Order Out of Chaos 6-18-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before the thoughts of the day begin to flood my mind, I first focus my mind on You alone. ... "I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the children of Jacob, 'Seek Me in chaos.' I the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right" (Isaiah 45:19). Days of judgment and correction in the nations and generations of the earth seem like confusion and chaos. But You are "not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33, KJV). And even Your judgments are a means of Your mercy to draw us back to You and under the covering of Your hand. In the "day of tumult and trampling and confusion" You have "taken away the covering" to expose us to the consequences of our choices in rebellion of Your will and ways (Isaiah 22:5-8). You uncover the foolish of our prideful arrogance of insisting on our own will and ways, turning to the idols we have created with our own hands rather than trusting upon You alone as the source of our security and strength. But in the shaking of confusion and chaos brought about by the consequences of our choices -- personally, corporately, and generationally -- those idols will come down. Our self-made, self-sufficient walls and defenses will crumble and fall. Our self-determined laws to justify our self-centered nature that we've lifted up to be worshipped rather than submitting to the laws of our Creator will be exposed, judged, and struck down. Only "the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe" (Proverbs 18:10). We have no righteousness or security in ourselves or the idols we create. Our righteousness is in relationship with You alone, Lord Jesus Christ -- a relationship of love, founded upon trusting faith, humble submission, and desperate dependence upon You (2 Corinthians 5:19). In that relationship, You bring order out of the chaos, righteousness out of the wickedness, and peace out of our tribulation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep the people of our city in prayer. Misguided preparations are being made for a gay pride parade and a psychic fair in Lexington soon. Wherever the Lord is sowing seeds of righteousness, the enemy comes in to sow seeds of unrighteousness to try to destroy or hinder the harvest to come (Matthew 13:36-43). God loves all people and we believe He has given our city a redemptive gift of mercy and a father's heart. But the enemy of our souls will try to misuse and distort our gifts if he can't crush them out of us to try to defeat the purposes of God. But prayer prepares the way of the Lord for healing, deliverance, and the fullness of salvation in Christ to come. God, in His mercy and love, will judge us and correct us in order to lead us into the blessings and peace of His presence. So please keep our city and region in prayer and I join in prayer for yours. God bless you! Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night 6/20 at 7 pm -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net 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" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org