Morning by Morning, September 30, 2025 — “Radiant” in the Presence of the Lord: Honoring the Life of Pepper Steventon

 

Morning by Morning, September 30, 2025 — “Radiant” in the Presence of the Lord: Honoring the Life of Pepper Steventon Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit (John 10:27). ... “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed” (Psalm 34:4-5). We’ve just returned from a few days with family in Arizona, where I was honored to lead the Celebration of Life for my stepsister, Pepper Steventon. At only 53 years of age, her passing was truly tragic and unexpected from an infection at the hospital, after overcoming two battles with cancer. As her name says, she was truly the spice of life. And now we all take such comfort that she’s looking to You, radiant in Your Presence, adding a little spice to heaven. No more sorrow. No more pain. Only eternal joy. Thank You for the grace to both grieve the loss of our loved ones here on earth, while at the same time, celebrating their lives here on earth and also forever with You. These kinds of funerals are so much different than the other kinds. As Your Word comforts us in the passing of one who knows You in personal relationship: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).   Thank You that we do have hope. You are our Hope. And in You, we have assurance of the eternal peace and joy that’s found in You alone. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).   Pepper had that rare spirit of being both a hard-charging CEO of her business while also being a loving wife, devoted mother and daughter, loved and cherished by family and friends. Her battles with cancer and its effects, along with all the other battles and challenges of her life, only drew her closer to You, with her faith outspoken, vibrant and radiant. What a witness. What an inspiration.   She sought You and You heard her. You delivered her from all her fears. Sometimes those answers come here on earth; sometimes they come in heaven. She’s in heaven now. She’s radiant now. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57)   But we can all carry that same heaven in our hearts today, with that same personal relationship with You. “On earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). For Your kingdom of heaven is also within us, as we abide in You and You abide in us (Luke 17:21; John 15:4). And with Your kingdom of heaven within us, we can already experience Your “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” who’s living in us, comforting us, leading us through the valleys of the shadow of death with Your ever-abiding Presence with us through it all (Romans 14:17; Psalm 23). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be radiant with the Presence of the Lord, as you abide in Him and He abides in you every day, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" We Welcome Your Financial Support to Fulfill our Vision and Calling https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events and We Welcome You to Join Us as You're Led to Fulfill our Vision and Calling with Your Prayers and Financial Support https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute Every Tuesday Night Starting Again September, 2025 We have begun again my annual 9 Month Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time  Zoom link available by request to my email.   tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays September 27 - Thank you for your prayers! Officiate the Celebration of Life of Pepper Steventon in Phoenix, ArizonaSeptember 30 Meet and Pray with Pastor David Danielson of Impact Church with Dr. Sandy Kirk, to bring the pastors and leaders in the Kerrville area together for our Meet Me at the River community gathering for worship, witness, and healing prayer ministry from the trauma of the Hill Country Flood of the Guadalupe River in central Texas. October 1 Preaching at The Empty Cross of The Coming King Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas for final Day of Ten Days of Awe hosted by Texas Hill Country churches and ministries. October 2 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries, Kendall Inn 7:00pm (not 7:30) October 4 Meet Me at the River. Leading a Community Gathering of Worship and Healing from the Trauma of the Hill Country Flood at the edge of the Guadalupe River between Kerrville and Hunt, Texas at Paradise River Bend at 3pm. Bring your lawn chairs please and please keep us in prayer if you can't come. Prayer Ministry Team please join us at 2:00. Messiah Ministries Facebook Event Page to share: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FA7dBuSx6/ October 21 Speaking at Around the Table Monthly Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Fredericksburg, Texas 6:30pm. All are Welcome.  September through December, 2025 Blocks of time when I can writing my next book. Welcoming your prayers for the inspiration and flow of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, friends! November Prayers for Returning for ministry in Pakistan in Karachi, Pattoki, and Lahore Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Morning by Morning, September 25, 2025 – God’s Purposes Prevail

 

Morning by Morning, September 25, 2025 – God’s Purposes Prevail Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take me by the hand and lead me by the heart in the path leads to life in You today. ... “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). As I enter into Your Presence in the communion of prayer here in these first moments of my day, I submit my plans to Your purposes. ... As best as I can and all by Your grace, I submit my will to Your will, my thoughts to Your thoughts, my desires to Your desires. Form and shape my intentions and motives. I trust You to know what’s best in the path and plans You’ve chosen. Guide me and direct me. Order my steps before me. “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him” (Proverbs 37:23). I delight in You. So I’m excited and expectant to see Your purposes prevail in my life today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be excited and expectant to see God's purposes prevail in your life today, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" We Welcome Your Financial Support to Fulfill our Vision and Calling https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events and We Welcome You to Join Us as You're Led to Fulfill our Vision and Calling with Your Prayers and Financial Support https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute Every Tuesday Night Starting Again September, 2025 We have begun again my annual 9 Month Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time  Zoom link available by request to my email.   tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays Every Morning in Pakistan except Sunday Morning Messiah Ministries Christian School in Tara Garth, Pakistan with children from the Brick Kilns and village. Let me know if you're led to help support our school with Christian and Muslim students and teachers. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org September 21 - Thank you for your prayers! Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas at 9am and 11am . Listen to my message here: https://www.youtube.com/live/p6mbw9DBdHQ?si=6HfbPNAzKF38gbRU&t=2543 September 30 Meet and Pray with Pastor David Danielson of Impact Church with Dr. Sandy Kirk, to bring the pastors and leaders in the Kerrville area together for our Meet Me at the River community gathering for worship, witness, and healing prayer ministry from the trauma of the Hill Country Flood of the Guadalupe River in central Texas. September 27 Officiate the Celebration of Life of Pepper Steventon in Phoenix, Arizona October 1 Preaching at The Empty Cross of The Coming King Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas for final Day of Ten Days of Awe hosted by Texas Hill Country churches and ministries. October 2 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries, Kendall Inn 7:30pm October 4 Meet Me at the River. Leading a Community Gathering of Worship and Healing from the Trauma of the Hill Country Flood at the edge of the Guadalupe River between Kerrville and Hunt, Texas at Paradise River Bend at 3pm. Bring your lawn chairs please and please keep us in prayer if you can't come. Messiah Ministries Facebook Event Page to share: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FA7dBuSx6/ October 21 Speaking at Around the Table Monthly Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Fredericksburg, Texas 6:30pm. All are Welcome.  September through December, 2025 Blocks of time when I can writing my next book. Welcoming your prayers for the inspiration and flow of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, friends! November Prayers for Returning for ministry in Pakistan in Karachi, Pattoki, and Lahore Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Morning by Morning, September 24, 2025 – Ten Days of Awe

 

Morning by Morning, September 24, 2025 – Ten Days of Awe Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I seek to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ... “Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him” (Psalm 33:8). During these Ten Days of Awe on the Biblical Calendar — the ten days from the Feast of Trumpets until the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:24-32) — I stand in awe of You, as I honor You and fear You in the reverence You deserve from me and from all the inhabitants of the world. I bow low in humility before You, I lift up my praises in worship of You — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the Living God. Throughout the ages, these are days specifically intended to honor You and humble our hearts before You, in both the love of God and the fear of the Lord. “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord (the appointed times of the Lord), which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts (My appointed times)’” (Leviticus 23:1-2). Though You are the ultimate Fulfillment of every Feast, every Law, every Prophecy of the Old Covenant, just as Your Voice is our Trumpet and Your Blood is our Atonement, just as we are to honor You and humble ourselves before You every moment of every day, we are also moved during these appointed times to focus on You in an intentional, deliberate way. As You said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). These ten days, set apart in the appointed times of the Lord on Your Biblical Calendar, are days of opportunity, appointed for an attitude of heart of repentance and return, introspection and intimacy, solemnity in the searching of our souls to surrender to You all that is not yet like You. As David expressed: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.... “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.... “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a (right) spirit within me” (Psalm 51:1-2, 7, 10). Thank You that when we seek You in humility and search for You in faith, You promise we will find You and we will be embraced by You: “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:13-14). “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). In these Days of Awe, help me embrace an intentional, deliberate attitude of my heart. Move me by Your Spirit to desire in my thoughts and my desires, a living lifestyle of humility before You, dependence upon You, passionate pursuit of You, in both the love of God and the fear of the Lord. This day and every day, I stand in awe of You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Tommy, may you embrace an intentional, deliberate attitude of your heart in both the love of God and the fear of the Lord during these Ten Days of Awe and every day of your journey of spiritual intimacy into spiritual maturity with the Lord, standing in awe of Him, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" We Welcome Your Financial Support to Fulfill our Vision and Calling https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events and We Welcome You to Join Us as You're Led to Fulfill our Vision and Calling with Your Prayers and Financial Support https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute Every Tuesday Night Starting Again September, 2025 We have begun again my annual 9 Month Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time  Zoom link available by request to my email.   tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays Every Morning in Pakistan except Sunday Morning Messiah Ministries Christian School in Tara Garth, Pakistan with children from the Brick Kilns and village. Let me know if you're led to help support our school with Christian and Muslim students and teachers. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org September 21  - Thank you for your prayers! Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas at 9am and 11am . Listen to my message here: https://www.youtube.com/live/p6mbw9DBdHQ?si=6HfbPNAzKF38gbRU&t=2543 September 23 Meet and Pray with Pastor David Danielson of Impact Church with Dr. Sandy Kirk, to bring the pastors and leaders in the Kerrville area together for our Meet Me at the River community gathering for worship, witness, and healing prayer ministry from the trauma of the Hill Country Flood of the Guadalupe River in central Texas. September 27 Officiate the Celebration of Life of Pepper Steventon in Phoenix, Arizona October 1 Preaching at The Empty Cross of The Coming King Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas for final Day of Ten Days of Awe hosted by Texas Hill Country churches and ministries. October 2 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries, Kendall Inn 7:30pm October 4 Meet Me at the River. Leading a Community Gathering of Worship and Healing from the Trauma of the Hill Country Flood at the edge of the Guadalupe River between Kerrville and Hunt, Texas at Paradise River Bend at 3pm. Bring your lawn chairs please and please keep us in prayer if you can't come. Messiah Ministries Facebook Event Page to share: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FA7dBuSx6/ October 21 Speaking at Around the Table Monthly Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Fredericksburg, Texas 6:30pm. All are Welcome.  September through December, 2025 Blocks of time when I can writing my next book. Welcoming your prayers for the inspiration and flow of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, friends! November Prayers for Returning for ministry in Pakistan in Karachi, Pattoki, and Lahore Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays