Together in Love, We Press On 5-4-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are a great God, a loving Father, and my Best Friend. Help me trust You more, honor You more, and welcome You more into my life every day. ... "But this is the one to whom I will look, to the humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at My word" (Isaiah 66:2). As we flooded the altar with our tears and on our knees at my home church yesterday, I knew You were near. Maybe more near than I've ever sensed Your presence in our hearts as one body before. As we confessed our sins of hurting one another and holding on to our offenses and failing to see the good of God in the motives of one another's hearts no matter the decisions that are made or how much we disagree, You drew near. You looked upon our humble and contrite spirits, trembling at Your word and welcoming You into our hurts and our hearts as a church family. By Your grace, we let go of the past so we could arise and go forth into the fullness of our purpose and destiny in You -- together in love. Truly, forgiveness breaks the power of the past and love covers a multitude of sins. Maybe nothing draws the manifest presence of Your glory more than when we humble ourselves before You and one another in forgiveness and love. "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). Thank You for reminding us and empowering us to love one another even when we disagree with one another. Right or wrong, we can choose to think the best of one another and go forward together. Like You, we can choose to look at the heart and not merely the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). And as we give it all to You as we go, what we choose rightly, You will confirm and prosper; and even what we choose wrongly, You will correct and redeem and use for our good and Your glory. But choosing to walk together in love through the journey, seeking You together, is a priority we cannot forget or neglect: "Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, server one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks, must do so as though speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever" (1 Peter 4:8-11). So in love, we let go of the past; and we "press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for praying for us at my home church yesterday. The Lord gave me the grace to share his Word and my heart in Spirit and truth and love. With testimonies, worship, and prayer that honored Him and His will for us, it was an awesome day! Please pray we will keep walking this out by God's grace. I pray the same for you and your home church and for all of the Lord's Church. God bless you! If you're in the Lexington area, please come join us for the National Day of Prayer at 6:30 pm Thursday Night May 7th at my home church, Centenary United Methodist, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, KY (http://www.centenarylex.com/). I will be helping lead our ecumenical gathering, jointly hosted with our neighbor churches, Immanuel Baptist Church and Tates Creek Christian Church. Please come and spread the word. Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Subscribe by email to me at Messiah Ministries --mailto:--MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502