Honoring Our Pastor 12-18-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I honor You and thank You for Your leading in my life. … "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away -- and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:11-15). Last night we honored my pastor and his wife, David and Karen Thomas, and their family for twelve years of leadership and love at our home church, now coming to a close. We remembered and celebrated all You have done through them among us, as You have been shepherding Your flock through their hands and hearts. The testimonies of souls saved and lives changed are forever recorded in Your book of life and sealed in our hearts. Like the good shepherd, they have been willing to know us and allow us to know them, as we have all grown in our desire to know and follow You. And they gave all glory and honor to You, their good shepherd. It was humbling to remember so many of the ways they have willingly, sacrificially laid down their lives for the sheep You entrusted to their care. And it's even more humbling to know there have been so many other sacrifices in their labor of love we'll never know. Yet it was thrilling to recount the mighty moves of God we've seen in our midst as we've grown toward the vision of becoming "a kingdom church" -- a community of believers seeking the coming of Your kingdom in our lives and through our lives in Your transformation of our community and our world. May that vision You cast through their leadership continue to come to pass. As Karen said, according to the promise of Your Word, "I am confident of this, that the One who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:6). You will continue to be the good shepherd of David and Karen's journey in this next season of life and ministry. He'll be able to follow the leading of his heart to study the overwhelming grace of God poured into the hungry hearts of a people who are desperate for Him. May you continue to pour into him, so he can pour into Your church in the advance of Your kingdom, as You continue to equip him and empower him for spiritual leadership in the seasons to come. May you continue to pour into Karen as she leads in their home and on the board of Asbury Theological Seminary in fulfillment of the kingdom vision "to prepare and send forth a well-trained, sanctified, Spirit-filled, evangelistic ministry to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world." In our hearts and in theirs, we know You will be faithful to bring to completion all You have begun. Thank You for the gift of coming alongside one another in the journey toward the vision of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Register Now for our next Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry (Level I & II)January 14-17, 2009 Equipping and Empowering Spiritual Leaders in Ministry to Proclaim the Kingdom of God, bind up the brokenhearted, and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit Conference includes: * Lunches/snacks, materials (all four days)* Notebook with valuable teaching notes and other ministry material* Teaching, Equipping, & Impartation from a seasoned leadership team * Hands-on Interactive Participation in Prayer Ministry* Deep worship & incredible fellowship experiences with like-minded believersThe Cost is $125.00, with partial scholarships available if necessary. (Please consider giving one for someone else if you can't come). Held at our home base in Lexington, Kentucky. Lodging is on your own but there may be a limited number of "Partner Homes" that will be available for lodging needs. REGISTRATION or Information: LeftClickHere Friends, please come join us following The Fountain This Friday Night(December 19th) for our Messiah Ministries Christmas Reception to celebrate the season and our Savior with fun and food together. All are welcome! To help us plan, Please RSVP to Lisa 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, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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