"He Restores My Soul" 6-15-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I wait in the silence of surrender before You at the beginning of this new day, align my thoughts and desires with Yours. ... "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:1-3, NKJV). You are the God who restores my soul and renews my spirit. You feed me in the green pastures of Your Word and keep me safe and secure under the watchful gaze of Your Spirit. You heal the wounds of body and soul, heart and life. You straighten and correct all that is out of joint. And You fight off anything that would try to cripple my walk, take my joy, or steal the peace of my soul. And when it's time to rise and go, You lead me in the paths of righteousness -- the paths where You know what is right for me. I can't see where those paths will lead and I don't know all that lies ahead, but You do. You see the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. All things are eternally present to You. There may be valleys of the shadow of death along the way, but I trust You to lead me through those valleys (v. 23:4). There may be spiritual enemies of my soul who seek to steal and kill and destroy, but You are greater than any enemy I'll face; and You promise to prepare a table of blessing and honor for me even in their presence for all of them to see (v. 23:5). In fact, that's the very place where You will "anoint my head with oil" and fill me up with Your Spirit until "my cup runs over" (v. 23:5). You love to redeem a hundredfold all that comes against me, using all that is intended for evil for my good; so "I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (v. 23:4). One day at the end of my journey, I will look back in awe at Your faithful guidance and mighty protection and provision in so many ways I couldn't always see or hear or feel. But it will have always been true and I will see that You were always there. So give me grace to know by faith now what I will know by sight then: "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (v. 23:6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please register on-line to come join us for these Messiah Ministries prayer ministry events later this summer: July 31-August 2, 2009 -- Healing Prayer Weekend at Cliffview Retreat Center in Lancaster, Kentucky led by Tommy Hays. You'll receive teaching and ministry in a peaceful, worshipful retreat setting. Spiritual Principles of Deep Healing— Explore God’s order in every dimension in spirit, soul, and body. Past hurts require healing to realize true freedom. It’s only God’s redemptive power that can bring us back to God’s created plan. Hindrances To Healing— Scripture provides principles that reveal possible barriers that hinder healing, freedom and wholeness. These given over to God, prepare the way for God’s powerful healing love. For Information or To Register: ClickHereToRegisterHealingWeekend August 10-13, 2009 -- The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry - Level I Come for a focused time of training, equipping, and impartation through discipleship, personal ministry, and mentoring, led by Tommy Hays and the teaching team. We will study and experience a biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for prayer ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience as students receive personal ministry and are guided in ministry for others. For Information or To Register: ClickHereToRegisterSchoolOfMinistry Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

All Things to All People 6-14-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am Yours and You are mine. ... "For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one of those outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). I've spent the last few days in a tent, in the mud, with two of my kids and about 20,000 other people at the Ichthus Christian Music Festival just outside of Wilmore, Kentucky, the little town where I live and went to Asbury Seminary, south of Lexington. There was a sea of tents as far as you could see, fanned around the music stages. For the most part, it's not the kind of praise and worship that stirs my spirit, though there were pocket of that as well for some of us "older folks." The t-shirts say "Peace. Love. Loud Music" and it's not false advertising! But the kids love it. And when over a thousand of them responded to the altar calls for salvation and prayer, I know You love it too. Ichthus and this form of high energy, high volume music seems to be one of the ways You're reaching a generation in ways others can't. And I found myself going back and forth from one world to another. I was making some last minute adjustments to be able to be there since my teenage daughter really wanted to go, so you clear the decks for a chance like that. But I was already committed to officiate a wedding at my home church in Lexington. So I washed off the mud, snuck off for a cherished hot shower, changing from shorts to suits for the rehearsal one night and wedding the next. I felt like Paul as I became all things to all people for the sake of the gospel -- literally back and forth from open air preaching and praise to a stain-glassed chapel with quartets and tuxedos. After I prayed the prayer of blessing and sealing of the marriage covenant with the bride and groom, speaking of Christ and His Bride, I headed back to the sea of mud and kids among a slightly different picture of the same Bride of Christ. The same message of faith, hope, and love was being proclaimed just as powerfully, but in such a dramatically different means. As I moved among the masses last night, the Lord reminded me that my name is literally on the title deed of the property on behalf of Ichthus Ministries, since I was Chairman of the Board the year we purchased the property and moved from the old Holiness Camp Meeting grounds on the other side of Wilmore. That mud was my mud! And I thought of the irony that I had just signed my name to the title deed of a marriage when I signed their Certificate of Marriage a few moments before. I laughed out loud to myself of this prophetic picture of how we are all called to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing the life and hope that is within us, no matter where we are, how we're dressed, or who we're among. In that sense, we are to be all things to all people for the sake of Christ. I was moved to think of the honor we have as children of God to share Your peace and love by any means You choose. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please register on-line to come join us for these Messiah Ministries prayer ministry events later this summer: July 31-August 2, 2009 -- Healing Prayer Weekend at Cliffview Retreat Center in Lancaster, Kentucky led by Tommy Hays. You'll receive teaching and ministry in a peaceful, worshipful retreat setting. Spiritual Principles of Deep Healing— Explore God’s order in every dimension in spirit, soul, and body. Past hurts require healing to realize true freedom. It’s only God’s redemptive power that can bring us back to God’s created plan. Hindrances To Healing— Scripture provides principles that reveal possible barriers that hinder healing, freedom and wholeness. These given over to God, prepare the way for God’s powerful healing love. For Information or To Register: ClickHereToRegisterHealingWeekend August 10-13, 2009 -- The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry - Level I Come for a focused time of training, equipping, and impartation through discipleship, personal ministry, and mentoring, led by Tommy Hays and the teaching team. We will study and experience a biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for prayer ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience as students receive personal ministry and are guided in ministry for others. For Information or To Register: ClickHereToRegisterSchoolOfMinistry Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Deep Waters 6-10-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my faithful Friend, loving Father, wonderful Counselor, and mighty God. You are the Prince of my peace and the Rock of my salvation. I entrust my heart and life to You today and every day. ... "When He finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch'.... When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break" (Luke 5:4-6). You could have worked the miracle in the shallow water. It would've been a spectacular display of the power of God right in front of the crowd for all to see. It wouldn't have taken Peter long to get there. And it wouldn't have taken much faith, obedience, determination, or surrender of will. The shallow waters would've been a great place to teach the principle, "It's not about you, Peter, or anything you do; it's all about Me." But that wasn't Your plan or purpose for Your disciple at that moment of his life. So You sent him into the deep waters. You were teaching him to trust You more deeply. And there's a deep trust that only comes in the deep waters. It's one thing to trust in the shallow waters of the easy places. It's quite another out in the deep where the waters are way over your head and out of your control. That's the place where you begin to understand the deeper things of God, where "Deep calls to deep" (Psalm 42:7). That's the place where you begin to understand that grace is free, but it will cost you everything. That's the place where you being to understand that it's all about You, and that means it's also about Your purpose of making me more like You (Romans 8:29). Lord, give me grace to trust You in the deep waters. Give me courage to go where You send me, just as You sent Peter out into the deep and the Holy Spirit led You out into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). No doubt, there will be opportunities to turn back or turn away, with the enemy of my soul there to tempt me and taunt me. But I do desire to return from this place more like You, "filled with the power of the Spirit" because You've emptied me of myself and my will so I can be more filled with You and Your will (Luke 4:14). I know You'll be faithful to be with me through it all, just like You've always been. You do this for me, but You'll also do this for the lives You desire to touch through me -- just as You desire for each of Your disciples. It's not because You're mad at us or don’t care about us, but because You love us, that You send us out into the deep waters. And there's nothing deeper than Your love (Romans 8:38-39). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please register on-line to come join us for these Messiah Ministries prayer ministry events later this summer: July 31-August 2, 2009 -- Healing Prayer Weekend at Cliffview Retreat Center in Lancaster, Kentucky led by Tommy Hays. You'll receive teaching and ministry in a peaceful, worshipful retreat setting. Spiritual Principles of Deep Healing— Explore God’s order in every dimension in spirit, soul, and body. Past hurts require healing to realize true freedom. It’s only God’s redemptive power that can bring us back to God’s created plan. Hindrances To Healing— Scripture provides principles that reveal possible barriers that hinder healing, freedom and wholeness. These given over to God, prepare the way for God’s powerful healing love. For Information or To Register: ClickHereToRegisterHealingWeekend August 10-13, 2009 -- The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry - Level I Come for a focused time of training, equipping, and impartation through discipleship, personal ministry, and mentoring, led by Tommy Hays and the teaching team. We will study and experience a biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for prayer ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience as students receive personal ministry and are guided in ministry for others. For Information or To Register: ClickHereToRegisterSchoolOfMinistry Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Download the AOL Classifieds Toolbar for local deals at your fingertips.

Sure and Steadfast Anchor 6-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord. And I know You love me. So I choose to see everything else that comes and goes in my life in the light of that truth. ... "We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul ..." (Hebrews 6:19). It seems I'm going to be going through a painful transition in my marriage. It's not the road I choose, but it's the road I find myself on. But no matter where that road will lead, I do know You'll be with all of us every step of the way. You are the God who never leaves us and never forsakes us, using every experience of life to teach us how certain and sure You love for us really is (v. 13:5). There is no big sin or scandal, just "complicated" reasons, she says. And I have very "complicated" feelings as well. I can't control the choices of those around me, but I can try to choose right responses. And when I stumble, I can choose to turn to the only One who is always right. No doubt this will be another season of deep brokenness in my life, where You will keep leading me to come to the end of myself. You'll show me things in my heart and soul that need to change. Some may need to heal, some may need to die, some may yet be resurrected to life. But as best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to keep putting my life in Your hands -- healing hands with nail-scarred proof of Your unfailing love for me and every person in my life. This is my hope. This is the sure and steadfast anchor of my soul. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Dear Friends, many have been walking with us and praying with us at varying levels of relationship for awhile. I apologize for any disappointment any may feel in me, and would really appreciate your prayers for my family through whatever may come. But I have no doubt that our God always redeems all things we will entrust into His care. Please join with me in entrusting all of this into His hands. God bless you and thank you for joining me in the journey of prayer and life. Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Stand Secure 6-5-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are steady and pure; and I stand secure in the certainty of Your love and grace. ... "Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, He saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you" (Psalm 116:5-7). Lord, I simply, but deliberately, lift my eyes to You. As I seek Your face, You lift my spirit. As I steady my thoughts on Your unfailing love, You give rest to my soul and hope to my heart. In bountiful abundance, You have poured out Your mercy and grace in measures I can never begin to repay -- and never have to. My part is to receive and to be grateful, never taking a moment of my life or a measure of my blessings for granted. Your grace is sufficient. Your love is extravagant. So I will rise and begin each new day, confident and secure in the love that never fades and the mercy that never ends. I stand secure in You alone, as You steady my feet and calm my soul to walk the path that leads through all that each day holds. "Keep my steps steady, according to Your promise" (Psalm 119:133). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Treasured and Loved 6-4-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I feed on Your Word and wait on Your Spirit. ... "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be His people, His treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6). In Christ, I am Your treasured possession. I am grafted in to the tree of life, sealed in covenant relationship, and loved as child of God. All the "blessings of Abraham" are mine as I "receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14). By Your grace, I have chosen You and You have chosen me; I love You because You first love me (1 John 4:19). With my hope and trust in You -- my Father, my Friend, my Savior, my Lord -- I am "marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of (my) inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of (Your) glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14). For several days, I've had the joy of being with old friends, sharing prayers and meals in their homes and hearts, along the way of my ministry engagements in Texas, back where my journey of ministry began. And among the laughter and tears, as we share our stories of both rejoicing and pain, I praise You for the blessing of friendship and the bond of love with those with whom I can trust my heart. Friends are like family You get to choose. And though I've been going through a hard season of much pain in my personal life, the comfort and hugs of my faithful friends, here and at home, make me feel treasured and chosen and loved. And I know that comes from You. Every good and perfect gift comes from You (James 1:17). And to be treasured and loved as a friend is one of Your greatest gifts of all. Thank You, dear Lord, for allowing me the blessing of this priceless, treasured gift. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'm in Corpus Christi, Texas for a few days to receive my annual appointment from my Bishop to continue my ministry (1 Timothy 3:1). Though Messiah Ministries is an ecumenical ministry serving people in prayer ministry from all the diverse streams of the Body of Christ, I'm personally under appointment as an ordained United Methodist minister to this ministry the Lord led me to found and lead. Corpus Christi is where I was practicing law as a when the Lord called me into this new season of ministry about sixteen years ago. So it's been great to spend time with old friends in Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi before heading home to Kentucky. God bless you and thank you for walking with me as friends in prayer along the journey! Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Rejected and Redeemed 6-2-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, come abide in me by Your Spirit. ... "I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:21-23. The things the world says are of no value, You say are of great worth. The things that others toss aside because they don't measure up to their expectations, You gather up and use for Your purposes. Like a stone that seems to be broken, too weak, or unseemly so it's cast aside like refuge or dirt, You lift it up, dust it off, shape it, and place it in a strategic position of honor and significance. This is the Lord's doing; this is the heart and redeeming power of our loving, accepting, and merciful God. Though we are despised and rejected by others, You love us and accept us. You say, "I still have purpose and meaning with much significance for your life." You remind us that You too were "despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3, NKJV). Yet You humbled Yourself in a sacrifice of love for even those who rejected You and all You longed to offer them. So when we are rejected, unappreciated, undervalued, and unloved, we are walking in the path of Christ. And on that path, firmly holding fast to Your hand through whatever we endure, You answer us when we call, lift us up into Your arms, and use even our suffering for the building of Your kingdom. To be rejected by others and redeemed by God is to be like Jesus. "Come to Him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight.... The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner" (1 Peter 2:4-7). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Dominion 6-1-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my thoughts and at the foundation of my day. ... "All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all Your faithful shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and tell of Your power, to make known to all people Your mighty deeds and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations" (Psalm 134:10-13). I'm staying with some old friends for a couple of days at their home in San Antonio. They live in a neighborhood called "Dominion," tucked away among the flowing creeks and majestic live oak trees at the edge of the Texas hill country. So many neighborhoods seem to take dominion over all the natural beauty of the land as the developers move in, but this one seems to have taken great care to honor Your dominion and the glorious splendor of Your creation. The homes are not more prominent than Your stately oak trees and the streets are not more prominent than Your babbling creeks. The rugged beauty of Your creation and dominion remain. Lord, I want to honor Your dominion in my life. And I want Your dominion to endure throughout all my generations. I want my days to speak of Your glory and tell of Your power. And as I make my way on the journey through this broken and fallen world suffering under the hands of the generations of the sons of men, asserting their own dominion and building their own kingdoms, let me be part of Your redemption of all things to the rugged beauty of Your majestic creation. "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now" longing for the day it will "be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God" (Romans 8:19-23). In the sovereignty of Your will and the mystery of Your grace, You have chosen to use the hearts and hands of the very humanity who opened the door to the bondage and decay of Your creation through our sins throughout our generations to now be an extension of Your heart and hands to restore and redeem all things. "The kingship and dominion and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them" (Daniel 7:27). "The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He has given to human beings" (Psalm 115:16). Lord give us wisdom to exercise our delegated dominion in trusting faith and willing submission to Your eternal dominion. As we do, we will see the fulfillment of Your redemption of Your creation: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Global Prayer, Global Pentecost 5-31-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my eyes and open up my heart and enter into the holy place of prayer with You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came the sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability" (Acts 2:1-4). Today is the day of Pentecost. Lord, let it be a day of personal Pentecost for me and global Pentecost for all the earth. "O that You would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at Your presence -- as when fire kindles brushwood and fire causes water to boil -- to make Your name known to Your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at Your presence! When You did awesome deeds that we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quacked at Your presence" (Isaiah 64:1-3). Lord, let this day be as that day. Do Your awesome deeds, display Your awesome power. Let Your fire fall, let Your wind blow, tear open the heavens, break open the earth. Let Your glory fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). Let the glory of Your presence fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit. Let Your tongues of fire rest upon us as we speak out Your praises and call on Your name from every tribe and tongue and nation throughout all the earth. This day is also set apart as a Global Day of Prayer, and for the first time in history, people from every nation on the face of the earth are joining together in the unity of prayer for Your Holy Spirit to come and fill the earth on this day of Pentecost. As on that first Pentecost, we are "all together in one place" -- the place of prayer, in a worldwide gathering of our hearts together as one body in the unity of one Spirit. Lord, hear our prayer. Come and do Your awesome deeds we do not expect, exceedingly "abundantly far more than we could ever ask or imagine" as Your people throughout Your earth are "filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19-20). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'm excited to be joining with you in the Global Day of Prayer. I'll be preaching today at house church with Dan and Giana Van Nice in Austin, Texas. Thank you for praying for our Healing Prayer Conference this weekend in Austin. It was awesome and we've heard great testimonies of God's healing love and power moving in our midst! I pray the same for you. God bless you on this day of Pentecost! Please come join us for the Aldersgate '09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greensboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry for emotional healing: www.aldersgate09.org Please register on-line now and spread the word! As the Lord may lead and if it brings a sense of joy in giving, please consider joining with us as an Isaiah 35 Streams in the Desert Covenant Partner, contributing $35 per month to the vision and calling of our ministry. I'll be glad to speak with you about this by email or phone. Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Established in the Faith 5-27-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. It’s a good morning because I can start my morning with You. I never want to take that for granted. I always want to be thankful for the grace I have in You. ... "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6-7). Each day that I can wake up and open my eyes to see the light of a new day, my life continues. And then it's my choice, to continue to live my life in You or not, to continue to receive You as Lord of my life or not. A true relationship of love always requires the freedom to choose to love or not. A true relationship of Lordship always requires the freedom to choose to willing submit my will and ways to Your Lordship or not. If You ever took away my capacity to choose to continue to live my life in You, it was no longer be a true relationship of love or Lordship. I would just be a robot or a puppet, not a true son or friend. So love gives me the capacity to choose. And faith gives me the wisdom to choose You. And every day I continue to choose You, my faith in You continues to grow. That's how You establish me in faith. The more deeply I'm rooted, the more firmly I'm grounded in my relationship with You, the more steadily You build me up into a growing maturity of trusting faith in You. A mature and trusting faith is not a faith that nothing bad will ever happen in this broken, fallen world. It's not a faith that there will never be days of difficulty, heartbreak, or even misery. It's not a faith that there will never be battles lost in the day to day skirmishes of life even though the war for eternity is already won. It's a faith in You. It's a faith that You love me, You are for me, and You will be with me through it all. It's a faith that You redeem all suffering, heartbreak, struggles, and sin. It's a faith that You cause all things -- both those You will and those You never willed -- to work together for good because You love me and call me according to Your purpose. That's why I begin each day with You. That's why I continue each day to live my life in You -- in trusting faith and willing submission to Your love and Lordship in my life. With every circumstance and encounter of every day, You've taught me I can trust You and my faith is not in vain. And that's what causes thanksgiving to abound in my heart, no matter what each day may hold. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you're in the Austin, Texas area, please come to our Healing Conference, This Week, May 28-30 at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, TX that I'll be leading with Dan Van Nice. I'll be ministering on inner healing (healing from the inside out) and Dan will be ministering on physical healing Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday. RSVP required (512) 673-2652 or email Giana Van Nice: servantsofthemosthighGod@gmail.com Please come and spread the word! Please come join us for the Aldersgate '09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greensboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry for emotional healing: www.aldersgate09.org Please register on-line now and spread the word! As the Lord may lead and if it brings a sense of joy in giving, please consider joining with us as an Isaiah 35 Streams in the Desert Covenant Partner, contributing $35 per month to the vision and calling of our ministry. I'll be glad to speak with you about this by email or phone. Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"God is Greater than Our Hearts" 5-24-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord; and I thank You for loving me. ... "Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before Him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything" (1 John 3:18-20). Lord, You know everything. And you know everything about my wounded heart. You know everything about why I feel wounded or weary, condemned or judged, abandoned or forsaken. You know everything I have done and left undone, everything that been done or left undone for me. But You are greater than my heart, and You are the healer of wounded hearts. Sometimes I just need to hear Your words of truth and life to reassure my heart Sometimes I just need to feel Your firm embrace and steady assurance that You are with me as I journey through it, whatever it may be or become (Mark 10:16). And I pray the same for all whose lives have touched my journey or mine has touched theirs. Even now, Your steadfast love and Your abiding presence continually remind me that You have Your way of redeeming all things, if we will just entrust them to You. You are always "near to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18). You are the faithful God who never leaves us or forsakes us, who "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). And I so I do entrust my heart to You -- this day and every day, step by step, morning by morning, all along the way. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you're in the Austin, Texas area, please come to our Healing Conference, Next Week, May 28-30 at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, TX that I'll be leading with Dan Van Nice. I'll be ministering on inner healing (healing from the inside out) and Dan will be ministering on physical healing Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday. RSVP required (512) 673-2652 or email Giana Van Nice: servantsofthemosthighGod@gmail.com Please come and spread the word! Friends, please come join us for the Aldersgate '09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greesboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry: www.aldersgate09.org Please register on-line now and spread the word! Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Recession-proof vacation ideas. Find free things to do in the U.S.

Realigned in Good Order 5-22-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak Lord, for I am listening. Lead, Lord, for I want to follow. ... "I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:35). By Your grace, keep my heart and soul in "good order." By Your Spirit, keep drawing me to the place of "unhindered to the Lord." Through the distractions and battles with the world, the flesh, and the devil, it's easy to get out of order and let my devotion be hindered. So I am forever in need of Your mercy and patience. Help me be merciful and patient with those around me, and with myself. I thank You that "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, (that Your) mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). Sometimes on the road of my journey, my wheels can get out of alignment. There can be so many pot-holes, ditches, rugged terrain, and even collisions. And the ride is not so smooth anymore. When it really gets bad, my steering wheel starts to shake and tremble in my hands. That's when I know it's time for an alignment. Sometimes it's more of a realignment. Though it takes time, it's costly, and can seem unproductive at the moment, it's something that has to be done. Or else, like Elijah, "the journey will be too much for (me)" (1 Kings 19:7). These morning times of looking to You in the silence of surrender and waiting for Your leading in the peace of Your presence are my times of alignment and realignment. These are the times when You bring my "spirit and soul and body" back into Your good order as I was created to be (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Here in the place of contemplative prayer, seeking Your face and listening for Your voice, You set my soul right and work out the kinks of the journey. You restore my thoughts and desires to "a pure and sincere devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). And then I can arise and go forth into my day and along the road of my journey, at least starting out again realigned in "good order." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you're in the Austin, Texas area, please come to our Healing Conference, Next Week, May 28-30 at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, TX that I'll be leading with Dan Van Nice. I'll be ministering on inner healing and Dan will be ministering on physical healing Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday. RSVP required (512) 673-2652 oremail Giana: servantsofthemosthighGod@gmail.com A flyer is attached. Please come and spread the word! Friends, please come join us for the Aldersgate '09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greesboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry: www.aldersgate09.org Please register on-line now and spread the word! Subscribe by email to me at 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 40502Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Troubled Waters 5-21-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I steady the mind, will, and emotions of my soul in the quietness of contemplative prayer, as my spirit rises into communion with Yours. ... "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had" (John 5:4, KJV). As I wait in the silence before You in prayer this morning, You seem to bring to mind the words, "troubled waters." At first it makes me think of troubles -- relational conflicts, bills to pay, deadlines to meet, and so on. But as I find a reference in Your written Word to help me understand and discern Your spoken word, the only passage I find speaks of troubled waters in a positive way. When the angel troubled the waters, the people were healed. There was "a certain season" when healing came out of troubles. It seems I hear You saying to me, "My son, do you not think I can bring healing out of all Your troubles? Do you not know that I am the Redeemer of all things? You don't have to try to find a way to build a bridge over these troubled waters; you can walk with Me through them, if You will hold on to My hand and walk where I lead." Yes, Lord. I know You never waste a moment of my suffering or miss an opportunity for my growth. Even when the waters of my soul are troubled, I know You are there through that season too. You give me grace to sense Your presence even closer and grip Your hand even tighter, as You lead me through. So trouble what needs to be troubled, shake what needs to be shaken (Hebrews 12:27). My hope and trust is in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, let's be in agreement in prayer for one another through whatever troubled times we are facing. In my own life and the lives of many around me, there is great trouble in marriages and families. No matter whether it's an attack from the enemy of our souls or a pruning from the Father of the vineyard, we know the Lord will redeem it all, as we entrust ourselves to Him. God bless you and thank you for walking with me through the journey! If you're in the Austin, Texas area, please come to our Healing Conference, May 28-30 at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, TX that I'll be leading with Dan Van Nice. I'll be ministering on inner healing and Dan will be ministering on physical healing Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday. RSVP required (512) 673-2652 oremail Giana: servantsofthemosthighGod@gmail.com A flyer is attached. Please come and spread the word! Friends, please come join us for the Aldersgate'09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greesboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry: http://www.aldersgate09.org/conference-info/keynote-speakers.html Please register on-line now and spread the word! Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. --Matthew 11:28 Women of faith---You are invited to day retreats of spiritual refreshment! These are occurring every month this year and they are beautiful days of renewal and healing led by Laura Beach, Equipping Lydia, in association with Messiah Ministries. Upcoming retreats will be May 26 or 27 in Bryantsville, Kentucky with the focus on “Entering the Rest of Jesus.” Then, there will be a retreat on May 30th in Cartersville, Virginia with the focus on our spiritual “Thirst.” Contact Laura Beach at LauraBBeach@insightbb.com for more details and a list of all the spiritual refreshment dates for 2009. Please share this invitation with any women of faith who may need a day of spiritual renewal and restoration. Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Temper, Anger, and Godly Self-Control 5-20-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let God arise in my heart and life today. ... "One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city" (Proverbs 16:32). Words are said and left unsaid, things are done and left undone that can touch my temper because it touches my pain. In my sin and insensitivity, I, too often, do the same to others. But there is nothing wrong with being fully aware of our pain or fully alive to our emotions. It's what we do with them that matters. It's how we respond that makes the difference. To control them by denying them is just as wrong in our reaction and response as to allow them to freely flow unchecked and uncontrolled. To stifle, shut down, or detach from our real emotions is just another form of the sin of self-centered control rather than godly self-control. The wisdom of Your Word actually commands us to "be angry" -- "Be angry but do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26). It doesn't say, as many assume, "do not be angry, because that is sin." To the contrary, it says, "Be angry but do not sin." We are to be fully alive to the true emotions and pain of the encounters and circumstances of life. But we are not to be controlled by those emotions and pain. We are to be controlled by Christ, through the deliberate surrender of our emotions and pain to the leading of Your Holy Spirit. The moneychangers in the temple touched Your temper and made You mad. No doubt You were angry when You made a "whip of cords" and "drove them out of the temple" as You "overturned their tables" (John 2:15). You were fully alive to Your emotions and pain, consumed with zeal, but not consumed by Your anger or Your temper (v. 2:17). You were angry but did not sin in Your anger. They touched Your temper, but You did not lose control of Your temper. You released it to the Father and You were led by the Holy Spirit to manage Your emotions and Your temper with godly self-control. Lord, teach me how to do that better. Empower me by Your grace to be fully alive to my emotions, not denying them, but also not letting them consume or control me. "Like a city breached, without wall, is one who lacks self-control" (Proverbs 25:28). I can't control the people and circumstances around me, but I can control my responses by the grace of God and leading of Your Spirit. Then these become opportunities for me to grow in spiritual and emotional maturity. Then my nature becomes more like Your nature, consumed by the zeal of Your Spirit rather than consumed by the zeal of my flesh. Godly "self-control" is a "fruit of the Spirit;" an uncontrolled temper is a fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:22-23). And I want my life to be filled with Your Spirit, so that I bear the fruit of Your Spirit. So even when You don't change my circumstances, I can trust You to change me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you're in the Austin, Texas area, please come to our Healing Conference, May 28-30 at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, TX that I'll be leading with Dan Van Nice. I'll be ministering on inner healing and Dan will be ministering on physical healing Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday. RSVP required (512) 673-2652 oremail Giana: servantsofthemosthighGod@gmail.com A flyer is attached. Please come and spread the word! Friends, please come join us for the Aldersgate'09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greesboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry: http://www.aldersgate09.org/conference-info/keynote-speakers.html Please register on-line now and spread the word! Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. --Matthew 11:28 Women of faith---You are invited to day retreats of spiritual refreshment! These are occurring every month this year and they are beautiful days of renewal and healing led by Laura Beach, Equipping Lydia, in association with Messiah Ministries. Upcoming retreats will be May 26 or 27 in Bryantsville, Kentucky with the focus on “Entering the Rest of Jesus.” Then, there will be a retreat on May 30th in Cartersville, Virginia with the focus on our spiritual “Thirst.” Contact Laura Beach at LauraBBeach@insightbb.com for more details and a list of all the spiritual refreshment dates for 2009. Please share this invitation with any women of faith who may need a day of spiritual renewal and restoration. Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

The Word Made Fresh 5-19-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'll be silent now, as You speak. I'll follow now, as You lead. ... Lord I hear You call my name Lord I hear You are the same Lord I'm listening I'm not missing Any word You have to say Lord speak to me Lord reach out to me Lord I'm listening I'm not missing Any word You have to say ... "My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). Lord Jesus, I do know You; and You know me. I am one of Your sheep; and You are my Great Shepherd. By the mercy of Your grace, I do hear Your voice; I do follow You. And I want to hear Your voice more clearly, more specifically in all the ways You choose to speak to me. I want to be listening, never missing any word You have to say. Your words "are spirit and life" (John 6:63). And I want to hear them, obey them, and be changed by them. As I open the ears of my spirit to You, "only speak the word" and I will be changed (Matthew 8:8). You are "the Word made flesh" (John 1:14, KJV). And You are the Word made fresh every moment of every day, as You speak Your words of spirit and life into my spirit and my life. So what could be more important than growing in knowing You, hearing Your voice, and following You? It seems I hear You say, "My son, take hold of My hand with your heart. As you keep your heart open to Me, I fill your heart with My desires and lead your steps in My ways. It is a journey; it is a process. Your part is to keep your heart open to Me. My part is to keep changing your heart, a little more each day." Yes, Lord. "You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.... Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:5-10). As I open my heart and listen for Your voice, I take hold of Your hand. And You keep taking hold of me. "My sheep hear My voice. I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28). Thank You, Lord, for Your word made fresh to me and in me today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you're in the Austin, Texas area, please come to our Healing Conference, May 28-30 at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, TX that I'll be leading with Dan Van Nice. I'll be ministering on inner healing and Dan will be ministering on physical healing Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday. RSVP required (512) 673-2652 oremail Giana: servantsofthemosthighGod@gmail.com A flyer is attached. Please come and spread the word! Friends, please come join us for the Aldersgate'09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greesboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry: http://www.aldersgate09.org/conference-info/keynote-speakers.html Please register on-line now and spread the word! Subscribe by email to me at 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Always, Everlasting God 5-18-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Everlasting God ... Everlasting God Never-ending love Unimaginable mercy Forever faithful and true You're always here You're always near You're always with me Wherever I go You never leave You're never weak You're always everlasting My always, everlasting God ... "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable " (Isaiah 40:28). Relationships and loyalties may waver and fail. Economies and securities may tremble and shake. Even nations and governments may tumble and fall. Yet You are faithful, steadfast, and sure. You are always everlasting, outlasting them all. I don't always understand Your timing and ways. But I am always growing in my gratitude for Your faithful and steadfast presence through all that I face. When I look around at the end of the day, You are still there. When I look up at the beginning of the next, You're still there. You are the God who "gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless" (v. 40:29). In the knowledge of the truth of Your persistent presence, I need not grow faint. In the abiding sense of Your strength, I am never powerless. For You are my strength and my power. You are my always, everlasting God. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us for the Aldersgate'09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greesboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry and emtional healing: http://www.aldersgate09.org/conference-info/keynote-speakers.html Please register on-line now and spread the word! Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

The Song of the Lord 5-15-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You inspire me, You empower me, You give me strength to meet my day. ... You inspire me You empower me You give me strength to meet my day You lead me You never leave me You shine Your light to show the way You are my strength and my shield You are the power that I feel And I know I go through this day with You ... "Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also..." (2 Chronicles 29:27). Under the Old Covenant, the priests brought the offerings of their sacrifice to be burnt by fire on the altar of the temple. Under our New Covenant in Christ, we offer the sacrifice of our hearts to be consumed in the fire of the Holy Spirit, burning in the temple of our lives. "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1). "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? ... For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). As I come to You to lift up my eyes and open up my heart in my morning sacrifice and offering of prayer, You are already here. Yet at the same time, You send Your holy fire in a fresh way upon the altar of my heart and fan the embers into flame again through the intimacy of this intentional communion with You in prayer. When You do, the song of the Lord often begins to arise in my soul. No matter what I'm facing, no matter You already know I will endure, You remind me that I will face it and endure it with You. So songs of thanksgiving, praise, and trust begin to rise with the smoke of the burnt offering of my life. May this "offering made by fire" be "as a sweet aroma before (You) Lord" (Exodus 29:25, NKJV). My my life today be a song of the Lord to You. Thank You for giving me a new song to sing as I begin this new day with You in prayer. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night 5/15, on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our Messiah Ministries' gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Brooke and Shannon Barrett will be leading us in worship, while Laura Beach and I lead us in prayer. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary (www.CentenaryLex.com). All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Friends, please come join us for the Aldersgate'09 Conference on Spirit-filled Living this summer, July 1-5. I'm excited to be a Keynote Speaker this year in Greesboro, NC, preaching the Friday Night message on Healing and also teaching equipping sessions on prayer ministry: http://www.aldersgate09.org/conference-info/keynote-speakers.html Please register on-line now and spread the word! Subscribe by email to me at 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 40502Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Commanded Victories 5-13-09

Good Morning, Lord Jesus. You are my hope and my strength, my vision and my purpose. ... "You are my King and my God; You command victories for Jacob" (Psalm 44:4). Your word goes forth, and victories are won -- bodies and emotions are healed, relationships are restored, failures are redeemed, vision is fulfilled, lives are changed. As the centurion soldier admitted his unworthiness of Your blessings in his own righteousness, yet humbly asked for healing of his servant, He knew by faith the power of Your word and Your authority. He said to You, "Only speak the word, and my servant will be healed" (Matthew 8:8). Then You commanded the victory. You affirmed his faith and sent forth Your word; and his servant was healed (v. 8:10-13). As we choose to align ourselves under Your authority as King and God, by the mercy and power of Your grace, You "command victories." You cause circumstances to align in our favor. Like the centurion, You want us to understand the principle of "authority" (v. 8:9). This is a principle of alignment with the plans and purposes of God as King of the Kingdom of God, in trusting, obedient submission to the authority of Your word in our lives. And at the same time, we are directly affected by our choices and the choices of others -- by both human beings and spiritual beings -- in a broken, fallen world not yet fully redeemed on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-15). But You give us grace to choose to come into alignment with Your authority, to call on Your name, in faith believing You will send forth Your word and command the victory, in Your perfect timing and Your perfect way. "So My word that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that to which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). My King and my God, help me come into alignment with Your authority and Your word. Increase my faith to believe in Your power for all that I need according to Your purpose. Command my circumstances -- within me and around me -- to align with Your will and your Kingdom. Command Your victory in the power of Your word. Give me wisdom to agree and faith to believe (Matthew 19:18-19). "Only speak the word" and it shall be done. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night 5/15, 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. Brooke and Shannon Barrett will be leading us in worship, while Laura Beach and I lead us in prayer. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary (www.CentenaryLex.com). All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Events As Yet Unseen" 5-12-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my thoughts and the beginning of my day. ... "By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household" (Hebrews 11:7). The events of these coming days are as yet unseen to us. But You already see the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. You already see every challenge I'll endure, every battle I'll fight, every choice I'll make. These coming days will come as no surprise to You. "Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In Your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed" (Psalm 139:16). You are forming the substance of my faith and my character now for what I will endure then. In fact, You have been forming the substance of my faith and my character throughout my life for what I am enduring now. What was yet unseen in my past, is seen now seen in my present, and will be seen in my future. But it has always been seen to You. So I would be foolish not to put my faith and trust in the One who sees all things, the One who holds all time and space and substance of every dimension in Your mighty hands. "Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods" (Psalm 40:4). Give me ears to hear Your warning and wisdom to respect it. Give me eyes to see by faith what You show me to warn me of what is yet unseen so that I will be prepared, so that I will be of use to You in preparing others, in preparing the way of the Lord. Those who hear and heed the word and the warning of the Lord will be safe, secure in the ark of Your salvation through the events of the days to come. When there is an "increase of lawlessness" and "the love of many grow cold" as "many will fall away," I want to be ready to persevere and endure because You have made me ready (Matthew 24:11-13). I want to be among those who rejoice and are glad no matter what days may come, because "the bride has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). I don't want to fear man or fear events. I want to fear God alone with honor, respect, and trusting faith -- believing Your promises and believing that You are good and You are love and You will be with me through all that is yet to come. "The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure" (Proverbs29:25). Lord God Almighty, loving Savior, and trusted Friend, form the steadfast substance of Your faith in me now so that my faith will not waver in the days yet unseen. "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night 5/15, 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. Brooke and Shannon Barrett will be leading us in worship, while Laura Beach and I lead us in prayer. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary (www.CentenaryLex.com). All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Up with a Shout" 5-11-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good morning, heavenly Father. Good morning, Holy Spirit. You are one God, revealing Yourself to us in three Persons. I worship You and welcome You to reveal Your will for my day in the way You choose. ... "Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy. For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great King over all the earth.... God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. God is King over the nations; God sits on His holy throne" (Psalm 47:1-8). I will clap and shout and sing loud songs of joy, for the Lord my God is awesome and worthy of all my praise. I will shout my praises to my King, the King of all the earth. Lord Jesus, You are the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to (You)" (Matthew 28:18). You rule and reign over all. And I shout with all the angels and all the "great multitude, like the sound of many waters," praising, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns!" (Revelation 19:6). Though the kings of the nations of the earth may plot and conspire to build the kingdoms of this world and set themselves against Your authority, they "plot in vain" (Psalm 2:1). They may seem to be in control, setting up their order to have their way; but "He who sits in the heavens laughs....saying, "I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill" (Psalm 2:4-6). Though they think they are in power and assert the authority they have in the season You've allowed, they will one day bow their knees before the One who is eternally King, confessing the absolute truth that Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, that He is Lord of all (Philippians 2:9-11). Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, You sit on Your holy throne. You are exalted and enthroned on the praises of Your people (Psalm 22:3). And as I praise You, shouting my praises to Your name, I shout down the kings of this world and "every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:5). "Now, therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss His feet, or He will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for His wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in Him" (Psalm 2:10-11). O Lord, my God, You are awesome. You are the everlasting God and eternal "King of all the earth" (Psalm 47:7). You go up with a shout of my praises to You. You are Lord of all my life; and I take refuge in Your rule and reign, my King. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have a special guest from Israel coming to The Mountain this Monday Night, May 11, to speak on current issues and lead us in prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and the people of the land of Israel. Please come join us. 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 at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). Contact Doris & Bob at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night, 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 (www.CentenaryLex.com). All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Moms Know 5-10-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You embrace me in Your arms, cleanse me by Your blood, and fill me with Your Spirit. I am Yours and You are mine. ... "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 66:13). O Lord my God, thank You for encouraging me and empowering me as a father blesses his sons and daughters. Thank You for comforting me and nurturing me with as a mother loves her children. On this Mother's Day, I thank You for all the ways You've encouraged me and loved me through her. Moms know When to smile and when to pray When to laugh and when to say Don't worry honey, it'll all be ok Moms know When to sing and when to cry When to look you in the eye We never have to wonder why Moms know When others can't seem to see your heart When they can't see how hurt you are They're always there and never part Moms know When you're really feeling down When you need their arms all wrapped around They know your needs before you make a sound Moms know When you never grow out of your need When you never want her to quit being The one who sees the best in you and never quits believing Thank You for mothers. Thank You for mine. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To all the mothers who join with me in this journey of prayer, Happy Mother's Day! God bless you and thank you for all the love you pour into us and all the prayers you pray for us. Great is your reward. We honor you this day in the name of Jesus. God bless you! Friends, we have a special guest from Israel coming to The Mountain this Monday Night, May 11, to speak on current issues and lead us in prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and the people of the land of Israel. Please come join us. 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 at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). Contact Doris & Bob at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! 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 (www.CentenaryLex.com). All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

The Place of Testing 5-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of heaven and earth, be Lord of my mind and heart. ... "After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you'.... On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place far away" (Genesis 22:1-4). You "test the minds and hearts" of all people (Psalm 7:9). You don't look merely to the outward appearances, but look beneath the surface of vain words, religious actions, and empty promises to see our true hearts. "For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). We may say we will follow You wherever You lead; we may promise to obey You whatever You command; we may believe we have surrendered all of our hearts and souls to You, but the times of testing reveal the truth. You reveal it to us not to shame us or condemn us, but to remind us that apart from You we can do nothing (John 15:5). Your tests remind us that no matter how mature we think we are or how sanctified we think we have become, we have no righteousness apart from You; we are desperately dependant upon You and Your grace, every moment of every day. Abraham looked up and saw the place of his test from "far away." He could see it coming. And that's part of the test too. Will we keep going forward even when we know a time of testing lies ahead? Will we turn back or to the side? Will we make other plans? Will we say we cannot endure it or give in to the fear that we cannot survive it? Will we flee in the face of the problems, or stand firm in the power of Your grace and rely on the faithfulness of Your promises? "No testing will overtake you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Though Abraham looked up and saw the place of his testing, even from far away, He pressed on. And You provided the way out with a sacrifice You provided by Your grace on his behalf, just as he knew in his heart You always would. "Abraham said, 'God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son' " (Genesis 22:8). Abraham was found faithful. He passed the test because he trusted You to always provide all we need. No matter what testing we may endure, no matter how clearly we begin to see the place where our testing will come, we can trust the One who provided the Lamb, the One who provided Your Son, Your only Son, so we will be able to endure it (John 3:16). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have a special guest from Israel coming to The Mountain this Monday Night, May 11, to speak on current issues and lead us in prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and the people of the land of Israel. Please come join us. 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 at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). Contact Doris & Bob at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! 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 (www.CentenaryLex.com). All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

National Day of Prayer 5-7-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before I arise in my body to step into my day, I arise in my spirit to step into prayer. ... "May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You" (Psalm 33:22, NIV). Today is our National Day of Prayer in America. No matter what our religion, as Americans we have the guaranteed constitutional right of freedom to express our faith and hope, whether in private or in public. I thank You for the founding principles of our nation that protect "the blessings of liberty," including the free expression of religion. And I thank You that our founding fathers and national leaders recognized the human need to humbly and faithfully acknowledge a Divine authority greater than ourselves and our government. Thank You that this undeniable truth is forever sealed in the written, historical documents of our national heritage: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" (United States Constitution).

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" (Declaration of Independence).

"...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" (President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address). In that freedom, I declare my hope and my faith is in You, O Lord. You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God who created us and sustains us in Your unfailing love that always rests upon us, never leaving us nor forsaking; the God who humbled Yourself into the likeness of human flesh to walk among us and show us the nature of Your heart as Son of Man, yet Son of God; the God who is One, in three dimension of Your One Being as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. You are the God I freely honor today in the liberty I have. You are the God I will worship and praise today, as I gather with fellow Americans from various streams and traditions of the body of Christ, in the public freedom we have, to offer You our prayers and thanks for Your providence and provision. I'll gather with others at my church, but I also gather with others in our public, governmental institutions to openly and freely declare our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And we will pray that the heart of our nation will turn to You in the freedom we have to honor You or not, to seek You or not, to depend upon You or not. We have not governmentally established religion as a nation, but there is a vibrant, faithful people of this nation who have our faith in You, Lord Jesus Christ, firmly established in us. Though some have said we are not a Christian nation, we are a nation filled with followers of the Lord Jesus Christ in every community across this nation, who have the inalienable right and the unyielding allegiance to bow on our knees and call on Your name. And with all who call on Your name from every tribe and tongue and nation around our world and throughout our generations, together as one in Jesus Christ our Lord, we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that (we) may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Together as the followers of Jesus Christ, One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit, we are an eternal nation under God. It is this nation of believers and disciples from all nations, under God in Christ, that not even the antichrist or the new world order of a one world government will ever crush out of our spirits or completely destroy from the face of the earth. One day soon the seventh trumpet will sound and the voices of heaven will proclaim, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us for the National Day of Prayer at 6:30 pm Thursday Night May 7th for an ecumenical gathering I'll be helping lead at my home church, Centenary United Methodist, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, KY (http://www.centenarylex.com/). This will be jointly hosted with our neighbor churches, Immanuel Baptist Church and Tates Creek Christian Church. Please come and spread the word. There are also gatherings in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Frankfort and in downtown Lexington at noon, as well as other places across our nation. Let's join together in prayer for the people and leaders of our nation to turn to God and depend upon Him alone as our Hope.

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Presumption or Prayer 5-6-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name, listen for Your voice, and wait for the leading of Your Spirit. ... "Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name of was Tabitha.... She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her they laid her in a room upstairs.... Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs.... Peter knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, 'Tabitha, get up.' Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up" (Acts 9:36-40). Peter was not satisfied to come to Tabitha's house and honor her for a life of devotion to good works and acts of charity. He didn't settle for a ceremony around her casket, remembering with her friends and family that she was a faithful disciple of Christ. He did not passively assent to the finality of illness and death as if it were the sovereign will of God. Instead, "Peter knelt down and prayed." Some might say, "What was there to pray about? If it were God's will that she be well, she would not have been sick. If it were God's will that she be healed, she would not have remained ill. If it were God's will that she live, she would not have died. Nothing happens without passing through the hands of God. Everything that happens is God's will. Just abandon yourself to the will of God and just accept everything that happens because God is doing something in you that you should just accept. Don't be rebellious. Don't be prideful or full of your self. Just submit to your circumstances. There's a time to live and a time to die, so when it's time to die, just die." But that wasn't Peter's theology. Or his faith. Or his sense of obedience to the will of God. "Peter knelt down and prayed." What we may think is humility and submission to the sovereignty of God and His will is often just presumption. Humility and submission is to kneel down and pray. To say, "Lord, what is Your will? What does Your Word say? What is Your word to me for this moment?" It seems to me when Peter humbled himself to seek Your will and Your word for that moment, You may have shown him Your will by reminding him of Your words, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). You may have spoken to him by reminding him of what he saw You do when You were called to come to the bed of a little girl who became ill and died. You didn't accept her sickness and death as God's sovereign will; You didn't tell her parents to grow up in maturity through the experience and to be patient in their suffering because a lot of people would get saved at her funeral. Instead, You said, "Little girl, get up!" (Mark 5:41). That was Your theology about healing, death, and the sovereignty of God. That was Your sense of surrender and abandonment to the will of God -- the will of God to bring healing instead of sickness, life instead of death, victory instead of defeat. So Peter did what he would teach others to do, "You should follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21). You should pray and then obey. And when You move forward in obedience, by the gifts and graces of God, You should do so in faith, with the boldness that comes from a heart that seeks God's word first in prayer and then relies on His Spirit in power. "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and power forever and ever" (1 Peter 4:10-11). Your name was glorified when Peter, Your servant and Your son, prayed and obeyed. You were not glorified through Tabitha's sickness and death, You were glorified by her healing and life. Peter didn't honor You by abandoning himself to the circumstances; he honored You by submitting himself the One who is Lord of the circumstances. Only as he knelt down and prayed could he hear for himself that Your sovereign will was not to accept the circumstances, but to change the circumstances. Give me wisdom and grace to go and follow in his steps and in Yours. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us for the National Day of Prayer at 6:30 pm Thursday Night May 7th at my home church, Centenary United Methodist, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, KY (www.CentenaryLex.com). I will be helping lead our ecumenical gathering, jointly hosted with our neighbor churches, Immanuel Baptist Church and Tates Creek Christian Church. Please come and spread the word. (I mistakenly said 7pm in previous notes). Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at 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