Morning by Morning—Daily Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Morning by Morning, October 24 - Seeing with the Eyes of Heaven

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You into my heart and every moment of my day. ...

"The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior'" (Judges 6:16).

Gideon saw himself with the eyes of his circumstances, but You saw him with the eyes of heaven (v. 11-13). Gideon spoke out of his pain and disappointment and fear, but You spoke to him with words of his calling and identity and destiny. Gideon wanted to murmur and complain about all that You weren't doing, but You came to commission him and empower him to go be a part of what You were doing. And when Gideon was afraid he could never fulfill Your calling and plans for his life and Your people all on his own and all in his power, You assured him he would never have to: "Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you.... I will be with you" (Judges 6:14-16).

You allowed Gideon to give ask his questions, to give voice to his concerns, and express his doubts. You even allowed him to set out a "fleece" to test the faithfulness of Your promises in all of his doubts and fears (v. 36-40). But at the same time, even in the midst of Gideon's timidity and uncertainty, You gave him courage and faith, as You inspired him and empowered him. And when the time came for him to step out in faith and move forward in obedience, You possessed him with Your Spirit: "The Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon!" (v. 34)

You kept speaking to his spirit and confronting his fears each step of the way along the path of his destiny. And "he worshipped" You in response to Your guidance and hope, with Your assurance of Your presence through every he would face (v. 7:15). You gave him great victories for himself and for his people, fulfilling the promise of Your word (v. 8:28).

Gideon was no saint, and he still struggled with temptations and sin, even in the light of all You had done (v. 8:22-27). Yet in Your mercy and love, for him and his people, You moved mightily on their behalf. "The land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon" (v. 8:28).

Lord, You know my struggles with temptations and sin. You know the times my doubts and fears try to hold me back from all You've created me to be and commissioned me to do. So I'm forever in need of my Savior. I'm forever in need of Your mercy and love. I'm forever in need of Your Spirit to possess me and inspire me and empower me. It's only in You that I can know my identity and fulfill my destiny.

So I'm forever thankful that I am in You and You are in me (John 14:20 and 17:21; Romans 8:9-11). And I'm forever thankful that Your Spirit possesses me to see You and myself with the eyes of heaven -- "so that, with the eyes of (my) heart enlightened, (I) may know what is the hope to which (You) have called (me)" (Ephesians 1:18). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray you'll see with the eyes of heaven, as the Spirit of the Lord possesses you and empowers you to know your identity and fulfill your destiny in Christ, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be publishing my new book --

Free to Be Like Jesus! (Updated and Revised 3rd Edition)endorsed by Max Lucado, Andy Reese and Randy Clark.

Click Here to Order One Today through Amazon/CreateSpace

Endorsement from Max Lucado:

"Tommy Hays has spent a lifetime studying the place of prayer in inner healing. I have personally benefitted from his teaching, writing, and encouragement. This book gathers a wealth of helpful insights and experiences into one volume. I am honored to have it on my shelf and honored to call Tommy my friend."

Endorsement from Andy Reese,

Author of Freedom Tools:

"Tommy Hays combines a lawyer's keen logic with a spiritual intuition to bring inner healing to a practical, effective, and applied level. His proven techniques have been used in hundreds of ministry settings and can serve as simple yet profound tools in the hands of even the novice minister."

Endorsement from Randy Clark,

Global Awakening:

"Free to Be Like Jesus! will take you on a journey to learn more about the inner healing ministry. This book has many foundational spiritual truths and will help you if you want more healing in your own life, or if you want more tools to assist you in your inner healing ministry."

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

New Friends and Subscribers: Please Click Here if you would like to be added to the list to receive Morning by Morning by email each day

Monday, October 23, 2017

Morning by Morning, October 23 - My God is With Me and My God is For Me!

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice. ...

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, no height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" (Romans 8:31-39 NKJV)

You are with me. And You're always for me. You're fighting for me in ways I don't always see, walking with me in ways I don't always feel, leading me in ways I don't always know -- at least not at the time. But when I look back, I see Your steps and I see Your hand -- at work to bring my walk into line with Your will. And Your will for me, Your plans for me, they are always for my good, never for my harm, lining up my heart with Your hope and my faith with Your future that You're always working together for me because I love and I'm called according to Your purpose (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28).

So I will trust You. I will seek to follow You -- to "follow in (Your) steps" and to walk in Your ways (1 Peter 2:21). There's no temptation I'll face today, no challenge I'll encounter today, no step I'll take today that You've not already faced and overcome before me and that You're not also facing and overcoming with me. "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).

If God is with me, who can be against me? "This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me? ... For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, so that I may walk before God in the light of life!" (Psalm 56:9-13) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray you'll boldly face and faithfully overcome every challenge along the path of your steps today, knowing our God is with you and our God is for you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be publishing my new book --

Free to Be Like Jesus! (Updated and Revised 3rd Edition)endorsed by Max Lucado, Andy Reese and Randy Clark.

Click Here to Order One Today through Amazon/CreateSpace

Endorsement from Max Lucado:

Endorsement from Andy Reese,

Author of Freedom Tools:

Endorsement from Randy Clark,

Global Awakening:

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

New Friends and Subscribers: Please Click Here if you would like to be added to the list to receive Morning by Morning by email each day

Friday, October 20, 2017

Morning by Morning, October 20 -- The Kingdoms of This Word Become the Kingdoms of My God

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the Good Shepherd, and Your sheep hear Your voice. Speak to my spirit, my Shepherd, as I begin my day centered in You, embraced by my Father, listening for the leading of Your Holy Spirit. ...

"Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!' And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned!" (Revelation 11:15-17 NKJV)

There will come a day when You set all things right -- a day of "restoration of all things" (Acts 3:21). "We, according to (Your) promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). On that day, with all the "loud voices in heaven" we will proclaim with hearts full of joy and praise the ultimate fulfillment of what You have promised -- "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ!"

But every day between this day and that day to come, let Your kingdom come into my world as Your kingdom comes into my heart. Change my world today as You change my heart today. "For the kingdom of God is ... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within (us)!" (Luke 17:21)

Holy Spirit of God, fill me afresh today (Ephesians 5:18). Fill me with Your "righteousness and peace and joy" -- right with God, right with others, right within myself; at peace with God, at peace with others, at peace within myself; and full of joy! "Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation" as You renew a right spirit within me and change my world around me because Your Spirit arises and shines through me! (Psalm 51:12; Isaiah 60:1) Let the kingdoms of my world become the kingdoms of my God and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, today! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray the kingdoms of your world will become the kingdoms of God, as the King of kings and Lord of lords rules and reigns in your heart by His Spirit with His righteousness and peace and joy today, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be publishing my new book --

Free to Be Like Jesus! (Updated and Revised 3rd Edition)endorsed by Max Lucado, Andy Reese and Randy Clark.

Click Here to Order One Today through Amazon/CreateSpace

Endorsement from Max Lucado:

Endorsement from Andy Reese,

Author of Freedom Tools:

Endorsement from Randy Clark,

Global Awakening:

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

New Friends and Subscribers: Please Click Here if you would like to be added to the list to receive Morning by Morning by email each day

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Morning by Morning, October 19 - All Things "As to the Lord"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak to my spirit and guide my steps in the way of life and truth in You today. ...

"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening; knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him" (Ephesians 6:5-9 NKJV).

You're my Master and my Maker. You're my Heavenly Father and my Best Friend. You're the Lover of my soul and the Lord of my life. You are my "All in All" (1 Corinthians 15:28).

Out of my relationship with You, You call me into right relationship with others. And no matter the nature of those relationships -- husband and wife, children and parents, masters and slaves -- Your Spirit and Your Word is always reminding me and always leading me to keep You in the center of them all (Ephesians 5:21-6:9).

Whatever I do in every relationship I have, You invite me and empower me to do all things "as to the Lord," to do all things with the right motive "in sincerity of heart, as to Christ," and to do all things -- even in the freedom of all Your mercy and grace -- as a "bondservant of Christ." For it's only in Your will that I am free. It's only in keeping You at the center of all I am and all I do in every relationship I have that I will be fulfilled and fully alive -- "made alive in Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:22). By the mercy of Your grace, lead me and empower me to live like that today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray Jesus Christ will be at the center of all you are and all you do, fulfilled and fully alive in Him in every relationship of your life, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be publishing my new book --

Free to Be Like Jesus! (Updated and Revised 3rd Edition)endorsed by Max Lucado, Andy Reese and Randy Clark.

Click Here to Order One Today through Amazon/CreateSpace

Endorsement from Max Lucado:

Endorsement from Andy Reese,

Author of Freedom Tools:

Endorsement from Randy Clark,

Global Awakening:

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

New Friends and Subscribers: Please Click Here if you would like to be added to the list to receive Morning by Morning by email each day

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Morning by Morning, October 18 - Enemies of Our Souls Crushed Under Our Feet!

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak to my heart, as I listen for Your leading -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...

"Then Joshua said, 'Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.' They did so, and brought the five kings out to him from the cave.... When they brought the kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the Israelites, and said to the chiefs of the warriors who had gone with him, 'Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.' Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. And Joshua said to them, 'Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous; for thus the Lord will do to all the enemies against whom you fight'" (Joshua 10:22-25).

Our battle is a spiritual battle. And even though our battles may involve hurtful or hateful people, speaking painful words or deceitful lies, accusing us, judging us, or condemning us, our true enemies are the spiritual enemies taking advantage of every situation and every vulnerability "to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). "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 heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

Just as You led Joshua to bring those kings out of their hiding place and into the open, out of the darkness and into the light, Your Spirit leads us to call out our spiritual enemies who have sought to rule and reign over us. In the light of Your glory and truth, let there be no place to run and no place to hide. Let them be exposed for their deceit and destruction so that that "everything exposed by the light becomes visible" (Ephesians 5:8).

And in the authority and power of Your name, may we crush their lies and silence their accusations, with our feet on their necks and Your victory in our hearts. We stand in You, and You stand in us, so that together we stand on the necks of our spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:13). With the sword of the Spirit of the Word of God, let their lies be renounced, their chains be broken, and their strongholds destroyed (Ephesians 6:17). As with the enemy kings of Joshua, cut off their heads with their place of authority and rule in the regions of our souls they sought to hold captive under the dominion of their darkness and hang them high for all the hordes of hell to see what happens to the spiritual enemies of our God and His children (Joshua 10:26).

In our hearts and every region of our souls, through the victory of Your cross, the power of Your blood, and the authority of Your name, fulfill the promise of Your Word: "The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under (our) feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with (us)" (Romans 16:20). "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57) "Thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumphal procession!" (2 Corinthians 2:14)

"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee before Him.... But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly!" (Psalm 68:1-3 NKJV) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray the enemies of your soul be exposed and crushed under your feet by the victory of the cross, the power of the blood of Jesus, and the authority of His name in every area of your life, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be publishing my new book --

Free to Be Like Jesus! (Updated and Revised 3rd Edition) endorsed by Max Lucado, Andy Reese and Randy Clark.

Click Here to Order One Today through Amazon/CreateSpace

Endorsement from Max Lucado:

Endorsement from Andy Reese,

Author of Freedom Tools:

Endorsement from Randy Clark,

Global Awakening:

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

New Friends and Subscribers: Please Click Here if you would like to be added to the list to receive Morning by Morning by email each day

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Morning by Morning, October 17 - "In the Shelter of the Most High"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake today and all the days of my life. ...

"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust" (Psalm 91:1-2).

You're my Shelter and my Savior. You're my Covering and my Comforter. Secure in You, I find my safety and peace. Trusting in You, I find my certainty in Your sovereignty and my confidence in Your compassion (v. 3-8).

When I'm in You and You're in me, no mater what goes on around me, it cannot come near me to destroy me or define me. "Because (I) have made the Lord (my) refuge, the Most High (my) dwelling place, no evil shall befall (me), no scourge come near (my) tent. For (You) will command (Your) angels concerning (me) to guard (me) in all (my) ways. On their hands they will bear (me) up, so that (I) will not dash (my) foot against a stone. (I) will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent (I) will trample under foot" (v. 9-13).

In Your goodness, You'll cause good to come out of all I endure. In Your mercy, You cause me to become more merciful out of all for which I've been forgiven. And out of Your overcoming power through the victory of Your cross and the glory of Your resurrection, You cause me to overcome every challenge that would seek to overcome me, making me stronger in Your strength and more humble in Your grace.

With my eyes seeking Your face and my spirit embracing Your grace, I take hold of Your promise and hold fast to Your commitment: "Those who love Me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know My name. When they call to Me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them My salvation" (v. 14-16).

I've lived long enough to know there will always be battles in this broken and fallen world, but I've also walked long enough with You to know You've already won the victory for me. "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Neither darkness nor death, neither demons nor the disappointing or destructive choices of those who don't know any better or willingly choose to do the opposite of what brings life and peace to the world around them, nor anything else in all creation will be able to have the last word or the final say in my life (Romans 8:38-39). "No in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:27). You will always have the last word. You will always have the final say. And Your word into my battles and Your say over my life is always spirit and life to me and to all who call on Your name and trust in Your grace (John 6:63). This is the blessing and the heritage of all "who live in the shelter of the Almighty" and "abide in the shadow of the Most High" (Psalm 91:1). Thanks be to God! Hallelujah and Amen! So let it be! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

May you know in your heart and experience in your life the promises and protection of our God, finding your shelter and security in Him alone, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friend!