Trail of Tears 10-11-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and lift up Your praise, as I offer myself and my day to You. ... "By the rivers of Babylon -- there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung our harps" (Psalm 137:1-2). You've sent me to Claremore, Oklahoma to lead a Prayer Revival and Time of Healing, hosted by several local churches this weekend. This is the home of the famous political humorist Will Rogers and the setting of the Broadway musical "Oklahoma!" But it's also the heart of what became the Cherokee Nation of the Indian Territories following the Trail of Tears. I feel deep sadness and grief in my spirit to even write the words. Along with slavery, the Trail of Tears is one of the darkest moments of the history of our nation. In the dead of winter of 1838, our government forced the relocation of the Cherokee Native American Tribe from their homes in Georgia to this region of Oklahoma, under provisions of "The Indian Removal Act of 1830". Over the 2,200 miles of this trail of tears, over 4,000 graves of the men, women, and children who died along the way mark this trail of our national sin. It's said those among them who had come to know You as Savior and Lord sang over and over again "Amazing Grace" in their grief and sorrow, but also in their hope of Your redemption of the cruelty and injustice of this broken, fallen world. Lord, forgive us. "Open shame, O Lord, falls on us, our (leaders), our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you.... We do not present our supplication before You on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear, O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act, and do not delay" (Daniel 9:8-19). Lord, would You cleanse us and our land from the sins of the generations. Would You break any curse of sorrow and sadness upon this land through our acknowledgement and repentance of our sins and through Your great mercies. "You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb, without defect or blemish" (1 Peter 1:18-19). Lord, let what was sown in tears and sorrow be reaped in joy (Psalm 126:5). "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10). Lord let it be so in Zion, in Oklahoma, and throughout the earth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I would appreciate your prayers for us this weekend while I lead a Prayer Revival and Time of Healing in Claremore, Oklahmoma, being hosted by several churches in the city and held at the First United Methodist Church, http://www.claremorefumc.org Click this link... to Register for or get more information about our next Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry on November 12-15, 2008 in Lexington. Come to The Fountain! this Month on October 17, the 3rd Friday night of every month to hear Heather Butler, our friend from Wales, for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Heather Butler, prophetic psalmist from Wales, who leads the Healing Rooms there, will be ministering with me this month on Oct 17th, with Phil Jackson leading us in worship. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com To our friends in Pennsylvania, Laura Beach will be leading a retreat in Millerstown, PA on Thursday, October 23 from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM. The theme of the day is Kaleidoscopes of Restoration. This day will be a gentle time of healing using the familiar image of the kaleidoscope, a word that comes from the Greek words kalos [beautiful] and eidos [form]. The kaleidoscope takes broken pieces and fits them together. As light shines through its lens, we see a thing of beauty. Through guided prayer, Scripture and reflection, the broken pieces of our lives can be illumined by the light of Christ. It is in that light that we experience restoration. For more information or reservations, contact the Center for Spiritual Formation, via email: formation1@embarqmail.com or phone: 717.240.0678. 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! now meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

From Worry to the One Who is Worthy 10-10-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me beside Your still waters in these first moments of my morning, as You renew my spirit and restore my soul. ... "Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls; I will exult in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights" (Habakkuk 3:17-19). In the times of lack, You are still worthy of praise. In the times of temptation to give in to worry, anxiety, and fear, You are still worthy of praise. In the times of turmoil, uncertainty, and confusion, You are still worthy of praise. Praising You lifts our eyes from worry and onto the One who is worthy. The arms of our Father are stretched out wide to quiet the hearts and calm the fears of Your children. And the abiding presence of Your Holy Spirit lifts our eyes and our spirits to the One who is our hope and strength, steadying our feet beneath us and guiding our steps forward. I saw an image of traders on the floor of the stock exchange with heads lifted up to watch the numbers rise and fall, along with their hearts and stomachs. That's a picture of much of our nation and the growing impact upon the nations of the world in this time of economic turmoil. Our faces are lifted to the focus of our security and hope. And that exposes the degree of idolatry of our hearts. What is the source and focus of our security and hope -- the strength of our economy, the value of our investment account, the stability of our financial institution, the rescue plan of our politicians, the economic intervention plan of our government, or the certainty of our job? As important as any of these things may be, they cannot be our source or focus of our security and hope. "What use is an idol once its maker has shaped it -- a cast image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in what has been made, though the product is only an idol that cannot speak! Alas for you who say to the wood, 'Wake up!' to silent stone, 'Rouse yourself!' Can it teach? See, it is gold and silver plated, and there is no breath in it at all. But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him!" (Habakkuk 2:18-20). In the hours of uncertainty, You remind me to look to the One who is always certain. In the days of discouragement, You call me to look up to the One who encourages me by Your Word and guides me by Your Spirit. "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:2-3). By Your grace, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let (my) foot be moved; He who keeps (me) will not slumber... The Lord will keep (my) going out and (my) coming in from this time on and forevermore" (Psalm 121:1-8). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we stand in agreement in prayer with one another and for one another through these troubled times. Humility before God and dependence upon Him alone to guide us through these days will be keys of the kingdom of God for us (Matthew 18:18-20). I would appreciate your prayers for us this weekend while I lead a Prayer Revival and Time of Healing in Claremore, Oklahmoma, being hosted by several churches in the city and held at the First United Methodist Church, http://www.claremorefumc.org Click this link... to Register for or get more information about our next Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry on November 12-15, 2008 in Lexington. Come to The Fountain! this Month on October 17, the 3rd Friday night of every month to hear Heather Butler, our friend from Wales, for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Heather Butler, prophetic psalmist from Wales, who leads the Healing Rooms there, will be ministering with me this month on Oct 17th, with Phil Jackson leading us in worship. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com To our friends in Pennsylvania, Laura Beach will be leading a retreat in Millerstown, PA on Thursday, October 23 from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM. The theme of the day is Kaleidoscopes of Restoration. This day will be a gentle time of healing using the familiar image of the kaleidoscope, a word that comes from the Greek words kalos [beautiful] and eidos [form]. The kaleidoscope takes broken pieces and fits them together. As light shines through its lens, we see a thing of beauty. Through guided prayer, Scripture and reflection, the broken pieces of our lives can be illumined by the light of Christ. It is in that light that we experience restoration. For more information or reservations, contact the Center for Spiritual Formation, via email: formation1@embarqmail.com or phone: 717.240.0678. 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! now meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Choose Well the Way 10-9-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be Lord of my thoughts, Lord of my desires, Lord of my day. ... "Who are they that fear the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose. They will abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes His covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:12-14). My oldest son, Zach, will graduate from high school this year. So I've spent the past few days with him visiting colleges, filling out applications, and talking about his future. He has some important choices to make that will influence the rest of his life. I've tried to help guide him without getting in his way, tried to encourage wise choices of his will without giving in to the temptation of imposing my will. His thoughts are not always my thoughts and his ways are not always my ways. But I love him and want the best for him. One of the most important things I can offer my son is a life teaching by living example of seeking Your face, listening for Your voice, and waiting on Your will. This is the way of those who fear the Lord, the way of those who choose well. They are those who honor You as Lord -- who willingly bow their will to Your will, willingly allow You to form Your thoughts in their minds and Your desires in their hearts, willing choose to believe that You know what's right and what's best for every choice of their lives. As they do, You "teach them the way that they should choose." And as they continue to choose to walk with You in both "the fear of the Lord" in honor and "the friendship of the Lord" in love, You make the blessings of obedience to Your will and Your ways known to them. Along the journey, they will "abide in prosperity" as their generations "possess the land" in the timing and in the way that You determine are best for them. That's God's best that I want and pray for my son and for myself. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Click this link... to Register for or get more information about our next Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry on November 12-15, 2008 in Lexington. To our friends in Pennsylvania, Laura Beach will be leading a retreat in Millerstown, PA on Thursday, October 23 from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM. The theme of the day is Kaleidoscopes of Restoration. This day will be a gentle time of healing using the familiar image of the kaleidoscope, a word that comes from the Greek words kalos [beautiful] and eidos [form]. The kaleidoscope takes broken pieces and fits them together. As light shines through its lens, we see a thing of beauty. Through guided prayer, Scripture and reflection, the broken pieces of our lives can be illumined by the light of Christ. It is in that light that we experience restoration. For more information or reservations, contact the Center for Spiritual Formation, via email: formation1@embarqmail.com or phone: 717.240.0678. Come to The Fountain! this Month on October 17, the 3rd Friday night of every month to hear Heather Butler, our friend from Wales, for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Heather Butler, prophetic psalmist from Wales, who leads the Healing Rooms there, will be ministering with me this month on Oct 17th, with Phil Jackson leading us in worship. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! now meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Humbled by Hunger 10-8-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look up and reach out to the One who's already, always looking and reaching out to me. ... "He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 8:4). When I'm hungry for a sense of direction, hungry for a sense of security, hungry for a sense of assurance that everything will work out for my good and Your glory, You are blessing me to remind me that I need You, that I'm desperately dependant upon you, despite any slight, momentary allusion that I can completely depend upon myself or anyone else but You alone. Your Word is my bread. Your Spirit is my breath. You are "the bread of life;" You are "the living bread that comes down from heaven" (John 6:48-51). Whoever hungers for the bread of this world for direction, security, and assurance, only hungers for what can never satisfy or sustain. But "whoever eats of this (living) bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh" (John 6:51). Lord, keep humbling me in hunger for more of You. Keep teaching me how to eat of the bread of the Your Word and breathe the breath of Your Spirit. Keep teaching me the truth of my desperate dependence upon You that keeps freeing me of my dependence upon myself or anyone or anything else but You. As You fed all who have gone before me in the faith, so You will feed me and lead me into the fullness of Your blessings of eternal life. "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams ... a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing.... You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that He has given you" (Deuteronomy 8:7-10). This is the fulfillment and feast of the blessing You give out of the hunger You humble me to have. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Our friend Heather Butler, prophetic psalmist from Wales, who lead the Healing Rooms there, will be ministering with me this month on Oct 17th, with Phil Jackson leading us in worship. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! Starting Monday October 6th we will begin meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Listen for Me" 10-5-08

Good Morning, Lord Jesus. You meet with me in these morning moments, then walk with me throughout my day. ... "Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God" (John 8:42). Lord, am I from God? It seems I hear You say, "My son, I created you and formed you, I knitted you together in your mother's womb. And you are Mine. You are from Me. Through the blood of My Son, you are My son." Lord, do I hear Your words? "You hear My words. And I have put the desire in your heart to hear Me and to grow in your desire to hear Me more clearly." Lord, how do I hear You more clearly? "Listen for Me. When you read My written Word, listen for Me. When you wait in the stillness of the morning and throughout the moments of your day, listen for Me. When you look up at My creation and see My hand in the design of all things, listen for Me. When you hear the cry of the needy, when you see the inward heart of a person far beneath the surface of their actions and their appearance, listen for Me. When you sense the comfort or conviction or counsel of My Holy Spirit living in you, listen for Me. When you dream in the night or see visions in the day, when you seek to know the meaning of the images I show you about how to pray and what to say, listen for Me. When you lift your eyes to things above and look beyond the veil of the things of this earth into My heavenly realm, listen for Me." Yes, Lord. That's what I desire. Thank You for putting this desire in my heart. Help me grow in my sensitivity to Your words and in my obedience to Your will. You say, "My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). I want to know You and hear You and follow You. Give me grace to hear You, to discern that I have heard You, and then to trust You and follow You wherever You lead me by Your words and Your voice. "But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves" (James 1:22). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Morning by Morning, Saturday 10-4-08 -- "Cords of Human Kindness" Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in Your paths for my life today. ... "I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them" (Hosea 11:4). You don't drive us like a herd of cattle, You lead us like a flock of sheep. You don't force us to follow You or love You or even honor You for who You are, You draw us to You by Your grace and out of Your love. "No one can come to Me unless drawn by My Father who sent Me" (John 6:44). And we are drawn to You, Lord Jesus, by our Father who sends His Holy Spirit to draw us and lead us into the fullness of Your embrace and to be filled and fed by the fullness of Your Word and Your Spirit. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" and we "have received a spirit of adoption" so that "we cry, 'Abba! Father!" by Your "very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:14-16). You don't stand off afar, aloof and distant, You bend down low into the depths of our humanity to gather us up into the kindness and comfort of Your arms. And though You are the source of all our encouragement, affirmation, and nurture, You often choose to lead us and love through the "human kindness" of those who have Your heart and who are willing to be Your arms. You fill and mature Your sons and Your daughters with the Father's heart, the mind of Christ, and the loving power of the Holy Spirit. Then You send us forth as Your hands and feet, with Your words and heart to be Your "bands of love" in the lives of one another. To love You and love one another, to be loved by You and to be loved by one another, is at the heart of the message of Your gospel and Your kingdom (Matthew 22:36-40). "Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and His love is perfected in us" (1 John 4:11-12). Lord, lead me and empower me to love and be loved with Your "cords of human kindness" today. 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. Our friend Heather Butler, prophetic psalmist from Wales, who lead the Healing Rooms there, will be ministering with me this month on Oct 17th, with Phil Jackson leading us in worship. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! Starting Monday October 6th we will begin meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 my book and our resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Cords of Human Kindness" 10-4-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in Your paths for my life today. ... "I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them" (Hosea 11:4). You don't drive us like a herd of cattle, You lead us like a flock of sheep. You don't force us to follow You or love You or even honor You for who You are, You draw us to You by Your grace and out of Your love. "No one can come to Me unless drawn by My Father who sent Me" (John 6:44). And we are drawn to You, Lord Jesus, by our Father who sends His Holy Spirit to draw us and lead us into the fullness of Your embrace and to be filled and fed by the fullness of Your Word and Your Spirit. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" and we "have received a spirit of adoption" so that "we cry, 'Abba! Father!" by Your "very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:14-16). You don't stand off afar, aloof and distant, You bend down low into the depths of our humanity to gather us up into the kindness and comfort of Your arms. And though You are the source of all our encouragement, affirmation, and nurture, You often choose to lead us and love through the "human kindness" of those who have Your heart and who are willing to be Your arms. You fill and mature Your sons and Your daughters with the Father's heart, the mind of Christ, and the loving power of the Holy Spirit. Then You send us forth as Your hands and feet, with Your words and heart to be Your "bands of love" in the lives of one another. To love You and love one another, to be loved by You and to be loved by one another, is at the heart of the message of Your gospel and Your kingdom (Matthew 22:36-40). "Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and His love is perfected in us" (1 John 4:11-12). Lord, lead me and empower me to love and be loved with Your "cords of human kindness" today. 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. Our friend Heather Butler, prophetic psalmist from Wales, who lead the Healing Rooms there, will be ministering with me this month on Oct 17th, with Phil Jackson leading us in worship. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! Starting Monday October 6th we will begin meeting at Southland Evangelical M ethodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 my book and our resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Power in Praise 10-3-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me under the shadow of the Almighty and into the secret place of the Most High (Psalm 91). You are the Almighty, You are the Most High, in every dimension of Your Being -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy, and does not despise His own that are in bonds" (Psalm 69:30-33). There's power in praise. You give me grace to praise You through every problem, to thank You through every trial. When I'm tempted to fix my eyes on my circumstances, Your Holy Spirit revives my heart with a song of praise as I seek my God. The breath of God moves my spirit to open my mouth, lift my face, and fix my eyes on Christ. As I worship You and praise Your name, I remember Your steadfast love and faithful presence through every moment of my past and I'm assured of Your love and presence with me today and throughout all eternity. It's not ritual sacrifice but a living relationship of trusting surrender that pleases You and revives me. You hear the needy and help those who humble themselves to seek You and ask You for help. "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.... Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.... Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you" (James 4:6-10). As I surrender my heart and submit my circumstances to the power of Your love and grace, You free me from oppression and break my bonds asunder. You empower me to face every challenge of my day in the confidence of "Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! Starting Monday October 6th we will begin meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 my book and our resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Benjamin's Blessing of Safety, Rest, and Peace 10-2-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I call on Your name and lift up my praise. ... "Of Benjamin he said: The beloved of the Lord rests in safety -- the High God surrounds him all day long -- the beloved rests between His shoulders" (Deuteronomy 33:12). As Moses spoke his final blessings of prophetic destiny over the tribes of Israel, he released the blessing of safety and rest over Benjamin. And in the generations to come, the land of Benjamin would be set apart as holy ground for the place of the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem (Joshua 18:21-28). So even today, we are to continue to pray for the fulfillment of this prophetic blessing upon the people and the land of Benjamin. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers. For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, 'Peace be within you.' For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good" (Psalm 122:6-9). The land of Benjamin and the city of Jerusalem have not yet known the fulfillment of this blessing. It seems this land has known the very opposite for so long through wars, terror, and conflict of every kind. So often it seems we must walk through a wilderness of the opposite of our destiny as we learn to pray and hold fast to Your promises in order to grow into spiritual maturity. Yet Your Word will come to pass and Your blessing will be fulfilled, in Your timing and in Your way, both literally and spiritually (Isaiah 55:11). One day, as the Prince of Peace, You will personally fulfill this blessing of safety and rest in Jerusalem, the city of peace (Zechariah 9:9-17). "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the Lord (Zechariah 8:20-23). Until the ultimate fulfillment of that day, Your blessing of safety and rest is fulfilled in the lives of all who welcome the dwelling of Your Spirit in the temple of our bodies and allow Your home to be in our hearts (1 Corinthians 3:16). Like the land of Benjamin that would lie in the shadow of Your earthly temple, we will know Your blessing as we seek to dwell in the shadow of Your heavenly temple. "You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust" (Psalm 91:1-2). You welcome each one of us into that blessing through Christ. "Abide in Me as I abide in you" (John 15:4). So by Your grace, I choose to receive that blessing of Benjamin and all "the blessing of Abraham" now available to all who will seek it and receive it by faith in You (Galatians 3:14). As I live in You and You live in me, today and everyday, may I know the blessing of safety and rest in the peace of Your abiding Presence dwelling in me. Even in the times where it seems like I'm living in a wilderness of the opposite, I know You are leading me into all the blessings of all Your promises fulfilled in Christ. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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. New Location for "Come To The Mountain" Israel prayer! Starting Monday October 6th we will begin meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 my book and our resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Ever-Surpassing Peace 10-1-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fully abide in me -- spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). ... "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Guard my heart and my mind in Your peace. Your peace does not promise the absence of problems or perils. Your peace does not provide some sort of spiritual immunity from spiritual and mental battles for the serenity of my soul. Your peace promises, "The Lord is near" (v. 4:5). And because You are near, You speak gently, but firmly to my heart and mind, "Do not worry .... Do not be afraid ..." (Luke 12:22-34). The truth is that all the worry, anxiety, stress, and fear that I could possibly muster if I were to give in to every distressing thought from every alarming source cannot "add a single hour to (my) span of life" (Luke 12:26). "If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?" (v. 12:26). You know just how I am and You know just what I need. You will never leave me and never forsake. You will walk through every valley with me. When things get scary, I don't have to get scared. When everything around me is getting shaken up, I don't have to get shaken up with them (Hebrews 12:27). In all the things that may ever come upon this earth in the days ahead and throughout my span of life, I need not fear or worry or be anxious for anything, for You are with me (Isaiah 43:2). And You are my Peace -- the "Prince of Peace" abiding in me and continually filling me with Your Spirit of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; Ephesians 5:18). That's the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. So I pray You would keep surpassing my understanding with Your ever-surpassing peace. 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 My Book and Our Ministry Resources at www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Our Burden Bearer, Debt Breaker, and Jubilee 9-30-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me let Your life be expressed through my life today. ... "Do not be one of those who gives pledges, who become surety for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?" (Proverbs 22:26-7). Overwhelming debt seems to be crushing the economy of our nation, crushing the peace and sense of security of all who are touched by it. Some are overwhelmed because they've borrowed beyond their means. Some are overwhelmed because they've enticed others to borrow beyond their means. And some are overwhelmed because everybody around them is overwhelmed. Our economy needs divine correction. Our leaders and our people don't have the answers because apart from You, there are no answers. But we don't have to be apart from You, we don't have to try to fix our overwhelming human mess in our underwhelming human wisdom. We can humble ourselves to seek Your face and Your wisdom. "If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be give to you. But ask in faith ..." (James 1:5-6). Lord, give us faith as a people and a nation to turn to You and trust in You, desperately depending upon You alone to give us Your wisdom. Let us not try to explain away or cover up our sins of material lust, self-centered indulgence, predatory lending, greed, and rebellion against the wisdom of Your Word and Your ways. Let us admit the sin for the sin that it is and repent before You, personally and as a people of a nation humbling themselves before God (2 Chronicles 7:14). Though You warn us against becoming ensnared by debt, You also always provide a means of rescue. Under the Old Covenant, You provided a year of jubilee. "Every seventh year you shall grant a remission of debts" (Deuteronomy 15:1). You called Your people to have a heart to give to the needy, but also never to take more than is needed (v. 15:7-11). And every seven of seven years was a year of jubilee, with complete restoration of all that was lost through foolishness, deceit, calamity, or sin (Leviticus 25:8-55). There is wisdom in Your ways. And when we stumble and are ensnared by following the foolishness of our own wisdom and ways, You want us to turn to You alone as our Wisdom, our Rescue Plan, our Deliverer, our Bearer of our burdens. You are the only Bail-out Plan that we will ever need and that will ever work. The year of jubilee speaks of "the year of the Lord's favor" (Isaiah 61:2). And under Your New Covenant in Christ, our jubilee is fulfilled in You alone (Luke 4:18-19). "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). In this season of shaking, pruning and correction, have mercy upon us as we humble ourselves to turn to You. In You, we will not be overwhelmed or overcome, but we shall overcome. "For whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:4-5). "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). You are our Burden Bearer, our Debt Breaker, and our Jubilee. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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 at Southland Evangelical Methodist on Clays Mill Rd starting in October). Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 my book and our resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Men of God 9-29-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You increase as I decrease; more of Your will, less of my will; more of Your ways, less of my ways. ... "But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, gentleness, endurance. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:11-12). I spent the weekend with nine hundred men from Methodist churches all across north Georgia, who came together for a spiritual retreat, away from the world and into Your Presence. Many were on a journey that would lead them out of their comfort zones and mindsets and into a deeper place of surrender to You and the mind of Christ. After our time of Communion Sunday morning, in our final moments of prayer and praise together, arm to arm and hand to hand, lifted high together in a giant circle around the auditorium, we all knew we were among men of God -- real men honoring God. We made our good confession of our faith, taking hold of eternal life, taking our stand for You and for one another in the presence of many witnesses. Today, every man is back in the battle, taking their stand to fight the good fight of the faith for their families and their communities in their work and their ministries in the power and authority of Your name. May we be continually filled with Your Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). May we continually walk in Your steps (1 Peter 2:21). May we continually choose, by Your grace, to have the mind of Christ and display the nature of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). With Your power and our persistence, may we pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, gentleness, and endurance. May we "purse peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" and "see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God" (Hebrews 12:14-15). That's who men of God are; that's what men of God do. So let it be; so let it be done. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, Thank You! for covering us in prayer at the annual Rock Eagle Men's Retreat in Georgia this weekend ( www.ngcumm.com ) For the past several years they have invited me to come to teach and minister on prayer, fasting, healing, and deliverance. This year there seemed to be an especially deep hunger with openness and brokenness before the Lord and there was deep spiritual transformation in many lives that will now influence a huge region. I pray the same for your region. I also had a chance to connect with superintendents from Brazil and Mexico who are very welcoming of our ministry. God bless you and thank you for all your prayers and provision that help make this kind of ministry possible! 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com 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. (Moving to Southland Evangelical Methodist on Clays Mill Rd in October). Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at 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 My Book and Our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Sudden Destruction of Pride 9-25-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your Word take me deeper, let Your Spirit take me higher. ... "Is this your exultant city whose origin is from days of old, whose feet carried her to settle far away? Who has planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? The Lord of hosts has planned it -- to defile the pride of all glory, to shame all the honored of the earth" (Isaiah 23:7-7-9). Suddenly, it seems, they say our nation's economic system is on the verge of collapse and catastrophic failure. The President spoke to the nation last night about dire consequences if our national leaders do not act soon. And the first act must be to humble ourselves in our hearts and on our knees before God, renouncing the pride of all self-honor, self-exaltation, and self-glory apart from the acknowledged grace and favor of God for all the blessings we've ever had. We need Your divine wisdom and we are desperately dependent upon You alone as the only Answer to or economic and moral survival as a nation. Yes, we want our national leaders to bow and pray, but we are the ones -- those who are called by Your name -- who have the primarily responsibility to humble ourselves in repentance and prayer on behalf of the nation. "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). You resist the proud, but give grace to the humble (James 4:6). Your steadfast love and Your mercy endures forever. You turn tragedy into triumph and brokenness into breakthrough when we humble ourselves of all our pride and acknowledge our need of Your wisdom and Your strength in desperate dependence upon You alone. Then even Your judgments become Your mercy, because the severity of Your judgments humble us and lead us to kindness of Your mercy. We behold both "the kindness and the severity of God" (Romans 11:22). And then Your "mercy triumphs over judgment" as we entrust ourselves to You (James 2:13). Symbolically, the city of Tyre seems to speak of the spirit and stronghold of pride. But after a time of judgment, even the prideful city of Tyre is restored to be a blessing to the people and purposes of God. "Her merchandise and her wages will be dedicated to the Lord; her profits will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who live in the presence of the Lord" (Isaiah 23:18). In this hour of the potential of sudden destruction, we pray for Your wisdom to prevail in response to humble prayers. But even through any measure of judgment, cleansing, or correction that may come, we know it is Your heart to work all things together for good for those who love You and call upon Your name (Romans 8:28). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, from America and around the world, please join in prayer for godly wisdom and decisions to be made in these coming days. As believers we are one nation in Christ, gathered from every tribe and tongue and nation (Revelation 7:9; 1 Peter 2:9). Also, please keep us in prayer this weekend for ministry in Georgia. I'll be leading an overnight retreat of prayer and fasting, then speak at workshops on healing and deliverance, and lead the healing praise service at the Annual Rock Eagle Men's Retreat with men from all across the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Please pray that men's lives will be changed and then impact their families, churches, and communities for the Kingdom of 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 My Book and Our Ministry Resources at www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

"Believe in God" 9-24-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I believe You are the Son of God, that You were raised from the dead, that You sit at the right hand of my Father in heaven, and that You live in me and in all who welcome You to live in them by Your Holy Spirit. ... "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1). Believing in You means more than acknowledging and agreeing to a statement of belief or a creed of faith. Believing You means to trust You -- to trust that You are who You say You are, that You do what You say You do, that I have become who You say I have become in You. Believing is choosing to live my life in dependence upon You as the source of my salvation, my strength, my wisdom, my protection, my provision, my identity, and my destiny. "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by the water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Believing in You by trusting in You brings peace to my soul in the midst of panic and steadiness to my spirit in the midst of uncertainty. Believing in You brings me through it all, even strengthening my faith through every challenge and temptation to turn to myself or to something else to be my savior and strength. Believing in You is what brings me into right relationship with You. "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). By Your grace, I believe in You, I believe in God -- my Father, my Savior, and my Friend. 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 Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line

Treasure in Heaven 9-23-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, abide in me by Your Holy Spirit, I pray. ... "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). Lord, how do I store up treasures in heaven? ... It seems I hear You say, "My son, in a sense, heaven is My heart. Have My heart, and you will have heaven -- not only in the heaven to come, but in your heart right now." Yes, Lord. How do I have Your heart? ... "By opening your heart and asking. By letting Me put My thoughts in your mind and My desires in your heart, by letting Me change your nature into My nature. Treasure My heart. Seek to have it with all the grace that I give you, with all the grace that you need, and you will have treasure in heaven." Yes, Lord. That's what I want. That's what I choose. That's what I ask -- a heart transplant, a heart transformation. A little more each day, as much as I can bear, form Your heart in mine. "A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you ..." (Ezekiel 36:26-27). 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 Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line

God of All Comfort 9-22-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Arise in newness of life in me today. ... "Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God (2 Corinthians 3:1-4). You care about us and comfort us and heal us and free us because You love us. You are a good Father, an "everlasting Father," the Father of mercies (Isaiah 9:6). And we are Your children. What parent can bear to see their children in pain, broken or bound, living life in anything less than their full potential. So You call us to Yourself, You hold us in Your arms, You heal our hurts and break or bonds, binding up the brokenhearted and setting the captives free (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18). Because that what a good and loving Father does. But You also comfort us so that we can comfort others. You heal us and free us so we can go in the authority of Your name and in the power of Your Spirit to heal and free others. In the same way we have seen and known Your comfort, we have understanding, wisdom, empathy, and faith to see You bring that same comfort to others. You are "no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34, KJV). You love each of us the same and You desire the same comfort and healing and freedom for each of us. So You empower us and send us to be Your "ambassadors," Your healing hands and heart in the lives of others who need Your comfort just like we did when You sent someone to us (2 Corinthians 5:20). "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8, NKJV). Thank You, Lord. I am Yours to be sent to freely give the comfort of Your love as You lead today. 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 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Come to the Mountain! Tonight for hear special guest speaker from Israel, Stan Goodenought at 7 pm. -- Join our prayer team 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 me at 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 Ministry Resources at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Precious Pearls 9-21-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of Heaven, Lord of Earth, be Lord of my life today. ... "Because you are precious in My sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life" (Isaiah 43:4). Each of Your children are chosen and precious. Each one is unique, different from all others. Each one is a "pearl of great price" and a diamond in the rough (Matthew 13:46). Though others may not see our great value and immeasurable worth, You do. And You want us, each one, to know it -- to know that we are precious in Your sight, that You love us beyond our imagination, and that You would pay and You have paid a great price for our lives. A pearl is created through suffering, though a response of the oyster to turn irritations into something of great worth. And that hidden treasure that's only formed through the process and patience of time is only yielded and released through death. Through Your death, we are Your treasure. Through our death, as we die daily to this world and our will apart from Yours, letting You redeem our sufferings through the process and patience of time, the testimony of our lives become a precious treasure to You. And You don't cast your pearls before swine, You hold them close in Your heart. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, the presence of the Lord is so strong with us at our prayer retreat in Pennsylvania this weekend, as He is healing deep wounds and freeing us to be more like Him. I pray the same for you and I than you for praying for us. God bless you! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

Mighty Warrior Within 9-20-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. All I have and all I am belongs to You. ... "Now Jephthah the Gileadite, the son of a prostitute, was a mighty warrior" (Judges 11:1). Jephthah didn't choose his parents. He didn't choose his circumstances. Before he ever breathed his first breath or made his first choice, there were issues he would have to face, far beyond his control. Yet he was never beyond Your control. He was never beyond the calling and destiny You had for his life. Yes, he was the son of a prostitute, but he was also a mighty warrior. One day You would use him to deliver the very people who shamed him and rejected him (Judges 11:2-11). The world looked at Jephthah and saw the son of a prostitute. You looked at him as saw a mighty warrior. He was a diamond in the rough, a mighty warrior within. "For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). You love turn our places of greatest shame into the places of greatest honor, to redeem the places of our brokenness into the very places of our blessing. "Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord' " (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Thank You, Lord. Give me eyes to see myself as You see me. Let me not look on the outward appearance, but look deep within to see who You created me to be. Redeem the circumstances and challenges of my life to release Your blessings through my brokenness, to bring honor to Your name out of the places of my shame. And give me grace to look and see that same potential of the transforming power of God in the lives of others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in your prayers. I'm speaking and ministering on inner healing and deliverance at the Jumonville Christian Retreat Center in the Pennsylvania countryside south of Pittsburgh this weekend with Western PA Aldersgate Renewal Fellowship: www.jumonville.org I pray the Lord's renewal, refreshing, and redemption for you. God bless you! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

"Without Dread of Disaster" 9-18-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Less of me and more of You, less of my will and more of Yours. ... "But those who listen to Me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster" (Proverbs 1:33). These seem to be days filled with the potential for dread of disaster. Economic disasters, natural disasters, personal disasters -- there seems to be a perfect storm building for a disaster of faith. But You are not blind to our struggles and You are not indifferent to our needs. You are at work in ways we cannot see. And You are reminding us to turn to You in our times of crisis, trusting You to bring us through. Though we would like You to bring us around our troubles, You often seem to bring us through our troubles instead. Your goal is not that we live a life of ease and security without any challenges to our faith or our independence and self-centeredness. Your goal is our sanctification, the willing and trusting surrender of our lives into Your hands to conform us into the image of the Son of God. "For this is the will of God, your sanctification" (1 Thessalonians 4:3). And that doesn’t happen on a bed of ease, in world without suffering, in times emptied of the temptation to be consumed by dread of disaster. That happens in times just like these. So give us faith to turn to You, trusting in Your heart that is good toward us, trusting in Your promises that You are with us through it all (Isaiah 43:2). Our world is being shaken "so that what cannot be shaken remains. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks" (Hebrews 12:27-28). We give thanks for Your Presence in the midst of the shaking and Your peace in the midst of every dread of disaster. Let Your perfect love keep casting out our fear (1 John 4:18). Let Your perfect peace keep surpassing all our understanding (Philippians 4:7). As we look and listen to You through that comes, You will keep establishing us firm and secure in the ease of Your arms, even as You sanctify our souls in the process. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to the Fountain! This Friday Night 9/19 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. Ann Peterson, my friend from the Healing Academy at Asbury Seminary, will be leading in prayer, while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us 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. Special Guest Stan Goodenough from Israel next Monday Night 9/22. Contact Vicky Welch at VickyWelch77@yahoo.com All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

"Right Sacrifices" 9-17-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be the center of my thoughts, be the foundation of my day. ... "When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord" (Psalm 3:4-5). When my circumstances disturb my peace and controversies try to could my sense of direction and purpose, give me grace to seek Your face. Settle the emotions of my soul and breathe Your life and peace into my spirit. Lead me to be silent before You. Let me pause to give You time to form Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Let Your nature overcome my nature. "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.... For He remembers how we are made; He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:8-14). The right sacrifices You desire are that I would trust in You, surrendering my will to Yours, allowing You to use every challenge of every circumstance to keep conforming my nature to Your nature (Romans 8:29). Show me how to speak the truth in love, how to see the heart beneath the surface of those who hurt me or offend me, how to allow You to set the boundaries of relationship You know are best for me instead of the boundaries I think are best for me, how to wait for Your wisdom, and how to walk in Your ways. "Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, for your anger does not produce God's righteousness" (James 1:19-20). Apart from You, I can't do any of that. But by Your grace, I am not apart from You. And as You abide in me and I abide in You, every disturbance only becomes an opportunity for me to grow in grace and maturity of spirit. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to the Fountain! This Friday Night 9/19 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. Anne Peterson, my friend from the Healing Academy at Asbury Seminary, will be leading in prayer, while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us 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. Special Guest Stan Goodenough next Monday Night. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502

I am Yours, You are mine 9-16-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am Yours and You are mine. I hear Your Spirit forming the words of a new song of deeper surrender in my soul. ... I am Yours, You are mine I am bought with a price Come and live Your life Through me every time That I give You my heart Right here from the start Of this day And every day Of this life That I live In You ... "The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I implore your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. When I think of Your ways, I turn to Your decrees" (Psalm 119:57-59). O Lord, how I need Your help to trust in Your ways and turn to Your Word to live my life in You. Give me grace to keep making the choice every day to submit my will to Your will, to seek You above all else, to embrace Your call and live Your vision for my life. I am "bought with a price," freed from the bondage to my own will or the will of anyone but You (1 Corinthians 7:23). So as I face the choices and challenges of this day, remind me all along the way to turn to Your decrees in the favor of Your grace. Remind me that my life is not my own, that "it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to the Fountain! This Friday Night 9/19 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. Ann Peterson, my friend from the Healing Academy at Asbury Seminary, will be leading in prayer, while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us 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. Special Guest Stan Goodenough next Monday Night. Contact Doris at bndmccray@windstream.net All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502