Lamentations of Praise, Hope, and Faith 1-27-10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let the first word of my day be Your name. Let the first thought of my morning be Your praise. … “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:21-25). Someone has said, “Lamentations is the highest form of praise.” And I believe it is the highest form of faith and the deepest expression of hope. In the words of Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). In the words of Isaiah, “Though I go through the waters, the rivers, and the fires, they shall not destroy me nor consume me, for You are with me, and You love me, and You say I am precious in Your sight. You have called me by name and I am Yours” (from Isaiah 43:1-7). In the words of David, “Though I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You even prepare a table for me in the very presence of my enemies and make my cup to overflow. So there is no doubt that my hope is secure in You, for You cause Your goodness and Your mercy to follow me all the days of my life” (from Psalm 23). This is the hope I have. This is my faith. Your love for me never ceases. Your mercies for me are new every morning. You are all I need and You are all I really have. No matter what days of darkness or discouragement I may endure, no matter what burdens of heaviness I may feel I’m bearing, I will seek You in the midst of it all, I will look for You to be standing with me in the flames and carrying me when it feels I can’t go on. Though sorrow may last for the night, Your joy comes with the morning. And every morning comes fresh with Your mercies for the day. Great is Your faithfulness, O Lord. So may my lamentations to You be an offering of highest praise, a declaration of undoubting faith, and an expression of deepest hope—all in response to Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer this Wednesday through Saturday for our Messiah Ministries' School of Spiritual Ministry, Level I, we are hosting and I am teaching in Wilmore, Kentucky on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary. This is one of the ways I try to share what I've learned from healing prayer ministry in practical ways for equipping and empowering spiritual leaders in our generation. All are welcome. The teaching is based upon my book, Free to Be Like Jesus--Transforming Power of Healing & Deliverance. (Order from www.amazon.com or our web site www.shop.messiah-ministries.org) If you would like to join us for future schools, Level I or Level II, please let us know by contacting Marilyn, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 We make scholarships available through donations to our ministry so that all may attend. God bless you and the Holy Spirit equips you and empowers you for your unique calling and destiny in ministry to God and for His people. If you're unable to attend, You can order the DVDs from our Level I and Level II Schools of Spiritual Ministry from our resources page: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Many pastors, leaders, and home groups use these for Bible studies and prayer ministry training. Subscribe for 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