Looking Forward in Faith 12-27-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I watch for Your coming and wait for Your leading. ... "Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him what customary under the law, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God ...." (Luke 2:25-28). Simeon sought You and held You, persisting in faith through the years of watching and waiting for You. He was "looking forward" in faith -- "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Your Spirit gave him the revelation of promises to come and the faith to persevere in prayer for the fulfillment of those promises. His faith and his prayers were not in vain, though I'm sure there must have been many days he was tempted to question whether Your word to him would ever come to pass. Lord, release that anointing of Simeon in our days to persevere in faith and prayer for the fulfillment of Your promises. Your prophecies are our promises if we will persist by Your grace. They are invitations to agree with You and receive from You. Just as You taught us in the Lord's prayer, even though Your Word proclaims in many ways that Your kingdom will come and Your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven, our part is to pray Your promises and seek Your Presence until every prophecy comes to pass. By Your grace, Simeon did his part to see Your promises fulfilled in his generation. And I pray for that same grace and persistence in persevering faith and prayer for ours'. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us for our Greater Lexington Strategic Prayer Summit '08 on Jan 11-12 in Lexington -- "Know our Calling, Fulfill our Destiny." With key prayer and worship leaders, we will join in prayer, praise, and proclamation for the fulfillment of the Lord's promises and prophecies for His Church in our city and region. A flyer for the Prayer Summit and our School of Spiritual Ministry Jan 21-24 in Lexington is attached. Write 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

Merry Christmas!

"For a Child has been born for us, a Son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) Merry Christmas and God bless you! From Tommy & Tricia Hays & Messiah Ministries www.messiah-ministries.org

The Gift of God 12-25-07

"To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11). Happy Birthday, Jesus -- our Savior, Messiah, and Lord. On this day when we give gifts to one another around the world, we celebrate that You have given us the greatest gift of all. "For a Child has been born for us, a Son given to us" (Isaiah 9:6). In the mystery of Your extravagant love and grace, it is "for us" that You were born and "to us" that You were given. And "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). You gave Your gift at a tree two thousand years ago -- the gift of salvation through Your sacrifice of love at the Cross. It's a free gift of "eternal salvation for all" (Hebrews 5:9). You don't want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). You are "God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:2-4). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16). This day, let there be no unopened gifts under Your Tree. Let all who will, freely receive the Gift of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Merry Christmas! and God bless you! from Tommy, Tricia, Elizabeth, Zachary, Madison, Elijah, and Josiah 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

The One We Desire 12-24-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. It's Christmas Eve and all the world is pregnant with anticipation for the celebration of Your birth. I join in their anticipation, watching and waiting for Your coming. ... "Paul said, 'John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the One who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus' " (Acts 19:4). Are You the One? The One we've been waiting for. Are You the One? The One our hearts yearn to adore. All the world awaits Your coming With seeking hearts and eager longing We look for the One to come. Whether we know it or not, we each long for Your coming. You've created us to need You, to seek You, to never be fulfilled without You. We were created for You (Colossians 1:16). And You have longed to come to us, in the fullness of time, to reveal the Father's heart through the Son (Galatians 4:4). You are Jesus. You are the One to come. Come, Lord Jesus. You are "the Desire of all nations" (Haggai 2:7, KJV). "O Lord, we wait for You; Your name and Your renown are the soul's desire. My soul yearns for You in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks You" (Isaiah 26:8-9). 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

Signs and Wonders of His Love 12-23-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You humbled Yourself to come in a manger. I'm amazed You humble Yourself to come in my heart. But I welcome You here in response to Your extravagant grace and unfailing love. ... "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.' So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Child lying in the manger" (Luke 2:15-16). Your signs and wonders are for a purpose -- to draw us to You. They are signs of Your heavenly dimension made manifest in our earthly dimension to help reveal to us the wonders of Your love and the glory of Your manifest Presence among us. When the angels appeared to the shepherds, their hearts were moved and they moved with haste to come into Your Presence. Lord, in our day, send Your angels; manifest the signs and wonders of Your Presence among us. Open Your heavenly realms and open our earthly eyes to behold Your glory. Move our hearts to seek You; awaken our spirits to embrace You. "I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give (us) a spirit of wisdom and revelation as (we) come to know (You), so that, with the eyes of (our) hearts enlightened, (we) may know what is the hope to which (You) have called (us), what are the riches of (Your) glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of (Your) power for us who believe, according to the working of (Your) great power" (Ephesians 1:17-19). 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

Clothed in Love 12-22-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the Father revealed in the flesh, and I welcome Your Holy Spirit into mine. ... " 'This shall be a sign for you: you will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger' " (Luke 2:12). At Your birth, You were wrapped in bands of cloth and laid in a manger. At Your death, You were wrapped in bands of cloth and laid in a tomb (Luke 23:53). The Child of Bethlehem was born to die as our Savior on the Cross. You were clothed in cloth, in life and in death, so we could be clothed in Christ, as we die to ourselves and live in You (Galatians 3:27). Your sacrifice to set aside the glory of heaven to come humble Yourself in human flesh -- to allow human flesh to lay Your body in a manger or a tomb, to hear You and receive You or to reject You and condemn You, to bow down before You or to nail You high on a cross -- is the sign of Your love for us. God the Father, humbling Yourself in God the Son, that we might be clothed with You and filled by You in God the Holy Spirit. You are God, and You are Love, so as I clothe myself with You, I clothe myself in Your nature by Your grace. "Above all, clothe yourselves with Love" (Colossians 3:14). 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

Merry and Missing 12-21-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. The first thought in my mind and the first sound in my day is Your name. ... "There was also a prophet, Anna ... a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and speak about the Child to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel" (Luke 2:36-38). Christmas is a time to be merry, celebrating the birth of this Child who changes our lives. And for a season -- despite all the efforts to secularize it, materialize it, and marginalize it -- even our hardened, politically correct culture is still filled with greetings of "Merry Christmas," our radio waves are filled with Christmas songs, our lawns are filled with shepherds and angels, and our hearts are filled with joy and cheer. Christmas is a world-wide celebration of the birth of Christ. But it's also a time of missing those we love, who we wish could be with us to celebrate this joy of this season. Anna, the worshipper, never left the temple because she loved You and praised You day and night, always sensing Your Presence. But also Anna, the widow, never went home, where she must have missed the one she loved, maybe always sensing his absence. So there's room in our hearts to be both merry and missing the ones we love. You are our hope and our peace. You are the redemption of Israel and all things, bringing great tidings of comfort and joy, lifting our loneliness, stirring our hearts, drawing us together to worship You and celebrate You in the temple of Your Presence. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Please put on your calendars our City-Wide Strategic Prayer Summit January 11-12 in Lexington to join us if you can and pray with us if you can't. Write for details and a flyer is attached. Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.injesus.com/

"Overwhelmed with Joy" 12-20-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me deep into Your Presence as I focus my thoughts and open my heart to You alone in these first moments of my morning. ... "When they heard the king, (the wise men) set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy" (Mathew 2:9-10). To seek You is faith; to find You is joy. These wise men followed the witness of creation and the Word of God to find the One their hearts where drawn to seek (v. 2:1-8). When they found You, they worshipped You. They opened their treasure chests to You, with giving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh out of the joy of their hearts in finding the Messiah (v. 2:11). Lord Jesus, You are the Messiah of Israel, the Christ of all nations. You are "the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16). You are Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). And all who seek You with all their hearts will find You (Jeremiah 29:13). By the leading of Your grace, I have sought You and I have found You. I am overwhelmed with joy. I bow down before You, worship and adore You. I open my chest and offer You the treasure of all that I have. I give You the gifts of the gold of my heart, the incense of my prayers, and the myrrh of the surrender of my will to Yours'. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 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 See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

Seek Him and Adore Him 12-19-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the One who is and who was and who is to come (Revelation 1:8). Come now into my thoughts and my heart and my day, I pray. ... "In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the Child who has been born King of the Jews? For we observed His star at its rising, and have come to pay Him homage" (Matthew 2:1-2). As they say, "Wise men still seek Him." The stars and the incredible intricacy of Your design of all creation move upon the hearts of all but the most proud to acknowledge there is One who is Creator. "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). "Ever since the beginning of the world (Your) eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things (You) have made. So (we) are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). As with these wise men, You often use the glory of Your creation to lead us to the Creator. The vain philosophy of life by accident insults the intelligence You have given us. The profound complexity and intelligent design of the heavens above and firmament below leave us all without excuse to seek the One who created us seek You and know You, to worship and adore You. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:15-16). "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 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

Awake and Obey 12-18-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name, seek out Your face, and reach out for Your Presence. ... "When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a Son; and he named Him Jesus" (Matthew 1:24-25). You gave Joseph great faith and great courage to believe Mary's story of a miraculous conception and to believe You would confirm her word by Your word through an angel in a dream. But with that gift of faith and courage, Joseph was free to choose to believe or not, to obey or not. By Your grace, he woke up, he discerned Your truth, and he chose well to trust and obey. He had the honor of naming the Son of God. Give me great faith to believe Your miraculous signs and to hear Your words through the ways You choose to speak to me. Give me great courage to choose well with the freedom You give to trust Your words and obey Your commands. As I wake up each day from sleep, open my eyes to seek Your face, open my ears to hear Your voice, and open my heart to welcome Your Presence. I will have the honor of the joy and peace that comes from living in the trusting surrender of communion with You and obedience to Your words. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 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

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.