Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Morning by Morning, November 7 - "Citizens of Heaven"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- align my spirit, soul, and body with You and Your will and Your ways for my life today (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).  ...
 
"We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord" (Philippians 3:20-4:1 NLT).
 
When You walked this earth in Your mortal body, You paid taxes and so do we (Matthew 17:24-27). Your Word says to pray for those in authority in our government, and so we do (1 Timothy 2:20). We are citizens of our country, but we are also citizens of heaven. We live in the world, but we are not of the world (John 17:14). You sent us into the world, but we don't belong to the world (John 17:16-18). And we thank You that You have already "overcome the world" (John 16:33 NKJV).
 
Through our faith in You, with our eyes on You, we overcome the world too. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world -- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5 NKJV). So no matter who wins or loses the election, no matter what positions our politicians proclaim, the Kingdom of God prevails and our citizenship of heaven trumps our citizenship on earth. It's from there we pray and proclaim the victory of the One who has overcome -- the One "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty! (Revelation 1:8 NKJV) To borrow from and paraphrase the words of an old country song, "It don't matter who's in Austin, Jesus is still the King!"
 
So as we engage our world, let us pray and proclaim, with our voices and our votes; let us be Your salt and light -- "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world," that "they may see (our) good works and glorify (our) Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV). As citizens of heaven, You've already "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:16 NKJV). 
 
From our position in Christ and our citizenship in heaven, let us make a difference through the principles of our lives and the power of Your Spirit here on earth, here in our world "in which (we) shine like stars in the world" (Philippians 2:15). That's how Your kingdom comes and Your will is done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). And at the same time, we long for the day of Your return and the fulfillment of Your Word that "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15 NKJV)  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays




My friend, I pray you shine like a star in your world, like the salt and light of Christ in you, secure in your citizenship in heaven to make a difference on earth, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

Friends, please come join us for the First Wednesday Service of Prayer and Healing at Oak Hills Church tonight, Crownridge Campus, where I'm excited to join in sharing a message of hope and healing. All are welcome! In the South Room at 7pm.


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, November 05, 2018

Morning by Morning, November 5 - "No Longer I Who Live"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Abide in me, as I abide in You; come into my heart, as I give my heart to You; be Lord of my life, as I acknowledge You as Lord of all.  ...
 
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:19-21).
 
Live in me today, Lord Jesus. Keep forming me into Your image; keep conforming me into Your character; keep transforming me into Your nature. 
 
By Your Spirit at work within me in the mind and will and emotions of my soul, You're changing me from the inside out to have "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16), to "bear the name of Christ" (Mark 9:41), to be filled with "the Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9), "sharing in the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16), "sharing in the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:16), releasing the "aroma of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15), urged on by "the love of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:14), steadfast in "the truth of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:10), living each day in "the grace of Christ" (Galatians 1:6), sharing "the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27), joining my fellow workers and servants as "partners of Christ" (Hebrews 3:14), seeking to be "a faithful minister of Christ" (Colossians 1:7), letting the "peace of Christ" dwell in my heart (Colossians 3:15) and the "word of Christ" dwell in my spirit (Colossians 3:16), empowering me to be "crucified with Christ" so I can live my "life in Christ" more and more each day (1 Corinthians 1:30). As You are, so I am to be in my world (1 John 4:17).
 
I was created for this and called to this -- to be "conformed to the image of (Jesus Christ)" (Romans 8:29). Everything I do, everything I encounter, everything I overcome, and everything I become is for this purpose -- for You to make me more like You each day. Every choice and challenge throughout every moment of my day is an opportunity for me to grow "to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" as I "grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-16). I can't do this, but "the One who calls (me) is faithful, and He will do this" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays




My friend, I pray you growing up into Christ, into the full measure of the stature of Christ, more and more every day, so that it is no longer you who live but Christ who lives in you, 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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Friday, November 02, 2018

Morning by Morning, November 2 - "The Eyes of the Lord"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I'm listening for Your leading, as I seek to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit.  ...
 
"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the entire earth, to strengthen those whose heart is true to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).
 
Lord, let my heart be true to You. Empower me to "do what is right in the sight of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 13:18). By Your Spirit alive and at work within me, You are "working in (me), giving (me) the desire and the power to do what pleases (You)" (Philippians 2:13).
 
So shape my desires and guide my thoughts to be faithful and true to You. Convict me when I stray and redirect me when I misstep. Strengthen me when I stumble and awaken me when I slumber. Keep my feet and my faith on the path that leads to the fullness of life in You. "(My) steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in (my) way; though (I) stumble, (I) shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds (me) by His hand" (Psalm 37:23).
 
I don't need to fear "the eyes of the Lord" that watch over me. And I don't need to worry that You don't see me when I need You or hear me when I cry. "Truly they eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love" (Psalm 33:18). "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer" (1 Peter 3:12). Because I've welcomed the Righteous One into my heart and entrusted my life to the One who is my life, You've made me righteous in Your sight to set my heart right with Yours -- not by anything I've done, but by all You've done for me.
 
With "the eyes of the Lord" upon me, You see me and everything about me. Yet, You love me and pour out Your grace to me. Help me see myself more like You see me, through "the eyes of the Lord," through the eyes of Your steadfast love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
 
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays




My friend, I pray you see yourself through "the eyes of the Lord," through the eyes of His steadfast love for you -- knowing He sees you and understands you, hearing you and helping you, as He orders your steps and guides your heart, 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, November 01, 2018

Morning by Morning, November 1 - The Place Prepared for Me in the Mansion of Heaven and the Mansion of My Heart
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am Yours and You are mine (Song of Solomon 6:3).  ...
 
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1-3 NKJV).
 
You've prepared a place for me, and I've prepared a place for You -- just like You invite me to abide You as I welcome You to abide in me. There's a mansion for me in Heaven when I die, but You want me to make much room for You right here in the mansion of my heart now (John 15:4).
 
When You're abiding in me in the mansion of my heart, I'm already abiding in You in my mansion in Heaven. I don't even have to wait 'til I die before I go to Heaven. In that heavenly dimension of the spiritual realm, I'm already home. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has (already) blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3). Already, "God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us ... made us alive together with Christ ... and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-6). Where You are, that's where I am also; I am in Christ, and Christ is in me (Colossians 1:27).
 
Lord Jesus, come into my heart now and throughout every moment of my day, just as You promised to "come again and receive (me) to (Yourself)" (John 14:3). Come, Holy Spirit. Take me to Heaven in my heart. And let Heaven come fill my heart, right here on earth, right here in me, right here in this moment. My Father God -- "Abba! Father!" -- "hallowed by Your name! Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven!" (Romans 8:15; Matthew 6:9) Your kingdom is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). And "in Your Presence there is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:11) Fill me now with the joy of Your Presence, as all the joy of Heaven fills my heart! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray you are filled with the joy of the Presence of the Lord, as you abide in Him and He abides in you, in your heavenly mansion and in the mansion of your heart, 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, October 31, 2018

Morning by Morning, October 31 - The Festival of the Great Harvest
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Make me more like You today.  ...
 
"You shall observe the festival of harvest, of the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall observe the festival of ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor" (Exodus 23:16).
 
When some people see pumpkins, they think of jack-o'-lanterns and Halloween. But with the eyes of Heaven, I think of Jesus and the great harvest. Prophetic voices say the spring and fall feasts of Israel are ultimately fulfilled in the first and second coming of Christ; and that the festival of harvest -- the festival of ingathering -- speaks of the great harvest and final ingathering of souls for the Kingdom of God just before the return of Christ. As You explained Your parable of the wheat and the weeds growing up together, You said, "The One who sows seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world" and "the harvest is the end of the age" (Matthew 13:36-43).
 
In great anticipation of the harvest of souls in every age and in the great harvest of souls at the end of the age, You commanded us to pray and invited us to be the answer to that prayer. You said, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:35-38).
 
So tonight while some are lighting their candles to shine through the faces of their pumpkins, I pray You'd light a fire in our hearts to shine through the faces of Your children. "For it is 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) Come, Holy Spirit. Stir in our hearts, shine through our faces, and send us into Your harvest, that we can celebrate through all eternity the great ingathering of souls to Your Kingdom! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My friend, I pray you shine with the light of Christ on your face from His Spirit in your heart to be part of the great harvest of the Kingdom of God in our age, 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, October 30, 2018

Morning by Morning, October 30 - Overcoming Evil with Good
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God -- help me start this day and live out each moment centered and grounded in You.  ...
 
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
 
Evil actions of hatred and violence, along with simmering cauldrons of chaos seem to be invading and infusing the soul of our nation. Even in our personal relationships and everyday encounters, patience runs thin, nerves are frayed, and tempers flare. A thin veneer of pretended politeness often covers seething emotions ready to erupt with even the slightest expression of a differing of opinion. Lord, help us. We need You now as much as ever, maybe even more than ever.
 
It is as You said it would be in these days, ever-nearing Your return, since You first spoke the words to warn us (Matthew 24:2-14). It is as Your Word prophesied long ago, that "darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples" (Isaiah 60:2). Yes, "the days are evil" because of the evil choices made by those willing to embrace the darkness rather than the light (Ephesians 5:16). But even in the midst of the evil, Your Word tells us to welcome Your Spirit, to worship through the wickedness, with gratitude for Your goodness, "giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:18-20). 
 
This is how we "overcome evil with good." This is how we "shine like stars in the world" even "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" (Philippians 2:15). This is how we "Arise, shine; for (our) light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon (us)" even when "darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples" so that "nations will come to (our) light, and kings to the brightness of (our) dawn" (Isaiah 60:1:3). This is how we can embrace and live out the promise of Your Word even in the midst of our dark and angry world:  "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows" (John 16:33a NLT). But with our faith in You and Your nature being formed in us, we can "take heart, because (You) have overcome the world" (John 16:33b NLT). "For every child of God defeats this world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:4-5 NLT)
 
Come, Holy Spirit. Empower us with nature of Christ in our hearts to shine with the light of Christ in our world. Give us courage to speak the truth and to speak it in love -- neither truth without love, nor love without truth. "We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ" and by the power of the grace of God at work within us, "(we will) let the Spirit renew (our) thoughts and attitudes" seeking to "put on (our) new nature, created to be like God -- truly righteous and holy" in the midst of our world in these dark and evil days (Ephesians 4:15-24 NLT).
 
Only in Christ, can we pray for those who persecute us, bless those who curse us, and even love those who hate -- loving our enemies, overcoming evil with good, calming the chaos with peace, while standing firm in our convictions and true to our consciences -- just like You (Matthew 5:43-48). We are in Christ and Christ in us (Colossians 1:27). So Christ is in our world because the "Spirit of Christ" is in us -- having already overcome this world and, at the same time, still overcoming this world through our attitudes and our actions every day (Romans 8:9).
 
"Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.... In Christ, we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in His presence" (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). In our world, "we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Lord, let it be so in our hearts and through our lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
 

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




My friend, I pray you shine with the light of Christ in you everywhere you go, overcoming evil with good, praying for those who persecute you, blessing those who curse you, loving those who hate you; and I join with you in pray for our nations, 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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Friday, October 26, 2018

Morning by Morning, October 26 - Wisdom and Understanding from Holy Angels and the Holy Spirit
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Here in Your presence -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God -- I want to hear Your voice and sense Your leading from the intimate place of communion in prayer.  ...
 
"While I was speaking, and was praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God on behalf of the holy mountain of my God -- while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen before in a vision, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He came and said to me, 'Daniel, I have now come out to give you wisdom and understanding. At the beginning of your supplications a word went out, and I have come to declare it, for you are greatly beloved. So consider the word and understand the vision" (Daniel 9:20-23).
 
Lord, You draw us near in prayer, as a beloved children of God. You forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from my unrighteousness, that there would nothing separating us from You (1 John 1:9). You send Your Spirit, You send Your angels, You send Your word with wisdom and understanding to consider Your word and understand Your vision. You're a God who's intimately involved in our lives -- speaking to us and leading us into the fulfill of Your purposes though our lives (John 10:3).
 
In the days of Daniel, Your Spirit came upon Your people at particular times, in particular ways, for particular purposes. But in Christ, we encounter You and embrace You through an even "better covenant" (Hebrews 7:22). In our days, You still send Your angels with Your word to give us wisdom and understanding to see Your vision and follow Your leading (Acts 5:19-20; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7; 27:23-24). "Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14) 
 
But at the same time, You have now poured out Your Spirit on all flesh to hear Your voice and see Your vision with the wisdom and understanding You impart to our hearts (Acts 2:16-18). Your very Spirit fills us and abides within us (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:19). From within us, You shape our thoughts and guide our steps, giving us the desire and the power to hear You, to trust You, and to obey You (Philippians 2:13). You give us the wisdom and understanding "from above" because the Spirit of the One who is all true Wisdom and Understanding, the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, lives in us (James 3:17; Romans 8:9).
 
So I pray for Your wisdom and understanding. I pray for Your vision of all I need to see and to know, and the patience and faith to rest in You from all I have no need to see and to know at this time. I pray for the divine service of Your holy angels who come in "swift flight" at Your command -- the "mighty ones who do His bidding, obedient to the His spoken word" (Daniel 9:21; Psalm 103:20). I pray for Your abiding presence, here in my heart, as You abide in me and I abide in You (John 15:4). And I pray for an ever-increasing filling of Your Holy Spirit -- Spirit to spirit, Deep to deep -- in the communion of prayer and intimacy with You, where You invite me to "pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 5:18 and 6:18). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My friend, I pray you are filled with the Holy Spirit and receive the ministry of the Lord's holy angels to know the wisdom and understanding of God for your life each 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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Thursday, October 25, 2018

Morning by Morning, October 25 - Pregnant with the Promises of God
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart and make me more like You today.  ...
 
"Shall I open the womb and not deliver? says the Lord; shall I, the One who delivers, shut the womb? says your God" (Isaiah 66:9).
 
In faith, we are pregnant with the promises of God. Your words go forth; they do not return void; they accomplish all to which You have purposed them (Isaiah 55:11). "I the Lord will speak the word that I speak, and it will be fulfilled. It will no longer be delayed.... None of My words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be fulfilled, says the Lord God" (Ezekiel 12:25-28).
 
By Your Spirit and by Your Word, fulfill Your promises in me. And by the power of Your grace, may I fulfill my purposes in You (Ephesians 2:10). Find me to be faithful; empower me to be persistent. Apart from You I can do nothing; but through Christ I can do all things in accordance with Your will through my life, for with God, all things are possible (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13; Mark 10:27).
 
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we are saved" (Romans 8:22-24). 
 
We are groaning in labor. We are pregnant with the promises of God. We are ready to give birth to all You desire to bring forth in us and through our generation. O Lord, You will not delay. You will not relent. You will not hold back. We travail and pray, we praise and proclaim, calling forth the promises of God in our lives and in our day "in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in (us)" that we may at last be secure and confident in our identity to fulfill our destiny in You (Galatians 4:19). 
 
Like the woman in Revelation who "was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth" even in the face of all the forces of evil seeking to devour and destroy all that You would birth through her, may we have courage to press through the pain and take hold of Your promises (Revelation 12:2). May we have faith in the promises of Your Word and the power of Your Spirit to open our womb and bring to pass all the promises of God You are birthing in us. 
 
Both personally for each of us individually and together as the people of God in the unfolding of Your plan and purpose for our times, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth, right here in us, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). In the passionate prayer of Daniel for the fulfillment of Your Word by Your Spirit in his day, "O Lord, listen and act and do not delay!" (Daniel 9:19) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My friend, I pray you would press in and and pray through until every promise of God for your life is birthed through you and breathing life in Him, 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

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
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