Higher Thoughts - July 10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I rest in You and awaken in You. ...

I rest in You and awaken in You

I fear You and love You

I'm lost to this world and found in You

I'm dead to myself and alive in You

You are my Answer and Wisdom

You are my All in All ...

Thank You, Lord, for these words You are writing in my spirit this morning. Help me think more like You think and see myself more like You see me. Your precepts and principles just seem like paradoxes and puns to the wise of this world, but they are keys of the Kingdom of God. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I don't want to have the mind of the world; I want to have "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). I want to "be transformed by the renewing of (my) mind" (Romans 12:2). I want to have Your higher thoughts.

How I think-how I think of myself, how I think of You, how I think of my place in Your world, and how I think of Your place in my life-determine, in large part, who I am and who I am growing up to be. Spiritual maturity has a lot to do with Spiritual thinking and believing. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 3:7, NKJ). "According to your faith let it be done to you" (Matthew 9:29).

So by the power of Your grace, put Your thoughts in my thoughts and change how I think to how You think. I open my mind to Your words and open my heart to Your ways. Change me and make me more like You each day. Your Word invites me and challenges me to "have this same mind in (me) that as in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Let this become my way of thinking and believing. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, Sylvia and I, along with a teaching and prayer ministry team, will be speaking at a Spiritul Retreat this week for Korean-American and International Youth at Country Lake Christian Retreat near Lexington, Indiana, (Youth United Spiritual Retreat). Please keep us in your prayers for an outpouring of the Lord's power and love!

Also please pray for all our friends at the annual Aldersgate Conference this week in Charleston, WV on Spirit-filled Life and Ministry. Wish we could somehow be there too! It's my favorite spiritual renewal gathering every summer, hosted by Aldersgate Renewal Ministries (Aldersgate 2012 Holy Spirit Conference).

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

Father's Blessing - July 9

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fill my spirit, soul, and body with the fullness of Your Presence abiding in me, as You help me abide in You. ...

"By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, 'bowing in worship over the top of his staff' " (Hebrews 11:21).

It's a great honor and a great responsibility to speak words of blessing over our children. Sunday morning was another opportunity for me to take that responsibility and authority in my children's lives. They were here from the various cities where they now live and we decided to have "home church" at the house together.

I spoke to them about Jacob's life, how he had many struggles and failures in his life and family. And I admitted I have had my own. Yet it was in Jacob's heart to bless his children with a father's blessing, that each would know their heavenly Father's heart for each of them, expressed in a measure through their earthly father. And the same was in my heart for each of them. May they receive both their heavenly Father's blessing and their earthly father's blessing from the Father heart of God:

Father God, in the name of Jesus, and by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit moving in each of my children's lives, I pray they would know You and grow daily in a personal and intimate relationship with You. I pray their hearts would be humble in honoring dependence upon You alone, yet full of faith to know You're always with them, always loving them, always guiding them. Let them embrace Your loving correction and experience Your awesome power. Let them discover the gifting, calling, anointing, and destiny they each uniquely have in You, as they grow in the certainty and confidence of their true identity in You. Hold them close and surround them with Your holy angels, to guard them, fight for them, and minister alongside them. Bless them with the Godly marriages, friendships, and relationship that You have chosen for them throughout the seasons of their lives. Let Your favor and blessing rest upon them and upon their children and children's children, throughout all generations to come. Open doors of Your opportunities, with favor and anointing so that they prosper in their calling and fulfill their destiny, finding their place in establishing Your Kingdom, with the Body and Bride of Christ. Give them compassionate, generous hearts to radically love You and love people, with a healthy love for themselves as You have created them to be. Help them choose well and live their lives for You, wholly surrendered to You and fully trusting You to know best for each of them. Give them mercy and grace for others and for themselves through every sin and failure that leads them to repentance in Your forgiveness and teaches them Your ways. May they be rooted and grounded in Your Word. May they be guided and empowered by Your Spirit. May their lives be fulfilling, bearing much fruit by Your Holy Spirit, continually filling them and forever abiding with them, as they grow in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and with man. Make them more like Jesus every day. And in the power of Your grace, please bless them with Your Father's blessing in every way I've failed and every way they need, because the truth is You love them even more than I or any earthly father ever could. Let them never doubt that they are always loved by You and by me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Tommy, may you know the fullness of Your Father's Blessing deep down in your heart and throughout the moments of days, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend. Thank you for your prayers and blessings for me.

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

July 6 - "Peace at All Times in All Ways"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek You and need You. I give my life to You. ...

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways" (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

Lord, let Your peace, like a river, flow through my soul. You are the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Peace (Isaiah9:6). And only in Your peace can I find mine.

Calm my spirit, steady my nerves, settle my thoughts, and guide my heart. I long for Your peace at all times and in all ways. By the mercy and power of Your grace, bring me to that place which "surpasses all understanding," where I am at peace with God, at peace with others, and at peace within myself (Philippians 4:7). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Tommy, let's pray for the Lord's peace for one another, at all times in all ways. God bless you in the shalom of God, Tommy

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

God's Word at Work - July 5

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

"We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Thank You for Your word at work in me. As one who believes in You, I receive it and accept it as the word of God. I believe Your word is powerful, that it's alive and active, to be treated with honor and embraced as truth.

Let Your words of truth and life have their full effect in every dimension of my life. Let them change the way I think and feel and choose. Let them change me, from the inside out, to make me more like You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

Faith and Love - July 2

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I want to seek Your face, listen for Your voice, and follow Your steps. ...

"I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:15-16).

Faith in Jesus, love toward people-when the apostle Paul heard of this spirit in Your people he gave You thanks and praise. Faith and love are powerful expressions of hearts and minds growing up in spiritual maturity. And Paul labored and longed to see the nature of Christ birthed and formed in all the believers of Your early Church (Galatians 4:19).

Lord, let my faith increase. Let my love increase. Let Your nature be formed in my spirit; let my nature be conformed to Your image. Form Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Make me more like You each day.

And when I encounter the opposite desires in my flesh that oppose Your Spirit, give me humility to see it and courage to be changed. Lift my eyes in faith and open my heart in love to give me the grace to keep growing up in Christ. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, we've made it home from all our ministry travels through many cities in June. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, and support that make our ministry possible! We're hearing reports and exciting testimonies of what the Lord has done. Now, we will get a little time with family at home before our next trip. God bless you!

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

"With Every Spiritual Blessing" - June 29

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart this day. ...

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as He chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love" (Ephesians 1:3-4).

Father God, I am one of Your sons, a child of God, through Jesus Christ my Lord (v. 1:5-6). You have forgiven me of my sins, cleansed them completely through the blood of the Lamb, drawn me near to Your side and into Your will and plans for my life (v. 1:7-12). You've filled me with Your Spirit, marked me with Your seal, and established for me an inheritance in the Kingdom of God (v. 1:13-14).

Truly, I am blessed beyond anything I can fully imagine or even begin to grasp. But help me believe. Help me see my blessings-"every spiritual blessing" that is already mine in Christ. Help me have a right mind, the mind of Christ, and have a good heart, the heart of my Father, thankful for my blessings and not resentful for my challenges. Empower me by the grace You have lavished upon me to live my life before You in love in the ways that honor You most. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, if you are in the Claremore, Oklahoma area, please come join us tonight, June 29 at the Claremore House of Prayer for a time of worship and seeking the Lord's prophetic words of renewal and restoration for this region. We had deeply intimate time of healing and freedom, saturated in the Holy Spirit at our Healing Service at the First United Methodist Church last night. Thank you so much for your prayers for us and our ministry! Please pray for us and come join us whenever you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

"Declare it Boldly" - June 28

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name is above every name. And in the power of Your name, I am saved and whole and free. I open up my spirit and speak out Your name, as I begin my day together with You. ...

"Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known the boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak" (Ephesians 6:19-20).

Thank You for those who pray for me-who call on Your name, who stand firm in faith, who expectantly believe You hear our prayers and move in our lives. Thank You for those who have prayed for me in generations past, who never even knew my name, but knew Yours and prayed for the ones who would follow You and declare the mystery of Your gospel and the power of Your name.

And I pray for them as well-that we all may have boldness to speak the truth in love, sharing message of Your mercy and Your words of Spirit and life and hope wherever You send us (v. 4:15). Together, "we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Let us not fear the persecutions of this world or the spiritual battles within or without, but rather proclaim with great boldness the coming of the Kingdom of God in our hearts and in the earth every day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, if you are in the Tulsa / Claremore, Oklahoma area, please come join us later this week. June 28-29 at the Claremore House of Prayer and a healing service at the First United Methodist Church. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

Spiritual Battle - June 27

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fill my spirit, soul, and body with Your peace and Your Presence. ...

"For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

We are in a battle every day. Some days, we are more aware of the battle than others, but we are always in a battle. It's a spiritual battle. And though the free will of human beings may be involved, though sickness and disease, discouragement and doubt, financial worry and lack may be involved, the heart of the battle is in the spiritual realm behind these things. According to Your Word, these are "spiritual forces of evil" that battle against us.

But the enemy of our souls is defeated by the victory of Your cross. And every day, You call us to battle from the place of Your victory, as we abide in Christ and Christ abides in us. You are our armor, as we embrace the covering and protection of Your name and Your nature: "Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (v. 6:13).

We can't win or even begin to fight these battles in our own power or wisdom. But as we stand firm in You and allow You to stand firm in us, we will overcome in Your power and wisdom: "Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet, put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times ..." (v. 6:14-18).

Lord Jesus, You are our Truth, our Righteousness, our Peace, our Faith, our Salvation. You fill us and empower us with Your Spirit, as we are clothed with Christ in Your power from on high (Galatians 3:27). You're all we need to overcome the enemy of our souls in every battle we'll face. "No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors though Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39).

Though the battles may rage and the fighting may be intense, our victory is assured in the overwhelming power of Your mighty love for us and Your abiding Presence always with us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, the Holy Spirit moved mightily among us during the teaching and equipping for Healing Prayer Ministry at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas these past two nights. Thank you for your prayers! Pastor Val Sansing and the prayer leaders have invited us to come teach our Four-Day School of Ministry here in Austin in the near future, for more in depth teaching and equipping. Please check our calendar and come join us if you're able to join us!

If you are in the Tulsa / Claremore, Oklahoma area, please come join us later this week. June 28-29 at the Claremore House of Prayer and a healing service at the First United Methodist Church. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out
www.messiah-ministries.org

"Pray in the Spirit" to "Always Persevere" - June 26

Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of kings and Lord of lords, be King and Lord of my thoughts and desires today. ...

"Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

At all times, I want to pray in the Spirit. In every prayer, in every supplication, I want to pray in the Spirit. So I need to be in constant communion with Your Spirit, continually abiding in You and embracing Your abiding in me.

When sin breaks my connection, convict me and lead me to repentance. When discouragement or disappointment break my connection, hold me and remind me You're always with me. When doubt or frustration break my connection, show me Your power to move mountains and make a way where there seems there is no way.

I don't want to pray out of my own thoughts or desires, not out of my own mind or will or emotions. I don't want to pray from my own agenda or impure motives or selfish intent. I want to pray in the Spirit. And as I do, I will "always persevere"-all by the power of Your grace that's always sufficient for me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, Sylvia and I will be teaching on Healing Prayer Ministry in Austin, Texas at Covenant United Methodist, joined by Northwest Hill United Methdodist, June 25-26, 6-9PM each night. Then we'll be ministering in Claremore, Oklahoma June 28-29 at the Claremore House of Prayer and a healing service at the First United Methodist Church. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Positioned for God's Blessings and Favor - June 22

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Mighty God, Faithful Friend, Lord and Savior of All, be at the center of all I think, all I feel, all I experience and encounter today. ...

"If you will only obey the Lord your God, by diligently observing all His commandments that I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth; all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the Lord your God: Blessed shall you be ..." (Deuteronomy 28:1-3).

Lord, I want Your blessings to overtake me and Your favor to rest upon me. I know every good and perfect gift comes from You. And I know it's all by Your grace and nothing by my works that position me for blessings. Yet Your grace at work within me will lead me to make right choices in obedience to Your will that position me for Your blessings. "For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

If I'm willing to yield my will to Your will, allowing Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, You will empower me from the inside out to live my life "doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6). That's the heart I desire. That's the relationship with You that I choose.

As You said to Your disciples, so You say to each of us who are willing trust You and obey You with our lives-as best as we can, all by Your grace: "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.... You are My friends if you do what I command you... (John 15:10-14). That obedience from the heart positions us for Your blessings and Your favor as friends of God. Lord, let it be so in me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, Sylvia and I will be teaching on Prayer Ministry in Austin, Texas at Covenant United Methodist, joined by Northwest Hill United Methdodist, June 25-26, 6-9PM each night. Then we'll be ministering in Claremore, Oklahoma June 28-29 at the Claremore House of Prayer and a healing service at the First United Methodist Church. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Spirit and Life - June 21

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fill me up in spirit, soul, and body with Your Presence and peace, as I begin this day committing myself to You. ...

"It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63).

My flesh is everything that would resist You and Your Spirit. My flesh is everything that would exalt myself instead of You, build my own kingdom instead of Yours, depend upon my own strength and wisdom and will instead of Yours. "Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want" (Galatians 5:16-17).

Increase my desire to embrace Your Spirit and resist my flesh. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Help me choose well, choose Your will, choose Your ways. "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

The choices I make each day, by the power of Your grace changing me from the inside out, will determine the nature and impact of my destiny, here in this age and in the age to come: "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to you own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit" (Galatians 6:7-8).

Trusting in You, by the grace of God, I choose life; I choose Your Spirit; I choose to live my life in Your Spirit and not by my flesh. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, Sylvia and I will be teaching on Prayer Ministry in Austin, Texas at Covenant United Methodist, joined by Northwest Hill United Methdodist, June 25-26, 6-9PM each night. Then we'll be ministering in Claremore, Oklahoma June 28-29 at the Claremore House of Prayer and a healing service at the First United Methodist Church. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Taught by God - June 20

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart-Let me see You; let me hear You. Let me know that You are with me and that You are leading me, now and throughout the moments of my day. ...

"When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. Then He began to speak, and taught them ..." (Matthew 5:1-2).

Lord Jesus, speak to me, teach me. Open my ears to hear and my eyes to see. Teach me Your Word; teach me Your will. Teach me the truths and principles of the Kingdom of God. I desire to be Your student, Your disciple. Fulfill Your Word in me: "And they shall all be taught by God" (John 6:45).

Show me what I've learned that I need to "un-learn." Show me where I've been confused, contradictory or inconsistent in my understanding. Correct me and counsel me. And confirm to me where I've learned well what is right and true.

As You teach me, so You send me to teach others. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). By precept and by example, help me learn and help me teach, freely giving all I have received. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

After a few days of rest, Sylvia and I will be teaching in Austin at Covenant United Methodist, joined by Northwest Hill United Methdodist, June 25-26. Then we'll be ministering in Claremore, Oklahoma June 28-29 at the Claremore House of Prayer and a healing service at the First United Methodist Church. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

"Up the Mountain" - June 19

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord, and look forward to these private moments away with You. Help me start this day centered in Christ, embraced by the Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ...

"And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray" (Matthew 14:23).

We made the journey up from the Texas hill country, through the plains and the desert, and up to the mountains of Ruidoso, New Mexico to spend a few days with family up here. And to rest.

There's something about the mountains that causes my spirit to rest and moves my heart to pray. Maybe it's because I'm physically higher that I feel spiritually higher. Maybe it's as if I'm responding in a physical way to the same spiritual invitation You extended to John when You spoke to his heart, "Come up here ..." (Revelation 4:1).

Whatever it is, here I am, Lord. For these precious few days, help me come away from the crowds and come up higher in the Spirit. Help me rest. Help me pray. Whether You choose to speak revelations of Your purposes to me or choose to draw me to a deeper place of surrender in silence before You, here I am-resting high on this mountain with 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 with the Brady Community Church last weekend, speaking on Spiritual Gifts. We saw healing miracles and heard prophetic words as the Holy Spirit was moving among us to equip and activate the Body of Christ for powerful ministry! When you pray for us, you are a critical part of our team, going everywhere the Lord sends us to prepare the Bride and Body of Christ for these exciting days.

After a few days of rest, Sylvia and I will be teaching in Austin at Covenant United Methodist, joined by Northwest Hill United Methdodist, June 25-26. Then we'll be ministering in Claremore, Oklahoma June 28-29 at the Claremore House of Prayer and a healing service at the First United Methodist Church. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

"My Shepherd" - June 15

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Arise, O Lord. Lift my eyes, O Lord. Be my strength and my vision, my God and my Friend. ...

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever" (Psalm 23:1-6, KJV).

Last night, we gathered for worship, prayer, and the strengthening of our faith in a weekly meeting of Christian community at a shepherd's home on their sheep ranch west of Brady, Texas. In Your Presence and in the presence of one another, You led us beside Your still waters and down Your paths of righteousness; You drew us into a deep place of intimate rest in Your Spirit and restored our souls. You were our Shepherd.

Lord, thank You for gatherings like this of the Body of Christ, coming together in authentic relationship and hungering faith to expect and encounter the Presence of the Living God. Thank You for the freedom of expression and worship, unhindered by formalities and rules, that focus on relationship rather than religion, and on You rather than ourselves.

For centuries, Your Word has given us this very guidance for our worship and fellowship together: "What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up" (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Your Spirit is building us up. Our Father is preparing a Bride for His Son-the Body of Christ, growing up together in bonds of trust and love, encouraging and comforting one another. In the green pastures of authentic relationship, in whatever form You provide in every season of our lives, we seek to follow You, the Good Shepherd who renews and restores our souls. When we find this place, we shall not want. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, sorry that I haven't sent out my morning prayer in several days. Monday night, I became very ill. Sylvia and I have been battling some type of sickness and have had to rest for three days. Thank you for all who got the word through our prayer team and were praying. We feel so much better now. Praise God! We were able to make to our meeting at the ranch last night and now we can really look forward to our ministry this weekend. Please keep praying for us and we pray the Lord's protection and provison for you.

If you're in the central Texas area, please come join us for our Spiritual Gifts teaching and ministry with Brady Community Church June 15-16. We'll also be teaching in Austin at Covenant United Methodist, joined by Northwest Hill United Methdodist, June 25-26. Then we'll be ministering in Claremore, Oklahoma June 28-29 at the House of Prayer and a healing service at the United Methodist Church. We'll likely also have a few other events along the ay this month as the Holy Spirit leads us moment by moment on our Texas mission. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

"Born Anew" Every Day - June 11

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I entrust myself and my day to You-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

Jesus answered him, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born anew.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can anyone be born after growing old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered him, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, what is born of the Spirit is spirit' " (John 3:3-6).

Yesterday we celebrated my fifty-first birthday. It's hard to believe it's been fifty-one years since I was born of the flesh. And I thank You, Lord, for the faith of my family and their community of faith that helped me open my heart to You to be born of Your Spirit as well. And I thank You for the faith of those You've brought alongside me, all along the way, to help me be washed in the water of Your Word and filled with the breath of Your Spirit. Now I can be "born anew" every day-even as I'm "growing old."

Come, Holy Spirit. As I begin this fifty-second year of life, help me be committed to begin each day being born anew of water and Spirit. Help me be committed to journey with You through the moments of my days, learning to grow out of my flesh and into Your Spirit (Galatians 5:16). "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (v. 5:22-23). I pray You'll see more of this fruit in my life this fifty-second year. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

My Friend,  I pray this year with be a year of breakthrough and the power of God's Spirit in your life, and that you'll be born anew of the Holy Spirit every day. Please pray the same for me!

Friends, if you're in the central Texas area, please come join us for our Spiritual Gifts teaching and ministry with Brady Community Church June 15-16. We'll also be teaching in Austin at Covenant United Methodist, joined by Northwest Hill United Methdodist, June 25-26. Then we'll be ministering in Claremore, Oklahoma June 28-29 at the House of Prayer and a healing service at the United Methodist Church. We'll likely also have a few other events along the ay this month as the Holy Spirit leads us moment by moment on our Texas mission. Please pray for us and come join us when you can! Upcoming Messiah Ministries Events with Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

Fishers and Menders - June 7

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I welcome and embrace You in spirit, soul, and body. ...

"As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me and I will make you fish for people.' And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. As He went a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boats mending the nets. Immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed Him" (Mark 1:16-20).

Some will cast the nets, while others mend them. Some will catch the fish, while others clean them. Some will reach out to the lonely and lost, while others come alongside them with healing and freedom. But all are called to respond to Your call, to come into alignment with the relationships You establish for Your purposes, and follow You.

Lord, call us and align us. Equip us and empower us. Give us courage to let go of anything we've been doing, no matter how productive, that's no longer the task at hand. Give us grace to arise and go and follow You wherever You lead in this great ministry of the love of people, fishing for their souls and mending their hearts. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, please keep us in prayer for the next few days at our Annual Conference of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Though Messiah Ministries in a non-denominational ministry, I'm an Ordained Elder with the UMC. Sylvia will be sharing her vision and materials as a Christian Financial Advisor for her business, Kingdom 1st Financial Services in the bookstore and vendors area.

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

My Treasure - June 6

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of all I think and all I do today. ...

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes out and sells all that he has and buys that field" (Matthew 13:44).

Like the man who found treasure hidden in a field, I have found the kingdom of heaven, and I treasure it in my heart. It's worth everything. But it's not something anyone can buy or sell. "For the kingdom of God is not food or drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Heaven is a place I'll go when I die, but it's also a peace I can have everyday here in my heart-the righteousness, peace, and joy of God that abides in me by Your Spirit. Lord, bring me into the place of deeper righteousness-right with You, right with others, right within myself. Bring me into the place of deeper peace-at peace with You, peace with others, peace within myself. And bring me into the place of deeper joy-the joy of the Lord that is my strength, my expression, and my reward.

This is my treasure, worth all that I have. Let me never take it for granted. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

Barefoot and Free - June 5

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit, lead me in Your path. ...

"When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then He said, 'Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.'" (Exodus 3:4-5).

I woke up this morning hearing these words in my spirit, "Barefoot and free." That struck me as funny, but as I waited and listened, it didn't seem You were being funny, but rather more serious. Lord, what are You saying?

It seems I'm hearing You say: "My son, everywhere you go, everywhere you set your feet is holy ground, because I am with you. In your heart, remove your shoes, for where you stand is holy ground. I am within you by My Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So you are barefoot and free in My Presence and by My Spirit."

Yes, Lord. Thank You for this perspective. Let me carry it with me throughout the moments of my day. You are within me and You are holy; so where I go, You go with me and release the nature of Your Holy Spirit and the freedom of Your Spirit. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17). In my spirit, filled with Your Spirit, I am barefoot and free. Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

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

My Friend,  may you be "barefoot and free" today in Jesus' mighty name!

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org

"Astonished at the Greatness of God" - June 4

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my Lord and Savior, my Healer and Deliverer, my Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, my All in All. I worship You and welcome You into all the moments of my day. ...

"Just then a man from the crowd shouted, 'Teacher, I beg You to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seized him and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him.... While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the greatness of God" (Luke 9:38-43).

We were astonished by Your greatness last night, O God. We were praying for Your people and sharing the words that came to us from the Father's heart over each one when a young boy with a condition that wouldn't let him speak clearly began to motion of pain in his stomach. We turned our attention to him in prayer and he started to convulse and draw up in his limbs, gagging as if ready to throw up. You turned Your attention to him as well, as many of us stretched out our hearts and hands to comfort him and pray for him in the power of Your love and authority of Your name.

After he seemed to be in a measure of peace in Your arms, with Your Holy Spirit at work, we continued to speak Your words and pray for Your people. What joy it was when this young man got up to come show us all his pain was gone and Your peace had come. His mother came up to declare Your praise and the peace You gave her through this ordeal in the middle of church. And how thrilled she was that her son had spoken so clearly the pastor's name during the time of prayer in what must have been the first time he had spoken so clearly. We give all glory and praise to You!

You are a healing God, mighty to save and set us free. And though we don't always see the immediate demonstration of Your power and love in this broken, fallen world where the Kingdom of God is not yet fully manifested on earth as it is in heaven, we celebrate the times we see You break in and break through. Like Your first disciples, we celebrate the times we see and shout, "Lord, in Your name even the demons submit to us!" (Luke 10:17) Like them, we stand astonished at the greatness of God! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Sylvia and I loved our time with Pastor Tom and Esther at Praise Church Sunday morning near Lexington, South Carolina. We're so glad the Lord led us to stay for an extended meeting last night, before hitting the road to Texas today. We saw the Lord move mightily in many people's lives yesterday and we pray the same for you! Please keep us in prayer on our journey, ministering moment by moment as we go.

Friends, if you would like to be part of our Interactive Prayer Team covering us in ministry in some capacity, please send a note to Heather Butler, our Pastor of Prayer Ministries, and Heather will let you know the opportunities and blessings of being part of our team in this way: prayerlead@messiah-ministries.org

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.messiah-ministries.org