Morning by Morning, December 11 - Spirit of Revival Birthed in John to Prepare the Way of the Lord for Jesus Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day. ... In many ways, the story of the birth of Jesus begins with the story of the birth of John. And just as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in revival comes with the Presence of Jesus, it begins with the upstirring of the Holy Spirit to prepare the way of the Lord in us. So on my journey to Bethlehem in this Christmas season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I’m drawn to take time to remember what came just before in the birth of John. ... “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. “So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord’” (Luke 1:5-17). Before the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus was the angelic announcement of the birth of John. For there would be one born who would prepare the way of the Lord, “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (v. 17). The Message of Jesus was coming, but the ministry of John would come first. This ministry of John would be Spirit-filled even from its birth (v. 15). This ministry of John would carry the spirit and power of Elijah, turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just (v. 17). Even the hearts of the children of Israel would be turned to the Lord their God once again (v. 16). John would be sent before Jesus to “go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways” (v. 76; 3:4). Truly that is the Spirit of Revival! And just as You sent John to prepare the way of the Lord, to prepare hearts for the revival of the coming of the Savior, before Your first coming, so You have sent that same Spirit to fulfill that same ministry in our days to prepare our hearts for Your revival and for Your second coming. How we need the Father heart of God in our days -- reaching out in love to the children of day who are often feeling isolated, alone, discouraged, empty, desperately in need of a father’s blessing and guidance, even a father’s Godly correction and discipline to help form them and shape them to be all they were created to be. And how for many of our children of our days, their sense of emptiness has been filled with unrighteous passions and their sense of rejection has inflamed into rebellion against whatever values or principles had gone before them and failed to embrace them or inspire them. Not all, but many. And all need to know the Savior of the World, the Sender of Revival. The Spirit of Revival that John carried, the spirit to prepare the way of the Lord in the hearts of people, to turn hearts in the restoration of right relationships with God and with one another, is the Spirit we desperately need in our day. Just as the Spirit of the Lord filled the heart of John to prepare the way of the Lord before Your first coming, send Your Spirit into our hearts to prepare the way of the Lord for Your second coming! One day You’ll come again in the skies (Mathew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). But at the same time, every day between now and then, You desire to come again in our hearts (John 15:4; Colossians 1:27). It’s also interesting that the Spirit of Revival in John came from the womb of Elizabeth who was once barren and dead but was revived into life to bear the life the of the one who be filled with the Spirit and prepare the way of the Lord. How we need You to bring life from death in all that is barren in us! How we need to be infused with hope for the Revival to come that will touch the ends of the earth! “And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come!” (Matthew 24:14) Lord, send Your angels to make Your announcements! Send Your Word and Your Spirit to prepare our hearts! And send Your Revival that turns hearts to God and to one another in ways that only Your Spirit of Revival can do! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Revival, with a passion for the coming of Jesus and His Presence in our hearts and in our world, as His Spirit prepares the way of the Lord in you and in your community, 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
Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org
My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays
“Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be --Free to Be Like Jesus-- secure in their identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling their destiny" | 
