Peace Will Prevail 2-4-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. The storms of thunder and rain have not ceased through the night. But make them cease in my soul as I settle in to listen for the leading of Your Spirit this day. ... Through the night And through the storm Through the torrent That rages on. I will hold on to the hand Of the One in whom I stand. You are near to my side You are here and You're alive. So I will not be afraid I will never be dismayed. I will rise and take my stand As You stretch out Your mighty hand. Demons flee and storms subside On Your words angels ride. Peace, be still, in my soul. Peace, arise, because I know My God reigns through every storm, My God reigns for ever more. "He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' Then the wind ceased and there was dead calm" (Mark 4:39). Even as I'm journaling my prayer, the winds have ceased this morning. Mighty are You, O Lord. The wind and sea obey You. I hear nothing now but dead calm. Though the wind and storm may be raging just miles from here, You've commanded them to be still here in the peace of Your Presence with me. Though You hold all heaven and earth in Your hands -- Your nail-scarred hands -- You also know every hair on the head on every child and every desire in every heart. You're amazing and You're love is unfailing. And though the winds and the rains may return on the outside, Your peace will prevail in my soul this day by Your power and grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free 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

"Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ" 2-1-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the One who is and who was and who is to come. Come into my heart and every moment of my day. ... "Yet whatever gains I had, I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-8). Compared to knowing You, it's as if nothing else matters. And, while of course, all the people and relationships of my life matter beyond measure, knowing You is of surpassing value and of infinite significance. That is not to diminish everything and everyone else. It is to emphasis the paramount importance of my relationship with You (Luke 14:26). Without You, literally nothing else matters. But by Your grace and the power of Your love, I am not without You. And I never will be. 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

Be Not "Found Fighting Against God" 2-1-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I steady my soul and quiet my spirit as I simply come to speak out Your name and seek out Your face. ... "Then the word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, your kinsfolk, your own kin, your fellow exiles, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, 'They have gone far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.' Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far away among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a little while in the countries where they have gone. Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel" (Ezekiel 11:14-17). One day, "all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26). One day, they will look to their Messiah, they will "look on the One whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over Him, as one weeps over a firstborn.... 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 12:10 - 13:1). In that day of repentance and faith that will come through the brokenness of pride and the pain of judgment by a loving God who cannot bear to ever let Your people go from Your heart or Your covenant, You have said, "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them; for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them" (Zechariah 10:6). So until that day, let us pray for fulfillment of the salvation of Israel. Though she may experience brokenness and judgment and even a great measure of destruction according to the many prophecies of Your Word, one day she will be restored and redeemed in fulfillment of her destiny. "On that day the Lord their God will save them for they are the flock of His people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on His land" (Zechariah 9:16). Gentile and Jew together will embrace You, Lord Jesus, as Messiah, Lord, and King when "the full number of Gentiles has come in. 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 their away their sins" (Romans 11:25-27). "And even those of Israel, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again" (Romans 11:23). And let us not enter in to the sin of judgment against Israel. "They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe" (Romans 11:20). For on the day of her great salvation will also be the day of great judgment for all who accused her and condemned her in their arrogance and pride. As You have also warned and proclaimed in Your Word, "And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem" (Zechariah 12:9). Though You may even use the arrogant actions of prideful nations as an instrument of Your judgment of the sin of Israel in order to restore her to her place of honor and blessing through fulfilled faith in You, there will be a day of judgment for all the nations who accused her, condemned her, and violated her. "Therefore, as I live, says the Lord God, I will deal with you according to the anger and envy that you showed because of your hatred against them; and I will make Myself known among you, when I judge you. You shall know that I, the Lord, have heard all the abusive speech that you uttered against the mountains of Israel, saying, 'They are laid desolate, they are given us to devour.' And you magnified yourselves against Me with your mouth, and multiplied your words against Me; I heard it. Thus says the Lord God: As the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. As you rejoiced over the house of the inheritance of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they shall know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 35:11-15). There is a movement within my stream of the body of Christ of the United Methodist Church discussing proposals to judge, condemn, and punish Israel as an occupying force in the land of her Biblical inheritance. And while all Israel is not yet saved, all her actions are not right, and the fulfillment of the promise of Your covenant to take away her heart of stone and fill her with Your Spirit has not yet fully come to pass, You have not rejected her or replaced her; You still love her and honor her and fight for her (Ezekiel 36:22-38). So let us not "be found fighting against God" (Acts 5:39). Let us seek You and the leading of Your Spirit in humility, in faith, and in obedience to Your Word. Let no one speak for me who speaks against You. Lord, convict us of every sin of failing to know Your Word and Your will for Israel. Let us not speak out of our own emotions or wisdom or under the pressure of world opinion and the fear of man. Let us not be found uttering abusive speech and words of condemnation and judgment, seeking to punish those who take a stand for Your people and the inheritance of hope and land You have given them according to Your Word and Your plan and Your covenant. Who are we to think we know better than You? Will not Your Word and Your warning come to pass for all who fail to know It and obey It? "I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). Let us repent of our sins and turn our hearts to You. Let us seek the leading of Your Holy Spirit and not give to the leading of merely human emotions. Let us be found fighting for Your people not fighting against God, agreeing with the Redeemer and no longer agreeing with the accuser. As You have commanded us and promised us: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you" (Psalm 122:6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I believe these are very significant issues of faith in God and submission to the authority of His Word. Please pray for me and for my part of the body of Christ to have the right heart and spirit in our discussions and decisions. I pray the same for you and every part of the body of Christ. 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

Ray Bringham, A Heart for Revival 1-31-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb, worthy to be praised. ... "From that time Jesus began to proclaim, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' " (Matthew 4:17). My good friend, Rev. Ray Bringham, passed on to glory last Saturday, January 26, 2008, in San Marcos, California. His son Lonnie told me of the gentle and sacred moment of that last gaze from Ray's deep blue eyes with the love of God as he crossed over into eternity. The world will miss him. He had a heart for revival and unbounded energy even as a man of eighty-eight years old to keep praying through for Your kingdom to come 'til the day he died. He was the president and founder of Prayer Summit Ministries and everywhere he went around the world, he prayed for revival, for the coming of the kingdom of heaven. Whenever I was honored to join him in ministry, the heart of his message was the same -- repentance is the key to revival. Turning away from ourselves, away from our sins, and turning to God in humility and faith is what opens our hearts as You open Your heavens to release Your revival fire and transforming power in our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Now Ray's "perishable body must put on imperishability, and (his) mortal body must put on immortality" as You welcome him home into Your eternal embrace (1 Corinthians 15:53). Now with the "great cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us in the faith, Ray will be praying those perfect prayers for Your great revival more powerfully than ever -- praying onsite with insight from his strategic assignment at heaven's throne (Hebrews 12:1). As we honor him with repentant hearts turned to You, would You honor him with revival in the hearts and lands wherever he preached and prayed throughout the earth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep Ray's wife, Mid Brigham and their family in your prayers. There will be a memorial service February 10, 2008 in San Marcos, California. We praise God for the influence of His sons and daughters in our lives and pray we can each be a godly influence in the lives of others for His glory. 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

"But Only Jesus" 1-30-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Simply and deliberately, I turn my thoughts and lift my worship to You. ... "Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, 'This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!' Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus" (Mark 9:7-8). Father, as I settle in to my prayer chair each morning, as I pull my prayer cover over my head, let the glory cloud of Your Holy Spirit overshadow me. Through the blood of the Lamb that cleanses my soul, draw me in to the holy of holies of prayer. In the surrender of silence before You, let Your voice be the only voice I hear and Your face be the only face I see -- no one else, "but only Jesus." These first moments of the morning in prayer are my mount of transfiguration. They are my daily encounter of transformation. "And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Then throughout the moments of my day, may I continue in prayer -- being transformed by Your Presence, being transfigured into Your image, looking and listening to You alone. 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

Happiness of Holiness of Heart 1-29-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be high and lifted up, exalted in my heart and throughout my day. ... "Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways" (Psalm 128:1). To fear You is to walk in Your ways -- not out of religious duty, but out of trusting relationship; not out of an unholy fear of punishment and judgment, but out of a holy fear of honoring You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. This kind of holiness of heart brings happiness and peace in every dimension of our lives -- our work (v. 2), our families (v. 3), and our health (v. 5). In every way, "(we) shall be happy, and it shall go well with (us)" (v. 2). Lord, teach me how to fear You in this way. Teach me how to look to You and honor You, to trust You and obey You out of my respect and love for You. Teach me by Your Word and empower me by Your Spirit to live my life, moment by moment, in trusting surrender to Your unfailing love. "Let those who fear the Lord say, 'His steadfast love endures forever' " (Psalm 118:4). "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 3:13). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have 2 New CD series available from my week of ministry at Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas ( www.cfni.org ) : 1) Spiritual Warfare -- Fighting the Good Fight of Faith (4 cd's) ; and 2) The Father's Blessing Through Our Brokenness (1 cd) These are not yet on our web site, so please contact us at MessaiahMin@aol.com to order them for personal or group studies. Though we need time to edit and process the video, please let us know if you'd like to be on the list for the dvd's from our School of Spiritual Ministry one week intensive course I taught in Lexington last week. 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

Morning by Morning, Monday 1-28-08 -- Out of the Depths Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good morning, Abba my Father. Good morning, Holy Spirit of the Living God. I greet You and beseech You in every dimension of Your Being from every dimension of my being. ... "Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord" (Psalm 130:1). Let my spiritual life grow in depth. Let my understanding of Your Word and experience of the power of Your grace grow in depth. Thank You for the milk when I couldn't handle more, but You've made me hungry for the meat of Your Word. "For everyone who lives on milk, being still and infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature" (Hebrews 5:13-14). You meet us where we are but never desire to leave us there. Instead, You desire we grow in depth, grow in wisdom, and grow into maturity. "Deep calls to deep" (Psalm 42:7). And I'm crying out of the depths of my being to go deeper still. And I know You will satisfy the desires of my heart because You have put these desires there. You move me to pray in line with Your promises for the fulfillment of Your purposes in me and through my life. . "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I will be taking the School of Spiritual Ministry on the road to western Kentucky at Madisonville the first 3 weekends of February (Friday night and Saturday teaching, equipping, and ministry). Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, to register if you're able to come. All are welcome! DirOfMinistries@aol.com My Wednesday night series on Spiritual Ministry at my home church in Lexington continues. And please let us know if you would like to order the dvd from our week-long intensive School of Spiritual Ministry from Lexington last week. I sense an intense urging to do my part in helping prepare God's people to minister in their calling with their gifts for the days ahead. With the economic battles of our nation, please keep our ministry finances in prayer. We are a faith-based ministry depending completely on the Lord and the generosity of His people who believe in what He is doing through us. Subscribe 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

I Have Been to the Mountain Today 1-27-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take my hand, fill my heart, lead the way, as I start this new day together with You. ... "Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai and present yourself there to Me, on the top of the mountain. No one shall come up with you ..." (Exodus 34:2-3). Before I speak to anyone else, I want to speak to You. Before I go anywhere else, I want to come to You. Through the veil of Your blood, I present myself to You in humility and faith, as best as I can and all by Your grace. Draw me up into the mountain of Your Presence. "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He has loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ -- by grace you have been saved -- and raised us up with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-6). Anything good that I will do, anything wise that I will say, will begin here in my time of communion in prayer with You. You are my vine and I am one of Your branches, abiding in You that my life will bear Your fruit (John 15:4-5). So I come up to this mountain to set my face and open my heart to abide in You. And here, on the mountain of Your Presence, I "wait upon the Lord" as You align heaven and earth to order my steps and set Your path for my day before me today (Isaiah 40:29-31). As I face the challenges and opportunities of my day, I can remember in my spirit that I need not worry or fear or falter, for I have been to the mountain today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I will be taking the School of Spiritual Ministry on the road to western Kentucky at Madisonville the first 3 weekends of February (Friday night and Saturday teaching, equipping, and ministry). Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, to register if you're able to come. All are welcome! DirOfMinistries@aol.com And please let us know if you would like to order the dvd from our week-long intensive School of Spiritual Ministry from Lexington last week. Subscribe 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

All the More 1-26-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'm hungry for more of You. ... "But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites" (Exodus 1:12). The king of Egypt feared the people of Israel, that they were growing "more numerous and more powerful" (v. 9). So he set out a strategy to enslave them and oppress them to discourage and defeat them (v. 10-11). But his schemes for their bondage only served to bond them more closely together. His plans to divide and conquer them only served to multiply and motivate them to resist him and hold on to their faith and their God all the more. "The people multiplied and became very strong" (v. 20). This was a foreshadow of things to come in Christ. "More than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women" (Acts 5:14). As the people of Israel began to receive and embrace You as Messiah and Lord, the religious leaders feared the faith of Your people and envied the power of God displayed through them (v. 5:12-18). But the more they were persecuted, the more they grew in the boldness of faith. "They rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day at the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as Messiah" (v. 5:41-42). As the enemy of our souls seeks to oppress us, discourage us, and defeat us, to bind us and break us out of jealousy and fear, let his attacks only bond us together and strengthen our faith. Let the Gospel of Your Kingdom multiply and spread all the more. Let the displays of Your power manifest the glory of Your Presence all the more. Let persecution make us all the more persistent and oppression make us all the more stronger and bolder in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I will be taking the School of Spiritual Ministry on the road to western Kentucky at Madisonville the first 3 weekends of February (Friday night and Saturday teaching, equipping, and ministry). Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries, to register if you're able to come. All are welcome! DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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

Beauty of Diversity 1-25-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I center my thoughts and my day in You. ... "For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another" (Romans 12:4-5). Thank You for the diversity of the body of Christ, an expression of Your creativity. Thank You for the freedom to be ourselves, in the unique way You have created each of us. "We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us" (v. 6). And every gift, expressed differently in every one, is necessary for the health of the body and for the ministry of the body to others. While the false religions, confused and deceived by the enemy of our souls, teach that we are to become one with the universe in nothingness, You teach the opposite. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" for live forever with You in the closest union but not uniformity. You've created us individually and uniquely with such incredible diversity as a means of display Your the beauty of Your glory forever. I thank You for role models and mentors, for spiritual fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters, from whom I can learn. But I am not to be just like them; I am to be just like You -- conformed to the image of the Son of God (Romans 8:29). 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" http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/

Sonshine of the Glory of God 1-24-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Son of God, Son of Man, Sonshine of the Glory of God, let Your light shine on me and in me and through me today. ... "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26). Through Moses, You told Aaron and the priests to speak Your words of blessing over Your people. You said, "Put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them" (v. 6:27). Lord, put Your name on me today. Lift up Your countenance upon me today. Let me be unashamed to be seen and known as a Christian today -- one of Christ's own -- a son of man, but also a son of God (1 John 3:1). Wash me in Your Word, cleanse me in Your blood, fill me with Your Spirit. As people see me, may they see Christ in me, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). "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). "Let Your face shine upon Your servant" (Psalm 31:16). Let Your face shine upon Your son. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, our one week intensive School of Spiritual Ministry in Lexington ends tonight. It has been an glorious week! Thank you for your prayers! The Lord is equipping us and empowering us for ministry in His Spirit as He strategically positions us for His purposes. This course is being filmed for dvd, so please let us know if you'd be interested in ordering a copy of the dvd. This builds upon our the foundational principles of our earlier dvd, Preparing the Way of the Lord -- Biblical, Spiritual Principles of Healing and Deliverance, which you can also order: MessiahMin@aol.com or http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/

Equipped for Ministry 1-23-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Make me more like You each day, conforming my nature, my thoughts, my desires, to Your's. I have so far to go, but You are so patient and You are so persistent. ... "The gifts He gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to a unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13). Thank You for the gifts You have given me. Help me know them and use them for You, doing my part in Your power to build up the body of Christ as we grow up to maturity in You. By the blood of the Lamb we are the saints of God. We are to equip and be equipped, taught and trained in Your Word, empowered and anointed by Your Spirit, and commissioned to the work of ministry. Let us no longer settle for drinking milk and playing with childish things, but let us grow up into the full stature of Christ we are created and destined to become, doing the works we were created and destined to do. Let us get about the business of "turning the world upside down" in our generation for Your glory (Acts 17:6). 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

Gifts Bestowed by God 1-22-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I bow down low as You draw me up high into the heavenly realm of Your Presence. ... "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God" (1 Corinthians 2:12). You have given gifts to Your people, for the building of Your Church and the establishing of Your Kingdom. Open my eyes to see Your gifts in me. Purify them from pride, cleanse them from any manipulation or motivation for my own purposes, sanctify them as holy unto You. Teach me what they are and how to use them. Empower me by Your Spirit to give of them in love. You said through Your Word, "Pursue love and strive for spiritual gifts" (v. 14:1). Let me not strive for the gifts without first and always pursuing love, letting love be my aim and my desire in all things. Then my gifts -- the gifts You have given me for Your purposes -- will be a means of Your grace in the lives of others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for your prayers to get Pastor John here from the nation of Nepal for our School of Spiritual Ministry this week. They were answered and we are thrilled and honored to have this kind of opportunity to sow seeds to the nations! Please keep us in your prayers. God bless you! 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

School of the Spirit 1-21-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and seek our Your face. I pour out my heart and reach out my arms. I welcome You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- into every moment of my day. ... "About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. The Jews were astonished at it, saying, 'How does this man have such learning, when He has never been taught?' Then Jesus answered them, 'My teaching is not Mine but His who sent Me' " (John 7:14-16). As You walked this earth as Son of Man, You did everything as our model for ministry and life. You were sent by the Father, anointed by the Holy Spirit, spending time in prayer and coming out of prayer into authority to proclaim with Your words and demonstrate with Your life the coming of the Kingdom of God (Acts 10:38). In prayer, You heard what the Father was saying and saw what the Father was doing; then with authority and power You spoke what You heard and did what You saw (John 8:38). Now as we walk this earth, we want to hear what You're saying and see what You're doing so we can obey Your leading and minister the power of Your love by the Presence of Your Spirit in our lives into the lives of one another. "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall be taught by God' " (John 6:45). You are our Teacher by Your Word and by Your life as our example and source of all You would do in us and through us. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life (v. 14:6). We are in the school of Your Spirit, to live our lives abiding in You and welcoming You to abide in us. As Your first disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). Lord, teach us to trust and obey. "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths" (Isaiah 2:3). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we start our one week intensive School of Spiritual Ministry in Lexington this morning. Please keep us in your prayers as we learn and grow in the gifts and grace of God to love and minister to Him and one another through our lives. I pray the same for you. God bless you! I'm also teaching this course in a Wednesday night series at my home church in Lexington and in a series of weekends in February in western Kentucky. I sense an urgency to help equip God's people in spiritual ministry in this season. Let us know if you would be interested in this course by dvd (we will be filming this school) or in your area: MessiahMin@aol.com 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/

Break Through, Pass Through, Follow Through 1-20-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit come fill my spirit, soul, and body I pray. ... "The One who breaks out will go up before them; they will break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their King will pass on before them, the Lord at their head" (Micah 2:13). Lord Jesus, You are the Head of Your Church (Ephesians 4:15). You are the King of Your Kingdom (Revelation 17:14). Pass on before me today; rise up within me today. Be exalted and honored in my heart and in my actions today. By Your power and in submission to Your will, I want to break through every barrier and pass through every gate in line with Your will and Your plan for my life this day and every day. Let this be my year of breakthrough, my year of passing through the gates, as I follow through on my commitment to You, my Lord, my Head, and my King. 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

WhooHoo! 1-19-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My first word is Your name. In these first moments of my morning, I center my heart and focus my thoughts on You alone. ... "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). "WhooHoo!" my friend shouted over her cell phone early yesterday morning. She couldn’t wait to get to our office with a thousand dollar check to help get a pastor from Nepal to our School of Spiritual Ministry next week. I had just mentioned this pastor's earnest prayers to be able to come our school in a note at the end of my devotional early yesterday morning. She was overwhelmed with such excitement and joy that pretty soon I was shouting "WhooHoo!" too! She said as soon as she read the words, Your Holy Spirit was stirring in her spirit so strongly she couldn't wait to get to our office to help her brother, literally on the other side of the world. "What an opportunity to give to the Kingdom of God, to so seeds into His end-time harvest. What anointing must be on the seat prepared for this man," she said. Thank You, Lord. We should never feel guilty about giving or not giving. Under the New Covenant in Christ, our giving is never "under compulsion" but always by the leading of Your Spirit. And what joy You bring when we respond to Your promptings with our faith! What joy to join in the ministry of Your Kingdom as You build Your Church to change the world. The lives of people in Nepal -- a nation with incredible Christian persecution that requires such courage and faith to even claim to be a follower of Christ -- will be changed as You change this pastor, equipping him to equip others in spiritual ministry of transformation of people and their land through healing and deliverance. And my friend's life will be changed as Your blessings overtake her in Your timing and in Your way (Deuteronomy 28:2). "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back" (Luke 6:38). And my life and the lives of all who join with us in so many ways to pray for and equip the saints for the work of Your ministry will be changed, as You use us to touch others with Your healing love and mighty power -- in Nepal and the nations, but also in our neighborhoods at home. Thank You for the joy of giving and the blessing of joining the advance of Your Kingdom -- WhooHoo! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Last night at The Fountain, our praises went up and God's glory came down! Thank you for joining with us in prayer for the people of our city and I join with you in prayer for your city. May the Lord's glory keep coming down until it covers the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). Please keep our students in prayer as they come from Nepal, Texas, Oklahoma, and across town to our School of Spiritual Ministry in Lexington next week. And I pray the Lord keeps building your faith and empowering your hands and heart for the ministry of His Kingdom through you life! God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the journey! 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

"Prepare My People in Goshen" 1-18-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good Shepherd, help me hear Your voice, run to You, and follow You today. ... "But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people live, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I the Lord am in this land. Thus I shall make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign shall appear tomorrow. The Lord did so ..." (Exodus 8:22-24). It seems I hear You saying, "Prepare My people in Goshen." What is "Goshen" for me, Lord? These thoughts from Your Holy Spirit seem to be rising up in my human spirit and into my mind: " 'Goshen' is the place of provision, protection, and peace. 'Goshen' is in Me. I am your provision, protection, and peace." What do You mean for me to "prepare Your people?" It seems You are impressing these words on my heart: "By My grace and with those I have chosen to help you, teach My people to pray, just as I have been teaching you to pray. Through the intimacy of communion in prayer, you enter in to the place I have prepared for you. This is the place of My provision, protection, and peace no matter what judgments or evil may come. And teach them to pray for one another, to hear My voice and speak My words, to be My vessels to display My glory and My power on earth as it is in heaven." Lord, I'm not qualified and I have so much to learn and I've not had those kinds of experiences yet like the things that are coming to mind by these words. I hear: "None are righteous; no, not one. None are qualified; no, not one. All are in need of My grace. And My grace comes through desperate dependence on Me with a humble heart to seek Me and obey Me by the grace I give. You do your part, by the grace and with the gifts I have given you, just as I am calling each of My children to do their part by My grace. As you have heard before, 'I do not call the qualified; I qualify the called.' Yes, Lord. These words ring true as I test them in my spirit and against the standard of Your written Word. I pray You would confirm what I believe You are speaking through the trusted voices and counsel of others. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to trust You and obey You. You are my 'Goshen.' "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe" (Proverbs 18:10). "You are my hiding place and my shield" (Psalm 119:114). I choose to "live in the shelter of the Most High" and "abide in the shadow of the Almighty"; "under (Your) wings (I) will find refuge." As You have promised, "Those who love Me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know My name (Psalm 91:1-16). You have prepared a place for me -- not just in heaven, but also here on earth -- so that wherever You are, I may be also (John 14:3). You are calling Your people to 'Goshen' -- the place of Your abundance and blessing (Genesis 47:27). You are giving us grace to enter through this gate of righteousness where the gates of hell cannot prevail (Matthew 16:18). As You teach me and deliver me and draw me into the Goshen of Your Presence, qualify me to help others by Your grace and Your power. Together, we will know Your provision, protection, and peace through the intimacy and the ministry of prayer. Let the world see the distinction of those who abide in You and those who do not, so that all may "come to repentance" and be drawn into You and the fullness of Your salvation (2 Peter 3:9). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we're providing a full scholarship and board for Pastor John in Nepal to come to our School of Spiritual Ministry next week to receive teaching and ministry and take it back to his nation. He has a visa and reservations and is praying intensely for the funds for his plane fare (about $2,000 need today). If you feel led to help make this happen, please call Marilyn Walker immediately 859-317-1591 Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from many different traditions and streams to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Sandra White and I will lead in prayer and Jeff Greene will lead in worship. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington: www.CentenaryLex.com All who are thirsty 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" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Simple 1-17-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before my day unfolds, I unfold my day before You. ... "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:130). Help me simply come humbly before You -- seeking Your face, listening for Your voice, waiting for Your leading. Unfold Your words and Your will before me. Let Your light shine on the steps of the path You are setting before me this day. Let the sound of Your words in my spirit rise up into the thoughts in my mind. Then, by Your grace, throughout the encounters of my day, may I walk in Your wisdom, love with Your heart, and speak with the authority of one who has spent time in Your Presence. Help me be simple enough to get this one thing straight: "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way" (Psalm 25:9). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from many different traditions and streams to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Sandra White and I will lead in prayer and Jeff Greene will lead in worship. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington: www.CentenaryLex.com All who are thirsty 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" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Incarnation 1-16-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father, One with the Holy Spirit; and by the mystery of faith and Your unfathomable love, You want me to be one in You. ... "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one. As You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, may they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given Me I have given them, so that they may be one, as We are One, I in them and You in Me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me" (John 17:20-23). Though I have read these verses of Your Word many times, this morning You are sending them deep into my soul. Like an armor piercing bullet, it seems You are firing this Truth through every layer of religious thinking, traditions of men, false humility, false doctrines, self-conscious pride, timidity, and the fear of man. Let Your Word hit its mark and explode inside of me. Let me be forever changed by the light and glory of Your Word of Truth to me. You really do desire this holy, intimate, communion -- that I may also be one in You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- as You are One in One Another (v. 21). "But anyone united to the Lord becomes one with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17). Let this not be my theory or my theology, let this be my true thoughts of myself and the reality of my experience in You. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV). And this is not only for me and for each of Your children, it is for "the world" -- "so that the world will know that (the Father) has sent (His Son)" (John 17:21). This is the key to world-wide evangelism -- "Christ in (us), the hope of glory" -- the glory of the manifest Presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit living as One in us, shining as Light and flowing as Love through us (Colossian 1:27). Our Father humbled Himself in human flesh as the Son (Philippians 2:5-11). "The Word became flesh and lived among us" (John 1:14). And now You want Your Word to become flesh in me and through my life -- totally surrendered and completely submitted to the will of my Father in Christ by the Holy Spirit of the Living God living in me. Together, we are "the body of Christ" in and to this world by Your Spirit living in us (1 Corinthians 12:27). This is not self-centered pride, this is Gospel Truth. This is not self-delusion, this is self understanding. This is not becoming God (as in the false teachings of New Age and Mormonism), this is embracing the Incarnation of God living in me and in each of us who are in Christ and allowing Christ to live in us. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). Yes, Lord. By Your grace, I do know this truth this moment more deeply than ever before. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come join us Tonight for my Wednesday Night teaching series on Spiritual Ministry at 6:15 at my home church: www.CentenaryLex.com and also sign up for our School of Spiritual Ministry in Western Kentucky next month in Madisonville. Contact Marilyn Walker: dirofministries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 (And please keep us in prayer and for everyone to arrive safely for our one week intensive School of Spiritual Ministry in Lexington next week -- a pastor is trying to come from Nepal!). Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, 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. Sandra White and I will lead in prayer and Jeff Green will lead in worship. 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 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

Cities of Refuge and Righteousness 1-15-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Speak, Lord, for Your son is eager to spend time with You. Speak, Lord, for Your friend seeks Your counsel and Your comfort. ... "I have aroused Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his paths straight; he shall build My city and set My exiles free, not for price or reward, says the Lord of hosts.... For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it (He established it; He did not create it in chaos; He formed it to be inhabited!): I am the Lord and there is no other (Isaiah 45:13-18). Cyrus was the pagan king of Persia. Yet in Your sovereignty, You moved on his heart to stir him to obedience to Your plans. You used him to set Your people free and to bless them with abundance in the rebuilding of their city for the glory of Your name (Ezra 1:1-4). His eyes were opened to realize that You, "The Lord, the God of heaven" alone were the source of all his power and wealth (v. 2). And in response to Your leading, he used his authority and influence to help Your people and fulfill Your purposes (v. 7-11). Lord, in this day, I ask You to stir in the hearts of those with power and authority to be aroused and stirred to obedience. Open their eyes to realize Your goodness and Your grace in their lives even before they have received You as Lord. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights" (James 1:17, NKJV). With thanksgiving and joy, let them give to Your kingdom and bless Your people in accordance with Your purposes. "The sinners' wealth is laid up for the righteous" (Proverbs 13:22). Let the power and influence of the Cyruses of our day be "anointed" as a means of Your grace for Your people (Isaiah 45:1). Let their wealth be released into Your kingdom, to be used for Your purposes and to establish Your cities of refuge for the days to come. "Make glad the city of God ... God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved ... The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (Psalm 46:4-7). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please let us know no later than today if you are interested in attending the School of Spiritual Ministry in Lexington January 21-24. Several from other states are even signed up to come and scholarships are available to cover the cost for anyone who needs it. I sense an urgency to help prepare the Lord's people for ministry in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Also, this week, you can still join us for my Wednesday Night teaching series on Healing Prayer Ministry at 6:15 at my home church: www.CentenaryLex.com and also sign up for our School of Spiritual Ministry in Madisonville. Contact Marilyn Walker: dirofministries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night, 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. Sandra White and I will lead in prayer and Jeff Green will lead in worship. 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 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