Monday, November 30, 2009

A Fresh Cut 11-30-09

Morning by Morning, Monday Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father, One with the Holy Spirit. Be One within me, as I abide in You and You abide in me (John 15:4). ... “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God call to Him’ ” (Acts 2:37-39). My boys and I went to pick out our Christmas Tree this weekend. Before we strapped it onto the top of the Jeep for the ride home, the man at the tree lot took his saw and made a fresh cut on the bottom of the trunk. “That’ll let it drink up the water and keep it smelling fresh the whole season,” he said. Lord, I need “a fresh cut” every day. Cut me to the heart, so I can drink up the Living Waters of Your Holy Spirit every moment of every day. Keep my faith and my passion for You fresh. By Your grace, let my life release the fresh fragrance of Christ throughout this season and every season. “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing...” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, as we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I pray the Holy Spirit will fill you with anticipation for the celebration of the coming Messiah. I pray you will release the fragrance of Christ in this season when people around the world seem to be more open to hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ than any other time, and receiving His Spirit into their hearts. God bless you and Merry Christmas! Please prayerfully consider Messiah Ministries in your plans for year-end giving. I hope you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seeds for the harvest of the Kingdom of God. Through your partnership with us in prayer, support, and encouragement, we are able to go forth in our commission of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to many lives at home and abroad. Thank you for joining me in the journey! Subscribe for free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Turn and Take Hold of Life 11-28-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the way that leads to life. ... “When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). Lord, what is the “repentance that leads to life?” As I watch and wait, it seems I hear You speaking to my heart and bringing these thoughts to my mind: “To repent is to turn. All who turn their hearts to Me and open their hearts to My life. All who seek Me with all their hearts will find Me, and all who find Me find the meaning for their life.” Yes, Lord. Why is it that we must turn to You to find the meaning of our lives? “I created you for life with Me. There is no true life apart from Me. There is existence, but there is not life. I have created each one for purpose, calling, and destiny. I have created each one to live that out in relationship with Me. I am love. And love can only be expressed in relationship. And no one can enter into that relationship without repentance, without willingly choosing to turn and open their heart to Me. But as they do, they enter into the life that really is life.” Yes, Lord. I repent. I turn my heart to You. I open my heart to You. By the mercy and power of Your grace, help me live a lifestyle of repentance—continually turning and opening my heart to You. Every moment of every day, I want to turn and “take hold of the life that really is life” (1 Timothy 6:19). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe for free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Friday, November 27, 2009

Turning Back to Say Thanks to God 11-27-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I wait in Your will and listen for Your voice, my Good Shepherd. ... “As (Jesus) entered a village, ten lepers approached Him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him” (Luke 17:12-16). You are a loving God, a merciful God. And You are a healing God. You love to turn to those who call out Your name in the desperation of their circumstances. And with Your words and Your power, You draw near to those who are far away, even those who are keeping their distance. You heal in spirit, soul, and body. You remove the shame and restore dignity; You break through the barriers that separate people from You and isolate them from one another; and You express Your presence through Your power to change what has been into what it is meant to be. You are worthy of all our thanks and praise. You are worthy of our effort to take time to remember the One who frees us in spirit, restores us in soul, and heals us in body. With grateful hearts, we bow our hearts low and lift Your name high to thank You. In just the last couple of days, I’ve been hearing amazing stories of the power of Your healing love being made manifest in extraordinary ways. A woman suffering in so much pain in her legs from diabetes that she couldn’t make it to the altar to pray is now pain free and has normal blood sugar levels. A young girl in the hospital with leukemia was suddenly released to go home for the greatest Thanksgiving of her life. An elderly woman who feared the risk and cost of surgery on her eyes, praying she wouldn’t have to go, doesn’t have to go now. And how many more stories of Your healing love and power that we may never hear until we thank You and praise You together in the celebration of heaven! Sometimes healing comes in an instant, sometimes it comes as we go on our way. Sometimes it comes through those You choose to use in medicine or prayer or the natural means You’ve created in this earth. Sometimes it comes in the grace to persevere until the ultimate healing in the glory of resurrection. But all true healing always comes from You. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). So I thank You for all the ways You have freed me, restored me, and healed me that my “spirit and soul and body may be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). And I thank You for letting me share in the joy of so many others giving You all the thanks and praise for the glory and power of Your name in our lives. I pray to hear and experience even more—“abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine”—in these amazing days of Your presence in preparation for Your coming. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe for free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Proclamation 11-26-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Thank You for giving Your life out of Your love for me and for all. ... “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all His praise?” (Psalm 106:1-2). The people of our nation set aside this day as day of Thanksgiving to God, a tradition deeply rooted in our national history. Of course, not all are thanking You for this day and our freedom and all the blessing we have from the One who is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Some are just taking the day off and some even arrogantly deny the central role of prayer and praise of God in that first fall celebration of Your goodness and mercy among the Indians and Pilgrim of that first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth Rock in 1621. But so many countless more, throughout generations, humbly and gratefully honor You and thank You for Your provision and grace in our lives and our nation. As I honor You today, I also honor those who have gone before me in a spirit of honor and thanksgiving. I’m reminded of the image of General George Washington, who knelt down in an open field with his army on the way to Valley Forge to pray for Your guidance and protection. And immediately after his inauguration as our first President, he issued “Presidential Proclamation Number One” as the very first Presidential Proclamation ever decreed by a President of the United States of America from his position of governmental authority on behalf of the people of our land, as declaration of Thanksgiving to You: Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789. — /signed/ G. Washington Lord, let our nation return to our roots, honoring You as “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations” who “pardons our national and other transgressions” and calls us to be “a blessing to all people.” May we yet turn again to You in another great awakening our hearts in a revival of thanksgiving and praise and fulfill our destiny as “one nation under God.” For it is “In God We Trust.” And You are the One True God, the one and only great Lord and Ruler of Nations. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer. I pray for the Lord's abundant blessings -- exceeding abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine -- in every area of your life in this new season (Ephesians 3:20)! Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Sign up online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries DirOfMinistries@aol.com Many of my friends have been expressing a desire to cover my ministry trip to Pakistan in prayer December 8-18, in specific ways. If you would like to join us, please send a note to me at tommyhays@aol.com or Pastor Linda Dulin, our Messiah Ministries Prayer Coordinator: dulin_linda@hotmail.com We have some significant additional expenses for this ministry trip and I would welcome your generous encouragement in prayer and financial support at this time for this opportunity to carry the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of this Muslim Nation. I'll be leading a pastors' conference, a women's conference, and public evangelism and healing meetings at the invitation of my host ministry. God bless you and thank you! Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" Contribute Online or Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Joyfully Grateful 11-25-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and welcome in Your Spirit. ... “I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He judged me faithful and appointed me to His service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of which I am the foremost. But for that very reason, I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:12-16). The other day I was praying in ministry with a young woman who was wrestling in agony deep down in her soul over a painful, shameful moment of her past. Suddenly she looked at me and asked, “Have you ever been ashamed of anything you’ve done?” One of the dark moments of my life immediately came to mind and before I even had time to think about it, I was saying, “Yes, I sure have.” For added confirmation, in a strangely humorous sort of way, my prayer partner seemed to find herself immediately saying at the same moment, “Yes, he sure has.” (She’s known me in two very different seasons of my life. And You’ve known me in them all, but You both are still willing to be my prayer partner!) But even as I was acknowledging out loud the truth of a painful, shameful moment of my own past, the emotion that rose up in me was not shame. It was not guilt or condemnation or even embarrassment. It was gratitude. I can even say it was a joyful gratitude. Not for what I had done, but for what You have done for me. You were reminding me of when I let You come into that dark moment deep down in my soul, where I had been bound up in self-condemnation, guilt, and regret for such a long time. You were reminding me of the peace and joy that flooded my soul when I finally gave it all to You, embracing the forgiveness of Your steadfast love and tender mercies. You didn’t take away the memory; You took away the shame. The scar of the memory remains, but when something touches that scar in the memory of my mind, only joyful gratitude to God wells up in my heart today. I know deeply and personally, part of what drove Paul to be so passionate in his pursuit of souls who needed to know the love of God revealed in the mercy of Christ. Thank You, Lord, for all Your “utmost patience” with Paul and with me. May You strengthen me in these memories of moments of all You’ve done for me, all You continue to do in me, and all You desire to do through me in the mercy and power of Your grace. May I be found faithful in the service to which You have appointed me of sharing the healing love of God and preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts and souls of women and men. With all that I am and all that I have, all by Your grace, I am grateful—joyfully grateful to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Sign up online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries DirOfMinistries@aol.com Many of my friends have been expressing a desire to cover my ministry trip to Pakistan in prayer December 8-18, in specific ways. If you would like to join us, please send a note to me at tommyhays@aol.com or Pastor Linda Dulin, our Messiah Ministries Prayer Coordinator: dulin_linda@hotmail.com We have some significant additional expenses for this ministry trip and I would welcome your generous encouragement in prayer and financial support at this time for this opportunity to carry the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of this Muslim Nation. I'll be leading a pastors' conference, a women's conference, and public evangelism and healing meetings at the invitation of my host ministry. God bless you and thank you! Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" Contribute Online or Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

“Full of Light” 11-24-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the foundation of my day and at the center of my life. ... “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays” (Luke 11:33-36). You are my Light. And my life is to be Your lamp. My heart is to be filled with the fullness of the glory of Your presence, abiding in me by Your Spirit. My eyes are to shine with the light of Christ. My face is to be radiant with the assurance of one who is forgiven of my sins, walking in peace with God, peace with others, and peace within myself in the shalom that rests upon my soul. Healthy and whole, forgiven and free, by the blood of the Lamb through the grace of God, I will not bury my lamp in a cellar or hide it under a bushel. I will allow You to position me in the places You choose to let the light of Your glory shine through my lamp each day (Matthew 5:14). And those who enter my life and cross the journey of my day will not be drawn to my lamp but to Your Light. You are “the Light of the world. Whoever follows (You) will never walk in darkness but will have the Light of Life” (John 8:12). So let there be no darkness in me, but let my whole body be full of Your Light. Let Your Word be fulfilled in me and all of Your people this day and every day in the mercy of Your grace and the wisdom of Your will: “Arise, shine; for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.... Lift up your eyes and look around.... Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice” (Isaiah 60:1-5). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Sign up online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries DirOfMinistries@aol.com Many of my friends have been expressing a desire to cover my ministry trip to Pakistan in prayer December 8-18, in specific ways. If you would like to join us, please send a note to Pastor Linda Dulin, our Messiah Ministries Prayer Coordinator: dulin_linda@hotmail.com We have some significant additional expenses for this ministry trip and I would welcome your generous encouragement in prayer and financial support at this time for this opportunity to carry the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of this Muslim Nation. I'll be leading a pastors' conference, a women's conference, and public evangelism and healing meetings at the invitation of my host ministry. God bless you and thank you! Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Contribute Online or Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Monday, November 23, 2009

Servants, Sons and Daughters in Christ 11-23-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. All that I am and all that I have belong to You. ... “Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen in whom My soul delights; I put My Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break; and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching” (Isaiah 42:1-4). Son of God and Son of Man, You are the Messiah, the Christ—the Anointed One of God. The Holy Spirit of the Sovereign Lord rests upon You to establish justice in the earth and teach the nations the truth of Your kingdom. Your ways are “gentle and humble in heart,” yet You speak all the authority of heaven and earth entrusted to You from the Father (Matthew 11:28-30). Your heart and face are set on Your mission, to fulfill Your destiny in the purposes of God. You will not grow faint, You will not be stopped until it is fully accomplished and completely done. And the firmness of Your commitment and steadfast resolve delights the heart of our Father, who is eternally well pleased in His Son. Now in the sovereignty of Your will, You have chosen to bring to completion Your plans through the people who are called by Your name, through those who know You as God and receive You as Messiah, as Christ. In the unfolding of time, every prophecy and promise of God will be fulfilled as proclaimed for the people of Israel and all the nations of the earth. Through the blood of Christ, there shall be “one new humanity” called as one in the unity of Your Spirit for the glory of our Father from every tongue and tribe and nation of the earth—Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old (Ephesians 2:11-18). Together in Christ Jesus our Messiah, we are “built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God” (Ephesians 2:22). Together as one, we are “the body of Christ so that (we) may belong to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God ... in the new life of the Spirit” (Romans 7:4-6). By the Spirit of Christ living in us, by the grace of God forgiving us, freeing us, and empowering us, we will do what the Lord our God requires of us: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). As we do, Your kingdom comes and Your will is done. By Your mercy, You establish Your justice in all the earth through those who humbly choose to embrace Your will and Your ways to be called by Your name—Your servants, Your sons and daughters, anointed by Your Spirit in Christ (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Arise! 11-19-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You speak, and I will listen. You lead, and I will follow—as best as I can and all by Your grace. ... “Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ ” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement” (Mark 5:41-42, NKJV). You are the God who binds up the brokenhearted and sets the captives free (Luke 4:18). And sometimes we are brokenhearted because our heart is broken within, fractured in an earlier moment of time during some traumatically painful or fearful or shameful event. It’s as if some broken part of the soul of our mind, will, and emotions is still stuck there, trapped inside, still suffering the trauma and still burying the pain, anger, confusion, fear, or shame. Sometimes it’s like a little girl or little boy part of us that’s gone deep down inside, gone into a dark and lonely place, crawled into a corner, and shut the door, trying to shut out all the pain and the shame and even the memory that this moment ever happened. But You are not limited by time or space. And all our moments are present and accessible to You. You are the same yesterday and today and forever. And when we come to the place we can trust You enough to come into that place, You reach out Your helping hand and speak out Your healing words, “Arise.” You gather our brokenness into Your wholeness. You cleanse us and forgive us and free us. You fill us with Your Spirit and grow us into maturity. You bless us with the truth that we are children of God, that we are no longer victims because we are victorious in the power of the presence, mercy, and love of God. You renew our spirit and restore our soul. And all who see the peace and joy that shines in our eyes are overcome with great amazement. What a healing God You are! You love to remind us that healing is one of Your names that reveals Your nature. “For I Am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). And You love to heal us and free us in every dimension of our spirit, soul, and body—even in the places that seem so deep down, isolated, rejected, abandoned, alone, afraid, and unloved. But there comes a day when we trust You enough to allow You to come even into the most broken places and parts of our soul, giving us the courage to entrust ourselves completely to You. You are the God who is “able to save to the uttermost those who come to God” (Hebrews 7:25). You are not distant or unconcerned; You are always so much more near than we know. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). And on that day we entrust ourselves to You, we arise to a new place of healing and freedom, of trust and intimacy with You. On that day, we arise and shine, knowing 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 Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our Messiah Ministries' monthly citywide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary, where our home base is located (2800 Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY). All are welcome! Please spread the word! Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Mighty Move of God's Spirit in Kansas City at IHOP!

International House of Prayer University Student Awakening On November 11, during a 9:00am class of first-year students, led by Allen Hood and Wes Hall at International House of Prayer University (IHOPU), the Spirit moved in their midst with physical healings, deliverance, and a spirit of joy. That class, on November 11, continued for more than 15 hours. The word spread quickly, and nearly 2,000 people spontaneously gathered in the auditorium from all over the Kansas City area, as deliverance and physical healings increased. The meeting continued well past midnight. Recognizing that the Spirit was moving, the leadership of IHOPU canceled all classes for the next few days so that we could gather to receive all that the Spirit wanted to do. We recognize that the Holy Spirit is awakening our students and many others. In each of these meetings, many people are being set free from addictions, shame, depression, demonic activity, and every sort of emotional pain. We are also witnessing an increase of physical healings, as God is touching and restoring bodies inside the building, as well as healing people watching via the webstream. Moreover, we greatly rejoice as we are seeing lost souls being added to the kingdom of God during these meetings. We are receiving many testimonies and reports that this move of the Spirit is spreading to other churches and prayer rooms that are joining with us each night via the webstream. It all began on November 4, on the last day of the monthly Global Bridegroom Fast at the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOP–KC). A move of the Holy Spirit began to stir during the student chapel at IHOPU, as students testified about receiving deliverance from self-hatred, shame, and depression. Students began to experience supernatural joy at the revelation of God's love for them. A powerful spirit of joy rested on many the next day at the IHOPU student-led 6:00am prayer meeting, and the Spirit continued to move throughout the week in our classes and during the faculty meetings. What started during our IHOPU student chapel on November 4 is continuing today. Visitors are coming in from many places, with some driving over 1,000 miles overnight to participate in these meetings. Consequently, on November 12, we moved the Prayer Room to our Forerunner School of Ministry sanctuary from 6:00pm to midnight each night, to accommodate more people. We will continue these nightly meetings as the Holy Spirit leads us. We earnestly pray that this awakening will continue, as our nation is in desperate need of another great awakening in this hour. Throughout history, college and university campuses in our nation have been an epicenter and a catalyst for spiritual awakening. Since the 1700s, our nation has witnessed multiple moves of the Holy Spirit that have touched and awakened students on college campuses, including Princeton University, Yale University, Asbury College, Wheaton College, and more than a dozen other college campuses. These spiritual awakenings often progressed beyond the campuses and resulted in a great number of souls being added to the kingdom of God. History also attests to a strong correlation between spiritual awakening and missionary movements. We pray that this spiritual awakening that is touching IHOPU and the rest of our IHOP–KC Missions Base will break out all over our nation in different cities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Testimonies We have been receiving many testimonies by email about how the IHOPU Student Awakening has been touching other college campuses, churches, and houses of prayer. If you have testimonies that you would like to share with us about how this move of the Spirit has touched you, click here. Read below how the IHOPU Student Awakening has touched students at Wheaton College and Asbury College Holy Spirit move at Wheaton College: In the dorm tonight at Wheaton College, we were watching the webstream the heat of the love of God filled the room. Prayer like never before releasing His Spirit of intercession upon us. His kindness led to repentance to experience breakthrough that has never occurred before! First time ever being thrown by the Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit move at Asbury College: A group of us at Asbury met to watch the live webstream. Over 30 students were present. God poured out His Spirit in such amazing ways. The Spirit filled people on campus used to be quiet, almost embarrassed. God has removed that spirit of meekness and replaced it with one of power. We’ve broken out of the Asbury House of Prayer. Tonight there’s singing and rejoicing in the streets. One person was healed of life-long blood clots, another of knee pain and another of a stomach virus. There’s so much more. I can’t even begin to describe it all in words. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International House of Prayer, 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64137 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to you via the International House of Prayer web site. If you do not wish to receive further emails, please click here.

All Things are Possible 11-18-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Glorious One, I welcome the light and the glory of Your presence in my life and throughout my day. ... “And they brought the boy to Him. When the spirit saw Him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, from childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if You are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ ” (Mark 9:20-14). Some battles we have fought for a season, some we have fought from childhood. Sometimes we’ve been thrown into the fires of affliction, sometimes we’ve been drowning in the waters of weariness. But there is One who is able to deliver us and free us from everything that would try to destroy us. No matter what we go through, there is One who says, “Keep looking to Me, keep entrusting yourself to Me, for I will go through this with you.” There is One who says: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I Am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Because you are precious in My sight, and honored, and I love you... Do not fear, for I Am with you” (Isaiah 43:1-5). Yes, Lord. I believe. I know it in my head and I know it in my heart. You are faithful and true. You never leave me and never forsake me. You never reject me or abandon me. You cause all things to work together for good. You turn every battle into an opportunity for promotion in the army of the Lord. You turn every obstacle into a challenge for advancement of the kingdom of God. My part is to believe, to keep trusting You, to keep entrusting myself to You. And in times when I doubt, let me confess it before You and turn it over to You. In times when I question, let me entrust my questions to the One who is the Answer. In every moment of doubt and unbelief, remind me of all the multiplied moments of Your forgiveness and faithfulness, Your power and provision, Your mercy and might. You are worthy of my trust. So by the grace of God, I choose to believe. And I choose to receive the blessings of Your peace and joy—even in the midst of the battles—that comes to all who do. “All things are possible to (the one) who believes” (Mark 9:23, NKJV). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our Messiah Ministries' monthly citywide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Desperate to Be Free 11-17-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I bow low, so You can gather me up into Your arms, my Father and Friend. ... “ ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed” (Mark 5:19-20). The man who was tormented by so many unclean spirits saw You “from a distance” and came running to You, to bow down low before You, despite everything in him that wanted to run the other way (v. 5:6). The enemy of his soul had isolated him from his friends, distorted his thoughts, and abused his body. We don’t know what brokenness or abuse he had endured in the journey of his life that brought him to such a low place. We don’t know the things he had done or the things that were done to him. We don’t know how long he had been desperately longing down deep inside for the day that he would see his Deliverer come. But he was desperate to be free. And the day came when this man’s tormenters feared the torment of the Son of the Most High God” who had come to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free (v. 5:7). Moved with compassion and mercy, You commanded the spirits to release him and go. And this man who had been tormented for so long was set free from the thief who came to steal and kill and destroy in his life. He encountered the One who came that he might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). He encountered the One who came “to destroy the works of the devil” in the deepest places of his life (1 John 3:8). Now he was fully “clothed” in Christ, fully restored by the power of Your mercy and love to “his right mind” (Mark 5:15). And his life would never be the same. He couldn’t wait to tell his friends and family and everyone who would listen “how much Jesus had done for him.” Can there be any greater proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of God, any greater means of evangelism, than the sight of a heart set free in the name and power of Jesus? Lord Jesus, thank You for every time Your Holy Spirit has lifted my eyes to You and drawn me into the arms of my true Father, in the broken and desperate times of my life. Thank for every time You’ve humbled my heart, healed my brokenness, and broken my chains. Thank You for every time You’ve gathered me in Your arms, clothed me in Christ, and restored me to my right mind and right heart. Thank You for all the times that may yet come in my journey through this broken, fallen world in the process of being redeemed and restored by the goodness and glory of God, as Your kingdom comes and Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. May my life be a living sacrifice and testimony of Your goodness and mercy and love. And may You use me to now comfort those in the ways You have comforted me (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Let me tell everyone who will listen all that You have done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our ministry's citywide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Monday, November 16, 2009

The Awe of His Presence 11-16-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You’re the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. Be King and Lord of my life today. ... “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47). Lord Jesus, You are the teacher and the healer. Father God, You welcome us into Your home and give good gifts to Your children. Holy Spirit, You move among us and dwell within us, lifting our eyes to Jesus, opening our hearts to our Father, and uniting us as one in the body of Christ. As we spend much time with You and much time together, You fill us with thanksgiving and praise, with glad and generous hearts. As our praises and prayers go up, Your glory comes down. And in the glory of Your presence, we stand in awe, we bow down in worship, we surrender all we have and all we are to You alone. We wonder at the signs of Your presence, hungering and thirsting for even more of You. But our hunger only grows. And we thirst even more. Having tasted of the goodness of God and soaked in the glory of Your presence, we’re no longer satisfied with anything less than a daily, deepening surrender to You and embracing of Your presence. And the number of those who want nothing less than the fullness of Your kingdom in our hearts and our land and throughout the earth cannot help but grow day by day. Lord, let that kind of awe keeping coming upon us and rising up within us, as we keep hungering and thirsting for more of You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you so much for your prayers for us in Lexington this past week. We've experienced the awesome presence of God in so many ways at our School of Spiritual Ministry and then two nights of community healing services. May the hunger and thirst for more and more of the presence of the Lord grow in our hearts and yours. That is revival and renewal and awakening that we long for, and that the Lord longs for even more than us. God bless you and thank you for joining with me in this journey for more of Him! Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our ministry's citywide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Another Night! A Walking Miracle! Sunday Night Healing Service

Extended Meetings for Another Night! Don't Miss This Event Sunday Night!" -- Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries, Lexington, Kentucky Co-hosted by Messiah Ministries & Centenary UMC in the Chapel @Centenary, 6:30 pm Sun. Nov 15th Messiah Ministries & Centenary United Methodist Church invite you to hear the amazing testimony of Rev. Craig Marsh. Join us for an expected powerful Healing Service Sunday Night including worship, exhortation and prayer! Don't miss this opportunity to experience God. Come expecting God to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Bring your friends and family to encounter ministry that brings freedom and healing from brokenness. Please come and spread the word! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F.A.Q. What does it cost? There is no registration fee. A love offering will be received. I've not heard of Rev. Craig Marsh, what is he like? Just click on the video link and read the information below to get a sense of how God ministers through Craig. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A SNAPSHOT OF CRAIG MARSH Rev. Craig Marsh came to the Light the Fire Pastor’s Conference at Pine Forest UMC in Pensacola, FL on May 3, 1999 from New Zealand. Craig was terminal with only a few weeks to live due to the return of stomach cancer. He arrived so weak that a lifelong friend accompanied him to the USA to carry his luggage and bring his body back if death occurred before he could return to New Zealand. Craig’s stomach had been removed in 3 operations prior to 1993. An Anglican priest at the conference requested prayer for Craig. Men and women at the conference prayed fervently 4 hours for Craig’s healing and God responded. Craig received a new stomach (since confirmed by X-rays) and he was cancer-free. Since Craig’s miracle, he has been praying for the sick with signs and healings following. He has ministered in England, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and The Philippines. Many have been healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please come join us and God bless you! -- Rev. Tommy Hays, Spiritual Director and Founder, Messiah Ministries www.messiah-ministries.org Quick Link to Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org and Centenary UMC: www.centenarylex.com ABOUT Messiah Ministries and Centenary This healing service hosted by Messiah Ministries and Centenary UMC will be a safe place for you and your friends to experience the grace of God at work in a faith-filled environment of worship and prayer. Please visit our websites at www.messiah-ministries.org and www.centenarylex.com for more information. 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, Kentucky 40502 email: Marilyn Walker, Dir. of Ministries of Messiah Ministries: DirOfMinistires@aol.com

Friday, November 13, 2009

“I Shall Rise” 11-13-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my spirit arise into communion with Your Spirit, as I watch and wait in the listening silence of surrender. ... “Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8). The enemy of our souls, the adversary of Your kingdom, uses all the weapons of his warfare to try to hinder and halt the advance of the army of the Lord. He uses fear and intimidation, taunts and threats, deception and confusion, temptation and torment, discouragement and depression. Sometimes he comes directly against our minds in our thoughts and dreams. Sometimes he comes against us through the words and actions of others. So we must “keep alert. Like a roaring lion (our) adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And if we are alert, we can recognize his schemes and discern his voice of accusation, judgment, and condemnation. We can “resist him, steadfast in (our) faith” because we know the nature of our God and the truth of His Word, that He is “the God of all grace, who has called (us) to His eternal glory in Christ; (He) will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish (us). To Him be the power forever and ever” (1 Peter 5:9-11). We may stumble or fall. We may sin and fall short of the glory of God. And our enemy may gossip and gloat, rejoicing over us and threatening our destruction. But our God is mighty in battle. And there is no greater force on the face of the earth than the power of the blood of Jesus. “For through (we) fall seven times, (we) will rise again” and our wicked enemy, with all his condemnation will be “overthrown” (Proverbs 24:16). When we confess and repent of our sins, You forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). When we are beaten down or discouraged and we entrust our pain or shame to You, You comfort us and encourage us, You redeem and restore us in the mercy of Your grace and the power of Your love. We rise in the power of Your might and the glory of Your name. The enemy of our souls cannot keep us down. You created our spirits to rise. You created our hearts to praise. And like a balloon being pressed down under the surface of the waters, even the weight of those waters can’t keep us down. We will rise! We will rise and burst forth to surface! And where we have overcome, we will have compassion to help others overcome in the same power of Your might and the glory of Your name (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). We are ambassadors of the mercy of God, eagerly ready to give away what we have received. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us this ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). So “we shall rise!” And when others see the peace and joy of Your mercy and grace in us, they will turn and seek You. And they too, will rise—all to the glory and praise of Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer for our 3 Day Level 2 School of Spiritual Ministry which here in Lexington -- equipping spiritual leaders for spiritual ministry. Please check with us about future opportunities. The Lord is really moving in the power of His love in our midst, healing and freeing us so that we can be His ambassadors in His ministry of reconciliation for others. Thank you for your prayers! I pray the same for you! Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace, and Joy 11-12-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Light of the world, come light the steps of my path in Your will today. ... “So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:16-19). Thank You for Your power to transform what is evil into what is good, what is hard into what is tender, what is of no value into what is worth its weight in gold. When Your kingdom comes into our hearts, our hearts are forever changed. When Your Holy Spirit fills our human spirits, You establish us in Your righteousness, flood us with Your peace, and flow through us with Your joy. Then out of a heart that’s changed, we want to serve You. We don’t have to try to earn Your approval by what we eat or drink, or what we don’t eat or drink, by what we do or by what we don’t do. We have Your approval because we have Your Spirit at work within us. Your kingdom is not about right rules, but about right relationship. Your kingdom is not about holiness of our habits, but about holiness of our hearts. Your will for us is Your peace and joy for us, which we can only have by the righteousness of the relationship You’ve established with us. Let us pursue this kingdom for ourselves. Let us pursue this kingdom for others. This is Your gift by Your grace for our mutual upbuilding. This is what brings us into alignment with Your peace—peace with God, peace with one another, peace within ourselves. As we do, Your kingdom comes and Your will is done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer for our 3 Day Level 2 School of Spiritual Ministry which starts this morning here in Lexington -- equipping spiritual leaders for spiritual ministry. Please check with us about future opportunities. Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. I've been asked to make a presentation concerning the joint resolution in support of the people of Israel that I drafted and was unanimously approved without change by both houses of the Kentucky Legislature earlier this year. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A Walking Miracle! Sat. Night Healing Service w/ Craig Marsh Nov. 14, 2009

Don't Miss This Event Saturday Night!" -- Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries, Lexington, Kentucky Healing Service with Rev. Craig Marsh Co-hosted by Messiah Ministries & Centenary UMC in the Chapel @Centenary, 7pm Sat. Nov 14th Messiah Ministries & Centenary UMC invite you to hear the amazing testimony of Rev. Craig Marsh. Join us for an expected powerful Healing Service Sat. Night including worship, exhortation and prayer! Don't miss this opportunity to experience God. Come expecting God to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Bring your friends and family to encounter ministry that brings freedom and healing from brokenness. Please come and spread the word! F.A.Q. What does it cost? There is no registration fee. A love offering will be received. I've not heard of Rev. Craig Marsh, what is he like? A SNAPSHOT OF CRAIG MARSH Rev. Craig Marsh came to the Light the Fire Pastor’s Conference at Pine Forest UMC in Pensacola, FL on May 3, 1999 from New Zealand. Craig was terminal with only a few weeks to live due to the return of stomach cancer. He arrived so weak that a lifelong friend accompanied him to the USA to carry his luggage and bring his body back if death occurred before he could return to New Zealand. Craig’s stomach had been removed in 3 operations prior to 1993. An Anglican priest at the conference requested prayer for Craig. Men and women at the conference prayed fervently 4 hours for Craig’s healing and God responded. Craig received a new stomach (since confirmed by X-rays) and he was cancer-free. Since Craig’s miracle, he has been praying for the sick with signs and healings following. He has ministered in England, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and The Philippines. Many have been healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please come join us and God bless you! -- Rev. Tommy Hays, Spiritual Director and Founder, Messiah Ministries Quick Link to Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org and Centenary UMC: www.centenarylex.com ABOUT Messiah Ministries and Centenary This healing service hosted by Messiah Ministries and Centenary UMC will be a safe place for you and your friends to experience the grace of God at work in a faith-filled environment of worship and prayer. Please visit our websites at www.messiah-ministries.org and www.centenarylex.com for more information. Centenary United Methodist Church Messiah Ministries 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, Kentucky 40502 email: Marilyn Walker, Dir. of Ministries of Messiah Ministries: DirOfMinistires@aol.com

Increase My Strength of Soul 11-11-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of the heavens and Lord the earth, be Lord of my life today. ... “I give You thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing Your praise; I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness; for You have exalted Your name and Your word above everything. On the day I called, You answered me, and You increased my strength of soul” (Psalm 138:3). When I thank You and praise You, You increase my strength of soul. When I speak out Your name and trust in Your word, You increase my strength of soul. When I remember all the times You have been faithful and true to bring me through every battle and over every obstacle, You increase my strength of soul. When I lift up my eyes to the things above, not obsessed or depressed by the things below, You increase my strength of soul. When I long for the rewards that are eternal, not dwelling on the losses that are only temporary, You increase my strength of soul. When I declare that knowing You and the surpassing glory of Your greatness is not worth comparing to the sufferings of this slight, momentary affliction, You increase my strength of soul. And in the power of Your might, my soul praises You. “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long” (Psalm 146:1-2). Blessed are they whose strength is in the Lord. Wise are the ones who know the power of a heavenly perspective. They will overcome. And they will live lives that glorify Your name and sing Your praise no matter what comes. Lord, give me this strength; teach me this wisdom. I want to be one of those who overcome and “sing praises to my God all my life long.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II starting Thrsday; our joint Saturday Night Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend in December. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. I've been asked to make a presentation concerning the joint resolution in support of the people of Israel that I drafted and was unanimously approved without change by both houses of the Kentucky Legislature earlier this year. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

“As He is, So are We” 11-10-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, thank You for abiding in me as I abide in You by Your Holy Spirit. ... “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we have boldness on the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). Only by the power of the blood of Jesus, do we have boldness before You. Apart from the sacrifice of Your unfailing love, we could not stand, we could not enter, we could not even bow down. But because of Your tender mercies and great kindness, we are not only able to come boldly before Your throne of grace, we are welcomed and embraced with open arms and unimaginable delight. “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love” (Psalm 147:11). And just as You are, so are we. Just as You are, so are we. “As He is, so are we in this world.” Lord, even as I say these words, Your Words, it’s hard to fully grasp what they mean. Lord, how can that be? How can we be like You. And how can we be like You “in this world.” It seems easier, somehow, to grasp that one day, when we get to heaven, when we see You face to face and know You even as we are known, that we might be made by You to be more like You. But Your Word says right here, right now, we are like You in this world. Lord, how can that be? ... It seems I hear You say: “My son, it’s only by My grace. But you cannot fully grasp just how far and how wide, how deep and how high, is the greatness of My grace toward you and all who will call on My name. That same grace that will make you like Me in heaven is the same grace that makes you like Me now in this world.” Yes, Lord. Let this heart be in me. Empower me, by the greatness of Your grace, to be more like You each day. Help me see myself as You see me. Help me live into who You have created me and called me to be—not in my power or my righteousness or my striving or my wishful thinking, but by the power of Your grace. The power of Your grace is an expression of the nature of Your love. Your love is perfect, and in the sovereignty and wisdom of God, Your “love has been perfected among us.” What boldness that awakens in me and in the hearts of all You lovingly welcome and embrace in Your arms. “Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God” (1 John 3:21). And our hearts no longer condemn us, because we are in Christ and Christ is in us, making us more like You each day, even here in this world. “There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). So as You are, so will I be in the world—all by the grace of God and the presence of Christ living in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II; our joint Saturday Night Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Monday, November 09, 2009

Clothed in Christ 11-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak Your name and seek Your face. I linger in Your presence and long for the leading of Your voice. ... “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-15). Chosen by God and clothed in Christ, let Your peace consume me and thanksgiving well up within me. By the power of Your blood and the mercy of Your grace, I am holy and beloved. That’s now my true identity, my true self. This is how You see me and how You want me to see myself. You’ve given me a new heart and a new nature. “For in Christ, you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothes yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). So as I rise to begin each new, let me be deliberate and intentional to put on my new clothes and not my old ones—the clothes of compassion, kindness, and love rather than selfishness and self-centeredness; the clothes of humility, meekness, and forgiveness rather than arrogance and pride. Let me not turn back to my former ways of life, but keep turning toward You for You are now my chosen way of life. Now I am in Christ, and Christ is in me (Colossians 1:27). I’ll have many opportunities to choose the clothes I’ll wear throughout this day. Give me grace to wear You well. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays. Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II; our joint Saturday Night Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Friday, November 06, 2009

“Who Was and Is and Is to Come” 11-06-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain for all my sins. Mighty is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who has overcome the adversary of my soul. Holy is the One who created me for Your purposes and in whom I place all my hope and trust. ... “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the One who is seated on the throne, and lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall before the One who is seated on the throne and worship the One who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and are created’ ” (Revelation 4:8-12). As it is in heaven... In heaven, all creation worships and adores You. All humanity bows down before You. All authority and power, every honor and privilege is cast down before You. All eyes are on You as if they had never seen You before, captivated by Your majesty and glory. All hearts are open to You, in eternal adoration and awe of Your sovereignty and power. You are the Creator. And all creation acknowledges You alone as God of all. “For in Him all things in heaven and earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He himself is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). And in all humility and faith, we worship the One “who was and is and is to come.” You the God who always was: You had no beginning and You have no end. You are the eternal God. And You the God who always is: You are I Am. You are the ever-present, ever-faithful, ever-true God. You never leave us nor forsake us; You are always with us. We are never alone, never abandoned, never rejected in You. And You are the God who is to come: The fullness and fulfillment of all heaven is invading earth. Your purposes and plans in perfect alignment of Your kingdom and Your will shall be fully consummated on earth as it is in heaven. And in that day of Your glorious coming, in fulfillment of the longing hope for an eternal home You’ve created in our hearts, there shall be “a new heaven and a new earth”(Revelation 21:1). “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be His peoples, and God himself will be with them; He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ And the One who is seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new’ ” (Revelation 21:3-5). So even now, when You catch us up “in the spirit” of worship into the throne room of heaven, we are captivated with eyes and hearts wide open to the One who rules and reigns on high, to the One who created us and calls us into eternity with You (Revelation 4:2). Holy are You, Lord, and worthy of all praise. And now as I live out my life on earth today, let me also keep living out heaven in my heart—having been caught up into Your presence and captivated by the glory and honor and power of my God, my Creator, and my King. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II; our joint Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Friends of God 11-5-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You’re my Lord, my Savior, my Best Friend. Thank You for being here for me this day as I take up my cross and follow You; thank You for being there for me on that day when You took up Your cross so I can. ... “John answered, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the Bride is the Bridegroom. The friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly at the Bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease’ ” (John 3:27-30). By the mercy and power of Your grace, I am a friend of God, a friend of the Messiah, a friend of the Bridegroom to come. Because You first loved me, I love You. Because You have drawn near to me, I draw near to You. Because You poured out Your life for me, I give my life to You. Because it is Your will for all to come to know You and the power of Your mercy and love, You call us to come to the place of identity in You that we no longer see ourselves as merely servants, but also as true friends. You bring us to the depth of intimacy in You that we not only read Your Word but also hear Your voice; we’re not only hearers of Your Word but also doers of Your will. And as we grow in the truth of this relationship with You, our joy will be fulfilled and we will rejoice greatly at Your voice and in the depths of Your presence. As You said to Your first disciples, so You continue to say to all Your disciples: “I have said these things so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.... You are My friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I heard from My Father. You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:11-16). So as friends of the Bridegroom, let us prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts and in the earth. Like John, in the Spirit of Elijah, You have sent us ahead of You to prepare for the day of Your coming (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14). But we don’t long and labor merely as servants of the harvest, but also as friends of the Bridegroom. And we don’t long and labor for the day of Your coming in weariness and woe, but rejoicing greatly in who You are and also in who You have chosen to be in us—friends of God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Please come join us for these upcoming Messiah Ministries' Events at our home base in Lexington, Kentucky (and please spread the word): Nov 12-14: The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry -- Level II is a focused time of teaching, mentoring, discipleship, personal ministry, equipping, worshipping and prayer led by Tommy Hays and a teaching team of experienced prayer ministers. We will continue to study and experience a Biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for prayer ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience, as students receive personal ministry and are guided in ministry for others. Level II gives deeper experience, opportunity, and practice in healing prayer ministry than our Level I Course. Craig & Jenni Marsh, gifted by God with the spiritual gift of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10) will be with us for the last two nights of our School of Ministry and a public healing service Saturday night. Join us for a Healing Service co-hosted with Messiah Ministries and Centenary United Methodist Church Saturday night, Nov 14th at 7pm in Chapel at Centnary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, Ky. All are welcome and please spread the word! Craig Marsh's testimony in a nutshell is: After undergoing surgery in 1989 and 1991 for a serious stomach complaint. Craig underwent major surgery yet again in 1994. This resulted in radical changes to his stomach and digestive system, involving the total severing of all capacity to produce stomach acid and a ‘wrap’ being performed with the remains of his stomach. Living in constant pain particularly when eating, Craig’s life expectancy was not long as he continued to suffer and slowly waste away.On 3rd May 1999, whilst attending a Methodist Ministers conference in Florida USA to launch Y2000, Craig was miraculously healed. Since then he has been able to eat large quantities of all food, has no pain, has put weight on and no longer takes 39 pills a day as previously. Doctors have been astounded that without a proper digestive system everything is functioning now as if there was. Subsequent Xrays show a normal stomach functioning normally! http://www.turningpointministries.info/ Laura Beach and I heard Craig speak at the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Conference last July 4th and his testimony of healing opened a floodgate of amazing healings from the Lord for those of us in His presence. Laura experienced a healing that night from post brain surgery headaches she had suffered daily from for almost 5 years. Info/Register Online: Information/RegisterSchoolOfMinistry-Level II Dec 4-6: Healing Prayer Weekend at Asbury Inn, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY… NEW LOWER PRICE from Change in Location! Led by Tommy Hays with worship and personal prayer ministry teams, you'll receive teaching and ministry in a peaceful, worshipful retreat setting. We’ve had wonderful testimonies from our last weekend: Spiritual Principles of Deep Healing— Explore God’s order in every dimension—spirit, soul, and body. Past hurts require healing to realize true freedom. It’s only God’s redemptive power that can bring us back to God’s created plan. Hindrances to Healing— Scripture provides principles that reveal possible barriers that hinder healing, freedom and wholeness. These given over to God, prepare the way for God’s powerful healing love. Info/Register Online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

A Glad City on a Hill 11-4-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good morning, Heavenly Father. Good morning, Holy Spirit. I worship You, O Lord my God, in every dimension of Your Being with every dimension of my being. ... “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city, it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns” (Psalm 46:4-5). In a neighborhood down by the river in Pittsburgh last night, surrounded by drug dealers and prostitutes, there was a city of citizens of the Kingdom of God, filled with the joy of the Lord. In a little Methodist church, with arms wide open to suffering souls and hungry hearts from all walks of life and all streams of the Body of Christ, we rejoiced and we were glad. Your Holy Spirit filled our hearts as a holy habitation of the Most High. And as morning dawns today, we arise encouraged and strengthened by the power and glory of God—forever changed, because we can’t help but be changed whenever we seek Your face and behold Your glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Worship is a way to lift up our eyes unto the hills, to desperately and passionately seek the One who is our strength and help. And through worship together—the trusting surrender of our hearts to Yours—we become as a city on a hill, salt and light in the midst of the city of a sea of people crashing against the hard and jagged rocks of life in a broken, fallen world. Yet we are not moved, and we stand secure, for we are rooted and grounded in steadfast love of God. In worship, our circumstances are not always immediately changed, but we are changed and our perspective is changed. Then we face the morning dawn with renewed courage and certain hope, anointed with the oil of gladness and the joy of Your Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for this river of life You release in us and through us when we give ourselves to You in the trusting surrender of worship and praise. This is the river whose streams make glad the city of our God. So we rejoice and be glad. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Please come join us for these upcoming Messiah Ministries' Events at our home base in Lexington, Kentucky (and please spread the word): Nov 12-14: The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry -- Level II is a focused time of teaching, mentoring, discipleship, personal ministry, equipping, worshipping and prayer led by Tommy Hays and a teaching team of experienced prayer ministers. We will continue to study and experience a Biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for prayer ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience, as students receive personal ministry and are guided in ministry for others. Level II gives deeper experience, opportunity, and practice in healing prayer ministry than our Level I Course. Craig & Jenni Marsh, gifted by God with the spiritual gift of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10) will be with us for the last two nights of our School of Ministry and a public healing service Saturday night. Join us for a Healing Service co-hosted with Messiah Ministries and Centenary United Methodist Church Saturday night, Nov 14th at 7pm in Chapel at Centnary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, Ky. All are welcome and please spread the word! Craig Marsh's testimony in a nutshell is: After undergoing surgery in 1989 and 1991 for a serious stomach complaint. Craig underwent major surgery yet again in 1994. This resulted in radical changes to his stomach and digestive system, involving the total severing of all capacity to produce stomach acid and a ‘wrap’ being performed with the remains of his stomach. Living in constant pain particularly when eating, Craig’s life expectancy was not long as he continued to suffer and slowly waste away.On 3rd May 1999, whilst attending a Methodist Ministers conference in Florida USA to launch Y2000, Craig was miraculously healed. Since then he has been able to eat large quantities of all food, has no pain, has put weight on and no longer takes 39 pills a day as previously. Doctors have been astounded that without a proper digestive system everything is functioning now as if there was. Subsequent Xrays show a normal stomach functioning normally! http://www.turningpointministries.info/ Laura Beach and I heard Craig speak at the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Conference last July 4th and his testimony of healing opened a floodgate of amazing healings from the Lord for those of us in his presence. Laura experienced a healing that night from post brain surgery headaches she had suffered daily from for almost 5 years. Info/Register Online: Information/RegisterSchoolOfMinistry-Level II Dec 4-6: Healing Prayer Weekend at Asbury Inn, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY… NEW LOWER PRICE from Change in Location! Led by Tommy Hays with worship and personal prayer ministry teams, you'll receive teaching and ministry in a peaceful, worshipful retreat setting. We’ve had wonderful testimonies from our last weekend: Spiritual Principles of Deep Healing— Explore God’s order in every dimension—spirit, soul, and body. Past hurts require healing to realize true freedom. It’s only God’s redemptive power that can bring us back to God’s created plan. Hindrances to Healing— Scripture provides principles that reveal possible barriers that hinder healing, freedom and wholeness. These given over to God, prepare the way for God’s powerful healing love. Info/Register Online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

A New Breed of Priests 11-3-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek Your face and listen for Your voice, as I begin the first moments of my day in the silence of surrender before You, watching and waiting for the leading of Your Spirit. ... “Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people” (1 Samuel 2:26). Samuel grew up in a day when the religious priests around him grew selfish, self-centered, and sinful—defiling the priesthood, abusing their power, and dishonoring their position. “They had no regard for the Lord or for the duties of the priests of the people” (v. 2:12-13). They were building their own kingdoms, not Yours. And their kingdoms were centered on themselves, their plans, and their desires. They treated You and the honor You had given them to minister to You and to Your people “with contempt” (v. 2:17). And so You lifted Your hand of favor from them, and handed them over to the consequences of their wicked choices for dishonoring Your name and misrepresenting Your heart: “For those who honor Me, I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be treated with contempt” (v. 2:30). But at the same time, there was one who sought Your face, longing to have Your heart and mind. His focus was on You and not himself, on Your desires and not his own. In the profound wisdom of child-like faith and a sincere, pure devotion to You, “the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord” (v. 2:21). Though he did not have the ancestral credentials of the priesthood, he had the heart to honor and serve You. So You began to shape his heart and mind to be like Yours, as he grew in stature and favor. He was to be a new breed of Your priesthood—a priesthood not founded primarily in tradition or credentials or official position, but founded in the heart. “I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before My Anointed One forever” (v. 2:35). This priesthood is not built on going in and out of a building, but going in to Your presence and then going out to shine with the light of Your glory in the midst of a dark and fallen world that needs to know Your true heart and mind, revealed through the hearts of Your people. This is a priesthood of those who will humble themselves to admit they need to grow and always keep growing up in the presence of the Lord, while entrusting themselves in faith to Your favor. They are those who will answer Your call and obey Your command: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). These are those who, “like living stones, let (themselves) be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). In humility and faith, and in the presence of the Lord, Samuel continued to grow. And one day, You determined in Your heart that he was ready to be commissioned into the next season of his life and ministry. His simple response was, “Speak, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). And because You trusted him to keep coming into Your presence and growing in Your nature, You caused him to keep growing in Your favor. “As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And (everyone around him) knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord” (v. 3:19-20). Lord, raise up a new priesthood, Your true priesthood, in our day—those who are moved to seek Your presence and Your nature, to listen for the leading of Your voice, then to obey what You say. Free us from our selfishness and self-centeredness. Break down the kingdoms we have built out of our own will for our own purposes so that Your kingdom may break through into our lives. Convict us of our sin, cleanse us by Your blood, and fill us with Your Spirit so we can reveal Your true heart and mind in the midst of a dark and fallen world, because we’ve allowed You to impart Your true heart and mind in us. This is Your desire for all Your people who are called by Your name—that “all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Give us the humility and faith to know we need to grow in Your nature so we can grow in Your favor, as Your fulfill Your purposes through our lives in Christ and through the life of Christ in us. “We must grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Then our words will not fall to the ground, because they will be Your words spoken from the hearts of Your people—Your new breed of priests who have been growing up in Your presence and Your love, so they can be entrusted with Your favor for the advancing of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Please come join us for these upcoming Messiah Ministries' Events at our home base in Lexington, Kentucky (and please spread the word): Nov 12-14: The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry -- Level II is a focused time of teaching, mentoring, discipleship, personal ministry, equipping, worshipping and prayer led by Tommy Hays and a teaching team of experienced prayer ministers. We will continue to study and experience a Biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for prayer ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience, as students receive personal ministry and are guided in ministry for others. Level II gives deeper experience, opportunity, and practice in healing prayer ministry than our Level I Course. Craig & Jenni Marsh, gifted by God with the spiritual gift of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10) will be with us for the last two nights of our School of Ministry and a public healing service Saturday night. Join us for a Healing Service co-hosted with Messiah Ministries and Centenary United Methodist Church Saturday night, Nov 14th at 7pm in Chapel at Centnary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, Ky. All are welcome and please spread the word! Craig Marsh's testimony in a nutshell is: After undergoing surgery in 1989 and 1991 for a serious stomach complaint. Craig underwent major surgery yet again in 1994. This resulted in radical changes to his stomach and digestive system, involving the total severing of all capacity to produce stomach acid and a ‘wrap’ being performed with the remains of his stomach. Living in constant pain particularly when eating, Craig’s life expectancy was not long as he continued to suffer and slowly waste away.On 3rd May 1999, whilst attending a Methodist Ministers conference in Florida USA to launch Y2000, Craig was miraculously healed. Since then he has been able to eat large quantities of all food, has no pain, has put weight on and no longer takes 39 pills a day as previously. Doctors have been astounded that without a proper digestive system everything is functioning now as if there was. Subsequent Xrays show a normal stomach functioning normally! http://www.turningpointministries.info/ Laura Beach and I heard Craig speak at the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Conference last July 4th and his testimony of healing opened a floodgate of amazing healings from the Lord for those of us in his presence. Laura experienced a healing that night from post brain surgery headaches she had suffered daily from for almost 5 years. Info/Register Online: Information/RegisterSchoolOfMinistry-Level II Dec 4-6: Healing Prayer Weekend at Asbury Inn, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY… NEW LOWER PRICE from Change in Location! Led by Tommy Hays with worship and personal prayer ministry teams, you'll receive teaching and ministry in a peaceful, worshipful retreat setting. We’ve had wonderful testimonies from our last weekend: Spiritual Principles of Deep Healing— Explore God’s order in every dimension—spirit, soul, and body. Past hurts require healing to realize true freedom. It’s only God’s redemptive power that can bring us back to God’s created plan. Hindrances to Healing— Scripture provides principles that reveal possible barriers that hinder healing, freedom and wholeness. These given over to God, prepare the way for God’s powerful healing love. Info/Register Online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com