Joseph's Choice of Mercy 12-17-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I come now before You, to worship and adore You, and welcome You into every moment of my day. ... "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way. When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins' " (Matthew 1:18-21). Before the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, he had a choice to make -- to demand judgment or release mercy. Under the law, if a virgin engaged to be married, found to have had relations with another man could have been stoned at the city gate along with that man (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). "But just when" Joseph choose mercy rather than judgment, the angel appeared to him and spoke to him. Joseph showed himself to be "a righteous man" in his actions by what he had resolved in his heart. "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:12-13). Like Joseph, Lord give me a heart of mercy, not always insisting on my just judgment of those I feel have wronged me or violated my trust. There is room for justice and just judgment, but You also desire there to be room for mercy. You have shown great mercy to each of us by coming to "save (Your) people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). You were conceived and born in the midst of mercy. Then one day You died to release mercy to us all. Thank You for saving me from my sins. Thank You for making room for mercy in Your heart. Give me Your heart of mercy toward others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Prepare His Way" 12-16-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You increase as I decrease. You speak as I listen. ... "And you child will called prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:76-79). John had the spirit of Elijah. You said he was "the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You' " (Matthew 11:10-14). In the days of anticipation of the celebration of Your birth, send Your Spirit to prepare the way. In the days of anticipation of Your return, send Your Spirit to prepare the way. Though we live in a broken, fallen world, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, we look forward to the day Your dawn from on high will break upon us again (1 Thessalonians 4:16). On that day You will come in the skies, but we welcome You each day before then to come in our hearts as Your Spirit prepares the way of the Lord in us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Life in the Womb of Mary 12-15-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit; come be One in me through the communion of the Spirit in prayer (1 Corinthians 6:17). ... "Then (John the Baptist's) father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: 'Blessed by the Lord God of Israel, for He has looked favorable on His people and redeemed them. He has raised up a Mighty Savior for us in house of His servant David, as He spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets from of old ... that we might swerve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days" (Luke 1:67-75). Zechariah proclaimed in the Spirit the coming of the Messiah of Israel. Yet at the time he proclaimed it, You were already conceived by the Holy Spirit in the human womb of Mary but not yet born. Life begins before birth -- at the conception of life in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). Your spiritual life is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting, as Son of God; but Your physical life began at conception in the womb of Mary as Son of Man (Philippians 2:5-8). After conception but before birth, Zechariah was able to proclaim already that God the Father had already looked upon His people, had already redeemed them, and had already raised up a Mighty Savior. Your physical life as Messiah, like each of ours, began at conception and before birth. Lord Jesus, as we celebrate in this season of Christmas Your supernatural conception and Your glorious birth, You are also reminding of the sacredness of life in the womb. We are created by God with calling and purpose and destiny, knit together by Your hands in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). Continue to convict us, so You can forgive us and heal us and deliver us as a people from the sin of abortion, as we turn to You in repentance and faith. Cleanse and heal our hearts and our land as we honor Your Life and all life in these days. You are our Messiah, our Mighty Savior, our Healer and our Redeemer -- the "Light to the Nations" (Isaiah 42:6). Awaken us into newness of life to serve You "in holiness and righteousness before (You) all our days." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Out of the Lowly Places 12-14-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are Emanuel. You are God with us. ... "All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child" (Luke 2:3-5). The Jewish prophets declared long before the days of Joseph and Mary that the Child who would be born the Messiah of Israel would be a descendant of the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7). He would come forth from the generational line of King David (v. 11:1-2). And the light of His glory would shine forth from Galilee (v. 9:1-2). Yet, this holy Child would be born in Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah (Micah 5:2). Just as His earthly father Joseph, this Child would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, yet he would grow up and live in Nazareth of the region of Galilee. Apparently Nazareth was seen as a lowly place in those days. It was asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). And the place of Your birth was a lowly place as well -- in the manger of a stable in the very city where You were a descendant of the King (Luke 2:7). You love to chose "what is low and despised in the world" to be the places where You display Your glory (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). Lord, take the low places of weakness, failure, sorrow, sadness, brokenness, and shame in my life. Let the light of glory shine through these places -- how You love me and give Your life for me even when I sin; how You save me and raise me up from times of hurt and pain; how You keep healing me and freeing me and sending me out to love others with the love You have given me. Thank You, Jesus. You resist the proud, but give grace to the humble. And for all who will admit our desperate dependence on You, You lift us up and let the light of glory shine through -- even out of the most lowly places of our lives (James 4:6-10). If we give it to You, if we keep giving ourselves to You, You cause good to come out of it all in Your timing and in Your way (Romans 8:28). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I can send you a Postcard Flyer for sharing with dates for the City-Wide Strategic Prayer Summit (Jan 11-12, 2008) and for our next School of Spiritual Ministry (Jan 21-24, 2008) if you request it by email to me at: MessiahMin@aol.com Save the date for our City-wide Strategic Prayer Summit to begin the new year in prayer, praise, and proclamation January 11-12, 2008. We'll have a number of city-wide and regional prayer leaders leading us to "Know Our Calling and Fulfill Our Destiny" as the Body of Christ in our city. Our ministry will host it at Church of the Savior. Write or call Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com for details and please spread the word! Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Blessing of Fulfillment 12-13-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I watch and wait for the leading of Your Spirit. ... "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord" (Luke 1:45). I believe You are always speaking to us -- always reminding us of who we are in You and who You are in us, always leading us into the fulfillment of our destiny in our generation. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Romans 8:14). We are to created to hear Your voice and follow where You lead (John 10:3). But we can hear and fail to believe. We can believe and fail to follow. "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it" (Luke 11:28). Mary heard Your word and believed it and obeyed it. Blessed was she, as You fulfilled Your word through her life. Help me be quiet enough in my spirit to hear Your voice and sensitive enough to sense Your leading. Help me be have faith enough to believe what I hear and courage enough to obey it. You created me -- like each of Your children -- with identity, calling, and destiny (Ephesians 1:11-14). Let me never grow satisfied, complacent, or passive, until Your word for my life is fulfilled for Your purposes to the praise of Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be speaking on the blessing and power of gratitude at the Celebrate Recovery ministry at my home church, Centenary in Lexington, tonight. All are welcome. If you're in the area, please come join us for a meal, praise and worship, a message of hope, time of sharing with one another in small groups, and prayer. www.CRLex.com Save the date for our City-wide Strategic Prayer Summit to begin the new year in prayer, praise, and proclamation January 11-12, 2008. We'll have a number of city-wide and regional prayer leaders leading us to "know our calling and fulfill our destiny" as the Body of Christ in our city. Our ministry will host it at Church of the Savior. Write or call Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com for details and please spread the word! Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Emmanuel, God with Us 12-12-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my thoughts and in the foundation of my day. ... "In those days Mary set out with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb' " (Luke 1:33-42). The child in Elizabeth's womb recognized the Child in Mary's womb -- not by words, not sight, but spirit to Spirit. John the Baptist, even before his birth, was "filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 15). Then so was his mother Elizabeth (v. 41), so was his father Zechariah (v. 67), and so was Mary (v. 35). Their human spirits leaped with joy by the stirring of the Holy Spirit. God became flesh in the womb of Mary (John 1:14; Philippians 2:7). Their spirits could not contain the joy of the Presence of God in their midst -- "Emmanuel" -- God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). As the Holy Spirit leaped with joy in the hearts of all those in Your Presence, Mary sang out, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). Lord Jesus, God my Savior, I welcome Your Presence in every area of my life. Let my spirit continually rejoice in Your Spirit. Let me be filled with the Holy Spirit as I magnify Your name and marvel at Your truth -- God is with us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you're in the Lexington area, please save the date for our City-wide Strategic Prayer Summit to begin the new year in prayer, praise, and declaration January 11-12, 2008. We'll have a number of city-wide and regional prayer leaders leading us to "know our calling and fulfill our destiny" as the Body of Christ in our city. Our ministry will host it at Church of the Savior. Write or call Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 for details and please spread the word! Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Response of Faith 12-11-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me follow as You lead; help me listen as You speak. ... "Then Mary said, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word' " (Luke 1:38). When the angel Gabriele declared, "Nothing shall be impossible for God," Mary responded in faith, "Here am I" (v. 37). Lord, let Mary's response be my response. Whether You send an angel, bring a thought to my mind, speak to my heart, stir in my spirit, show me an image, emphasis a verse of Your Scripture, open a door that only You could open, or any other way You choose to speak to me, let my response be the response of faith -- "Here am I." Give me grace to be sensitive Your voice. And give me faith to be obedient to Your call. "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23, NKJV). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Born of the Virgin Mary 12-10-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and open up my soul and welcome in Your Spirit. Possess me with the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). ... "Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be holy; He will be called Son of God' " (Luke 1:34-35). You were conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. It seems to me that those who don't believe in Your virgin birth don't really believe in "the power of the Most High." And a powerless god is no god at all. So they may say they know You, but do they really know You at all? They may say they depend upon You, but do they depend upon You and Your power or do they just depend upon themselves and their own power and call it "God?" Forgive me for any times that I have tolerated that deception as theological diversity -- that's the blasphemy of arrogant pride, the deception of humanism masquerading as faith. It is of the spirit of "antichrist" (2 John 7). A "christ" that was not born of a virgin, according to the Word of God, is no Christ at all. "Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also" (1 John 2:22-23). Holy Spirit of the Living God, cleanse the heart and soul of the Body of Christ. Deliver us from deception, humble us of arrogant pride, and restore us to faithfulness as true witnesses of Your uncompromised truth. The virginity of Mary speaks of the calling to purity of the Church that is "holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). This is the Church You want to overshadow and possess with the power of the Most High. This is the Church of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, proclaiming the True Christ as Savior and Lord for all the world to hear and see. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

No Ordinary Child 12-09-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek You with all my heart. ... "The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end' " (Luke 1:30-33). Isaiah had prophesied eight hundred years before Mary's encounter with the angel that a Child would be born to the throne of David who would be no ordinary Child. His authority would "grow continually" and His kingdom of justice and righteousness would last "forevermore" (Isaiah 9:6-7). This Child would come from "Galilee of the nations" to establish His kingdom throughout all nations (v. 1). Though this Child would be born, as any other child, He would be "born for us" (v. 6). This Child of promise and destiny, though born of human flesh, would be unlike any child ever born before. "He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (v. 6). He would be born form the womb of Mary in the City of David as "a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11). Lord Jesus, You are both Son of the Most High and You are Everlasting Father. You are born of human flesh, yet You are Mighty God. You are the Child of promise who has fulfilled Your destiny, born to die for us that we might live forever in You (John 3:16). Praise Your holy name. Let Your kingdom grow continually in my heart and throughout all the earth forevermore. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Favored One 12-08-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I wait upon You in the quietness of my soul, I prepare room for You in the anticipation of my heart. ... "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you' "(Luke 1:26-28). Mary was favored for You were with her. Your favor is the grace of Your Presence in our lives. The angel said Mary "found favor with God" (v. 30). Lord, how to I find favor with You? It seems I hear You say, "My son, you find favor with Me as you seek Me with all your heart. As you seek Me, as you open your heart to Me, here I am." Yes, Lord. By Your grace, I do seek You. I seek the favor of Your Presence. I welcome You and embrace You here in my heart and in every area of my life. "For whoever finds Me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 8:35). Thank You for Your promises, "When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart, I will let you find Me, says the Lord" (Jeremiah 29:13-14). Like Mary, I want to be a favored one. Wake me every morning to hunger for You, to seek after You, to never be satisfied without more of You in my life. This is the heart after God that finds favor in Your sight. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com Check out AOL Money & Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007.

Hanukkah Fulfilled in the Messiah 12-07-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Light of the world, shine in my soul. ... "At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you and you do not believe.... The Father and I are One.' The Jews took up stones to stone Him" (John 10:22-31). The Festival of Dedication is called Hanukkah today, celebrated by Jewish people around the world for these eight days of the Festival of Lights. As I understand the history (1 and 2 Maccabbees -- from the non-canonical books), this feast celebrates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem in 175 B.C. The Syrian king Antiochus IV, who called himself Antiochus Epiphanes (the visible god), declared himself to be god and desecrated the Jewish temple with the blood sacrifice of a pig on the altar. Filled with the holy anger of God, a Jewish priest named Matthias Maccabbee pulled down the altar and led a miraculous rebellion with Judah Maccabbee and Matthias' other sons the defeat the vast Syrian army. When they rededicated the temple, there was only enough consecrated oil to light the sacred menorah (seven branched candelabra) and keep it burning one night. But the oil continued to burn and shine the light for eight days, the days required to make more of the consecrated oil to light the lamp commanded to never burn out in the temple. So today, a nine-branched menorah is used for this festival of dedication and lights, as they take the center candle and light the other eight candles, one each night for each night of the miracle of the light which continued to burn. All the festivals and feasts, like all the law and the prophets, are ultimately fulfilled in You. They are signs that point to the One to come. You said "I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12). You said, "I and the Father are One" (v. 10:30). You are the Light that never burns out. You are One with the Father, shining Your Light in the hearts and of all who believe, by Your Holy Spirit living in us. When You declared that You were the Messiah, that You were God's Son, that You were One with the Father, many of the Jews that day wanted to stone You, shrieking, "You, though only a human being, are making yourself God" (v. 33). But a remnant came to You, and "many believed" (v. 42). Lord, open my eyes to see You as You are. Open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles alike to see that You are the Messiah, the Light of the World, "the refection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very Being" (Hebrews 1:3). Come and pull down the false altars in our hearts and take Your rightful place in the temple of our souls. Let our bodies be the temple of Your Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). "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 Jesus name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Celebrate His Goodness 12-06-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Welcome into my thoughts, my desires, and my day. ... "After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months remained in seclusion. She said, 'This is what the Lord has done for me when He looked favorably upon me and took away the disgrace I endured among the people' " (Luke 1:24-25). For five months, Elizabeth hid her testimony of Your power and grace in her life. You miraculously answered her prayers for a child, but she was too afraid to tell anybody. I suppose she waited until her belly was big enough and her baby could kick hard enough that no one could mock her and shame her any more. And one day she spoke out, "Look what the Lord has done for me!" Lord, forgive us for keeping Your power a secret. Thank You being patient and understanding with us when we are bound by fear of rejection and wounded by the shame of the past. And praise You for loving us enough to never leave us there, but making a way to release Your power, break our bondage, and heal our wounds. Give us courage to testify and experience the joy of sharing the good news of all You have done. Then those who have rejected us can rejoice with us, as we celebrate Your goodness and mercy and power together (v. 58). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Supernatural Signs of God's Presence through Corporate Prayer 12-05-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. By Your grace, I give as much of me as I can to You and receive as much of You as I can in me. Lord God Almighty -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- come abide in me as I surrender to You, I pray. ... "Once when (Zechariah) was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense" (Luke 1:8-11). The angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah in the temple, "when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside" (v. 10). Somehow I've missed that part through all the Christmas seasons of reading these Christmas stories in Your Word. The angelic visitation came when the people gathered together in corporate prayer. You hear us when we pray alone, but at the same time, gathering together in the agreement of prayer with one another is a key spiritual principle to experiencing the supernatural manifestations of Your Presence among us. As You said long ago, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20). Lord, we are hungry for Your Presence among us. We are hungry for the supernatural "signs and wonders" of Your power to change our lives and the witness of Your power to change the lives of those around us in our churches and communities (Hebrews 2:4). As Zechariah served You, while people gathered together in corporate prayer with You, You answered the prayers of his heart (Luke 1:13). Awake within us this desire to join together in prayer, that the needs and desires of those around us may be answered in Your power. You answered Zechariah's prayer by giving him a son, name John the Baptist, who would change the world by preparing hearts for the first coming of our Messiah, Jesus the Christ (v. 17). By the miracle of multiplication, those answered prayers changed Zechariah and Elizabeth's lives, the lives of all their generation, and countless generations to follow -- including our own and those to follow us. Give us grace to serve You and to seek You. Give us wisdom to join together in the power of corporate prayer, with expectant hearts to experience Your supernatural power. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Barrenness will be Broken 12-04-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I wait before You, watching for You, to welcome You into every moment of my day. ... "In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years" (Luke 1:5-7). We can live a righteous, religious life, going by all the rules, and still be barren. If we are not careful, we slip into a religious rut of what becomes familiar, orderly, and controllable, "holding on to the outward form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:5). Like Zechariah the priest, we can even be about the work of the church, while filled with doubt and unbelief of the promises and power of God (Luke 1:18-20). But in these days, You are beginning to silence the voice of the old order, to humble us until we hunger for the manifestation of Your supernatural power in our lives, our churches, and our communities (v. 20). The day we believe and act in obedience, despite our self-centered concerns for our self-promoted reputations, our voice will return to praise Your name and proclaim Your power with authority and faith (v. 59-64). In that day, even those of the old order and "the mainline" of religious tradition will be "filled with the Holy Spirit" and prophecy Your of promises and power (v. 67). Like Elizabeth, You will take away our "disgrace" of religion without power and ministry without fruit, and pour out Your favor (v. 24-25). And as Elizabeth, Your power will produce faith, just as "Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 41). You will fill the wombs of our hearts and our churches with new life, to birth generations to come who will be "prophet(s) of the Most High" and "go before the Lord to prepare His ways" (v. 76). Yes, Lord. "By the tender mercy of God, the Dawn from on high will break upon us" (v. 78). Our barrenness will be broken. And we will arise and shine, for our Light has come, and the glory of the Lord risen upon us (Isaiah 60:1). We will be a people who live in the glory of Your presence, proclaiming Your name and Your power for all to come and behold You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Pray in the Holy Spirit" 12-03-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek You first. ... "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life" (Jude 20-21). Lord, teach me to pray in the Holy Spirit -- not in my flesh, not in my will, but in Your Spirit. Whether with words of earthly language or heavenly language, let them be Your words released through Your vessel to accomplish Your purposes. Build me up in faith, keep me close in love, guide me forward in mercy, as I learn to draw deeply from You in the Spirit of prayer. Use my mind, but don't let my mind get in the way of Your thoughts; use my tongue but don't let my words get in the way of Your Word (1 Corinthians 14:15). Send forth Your Word by Your Spirit through my prayers in submission to Your will and according to Your purpose (Romans 8:26-27). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

All Consuming Fire 12-02-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Purify me, as I glorify You. ... "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may He so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints" (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13). I confess that I am not yet blameless before You. So strengthen my heart in holiness, that I may be ready to receive You at Your coming. By Your grace and in Your power, I choose to obey Your command -- "Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). I hear Your Holy Spirit forming the words of a new song in my human spirit now: All Consuming Fire, Burn within my heart. Come make me More holy. Come set my heart ablaze. All Consuming Fire, Purify my desires. Come prepare me To meet You. Come set my heart ablaze. All Consuming Fire, Fill my life with Your Power. Come make me More like You. Come set my heart ablaze. "For God did not call us to impurity, but in holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). "For this is the will of God, your sanctification ..." (v. 4:3). Yes, Lord. I pursue You and Your nature. Come make me more holy; come prepare me to meet You; come make me more like You each day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Counsel and Wisdom of God 12-01-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of every thought, word, and deed today. ... "You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me with honor. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73-24-26). When I was a lawyer, people sought my legal counsel. Now as a spiritual director, people seek my spiritual counsel. But I have no counsel to give of any value and of any wisdom but the counsel that You have given me. You are the "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6). You are "the Spirit of Wisdom" (v. 11:2). And I have no wisdom apart from You. Forgive me when I have thought and acted as though I did, and release Your grace to those who acted upon the words and counsel of a fool who spoke out of his own wisdom instead of Yours. Help me humble myself each day to seek Your counsel and Your wisdom, to let You form Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Then what I have to share will be "God-given wisdom" to solve the God-sized problems that only You can (Ezra 7:25). "And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:13). Lord, fill me with Your Spirit of Wisdom. Guide me with Your counsel each day. I need it, I seek it, and I receive it by faith, according to Your will. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Redemption, Not Replacement, for Israel 11-30-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek Your face and listen for Your voice. ... "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression of the remnant of Your possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as You have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old" (Micah 17:18-20). Some say You have rejected Israel and replaced her with the Church. But Your Word says no matter what her sins or how long she persists in her rebellion of doubt and unbelief, You will not forget her and You will persist in Your pursuit of her heart, for the remnant of Your possession. You will show Your faithfulness and unswerving loyalty to her, in honor of Your "everlasting covenant" with her (Genesis 17:7). All her sins, like all of mine and those of all who turn to You in repentance and faith, will be cast into the depths of the sea. "On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity" (Zechariah 13:1). "And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, 'Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; He will banish ungodliness from Jacob.' And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins" (Romans 11:26-27). Thank You for being a God who delights in mercy, who has compassion to pardon our iniquities and pass over our transgressions when we turn in repentance and faith to look upon the One we have pierced with our sins of rebellion and unbelief (Zechariah 12:10). My loving, merciful, and compassionate God, "Who is a God like You?" In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 http://www.messiah-ministries.org/Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.injesus.com/

Roadmap to Life and Peace 11-29-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my life and this day be rooted and grounded in You. ... "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Show me the places where I'm taking the easy road. Give me courage to take the hard road -- not just because it's hard, but because it leads to life. I want to follow Your roadmap to life and peace. You said, "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). You are the Life and You are the Light (v. 14:6). Shine Your light on the road before me today in every choice I will make that will lead to life. It will likely not be the road that many take, but only the few who find it. But by faith, I know I will find it today; because by grace, I have found You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Entrust and Abide 11-28-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, abide in me by Your Spirit, I pray. ... "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God" (1 John 4:13-15). Lord, what does it really mean to "abide in You?" It seems I hear You say, "To abide in Me is to willingly entrust yourself completely to Me, to allow Me to conform you to My nature." Yes, Lord. By Your grace, I welcome You to live in me. Come, Holy Spirit of the Living God, and abide in me (John 14:15-17). Make my thoughts more like Your thoughts and my desires more like Your desires. Teach me and correct me, lead me and change me, to make me more like You each day. I welcome the ark of Your Presence into the tabernacle of my heart. Let the light of Your glory vanquish the darkness of my soul. Let Your cross crucify my flesh. All by your grace and in response to Your love and Your will, I willing entrust myself completely to, as best as I can each moment at a time. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays For my friends in our area, please come join us today at noon downtown at the Kentucky Theater for Worship on Wednesdays with Rob Poindexter. He's making a live recording of a worship CD from the city-wide church at the heart of our city: www.rpm-wow.org Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com