Morning by Morning, June 30, 2025 - “Iron Sharpens Iron” as Disciples of Jesus

 

Morning by Morning, June 30, 2025 - “Iron Sharpens Iron” as Disciples of Jesus Good morning, Lord Jesus. Just as Your Word promises, I draw near to You and embrace You drawing near to me—Father, Son and Holy Spirit of God (James 4:8). ... “As Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). I’ve been away for a week on a men’s retreat up in the mountains with no cell phones or internet connections. My part was to teach on Biblical Principles of Spiritual Warfare and to soak in the teachings of other men, in deep times of the Presence of God, as iron sharpens iron for the spiritual battles and journeys of our lives. How freeing to be unshackled from emails and world news, from distractions and details, to have deep times of contemplation and encounters with You, as we breathed in the fresh mountain air and a fresh breath from Your Holy Spirit. And now I’m on the journey home to put into practice what You’ve been teaching, seeking to live out the way of discipleship You’ve called me and every one of us to live. Not settling for merely being a Christian who’s going to Heaven when I die, but being a disciple of Jesus Christ, surrendering all of me to all of You, that I can experience the Your Heaven in my now. As You required of those who would be Your first disciples, so You continue to require of each of us: “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). Thank You for putting this desire in my heart and empowering me by Your Spirit to deny myself, to take up my cross, and follow You however You lead and whatever that looks like in my life every day—day by day, step by step, morning by morning, all along the way. “For God is working in (me), giving (me) the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13). As we’ve been learning on the mountain, to be reaffirmed and lived out when we get back home to the valley, “the way” is just as much a Person to experience and to follow, to be with and to become like, as it is a journey. You are “the Way.” You are “the Way and the Truth and the Life,” Lord Jesus (John 14:8). And as I close this first burst of prayer from here in the solitude of the communion of prayer with You on my way home, I’m remembering a word of encouragement from one my friends who was one of the men You were using to sharpen the iron of my spirit. He quoted from Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest: “Take the initiative. ... We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does and that God will not do what He has called us to do. ... Beware of the tendency of asking the way when you know it perfectly well. Take the initiative. Stop hesitating. Take the first step. Be resolute when God speaks. Act in faith immediately on what He says....” I do know perfectly well the way. You are “the Way.” So as best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to embrace the Way that leads to the abundance of Life in the fullness of Truth that only You can supply (John 10:10). Keep letting iron sharpen iron, as You Lead me in Your Way today and every day, I pray—Father, Son and Holy Spirit of God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My Friend, may you be filled with the desire and the power to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus as one of His true disciples, as iron sharpens iron in your spirit morning by morning and day by 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

Special Note: Friends, I will be away teaching at a Men's Retreat in the New Mexico Mountains all next week, with very limited internet. So I will probably not be sending out my Morning by Morning Devotional, but still joining with you in prayer in my heart. God Bless You and Thank You for joining me in this Journey of Prayer from my morning prayer time. 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 Morning in Pakistan except Sunday Morning Messiah Ministries Christian School in Tara Garth, Pakistan with children from the Brick Kilns and village Every Saturday Morning in Pakistan through Zoom Messiah Ministries Discipleship Training School in Pattoki, Pakistan June 21-29 Thank you for all your prayers! Praising God for all He did! Teaching on Spiritual Warfare at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 4 Leading Prayer at the Patriotic Prayer Gathering for Fredericksburg, Texas 4th of July Parade at the County Courthouse Gazebo 9am. Hosted by the Fredericksburg Tea Party. All are welcome! July 6 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas July 9 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 10am. All are welcome! 305 E Ramsey Rd., Ste 329, San Antonio, TX SA.day.aglow@gmail.com  July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 17 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 7pm. All are welcome! 14015 San Pedro Ave., Bldg. 2, SATX Sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com July 23-August 4 Returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyeri, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team August 18-25 Preaching Crusades and Ministry in return ministry to Cartagena, Colombia September 21 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas  October 21 Speaking at Around the Table Monthly Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Fredericksburg, Texas 6:30pm. All are Welcome. 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, June 20, 2025 - A “Wall of Fire All Around” Her and “the Glory” of God Within Her

 

Morning by Morning, June 20, 2025 - A “Wall of Fire All Around” Her and “the Glory” of God Within Her Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear Your heart, as I begin my day grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit—Father, Son and Holy Spirit of God. ... The news speaks of “ballistic missiles raining down on Israel” and that her city of “Tel Aviv is in ruins.” But the world’s news leads me to the Good News of Your Word that always speaks a Word of Your heart and Your will for that land ultimately prevailing, though suffering through so much. Your Word of a “Wall of Fire” around Israel’s capitol city and “the apple of (Your) eye” comes to mind this morning in the midst of the war and terror taking place: “And I (the Prophet Zechariah) lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Then I said, ‘Where are you going?’ And he said to me, ‘To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.’ And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him and said to him, ‘Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a Wall of Fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the Glory in her midst.’ “Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the Lord. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the Lord. Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. For thus said the Lord of hosts, after His glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for He who touches you touches the apple of His eye: ‘Behold, I will shake My hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me. “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be My people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you. And the Lord will inherit Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He Has roused Himself from His holy dwelling” (Zechariah 2:1-13). As I read Your Word, I don’t fully understand all its applications and timing. But I do know every Word of God, whether spoken or written by the Spirit of God, will be fulfilled. For Your Word will not return to You empty or void, but will accomplish every purpose of Your will in Your time and in Your way (Isaiah 55:11). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but (Your) Words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). So in all that’s going on in our world right now, in the Middle East and beyond, I pray You would draw all people to You, even redeeming the fear of terror, the insecurity and instability of wars and rumors of wars. I pray You would be a “Wall of Fire” all around and the “Glory” of Your manifest Presence within the people who are “the apple of (Your) eye” and all people who would call upon Your name to be their Security and Hope. In Jesus’ name I pray. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you find all Your Security and Hope in the One who is a Wall of Fire around you and the Glory of the manifest Presence of God within you, joining in prayer for God's Word according to God's will and timing to be fulfilled, 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

Special Note: Friends, I will be away teaching at a Men's Retreat in the New Mexico Mountains all next week, with very limited internet. So I will probably not be sending out my Morning by Morning Devotional, but still joining with you in prayer in my heart. God Bless You and Thank You for joining me in this Journey of Prayer from my morning prayer time. 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 Morning in Pakistan except Sunday Morning Messiah Ministries Christian School in Tara Garth, Pakistan with children from the Brick Kilns and village Every Saturday Morning in Pakistan through Zoom Messiah Ministries Discipleship Training School in Pattoki, Pakistan June 21-29 Teaching on Spiritual Warfare at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 4 Leading Prayer at the Patriotic Prayer Gathering for Fredericksburg, Texas 4th of July Parade at the County Courthouse Gazebo 9am. All are welcome! July 6 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas July 9 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 10am. All are welcome! 305 E Ramsey Rd., Ste 329, San Antonio, TX SA.day.aglow@gmail.com  July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 17 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 7pm. All are welcome! 14015 San Pedro Ave., Bldg. 2, SATX Sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com July 23-August 4 Returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyeri, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team August 18-25 Preaching Crusades and Ministry in return ministry to Cartagena, Colombia September 21 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas  October 21 Speaking at Around the Table Monthly Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Fredericksburg, Texas 6:30pm. All are Welcome. 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, June 19, 2025 - Rising Lion

 

Morning by Morning, June 19, 2025 - Rising Lion Good morning, Lord Jesus. Rise in my heart, my thoughts, my words as I seek Your face and seek to follow Your lead (John 10:27). ... We’re living through historic days of Biblical proportion. While some are coping with just going about their lives “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Matthew 24:38), others are going to their knees in prayer for Your intervention and for “The Spirit of the Lord (with) the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” for those through whom You choose to intervene (Isaiah 11:2). In these perilous times of history-changing choices, fraught with world-changing consequences, the news is filled with the phrase “Rising Lion.” But as I read that phrase and hear these words, what rises up in my spirit are a few Words of the Sovereign Lord who knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end, holding all history in Your hands: “Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed...” (Revelation 5:5). And these Words written by Your Spirit through King David as the leader of Israel in the days of her battles against those who sought to destroy her: “Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly” (Psalm 68:1-3). In every battle, every war, whether on the world stage or in the world of our own souls, our true enemies are not human beings of flesh and blood or national rulers and authorities: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). None of us know all the truth, but You do. You are “the Truth” (John 14:6). None of us know all the right way to get through these perilous times to make the right choices that may forever change our world, but You do. You are “the Way” (John 14:6). And none of us know all the path of life that overcomes death, destruction, and the dominion of evil in our broken and fallen world, but You do. You are “the Life” (John 14:6). The same One who is “the Way and the Truth and the Life” is also the One who is “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16). So I join with those who are joining in prayer for You to lead, for Your kingdom to come, for Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, in our hearts and minds as it is in Yours, in every battle and war being waged in our world (Matthew 6:10). Let the Lion who rises be the Lion of the Tribe of Judah—in the hearts of all people, from every tribe and tongue and nation, whether in Israel or Iran or any other nation and people (Revelation 7:9). Let God arise and His enemies be scattered! Let the Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords be exalted in the earth and in our hearts until Your Word is finally fulfilled that “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will rule as King forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you join in prayer for the rising and the leading of the One who is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, in our hearts and in our world, 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 Morning in Pakistan except Sunday Morning Messiah Ministries Christian School in Tara Garth, Pakistan with children from the Brick Kilns and village Every Saturday Morning in Pakistan through Zoom Messiah Ministries Discipleship Training School in Pattoki, Pakistan June 21-29 Teaching on Spiritual Warfare at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 4 Leading Prayer at the Patriotic Prayer Gathering for Fredericksburg, Texas 4th of July Parade at the County Courthouse Gazebo 9am. All are welcome! July 6 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas July 9 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 10am. All are welcome! 305 E Ramsey Rd., Ste 329, San Antonio, TX SA.day.aglow@gmail.com  July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 17 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 7pm. All are welcome! 14015 San Pedro Ave., Bldg. 2, SATX Sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com July 23-August 4 Returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyeri, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team August 18-25 Preaching Crusades and Ministry in return ministry to Cartagena, Colombia September 21 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas  October 21 Speaking at Around the Table Monthly Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Fredericksburg, Texas 6:30pm. All are Welcome. 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, June 17, 2025 - “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” and All the World

 

Morning by Morning, June 17, 2025 - “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” and All the World Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my eyes and open up my heart to embrace You now, to abide in You now, and in every moment of my day (John 15:4). ... Israel and Iran are at war. And all the world is worried, if not in fear, of what may come. Suspicions abound that the Iranian regime, who has pledged to completely annihilate Israel as a people and a nation from the face of the world, either has or is near to having the nuclear weapon it covets. We don’t know the truth. But You do. We don’t know what’s hidden away deep in a mountain securing a nuclear facility. But You do. We shudder to think of the incomprehensible consequences of what would happen if just one of the ballistic missiles sent to rain down on the Israeli civilians were to get through their air defenses, carrying a nuclear warhead. May that day never come. As the drama unfolds, in this current crisis and in any crisis to come between now and the day of Your return, I join with those from around our world who believe in Your Word and obey Your Command by the leading of Your Spirit: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.     May they be secure who love you. Peace be within your walls     and security within your towers” (Psalm 122:6-7). Yes, Lord. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. And at the same time, we pray for the peace of Tehran and Tel Aviv, for the peace of New York and Northern Ireland, for Beijing and Budapest, for Moscow and Madrid, for all the people of our world in every city and nation. May we all seek You as our Security with Your Word as our Authority and Your Spirit as our Guide. Expose terror in every form. Uproot and remove evil in every place. Reveal. Remove. Replace. These are not merely political issues; they are primarily righteousness issues. And we can only know where to stand in righteousness in our words and actions and even in our prayers as we seek the One who is Righteous and embrace the authority and guidance of the Word and the Spirit of the One who leads us “in the paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23:3). As You said long ago, You continue to say to all who have ears to hear: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). With Your peace in our hearts we can pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the peace of our world. And with Your peace in our hearts, we can look forward to the day that Your Word is fulfilled: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be secure in the peace of the One who is the Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as you obey the Command of the Word of God to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, 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 Morning in Pakistan except Sunday Morning Messiah Ministries Christian School in Tara Garth, Pakistan with children from the Brick Kilns and village Every Saturday Morning in Pakistan through Zoom Messiah Ministries Discipleship Training School in Pattoki, Pakistan June 21-29 Teaching on Spiritual Warfare at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 4 Leading Prayer at the Patriotic Prayer Gathering at the 4th of July Parade at the County Courthouse Gazebo hosted by the Fredericksburg Tea Party 9am. All are welcome! July 6 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas July 9 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 10am. All are welcome! 305 E Ramsey Rd., Ste 329, San Antonio, TX SA.day.aglow@gmail.com  July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 17 Speaking at San Antonio Day Aglow Lighthouse Meeting 7pm. All are welcome! 14015 San Pedro Ave., Bldg. 2, SATX Sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com July 23-August 4 Returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyeri, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team August 18-25 Preaching Crusades and Ministry in return ministry to Cartagena, Colombia September 21 Preaching the Sunday Morning Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas Wednesday Mornings Leading Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups of MorningStar Ministries from around the world by appointment.  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