Pangs of New Birth into a Living Hope 2-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Living Word, Living Waters, Living Hope, come live in me today. … "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5). Without death, there is no resurrection. Without the pangs of birth and the intense contractions of labor, there is no new birth. But death to our self will and self ways prepares the way and sets the scene for Your resurrection power and revelation glory. And the intensity of the pain of birth focuses our attention on nothing else but what You are doing in this hour. You are shaking what needs to be shaken, breaking what needs to be broken, pruning what needs to be pruned. "In this (we can choose by Your grace to) rejoice, even if now for a little while (we) have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of (our) faith -- being more precious than gold, that, though perishable, is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (v. 6-7). Not all that's happening in this hour is Your will and much of it breaks Your heart. But You will have Your way through it all. You will not waste a moment of our suffering, nor miss an opportunity for our maturity. You will cause all things to work together for our good as we keep turning all things over to our God. Through all of this, "(we) are receiving the outcome of (our) faith, the salvation of (our) souls" (v. 9). This salvation comes through a true faith, tested by the consuming fire of our choices through our circumstances every day. It is not a superficial assent to theological doctrines, but a trusting surrender of our lives to our God. In the trusting surrender of genuine faith, Christ is revealed in us, with all praise and glory and honor to You. This is our resurrection power, our new birth, and our living hope. And it will be eternally worth all we must temporarily endure to receive the fullness of our inheritance through faith in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering in the unity 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 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 Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org