Hearing God's Voice in Our "Tent of Meeting" - July 20, 2020

Morning by Morning, July 20 - Hearing God's Voice in Our "Tent of Meeting"

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good Shepherd, here's my heart for You to tend, here's my soul for You to lead, as I look and listen, as I watch and wait, for what You have for me today. ...

 

"Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting.... When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses... Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:7-11).

 

Apart from our salvation, what could be more wonderful than to hear Your voice as we meet with You face to face. That's how You met with Moses, "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." And yet Moses knew You under the Old Covenant, while You invite everyone of us to know You now under the New Covenant in Christ. "As it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the Old as the Covenant He mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6). 

 

Under this New Covenant we have in Christ with this deeply personal and intimate relationship we're each invited to have with You, You call us "friends" (John 15:15) and You invite us to "hear (Your) voice" as You "call (us) by name" (John 10:3). As the sons and daughters of God, we're filled with the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9) and led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14).

 

Our hearts are now Your home (John 15:4) and our bodies are now Your tabernacle (1 Corinthians 6:19). The communion of worship and prayer where we encounter You as our Living God, where the deep of our hearts cries out to the Deep of Your Heart -- deep to Deep, heart to Heart, spirit to Spirit -- is now our "tent of meeting." For "the person who unites himself with the Lord becomes one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17).

 

Lord, let me never take so great a salvation, so great a gift, for granted. Awaken me every morning to come meet with You "outside the camp" before stepping into the unfolding of my day. And by the grace of God, may I never leave. May I "live and move and have (my) being" in constant communion and fellowship with You (Acts 17:28). Even as I arise and go, may I know in my spirit that You never leave my heart, but go with me "always," throughout every moment of my day (Matthew 28:20).

 

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with (us) all" (2 Corinthians 13:14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

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

My friend, may you hear the voice of the Lord and deeply encounter the Living Presence of the Living God in the place of meeting in your heart -- deep to Deep, heart to Heart, spirit to Spirit, with the One in whom you live and move and have your being, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

Another Door of Opportunity in Pakistan Sunday Morning! Thank you so much for your prayers for us Sunday morning. I was thrilled to be able to share a message of hope and healing at the Power Prayer Ministry of Pakistan Church, preaching through Skype with a projector screen and interpretation in Kasar City, Pakistan.

Prayer for Revival in San Antonio!

I'm excited to be part of a group of prayer warriors in our community planning times of prayer for awakening and revival in our community and beyond, being led by Max Lucado in San Antonio. 

Plans are coming together for a citywide prayer for revival gathering where the San Antonio Spurs play basketball and our city holds the San Antonio Rodeo at the Freeman Coliseum/AT&T Center. This will be a Solemn Assembly and Holy Convocation of heartfelt humility and repentance through citywide prayer for ourselves and our land on Sunday Nights, August 9th and 16th. A website with details is coming soon! Please keep us in prayer to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. If you would like to be involved and help spread the word when the time comes, please send me a note: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

New Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays

Messiah Ministries

17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407

San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Messiah-Ministries.org

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

As We Cry Out, He Comes In - July 17, 2020

Morning by Morning, July 17 - As We Cry Out, He Comes In

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My eyes are on You, my heart is open to You, and my ears are listening for You. Come lead me as I listen -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...

 

"Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.... Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons.... Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.... Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters.... They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits' end.  (Psalm 107:4-)

 

We all face challenging times. We all fall short of the glory of God. At times, we all find ourselves or those we love in desperate places where we're tempted to believe there's just no hope and just no end to what we're going through. We're at our wits' end, where we feel we have no wits or wisdom left, no strength for today or hope for tomorrow -- just hunger and thirst, darkness and gloom, misery and irons, sickness and sin, with our courage melting away 'til we feel like we're staggering like drunkards with our world spinning around and out of control.

 

"Some" struggle with this; "some" struggle with that. "Some" need this; "some" need that. But we all need You. We all need Your mercy and grace, Your wisdom and strength, Your power and love. And You're always so ready, always just waiting, for us to admit our desperate need of Your alone, always just listening for us to lift up our voices to cry out for help and call on Your name. As we cry out, You come in -- into every trouble, every struggle, every need.

 

"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress; He led them by a straight way!" (v. 6-7) "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress; He brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder!" (v. 13-14) "For He shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron!" (v. 16) "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress; He sent out His word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction!" (v. 19-20)

 

For those places in my life and for those I love, I humble myself to acknowledge my need of You alone. I willingly choose to be desperately dependent upon You alone, as I cry out to You and call on Your name. And with expectant faith in the power of the Your love and authority of Your name, I know You're sending out Your word and reaching out Your hand to lift me up with those I love to get us through whatever we face.

 

Even before we see it made manifest -- here on earth, here in this storm or sickness, here in this desert or wilderness, here in this gloom or darkness -- as it already is in heaven, I choose to thank You and I choose to praise You.

 

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those He redeemed from trouble! (v. 1-2) "Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind! (v. 8, 15, 21, 31) "He raises up the needy out of distress!" (v. 41) "Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of His deeds with songs of joy!" (v. 22) "Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider (and know) the steadfast love of the Lord!" (v. 43) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you experience the power and presence of the One who comes in as you cry out -- into every trouble and struggle and need, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Another Door of Opportunity in Pakistan Sunday Morning! Please keep us in prayer as I have another opportunity to share a word of hope and healing this coming Sunday morning with Pastor Masih's Church at the Power Prayer Ministry of Pakistan, preaching through Skype with a projector screen and interpretation in Kasar City, Pakistan. This will be in addition to our monthly evangelistic outreach meetings. Come Holy Spirit we pray!

Prayer for Revival in San Antonio!

I'm excited to be part of a group of prayer warriors in our community planning times of prayer for awakening and revival in our community and beyond, being led by Max Lucado in San Antonio. 

We met in the parking lot this week where the San Antonio Spurs play basketball and our city holds the San Antonio Rodeo at the Freeman Coliseum/AT&T Center to scope out the land and pray. Plans are coming together for a time of prayer in a Solemn Assembly, Holy Convocation of heartfelt humility and repentance through citywide prayer for ourselves and our land on Sunday Nights, August 9th and 16th. A website with details is coming soon! Please keep us in prayer to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. If you would like to be involved and help spread the word when the time comes, please send me a note: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

New Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays

Messiah Ministries

17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407

San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Messiah-Ministries.org

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

“Come and Listen” - July 16, 2020

Morning by Morning, July 16 - “Come and Listen”

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Rule and reign in my heart and life today. Here in my morning time of worship and prayer, in the silence of surrender before You, Help me begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...

 

“Come and listen to My counsel. I’ll share My heart with you and make you wise.... All who listen to Me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:23-33 NLT). “Turn at My rebuke; surely I will pour out My Spirit on you; I will make My words known to you.... Whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil” (NKJV).

 

I come to hear Your counsel, Lord. I come to listen for Your heart.

 

Give me the grace of humility to receive Your rebuke and trust Your correction. In the spiritual tension of drawing near to You in both the fear of the Lord and the intimacy of the Lord, give me the faith to expect a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit, as Your make Your words and Your ways known to me. 

 

Then Your peace will fill my soul. Then Your love will cast out my fear. Then Your Word and Your Spirit will steady my heart and direct my steps in the safety and security of Your good will and perfect plan for this day and my life.

 

Lord, I need You. O I need You. But in my neediness, You come in Your readiness. In my helplessness, You come to be my Help and my Hope, my Wisdom and my Strength, with all I need to live this day in the peace of Your Presence and the security of Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

Friend, may you be strong and secure in the presence and peace of the Lord, grounded in His Word and filled with His Spirit, as you come and listen to Him and seek to obey Him, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Another Door of Opportunity in Pakistan! Please keep us in prayer as I have to opportunity to share a word of hope and healing this coming Sunday morning through the Power Prayer Ministry of Pakistan, preaching by Skype with a projector screen and interpretation in Kasar City, Pakistan. This will be in addition to our monthly evangelistic outreach meetings. Come Holy Spirit we pray!

Prayer for Revival in San Antonio!

I'm excited to be part of a group of prayer warriors in our community planning times of prayer for awakening and revival in our community and beyond, being led by Max Lucado in San Antonio. 

We met in the parking lot this week where the San Antonio Spurs play basketball and our city holds the San Antonio Rodeo to scope out the land and pray. Plans are coming together for a time of prayer in a Solemn Assembly of heartfelt humility and repentance through citywide prayer for ourselves and our land on Sunday Night, August 9th and 16th. A website with details is coming soon! Please keep us in prayer to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. If you would like to be involved and help spread the word when the time comes, please send me a note: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

New Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays

Messiah Ministries

17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407

San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Messiah-Ministries.org

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

The Power of God’s Love Living in Us through Jesus Christ - July 15, 2020

Morning by Morning, July 15 - The Power of God's Love Living in Us through Jesus Christ

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Word of God, Word Made Flesh, I welcome Your Word, Your abiding Presence, into every moment of my day and every area of my life. Be made Flesh in me today, for as You are, so are we to be in our world (1 John 4:17). ...

 

"If we love one another, God lives in us" (1 John 4:12).

 

In these days of so much vitriol and violence, where everything is so politicized and polarized, it's hard to walk in love. With so much judgment instead of mercy, so much criticism instead of compassion, so much negativity infused with toxic words and poisonous attitudes instead of patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control and all the other fruit of the Spirit and expressions of God's love, it's hard to even see what "love" looks like or even is supposed to look like in our world. 

 

Yet, "love" is our standard, nonetheless. Love is the exact imprint and express image of who You are. "God is Love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them" (1 John 4:16).

 

No matter how "weak" it might sound, no matter how "naive" it may appear, no matter how "passive" it may be judged, love is our command (1 John 4:21), love is our goal (1 John 4:7), and love is the measure by which we are judged (1 John 4:20). "Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is Love" (1 John 4:18).

 

So how do we "love?" It's only by Your Spirit -- abiding in us, teaching us, empowering us, changing us from the inside out, putting Your thoughts in our minds and Your desires in our hearts, making us more like You every day. "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit" (1 John 4:13).

 

That's not just any "spirit." That not just some kind of "love" by the world's definition of "love" or some kind of "spirit of love" like some kind of good attitude or idealistic aspiration of love. No; Love is a Person of God who must be welcomed to abide in our hearts by His Spirit. "And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us" (1 John 4:14-16).

 

So the bottom line is that we can only truly love and be true expressions of God's love in our world when we have Jesus Christ, "the Spirit of Christ," in our hearts (Romans 8:9). Everything less is something less than the fullness of God's Love, with the power of God's love to change our hearts and change our world through us.

 

Lord Jesus -- Word of God, Word Made Flesh, Living Word who manifests the Love and Heart and Mind of God -- come live in me by Your Spirit today. "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9). Come live through me, as I live through You today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you be filled with the Spirit of Christ, abiding in God's Love as He abides in you, changing your heart and allowing God to change your world by the power of His love through you in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Prayer for Revival in San Antonio!

Friends, I'm excited to be part of a group of prayer warriors in our community planning times of prayer for awakening and revival in our community and beyond, being led by Max Lucado in San Antonio. 

We met in the parking lot where the San Antonio Spurs play basketball and they hold the San Antonio Rodeo to scope out the land and pray. Plans are coming together for a time of prayer in a Solemn Assembly of heartfelt humility and repentance through citywide prayer for ourselves and our land on Saturday, August 8th and 15th. Please keep us in prayer to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. If you would like to be involved and help spread the word when the time comes, please send me a note: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

New Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays

Messiah Ministries

17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407

San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Messiah-Ministries.org

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Lifting Up Our Voices with the Power of Our Words - July 14, 2020

Morning by Morning, July 14 - Lifting Up Our Voices with the Power of Our Words

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'm listening for Your leading, as I worship and wait -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...

 

In the beginning, You created order out of chaos and light out of darkness with the power of Your words (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1). And that's one of the ways we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). You've put the power of life and death, blessing and curses in the power of our words. "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21). "With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!" (James 3:10)

 

Father, forgive us for misusing the power of words. Forgive us for cursing instead of blessing, for speaking death instead of life, hatred instead of love, evil instead of good. Cleanse our hearts and heal our land from the destruction of our words that opened the door for our actions that that have defiled us and defaced us. In our lives and throughout our generations, forgive us and cleanse us, that You can free us and heal us, to set things right within us and throughout our land.

 

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" (Psalm 107:2) Let the sons and daughters of God, the remnant of those who will humble their hearts in repentance and prayer, in forgiveness and mercy, in standing up to speak out in righteousness and love, say so! As we lift up our voice, empower our words to shift the atmosphere of our times! Open Your heavens and we open our hearts and open our mouths to proclaim Your heart and Your words over one another and over our land!

 

Even as I pray this morning, with expectant faith for the revival and awakening that's on its way in the very midst of these dark and troubling days, I hear in my heart "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  'Prepare the way of the Lord; make His path straight in the desert!" (Isaiah 40:3)

 

Yes, Lord! Let Your Voice rise up in our voices. Let Your Heart rise up in our hearts. Let Your Words rise up in our words. Let there be a shifting. Let there be a turning. Let there be a great shaking and awakening. Let there be a fulfillment of the Promise of Your Word in our days and in our land:  "The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say:  'Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever! -- and those who will bring the sacrifices of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the Lord" (Jeremiah 33:11).

 

Revive us and restore us! Set things right within us! That Your joy and gladness may return to our hearts and to our land. Even now, even before we see it made manifest with our eyes all we expectantly embrace by faith in our hearts, we lift up our voices and cry out with our words, "Prepare the way of the Lord! Praise the Lord of hosts! For the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever!" Lord, let it be so in our words and let it be so in our hearts. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you be empowered to stand up and speak out the words of spirit and life and truth and love the Lord puts in your heart to proclaim over our land, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Prayer for Revival in San Antonio!

Friends, I'm excited to be part of a group of prayer warriors in our community planning times of prayer for awakening and revival in our community and beyond, being led by Max Lucado in San Antonio. 

We met yesterday in the parking lot where the San Antonio Spurs play basketball and they hold the San Antonio Rodeo to scope out the land and pray. Plans are coming together for a time of prayer in a Solemn Assembly of heartfelt humility and repentance through citywide prayer for ourselves and our land on Saturday, August 8th. Please keep us in prayer to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. If you would like to be involved and help spread the word when the time comes, please send me a note: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

New Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays

Messiah Ministries

17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407

San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Messiah-Ministries.org

Please share this word to encourage a friend!