Angels Sent to Protect and to Serve 4-23-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my life and the foundation of my day. … "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, 'Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.' He did so. Then he said to him, 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me' " (Acts 12:7-8). Thank You, Lord, for Your holy angels, "spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation" (Acts 1:14). Thank You for sending them to watch over us, to walk with us, to protect us, and fight for us in so many ways we never know (Psalm 91:11-13). In some ways, they are like holy policemen, here "to protect and to serve." You've sent them to be with us from the beginning. And they live and move and have their being both here with us in this earthly dimension, while, at the same time, there with You in the heavenly dimension (Matthew 18:10). Yet most of the time, we're unaware of their presence and their mission (Hebrews 13:2). Peter had a hard time realizing that the supernatural realm had invaded his natural realm, that the heavenly dimension had invaded his earthly dimension. "He did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision" (Acts 12:9). But the light that surrounded him was no dream; the breaking of his chains was not wishful thinking; the opening of his prison bars was not his imagination. His chains were gone and he was set free by Your power, at Your direction, through Your holy angel. It was time to fasten his belt and get going. Lord, You seem to be sending Your holy angels to protect and to serve, in Your power for Your purposes. You seem to be opening our spiritual eyes and increasing our spiritual sensitivity to Your spiritual realm. You are setting us free from our chains and prisons to fasten our belts and get going with the work of the kingdom at hand. "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress; He brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind. For He shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron" (Psalm 107:13-16). With Your holy angels and filled with Your Holy Spirit, Your light is shining all around us. By Your grace, we will arise from our prisons and go forth in Your power to fulfill Your purpose. As it was in Peter's generation, let it be so in our generation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe 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

Heart of Jesus, Not Jonah 4-22-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I give my life and this day to You. … "In fury You trod the earth, in anger You trampled the nations. You came forth to save Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the wicked house, laying it bare from foundation to the roof. You pierced with their own arrows the head of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter us, gloating as if ready to devour the poor who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the mighty waters" (Habakkuk 3:12-15). There are many passages of Scripture about Your judgment and wrath, Your destruction and triumph over wickedness and evil. In reading Your Word and listening for Your Spirit to know Your heart in these warnings and prophecies, You often remind me of two key biblical, spiritual principles: First, You do not desire the destruction or death of anyone, but that all would turn to You in humility and repentance. "Say to them, 'As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live…' " (Ezekiel 33:11). Second, though Your Word speaks of wrath against nations and people, our battle, our hearts, and our prayers are not to be against the people, but against the spiritual forces of evil deceiving, manipulating, and destroying those people and others through the wicked choices they make under the influence of evil. "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). There will be judgment of people and nations. There are consequences for rebellion, sin, wickedness, and evil. But our call is to "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). Our command is to pray for those who persecute us, bless those who curse us, love those who hate us, even as we speak the truth in love and confront evil and injustice wherever it may be found, in the way You lead, not always in the way we want. Your Word says You "will shortly crush Satan" and the spiritual forces of evil of this present darkness "under (our) feet," -- not the human beings he has deceived and manipulated, despite their wicked ways (Romans 16:20). You're "not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). So even the days of judgment and wrath are also, ultimately, days of Your mercy, as You use even that out of Your heart of love for all people, willing to do whatever it takes to save every soul possible. All will not repent and turn to You, but our calling is to pray that they do. If anyone is blinded to the truth and hardened to Your grace and love, it is the wicked work of Satan and the power of darkness. But the good news is: "The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). Give us wisdom to understand Your Word and the whole counsel of God, as we agree with Your heart, Your purpose, and Your Spirit even the days of judgment and wrath (Luke 9:51-55). Give us the heart of Jesus, not the spirit of Jonah (Jonah 4:1). May we pray for repentance and mercy, not wrath and destruction. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you're thinking of joining us this Friday Night for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner with worship, inspiration, and stories of God's great power and love to change lives and empower His people for these days to come, please let us know right away. Over 250 people are already coming! We'll be sharing our heart and vision with encouragement to join our calling. You're invited so please come join us and bring some friends, but we need an RSVP for planning to Marilyn right away at DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 If you can't come but would like to support us and help provide for our celebration, please send a contribution on-line or by mail. All help will be greatly appreciated! Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe 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

Trembling and Shaking 4-21-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As the sun of God arises in my day, let the Son of God arise in my heart. … "At this also my heart trembles, and leaps out of its place. Listen, listen to the thunder of His voice and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. Under the whole heavens He lets it loose, and His lightning to the corners of the earth. After it His voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice and He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things that we cannot comprehend" (Job 37:1-5). I believe these are anointed days -- between Passover and Pentecost, between the time we mark and remember Your death on the cross for our sins as a people and the pouring out of Your Holy Spirit for our destiny as Your church. These are days of preparation, days of watching and waiting for Your coming glory. These are days of purification and sanctification, days of the crucifixion of our flesh and the restoration of our spirits. These are days of shaking and trembling, of thunder and lightning, as the great Lion of the Tribe of Judah "thunders with His majestic voice." You are shaking all that can be shaken so that only what cannot be shaken remains. "At that time His voice shook the earth; but now He has promised, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.' … Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks" (Hebrews 12:26-27). You've been waking me in the night with trembling and shaking, moving me into prayer for breakthrough and awakening in our land. I know there is much You are shaking in me, sifting out of me, so that I can stand firm in the strength of the Lord in the days ahead. I know You are doing the same in different ways to all who are called by Your name. You are preparing us, purifying us, empowering us as Your people to shine as Your light in the midst of the darkness and stand firm in Your faith in midst of the great shaking and great awakening to come. As You utter Your voice and do "great things that we cannot comprehend," You also remind us that You are with us, giving us all the grace we will need as each day comes. As in the days of Job, we may not comprehend all that we may endure, but we can trust You and Your goodness through it all. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15, NKJV). Though the heavens and the earth may tremble and shake, we will stand secure in the Lord our strength. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I join with you in agreement in prayer for God's great awakening of His people in your city and region. As in the Great Awakening before the Civil War, He often prepares His people to be able to stand steadfast in faith through troubling days to come, using every opportunity to bring many souls into His kingdom and many sons and daughters of God to glory (Hebrews 2:10). Please Come Join Us This Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP right away to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Great Awakening 4-20-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are One and You are with me. … "Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your steadfast love is high as the heavens; Your faithfulness extends to the clouds" (Psalm 57:8-10). I spent some time yesterday with a prayer group in the little community in central Kentucky where I was speaking at the church on prayer. They come together most every week to allow You to blend together the spiritual gifts You've given them, as Your Holy Spirit leads them and empowers them to pray down heaven. They're preparing the way of the Lord for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. They're vessels of praise touching Your heart and weapons of warfare wielded by Your hand. They each "know in part, and prophecy in part" as Your Spirit wills (1 Corinthians 13:9). But then You weave their parts of revelation and inspiration together through their diversity of gifts to pray and proclaim Your will through their prayers (Romans 8:26-27). You gave one of them a very detailed and colorful dream recently that was simple and comical, yet deeply profound, stirring our spirits in prayer. She saw a giant, old-fashioned coffee pot vigorously percolating and releasing the aroma of fresh coffee as it came spinning and dancing down the street. As soon as my friend, the seer, saw this in her dream she immediately started shouting, "It's here! It's here!" When she prayed for the interpretation and guidance to turn Your prophetic word into intercession and proclamation, You immediately said to her heart, "A great awakening is coming." Yes, Lord. From the Red River Meeting House and the Cane Ridge Revival, You birthed a great awakening from this region of Kentucky before that touched the nation and the nations of the earth. Many of us believe You are re-digging those ancient wells and breaking open those buried springs for another great awakening in our day. You are calling Your people to awaken and arise from our spiritual slumber and be prepared for the great harvest to come. "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you…. be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:14-18). As we gathered at the altar of the church Sunday morning to pray for the people, my right arm and hand was trembling and shaking. I shared that I thought it spoke of Your mighty right arm stretching out through the prayers and hearts of Your people, hungry and desperate for Your Presence. And I see this morning in Your Word that this also speaks of a great spiritual awakening: "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord! Awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago!" (Isaiah 51:9) Lord, let it be so. Stretch out Your mighty right arm. Awake and arouse Your people to pray and proclaim the coming of Your kingdom -- here in our hearts and here in our land. Would You move again mightily in our day "as in the days of old, the generations long ago." Let the glory of Your manifest presence once again fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I join with you in agreement in prayer for God's great awakening of His people in your city and region. As in the Great Awakening before the Civil War, He often prepares His people to be able to stand steadfast in faith through troubling days to come, using every opportunity to bring many souls into His kingdom and many sons and daughters of God to glory (Hebrews 2:10). Please Come Join Us This Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Messiah's Messenger--April 2009 Newsletter for Friends of Tommy Hays & Messiah Ministries

Dear Friends,

We've just sent out the April 2009 edition of Messiah's Messenger, our ministry newsletter! I hope this will be an encouragement and blessing to you, with updates of our upcoming events, new resources, and articles. Please send me an email at MessiahMin@aol.com if you'd like a copy.

My lead article from page one is included below. Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested in our ministry. Thank you for your encouragement and support. God bless you! Tommy Agreeing with the Redeemer, not the Accuser "But seek the welfare of the city where Ihave sent you into exile, and pray to theLord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7)

In these days of darkness, sin, and rebellionagainst the ways and will of God, I hear of many trusted and prophetic voices calling for God's judgment and wrath upon our cities and nation. Sometimes I hear things like, "If God doesn't judge America soon, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." And there is judgment for sin; there are consequences for our actions, both personally and as a corporate people. But even in recognizing sin, we should be praying for conviction that leads to repentance that then leads to mercy. We should always seek to come into agreement with the Redeemer, not the accuser. We should pray that even in God's wrath may He remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

Even if the Lord shows us an accurate dream of destruction to come, it should turn our hearts to intercession to heed the warning and turn to Him rather than turn us to judgment and pray for destruction. This is not denying the judgment of God, this is praying the heart of God who always desires His mercy to triumph over judgment (James 2:13). This is agreement with the heart of the Redeemer and Savior who is not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance and a knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9). This is yielding to the Father heart of God who says, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live" (Ezekiel 33:11).

In Jeremiah's day, the people of Israel suffered under the judgment of God because of their national sin of rebellion against God, and it was in their time of judgment under the pagan government of Nebuchadnezzar in the pagan nation of Babylon that God told His people to pray for the welfare of the city. It's in that context that He said His famous words, "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says theLord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

These days are not unlike those days in many ways. Though we may be warned even in prophetic dreams of fire and destruction to come, we must pray for the people of our cities and nation to turn to God, and keep on praying for redemption and mercy even if judgment must come. Perhaps judmgent may be averted by repentance as in the days of Jonah.

Perhaps even if judgmnet comes, its severity may be lessened. Perhaps even in the servity of God, His judgment will become His mercy as He shakes everything that can be shaken so that what can't be shaken remains and every last sould who will may choose to turn to Him and the mercy of His grace.

When a Samaritan city rejected Jesus and the Word and will of God, the disciples wanted to call down fire in judgment. But Jesus rebuked them, saying, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them" (Luke 9:51-56).

We must continue to come into agreement with the Spirit of Christ -- the spirit of the Redeemer, not the accuser, even when we are tempted to call down the fire of judgment. This is growing up into spiritual maturity, growing up into Christlikeness -- which is our ultimate goal on this side of heaven.

In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Messiah Ministries

http://www.messiah-ministries.org/

Good Morning Words 4-15-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Here I am, Lord. And I thank that as I sit down in my prayer chair and speak out these good morning words in the rhythm of my day that seem to call my spirit to attention and into the communion of prayer, here You are. … "Let me hear of Your steadfast love in the morning, for in You I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul" (Psalm 143:8). There seem to be places and times throughout the rhythms of our days that seem to awaken certain feelings and thoughts we don't normally have at other places and times. Like a pair of well-worn jeans, there's something comfortable and consistent that forms kind of a "settledness" and security of the soul. Getting up in the morning before the dawn of the day and into my prayer chair in the corner of my bedroom by my bookcase and window is one of those places and times to me. This is one of those sacred places where You seem to drawn me near and where You're always waiting. Your Holy Spirit begins to move in my human spirit to draw me deeply in the living waters of Your Word and into the strong embrace of Your Presence. No matter what I've gone through the day before or what I'll face in the day ahead, You speak into my spirit Your words of life and security and steadfast love. You begin to form Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. This is one of the deeply personal ways You guide my steps and You teach me the way that I should go, as I lift up my soul and put my trust in You alone. Here in this place and here at this time, as I speak out these good morning words, You remind me that You've already provided the full measure of all the grace I'll need this day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain This Friday Night, April 17th. We have special guests coming with the exciting and anointed Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team. We'll be meeting in the main sanctuary at Centenary United Methodist Church at 7 pm. The Fountain is our ministry's monthly 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. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Deeper Still 4-14-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek Your face, listen for Your voice, and embrace Your Spirit, as I begin my day with You. … "While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you' " (Luke 24:36). Your heart for me is always peace. You want me to know the peace -- the shalom -- of God, to be at peace with You, at peace with one another, at peace within myself. You speak to my fears and doubts (v. 24:38). And You remind me to look and see the strength and power of Your steadfast love forever revealed in Your nail-scarred hands and feet (v. 24:39). In the power of Your resurrection, I need not worry or let my heart be troubled, but only believe that You are with me (John 14:1). I need not deny the very real reality of whatever tribulations and troubles I face, because You peace is deeper still. "Behold, I will extend peace to her peace like a river" (Isaiah 66:12). Thank You for the peace of Your resurrection power. Thank You for the freedom to be honest with my struggles and fears. And thank You for the faith to know You always come and stand with me through them all. No matter how deep the waters may rise, Your peace is deeper still. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain This Friday Night, April 17th. We have special guests coming with the exciting and anointed Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team. We'll be meeting in the main sanctuary at Centenary United Methodist Church at 7 pm. The Fountain is our ministry's monthly 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. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Risen Indeed!" 4-13-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As on Easter Sunday, let me continue to celebrate the glory of Your resurrection every day … "They were saying, 'The Lord has risen indeed!" (Luke 24:34). As You came alongside two disciples, still discouraged and disappointed by the what they thought was the defeat of the cross, they were also confused by the report that the tomb was empty. But You came to them just as they were and opened their eyes to the truth of Your resurrection and the intimacy of Your presence (v. 24:31). Their hearts were burning within them, as they began to realize every word of Scripture, "beginning with Moses and all the prophets", finds prophetic fulfillment in You. (v. 24:27). As truth filled their minds, faith filled their hearts. And they ran back to the others with renewed passion and spirit to tell all the others what they'd come to know and believe (v. 24:33-35). Lord, let me never take for granted the truth of Your resurrection. Let my heart keep burning within me with passion for You. Keep revealing Your presence in the breaking of the bread of the Your Word and in the intimacy of my personal encounters of worship and prayer. You are risen indeed! And You are ready to rise up in me each day as I rise up to meet each day with You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain This Friday Night, April 17th. We have special guests coming with the exciting and anointed Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team. We'll be meeting in the main sanctuary at Centenary United Methodist Church at 7 pm. The Fountain is our ministry's monthly 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. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please spread the word and come join us! A Flyer is Attached. Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Power of Resurrection Glory 4-12-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. On this Resurrection Sunday, I honor the One who arose in the power of resurrection glory for me. … "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs, that God did through Him among you, as you yourselves know -- this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised Him up, having freed Him from death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its power" (Acts 2:22-24). Crucified, now crowned Executed, now exalted Wounded, now worshiped Rejected, now resurrected Arise, my God, arise! Rejoice, my soul, rejoice! Jesus has taken my sins All my pain and my shame He fills me with life And His power to save So I rise up in praise And worship Your holy name! You are "the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25). You are "the bright morning star" (Revelation 22:16). You are the One who destroys "the works of the devil" and sets the captives free (1 John 3:8). Arise in me, my God and king. Fill my life with Your life and the power of Your resurrection glory. "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever" (Matthew 6:13, KJV). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays God bless you, my friends on this Resurrection Sunday! The journey with Jesus is worth it all, because He says that we were worth it all. "For the sake of the joy that was set before Him (He) endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Friends, we have special guests coming to The Fountain this month on April 17th with the Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team from our friends at The Tabernacle Church in Prestonsburg. Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe 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

Forsaken for Me 4-10-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. When I survey the wondrous cross, I see the One who loves me and suffered for me, the One who calls me to come and live my life in You, as You come and live Your life through me. … "When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?' … Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last" (Mark 15:33-37). You were forsaken in that moment when all the sin and suffering of all the generations of broken, fallen men of a broken, fallen world were borne upon You. In that moment, light became darkness, the sinless One became sin, so that the sinful ones could become the righteousness of God through the blood of Your cross. "For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). In that moment You were forsaken, I was found and forgiven. You were forsaken for me. I can hardly bear it To think of all Your bore I can hardly watch it To see Your crown of thorns I can hardly feel it To know the pain You knew I can hardly hold back From giving all to You You love me And You gave Your life for me You love me, Lord, more than I know You took my sin for me And You took my shame from me You love me, Lord, more than I know So I will look with wonder As I hear the thunder I will stand with awe through the darkest day And I will praise Your glory And share Your awesome story Of my God who loves and dies so I am saved You love me And You gave Your life for me You love me, Lord, more than I know You took my sin for me And You took my shame from me You love me, Lord, more than I know Thank You, Lord, for loving me and giving Your life for me. As I sing this song of praise You've written on my heart today, I forever proclaim my love and my honor to the One who suffered and died for me. Because You were willing to be forsaken in that moment of darkness, I never will be. By Your grace and through Your sacrifice, I will live forever in the light of Your love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have special guests coming to The Fountain this month on April 17th with the Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team from our friends at The Tabernacle Church in Prestonsburg. A flyer is attached. Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. God bless you during this Holy Week. If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we worship together and I share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Subscribe 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

Friday Night April 24th Celebration Dinner - You're Invited!

Dear Friends of Messiah Ministries & Tommy Hays Please come join us Friday Night, April 24th for our Annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner! Come hear our calling and join our vision, as we celebrate all the Lord is doing through this ministry He has entrusted to us "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." We will worship together, share a delicious meal, hear amazing testimonies of the grace and power of God's love. Anointed worship leader Rob Poindexter will lead in worship and founder Tommy Hays will share a message of hope and encouragement in these troubled days, filled with prophetic promise. Please come and bring some friends who may have a heart for our ministry. Dinner and Desert is free, with an opportunity to give generously to the vision and calling of Messiah Ministries. To help us plan, please RSVP to Marilyn Walker at DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 as soon as possible. Many of our ministry friends are also hosting a table of eight or just coming to join in. If you're not able to come, but would find joy in giving toward the dinner or our ministry, please send a check for "Messiah Ministries" to our ministry address or contribute on-line as listed below. I will be happy to personally speak with you or a potential friend of our ministry about our vision and calling based founded upon Isaiah 61 and Luke 4, proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom of God, binding up the brokenhearted and setting the captives free in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of our Father. God bless you and thank you! Tommy Hays Founder and Spiritual Director Messiah Ministries 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, KY 40502 http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/

Fellowship of His Sufferings, Power of His Resurrection 4-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Holy are You, Lamb of God, who takes away my sin and all the sins of the world. Worthy are You, Lamb of God, who gave Your life for me that I might live my life in You. … "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11). They mocked You, rejected You, ridiculed You, taunted You, judged You, and condemned You (Luke 22:47 through 23:39). You said to those who came to seize and arrest You, as a lamb led away to the slaughter, and all that they represent in the wickedness and rebellion of man, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:53). Yet somehow, at the same time, "It was the will of God to crush (You) with pain" (Isaiah 53:10). Somehow the rebellion of man, the power of darkness, and the will of God aligned "to make (Your) life an offering for sin" so that "through (You) the will of the Lord shall prosper" (Isaiah 53:10). Somehow, in the mystery of faith and the purposes of God, You set aside the glory of heaven to humble Yourself in human flesh to willingly subject Yourself to the will of man and the power of darkness out of Your steadfast love and incomprehensible love for us "to the point of death -- even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:5-11). Through Your sacrifice of love, You "rescued us from the power of darkness" (Colossians 1:13). "For in (Jesus Christ) 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 the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20). And now You call me to prepare to die to my self. You call me to be ready to endure mockery and rejection for the sake of Your name in the spirit of Your love. You call me to "share in the fellowship of (Your) sufferings" if I am to truly "know (You) and the power of (Your) resurrection" (Philippians 3:10, NKJV). You call me to willingly submit to the will of God to pray for those who persecute me, bless those who curse me, and love those who hate me. You call me to say with You, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34). You simply say, "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12). Only through the fellowship of Your sufferings can I know the power of Your resurrection. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have special guests coming to The Fountain this month on April 17th with the Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team from our friends at The Tabernacle Church in Prestonsburg. A flyer is attached. Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. God bless you during this Holy Week. If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we worship together and I share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Subscribe 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

Passover Fulfilled 4-8-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I follow in Your steps through this holy week, let me be more than a spectator. Let me be a worshipper of the One who walked through the suffering and sacrifice of this sacred week for me. … "When the hour came, He took His place at the table, and the apostles with Him. He said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God' " (Luke 22:14-16). In the first Passover, You delivered Your people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. In every Hebrew home that responded in obedience and faith to Your command to apply the blood of the lamb over the door of their house, death passed over them and the power of God set them free. "The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:13). That first Passover was a physical declaration of the spiritual fulfillment in the kingdom of God to come. As Jesus of Nazareth, You would come as God in the flesh, the perfect "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" so that death and the penalty of sin would forever pass over all who respond to the grace of Your sacrifice of love in obedience and faith (John 1:29). Now, every moment of every day, You call me to receive and apply the blood of the Lamb over the door of my heart. As death passes over my sin because of Your blood, the life of the Son of God enters in to set me free from the bondage of slavery to sin and death. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set (me) free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2). By Your grace and the sacrifice of Your love, the Passover now is eternally fulfilled in the kingdom of God by God my King who died for me, that I might live for You. By the Holy Spirit of the Living God, death passes over, life enters in, and Your kingdom comes into the open door of my heart, open wide to my King. Because of You -- the Lamb of God enthroned as King of all -- "the kingdom of God is within (me)" and Your Passover is fulfilled in me today and every day (Luke 17:21). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, God bless you during this Holy Week. If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we worship together and I share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Friends, please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. Subscribe 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

The Emotions of God 4-7-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In this week, I want to remember Your holy journey to the cross, through the grave, and into glory. Give me grace to take up my cross and follow You on a holy journey of a deeper death to my self, as You raise me up into newness of life by the power and glory of Your name for Your kingdom. … "Now My soul is troubled. And what should I say -- 'Father, save Me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.' Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again' " (John 12:27-28). Can God be troubled? Can God have emotions, concerns, heartaches, feelings? Does our sin and rebellion bring You pain? Does our obedience and worship bring You joy? As God of all, having all knowledge and all power, does anything bother You? Certainly in Christ, as both fully God and fully man, You experienced the fullness of emotions, even the fullness of all emotions. "Therefore He had to become like His brothers and sisters and every respect, so that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because He himself was tested by what He suffered, He is able to help those who are being tested" (Hebrews 2:17-18). "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). You are not a distant and detached God, You are a deeply personal and compassionate God. You know all the emotions of our humanity -- not only in Your omniscience as God the Father, but also in Your humanity as God the Son. And You give us the power of Your grace to live our lives without fear of being fully alive to all our emotions, as we entrust our emotions to You by God the Holy Spirit living through us (Romans 8:26). You are a God full of emotion because You are a God who is love (1 John 4:8). And love is unafraid to face the fullness of all the emotions of life -- even the shame of our sin upon the cross as God in the flesh, for the sake of the joy to come by Your sacrifice of love for us. We look to You, Lord Jesus, a God full of emotion and love, "who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2-3). Thank You, Lord, for being fully alive to every emotion for me that I might be fully alive to Your emotion of love for me. You are love, and I love You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we will worship together and I will share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Friends, please Save the Date of Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

The Intimacy and the Fear of God 4-3-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. More of You, less of me; more of Your nature, less of mine. … "I tell you friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him, who after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! … And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God; but whoever denies Me before others will be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:4-9). You desire the deep intimacy of a personal relationship; but You also desire the honor and respect of personal surrender. Your first disciples were full of platitudes about their faith and commitment as they journeyed with You through the days of signs and wonders, saying, "I will follow You wherever You go" (Luke 9:57). But in the days of perseverance and sacrifice, they scattered and fled, denying they even knew You (Luke 22:54-62). Lord, give me grace to follow You, be committed to You, be willing to always acknowledge You, refusing to ever deny You. Without the faith of the Son of God living in me, without the power of the Holy Spirit abiding in me, I'll be no different than Peter and the others -- full of platitudes and promises, but empty of integrity of heart and faith. But by the grace of God, I'm not without Your faith or Your Spirit. "And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). I want to be found faithful to the end, even through the days of perseverance and sacrifice, not denying You in my flesh but standing firm for You in the Spirit (Luke 12:11-12). You gave Yourself for me. And by the power of Your grace, I will give myself for You. Love demands nothing less. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you are in the Owensboro, Kentucky area, please come join us this weekend. I'll be speaking at a Pastor and Ministry Leaders luncheon on Friday, leading healing services Friday and Saturday nights, and teaching on prayer ministry Saturday morning. Please contact Gaye Rogers with Healing House Ministries: 270-929-3016 healinghouseky@aol.com www.healinghouseky.com I'll be preaching Sunday morning and evening at the Lewisport UMC with Pastor Rob Hughes. Come if you can and spread the word! If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we will worship together and I will share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Friends, please Save the Date of Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Overwhelm Me 4-2-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. These prayer times are my life lines. You pour Your life into mine through the communion of prayer and the surrender of my heart to Yours. … "For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you" (Isaiah 54:10). Though the mountains may move Though the hills may fall down Though the rivers may rise up and overflow You will not move You will never fail You will rise up And overwhelm me in Your love Though troubles may come Though people may go Though the struggles of life may rise up and overflow You will not move You will never fail You will rise up And overwhelm me in Your love Thank You, Lord, for the life of Your Spirit You pour into me each day. Thank You for Your song of unfailing love and tender mercy. "For those who love Me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know My name. When they call to Me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16). Thank You for showing me Your salvation every day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus Tommy Hays Friends, as always, I love hear about it when the minstrels and worship leaders take these morning prayers and poems and songs from the Holy Spirit and turn them into worship for others to honor our God and encourage His people. If you are in the Owensboro, Kentucky area, please come join us this weekend. I'll be speaking at a Pastor and Ministry Leaders luncheon on Friday, leading healing services Friday and Saturday nights, and teaching on prayer ministry Saturday morning. Please contact Gaye Rogers with Healing House Ministries: 270-929-3016 healinghouseky@aol.com www.healinghouseky.com I'll be preaching Sunday morning and evening at the Lewisport UMC with Pastor Rob Hughes. Come if you can and spread the word! Friends, please Save the Date of Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

With Me All Along 4-1-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am Yours and You are mine. As I watch and wait for Your leading, I sense Your Holy Spirit writing a new song in my heart this morning … As we walk on this journey As we walk down this path You teach me Your wisdom And how to walk in Your ways Sometimes, though You're near me I wander off on my own Sometimes it takes awhile to find You Though You've been with me all along You're the God who never leaves me You're the God who never fails You're the God who's always with me Always reaching to me, against the nails You never turn Your back to me Though You'd allow me to turn mine to You With a broken Father's heart You'd keep calling Until I came running home once again In You, even my mistakes are my teacher Even my failures become wisdom by Your grace You don't waste a moment of my suffering You cleanse them all through the blood of Your pain You're the God who never leaves me You're the God who never fails You're the God who's always with me Always reaching to me, against the nails … Yes, Lord. I am never alone, never abandoned, never lost without Your love, no matter where my journey leads. When Jacob was cast out from his family, on a journey a long way from home, You opened the heavens over him in a dream to remind him of the God who is always with him. "And the Lord stood beside him and said, 'I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring… and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you' " (Genesis 28:13-15). As I understand the story of this forefather in the faith, You spoke these words to Jacob before he turned to You as Lord and acknowledged You as God. But as he awoke in morning from his dream, he declared, "Surely the Lord is this place!" (Genesis 28:16). I thank You that I know You, and that You know me. You are my Lord and my God. I can wake up every morning, no matter where I am along my journey, knowing You are here with me, even here within me, by Your Holy Spirit. And I can declare with the assurance of faith, "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!" -- here in this place You've prepared for me in my heart. And I can remember and celebrate Your promise, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Running Start 3-31-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I rise and follow You, as best as I can and all by Your grace. … "Do you not know that in a race all runners compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it" (1 Corinthians 9:24). In my race today, my competitors are not fellow runners. They are more like fallen angels. My race is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of wickedness and the self-centered desires of my will apart from Your will that give them any room to trip me up or hold me back (Ephesians 6:12). In this race, I must "lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely" to "run with perseverance the race that is set before (me)" (Hebrews 12:1). Only then can I outrun and overcome the fast and fierce competitors, nipping at like angry dogs at my heels, trying to run me down and run me over -- anxiety, stress, worry, fear, doubt, unbelief, regret, shame, resentment, bitterness, anger, rage, discouragement, depression, confusion, deception, arrogance, pride, selfishness, self-pity, and the like. But I will not win this race looking back at them, but looking forward to You. "… and let us run … looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Like a runner who gets down into the starting blocks at the start of a new race, Your mercies are "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23). In that sense, it doesn't matter how well or how poorly I ran the day before, this is a new day and a new race. And the way to get off to a running start is to first wait upon You here in the silence of surrender and the communion of prayer. It's taking time to stretch my spirit and open my heart until Your Holy Spirit is burning like fire in the muscles of my soul. "But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Then I will "not run aimlessly" (1 Corinthians 9:26). In the power of Your strength, I will run like the wind "for the goal of the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). That's my goal and You’re my prize in my race today and every day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Keep Digging 3-27-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. One with the Father, One with the Holy Spirit, You're the One I worship and welcome into my heart and my day. … "Now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land" (Genesis 26:22). In the days of Isaac, the Philistines were at war with his people to take away their land and their blessings. They filled up the wells of Isaac's father, Abraham. And when Isaac tried to dig new wells, they filled those up too. They "envied him" and feared him, seeing that the blessings and favor of God were upon him (v. 26:12-16). So Isaac moved from place to place throughout the land of his father, until they "dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he called it Rehoboth, saying, 'Now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land' " (v. 26:22). In the place where You have made room for us we will prosper and be fruitful. We may have to fight many battles to get there. We may have to endure the jealousies, fears, and insecurities of others to keep persevering in obedience and faith. We may have to keep remembering Your promises of hope for our future while we keep thanking You for Your blessings of provision in our past. But by Your grace, with Your leading, and in Your power, we will keep digging and keep searching until we find the place where You have made room for us. As we move forward in the journey of faith along the path of our destiny, we will hear You say, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you" (v. 26:24). When we find that place of rest and peace, of fulfillment and blessing, even in the midst of a quarrelsome, contentious world, there we will say, "We have found water!" (v. 26:32) And even our enemies who have opposed us and oppressed us at every turn will come to a knowledge of the truth, "We see plainly that the Lord has been with you" and will seek our blessing of peace (v. 26:28). You are our well of blessing, our land of promise, and our living waters of life. Only in You will we find fulfillment of our hope and peace. In You, we will find our place and be fruitful in the land. You have already gone before us to prepare that place for us where You will always be with us and where You are always drawing us and leading us to Yourself (John 14:2-3). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Resolution of Support for the People of Israel 3-26-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As much as You will and all by Your grace, use my voice to speak Your words; use my feet to walk in Your steps; use my hands to heal Your people; and use my heart to love Your world. … "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed' " (Genesis 12:1-3). You've given my friend Linda an incredibly strong love and burden of prayer for the people of Israel. Your Word calls us all to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and she truly does, for all the people of this land of such promise and prophetic destiny. "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). A few weeks ago, You kept moving in her spirit that we were to declare as a people in our state that we were choosing to stand with the people of Israel in their desire and their right to peace and security from terror and destruction. She asked me to offer my skills as a lawyer, now hopefully being more sanctified by Your Holy Spirit, to draft a resolution to submit through our elected officials to the 2009 Legislative Session of our state government. Drawing from many resources, I titled it, "A Resolution declaring strong support for all people of the State of Israel to live in freedom and peace, secure from terror, and as a blessing to all nations." Linda took it and ran with it. I was thrilled to just learn that both the Senate and the House of the Commonwealth of Kentucky approved and adopted the language of my resolution. With this governmental proclamation on earth, let there be a spiritual proclamation in heaven (Matthew 16:19; Job 22:28; Mark 11:22-24). As the people of Kentucky, through our governmental representatives, have declared and decreed our support and blessing of the people of Israel, let the people of our commonwealth be blessed and let the people of Israel be a blessing to "all the families of the earth" (Genesis 12:3). The covenant of Your Word to bless the people of all nations through the blessing of the people is this nation of Israel is an everlasting covenant (Romans 11:1-36). It's part of Your end-time prophetic plan according to the Word of God. "It is too light a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6). Thank You, Lord, for letting me help honor You and the people so near to Your heart, the apple of Your eye (Zechariah 2:8). One day soon in these last days to come, through the prayers of the saints, the people of this nation will turn to You as their Messiah, as "the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem" shall "look on the One whom they have pierced" (Zechariah 12:10). "And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, 'Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; He will banish ungodliness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins' " (Romans 11:26-27). And thank You, Lord, for answering the burden of prayer You set ablaze in my friend Linda's heart. "And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27). "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). So You have. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, for those who are interested, I've included the text from this Resolution below, as approved and adopted from the floors of our state House and Senate in the March, 2009 Regular Legislative Session of Kentucky. Subscribe 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, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org A RESOLUTION declaring strong support for all people of the State of Israel to live in freedom and peace, secure from terror, and as a blessing to all nations. WHEREAS, on January 9, 2009, the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by the Speaker of the House and leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties conveying America's unequivocal and steadfast support for Israel's right to the pursuit of peace, security and self-defense in the face of all enemies of terror; and WHEREAS, on January 8, 2009, the United States House of Representatives likewise overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan resolution co-sponsored by leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties to reaffirm Israel's inalienable right to defend itself and America's unwavering commitment to Israel's security and in recognition of the historic bond between America and Israel; and WHEREAS, since the founding of the modern State of Israel just over 60 years ago on May 14, 1948, in fulfillment of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures for the restoration of the Jewish people to a homeland of territory of Israel, the United States of America immediately established full diplomatic relations in recognition of the State of Israel and has continually maintained a relationship of honor and respect based upon mutual values of democratic freedom and desire for peace among all people of all nations; and WHEREAS, respect for the sovereignty of the State of Israel and the dignity of its people is a crucial aspect to the prospect of peace for the people of the Middle East and citizens of the world; and WHEREAS, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky acknowledge and affirm the gifts and graces of the Jewish people who have been vital citizens of great benefit to our nation and our state; and WHEREAS, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky recognize our historical roots as a Commonwealth in that Jewish merchants employed Daniel Boone to venture through the Cumberland Gap and explore the land that is now Kentucky; NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1: The members of the House of Representatives proclaim their steadfast support, unwavering commitment, and endorsement of the actions of the United States House of Representatives and United States House of Representatives declaring our strong support for all people of the State of Israel to live in freedom and peace, secure from terror, and as a blessing to all nations.