Water Gate of the Word 7-23-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me beside Your still waters, refresh my spirit, and restore my soul, as I begin this new day with You. ... "All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel.... And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, 'Amen, Amen,' lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:1-6). When the people heard Your Word, they were moved to worship You. Their bodies expressed their hearts as they stood in reverence, lifted their hands, bowed their heads, and kneeled prostrate before You. Hearing Your Word led them to respond with their hearts. We honor with reverence the book of law of Moses and all the books that Your Holy Spirit has led us to bring together and embrace as the Word of God. You call us to love and learn "the sacred writings that are able to instruct (us) for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Every word is faithful and true, but we need Your Holy Spirit to awaken it within our spirits and explain it to our minds. We need Your Holy Spirit to show us the arms of our Father stretched out to us in Your Word and available to us through Your life. We don't worship the book, we worship You. And as we hear the truth of Your Word proclaimed, we are moved and we are changed by the Spirit of the One who gives us Your Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, NKJV). Lord restore Your Word to a place of reverence and honor in our lives. Let it convict us and encourage us, correct us and inspire us, as it always leads us to You. Let us spend more time before the Water Gate of Your Word, where we are cleansed and refreshed "with the washing of water by the Word" (Ephesians 5:26). You alone are the Gate of our righteousness and salvation (John 10:9). You alone are the Living Water that fills us with the life of Your Spirit (John 4:10 and 7:38). I thank You for Your Word that leads me to You -- to lift my hands to You, open my heart to You, and bow my face before You in the worship of which only You are worthy. 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 Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com