Sacrifice for Breakthrough 9-18-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be high and lifted up in my heart and life today. ... "When the king of Moab saw that the battle was going against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through, opposite the king of Edom; but they could not. Then he took his firstborn son who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall. And great wrath came upon Israel, so that they withdrew from him and returned to their own land" (2 Kings 3:27). The wrath released against Israel from the murderous and cruel sacrifice of a father's own son was not the wrath of God. "Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction" (Exodus 22:20). The power released was the power of witchcraft -- the use of spiritual means for selfish control, manipulation, and influence. According to Your Word, "witchcraft" is one of "the works of the flesh" and "those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:20-21, KJV). We are to worship You alone, "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). And the sacrifice You desire is a willing heart, yielded to You, out of love and not fear, faithfully entrusting control of our lives to You. "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1). The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). The king of Moab was willing to sacrifice for "break through" in his circumstances to accomplish his will and have his way. So he sacrificed his son to a false god, to "the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14). He offered a life and released death in his act of worship to "the god of the world (who) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Like the king of Moab, we all want "break through" in our circumstances. But You call us to willingly trust Your will and Your way, to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, to freely worship the one true God, who is love and who releases the power of Your love into our lives, no matter the circumstances (1 John 4:8). You are our Sacrifice for Breakthrough. "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10). God our Father, humbling Yourself in the nature of God the Son, You are the God who died for us that we may live in You through God the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:15). Lord, forgive us when we've turned to false gods in our own will to get our own way. Forgive us as a people and a culture for every time we've sacrificed our own children in the sin of abortion and the sins of neglect. Forgive us for releasing the power of death and destruction in our hearts and our land, instead of choosing life and releasing the power of love. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (You) came that (we) may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). As we come to worship You in the humility of brokenness, a broken spirit and a contrite heart You will not despise. But You will hear from heaven, and forgive our sins, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). And as we grow in knowing the God who is love, we will know the God of break through. All that was "devoted to destruction" shall be redeemed into "newness of life" (Romans 6:4). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please Come to The Fountain Tonight, Friday, September 18th at 7pm. The Fountain is a monthly gathering our ministry (Messiah Ministries) leads on the 3rd Friday Night of every month in the unity of the city-wide church for praise and healing worship. Come drink deeply the Living Waters of the One who wants to fill our hearts and flow through our lives by His Holy Spirit. This month, Jeff Green will be leading in worship and I will be leading in prayer. Hosted in the Chapel of Centenary United Methodist Church, 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Messiah Ministries Director of Ministries at DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-422-1794. All are welcome! Please come and spread the word! You can order my books on-line, Free to be Like Jesus -- Transforming Power of Healing & Deliverance and Morning by Morning: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org or from www.amazon.com All proceeds go to support the vision and calling of Messiah Ministries -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God". If you would like a copy of our recent Messiah Ministries Newsletter, Messiah's Messenger, in hard copy or by email, please send me a note at MessiahMin@aol.com 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com