The Conception and The Cross 12-11-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. O come, let us adore You. … "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.' " (Luke 1:41-42). My seminary professor of evangelism, Bob Tuttle, used to always say, "Jesus' suffering didn't begin at the cross; His suffering began in the womb." We can't really even begin to imagine what You sacrificed to willingly set aside the glory of heaven to humble Yourself to be conceived as the Son of Man in the womb of a woman to be "born in human likeness" (Philippians 2:6-8). The extravagance of Your gift of love for us is beyond our comprehension. But there could be no reconciliation without the cross; and there could be no cross without the conception. "But God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us .... We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, we will be saved by His life" (Romans 5:8-10). And because You were willing to fill Mary's womb, we can now, like Elizabeth, be "filled with the Holy Spirit." Like the child in Elizabeth's womb who "leaped for joy" in Your Presence, we can leap for joy in the love of God that now fills our souls with Your peace and goodwill, comfort and joy (Luke 1:44). "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:5-6). Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the gift of Your conception and Your cross. Thank You for the joy of filling us and baptizing us with Your Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Thank You for reconciling us to God, through Your birth, Your death, and Your life now living in us (Galatians 2:20). May You be filled forever with the joy of knowing Your sufferings were not in vain. We joyfully embrace Your unimaginable, incomprehensible Gift of God. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, following The Fountain this month (December 19th), we will have our Messiah Ministries Christmas party to celebrate the season and our Savior with fun and food together. So please come join us. All are welcome! Please RSVP to Lisa by December 12th at mmeventassist@aol.com or 859-543-0658 Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's citywide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream for prayer, praise, and healing worship. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Save the date of January 9-10 for our Greater Lexington Strategic Prayer Summit which we'll be hosting again in Lexington this year. Ray Hughes of Selah Ministries is coming Saturday night to share a word for Kentucky with us!( www.selahministries.com ) Friends, as the Lord leads, please remember Messiah Ministries in your year-end giving. We raise all our own support to fulfill our calling in Christ of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" according to our foundation Scripture of Isaiah 61. Month by month for 12 years of ministry, we have always found our God to be faithful. Thank you for being a part of that with your prayers, encouragement, and provision! Please call or write if you have any questions about our vision or needs, or if you would like to introduce me to speak to someone you think may have a heart for what the Lord is doing through our ministry. God bless you! -- Tommy 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 Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Please Click Here to Contribute or Order our Ministry Resources On-Line