"A Holy Man of God" 9-23-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your name be my first word and Your praise be my first thought, as I begin this new day with You. ... "One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal. She said to her husband, 'Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God. Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us' " (2 Kings 4:8-10). Lord Jesus, You are the perfect fulfillment of every "holy man of God," of every prophet, priest, and king. You are the perfect prophet -- the eternal Word of God made flesh (John 1:1-14). You are the perfect priest -- our "Great High Priest" (Hebrews 4:14). You are the perfect king -- the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). And like the wealthy woman and her husband, I want to make room for You to come and stay with me, here in the upper chamber of my spirit and in the welcome home of my heart. As the hold hymn says, "Pass me not, O gentle Savior." And I thank You that You dwell now, by Your Holy Spirit, in the hearts and homes of all who believe in You, who make room for You, and welcome You into our lives. Whatever wealth or gifts or graces we have is Yours, to use as You will in the proclaiming of Your Word to the people of all nations and in the coming of Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. For whatever riches we have in this world can never compare with the "gold refined by fire" of the glory of Your Presence in our hearts, now and forever, through the gift of Your salvation of our souls (Revelation 3:18). These are our "true riches" (Luke 16:11). "In (You) we have redemption through (Your) blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of (Your) grace lavished on us" (Ephesians 1:7-8). Now in the mercy and mystery of Your grace, You have made each of us holy -- holy men and women of God -- "cleansing (us) by the washing of water by the Word ... holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27). You have "saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to (Your) own purposes and grace" (2 Timothy 1:9). Embraced by our Father, through the blood of Jesus our Savior, and the ever-indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we are now "holy partners in a heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1). "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). In Christ, we are now "God's chosen ones, holy and beloved" (Colossians 3:12). And as we pass by others on our way, about the work of Your kingdom and sharing the good news of Your gospel to the nations and in our neighborhoods, may others see You in us. May they say that they are sure we are holy men of God or holy women of God, because they are sure they see Christ in us. That's what I want to become. Lord Jesus, make me more like You each day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep me in your prayers as I prepare and go to share the Gospel of the Kingdom at home and abroad throughout the fall season: Men's Retreat in Georgia; Day Apart for Healing in Tennessee; Renewal Conference in Pennsylvania; preaching, teaching, healing ministry to the nations of Estonia and Pakistan; spiritual direction, equipping spiritual leaders, and healing prayer ministry at home in Kentucky. I welcome your prayers for protection, provision, and anointing for my family, ministry, and all the Lord will touch through us. Thank you for your partnership in ministry with us, fulfilling the vision the Lord gave us for Messiah Ministries for these past 12 years of full time ministry -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." www.Messiah-Ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com