Spirit of Excitement and Anticipation - December 28

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I draw near to You, I know You draw near to me-Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord
has made known to us.' So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the
child lying in a manger" (Luke 2:15-16).

When You made known Your plans, the shepherds couldn't wait to go and see. Your
prophetic word released a spirit of excitement and anticipation within them. They
expected Your word to be true and to come to pass. They didn't waiver or doubt;
they went with haste. And all was as You said.

Lord, thank You for the plans You choose to make known to me. And thank You for
the patience and faith You give me for the plans You choose not to make known to
me. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to trust You to know what's
best. So with a spirit of excitement and anticipation, I look forward to go and
see what You have planned for me today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org
For your tax-deductible, charitable contributions by year-end, please keep Messiah
Ministries in mind, as you join with us to advance the Kingdom of God. Every contribution
is greatly appreciated and truly needed. Thank you and God bless you!

Messiah Ministries
2800 Tates Creek Rd.
Lexington, Kentucky 40502
Or:  www.paypal.com using MessiahMin@aol.com
Or  www.messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

My friends, thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer this year! God bless
you with excitement and anticpation in this coming year!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

Christ is Born in Me - December 26

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Christ is born; Christ in me. ...

"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life
because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10).

You were born in a manger that Your Spirit could be born in my heart. You set aside
the glory of heaven that I could have the One who is the glory of heaven living
in me. You came in the likeness of human flesh that the flesh of my own will apart
from Your will might die, for me to live a life in Christ. "But you are not in the
flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who
does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him" (Romans 8:9).

On Christmas morning, the angels came to the shepherds in the fields, declaring,
"Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the
people: To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,
the Lord!" (Luke 2:10-11). Now on this morning and every morning, I can embrace
this great news of great joy, that my Savior, Christ the Lord, is born in me. "Christ
in (me), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org
Good morning and Merry Christmas! May the Spirit of Christ be formed in you this day and every
day!

Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving, as you
join with us to advance the Kingdom of God. Every contribution is greatly appreciated
and truly needed. Thank you!

God bless you, Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

"The Time Came" - December 23

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be my vision and my provision, as I look to You and entrust
my will and my day to You. ...

"Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of
David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting
a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And
she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid
him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:4-7).

It was "while they were there" that "the time came" for the prophetic promises of
God to come to pass. In the sovereignty of God, there was a specific place for Mary
and Joseph to be and there was a specific time for this fulfillment of their promises
to occur. Centuries before, through the prophet Micah, You spoke of this place:
"But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from
you shall come forth for Me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of
old, from ancient days" (Micah 5:2). And You spoke of this time: "Therefore he shall
give them up until the time when she who is labor has brought forth" (Micah 5:3).

And in the mystery of Your sovereignty and the free will that Your relationship
of Your love with us requires, many choices were made by many people involved for
Mary and Joseph to be at that place, at that time: The Roman governor issued a decree
that required them to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They had to be willing
to travel even though Mary was pregnant and about to give birth. There had to be
too many travelers that filled the inn that this newborn Child would be found in
a manger, not fit for a King. Yet You knew every choice that would be made in fulfillment
of every plan You had.

Lord, prepare me and position me, align me in right relationship with those around
me, move me and establish me to be in the right places, at the right times, for
the fulfillment of Your promises for me. Make me increasingly sensitive to Your
leading and increasingly obedient to Your will. And I pray the same for all who
are around me and all You've chosen to be involved with me in Your plans and purposes
for my life. Let our will align with Your will, our choices align with Your purposes,
as our freedom aligns Your sovereignty. It's a great mystery, but it's also a great
adventure. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving, as you
join with us to advance the Kingdom of God. Every contribution is greatly appreciated
and truly needed. Thank you!

God bless you! Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

A Child, A Son, Everlasting One - December 22

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In what can become the chaos of Christmas, I want to come
away with You in the center of my heart at the start of my day. ...

"And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior'"
(Luke 1:46-47).

As My soul magnifies You, my Lord, and as my spirit rejoices in You, my Savior, I
hear You writing the words of a poem of praise on my heart:

A Child, A Son
Everlasting One
In virgin birth
Heaven to Earth
Jesus is our Salvation

That all may hear
And none may fear
From the manger to the cross
He seeks and saves the lost
Jesus is our Salvation

Let the Christmas lights
And songs of Holy Night
Point the way
To the One Who came
Jesus is our Salvation

We honor this Child, this Son
This Holy One
With Christ in our hearts
Forever set apart
Jesus is our Salvation
Help me keep my focus on You, Lord Jesus. Fill my heart with the Spirit of Christ
this Christmas season and every season. You are our Salvation. In Jesus' name I
pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org
Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving, as you
join with us to advance the Kingdom of God. Every contribution is greatly appreciated
and truly needed. Thank you!

God bless you! Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

Choosing to Trust in God - December 21

Good morning, Lord Jesus. May the nature of Christ be birthed and matured in me
today and every day. ...

"When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he
took (Mary) as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had born
a Son; and he named Him Jesus" (Matthew 1:24-25).

Joseph had an opportunity to choose to be the husband and father You created him
to be. He could trust in his natural wisdom, his gut instincts, his first inclinations
or he could trust in You. But trusting in You meant stretching his faith beyond
what his eyes could see. Trusting in You meant believing in the supernatural realm
of angels and dreams and the voice of God speaking to men to direct their lives.
Trusting in You meant making choices about the most significant decisions he'd
ever make based upon the will of God and not his own, yielding control of his destiny
to a God he could only hear and follow by faith.

Lord, help me faithfully choose to completely trust in You. Give me eyes to see
what You're doing and ears to hear what You're saying. Help me continually stretch
beyond the realm of my natural reasoning into the realm of Your supernatural guidance.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Like Joseph, help me grow
in my willingness and capacity to "trust in (You) with all (my) heart, and lean
not on (my) own understanding; in all (my) ways to acknowledge (You, knowing You)
shall direct (my) paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org
Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving, as you
join with us to advance the Kingdom of God. Every contribution is greatly appreciated
and truly needed. Thank you!

God bless you! Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

Believing Together - December 20

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-into every
moment of my day. ...

"'And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was
spoken to her by the Lord.'...And Mary remained with (Elizabeth) about three months
and then returned to her home" (Luke 1:45-56).

Every day, the Child grew within Mary's womb. And every day, the promises of God
concerning the birth of her Child grew closer to fulfillment. But though she believed
with all her heart that what God had said would come to pass, not everyone would.
So she was led to get away for three months of time with someone who would join
with her in prayer and stand with her in faith for the promises of God to be fulfilled.
"Two are better than one.... For if they fall, one will lift up the other" (Ecclesiastes
4:9-10). Mary and Elizabeth encouraged each other to trust in You and believe Your
promises.

Thank You for the companions and friends, for the prayer partners and soul mates
that You bring into our lives to join with us in the journey of faith. It's not
good to be alone (Genesis 2:18). So You bring us together with others of like mind
and like spirit to help build our faith and hold on to Your promises. When one is
weak, then the other is strong. When one falters, the other can pick us up. And
when we come together in agreement of prayer and faith in the power of Your name,
we see mountains moved and the promises of God fulfilled (Matthew 18:19). Blessed
are we when we believe what You have said and celebrate with each other the words
of God that come to pass. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org
Please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving, as you join with
us to advance the Kingdom of God. Every contribution is greatly appreciated and
truly needed. Thank you!

God bless you! Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org

Life and Joy! - December 19

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Glory to God in the highest. Peace and goodwill toward
men. I embrace Your peace and goodwill within me as I begin my day with You. ...

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth
was filled with the Holy Spirit, and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you
among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to
me that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your
greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy!' " (Luke 1:41-42)

The life within Elizabeth leaped for joy in the Presence of the One Who is life
and joy. Your Spirit filled her spirit, as Deep called out to deep (Psalm 42:7).
She couldn't help but shout out blessings and praise, as Your joy began to gush
up and flow out of her like a fountain.

Lord, let my spirit live in communion with Your Spirit every day. Let Your joy fill
my heart and Your life fill my spirit. Like Elizabeth, I want to be filled with
the Holy Spirit, releasing words of blessing and praises to God throughout the moments
of my day. Living a life in Your Presence, there is "righteousness and peace and
joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

www.messiah-ministries.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=orwjxtfab&t=p4yuf9iab.0.0.orwjxtfab.0&id=preview&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.messiah-ministries.org]

Please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving, as you join with
us to advance the Kingdom of God. Every contribution is greatly appreciated and
truly needed. Thank you!

Contrbute to Messiah Ministries [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=orwjxtfab&t=p4yuf9iab.0.0.orwjxtfab.0&id=preview&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.messiah-ministries.org%2Fpartner%2Fcontribute]

God bless you! Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Good, but Misunderstood - December 16

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name is above every name. Your name be above every moment of my day. ...

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way. When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly" (Matthew 1:18-19).

Mary was good, but misunderstood. She found great favor with God, but was exposed to public disgrace with people. Her heart was pure and her intentions were good, but at first even her husband didn't understand the gift of God within her and the destiny of God upon her. So along with her calling, You gave Mary the grace to embrace Your divine assignment with great faith and unwavering obedience.

In many ways, Mary is a picture of us, the Body and the Bride of Christ. We carry Christ within us (Colossians 1:27). The favor and grace of God is upon us (Ephesians 2:8). The gifts of God flow through us (Romans 12:6). But at the same time, we will often be misunderstood and mocked, even ridiculed and rejected, despite the best intentions of our hearts. You prepared us for this, saying, "Servants are not greater than their master. If they persecuted Me, they persecute you" (John 15:20).

So in those times, help us hold fast to what we know is true and to what You've called us to do. Send Your angels to speak to those around us; send Your Holy Spirit to open minds and change hearts to see what Your doing by Your hand and through Your people. But even if their eyes don't see and their hearts don't change, let us not bow down or back away despite whatever public pressure or displeasure we endure. Like Mary, let us stand firm in the faith, trusting in Your grace, declaring from the good intentions of our hearts, "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your word" (Luke 1:38). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

www.messiah-ministries.org

Come to the Fountain! this Friday Night December 16th at 7 pm. Phil Jackson will be leading in worship and Tommy Hays will be leading in prayer at our Messiah Ministries' monthly gathering for Prayer, Praise, and Healing Worship. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in intimate worship with healing prayer ministry with the Body of Christ in our city from many different churches and streams. All are welcome!

Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind for your Year-end Giving. Every contribution is greatly appreciated and truly needed. Thank you!

Contrbute to Messiah Ministries

"Found to Be With Child" - December 13

Good morning, Lord Jesus. O come let us adore You, Christ the Lord. ...

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way. When His mother Mary had
been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with
child from the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:18).

Mary was "found to be with child." And though she knew her Child was from the Holy
Spirit, though she knew she was honored by God among all women to carry the Messiah
in her womb, she didn't announce it with trumpets or assert her status in the religious
circles. Instead she pondered all these things in her heart. She didn't go seeking
position or place, filled with spiritual pride, but the time came when she was "found
to be with child from the Holy Spirit."

No one could see what God had done in Mary with their natural eyes. But You opened
the eyes of Joseph to see and You stirred in Elizabeth's womb to know that Mary
was blessed and highly favored by the hand and heart of God (Luke 1:28). And though
she was afraid and though she was misunderstood, rejected, and judged, she chose
to trust in You and embrace Your will for the calling of her life (Luke 1:38).

Lord, what have You conceived in me by Your Spirit? What have You imparted to me
that no one can see with their natural eyes? What path have You called me to travel
and what life have You called me to live that others may misunderstand, reject,
and judge? Whatever it is You have for me, I want to choose by Your grace to embrace
You and Your calling with obedience and faith. With Mary and each one of us, the
children of God who are found with Your Spirit moving in us, we are blessed and
highly favored by the sovereign hand and heart of God. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org
Come to the Fountain! this Friday Night December 16th at 7 pm. Phil Jackson will
be leading in worship and Tommy Hays will be leading in prayer at our Messiah Ministries'
monthly gathering for Prayer, Praise, and Healing Worship. Come drink deeply from
the Living Waters in intimate worship with healing prayer ministry with the Body
of Christ in our city from many different churches and streams. All are welcome!

Generations Longing for Jesus the Messiah - December 12

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Christ Child, Son of Man, Word of God-You are the One
I worship and adore, as I seek to begin my day centered in Christ, embraced by the
Father, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ...

"An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of
Abraham.... So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations;
and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the
deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations" (Matthew 1:1-17).

You are the Messiah-the Anointed One of God, fully God and fully man, Who set aside
the glory of heaven to humble Yourself in the likeness of human flesh and blood
to be the Atoning Sacrifice for our sins and the eternal Savior of our lives (Philippians
2:5-11). And God the Father promised that the blessing of the nations through the
Messiah, His Son, would be a Son of Abraham and a Son of David (Genesis 22:18; 2
Samuel 7:12).

And in the seasons of longing and preparation for the coming of the Messiah, there
were cycles of fourteen generations before this great hope was fulfilled. Thank
You for the seasons and cycles of my life. Thank you even for those long stretches
of time and those pivotal events that have marked my journey toward the fulfillment
of the hopes and dreams You've planted in my spirit.

Through Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Messiah, I too am a son of God, an anointed
one of God, and a blessing to the nations of my generation (Galatians 3:26). As
God the Father sent You as God the Son in the anointing of God the Holy Spirit,
so You send me (John 20:21). Together with the sons and daughters of God, we are
the hands and feet of the Body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, continuing
the ministry of Christ. And in these generations between the first coming of the
Messiah and the second, let us be filled afresh every day with longing and preparation
for the great hope yet to come (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

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

"By Him You Were Called" - December 9

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me start this day and every day centered in Your Presence and listening for Your voice-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by Him you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).

As I wait for Your leading, I hear Your Spirit writing a new song in my spirit:

So I watch and wait
When I'm weary and faint
And You lift me up, Lord
And You fill me up, Lord
And You bring me up, Lord
To the place I can see
To the place I can be
All that You've called me to be

Your Holy Spirit comes in
Where I breathe You within
And You lift me up, Lord
And You fill me up, Lord
And You bring me up, Lord
To the place I can see
To the place I can be
All that You've called me to be

Now I can arise

Now I can shine
'Cause You lift me up, Lord
'Cause You fill me up, Lord
'Cause You bring me up, Lord
To the place I can see
To the place I can be
All that You've called me to be

Thank You for strengthening me, for encouraging me, for purifying me. Thank You for reminding me that You're always faithful to me and that You have plans for me-a future with hope to honor Your name with my life (Jeremiah 29:11). In this fellowship of Christ, through my daily communion with Your Holy Spirit, I know I am a son of God, deeply loved by my Father, and created with purpose, calling, and destiny that will be fulfilled (Romans 8:15-17). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

www.messiah-ministries.org
   Friends, may the Holy Spirit put a song in your heart and a fire in your spirit to fulfill the purpose, calling, and destiny the Lord has for your life today. I'll be praying for you and thank you for praying for me. God bless you!

--Tommy

Love Revealed through Obedience - December 8

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-with all
my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I want to start and end this day full of love
for You. ...

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills
the desire of all who fear Him; He also hears their cry, and saves them. The Lord
watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will
speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and
ever" (Psalm 145:18-21).

Lord, I want to love You passionately and fear You obediently. Let my love be reflected
in my obedience, and let my obedience flow out of my love. There's no true love
of God without obedience to God. As You have said, "If you love Me, you will keep
My commandments" (John 14:15).

You fulfill the desires of those who honor You, yet destroy the wicked who reject
You. You draw near to all who draw near to You, revealing Yourself to all who seek
You in truth. So teach me how to both love You and fear You, to draw near to You
in intimacy and also submit to You in obedience. Let my love be revealed by my
actions, as You have required: "They who have My commandments and keep them are
those who love Me.... Those who love Me will keep My Word ..." (John 14:21-23).
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, please remember Messiah Ministries in your Year-end Giving to the Kingdom
of God  All your encouragement and support is truly needed and greatly appreciated! Thank
you and God bless you!

"The Will of God, Your Sanctification" - December 7

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords; be the King
and Lord of my encounters and experiences this day. ...

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification ..." (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Is this Your will for me, Lord-that You would sanctify me? ...

It seems I hear You say: "Yes, My son. I want you to be like Me. I want to conform
you into the image of Christ. I want your nature to become like My nature, your
thoughts to become like My thoughts, your desires to become like My desires, your
ways to become like My ways."

Yes, Lord. Is that really possible?

"With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible."

What do I need to do?

"I need you to choose, by the grace I give you, to allow Me to work this in you.
You must desire this, and even let Me build this desire within you, so that you
do not turn back from My sanctifying fire.'

Yes, Lord. Give me this desire; increase within me this desire to embrace Your fire.
When I'm tempted to step back, give me courage to press in. When I'm tempted to
give up, give me strength to press on. Remind me this is Your will; remind me it's
in Your power. "For it is God Who is at work in (me), enabling (me) both to will
and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). "The One Who calls (me)
is faithful, and He will do this. Beloved, pray for (me)" (1 Thessalonians 5:24-25).

So every challenge is an opportunity to die to my flesh and live in Your Spirit.
Every question is a chance to answer well with the Word of God and in the Spirit
of God. Every temptation is an invitation to respond in the nature of Christ, expressing
the fruit of the Spirit of Christ-in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

I have a long way to go, but a lifetime to get there. And I thank You that I don't
have to do it alone and I don't have to do it on my own. "Not by might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

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

The Choice to Love - December 5

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me listen; help me hear; help me trust; and help
me obey. ...

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves
is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is
love" (1 John 4:7-8).

Yes, Lord. This is Your Word; this is Your will. Let me get this right-because unless
and until I do, nothing else matters. "If I speak in the tongues of morals and of
angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. And if I have
prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have
all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing ..." (1
Corinthians 13:1-2). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Words that Give Grace - December 5

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Make me more like You today. ...

"Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building
up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians
4:29).

Lord, I want my words to give grace. I want to build up and not tear down, encourage
and not discourage, bring life and not death. I want my words to reflect my heart;
and I want my heart to be right with You and right with others. As You have said,
"The good person out of the good treasures of the heart produces good, and the evil
person out of the evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of
the heart that the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).

Your written Word gives me grace every day. And Your living words give me grace
every day. You are the Word of God (John 1:1). And You are the Word of God made
flesh in the likeness of human flesh and blood (John 1:14). Now the Spirit of the
Word of God dwells within me and within all who put their hope and trust in You
(1 Corinthians 3:16). So let Your Spirit anoint and empower my words to be words
that give grace today. Let this be the good treasure that flows out of the abundance
of my heart. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Love, Obedience, and Faith - December 2

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

"For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:3-5)

Love, obedience, and faith-these three expressions of my relationship with You will determine whether I will conquer the world or the world will conquer me. This is the bottom line. As Your Word declares: "The only thing that counts is faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6).

Lord, let my faith be expressed in my love; and let my love be expressed in my actions. Lord Jesus, You are the Son of God; and we are sons and daughters of God because we believe in You, we embrace Your Spirit to fill our hearts, and we allow Your love to work through our lives. "So we have known and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:16-17). So as best as I can and all by Your grace, let me be more like You in this world. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Dear Friends,

You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party Tonight, December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming, which will help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Eagles Soar Higher in the Spirit's Power - December 1

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my feet be grounded in Your Word and my heart soar in Your Spirit. ...

I awoke this morning to the tune of a new song Your Holy Spirit was writing on my heart:

Though my eyes may see

Whatever troubles me
I can choose to not let them get me down

Though I may not know

Which way to go
I can choose to come and follow You

You always bring me through

And Your mercies are new
I can choose to call on Your name every day

I can stay in the pit

Bound with lies and regret

Or I can rise and soar to the sky ...

 Eagles fly high

They live the sky life
Though troubles come around
They don't get them down
Eagles soar up higher
In the Spirit's power
'Til the troubles of this world fade away

Thank You, Holy Spirit. You always give me the right perspective. And having the right perspective is such a key to the victorious life I'm created and called to live. "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).

Lord, teach me how to life the sky life-a life hidden in Christ, always looking to Christ, lifted above the things of the kingdoms of this world that would weigh me down to the things of the Kingdom of Heaven that lifts me up. Teach me how to soar up higher in Your Spirit's power like the eagle whose spirit cannot be crushed and whose hope cannot fade. "But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Yes, Lord. I choose to follow You. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to soar up higher in Your Spirit's power-not running away from the troubles of this world, nor letting the troubles of this world crush my spirit or steal my hope. I choose Your perspective. I choose to live the sky life. I choose to keep looking up unto the hills from where my help comes from, because my help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1-2). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party on December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Please God, Not Ourselves - November 30

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My Lord and Savior, be Lord of all I say and do today. ...

"We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please Himself ..." (Romans 15:1-3).

Thank You for those who put up with my failings when I am weak, for those who do not seek to please themselves, but rather seek to please You alone. Lord, give me that spirit, give me Your Spirit, when others seem to fail in weakness around me. You encourage us to build one another up, to prefer one another, to "outdo one another in showing honor" (Romans 12:10).

Throughout the moments of my day, let me be one who encourages rather than discourages, who blesses rather than curses, who forgives rather than resents, who builds up rather than tears down. Let this mind and heart be in me that was in You-as the Son of Man, filled with the Spirit of God, You sought to please the Father rather than please Yourself. You had nothing to prove and everything to give. In that way, You fulfilled the command to "let love be genuine" (Romans 12:9). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends,
You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party on December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

 Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org

Christmas Party This Friday Night, December 2nd

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

Warmly Invite You to our Messiah Ministries Christmas Party December 2nd!

Please come join us for a Festive Evening

with Dessert Buffet and Christmas Music,

Great Tidings of Comfort and Joy with all our Friends

7:00 pm in the Foyer at Centenary UM Church

2800 Tates Creek Road; Lexington, Kentucky

Please RSVP for You and any Friends You'd Like to Bring

by responding to this message

or to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591

or DirectorMin@Messiah-Ministries.org

"With One Voice" - November 28

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I entrust all my heart and all this day into Your hands and into Your will. ...

"May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5-6).

Your love is steadfast and Your words are encouraging. As we embrace Your love and hear Your words, You bring us together in the bonds of peace to empower us to live in harmony with You and in harmony with one another.

As we live together in the unity of Your Spirit, there You command Your blessing-"life forevermore" (Psalm 133:1-3). It's that eternal life flowing out of us that draws the world to the One Who is Life. And it's that life flowing among us-loving one another, encouraging one another-that glorifies our God, as we speak from the heart as Your witness in this world "with one voice."

O Lord, bring Your children into harmony; bring Your Body and Your Bride into unity. Align us and empower us together as one in the Spirit and one in the Lord. As Your Holy Spirit pleads with us through the words of Your apostle: "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). Lord, let it be so. Only together as one in the Spirit and one in the Lord can we speak "with one voice." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, You're Warmly Invited to the Messiah Ministries Christmas Party on December 2nd. Please come join us for a festive time with all our friends, 7-9 PM in the Foyer at Centenary UMC in Lexington, 2800 Tates Creek Road. Please let Marilyn Walker know if you're thinking of coming to help with our planning: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Bring some friends!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays

www.messiah-ministries.org