“One Body and One Spirit” 3-23-10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father and One with the Spirit; yet somehow in the mystery and mercy of Your love, You desire to be One with me and each one of the sons and daughters of God. Lord, make me one with You, one with the others of Your body, and one in ministry to all the world. … “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, ‘When He ascended on high, He made captivity itself a captive; He gave gifts to His people’” (Ephesians 4:4-7). Stir up the hope that is within me. Continue to awaken and strengthen my sense of Your calling and my understanding of Your gifting that You have placed in me for Your purposes. Rightly align me in Your kingdom, empower me for Your purposes, and unite me with Your body. In the power of Your love, You have set me free to be like Jesus, free to know I am a child of God, free to be filled with Your Holy Spirit, and free to discover who You’ve created me to be. This is the oneness of heart and life You desire in me and in Your body, so that we can each “lead a life worthy of the calling to which (we) have been called” (v. 4:1). And You’ve created us such that we cannot accomplish this alone—either apart from You or apart from one another. We can only truly find our identity and destiny in the bond of love with You and with one another, “bearing with one another in love” (v. 4:2). This is a high calling and a challenging calling, but a calling You’ve given to each of us to find our place alongside one another, “making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (v. 4:3). Only as we do, can we “come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ” (v. 4:13). In these days and in preparation now for the days to come, “we must no longer be children” … we must grow up (v. 4:14). We must no longer be so self-focused and self-centered. We no longer be so selfish and soulish, we must grow in spiritual maturity, which has much to do with our spiritual unity with You and with one another. It’s in the bond of unity where You command Your blessings for us and where You send us forth to be a Your blessing to others in the power of Your name (Psalm 133; John 17:20-21). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please let us know if you would be interested in ordering the dvd of our Celebration Evening with exciting pictures and stories of God's glory from ministry in Pakistan, Israel, and the Philippines: MessiahMin@aol.com We'll also make this available with our ministry resources on the resources page of our Messiah Ministries web site: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org I praise God for our dedicated team and army of volunteers and intercessors who made this Celebration possible! Many joined in commitments to join with us in monthly support in prayer and financial support as Isaiah 35 Covenant Partners of Messiah Ministries. Please prayerfully consider joining us as well in any way you can to help make this ministry possible at home and to the nations. I'll be glad to talk with you about the vision and calling of Messiah Ministries. Please send me a note if you or someone you know amy be interested at MessiahMin@aol.com God bless you! -- Tommy Hays, Messiah Ministries; 2800 Tates Creek Rd.; Lexington, Kentucky 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to Tommy Hays 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