Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 10 - Encountering God at the Altar of Incense
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. In my morning communion of prayer, I seek Your face and listen for Your voice -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
 
"Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to (Zechariah) an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...." (Luke 1:10-15).
 
When Zechariah had his supernatural encounter with the angel of the Lord he was praying and he was surrounded by people who were praying. The angel spoke to him from beside the altar of incense, which speaks of the place of surrender and prayer, offering our lives in surrender and faith to be lifted up with our prayers and praise as a fragrant offering to You.
 
In the place of prayer and praise, we encounter You. In the place of prayer and praise, we hear Your word, we receive encouragement and direction, and we find comfort and joy to know that You hear our prayers and see our hearts and have a plan for our lives.
 
And there's something powerful about being surrounded by people of prayer -- praying with us, praying for us. Prayer and praise prepare and atmosphere for supernatural encounters. And though we may be terrified in the fear of the Lord when we actually encounter You through the means You choose to convey Your word and Your will, You are quick to calm our fears and steady our hearts to know we have nothing to fear if we'll only trust and believe in You.
 
I lift up my prayers and praise like incense before You today. I thank for all those who pray with me and for me with expectant faith, offering our lives as living sacrifices before You. May our prayers be a pleasing aroma and fragrant offering to You from the holy place of our hearts, where we encounter Your Presence. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you encounter God at the altar of incense, lifting up your prayers and praise to the Lord as a pleasing aroma and fragrant offering, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

        

Thank you for joining with me on this daily journey of prayer. I write these from my morning prayer time most every day and send them out right away. If you would like to have a collection of these as a 365 Day Prayer Journal for you or a friend, please order a copy today. God bless you!

 



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Monday, December 09, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 9 - "One Day"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the paths of Your righteousness today. ...
 
"When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple... While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar...." (Luke 1:5-11 NLT).
 
The story of the birth of Jesus is interwoven with the story of the birth of John the Baptist. Just as angelic, supernatural, miraculous events in the moving of the Holy Spirit surrounded the lives of Joseph and Mary in preparation for the birth of Jesus, it's the same for the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth in preparation for the birth of John.
 
"One day" the angel of the Lord showed up in Zechariah's life. He had been serving God, careful in obedience, faithfulness, and righteousness. Yet at the same time, we sense the heart and disappointment in his heart as he went about his life -- he and Elizabeth "had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old."
 
Their high hopes for a family with children were now "very old." Perhaps their disappointed expectations that by serving God and being good everything would go well were now "very old." And now their physical capacity to bring forth life to carry on their family line was "very old."
 
Yet at the same time, You are the God who makes all things new! (Revelation 21:5) You are the God who shows up "one day." And in "one day" You can change everything! One word from You, one moment in Your Presence, one encounter with Your supernatural provision can change it all in the twinkling of an eye!
 
Yes, You're the God who gives us grace to persevere in the long journey of daily life -- day by day, moment by moment, morning by morning. Even life in the Spirit is more of a marathon than a sprint. But You're also the God who gives us grace to encounter You in the sudden moments when everything changes in a minute. "One day" in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84:10). And "one day" in Your Presence can make all the difference in our world.
 
"One day" You made a difference in Zechariah and Elizabeth's world -- Elizabeth bore a son and they named him John and he prepared the way of the Lord. "One day" You made a difference in Joseph and Mary's world -- Mary bore a Son and they named Him Jesus and He came as Savior of the World and Lord of All. And "one day" You can make a difference in our world -- when "one day" we encounter You in a way that changes everything in a moment and we birth what Your Holy Spirit has conceived in the hearts of every one of us. 
 
I'm thankful and grateful for all the other days, for every day, that I get to live with the deep and abiding peace of the assurance of my salvation. Yet at the same time, I'm also believing You've put it in my heart to pray for a day of a supernatural, life-changing encounter with You. As You invite us to pray, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). And as You promise to respond, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). Give me grace to believe with expectant faith for that "one day" of my encounter with You to come. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you believe with expectant faith for the day of your supernatural encounter with the Living God, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

     


Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Friday, December 06, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 6 - O Little Town of Bethlehem
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I call on Your name and listen for Your voice to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...
 
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a Ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past will come from you on My behalf" (Micah 5:2 NLT).
 
Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Micah prophesied the place of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. What a precise prophecy! What an unexpected prophecy! The Messiah of Israel and Savior of All would be born in "a small village" and not a significant city, in a simple manger and not an extravagant mansion. And Your Word went forth and came to pass, just as You said.
 
Yes, this Child to be born as "Ruler of Israel" with "origins in the distant past" would be none other than God Himself, humbling Himself in the likeness of human flesh and blood -- Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23 fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, also spoken seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus).
 
Your precise prophecies fulfilled in Christ are one of the ways we know the Bible is true as the very Word of God. All time and space is ever present before You. Only You can know and declare the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. "Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish" (Isaiah 46:10). In fact, You are "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End" so that all time and space, all that was and is and is to come, is completely in Your hands (Revelation 22:13).
 
You took the humble place of Bethlehem and lifted it up so that all the world knows it's name. And as Immanuel, born in Bethlehem, You humbled Yourself to born in the womb of a woman in the likeness of human flesh and blood to life a sinless life and die a Savior's death, that one day all the world will bow its knee at Your name lifted high above every name (Philippians 2:6-11). And You invited us into that same spirit of humility (Philippians 2:5), that as we humble ourselves in Your sight, You will lift us up, secure in our identity to live out our destiny in You (James 4:10). 
 
You chose Bethlehem for the place of the birth of Christ. And You've chosen every heart for the place of the birth of Christ in us (John 3:16). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you believe and know the Bible is true and that every precise prophecy sent forth as the word of God for your life will be fulfilled by the One who declares the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

    


Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Thursday, December 05, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 5 - "Eagerly Waiting for the Messiah"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'm listening for Your leading and resting in Your Presence to begin my day in the communion of prayer with You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
 
"At the time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah" (Luke 2:25-26 NLT).
 
Simeon was full of expectant faith. He was "eagerly waiting for the Messiah." He knew the Written Word of the Scriptures that spoke of the One who would come as God's anointed Son to be the Salvation of Israel and a Light to the nations (Isaiah 9:6; 42:1; 61:1-3 and many more). But he also knew the prophetic word that had been spoken into his spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. 
 
Simeon held on in expectant faith and pressed through in persistent prayer all through the years, by the Word and by the Spirit. And then the day finally came when his prayers were answered and his prophecy was fulfilled. Before he died, he not only saw the Messiah with his eyes but embraced the Messiah in his arms. "That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the Child in his arms and praised God, saying, 'Sovereign Lord, now let Your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people. He is a Light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the Glory of your people Israel!'" (Luke 2:27-32)
 
As we "eagerly wait for the Messiah" in this season of preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ, remind us of Your written Word and prophetic words to each one of us. Give us the grace of expectant faith and persevering prayer to see Your promises and purposes fulfilled in us.
 
Lord Jesus, You are the Anointed One of God -- "Messiah" or Mashiach in the Hebrew of the Old Testament Prophecies of Your coming and "Christ" or Christos in the Greek of the New Testament fulfilment of those Prophecies. You are the Light of the World and the Savior of All. You rewarded Simeon for his faith as he embraced You in his arms, and You reward us for our faith as we embrace You in our hearts. I welcome You with expectant faith into my heart today, and I join in prayer for many souls throughout our world to embrace you in their hearts this Christmas season. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you be stirred your spirit to eagerly wait for the Messiah with expectant faith and persevering prayer, to embrace Him in your heart and see God's written Word and prophetic promises fulfilled in your life, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

   


Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 4 - Following the Star and the Spirit to Bethlehem
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of kings and Lord of lords, come rule and reign in my heart and my life today. ...
 
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:1-2 NASB).
 
Before Your birth as Lord and Savior of all in the little town of Bethlehem, the magi from the east saw Your star in the heavens and followed it to find You. Through the traditions of the centuries since then, we've come to understand these magi as three kings who studied the stars in the ways of their culture -- a culture far away from Jerusalem and far different from the Jews. But something moved in their hearts and minds to move them to seek You. As they say, "Wise men still seek Him."
 
But what a picture this is of how You reveal Yourself even in creation to draw all people to You. "He has not left Himself without a witness" in all the nations and generations of the earth (Acts 14:17). "For what can be known about God is plain to (all), because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made. So (we all) are without excuse" not to seek and know the God and Creator of all things" (Romans 1:19-20).
 
When the wise men made it to the place of Your Presence in Bethlehem, they fell down and worshiped You and offered You treasures from their hearts. "They went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy! After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshipped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:9-11).
 
The wise men were willing to look and see Your star to follow it to Bethlehem. And in this season of turning our eyes and our hearts to You -- more deeply, more intimately -- may we follow Your Spirit to Bethlehem, to embrace the One who is not only King of the Jews but King of all. And may we fall down and worship You and offer You the treasure of our hearts. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you follow the Holy Spirit to fall down and worship Jesus -- more deeply and more intimately -- as King of all and King of your heart in this season of seeking Him who is Lord and Savior of all, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

  


Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Tuesday, December 03, 2019

Morning by Morning, December 3 - Draw Near in Deeper Intimacy with God
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for You (Psalm 42:1). So I begin my day, pursuing Your Presence. ...
 
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
 
Out of Your love for me and by Your grace for me, You invite me to draw near to You. And I do sense that stirring in my spirit to draw near to You, to draw nearer to You.
 
It's true that You're always with me (Matthew 28:20). It's true that You never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). It's true that no one can ever snatch me out of Your hand (John 10:28). And it's true that nothing can ever separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord (Romans 8:38-39). And at the same time, it's also true that You invite me to draw near to You -- to draw nearer still, to pursue a place of even deeper intimacy.
 
Lord, how do I do that? How do I draw nearer to You? How do I pursue a place of even deeper intimacy with You?  ...
 
As I watch and wait, as I listen and linger in Your Presence, I believe I hear You saying in my heart:  "Seek Me and You will find Me. Seek Me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. Take time for Me. Come away with Me. Set aside your distractions. Close out the world for time away with Me alone. It's not a burden, but a joy. It's not an obligation, but an invitation. You were created for this. You were created for Me. Give yourself to Me and I will give Myself to you. Then your spirit will be in-tune with My Spirit and your heart will align with My Heart. That's how I lift you up into My embrace. You will sense the weightiness of My Presence and the freedom of My Spirit. Give yourself to Me and I will give Myself to you." ...
 
Yes, Lord. What comes to mind as I ponder Your words is the Scripture Story of the dedication of the temple when Your glory filled the temple and the priest couldn't even stand in Your Presence. "A cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of Lord" (1 Kings 8:10-11). In Christ, my heart is now Your house and my body is now Your temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Cloud of Your Glory is Your Holy Spirit within me (Isaiah 6:1; Ephesians 5:18).
 
Come, Holy Spirit. Come fill Your heart and Your temple with Your manifest Presence. My Father God, in the name of Jesus my Lord and Savior, I seek You, I draw near to You, I give myself to You, I pursue a place of deeper intimacy with You. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God, I want to "be filled with all the fullness of God" and more deeply embrace the ever-abiding Presence of God (Ephesians 3:19; John 15:4). I hunger and thirst for this, for I was created for this! (Matthew 5:6) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My friend, may you draw near to deeper intimacy with God, as the Glory Cloud of the manifest Presence of God fills His temple in your heart, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

  

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

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