Faith Overcomes Fear 4-27-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me begin this day grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. … "When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were possessed with demons; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases' " (Matthew 8:14-17). Reports of sickness and even death from a contagious swine flu continue to spread from Mexico and throughout North America. Fear of the potential of a world-wide pandemic of the disease seems to be spreading even faster. So these are days of preparation -- not only preparation with physical precautions and proper hygiene, but also spiritual preparation and precaution, aligning our hearts and minds with Your Word and Your Spirit. Sickness and disease, infirmities and infection are part of the consequences and experiences of life in a broken, fallen world, "subjected to futility" and "bondage to decay," but longing "in hope" for the "redemption" of all creation (Romans 8:18-25). And we can put our hope and our faith in the truth of Your redemption, because You've made perfect provision for our "fallenness" and our brokenness through the suffering of Your cross and the sacrifice of Your love (1 John 4:10). There, You "took our infirmities and bore our diseases," fulfilling Your Word through the prophet Isaiah. There, You were "wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities," taking upon Yourself "the punishment that made us whole" so that "by (Your) bruises we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-6). Your Word expresses Your will and Your nature in all these matters: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits -- who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:2-5). So let us come into agreement with Your Word, revealing Your will, by the power of Your Spirit. Let us not passively accept infirmity and disease, but actively remember and believe that You have already taken them all and borne them for us. We must possess by persevering faith the promises You've provided for us. So let faith overcome fear and truth overcome confusion. No matter what we may encounter or endure through the long process of redemption, You always give us all the grace we need to go through it in Spirit and in truth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for praying for our Celebration Dinner last Friday night. The Lord our God was glorified in every testimony, word, song, and prayer in spirit and in truth. Thank you for joining with us in prayer and ministry "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God," to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. How Great is Our God! God bless you! Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe 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