Morning by Morning—Daily Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays: "The Spirit of Glory"

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

"The Spirit of Glory" - June 23, 2020

Morning by Morning, June 23 - "The Spirit of Glory"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me, as I seek You and embrace Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Uproot and remove all that's in me that's not yet like You. ....

"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God.... The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.... Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when His glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.... Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good" (1 Peter 4:1-19).

I'm hearing much these days about "the glory" -- about "the glory realm" and entering into a deeper place of Your Presence and experiencing a greater measure of Your power in our lives and in our world. And I praise You for awakening revelation and insight to take hold of all You've planned and purposed for us as the Body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, to continue the ministry of Christ in our generation in increasing measures of Your Glory and Your Presence.

And at the same time, there is "a Spirit of Glory" -- "which is the Spirit of God" that is "resting on (us)" that comes when we are "blessed" and "reviled for the name of Christ" (v. 14).

When's the last time I was "blessed" by "the glory" in that way? (v. 14) When's the last time I took such a stand for my faith in my Lord that it could be said of me that I was "sharing Christ's sufferings, so that (I) may also be glad and shout for joy when His glory is revealed" through "the fiery ordeal" I'm enduring for the sake of the name of Jesus? (v. 13)

Many have -- in generations past and even in our day in many parts of our world. And it would seem there's increasing opportunity to embrace and experience "the Spirit of Glory" right here at home and right here in our hearts.

Lord, prepare my heart for "the Spirit of Glory." You will have a people on this earth who have the authority of the name of Jesus in the power of our words and prayers and proclamations, but also have the nature and character of Jesus in our hearts. "Christ in (us), the hope of glory" has as much to do with my willingness to share in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of Your name as it does with the glorious power for miracles and manifestations of Your glory in us and through us on earth as it is in heaven (Colossians 1:27).

It's not "either/or" -- it's "both/and." It's not either the glory of demonstrating Your power in Your name or the glory of sharing the sufferings of Christ; it's both the glory of demonstrating Your power in Your name and the glory of sharing in Your sufferings. Help us, help me, be prepared for both, as we seek to embrace "the Spirit of Glory."

"Fiery ordeals" will come (v. 12). "Tests" of our faith will come (v. 12). Opportunities to learn to "love" in the way that "covers a multitude of sins" will come (v. 8). And in the power of Your grace at work within us to make us more like You each day, we will "be glad" and even "shout for joy" through it all, as "(Your) glory is revealed" (v. 13), and as Your "Spirit of Glory" arises and shines through us (v. 14).

"For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon (us), and His glory will appear over (us)... Then (we) shall see and be radiant; (our) heart shall thrill and rejoice" (Isaiah 60:2-5). So in the power of Your grace, in the Spirit of Your Glory, may we "Arise, shine; for (our) Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon (us)!" (Isaiah 60:1) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

My Friend, may you be filled with the Spirit of Glory, prepared by the glory and grace of God at work within you to have the character of Jesus in your heart and the authority of His name in your words, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!