The Main Thing of this Season of Hope and Peace 12-2-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. It's all about You. And the main thing is the keep the main thing the main thing. You're the main thing. … "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created in Him and for Him. He Himself is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:15-20). All things have been created in You and for You. You are to have first place in everything. You are "the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13). "Christ is all in all" (Colossians 3:11). You're not just a wise teacher, a holy man, or a good example of how to live a godly life. You are God -- God made flesh in one dimension of Your Being (John 1:14). You are forever one with the Father, one with the Holy Spirit, yet now one with humanity, having humbled Yourself "in human form," and "being born in human likeness" (Philippians 2:6-8). Why would You empty Yourself of the glory of heaven, though You "were in the form of God?" (Philippians 2:6) Why would You enter into the womb of a woman to born as vulnerable baby in a pen made for animals because humans wouldn't make any room for Your birth? (Luke 2:7) Because You love us. Because You want remove everything that would separate us from an eternal relationship of love with us. So You became a vulnerable child who would one day allow Yourself to become a vulnerable man nailed to a cross, as the only possible sacrifice for the sin that would separate us. In this season when we celebrate the hope of peace on earth, let Your Spirit remind us and convict us to keep the main thing the main thing. Peace on earth is only possible as we have peace in our souls -- a peace that came when God made Himself flesh "to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20). 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! Come to The Fountain! 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Here's an invitation from Laura Beach, a Spiritual Director with our ministry: Women of Faith…Are you weary in this season of your life? Consider taking a day apart with the Lord to find His rest (Matt 11:28). You are invited to day retreats of spiritual refreshment led by Laura Beach in association with Messiah Ministries. These are experiences of restorative prayer, worship, and fellowship -- particularly for women on the front lines of ministry and life. There are a few spaces left for December 19 in Bryantsville, Kentucky. I can send you a list of dates & locations for 2009. The first will occur on January 3 and will others will continue throughout the year in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. For more information, contact LauraBBeach@insightbb.com. Subscribe free by email to me at 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 at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org