"Glorious Inheritance" 7-29-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my Lord and Savior, my Father and Friend, my God and King. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit today. ... "In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to His counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:11-12). In You, I have destiny and purpose -- for this day and every day of my life. Yet You set before me each moment the choice to seek You or not, seek Your counsel and will or not, keep setting my hope and trust on You alone or not. By the power of Your grace, I can live each day for the praise of Your glory. Or I can choose to live it for myself. Love always leaves a choice. Love "does not insist on its own way" because then it wouldn't be love (1 Corinthians 13:5). And You are love (1 John 4:8). You created me for a relationship of love with You. You created me in Your image, to be transformed and to grow in Your nature, and to live for the praise of Your glory. This is my inheritance. This is my destiny and purpose. And You will fulfill it in me and through, uniquely and creatively, as in no other. I thank You for this gift and I thank You for reminding me today to appreciate it with a grateful and willing heart. Keep opening the eyes of my heart to know and embrace this hope to which You have called me, my "glorious inheritance" (Ephesians 1:18). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have just a few places left open. Please sign up right away to come join Laura Beach and me for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading this weekend, August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Through Tommy's teaching and Laura's leading of creative prayer experiences, "The Shepherd's Pen Retreat" will explore the beautiful passage of John 10 -- We will delve into what it means to: 1) Truly hear and discern the voice of God, our good shepherd, 2) Identify the broken fences that allow the wolf and the thief to disrupt our ability to hear the Good Shepherd, and 3) Experience the healing and restoration that occurs when we enter into the safe "pen" of God's love. There will be times of worship, teaching, practice hearing the voice of God in different ways and, of course, prayer to equip and nurture all who attend. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

Know Your Power 7-28-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek Your face and listen for Your voice. ... "He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him; yet the world did not know Him. He came to what was His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man but of God" (John 10:1-13). I saw where the politician holding the highest ranking position of power in our House of Representatives has written a book called, Know Your Power. I haven't read it, but the title made me think of two things. On the one hand, You have created each one of us with purpose, calling, and destiny. You gift us and inspire us, anoint us and empower us to offer ourselves and the gifts You give us to influence our world around us every day. And on the other hand, the greatest power of all is the "power to become children of God." You freely give that power to every human being. We can't earn it, can't climb a political ladder to grab it, can't fight any war to impose it, can't conjure up our own religion or philosophy to secure our right to have it. That greatest power of all comes to all who will seek You, receive You, and believe in Your name. Lord Jesus, You and my Father are One; and You come to live in me by Your Holy Spirit (John 14:23). I seek You and receive You and believe in Your name. I am a child of God through faith in You. "For in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith" (Galatians 3:26). I thank You for the gift of this power, for letting me know my power to become Your child, to entrust my life to You, and allow You to live Your life through me -- all by the power of the grace of God. "And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Order our Ministry Resources at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

Live Strong 7-26-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I want to live strong in You today. ... "No distrust made (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised" (Romans 4:20-21). I saw a slogan yesterday that said, "Live Strong." I've forgotten what company or cause that slogan promotes, but it made me think of You. It made me think of living my life full of faith to believe You are with me, leading me, going before me, empowering me, and using me to make a difference. And at the same time, it made me think of days when I don't feel all that strong, when it seems my faith wavers, and I wonder how You could use my life at all. I know Abraham must have had those thoughts and emotions as well. Your Word records the journey of his life with both times of great faith and time of great doubt, times when he trusted You with all he had and times when he felt he had to take everything into his own hands. But it was through it all that "he grew strong in his faith." Faith was not formed out of thin air or even imparted to him at a miracle service. He "grew" in faith. And faith "grew" in him. It is "through faith and patience" that we "inherit the promises" of God (Hebrews 6:12). And by that faith that You give and grow in me, I will live strong. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for praying for our School of Spiritual Ministry. The Lord is ministering to us deeply and empowering us to minister His healing love and power to others. I pray the same for you! Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

Power and Authority to Honor the Lamb or the Beast 7-25-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of kings and Lord of lords, rule and reign in my heart and life today. ... "And the ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are united in yielding their power and authority to the beast, they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful" (Revelation 17:12-14). Through the victory of the cross and the glory of the resurrection, You declared to Your disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me" (Matthew 28:18). Yet in the matchless sovereignty and eternal wisdom of God, You have chosen to create us "in the image of God" and entrust "dominion" over Your creation of the earth to us (Genesis 1:27-28). Despite Your foreknowledge, now confirmed and established by all generations of man since the first generation, that we would miserably fail in our exercise of dominion, You continue to entrust power and authority to us with the calling and commission to use it for Your purposes and Your glory. "Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal" (Luke 9:1). In a sense, You have made us all to be the kings of the earth. "The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He has given to human beings" (Psalm 115:16). We can use the power and authority You have entrusted to us to wear our crowns and exalt ourselves and build our own kingdoms or we can cast down our crowns at Your feet and exalt Your name and proclaim Your kingdom. Some will be "united in yielding their power and authority to the beast" driven by demonic lust for their own power, positions, and pleasures. But some will be united as one with You, using all the power and authority You have entrusted to us to serve the Lamb who loves us and laid down His life for us and now sits enthroned in the heavens and in our hearts within us. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" now and "forever and ever" (Revelation 5:12-13). The choice is ours, but You give us all the grace we need to choose well. "Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of His glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever" (Jude 24-25). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer as I lead our Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry intensive course which started last night (equipping and empowering spiritual leaders to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit for the glory our Father -- Isaiah 61; Luke 4). We're holding this one at our ministry base at my home church in Lexington, Kentucky Thursday night through Saturday night. This is part of our ministry calling to "Prepare the Way of the Lord." We'll be teaching and equipping again in Winchester, Kentucky in August. Write for details if you'd be interested. The DVD's from our last one in January, The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry, are available now from our web site: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Please feel free to use these in your personal ministry, for group studies, and in helping equip prayer ministry teams in your church. Friends, please sign up soon to come join Laura Beach and me for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Through Tommy's teaching and Laura's leading of creative prayer experiences, "The Shepherd's Pen Retreat" will explore the beautiful passage of John 10 -- We will delve into what it means to: 1) Truly hear and discern the voice of God, our good shepherd, 2) Identify the broken fences that allow the wolf and the thief to disrupt our ability to hear the Good Shepherd, and 3) Experience the healing and restoration that occurs when we enter into the safe "pen" of God's love. There will be times of worship, teaching, practice hearing the voice of God in different ways and, of course, prayer to equip and nurture all who attend.Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

"Dawn from On High" 7-24-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit. Come be One within me now and always by the grace and the power of Your steadfast love and tender mercies. ... "By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace" (Luke 1:78-79). In see in my spirit the dawn of a new day. Dawn form on high will break upon us with light of Your glory, breaking through the darkness of discouragement, disappointment, and disillusionment of all who have grown weary waiting for this day. You have prophesied and promised the coming of this day through Your Word and through the words You have spoken through Your people. "Surely the Lord does nothing, without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). And all who have been watching and waiting through the watches of prayer at their places on the wall of their cities and spheres of spiritual influence, responsibility, and authority long for the coming of this day. Zechariah "was filled with the Holy Spirit" and prophesied over his son, John, on the day he was set apart for Your purposes of Your kingdom (Luke 1:67). His son was called and empowered by Your grace to "go before the Lord to prepare His way" (v. 1:76). His ministry was the preparation for the dawning of a new day. And today Your Holy Spirit is filling Your people with faith to believe and grace to press through and persevere through the all the darkness that would try to discourage us, disappoint us, and disillusion us that we would not live to see the coming of the dawn of this new day. Your Holy Spirit is going before You to prepare the way for Your coming in great glory. One day we will see You break through the clouds of heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16). One day we will declare the fulfillment of the old hymn, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!" But before the dawn of that day breaks forth on the earth, the dawn of Your glory will break forth in us. Your Holy Spirit is preparing a holy bride, bringing many sons to glory, to embrace our coming King (Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 2:10). "And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.... May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do this" (1 Thessalonians 5:14-23). You are faithful and You will do this -- You will prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts. You will awaken us from all idleness and deliver us from all discouragement. You will prepare us and sanctify us for the glory of Your coming in our spirits and souls and bodies and one glad morning, in all the earth. On the dawn of that day, "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14). Come, Lord Jesus, come. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer as I lead our Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry intensive course starting tonight (equipping and empowering spiritual leaders to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit for the glory our Father -- Isaiah 61; Luke 4). We're holding this one at our ministry base at my home church in Lexington, Kentucky Thursday night through Saturday night. This is part of our ministry calling to "Prepare the Way of the Lord." The DVD's from our last one in January, The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry, are available now from our web site: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Please feel free to use these in your personal ministry and in helping equip prayer ministry teams in your church. Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

Water Gate of the Word 7-23-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me beside Your still waters, refresh my spirit, and restore my soul, as I begin this new day with You. ... "All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel.... And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, 'Amen, Amen,' lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:1-6). When the people heard Your Word, they were moved to worship You. Their bodies expressed their hearts as they stood in reverence, lifted their hands, bowed their heads, and kneeled prostrate before You. Hearing Your Word led them to respond with their hearts. We honor with reverence the book of law of Moses and all the books that Your Holy Spirit has led us to bring together and embrace as the Word of God. You call us to love and learn "the sacred writings that are able to instruct (us) for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Every word is faithful and true, but we need Your Holy Spirit to awaken it within our spirits and explain it to our minds. We need Your Holy Spirit to show us the arms of our Father stretched out to us in Your Word and available to us through Your life. We don't worship the book, we worship You. And as we hear the truth of Your Word proclaimed, we are moved and we are changed by the Spirit of the One who gives us Your Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, NKJV). Lord restore Your Word to a place of reverence and honor in our lives. Let it convict us and encourage us, correct us and inspire us, as it always leads us to You. Let us spend more time before the Water Gate of Your Word, where we are cleansed and refreshed "with the washing of water by the Word" (Ephesians 5:26). You alone are the Gate of our righteousness and salvation (John 10:9). You alone are the Living Water that fills us with the life of Your Spirit (John 4:10 and 7:38). I thank You for Your Word that leads me to You -- to lift my hands to You, open my heart to You, and bow my face before You in the worship of which only You are worthy. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Order Tommy Hays' New Book, Morning by Morning, 365 Day Prayer Devotional

Friends of Tommy Hays and Messiah Ministries, I'm excited to have published my first book, Morning by Morning! It's a 365 Day Prayer Devotional collected from my morning prayers over a year's time to start each day centered on Jesus, embraced by the Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. All sales proceeds go to Messiah Ministries to fulfill our calling of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" through our teaching, equipping, and prayer ministries of healing, deliverance, and spiritual transformation. Please order your copy today and forward this note to anyone who may be interested.

Thank you and God bless you! Tommy Hays

Click Here to Order On-line Now!

Law and Grace 7-22-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be in charge of my calendar, my conversations, and my commitments today. Be at the center of my focus now. ... "After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, 'The people of Israel, the priests, the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations.... For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons. Thus the holy seed has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands, and in this faithlessness the officials and leaders have led the way" (Ezra 9:1-2). When the exiles returned to Israel from their captivity, there was great zeal to obey the letter of the law. They had suffered the judgment of exile to a foreign land and were now returning home with a fresh start for a "new life" (v. 9:9). Yet they could only see this as a "brief moment" of "favor" from a God who was granting "a little sustenance in (their) slavery" (v. 9:8). Someone pointed out the sin if intermarriage with people of foreign religions worshipping false gods, and they chose to take drastic action "to send away all these wives and their children" (Ezra 10:3). Only a few spoke up to oppose this plan (Ezra 10:10). These kinds of passages of Scripture are always hard for me to grasp and understand with the eyes of grace that has now set us free from the law. Under the grace of God through the Christ our Lord, "we know that a person is justified not by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not be doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law" (Galatians 2:16). We are not free to sin, but we are free to follow Christ. "For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:19-20). Seeing the strictness of the law convicts me of the depths of sin, reminds me of my continual need for a Savior, and fills me with joy for the freedom of the grace of God. "For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Holiness under the law before grace through Christ seemed to require that the unbelieving wives and children be sent away. It seems holiness under the grace of Christ is the Holy Spirit of Christ living in us, shining as light through us, in the midst of the darkness of unbelieving cultures and people. We are still called to be joined in marriage to believers, but if we are joined to an unbeliever and who consents to live with us, we are not to send them away (1 Corinthians 7:12-13). By the power of the grace of God, instead of what is unholy defiling what is holy, what is holy transforms what is unholy. "For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy" (1 Corinthians 7:14). I'm still growing in my understanding of law and grace, the truth of the Word of God under both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. I'm still wresting with Your teaching of the Sermon of the Mount as You continually addressed the law with the fuller understanding of grace out of the heart of the same God, when You relentlessly said, "You have heart it was said.... But I say to you ..." (Matthew 5:21-48). But unlike Ezra the priest and the people of his day who were looking for only "a little sustenance in their slavery" for the "brief moment" of Your "favor," I live every day under the freedom and power of grace. "For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 100:5). So let me not pull back from the world to be holy, but send me forth into my world today with the holy light of Your Holy Spirit shining through me, transforming my world by the power of Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Handle the Gold 7-21-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before I talk to anyone else, I want to talk to You. Before I hear another voice, I want to hear Yours. ... "Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests.... And I weighed out to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, the offering for the house of our God.... And I said to them, 'You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the Lord, the God of your ancestors" (Ezra 8:24-28). You restored Your people to their land out of their captivity when the judgment of exile was completed. And You restored all that had been stolen from them. Among them were all the vessels of silver and gold taken from the temple and hauled away into the treasuries of the kings of Babylon. But even there, these vessels were to be treated with only honor and respect, as the son of Nebuchadnezzar found out when he read the writing on the wall that prophesied his own judgment for defiling the vessels of the Lord (Daniel 5:1-31). The vessel of his soul was "weighed on the scales and found wanting" (v. 5:27). I think these vessels of the temple of the Lord speak of our souls. God commands they be treated with honor and respect, even in the times of judgment and consequences for our disobedience and sin. His heart is to always to restore us and return us to the place of His honor. And in Christ, we are all his priests as well, called to be holy through the cleansing of Your blood and commanded to handle the vessels of God's people with holy honor (1 Peter 2:9). "You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish" (v. 1:18). Through faith in You, our souls are being cleansed and purified to be "more precious than gold," though "tested by fire," to be worthy vessels of honor. (1 Peter 1:6-7). Today, let me see myself that way and see others that way as well. As the vessels of the Lord were "weighed out" into the hands of Your priests by Ezra, they were called to "guard them and keep them" until they were completely restored into the house of the Lord (Ezra 8:29). Likewise, You've called me and each of us who are called by Your name to be holy priests to You, as we handle the gold of Your people's souls in our hands today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please sign up soon to come join Laura Beach and me for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Through Tommy's teaching and Laura's leading of creative prayer experiences, "The Shepherd's Pen Retreat" will explore the beautiful passage of John 10 -- We will delve into what it means to: 1) Truly hear and discern the voice of God, our good shepherd, 2) Identify the broken fences that allow the wolf and the thief to disrupt our ability to hear the Good Shepherd, and 3) Experience the healing and restoration that occurs when we enter into the safe "pen" of God's love. There will be times of worship, teaching, practice hearing the voice of God in different ways and, of course, prayer to equip and nurture all who attend.Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). It's not too late to sign up for our School of Spiritual Ministry intensive this Thurs night, Friday, and Saturday -- equipping and empowering spiritual leaders. My friend, Greg Howard, former commander of vehicle enforcement for the state will be teaching on leadership as well. Childcare available. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Not Empty-handed 7-20-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I welcome You here in my spirit, soul, and body. ... "All that first opens the womb is Mine .... No one shall appear before Me empty-handed" (Exodus 34:19-20). As I appear before every morning in the communion of prayer, these first moments belong to You. As morning opens to a new day, all that first opens my thoughts, my desires, my words, and my actions belong to You. I will not go through the moments of my day empty-handed, because I've not come before You in these first moments empty-handed. You fill my hands with Your hands and my spirit with Your Spirit. You gladly receive my sacrifice of my self as a willing embrace of Your constant Presence throughout my day. ... As I wait upon You in the silence of surrender, it seems I hear You say, "My Son, you may see these first moments as a sacrifice, but I multiply these moments beyond your imagination. These are the most important moments because all the other moments of Your day are set in motion in these. You have used them well this morning." Yes, Lord. Yesterday morning, I thought I was too tired to come and thought I would just "take a day off," but things didn't quite seem right all day long. But You've used even that to draw me closer to You today. You are showing me that my time is a sacrifice but my time with You is really no sacrifice at all in light of all it does in me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, that you for praying for us at The Fountain Friday night. Please keep Shrae Ning from Cambodia in your prayers as the Lord continues to heal her eyes and empower her testimony. She encouraged us all with her strong faith that allowed her to survive through the killing fields as a child and through all the many trials and challenges since. God bless you! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

A Heart for the Word of God 7-16-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I watch and wait in the silence of surrender before You again in these first moments of my morning. ... "Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses that the Lord our God had given; and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord God was upon him" (Ezra 7:6). Though Your priest Ezra was taken away captive and exiled to a foreign land and subjected to life under the influence of a foreign king, Your Word was never exiled from his heart. And the hand of Your favor never left his head. "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10). And when the season of suffering was over and the season of restoration began, Ezra was ready for the move of God in his day, "for the gracious hand of his God was upon him" (v. 7:9). Keep giving me a hunger for Your Word and Your Spirit. Let them fill me and overflow through me. Prepare me for battle and position me to move with authority at Your command, with my hand filled with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" and with Your hand filled with my heart (Ephesians 6:17). By the power of Your grace, I set my heart to study Your Word and seek the abiding presence and favor of Your Holy Spirit. When I go before courts and kings, sinners and saints, and all who cross my path in the everyday journey of life, let them know by Your gracious hand upon me that I have been with You -- in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we've updated our ministry resources at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org, including my new book and the new release of the dvd's from our School of Spiritual Ministry filmed live in Lexington earlier this year. Please sign up soon to come join Laura Beach and me for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Sign up soon to join us for The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry I'll be leading July 24-26, 2008 (Equipping and Empowering Spiritual Leaders in Prayer Ministry to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of our Father). No fee, but suggested donation of $75.00. CHILD CARE AVAILABLE - Please contact Marilyn Walker for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night 7/18 (on the 3rd Friday night of every month)for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. I will be there to lead in prayer this month. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"A Great Shout" 7-15-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your Spirit increase; let my flesh decrease, as I choose, by Your grace, to submit my will to Yours today. ... "When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, 'For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.' And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid" (Ezra 3:10-11). There's great rejoicing in heaven whenever a sinner comes to repentance and turns his life over to You, welcomes Your Holy Spirit into his heart, and embraces the steadfast love of our Father. And their was great rejoicing at every stage of Israel's journey where they behold Your mighty power and turned their hearts to their God. But when You restored their lives and their nation from Your judgment and the season of their exile from the promised land and blessings of God through their sin, they gave up "a great shout." You set things right again in the foundation of their souls and their land. In Your "steadfast love" that "endures forever," You are good and faithful to restore and redeem all things we will entrust to Your care. I thank You for the joy of my salvation. And I praise You for all the times I've seen You move in the mighty power of Your steadfast love to set things right in my life. Every time You heal my brokenness and break my bondage, You continue to build a foundation of faith in my soul, grounded and established in Your steadfast, unyielding love for me. You never let go. And I want to respond with a great shout of praise when I remember and bear witness to all You've done out of Your unfailing, unending love for me. And one day, a mighty angel of the Lord will stand on earth and shout into the heavens with "a great shout" like "a lion roaring" and sound of "seven thunders" when You move in mighty power to restore and redeem all things (Revelation 10:1-7). "There will be no more delay" and "the mystery of God will be fulfilled" on that day (v. 10:6-7). That will be a day worthy of the greatest shout of praise of all. Give me grace to press on and rise up from the firm foundation of faith You've been laying in my soul until the coming of that awesome day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we've updated our ministry resources at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org, including my new book and the new release of the dvd's from our School of Spiritual Ministry filmed live in Lexington earlier this year. Please come join Laura Beach and me if you can for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Join us for The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry led by Tommy Hays July 24-26, 2008 (Equipping and Empowering Spiritual Leaders in Prayer Ministry to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of our Father). No fee, but suggested donation of $75.00.CHILD CARE AVAILABLE - Please contact Marilyn Walker for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night 7/18 (on the 3rd Friday night of every month)for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. I will be there to lead in prayer this month. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Prophets, Priests, and Kings Together 7-14-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good morning, my Father God. Good morning, Holy Spirit of the Living God. I welcome every dimension of Your Being to abide in every dimension of my being. ... "Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. The Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set out to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them" (Ezra 5:1-2). In the days of the restoration of Israel and the rebuilding of Your temple, You called together prophetic elders, spiritual leaders, and governmental authorities -- the prophets, priests, and kings of their generation. Together, they heard Your word and moved in action, helping one another to rebuild the house of the Lord. Each group recognized their giftings of God and the giftings of God in one another, complementing one another to work together to advance the word and will of God on earth. As they honored You and embraced the responsibility and authority You gave them to advance Your kingdom in their generation, they overcame all opposition and resistance to Your will through their lives. "So the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus, Darius, and King Artaxerxes of Persia; and this house of was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius" (Ezra 6:14-15). The favor of God upon Your people, moving together as one, brought even the favor of the pagan rulers of the world into submission to Your plan to restore and bless the people of God. In Christ, You are our Prophet, Priest, and King. And as the body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, You are in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). You anoint us with Your Holy Spirit to take our responsibility and authority to listen for Your leading and then move in action with one another as Your prophets, priests, and kings in our own spheres of influence and authority. You pour out Your favor and blessing to accomplish Your purposes in us and through us. And as we honor You and honor Your Spirit and Your gifts in one another, Your kingdom will advance in our generation for Your glory (1 Corinthians 12:1-31). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we've updated our ministry resources at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org, including my new book. Please come join Laura Beach and me if you can for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Join us for The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry led by Tommy Hays July 24-26, 2008 (Equipping and Empowering Spiritual Leaders in Prayer Ministry to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of our Father). No fee, but suggested donation of $75.00.CHILD CARE AVAILABLE - Please contact Marilyn Walker for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Unafraid to Build 7-13-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Form Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Cause my nature to become more like Your nature each day. ... "Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and made them afraid to build, and they bribed officials to frustrate their plan throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and King Darius of Persia" (Ezra 4:4-5). You have called us and commissioned us to build Your house according to Your plan. You are building Your church and establishing Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 16:18). Your church is gathering of Your people, filled with Your Spirit, displaying Your glory through our surrendered lives. Your kingdom is within us (Luke 17:21). And in the sovereignty of Your authority, You have empowered us to participate with You in this building plan, with both deep humility and bold faith. You have given us "the keys of the kingdom" and expect us to use them (Matthew 16:19). But the people of the land, resisting the surrender of their hearts to You alone, will try to discourage us, intimidate us, and frustrate us. They try to confuse us and condemn us for trying to follow You and obey the plan You've written in Your Word and sealed into our hearts. In the days of Ezra, they claimed that the gods of their culture were the same as the God of our faith (Ezra 4:1-2). They were offended that Your people would not compromise their faith and abandon their beliefs that You alone were the one true God, in order to settle for the lowest common denominator of faith and worship. So they railed and retaliated against them, slandered and accused them, and tried to demonize and ostracize them to the powers that be of the world (Ezra 4:6-24). And so it is today. But You have given us grace throughout the ages to stand firm in the faith, not bowing our knees to the false gods and their prophets. No matter how unrelenting their attacks or how subtle their tactics, by Your grace our faith will not be broken or moved. You call us and empower us to "continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel" (Colossians 1:23). With the courage and determination You give me by Your grace each day, "I keep the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (Psalm 16:8). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we've updated our ministry resources at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org, including my new book. Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com/

Anointed in Truth 7-11-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Steady my thoughts and strengthen my spirit as You anoint me with the power of Your presence in me. ... "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth" (1 John 2:20-21). When I first put my hope and trust in You alone as Savior of my life, You came into my heart and anointed me with Your Spirit. Your anointing is Your presence in my life. You are "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). And as I acknowledge and embrace the anointing of Your presence abiding in me, You lead me in Your way, reveal to me Your truth, and impart to me Your life. "As for you, the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in Him" (1 John 2:27). Your presence assures me of Your protection, Your provision, and Your power. Your anointing abiding in me changes me into Your image and conforms me to Your nature as I grow in Your grace. And You anointing also reveals how far I have to go and how much of me is not yet like You. But event that is Your love for me and Your grace for me to become more like You each day as I look to You and embrace the anointing of Your presence (2 Corinthians 3:18). Your truth about who You are in me and who I am in You exposes and expels every lie to the contrary, as You strengthen me and establish me in Your truth and by Your presence. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join Laura Beach and me if you can for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Join us for The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry led by Tommy HaysJuly 24-26, 2008 (Equipping and Empowering Spiritual Leaders in Prayer Ministry to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of our Father). No fee, but suggested donation of $75.00.CHILD CARE AVAILABLE - Please contact Marilyn Walker for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Note from Bob & Doris McCray of our ministry about prayer for Israel: Ezra International is coming to Lexington August 6-10 and will be available to pastors and churches for evening and Sunday services. Ezra's ministry is to help fulfill Bible prophecy in helping rescue and return oppressed Jewish people from the former Soviet Union to their promised land of Israel. This Saturday, July 12th, we will meet at 10 a.m. at the Baptist Church at Andover 3330 Todds Road to plan/pray for Ezra's weekend in Lexington. All are welcome. Info and video at: www. ezrausa.org or Bob and Doris McCray at bndmccray@windstream.net or 859 273-0137 Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

"Direct Your Mind" 7-10-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be the center of my thoughts and the focus of my prayer as I begin this new day with You. With my spirit, soul, and body, I give entrust every dimension of my being into every dimension of Your Being, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... "Hear, my child, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way" (Proverbs 23:19). Sometimes sleep eludes my grasp and the weight of worry tries to steal my peace and snuff out my joy. Sometimes my mind is flooded with thoughts of discouragement, disappointment, frustration, and anger at how all things are not as they should be in my life and the lives of those around me. But I soon realize You are not the author of those thoughts, as You remind me that Your words for me are truth and life, healing and freedom, redemption and mercy. Even Your words of correction are Your words of love, sometimes bringing conviction but never bringing condemnation (Hebrews 12:5-6). Rather than foolishly allow destructive thoughts to linger and poison my soul, Your Holy Spirit rises with wisdom to prompt me to pray and direct my mind in the way that leads to life and peace in the embrace of Your arms. You move me to "take every thought captive to obey Christ" in this war zone of the mind (2 Corinthians 10:5). You give me grace to choose to direct my mind to You or choose to allow my mind to be directed away from You. You give me grace to take these thoughts captive or my pride can resist Your grace and allow these thoughts to take me captive. I can choose to come into agreement with the One who is the way, the truth, and the life or choose to come into agreement with the one who is "the father of lies" (John 8:44). The choice is mine to be active in resistance or passive in defeat (James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11). So as best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to hear Your voice, my Father, to be wise, and direct my mind in Your way. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join Laura Beach and me if you can for the overnight spiritual retreat we are leading August 2-3, 2008 near Lancaster, Kentucky, in the country just south of Lexington -- "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away with the Good Shepherd to learn to hear His voice and be comforted in His embrace. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, for more details and registration (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com). Join us for The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry led by Tommy Hays July 24-26, 2008 (Equipping and Empowering Spiritual Leaders in Prayer Ministry to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of our Father). No fee, but suggested donation of $75.00.CHILD CARE AVAILABLE - Please contact Marilyn Walker for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Note from Bob & Doris McCray of our ministry about prayer for Israel: Ezra International is coming to Lexington August 6-10 and will be available to pastors and churches for evening and Sunday services. Ezra's ministry is to help fulfill Bible prophecy in helping rescue and return oppressed Jewish people from the former Soviet Union to their promised land of Israel. This Saturday, July 12th, we will meet at 10 a.m. at the Baptist Church at Andover 3330 Todds Road to plan/pray for Ezra's weekend in Lexington. All are welcome. Info and video at: www.ezrausa.org or Bob and Doris McCray at bndmccray@windstream.net or 859 273-0137 Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Heal Our Ear Infection 7-9-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in Your paths of righteousness today. ... "From heaven He made you hear His voice to discipline you. On earth He showed you His great fire, while you heard His words coming out of the fire" (Deuteronomy 4:36). I woke up yesterday morning with my ear still hurting from an ear infection. It was sore and filled with fluid that seemed to distort my hearing. But my need brought me to my knees as I sought You for healing and freedom from this infirmity and affliction. At noon, my weekly accountability partners prayed for me. And after a day of ministry and worship in the fire of Your Holy Spirit, I noticed last night that my ear wasn't hurting and all the fluid and distortion was gone. Praise You, Lord God! Healing doesn't always seem to come and doesn't always seem to come so suddenly on this side of heaven, but I rejoice in You and thank You when it does in my life and in the lives of others. Lord, heal our ear infection as the body of Christ. Remove all the things that fill our ears to distort the sound of Your voice. Send Your holy fire to burn away and consume all that is not of You. We are Your sheep, Your sons and daughters, and we know You want us to hear Your voice and obey Your will (John 10:3). "Therefore the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors put Me to the test, though they had seen My works for forty years" (Hebrews 3:7-9). Make us more sensitive to the stirring of Your Spirit and the sound of Your voice, with ever-increasing discernment, as we hear and obey Your word. Let us be hearers and doers of Your word (James 1:22). But if we are to obediently do Your word, we must first be faithful to seek to hear Your word. So let "the ears of the deaf be unstopped" (Isaiah 35:5). "Let anyone with ears to hear, listen" to the sound of Your voice from heaven as we fulfill our destiny in Christ on earth (Mark 4:9). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays "The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" led by Tommy Hays July 24-26, 2008 (Be equipped & empowered as a spiritual leaders for spiritual ministry -- suggested donation $75.00) CHILD CARE AVAILABLE - Please contact Marilyn Walker for detailsand for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -August 2-3, 2008 RETREAT - "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch, led by Tommy Hays and Laura Beach of Messiah Ministries. Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Crossing Over in Pursuit of the Enemy 7-8-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I long for Your living waters to keep rising up and flowing out of me. ... "So David set out, he and the six hundred men who were with him. They came to the Wadi Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. But David went on with the pursuit, he and four hundred men; two hundred stayed behind, too exhausted to cross the Wadi Besor" (1 Samuel 30:9-10). The enemy of our souls comes in "to steal and kill and destroy" just as David's enemies came in to steal the people and possessions entrusted to his care and near to his heart (John 10:10; 1 Samuel 30:1-6). And many "turn bitter in spirit" against God and God's leaders (v. 30:6). Part of the enemy's strategy is to get us blaming You and one another instead of blaming the one who came to steal and kill and destroy. It makes us weary and discouraged, bitter and angry, so that we have no spirit to rise up and fight for or inheritance and all You have entrusted to us. So many are "left behind" and "too exhausted" to cross over from depression to determination, from being a victim to being victorious. But You have not left Your people without Your warriors. "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (v. 30:6). And "David inquired of the Lord" for Your divine strategies for the plan of heaven to come against the hordes of hell (v. 30:8). Your word in response to his prayers was not one of waiting or appeasement or treaty with evil; it was "Pursue; for you will surely overtake and shall surely rescue" (v. 30:8). Even though some would stay behind, some rise up and join the battle to follow the man of God, led by the Lord to pursue and overcome and take back all the enemy had stolen. "The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12). And in Your abundant mercy and unfailing love, when the battle is fought and won, even those who held back -- because they either could not or would not rise up and cross over into the battle -- will rejoice in receiving the blessings of the restoration of all that was taken from them (1 Samuel 30:24-25). Lord, open my eyes to see all the enemy has stolen from me. Let my anger be turned toward the enemy of my soul, the spiritual forces of wickedness who come to take my inheritance and all I love and hold dear (Ephesians 6:12). By Your grace, I will not give in to discouragement, weariness, bitterness, or despair. I will seek You and the wisdom of Your divine strategies with those You are calling to join with me to cross over into the battle. Together, we will "fight the good fight of the faith" and "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness" as we "take hold of the eternal life to which (we) were called" (1 Timothy 6:11-12). And the victory of the cross You enforce through our lives, "the God of peace will soon crush Satan under (our) feet" (Romans 16:20). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays "The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" led by Tommy Hays July 24-26, 2008 (Be equipped & empowered as a spiritual leaders for spiritual ministry -- suggested donation $75.00) CHILD CARE AVAILABLE - Please contact Marilyn Walker for detailsand for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -August 2-3, 2008 RETREAT - "The Shepherd's Pen" -- Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch, led by Tommy Hays and Laura Beach of Messiah Ministries. Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

As Each Day Requires 7-7-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I begin this day, set all things right in my heart and soul. ... "Then Solomon offered up the burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of the Lord that he had built on the front vestibule, as the duty of each day required .... Thus all the work of Solomon was accomplished from the day the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid until the house of the Lord was finished completely" (2 Chronicles 8:12-16). Solomon began to build the house of the Lord on a firm foundation. And from that first day, he was faithful and obedient to bring the offerings and lay them upon Your altar "as the duty of each day required." He followed all that his father, King David, "the man of God," had shown him for the building of Your temple, and called all those under his influence and authority to do the same (v. 8:14-15). Lord, I thank You for my forefathers in the faith who have helped prepare a firm foundation for the building of Your house in my life. Thank you for the men and women of God who have inspired me and encouraged me through their lives in Your Word and in our world. And I know it's up to me to build upon that foundation every day, to offer myself at Your altar as the duty of each day requires. My heart is Your house, my body is Your temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). Your Spirit is building Your nature in me, one day at a time, that I "may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:4). In all Your people, called by Your name, You are "building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to a unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the full measure of the stature of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13). Together, we are the house of the Lord on earth. And one day, as we keep offering ourselves to You on Your altar each day, the house of the Lord will be finished completely. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for praying for us at the Aldersgate Conference of the Holy Spirit last week. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma magazine, encouraged us with an inspiring word and led us in prophetic declarations into the heavenly realms along with Bishop Swanson of Ohio that God is raising up warriors of His Spirit in the Methodist church to wage spiritual war for the spiritual heritage He has imparted to this stream of His body for His purposes. Lord, let it be so! Please pray for us and every part of the body of Christ as we all grow up in the unity of the Spirit into maturity. It would be great to order the tape of his Saturday night message: http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/ God bless you! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Honor the Lord" 7-5-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. It's all about You. ... "Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10). I honor You, my Lord and my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- with all that I am and all that I have. The substance of my being belongs to You. I am Yours and You are mine (Song of Solomon 2:16). "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26). Yet as I give myself to You, You give of Yourself even more to me. You fill me with plenty until I'm bursting with the peace and joy of Your Spirit. But even so, even though You lavish me and overwhelm me with Your peace and Your joy, it's not Your peace that I honor nor Your joy that I honor. I honor You alone. I thank You for all You do, but I honor You for who You are -- my Lord and my God, my Father and Friend, Savior and King, my All in All. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for your prayers for us at the annual Aldersgate Conference of the Holy Spirit in Columbus, Ohio this week. Our friend from Wales, Heather Butler felt led to come join us and sang the song of the Lord out over us last night prophetically, reminding us God is here! And He's touching us all in a very deep way. I pray the same for you! I'll be teaching two sessions today on emotional healing during the conference and would appreciate your prayers for us: http://aldersgaterenewal.org God bless you! Our publisher will be releasing my new book Morning by Morning, A Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional at the Aldersgate Conference in the bookstore. Click Here to Order Online Now. Thank you for the encouragement of so many to have these morning prayers published. Here are some upcoming opportunities for teaching and ministry with key dates: NEW Registration Deadline July 7, 2008 - Inspirational Caribbean Cruise with "The Haven" & Tommy Hays February 23-28, 2009 - ONLY A FEW MORE CABINS LEFT (prices may be different from original posted). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -RETREAT - "The Shepherd's Pen" -Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch August 2-3, 2008 (A Retreat in Lancaster, KY with Tommy Hays & Laura Beach - one overnight; 4 meals - $99.00/person). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Registration Deadline July 20, 2008 -"The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" - Messiah Ministries & Tommy HaysJuly 24-26, 2008 (become equipped & empowered as a spiritual leader for prayer ministry - suggested donation $75.00)Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Walking and Leaping and Praising God!" 7-4-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. On this day my nation celebrates the declaration of our independence, I also celebrate the declaration of my desperate dependence upon You. ... "But Peter said, 'I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God" (Acts 3:6-8). Last night the bishop from this Ohio region of the United Methodist Church came to preach a simple message on the love of God and the gift of Your Spirit through salvation at our annual Aldersgate Conference. And then, as we always do, we began to pray for the needs and spiritual hunger of all who came up to the prayer ministry team. I don't know if the bishop is used to miracles after his messages, but as we finished up with prayer last night a woman and her friends couldn't wait to come up and tell us about what You hand done. When she went back to her seat from her time of prayer, she noticed she could feel her foot and ankle -- which she hasn't felt for three years due to diabetes! We were all leaping and praising You for the power of Your love! And I know there will be many other testimonies of this move of Your love and power across our land and in our hearts. This gospel of Your kingdom is being proclaimed to all tribes and tongues and nations and denominations -- even ours. Lord, let Your fire blaze; let Your river flow; let Your love and power abound as You make us hungry for more of You. Let our temples -- and our homes and marketplaces and public squares -- be filled with lives who have been changed, "walking and leaping and praising God!" In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you can please come join us the annual Aldersgate Conference of the Holy Spirit in Columbus, Ohio this week from Wednesday night through Sunday. I'm excited to be the Pre-Conference keynote speaker Wednesday night, teaching on emotional healing during the conference, and serving with the word gifts discernment team during the worship sessions: http://aldersgaterenewal.org Our publisher will be releasing my new book Morning by Morning, A Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional at the Aldersgate Conference in the bookstore. Click Here to Order Online Now. Thank you for the encouragement of so many to have these morning prayers published. Here are some upcoming opportunities for teaching and ministry with key dates: NEW Registration Deadline July 7, 2008 - Inspirational Caribbean Cruise with "The Haven" & Tommy Hays February 23-28, 2009 - ONLY A FEW MORE CABINS LEFT (prices may be different from original posted). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -RETREAT - "The Shepherd's Pen" -Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch August 2-3, 2008(A Retreat in Lancaster, KY with Tommy Hays & Laura Beach - one overnight; 4 meals - $99.00/person). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Registration Deadline July 20, 2008 -"The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" - Messiah Ministries & Tommy HaysJuly 24-26, 2008 (become equipped & empowered as a spiritual leader for prayer ministry - suggested donation $75.00)Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Strike the Match 7-3-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your Holy Fire burn in me. Set everything ablaze with Your glory around me. ... "The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire" (Psalm 29:7). We've come together again this year for the Aldersgate Conference on Spirit-filled Living led by my friends of the renewal movement within the United Methodist Church. This is always a time of deep refreshing and renewal for me, even as I'm ministering to others because of the deep well of joy that always seems to bubble up and flow every year. This year it's in Columbus, Ohio and our leader, Gary Moore, shared with us last night how the pastors of this area have been united in prayer, praying for the fire of the Lord to fan into flame in their city and region. This said our gathering just might be the match that ignites the blaze. Lord, let it be so! We worship You in Spirit and truth, with hearts unrestrained. We open our ears to hear Your voice and open our spirits to Your consuming fire. "For indeed our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). And as Your Spirit and Your voice burn within us, Your release the voice of Your word through us, flashing forth Your flames of fire, charging the atmosphere with the blaze of Your glory. "Together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:6). Yes, Lord. Strike the match and let us burn with Your glory -- "Christ in (us), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you can please come join us the annual Aldersgate Conference of the Holy Spirit in Columbus, Ohio this week from Wednesday night through Sunday. I'm excited to be the Pre-Conference keynote speaker Wednesday night, teaching on emotional healing during the conference, and serving with the word gifts discernment team during the worship sessions: http://aldersgaterenewal.org Our publisher will be releasing my new book Morning by Morning, A Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional at the Aldersgate Conference in the bookstore. Click Here to Order Online Now. Thank you for the encouragement of so many to have these morning prayers published. Here are some upcoming opportunities for teaching and ministry with key dates: NEW Registration Deadline July 7, 2008 - Inspirational Caribbean Cruise with "The Haven" & Tommy Hays February 23-28, 2009 - ONLY A FEW MORE CABINS LEFT!!! (prices may be different from original posted). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -RETREAT - August 2-3, 2008 "The Shepherd's Pen" -Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch (A Retreat in Lancaster, KY with Tommy Hays & Laura Beach - one overnight; 4 meals - $99.00/person). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Registration Deadline July 20, 2008 -"The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" - Messiah Ministries & Tommy HaysJuly 24-26, 2008 (become equipped & empowered as a spiritual leader for prayer ministry - suggested donation $75.00)Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Prophetic Intercession 7-2-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You increase, as I decrease -- more of Your will and less of mine, more of Your Spirit and less of my flesh. ... "He covers His hands with lightning and commands it to strike the mark" (Job 36:32). The word of Your command goes forth with power and purpose, never returning empty, always striking its mark (Isaiah 55:11). You stretch for Your hand in power and send forth Your word with precision. "Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him" (Proverbs 30:5). "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). And You have invited us into this exciting realm of releasing Your will on earth as it is in heaven, as we listen for Your voice in prayer and release Your word in Your power by the authority of Your name. "Jesus answered them, 'Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to this fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive' " (Matthew 21:21-22). This is prophetic intercession and declaration. Just as the Father sent You as Son of Man, so You have sent us -- the sons and daughters of man -- as the body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, to continue the ministry of Christ in the authority and power of Your name (John 20:21). As You prayed in the final days of Your life on earth in the flesh, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You have sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world" (John 17:17-18). Now as we seek You in prayer and serve You in power, Your Word commands us use the gifts and move in the authority You have entrusted to us: "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you have received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength the God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:10-11). When we answer Your call to prayer and obey Your command to join with You through the gifts and authority You've given, through the prayer and proclamation of prophetic intercession Your will is released on earth as it is in heaven. In Your wisdom and by Your grace, You not only allows us, but You desire us to be a part of Your plan of the redemption of all creation, which "waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God" (Romans 8:19). "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's heavens; but the earth He has given to the children of men" (Psalm 115:16, NKJV). By Your grace and for Your glory, may we be obedient children, faithful disciples, and good stewards of all You have entrusted to us as we pray and proclaim in the authority of Your name. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you can please come join us the annual Aldersgate Conference of the Holy Spirit in Columbus, Ohio this week from Wednesday night through Sunday. I'm excited to be the Pre-Conference keynote speaker Wednesday night, teaching on emotional healing during the conference, and serving with the word gifts discernment team during the worship sessions: http://aldersgaterenewal.org Our publisher will be releasing my new book Morning by Morning, A Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional at the Aldersgate Conference in the bookstore. Click Here to Order Online Now. Thank you for the encouragement of so many to have these morning prayers published. Here are some upcoming opportunities for teaching and ministry with key dates: NEW Registration Deadline July 7, 2008 - Inspirational Caribbean Cruise with "The Haven" & Tommy Hays February 23-28, 2009 - ONLY A FEW MORE CABINS LEFT (prices may be different from original posted). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -RETREAT - "The Shepherd's Pen" August 2-3, 2008 -Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch (A Retreat in Lancaster, KY with Tommy Hays & Laura Beach - one overnight; 4 meals - $99.00/person). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Registration Deadline July 20, 2008 -"The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" - Messiah Ministries & Tommy HaysJuly 24-26, 2008 (become equipped & empowered as a spiritual leader for prayer ministry - suggested donation $75.00)Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Fire and Hammer 7-1-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before I think of anything else, I think of You. ... "Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let one who has My word speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. Is not My word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:28-29). In these days of true signs and counterfeit signs, true words and false words, prophets of the Spirit and prophets of the flesh, we need Your discernment to sort out the straw from the wheat. Send forth the fire of Your word to consume the chaff of the false and the flesh, while You release Your true harvest of righteousness. Send forth the hammer of Your word to break to pieces the false facades of our hardened hearts and graven idols we've created with our own hands and erected with our own words, while You release Your true word that breaks every yoke of bondage to set the captives free. And when You come to us in our dreams speak to us with Your words, let us be faithful to test it and discern it, then share it as You lead, adding nothing to it and taking nothing away. Your written Word calls us to listen for Your spoken word, that we "may prophesy" it boldly and faithfully from a humble heart, confident in You, for "upbuilding and encouragement and consolation" of Your people (1 Corinthians 14:1-3). But keep teaching us how to "test everything" and "hold fast to what is good" so that we don’t confuse the straw for the wheat nor the wheat for the straw (1 Thessalonians 5:21). And we will see the fire and hammer of Your word released faithfully in Your power to change our hearts and our world. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you can please come join us for the annual Aldersgate Conference of the Holy Spirit in Columbus, Ohio this week from Wednesday night through Sunday. I'm excited to be the Pre-Conference keynote speaker Wednesday night, teaching on emotional healing during the conference, and serving with the word gifts discernment team during the worship sessions: http://aldersgaterenewal.org Our publisher will be releasing my book Morning by Morning, A Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays as a 365 Day Prayer Devotional at the Aldersgate Conference in the bookstore. It will also be available online soon. Thank you for the encouragement of so many to have these morning prayers published. Here are some upcoming opportunities for teaching and ministry with key dates: NEW Registration Deadline July 7, 2008 - Inspirational Caribbean Cruise with "The Haven" & Tommy Hays February 23-28, 2009 - ONLY A FEW MORE CABINS LEFT! (prices may be different from original posted). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) NEW DATE -RETREAT - "The Shepherd's Pen" -Come away to hear the Shepherd's voice and embrace His healing touch August 2-3, 2008 (A Retreat in Lancaster, KY with Tommy Hays & Laura Beach - one overnight; 4 meals - $99.00/person). Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Registration Deadline July 20, 2008 - "The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry" - Messiah Ministries & Tommy Hays July 24-26, 2008 (become equipped & empowered as a spiritual leader for prayer ministry - suggested donation $75.00) Contact Marilyn for more information (859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com) Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

To the Battle Line 6-30-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I rise this morning to entrust myself and this day to You. ... "David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry" (1 Samuel 17:20). Many claimed to be the army of the Lord, going forth as to battle, shouting their war cry. But when confronted by their enemy, taunting their Lord and mocking their people, they fled in fear and shame (v. 17:24). They compared their enemy's strength to their own instead of Yours. But David was of a different spirit. With a heart of faith and a spirit of courage, he encouraged others, saying, "Let no one's heart fail because of him! (v. 17:32). And when his enemy approached with taunts and threats, "David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine" (v. 17:48). His heart didn't fail; his heart was filled with the faith to know and declare, "The battle is the Lord's!" (v. 17:47). These weapons of war You've placed in our hands are not swords and spears, but courage and faith. David's weapons were not even the slingshot and smooth stone he used to fell his foe. His weapons were Your words of truth and life hidden in his heart to be released in power at Your command. These "weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power" (2 Corinthians 10:4). When we wield them in obedience to Your leading, with faith in Your words, we will see our enemies scatter and Your name gloried, "so that all the earth may know there is a God" whose hand is mighty to save all who trust in Him (1 Samuel 17:46). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Seek, Listen, and Hear 6-29-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My body rises to greet the day as my spirit rises to seek Your face. ... "Whoever is from God hears the words of God" (John 8:47). You have created us for communication with You. You are not distant, but intimate. You are not aloof, but near. You are a personal God drawing each one of us into a personal relationship. And one of the ways You reveal Your relationship with us is through speaking Your words to us, as You draw our spirits to listen and open our ears to hear. "Indeed, the word of God is living and active" (Hebrews 4:12). Sometimes You lead me to journal our conversations as I express the thoughts that come to my heart and as I listen for the leading of Your voice (John 10:27). "I cry aloud to the Lord and He answers me from His holy hill" (Psalm 3:4). "My Father, what would You say to me today as I listen for the leading of Your voice from Your holy hill and as You draw my spirit up on high in communion with Yours?" "My son, those who hear Me are those who take time to listen. When You seek Me and listen for Me, you honor Me. Just as when you take time to look into the eyes of your child and listen to the thoughts of his heart, so I take time to look into your eyes and listen into your heart. Lift your eyes to Me and open your heart to me, and You will hear My words to you." "Yes, Lord. I do lift up my eyes and open up my heart and listen for Your voice." "My son, these are days of rest for you. Rest now for the journey ahead. Be strengthened now in My peace with your family for the battles ahead. Do not be anxious for tomorrow, but take each day as it comes. And this is a day of rest for you." "Yes, Lord. I rest in You, my Father. And I find peace in Your words that are settling deep within my soul. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen." Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org