Like Christ in This World 2-1-10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. With an unveiled face, I look up and behold Your glory, asking You to change me by Your Spirit into Your image by Your grace—from glory to glory, morning by morning, moment by moment, every day (from 2 Corinthians 3:18). “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). I have far to go and it’s a daily journey, but this is my quest, this is my desire—to be more like You each day. This is the desire You have put in my heart because this is the desire in Your heart for each of us. This is the purpose for all the challenges and changes, all the experiences and encounters of our lives. “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called He also justified; and those whom He justified He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30). This is Your heart, Your holy desire for each of us. You’ve created and called every one of us to this relationship of love with You through trust in You (John 3:16). You’re “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” to live in this trusting relationship of love with You (2 Peter 3:9). And as we give ourselves to that relationship, as we willing entrust ourselves to You, You change us to make us more like You each day, so that as You are, so are we in this world. In one sense, we each have so far to go. But in another sense, it’s already done. “It is finished” through the sacrifice of Christ (John 19:30). In that sense, we were completely changed into Your image the moment we welcomed Your Spirit into our hearts. “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.… For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). It is done in heaven, and now it is being done here on earth as it is in heaven. Every moment we willing choose by the grace You give to entrust ourselves to You, earth comes into agreement with heaven, our nature comes into alignment with Your nature. Your kingdom comes and Your will is done—here on earth and here in our hearts by Your Spirit—as it is in heaven. “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). By the power of Your Holy Spirit, living in us, changing us every moment of every day, heaven comes to earth. What was eternally done in Christ is now being personally done in us. And “as You are, so are we in this world.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Our Monday Night "Come To The Mountain" Prayer Group for Israel and the Peace of Jerusalem led by Bob and Doris McCray every Monday Night is now meeting at First Assembly of God, 2780 Clays Mill Rd, at the corner of Clays Mill and Pasadena in Lexington. All are welcome at 7 p.m. Contact Bob & Doris for details: bndmccray@windstream.net And please let anyone know who might be interested. Friends, thank you! for your prayers for our Messiah Ministries' School of Spiritual Ministry, Level I that I was teaching last week 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