"After the Suffering of Those Days" 8-26-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look to You and listen for the leading of Your Spirit. I want to hear what the Spirit is saying to me and to Your Church. ... "Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates" (Matthew 24:29-33). To understand the coming sequence of end time events, to recognize the season of Your second coming, You told us to look to You and Your Word. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away (v. 24:35). It seems to me too many of us are too quick to look to their favorite Bible teacher or book series or turn to their own wishful thinking, without first turning to You and Your Word for the answers to our questions about end times. Lord, give us the grace of humility and obedience to seek You, to search Your Word, and to listen to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church in this hour for our generation. In recent church history of the past hundred and fifty years or so, a new idea has been taught that Christians will not have to endure tribulation on the earth before Your second coming. But Your own words tell us that we will and warn us to be prepared. You clearly taught that it was "immediately after the suffering of those days" that we would see You return, "coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." What "suffering" were You talking about? All the "suffering" You speak of in the twenty-eight verses before You teach us in verse twenty-nine that it's "immediately after the suffering of those days" that we will see You coming in glory (v. 24:1-28). It will include -- according to Your Word and not wishful thinking or mistaken teaching -- false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, martyrdom, lawlessness, the abomination of desolation in the temple prophesied by Daniel, and all that You specifically indentified as the signs of the fig tree we would see in order to recognize the season of Your second coming. During that time, "many will fall away" and "the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (v. 24:10-13). So we must be preparing now to endure then, instead of wishfully thinking we'll be raptured out of this world any moment before "the suffering of those days" that You told us would come. It's in the midst of that "great suffering" that we will be a people prepared, a holy people and glorious Bride preparing the way of the Lord for the coming of the King (v. 24:21). We will be light and salt in the earth, standing firmly in the faith, so that through us, the "good news of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come" (v. 24:14). This is the great "harvest" at "the end of the age" that will follow the great awakening of Your people who have grown into maturity in Christ (Matthew 13:36-43; 2 Corinthians 9:10). I believe it's Your Holy Spirit moving in my spirit with such conviction that we are to do our part in our generation to prepare the way of the Lord -- in our own hearts first and then in all the earth -- for the coming of our King and the fulfillment of Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. "Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the Church to Himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind -- yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27). "Let us rejoice and exult and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). So our focus in these end times and last days, in this season of "the beginning of birth pangs" should be on preparing for Your coming instead of wishing and worrying about our going (Matthew 24:8). "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) Will You find a people prepared, a holy Bride moving in the power of God teaching the things You taught, doing the things You did, in the power that You had as You promised and commanded? (John 14:12) Or will we still be trying to interpret the Scriptures in some way to somehow say that we will not have to endure any suffering or tribulation in this broken, fallen world being kindled for the fire of Your Spirit and the glory of Your coming? (Luke 12:49) When the day comes that You return in glory for Your glorious Bride, we will not have to endure the "bowls of God's wrath" poured out upon the earth (Revelation 16:1 and 6:12-17). "For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). It is "Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming" (1 Thessalonians 1:10). But we will, according to Your Word, endure "great suffering" and much tribulation as Your faithful witnesses to the love of God and peace of Christ that only You can give and that You long for all to have. "We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22, NKJV). So we must be prepared, by Your grace, to endure to the end. I believe this is a season of acceleration, to both prepare and to grow into maturity. Darkness is growing into full maturity to cover the face of the earth, but so is the Light of the glory of Your presence arising upon Your people in the midst of the darkness (Isaiah 60:1-3). There will soon come a day when You return in glory for Your glorious Bride: "For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encouraged one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). This will be the day of great rapture for God's people on the earth and, at the same time, the day of great destruction and God's wrath for the agents of the evil one -- both "the great and terrible day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5). It's only in the light of the glory of Your coming, that the earthly agent of the evil one, the anti-Christ, is confronted and destroyed. His presence on the earth, his rebellion against God, and his persecution of the Church must come first, according to Your Word. "As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed.... Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.... And then the lawless one will be removed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of His mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of His coming" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). But by God's grace, we will "stand firm and hold fast" through the darkness that will come and the persecution and tribulation that we will endure, all for sake of Christ who suffered in His love for us to live forever with Him (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Christians have suffered terrible tribulation and great suffering for the sake of their faith since the beginning. Are we to be any different? Does God love us any more or less than these? As You both encouraged and warned Your first disciples, so You both encourage and warn us: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV). Thank You, Jesus. "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let everyone who hears say, 'Come.' And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift... The One who testifies to these things says, 'Sure I Am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:17-20). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I know many do not share my understanding of Scripture about the sequence of events in the end times, but I do believe we must use our days now to wisely prepare in our hearts and in the earth for the coming of the Lord. The focus of our ministry is to help "Prepare the Way of the Lord" by the cleansing and empowering of the Bride of Christ through ministries of teaching, preaching, writing, and prayer. Thank you for all your encouragement, support, and prayer, as we seek to do our part in our generation "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" in the lives and places where He leads. Please order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Please prayerfully consider joining us as Isaiah 35 Covenant Partners -- giving to the vision and calling of our ministry just $35 per month as "streams in the desert" and a steady flow of God's provision to fulfill our destiny in Christ at home and abroad. 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 40502Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Pursuing the Presence of God 8-25-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the way that leads to life -- abundant life in You today. ... "It was told King David, 'The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.' So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed and ox and a fatling. David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a line ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet" (2 Samuel 6:12-15). The ark of God speaks of the presence of God in our midst. It's Your presence that brings Your blessing. It's Your presence that makes us want to sacrifice whatever it takes to have it. It's Your presence that stirs our spirits to dancing and shouting and rejoicing. And while we hunger and thirst for Your presence personally, it's not to be horded or hidden with one person or household, but to be shared with all and honored by all. "Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually" (Psalm 105:3-4). The world around us and sometimes even those closest to us won't always understand our passionate pursuit of Your presence (2 Samuel 6:20-23). Sometimes our esteem in their eyes is part of our sacrifice as well. But "there is need of only one thing" -- "the better part" of seeking Your presence above all else (Luke 10:42). "One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4). Your presence is worth whatever sacrifice, misunderstanding, judgment, or ridicule I may ever endure. "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever" (Psalm 16:11, NLT). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us for A Day Apart for Healing, Oct. 3rd near Nashville, TN I'll be leading with Jonathan Dow of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries at their ministry base in Goodlettsville, TN. In an atmosphere of deep worship and God's healing love, we'll address areas of rejection, shame, fear, rebellion, trauma and freedom from spiritual oppression, while also addressing potential hindrances to healing. A brochure is attached. http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/events/arc/day_Apart_09_Healing.html Please spread to the word to anyone who may be interested and come if you can! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

"You are My Joy "8-24-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my strength and my joy, my peace and my path. I arise to follow You in the steps of my day. ... You are my joy No matter where I stand No matter others' plans My joy is in You Lord You are my peace No matter what's going on No matter who's along My peace is in You Lord You are my strength No matter what I face No matter what comes my way My strength is in You Lord For You are all I need For You are all I seek All my life is in Your hands Yes, Lord. It's good to wake up singing a song of trust in Your joy and peace and strength in my spirit. It's good to know You've been with me through the night and You're still with me when I rise. For I am not alone; in my weakness I am strong, for my life is in Your hands. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness.' So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please come join us in the Nashville area October 3, 2009 for A Day Apart for Healing that I'll be leading with Jonathan Dow of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries: A Day Apart '09 "Healing" Prayer and worship that brings God's healing, restoring presence Encountering God is not a people-centered program. The day will not focus on exhortation, but on experiencing God. Facilitators will provide experiences of prayer and worship designed to enable you to draw away from the demands of everyday life to center on spending quality time with God. Held at Aldersgate Renewal Center 121 East Avenue, Goodlettsville Tennessee 37080 Saturday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Concert of Prayer A model for corporate prayer: concert of prayer is designed to allow the people of God to pray together using corporate, small group, and individual prayer, both spoken and sung. Using the harp and bowl imagery from Revelation 5:8, this unique model is both interactive and experiential. Soaking Prayer:"Soaking Prayer" is an opportunity for participants to rest quietly with soft music while they are silently prayed over by a small team of people. Persons who have experienced soaking prayer testify of feelings of great peace and significant encounters with Jesus. Prayer Team Ministry Personal prayer ministry using trained prayer teams will be provided as part of the day apart. Regardless of your need, you can come knowing that there will be an opportunity to receive personal prayer in an environment of loving care. Group Interaction Participants will be given the opportunity to reflect on scripture as our basis for discussion. We will share each other's desire to encounter God. A model for corporate prayer: concert of prayer is designed to allow the people of God to pray together using corporate, small group, and individual prayer, both spoken and sung. Using the harp and bowl imagery from Revelation 5:8, this unique model is both interactive and experiential. Another Life Changing Event Sponsored by:Aldersgate Renewal Ministries121 East Avenue Goodlettsville, TN 37072Phone: 615.851. 9192Fax: 615.851.9372 Email: info@aldersgaterenewal.org Register: http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/events/arc/day_Apart_09_Healing.html 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 is the Lord!" 8-21-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me start this new day centered in You, embraced by my Father, and filled afresh with Your Holy Spirit. ... "I have told of the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord. I have not hidden Your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness from the great congregation" (Psalm 40:9-10). You know all my faults and failures, but You also know my heart to trust You as my healer and deliverer. You know all my sins and selfish ways, but You also know my desire to grow in Your nature and spiritual maturity. You know all the strategies and plans of the enemy of my soul to seek my destruction, but You also know my faith by Your grace that the One who lives in me who is greater than the one who is in the world. You know every person whom I've not always fully honored and loved as I should and every person who's not always honored and loved me as they should, but You also know my hope and confident trust in the One who is love and whose steadfast love and tender mercies endure forever. When we admit our needs before You -- both when we fail and others fail us -- You are always faithful and true to hear our cry and answer our call. You don't withhold Your mercy, but pour out Your grace in the power of Your love, steadying our hearts and guiding our steps (Psalm 40:1-15). "But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Great is the Lord!' As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God" (Psalm 40:16-17). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer this Friday and Saturday as I lead a Free to Be Like Jesus city-wide weekend conference at St. Barnabas Church in Harrodsburg, Kentucky just south of us, across the Kentucky River. Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night 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. Phil Jackson will be leading in worship and Laura Beach will be leading in prayer. 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 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Through Many Tribulations" 8-20-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the firm foundation of my life and my faith this day. ... "After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God' " (Acts 14:21-22, NKJV). Each day has enough trouble of its own. Each season has enough tribulation of its own. So all by Your grace, I will not get stuck in the regrets or offences of the past or be paralyzed by the worry or fear of the challenges of the future. "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:34). So I will embrace Your encouragement and correction, Your strength and wisdom, as I press on and press in, proclaiming the good news of Your kingdom and the steadfast love of my King. "But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house, I will bow down toward Your holy temple in awe of You" (Psalm 5:7). When Paul and Barnabus returned to Iconium and Antioch, they were returning to places and people who had rejected them and their message of the gospel of the kingdom of God. They had stoned Paul and left him for dead (Acts 14:19). Yet in the grace that only You can give, they went on strengthening souls and sharing the faith, knowing we will encounter and we must endure many tribulations as we enter the kingdom of God. It was in the midst of such great resistance and rejection of Your message and Your messengers that You confirmed their words of Your grace, "granting signs and wonders to be done through them" (Acts 14:3). So we need You to be King in the days of trouble and King in the seasons of tribulation. But certain of Your love and trusting in Your grace, we will enter in. And in the irony of the principles of Your kingdom, it's so often in those hard places and painful encounters that we see the glory of Your manifest presence and the power of Your unfailing love. With the courage and faith You give us for each day, we can seek Your face and bow at Your feet, standing firm in Your strength in awe of You. When we do, we can't help but make disciples for You through the witness of our lives entrusted to You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night 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. Phil Jackson will be leading in worship and Laura Beach will be leading in prayer. 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 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Peace in God's Plans 8-18-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. All I am and all I have is Yours. All my hopes and plans, I entrust into Your hands. ... "May He grant you your heart's desires, and fulfill all your plans. May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.... Now I know that the Lord will help His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with mighty victories by His right hand" (Psalm 20:4-6). All my hopes and plans I release into Your hands I set my face toward Your will And set my feet on the path of Your way For there I know I'll go Walking freely with You For there I know You'll show All the joy and peace of Your perfect will We've come away in a quiet place to seek Your face and listen for Your voice, to hear Your heart for us as a ministry of the gospel of Your Kingdom. My life is Your life. This ministry is Your ministry. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I entrust it all to You. I don't even know how to pray as I ought (Romans 8:26). So I welcome the Spirit of the One who knows what's best for me, who knows the plans He has for me, to shape my hopes and plans and to show me how to pray -- not as I will, but as You will, not to fulfill my hopes and plans, but Yours. I trust You enough to know that in Your will is my joy and in Your plan is my peace (Jeremiah 29:11). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night 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. Phil Jackson will be leading in worship and Laura Beach will be leading in prayer. 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 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Our Eyes are On You" 8-17-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Align my heart and mind with Yours, now at the start and throughout every step of my day. ... "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" (2 Chronicles 20:12). There are times when our hearts are broken and our faith is battered, when our circumstances look dark and the enemy of our souls seems strong. These are the times when we feel "powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us" to "drive us out of Your possession that You have given us to inherit" (v. 20:11-12). But if we turn to You instead of to ourselves, keep looking up in the hope of how You always redeem all things instead of looking down at the apparent impending destruction of the moment, You comfort us with Your presence and encourage us with Your promise: "Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not your but God's" (v. 20:15). When we feel the pressure to do something to make everything right or live up to everybody's expectations, You lovingly but firmly remind us: "This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf" (v. 20:17). This is not passive resignation to our circumstances, but active and deliberate surrender of our circumstances into Your hands. It's the trusting faith is the assurance of Your presence with us and power of Your redemption for us through every blazing fire and deep pit the enemy of our souls would like to through us into. As three trusting children of Israel declared in the face of their daunting circumstances and imminent destruction: "If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let Him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statute that you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). They were thrown into the fiery pit, but there was One who was with them through it all, so that when it was all said and done, they didn't even smell like smoke, and the fire had no power over them (Daniel 3:25-27). You determine our destiny -- not our circumstances, not our enemies, not our expectations or those of the people around us. You redeem all things we entrust into Your hands. We may have to first find ourselves thrown into the fires and down into the pits, but if we hold fast in the faith of the goodness of Your heart and greatness of Your love toward us no matter what, You will cause all things to work together for good in Your timing and in Your way. Even all that is intended for harm, You will use for good (Genesis 50:20). So as best as I can and all by Your grace, I will keep lifting my eyes to You, trusting Your love, knowing Your presence, and believing Your power to redeem. If God be for me, who can be against me, whom then shall I fear? "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" (Psalm 121:1-2). I will look up and behold the salvation and redemption of my God by His unfailing love and unending grace, no matter what comes. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night 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 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 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Draw Near 8-14-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I draw near, knowing You're already here. ... Lord I draw near You're always here Here with me in my prayers I come away I seek Your face Here with You in my prayers And I know You always hear me And I know You're always near me Always giving Your hear As I come apart with You So I come with open heart And I rest in Your open arms And I know that I'm loved By the One who is here with me ... Thank You, Lord, for starting my day in the assurance of Your unfailing love and security of Your unending grace. Thank You for this new song of Your Spirit You're stirring in my spirit and proclaiming through my praises in trusting surrender to You. As I worship You, You are changing me (2 Corinthians 3:18). As I draw near to You, You are drawing near to me (James 4:8). Thank You for drawing near to me and changing me today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for your prayers for our School of Spiritual Ministry this week. It was awesome! We'll be sharing some testimonies in our newsletter coming out soon. Our 3 Day Intensive Level 2 School will be coming up in November, so let us know if you'd be interested and please spread the word to anyone who may be, contacting Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please come join us for A Day Apart for Healing, Oct. 3rd near Nashville, TN I'll be leading with Jonathan Dow of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries at their ministry base in Goodlettsville, TN. In an atmosphere of deep worship and God's healing love, we'll address areas of rejection, shame, fear, rebellion, trauma and freedom from spiritual oppression, while also addressing potential hindrances to healing. A brochure is attached. http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/events/arc/day_Apart_09_Healing.html Please spread to the word to anyone who may be interested and come if you can! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Morning by Morning, Friday 8-14-09 -- Draw Near Good morning, Lord Jesus. I draw near, knowing You're already here. ... Lord I draw near You're always here Here with me in my prayers I come away I seek Your face Here with You in my prayers And I know You always hear me And I know You're always near me Always giving Your hear As I come apart with You So I come with open heart And I rest in Your open arms And I know that I'm loved By the One who is here with me ... Thank You, Lord, for starting my day in the assurance of Your unfailing love and security of Your unending grace. Thank You for this new song of Your Spirit You're stirring in my spirit and proclaiming through my praises in trusting surrender to You. As I worship You, You are changing me (2 Corinthians 3:18). As I draw near to You, You are drawing near to me (James 4:8). Thank You for drawing near to me and changing me today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for your prayers for our School of Spiritual Ministry this week. It was awesome! We'll be sharing some testimonies in our newsletter coming out soon. Our 3 Day Intensive Level 2 School will be coming up in November, so let us know if you'd be interested and please spread the word to anyone who may be, contacting Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please come join us for A Day Apart for Healing, Oct. 3rd near Nashville, TN I'll be leading with Jonathan Dow of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries at their ministry base in Goodlettsville, TN. In an atmosphere of deep worship and God's healing love, we'll address areas of rejection, shame, fear, rebellion, trauma and freedom from spiritual oppression, while also addressing potential hindrances to healing. A brochure is attached. http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/events/arc/day_Apart_09_Healing.html Please spread to the word to anyone who may be interested and come if you can! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Holiness of Heart and Life 8-13-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I give You the first fruits of my first thoughts this day. ... "Then He brought me to the gate, the gate facing east. And there the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east; the sound was like the sound of mighty waters; and the earth shone with His glory.... As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me into the inner court; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple" (Ezekiel 43:1-5). In the cool of this summer morning, Your Spirit brings me out of the front gate of my house that faces the east on onto the front porch that faces the woods, as I wait for rising of the sun over the trees and welcome the rising of the glory of Your manifest presence into my heart. I draw near to You, knowing You draw near to me in the inner court of prayer (James 4:8). Lord, let my life be Your temple today, as Your Word and Your Spirit require: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? ... God's temple is holy and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). "We are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people' " (2 Corinthians 6:16). Cleanse me in Your blood, Lord Jesus, from all the unrighteousness of my sins -- from every way that I've not been in right relationship with You, with others, and within myself. Purify my heart in Your fire, Holy Spirit -- from every way I've defiled and been defiled by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Draw me back into the security and surrender of Your unending embrace and unfailing love, my Father God -- from every way I've questioned Your faithfulness or doubted Your promises, turning to myself instead of turning to You. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I lift up my head and open up my gates, that the King of glory may come in (Psalm 24:7-10). Come into Your temple my God and my King. "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). As I see the morning sun rising now above the woods that blocked my view into the dawn of this new day, I welcome You to fill Your temple of my heart and life with the glory of Your abiding and holy Presence. "Absolute holiness... is the primary law of the temple" (Ezekiel 43:12, NLT). "Who will ascend the hill of the Lord? And who will stand in His holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts...." (Psalm 24:3-4). Thank You for the unearned and undeserved gift of this amazing grace that cleanses my hands and purifies my heart to live this day and every day in the presence of a holy God who desires to dwell in the temple of my heart and life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Our ministry model at Messiah Ministries for healing and deliverance prayer ministry is holiness of heart and life, through the Holy Spirit's sanctification of spirit, soul, and body that brings healing and freedom in every dimension of our lives. I've tried to express what I've learned in these first 12 years of full time healing prayer ministry in my new book, Free to Be Like Jesus -- Transforming Power of Healing & Deliverance. Friends, please keep us in prayer for our four day intensive School of Spiritual Ministry this week in Lexington, as the Lord ministers His healing love to us while He equips and empowers us to minister His healing love to others in spirit, soul, and body. Since the moment this class began we've all sensed the tenderness of His presence and the weightiness of His glory. I pray the same for you as you join with us in the communion of prayer and through the bond of the Holy Spirit. God bless you! Please come join us for A Day Apart for Healing, Oct. 3rd near Nashville, TN I'll be leading with Jonathan Dow of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries at their ministry base in Goodlettsville, TN. In an atmosphere of deep worship and God's healing love, we'll address areas of rejection, shame, fear, rebellion, trauma and freedom from spiritual oppression, while also addressing potential hindrances to healing. A brochure is attached. http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/events/arc/day_Apart_09_Healing.html Please spread to the word to anyone who may be interested and come if you can! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Teacher and Lord 8-12-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my face and open up my eyes to the Sun of Righteousness, in the soft dawn's light of a new day. ... "Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long" (Psalm 25:4-5). Today is the first day of second grade for my son Elijah. This week and next week, I'll be entrusting all my children to all their teachers and professors at varying levels of education. But even as I do, I declare with the authority of a father's blessing from a father's heart that I entrust my children to You first and foremost as their Teacher. I pray for the teachers and for the students to be guided by the wisdom of God, in all the subjects that are taught and all the words that are spoken. All truth that they learn will be Your truth, for all truth is God's truth, and You are the Truth -- "the Way and the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6). And I ask You to guard their hearts and minds from all that may be untrue, as Your Spirit reminds them of all the truth You have already sown into their spirits. As You said to Your first disciples, so You say me and my children and all who are willing to know Your ways, to be taught Your paths, and be lead in Your truth, "You call Me Teacher and Lord -- and you are right, for that is what I Am" (John 13:13). Jesus, be my Teacher and Lord today. Even as I try to teach others what I believe You have taught me, I pray it would be You teaching through me. And I entrust my life to You, as best as I can and all by Your grace, to be eternally Your student and disciple, seeking to follow in Your ways, Your paths, and Your truth. Correct me when I'm wrong, convict me when I sin as You help me to grow in the wisdom of God. For You are the God of my salvation and I for You I will wait all day long. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer for our four day intensive School of Spiritual Ministry this week in Lexington, as the Lord ministers His healing love to us while He equips and empowers us to minister His healing love to others in spirit, soul, and body. Since the moment this class began we've all sensed the tenderness of His presence and the weightiness of His glory. I pray the same for you as you join with us in the communion of prayer and through the bond of the Holy Spirit. God bless you! Please come join us for A Day Apart for Healing, Oct. 3rd near Nashville, TN I'll be leading with Jonathan Dow of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries at their ministry base in Goodlettsville, TN. In an atmosphere of deep worship and God's healing love, we'll address areas of rejection, shame, fear, rebellion, trauma and freedom from spiritual oppression, while also addressing potential hindrances to healing. A brochure is attached. http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/events/arc/day_Apart_09_Healing.html Please spread to the word to anyone who may be interested and come if you can! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

"Treasures of Darkness" 8-11-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am Yours and You are mine. Come live in me and live through me today by Your Spirit I pray. ... "I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name" (Isaiah 45:3). The dark places of our lives can become the places where the light of Your hope and the glory of Your presence shine the brightest. The hidden and secret places, buried under the pain and hurt of our past can become the places that forever declare Your provision and power to transform and redeem every moment of our lives according to Your riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). But the pain and shame of our past and the persisting torments just beneath the surface of our present remain hidden in darkness as we suffer in silence until we trust You enough to open our hearts and wounds to You. Then You bring all things out of our darkness and into Your light, as You call us by name and heal all our pain. In the power of Your love and the mercy of Your grace, You change our darkness into treasures and our hidden places into riches. And we know that You are God, that You are the Lord our God who redeems all things for our good and Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer for our four day intensive School of Spiritual Ministry this week in Lexington, as the Lord ministers His healing love to us while He equips and empowers us to minister His healing love to others in spirit, soul, and body. Since the moment this class began we've all sensed the tenderness of His presence and the weightiness of His glory. I pray the same for you as you join with us in the communion of prayer and through the bond of the Holy Spirit. God bless you! Please come join us for A Day Apart for Healing, Oct. 3rd near Nashville, TN I'll be leading with Jonathan Dow of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries at their ministry base in Goodlettsville, TN. In an atmosphere of deep worship and God's healing love, we'll address areas of rejection, shame, fear, rebellion, trauma and freedom from spiritual oppression, while also addressing potential hindrances to healing. A brochure is attached. http://www.aldersgaterenewal.org/events/arc/day_Apart_09_Healing.html Please spread to the word to anyone who may be interested and come if you can! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

God's Camp 8-7-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Center the soul of my mind and will and emotions in the certainty and security of Your unending love for me. I love You and I thank You for first loving me. ... "Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him; and when Jacob saw them he said, 'This is God's camp!' So he called that place Mahanaim" (Genesis 32:1). My two little angels of God, Elijah and Josiah, have been begging me to go camping one more time before school starts. And my oldest angel, Elizabeth, is coming home from college to meet up with us. I'll be sharing in the ministry of their s'mores and they'll be sharing in the tribulation of my snores. But I already know You'll meet us there with Your healing balm of laughter and Your inspiring sense of adventure, as we remember the old stories and make some new ones together. We may call that place Lee's cabin instead of Mahanaim, but it will be God's camp to us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Light Up My Life 8-6-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my Everlasting Father, my Wonderful Counselor, my Mighty God, my Prince of Peace. And I allow all the authority and government of my life to rest upon Your shoulders, O Son of God and Son of Man (Isaiah 9:6). ... "But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish.... The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined" (Isaiah 9:1-2). You are not only the Christ who comes as a Child at Christmas. You are not only the Messiah whom comes as Savior and Redeemer of Israel. You are the Creator of the universe and the Lord of all. And every moment of every day You are the Great Light that breaks forth like the dawn of a new day, displacing all the darkness and gloom of our anguish and pain with the light of the glory of Your Presence. You are not only the light of the world, You are the light of my world. And as I welcome You into my world, into every area and dimension of my life, all darkness must flee; all gloom and anguish must go. "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life' " (John 8:12). Lord Jesus, come light up my life today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for all who have been praying in the way the Lord leads you for the reconciliation and healing of our family and each of us. I'm grateful for all the words of encouragement and wisdom, compassionate prayers, professional counseling, healing prayer ministry, and every means of grace the Lord is using to love us and try to lead us all through this season. No matter how deep the darkness may seem at times, I know His light is greater still and that He is the God who redeems all things we entrust into His hands -- His nail-scarred hands. I know He's using even this to work together for good, because we love Him and we are called by Him according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). God bless you and thank you for joining me in the journey. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy. Scholarships Available! The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry, Next week, Mon-Thurs, Aug. 10-13, 2009 hosted by Messiah Ministries, led by Tommy Hays in Lexington, Kentucky.This 4 Day Intensive Course is a focused time of healing, deliverance, and impartation for spiritual ministry led by Rev. Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries. We will study and experience a biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for spiritual ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience as students receive personal ministry and are equipped and empowered in ministry for others. Please contact Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com right away to register or get details. Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org If our ministry has been an encouragement and blessing to you, I invite you to join us as an Isaiah 35 Covenant Partner -- providing "streams in the desert" and a steady flow of God's provision for the vision and calling He's given us of "Preparing the Way of the Lord" and "Ministering the Healing Love of God." Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

"Speak the Truth...Be Angry...Do Not Sin" 8-5-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You to walk with me and talk with me in the cool of the morning and throughout my day. ... "So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil" (Ephesians 4:25-27). Lord, give me grace to speak the truth to my neighbors, to those who walk with me and work with me and live my life with me. Give me courage not to bury the truth or deny the truth or try to color the truth. And sometimes the truth is that I'm feeling angry or hurt or rejected or unvalued or misunderstood. And sometimes the truth is I can let my hurt feeling lead to wrong actions. And in those times I need to remember that You tell me in Your Word that it's ok to "be angry," to "speak the truth" about what I'm feeling. But also to remember that Your Word also tells me "but do not sin." So help me release my anger and hurt to You, without burying it down inside or releasing it on others in wrong ways or words. Help me "speak the truth" but also "speak the truth in love," letting You use even those moments to make me more like You. "But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). And wherever I've "made room for the devil" through the wrong expression of my anger or hurt, either by releasing it wrongly or burying it deeply, remind me and guide me to submit that to You in confession and repentance of my sin. Then empower me in the authority of Your name and power of Your blood to command the enemy to flee as I welcome Your Holy Spirit to come. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." James 4:7-8). Thank You, Lord, for all the times You cleanse my heart and purify my soul from sin, as You heal my hurts and fill my spirit with Your peace. Thank for all the times You come to find me and call out to me, no matter what I've done or how I feel (Genesis 3:8-9). I don't have to hide myself or the truth of how I feel or what I've done. I can give it all to the One who is "faithful and just," full of mercy and grace, whose will and way is always to "forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness," as You walk with us in loving relationship (1 John 1:9). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Scholarships Available! The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry, Next week, Mon-Thurs, Aug. 10-13, 2009 hosted by Messiah Ministries, led by Tommy Hays in Lexington, Kentucky.This 4 Day Intensive Course is a focused time of healing, deliverance, and impartation for spiritual ministry led by Rev. Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries. We will study and experience a biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for spiritual ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience as students receive personal ministry and are equipped and empowered in ministry for others. Please contact Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com right away to register or get details. Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org If our ministry has been an encouragement and blessing to you, I invite you to join us as an Isaiah 35 Covenant Partner -- providing "streams in desert" and a steady flow of God's provision for the vision and calling He's given us of "Preparing the Way of the Lord" and "Ministering the Healing Love of God." Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Scholarships Available! School of Spiritual Ministry in Lexington Next Week

Please come join us next week and spread the word to anyone who may be interested in our School of Spiritual Ministry: Scholarships Available! The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry, Next week, Mon-Thurs, Aug. 10-13, 2009 hosted by Messiah Ministries, led by Tommy Hays in Lexington, Kentucky.This 4 Day Intensive Course is a focused time of healing, deliverance, and impartation for spiritual ministry led by Rev. Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries. We will study and experience a biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for spiritual ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience as students receive personal ministry and are equipped and empowered in ministry for others. Please contact Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com right away to register or get details. Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org Order Tommy Hays' books, Free to Be Like Jesus, Morning by Morning, and our Messiah Ministries Resources on-line at: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe to Tommy's free daily prayer devotional by email 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Growing Strong in Faith 8-4-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the Word of God made flesh, dwelling among us, now dwelling within us by Your Holy Spirit. I welcome You and embrace You, as You dwell within me today. ... "No distrust made (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith 'was reckoned to him as righteousness' " (Romans 4:20-22). Abraham grew strong in his faith. He wasn't born strong in his faith; he didn't make believe he was strong in his faith; he couldn't do all the right things or say all the right prayers to earn all the right credits to make You make him strong in his faith. He grew strong in his faith. And it seems to me his heart of willingness to grow was the kind of faith that was reckoned to him as righteousness. Lord, how did Abraham grow in his faith? ... It seems I hear You say: "There were many times when Abraham doubted. There were many times when he was frustrated and impatient, crying out to Me in the night through tears of disappointment and anguish of spirit. Do not think of him as a god or as perfect in his faith or life. He was just a man. And none are righteous, no not one. Yet I do not look to the outward appearance; I look to the heart. And Abraham entrusted his heart to Me. That is the faith I desire. That is the unwavering trust I desire. And I give that faith to all who seek Me with all their hearts. And as they keep seeking Me, they keep learning to trust Me; and they grow in faith." Yes, Lord. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I entrust my heart to You. Encourage me and empower me to welcome You into my thoughts and desires, into my mornings and throughout the moments of my days. I want to keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking, knowing by the faith You're growing in me that Your door is always open and the arms of Your embrace is always wide (Luke 11:9-13). By the grace of the faith that You've given me and that You're growing in me, I am convinced that You are able to do all You have promised. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Scholarships Available! The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry, Next week, Mon-Thurs, Aug. 10-13, 2009 hosted by Messiah Ministries, led by Tommy Hays in Lexington, Kentucky.This 4 Day Intensive Course is a focused time of healing, deliverance, and impartation for spiritual ministry led by Rev. Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries. We will study and experience a biblical perspective of the ministry of healing and wholeness of spirit, soul and body, and apply the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God for spiritual ministry. The course combines dynamic classroom teaching in a small group setting with personal hands-on experience as students receive personal ministry and are equipped and empowered in ministry for others. Please contact Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com right away to register or get details. Messiah Ministries: www.messiah-ministries.org Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus, Morning by Morning, and our Messiah Ministries Resources on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Visitation of the Dawn from on High 8-3-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are a good God, and I thank You for being good to me, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank You for letting Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, even the days when I deserve it the least (Psalm 23). ... "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has looked favorably on His people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty Savior for us in the house of His servant David.... And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:68-79). This weekend You visited us in the mercy and power of Your healing, redeeming love in the quiet countryside along the Kentucky River. You spoke to us and sang over us. You embraced us, held us, and comforted us as You brought each of us out of the darkness and shadows of where we needed Your healing and freedom of spirit, soul, and body and into the peace and joy of Your glorious light. You guided our feet into the way of peace and Your dawn from on high broke in and broke through upon us. You were and You are our "mighty Savior," full of "the tender mercy of our God," imparting to us the "knowledge of salvation" and the "forgiveness of (our) sins." You poured out Your Father's blessing and sealed our hearts with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the gift of this Healing Prayer Weekend and the fulfillment of this dream for a dimension of our ministry You planted in my spirit long ago and have now birthed in my ministry this weekend. You are teaching us how to bring together those who are hungry to receive and those who are hungry to give of the healing love of God in a place of security and safety where we can be changed forever to never be the same. Keep teaching us and leading us, as You empower us to help prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts and in the earth. O Lord, would You continue to pour out this anointing for Your ministry of healing and freedom for Your people throughout the earth in our generation and any generations to come. Thank You Father, for sending Your Spirit, to prepare the way for Jesus' coming in His glory on earth one day soon and here in our hearts every day now (Luke 21:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for your prayers and all your support and encouragement to me and our ministry that makes these times of ministry possible. This past weekend was our first Healing Prayer Weekend where we bring together the people who have been equipped for healing prayer ministry from our Schools of Spiritual Ministry with those who are coming away for a weekend retreat into an environment prepared for the Presence of the Lord through worship, teaching, and ministry. Please consider joining us for our next Healing Prayer Weekend this coming December or our next School of Spiritual Ministry next week. Contact Marilyn, our Director of Ministries at: DirOfMinistries@aol.com God bless you and thank you! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus, Morning by Morning, and our Messiah Ministries Resources on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Refreshed, Renewed, Refocused 7-31-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Align my mind, my will, and my emotions with Yours. ... "Then (Elijah) lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly and angel touched him and said to him, 'Get up and eat.' He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, 'Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.' He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God" (1 Kings 19:5-8). Elijah sought to be a spiritual man. He wanted to hear Your voice and speak Your words, empowered by Your Spirit to prepare the way for the coming of Your Kingdom. He willingly gave his heart and life to You and was "very zealous for the Lord" (v. 19:10). At times he stood firm in great faith and at times he was almost overwhelmed by fear. But You gave him sleep and rest. You fed him on the bread of Your Word and refreshed him in waters of Your Spirit. You prepared him for the next season of his journey of faith and life and ministry. You reminded him of Your sovereign hand and mighty power, yet You spoke to him in Your still small voice of tenderness and compassion (v. 19:11-12). You gave Elijah time and space to search his heart and soul, to remind him where he was in the journey, what he was called to do, and who he was called to be (v. 19:13). Then You said to him, "Go, return ..." (v. 19:15). And You sent him out of the place of rest back into the place of ministry, to "anoint" another generation of spiritual leaders to prepare the way of the Lord and the coming of the Kingdom of God (v. 19:15-18). "So he set out from there" to go fulfill his calling and destiny, refreshed and renewed by Your Word and Your Spirit (v. 19:19). Thank You, Lord, for Your seasons of refreshing and renewing. Thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit, for the reminders of Your power and Your tenderness. Thank You for the gift of Your faith that frees me from fear and the mercy of Your grace that empowers me for life. Thank You for times of rest and refocus for the next season of life and ministry at hand. "Elijah was a human being like us" (James 5:17). But he was a spiritual man on a spiritual journey, who knew Your Presence and saw Your power in his generation, as You used him to prepare the way for the next -- a generation who would go even further than he did and see even more than he could. Life is hard, but God is great. Lord, let me be found faithful to be all You created me to be and to do all You created me to do -- all by the mercy and power of Your grace, all for the glory of Your name. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for your prayers for me on my time away with family these past few weeks. Please keep us in prayer as I lead our first Messiah Ministries' Healing Prayer Weekend at Cliffview Retreat in Kentucky this weekend. And please come join us if you can or cover us in prayer for our next week-long intensive School of Spiritual Ministry later this month in Lexington. Please contact Marilyn Walker, my Director of Ministries for more information and on-line registration: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus, Morning by Morning, and our Messiah Ministries Resources on-line at: 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

I Believe 7-29-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I believe in You. And I trust in the promise and the covenant of Your unending love for me. ... I believe in You I believe in You I believe in Your power to love me I believe in You I believe in You I believe in You, Lord, today I believe in You I believe in You I believe in Your power to heal me I believe in You I believe in You I believe in You, Lord, today I believe in You I believe in You I believe in Your power to lead me I believe in You I believe in You I believe in You, Lord, today I believe in You I believe in You I believe in Your power to use me I believe in You I believe in You I believe in You, Lord, today ... Thank You, Lord, for waking me this morning with this song of faith and trust You've been writing in my spirit as I sleep. What a picture of the God who never sleeps and never stops moving in our lives, who blesses those who rest in Him, "who works for those who wait for Him" (Isaiah 64:4). I hear You say to my heart this morning, "Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me" (from John 14:1). Yes, Lord Jesus. I believe in You. You are One with the Father, One with the Holy Spirit, and You are also One with me as I believe in You. "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one. As You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, may they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given Me I have given them, so that they may be one, as We are One, I in them and You in Me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me" John 17:20-23). On the basis of Your love, grounded in Your Word, and poured into my heart by Your Spirit, I believe (Romans 5:5). ... I believe in You, Lord, today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer and life together. Thank you for the prayers and notes of encouragement along the way. And always feel free to forward these on to those who may be blessed and encouraged by these simple morning prayers to start the day centered on Jesus, embraced by the Father, and filled afresh with the Holy Spirit. If you're in our area, we still have room for you to come join us at our upcoming Healing Prayer Weekend or weeklong intensive course of The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries to join us: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We'd love to have you! I'm really excited about my new book on healing, Free to Be Like Jesus. You can order it from www.amazon.com or through any Christian bookstore or from our Online ministry resource center: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org , where all proceeds go to support the vision and calling of our ministry. I'd love to hear your feedback. I tried to include many real-life experiences, testimonies, and sample prayers along with biblically-balanced teaching on Christian healing ministry. This book puts into words much of what I've learned in these first 12 years of healing prayer ministry, and I'd love to share it with you. God bless you and thank you for your prayers for me to get this book published and available. 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com

Graceland 7-28-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Guide my steps as You walk with me through the moments of my day. ... "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and He will put the sheep at His right hand and the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at His right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you gave Me clothing, I was sick and you took care of Me, I was in prison and you visited Me'.... And the King will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of these who are members of My family, you did it to Me' " (Matthew 25:31-40). We spent last night in Memphis, home of the king -- not the King of glory, but the king of rock and roll; not the King whose name is El Shaddai, but the king whose name is Elvis. But it does remind me of Your words that there will come a "day of judgment" where all will stand before Your throne and "give an account" for how we spent the days of our lives (Matthew 12:36). Who did we love more -- others or ourselves? Who did we serve more -- You and Your kingdom or ourselves and our own. We will see on that day that as we loved and served "the least of these" we were loving and serving You. And I thank You now for the mercy of that day, that through the blood of Christ and Your sacrifice of love for me and all who will humbly call on Your name, Your throne of judgment will also be a throne of grace. "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). On that day to come and in the moments of my days between now and then, my salvation will not be determined by what I have done, but by Whom is my King and what my King has done for me. "Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:10). Lord Jesus, You are the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). You are One with the Father and One with the Spirit; come be One within my heart and life as my Lord and my King, to live and love through me (John 14:23). Your kingdom comes wherever You are honored as King, and Your grace flows to all who will receive You and embrace You as their Lord and King, so that every heart of every land is Graceland to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we still have room for you to join us at our upcoming Healing Prayer Weekend and The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry. Please contact Marilyn Walker, our Director of Ministries to join us: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We'd love to have you! I'm really excited about my new book on healing, Free to Be Like Jesus. You can order it from www.amazon.com or through any Christian bookstore or from our Online ministry resource center: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org , where all proceeds go to support the vision and calling of our ministry. I'd love to hear your feedback. I tried to include many real-life experiences, testimonies, and sample prayers along with biblically-balanced teaching on Christian healing ministry. This book puts into words much of what I've learned in these first 12 years of healing prayer ministry, and I'd love to share it with you. God bless you and thank you for your prayers for me to get this book published and available. 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 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com