Morning by Morning—Daily Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

"With Everlasting Love" - July 20

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord; and I thank You for first loving me-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man's youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid My face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer" (Isaiah 54:6-8).

Lord, what does it mean that You love me with everlasting love? ...

It seems I hear You say: "My love never fails. My love never gives up. My love never lets go."

Yes, Lord. ... What does it mean that for a brief moment I abandoned you and for a moment You hid Your face from me? ...

It seems I hear You say: "My son, like Israel before you, my covenant with You is everlasting, just like My love for you. There are consequences for your choices and in the choices of others. And sometimes in the consequences of those choices, it will seem as though I have turned from you, hidden from you, even abandoned you. But I have not. I will never leave you nor forsake you. And no matter where you turn, I Am there. My arms are always open wide to You and My heart is always tender toward you."

Yes, Lord. ... What does it mean that You are my Redeemer? ...

It seems I hear You say, "I always work all things for good if You will entrust them to Me. The things you have done and the things done to you will only serve to strengthen you in spirit, encourage you in faith, and anoint you with authority when you choose to give yourself to Me. I am trustworthy, faithful, and true. This is My everlasting love for you, My son, says the Lord, your Redeemer."

Yes, Lord. Let every word of truth and life settle deep down into my spirit. Thank You for Your compassion, Your mercy, and Your love. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).

I trust You, O Lord, my God and my Redeemer. And I entrust to You all of my life - past, present, and future. You are the everlasting God, Who loves me with an everlasting love. And in the power and mercy of Your grace, let my love and commitment to You be everlasting as well. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, I'll be preaching and ministering at Gray's Chapel UMC in Franklinville, NC this weekend, July 22-24 with Pastor Doug Miller and Heather Butler from Wales www.grayschapel.org Please come join us if you're in the area! We'll be hosting An Evening with Heather Butler here in Lexington, Monday night August 1st, with her powerful gifting as a prophetic pslamist.

Please keep us in prayer and join us if you can for the Aldersgate 2001 Conference on Spirit-filled Living in Dayton, Ohio July 27-31 www.aldersgate2011.org where I'll be teaching. I'll also be going out to Athens, GA on Thursday night, July 28 to preach at the Opening Message at Pre-Confernece for the Rekindle the Flame Conference led by Rick Bonfim Ministries http://www.latterain.com/rekindle_the_flame.html Please see our ministry calendar for details and other ministry opportunities coming up: www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Pride in the Name of the Lord - July 19

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are faithful and forgiving, trustworthy and true. Make me more like You today. ...

"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. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:6-7).

My community takes pride in horses - a big banner where the two interstates come together boldly declares "Lexington, Kentucky - Horse Capitol of the World." We take pride in basketball - big banners fill Rupp Arena declaring decades of NCAA victories for the University of Kentucky. And we take pride in the rolling hills, bluegrass fields, and hand-crafted stone fences that make this region so beautiful. It seems You've created something in all of us that needs to find a sense of community identity, significance, and worth.

But above all, whether in our community or in our individual lives, we are to find our true sense of identity, significance, and worth in You. Our pride is to be in the name of the Lord. Anything we have, anything we are, anything we will become or do that will have any lasting significance at all will be by Your hand through our lives.

So when we see broken hearts healed and the captives set free, we take pride in the name of the Lord. When we see people encouraged in who they are, equipped for what they are to do, and sent to where they are to be, we take pride in the name of the Lord. When we see Your forgiveness for every sin, Your blessing for every curse, and Your provision for every need, we take pride in the name of the Lord.

Your name is the name above every name (Philippians 2:9). And at Your name, Lord Jesus, we humble ourselves from all our pride and take pride in Your name (v. 2:10). It's when our identity and destiny is grounded in You that we can rise and stand in the pride of the Lord, rather than stumble and fall in the pride of ourselves. "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). So help me each day to humble myself in Your sight, to place my trust and find my pride in You alone. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Monday, July 18, 2011

"Deep Waters" - July 18

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'm not holding back, I'm pressing in, all of You in all of me. ...

"The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream" (Proverbs 18:4).

Thank You for the wisdom You've worked in the mind, will, and emotions of my soul through the journey of my life. All the mistakes and mountain tops, all the valleys and victories, all the rejection and rejoicing, all the languishing and laughing, all the discouragement and determination-You've not wasted a moment or missed an opportunity to try to teach me and train me in the way I should go in the wisdom of God. You've forgiven my failures and encouraged my successes, redeeming all I've entrusted to You by the grace of God at the foot of the cross.

Now, like a cistern that's gathered like rain all the issues of life, the cistern has become a fountain to share the words from my heart that flow out of the deep waters of my soul. Sanctify them in the washing of the water of Your Word (Ephesians 5:26). Purify them in the burning fire of Your Spirit (Matthew 3:12). I have so much more to learn, and so much more of the wisdom of this world that needs to be divinely exchanged for the wisdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 3:19).

But at the same time, I do pray that I would not withhold the wisdom You've taught me, as I share the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart that You've redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and the grace of God (Psalm 19:14). Let them be as a gushing stream of the waters of life You choose to pour through me - even as I drink deeply from the well of the waters You pour into my life through the wisdom of the ones You've chosen to be in relationship with me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friday, July 15, 2011

Open the Gates of Righteousness - July 15

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Welcome into my world and every moment of my day. ...

"Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it" (Psalm 118:19-20).

There's a way that is right. For every choice before me, every need within me, every expectation of me, there is a way that is right. And by the grace You've given me and the desires You've placed within me, I want what is right; I want what is true. I want the right way because I've spent too much time choosing the wrong way, and I've come to know that You know best.

So Lord, would You open the gates to that way that is right? Protect me from the foolishness of trying to choose in my own wisdom, apart from the leading of Your Spirit and the guidance of Your Word, what is right for me. Protect me from the emptiness of trying to open my own gates, in my own timing, in my own way, apart from Your stirring in my spirit, Your peace in my heart, and Your voice in my ear, saying in the ways You've taught me to hear, "This is the way, walk in it." All of that would only be self-righteousness, not Your righteousness.

Here I am, Lord. Your servant, Your son is listening. The children of God are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). You open the gates. You open my eyes to see and my ears to hear. You prompt me when to move and confirm my steps. And if I fall or fail or misstep, You pick me up and dust me off and turn me again in the way that is right, so that I can enter in through the gates of righteousness, the gate of the Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Come to the Fountain This Friday Night! July 15, our Messiah Ministries' monthly gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship with the family of God as one, from many different churches and traditions under the name of Jesus in our city. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters, to be refreshed and renewed in the Presence of God, as we worship Him and welcome Him to heal us and free us in spirit, soul, and body. We meet monthly in the Chapel at Centenary UMC, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, Kentucky at 7 PM. We have various worship leaders from our area lead us in worship each month. this month, Brooke Barrett will be leading in worship and Sandy Boven will be leading in prayer. All are welcome! Please come, bring a friend, and spread the word.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"Rise Up, O Lord! Deliver Me, O My God!" - July 14

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my eyes, open up my heart, and call upon Your name. Stir up Your Spirit within my spirit, as I begin my day with You. ...

"I lie down and sleep, I wake up again, for the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Rise up, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For You strike all my enemies on the check; You break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be on your people!" (Psalm 3:5-8)

David's battles in the natural realm in the Old Covenant are an expression of our spiritual battles in the New Covenant. First the natural, then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). His cries for deliverance and his battles for freedom were lived out in the day to day combat of human flesh and blood. Now in Christ, ours are lived out in the day to day combat of the spirit. "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).

You know every plan and scheme of the enemy of our souls who comes to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). You know every attack of fear, injustice, manipulation, and discouragement. You know every way our spiritual enemy seeks to deceive and confuse, distort and defile. But our God is greater. And our God is mighty. And the victory is already won for us through the victory of the cross and the power of the blood of Jesus. And now the Spirit of Victory abides within us. "Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them, for the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

So let God arise; let our enemies be scattered! (Psalm 68:1) Let the teeth of the wicked be broken and his voice be silenced. Let the high praises of God fill our mouths with shouts of joy and victory. "They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord, I cut them off! ... I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation. There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: 'The right hand of the Lord does valiantly; the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.' I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord!" (Psalm 118:11-17) In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

"Who is a God like You?" - July 13

Good morning, Lord Jesus. All that I have and all that I am is Yours. Help me live like that today. ...

"Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of Your possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:18-19).

Thank You for the freedom of forgiveness. Thank You for the pardon of Your mercy from all the punishment we deserve for all our iniquities and transgressions. Thank You for the compassion of Your heart to give us each a clean slate and a fresh start into a new day, whenever we humble ourselves to turn to You and call on Your name and ask for Your help. You are there. And You always have been, all along the way. Who is a God like You?

You take all our sins and throw them like a ball into the depths of the sea. As someone has said, then You put up a sign that says, "No fishing." It's like You lead us to dig a deep hole with our confession, to throw in the sins and failures of our past with our cry for forgiveness, and then cover them up, never to be seen again, with our acceptance of Your mercy. Who is a God like You?

That's the kind of God You want us to know. And that's the kind of God You want us to share. There's always hope. There's always the promise of a new day, where the old is gone and the new has come. The door to things of the past is closed shut and the door to the journey of all You have for us ahead is open wide. Who is a God like You? In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Come to the Fountain This Friday Night! July 15, our Messiah Ministries' monthly gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship with the family of God as one, from many different churches and traditions under the name of Jesus in our city. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters, to be refreshed and renewed in the Presence of God, as we worship Him and welcome Him to heal us and free us in spirit, soul, and body. We meet monthly in the Chapel at Centenary UMC, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, Kentucky at 7 PM. We have various worship leaders from our area lead us in worship each month. All are welcome! Please come, bring a friend, and spread the word.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Final Verdict - July 12

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I settle for my morning time of prayer, watching and waiting for Your leading, help me start this new day embraced by the Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ...

"And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him, when He forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:13-15).

A friend of mine encouraged me to write my next book on deliverance ministry from a lawyer's perspective. And the words are already stirring in my heart:

We have an accuser; and his name is Satan. But we have an Advocate; and His name is Jesus. And though we stand accused before the judgment seat of God in the courtroom of heaven of all our sins and failures, there is One Who speaks for us. He pleads our case for us before the Great Judge and Creator of all-not on the evidence of what we have done or failed to do, but on the truth of the fact of Who He is and what He has done for us.

Through the victory of the cross of Christ, the power of the blood of Jesus, and the word of our testimony of His Salvation in our lives, we overcome our accuser (Revelation 12:11). And though our case is called to trial every day of our lives on this side of heaven, the voice of our Advocate continues to declare with the authority of His name the truth of our freedom in Christ. Whomever the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36).

In this Holy Court where all must stand and a give an account, every shrieking objection of the accuser of our souls is rejected and overruled. The only evidence we need is evident to all in the Father's mercy and love for us in the sacrifice of His Son. "And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.... And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds,' and He also adds, 'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more'" (Hebrews 10:10-17).

On the basis of our trusting faith in Christ and personal relationship with Him, the case is closed and the gavel of God has sounded through the heavens: Let the accused go free!

And it will not be the accused, but the accuser himself, who will be taken away in chains to be cast down forever into the very prison of misery he has argued for us (Revelation 20:10). His verdict is final. And so is ours-by the Word of God spoken through our Advocate, Who has never lost a case.

Lord, give me time and inspiration to write all that is on Your heart to share through my words in this book from the spiritual principles of Your Scriptures and the experiences of my life. I thank You for the season of my life as a courtroom trial lawyer; and I thank You for the season of my life as a prayer minister of healing and deliverance. Grounded in Your Word and led by Your Spirit, may the words I write bring glory to Your name and freedom for Your children. I praise You that You are our Advocate; our accuser is condemned; and the verdict is final. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, please keep me in prayer as I write this book. It took me five years to write Free to Be Like Jesus - Transforming Power of Healing & Deliverance. And I pray for the time to write this book. And please let me know if you, your church, bar association, or other group might be interested in having me come to share my thoughts and experinces in this area. And God bless you as you fulfill the dreams and desires the Lord has put in your heart in the ministry of your life. www.messiah-ministries.org

Come to the Fountain This Friday Night! July 15, our Messiah Ministries' monthly gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship with the family of God as one, from many different churches and traditions under the name of Jesus in our city. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters, to be refreshed and renewed in the Presence of God, as we worship Him and welcome Him to heal us and free us in spirit, soul, and body. We meet monthly in the Chapel at Centenary UMC, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, Kentucky at 7 PM. We have various worship leaders from our area lead us in worship each month. This month, Kerry Dorrell will be leading in worship and Sandy Boven will be leading in prayer. All are welcome! Please come, bring a friend, and spread the word.

Monday, July 11, 2011

With Great Power and Great Grace - July 11

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice. ...

"With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).

Thank You for my testimony of Your resurrection in my life. It's more than the day I "got saved." It's more than all the times You've healed me or freed me or filled me afresh with Your Spirit or empowered me for ministry in Your name. It's how You keep on saving me every day. Your resurrection power is at work within me every moment of every day. How I think, how I feel, how I react and respond to the challenges and opportunities that come across the path of my life are so much different than they would be if I did not know for myself the resurrection of the Lord in my life. "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Empower me to give my testimony by the way I live my life today. And as I do, may Your great grace fall upon everyone and everything around me. May Your Spirit, with Your resurrection power, change the spiritual atmosphere around me. And may it continue to change the spiritual atmosphere within me. Let me never take for granted what a dramatic difference Your great power and Your great grace have made and are making in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friday, July 08, 2011

"Such as I Have, I Give" - July 8

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. Strengthen me, Lord, in my spirit to stand firm, to press in, to break through into all You have for me today. ...

"Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give (you): In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God" (Acts 3:6-8, KJV).

Sometimes I don't always see everything I'm asking for and believing for come to pass as quickly as I'd like and sometimes not at all. Even when I'm standing in faith, declaring Your Word, praying in Your Spirit, every encounter doesn't always end with someone walking, and leaping, and praising God. That's how my day ended yesterday, praying for the deliverance of a young woman who's battled every form of abuse and self-destruction her whole life. I had to settle for a measure of peace in the moment, which even felt like a mighty victory by that time.

Then I wrestled in my sleep with the questions that come: Did you do enough? Should you have stayed longer, pressed in harder? Are you even anointed for deliverance anymore? Why didn't the breakthrough come? What did you do wrong?

And in Your patience and the gentleness of Your Father heart, You reminded me it's not about me. It's not about what I do but about what You've done. You're the Healer; You're the Deliverer. You're the One Who desires that young woman's healing and freedom more than anyone else ever will, because You love her more than anyone else ever can.

And then You spoke these words into my spirit and brought them up into my mind: "Such as I have, I give." Then You brought to mind this story of Peter and John and the healing miracle of the lame man at the temple. They gave what they had to give - no more and no less. That day, they saw a miracle. Last night, I didn't. But the standard is the same - "Such as I have, I give." Whether the miracle of the healing or deliverance or anything else that's on our heart to pray comes to pass or not is in Your hands. Our part is to trust and obey, giving such as we have, however You lead. And then the results are up to You.

It doesn't mean there's not always more to learn and room to grow. But it does mean it's not my fault, it's not my power, and it's not about me. Your question to me is always, "Did you give such as you had to give?" And when I can say "Yes," I can hear You say "Well done." Thank You, Lord. Your grace is enough; and Your power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). So as best as I can and all by Your grace, let me give such as I have to give today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, I'll be preaching the Sunday morning message at First Christian Church Ruidoso this Sunday July 10th in the mountains at Ruidoso, New Mexico. Please come jon us if you're in the area! (575-258-4250). God bless you, Tommy

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Step by Step in the Spirit - July 7

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening. Lead, Lord, Your son is following. ...

"Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, 'Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?' Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step ..." (Acts 11:1-4).

At a strategic time in the unfolding of Your plans, You made it clear that this Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God was for all - Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, men and women, all people of all places and positions of life. You chose to use Peter to share Your heart, but first You had to change his heart. So You caused him to encounter You in a deep spiritual experience. It wasn't his first; it was just another step in the journey of what was becoming to him a lifestyle of spiritual experiences, encountering the Spirit of the Living God.

So "step by step" Peter shared with others what You had shared with him and how You shared it, through the communion of his human spirit with Your Holy Spirit. First, he was praying. And in the communion of prayer, You drew him into a trance and then a vision. You stirred his heart to look and then opened his eyes to see. Then You opened his ears to hear, using Your vision and Your voice to challenge the way he had been thinking and open his mind to think in a new way - in a much bigger way, far outside the box of his former legalistic limitations and human hindrances of Your Kingdom (v. 11:5-10).

Then from the place of prayer, You brought him to the place of action. From his encounter with You, You caused him to encounter those who would go with him to accomplish in the natural realm what he had seen and heard in the spiritual realm (v. 11:11-18). Because he had spent time with You to hear Your voice, Your Spirit spoke through him for others to hear his voice. And "the Holy Spirit fell upon them" to change their lives by the power of God to fulfill the plans and purposes of God for their lives and the generations of lives who would be changed through them and their descendants (v. 11:15).

Lord, lead me step by step in Your Spirit. Draw me near to You in prayer. Open my ears and eyes to hear and see what You are doing in the ways that I'm to have a part. Let my lifestyle be a supernatural, spiritual lifestyle of encounters and experiences with You. Keep challenging my limited thinking and stretching spiritual muscles. Keep changing me so You can keep using me to have a place and a part through the power and leading of Your Spirit for the coming of Your Kingdom on this earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

The Pure in Heart will See God - July 6

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I entrust my life and this day to You-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).

I know one day in heaven I'll see You "face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12). But I also know You taught us to pray for Your Kingdom to come, Your will to be done now, here on earth as it is in heaven. Your Word tells me that in Christ, I already have been blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:30). And seeing Your face, hearing Your voice, walking hand in hand and heart to heart in a daily journey with You throughout the moments of my day is the greatest spiritual blessing I can imagine.

So Lord, purify my heart, sanctify my soul, crucify my flesh. Do all that You need to do in me so that I can see You. It's as I see You that You change me into all I'm created to be: "And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

You're the One Who put this desire in my heart to seek Your face and hear Your voice. And You're the One Who gives me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4). So I thank You now that You're already at work in me, preparing the way of the Lord for deeper experiences and encounters with You. "And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of Him" (1 John 5:14-15). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Monday, July 04, 2011

Walk in Liberty - July 4

Good morning, Lord Jesus. With my eyes, I look; with my ears, I listen; with my spirit, I wait. Come, Holy Spirit. Draw near Heavenly Father. Speak to me, Good Shepherd. ...

"I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought Your precepts" (Psalm 119:45).

Every 4th of July we celebrate liberty in America. In the heart of our nation, we believe we are one nation, under God. We believe we're called, set apart with a redemptive purpose as a people to be an example and an advocate for liberty among the nations of the world-with liberty and justice for all. Yet at the same time, we know in our heart as well that we fall far short of the glory of God and fail in many ways to fulfill our calling and destiny. But the hope of our heart remains. And we even dare to believe, as arrogant as it seems to the nations of this world, that You have put that hope in our heart.

But according to Your Word, we cannot walk in Your liberty unless we seek your precepts. It's only where the Spirit of the Lord is that there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). And Your Spirit cannot fill what Your Blood has not cleansed; Your Blood cannot cleanse what we've not lain down at the foot of Your Cross (1 John 1:19).

Speak Your precepts into our heart. Teach us Your ways and empower us to walk in them-not in our power or strength, not in our wisdom or ingenuity, not in our tenaciousness or persistence; and certainly not in our ego or pride. But help us humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, so that You can lift us up (James 4:10). It's the Spirit of God at work within us that enables us to will and to act according to the precepts of Your Word (Philippians 2:13). "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

Help us draw near to You, so that You can draw near to us (James 4:8). Help us humble our heart, seek Your face, repent of our sin, and pray, so that You can hear our cry, answer our prayer, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Only the pure of heart can see God and only a heart cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb can be pure (Matthew 5:8).

As we seek again Your precepts, then we will walk again in Your liberty. As Your light shines within us, then Your light will shine again through us to the nations of this world. And the same is true every nation. The same is true of every person from every tongue and tribe and nation of this world. In the days to come, the nations of this world will be divided by the hand of God according to the faithfulness and obedience of their hearts (Matthew 25:31-46). So in the great gift of liberty You've given us, let us gladly choose from the heart of our nation to stand and walk with You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Thursday, June 30, 2011

"Ho, Everyone Who Thirsts, Come" - June 30

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me close by Your Spirit into the deep communion of prayer as I start my day centered in You. ...

"Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and you labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear and come to Me; listen so that you may live..." (Isaiah 55:1-3).

O God, make me hungrier still - hungry for Your Bread of Life. Make me thirstier still - thirsty for Your Living Waters. Forgive me for when I've tried to fill myself with those things that will never satisfy my hunger or quench my thirst. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear all the ways I've settled for a morsel in the starvation of my spirit when I could have had a meal in the fullness of Your Presence.

I thank You that in the flash of a moment, I am forgiven and free of every false fulfillment. In the twinkling of an eye, You restore my soul and realign my focus. The truth is You care more about my intimacy with You than I do. You're always here, calling me near, drawing me close. So humbly I come. Hungry I come. Thirsty I come. ...

You're the One Who gives me this holy hunger for more of You. You're the One Who gives me this holy frustration with anything less. And in the wisdom and way Your Spirit is guiding my heart, I want nothing less than the fullness of life You have for me. So, I incline my ear and listen for Your voice. ...

And it seems I hear You say: "My son, I am here. I am not far from you, nor from anyone. I've created you with this hunger and thirst for Me. It can never be satisfied in anyone else or anything else. Only Me. I don't condemn you for seeking to be satisfied in other ways, but in the mercy of My grace, I do convict you and call you back to Me. Because I love you and long for you, just as I have put this longing for My love in you. ... Ho! Hear My voice. Ho! Answer My call. Ho! Come to Me. And you will be filled."

Yes, Lord. Here I am. Here I come. As You have said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Yes, I will. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Thank you! for joining with me in this journey of prayer, Morning by Morning, seekig to begin each day centered in Christ, embraced by the Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. With this morning prayer devotional, I try to start each day simply looking to God and listening for His leading, watching and waiting with an expectant heart for where the Holy Spirit will lead me. Then I share it with you, as you journey on with Him. Please feel free to pass these on to encourage a friend.

I'm enjoying the final days of my vacation with some personal time at Moravian Falls in the North Carolina mountains. I'd appreciate your prayers for renewal and revival of my soul, with a passionate hunger for more of God and clearer focus to fufill my calling and destiny in Christ, personally and as I lead Messiah Ministries. I pray for your spiritual hunger and passionate pursuit of Christ as well! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Messiah's Messenger June, 2011 Newsletter for Friends of Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Gifts of God - June 24

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Here I am, Lord. Send me. ...

"For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has - not according to what one does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12).

All that I have is from You. And all that I am is for You. My life is no longer my own; it belongs to You and You alone. So align my mind with Your thoughts, my heart with Your desires, my words with Your voice, my feet with Your steps, and my hands with Your mission.

And every gift that I have - spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, financial, relational - is from You and for Your purposes. So let me be eager to share the gifts You've given me, however You lead me. They're not for me; they're for You and for those You desire in Your wisdom and love to touch through me and my life and these gifts You've given me. We serve, as an expression of Your love, with whatever gifts You've given each of us to express Yourself through our lives in those unique ways (1 Peter 4:10-11).

You've given me much, and by the same measure You expect much: "For everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded" (Luke 12:48). But above all, what You expect of me is to entrust myself completely to You. Then You will guide my thoughts and desires in the ways that honor You with all that I have and all that I am. "The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good" (Luke 6:45). And Your Spirit with Your heart is the Good Treasure in my heart (1 Corinthians 3:16).

I need not have all gifts, and certainly don't. And I need not be jealous or envious of the gifts of others, nor prideful or selfish of those You've given me (1 Corinthians 13). But those I have are to be fully dedicated and consecrated to You, as I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. You are the Source of anything of any worth that I have; and all that I have, I've been given to give away - with Your heart as You lead (James 1:7).

So here I am, Lord; send me. Here I am, Lord; use the gifts of my life for the glory of Your name. "It is not longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). Now all by Your grace, let my life reflect my prayer and my actions reflect my words. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

My friend, may God's anointing and favor be upon you and all the gifts He's given you today, for you to give to others with His heart as His hands in this world (1 Corinthians 12). Thank you for praying that for me. God bless you!

Please contact us if we can come alongside you or your church or your community in serving God with the gifts He has given us of "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" to the glory of the Father, in the name of Jesus, by power of the Holy Spirit. And please prayerfully consider joining with us in your prayers and financial support in fufilling our calling and vision -Tommy Hays, Messiah Ministries

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Monday, June 27, 2011

My Favorite App - June 27

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me start this day centered in Christ, embraced by the Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Help me live this way all day long. ...

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul" (Psalm 94:19, NKJV).

One of my best friends has this verse of Your Word pasted to the wall of her iPhone. It's her favorite App. She just applies the Word of God to whatever worries her. It reminds her that there are multitudes of anxieties that would want to overwhelm us throughout the moments of our days, but we shouldn't feel guilty because we feel anxious. Instead, we should immediately choose to turn our anxieties to You. And as we do, Your comforts delight our soul. So even the anxieties of all the circumstances of life only serve to draw us nearer to You. "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7, NRSV).

God, You are so good. You've created a world where everything we encounter or endure will draw us to You if we'll let it. And close to You is where I want to be - under the covering Your mercy, in the security of Your peace, in the provision of Your abundance.

"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.... 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).

There will be trouble in this world, but You are with us. There will be multitudes of anxieties, but we can cast them all upon You. So with my hand in Your hand and Your Spirit in my heart, I have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about, nothing to be anxious of that will ever have any lasting power over the moments of my long life - my eternal life - in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

My friend, may the Lord be near to you today and every day; may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus (from Philippians 4:7). In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. Thank you for praying that for me!

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Friday, June 24, 2011

"Do Not Keep Worrying" - June 24

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Here I am, Lord. Watching and waiting for the leading of Your Spirit, as I begin this day in the communion of prayer with You. ...

"And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:29-32).

Lord, You know the battle I have with worry. It's one of my greatest spiritual battles. Because You've given me the gift of great joy and deep peace, the enemy of my soul hates my joy and constantly tries to steal my peace. Even when I'm having a great time, whether in the ministry of Your kingdom or with my family on vacation, the spirit of worry seems to pursue my thoughts, trying to nip away at my peace of mind and spirit of joy.

Though worry is a spiritual battle, worry is also a sin. The wisdom of Your Word tells us plainly: "Do not worry" (Matthew 6:25). "Do not keep worrying" (Luke 12:29). "Be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6, NKJ). And when I do something You tell me not to do, that's sin. You say not to worry, so worry is sin.

Forgive me, Lord, for the sin of worry. Forgive me for worry about provision for my family and ministry. Forgive me for worry about whether I'm doing enough for Your kingdom and enough for the people around me. Forgive me for worry about the economy, the weather, and the future of the world. Forgive me for letting the enemy of my soul steal a moment of my peace and joy. Help me rest in You, trust in Your provision, and fully enjoy all the abundant blessings I have.

That's not denial, that's determination - determination to let God and not the devil determine my perspective and set the course for the moments of my day. I'm determined, as best as I can and all by Your grace, to embrace You and all You have for me in every moment of every day as it comes, letting tomorrow take care of itself (Matthew 6:24). I can't add a single hour to my life by worrying (Luke 12:25). So help me quit trying.

So I choose, by the power of Your name, to reject worry and embrace peace, to renounce anxiety and breathe easy. Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light (Matthew 11:30). The wisdom of Your Word tells us plainly, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). So this is my prayer:

Father, I submit myself to You. I confess that I give in too much to the sin of worry. I repent of that. I turn away from that, from that mindset, from that way of letting the thief come steal, kill, and destroy my great blessings of Your great joy and peace. I ask You to forgive me and I receive Your forgiveness now, in the name of Jesus. And now, in the name of Jesus, I command the spirit of worry to be bound and overcome by the power of the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I command it to get out of my thoughts and out of every area of my life. I command it to go now, defeated, to the feet of Jesus, to be judged by Him, and never return. Come, Holy Spirit, I pray. Come and fill my mind with Your thoughts, my heart with Your desires. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation and flood my soul again with the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding. Thank You, Jesus. Praise the Lord! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Friends, we've been enjoying a few days with my kids in one of the ministry cottages at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries near Nashville. What a great blessing and tremendous ministry. Please come join us at the end of July for the Aldersgate Conference 2011, being held this year in Dayton, Ohio. I'm excited to be one of the teachers of the equipping sessions and serve on the prophetic ministry and prayer teams: www.aldersgaterenewal.org It's always one of the highlightws of my summer with passionate worshp and powerful ministry.

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