Victory of Life over Death 5-21-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Welcome into my heart and into my day. ... "Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, He himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, this is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). I hate death. And so do You. Your Word promises, "The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:26). Death is the work of the devil, "the one who has the power death" according to the Word of God. But You have defeated him through the victory of Your cross. And You destroy his works through the power of Your blood. "The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). One day, "Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more" (Revelation 21:4). "Death and Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:14). And I can't wait for that day. Yet You willingly endured death so that we might live with You forever (John 11:25-26). In You, "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54). I thank You for the teaching us the truth that death is not our friend, You are our Friend. Death is a valley to go through and death is an enemy to defeat. And the power of Your love and the grip of Your life leads us through the valley and into victory. And until that day, keep giving me Your hatred of death and Your passion for life (John 10:10). In the authority of Your name and the power of the Your blood, I want to be part of the fulfillment of Your Word that we will "raise the dead" as disciples of Christ (Matthew 10:8). I hear of Your miracles being released on the earth today as never before. I want to be part of Your end-time revival and the world-wide harvest of souls into the glory of Your kingdom. I look forward to the increase of Your glory upon the earth and upon Your people (Habakkuk 2:14; Isaiah 60:1-3). And one day soon when You return in the glory of the clouds of heaven, we will see Your world-wide display of the victory of Life over Death (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Until that day, let me be found faithful, fighting Death and embracing Life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us if you can for Prayer, Care, Share this Thurs Night 5/22, 7-9 pm, Crown Plaza/Campbell House in Lexington sponsored by Lexington Leadership Foundation: "Connect -- Unify -- Mobilize -- Transform" our City for God. During the breakout sessions, I'll be speaking on racial reconciliation and healing for unity in the body and partnership in ministry. Please spread the word and come join us for this significant city-wide event. 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