Friday, December 27, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 27 - 50 Year Jubilee -- The Year of the Lord's Favor
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day.  ...
 
"The year of the Lord's favor" (Isaiah 61:2; Luke 4:19 NIV).
 
Today's the 50th birthday for my ministry partner and 30-year friend, Tammy Watts. She says I was her "first real boss" because she came to work for me and our law firm, where she also came to meet and marry another one of my great 30-year friends, Mikal Watts. Whatever she may or may not be doing today or tonight, I join with all those whose lives have been touched and forever changed by the love and joy, the wisdom and passion, and the life-long witness of God's grace that flows so easily and powerfully through her life.
 
The 50th year is the Jubilee Year -- the Year of the Lord's Favor! After every fifty years, the Lord brought deep rest and great restoration, with extravagant freedom and liberty to His people and to their land. "And you shall hallow the fiftieth year and you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you" (Leviticus 25:8-12).
 
The 50th year was the year of great healing for the brokenhearted, liberty for the captives, release for the prisoners, to give them beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for heaviness, so with gratitude and grace the people of God would display the righteousness and mercy of God that He might be glorified (Isaiah 61:1-3). And all of this was ultimately fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18-19).
 
And in Christ, the year of Jubilee continues! There's healing and freedom, rest and restoration, joy and jubilation in Jesus who is our Jubilee!
 
So today I pray Your Jubilee Blessings for my great friend Tammy. She's finished her first fifty years, but You're the God who saves His best wine for last (John 2:10) and the glory of the latter house is always greater than the glory of the former house (Haggai 2:9). So in You, the best is yet to come!
 
And I thank You for Your Jubilee Blessings for all of us who have come to know Your love and receive Your grace through Jesus Christ, our Jubilee! You're the God of extravagant mercy and grace, who does exceedingly abundantly far more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). So Lord, let this be the Year of the Lord's Favor for Your people in Your exceedingly abundant ways! May we release the Spirit of Jubilee to every life we touch in every place You send us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you experience the Jubilee of Jesus, in all the extravagance of God's mercy and grace in your life and every life He touches through you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you and Happy New Year, my friend! 

And please join with me in wishing Tammy Watts a Happy Jubilee Birthday today! (tammywatts@RaphaGodMinistries.com)


Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Thursday, December 26, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 26 - After Christmas Morning
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'm listening for Your leading -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God -- as I begin my day in the communion of prayer with You. ...
 
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them" (Luke 2:20 NKJV).
 
After Christmas morning, "the shepherds returned" to where they had been and went back to what they had been doing. But they were different. And their lives were forever changed. They returned "glorifying and praising God" after their encounter with You!
 
Now that Christmas is passed, now that the presents are opened and the pies are eaten and the parties are over, we begin to return to where we were and what we were doing. But we are different now. We've drawn closer to You through these days of Advent, full of anticipation and expectant faith, excited to see the King and encounter our Savior.
 
A moment in Your Presence changes us forever. And those moments are meant to be so much more than one morning on the calendar. Morning by morning, moment by moment, You wake us up and draw us near for each new day and each fresh encounter with the Living God. And as we behold You, again and again, we are forever changed every time. "We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
 
Now, as You send me out into my day, filled afresh with Your Spirit and forever changed from a fresh encounter alone with You in Your Presence, I go out "glorifying and praising God for all the things (I've) heard and seen!" I've been changed and send me out to be Your ambassador of change everywhere I go and in everything I do (2 Corinthians 5:20). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you go out into your day glorifying and praising God, forever changed by your fresh encounter with the Living God in the communion of prayer with Him, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. Merry Christmas and God bless you, my friend!

    

Thank you for joining with me on this daily journey of prayer.
Please keep our ministry in mind for your Year End Giving, to help provide hope and healing through Messiah Ministries, fulfilling our calling of preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts of God's people and in our world. All contributions are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. God bless you!



I write these prayer devotionals from my morning prayer time most every day and send them out right away the same morning -- real prayers, expressed and shared in real time from my spiritual life. If you would like to have a collection of these as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional for you or a friend, please order a copy today. God bless you!

 



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 25 - Merry Christmas!
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Worshippers of God around the world will celebrate the birth of Christ today! And every day I celebrate my new birth in You (John 3:3).  ...
 
Thank You, Lord Jesus - You are One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit. You set aside the glory of Heaven to humble Yourself in the likeness of human flesh and blood, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, to be our Savior and show us the way that leads to a life filled with the peace and joy that only a life in Christ can bring (Philippians 2:5-11; Romans 14:17; John 15:11). 
 
"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given; 
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV).
 
As worship You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God -- and as I wish a Merry Christmas for all my friends, I praise You that You're the One who makes Christmas merry for me. For "in Your Presence there is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:11)  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you be filled with the peace and joy that only a life in Christ can bring, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me.  God bless you, my friend! 

Merry Christmas and God Bless You,

from Tommy & Rocio Hays
and Messiah Ministries!
 

 

Jesus Messiah
  
Thank you for joining with me on this daily journey of prayer.
Please keep our ministry in mind for your Year End Giving, to help provide hope and healing through Messiah Ministries, fulfilling our calling of preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts of God's people and in our world. All contributions are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. God bless you!


I write these prayer devotionals from my morning prayer time most every day and send them out right away the same morning -- real prayers, expressed and shared in real time from my spiritual life. If you would like to have a collection of these as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional for you or a friend, please order a copy today. God bless you!

 


Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 24 - Excited to See the King!
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. On this Christmas Eve, I'm excited to see my King. ...
 
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He was has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.... The star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him:  gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:1-11 NKJV).
 
The wise men were excited to see the King. They followed Your star, and when they found You they took You into their hearts. They "rejoiced with exceedingly great joy!" They "fell down and worshiped (You)" and "opened their treasures" before You to offer their gifts to You.
 
In a sense, the gift of gold speaks of the glory of Your manifest Presence. I offer You a heart that seeks to embrace the glory of Your Presence every day. In a sense, the gift of frankincense speaks of the incense of prayers and praises lifted up to You. I offer You a heart that seeks to lift up my prayers and praises throughout the moments of my day, looking to You as the Savior and Source of all I am and all I need. And in a sense, the gift of myrrh speaks of the anointment used for burial. I offer You a heart that seeks to lay down my life for You as a living sacrifice in honor and response to the One who laid down His life for me.
 
Lord Jesus, You are the King - "the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!" (1 Timothy 6:15 NKJV) Give me the wisdom to pursue You every day. Give me the humility to open the treasures of my heart and offer the gift of my life completely to You. As I worship You and welcome You into my heart and the moments of my day, let Your Spirit will fill me with the peace of Christ and "with exceedingly great joy!" Let me be among those wise men and women who are excited to see the King and offer our gifts and treasures to You! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
 
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you grow in your excited to see the King of Kings and Lord of Lord to offer Him the gifts and treasures of your heart as You embrace the One who is the greatest Gift of all, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. Merry Christmas and God bless you, my friend!

               

Thank you for joining with me on this daily journey of prayer.
Please keep our ministry in mind for your Year End Giving, to help provide hope and healing through Messiah Ministries, fulfilling our calling of preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts of God's people and in our world. All contributions are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. God bless you!



I write these prayer devotionals from my morning prayer time most every day and send them out right away the same morning -- real prayers, expressed and shared in real time from my spiritual life. If you would like to have a collection of these as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional for you or a friend, please order a copy today. God bless you!

 



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Please share this word to encourage a friend!


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Monday, December 23, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 23 - The Sign of a Humble Manger
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I begin my day with my thoughts on You. ...
 
"So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:6-7 KJV).
 
Not a mansion, but a manger. Not in the finest hospital, but in a feed trough. Not among the rich and powerful, but among the peasants and people. 
 
No wonder the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds, "This will be a sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12). This was an amazing sign -- that the King of Heaven and Earth, the Creator of All, would humble Himself in this way to enter our world in such a humble way and in such a humble place.
 
As I ponder this amazing sign in my heart, I believe I hear You saying, "The humble place is always where I'll be. I draw near to the humble, to those who humble themselves to seek Me, to need Me, to welcome Me, and to embrace Me. The well have no need of a Doctor. The so-called sinless and self-righteous have no need of a Savior. But I long and I love to come enter into the humble hearts of those acknowledge Me and their desperate need for Me."  ...
 
Yes, Lord. Your Word comes to mind to confirm these words I hear in my heart: "The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.... The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth" (Psalm 145:14-18). "Though the Lord is great, He cares for the humble" (Psalm 138:6). "He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and the oppressed" (Proverbs 3:34). "He gives us more grace. This is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:6-10).
 
So as best as I can and all by Your grace, I humble my heart before You today. I need You. I'm desperately dependent upon You. And I make room for You, here in my heart and in every moment of my day.  I need You as my Doctor, my Savior, my All in All. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
 
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you seek and embrace, with humility of heart, the One who is your All in All, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

              

Thank you for joining with me on this daily journey of prayer.
Please keep our ministry in mind for your Year End Giving, to help provide hope and healing through Messiah Ministries, fulfilling our calling of preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts of God's people and in our world. All contributions are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. God bless you!



I write these prayer devotionals from my morning prayer time most every day and send them out right away the same morning -- real prayers, expressed and shared in real time from my spiritual life. If you would like to have a collection of these as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional for you or a friend, please order a copy today. God bless you!

 



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

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Thursday, December 19, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 19 - Messy Beginnings for Our Messiah
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day. ...
 
"(Joseph) went to be registered with Mary (in Bethlehem), to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her Child" (Luke 2:5).
 
Mary was a single mom and a pregnant teen. Joseph was stepping in to be a stepfather for a Child he didn't conceive and for a mother he had doubted at first in her faithfulness but came to trust. This seems like a very messy beginning for the holy family of the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. And yet, You were in the midst of it all, causing all things to work together for good -- all at the right time, all in the right place, to set things right in their hearts and ours.
 
Heaven had spoken to their hearts, and they believed. Faith prevailed and love won. All that messiness prepared the way for the Messiah.
 
You're the God who speaks clarity into our chaos, truth into our confusion, and hope into our despair. You take our broken and messy lives to make something so much better, so much more beautiful than we could ever hope or image if we trust in You. 
 
Heaven still speaks into the hearts of those who are listening. And our Messiah, our Savior, is still making beautiful things out of the messy lives of all who need the hope and healing, the freedom and peace, the fullness of complete salvation, that only You can bring. 
 
Mary and Joseph came to the place where they were "expecting a Child" to come and change their lives, to make things whole and set things right (Luke 2:5). And so are we! To that I say, "Amen!" To that, I say, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men!" (Luke 2:14) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you find healing and hope, freedman peace, and the fullness of complete salvation that only comes through our Messiah and Savior, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

             

Thank you for joining with me on this daily journey of prayer. I write these from my morning prayer time most every day and send them out right away the same morning -- real prayers, expressed and shared in real time from my spiritual life. If you would like to have a collection of these as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional for you or a friend, please order a copy today. God bless you!

 



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

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