Circumcision of the Heart 5-6-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I bow low and look up high and enter in deep to this time of communion in prayer with You, my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... "Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.... Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him" (Genesis 17:24 - 21:5). Faithful surrender to Your will in trusting obedience to Your word prepares the way for the fulfillment of Your promises. Abraham's circumcision was a cutting away of his self will and a surrender to Your will. He was willing to bring his flesh into submission to Your Spirit. "So shall My covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant" (Genesis 17:13). This was "a sign of the covenant" between You and Abraham and his children to come throughout all generations (v. 17:9-12). Yet this physical sign points the greater spiritual significance -- the circumcision of the heart. "Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, remove the foreskin of your hearts (Jeremiah 4:4). Lord Jesus Christ, You are the fulfillment of the covenant; and all the promises of God are fulfilled in You. As children of Abraham, children of faith, our response of obedience to prepare the way for Your promises has to do with the surrender of our hearts and the commitment of our faith in You. "For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3). This is our "spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ" (Colossians 2:11). Lord, I want to see every promise fulfilled. Strip away my flesh wherever it is rebellious; soften my heart wherever it is hardened. The child of Your promise to Abraham came when he obeyed Your word in faith. By Your Spirit, I want to obey Your word in faith, that all Your promises to me and to my generations may be fulfilled through our relationship with You. "For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts if faith working through love" (Galatians 5:5-6). By the grace of Your Spirit and in the power of Your love, I will obey Your word and see Your promises fulfilled. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org