Restoring our Relationships 8-13-10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the Word made flesh. Let Your Word be made flesh in me by Your Spirit today. … “Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming…. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept…. Jacob said, ‘… truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God—since you have received me with such favor…. God has dealt graciously with me…’ ” (Genesis 33:1-11). From the beginning of their lives as twins in their mother’s womb, Jacob and Esau wrestled with one another, striving to find their place of gifting and blessing (v. 25:22). Both had great purpose and destiny within their hearts and within Yours. Yet, like each of us, each of them had some things in the flesh of their souls that had to be exposed, uprooted, and put to death so that they might live together in peace, respect, and love. Jacob could be pushy, controlling, and even deceptive, trying to manipulate the situations to secure his place of security, inheritance, and blessing (v. 25:33 and 27:19). Esau could be bitter, resentful, hard-hearted, rebellious and judgmental in response to what Jacob did and was trying to do to him (v. 27:41 and 28:8). The enemy of their souls sought to stir in their flesh to poison their minds and harden their hearts against one another, to steal their inheritance and disqualify them from them destiny. But You had other plans, to restore their relationship, “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). And so many times, those gifts and callings can only be realized in the relationships You fashion and form for Your purposes. So just as the enemy was stirring in their flesh, You were stirring in their hearts, reminding them of Your plans and purposes and of their identities and destinies (Genesis 28:13-15 and 31:3). You moved in their hearts to humble themselves and be reconciled and restored to one another (v. 32:3-6). Even then, they were leery of one another, questioning each other’s motives, remembering the pain of their past, and questioning the likelihood of real change and true transformation (v. 32:7). But Your grace was sufficient and Your will for their healing and restoration was strong. “For mortals, it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). So as they each obeyed Your call to come together again, their fears were turned to faith, and their resentment was turned to love, as their hearts were restored to You and one another in a way that was stronger than ever before. You caused even their division and strife to work together for good, using every opportunity to crucify their flesh and awaken their spirits to become the ones You created them to be. And You long to do the same in each one of us. Lord, help me be humble, faithful, and willing to let You do this in me and in the hearts of all around me. In Jesus’ I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind as you seek good soil in which to sow your seeds for renewal and revival in our land and your life. I hope our ministry continues to be a blessing and encouragement to you. Thank you for every way you help us to fulfill our vision and calling of "Preparing the way of the Lord ... Ministering the healing love of God" at home and abroad as He leads. I would be very excited to talk with you about our vision and passion. And please spread the word to anyone you believe may be interested in joining with us as partners in our ministry to fulfill our calling. God bless you! 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 To order my books and our ministry resources or contribute to our ministry on-line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Messiah Ministries; 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 God bless you!