Friday, July 30, 2021

Courage -- Not What to Do, but Who to Become - July 30, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 30 - Courage -- Not What to Do, but Who to Become

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear Your heart, as I draw near to You and You draw near to me -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...

The word “courage” comes to my heart this morning. Courage of conviction. Courage to refuse to compromise. Courage to stand up and be counted, to speak up and be heard. Courage to act instead of passively waiting for someone else to act or some better time to act. Courage to quit cowering in the shadows, to quit hiding under a bushel -- covered up, shut up, and told to put up with whatever I’m told even when I know what’s wrong. 

For some reason, that’s what’s on my heart this morning and it really makes me wonder, “Wow, what am I about to get into today!” Maybe it’s for today. Maybe it’s for this time. Maybe it’s for me. Or maybe it’s for all who are feeling the pressure of intimidation or control or pressure to conform regardless of what we believe or know to be right and true. No doubt those days will come and are maybe already entering into our world in ever-increasing measures (Mark 10:16-26; Matthew 24:1-51; 1 John 2:18).

But as I ponder the questions of “What do I?” and “What can I do?” You’re turning my thoughts from the questions of “What?” to the question of “Who?” and to the answer of “You.”

The most courageous thing I can do is fully surrender my heart and my mind to You. Apart from You, I can do nothing (John 15:5). Apart from You, even my most righteous deeds and courageous acts are as “filthy rags” in Your sight (Isaiah 64:6).

But I’m not apart from You. Your Spirit abides in me. Your Spirit empowers me to be courageous because Your Spirit is conforming me into the image of the Courageous One. My part is to surrender to Your part. My way is to be yielded to Your ways.

That’s why I don’t have to worry about what to say, because You’ll fill my mouth with Your words as I allow You to keep forming Your thoughts in my thoughts and Your desires in my heart, to make me more like You each day (Romans 8:29; 1 John 4:17).

Like Joshua, that’s how I can “be strong and very courageous” because the One who is “strong and very courageous” abides in me as I abide in You (Joshua 1:6: John 15:4). The same Spirit who overcame the intimidation of hell, the control of death, and the silence of the grave to raise Jesus from the dead lives in me! (Romans 8:11)

So by the power of Your grace at work within me, I will be courageous today in whatever I face. I will be “strong and very courageous” as I seek to trust and obey “the Commander of the Army of the Lord” who is rising up in my spirit to lead me and all those entrusted to me into the fullness of our inheritance in You (Joshua 5:14). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you be strong and very courageous with the One who is strong and very courageous abiding in you, making you more like Him every day, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My Latest Book!
First the Spirit
Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul, and Body
--Now Also in Hardback--
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 29 (Due to Heavy Rains in Pakistan, this meeting will be rescheduled. Please keep us in prayer for planning.)
Preaching in Pakistan. Outdoor evangelistic crusade through our monthly Internet Ministry. (Thursday Morning here; Thursday Night in Pakistan).

July 30
Interview and Filming with Louda Raschke Ministries, Kerrville, Texas https://www.louada.org

August 11
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow Meeting
10-2:00
Holiday Inn San Antonio N-Stone Oak in the Hill Country Ballroom, 19280 Redland Road, San Antonio
Contact: Brenda Steubing at sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

August 29-30
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Sunday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Mondy 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

October 3
Preaching the Sunday Services at the Bridge Church, Fredericksburg, TX
9:00 and 10:45 Live and by Livestream.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.



Thursday, July 29, 2021

Seeing the “Manifest” Presence of God - July 29, 2021

Morning by Morning, July 29 - Seeing the “Manifest” Presence of God

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

“He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).

I do love You, Lord Jesus. And I thank You that I am loved.

From our relationship of love, I pray that You would “manifest” Yourself in my life today. As I seek Your “manifest” Presence, what should I be seeking? What should I be looking for and listening for? ...

As I wait and listen for Your revelation and leading, this Word comes to my mind and rises up in my heart:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:31-46). ...

Yes, Lord. I see. In my seeking and pursuing Your “manifest” Presence in the spiritual encounters You invite me to experience with the spiritual hunger and thirst that only You can provide -- give me eyes to see Your “manifest” Presence in those You bring across my path today. Especially “the least of these.”

Give me eyes to see You in them. Give me a heart to love You in them -- to reach out to You as I reach out them, to encounter You as I encounter them. 

Forgive me for when I haven’t. And fill me now with Your right desires, Your right thoughts, Your right heart. It has to be You seeing them and loving them through me. Because apart from You, I can do nothing. But I thank You that I’m never apart from You, that You’re always with me, always within me by Your Spirit abiding in my spirit -- manifesting Your Presence in me and through me, as I surrender my life to Your life. “When Christ, who is (my) life, shall be manifested, then shall (I) also with Him be manifested in glory” (Colossians 3:4 ERV). “Christ in (me), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Set me free from being such a “goat” and give me more the heart of a “sheep.” Give me Your heart, as You keep changing my heart from the inside out (1 John 4:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6, 2:13; and so many more). When it’s all been said and done, when You come again in Your glory with Your holy angels to sit on the throne of Your glory, I want to enter in to the fullness of the inheritance of all You’ve eternally desired for me -- all by the power of Your grace at work within me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you see the "manifest" Presence of God as you reach out and love Jesus through "the least of these" you encounter today, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My Latest Book!
First the Spirit
Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul, and Body
--Now Also in Hardback--
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 29 (Due to Heavy Rains in Pakistan, this meeting will be rescheled. Please keep us in prayer for planning.)
Preaching in Pakistan. Outdoor evangelistic crusade through our monthly Internet Ministry. (Thursday Morning here; Thursday Night in Pakistan).

July 30
Interview and Filming with Louda Raschke Ministries, Kerrville, Texas https://www.louada.org

August 11
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow Meeting
10-2:00
Holiday Inn San Antonio N-Stone Oak in the Hill Country Ballroom, 19280 Redland Road, San Antonio
Contact: Brenda Steubing at sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

August 29-30
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Sunday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Mondy 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

October 3
Preaching the Sunday Services at the Bridge Church, Fredericksburg, TX
9:00 and 10:45 Live and by Livestream.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Growing in Knowing - July 28, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 28 - Growing in Knowing

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my spirit come to attention and be attentive to Your voice, as I speak out Your name and listen for Your leading. ...

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.... I AM the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:1-5).

In taking time to listen, I’m learning to hear Your voice. In waiting in the silence of surrender, I’m leaning in close to sense Your leading. I’m growing in knowing You in the waiting, in the leaning, and in the listening. 

The more I draw near to You, the more You draw near to me (James 4:8). The more I seek You, the more I find You; and the more I find You, the more I find that I’m known by You and loved by You and led by You (Jeremiah 29:13).

Learning to hear Your voice, learning to sense Your leading, I’m also learning to recognize the voice and the leading of “the stranger” who would lead me astray and lead me away from the path You’ve set for me. I’m better able to discern the counterfeit, because I’m growing in knowing the Real Thing who is my True Shepherd, my Good Shepherd who only wants good things for me (Matthew 7:11; James 1:17).

As You said to the people of Your church in the Book of Revelation, so You’re still speaking to me and the people Your church, the sheep of Your fold, the seekers of Your heart and the hearers of Your voice today:  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

Come in, Lord Jesus. Come in the through the door of my heart and lead me out to where I’m to go in my world today. Let me not be led astray by the stranger, but led by the Spirit of the Lord. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14). May I keep growing in knowing You and Your voice, as You keep growing me up into maturity in You (Ephesians 4:15). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you abide daily in the intimate presence of the Lord, that He may put His thoughts in your mind, His desires in your heart, and His words in your mouth to legislate His Kingdom on earth and in your life, as it is in Heav, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My Latest Book!
First the Spirit
Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul, and Body
--Now Also in Hardback--
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 29
Preaching in Pakistan. Outdoor evangelistic crusade through our monthly Internet Ministry. (Thursday Morning here; Thursday Night in Pakistan).

July 30
Interview and Filming with Louda Raschke Ministries, Kerrville, Texas https://www.louada.org

August 11
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow Meeting
10-2:00
Holiday Inn San Antonio N-Stone Oak in the Hill Country Ballroom, 19280 Redland Road, San Antonio
Contact: Brenda Steubing at sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

August 29-30
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Sunday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Mondy 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

October 3
Preaching the Sunday Services at the Bridge Church, Fredericksburg, TX
9:00 and 10:45 Live and by Livestream.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.



Tuesday, July 27, 2021

“Let the Shouting Begin!” - July 27, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 27 - “Let the Shouting Begin!”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You’re with me always -- here in these first moments of my morning and throughout every moment of my day (Matthew 28:20). ...

“Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” (Luke 12:3)

This morning I hear in my heart, “Let the shouting begin!” ...

In many arenas many things are being uncovered. Many hidden things, spoken in dark places and conceived behind closed doors, are coming to light. “The light shines in darkness; and the darkness cannot overcome it” (John 1:5).

So where we’ve been silenced, let us begin to shout. Where we’ve allowed the dark things to remain hidden -- whether by the guise of good manners, the guile of just going along with the crowd, or under the goading of fear, intimidation and retaliation -- let our voices be heard, as You fill our mouths with Your words (Matthew 10:19). Let the shouting begin!

Before taking the city of Jericho, You led Your people to wait patiently for the moment of Your command to advance. But then the day came when they heard the command to give out a shout. “The people shouted with a great shout” and the walls came down with nothing left to stop their advance at Your command (Joshua 6:1-2). “And they took the city” (v. 20).

It’s time to take back our cities. It’s time to take back our land. It’s time to “Let the shouting begin!”

We may not yet see the walls collapse. But with every prayer the walls grow weaker. With every praise the light shines brighter. And if we are faithful to persist, soon Your truth “will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” 

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You!” (Psalm 5:11)

Lord, “Let the shouting begin!” In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

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

My friend, may you abide daily in the intimate presence of the Lord, that He may put His thoughts in your mind, His desires in your heart, and His words in your mouth to legislate His Kingdom on earth and in your life, as it is in Heav, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My Latest Book!
First the Spirit
Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul, and Body
--Now Also in Hardback--
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 29
Preaching in Pakistan. Outdoor evangelistic crusade through our monthly Internet Ministry. (Thursday Morning here; Thursday Night in Pakistan).

July 30
Interview and Filming with Louda Raschke Ministries, Kerrville, Texas https://www.louada.org

August 11
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow Meeting
10-2:00
Holiday Inn San Antonio N-Stone Oak in the Hill Country Ballroom, 19280 Redland Road, San Antonio
Contact: Brenda Steubing at sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

August 29-30
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Sunday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Mondy 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

October 3
Preaching the Sunday Services at the Bridge Church, Fredericksburg, TX
9:00 and 10:45 Live and by Livestream.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.



Monday, July 26, 2021

Special Session of the Legislature of the Kingdom of Heaven - July 26, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 26 - Special Session of the Legislature of the Kingdom of Heaven

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to guide my steps and direct my words today. ...

“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways” (Job 22:28).

Sunday morning, Rocio and I were part of the regional conference for Aglow International Ministries in Austin, the seat of government for our State of Texas, where International President Jane Hansen Hoyt was speaking. There was such a deep sense of intimacy, surrender, and even holiness in the presence of God during the worship. And then You began to speak Your heart to us with prophetic images, words, and songs in the Spirit in a continuous flow of Your children speaking what You’d placed on their hearts to share with Your people (Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 14:29).

You spoke of sending out Your word like arrows -- one by one, not in a cluster, but each specifically chosen to be released at just the right time to strike just the right mark -- as we prayed and interceded by the leading of Your Spirit. 

And in a quick flash, but vibrant vision, You showed me a gavel coming down and striking it’s block. From my background as a trial lawyer in earlier years, I first thought of a Judge calling court into session. But I believe I heard You say in my heart, as best as I recall now: “Not that gavel. A legislative gavel. This is a special session of My legislature. Every word, every prayer, every praise you are speaking out in this session is being recorded in Heaven. And every word will be fulfilled.” ...

Yes, Lord. When You’re people gather, we gather as Your church, Your ecclesia -- the New Testament word in the original language translated “church” which speaks of the gathering together of the people of God, but also the gathering together of God’s people for God’s purposes as Your representatives of the Kingdom of God on earth, as we are led by Your Holy Spirit. 

When we surrender our hearts to Your heart, our thoughts to Your thoughts, our words to Your words, You release Your will and Your Kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven. As Your Word says, “We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our words and prayers and praises are an Appeal to Heaven; and Heaven makes its appeal to our world through us, as we seek to abide in Your Presence, obey Your Word, and follow the leading of Your Spirit.

Give us Your grace, Lord, to seek Your face, to hear Your voice, to stand our ground and legislate Your will and ways in our world. By the power of the grace of God at work within us, we’ll not flee our post but be present and accounted for to be about our Father’s Business. With our hearts in Your hands and Your words in our mouths, let “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Our words matter. And when our words are Your words, spoken with Your authority and confirmed by Your power, we’re part of Your legislature in our world -- a special session of Your Legislature. And Your word will never fail; every word will come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). “He who calls (us) is faithful; He will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

So as Your Word says, being released through us as Your ecclesia in our world, “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever!” (1 Peter 4:10-11) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you abide daily in the intimate presence of the Lord, that He may put His thoughts in your mind, His desires in your heart, and His words in your mouth to legislate His Kingdom on earth and in your life, as it is in Heav, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My Latest Book!

First the Spirit
Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul, and Body

--Now Also in Hardback--
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 23-25 (Thank you so much for your prayers -- Powerful Meeting!)
Regional Gathering for Aglow International Ministries - Austin, Texas

July 29
Preaching in Pakistan. Outdoor evangelistic crusade through our monthly Internet Ministry. (Thursday Morning here; Thursday Night in Pakistan).

July 30
Interview and Filming with Louda Raschke Ministries, Kerrville, Texas https://www.louada.org

August 11
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow Meeting
10-2:00
Holiday Inn San Antonio N-Stone Oak in the Hill Country Ballroom, 19280 Redland Road, San Antonio
Contact: Brenda Steubing at sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

August 29-30
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Sunday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Mondy 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

October 3
Preaching the Sunday Services at the Bridge Church, Fredericksburg, TX
9:00 and 10:45 Live and by Livestream.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.