Monday, March 21, 2011

“The Beginning of the Birth Pangs” - March 21

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me start this new day centered in Christ, embraced by the Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. …

“When He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs’” (Matthew 24:3-8).

It seems that much of this world is laboring in the throes of birth pangs. We’ve experienced wars and rumors of wars and famines and earthquakes in this broken and fallen world for thousands of years, yet it does seem the contractions are growing with both frequency and intensity. No one knows but the Father, the day and the hour when this age will end and the new age of the new heaven and new earth will begin (v. 24:36; Revelation 21:1). Regardless, our focus is not be on the end of days but on You. We’re not to be filled with fear, but with faith.

Let no one lead us astray. No government, no religion, no stockpile of emergency rations or precious metals can be our savior or messiah. That place in our hearts and lives is reserved for You alone. No matter what we may endure, You will be with us “always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). And as we abide in You and You abide in us, You will be helping and healing, loving and leading, through us, as the hands and feet of the Body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ in this world throughout this age.

The nations may war and the seas may roar, but we will keep turning to You, trusting in You to be our Security and Savior. “The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt; the earth heaves before Him, the world and all who live in it…. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He protects those who take refuge in Him, even in the rushing flood” (Nahum 1:5-7).

Today is the day for each of us to find our refuge in You, because none of know what wars or storms tomorrow may hold. This age may come to an end for any of us, so let our hearts not be filled with fear of what may happen to our mortal bodies, but with the faith that assures us of the certainty of what will happen to our eternal souls. Even let the beginning of the birth pangs bring as many as will choose to humble themselves in trusting faith to enter into the new birth by Your Spirit (John 3:5). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, thank you for praying for us at The Fountain this weekend. We had salvation, healing, and deliverance, with testimonies of God's love and power all night! Come join us whenever you can on the 3rd Friday Night of every month, with believers from the different streams of the River of God in our city, and please keep us in prayer when you can't. I pray the same for you and the moving of God in your city! God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the daily journey of prayer!

Please let me know if you'd like to talk with me about supporting my ministry trip to Africa this summer to preach the gospel and minister the healing love of God to thousands in Kenya: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org


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