Morning by Morning, October 3 - Only by "Sharing in the Spirit" are Dividing Walls Broken Down
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God, I look to You and listen for Your leading to begin my day intentionally, deliberately pursuing and embracing Your Presence -- here with me and here within me. ...
"If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and one mind" (Philippians 2:1-2).
Religion and politics will never unite us. Doctrinal decisions and theological dogma will not unite us. Enforcing the rules and demanding obedience cannot unite us. Only "sharing the Spirit" can unite us with "the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and one mind."
As we each pursue Your Presence and welcome Your Spirit in our hearts and our lives, You align us with You and with one another. In the "sharing of the Spirit," You "break down the diving wall, that is, the hostility between us" so that "through (Christ, all) of us have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:14-18). It's the "Spirit of Christ" -- the Holy Spirit of God -- who unites us as one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world (Romans 8:9).
Your Word compels us and commands us to be found daily "bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as (we) were called to the one hope of (our) calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:1-6).
So the ancient prayer, "Come, Holy Spirit" is one of the most important and powerful prayers we could pray --- as Your Church, as the Body and Bride of Christ, as Your people who are called by Your name in our land and throughout the earth. As we pray, "Come, Holy Spirit" we are "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). Then we are united as one in the Spirit and one in the Lord to embrace the great blessings of God that can only flow from our unity of "sharing in the Spirit" according to the ancient promise of Your Word:
"How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard of Aaron running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained His blessing, life forevermore!" (Psalm 133)
Yes, Lord. Stir in our hearts, stir in my heart to pray as one with my kindred in Christ across this land and throughout the earth, "Come, Holy Spirit!" For there -- there in the place of unity, in the place of Your Presence by the unity of "sharing in the Spirit" -- You command and ordain Your blessing of Your life for us.
Lord Jesus, as You prayed by the Spirit to our Father in heaven during Your last days on the earth on behalf of all Your disciples to come and follow You throughout all generations: "That they may all be one. As You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, may they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me" (John 17:21). May Your prayer be answered, may Your kingdom come, and my Your will be done -- here in me and here in us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, I pray you live into the fullness of your inheritance as a child of God, joyfully embracing all the Lord has for you and deeply confident of the truth you've been made right in God's sight, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Friends, I'm excited to be sharing a message of hope and healing at the First Wednesday Service of Worship and Prayer at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge Campus in San Antonio this coming Wednesday Night, October 3, at 7pm. All are welcome!
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!
