Diamond in the Rough 3-23-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are My Lord and Savior, My Healer and Deliverer, My God, My King, and My Best Friend. You are the One who sees my heart and loves me anyway. ... "He's a diamond in the rough." Those words have always stuck with me. I had grown up on a cotton farm and then in little oil towns around west Texas and eastern New Mexico. I had worked my summers in middle school, high school, and college mostly hauling hay and driving tractors. I even filled in a couple of weeks as a roughneck on an oil rig until the reality of losing a finger or a toe from hauling drill pipe up and out of a greasy derrick really sank in and I went back to hauling hay. But now I was being considered for position as a trial lawyer in a Dallas law firm where I had worked part of my summer through law school as a law clerk. The lawyer who was pulling for me to be on the list of new hires from the graduating class passed along the summary of how I was seen by the hiring committee -- "a diamond in the rough." It felt good and it hurt at the same time. They were willing to see my potential but not fooled by my present and my past. That's how You are, Lord. With Your Father's heart, You see me as You created me to be. You see me in the fullness of the potential of my purpose and destiny, along with all the gifting, calling, and anointing You have given me and imparted to me by Your grace. But at the same time, You are not fooled by my present and my past. You see the diamond, but You also see the rough. You see my true self that needs to be nurtured and healed as You call forth my true identity and destiny, but You also see the false self that I have created and I have allowed others to create out of my own hurts and wounds, pride and insecurities, that needs to broken off in order to reveal the diamond hidden beneath the rough. When You called me to the ministry of inner healing -- healing from the inside out -- You began to remind me of those words and that image from long ago. You began to give me Your Father's heart to see Your sons and daughters as You see them, like a diamond in the rough. You taught me how to confront the "rough" and call the sin for the sin that it was in order to lead a person to confession and repentance in submitting every area of their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. You taught me how to help them acknowledge the pain and the shame that was still buried in the hurts and wounds of their past, from the things they had done and the things done to them. You taught me how to help them let Your Holy Spirit release it all to You -- step by step and layer by layer, liking pealing the layers of an onion with patience and faith, persistence and truth. You taught me how to speak life to the dry bones in the power of Your name and call forth their God-given purpose and passion to see and be who You created them to be. You began to teach me how to listen to You and speak Your heart to them, as You called forth the diamond and broke off the rough, through inner healing. And You began to teach me how to take the authority You had given me as Your disciple and Your ambassador over all the power of the enemy of our souls who seeks to keep us bound up in the idolatries and addictions of the bondage of self in our flesh. You were teaching me how to bind up the broken-hearted and set the captives free, as You proclaimed through my prayers the coming of the kingdom of God and the year of the Lord's favor in each person's life (Isaiah 61; Luke 4). Much of it You taught me as You used others to minister this kind of life and healing to me, as You gave me the courage and humility to set aside my pride and fear to receive the ministry of the healing love of God through those You had anointing to be Your healing hands and living words to me, as instruments of Your grace. You reminded me how when You saw the woman at the well, You went much more deeply than the surface (John 4:1-42). You looked into her past and confronted her shame and her need for love and acceptance. You could have just ministered a miracle, but You ministered inner healing as You exposed her past, so she could release it to You. In her healing, her eyes were opened to see You as her Messiah; and in her joy, she hurried off to tell everyone she knew about the love of the One "who told me everything I have ever done!" (verse 4:29) "Many Samaritans in the city believed in Him because of the woman's testimony" (verse 4:39). And You reminded me how the friends of the paralyzed man pressed through the crowds and every barrier to bring him to you for healing (Mark 2:1-12). You could have simply worked the miracle as said, "Rise and walk." But instead You looked beneath the surface of the problem to the root of the issue, ministering inner healing from the inside out. You spoke to the sins of his past as well as to the manifestation of that sin in his body; and he was healed. You expressed Your authority divine insight and revelation knowledge to not only work miracles, but also to expose the root and the source of all that keeps Your people from experiencing the healing and freedom of Your will. " 'But so that you many know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' -- He said to the paralytic -- 'I say to you, stand up, take up your mat and go to your home' " (verse 2:10-11). Thank You for the ministry of Your healing love. Thank You for the ministry of inner healing and deliverance. In the same way that You have ministered Your healing and deliverance to me, now You have given me the heart and the joy to minister Your healing love to others by the power and authority of Your Spirit living through me. In the same way we are healed and comforted by You, so You send us to be Your heart and hands of healing and comfort to others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). There is still much to receive and there is still much to give. Freely have I received, now freely am I to give (Matthew 10:8). Lord, thank You for letting others see the diamond in the rough in me, so now I can minister that same Father's heart of Your healing love to others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, this morning's devotional become a little more involved than I expected to express much of my calling and ministry. If you would like to know more about these biblical, spiritual principles for personal transformation through inner healing and deliverance, you might consider ordering my dvd's from a healing prayer weekend called "Preparing the Way of the Lord." You can send a note or order it from the resources page of our web site: http://www.messiah-ministries.org To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Signs of the Times 3-22-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look to You and await Your coming, for You are always coming to those You watch and wait for You. ... "The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, 'When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah'" (Matthew 16:1-3). The first day of Spring came this week. And then a day of snow came this week. What are the signs of the times? How should we interpret these things? It seems, at the very least, these signs would say that things are not right. Like a fever lets us know that something in the body is not right, so the earth is letting us know that something is not right. "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God. ... We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, grown inwardly while we wait for adoption, for the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:19-23). It is Your judgment and Your mercy to let us know when things are not right. It is a call to join in the travail of prayer, to awaken us to the reality of the evil and adultery in our generation and in our own hearts. It is a call to repentance -- to confess our sin and the sins of our generations so we can turn away from sin and turn to You by the grace of Your love for us. Through repentance, Your "mercy triumph over judgment" (James 2:13). Father, open my eyes to the signs of the times. Open my ears to the cry of creation and cry of the Spirit. Give me courage and hope to enter into this season of birth pangs, as Christ is being formed in me and in all who turn to You in repentance and faith. The sign of Jonah was the ark -- the only place of safety in the coming days of judgment. You are the Ark. You are the only Place of safety in the coming days of judgment, and You will lift us up into the safety of Your protection. As we turn to You in repentance for ourselves and for our generations, Your mercy will triumph over judgment. This is the redemption of our bodies and the adoption of our souls as the children of God we long to have in the fullness of Your salvation -- not only our redemption, but the redemption of all creation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we recorded The Fountain live last Friday Night. Please send me a note if you would like to order it on CD and experience it with us. We are working out the distribution details and want to share the blessing. To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Forty Days 3-21-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In these first moments of the morning, I turn my eyes toward You, opening my heart to Your Holy Spirit and resting in the arms of my Father, here in the communion of prayer. ... "Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty day and forty nights" (Exodus 24:15-18). Lord, You have called me again this year to a season of fasting for forty days from to the repentance of Ash Wednesday to the resurrection of Easter Sunday. Thank You for allowing me the grace of juices of fruit and fluids of vitamins to help sustain my strength and health. You are drawing me up to the mountain of Your presence; but the closer I come, the more Your devouring fire is revealing and consuming my flesh -- the unsanctified areas of my soul that are not yet like Jesus. Like Isaiah, the more I behold Your glory, the more I find myself crying out in my spirit, "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5). John Wesley charged his preachers with nineteen questions to affirm their calling and commitment to You before commissioning them as ambassadors of Your gospel. At ordination, I also affirmed those historic vows as a Methodist minister -- one of "Mr. Wesley's preachers," but above all, one of Your preachers. Question sixteen affirms the spiritual discipline of fasting as a means of growing in holiness of heart and life: "Will you recommend fasting and abstinence, both by precept and example?" -- to teach it and to live it. Fasting speaks of the process of sanctification and spiritual transformation -- death to the indulgences of our own desires of the flesh in order to be awakened to a life of the desires of the Your Spirit. "So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God ... and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ -- if, in fact, we suffer with Him so that we also may be glorified with Him" (Romans 8:12-17). By grace You have called me to this process, and by grace You are bringing me through it. Morning by morning and day by day, I become more desperate and dependent upon You alone. May this season of fasting be a means of Your grace to join in the struggle of Your suffering, as it becomes a means of Your grace to join the joy of Your resurrection. "He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards He was famished" (Matthew 4:2). Lord, make me more famished still for You, for Your Word, and for Your Spirit. I stand on Your promise by faith, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (verse 5:6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please join with me in praying for Rev. Jeffrey Bealmear and his mission team as he preaches and ministers to the people of Honduras this coming week. To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Go Out to War" 3-20-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I prepare my heart for You, as I welcome You to come and prepare me for the battles and adventures of the day. ... "When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots, an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Before you engage in the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the troops, and say to them: 'Hear, O Israel! Today you are drawing near to do battle against your enemies. Do not lose heart, or be afraid, or panic, or be in dread of them; for it is the Lord your God who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory!' " (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). The wars and battles in the natural realm of the Old Testament speak to us of the wars and battles in the spiritual realm of the New Testament. Our true enemies are not flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of wickedness of "this present darkness," who often deceive and confuse those of flesh and blood to be the instruments of wickedness and destruction through their words and actions in our lives (Ephesians 6:12). Every day is a new battle. And in this broken and fallen world cloaked under cover of darkness and deception by "the ruler of this world," we are called to "go out to war" (John 12:31, 14:30, and 16:11). As we do, Your light overcomes the darkness by every choice we make to walk in the truth of Your light rather than bowing to the deception of the darkness. You give us the victory as we enforce the victory of Your cross in the power of Your Spirit. "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:31). Sometimes it seems like I am outnumbered and overwhelmed, but I do not fight alone. In fact, I cannot fight alone. Apart from you I would already be defeated. But You are the Priest who stands before me to encourage me and fill me with courage and faith for the battle. You are the Warrior who rises within in me to give me Your heart and to give me Your victory. I need not fear, for You are with me, and by Your Holy Spirit, You are within me. You do not stand back in the safety of Heaven and send me "out to war", You arise in my heart to go out to war through me along with all those who welcome You into their hearts to give us heart for the battles we face on earth. The moment I take we stand in You and allow You to take Your stand in us, our enemy is defeated and the victory is won. "The Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's!" (1 Samuel 17:46) In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Obedience Brings Blessing 3-19-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I worship You, my Father. I welcome You, Holy Spirit. Teach me the wisdom of Your ways and give me the desire to obey Your will. I watch and wait for Your leading in silent surrender before Your throne. ... "You shall keep My sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord. If you follow My statutes and keep My commandments and observe them faithfully, I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and the vintage shall overtake the sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and live securely in your land. And I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid. ... And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be My people" (Leviticus 26:3-12). Obedience brings blessing. You desire from me the obedience of a son, not the obedience of a slave or a hired hand. You desire obedience "from the heart" (Romans 6:17). This is the obedience that comes from the desire to please You and to trust You because I believe You love me and You know what is best for me. If I keep Your sabbaths, I will learn to rest in You. If I reverence Your sanctuary, I will know the place of peace in Your presence. If I lie down from the labors of my flesh and rest in the strength of Your Word and Your will, I will experience the Your love that casts away all my fears and anxieties and stress. As I continually welcome You to walk with me through the moments of my life, I will know with ever-increasing certainty that You are my God and I am Your son. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Clarity 3-18-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I turn my eyes to You. Let the light of Your truth shine into my soul, as I embrace the light of the glory of Your presence here in my heart. ... Last night at The Fountain, I was praying for a woman with deep faith, struggling to persevere through a hard season of anxiety and stress. As I was praying, You impressed upon me to pray for "clarity" -- clarity of thinking, clarity of perspective, clarity of devotion. You seemed to be showing me her weary mind needed peace and rest from the swirl of activity and chaos that seemed to engulf her. And because of the deep heart of compassion and mercy You have given her, she was drawn to carry all these burdens on herself as the enemy of her soul tried to twist her gift of God and use it against her to weigh her down and crush out her strength and hope. As I said "clarity" in my prayer, she burst into tears. You had been leading her to pray for "clarity." After we prayed, she showed me a bracelet she recently bought to remind her to pray. It was called "clarity." Part of the purpose of the words of knowledge You give us in prayer is to let us know in a very specific way that You are watching over us and You are with us in the struggles and sufferings we face (1 Corinthians 12:8). You are reminding us that You have the answers because You are the answer. We can trust Your leadings because we can trust You. Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see You more clearly. Remove the filters and distortions that cloud my thinking and blur my focus. Like sharpening the point of a pencil, narrow my thoughts to the One who knows the answer to every need I have because Your are the answer. You are the Word of Knowledge because You are the Word of God (John 1:1). Let me keep growing in the wisdom of Your ways and in the knowledge of who You are. "Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God know me now" (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we recorded The Fountain last night. If you would like to order a copy of the cd for yourself or to give to others, please send me a note. God bless! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.org Come to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

"I Die Daily" 3-17-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek You and I need You. I welcome You into my heart more deeply each day. Let me continually be emptied of myself and filled with You, as the Father and the Son come and make Your home in my heart by Your Holy Spirit (John 14:23). ... "Then He said to them all, 'If any want to be My followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of Me and My words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels' " (Luke 9:23-26). Yes, Lord Jesus. I want to be Your follower. I want to life the live I was created to live and fulfill the fullness of my calling and destiny in this opportunity I have during this sliver of eternity I live in this earthly body. Remind me daily of this eternal perspective. Remind me daily to live for You and not myself. Remind me daily to choose by Your grace to take up my cross and follow You. As I deny myself, I embrace You, as You continue to come in glory into my heart and life. As Paul said, "I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31, NJKV). As John the Baptist said, "You must increase and I must decrease" (John 3:30, personalized). This is a choice You set before me each day -- to follow the world or follow You, to live for myself or live for You, to be ashamed of You or glorify You. I choose You again this day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you are in the Lexington area, You are invited to Come to The Fountain! this Friday night 3/17 for our monthly, citywide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship -- 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. People come from all traditions and denominations for a time of intimate worship in the presence of the Lord as the Holy Spirit leads. Our prayer ministry team will be available throughout the evening for prayer ministry. Come and bring a friend. Please spread the word that The Fountain is now on the 3rd Friday night instead of Saturday night. All are welcome! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://messiah-ministries.orgDaily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Somebody's Praying 3-16-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I come into the Holy of Holies in prayer under the Blood of the Lamb. By Your grace, give me clean hands and a pure heart, as I lift my face to You in worship and prayer in the first offering of my day. ... "For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to make it holy to the Lord. For a multitude of the people ... had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover other than as prescribed. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, 'The good Lord pardon all who set their hearts to seek God, the Lord the God of their ancestors, even though not in accordance with the sanctuary's rules of cleanness.' The Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the people" (2 Chronicles 30:17-20). In Your mercy, it is Your heart to pardon and to heal all who set their hearts to seek You. You desire obedience and cleansing from sin. You desire hearts that are sanctified completely and set apart entirely unto You. But even in our disobedience You move on the hearts of others to pray for us for Your pardon and Your grace -- a grace that is only available through the Blood of the Passover Lamb. You are "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Thank You for those who are willing to intercede throughout the generations. Thank You for their prayers in submission to the leading of Your Spirit that open a window of Your grace for us. John Wesley said You do nothing except through prayer. It may be that the only reason any of us ever come to a place of setting our hearts to seek God is because someone has been praying, maybe even many generations before they even knew our names. It reminds of the song, "Somebody's praying ... I can feel it." Thank You for hearing their prayers for me. Thank You for putting those prayers on their hearts to pray. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you are in the Lexington area, please Come to The Fountain this Friday night 3/17 for our monthly, citywide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship -- 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. People come from all traditions and denominations for a time of intimate worship in the presence of the Lord as the Holy Spirit leads. Our prayer ministry team will be available throughout the evening for prayer ministry. Come and bring a friend. All are welcome! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://messiah-ministries.orgDaily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Led by the Spirit 3-15-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me listen for Your leading. ... "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Romans 8:14). Lord, increase my sensitivity to the leading of Your Spirit. And increase my willingness to be flexible and obedient to follow. The ways of the Spirit are not the ways of my flesh. My flesh wants certainty and security and conformity. But Your Spirit comes in ways I don't expect and leads me to places I would not have gone. Being led by Your Spirit is part of growing into the maturity of relationship with You. I have to take time to know Your voice and listen for Your leading. I am called to have courage to rise and follow You at the prompting and directing of this spiritual Force as unseen as the wind, but just as real. This spiritual Force is a Personhood of Your Being -- the Holy Spirit of the Living God -- living in me and living through me and all those who are "born of the Spirit" and called by Your name as children of God. Your life on earth is my example. You were "led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" for forty days as You fasted and prayed (Matthew 4:1). Flesh would not choose that, but the Spirit did. "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5). You are freeing me from the weakness of my flesh, encouraging me each day to rise the power of Your Spirit and follow the leading of the will of God, which is often so contrary to my natural thoughts and desires. "The Spirit helps us in our weakness" and "the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (verse 8:26-27). Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit -- the "Sprit of Life in Christ Jesus" (verse 8:2). Thank You for the grace You are giving me to follow Your Spirit where You lead, even when my flesh does not want to go there. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain This Friday Night 3/17 -- the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Paul Cooper will lead in worship and I will lead in prayer. Our prayer ministry team will be available throughout the evening. To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.org Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

"The Battle at the Gate" 3-14-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I open the gates of my heart and soul to You this day. I welcome You in as the King of Glory. ... "In that day the Lord of hosts will be a garland of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of His people; and a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate" (Isaiah 28:5-6). Lord, I want to be among the remnant of Your people. I want to be counted as one who remains faithful and true by Your grace through every wave of judgment that comes and through every battle that is waged. But free me from the confusion of passivity and passivism that sits back waiting for Your return or waiting for You to do what You have called me to do in the power of Your strength and Spirit. In Your strength, let me take my place to obey Your command to "turn back the battle at the gate" of my city, and my family, and my heart. This is a spiritual battle, to be fought with the spiritual weapons of faith and courage, truth and justice, humility and grace. We are to wield "the weapons of our warfare" -- the name of Jesus, the power of Your blood, the sword of Your Spirit in the Word of God, worship and praise that exalts our God and confuses our enemies (2 Corinthians 10:4). "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). We are not to run in fear or to rest in passivism, we are "to stand" and "to withstand in the evil day" the enemy of our souls (verse 6:13). It is an all-volunteer army, but You are calling us and commanding us to volunteer, to be trained, and to be employed at Your command. In the name of Jesus, I renounce the passivity of the confused Christian culture of my generation. Though You came the first time as the gentle Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, You are coming now with fire in Your eyes, a sword in Your hand, and a robe dipped in blood as You lead the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16). "In righteousness He judges and makes war" (verse 19:11). These battles are fought through the choices we make every day. Be victorious in my heart that You can be victorious through my life to turn back the battle of evil forces and sinful flesh at the gates where You call me to take my stand. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you are in the Lexington area, please Come to The Fountain this Friday night 3/17 (not on Saturday any more) for our monthly, citywide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship -- 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. People come from all traditions and denominations for a time of intimate worship in the presence of the Lord as the Holy Spirit leads. Our prayer ministry team will be available throughout the evening for prayer ministry. Come and bring a friend. All are welcome! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://messiah-ministries.orgDaily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

"The Battle at the Gate" 3-14-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I open the gates of my heart and soul to You this day. I welcome You in as the King of Glory. ... "In that day the Lord of hosts will be a garland of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of His people; and a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate" (Isaiah 28:5-6). Lord, I want to be among the remnant of Your people. I want to be counted as one who remains faithful and true by Your grace through every wave of judgment that comes and through every battle that is waged. But free me from the confusion of passivity and passivism that sits back waiting for Your return or waiting for You to do what You have called me to do in the power of Your strength and Spirit. In Your strength, let me take my place to obey Your command to "turn back the battle at the gate" of my city, and my family, and my heart. This is a spiritual battle, to be fought with the spiritual weapons of faith and courage, truth and justice, humility and grace. We are to wield "the weapons of our warfare" -- the name of Jesus, the power of Your blood, the sword of Your Spirit in the Word of God, worship and praise that exalts our God and confuses our enemies (2 Corinthians 10:4). "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). We are not to run in fear or to rest in passivism, we are "to stand" and "to withstand in the evil day" the enemy of our souls (verse 6:13). It is an all-volunteer army, but You are calling us and commanding us to volunteer, to be trained, and to be employed at Your command. In the name of Jesus, I renounce the passivity of the confused Christian culture of my generation. Though You came the first time as the gentle Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, You are coming now with fire in Your eyes, a sword in Your hand, and a robe dipped in blood as You lead the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16). "In righteousness He judges and makes war" (verse 19:11). These battles are fought through the choices we make every day. Be victorious in my heart that You can be victorious through my life to turn back the battle of evil forces and sinful flesh at the gates where You call me to take my stand. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you are in the Lexington area, please Come to The Fountain this Friday night 3/17 (not on Saturday any more) for our monthly, citywide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship -- 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. People come from all traditions and denominations for a time of intimate worship in the presence of the Lord as the Holy Spirit leads. Our prayer ministry team will be available throughout the evening for prayer ministry. Come and bring a friend. All are welcome! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://messiah-ministries.orgDaily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

"The Battle at the Gate" 3-14-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I open the gates of my heart and soul to You this day. I welcome You in as the King of Glory. ... "In that day the Lord of hosts will be a garland of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of His people; and a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate" (Isaiah 28:5-6). Lord, I want to be among the remnant of Your people. I want to be counted as one who remains faithful and true by Your grace through every wave of judgment that comes and through every battle that is waged. But free me from the confusion of passivity and passivism that sits back waiting for Your return or waiting for You to do what You have called me to do in the power of Your strength and Spirit. In Your strength, let me take my place to obey Your command to "turn back the battle at the gate" of my city, and my family, and my heart. This is a spiritual battle, to be fought with the spiritual weapons of faith and courage, truth and justice, humility and grace. We are to wield "the weapons of our warfare" -- the name of Jesus, the power of Your blood, the sword of Your Spirit in the Word of God, worship and praise that exalts our God and confuses our enemies (2 Corinthians 10:4). "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). We are not to run in fear or to rest in passivism, we are "to stand" and "to withstand in the evil day" the enemy of our souls (verse 6:13). It is an all-volunteer army, but You are calling us and commanding us to volunteer, to be trained, and to be employed at Your command. In the name of Jesus, I renounce the passivity of the confused Christian culture of my generation. Though You came the first time as the gentle Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, You are coming now with fire in Your eyes, a sword in Your hand, and a robe dipped in blood as You lead the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16). "In righteousness He judges and makes war" (verse 19:11). These battles are fought through the choices we make every day. Be victorious in my heart that You can be victorious through my life to turn back the battle of evil forces and sinful flesh at the gates where You call me to take my stand. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you are in the Lexington area, please Come to The Fountain this Friday night 3/17 (not on Saturday any more) for our monthly, citywide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship -- 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd. People come from all traditions and denominations for a time of intimate worship in the presence of the Lord as the Holy Spirit leads. Our prayer ministry team will be available throughout the evening for prayer ministry. Come and bring a friend. All are welcome! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://messiah-ministries.orgDaily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Arise and Shine 3-13-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be near to me today, as I willingly and deliberately submit my life into Your hands in these first moments of my day. ... "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life' " (John 8:12). Lord, shine Your light into the depths of my soul like the light of the morning sun shining into the depths of dawn. Light my spirit like a candle so that I will shine with Your light today. As You drive the darkness out of me, then I will be like a lighted candle in Your hand as You carry me throughout the day driving out the darkness wherever You take me. Though my culture and the cultures of the earth are filled with darkness, You have called me to stand out from the darkness and to shine with the light of Your glory in the midst of the darkness. But I can only shine with Your light to the degree that I have embraced Your light and submitted to Your deliverance from the darkness that tries to linger in my soul. By Your grace, I can choose to walk in Your light or linger in the darkness with every decision set before me each day. "For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of the light -- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.... but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it say, 'Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you' " (Ephesians 4:8-14). Help me live in Your light as Your light lives in me more each day. "For it is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). In You, I will "Arise and shine; for my Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon me" (Isaiah 60:1, personalized). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.org Come to The Fountain This Friday Night 3/17 -- now the 3rd Friday night of every month instead of Saturday at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

The Father's Blessing 3-12-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You and my Father are One and You dwell in my heart by Your Holy Spirit. Father, I am Your son. I seek the blessing of Your presence and the inheritance of Your provision in every area of my life again today. ... "By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, 'bowing in worship over the top of his staff' " (Hebrews 11:20-21). My oldest son Zachary and I got away for a little time together yesterday. We were playing golf, but the conversations we had were much more important the shots we made. Zach is fifteen now and this year he has finally achieved one of the goals of his lifetime -- to be taller than me. At my height, it doesn't seem like such a lofty goal, but there is something in the heart of sons that tends to cause them to measure themselves by their fathers. And there is something in fathers that tends to make us want our sons to grow taller, run faster, do better. That's part of what was in Isaac's heart as he blessed his sons and what was in Jacob's heart as he blessed his sons and the sons of his sons. Part of the Father heart of God that You impart to our hearts is the desire to bless our sons and our daughters, to see them go farther than we could go in our generation. Part of the role and calling of the father is to speak life into the hearts of his sons and daughters, to affirm who they are and who they were created to be, to confirm their gifting and calling and anointing, and to celebrate their life and growth and maturity, so that they can pass it on as a blessing to the next generation. Father, forgive us when we fail to represent Your Father heart well. Forgive us when we fail to bless our sons and our daughters -- with our words, our time, our encouragement, our resources. Make up the difference of what they lack from us as You pour Your unfailing love into their hearts and bless them with Your holy hands. Let us be aware of the importance of our words and our presence in their lives and let us make them aware of the importance of allowing Your words and Your presence in their lives. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.org Come to The Fountain This Friday Night 3/17 -- the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

You Hear Me when I Call 3-11-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord and I need You, Lord. So I call to You and wait for the answer of Your manifest presence in my heart. ... When I am weary, You are my strength. When I feel misunderstood, You understand me. When others don't seem to value me, You remind me You created me with purpose and destiny. When I'm rejected, You accept me. When I'm troubled, You are my peace. Let me find my security and my significance in You alone. "But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him" (Psalm 4:3). Lord, keep me faithful to You. Thank You for being faithful to me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Grow in Grace 3-10-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I call You "Lord" because I willingly choose to submit to Your Lordship in every area of my life, as best as I can and all by Your grace. You and my Father are One, and I welcome You to come take charge of my life and fill me afresh with Your life again today. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I submit my will to Your will and my ways to Your ways. I know it is the process of a lifetime, and I thank You for Your patience and Your grace for me in the process. ... "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity" (2 Peter 3:18). Lord, I grow in Your grace as I grow in Your knowledge -- not knowledge about Jesus, but the knowledge of Jesus. You give grace to the humble but resist the proud (1 Peter 5:5). But as long as I am willing to be teachable and willing to yield my thoughts to Your thoughts and my ways to Your ways, You pour out Your grace upon me to learn and to change. In patience and in love, You are making me more like You each day and I am being "conformed to the image" of the Son of God (Romans 8:29). I have so far to go, but eternity is a long time. In the beginning of the process, my thoughts are not Your thoughts and my ways are not Your ways (Isaiah 55:8). But that's only the beginning. As You impart Your grace and Your knowledge to me, You are transforming me by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2). It is Your will that I "have the mind of Christ" -- that Your thoughts become my thoughts and Your ways become my ways. From now until the day of eternity, keep changing my mind and my heart. As the worship song says, "Take my mind, transform it. Take my heart, and form it. Take my will, conform it -- to Yours, to Yours, O Lord. Holiness, Holiness -- is what You want from me." That's what I want from You, because You have put that desire in my mind and my heart by Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Excited for the Adventure 3-9-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before I think about my day, before I even intercede for others, I turn my eyes and my heart to You. In these first moments, let everything else fade away as I narrow my focus on You alone. ... As I try to center my thoughts on You this morning, my quiet, contemplative prayer is being interrupted my little boy, Elijah. He's excited and up early because today is "Donuts with Dads" at his preschool at our church. It was the last thought on his mind last night and the first thought this morning -- though I'm not sure if he's thinking more about the donuts or about the dads. For him, it's an adventure and he is filled with anticipation and excitement for the day. Father, fill my heart with anticipation and excitement for the day. Holy Spirit, arise in my spirit to get up early and come running into the throne room of my Dad in prayer to see where You'll take me today with You. Lord Jesus, let me hear Your voice and sense the leading of Your Spirit, as You call me to come and follow You. "Whoever serves Me, must follow Me, and where I am, My servant will be there also. Whoever serves Me, the Father will honor" (John 12:26). Lord, I am Your servant and Your son. I'm excited to serve You and follow You in the adventure You have planned for us today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, a very close friend of mine is leading an around-the-clock prayer vigil for a very brave little girl named Jackie Black having surgery today in Houston to remove a brain tumor. We're all praying for her complete healing by the hand of God through every means He chooses. My prayer time starts now. Please join with me in prayer for Jackie and as we magnify these prayers in agreement for healing in the power of the blood of Jesus for all those the Lord lays on our hearts. God bless! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502.On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.orgCome to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Our Enemy is Under Our Feet 3-8-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name in prayer as the first words from my mouth this day. ... "The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (Romans 16:20). As we gathered for prayer and praise as one body at my friend Doug Abner's church in Manchester, Kentucky yesterday, he reminded us of Your call to him and the city-wide spiritual leaders of their community a couple of years ago to take a bold stand for Jesus. Their county had become recognized as the "Painkiller Capitol of the Country" with more people per-capita addicted to painkillers than anywhere in America. They were losing an entire generation to death and suicide by those overwhelmed by addiction and depression. But You called your people to pray. And through prayer, You called your people to march through town with banners declaring Your name and Your power to overcome. As they marched, You crushed Satan under their feet. You led them to take courage and serve notice on the drug dealers of their community that the united church of Jesus Christ throughout their county was actively and aggressively praying that every one of them would "get saved or get busted." And they did. Several of them stood at our prayer meeting to praise Your name and thank You for Your conviction and grace and deliverance. Now hundreds of families whose lives were being destroyed and whose lives were destroying others are getting the help for recovery and restoration You provide by the power of the blood of Jesus and the love of God through people willing to take a stand of obedience in faith. "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you" (Joshua 1:3). As Ray Hughes said yesterday, sometimes the pain we're trying to kill is not always because we've hurt our back or stepped on a nail. Sometimes it's because we are overwhelmed by hopeless and discouragement, having lost our identity and forfeited our destiny through our sins and the sins of others against us throughout the generations. But You are redeeming the generations and You are driving out our enemies before us. Then You call us to take our stand and to march forward under the banner of Your name. "Let God rise up, let His enemies be scattered" (Psalm 68:1). Lord Jesus, arise in my heart and in my community and throughout the earth today, as You crush our enemy under our feet. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, it is amazing to see how the government has come to the church and asked for their help in Clay County, Kentucky. Let's pray and be prepared to respond in our communities with both our heart and our hands in these coming days when it become increasingly clear that only Jesus is the answer. Life Line Ministries at Doug's church really needs a Spirit-filled Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor "who loves Jesus" to come help them. Please let us know if that's you or you know who might be. God bless! To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502. On the Web: http://www.messiah-ministries.org Come to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Principalities and Powers Displaced by Unity 3-7-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I worship You Lord God Almighty in spirit and truth -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... "Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given to me by the working of His power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the good news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in Him" (Ephesians 3:7-12). Lord, Your church is not one particular place or even the people gathered together in one particular place. Your church is the gathering of all who believe and who are called by Your name throughout all generations. Though we may worship in different ways and even have different understandings of the meaning of Your Word, we are "one body through the cross" (verse 2:16). And when we come together as one church, setting aside our differences to worship You alone and proclaim the glory of Your name alone, Your power and wisdom is "made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" (verse 3:10). In unity and faith as Your church, we are a witness "to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places" (verse 3:10, NKJV). Today pastors, ministers, intercessors, watchmen, and saints will gather together as Your church from our region in the mountains of Kentucky at Manchester. From the diverse traditions of Your body, we will pray and proclaim as one, under the covering of Your name and in the power of Your name. As one we are Your church. And as one, we are empowered with the authority of Your name to take our stand for You in our region. The rulers and authorities, the principalities and powers of darkness in the heavenly places over this region will be pushed back by the power of the light of Your glory, as Your name is high and lifted up in the heavenlies. "God put this power to work in Christ when He raised Him from the dead as seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has made Him head over all things for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (verse 1:20-23). Praise You, Lord God Almighty! Give me humility and faith to join my brothers and sisters of Your body from every tribe and tongue and nation and denomination in our region. When we gather in unity, You command Your blessing for all Your people (Psalm 133). Let the principalities and powers of darkness be pushed back further every time we gather as one church under the one name that is "above every name" -- Jesus. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502. On the Web: http://messiah-ministries.org Come to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com

Spiritual Leadership 3-6-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. No one comes to the Father, but through You. And no one comes to You unless the Spirit draws them. Holy Spirit, I thank You for drawing me to Jesus. Lord Jesus, I thank You for perfectly revealing to me my Father. Heavenly Father, I thank You for welcoming me into the embrace of Your arms as Your son. ... Today I'll travel to Corbin, Kentucky to speak with the pastoral staff of one of Your churches on spiritual leadership. In this main-line denominational church, someone spoke a word of prophecy in tongues and someone else interpreted Your message to the church a few Sundays ago. That apparently doesn't happen every Sunday in their church -- or mine. But maybe it should. You give us guidelines and principles in Your Word of how to embrace the freedom of Your Spirit and the words You speak to us through the spiritual gifts You have given us as the body of Christ on earth (1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14). "So my friends, be eager to prophecy, and do not forbid the speaking in tongues; but all things should be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:39-40). Though I have so much left to learn, You have been teaching me how to facilitate the flow and ministry of Your Holy Spirit in our ministry's monthly gatherings for prayer, praise, and healing worship at The Fountain. We gather from many different traditions and streams of the body of Christ to seek Your face and welcome Your presence. Every month is a little different because Your move and mercies are always fresh and new, alive with the life of Your Spirit. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). Maybe one of the most important principles of spiritual leadership You have taught me is to facilitate the freedom of the Spirit of God moving through one another to encourage and edify us all. It's risky, but it's right. There are mistakes, but there is Your mercy. How can we grow up "to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" unless we are willing to step out in faith and step in to Your presence through a desperate dependence upon You that we can't completely order and control ourselves? Paul expressed this principle of spiritual leadership this way: "My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). Like childbirth, this kind of spiritual leadership can be risky and painful, but it's worth it. It was worth it to You to endure the pain You did to make the mercy of God and the freedom of the Spirit available to us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching and prayer dvd's for spiritual transformation through inner healing and deliverance, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, Kentucky 40502. On the Web: http://messiah-ministries.org Come to The Fountain the 3rd Friday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: http://morningbymorning.injesus.com