Thursday, December 31, 2020

Reflecting on 2020: "If It Had Not Been the Lord Who Was On Our Side...." - December 31, 2020

 Morning by Morning, December 31 - Reflecting on 2020: "If It Had Not Been the Lord Who Was On Our Side...."

 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. As we come to the close of this year, I thank You for drawing me closer to You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
 
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
    --let Israel now say--
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
    when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
    when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
    the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
    the raging waters.
 
Blessed be the Lord,
    who has not given us
    as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
    from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
    and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!" (Psalm 124:1-8)
 
As I reflect on this past year of 2020:
 
My struggles and failures do not define me.
Coronavirus certainly does not rule and reign over me.
Financial crisis, emotional turmoil, maddening questions
do not identify or overcome me.
Even the intensive spiritual war for the soul of my nation,
with all its challenges to faith and conviction of heart
has not overwhelmed me or silenced me.
 
But all that I been through, all that I've endured, along with all that I've seen and hoped and believed, has only served to draw me closer to You than I've ever been.
Despite all I've seen, I still believe --
 
I believe even more strongly, more intensely, more passionately, more hopefully that You are God and You are good and You are with us in the battles, moving in the Spirit, in ways we don't always see and working of Your ways we don't always know.
 
You are here. You are with us. You are within us.
"Christ in (us), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
It's Your glory arising and shining is us and our world (Isaiah 60:1-3), even in the midst of the darkness and struggles and all that's come against us and will keep coming until "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)
 
Yes, 2020 has been a hard year. But all throughout 2020, I've seen the hand of our mighty God! 
 
So I don't curse the struggles. Nor do I curse the days we've all struggled through. I thank You for redeeming the struggles. I thank You that You've not wasted a moment of our struggles, but continue to cause them all to work together for good, as Your Spirit is at work within every one of us who keep drawing near to You, who keeping growing in love with You, who keep persevering in faith with You, all according to Your purpose for our lives and our nation and our world in our generation (Romans 8:28).
 
And now, as I leave 2020 behind, I'm pressing forward with expectant faith to look and see all You're about to do in this new year ahead! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My friend, may you keep drawing closer to God than you've ever been, as He keeps redeeming all your struggles and fulfilling all His purposes in your life and nation and world, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. And I continue to join with you in prayer for our nation through these challenging times. God bless you, my friend! 



God bless You and Prepare You to Advance in His Power and His Favor into This New Year!

Friends, please consider our ministry in 
Your Year-End Giving! 

Praying you find our ministry to be good soil 
to sow your seed to advance the Kingdom of God 
in our world!


God bless you with His joy and peace!

Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257


Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:
 
Posted by at

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

"Lord at Thy Birth" and Still "Lord of All" - December 30, 2020

 Morning by Morning, December 30 - "Lord at Thy Birth" and Still "Lord of All"

 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. "Lord at Thy Birth" and still Lord of All -- Be Lord of my heart, my life, and every moment of my day. ...
 
"And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a Ruler
    who is to shepherd My people Israel" (Matthew 2:6).
 
We celebrate Your birth at Christmas, but do we yield to what You've birthed in us every day? We give and receive gifts at Christmas, but do we embrace the great Gift of Life You've given us and share that Gift of the Hope within us every day?
 
You were born to be our Ruler and Shepherd, to be Lord of All for all time. You were born to die and rise again, so that we could die to ourselves and be born again to live our lives for You -- "so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8)
 
Are we living for You? Do we worship with our hearts and our lives the One we've celebrated in our homes? Do we allow the One who was "Lord at Thy birth" to be Lord of our lives, of our choices, of our nation, of our world, to acknowledge Him as Lord of All?
 
Your Words come to mind as I ponder these questions in my heart this morning: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many deeds of power in Your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from Me, you evildoers'" (Matthew 7:21-23).
 
I want to be one who "knows" You, Lord Jesus. I want to be one who does the will of Your Father and mine, by Your Spirit who's been birthed in my heart. I want to be one who both celebrates You and serves You, who adores You and also lives for You. I want to be one believes You were born "Lord at Thy birth" and also embraces You as Lord of every area of my life -- on Christmas day and every day. 
 
The One who was born "Lord at Thy birth" is still Lord of All -- "He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15). And "(I) know (and seek to live) the Message He sent to the people of Israel (and all people of all time), preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of All!" (Acts 10:36) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My friend, may you know and worship and live your life for the One who was born Lord at His birth and who is still Lord of all, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. And I continue to join with you in prayer for our nation through these challenging times. God bless you, my friend! 



God bless You and Prepare You to Advance in His Power and His Favor into This New Year!

Friends, please consider our ministry in 
Your Year-End Giving! 

Praying you find our ministry to be good soil 
to sow your seed to advance the Kingdom of God 
in our world!

God bless you with His joy and peace!

Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:
 
Posted by at

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

The God of Wonders Who Makes a Way - December 29, 2020

Morning by Morning, December 29 - The God of Wonders Who Makes a Way

 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead my heart and my thoughts in Your will and Your ways this day -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
 
"I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;
    I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will meditate on all Your work,
    and muse on Your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
    You have displayed Your might among the peoples.
With Your strong arm You redeemed Your people,
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
 
When the waters saw You, O God,
    when the waters saw You, they were afraid;
    the very deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
    the skies thundered;
    Your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
    Your lightnings lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
    Your path, through the mighty waters;
    yet Your footprints were unseen.
You led Your people like a flock
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron" (Psalm 77:11-20).
 
When torrents of doubt seek to flood our minds, when winds of worry seek to topple our faith, Your Spirit stirs us to "call to mind the deeds of the Lord" and "remember Your wonders of old" (v. 11). We "meditate on all Your work" and "muse on Your mighty deeds" (v. 12). For You are the God of miracles! "You are the God who works wonders!" (v. 14)
 
You're the God who makes a way where there seems to be no way (v. 19). You're the God who has His say no matter what the world around us has to say. And in ways where "Your footprints" are "unseen," Your Spirit and Your Word, Your angelic hosts of heaven, are at work in ways not yet revealed and in ways yet to be unsealed (v. 19). Yes, You are at work! And Yes, You will make a way -- Your way "through the sea" and Your path "through the mighty waters!"
 
You will lead Your people like a flock (v. 20). And though You alone are the One leading, You will lead "by the hand of Moses and Aaron"  -- by those You've positioned in places of authority, places of courage, places of intercession, and places of spiritual leadership for just such a time as this, for a nation of Your people You will vindicate and redeem "with Your strong arm to "display Your might among the peoples" (v. 14).
 
God of miracles, God who works wonders, strengthen our faith and our resolve to keep looking to You, to keep trusting in You, with persevering prayer and expectant faith. Even now, this battle still belongs to the Lord! 
 
So let the waters be "afraid!" (v. 16) -- both the intimidating waters that rise up against Your will and Your word and the stagnant and swampy waters that would drag us down and hold us back from all You've created us to be. Let "the very deep tremble!" (v. 16) -- all that's hidden in deceit, entrenched in the deep, and lying in wait to ensnare and entrap the truth You'll reveal and expose for all to see! With thunder and lightning, with signs in the heavens and shakings in the earth, let all that cannot stand in Your Presence and Your Truth "tremble and shake!" (v. 18)
 
There's no surrender and no retreat for those who are called to pray and to fight, to persevere in the faith -- no matter what we face and no matter what they say. God of miracles, God who works wonders, we still believe! And we're still excited to look and see what only You can do! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My friend, may you persevere in the faith, no matter what we face and not matter what they say, trusting the God of wonders who makes a way where there seems to be no way -- all in His time and all for His glory, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. And I continue to join with you in prayer for our nation through these challenging times. God bless you, my friend! 



God bless You and Prepare You to Advance in His Power and His Favor into This New Year!

Friends, please consider our ministry in 
Your Year-End Giving! 

Praying you find our ministry to be good soil 
to sow your seed to advance the Kingdom of God 
in our world!

God bless you with His joy and peace!

Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:
 
Posted by at

Friday, December 25, 2020

"Call His Name Jesus" -- We're Saved and Surrendered for Him - December 25, 2020

 Morning by Morning, December 25 - "Call His Name Jesus" -- We're Saved and Surrendered for Him

 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. On this day when all the world celebrates Your birth, I welcome You into my heart, into every day of my year, and into every moment of my life. ...
 
"She shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
 
Son of God, Salvation of All, You've saved me from my sins. And You've saved me for a life wholly surrendered to You. 
 
As we remember and celebrate Your birth, may we surrender and embrace the life You've entrusted to every one of us who are called by Your name and seek to follow in Your ways. 
 
You're the greatest Gift we could ever receive. May our surrendered lives now be the greatest gifts we could ever give in return to You. O come, let us adore You. O come, let us live for You. Christ, our Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My friend, may you remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior called Jesus, for we are saved and surrendered for Him, in Jesus name. May your heart be filled with His joy and peace. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 



God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Friends, please consider our ministry in 
Your Year-End Giving! 

Praying you find our ministry to be good soil 
to sow your seed to advance the Kingdom of God 
in our world!

God bless you with His joy and peace!

Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:
 

Posted by at

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

A Sign of the Times -December 23, 2020

 Morning by Morning, December 23 - A Sign of the Times

 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day with You in my heart -- embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...
 
"This will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12)
 
There are many signs of our times. Signs in the heavens and signs on the earth. Some good and some not so good. But even among the signs of darkness and gloom, You're always our Sign of Light and Hope.
 
You came as a Babe, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And You still come as our Savior and the Light of the World -- wrapped in the hands and feet, in the words and prayers, in the love and joy of those who are called by Your name and seeking to live in Your ways, with Your Spirit and Abiding Presence resting in the manger of our hearts. "Christ in (us), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
Lord Jesus, let us be signs of hope, filled with Your Life and Your Light in our world. As You are, so are we to be in our world (1 John 4:17). We're to walk in Your ways and display Your love and reveal Your hope (1 Peter 2:21).
 
In this mystery of the union of Your heart with Your people, in this this mystery of the fellowship of Your Holy Spirit abiding within our human spirits, the One who came stills comes. With our eyes on You and with You in our hearts, let us be an expression of Your Light and Hope as a sign of our times. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with (us) all" (2 Corinthians 13:14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My friend, may you be filled with the Holy Spirit and overflowing with the love and grace of God in your world as sign of Christ in our world, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. And I keep joining with you and so many in prayer, standing firm in faith for our nation and our world through this challenging time. God bless you, my friend! 

   

My Friend, please consider our ministry in 
Your Year-End Giving! 

Praying you find our ministry to be good soil 
to sow your seed to advance the Kingdom of God 
in our world!


God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:
 

Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)