Fire and Hammer 7-1-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before I think of anything else, I think of You. ... "Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let one who has My word speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. Is not My word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:28-29). In these days of true signs and counterfeit signs, true words and false words, prophets of the Spirit and prophets of the flesh, we need Your discernment to sort out the straw from the wheat. Send forth the fire of Your word to consume the chaff of the false and the flesh, while You release Your true harvest of righteousness. Send forth the hammer of Your word to break to pieces the false facades of our hardened hearts and graven idols we've created with our own hands and erected with our own words, while You release Your true word that breaks every yoke of bondage to set the captives free. And when You come to us in our dreams speak to us with Your words, let us be faithful to test it and discern it, then share it as You lead, adding nothing to it and taking nothing away. Your written Word calls us to listen for Your spoken word, that we "may prophesy" it boldly and faithfully from a humble heart, confident in You, for "upbuilding and encouragement and consolation" of Your people (1 Corinthians 14:1-3). But keep teaching us how to "test everything" and "hold fast to what is good" so that we don’t confuse the straw for the wheat nor the wheat for the straw (1 Thessalonians 5:21). And we will see the fire and hammer of Your word released faithfully in Your power to change our hearts and our world. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you can please come join us for the annual Aldersgate Conference of the Holy Spirit in Columbus, Ohio this week from Wednesday night through Sunday. I'm excited to be the Pre-Conference keynote speaker Wednesday night, teaching on emotional healing during the conference, and serving with the word gifts discernment team during the worship sessions: http://aldersgaterenewal.org Our publisher will be releasing my book Morning by Morning, A Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional at the Aldersgate Conference in the bookstore. It will also be available online soon. Thank you for the encouragement of so many to have these morning prayers published. Here are some upcoming opportunities for teaching and ministry with key dates: NEW Registration Deadline July 7, 2008 - Inspirational Caribbean Cruise with "The Haven" & Tommy Hays February 23-28, 2009 - ONLY A FEW MORE CABINS LEFT! (prices may be different from original posted). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -RETREAT - "The Shepherd's Pen" -Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch August 2-3, 2008 (A Retreat in Lancaster, KY with Tommy Hays & Laura Beach - one overnight; 4 meals - $99.00/person). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Registration Deadline July 20, 2008 - "The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" - Messiah Ministries & Tommy Hays July 24-26, 2008 (become equipped & empowered as a spiritual leader for prayer ministry - suggested donation $75.00) Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Subscribe free by email to 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 our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org