Morning by Morning, August 14 - "Five Smooth Stones"
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of all I am and all I do, as I seek to begin my day grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. ...
"Then (David) took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd's bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew new to the Philistine.... When the Philistine drew nearer to meet with David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David's hand" (1 Samuel 17:40-50).
As I began this year in a week of fasting and prayer with some friends, You gave me a vision of the "five smooth stones" of David. That was long before we knew anything about all the challenges and battles we were soon to face in our nation and around the world and in my personal life. But in that vision, You were showing me there would come a time when we would run to the battle and face our giants just as David ran to the battle to confront Goliath. This morning, as my city in San Antonio continues to run to the battle in prayer in our citywide gatherings of prayer and repentance, in solemn assembly of calling on Your name in worship and praise, in spirit and truth, in humility and unity, together as one blood in one faith in our God and Father of all, You're reminding me of those "five smooth stones" again.
These "weapons of (our) warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). These "weapons of our warfare" are not weapons of prejudice and pride, murder and violence, looting and lawlessness, intimidation and fear, chaos and control, isolation and division, rebellion and idolatry. These "weapons of our warfare" are not the physical weapons of this world, but the spiritual weapons we wield in humility and faith, in obedience and repentance, in the sensitivity and submission to Your Word and Your Spirit to pray in Your power and speak with Your voice, as we walk in love in the opposite spirit of the enemies we face. We "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
The "five smooth stones" in our "shepherd's bag" that are to be ready to be slung in our "sling" of faith to hit the mark and bring down the giants we face You were showing me that morning are these: The Word of God; faith and trust in God; intimacy with God; security in our identity as children of God; and our confidence in God to fulfill the purposes of God in our lives.
No doubt there are others, but these are the ones You're highlighting to me and perhaps for these times and these battles we face together as the Body and the Bride of Christ. These are the stones we're to carry in our bags to the battles we face, in courage and confidence in You, our Shepherd and Warrior and Mighty Giant Slayer. By the power of Your grace at work within us, may we sling the one that hits the mark to bring down the giant we face -- in our lives, in our cities, in our nation, in our world -- all in Your way, all in Your time, all for Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be empowered to overcome every giant you face with the "stones" the Lord has provided for you as you run to the battle in humility and courage and faith, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
PraySA --Prayer for Revival in San Antonio! www.PraySA.org
I'm excited to be part of a group of prayer warriors in our community planning times of prayer for awakening and revival in our community and beyond, being led by Max Lucado in San Antonio. We're meeting in the parking lot of Freeman Coliseum. Join us Next Sunday Night, August 16th at 7:00 PM! (Gates open at 6:00) Register your carload at PraySA.org
Livestream available too for those out-of-town.
Watch Last Sunday Night's Gathering Here:
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| PraySA 2020 |
Pakistan Ministry through Skype Internet Ministry.
Friends, please keep us in prayer this coming Saturday. I'll be speaking a word of encouragement and equipping for a Pastors and Leaders Conference in Kasur City, Pakistan through our Skype Internet Ministry with our ministry partners in Pakistan. Praying for a great outpouring of God's Holy Spirit! (It will be Saturday for them and Friday night for me). God bless you and thank you for your partnership with us in ministry!
New Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:
Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries
Please share this word to encourage a friend!
