Groaning for Growing Up into the Maturity of the Image of the Son of God - May 18, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 18 - Groaning for Growing Up into the Maturity of the Image of the Son of God   Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ...   As I wait in the quiet for Your leading, I sense a groaning, like a yearning, down in my spirit. ...   These Words of Scripture come to mind:    “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope...” (Romans 8:22-24).   This groaning, this yearning, is for a growing up into the fullness, into the maturity of who we are in Christ as sons and daughters of God. “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (v. 19). Even all creation joins in this groaning, like a woman in the travail of labor, for what is to come “because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (v. 21).   Yes, Father God, keep forming Your nature, Your character, in me and every one of Your sons and daughters in Christ, by “the Spirit of God” dwelling in us, by “the Spirit of Christ” at work within us to set us free to like Jesus (v. 9). For by the power of Your grace at work within us, “we are predestined to be conformed into the image of (Your) Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (v. 29).   Give me grace to embrace this spiritual groaning, this spiritual yearning to keep growing into spiritual maturity -- into the image of the Son of God. We can’t even desire it, much less do it on our own, but “the Spirit also helps us in weaknesses” (v. 26). “The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (v.26b).   So, come Holy Spirit, keep making me, making us, more like Jesus every day. With all creation, with “earnest expectation,” I’m “eagerly” waiting and “eagerly” praying “for the revealing of the sons of God” into the maturity of the image of the Son of God (v. 19). And between this day and that day, I join in agreement with the heart of Your Spirit expressed through the heart of Paul, who carried this same groaning and yearning in his spirit: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (v. 18). As the Apostle Paul also expressed in Galatians 4:19, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.”   As the children of God, destined to be conformed into the image of the Son of God -- here on earth, here in our hearts and minds and souls and strength, as it is in heaven -- give us the grace to keep groaning and yearning in the Spirit, satisfied with nothing less. “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- into Christ” (Ephesians 4:13-15). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays   My friends, may you embraced the groaning and yearning of the Spirit of God within you and with all creation, praying for the maturing and revealing of the sons and daughters of God in the earth, 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 21 Teaching my class Free to Be Like Jesus at 9:00 am at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. (6 week series on Sunday Mornings) Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays May 25-29 Ministry in Mexico City area at several churches and different settings for our Freedom Encounters of inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival. June 1 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm All are welcome! June 15 Speaking at San Antonio, Texas Evening Aglow 7PM Hosted at Friendship Church, 14015 San Pedro. Contact Hannah for details: sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com All are welcome! July 17-31 Preaching an Evangelistic Festival in Kenya! I'll be part of a team of evangelists and intercessors sharing the Gospel in outdoor meetings, prisons, universities, orphanages, street ministry in Nyeri, Kenya, led by Wesley Paul Ministries. Over 150 Churches and ministry alliances across all denominations are hosting us! Tuesday Nights (September through May) Teaching my Free to Be Like Jesus course at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays Every Wednesday Morning 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

The Pursuit of the Mystery - May 17, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 17 - The Pursuit of the Mystery   Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit and lead me in the paths of Your righteousness today. ...   “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).   There’s mystery in this journey of faith. The more I learn, the more I realize I have so much to learn. The more I think I know, the more I realize what I don’t know.   That could be frustrating or that could be fascinating. That could be confusing or that could be stirring up a curiosity, deepening a hunger, and fanning into flame a passion for the pursuit coming to know You more and more every day on this mysterious journey of faith.   I choose fascinating. I choose curiosity, hunger, passion and pursuit.   One way Your Word expresses this pursuit of the mystery is tucked away as a nugget of Truth in the Proverbs:   “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out the matter” (Proverbs 25:2).   And another is expressed in the Prophets:   “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).   In the seeking and searching, in the pursuit of the mystery, there’s growth and maturity. You’re forming in us the knowledge and the wisdom to know that You are God and we are not, that You’re in control and we don’t have to be, that You’re the Pearl of Great Price who’s worth our life’s pursuit (Matthew 13:46). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays   My friend, may you be continually fascinated in your pursuit of the mystery of God, 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 21 Teaching my class Free to Be Like Jesus at 9:00 am at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. (6 week series on Sunday Mornings) Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays May 25-29 Ministry in Mexico City are at several churches and different settings for our Freedom Encounters of inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival. June 1 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm All are welcome! June 15 Speaking at San Antonio, Texas Evening Aglow 7PM Hosted at Friendship Church, 14015 San Pedro. Contact Hannah for details: sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com All are welcome! July 17-31 Preaching an Evangelistic Crusade in Kenya! I'll be part of a team of evangelists and intercessors sharing the Gospel in outdoor meetings, prisons, universities, orphanages, street ministry in Nyeri, Kenya, led by Wesley Paul Ministries. Over 150 Churches and ministry alliances across all denominations are hosting us! Tuesday Nights (September through May) Teaching my Free to Be Like Jesus course at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. 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

After God’s Own Heart - May 16, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 16 - After God’s Own Heart   Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I speak out Your name, I listen for Your leading -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...   “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22 from 1 Samuel 13:14).   David was a man after Your heart. And by the grace of God, so am I. I’m after Your heart. I’m after Your character, after Your nature, after Your Spirit, after Your Presence.   I’m after Your whole purpose for my life, after all Your will through my life. I’m after all the plans You have for me -- for my good and not my harm, for my future full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 139:16; Romans 8:29).   I’m after You. Pursuing You. Pressing into You. Holding nothing back from You. Hungering and thirsting for more of You.   And by the grace of God, I believe I’ll catch You. Because You’re the very One who’s put this desire and passion to pursue You, to go after You with all my heart and mind and soul and strength within me. You give us the desires of our heart because You’re the One who puts Your desires in our hearts.   As Your Word invites us, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). “Pursue love” (1 Corinthians 14:1).   David had his issues. And so do I. But despite his issues, despite his failures, he never let down and never slowed up in his passionate pursuit of what mattered the most -- his passionate pursuit of the One who mattered the most. And neither will I.   It’s all by Your grace (John 15:5). And I thank You every moment of every day for that grace -- the grace of God to be a man after God’s own heart -- as Your Spirit keeps working in me to keep making me more like You every day (Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Philippians 2:13; 1 John 4:17; 2 Peter 1:4). Lord, let it be so -- here in my heart and here in my pursuit today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays   My friend, may you be filled a passion to pursue the heart of God, never letting down, never slowing up, by the grace of God, 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 21 Teaching my class Free to Be Like Jesus at 9:00 am at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. (6 week series on Sunday Mornings) Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays May 25-29 Ministry in Mexico City are at several churches and different settings for our Freedom Encounters of inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival. June 1 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm June 15 Speaking at San Antonio, Texas Evening Aglow 7PM Hosted at Friendship Church, 14015 San Pedro. Contact Hannah for details: sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com 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. 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

“Follow His Steps” as He Forms His Nature and Character in You - May 15, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 15 - “Follow His Steps” as He Forms His Nature and Character in You   Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I begin my day seeking to follow in Your steps. ...   “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).   You are my Savior and You are also my Example. You are my Lord and You are also my Leader.   By the power of Your grace and the leading of Your Spirit, I seek to follow You. Just as Your said to Your first disciples, You continue to say to every disciple, “Come, follow Me” (Matthew 4:19).   And not only do You say, “Come, follow Me;” You also say, “Come, be more like Me.” ...   How do I become more like You, Lord? ...   As I wait and listen, I believe I hear this in my spirit:   “You become more like Me as you allow Me to live in you, as you allow Me to shape how you think and direct how you respond, yielding to My nature and My character, while I form My nature and My character in you and in every one of My true disciples. For My true disciples come and follow Me. My true disciples allow Me to come and make them more like Me -- more and more every day.” ...   Yes, Lord. These Scriptures from Your Word immediately come to mind from Your written Word to confirm what I believe I’m hearing in my heart as Your spoken words:   “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).   “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:9-10).   “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23).   “Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:19-21).   Come, Lord Jesus. Come “manifest (Yourself) to (me).” Come “manifest” Your nature and Your character within me. Make me more like You each day. For as You are, so are we to be in our world by Your Spirit abiding in our hearts (1 John 4:17). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays   My friend, may you be conformed into the image of the Son of God, as He makes you more like Him each day, while you follow Him and allow Him to shape your nature and character by His Spirit abiding in you, 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 21 Teaching my class Free to Be Like Jesus at 9:00 am at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. (6 week series on Sunday Mornings) Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays May 25-29 Ministry in Mexico City are at several churches and different settings for our Freedom Encounters of inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival. June 1 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm June 15 Speaking at San Antonio, Texas Evening Aglow 7PM Hosted at Friendship Church, 14015 San Pedro. Contact Hannah for details: sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com 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. 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

Impartation of the Gifts of the Spirit - May 12, 2023

 

Morning by Morning, May 12 - Impartation of the Gifts of the Spirit   Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill my heart with Your Spirit, as I begin my day pressing into Your Presence -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...   “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established -- that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:11).   One of the ways that You establish us and strengthen us and encourage is through the impartation of spiritual gifts, one to another. What You’ve poured into us, You also desire to pour through us -- “distributing to each one individually as (You) will” (1 Corinthians 12:11). “There are diversities of gifts, by the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).   In Christ, we all have the Holy Spirit abiding with us, so that You can do anything You desire to do through us at any time You desire (Romans 8:9). And at the same time, You also express Your spiritual gifts through us in the particular ways and for the particular purposes You have called us and send us forth into our world as “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27).   You call us, even command us by Your Word, to “earnestly desire” spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31) and not “be ignorant” of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). And seeking Your heart and Your nature, Your Word commands us, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that (we) may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1).   This weekend, I’m so blessed and humbled and honored to come to be graduating from my second year of the MorningStar Ministries’ School of the Prophets. Tomorrow, we’ll be receiving words of encouragement and prayers of impartation from Rick Joyner, Chris Reed, Tom and Mary Anne Hardiman, and other teachers and leaders of the ministry, where we’ve been learning to hear Your voice and speak Your words to encourage and comfort and build up Your people by the leading of Your Holy Spirit through our various ministries (1 Corinthians 14:3).   Lord, I’m hungry to receive all You have for me - hungering and thirsting for more of You (Matthew 5:6; Ephesians 5:18; Isaiah 55:1). And I’m ready to obey all You desire to do through me. “Freely (I) have received, freely (I desire to) give” (Matthew 10:8 and 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).   By the power of Your grace and Your Spirit, fulfill Your Word in me and in all who make themselves available to You as expressions of Your character and vessels of Your authority as the body of Christ in our world:   “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the utterances of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen!” (1 Peter 4:7-11) In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays   My friend, may you be filled with an impartation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as you pursue all God has for you, according to His will and plan for your life and ministry of His love, 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 11-13 School of the Prophets at MorningStar Ministries. Graduation and receiving prayer of impartation and anointing from the teachers and leaders! May 14 Teaching my class Free to Be Like Jesus at 9:00 am at Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. (6 week series on Sunday Mornings) Based on my Books Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays May 25-29 Ministry in Mexico City are at several churches and different settings for our Freedom Encounters of inner healing, deliverance, evangelism, and prayer for revival. June 1 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Lighthouse of Aglow International Ministries. The Kendall Inn at 7pm June 15 Speaking at San Antonio, Texas Evening Aglow 7PM Hosted at Friendship Church, 14015 San Pedro. Contact Hannah for details: sa.aglow.evening@gmail.com 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. 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