "fellow prisoners in Christ Jesus" and "fellow workers" (Philemon 2, 23). He spoke of Titus as "my partner and co-worker" in ministry (2 Corinthians 8:23). By Your Holy Spirit, You brought Your disciples together in diverse relationships of trust and respect as teams of ministry for various seasons to be "co-workers for the kingdom of God" (Colossians 4:11). Before their season of missionary journeys together, You brought together Paul and Barnabus for ministry together to the people of the church at Antioch. "So it was for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was at Antioch that the disciples were first called 'Christians' " (Acts 11:25-26). Over these past ten years of ministry, You have brought me alongside many men and women who have been my co-workers for the kingdom of God. We've learned from one another, grown in maturity with one another, fought for one another and at times -- I hate to admit -- even fought with another. But You have used it all to strengthen us and encourage us, to equip us and prepare us to fulfill our destiny in our generation for Your glory. And Your Word makes Your will very clear that You do not intend for us to minister in Your kingdom alone. You call us to find our place and affirm the place of others around us in the relationships of trust and respect You are forming for Your purposes in every season. As we do, let our eyes be open to Your vision, let our ears be open to Your leading, let our minds be open to Your wisdom, let our hearts be open to Your desires. And there we will find that our arms must be open to embrace one another in the risk of relationship and the bonds of trust You are forming for the work of Your ministry of love and power and grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I will be meeting and praying with one of my dear friends and co-workers in the gospel of the kingdom today about some exciting plans for ministry together this coming year between our ministry and my home church in Lexington. Please cover us in prayer to hear the leading of the Lord. To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "... Ministering the Healing Love of God, ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com Come to The Fountain this Friday Night 8/18 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome! Call for details: 859-422-1794