Morning by Morning, September 8 - The “Ways and Means Committee” of God Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my life and every moment of my day. ... “When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, ‘Does not your teacher pay the tax?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?’ And when he said, ‘From others,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for Me and for yourself’” (Matthew 17:24-27 RSV). You knew Peter’s need even before he expressed it to You. You already knew the conversations he’d had and the burdens he carried. Though he was a free son of God in his spirit, he was also living in a world that required money and taxes, even as he sought to be a faithful disciple of advancing Your kingdom and expressing Your heart every day of his life in You. But You provided for his every need. All in Your time. All in Your way. And Your way at that time was through the mouth of a fish. You provided the shekel, but Peter still had to go fishing. You made every provision, but he still had to be obedient to Your leading -- by the way You would choose at the time, by the means You would choose at the time. That story of the Scripture You’re bringing to mind this morning reminds me of my great mentor in prayer from my days at Asbury in Kentucky when I was being prepared and equipped for ministry -- Margaret Therkelsen. She led a city-wide, intercessory, inter-denominational prayer group every Tuesday Night for over forty years, speaking and writing about her passion for prayer throughout her life. Once I discovered her and You gave me her passion for prayer, I tried to never miss a Tuesday night whenever I was home throughout my years of ministry there in Lexington, Kentucky. The focus was always praying out over the needs and spiritual battles of the city, our nation, and the nations, as she would lead us in worship and prayer, woven together by the Holy Spirit moving through all of us, one by one in prayer. I mean every Tuesday Night -- “Come hell or high water. The Lord willin’ and the creeks don’t rise” -- as Margaret used to say. Her legacy continues to this day on those Tuesday nights through my great friend, prayer partner, and mighty woman of God, Connie Pitman. What comes to mind is something Margaret used to say whenever someone was struggling with finances or health issues or any other need, whether among us or as we prayed out over the nations. She’d say, “The Lord has His Ways and Means Committee. He’s got His ways. And He’s got His means.” And we’d believe it. And we’d pray it. And so many times, we’d still be amazed when we’d see Your answer to our prayers made manifest before our eyes -- all in Your time, all in Your way, by Your ways and by Your means. (For my friends in other nations who join with me in these morning prayers, the “Ways and Means Committee” is a committee of our national government set up to determine the way financial provision is made to carry out the decisions of Congress). As the Apostle Paul expressed it by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20). And as the Apostle John expressed it with heart and words of Your same Holy Spirit, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2:2). Your heart is to take care of us, to provide for us, even to prosper us, as we fulfill our calling and destiny in You. As You said through the Prophet Jeremiah long ago and still speak over all Your sons and daughters who are free in You today, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). And for every plan, You will make provision -- all in Your way, all in Your time, all by Your ways and all by Your means. So I’m excited to see what You will do in every need and situation You’ve placed on my heart and set before me on the path of my spiritual journey of faith in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be filled with faith to trust in the ways and means of our God who supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory, according to His plans for us, that we may prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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