Friday, December 20, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 20 - Pondering the Promises, Shouting Our Praises

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my focus and my foundation, as I begin my day seeking Your face and listening for Your voice.  ...

"So (the shepherds) went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made know what had been told them about this Child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them" (Luke 2:16-20).

The angels told the shepherds that Mary's Baby Child was the Messiah, the One who was born to be Savior and Lord of all (v. 2:10-11). And then the shepherds told Mary. The shepherds were shouting their praises, while Mary was pondering the promises.

In this Christmas season where we prepare our hearts with expectant faith to celebrate the birth of Christ, I thank You for the times of praise and joy. Like the shepherds, we are moved with Your good news of great joy, as we are glorifying and praising God for all we hear and see of Your great love for us. But at the same time, we are also moved, like Mary, to take time to ponder these things in our hearts, to let the deeper meaning of all You have done and all that this means settle deeply into our hearts.

Through the birth of Christ, God came near. You not only created us, You are with us. You not only watch over and care for us from Heaven, You abide with us and within us here on earth in our hearts. You not only forgive us of our sins, You also fill us with Your Spirit. You not only see us as servants, You love us as sons and daughters of God. And none of that would ever be possible if You had not come to this earth to be born as a Child who would die for our sins so we could live with You, now and forever (John 3:16). As we ponder that truth in our hearts, we can't help but shout our praises, glorifying and praising God.

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


My Friend,  in this Christmas season, I pray you'll ponder the promises of all God has done for us through Jesus Christ and shout His praises, glorifying and praising God with all your heart. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'll be away with family for the next couple of weeks. I wish you a Merry Christmas and pray all the joy of Jesus Christ will fill your heart! Thank you so much for joining with me in this journey of prayer for another year. I hope you'll continue to the journey with me next year! Thank you so much for all your prayers, encouragement, and support for me and our ministry! God bless you!

In the Love of Jesus,
Tommy Hays


Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 19 - "A Sign for You"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your good news of great joy fill my spirit and awaken my heart with a passion for You today.  ...

"'This will be a sign for you:  you will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.'... 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 the manger" (Luke 2:12).

Lord, open my eyes to the signs of Your Presence around me. Let me be stirred with haste to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Let the passionate pursuit of my life be to seek You and find You. Your Word promises us all, "When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart. I will let you find Me, says the Lord ..." (Jeremiah 29:13-14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of your heart to see the signs and seek the Presence of Jesus all around you today. May you seek the Lord with all your heart and find Him faithful to His Word and His love for you every day. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 

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Morning by Morning, December 19 - "A Sign for You"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your good news of great joy fill my spirit and awaken my heart with a passion for You today.  ...

"'This will be a sign for you:  you will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.'... 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 the manger" (Luke 2:12).

Lord, open my eyes to the signs of Your Presence around me. Let me be stirred with haste to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Let the passionate pursuit of my life be to seek You and find You. Your Word promises us all, "When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart. I will let you find Me, says the Lord ..." (Jeremiah 29:13-14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of your heart to see the signs and seek the Presence of Jesus all around you today. May you seek the Lord with all your heart and find Him faithful to His Word and His love for you every day. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Morning by Morning, December 19 - "A Sign for You"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your good news of great joy fill my spirit and awaken my heart with a passion for You today.  ...

"'This will be a sign for you:  you will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.'... 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 the manger" (Luke 2:12).

Lord, open my eyes to the signs of Your Presence around me. Let me be stirred with haste to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Let the passionate pursuit of my life be to seek You and find You. Your Word promises us all, "When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart. I will let you find Me, says the Lord ..." (Jeremiah 29:13-14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of your heart to see the signs and seek the Presence of Jesus all around you today. May you seek the Lord with all your heart and find Him faithful to His Word and His love for you every day. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 

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Morning by Morning, December 19 - "A Sign for You"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your good news of great joy fill my spirit and awaken my heart with a passion for You today.  ...

"'This will be a sign for you:  you will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.'... 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 the manger" (Luke 2:12).

Lord, open my eyes to the signs of Your Presence around me. Let me be stirred with haste to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Let the passionate pursuit of my life be to seek You and find You. Your Word promises us all, "When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart. I will let you find Me, says the Lord ..." (Jeremiah 29:13-14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of your heart to see the signs and seek the Presence of Jesus all around you today. May you seek the Lord with all your heart and find Him faithful to His Word and His love for you every day. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Morning by Morning, December 19 - "A Sign for You"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your good news of great joy fill my spirit and awaken my heart with a passion for You today.  ...

"'This will be a sign for you:  you will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.'... 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 the manger" (Luke 2:12).

Lord, open my eyes to the signs of Your Presence around me. Let me be stirred with haste to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Let the passionate pursuit of my life be to seek You and find You. Your Word promises us all, "When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart. I will let you find Me, says the Lord ..." (Jeremiah 29:13-14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of your heart to see the signs and seek the Presence of Jesus all around you today. May you seek the Lord with all your heart and find Him faithful to His Word and His love for you every day. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 18 - Surrounded by the Glory of God

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My eyes are fixed on You, so I'm steady and secure to go everywhere You send me in the power of Your strength and the leading of Your Spirit.  ...

"Then an angel of the Lord stood before (the shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night), and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, '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..." (2:9-11).

You cause Your glory to shine around us. If our spiritual eyes were open to see it, we might be terrified at the light and the power and the glory of God. But our praise should overcome our fear. We're surrounded by Your glory; why should our hearts fear? The One who is glorious in power and light is also the One who loves us and fills us with good news of great joy!

Lord, open my eyes to see that I'm surrounded by Your glory every moment of every day. You are Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Let me hear afresh in my heart Your good news of great joy that I have a Savior and His name is Jesus. "Glory to God in the highest!" (Luke 2:14) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  may you know you are surrounded by the glory of God and hear His good news of great joy in your spirit every day! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 17 - Protect and Nurture the Gift of God

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name as my first word and my first prayer today.  ...

"And (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger ..." (Luke 2:7).

You birth beautiful things in our lives. It's always in Your perfect timing, in Your perfect way, according to Your perfect plan -- "in the fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4). In so many different ways, in ways that we often don't even recognize at the time, You send Your Father blessings by Your Holy Spirit to bring forth the heart of Christ in our world through our lives. Now, "in the fullness of time," in the mystery of faith and the sovereignty of God, we are the very "body of Christ" in the earth, conceived by the Holy Spirit with the loving heart of our heavenly Father (1 Corinthians 12:27).

And just as Mary was to took great care for the Life entrusted to her, so are we. She took what she had in the place where she was and tenderly, lovingly protected and nurtured her Gift of God. You've entrusted much to each of us, to be protected and nurtured as the gift of God that it is -- a life conceived by the Holy Spirit to be an expression of the heart of the Father through the Life of Christ lived through us.

Lord, give me eyes to see the mangers You provide for protection and the swaddling clothes You provide for nurture for every Gift of God You birth in my life. Let me be found faithful, as the servant of God, to fulfill every calling and purpose You bring forth through me in the fullness of Your time. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray you will see the Gift of God that you are and protect and nurture all the Lord has entrusted to you. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Monday, December 16, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 16 - The Bethlehem of My Heart

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I look to You -- Lord God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Savior of my soul, Lord of my life -- and listen for Your leading as I begin my day with 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).

From centuries before, the prophet Micah foresaw the coming of this day in "Bethlehem of Ephrathah" -- the day the Messiah of Israel would be born. He would be the One who would rule in Israel and "to the ends of the earth" forever and ever as "the One of peace." He would be born as both a little baby in human flesh, but also eternally existent as the One "from of old, from ancient days" (Micah 5:2-5).

Come, Lord Jesus, I open up the Bethlehem of my heart. I make room for you in me. You foresaw long ago that I would choose to entrust my life to You as my Lord and Savior, for "in Your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed" (Psalm 139:16). Let Christ be born in me today and every day. Make me more like You, morning by morning and day by day. By the grace of God and the Spirit of Christ abiding in me, let me grow "in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor" to display Your life through mine (Luke 2:52). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray the Spirit of Christ would fill the Bethlehem of your heart every day, as He makes you more like Him. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Friday, December 13, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 13 - "Call Me Blessed"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your Life fill my life today.  ...

"And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the lowliness of His servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name!" (Luke 1:46-49)

Like Mary, I am blessed. Let all generations call me blessed. You have done great things for me, Mighty One, God my Savior. You've embraced me with Your love, saved me by Your grace, forgiven me by Your blood, and filled me with Your Spirit. You've helped me discover my identity and my destiny in Christ. You've never left me alone for a moment and promised You never will.

My soul magnifies You! My spirit rejoices in You! You've gathered me up from every lowly place and established me in the security and certainty of Your steadfast love that never fails. So I can't keep from praising Your name. Why would I? And why would anyone who truly begins to understand just how much You love us so? We are truly blessed. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

 My Friend,  I pray you will understand more every day the fullness of how blessed you are through our Mighty One, our God and Savior, who love you so. Please pray the same the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 11 - Leap for Joy, Filled with the Spirit

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I open my spirit to drink deeply of the Living Waters of Your Spirit in the holy communion of worship and prayer.  ...

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Luke 1:39).

Mary brought the Presence of Christ to Elizabeth's house. And the child in Elizabeth's womb "leaped for joy" in the Presence of the Child in Mary's womb (v. 1:44). Wherever Your Presence comes, so does Your Spirit, filling all who welcome You and embrace You with the "Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9). In Your Presence, we have "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Lord Jesus, I welcome You and embrace You in my house and my heart today. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit -- the Spirit of Christ abiding in me as I abide in You. Awaken the fullness of Your righteousness and peace and joy within me today. Let "the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus set (me) free" (Romans 8:2). I want to leap for joy in the Presence of God and carry Your Presence everywhere I go. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray you would be filled with the Spirit of Christ today and all the righteousness, peace, and joy that the Presence of God brings into your life and everywhere you go. Please pray the same the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 10 - "Favor with God"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look and listen for Your leading, as I deliberately choose to begin my day in the Presence of God.  ...

"The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will name Him Jesus...'" (Luke 1:30-31).

 Your favor replaces our fears. How can we be afraid of what may come against us when Your favor rests upon us? "For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover them with favor as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12).

Father God, as You poured out Your favor upon Mary, Your Holy Spirit conceived the Life of Christ within her womb (Luke 1:35). O Lord, pour out Your favor upon me today. Conceive the Life of Christ within me. In the favor of God, let me be unafraid and unashamed to fulfill Your plans and purposes for me and through my life today.

Let me respond like Mary, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Then, "Let the favor of the Lord (my) God be upon (me), and prosper for (me) the work of (my) hands" for the glory of Your name, by the power of Your Spirit, expressing the Life of Christ in me (Psalm 90:17). "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


My Friend,  may you be found with favor with God and may the Life of Christ arise in you to fulfill God's plans and purposes for you today. Please pray the same the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Monday, December 09, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 9 - Choosing to Believe the Good News

Good morning, Lord Jesus. "O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." ... In worship and prayer, I adore You and choose to live this day for You. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Make me more like You today. ...

"The angel replied (to Zechariah), 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the Presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news" (Luke 1:19).

Thank You, Lord, for Your holy angels who stand in the Presence of God. And thank You, Lord, for Your Holy Spirit, who now fills us with the Presence of God. In so many ways, You send us Your good news -- the good news that You are with us, the good news that You forgive us, the good news that You love us and want us to the embrace the fullness of Your salvation and grace through Jesus Christ.

Like Zechariah, there are times when it's hard for us to believe and hard to receive. There are times when Your truth and Your word doesn't quite seem to fit our circumstances (v. 1:18). That's when our doubts and unbelief keep us from embracing the fullness of the goodness of God. And our doubts and unbelief have consequences (v. 1:20).

But You are the God who is greater than our doubts and mightier than our unbelief. And You even use our struggles and questions to bring us to a deeper place of faith, as we choose to be willing to believe (v. 1:64). So by the power of the grace of God, I choose to believe. I choose to receive and embrace Your Word and Your Spirit sending Your good news into my life today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  I pray the Spirit of God will fill your heart with the Presence of God, empowering you to embrace the fullness of the good news of God's grace for your life today through Jesus Christ. Please pray the same the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Friday, December 06, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 6 - "A People Prepared for the Lord"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In the communion of prayer, let me start this day and every day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  ...

"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.... He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before Him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:13-17).

Come, Holy Spirit. You are still turning hearts to God and to one another. You're still preparing the way of the Lord, making ready a people prepared for the Lord. Just as You did through John for the people of Israel at the first Christmas, so You are still, by the Word and the Spirit of God for the people of every tongue and tribe and nation in the world at this Christmas.

Show me every way my heart needs to turn and be restored in every relationship -- with God and with others. I want to be ready, to be prepared, to fully embrace the Christmas Gift of the grace of God for me, revealed and unwrapped in Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  may the Holy Spirit of God turn and restore your heart fully to God and others, He prepares the way of the Lord in you. Please pray the same the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Max Lucado & Tommy Hays - Healing Prayer Service, San Antonio Tonight at 7PM CST

Max Lucado & Tommy Hays
Healing Prayer Service at Oak Hills Church
Join by Live-Stream Tonight at 7PM CST
Friends, 
  
Please join us if you can or join us by prayer or by Live-Stream if you can't tonight for our Healing Prayer Service at 7PM Central Standard Time at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas

I'm excited to be joining Max Lucado at the Crownridge Campus of Oak Hills Church on I-10 in San Antonio to share a message on hope and healing during this Christmas season. Our Rapha God Ministries Prayer Team will be joining the Oak Hills Prayer Team and Elders to pray personally for everyone at the altar. We'll also have Spanish-speaking prayer teams.

May the name of Jesus be high and lifted up as we encounter the healing love of God in spirit, soul, and body. May you also experience the Lord's power and Presence in your church and community. Thank you for your prayers!

God bless you, my friend!
  
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Bldg 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Max Lucado and Tommy Hays
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Morning by Morning, December 4 - "A Great Light" through God's People

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my human spirit abide in deep communion with Your Holy Spirit. Let the Word of God speak my Father's heart into the depths of my human heart.  ...

"But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish ... but in the later time He will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined.... For a Child has been born for us, a Son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:1-6).

During "the holidays" all the streets and stores can be draped with great lights. All the homes and office parties can be filled with joy and laughter. But at the same time, in the midst of all the light and laughter, there can be many who feel gloomy and dark, isolated and alone. The festive spirit around them only intensifies their anguish of heart.

But You are "the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). You are the God who breaks through the gloom and darkness with hope and love until "sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10). And only You can deliver us "out of darkness into (Your) marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

In this season, as You fill our hearts with Your true Light and fill our spirits with Your true joy, also open our eyes and our hearts to see those overshadowed by darkness around us. Let Your love break through their loneliness; let Your hope encourage their spirits, as Your great Light shines from heaven through Your people on earth (Isaiah 60:1-3). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friends,  may the Great Light of Jesus Christ shine through you in love to push back the darkness over those overshadowed in loneliness and gloom around you. Arise and shine, for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! (Isaiah 60:1-3)  Please pray the same the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be joining Max Lucado to share a message of healing and hope at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio at the First Wednesday Healing Prayer Service tonight, Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm CST.

Our Rapha God Ministries Team will be joining the Oak Hills Prayer Team to pray for everyone personally at the altar. Live-streaming will be available, starting at 7pm Central Standard Time. Click Here at 7PM CST when the Live-stream begins  (www.oakhillschurch.com/live-stream)  Please join us if you can and pray for us if you can't. And may your church and community experiencing the healing love of God through Jesus Christ!
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Morning by Morning, December 3 - Holy Spirit - Our Helper, Comforter, Abiding Presence of Jesus

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I watch and wait for You. You're always near, always here. Open my eyes to see You and my ears to hear You, as I embrace Your abiding Presence, both with me and within me by Your Spirit.  ...

"If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever -- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.... At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:15-21, NKJV).

Holy Spirit of God, You manifest the Presence of Jesus. You are the embrace of my Father. You are my Helper and Comforter who comes alongside me and abides within me. You encourage me and enable me to desire intimacy with God and the righteousness of God. You empower me from the inside out to keep the commandment of love and You mercifully convict me when I fail, always leading me to repentance and restoration to intimacy with God. You always lead me in truth and leading me to the One who is the Truth. You cause me to be all I've been created to become.

As I prepare my heart to make room for the King in this advent season before the celebration of Christmas, I know I can't have the right heart without the Spirit of God abiding deeply within my heart. So come, Holy Spirit. Fill me afresh every morning and throughout the moments of my day (Ephesians 5:18). Prepare my heart, today and forever, for the Child of God who is the King of all (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My Friend,  may the Holy Spirit of God be your Helper, Comforter, and abiding Presence of Jesus in your heart today and forever. Please pray the same the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be joining Max Lucado to share a message of healing and hope at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio at the First Wednesday Healing Prayer Service this Wednesday Night, December 4 at 7pm CST. Our Rapha God Ministries Team will be joining the Oak Hills Prayer Team to pray for everyone personally at the altar. Live-streaming will be available, starting at 7pm Central Standard Time. Please join us if you can and pray for us if you can't. And may your church and community experiencing the healing love of God through Jesus Christ!
 
 
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Share this word to encourage a friend! Blue 
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