"Not on Talk, but on Power" 12-01-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me close to You. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Help me grow more into Your likeness today. … "For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power" (1 Corinthians 4:20). When we pray, as You taught us to pray, for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done, we are praying for the power of God to manifest the kingdom of God here on earth, just as it is in heaven. The coming of Your kingdom is not demonstrated by our nice sermons, our clever teachings, or our good church services. It's demonstrated by the coming rule and reign of Christ. "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). Through the power of God in Christ, souls are saved and sanctified, sin is forgiving and cleansed, minds are renewed and freed, bodies are healed and delivered, relationships are strengthened and restored, and all creation is redeemed and transformed. And the driving force of all this power of God to change us and all creation is the love of God, for "God is love" (1 John 4:8). The kingdom of God is a kingdom of love. And love comes from within us, just as "the kingdom of God is within (us)" (Luke 17:21). Your power is made manifest on earth as it is in heaven as the power of Your love is made manifest in our lives and through our lives each day. When You said to Your first disciples of the first generation, just as You say to all Your disciples of all generations, "I give you power and authority …", You gave them power and authority to love (see Luke 9:1 and 10:1). As You "sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal" -- just as You continue to send us out -- You send us to love (Luke 9:2). For love is the power of God. And we love, because You first loved us (1 John 4:19). You laid down Your life in love for us and call us to lay down our lives in love for one another -- not in talk, but in power; not in lofty words, but in obedient action (1 John 4:11). As we do, Your kingdom comes and Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Help me love in power, not just in talk, today and every day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, 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. 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 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 at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). Contact Doris & Bob at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! 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