Dear Friends,
We've just sent out the April 2009 edition of Messiah's Messenger, our ministry newsletter! I hope this will be an encouragement and blessing to you, with updates of our upcoming events, new resources, and articles. Please send me an email at MessiahMin@aol.com if you'd like a copy.
My lead article from page one is included below. Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested in our ministry. Thank you for your encouragement and support. God bless you! Tommy Agreeing with the Redeemer, not the Accuser "But seek the welfare of the city where Ihave sent you into exile, and pray to theLord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7)
In these days of darkness, sin, and rebellionagainst the ways and will of God, I hear of many trusted and prophetic voices calling for God's judgment and wrath upon our cities and nation. Sometimes I hear things like, "If God doesn't judge America soon, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." And there is judgment for sin; there are consequences for our actions, both personally and as a corporate people. But even in recognizing sin, we should be praying for conviction that leads to repentance that then leads to mercy. We should always seek to come into agreement with the Redeemer, not the accuser. We should pray that even in God's wrath may He remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).
Even if the Lord shows us an accurate dream of destruction to come, it should turn our hearts to intercession to heed the warning and turn to Him rather than turn us to judgment and pray for destruction. This is not denying the judgment of God, this is praying the heart of God who always desires His mercy to triumph over judgment (James 2:13). This is agreement with the heart of the Redeemer and Savior who is not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance and a knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9). This is yielding to the Father heart of God who says, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live" (Ezekiel 33:11).
In Jeremiah's day, the people of Israel suffered under the judgment of God because of their national sin of rebellion against God, and it was in their time of judgment under the pagan government of Nebuchadnezzar in the pagan nation of Babylon that God told His people to pray for the welfare of the city. It's in that context that He said His famous words, "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says theLord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).
These days are not unlike those days in many ways. Though we may be warned even in prophetic dreams of fire and destruction to come, we must pray for the people of our cities and nation to turn to God, and keep on praying for redemption and mercy even if judgment must come. Perhaps judmgent may be averted by repentance as in the days of Jonah.
Perhaps even if judgmnet comes, its severity may be lessened. Perhaps even in the servity of God, His judgment will become His mercy as He shakes everything that can be shaken so that what can't be shaken remains and every last sould who will may choose to turn to Him and the mercy of His grace.
When a Samaritan city rejected Jesus and the Word and will of God, the disciples wanted to call down fire in judgment. But Jesus rebuked them, saying, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them" (Luke 9:51-56).
We must continue to come into agreement with the Spirit of Christ -- the spirit of the Redeemer, not the accuser, even when we are tempted to call down the fire of judgment. This is growing up into spiritual maturity, growing up into Christlikeness -- which is our ultimate goal on this side of heaven.
In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
Messiah Ministries
