Circumcision of the Heart 5-6-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I bow low and look up high and enter in deep to this time of communion in prayer with You, my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... "Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.... Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him" (Genesis 17:24 - 21:5). Faithful surrender to Your will in trusting obedience to Your word prepares the way for the fulfillment of Your promises. Abraham's circumcision was a cutting away of his self will and a surrender to Your will. He was willing to bring his flesh into submission to Your Spirit. "So shall My covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant" (Genesis 17:13). This was "a sign of the covenant" between You and Abraham and his children to come throughout all generations (v. 17:9-12). Yet this physical sign points the greater spiritual significance -- the circumcision of the heart. "Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, remove the foreskin of your hearts (Jeremiah 4:4). Lord Jesus Christ, You are the fulfillment of the covenant; and all the promises of God are fulfilled in You. As children of Abraham, children of faith, our response of obedience to prepare the way for Your promises has to do with the surrender of our hearts and the commitment of our faith in You. "For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3). This is our "spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ" (Colossians 2:11). Lord, I want to see every promise fulfilled. Strip away my flesh wherever it is rebellious; soften my heart wherever it is hardened. The child of Your promise to Abraham came when he obeyed Your word in faith. By Your Spirit, I want to obey Your word in faith, that all Your promises to me and to my generations may be fulfilled through our relationship with You. "For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts if faith working through love" (Galatians 5:5-6). By the grace of Your Spirit and in the power of Your love, I will obey Your word and see Your promises fulfilled. 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

Faithful Friend 5-5-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before I begin to think about my day, I first want to think about my God. ... "For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant" (Psalm 105:42). You remember Your promises and You remember Your people. Your promises are for Your people and it's often through Your people that You fulfill Your promises. You look for those who will believe, those who will trust You and obey You. You look for those who will take all they have learned and lived, yet are willing to let You stretch them beyond what they've known and take them father than they've ever imagined they could go. "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8). And along the journey of faith, Abraham was "put to the test," yet found faithful to hold on to the promises of God for the sake of the blessings to come to the people of God (v. 11:17). It was not worldly wisdom or even the best practices of righteous doctrine that was important to You and Your purposes through His life. "Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God" (James 2:23). So it is with us, that "those who believe are the descendants of Abraham" and "those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed" (Galatians 3:6-9). That blessing is to be known by God as a faithful friend. Your promises are rarely fulfilled in a day or even a single season or a single generation. So You call each of us to believe the promises You've laid on our hearts and to walk the journey You've set before us so we can be found faithful in our generation for the blessing of the generations to come. "Abraham gave all he had to Isaac" (Genesis 25:5). And our part is to give all we have, in obedience and faith, into our next generation. By Your grace and walking in faith, we prepare the way for You to take them farther than we could ever go, until the day that all Your promises are fulfilled. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 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

How Great is Our God! 5-4-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are great and greatly to be praised. I lift up my eyes and open up my heart and welcome You into my day. ... "My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all day long, though their number is past my knowledge. I will come praising the mighty deeds of the Lord God, I will praise Your righteousness, Yours alone" (Psalm 71:15-16). Every one of us has stories of Your glory in our lives. And how good it was to gather together to sing our praises to You and tell our stories to one another in celebration of Your goodness at our Celebration Dinner. How good to see such joy in hearts where I once say so much pain. How good to share in the shouts of victory where once there seemed to be only defeat. How good to join with those know Your mercy, have experienced Your power, and are filled with thanksgiving and joy to testify of Your greatness and inspired to give away to others the hope of Your goodness. "They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord" (Psalm 138:5). But we not only celebrate what You have done, we celebrate what You are doing. You are alive and active in every moment of our lives. "Great are Your works, O Lord!" (Psalm 92:5). Lord, open my eyes to see You at work in every moment, in my life and in the lives of all around me. I should celebrate every breath, shout with joy for every smile, and praise Your name forever for the forgiveness of every sin. Let me never take for granted Your greatness; let me always be mindful of Your mercies. "They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" (Lamentations 3:23). How great is our God! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we were so grateful to have Heather Butler from Wales speak an inspiring word and sing prophetically of God's love and mercy over us at our Celebration Dinner. I celebrate the greatness of God in your life and pray His blessings and mercies extend to you. Thank you for being a part of my life and our ministry. God bless you! Come to the Fountain! next 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. 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

Kings Bow Down 5-2-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Praise You, my Father. Welcome, Holy Spirit. One God in three Persons, whom I love and honor and welcome into every moment of my day. ... "May all kings bow down before Him, all nations give Him service" (Psalm 72:11). At the fountain of our downtown public park next to the library and across from the courthouse, I gathered with the citizens of my city yesterday for the National Day of Prayer to openly and publicly pray. What a privilege and honor we have to come together as people of all walks of life and even people of all walks of faith to turn humble our hearts without embarrassment or fear before our Creator and acknowledge our desperate dependence upon God as our Strength and Shield. I stood with ministers and police officers, city workers and secretaries, homeless people and people just passing by, as Your Word was spoken and Your name was exalted. As it turned out, I was asked to the read the official proclamation, signed and sealed by the Mayor of our city and leader of our local and county government, declaring the day as a day of prayer for the people of our community, our nation, and all the nations of the world. As I publicly proclaimed the words, I knew these were not words of Scripture, but I knew these were words of significance. Our governmental leader was bowing down before You, proclaiming our honor for You and our dependence upon You, on behalf of us all for us all to hear. Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, may it be eternally significant for the souls of the people of our land that You are publicly and officially welcomed to come rule and reign in our hearts and in the hearts of our local and national government by public proclamation and prayer. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays I was also blessed to join with the people of Anderson County, Kentucky for their National Day of Prayer gathering last night in beautiful, powerful worship, prayer, and praise to our God. We prayed for you and all those who call upon the Lord to cover their lives and lands in His power and love. Friends, we gather tonight for our annual Celebration Dinner to celebrate stories of God's glory through the life of Messiah Ministries this past year and to look forward to the stories of His glory through changed lives in the coming years. We know most of our friends in ministry can't come join us, but we are thankful for you in all the ways you encourage us an support us in fulfilling the calling and vision the Lord has given us -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" (from Isaiah 61 & Luke 4). Please prayerfully consider continuing to join with us in ministry through your prayers and financial support as the Lord leads you with joyful giving to His kingdom through Messiah Ministries. This is one of those times of the year when we humble ourselves in God's grace to ask directly for your help and partnership with us in ministry. We are a faith-based ministry raising all our own support, faithfully trusting the Lord who has called us to graciously provide for us, just as He always has, to keep changing lives and making disciples through this ministry of His Church. Please let me know if I can talk with you or anyone you know who may have a heart for our ministry. 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

One Nation Under God 5-1-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are ruler of the nations and ruler of my soul. ... "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance; .... Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You" (Psalm 33:12-22, NKJV). Today is our National Day of Prayer. Just as President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed on April 30, 1863, it is to be "A Day of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer in the United States of America." Today I will bow on my knees and humble my heart with the people of my nation across our land to call upon Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, to rule our nation, to forgive our sins, to heal our land, and guide our destiny. Lord Jesus Christ, You are our Creator. No matter what name or image anyone may have of Almighty God, all prayers to the Creator are prayers to You, calling on Your name. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He himself is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:15-20). As a nation, throughout our generations, we have much to be forgiven for; but we also have much to be thankful for. You have not left Yourself without a witness or a remnant in our land; and You have sent many from our land to the farthest lands of the earth to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God. This day, let us hear Your gospel again in our own hearts. This day, let us turn again to our godly heritage and our godly destiny, as we continue to pledge with our words and our hearts and our actions to be "One Nation under God." As we do, we will arise and shine; and nations will come to our light, because You will be our Light shining brightly again through the hearts of the people of our nation (Isaiah 60:1-3). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I join with you in prayer as you pray for America and all the people of every nation today, May 1st on this U.S. National Day of Prayer: www.nationaldayofprayer.com In Kentucky, I will be speaking and praying at a county-wide gathering Thursday night in Lawrenceburg, Anderson County, Kentucky. There will be a gathering at the state capitol in Frankfurt at noon and in Lexington at Phoenix Park downtown at noon: www.kyndp.com May God be our Strength and Shield. God bless you and God bless America! We're at a capacity crowd for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner Friday Night, so please let Marilyn know immediately if you were planning to come: DirofMinistries@aol.com How Great is Our God! 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

Our Strength and Shield 4-30-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Arise in my soul and awaken my spirit to walk with You today. ... "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him" (Psalm 28:7). On the first day of May, America will go to her knees in prayer. The President of the United States of America has proclaimed this day as a National Day of Prayer from his office of governmental authority in the earthly realm, but also in the heavenly realm. By formal, written Presidential Proclamation, as the leader of our nation, he humbly and faithfully acknowledged You alone as our Strength and Shield: "America trusts in the abiding power of prayer and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in times of joy and of trial. As we observe the National Day of Prayer, we recognize our dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, and we put our country's future in His hands." In other words, "In God we trust." There is a pride and independence that is healthy and good, when we see who You have created us to be and walk in the gifts You've given us to live out the destiny and calling of the vision You've given us. This is true of a person and true of a nation. These are gifts of God. But like any of Your gifts, they can become tainted and distorted. Pride in what You have done in us can be turned to a sinful focus on what we think we have done for ourselves. Independence with the conviction and determination to do what is right no matter what others may choose can be turned to a sinful arrogance when we fail to remember that apart from You, we can do nothing. So it is good to humble ourselves in Your sight and to remember that You alone are our Strength and our Shield, that You alone are worthy of our trust and thanks. "Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright" (Psalm 20:7-8). On this day, as we respond in faith to the call to prayer Your Spirit has spoken through our President, as we humble ourselves to turn from the sins of pride and independence, we know You will hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). We will "rise and stand" only to the degree that we bow low and pray (James 4:10). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I join with you in prayer as you pray for America and all the people of every nation tomorrow, May 1st on the U.S. National Day of Prayer: www.nationaldayofprayer.com In Kentucky, I will be speaking and praying at a county-wide gathering Thursday night in Lawrenceburg, Anderson County, Kentucky. There will be a gathering at the state capitol at noon and in Lexington at Phoenix Park downtown at noon: www.kyndp.com May God be our Strength and Shield. God bless you and God bless America! We're at a capacity crowd for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner Friday Night, so please let Marilyn know immediately if you were planning to come: DirofMinistries@aol.com How Great is Our God! 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

Let the Scales Fall Off 4-29-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I settle down in the silence and center my heart and soul on You alone in these first moments of my morning. ... "So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored" (Acts 9:17-18). What are the scales that cover my eyes? What keeps me from seeing You as You truly are? Though I see You now, I only see "dimly" compared to the day to come when I see You "face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12). In the daily battle for my sight and soul, my enemy tries to veil my face and blind my mind from "seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). He uses the smoke and mirrors of confusion and deception to distract me and distort my image of You and my image of myself. But Your Spirit keeps lifting the veil and opening my eyes to see You more clearly each day as You are, filling me with truth and faith to seek Your face and see Your glory. So each day I choose by Your grace to seek You, more scales fall off and the veil between heaven and earth, between how You really are and how I see You becomes a little thinner each day. Not only do I see Your image more clearly, but as I seek You, You are changing me to become more like You "from one degree of glory to another" each day (2 Corinthians 3:18). You restore my sight and my soul. You fill me with Your Spirit and send me forth. 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

April 2008 Messiah's Messenger -- Newsletter for the Friends of Tommy Hays & Messiah Ministries

Dear Friends of Messiah Ministries and Tommy Hays, I'm excited to have just sent out our April 2008 Newsletter -- Messiah's Messenger. We want to let you know some of the exciting things the Lord is doing through Messiah Ministries these days. And we are are so grateful for all your prayers and support that make it possible to go through the gates of ministry the Lord is opening for us to fulfill our calling and destiny in Him. If you would like me to send our Newsletter to you by email attachement, please send me a note with your email address and I'll be glad to send it on: MessiahMin@aol.com Thank and God bless you! Tommy Hays Spiritual Director and Founder Messiah Ministries 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, Kentucky 40502 http://www.messiah-ministries.org/

"This is the One" 4-28-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, come abide in me by Your Holy Spirit. ... "The Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.' Then Saul took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward" (1 Samuel 16:12-13). Spirit of the Lord, You came mightily upon David. And he was known to all by Your presence in his life. They said he was "skillful in playing (the lyre), a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him" (v. 16:18). David was a worshiper and a warrior, who spoke well in the presence of others because he spent time in the presence of the Lord. The anointing of Your presence rested upon him and identified him as "the one" (v. 16:12). And in these days, You have poured out Your Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17). Now, in this age, the Spirit of the Lord rests upon and dwells within all who call upon Your name and welcome You into our hearts and lives. You say of each of us, "This is the one." We are each anointed by Your Spirit. "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.... As for you, the anointing that you received from Him abides in you" (1 John 2:20-27). By the abiding presence of Your Holy Spirit anointing each one of us, we are worshippers and warriors, speaking words of truth and life because we are drawn near to spend time with the One who is Truth and Life. As we do, You come mightily upon us and rise up within us, making us one with You, one with each other, and one in ministry to the people and places of the world You send us in the power of Your Spirit and glory of Your presence. As You said to our Father, "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 17:22-23). 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

Overflow of Love 4-27-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord; and I thank You, Lord, for loving me. ... "And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11). How do I know "what is best"? How do I keep my focus fixed on the true goal? How do I give my heart, and time, and resources to what really matters? According to Your Word, it's by the overflow of love. As I allow Your love to fill me and overflow through me, "knowledge and full insight" come. True knowledge comes from knowing You. True wisdom comes from knowing the One who is wise. The "day of Christ" will come. And in that day, I want to be one who is "pure and blameless." I want to have "produced the harvest of righteousness" in the field that You gave me with the seeds of love and truth You've given me to sow. In the sin of my flesh, I know I fall short of the glory of God in so many ways. So I need You to keep reminding me of the true goal and the true means of Your grace to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). And that means is love -- the overflow of love. 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

Mindful of Me 4-26-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me into the deep place of surrender and rest in You. ... "When I look at heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars that You have established; 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 8:3-6). You are mindful of the heavens, yet You are mindful of me. You hold all things in Your hands, yet You have chosen to put them under the feet of mortal men and women. You have all power and authority in heaven and earth, yet You have given dominion over Your creation to Your created ones. You are crowned with all glory and honor and power, yet You honor us and crown us with Your glory. You have entrusted so much to us, as if we were Your children -- sons and daughters of God himself. And so we are. We "have received a Spirit of adoption. When we cry, 'Abba! Father! it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ -- if, in fact, we suffer with Him so that we may also be gloried with Him" (Romans 8:15-17). Cleanse me in Your blood and fill me with Your Spirit. Hold me in Your arms and lead me in Your ways. Remind of who am I am what You've sent me to do. You've entrusted so much to me; give me the power of Your grace to honor You in all I do with it today. 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

Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner May 2nd

Friends of Messiah Ministries & Tommy Hays Please come join us for our 2008 Celebration Dinner Friday Night, May 2nd 7-9:00 pm Celebrate stories of God's glory; Hear our Calling; Join our Vision Contact Marilyn Walker: DirOfMinstries@aol.com 859-317-1591 If you're unable to come but would like to join with us financially,

please send your contribution to:

Messiah Ministries

2800 Tates Creek Rd.; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org

Anything. Anytime. Anywhere. 4-25-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, Lord of my life, I bow with my knees and confess with my tongue that You are Lord of all. ... "And he got up, left everything, and followed Him" (Luke 5:28). I spent time yesterday with two different men at two different times Your Spirit sent to our city with a mission and ministry for each -- John from Ireland and Abraham from India. I know You sent them for many reasons, but one reason was to speak to my heart by the witness of their lives. These men of God were willing to literally get up, leave everything, and follow You -- not just one time, but every moment of every day. One literally signed a pledge as a young man, along with the woman of God who would become his wife and life-long partner in the journey, "Lord Jesus, I will follow You: Anything. Anytime. Anywhere." This is the mind of Christ (Luke 22:42). This is the heart of Mary (Luke 1:38). This is the will of Peter, Matthew, Mary Magdalene, and everyone of Your true disciples (Luke 9:23). When You call me to follow You, it seems it's not so much to a place of destination but to a place of surrender. You call me to surrender all, to entrust all, to leave all and follow You in trusting faith and humble obedience. I could never do that in my power and self-determination. And I don’t have to. It's all by the power of Your grace. You give me the grace to desire it, the grace to do it, and the grace to keep on doing it. Then, if I fail when the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak, You even give me the grace to repent, receive Your forgiveness, and be restored in my heart to be ready to surrender all and follow You again. And above all, the reason You want me to follow You is because You love me so much You want me to be with You wherever You go. You know that down in my heart, I will only be truly happy and truly fulfilled when I do. Yes, Lord. By the power of Your grace I choose to follow You. Anything. Anytime. Anywhere. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be teaching a workshop this weekend on ministry to others with freedom from spiritual blockages 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: www.laypastors.com Laura Beach of our ministry and one of my spiritual mentors Margaret Therkelsen will also be teaching. My good friends Rev. Greg Gallaher and Mary Beth Ludt will be keynote speakers. Call Centenary Church for details at 859-269-2800 Please come join us if you can for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner May 2nd. Our friend and prophetic psalmist Heather Butler from Wales will be with us to give an inspiring word and we'll hear stories of God's glory. If you're not able to come but sense the Lord's leading to join in our vision and calling with your giving or your prayers, please send us a note of encouragement. We're a faith-based ministry raising all our own support to fulfill our calling -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." Please RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required for planning). 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

Signs of the Coming of the Kingdom 4-24-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your Word wash over me. Let Your Spirit fill me. ... "To Him who loves us and freed us from our sins by His blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever" (Revelation 1:5-6). You have already made us to be a kingdom through the power of Your love and the victory of Your cross. We are the kingdom of heaven on earth, a kingdom possessed by the faith of the children of God (Matthew 19:14). Our heavenly Father "has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14). This kingdom of the Son is now within us (Luke 17:21). And as Your Word declared long ago, "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed" (Daniel 2:44). You are my King. And with every choice I make by Your grace to embrace Your kingdom, Your kingdom comes. When I forgive instead of resent, Your kingdom comes. When I sacrifice what is rightfully mine for the sake of another, Your kingdom comes. When I willing entrust my thoughts to Your thoughts, my desires to Your desires, and my ways to Your ways, Your kingdom comes. These are the signs of the coming of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. "How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His sovereignty is from generation to generation" (Daniel 4:3). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be teaching a workshop this weekend 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. Call Centenary Church for details at 859-269-2800 Please come join us if you can for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner May 2nd. Our friend and prophetic psalmist Heather Butler from Wales will be with us to give an inspiring word and we'll hear stories of God's glory. If you're not able to come but sense the Lord's leading to join in our vision and calling with your giving or your prayers, please send us a note of encouragement. We're a faith-based ministry raising all our own support to fulfill our calling -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." Please RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required for planning). 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

"Love Never Ends" 4-23-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I wait on You in the silence of surrender to the leading of Your Spirit. ... "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ love the church and gave Himself for her.... In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.... Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband" (Ephesians 6:25-33). Love, respect, honor, devotion, sacrifice, faithfulness, forgiveness, commitment, patience, daring to entrust your heart to another, risking rejection, fearing failure, but denying self for the sake of another. Marriage is as much a refiner's fire as a warm glow. Lord, forgive me when I fail to love, fail to give, fail to forgive. "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends ..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Who can love, but by the grace of God? And who can be loved, but by the grace of God? Lord, give me grace to love and be loved, to respect and be respected. Love must be pursued (1 Corinthians 14:1). Love must be held in the flames by faith and hope until all the impurities are burned away. But the blessing and joy of the gold that comes through the refiner's fire is worth the pursuit. "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us if you can for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner May 2nd. Our friend and prophetic psalmist Heather Butler from Wales will be with us to give an inspiring word and we'll hear stories of God's glory. If you're not able to come but sense the Lord's leading to join in our vision and calling with your giving or your prayers, please send us a note of encouragement. We're a faith-based ministry raising all our own support to fulfill our calling -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." Please RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required for planning). 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

Celebration of Unleavened Bread 4-22-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me get quiet enough to hear, focused enough to see, and sensitive enough to follow. ... "Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and of evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). As I begin a new day, clean out the old yeast from the mistakes and regrets, sorrows and sins of all the days before. Let this day begin with a new batch of dough, untainted and undefiled. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). Let my life throughout this new day be a pleasing aroma to You (2 Corinthians 2:15). Give me the attitude to celebrate it as a festival, as You "restore to me the joy of my salvation" (Psalm 51:12). 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

Holy Communion with the Passover Lamb 4-21-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Living Word, speak to my heart. ... "While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, He broke it, gave it to His disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you in My Father's kingdom' " (Matthew 26:26-29). On the night You gathered with Your first disciples to share the Passover meal, You revealed that You are the fulfillment of the Passover (Matthew 26:19). The bread is Your body; the wine is Your blood. You are the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:21; Mark 14:12). You are the Lamb of God, slain for us, who takes away this sins of the world (John 1:29). And as we join together to celebrate the fulfillment of the Passover through the Lord's Supper we "come together as a church," as one body in our Lord (1 Corinthians 11:18). We come together in this Holy Communion with seeking hearts and trusting faith to be filled afresh with the living Presence of the living Christ -- to become one with You, one with each other, one in ministry to all the world. We proclaim Your sacrifice of love for us and remember the covenant of Your eternal love for us (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is more than a memory of something that happened two thousand years ago; it is a means of Your grace for us today. You fill us with Your Spirit and remind us of Your love and our calling to love others with Your love that now fills our hearts. "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Sunday morning we finished our Alpha retreat with a time of Holy Communion, experiencing a deep encounter with You as You filled all who asked with Your Holy Spirit. Then I joined with other friends Sunday afternoon to celebrate the Passover meal in the tradition of the Jewish sedar, but with the eyes of our hearts opened to see our Messiah through the words and actions of our meal. What a wonderful day of remembering who You are, what You have done, and all You desire to do in me and through my life in communion with Your Spirit and the body of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we're already hearing some amazing testimonies of God's presence and power in the hearts of many during our weekend Holy Spirit retreat on the Alpha Course. Thank you for your prayers and I pray for a fresh move of God's Spirit in your heart and the heart of all those in your spheres of ministry. God bless you! Our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner is May 2nd to celebrate stories of God's glory, hear our calling, and join His vision! Please come and bring some friends who may have a heart for the vision of our ministry -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required). Please spread the word and God bless you for joining with us to accomplish our calling and fulfill our destiny! 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 Things of the Spirit" 4-20-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Come cleanse my heart and shape my thoughts. ... "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5). You use the Alpha ministry at our church to bring many people to Christ. And You also use it to bring many people at our church who already know Christ to become more passionate, committed disciples of Christ. This weekend we're away with the seekers and the followers of Christ on our spring Alpha course to learn more about Your Holy Spirit, how to be filled with the Spirit, and how to live a life setting our minds on the things of the Spirit. And as I teach, I will also learn. As I give out, I will also receive. As I help lead others to You, I will become a more passionate, committed follower of You. Keep crucifying my flesh. Keep filling me with Your Spirit. Keep changing me and renewing me as You keep reminding me how much I need You. Soak me like a dry sponge in the living waters of Your Spirit as I hunger and thirst for more of You. I can't live this Christian life without the presence and power of Your Spirit living in me. And I praise You that I don't have to if I keep making room for more of Your Spirit in more of my soul (Ephesians 5:18). 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

Sail On 4-19-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Word of God, soak my mind and mold my soul. ... "Your rigging hangs loose; it cannot hold the mast firm in its place, or keep the sail spread out" (Isaiah 33:23). A sailboat is created to fly with the wind, as our souls are created to fly with Your Spirit. But the rigging must be right and the mast must be firm. The sail must be stretched out wide to catch the wind and ride the waves. The bow must be set on its course and the sails must be trimmed and positioned to advance. Otherwise the wind comes but the boat does not sail and the destination is never reached. Lord, this season of alignment and realignment, set the rigging right in my soul. I want to be right and ready, prepared and positioned to advance in the destiny You've set before me. Remove the clutter, batten down the hatches, and make taunt the lines of my sensitivity to Your leading. As I stretch out my arms in worship and spread out my heart in praise, fill my soul with Your Spirit. Your cross is my mast and Your Spirit is my wind. By the power of Your grace alone, I will sail on. I will cut through the waves of adversity and navigate the course of destiny You've set before me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner is May 2nd to celebrate stories of God's glory, hear our calling, and join His vision! Please come and bring some friends who may have a heart for the vision of our ministry -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required). Please spread the word and God bless you for joining with us to accomplish our calling and fulfill our destiny! 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 Mat 4-18-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Give me a right heart, renew a right spirit in me. Bring my thoughts, my desires, and my actions into line with Yours. ... "When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized Him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was" (Mark 6:54-55). Mockers and skeptics of the faith say it's just a crutch for those who are too weak to stand by themselves. It's more like a mat. It's only vain pride and arrogance that makes me think I can stand up at all without You. Faith doesn't call us to do our part and then let You do the rest. Faith requires me to humble myself to admit I can do absolutely nothing apart from You that has any lasting value at all. I'm even totally dependent upon You for the very will to want to be healed of the sickness of my sin and freed from the bondage of my will that rebels against Yours (Philippians 2:13). I'm not like the man who can stand up on his own but needs a crutch to walk. Rather, I'm like the man who was completely paralyzed, who couldn't stand up at all, and had to be carried on a mat into the presence of the only One who could forgive him, heal him, free him, and empower him to rise up and walk out his faith in Your power and by Your grace (Mark 2:1-12). I renounce the deception that I can stand at all apart from You, that I have any strength or power to will or to do what is right apart from You. Apart from You, without total, desperate dependence on You, I can do nothing (John 15:5). So I throw down my crutch and lay down on my mat. I renounce my pride and embrace the truth that it's only to the degree that I'm willing to humble myself in Your sight, that You will lift me up (James 4:10). You don’t come to those who claim they are well, but to those who admit their sickness; You don't come to those who claim they are righteous, but to those who admit they have not righteousness apart from You (Mark 2:17). But by the power of Your steadfast love and ever-enduring mercy to all who seek You, I will arise and take up my mat and walk (Mark 2:11). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to the Fountain Tonight! Friday Night 4/18 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 Phil Jackson 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! Friends, our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner is May 2nd to Celebration Stories of God's glory, Hear Our Calling, and Join Our Vision! Please come and bring some friends who may have a heart for the vision of our ministry -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required). Please spread the word and God bless you for joining with us to accomplish our calling and fulfill our destiny! 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