Got Oil? 4-17-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take me by the hand and lead me by the heart into this new day. ... "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps" (Matthew 25:1-4). Many have been willing to come out to meet You, Lord, in one form or another. Maybe they've listened to a friend talk about You, picked up a Bible from a hotel room drawer and read a few words about You, or even gone to a church and heard a sermon about You. But how many have ever truly welcomed You into their hearts? How many have truly opened their lives to be emptied of themselves and filled with the oil of Your Spirit? How many came looking for You, willing to have an experience in the moment, to take what came easy, but weren't willing to hold on and press through the times where it seemed like Your presence and Your promises were forever delayed? "And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8). You warned us from the beginning that "the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:12-13). I want enduring hope and persevering faith. I want to be prayed up, poured out, and prepared. I want to "be ready" (v. 24:44). Only "those who are ready" will enter into the fulfillment of our destiny in You (v. 25:10). So keep filling my lamp with Your Oil -- the Oil of Your Spirit that will last through every dark night of the soul and every moment the promise of Your coming seems to tarry. One day I'll see You come in glory. "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him," I'll be watching and waiting with open arms and expectant faith by the grace of Your Spirit who fills my soul (v. 25:31). And before that day, I want to be found faithful, letting the light of Your glory burn brightly in me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner is May 2nd to Celebrate Stories of God's glory, Hear Our Calling, and Join Our Vision! Please come and bring some friends who may have a heart for the vision of our ministry -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required). Please spread the word and God bless you for joining with us to accomplish our calling and fulfill our destiny! Come to the Fountain! this Friday Night 4/18 at 7 pm -- the 3rd Friday Night of every month -- for our ministry's monthly gathering of people from many different churches and streams of the body of Christ across our city for prayer, praise, and healing worship. This month Sandra White of Bethlehem Farm Ministries and I will lead in prayer while Phil Jackson will lead in worship. Hosted in the chapel of Centenary: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY. Please come early for Intercessory Prayer at 6:15. Contact Marilyn at dirofministries@aol.com or 859-422-1794. All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com/