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!
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Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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