Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Overcoming Evil with Good in the Power of Love that Never Fails - May 3, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 3 - Overcoming Evil with Good in the Power of Love that Never Fails

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and every moment of my day. ...

 

As I wait for Your leading, this Scripture comes to mind:

 

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

 

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

 

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore

 

‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’

 

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21).

 

This kind of “love without hypocrisy” that requires our obedience to Your Word and our expression of Your Heart in our world is hard. In fact, it’s impossible -- impossible in our own power or wisdom, even with our best determination and effort.

 

But it’s not impossible for You. And with Your Holy Spirit abiding in us, it’s no longer impossible for us. “Christ in (us), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). “(We) are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in (us).... If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in (us), He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to (our) mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in (us)” (Romans 8:9-11). “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). In fact, just as You said, “all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

 

So even living like a Christian is possible for us. Even when we’re mad at the evil around us, even as we “abhor what is evil” and fight against it with our prayers and our voices and our votes. But we are desperately dependent on You. Apart from You, we can do nothing but just be overwhelmed and overcome by this broken and fallen world in hopeless despair (John 15:5).

 

But we are not apart from You! You are in us! And Your Word and Your Spirit and Your Faith and Your Hope and Your Love abide in us. So by the power of Your Grace at work within us, we can overcome as we choose to obey and express the power of Your Love in our world. As You said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.... These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:7-11).

 

That’s the only way we can have joy in the face of the evil we abhor. That’s the only way we can be part of what You’re doing in our world and truly make a difference -- not shouting and screaming, rioting and raging, not overcoming evil with evil -- but overcoming evil with good while both being diligent in action and fervent in spirit, continually steadfast in prayer and abiding in the power of Your love that conquers all, for Your “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

 

My friend, may you be empowered with the Love that never fails, abiding in you and overcoming the evil you abhor in this world, in Jesus' name. God bless you!



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Mailing Address:

412 S. Adams Street #148

Fredericksburg, Texas 78624


Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Anyone can sign up for free at:

https://messiah-ministries.org

Please Keep us in Prayer for These

Messiah Ministries Events


May 5-6 - Friday Night and Saturday Morning

Messiah Ministries' Men's Retreat hosted this time at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg. All men are welcome! We had fantastic feedback from our "pilot" retreat in February. Send me an email if you are interested! tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org


May 10

Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Ministries - Day Time Lighthouse. 10 to Noon. Contact: sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

 

May 25-29

Ministry in Mexico City at several churches and different settings for inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival.


June 1

Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm


July 17-31

Preaching an Evangelistic Crusade in Kenya!


Tuesday Nights (September through May)

Teaching my Free to Be Like Jesus course at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas https://messiah-ministries.org

Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays


Wednesday Mornings

Joining with MorningStar Ministries to Lead Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups from around the world.

 

Personal Ministry Appointments

Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom 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: 

tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

 

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

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!

My Core Teaching and Ministry

https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Tuesday, May 02, 2023

Looking to “The Express Image of God” - May 2, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 2 - Looking to “The Express Image of God”

 

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

 

I look to You. I seek You. You are “the Express Image” of God:

 

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the Express Image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:1-4).

 

And as I turn to You and look to You, Your Spirit removes everything between us and changes everything within me to be more like You, “transformed into the same image:”

 

“Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:16-18).

 

Keep removing every veil, every sin, every distorted image of who You are and who I am in You. Keep drawing me close to You, lifting up my spirit to You, setting me free in Your liberty to seek You and see You, to behold and worship You, as You change me into Your image “from glory to glory” more and more every day.

 

“For this is the will of God, (my) sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This is Your plan for my life -- to make me more like You every day through every battle I face, every test I endure, and every challenge I overcome -- all by Your grace, as I’m looking to You (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 12:1-2). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

 

My friend, may you keep looking to Jesus, "the Express Image of God," as He keeps changing You into His image by His Spirit more and more every day, "from glory to glory," in Jesus' name. God bless you!



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Mailing Address:

412 S. Adams Street #148

Fredericksburg, Texas 78624


Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Anyone can sign up for free at:

https://messiah-ministries.org

Please Keep us in Prayer for These

Messiah Ministries Events


Thank you and Praise God for all He did at Revival at the Barn with salvations, healing, and baptisms in the horse trough! Here's one testimony from a great friend of ours, Carolyn Urban, who couldn't come but joined with us on our Messiah Ministries' FB Live:


WOW, PRAISE GOD!! I feel like I had an "Asbury experience" streaming "Revival at the Barn" in my living room. I suffer from chronic, debilitating back and shoulder pain which had been getting worse lately and so limiting my life and I was fighting depression. Through the testimony of Scott Knudson and the powerful anointed message of Pastor Tommy, I felt the love of the Lord so strongly and a peace come over me that is indescribable. That night and last night I slept better than I have slept in a long, long time, getting 8 hours of deep sleep and waking up to at least a 50% reduction in my pain level and a much-improved state of mind. Thank you, Lord and Revival at the Barn!


You can join us for the videos and photos on our Messiah Ministries FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/MessiahMinistries.org


Thank you for your prayers for us at the Fellowship of Ministries Annual Retreat with MorningStar Ministries all last week, where my wife Rocio Caballero Hays was Ordained! She also received a prophetic word and miraculous healing of her knee from Chris Reed, which they recorded and is also on our Messiah Ministries FB Page:

https://www.facebook.com/MessiahMinistries.org


May 5-6

Messiah Ministries' Men's Retreat hosted this time at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg. All men are welcome! We had fantastic feedback from our "pilot" retreat in February. Send me an email if you are interested! tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org


May 10

Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Ministries - Day Time Lighthouse. 10 to Noon. Contact: sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

 

May 25-29

Ministry in Mexico City at several churches and different settings for inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival.


June 1

Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm


July 17-31

Preaching an Evangelistic Crusade in Kenya!


Tuesday Nights (September through May)

Teaching my Free to Be Like Jesus course at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas https://messiah-ministries.org

Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays


Wednesday Mornings

Joining with MorningStar Ministries to Lead Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups from around the world.

 

Personal Ministry Appointments

Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom 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: 

tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

 

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

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!

My Core Teaching and Ministry

https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Monday, May 01, 2023

“Look to Me with Expectant Faith” - May 1, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 1 - “Look to Me with Expectant Faith”

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look to You and listen for Your leading, for Your sheep hear Your voice (John 10:27) and the children of God are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). ...

 

As I listen, what comes to my heart this morning is this Scripture from the apostle Paul:

 

“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).

 

And I’m remembering similar words from the prophet Isaiah:

 

“For since the beginning of the world

Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,

Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,

Who acts for the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4).

 

And now what rises up in my heart from Your heart are these words:

 

“Look to Me with expectant faith. You’ve only just begun and the best is yet to come. But the key to the kingdom I have set before you, the key to the kingdom of God I am forming within you and within the hearts of all who would seek Me and follow Me, is to keep looking to Me. Let me open your eyes to My vision and your ears to My voice. And I will guide your heart and your steps into My plan. And my plan is form the character of My nature in you. For the kingdom of God is within you.” ...

 

Yes, Lord. ...

 

As I seek to discern what I believe I’m hearing in Your spoken word, these Words come to me from Your written Word:

 

“Now when (Jesus) was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you’” (Luke 17:20-21).

 

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

 

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

 

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).

 

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.... Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:2-11).

 

Yes, Lord. I seek You and seek to follow You and I seek to allow You to establish Your abundant and everlasting kingdom in my heart, as You keep forming the character of Your nature in me -- as best as I can and all by Your grace. Apart from You, I can do nothing (John 15:5). And I praise God that I am ever apart from You (Matthew 28:20). You supply all I need (Philippians 4:19). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

 

So with all my heart, I believe in You and I will keep seeking You with expectant faith, as You keep establishing Your kingdom in me. One day my eyes will see and my ears will hear and my heart will know these astounding things You have prepared for me and for all who love You and seeking You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

 

My friend, may you keep looking to God with expectant faith, letting Him establish His kingdom in your heart and the character of His nature in your life, in Jesus' name. God bless you!



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Mailing Address:

412 S. Adams Street #148

Fredericksburg, Texas 78624


Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Anyone can sign up for free at:

https://messiah-ministries.org

Please Keep us in Prayer for These

Messiah Ministries Events


Thank you and Praise God for all He did at Revival at the Barn with salvations, healing, and baptisms in the horse trough! Here's one testimony from a great friend of ours, Carolyn Urban, who couldn't come but joined with us on our Messiah Ministries' FB Live:


WOW, PRAISE GOD!! I feel like I had an "Asbury experience" streaming "Revival at the Barn" in my living room. I suffer from chronic, debilitating back and shoulder pain which had been getting worse lately and so limiting my life and I was fighting depression. Through the testimony of Scott Knudson and the powerful anointed message of Pastor Tommy, I felt the love of the Lord so strongly and a peace come over me that is indescribable. That night and last night I slept better than I have slept in a long, long time, getting 8 hours of deep sleep and waking up to at least a 50% reduction in my pain level and a much-improved state of mind. Thank you, Lord and Revival at the Barn!


You can join us for the videos and photos on our Messiah Ministries FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/MessiahMinistries.org


Thank you for your prayers for us at the Fellowship of Ministries Annual Retreat with MorningStar Ministries all last week, where my wife Rocio Caballero Hays was Ordained! She also received a prophetic word and miraculous healing of her knee from Chris Reed, which they recorded and is also on our Messiah Ministries FB Page:

https://www.facebook.com/MessiahMinistries.org


May 5-6

Messiah Ministries' Men's Retreat hosted this time at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg. All men are welcome! We had fantastic feedback from our "pilot" retreat in February. Send me an email if you are interested! tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org


May 10

Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Ministries - Day Time Lighthouse. 10 to Noon. Contact: sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

 

May 25-29

Ministry in Mexico City at several churches and different settings for inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival.


June 1

Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm


July 17-31

Preaching an Evangelistic Crusade in Kenya!


Tuesday Nights (September through May)

Teaching my Free to Be Like Jesus course at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas 6-8pm.

Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays


Wednesday Mornings

Joining with MorningStar Ministries to Lead Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups from around the world.

 

Personal Ministry Appointments

Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom 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: 

tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

 

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

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!

My Core Teaching and Ministry

https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

Order these Spiritual Books by Tommy Hays Today!

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Friday, April 21, 2023

“Ho! ... Come to the Waters!” - April 21, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, April 21 - “Ho! ... Come to the Waters!”

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Come rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords in my heart today. ...

 

As I’m waiting, what’s coming to my heart this morning are the words of passionate, spiritual hunger through the prophet Isaiah:

 

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters!” (Isaiah 55:1)

 

My spirit cries, “Ho!” My heart cries, “Ho!” Because I’m thirsting for You, hungering for You, crying out for You. For more and more of You -- more of Your Spirit, more of Your Presence, more of the moving of Your power and love to save our souls and our city, heal our hearts and our land, deliver us from evil and set us free from everything that would hold us back from being all You created us to be.

 

And at the same time, Your Spirit, expressed through the Word of Your prophet, is still expressing Your passion for Your people to come to You, to come to the One who is the Living Waters, the only One who can ever satisfy this spiritual thirst You’ve created in us.

 

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the Waters!”

 

Last night Your rain poured down in abundance upon our community here in Fredericksburg, Texas. And I’m bold enough to believe that even that was an expression of Your Heavenly Heart to pour out Your Living Waters on us  in this weekend of prayer for Revival in our city. A physical foretaste of the Spiritual Flood of Living Waters You’re pouring out for all who are thirsting to come to Your Waters and drink from Your Spirit.

 

As Your prophet went on to declare in his prophetic Word:

 

“Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you” (v. 2-3).

 

“Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near” (v. 6).

 

“Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the Lord,

And He will have mercy on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon!” (v. 7)

 

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it!” (v. 10-11)

 

“For you shall go out with joy,

And be led out with peace;

The mountains and the hills

Shall break forth into singing before you,

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands!” (v. 12)

 

This day, this weekend, every day and every weekend, break forth with Your Waters, with Your joy, with Your singing and saving, with Your Spiritual awakening and revival in these hills of the “Texas Hill Country” and in the hearts of all who are thirsty for these Living Waters across this land and throughout this world!

 

So this morning, I cry out, “Ho!” for Your Spirit! “Ho!” for Your Living Waters! “Ho!” for Your Revival and Awakening in me and all who will come to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

 

My friend, may you filled with passionate, spiritual hunger for the One who pours our His Living Waters to all who are thirsty for more of Him in awakening and revival, in Jesus' name. God bless you!



Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Mailing Address:

412 S. Adams Street #148

Fredericksburg, Texas 78624


Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Anyone can sign up for free at:

https://messiah-ministries.org

Please Keep us in Prayer for These

Messiah Ministries Events


April 21-22

Preaching Revival at the Barn! 6pm Friday and Saturday Nights

The Barn behind Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters in Fredericksburg, Texas

Please come and Spread the word as we pray for Revival!


Watch us Streaming Live on our Messiah Ministries Facebook page at 6PM Central Standard Time: https://www.facebook.com/MessiahMinistries.org


April 23

Teaching my 6 Week Series on Free to Be Like Jesus at Bridge Church on Sunday Mornings at 9:00am in Fredericksburg.

Spiritual Freedom, Maturity, and Authority (April 16 to May 21)

Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays


April 24-27

Fellowship of Ministries Annual Retreat with MorningStar Ministries

My wife Rocio Caballero Hays will be Ordained!


April 29

Officiating the Wedding of Karen Lindsay's Daughter Sarah and John


May 5-6

Next Messiah Ministries' Men's Retreat hosted this time at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg. All men are welcome! We had fantastic feedback from our "pilot" retreat in February. Send me an email if you are interested!


May 10

Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Ministries - Day Time Lighthouse. 10 to Noon. Contact: sa.day.aglow@gmail.com

 

May 25-29

Ministry in Mexico City at several churches and different settings for inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival.


June 1

Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm


July 17-31

Preaching an Evangelistic Crusade in Kenya!


Tuesday Nights (September through May)

Teaching my Free to Be Like Jesus course at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas 6-8pm.

Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays


Wednesday Mornings

Joining with MorningStar Ministries to Lead Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups from around the world.

 

Personal Ministry Appointments

Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom 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: 

tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org

 

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

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!

My Core Teaching and Ministry

https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

Order these Spiritual Books by Tommy Hays Today!

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays