Friday, July 15, 2016

Morning by Morning, July 15 - One Smooth Stone of the Word of God
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Make me more like You today.  ...
 
"When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground" (1 Samuel 17:48-49).
 
My enemy knows my vulnerabilities, but You know his. He may mock me and taunt me, but You encourage me and empower me. He may strike my heel, but You will crush his head. And one smooth stone of Your word can bring him down to the ground and put his armies to flight.
 
David didn't need a spear or a sword. He needed faith in You. Before the battle, You led him to bend down and pick up five smooth stones to put in his pouch for the encounter You knew would come (v. 40). And when the time came, You led him to take the one You chose to silence the voice of his enemy and bring him down to his knees and bite the dust with his face. It only took one -- one faithful servant and one smooth stone -- just as one word of God that goes forth from Your mouth will not return void, but will accomplish that which You purpose and succeed in that for which You sent it (Isaiah 55:11).
 
Fill my pouch with Your words today, Lord. Let me be ready for the battles and encounters to come. Give me faith and courage to stand on Your Word in the power of Your strength, as You slay my spiritual enemies before me. "Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 

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



I pray the pouch of your heart will be filled with God's Word so you'll be ready to speak it and see the salvation of God in whatever battles you face, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

         
Friends, please join with me in prayer for a close and long-time friend of mine facing a trial in court next week that may continue for a couple of months. May his heart be full of God's word and grace to guide him through all he will face. We pray for justice, mercy, and favor with God and favor with man, walking it out in both humility and faith (Micah 6:8). And may his family and friends be at peace as we pray, putting all in the hands of the Lord (Proverbs 3:5). "Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). Thank you and God bless you!


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, July 14, 2016

Morning by Morning, July 14 - Fall Face Down to Seek the Face of God
 Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take me by the hand and lead me by the heart into Your will for my life this day.  ... "I looked and saw that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord, and I fell face down on the ground" (Ezekiel 44:4 NLT). Lord, I want to look with the eyes of my heart and see with the eyes of my spirit. Show me Your glory. Let me see You as You are. And in Your Presence, seeing You as You are and seeing myself as I am, in the humility and fear of the Lord like Ezekiel, may I fall face down on the ground before You. Even now, in my heart I fall face down before You. I know I'm always welcome in Your Presence, that I can come boldly before Your throne of grace as a child of God, with no veil between us, through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer (Hebrews 4:12). "Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's Presence" (Ephesians 3:12 NLT). But at the same time, I never want to be presumptuous or take for granted Your gift of mercy and Your blessing of intimacy. It's when we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord that You lift us up into Your Presence and embrace us in Your intimacy (James 4:10). ... And as soon as I fall face down before You, I immediately sense You bending low to embrace me where I am. With the eyes of my heart and the sight of my spirit, I look and see to sense You bending low to lift me up. You're taking my face in Your hands -- Your nail-scarred hands -- to lift my face to behold Yours. ... There is mercy and love in Your eyes. ...   "You, O Lord, are a shield around me, my Glory, and the One who lifts up my head" (Psalm 3:3).  As You lift up my face to see You as You are, You are changing me. "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord -- who is the Spirit -- makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT).  As I bow low and allow You to lift me up, I just find myself crying out in my spirit, "Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy and merciful, loving and kind are You, O Lord. I'm not worthy to be in Your Presence, yet You have made me worthy through what You have done for me through Your mercy and love."  Thank You for the grace to fall face down in Your Presence. And thank You for the grace to be lifted up to behold Your face. "Such is the company of those who seek (You), who seek the face of the God of Jacob" (Psalm 24:6). "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays



I pray you will see the face of God in all His mercy and love for you as you fall face down before Him and allow Him to lift you up, in Jesus' name. 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

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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Morning by Morning, July 13 - "At the Name of Jesus"
 Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name over every moment of my day and every dimension of my life.  ... "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV). As I bow my knees to Your name, I declare You as Lord over all of my life to glory of God my Father. Your peace fills my soul and Your promises fill my hopes. You remind me that I am loved and that I am Yours -- both a servant and a son of the Most High God. "Let this mind be in (me)" (v. 5). When I humble myself, You lift me up. When I obey Your word, You empower me to life into Your will. And as I allow You to conform my heart and transform my mind to the nature of Your name, everything less must bow before You. So let the name of Jesus be exalted over everything less than the will of God in my life. Let lies and limitations bow down. Let discouragement and disappointment bow down. Let sickness and sorrow bow down. Let hindrances and habits bow down. Let blockages and bondages bow down. Let darkness and demons, complacency and compromise, poverty and pessimism, injustice and ingratitude, bitterness and betrayal, resentment and rejection, fear and failure, rebellion and regret, pride and prejudice, destruction and death, and "every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God" bow down now, never to rise again, in the mighty name of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 10:5)  "For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods!" (Psalm 135:5) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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



I pray everything less than the will of God will bow its knee at the name of Jesus in your life today and every day, in Jesus' name. 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

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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Morning by Morning, July 12 - The Good Spirit Who Guides

 Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me listen. Help me hear. Help me trust. Help me obey.  ... "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good Spirit lead me on a level path" (Psalm 143:10). 

Doing Your will does not come naturally to me. It comes super-naturally. It's Your good Spirit that leads me in the paths of righteousness. And as You know, my human spirit does not always, immediately want to choose the path of Your good Spirit. So in Your mercy and love, You teach me to do Your will. You lead me in the ways that align with Your will. How? You help me listen. You help me hear. You help me trust. And You help me obey. "For it is God who is at work in (me), enabling (me) both to will and to work for (Your) good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). 

I need Your holy nudges and holy tugs. I need Your stirrings in my soul and Your convictions in my conscience. I need the sense of Your Presence and the awareness of Your watchfulness. I need to trust that You're answering my prayers when I ask You to put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. And I need the courage and the faith that Your Spirit's always ready to supply when You call me to respond to the word I hear in my heart that says, "This is the way; walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21). 

Being led by Your Spirit is part of my inheritance as a child of God. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Romans 8:14). So I can trust You to teach me and train me, to encourage me and empower me, as I choose to humble my heart to hear and set my spirit to seek Your leading. And I do need Your leading. I do need Your guidance. "For the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). So by the power of the grace of God at work within me, give me the desire and the power to "let Your good Spirit lead me on a level path" (Psalm 143:10). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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



I pray the good Spirit will teach you and empower you to let Him lead you and guide you in the paths of righteousness, in Jesus' name. 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

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Monday, July 11, 2016

Morning by Morning, July 11 - Awaken Me in the Morning

 Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I look and listen for Your leading, help me begin my day knowing I'm embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  ... 

"Then the angel who spoke to me returned and awakened me, like a man awakened from his sleep" (Zechariah 4:9). It was good to get away and rest. And now it's good to return to the rhythms of my day. You taught me long ago that the most important part of the rhythms of my day is here in these first moments of my morning in my deep communion of prayer with You. "Let me hear of Your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way that I should go, for to You I lift up my soul" (Psalm 143:8). 

So come, Holy Spirit. Awaken me. Like a man awakened from his sleep, awaken my soul, stir in my spirit. Let my body come alive to arise and shine, refreshed and renewed, ready to embrace my identity and embark again on my destiny in this adventure of faith. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Order my steps and direct my path, O Lord, my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I'm excited to see what You will do, as I awaken and arise to follow You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


I pray the Spirit of the Lord will arise in your spirit, awaken your soul, and energize your body each day to embrace your identity and continue your destiny as the child of God and follower of Christ He created you to be, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. And thank you so much for your prayers for me and our family during my time away. It was good to be away and now it's good to be back with you on our journey of prayer, morning by morning. Thank you for joining me in the adventure! 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

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Monday, June 27, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 27 - "I Will Give You Rest"
 Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'm listening for Your leading and waiting for the whisper of Your still, small voice, as I begin my day in the communion of prayer with you, my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  ... "He said, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest' " (Exodus 33:14). For the next two weeks, I'll be taking some time away from my daily routines and everyday tasks. I'll be taking a little more time with family, a little more time with sleep, maybe even a little more time where I don't talk to anybody, don't preach to anybody, don't try to fix anybody, but just let everybody be -- entrusting them all to You. Hopefully, I'll be taking a little more time to rest. If that's Your heart for me, help me not feel selfish or lazy or guilty or worried about everything that's not getting done or will need to get done when I get back. Help me rest. And let me know that Your Presence goes with me even when I'm not teaching and preaching and praying every waking moment of my day. Help me remember "the anointing which (I) have received from (You) abides in (me)" wherever I am, whatever I'm doing -- or even not doing -- because my anointing is Your Presence with me (1 John 2:27). So I'm anointed with Your Presence even when I rest. Help me rest in You today and for these two weeks. In fact, give me the grace to rest in You for rest of my life. "Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest is still open, let us take care that none of (us) should seem to have failed to reach it" (Hebrews 4:1). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays



 I pray you will rest in the Lord and the anointing of His Presence, always with you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. And please forgive me if you're missing these morning devotionals every day while I'm away. I'll be at home and away with family, taking a little different routine for vacation time in the mornings. But I hope you'll still be with me on our journey of prayer together when I return. 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

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Friday, June 24, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 24 - The Great Exit to Come
 Good morning, Lord Jesus. My Lord and Savior, God and King, Best Friend Forever, I want to begin my day speaking out Your name and listening for Your voice.  ... "As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.... And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time comes. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now retrains it is removed. And then the lawless on e will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of His mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of His coming" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). Everyone is talking about the "Brexit" -- the vote by the citizens of Britain yesterday to exit the European Union. There's great concern about the collapse of the currencies and the economies of the nations of the European Union now that Britain is removed through this exit. Those concerns are, of course, very valid. Certainly to be taken seriously. No doubt, there will be tremendous global impact and upheaval in light of this event that's been anticipated for some time -- an event longed for by many and also feared by many. But there is an exit that should give all the world so much more concern. There will be tremendous global impact and universal upheaval on the day of the great exit to come -- on "the day of the Lord" and the great exit of the Church of Jesus Christ from the face of this earth (1 Thessalonians 5:2). "For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.... Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see 'the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven' with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other" (Matthew 24:21-31). The Holy Spirit of the living God who lives in the heart of every believer of Jesus Christ is a powerful restraining Force in our world. Since the day of Pentecost, the Church has increased to reach into the nations of the world. That great move of God in earth will continue right until the end, for God is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). "And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). But one day, "the end will come." And on that day, there will be a great exit. "For the Lord Himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). We can be encouraged with these words -- with the Word of God. Though those will be dark days, at the same time, the light of the glory of God will arise and shine upon the people of God as never before, as the Lord continues to seek to draw every last soul to Himself through His people who call on His name and trust in His grace (Isaiah 60:1-2; Hebrews 12:27). "People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.... Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Luke 21:26-33). Many long for that day to come. And many fear it. When the Holy Spirit of God abiding in the people of God is removed in the day of the great exit to come, nobody's going to be thinking about the "Brexit" or even the economy. On that day, everyone will be thinking about Jesus. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27). Me, I'm looking forward to that great exit to come. "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' (Revelation 22:17).
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays



I pray you will be secure and confident in the peace and Presence of the Holy Spirit living in you, looking forward to the day of the coming of Christ, in Jesus' name. 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

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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 23 - Come, King of Glory!
 Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You into my heart and every moment of my day.  ... "Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:7-10) Strong and mighty Lord, Lord of hosts, Lord of the armies of heaven, I lift up the gates of my heart; I lift up the doors of my soul, that the King of glory may come in. Come into my heart; come into my world; come rule and reign in Your power and might in all the earth. "For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! (Psalm 47:7) You are the King of glory. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). And "the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure" follow You in victory and power at Your command (Revelation 19:14). In Your glory, we embrace the manifest Presence of God (Exodus 13:21; John 1:14). King of glory, come manifest Your Presence, come display Your glory in me and my world today. "Christ in (me), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Christ in my world, the King of glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays



I pray the King of glory comes into your heart and every moment of your day, manifesting His Presence, strong and mighty, in your life and our world, in Jesus' name. 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

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 22 - "Repent. Believe. Follow Me."
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me hear Your voice as I seek Your face and wait in Your Presence in the communion of prayer -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.  ...
 
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news....  Follow Me...'" (Mark 1:14).
 
The first commands You spoke as You began Your ministry as the Son of Man, filled with the Spirit of God, were "Repent. Believe. Follow Me."
 
And I believe those are still Your commands. That's still Your invitation to all who are willing to hear and trust and obey. "Repent. Believe. Follow Me."
 
Come, Holy Spirit. Keep stirring in my heart to keep turning to Jesus, to keep believing the truth of the good news of God, and to keep following the One who is the King of the kingdom of God. When I'm tempted to turn back to the ways of this world and the desires of my flesh, empower me to embrace the goodness and grace of the One who faithful to bring to completion the good work He began in me. When I'm temped to doubt the goodness and grace of the One who created me and loves me and longs to be with me, empower me to trust ever more deeply in the steadfast love and tender mercy of the One who suffered and died for me. And when I'm tempted to distraction, complacency, intimidation or neglect to share the goodness and grace of our God with a hurting and broken world, empower me to rise again and walk in the steps of the One who leads the way to abundant life, now in this age and in the age to come.
 
Lord Jesus, by the power of the grace of God at work within me, I choose this day to repent, to believe, and to follow You. Give me the grace to do the same every day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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



I pray the Holy Spirit of God will move in your heart every day to repent and believe and follow Jesus, in Jesus' name. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). 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

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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 21 - Come Make Me One
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good morning, heavenly Father. Good morning, Holy Spirit. O Lord, my God, You are One and You are holy. I worship You in every dimension of Your Being and welcome You into every dimension of my being to begin my day in communion with You.  ...
 
"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one. As You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, may they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given Me I have given them, so that they may be one, as We are One, I in them and You in Me, that they may be completely one, so that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me" (John 17:20-23).
 
I hear a new song of worship You're writing in my spirit rising up in my heart right now in prayer and praise.  ...
 
You are in me.
I am in You,
Living in me
As I live in You.
 
Faithful and true
Holy and One,
You are my Father.
I am Your son.
 
Holy, Holy,
Holy and One
Faithful Father
Calling Your sons.
 
Spirit and bride,
Father and sons,
Savior of sinners
Live forever as one.
 
One in Your Spirit,
One in the Lord,
One in our hearts,
One in Your world.
 
Come live through me
As I live in You.
Come make me more,
More and more like You.
 
I am Your son.
I am Your bride.
I am Your temple.
I am Your light.
 
Come live in me.
Come love through me.
Come shine through me.
I'm forever in You.
 
You are my Father.
You are my Friend.
You are my Savior.
You are my Beginning and End.
 
You are so holy,
So faithful and true.
I give my heart,
I give my life,
I give my all,
Completely to You.
 
Come make me one
Forever in You.
 
Yes, Lord!  Come make me one, forever in You. "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them" (1 John 4:12-16). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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



I pray you will be one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- a "son" of God and "bride" of Christ, forever one in Him. 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

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Monday, June 20, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 20 - "Greatly Beloved"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my spirit arise and draw near into communion with You in our morning walk of prayer -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.  ...
 
"He said to me, 'Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have been sent to you.' So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling. He said to me, 'Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words" (Daniel 10:11-12).
 
Like Daniel, by the grace of God, I am beloved as well. Like every child of God, I'm one of "God's chosen ones, holy and beloved" (Colossians 3:12). Like Daniel, I'm "greatly beloved" because You love me greatly (John 3:16). And like Daniel, You know my name and You hear my prayers.
 
Sometimes there may be a great battle being waged in the spiritual realm between the time of my prayers and the time of Your answer (Daniel 10:13). But there's no battle greater than Your great love for Your greatly beloved. "Our God is greater" (2 Chronicles 2:5). "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is (Your) steadfast love toward those who fear (You)" (Psalm 103:11).
 
Storms may rage, darkness may fall, angels and demons may war, the earth itself may rock and reel until the mountains tremble and shake, but You and Your love for Your greatly beloved will always remain (Psalm 136:1-26). Your faithfulness and love is forever revealed and revered through the sacrifice of Christ for us (1 John 4:9).
 
"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor power, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35-39). 
 
No, in all these things, Your love never fails. Your love never changes. You know my name and You hear my prayers, for I am greatly beloved by the Lord my God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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



I pray you will always know just how greatly beloved you are -- that the God who is higher than any other knows your name and hears your prayers. 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

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Friday, June 17, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 17 - The Voice and the Presence of God
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the ways of life in Christ today.  ...
 
"Jesus said to her, 'Mary!'  She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, 'Robbouni!' (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, 'Do not hold on to Me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord!'; and she told them that He had said these things to her" (John 20:16-18).
 
In the midst of her grief and sorrow, her confusion and doubts, Mary needed a personal encounter with her Savior. And in the shards of her shattered dreams, You came to her and spoke to her. At sound of Your voice, speaking her name, she turned to You and all of that vanished away.
 
In that moment, Mary couldn't hold You physically in her arms, but she could hold forever in her heart. Your words, Your voice changed her forever in that encounter of Your Presence. And she couldn't wait to share her experience of her encounter with God-- the living Presence of the living Christ. She wanted everyone to know she had seen her Lord and heard Your voice.
 
Mary's life would never be the same. You are the Word of God (John 1:1). And one word from Your voice into our hearts changes everything. You want us to know Your Word and hear Your voice. "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Your sheep hear Your voice (John 10:4).
 
In Your Presence and the power of Your voice, You invite us to embrace the promises of Your Word:  "They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.... He will come and save you.' Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.... Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away!" (Isaiah 35:1-10)
 
You give us the grace to invite You into every moment of our lives, promising to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). You invite us today and every day to "hear (Your) voice," set free forever from "an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God (Hebrews 3:12-15). When we do, like Mary, we will want everyone to know that we have seen our Lord and heard Your voice. And we will want everyone to know they can too -- even "today," even right now (Hebrews 4:7). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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



I pray you will embrace the Presence of the Lord and hear His voice speaking to your heart and changing hour life from the inside out. 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

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
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Thursday, June 16, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 16 - Humility to Learn and Grow
 Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me start my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  ... "Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him asked and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who though grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus" (Acts 18:24). Apollos was eloquent and bold, longing to lead people to Jesus and the Way of the Lord. He knew his Bible and taught with accuracy and authority, with passion and power. But at the same time, he was still willing to learn. His humility allowed him to grow in maturity.  In time, Apollos would have quite a following, even affirmed in his ministry as a leader among Peter and Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12). The Apostle Paul wanted Apollos to "lack nothing" in his ministry to share the hope and grace of God wherever he went (Titus 3:13). So it would seem no matter how popular or beloved he became, he kept his heart right and his focus clear. With the spiritual leaders of his day, he was a team player, seeking to build the kingdom of God and not his own. "(Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose ... God's servants, working together" (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Lord, give me humble heart to continue to learn and to grow. Show me my part and my place, when to plant and when to water, where to be and who to be with, working together with the servants of God to see Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my heart and my world, in our generation. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays



I pray you will be continue to learn and grow, knowing your identity and fulfilling your destiny as a beloved child of God and faithful servant of God, in Jesus' name. 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

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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Morning by Morning, June 15 - We Need More
 Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my thoughts and desires, of all I am and all I do.  ... "The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut" (Matthew 25:8-10). Thank You for the lamp of Your Word. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). Thank You for the oil of Your Spirit. "(We) have been anointed by the Holy One.... (And) the anointing that (we) received from (You) abides in (us)" (1 John 2:20-27). So in Christ, we each have the lamp of Your Word and the oil of Your Spirit. "(We) are not in the flesh; (we) are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in (us). Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him" (Romans 8:9). But at the same time, we need to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). There will be times in our lives when we need more of the oil of Your Spirit. There will be times when we're tempted to waiver and doubt, times when it's harder to hold on and press through, times when it seems like it's "midnight" all around us and our "Bridegroom (is) delayed" (Matthew 25:5-6). We need more -- more of You, more of Your Spirit, burning in us so we never face a day when "our lamps are going out" (Matthew 25:8). We need to be "wise" and we need to be "ready -- always ready for You and ready for whatever the midnight moments of our lives may hold (Matthew 25:10). Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me afresh every day. Less of me and more of You. Let the will and the ways of Christ in me increase, as my will and my ways decrease in trusting surrender to Your abiding Presence in my life (John 3:30). I want to be wise and I want to be ready. I want to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit" every day (Acts 1:5). And I look forward to the day when we will say, "Let us rejoice and (be glad), for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready!" (Revelation 19:7) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays



I pray you will be filled afresh with the oil of the Spirit, baptized in the Holy Spirit every day, as you keep entrusting and surrendering your heart and your life to the Holy One with His light of His Word as a lamp to your feet, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

     

Friends, Thank You so much! for keeping me in your prayers as I was teaching and ministering in Athens, Georgia near the campus of the University of Georgia at the 2016 Athens College of Ministry Transformed! conference and with my great friends at St. James United Methodist Church in Athens. It seemed like a non-stop flow of the Holy Spirit, starting early and finishing late every day until I returned yesterday, in a great adventure of faith. There many signs of God's power and love. I could never do this kind of ministry without all your prayers and encouragement! Thank you for being with me on the journey!


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

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

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