Good, but Misunderstood - December 16

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name is above every name. Your name be above every moment of my day. ...

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way. When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly" (Matthew 1:18-19).

Mary was good, but misunderstood. She found great favor with God, but was exposed to public disgrace with people. Her heart was pure and her intentions were good, but at first even her husband didn't understand the gift of God within her and the destiny of God upon her. So along with her calling, You gave Mary the grace to embrace Your divine assignment with great faith and unwavering obedience.

In many ways, Mary is a picture of us, the Body and the Bride of Christ. We carry Christ within us (Colossians 1:27). The favor and grace of God is upon us (Ephesians 2:8). The gifts of God flow through us (Romans 12:6). But at the same time, we will often be misunderstood and mocked, even ridiculed and rejected, despite the best intentions of our hearts. You prepared us for this, saying, "Servants are not greater than their master. If they persecuted Me, they persecute you" (John 15:20).

So in those times, help us hold fast to what we know is true and to what You've called us to do. Send Your angels to speak to those around us; send Your Holy Spirit to open minds and change hearts to see what Your doing by Your hand and through Your people. But even if their eyes don't see and their hearts don't change, let us not bow down or back away despite whatever public pressure or displeasure we endure. Like Mary, let us stand firm in the faith, trusting in Your grace, declaring from the good intentions of our hearts, "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your word" (Luke 1:38). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Come to the Fountain! this Friday Night December 16th at 7 pm. Phil Jackson will be leading in worship and Tommy Hays will be leading in prayer at our Messiah Ministries' monthly gathering for Prayer, Praise, and Healing Worship. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in intimate worship with healing prayer ministry with the Body of Christ in our city from many different churches and streams. All are welcome!

Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving. Every contribution is greatly appreciated and truly needed. Thank you!

Contrbute to Messiah Ministries

"Found to Be With Child" - December 13

Good morning, Lord Jesus. O come let us adore You, Christ the Lord. ...

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way. When His mother Mary had
been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with
child from the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:18).

Mary was "found to be with child." And though she knew her Child was from the Holy
Spirit, though she knew she was honored by God among all women to carry the Messiah
in her womb, she didn't announce it with trumpets or assert her status in the religious
circles. Instead she pondered all these things in her heart. She didn't go seeking
position or place, filled with spiritual pride, but the time came when she was "found
to be with child from the Holy Spirit."

No one could see what God had done in Mary with their natural eyes. But You opened
the eyes of Joseph to see and You stirred in Elizabeth's womb to know that Mary
was blessed and highly favored by the hand and heart of God (Luke 1:28). And though
she was afraid and though she was misunderstood, rejected, and judged, she chose
to trust in You and embrace Your will for the calling of her life (Luke 1:38).

Lord, what have You conceived in me by Your Spirit? What have You imparted to me
that no one can see with their natural eyes? What path have You called me to travel
and what life have You called me to live that others may misunderstand, reject,
and judge? Whatever it is You have for me, I want to choose by Your grace to embrace
You and Your calling with obedience and faith. With Mary and each one of us, the
children of God who are found with Your Spirit moving in us, we are blessed and
highly favored by the sovereign hand and heart of God. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org
Come to the Fountain! this Friday Night December 16th at 7 pm. Phil Jackson will
be leading in worship and Tommy Hays will be leading in prayer at our Messiah Ministries'
monthly gathering for Prayer, Praise, and Healing Worship. Come drink deeply from
the Living Waters in intimate worship with healing prayer ministry with the Body
of Christ in our city from many different churches and streams. All are welcome!

Generations Longing for Jesus the Messiah - December 12

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Christ Child, Son of Man, Word of God-You are the One
I worship and adore, as I seek to begin my day centered in Christ, embraced by the
Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ...

"An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of
Abraham.... So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations;
and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the
deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations" (Matthew 1:1-17).

You are the Messiah-the Anointed One of God, fully God and fully man, Who set aside
the glory of heaven to humble Yourself in the likeness of human flesh and blood
to be the Atoning Sacrifice for our sins and the eternal Savior of our lives (Philippians
2:5-11). And God the Father promised that the blessing of the nations through the
Messiah, His Son, would be a Son of Abraham and a Son of David (Genesis 22:18; 2
Samuel 7:12).

And in the seasons of longing and preparation for the coming of the Messiah, there
were cycles of fourteen generations before this great hope was fulfilled. Thank
You for the seasons and cycles of my life. Thank you even for those long stretches
of time and those pivotal events that have marked my journey toward the fulfillment
of the hopes and dreams You've planted in my spirit.

Through Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Messiah, I too am a son of God, an anointed
one of God, and a blessing to the nations of my generation (Galatians 3:26). As
God the Father sent You as God the Son in the anointing of God the Holy Spirit,
so You send me (John 20:21). Together with the sons and daughters of God, we are
the hands and feet of the Body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, continuing
the ministry of Christ. And in these generations between the first coming of the
Messiah and the second, let us be filled afresh every day with longing and preparation
for the great hope yet to come (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

"By Him You Were Called" - December 9

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me start this day and every day centered in Your Presence and listening for Your voice-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by Him you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).

As I wait for Your leading, I hear Your Spirit writing a new song in my spirit:

So I watch and wait
When I'm weary and faint
And You lift me up, Lord
And You fill me up, Lord
And You bring me up, Lord
To the place I can see
To the place I can be
All that You've called me to be

Your Holy Spirit comes in
Where I breathe You within
And You lift me up, Lord
And You fill me up, Lord
And You bring me up, Lord
To the place I can see
To the place I can be
All that You've called me to be

Now I can arise

Now I can shine
'Cause You lift me up, Lord
'Cause You fill me up, Lord
'Cause You bring me up, Lord
To the place I can see
To the place I can be
All that You've called me to be

Thank You for strengthening me, for encouraging me, for purifying me. Thank You for reminding me that You're always faithful to me and that You have plans for me-a future with hope to honor Your name with my life (Jeremiah 29:11). In this fellowship of Christ, through my daily communion with Your Holy Spirit, I know I am a son of God, deeply loved by my Father, and created with purpose, calling, and destiny that will be fulfilled (Romans 8:15-17). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org
   Friends, may the Holy Spirit put a song in your heart and a fire in your spirit to fulfill the purpose, calling, and destiny the Lord has for your life today. I'll be praying for you and thank you for praying for me. God bless you!

--Tommy

Love Revealed through Obedience - December 8

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-with all
my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I want to start and end this day full of love
for You. ...

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills
the desire of all who fear Him; He also hears their cry, and saves them. The Lord
watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will
speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and
ever" (Psalm 145:18-21).

Lord, I want to love You passionately and fear You obediently. Let my love be reflected
in my obedience, and let my obedience flow out of my love. There's no true love
of God without obedience to God. As You have said, "If you love Me, you will keep
My commandments" (John 14:15).

You fulfill the desires of those who honor You, yet destroy the wicked who reject
You. You draw near to all who draw near to You, revealing Yourself to all who seek
You in truth. So teach me how to both love You and fear You, to draw near to You
in intimacy and also submit to You in obedience. Let my love be revealed by my
actions, as You have required: "They who have My commandments and keep them are
those who love Me.... Those who love Me will keep My Word ..." (John 14:21-23).
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, please remember Messiah Ministries in your Year-end Giving to the Kingdom
of God  All your encouragement and support is truly needed and greatly appreciated! Thank
you and God bless you!

"The Will of God, Your Sanctification" - December 7

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords; be the King
and Lord of my encounters and experiences this day. ...

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification ..." (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Is this Your will for me, Lord-that You would sanctify me? ...

It seems I hear You say: "Yes, My son. I want you to be like Me. I want to conform
you into the image of Christ. I want your nature to become like My nature, your
thoughts to become like My thoughts, your desires to become like My desires, your
ways to become like My ways."

Yes, Lord. Is that really possible?

"With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible."

What do I need to do?

"I need you to choose, by the grace I give you, to allow Me to work this in you.
You must desire this, and even let Me build this desire within you, so that you
do not turn back from My sanctifying fire.'

Yes, Lord. Give me this desire; increase within me this desire to embrace Your fire.
When I'm tempted to step back, give me courage to press in. When I'm tempted to
give up, give me strength to press on. Remind me this is Your will; remind me it's
in Your power. "For it is God Who is at work in (me), enabling (me) both to will
and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). "The One Who calls (me)
is faithful, and He will do this. Beloved, pray for (me)" (1 Thessalonians 5:24-25).

So every challenge is an opportunity to die to my flesh and live in Your Spirit.
Every question is a chance to answer well with the Word of God and in the Spirit
of God. Every temptation is an invitation to respond in the nature of Christ, expressing
the fruit of the Spirit of Christ-in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

I have a long way to go, but a lifetime to get there. And I thank You that I don't
have to do it alone and I don't have to do it on my own. "Not by might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

The Choice to Love - December 5

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me listen; help me hear; help me trust; and help
me obey. ...

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves
is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is
love" (1 John 4:7-8).

Yes, Lord. This is Your Word; this is Your will. Let me get this right-because unless
and until I do, nothing else matters. "If I speak in the tongues of morals and of
angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. And if I have
prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have
all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing ..." (1
Corinthians 13:1-2). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Words that Give Grace - December 5

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Make me more like You today. ...

"Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building
up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians
4:29).

Lord, I want my words to give grace. I want to build up and not tear down, encourage
and not discourage, bring life and not death. I want my words to reflect my heart;
and I want my heart to be right with You and right with others. As You have said,
"The good person out of the good treasures of the heart produces good, and the evil
person out of the evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of
the heart that the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).

Your written Word gives me grace every day. And Your living words give me grace
every day. You are the Word of God (John 1:1). And You are the Word of God made
flesh in the likeness of human flesh and blood (John 1:14). Now the Spirit of the
Word of God dwells within me and within all who put their hope and trust in You
(1 Corinthians 3:16). So let Your Spirit anoint and empower my words to be words
that give grace today. Let this be the good treasure that flows out of the abundance
of my heart. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Love, Obedience, and Faith - December 2

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me start this day embraced by the Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ...

"For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:3-5)

Love, obedience, and faith-these three expressions of my relationship with You will determine whether I will conquer the world or the world will conquer me. This is the bottom line. As Your Word declares: "The only thing that counts is faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6).

Lord, let my faith be expressed in my love; and let my love be expressed in my actions. Lord Jesus, You are the Son of God; and we are sons and daughters of God because we believe in You, we embrace Your Spirit to fill our hearts, and we allow Your love to work through our lives. "So we have known and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:16-17). So as best as I can and all by Your grace, let me be more like You in this world. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Dear Friends,

You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party Tonight, December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming, which will help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Eagles Soar Higher in the Spirit's Power - December 1

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my feet be grounded in Your Word and my heart soar in Your Spirit. ...

I awoke this morning to the tune of a new song Your Holy Spirit was writing on my heart:

Though my eyes may see

Whatever troubles me
I can choose to not let them get me down

Though I may not know

Which way to go
I can choose to come and follow You

You always bring me through

And Your mercies are new
I can choose to call on Your name every day

I can stay in the pit

Bound with lies and regret

Or I can rise and soar to the sky ...

 Eagles fly high

They live the sky life
Though troubles come around
They don't get them down
Eagles soar up higher
In the Spirit's power
'Til the troubles of this world fade away

Thank You, Holy Spirit. You always give me the right perspective. And having the right perspective is such a key to the victorious life I'm created and called to live. "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).

Lord, teach me how to life the sky life-a life hidden in Christ, always looking to Christ, lifted above the things of the kingdoms of this world that would weigh me down to the things of the Kingdom of Heaven that lifts me up. Teach me how to soar up higher in Your Spirit's power like the eagle whose spirit cannot be crushed and whose hope cannot fade. "But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Yes, Lord. I choose to follow You. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to soar up higher in Your Spirit's power-not running away from the troubles of this world, nor letting the troubles of this world crush my spirit or steal my hope. I choose Your perspective. I choose to live the sky life. I choose to keep looking up unto the hills from where my help comes from, because my help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1-2). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party on December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Please God, Not Ourselves - November 30

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My Lord and Savior, be Lord of all I say and do today. ...

"We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please Himself ..." (Romans 15:1-3).

Thank You for those who put up with my failings when I am weak, for those who do not seek to please themselves, but rather seek to please You alone. Lord, give me that spirit, give me Your Spirit, when others seem to fail in weakness around me. You encourage us to build one another up, to prefer one another, to "outdo one another in showing honor" (Romans 12:10).

Throughout the moments of my day, let me be one who encourages rather than discourages, who blesses rather than curses, who forgives rather than resents, who builds up rather than tears down. Let this mind and heart be in me that was in You-as the Son of Man, filled with the Spirit of God, You sought to please the Father rather than please Yourself. You had nothing to prove and everything to give. In that way, You fulfilled the command to "let love be genuine" (Romans 12:9). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends,
You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party on December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

 Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Christmas Party This Friday Night, December 2nd

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Warmly Invite You to our Messiah Ministries Christmas Party December 2nd!

Please come join us for a Festive Evening

with Dessert Buffet and Christmas Music,

Great Tidings of Comfort and Joy with all our Friends

7:00 pm in the Foyer at Centenary UM Church

2800 Tates Creek Road; Lexington, Kentucky

Please RSVP for You and any Friends You'd Like to Bring

by responding to this message

or to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591

or DirectorMin@Messiah-Ministries.org

"With One Voice" - November 28

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I entrust all my heart and all this day into Your hands and into Your will. ...

"May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5-6).

Your love is steadfast and Your words are encouraging. As we embrace Your love and hear Your words, You bring us together in the bonds of peace to empower us to live in harmony with You and in harmony with one another.

As we live together in the unity of Your Spirit, there You command Your blessing-"life forevermore" (Psalm 133:1-3). It's that eternal life flowing out of us that draws the world to the One Who is Life. And it's that life flowing among us-loving one another, encouraging one another-that glorifies our God, as we speak from the heart as Your witness in this world "with one voice."

O Lord, bring Your children into harmony; bring Your Body and Your Bride into unity. Align us and empower us together as one in the Spirit and one in the Lord. As Your Holy Spirit pleads with us through the words of Your apostle: "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). Lord, let it be so. Only together as one in the Spirit and one in the Lord can we speak "with one voice." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party on December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Offering of Thanksgiving-Soaked in Oil, Ablaze by Fire- November 23

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I give You thanks with a grateful heart and wait before You now, in these first moments of the morning, with a hungry spirit. ...

"This is the ritual of the sacrifice of the offering of well-being that one may offer to the Lord. If you offer it for thanksgiving, you shall offer with the thank offering unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of choice flour well soaked in oil .... Your own hands shall bring the Lord's offering by fire ..." (Leviticus 7:11-30).

Soaked in oil, ablaze by fire-You desire my offering of thanksgiving to be Spirit-led and Spirit-filled. The oil speaks of a life to be soaked in Your Presence, and the fire speaks of a life to be ablaze with Your passion. This is "the ritual of the sacrifice" You desire. "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1).

In this season of thanksgiving, Lord, I offer to You as much of me as I can-all that I am and all that I have. Help me not hold back. Help me embrace the fullness of Your Presence and Your passion, for You and Your people, as I willing choose to live my life by the power of Your grace in the oil and fire of Your Spirit. "Through Christ, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name! Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God" (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Friends, You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party on December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

"Do All the Good You Can" - November 22

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Awaken my spirit, as I wait upon You. ...

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it'-when you have it with you" (Proverbs 3:27-28).

Lord, give me Your Father heart today. A good father loves to give good gifts to his children (Luke 11:13). And You've given Your good gifts to me so much. So by the measure I've been given, let me give; freely I've received and freely I'm to give (Matthew 10:8). Show me who to whom I can be good today, just like You've been so good to me. Show me where I can give joyfully and generously, just like You've given so joyfully and generously to me. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

It's said that one of John Wesley's rules of life was, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as you ever can." It seems he had Your Spirit. And I want to have Your Spirit too. "The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

The Lamb Shall Lie Down with the Lion - November 21

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me near, hold me close, fill me up, and send me forth. ...

"Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent-its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all My holy mountain, says the Lord" (Isaiah 65:24-25).

We look forward to that day when You set all things right. We look forward to the fullness of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. And yet, at the same time, we appreciate every foretaste we have now of what we will have then. We thank You now for the expression of Your Kingdom we already have in Christ, even as we groan with all creation for the fullness of Your Kingdom yet to come. "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God ... in hope that the creation itself will be set from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God" (Romans 8:18-21). Praise God for the expectancy and hope of that day-O happy day!

This morning a wild deer came so near to my wife, Sylvia, that she was able to reach out and pet it! What immediately came to mind was, "The lamb shall lie down with the lion." What a picture now of the age to come. The wild at heart will remain wild, being all You created them to be; yet at the same time, there will be peace and honor and love. O Lord, change our hearts, move us in prayer, anoint us and empower us with authority as the Body and Bride of Christ to expectantly call forth that day of the restoration of all things-"waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God!" (2 Peter 3:12) In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

Unmerited Favor, Undeserved Mercy, Unimaginable Goodness of the Grace of God - November 18

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me start this day and every day centered in Christ, embraced by the Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ...

"As we work together with Him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For He says, 'At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.' See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!' " (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Your grace is sufficient and Your grace is for today. Your grace is Your unmerited favor, Your undeserved mercy, and Your unimaginable goodness. Your grace reaches out to us in our sin and shame, our brokenness and bondage, and our woundedness and weariness. Your grace fills us when we're empty, lifts us when we're down, and finds us when we're lost. Your grace embraces us in Your love, empowers us as Your children, and encourages us to know our identity and fulfill our destiny, as we grow daily in the image of Christ. Your grace is the transforming power of God to change our lives into all You've created us to be.

How can we neglect so great a gift, so great a salvation? How can we get stuck in the past when Your grace sets us free to move forward. How can we get paralyzed in the fear of what tomorrow may hold when Your grace immerses us with all the strength and wisdom we need for today? Every moment of every day is "the acceptable time" and "the day of salvation!" Now is the time; now is the day!

And You have saved us by Your grace with a purpose-to live our lives in passionate pursuit of our relationship of love with You and with one another: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

O Lord, my God, as I work together and live together with You and with all You bring alongside me in every season of this journey of faith, I embrace the gift of Your grace. And by Your grace, I will not accept it in vain, but with thanksgiving and joy for all You have done and all You will continue to do, in me and through me, this day and every day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Come to The Fountain! Tonight, Nov. 18 at 7 pm for our Messiah Ministries monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship. Come drink deeply from The Fountain of Living Waters as we worship Jesus in the freedom of His Holy Spirit and the loving embrace of the Father heart of God. Brooke Barrett will be leading in worship and Linda Dulin-Moore will be leading in prayer this month. All are welcome! Please come and spread the word!

You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

Friends, please keep us in prayer as Sylvia and I travel to the Palo Duro Canyon area of north Texas this week to lead a Pastor's Retreat with the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church this weekend. Please let us know if you'd like us to come minister in healing prayer and prophetic ministry in your area. God bless you!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

You're Invited to Our Christmas Party! Dec 2nd

Tommy & Sylvia Hays Warmly Invite You to our Messiah Ministries Christmas Party - December 2nd! Please come join us for a Festive Evening with Dessert Buffet and Christmas Music, Great Tidings of Comfort and Joy with all our Friends 7:00 pm in the Foyer at Centenary UM Church 2800 Tates Creek Road; Lexington, Kentucky Please RSVP for You and any Friends You'd Like to Bring by responding to this message or to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirectorMin@Messiah-Ministries.org www.messiah-ministries.org

Favorite of God - November 16

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my eyes, open up my heart, waken up my spirit, and listen up for Your voice. Speak, Lord, for Your servant, Your son, is listening. ....

"Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the favorite of the Strong One of Israel ..." (2 Samuel 23:1).

David dared to believe he was Your favorite-"the favorite of the Strong One of Israel." Was that the most prideful, most arrogant, most self-centered declaration in all of history? Who did he think he was? How could he believe that You had a favorite and David was it?

It seems I hear You say: "My son, David was My favorite. He was blessed and highly favored. My favor was upon him; My grace was sufficient for him; My heart delighted in him. And so it is with you. And so it is with each of My children who open up their hearts to embrace the gift of My mercy and love for each of them. These are My favorites."

Yes, Lord. I want to be Your favorite. I want to be a man after Your own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). I want to be one of Your children, blessed and highly favored-not because I'm better than anyone else, but because I'm as blessed with Your favor as I can possibly be. And I know that's only possible in Christ-the Son of David and the Son of God, over Whom alone the voice of heaven declared, "You are My Beloved Son, with You I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22).

By the grace of Your mercy and love, I am "in Christ" and Christ is in me (Romans 8:1). And in Christ, I am "not in the flesh; (I am) in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in (me)" (Romans 8:9). "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new .... so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). In Christ alone, the Son of David and the Son of God, I am a man after Your own heart. And in Christ alone, the Son of David and the Son of God, I am Your favorite, just as David was Your favorite. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night, Nov. 18 at 7 pm for our Messiah Ministries monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship. Come drink deeply from The Fountain of Living Waters as we worship Jesus in the freedom of His Holy Spirit and the loving embrace of the Father heart of God. Brooke Barrett will be leading in worship and Linda Dulin-Moore will be leading in prayer this month. All are welcome! Please come and spread the word!

You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

Friends, please keep us in prayer as Sylvia and I minister in San Antonio, Texas this week and then lead a Pastor's Retreat near Amarillo with the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church this weekend. Please let us know if you'd like us to come minister in healing prayer and prophetic ministry in your area. God bless you!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Wisdom and Faith - November 15

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am Yours and You are mine; so I entrust this day and my life into Your hands. ...

"If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, Who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:5-8).

Lord, give me wisdom-wisdom for every choice that's set before me, wisdom to know to trust You above all, and wisdom to rest in knowledge that You know my every moment and hold them all in Your hands. Lord, give me faith-faith that doesn't doubt, faith that doesn't worry, and faith that's single-minded in focus upon You to be my steady rock and steadfast hope. In the gift of wisdom and the gift of faith You give to me and all who humble themselves to ask, I wait expectantly to receive Your guidance and entrust myself to Your governance. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night, Nov. 18 at 7 pm for our Messiah Ministries monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship. Come drink deeply from The Fountain of Living Waters as we worship Jesus in the freedom of His Holy Spirit and the loving embrace of the Father heart of God. Brooke Barrett will be leading in worship and Linda Dulin-Moore will be leading in prayer this month. All are welcome! Please come and spread the word!

You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

Friends, please keep us in prayer as Sylvia and I minister in San Antonio, Texas this week and then lead a Pastor's Retreat near Amarillo with the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church this weekend. Please let us know if you'd like us to come minister in healing prayer and prophetic ministry in your area. God bless you!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

"Come Up Here" through the Open Door - November 14

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Make me more like You today. ...

"After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.' At once I was in the Spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with One seated on the throne!" (Revelation 4:1-2)

Like John, I want to look up to heaven; I want to see the door that You're opening before me; I want to hear Your voice speaking to me. Like John I want to be caught up "in the Spirit;" I want to see the throne of Your authority; I want to see the One Who has all authority in my life and all authority in heaven and on earth.

My experience will be different than John's, as no two spiritual journeys and no two spiritual encounters are exactly the same. But at the same time, Your invitation to "Come up here" into the heavenly realm is the same to us all: "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).

Yes, Lord. I'm looking up. I'm setting my mind on things that are above, the things of the heavenly realm in You. And as I look and listen, I hear You now singing a new song of invitation into my spirit:

Come

Come up here

Here with Me

Let me show you the things

All the wonderful things

I have for you in Me

Thank You, Lord Jesus. You are "the door" (John 10:9). You are the door to life, the door to heaven, the door to the destiny You have for me and I have in You. So I will come and enter in. I will come and follow You, wherever You lead through whatever door You open for me-as best as I can and all by Your grace.

Now I hear Your words again to the new song You were writing on my heart a few days ago:

Come, follow Me

Come, follow Me

Wherever I lead

I want you there with Me

Come, follow Me

Come, follow Me

Yes, Lord; here I come. I don't know yet what the door is that You've opened for me, other than to know that You are in that door and Your plan for me in this season of my life is through that door. So that's where I want to be. And I embrace Your invitation to go there with You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Come to The Fountain! This Friday Night, Nov. 18 at 7 pm for our Messiah Ministries monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship. Come drink deeply from The Fountain of Living Waters as we worship Jesus in the freedom of His Holy Spirit and the loving embrace of the Father heart of God. Brooke Barrett will be leading in worship and Linda Dulin-Moore will be leading in prayer this month. All are welcome! Please come and spread the word!

You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

Friends, please keep us in prayer as Sylvia and I minister in San Antonio, Texas this week and then lead a Pastor's Retreat near Amarillo with the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church this weekend. )Please let us know if you'd like us to come minister in healing prayer and prophetic ministry in your area. God bless you!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

November 11 - 11/11/11

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my Rock and my Refuge, my Healer and my Hope, my Deliverer and my Destiny. ...

"On that day the Lord will extend His hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that is left of His people ..." (Isaiah 11:11).

On this eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of this century, I seek Your face and open my spirit to You alone with expectant faith. This is 11/11/11. Much of the world and much of the Church have an excited expectancy about today. In a few moments, I'll be joining worshippers and prayer warriors from around the globe at a prayer gathering at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. They've said there's to be no agenda but Your agenda, no special speaker but Your Holy Spirit. May You fill us with a spiritual hunger and passionate thirst for Your Presence.

May You extend Your hand in Your steadfast love and tender mercies. May You call forth Your remnant of all who believe and are called by Your name to seek Your face and embrace Your Spirit. May You awaken the Bride and Body of Christ to be cleansed and holy and empowered for Your purposes and the advancement of Your Kingdom. Let there be a sudden shift and a clear transition into a new season of Your love and light displayed through Your people over all the earth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

We've been invited to come with friends for a prayer gathering at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for 11-11-11. It's called "A Line in the Sand." Stand with us in prayer for this spiritually significant day. Please let us know if your church or community would like to make arrangements for us to come to your area as well. God bless you!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

"Everlasting Light" - November 10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I will arise and shine, for my Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon me and upon all who are called by Your name (Isaiah 60:1). ...

"The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night, but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, or your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.... I Am the Lord; in its time I will accomplish it quickly" (Isaiah 60:19-22).

You are the everlasting God, and You are my everlasting Light. You are at work in this broken, fallen world. And You are at work in my broken, fallen soul. But Your Spirit always lifts my eyes up out of the darkness and toward Your Light. Your Spirit always imparts hope and stirs up faith to believe the best is yet to come.

No matter how much darkness covers the face of the earth, no matter how much darkness covers the people who are blinded to the light of Your glory revealed in the face of the Son of God, Your light continues to shines and Your glory continues to come in the midst of it all (Isaiah 60:2). There is a remnant who will stand firm in the faith in the face of it all. There is a Bride who is being prepared for the coming of the Groom and the wedding feast. There is a people who will see all the prophecies and promises of God fulfilled in the earth-all "in its time," all in Your time. "Lift up your eyes and look around.... Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because of the abundance of all that will be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you" (Isaiah 60:4-50.

Yes, Lord. With the remnant of the faithful of Your people, with the Body and the Bride of Christ as one, I will persevere in faith by the grace of God. I will hope against hope for the fulfillment of all You have decreed. I will look forward to the day that all You have said will come to pass: "I will appoint Peace as your overseer and Righteousness as your taskmaster. Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise!" (Isaiah 60:17-18) You are the everlasting God, shining forth Your everlasting light, to lead us into the fullness of Your everlasting covenant. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

You're Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Gathering on December 2nd! Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591

Please keep us in prayer, as Sylvia and I are in San Antonio, Texas to minister together this week with inner healing prayer and prophetic ministry. We've been invited to go with friends for a prayer gathering at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for 11-11-11. Stand with us in prayer for this spiritual significant day. Please let us know if your church or community would like to make arrangements for us to come to your area as well. God bless you!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org