The Great Emancipator 4-9-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, abide in me through Your Spirit I pray. ... "For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Yesterday I joined with other ministry leaders, pastors, and people of prayer from across our state at the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Through this man with such humble beginnings, You proclaimed freedom to the slaves of our nation. From his seat of authority granted by You, President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, proclaiming an end to slavery in America, to be enforced by the full authority of the government and power of our nation. Through him and his courageous stand at great cost, You were setting the captives free. Many say You are beginning to release a great anointing of freedom through Your people in this land again. You are the Great Emancipator, the Great Deliverer. You are still binding up the broken-hearted and setting the captives free, proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God, and enforcing the victory of the cross with all the governmental authority and power of heaven (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18). And You are doing through Your people who are called by Your name and willing to rise and stand firm in the unity of the Spirit with You and one another to break the yoke of slavery (Isaiah 61:3-4; John 20:21). I held a Lincoln penny yesterday, as You led me to pray and proclaim. Three different inscriptions on it seemed significant for us: First are the words "In God We Trust." We must trust in You alone, not in our power or our strength for this move of great deliverance of the people and the land coming to us in these days. Second are the Latin words "E Pluribus Unum" -- "Out of the Many, One." We must come together in the unity of faith, as one body, in one Spirit, under one Head, as one church to accomplish what none can do alone or apart from one another. Third is the word "Liberty." Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty -- freedom to worship You in Spirit and Truth; freedom to pursue You with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; freedom from the world, the flesh, and the devil to live out our calling and destiny in Your power for Your glory. On one side bears an image of the head of Lincoln and on the other bears an image of the pillars of a monument of government. You are setting Your government of Your kingdom in order. For the government of Your kingdom is being set in order and will increase without end (Isaiah 9:7). Thank You, Lord. From this birthplace of Lincoln, You are birthing a time of great deliverance and a people who are freed to free others in the power of Your Spirit and the authority of Your name. It is for freedom that You have set us free. As a pastor from Hodgenville proclaimed yesterday, Lincoln embraced the anointing that rested upon this land. Let this anointing increase and go forth to touch all the earth, just as You are releasing the anointing of Your presence and power in so many ways in so many lands across the earth in these great and awesome days of the Lord. As You have promised, Your glory will arise upon Your people and cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 60:1; Habakkuk 2:14). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, many from around the world will be coming to Kentucky over this two year celebration of Lincoln's bicentennial birthday: www.KyLincoln.org We feel we should be returning to this area to continue to pray to cleanse the land through repentance, confession, prayer, and proclamation and release the destiny of this land and people. Please contact us or Linda Whitaker at PrayKentucky@aol.com if you would like to be included. I pray the same for you and the anointing of God upon the people of your land. God bless you! 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

Revival Fire through Forgiving Hearts 4-8-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Welcome into my heart; welcome into every moment of my day. ... "Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful" (Colossian 3:13-15). "I'm sorry; I was wrong; please forgive me; I love you." Those are powerful words if they can be spoken from the heart in forgiveness of one another, releasing hurt, offense, and bitterness to God. And when they are spoken personally and publicly among ourselves in the body of Christ, in an atmosphere of hunger for Your presence and in response to Your conviction, the flames of revival fire are rekindled and fanned into flame. If so, revival began in our hearts this Sunday at the close of our week-end retreat with St. Mark's Church in England. We celebrated Holy Communion together with clean hands and pure hearts, following heart-felt, humble confession to You and to one another. You are binding everything and everyone together "in perfect harmony" through "the peace of Christ" that only comes through speaking the truth in love to one another and being willing to hear the truth in love from one another. We may not always agree, but we can always forgive and choose to move forward in faith and love together. And that is revival -- the transformation of hearts and souls to reveal the heart of Christ in this world. That is the coming of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Praise You and thank You, Lord God Almighty! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I made it back home to Kentucky last night from our incredible weekend retreat in England where I was so thrilled to be speaking on the Kingdom of God and then see it come in our hearts in such powerful ways -- "Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Thank you for all your prayers with us. May the Kingdom come in every heart and every church. God bless you! 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

Kingdom of the King of Love 4-6-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of the kingdom, come rule and regain in me today. ... "For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' " (Galatians 5:14). Yes, Lord. Your kingdom is a kingdom of love. We show our love for You by loving one another. We know You are King of our hearts when our hearts are filled with love. Everything is summed up in this simple, single commandment. As You said to Your first disciples long ago, so You continue to say to us each day, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). This is commandment of Your kingdom, the kingdom of the King of love living in me. It's just that simple. 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

Invasion of the Kingdom 4-5-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My soul arises to seek Your face and listen for Your voice. ... "... But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11). We've come now to the spiritual retreat of Ashburnham in the English countryside near the village of Hastings. St. Mark's Anglican Church brought me over to speak with them during their weekend away on "The Kingdom of God." Here we are near the site of the famous 1066 Battle of Hastings, the last invasion of England that established the reign of the English kings. King of kings and Lord of lords, come invade our hearts. Come establish Your kingdom and reign in our lives. As we willing embrace You as King and surrender to the will of Your kingdom, You wash us in Your blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctify us in the Spirit of our God. You confront us and cleanse us as You overcome us with Your mercy and love. As we are willing to yield to Your Lordship, You purge us of all things that would hinder us from inheriting "the kingdom of God" (v. 6:10). As we begin this day, it seems I hear You say: "You seek Me, allow Me to search you, and I will sanctify you." Yes, Lord. Come, Holy Spirit. Invade our hearts. Empower us to pursue "the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." We want are hungry to see You and Your kingdom come, here in our hearts and here in this land. Invade us this day and every day, Holy Spirit of the Living God, the Spirit of "Christ in (us), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, sorry to have missed my devotionals for a couple of days due to travel and technical issues. Please cover us in your prayers to encounter God in deep ways. May the Lord invade your life with a fresh wind of His Spirit this day. God bless you! 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

Repent and Believe 4-2-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name is above every name. You are worthy of all my praise. And I worship You this day. ... "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the good news' " (Mark 1:14-15). Your kingdom is so near, so close at hand. How do we take hold of it? We repent and believe. We turn away from ourselves and turn to You. We quit believing that things will always be the way they are and begin believing in the way You want them to be. We open our eyes to see the potential of all Your promises fulfilled and choose to believe by faith that the time is fulfilled now. You are the King of the kingdom; and You are here. You are at hand, stretching out Your hands to ours, offering the potential of hope with a future, inviting us to join in Your perspective and embrace Your promises. As we do, Your kingdom comes and Your will is done, on earth as it is in heaven. And we move closer to the day of the Lord when the angels declare, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). By Your grace, I choose to repent and believe in this good news of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Save the Date for May 2 to come join us for our annual Celebration Dinner in Lexington! Details will follow soon. Please let us know if you'd like to help or have some materials to invite others to join us to share our vision and celebrate all God has done this year! Friends, my devotional may come at irregular times the next few days while I travel overnight to London, England and am away teaching at a retreat this weekend. I'll be teaching a series on "The Kingdom of God" for St. Marks Anglican Church's annual weekend away spiritual retreat. Please pray for me to hear and share the Lord's word for His people as we encounter God together. This is the church with such an incredible history where I was able to minister briefly at a women's retreat last year with my good friend Heather Butler from Wales. Your prayer cover makes this kind of ministry possible. God bless you! 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

"Strive First for the Kingdom of God" 4-1-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the King of the kingdom of God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are One with the Father and One with the Spirit. And You are One in me through the communion of prayer. ... "But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). Teach me how to strive for the kingdom, and at the same time, rest in the King. Teach me how to strive for Your righteousness, and at the same time, trust in Yours alone. I know these are "keys of the kingdom" that You've placed into my hands and want to seal into my heart. Your kingdom does not just passively come, that's why You taught us we have the responsibility to pray for Your kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10). That's why You taught us to strive for the kingdom. It's all by Your grace and according to Your will, but we have a part to play in the sovereignty of Your plan. It seems I hear You say: "My son, to strive for Me and My kingdom is to seek Me with all your heart. Let seeking Me and submitting your will to Mine be your priority and your perspective as best as you can and all by My grace. Then you will have found My kingdom. My kingdom is within you to the very degree you welcome Me as your King." Yes, Lord. Yes, my King. Come in to Your kingdom within me. "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). Trusting in You and resting in You power, I choose by Your grace to strive for Your kingdom and welcome You as my King. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'm excited to be invited on short notice to go to London, England this weekend to teach a series on "The Kingdom of God" for St. Marks Anglican Church's annual weekend away spiritual retreat in the English countryside. Their scheduled speaker fell ill and they've invited me to come stand in. Please pray for me to hear and share the Lord's word for His people as we encounter God together. This is the church with such an incredible history where I was able to minister briefly at a women's retreat last year with my good friend Heather Butler from Wales. Your prayer cover makes this kind of ministry possible. God bless you! Save the Date for May 2 to come join us for our annual Celebration Dinner in Lexington! Details will follow soon. Please let us know if you'd like to help or have some materials to invite others to join us to share our vision and celebrate all God has done this year! 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

True Image 3-31-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I seek You and welcome You and embrace You in my spirit, soul, and body. ... "So God created humankind in His image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). You created me in Your image. Though that image has been distorted and tainted by sin through the generations and in my life, You have restored me through the blood of Christ and redeemed me in newness of life. Now, every day, You open my eyes to seek Your face and open my heart to receive Your grace. As I look to You and behold Your face, the perfect image of God, I am "being transformed into that same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18). You want me to see myself as I am, not as I was. You me to see myself created in Your image, not distorted by sin. "Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And all who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:2-3). With a trusting faith and repentant heart, You "cleanse (me) from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). As I continually turn to You, You continually remind me that I have become "the righteousness of God" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). As I see You more as You are, I begin to see myself more as I am. Though I am forever in need of Your grace to forgive me of sin and restore me to the image You have of me, at the same time, right now, I have the fullness of Your grace. I am forgiven and free, accepted and loved, holy and pure through the blood of the Lamb. This is my true identity and the true image You have of me. Help me see myself, throughout this day and throughout my life, as You see me. 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

"Seek Me with All Your Heart" 3-30-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Awaken me and arise within me. ... "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you. 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 29:11-14). I hear the longing in Your heart for me to seek You with my heart -- with all my heart. Forgive me when I have not sought You; and forgive me when I have not sought You with all my heart. You gave Yourself completely for me; and You long for me to give myself completely to You. Increase my sensitivity to Your longing. You are God; You are all powerful; You hold all the world in Your hands. And yet, You long for my love. You long to see my face seeking Your face in prayer. As You said to Your people long ago, so You say to Your people of every age: "I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, 'Here I am, here I am,' to a nation that did not call on My name" (Isaiah 65:1). Here I am, Lord. I have heard Your call and sensed the longing in Your heart. By Your grace, I will seek You with all my heart. I will call upon Your name. I will come to You and spend time with You in prayer. And I ask You, out of love for You, to not let me forget the longing I sense in Your heart this day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be speaking on prayer at my home church in Lexington today. Please keep us in prayer as we grow to become the house of prayer we are called to be. And I pray the same for your church. Thank you for all your prayers for my twelve year old daughter Maddie and me for our adventure in California last week. I wouldn't trade our special time together for anything in the world! God bless you and thank you for joining me in the journey of prayer. 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

"Teach Them to Your Children" 3-28-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look to You and listen for Your leading. ... "You shall put these words of Mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you arise. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gate, so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth" (Deuteronomy 11:18-21). Lord, let me teach Your words to my children by living them out with integrity before them. Let them see me desperately dependent upon You, rising to pray and living the prayer throughout the moments of my day. When I fail, let them see humility and repentance, as they learn how to seek and receive mercy. When I succeed, let them see celebration and honor for the life of God within me. When I'm saddened, let them see me seek Your comfort; and when I'm filled with joy, let them see Your joy is my strength. May my days and theirs be multiplied in the places and promises You've given us to possess together. 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

Legacy of Love 3-26-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. At Your name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that You are Lord. On my knees in prayer and with my tongue in praise, I declare You are my Lord in every area of my life and every moment of my day. ... "And Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, for you have wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God' " (Joshua 14:9). I want all my children to know You and to follow You wholeheartedly -- without hesitation, without limitation, without reservation. And I want them to see I know You and follow that way. And may they go everywhere I have gone and farther. May they receive a full inheritance and add it to and pass on the legacy of loving You and following You wholeheartedly to their children and their children's children throughout all generations. Thank You for the legacy of love You've given me, but let that only be the beginning point for each succeeding generation. "In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to His counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:11-12). Before You and before my children, let me live for the praise of Your glory. 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

Pastoring Kids in Revival 3-26-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let the focus of my thoughts now turn to You alone. ... "Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod.... And the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord" (1 Samuel 2:18-21). This morning, Maddie and I will join others from around the world for equipping and encouragement at our leadership conference called "Pastoring Kids in Revival." You are pouring out Your Spirit in the hearts of our kids to minister before You with purity and passion. I know I have much to learn and to listen to what Your Spirit is saying to Your church in this hour about raising up and releasing our young people to step into their places of ministry with the calling and gifts You've given them. Teach me how to facilitate that with wisdom, courage, and sensitivity in the settings where You send me to minister before You. Let my generation not hinder their generation, but let the children come freely and boldly into Your presence to find and live out their purpose in You. As You "sternly" commanded Your first disciples, "Let the little children come to Me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs" (Mark 10:14). Not only should we not hinder them, we should learn all we can from them. "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it" (v. 10:15). 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

Humbled by the Enormity of Creation 3-25-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and lift up Your praise. ... "A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever" (Ecclesiastes 1:4). My daughter Maddie and I spent the day exploring the northern California coast yesterday. We saw giant redwood trees stretching up to the heavens. We saw massive waves of the sea crashing against the beautifully jagged rocks and cliffs of the shore. We saw herds of wild elk lumbering along the grassy fields. And all of these marvelous wonders of Your creation have remained and endured for untold centuries. Generations of visitors like us have come and gone to behold their beauty, yet they remain. In light of the enormity and longevity of Your creation, I am humbled by the sense of my own limitations of time and space, the fleeting opportunities I'm granted for my earthly life among Your immense creation to make a difference and fulfill my destiny. In the end, "our years come to an end like a sigh" (Psalm 90:9). So help me use the time I have and give it to the things that are important. But no matter what I do or fail to do in the time I have and in the places I go, keep reminding me of who I am in You. "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God" (v. 90:1). 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

"Many Convincing Proofs" that He's Alive Morning by Morning, Monday 3-24-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Through the intimate surrender of worship and the tender communion of prayer, I arise in You and You arise in me. Arise, my Lord, arise. ... "After His suffering He presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). You endured the suffering of the cross "for the sake of the joy that was set before (You)" (Hebrews 12:2). And part that joy is presenting Yourself alive to the world to display the power and proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. And part of that joy is presenting Yourself alive through us, Your disciples who are called to continue Your ministry -- teaching the things You taught, doing the things You did, in the power that You had (John 14:12). In the mystery and grace of Your kingdom, the same "Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in (us)" (Romans 8:11). I want to see more and more of Your kingdom come on earth in my generation. I want to see "many convincing proofs" of Your presence, Your power, and Your kingdom in the realms of the earth You have entrusted to me. You brought my daughter Maddie and me out to Bethel Church in Redding, California this week where the consider Your miracles to be part of the "normal Christian life" and many are saved and come into Your kingdom because they see the reality of Your presence and Your power. Last night we heard testimony of the fourth child that's been healed of autism through the prayers of Your people in the "house of prayer", a pastor who was healed from a stroke attack that very morning, and an aids victim who now miraculously no longer has aids! I praise You for the pockets of Your power being displayed in the earth. What You've been doing in many parts of the rest of the world, You are beginning to do here in my nation as well. What You are doing in Mozambique, You are doing in California; and what You are doing in California, You can do in Kentucky and everywhere else where Your people call on Your name to see Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. There is no sin or suffering or sickness or bondage in heaven; so we are praying, in the Lord's prayer as You taught us to pray, for there to be none on earth as it is in heaven. So I ask for more; I want to see more -- more of You, more of Your power, more of Your kingdom breaking into earth. Teach me how to participate with You in Your kingdom coming, Your will being done in every increasing displays of Your glory. This is part of the joy for which You endured the suffering of the cross -- Your joy and even mine: "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete" (John 16:24). I am asking, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I have a rare chance this week to spend some on-on-one, father daughter bonding time with my youngest daughter Maddie. We're at the "Pastoring Kids in Revival" Leadership Conference at Bethel Church in Redding, California: http://www.ibethel.org/ Pastor Bill Johnson prayed for the two of us at church yesterday and I would appreciate your prayers for us to have life-changing spiritual experiences together this week. I pray the same for you. God bless you! 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

"He has been Raised, As He Said" 3-23-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. On this Resurrection Sunday morning, I declare with all heaven and earth, You're alive! And by Your Spirit, You're alive in me! ... "After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became as dead men. But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has been raised, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him.' This is my message for you" (Matthew 28:1-7). "For He has been raised, as He said" -- in the moment of their deepest grief, You sent Your word to remind Your disciples that Your words are true and they will come to pass. No matter how disappointed or discouraged we may be by the circumstances we face, no matter how impossible it may seem for Your promises to come to pass, Your Word will prevail. "So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). The heavens may tremble and the earth may quake, but Your words will remain. As You said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). And when we see Your promises prevail and Your words come to pass, You send us out to share and declare what we have seen and heard with passion and joy. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Happy Easter my friends! He is risen indeed! My morning prayer will come out a little later this week. I'm excited to be in Redding, California at Bill Johnson's church with my youngest daughter Maddie. We'll be growing in the Lord together and having some great father and daughter bonding time. We'd appreciate your prayers to experience all the Lord has for us here. God bless you! 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

"Sealing the Stone" 3-22-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I wait before You in the silence of surrender. ... "The next day, that is, after the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, 'Sir, we remember what that imposter said while He was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' ... So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone" (Matthew 27:62-66). Satan moved in the hearts of men to try to hold You down by sealing the stone. So it is in our lives. He tries to crush our hopes and destroy our dreams, then bury them for dead and seal them shut. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). He fears the power of the resurrection. He fears the power of the seed that falls to the earth and dies as a single grain, but then rises to produce an abundant harvest of life in the redeeming, resurrection power of God. The enemy of our souls tries to bury the dead and seal the stone. And while we wait in silence, he trembles in fear. On this day between the crucifixion and the resurrection, let the enemy of my soul tremble in fear. You are the God of the Resurrection who breaks the seal of death and rolls away the stone. You hold the key of life and what You choose to open no one can seal shut (Revelation 3:7). And for every hope and dream that You have sown into my soul, You declare with the authority of heaven, "Break the seal and roll away the stone!" (see Mark 16:4). 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

"When I Survey the Wonderful Cross" 3-21-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I hear the old hymn rising up in my heart as I think about the day You died for me: "When I survey the wonderful cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride." ... "They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on His head. They put a reed in His right hand and knelt before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. After mocking Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him" (Matthew 27:28-31). They poured contempt on You. They mocked You and spat on You and defiled You, then they led You away to a place of shame and disgrace where they stripped You of all human dignity and tortured You to death. And You did it all for me -- for me and for all. All the suffering I will ever face, all the sin I will ever commit, You took upon Yourself for me that day. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the punishment that made us whole, and by His bruises we are healed.... He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is lead to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. By a perversion of justice He was taken away.... Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him with pain....because He poured Himself out to death, was numbered with the transgressors, yet He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:5-12). In my spirit now, with the eyes of my heart opened to You, I stand at the foot of the cross. And I look up to the face of the One who died for me. And I hear in my heart what You speak to the heart of all who will come and see and listen: "I did this all for you. And I would do it again, because I love you and I want you to spend eternity with Me. There was no other way. I AM the Way." Yes, Lord. "I pour contempt on all my pride." "May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ..." (Galatians 6:14). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to the Fountain! for Good Friday this Friday Night 3/21 at 7 pm -- the 3rd Friday Night of every month -- for our ministry's monthly gathering of people from many different churches and streams of the body of Christ across our city for prayer, praise, and healing worship. This month Sandra White of Bethlehem Farm Ministries and I will lead in prayer while Jeff Greene will lead in worship. Hosted in the chapel of Centenary: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY. Please come early for Intercessory Prayer at 6:15. Contact Marilyn at 859-422-1794. All are welcome! 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

Moments of Gethsemane 3-20-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I follow Your steps through this holy week, thanking You for taking those steps for me. ... "Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and His said to His disciples, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.' " (Matthew 26:36). I believe in corporate prayer, coming together with other believers to seek Your face, listen for Your voice, and pray the prayers in agreement with You and with one another that You put on our hearts to pray. And I believe in getting together with one or two trusted friends to bear my soul to them and to You in prayers of openness and honesty with our struggles, our needs, our hopes, and our praises. There's power in agreement in prayer (Matthew 18:19). But there are times, like Gethsemane, when You call me to come away with You alone, when even my closest friends must sit back as I go "a little farther" (Matthew 26:39). These are often the times You call me to a place of deeper surrender, of complete surrender. At Gethsemane, You "threw (Yourself) on the ground and prayed," pouring out the grief and burden of Your heart to the Father, but also completely trusting in His wisdom and completely surrendering to His will (v. 26:39). And at my moments of Gethsemane, You call me to no less. There was a time earlier in Your earthly ministry when Your first disciples asked of You, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). But at Gethsemane, You showed all Your disciples for all time how to pray -- to open our hearts and surrender our lives completely to the will of our Father. "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39, NKJV). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be teaching a workshop called "Healed and Free to Let the Spirit Flow" at the 2008 International Conference for Lay Pastors Ministry April 25-26, being hosted in Lexington at my home church this year. Please come join us. Register on-line www.laypastors.com Laura Beach of our ministry will also be teaching and my good friends Rev. Greg Gallaher and Mary Beth Ludt will be the plenary speakers. Come to the Fountain! for Good Friday this Friday Night 3/21 at 7 pm -- the 3rd Friday Night of every month -- for our ministry's monthly gathering of people from many different churches and streams of the body of Christ across our city for prayer, praise, and healing worship. This month Sandra White of Bethlehem Farm Ministries and I will lead in prayer while Jeff Green will lead in worship. Hosted in the chapel of Centenary: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY. Please come early for Intercessory Prayer at 6:15. Contact Marilyn at 859-422-1794. All are welcome! Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! 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

Cleanse My Temple 3-19-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I center my thoughts on You alone in these first moments of my morning. This one thing do I ask for; this one thing do I seek. ... "Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, it is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of robbers' " (Matthew 21:12-13). The cleansing of the temple was the beginning of the end for You. Your challenges to the religious leaders and religious practices of the day became much more pointed and much more personal. Their pride had replaced prayer; their manipulation had replaced mercy; their rituals had replaced relationship. You had had all You could take. And so had they. "Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the place of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him" (Matthew 26:3-4). Cleanse my temple, Lord (1 Corinthians 3:16). In the conviction that comes from Your love for me, expose the self-centered pride, self-promoting manipulation, and self-deceiving rituals going on in my life that keep my heart from being a house of prayer. Drive out every religious spirit from me that keeps me from the intimacy of the personal relationship of humble surrender and trusting faith in Your love You were willing to die for me to have. They will not go without a fight, and it may look like things get worse before they get better, but the victory is already won "through the blood of (Your) cross" (Colossians 1:20). Give me courage to enforce that victory by Your grace in the temple of my heart as I take up my cross and follow You each day (Matthew 16:24). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be teaching a workshop called "Healed and Free to Let the Spirit Flow" at the 2008 International Conference for Lay Pastors Ministry April 25-26, being hosted in Lexington at my home church this year. Please come join us. Register on-line www.laypastors.com Laura Beach of our ministry will also be teaching and my good friends Rev. Greg Gallaher and Mary Beth Ludt will be the plenary speakers. Come to the Fountain! for Good Friday this Friday Night 3/21 at 7 pm -- the 3rd Friday Night of every month -- for our ministry's monthly gathering of people from many different churches and streams of the body of Christ across our city for prayer, praise, and healing worship. This month Sandra White of Bethlehem Farm Ministries and I will lead in prayer while Jeff Green will lead in worship. Hosted in the chapel of Centenary: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY. Please come early for Intercessory Prayer at 6:15. Contact Marilyn at dirofministries@aol.com or 859-422-1794. All are welcome! Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! 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

The Third Day is Worth the Other Days 3-18-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Where You lead me, I will follow. ... "While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, 'See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death; then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day He will be raised" (Matthew 20:17-19). If I knew where I was going, would I still go there? If I knew what the future held for me would I still hold on to You? You were chastised, condemned, and crucified. Your motives were misunderstood, Your sacrifices were not appreciated, and the gift of Your life was rejected by those You loved. In some measure, the same will be true for me and for all who choose to follow You. "A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave to be like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of His household" (Matthew 10:24-25). By Your grace, I do choose to follow You -- not really knowing where I'm going, not really knowing what the future holds. But I know this -- You will be there with me (Matthew 28:20). So give me courage to choose to keep following You each day. As I look to You, give me the heart You had as You pressed on each day into the destiny before You: "Who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). The "third day" will be worth all the other days. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to the Fountain! for Good Friday this Friday Night 3/21 at 7 pm -- the 3rd Friday Night of every month -- for our ministry's monthly gathering of people from many different churches and streams of the body of Christ across our city for prayer, praise, and healing worship. This month Sandra White of Bethlehem Farm Ministries and I will lead in prayer while Jeff Greene will lead in worship. Hosted in the chapel of Centenary: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY. Please come early for Intercessory Prayer at 6:15. Contact Marilyn at 859-422-1794. All are welcome! Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! 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

Dominion Authority and Responsibility 3-17-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I quiet my soul, watch for Your face, and listen for the leading of Your Spirit. ... "What are human beings that You are mindful of them, mortals that You care for them? Yet You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under their feet" (Psalm 8:5-6). My Father, Creator of heaven and earth, You are sovereign over all there is, all there ever was, and all there ever will be (v. 8:1, 9). Yet, in Your sovereignty, You chose to entrust dominion into the hands of men and women. "The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He has given to human beings" (Psalm 115:16). With dominion authority comes dominion responsibility. You long for us to seek You and Your wisdom and Your leading in order to exercise our dominion and power with godly authority and a right heart willingly submitted to Your will and Your ways. But even when we don't, You have still entrusted dominion to us. You have from the beginning (Genesis 1:26). Whether we like it not, whether we think it is a wise plan or not, by the sovereignty of God, the choices we make each day affect everything there is. "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God" (Romans 8:19). All creation longs for those who have been given so much authority and power in the earth to humble themselves in Your sight, to give themselves to Your will, and arise to assert the dominion You have given us to bring life instead of death, healing instead of brokenness, freedom instead of bondage, and light instead of darkness. Then the glory and honor with which You have crowned us will bring glory and honor to You, the One who created us and entrusted us with such an amazing calling and destiny of purpose. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to the Fountain! for Good Friday this Friday Night 3/21 at 7 pm -- the 3rd Friday Night of every month -- for our ministry's monthly gathering of people from many different churches and streams of the body of Christ across our city for prayer, praise, and healing worship. This month Sandra White of Bethlehem Farm Ministries and I will lead in prayer while Jeff Greene will lead in worship. Hosted in the chapel of Centenary: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY. Please come early for Intercessory Prayer at 6:15. Contact Marilyn at dirofministries@aol.com or 859-422-1794. All are welcome! Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Hosted in the upstairs community room of First Southern National Bank at 3060 Harrodsburg Rd in Lexington. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! 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