Grow in Grace - January 10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look and listen; I watch and wait. Come, Holy Spirit. ...

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity" (2 Peter 3:18).

Along the journey of my life, it seems I've learned how to grow in knowledge, affirmed by the pieces of paper, framed as certificates and degrees, hung on my walls or tucked away in my closets-a high school diploma, an Associate of Arts, a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Masters of Divinity, a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, Board Certification in Trial Law. And along the way, it seems I've grown in the knowledge of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ-Bible classes, Sunday School lessons, theological studies, meditation of the Word of God, and my personal spiritual journey of faith. I've needed to grow, even been driven to grow in knowledge. But maybe most of all, I'm realizing how much I need to grow in grace.

Lord, teach me to grow in grace. How do I do it?

It seems I hear You say: "My son, My grace is My favor upon you, My mercy toward you, and My power through you. You grow in grace as you learn to depend upon Me alone. You can't earn it or deserve it; you can only receive it. Learn to receive My grace, My son; and You will grow in grace, My son."

Yes, Lord. In our world of striving, with all the pressures and expectations we put upon ourselves or allow others to put upon us, it's hard to look to You alone to find my sense of identity and allow You alone to direct my sense of destiny. But as best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to trust in You, to rest in You, to depend upon You.

My Father God, help me embrace the peace and the truth that "it is God (not me) who is at work in (me), enabling (me) both to will and to work for (Your) good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Help me come to understand Your promise, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Help me grow in grace, all by the grace of God. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

 Friends, please come join us and spread the word:

5th Annual Greater Lexington Strategic Prayer Summit
January 27-28, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky
"Contend for the Faith" -- A regional gathering to seek the Word of the Lord for our city and region for 2012, hosted this year at East Second Street Christian Church in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. All are welcome!
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Messiah Ministries' School of Spiritual Ministry - Level 2

February 1-4, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky
Equipping and empowering leaders for healing prayer and prophetic ministry to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Led by Tommy & Sylvia Hays of Messiah Ministries.
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

www.messiah-ministries.org

Supernatural Strengthening - January 9

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In the communion of prayer, let my human spirit engage
with Your Holy Spirit and my human nature yield to Your holy nature. ...

"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power,
and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving
thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints
in the light" (Colossians 1:11-12).

There is a supernatural strengthening that comes from within-from Your Spirit abiding
within my spirit (John 15:4). Your Holy Spirit strengthens my human spirit with
Your glorious power. Your Holy Spirit sensitizes my human spirit with Your tender
leading. Your Holy Spirit aligns my human spirit with Your wise will. In that strengthening,
You prepare me and empower me to endure anything without losing my patience or letting
it steal my joy. This is part of my inheritance as a saint in the light, a child
of God filled with the Spirit of Christ. This is part of the fulfillment of Your
promise, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

Lord, strengthen me more every day. Grow me up "to maturity, to the measure of the
full stature of Christ," as I seek to "grow up in every way into Him who is the
head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-16). It's all by the power of Your grace, and
it's all in the journey of faith. Thank You for meeting me here in my heart, Spirit
to spirit, as I start off another day of our journey in communion with You. Thank
You for Your compelling invitation to start each day embraced by the Father, centered
in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Help me now continue to abide with You,
in the communion of Your Spirit, throughout the moments of my day. In Jesus' name
I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, please come join us and spread the word:

5th Annual Greater Lexington Strategic Prayer Summit
January 27-28, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky
"Contend for the Faith" -- A regional gathering to seek the Word of the Lord for
our city and region for 2012, hosted this year at East Second Street Christian
Church in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. All are welcome!
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Messiah Ministries' School of Spiritual Ministry - Level 2
February 1-4, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky
Equipping and empowering leaders for healing prayer and prophetic ministry to heal
the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of
the Holy Spirit. Led by Tommy & Sylvia Hays of Messiah Ministries.
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!
Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries
www.messiah-ministries.org

"Not Your Own" - January 6

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit.
Through the deep communion of intimate prayer and trusting surrender, draw me into
the place where You are One within me. ...

"But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.... Or do you not know
that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you. which you have from God,
and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify
God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:17-20).

I am not my own. I belong to You. I was in slavery to sin and death, but You came
and saved me. I was lost, but now I'm found; I was dead, but now I'm alive; I was
bound but now I'm free. Now I'm cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and filled with
the Spirit of God. My heart is Your home and my body is Your temple. You are Lord
of all that I am and Lord of all that I have. I am Yours. ...

Lord, help me live my life today like I truly mean the words I've just prayed. Show
me in all the encounters I'll have and all the choices I'll make, throughout all
the moments of my day, what a difference it makes if these words are true. ...

I know I'll need the power of Your grace, because I know it's not by my power or
my might, but by Your Spirit alone that I can glorify You in my body and by my
life-one day at a time. Thank You that I know that I have it, and Your grace is
sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, please come join us and spread the word:

5th Annual Greater Lexington Strategic Prayer Summit
January 27-28, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky"Contend for the Faith" -- A regional gathering to seek the Word of the Lord for
our city and region for 2012, hosted this year at East Second Street Christian
Church in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. All are welcome!
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar
Messiah Minsitries' School of Spiritual Ministry - Level 2
February 1-4, 2012 in Lexington, KentuckyEquipping and empowering leaders for healing prayer and prophetic ministry to heal
the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of
the Holy Spirit. Led by Tommy & Sylvia Hays of Messiah Ministries.
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!
Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries
www.messiah-ministries.org

"Set All Your Hope on the Grace" - January 5

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I seek Your face and listen for Your voice to begin my day following You. ...

"Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when He is revealed" (1 Peter 1:13).

I want all my hope to be on all Your grace. So I willingly choose to desperately depend upon You alone. Help me prepare my mind and discipline my will to live this way. Your grace is Your power to forgive me, to heal me, to free me, to change me more into Your image every day-if I will consciously choose to deliberately set all my hope in You.

One day, the great power of Your great grace will be fully revealed to me when You return in glory on earth or I go to glory in heaven. But every day between this day and that one, I believe You desire to continually, increasingly reveal Yourself to me and to all who truly seek You. Every moment of every day is chance to choose to trust You and to entrust myself to You. As I do, I will "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity" (2 Peter 3:18). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Friends, please come join us and spread the word:

5th Annual Greater Lexington Strategic Prayer Summit
January 27-28, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky
"Contend for the Faith" -- A regional gathering to seek the Word of the Lord for our city and region for 2012, hosted this year at East Third Street Christian Church in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. All are welcome!
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Messiah Minsitries' School of Spiritual Ministry - Level 2
February 1-4, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky
Equipping and empowering leaders for healing prayer and prophetic ministry to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Led by Tommy & Sylvia Hays of Messiah Ministries.
www.messiah-ministries.org/calendar

Be empowered, equipped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

www.messiah-ministries.org

Power Encounters in the Spirit of Christ - January 4

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my Lord and Savior, my Best Friend and King. I entrust this day and all my life to You, O Lord, my God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"Then Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.... 'As you go, proclaim the good news, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand...' " (Matthew 10:1-7).

You're still sending forth Your faithful disciples, just as You sent forth Your first disciples, to encounter the powers of darkness and the kingdoms of this world with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God. Sickness must bow; disease must be healed; demons must go. "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:16, NKJV).

These are power encounters-Your power that destroys the power of the kingdom of darkness through the power of the blood of Jesus. "The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). And now You have entrusted Your power to be released in the power of Your love through those who are called by Your name as the Body and Bride of Christ. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit within us, empowering us with authority in this world, as the Body of Christ to continue the ministry of Christ (Romans 8:9-11).

Lord Jesus, as the Father sent You, so You send us in Your power and authority to continue to accomplish Your purpose-to destroy the works of the devil (John 20:21). "The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under (our) feet" (Romans 16:20). It's not in our power, but Yours-the power of the Spirit of "Christ in (us), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). So I praise You, Lord God Almighty, with excitement and expectation, for the opportunities and encounters I'll have today to see the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of my God, through the power and authority of the Spirit of Christ living in me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Happy New Year! I pray for you to know the intimacy, power, and authority of Christ in your heart and every dimension of your life this year, in Jesus' name. Thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer. I'll be praying for you. Would you please be praying for me? God bless you!

Be empowered, equiped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!

Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries

www.messiah-ministries.org

Fasting and Praying, Worshipping and Waiting - January 3

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Align my heart with Your heart, my mind with Your mind,
my ways with Your ways. I want to start well and end well, with Your Spirit guiding
my steps throughout the moments of my day. ...

"While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart
for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting
and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:2-3).

Sylvia and I are beginning the first fourteen days of this new year fasting and
praying, worshipping and waiting for the clear leading of Your Holy Spirit. What
is the work to which You have called us this year? Who are those You've called
to come alongside us? Who are those You've called us to come alongside? Where are
You leading us; where will You send us?

Give us grace to wait with patience and faith for what we don't yet need to know.
Give us tenacity and perseverance to press in to You for what You want us to find
now. Let us be content with where we are in the journey; but at the same time, let
us always be excited and expectant for what lies ahead.

A wise friend of ours recently told us, "Everybody needs someone to love, something
to do, and something to look forward to." Thank You for giving us all three. And
thank You for calling us into this deep place to hunger and thirst to seek and
find what You have for us now. "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the
glory of kings is to search things out" (Proverbs 25:2). In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
Happy New Year! I pray for you to know the intimacy, power, and authority
of Christ in your heart and every dimension of your life this year, in Jesus' name.
Thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer. I'll be praying for you.
Would you please be praying for me? God bless you!

Be empowered, equiped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!
Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries
www.messiah-ministries.org 

Excited and Expectant - January 2

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
As I come to the end of 2011 and begin 2012, I know You are with me-watching over
me, going before me, and coming alongside me. I'm excited and expectant to see what
You have planned for me. ...

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your Presence? If I ascend
to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I take the
wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there Your
hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me fast" (Psalm 139:7-10).

You are everywhere in the heavens and on the earth, yet You are here in my heart.
You hold all time and eternity in Your hands, yet You are here in every moment of
my day. You see all things, know all things, rule and reign over all things, yet
You are mindful of every thought in my mind, every desire in my heart, and every
word of my mouth. There is none like You.

"How weighty to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try
to count them-they are more than the sand; I come to the end-I am still with You"
(v. 139:17-18). Yes, Lord. I am still with You, because You have chosen to still
be with me. You've called me to remember that You've forever promised to be with
me forever (Matthew 28:20). So how could I be anything less than excited and expectant
to begin this new year with You, with great anticipation to see all You have planned
for me? I'm ready to come and see. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

Happy New Year! I pray for you to know the intimacy, power, and authority
of Christ in your heart and every dimension of your life this year, in Jesus' name.
Thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer. I'll be praying for you.
Would you please be praying for me? God bless you!

Be empowered, equiped, and encouraged to fulfill your destiny in Christ!
Tommy & Sylvia Hays | Messiah Ministries
www.messiah-ministries.org

"He Was Called Jesus" - December 30

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I want to hear the leading of Your voice and follow in
Your steps throughout the moments of my day. ...

"After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the Child; and He was called
Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb" (Luke 2:21).

He was called Jesus-the Salvation of Jehovah-the One Who would be "a mighty Savior
for us" (Luke 1:69). This would not be God coming to earth in all-consuming fire
or with armies of angels. This would be God coming to earth as a Child, not only
in the likeness of human flesh, but even "in the likeness of sinful flesh"-in "likeness,"
yet without sin (Romans 8:3). So God Himself, Immanuel-God with us-would even humble
Himself to be circumcised of the flesh, as a Child of Abraham and the Son of David
in the dedication of His life to the glory and purposes of God.

Lord, I dedicate my heart to You, offering my flesh to You to be stripped away.
"Real circumcision is a matter of the heart-it is spiritual and not literal" (Romans
2:29). And as You strip away my flesh, may You awaken within me the name and the
nature to which You've called me, even as "You knit me together in my mother's
womb" (Psalm 139:13). You are my Salvation-the Salvation of Jehovah-Jesus Christ,
my Lord. Give me Your grace to live my life to honor You. In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

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

Contrbute to Messiah Ministries
By Mail:

Messiah Minsitries
2800 Tates Creek Rd.
Lexington, Kentucky 40590

By www.PayPal.com through MessiahMin@aol.com
On-line through our website: www.messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

God bless you with great favor and blessings this coming year!
Tommy & Sylvia Hays
www.messiah-ministries.org 

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!