The Wilderness of Hagar and Ishmael 12-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Wherever I go, You are there. Wherever I am, You are here. … “The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And He said, ‘Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am running away from my mistress Sarai.’ The angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit to her.’ The angel of the Lord also said to her, ‘I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.’ And the angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Now you have conceived and will bear a son; you shall call him Ishmael, for the Lord has given heed to your affliction. He shall be a wild ass of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; and his shall live at odds with all his kin.’ So she named the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are El-roi,’ for she said, ‘Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing Him?’ Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered. Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael” (Genesis 16:7-16). Right now, I’m flying over the wilderness. I don’t mean any wilderness. I mean, “The Wilderness”—where Moses led the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, where Moses took off his shoes on the holy ground of the burning bush, and where Hagar fled from her harsh mistress, Sarai, who had grown bitter and jealous from the delay of the promises of God in her life (v. 16:1-6). Somewhere beneath the wings of this plane lie both Mount Horeb and Mecca, the land where the descendants of both Isaac and Ishmael have walked and lived, as revealed and recorded in the Word of God. In this wilderness, You appeared to Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, the mother of the Arabic nations, who would later follow a religion called Islam. And here in this wilderness, You spoke to Hagar a command to return to Abram and Sarai, with her son in her womb. And, at the same time, You spoke a blessing over her, that the descendants of her son would be greatly multiplied, even though they would also experience contention and strife with all people all around them. Even before Isaac was born under the blessing of Your covenant with Abraham, You first called Abraham and his son Ishmael to be circumcised as a mark and seal of their place in Your heart (v. 17:23-27). And before Abraham and Sarah held Isaac in their arms, the son of the covenant of Your promise, You first spoke a blessing over Ishmael: “As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year” (v. 17:20-21). Sadly, Sarah seemed to be jealous of Hagar and her son Ishmael, concerned for the inheritance of Sarah’s son Isaac. And though “the matter was greatly distressing to Abraham on account of his son,” Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away into the wilderness, but with the promise of God to “make a great nation of him also” (v. 21:9-14). But there in the wilderness, through their sense of rejection, abandonment, and shame, You did not forget Hagar and her son, Ishmael. You spoke to her through Your angel in the desert: “Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him” (v. 21:15-19). Though it seemed Ishmael was cast away by his earthly father along with his mother, You did not leave him nor forsake him. And Despite what he must have thought and what his descendants of the nations and generations since him may think, You were always with him: “God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him in the land of Egypt” (v. 21:20-21). O Lord, as I continue on in my journey across this ancient wilderness and on to ministry among the sons and daughters of Ishmael in Pakistan, give me Your heart for each of them and for their land. With Your heart and Your words, with Your message of hope and love, and Your prayers for restoration of peace in their souls and toward their neighbors, let me be a light in the midst of darkness. In the healing love of God, let me lead them to the One who is the Light, to the One who has never forgotten them, never rejected or abandoned them, and never forsaken them. Though these sons and daughters of Ishmael, through the brokenness, confusion, and devastation of generations dating back to their first father, may believe that God is no Father and He has no Son, let them hear Your heart and know Your truth. Continue to reveal Yourself to them in their dreams and through the mercy and power of Your grace as Issa—Jesus who is their healer and prince of peace. And let them come to know that God is a Father, that God has created them for a personal relationship of love, for “God is love” (1 John 4:8). And that God loves them so much He gave His only begotten Son for them so that they would never feel Fatherless, rejected, abandoned, or ashamed (John 3:16). They are welcome home into the arms of the One who promised to bless them and make a fruitful and mighty nation of them, as sons and daughters of Abraham and Ishmael (Genesis 17:20). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I have now made it to Pakistan safely into the home of my host pastor and his family for a day to visit and rest. Tomorrow night I will be preaching my first revival meeting. Please keep us in your prayers and thank you for joining and sharing with me in the journey of proclaiming the good news of the gospel of the kingdom to the nations. "For the share of the one who goes down into battle shall be the same as the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike" (1 Samuel 30:24). Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources. They make great Christmas presents! or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Equal Share of Joy 12-8-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Into Your hands I commit my spirit, my soul, and my body, all that I am and all that I have, this day and every day. … “For the share of the one who goes down into the battle shall be the same as the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike” (1 Samuel 30:24). I’ve boarded my plane and begun my journey to the nation of Pakistan, going down into the battle to carry the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of this land. May they see the nature of Christ in my heart, the love of God in my eyes, and the power of the Holy Spirit in my prayers. May Your holy angels surround me and Your Holy Spirit go before me to prepare the way of the Lord in my heart and theirs. May every plan and scheme of the enemy of our souls be exposed and cancelled by the blood of the Lamb; and may all that is intended for evil be used for good, as the love of God and glory of Your gospel is proclaimed to all. And thank You so much for the army of prayer warriors You have raised to cover my back and open the way through the intercession of these saints. These who stay behind on their knees in prayer are just as significant as the one who goes down into the battle on the ground. We are all on the front lines of this battle—in the heavens and on the earth. Our reward is the same—the joy of knowing You and obeying Your will so that all who come to a knowledge of the truth of God revealed in Jesus Christ through the sacrifice of Your love for us on the cross is bolding, lovingly share with all people of all nations. For it has always been in Your heart to be patient and merciful with us all, of every culture, nation, and generation, “not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV). Thank You for this calling upon my life, and thank You for calling so many others to come along with me in the journey and down into the battle. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friends, thank you so much for joining with me in the journey and down into the battles as the Lord leads. Please pray for my flight to leave out of Chicago on time tonight through this snow storm that is delaying many flights, and for safe travel and ministry all along the way for these 10 days of ministry in Pakistan. I'll be preaching and ministering at revival meetings in public and in churches. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). I couldn't do my part in my generation without you! We do it together with the gifts God alone has given each of us. God bless you! Great is your reward (Matthew 6:4). And great is my thanks to you! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources. They make great Christmas presents! or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Make Room, Make Ready 12-7-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. O come let us adore You. ... “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before Him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17). Before the coming of the Messiah was the coming a prophet in the spirit and power of Elijah. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and focused on fulfilling his mission to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” His ministry was to turn hearts to God in preparation and anticipation of the coming of the King to rule and reign in the hearts of His people. For their hearts were to be His Kingdom. “He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.... And all flesh shall see the salvation of God’ ” (Luke 3:3-6). Repentance made room in their hearts and made ready for the King—as they turned away from the world and toward the Messiah, away from their past and toward their destiny, away from the things that are temporary and toward the things that are eternal. That same spirit and power of Elijah, to turn hearts to God, is being released upon the earth in this season, looking forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Messiah. Our hearts that have been hardened by our world, distracted by our busyness, and tainted by our sin, are drawn to the hope of the humble Child to be born in a manger and destined to live in our hearts. And as we hear the call to repent and turn, as we pause from our performance and cease from our striving, as we watch with excited anticipation and wait with eager longing, Your Spirit makes our hearts ready for the One to come. The true Spirit of Christmas is the Holy Spirit of the Living God who comes to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” a people who make room in their hearts for the coming of Christ. Holy Spirit, make room in my heart, as You make me ready for the coming of my King. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friends, please keep us in prayer as I prepare to go preach a series of revival meetings for 10 days in Pakistan. I'll be trying to keep in touch as best as I can through my morning prayers and with our email prayer team. Thank you for going with me in the Spirit and in prayer. May the Lord send me in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way of the Lord in the hearts of the people of this land His loves so much and longs to save. May all flesh see the salvation of God, as they turn their hearts to embrace the soon coming King. I couldn't serve in this kind of ministry without you! Friends, in this Christmas Season of celebrating the Gift of God in Jesus Christ, please prayerfully consider Messiah Ministries in your plans for year-end giving. I hope you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seeds for the harvest of the Kingdom of God. Through your partnership with us in prayer, support, and encouragement, we are able to go forth in our commission of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to many lives at home and abroad. Thank you for joining me in the journey! Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources. They make great Christmas presents! or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

God’s Healing Glory 12-6-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. The heavens declare Your glory in the new day’s morning sun. And so do I in my heart, my prayers, and my praise. ... “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, obedient to His spoken word. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers that do His will. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:19-22). We’ve come away together for a Healing Prayer Weekend at Asbury in Wilmore, Kentucky. And You have come away with us. Your Holy Spirit fills our hearts with worship. Your holy angels surround us as warriors in the battle, worshipers in the heavens, and witnesses of Your glory. In the healing love of God, You are binding up the brokenhearted and setting the captives free, comforting the mourning, cleansing the shamed, releasing the bound, and encouraging the discouraged. You are repairing the ancient ruins and restoring the devastations of many generations, as You display the love and power of the Father heart of God to Your seeking children (Isaiah 61). Let the heavens declare Your glory and the earth declare Your praise. Let our hearts rejoice in the mercy and goodness of our God, who awakens us to our calling and destiny in Christ. As we go forth today from this healing place, encouraged and empowered by Your Word and Your Spirit, let our lives display Your glory as we share with others what You have poured into us. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Please keep us in prayer for our Messiah Ministries Healing Prayer Weekend we're hosting at Asbury in Wilmore, Kentucky this weekend. Please keep us in prayer as I go to preach a series of healing revival meetings for 10 days in Pakistan. I'll be trying to keep in touch as best as I can through my morning prayers and with our email prayer team. Thank you for going with me in the Spirit and in prayer. I couldn't serve in this kind of ministry without you! Friends, in this Christmas Season of celebrating the Gift of God in Jesus Christ, please prayerfully consider Messiah Ministries in your plans for year-end giving. I hope you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seeds for the harvest of the Kingdom of God. Through your partnership with us in prayer, support, and encouragement, we are able to go forth in our commission of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to many lives at home and abroad. Thank you for joining me in the journey! Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

So Worthy 12-4-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I woke up early with Your Spirit writing a new song on my heart. You alone are worthy. ... You are my Savior And You are my King You are my Life Breath You’re my Everything I adore You O how I adore You In the darkest of places You are my Light When You send me to nations I am Your knight I adore You O how I adore You You are the One The only One Who is worthy O, who is worthy Of all my heart And all my soul Of all I am And all I have You are so worthy! In the lowest of valleys You’re by my side Over the highest of mountains You are my Guide I adore You O how I adore You Through trials and tribulation You give me strength Through my doubts and my questions You speak to me I adore You O how I adore You You are the One The only One Who is worthy O, who is worthy Of all my heart And all my soul Of all I am And all I have You are so worthy! So I keep giving my heart I keep giving my soul To the One who is worthy! You alone are worthy. Yes, Lord. You alone are worthy of all my heart and all my trust. And though You lead me to open my heart and trust others, You alone are the One who never leaves us and never forsakes us at any time or in any way (Hebrews 13:5). “No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous.... I herby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-9). Yes, Lord. I hear You. I trust You. And in the mercy of Your grace and the power of Your Spirit, I will obey You. By the grace of God, I will go where You lead and be who I am, in all You’ve created me to be and to do for Your good pleasure out of Your good nature. You are so worthy of all my faith and hope and love. You alone are worthy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My faithful friends, joining with me in the prayer journey of my life, thank you for your prayers, love, and encouragement. I remember you always in my prayers. In my life, some things are coming to a close and some things are opening up; I'm having to let go of some things, and I'm taking hold of others. I'm sure the same is true of you and in your journey in many ways. But God is with us. And in the mercy and power of His grace, we will press in to Him and press on in His will through it all. One day we will look back from the place of the surpassing glory of His greatness and say without a doubt, "It was worth it all." "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen in temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Amen. Let it be so, Lord Jesus. Please keep us in prayer for our Messiah Ministries Healing Prayer Weekend we're hosting at Asbury in Wilmore, Kentucky this weekend. Please keep us in prayer as I go to preach a series of healing revival meetings for 10 days in The Islamic Republic of Pakistan December 8 through 18. I'll be trying to keep in touch as best as I can through my morning prayers and with our email prayer team. Thank you for going with me in the Spirit and in prayer. I couldn't serve in this kind of ministry without you! Friends, in this Christmas Season of celebrating the Gift of God in Jesus Christ, please prayerfully consider Messiah Ministries in your plans for year-end giving. I hope you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seeds for the harvest of the Kingdom of God. Through your partnership with us in prayer, support, and encouragement, we are able to go forth in our commission of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to many lives at home and abroad. Thank you for joining me in the journey! Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Remembering the Story 12-4-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am Yours. And in the mystery and majesty of Your unimaginable grace, You are mine. … “Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been interested” (Luke 1:1-4). One thing I love about the Christmas season is rereading the story and remembering all the names, faces, and events that were fulfilled in those exciting days of Your first coming. We can hardly grasp what it would have been like to have been among those first eyewitnesses of those days of preparation and celebration among angels and humanity. Your Holy Spirit brings these holy words alive in our hearts, and fills our spirits afresh with wonder, expectancy, and anticipation. And we love to hand down the story to the next generation, as Your Spirit breathes life Your Word to burn in their hearts and awaken their hopes by the “declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” (v. 1:1, KJV). As we hear and know the truth of these things, that same Spirit also stirs our hearts with excitement and anticipation for the wondrous events that will be fulfilled in Your second coming. In this Christmas season, let me hear again afresh the old, old story of Jesus and His love, of the Child who was born King and Christ, who would lay down His life, so that I could become part of His story. Let me not hurry through this season or be swallowed up by its busyness. And let me not be distracted by the craftiness of the one who would turn all my attention to the glitz and glamour of the world’s way of celebrating this season instead of looking to the One who came and who stills comes to seek and save the world. You still are and You will always be the reason for the season, the hero of the story, and the hope for our world. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, in this Christmas Season of celebrating the Gift of God in Jesus Christ, please prayerfully consider Messiah Ministries in your plans for year-end giving. I hope you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seeds for the harvest of the Kingdom of God. Through your partnership with us in prayer, support, and encouragement, we are able to go forth in our commission of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to many lives at home and abroad. Thank you for joining me in the journey! Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

A Lamp Prepared for the Anointed One 12-1-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Welcome, my Lord and Savior, my King and Friend. Welcome into every moment of my day. ... “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation: “This is My resting place forever; here I will reside, for I have desired it.... There I will cause a horn to sprout up for David; I have prepared a lamp for My Anointed One. His enemies I will clothe with disgrace, but on Him, His crown will gleam” (Psalm 132:13-18). So many prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures speak of the coming Messiah, the Anointed One of God. You are the Son of David—Son of Man and Son of God, both fully human and fully Divine. You are One with the Father, yet You have humbled Yourself to become One with us and even One within us by Your Holy Spirit. And through Your sacrifice of deepest humility to restore each of us from our fallen nature to Your righteous nature in relationship with God, You’ve been given the place of highest honor: “And let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11). So in the mystery of Your Father heart, Your Holy Spirit moved upon the womb of Mary, the lamp You prepared to shine forth Your Light, to conceive a Son from the bloodline of David in the land of Israel. And as the One who was both Son of God and Son of Man lived and loved among us, anointed by God as Messiah, the Christ, You crowned Him as King in Zion. Though with our natural eyes, His crown looked like a wreath of thorns, with our spiritual eyes we see a gleaming crown of God’s glory. In this season of preparation for the celebration of the coming of the King, who humbled Himself to be born as a Child in human form, fill my heart with expectation and anticipation, even with the excitement of a child yearning for the coming of Christmas morning. You have chosen Zion for Your habitation and resting place forever. You’ve also chosen my heart and the hearts of all who prepare You room in the lamp of our hearts to come and dwell, as we receive You as Messiah and crown You as King. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, in this Christmas Season of celebrating the Gift of God in Jesus Christ, please prayerfully consider Messiah Ministries in your plans for year-end giving. I hope you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seeds for the harvest of the Kingdom of God. Through your partnership with us in prayer, support, and encouragement, we are able to go forth in our commission of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to many lives at home and abroad. Thank you for joining me in the journey! Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

A Fresh Cut 11-30-09

Morning by Morning, Monday Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father, One with the Holy Spirit. Be One within me, as I abide in You and You abide in me (John 15:4). ... “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God call to Him’ ” (Acts 2:37-39). My boys and I went to pick out our Christmas Tree this weekend. Before we strapped it onto the top of the Jeep for the ride home, the man at the tree lot took his saw and made a fresh cut on the bottom of the trunk. “That’ll let it drink up the water and keep it smelling fresh the whole season,” he said. Lord, I need “a fresh cut” every day. Cut me to the heart, so I can drink up the Living Waters of Your Holy Spirit every moment of every day. Keep my faith and my passion for You fresh. By Your grace, let my life release the fresh fragrance of Christ throughout this season and every season. “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing...” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, as we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I pray the Holy Spirit will fill you with anticipation for the celebration of the coming Messiah. I pray you will release the fragrance of Christ in this season when people around the world seem to be more open to hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ than any other time, and receiving His Spirit into their hearts. God bless you and Merry Christmas! Please prayerfully consider Messiah Ministries in your plans for year-end giving. I hope you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seeds for the harvest of the Kingdom of God. Through your partnership with us in prayer, support, and encouragement, we are able to go forth in our commission of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to many lives at home and abroad. Thank you for joining me in the journey! Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Turn and Take Hold of Life 11-28-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the way that leads to life. ... “When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). Lord, what is the “repentance that leads to life?” As I watch and wait, it seems I hear You speaking to my heart and bringing these thoughts to my mind: “To repent is to turn. All who turn their hearts to Me and open their hearts to My life. All who seek Me with all their hearts will find Me, and all who find Me find the meaning for their life.” Yes, Lord. Why is it that we must turn to You to find the meaning of our lives? “I created you for life with Me. There is no true life apart from Me. There is existence, but there is not life. I have created each one for purpose, calling, and destiny. I have created each one to live that out in relationship with Me. I am love. And love can only be expressed in relationship. And no one can enter into that relationship without repentance, without willingly choosing to turn and open their heart to Me. But as they do, they enter into the life that really is life.” Yes, Lord. I repent. I turn my heart to You. I open my heart to You. By the mercy and power of Your grace, help me live a lifestyle of repentance—continually turning and opening my heart to You. Every moment of every day, I want to turn and “take hold of the life that really is life” (1 Timothy 6:19). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Turning Back to Say Thanks to God 11-27-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I wait in Your will and listen for Your voice, my Good Shepherd. ... “As (Jesus) entered a village, ten lepers approached Him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him” (Luke 17:12-16). You are a loving God, a merciful God. And You are a healing God. You love to turn to those who call out Your name in the desperation of their circumstances. And with Your words and Your power, You draw near to those who are far away, even those who are keeping their distance. You heal in spirit, soul, and body. You remove the shame and restore dignity; You break through the barriers that separate people from You and isolate them from one another; and You express Your presence through Your power to change what has been into what it is meant to be. You are worthy of all our thanks and praise. You are worthy of our effort to take time to remember the One who frees us in spirit, restores us in soul, and heals us in body. With grateful hearts, we bow our hearts low and lift Your name high to thank You. In just the last couple of days, I’ve been hearing amazing stories of the power of Your healing love being made manifest in extraordinary ways. A woman suffering in so much pain in her legs from diabetes that she couldn’t make it to the altar to pray is now pain free and has normal blood sugar levels. A young girl in the hospital with leukemia was suddenly released to go home for the greatest Thanksgiving of her life. An elderly woman who feared the risk and cost of surgery on her eyes, praying she wouldn’t have to go, doesn’t have to go now. And how many more stories of Your healing love and power that we may never hear until we thank You and praise You together in the celebration of heaven! Sometimes healing comes in an instant, sometimes it comes as we go on our way. Sometimes it comes through those You choose to use in medicine or prayer or the natural means You’ve created in this earth. Sometimes it comes in the grace to persevere until the ultimate healing in the glory of resurrection. But all true healing always comes from You. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). So I thank You for all the ways You have freed me, restored me, and healed me that my “spirit and soul and body may be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). And I thank You for letting me share in the joy of so many others giving You all the thanks and praise for the glory and power of Your name in our lives. I pray to hear and experience even more—“abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine”—in these amazing days of Your presence in preparation for Your coming. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe for free 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 my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Thanksgiving Proclamation 11-26-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Thank You for giving Your life out of Your love for me and for all. ... “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all His praise?” (Psalm 106:1-2). The people of our nation set aside this day as day of Thanksgiving to God, a tradition deeply rooted in our national history. Of course, not all are thanking You for this day and our freedom and all the blessing we have from the One who is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Some are just taking the day off and some even arrogantly deny the central role of prayer and praise of God in that first fall celebration of Your goodness and mercy among the Indians and Pilgrim of that first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth Rock in 1621. But so many countless more, throughout generations, humbly and gratefully honor You and thank You for Your provision and grace in our lives and our nation. As I honor You today, I also honor those who have gone before me in a spirit of honor and thanksgiving. I’m reminded of the image of General George Washington, who knelt down in an open field with his army on the way to Valley Forge to pray for Your guidance and protection. And immediately after his inauguration as our first President, he issued “Presidential Proclamation Number One” as the very first Presidential Proclamation ever decreed by a President of the United States of America from his position of governmental authority on behalf of the people of our land, as declaration of Thanksgiving to You: Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789. — /signed/ G. Washington Lord, let our nation return to our roots, honoring You as “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations” who “pardons our national and other transgressions” and calls us to be “a blessing to all people.” May we yet turn again to You in another great awakening our hearts in a revival of thanksgiving and praise and fulfill our destiny as “one nation under God.” For it is “In God We Trust.” And You are the One True God, the one and only great Lord and Ruler of Nations. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer. I pray for the Lord's abundant blessings -- exceeding abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine -- in every area of your life in this new season (Ephesians 3:20)! Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Sign up online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries DirOfMinistries@aol.com Many of my friends have been expressing a desire to cover my ministry trip to Pakistan in prayer December 8-18, in specific ways. If you would like to join us, please send a note to me at tommyhays@aol.com or Pastor Linda Dulin, our Messiah Ministries Prayer Coordinator: dulin_linda@hotmail.com We have some significant additional expenses for this ministry trip and I would welcome your generous encouragement in prayer and financial support at this time for this opportunity to carry the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of this Muslim Nation. I'll be leading a pastors' conference, a women's conference, and public evangelism and healing meetings at the invitation of my host ministry. God bless you and thank you! Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" Contribute Online or Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Joyfully Grateful 11-25-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and welcome in Your Spirit. ... “I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He judged me faithful and appointed me to His service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of which I am the foremost. But for that very reason, I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:12-16). The other day I was praying in ministry with a young woman who was wrestling in agony deep down in her soul over a painful, shameful moment of her past. Suddenly she looked at me and asked, “Have you ever been ashamed of anything you’ve done?” One of the dark moments of my life immediately came to mind and before I even had time to think about it, I was saying, “Yes, I sure have.” For added confirmation, in a strangely humorous sort of way, my prayer partner seemed to find herself immediately saying at the same moment, “Yes, he sure has.” (She’s known me in two very different seasons of my life. And You’ve known me in them all, but You both are still willing to be my prayer partner!) But even as I was acknowledging out loud the truth of a painful, shameful moment of my own past, the emotion that rose up in me was not shame. It was not guilt or condemnation or even embarrassment. It was gratitude. I can even say it was a joyful gratitude. Not for what I had done, but for what You have done for me. You were reminding me of when I let You come into that dark moment deep down in my soul, where I had been bound up in self-condemnation, guilt, and regret for such a long time. You were reminding me of the peace and joy that flooded my soul when I finally gave it all to You, embracing the forgiveness of Your steadfast love and tender mercies. You didn’t take away the memory; You took away the shame. The scar of the memory remains, but when something touches that scar in the memory of my mind, only joyful gratitude to God wells up in my heart today. I know deeply and personally, part of what drove Paul to be so passionate in his pursuit of souls who needed to know the love of God revealed in the mercy of Christ. Thank You, Lord, for all Your “utmost patience” with Paul and with me. May You strengthen me in these memories of moments of all You’ve done for me, all You continue to do in me, and all You desire to do through me in the mercy and power of Your grace. May I be found faithful in the service to which You have appointed me of sharing the healing love of God and preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts and souls of women and men. With all that I am and all that I have, all by Your grace, I am grateful—joyfully grateful to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Sign up online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries DirOfMinistries@aol.com Many of my friends have been expressing a desire to cover my ministry trip to Pakistan in prayer December 8-18, in specific ways. If you would like to join us, please send a note to me at tommyhays@aol.com or Pastor Linda Dulin, our Messiah Ministries Prayer Coordinator: dulin_linda@hotmail.com We have some significant additional expenses for this ministry trip and I would welcome your generous encouragement in prayer and financial support at this time for this opportunity to carry the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of this Muslim Nation. I'll be leading a pastors' conference, a women's conference, and public evangelism and healing meetings at the invitation of my host ministry. God bless you and thank you! Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" Contribute Online or Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

“Full of Light” 11-24-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the foundation of my day and at the center of my life. ... “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays” (Luke 11:33-36). You are my Light. And my life is to be Your lamp. My heart is to be filled with the fullness of the glory of Your presence, abiding in me by Your Spirit. My eyes are to shine with the light of Christ. My face is to be radiant with the assurance of one who is forgiven of my sins, walking in peace with God, peace with others, and peace within myself in the shalom that rests upon my soul. Healthy and whole, forgiven and free, by the blood of the Lamb through the grace of God, I will not bury my lamp in a cellar or hide it under a bushel. I will allow You to position me in the places You choose to let the light of Your glory shine through my lamp each day (Matthew 5:14). And those who enter my life and cross the journey of my day will not be drawn to my lamp but to Your Light. You are “the Light of the world. Whoever follows (You) will never walk in darkness but will have the Light of Life” (John 8:12). So let there be no darkness in me, but let my whole body be full of Your Light. Let Your Word be fulfilled in me and all of Your people this day and every day in the mercy of Your grace and the wisdom of Your will: “Arise, shine; for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.... Lift up your eyes and look around.... Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice” (Isaiah 60:1-5). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Sign up online: Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries DirOfMinistries@aol.com Many of my friends have been expressing a desire to cover my ministry trip to Pakistan in prayer December 8-18, in specific ways. If you would like to join us, please send a note to Pastor Linda Dulin, our Messiah Ministries Prayer Coordinator: dulin_linda@hotmail.com We have some significant additional expenses for this ministry trip and I would welcome your generous encouragement in prayer and financial support at this time for this opportunity to carry the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of this Muslim Nation. I'll be leading a pastors' conference, a women's conference, and public evangelism and healing meetings at the invitation of my host ministry. God bless you and thank you! Subscribe free 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 Contribute Online or Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Servants, Sons and Daughters in Christ 11-23-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. All that I am and all that I have belong to You. ... “Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen in whom My soul delights; I put My Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break; and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching” (Isaiah 42:1-4). Son of God and Son of Man, You are the Messiah, the Christ—the Anointed One of God. The Holy Spirit of the Sovereign Lord rests upon You to establish justice in the earth and teach the nations the truth of Your kingdom. Your ways are “gentle and humble in heart,” yet You speak all the authority of heaven and earth entrusted to You from the Father (Matthew 11:28-30). Your heart and face are set on Your mission, to fulfill Your destiny in the purposes of God. You will not grow faint, You will not be stopped until it is fully accomplished and completely done. And the firmness of Your commitment and steadfast resolve delights the heart of our Father, who is eternally well pleased in His Son. Now in the sovereignty of Your will, You have chosen to bring to completion Your plans through the people who are called by Your name, through those who know You as God and receive You as Messiah, as Christ. In the unfolding of time, every prophecy and promise of God will be fulfilled as proclaimed for the people of Israel and all the nations of the earth. Through the blood of Christ, there shall be “one new humanity” called as one in the unity of Your Spirit for the glory of our Father from every tongue and tribe and nation of the earth—Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old (Ephesians 2:11-18). Together in Christ Jesus our Messiah, we are “built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God” (Ephesians 2:22). Together as one, we are “the body of Christ so that (we) may belong to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God ... in the new life of the Spirit” (Romans 7:4-6). By the Spirit of Christ living in us, by the grace of God forgiving us, freeing us, and empowering us, we will do what the Lord our God requires of us: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). As we do, Your kingdom comes and Your will is done. By Your mercy, You establish Your justice in all the earth through those who humbly choose to embrace Your will and Your ways to be called by Your name—Your servants, Your sons and daughters, anointed by Your Spirit in Christ (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Subscribe free 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: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Arise! 11-19-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You speak, and I will listen. You lead, and I will follow—as best as I can and all by Your grace. ... “Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ ” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement” (Mark 5:41-42, NKJV). You are the God who binds up the brokenhearted and sets the captives free (Luke 4:18). And sometimes we are brokenhearted because our heart is broken within, fractured in an earlier moment of time during some traumatically painful or fearful or shameful event. It’s as if some broken part of the soul of our mind, will, and emotions is still stuck there, trapped inside, still suffering the trauma and still burying the pain, anger, confusion, fear, or shame. Sometimes it’s like a little girl or little boy part of us that’s gone deep down inside, gone into a dark and lonely place, crawled into a corner, and shut the door, trying to shut out all the pain and the shame and even the memory that this moment ever happened. But You are not limited by time or space. And all our moments are present and accessible to You. You are the same yesterday and today and forever. And when we come to the place we can trust You enough to come into that place, You reach out Your helping hand and speak out Your healing words, “Arise.” You gather our brokenness into Your wholeness. You cleanse us and forgive us and free us. You fill us with Your Spirit and grow us into maturity. You bless us with the truth that we are children of God, that we are no longer victims because we are victorious in the power of the presence, mercy, and love of God. You renew our spirit and restore our soul. And all who see the peace and joy that shines in our eyes are overcome with great amazement. What a healing God You are! You love to remind us that healing is one of Your names that reveals Your nature. “For I Am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). And You love to heal us and free us in every dimension of our spirit, soul, and body—even in the places that seem so deep down, isolated, rejected, abandoned, alone, afraid, and unloved. But there comes a day when we trust You enough to allow You to come even into the most broken places and parts of our soul, giving us the courage to entrust ourselves completely to You. You are the God who is “able to save to the uttermost those who come to God” (Hebrews 7:25). You are not distant or unconcerned; You are always so much more near than we know. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). And on that day we entrust ourselves to You, we arise to a new place of healing and freedom, of trust and intimacy with You. On that day, we arise and shine, knowing our Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon us (Isaiah 60:1). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Healing Prayer Retreat December 4-6. Come join us for a weekend away for worship and healing of spirit, soul, and body. You'll receive personal prayer ministry and understanding of biblical, spiritual principles of healing and freedom in Christ in a loving and safe environment, welcoming the healing presence of God. Hosted at the Asbury Inn at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Please let us know right away if you're planning to come and spread the word! Information/RegisterHealingRetreat Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our Messiah Ministries' monthly citywide 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, where our home base is located (2800 Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, KY). All are welcome! Please spread the word! Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free 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: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Mighty Move of God's Spirit in Kansas City at IHOP!

International House of Prayer University Student Awakening On November 11, during a 9:00am class of first-year students, led by Allen Hood and Wes Hall at International House of Prayer University (IHOPU), the Spirit moved in their midst with physical healings, deliverance, and a spirit of joy. That class, on November 11, continued for more than 15 hours. The word spread quickly, and nearly 2,000 people spontaneously gathered in the auditorium from all over the Kansas City area, as deliverance and physical healings increased. The meeting continued well past midnight. Recognizing that the Spirit was moving, the leadership of IHOPU canceled all classes for the next few days so that we could gather to receive all that the Spirit wanted to do. We recognize that the Holy Spirit is awakening our students and many others. In each of these meetings, many people are being set free from addictions, shame, depression, demonic activity, and every sort of emotional pain. We are also witnessing an increase of physical healings, as God is touching and restoring bodies inside the building, as well as healing people watching via the webstream. Moreover, we greatly rejoice as we are seeing lost souls being added to the kingdom of God during these meetings. We are receiving many testimonies and reports that this move of the Spirit is spreading to other churches and prayer rooms that are joining with us each night via the webstream. It all began on November 4, on the last day of the monthly Global Bridegroom Fast at the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOP–KC). A move of the Holy Spirit began to stir during the student chapel at IHOPU, as students testified about receiving deliverance from self-hatred, shame, and depression. Students began to experience supernatural joy at the revelation of God's love for them. A powerful spirit of joy rested on many the next day at the IHOPU student-led 6:00am prayer meeting, and the Spirit continued to move throughout the week in our classes and during the faculty meetings. What started during our IHOPU student chapel on November 4 is continuing today. Visitors are coming in from many places, with some driving over 1,000 miles overnight to participate in these meetings. Consequently, on November 12, we moved the Prayer Room to our Forerunner School of Ministry sanctuary from 6:00pm to midnight each night, to accommodate more people. We will continue these nightly meetings as the Holy Spirit leads us. We earnestly pray that this awakening will continue, as our nation is in desperate need of another great awakening in this hour. Throughout history, college and university campuses in our nation have been an epicenter and a catalyst for spiritual awakening. Since the 1700s, our nation has witnessed multiple moves of the Holy Spirit that have touched and awakened students on college campuses, including Princeton University, Yale University, Asbury College, Wheaton College, and more than a dozen other college campuses. These spiritual awakenings often progressed beyond the campuses and resulted in a great number of souls being added to the kingdom of God. History also attests to a strong correlation between spiritual awakening and missionary movements. We pray that this spiritual awakening that is touching IHOPU and the rest of our IHOP–KC Missions Base will break out all over our nation in different cities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Testimonies We have been receiving many testimonies by email about how the IHOPU Student Awakening has been touching other college campuses, churches, and houses of prayer. If you have testimonies that you would like to share with us about how this move of the Spirit has touched you, click here. Read below how the IHOPU Student Awakening has touched students at Wheaton College and Asbury College Holy Spirit move at Wheaton College: In the dorm tonight at Wheaton College, we were watching the webstream the heat of the love of God filled the room. Prayer like never before releasing His Spirit of intercession upon us. His kindness led to repentance to experience breakthrough that has never occurred before! First time ever being thrown by the Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit move at Asbury College: A group of us at Asbury met to watch the live webstream. Over 30 students were present. God poured out His Spirit in such amazing ways. The Spirit filled people on campus used to be quiet, almost embarrassed. God has removed that spirit of meekness and replaced it with one of power. We’ve broken out of the Asbury House of Prayer. Tonight there’s singing and rejoicing in the streets. One person was healed of life-long blood clots, another of knee pain and another of a stomach virus. There’s so much more. I can’t even begin to describe it all in words. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International House of Prayer, 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64137 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to you via the International House of Prayer web site. If you do not wish to receive further emails, please click here.

All Things are Possible 11-18-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Glorious One, I welcome the light and the glory of Your presence in my life and throughout my day. ... “And they brought the boy to Him. When the spirit saw Him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, from childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if You are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ ” (Mark 9:20-14). Some battles we have fought for a season, some we have fought from childhood. Sometimes we’ve been thrown into the fires of affliction, sometimes we’ve been drowning in the waters of weariness. But there is One who is able to deliver us and free us from everything that would try to destroy us. No matter what we go through, there is One who says, “Keep looking to Me, keep entrusting yourself to Me, for I will go through this with you.” There is One who says: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I Am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Because you are precious in My sight, and honored, and I love you... Do not fear, for I Am with you” (Isaiah 43:1-5). Yes, Lord. I believe. I know it in my head and I know it in my heart. You are faithful and true. You never leave me and never forsake me. You never reject me or abandon me. You cause all things to work together for good. You turn every battle into an opportunity for promotion in the army of the Lord. You turn every obstacle into a challenge for advancement of the kingdom of God. My part is to believe, to keep trusting You, to keep entrusting myself to You. And in times when I doubt, let me confess it before You and turn it over to You. In times when I question, let me entrust my questions to the One who is the Answer. In every moment of doubt and unbelief, remind me of all the multiplied moments of Your forgiveness and faithfulness, Your power and provision, Your mercy and might. You are worthy of my trust. So by the grace of God, I choose to believe. And I choose to receive the blessings of Your peace and joy—even in the midst of the battles—that comes to all who do. “All things are possible to (the one) who believes” (Mark 9:23, NKJV). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our Messiah Ministries' monthly citywide 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free 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: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Desperate to Be Free 11-17-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I bow low, so You can gather me up into Your arms, my Father and Friend. ... “ ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed” (Mark 5:19-20). The man who was tormented by so many unclean spirits saw You “from a distance” and came running to You, to bow down low before You, despite everything in him that wanted to run the other way (v. 5:6). The enemy of his soul had isolated him from his friends, distorted his thoughts, and abused his body. We don’t know what brokenness or abuse he had endured in the journey of his life that brought him to such a low place. We don’t know the things he had done or the things that were done to him. We don’t know how long he had been desperately longing down deep inside for the day that he would see his Deliverer come. But he was desperate to be free. And the day came when this man’s tormenters feared the torment of the Son of the Most High God” who had come to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free (v. 5:7). Moved with compassion and mercy, You commanded the spirits to release him and go. And this man who had been tormented for so long was set free from the thief who came to steal and kill and destroy in his life. He encountered the One who came that he might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). He encountered the One who came “to destroy the works of the devil” in the deepest places of his life (1 John 3:8). Now he was fully “clothed” in Christ, fully restored by the power of Your mercy and love to “his right mind” (Mark 5:15). And his life would never be the same. He couldn’t wait to tell his friends and family and everyone who would listen “how much Jesus had done for him.” Can there be any greater proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of God, any greater means of evangelism, than the sight of a heart set free in the name and power of Jesus? Lord Jesus, thank You for every time Your Holy Spirit has lifted my eyes to You and drawn me into the arms of my true Father, in the broken and desperate times of my life. Thank for every time You’ve humbled my heart, healed my brokenness, and broken my chains. Thank You for every time You’ve gathered me in Your arms, clothed me in Christ, and restored me to my right mind and right heart. Thank You for all the times that may yet come in my journey through this broken, fallen world in the process of being redeemed and restored by the goodness and glory of God, as Your kingdom comes and Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. May my life be a living sacrifice and testimony of Your goodness and mercy and love. And may You use me to now comfort those in the ways You have comforted me (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Let me tell everyone who will listen all that You have done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our ministry's citywide 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free 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: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

The Awe of His Presence 11-16-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You’re the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. Be King and Lord of my life today. ... “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47). Lord Jesus, You are the teacher and the healer. Father God, You welcome us into Your home and give good gifts to Your children. Holy Spirit, You move among us and dwell within us, lifting our eyes to Jesus, opening our hearts to our Father, and uniting us as one in the body of Christ. As we spend much time with You and much time together, You fill us with thanksgiving and praise, with glad and generous hearts. As our praises and prayers go up, Your glory comes down. And in the glory of Your presence, we stand in awe, we bow down in worship, we surrender all we have and all we are to You alone. We wonder at the signs of Your presence, hungering and thirsting for even more of You. But our hunger only grows. And we thirst even more. Having tasted of the goodness of God and soaked in the glory of Your presence, we’re no longer satisfied with anything less than a daily, deepening surrender to You and embracing of Your presence. And the number of those who want nothing less than the fullness of Your kingdom in our hearts and our land and throughout the earth cannot help but grow day by day. Lord, let that kind of awe keeping coming upon us and rising up within us, as we keep hungering and thirsting for more of You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you so much for your prayers for us in Lexington this past week. We've experienced the awesome presence of God in so many ways at our School of Spiritual Ministry and then two nights of community healing services. May the hunger and thirst for more and more of the presence of the Lord grow in our hearts and yours. That is revival and renewal and awakening that we long for, and that the Lord longs for even more than us. God bless you and thank you for joining with me in this journey for more of Him! Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, Nov. 20 -- on the 3rd Friday night of every month -- for our ministry's citywide 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe free 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: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Another Night! A Walking Miracle! Sunday Night Healing Service

Extended Meetings for Another Night! Don't Miss This Event Sunday Night!" -- Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries, Lexington, Kentucky Co-hosted by Messiah Ministries & Centenary UMC in the Chapel @Centenary, 6:30 pm Sun. Nov 15th Messiah Ministries & Centenary United Methodist Church invite you to hear the amazing testimony of Rev. Craig Marsh. Join us for an expected powerful Healing Service Sunday Night including worship, exhortation and prayer! Don't miss this opportunity to experience God. Come expecting God to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Bring your friends and family to encounter ministry that brings freedom and healing from brokenness. Please come and spread the word! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F.A.Q. What does it cost? There is no registration fee. A love offering will be received. I've not heard of Rev. Craig Marsh, what is he like? Just click on the video link and read the information below to get a sense of how God ministers through Craig. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A SNAPSHOT OF CRAIG MARSH Rev. Craig Marsh came to the Light the Fire Pastor’s Conference at Pine Forest UMC in Pensacola, FL on May 3, 1999 from New Zealand. Craig was terminal with only a few weeks to live due to the return of stomach cancer. He arrived so weak that a lifelong friend accompanied him to the USA to carry his luggage and bring his body back if death occurred before he could return to New Zealand. Craig’s stomach had been removed in 3 operations prior to 1993. An Anglican priest at the conference requested prayer for Craig. Men and women at the conference prayed fervently 4 hours for Craig’s healing and God responded. Craig received a new stomach (since confirmed by X-rays) and he was cancer-free. Since Craig’s miracle, he has been praying for the sick with signs and healings following. He has ministered in England, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and The Philippines. Many have been healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please come join us and God bless you! -- Rev. Tommy Hays, Spiritual Director and Founder, Messiah Ministries www.messiah-ministries.org Quick Link to Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org and Centenary UMC: www.centenarylex.com ABOUT Messiah Ministries and Centenary This healing service hosted by Messiah Ministries and Centenary UMC will be a safe place for you and your friends to experience the grace of God at work in a faith-filled environment of worship and prayer. Please visit our websites at www.messiah-ministries.org and www.centenarylex.com for more information. 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, Kentucky 40502 email: Marilyn Walker, Dir. of Ministries of Messiah Ministries: DirOfMinistires@aol.com

“I Shall Rise” 11-13-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my spirit arise into communion with Your Spirit, as I watch and wait in the listening silence of surrender. ... “Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8). The enemy of our souls, the adversary of Your kingdom, uses all the weapons of his warfare to try to hinder and halt the advance of the army of the Lord. He uses fear and intimidation, taunts and threats, deception and confusion, temptation and torment, discouragement and depression. Sometimes he comes directly against our minds in our thoughts and dreams. Sometimes he comes against us through the words and actions of others. So we must “keep alert. Like a roaring lion (our) adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And if we are alert, we can recognize his schemes and discern his voice of accusation, judgment, and condemnation. We can “resist him, steadfast in (our) faith” because we know the nature of our God and the truth of His Word, that He is “the God of all grace, who has called (us) to His eternal glory in Christ; (He) will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish (us). To Him be the power forever and ever” (1 Peter 5:9-11). We may stumble or fall. We may sin and fall short of the glory of God. And our enemy may gossip and gloat, rejoicing over us and threatening our destruction. But our God is mighty in battle. And there is no greater force on the face of the earth than the power of the blood of Jesus. “For through (we) fall seven times, (we) will rise again” and our wicked enemy, with all his condemnation will be “overthrown” (Proverbs 24:16). When we confess and repent of our sins, You forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). When we are beaten down or discouraged and we entrust our pain or shame to You, You comfort us and encourage us, You redeem and restore us in the mercy of Your grace and the power of Your love. We rise in the power of Your might and the glory of Your name. The enemy of our souls cannot keep us down. You created our spirits to rise. You created our hearts to praise. And like a balloon being pressed down under the surface of the waters, even the weight of those waters can’t keep us down. We will rise! We will rise and burst forth to surface! And where we have overcome, we will have compassion to help others overcome in the same power of Your might and the glory of Your name (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). We are ambassadors of the mercy of God, eagerly ready to give away what we have received. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us this ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). So “we shall rise!” And when others see the peace and joy of Your mercy and grace in us, they will turn and seek You. And they too, will rise—all to the glory and praise of Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer for our 3 Day Level 2 School of Spiritual Ministry which here in Lexington -- equipping spiritual leaders for spiritual ministry. Please check with us about future opportunities. The Lord is really moving in the power of His love in our midst, healing and freeing us so that we can be His ambassadors in His ministry of reconciliation for others. Thank you for your prayers! I pray the same for you! Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free 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

Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace, and Joy 11-12-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Light of the world, come light the steps of my path in Your will today. ... “So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:16-19). Thank You for Your power to transform what is evil into what is good, what is hard into what is tender, what is of no value into what is worth its weight in gold. When Your kingdom comes into our hearts, our hearts are forever changed. When Your Holy Spirit fills our human spirits, You establish us in Your righteousness, flood us with Your peace, and flow through us with Your joy. Then out of a heart that’s changed, we want to serve You. We don’t have to try to earn Your approval by what we eat or drink, or what we don’t eat or drink, by what we do or by what we don’t do. We have Your approval because we have Your Spirit at work within us. Your kingdom is not about right rules, but about right relationship. Your kingdom is not about holiness of our habits, but about holiness of our hearts. Your will for us is Your peace and joy for us, which we can only have by the righteousness of the relationship You’ve established with us. Let us pursue this kingdom for ourselves. Let us pursue this kingdom for others. This is Your gift by Your grace for our mutual upbuilding. This is what brings us into alignment with Your peace—peace with God, peace with one another, peace within ourselves. As we do, Your kingdom comes and Your will is done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer for our 3 Day Level 2 School of Spiritual Ministry which starts this morning here in Lexington -- equipping spiritual leaders for spiritual ministry. Please check with us about future opportunities. Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. I've been asked to make a presentation concerning the joint resolution in support of the people of Israel that I drafted and was unanimously approved without change by both houses of the Kentucky Legislature earlier this year. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free 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

A Walking Miracle! Sat. Night Healing Service w/ Craig Marsh Nov. 14, 2009

Don't Miss This Event Saturday Night!" -- Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries, Lexington, Kentucky Healing Service with Rev. Craig Marsh Co-hosted by Messiah Ministries & Centenary UMC in the Chapel @Centenary, 7pm Sat. Nov 14th Messiah Ministries & Centenary UMC invite you to hear the amazing testimony of Rev. Craig Marsh. Join us for an expected powerful Healing Service Sat. Night including worship, exhortation and prayer! Don't miss this opportunity to experience God. Come expecting God to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Bring your friends and family to encounter ministry that brings freedom and healing from brokenness. Please come and spread the word! F.A.Q. What does it cost? There is no registration fee. A love offering will be received. I've not heard of Rev. Craig Marsh, what is he like? A SNAPSHOT OF CRAIG MARSH Rev. Craig Marsh came to the Light the Fire Pastor’s Conference at Pine Forest UMC in Pensacola, FL on May 3, 1999 from New Zealand. Craig was terminal with only a few weeks to live due to the return of stomach cancer. He arrived so weak that a lifelong friend accompanied him to the USA to carry his luggage and bring his body back if death occurred before he could return to New Zealand. Craig’s stomach had been removed in 3 operations prior to 1993. An Anglican priest at the conference requested prayer for Craig. Men and women at the conference prayed fervently 4 hours for Craig’s healing and God responded. Craig received a new stomach (since confirmed by X-rays) and he was cancer-free. Since Craig’s miracle, he has been praying for the sick with signs and healings following. He has ministered in England, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and The Philippines. Many have been healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please come join us and God bless you! -- Rev. Tommy Hays, Spiritual Director and Founder, Messiah Ministries Quick Link to Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org and Centenary UMC: www.centenarylex.com ABOUT Messiah Ministries and Centenary This healing service hosted by Messiah Ministries and Centenary UMC will be a safe place for you and your friends to experience the grace of God at work in a faith-filled environment of worship and prayer. Please visit our websites at www.messiah-ministries.org and www.centenarylex.com for more information. Centenary United Methodist Church Messiah Ministries 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, Kentucky 40502 email: Marilyn Walker, Dir. of Ministries of Messiah Ministries: DirOfMinistires@aol.com

Increase My Strength of Soul 11-11-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of the heavens and Lord the earth, be Lord of my life today. ... “I give You thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing Your praise; I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness; for You have exalted Your name and Your word above everything. On the day I called, You answered me, and You increased my strength of soul” (Psalm 138:3). When I thank You and praise You, You increase my strength of soul. When I speak out Your name and trust in Your word, You increase my strength of soul. When I remember all the times You have been faithful and true to bring me through every battle and over every obstacle, You increase my strength of soul. When I lift up my eyes to the things above, not obsessed or depressed by the things below, You increase my strength of soul. When I long for the rewards that are eternal, not dwelling on the losses that are only temporary, You increase my strength of soul. When I declare that knowing You and the surpassing glory of Your greatness is not worth comparing to the sufferings of this slight, momentary affliction, You increase my strength of soul. And in the power of Your might, my soul praises You. “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long” (Psalm 146:1-2). Blessed are they whose strength is in the Lord. Wise are the ones who know the power of a heavenly perspective. They will overcome. And they will live lives that glorify Your name and sing Your praise no matter what comes. Lord, give me this strength; teach me this wisdom. I want to be one of those who overcome and “sing praises to my God all my life long.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II starting Thrsday; our joint Saturday Night Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend in December. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. I've been asked to make a presentation concerning the joint resolution in support of the people of Israel that I drafted and was unanimously approved without change by both houses of the Kentucky Legislature earlier this year. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free 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

“As He is, So are We” 11-10-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, thank You for abiding in me as I abide in You by Your Holy Spirit. ... “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we have boldness on the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). Only by the power of the blood of Jesus, do we have boldness before You. Apart from the sacrifice of Your unfailing love, we could not stand, we could not enter, we could not even bow down. But because of Your tender mercies and great kindness, we are not only able to come boldly before Your throne of grace, we are welcomed and embraced with open arms and unimaginable delight. “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love” (Psalm 147:11). And just as You are, so are we. Just as You are, so are we. “As He is, so are we in this world.” Lord, even as I say these words, Your Words, it’s hard to fully grasp what they mean. Lord, how can that be? How can we be like You. And how can we be like You “in this world.” It seems easier, somehow, to grasp that one day, when we get to heaven, when we see You face to face and know You even as we are known, that we might be made by You to be more like You. But Your Word says right here, right now, we are like You in this world. Lord, how can that be? ... It seems I hear You say: “My son, it’s only by My grace. But you cannot fully grasp just how far and how wide, how deep and how high, is the greatness of My grace toward you and all who will call on My name. That same grace that will make you like Me in heaven is the same grace that makes you like Me now in this world.” Yes, Lord. Let this heart be in me. Empower me, by the greatness of Your grace, to be more like You each day. Help me see myself as You see me. Help me live into who You have created me and called me to be—not in my power or my righteousness or my striving or my wishful thinking, but by the power of Your grace. The power of Your grace is an expression of the nature of Your love. Your love is perfect, and in the sovereignty and wisdom of God, Your “love has been perfected among us.” What boldness that awakens in me and in the hearts of all You lovingly welcome and embrace in Your arms. “Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God” (1 John 3:21). And our hearts no longer condemn us, because we are in Christ and Christ is in us, making us more like You each day, even here in this world. “There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). So as You are, so will I be in the world—all by the grace of God and the presence of Christ living in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II; our joint Saturday Night Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free 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

Clothed in Christ 11-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak Your name and seek Your face. I linger in Your presence and long for the leading of Your voice. ... “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-15). Chosen by God and clothed in Christ, let Your peace consume me and thanksgiving well up within me. By the power of Your blood and the mercy of Your grace, I am holy and beloved. That’s now my true identity, my true self. This is how You see me and how You want me to see myself. You’ve given me a new heart and a new nature. “For in Christ, you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothes yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). So as I rise to begin each new, let me be deliberate and intentional to put on my new clothes and not my old ones—the clothes of compassion, kindness, and love rather than selfishness and self-centeredness; the clothes of humility, meekness, and forgiveness rather than arrogance and pride. Let me not turn back to my former ways of life, but keep turning toward You for You are now my chosen way of life. Now I am in Christ, and Christ is in me (Colossians 1:27). I’ll have many opportunities to choose the clothes I’ll wear throughout this day. Give me grace to wear You well. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays. Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II; our joint Saturday Night Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Join us for The Journey of Aliyah, A Gathering of Jewish and Christian Communities, Thursday Nov. 12, 7 pm at Lexington Theological Seminary. Barry Wagner from Ezra International will speak on the Aliyah journey of the Jewish people from the nations of the earth back to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy. www.EzraUSA.org No charge for admission. Contact Bob & Doris McCray bndmccray@windstream.net Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free 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

“Who Was and Is and Is to Come” 11-06-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain for all my sins. Mighty is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who has overcome the adversary of my soul. Holy is the One who created me for Your purposes and in whom I place all my hope and trust. ... “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the One who is seated on the throne, and lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall before the One who is seated on the throne and worship the One who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and are created’ ” (Revelation 4:8-12). As it is in heaven... In heaven, all creation worships and adores You. All humanity bows down before You. All authority and power, every honor and privilege is cast down before You. All eyes are on You as if they had never seen You before, captivated by Your majesty and glory. All hearts are open to You, in eternal adoration and awe of Your sovereignty and power. You are the Creator. And all creation acknowledges You alone as God of all. “For in Him all things in heaven and earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He himself is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). And in all humility and faith, we worship the One “who was and is and is to come.” You the God who always was: You had no beginning and You have no end. You are the eternal God. And You the God who always is: You are I Am. You are the ever-present, ever-faithful, ever-true God. You never leave us nor forsake us; You are always with us. We are never alone, never abandoned, never rejected in You. And You are the God who is to come: The fullness and fulfillment of all heaven is invading earth. Your purposes and plans in perfect alignment of Your kingdom and Your will shall be fully consummated on earth as it is in heaven. And in that day of Your glorious coming, in fulfillment of the longing hope for an eternal home You’ve created in our hearts, there shall be “a new heaven and a new earth”(Revelation 21:1). “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be His peoples, and God himself will be with them; He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ And the One who is seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new’ ” (Revelation 21:3-5). So even now, when You catch us up “in the spirit” of worship into the throne room of heaven, we are captivated with eyes and hearts wide open to the One who rules and reigns on high, to the One who created us and calls us into eternity with You (Revelation 4:2). Holy are You, Lord, and worthy of all praise. And now as I live out my life on earth today, let me also keep living out heaven in my heart—having been caught up into Your presence and captivated by the glory and honor and power of my God, my Creator, and my King. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please be in touch with us if you're interested in attending any of our Messiah Ministries events coming up very soon in Lexington: School of Spiritual Ministry, Level II; our joint Healing Service with Craig Marsh at Centenary; or our Healing Prayer Weekend. Contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, DirOfMinistries@aol.com Order my Books and our Ministry Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe free 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