Morning by Morning, December 5 - Longing for the Coming of Christ -- Jesus, the Messiah
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah" (Luke 2:25).
Simeon longed for the coming of the Messiah. He longed to see and embrace the One who would bring consolation and comfort, healing and hope, forgiveness and freedom to all who would welcome Him into their hearts.
He knew from the prophecies of Scripture that this Child to be born -- the Messiah, the Christ -- would be fully God from the glory of Heaven, but also fully man in the likeness of human flesh and blood. "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" -- meaning "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14 NKJV, fulfilled in Matthew 1:23). By the Spirit of the Lord, Isaiah had prophesied long ago: "For a Child has been born for us, a Son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.... The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
In this Christmas season of Advent, we long for the coming of the Messiah. Like Simeon, we long to see and embrace the One who brings consolation and comfort, healing and hope, forgiveness and freedom to all who welcome You into our hearts. And at the same time, we no longer have to wait for a day on the calendar to welcome You into our hearts. You are with us always (Matthew 28:20). You are Immanuel -- God with us (Matthew 1:23). Every moment of every day, You are our "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). So as we long for Your coming, we also celebrate Your Presence. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
I pray you experience the Presence of Immanuel -- the One who is your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friend!
I'm excited to be sharing a message of hope and healing at the First Wednesday Service of Worship & Prayer for Healing this Wednesday Night December 6th at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge Campus in San Antonio at 7pm. Our Rapha God Ministries Prayer Team will be joining the OHC Prayer Team to offer personal prayer ministry. All are welcome! Please come join us!
My friend, I invite you to join with me on the spiritual journey of hungering and thirsting for more with a couple of my books I believe I've been led to write and to share:
A Deeper Journey to Intimacy in Prayer
A Deeper Journey to Healing and Freedom
God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the journey!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Please share this word to encourage a friend!
