“Come. Follow Me.” - March 16, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 16 - “Come. Follow Me.” Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice, for Your sheep hear Your voice and Your disciples follow Your leading. ... As I wait and watch with the eyes of my heart and the ears of my spirit, I sense You saying, “Come. Follow Me.” ... Yes, Lord. This Word comes to mind: “Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me” (Mark 10:21). To come and follow You means to quit following the lesser things that take up our time and our treasure. To come and follow You means there’s a shifting in our priorities and a renewed focus of our perspectives. There’s a realignment of our realities and a redistribution of our resources. And at the heart of it is all is a change in our heart to direct our first love to the One who first loved us. I’ve heard Your “Come. Follow Me.” before. I was a trial lawyer and You called me to a full time focus of ministry. I was in Texas and You called me prepare for ministry in Kentucky. I was in ministry in Kentucky and You called me to come back home to Texas. And so many other places in my heart, in my thinking, in my understanding of who I am in light of Who You are, where You’ve continued to call me every step of the way, “Come. Follow Me.” I’ve not always heard You clearly, but I can say I’ve always loved You dearly. And I thank Your loving me so dearly to keep forgiving me, teaching me, and leading me on this adventure of a lifetime. So, Here I am, Lord. Ready to come and follow You, wherever You lead. Everything’s always an adventure of faith with You!  A friend was telling me just the other day that Your word is a lamp to our feet and not a spotlight. Most of the time, it’s just enough light of revelation to see the next step, not the whole journey or even much of the path just up ahead. Maybe we’d find it harder to go if we really knew what all is set before us. Maybe that’s why we walk by faith and not by sight on this journey with You. But I’ve learned this much along the way and every day of trying my best by the power of Your grace to “Come. Follow You.” It’s way better to trust in Your wisdom than my wisdom, Your ways than my ways, Your plans than my plans. For Your ways are higher than my ways and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). For Your plans for me always good and full hope for my future (Jeremiah 29:11). And it’s way better to trust in the One who sees the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end, instead of trying to trust in the self-centered, self-limiting, and so often self-defeating plans of one who can only see in a mirror dimly on this side of eternity (Isaiah 46:10; 1 Corinthians 13:12). A fool trusts in his own way, but a wise person gets off his rear and gets his gear to get up and go without looking back when he hears the Master say, “Come. Follow Me.” Maybe that’s not quite a Proverb, but it sure is the truth. So I can tell You’re up to something. Some say another one of Your names is “Jehova Sneaky.” But I’ve read Your Book and taken a look at Your sneak previews of things to come, so I say, “I’m all in. I’m all Yours. Where else would I go? I have decided to follow You. No turning back. I’m answering Your call, whatever it is, to Come. Follow You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.  Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you hear and answer the call of Jesus however He is speaking to your heart, "Come. Follow Me." in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

Join us and Pray for us! Some of Our Upcoming Events: Starting Tonight, March 16th Tuesday Night Series teaching Life Transformation Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas beginning Tuesday Night, March 16th at 6:30 (This week, not nexts week, as I said by mistake earlier). Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus! March 19-20th  Speaking at Voice of Joy Ministries' 2021 Spring Conference hosted at Cornerstone Church, Danville, Kentucky.  Contact Pastor Amy Barkman: amyb_love@att.net March 21st  Preaching Sunday morning at All Nations UMC Church,  Nicholasville, Kentucky. Contact Pastor Hunn Choi: moc.nsm@iocnnuh March 23rd Speaking for Pakistan Pastors and Leaders Conference through our Skype Internet Ministry. March 23rd Teaching by Zoom on Inner Healing & Deliverance Ministry for leaders of MorningStar Ministries Connect Groups. Eight week series.  March 25th Continue Teaching Healing Prayer Ministry by Zoom for Coker United Methodist Church San Antonio, Texas prayer team. Eight week course. March 26-27th Mens' Retreat at Cowhead Creek Ranch, Kerrville, Texas April 18th Preaching the Sunday Services at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas May 14-16th Keynote Speaker at 2021 Spring Conference of Central Texas Area Aglow in Kerrville, Texas featuring international worship leader Terry MacAlmon in an outdoor worship evening Friday Night at the Empty Cross at Kerrville Coming King Prayer Garden. Contact Christina Roberts at christinaroberts@att.net Register Online for RiseUpAglow2021

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries "Preparing the Way of the Lord"

Free to Be Like Jesus —Transforming Power of Inner Healing & Deliverance Amazon/TommyHays/ FreeToBeLikeJesus Morning by Morning, 365 Day Prayer Devotional for Deeper Intimacy with God Amazon/TommyHays/ MorningByMorning

“Living Menorahs” Worshipping God - March 15, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 15 - “Living Menorahs” Worshipping God Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my face and open up my heart to seek You and embrace You to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ... “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, ‘Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. Then I turned to see Whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw One like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across His chest. His head and His hair were white as white wool, white as snow; His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining with full force” (Revelation 1:10-16). We were worshipping together at a home group gathering at a friend’s house last night, where the only agenda was to have no agenda but to watch and wait for the leading of the Lord. We wound up in a circle around the living room, with faces and hands lifted up as we sang and prayed and embraced the deep presence of Your Spirit. And a vision came to my heart with this Word from the Book of Revelation. In the vision in my heart, we were the “lampstands.” With our faces and arms and palms of our hands lifted up in worship, we were like living menorahs -- the lampstand of gold in the inner court of the tabernacle with seven lamps burning with fire from the oil. Our faces were the center lamp and our arms were the branches, lifted up and burning with a fiery passion for You from the Oil of the Holy Spirit rising up within us.  And You were standing in the midst of us. ... What a picture of Your Presence. Just as You said: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, I AM there among them” (Matthew 18:20). “Abide in Me as I abide in you.... I AM the Vine, you are the branches” (John 15:4). At a time when some bubbled up with expressions of joy, this Word of confirmation from Your Scripture came to mind: “Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body rests secure.... You show me the path of life. In Your Presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:9-11). Thank You for the intimacy and the joy of Your Presence, as welcome we You into our homes and our hearts. Thank You for standing in the midst of us, speaking to us like the sound of many waters in all the different ways You communicate Your abiding Presence with us.  As Your Word encourages us to pursue Your Presence: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His Presence continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). “You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness -- (for the One Who is our righteousness) -- for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). And Your never-changing reply from Your steadfast love, “I AM with you always” (Matthew 28:20). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you filled with the Oil of the Holy Spirit, burning brightly with a fiery passion for Jesus, as you worship the Living God in spirit and truth, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

Join us and Pray for us! Some of Our Upcoming Events: Starting This Tuesday Night, March 16th Tuesday Night Series teaching Life Transformation Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas beginning Tuesday Night, March 16th at 6:30 (This week, not nexts week, as I said by mistake earlier). Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus! March 19-20th  Speaking at Voice of Joy Ministries' 2021 Spring Conference hosted at Cornerstone Church, Danville, Kentucky.  Contact Pastor Amy Barkman: amyb_love@att.net March 21st  Preaching Sunday morning at All Nations UMC Church,  Nicholasville, Kentucky. Contact Pastor Hunn Choi: moc.nsm@iocnnuh March 23rd Speaking for Pakistan Pastors and Leaders Conference through our Skype Internet Ministry. March 23rd Teaching by Zoom on Deliverance Ministry for leaders of MorningStar Ministries Connect Groups. Eight week series.  March 25th Continue Teaching Healing Prayer Ministry by Zoom for Coker United Methodist Church San Antonio, Texas prayer team. Eight week course. March 26-27th Mens' Retreat at Cowhead Creek Ranch April 18th Preaching the Sunday Services at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas May 14-16th Keynote Speaker at 2021 Spring Conference of Central Texas Area Aglow in Kerrville, Texas featuring international worship leader Terry MacAlmon in an outdoor worship evening Friday Night at the Empty Cross at Kerrville Coming King Prayer Garden. Contact Christina Roberts at christinaroberts@att.net Register Online for RiseUpAglow2021

“Christ’s Ambassadors” in Our World - March 12, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 12 - “Christ’s Ambassadors” in Our World Good morning, Lord Jesus. I am in Christ and Christ is in me; I abide in You and You abide in me. So give me Your words to say and Your prayers to pray, as I begin my day seeking to follow You and be one with You. For “whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 4:20). Father God, by the power of Your grace and the mystery of faith, we are “Christ’s ambassadors” on this earth. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12). We are “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). We have “the Spirit of Christ” for “indeed the Spirit of God lives in (us)” (Romans 8:9). “Christ in (us), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). So fill me with that confidence and security of my identity in You today. Empower me to fulfill my destiny in You today. As Your Word inspires us and empowers us: “Each of (us) should use whatever gift (we) have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11). So it’s not prideful or arrogant or blasphemous to see ourselves as Your ambassadors in our world. It’s obedience and faithfulness. You’ve created us and called us and sent us forth into our world for this very purpose -- for You to display Your glory through our lives. In our obedience and faithfulness -- secure in our identity to fulfill our destiny -- You will be praised and receive all glory and power forever and ever! As Teresa of Avila said long ago: “Christ has no body now but (ours). No hands, no feet on earth but (ours). (Ours) are the eyes through which He looks with compassion on this world. (Ours) are the feet with which He walks to do good. (Ours) are the hands through which He blesses all the world. (Ours) are the hands, (ours) are the feet, (ours) are the eyes, (we) are His body. Christ has no body now on earth but (ours).” “Here I am, Lord. Send me!” as I do my part as part of Your body on this earth and in my world (Isaiah 6:8) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may our Father send His Holy Spirit to prepare the way of the Lord in your heart for the coming of our King Jesus today and every day, in you and through you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

Join us and Pray for us! Some of Our Upcoming Events: March 18th and Weekly on Thursdays - San Antonio, Texas Teaching Healing Prayer Ministry for Coker UMC Prayer Team March 19-20th - Danville, Kentucky Speaking at Voice of Joy Ministries' 2021 Spring Conference hosted at Cornerstone Church, Danville, Kentucky.  Contact Pastor Amy Barkman: amyb_love@att.net March 21st - Nicholasville, Kentucky Preaching Sunday morning at All Nations UMC Church,  Nicholasville, Kentucky. Contact Pastor Hunn Choi: moc.nsm@iocnnuh Starting March 23rd - Fredericksburg, Texas Tuesday Night Series teaching Life Transformation Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas beginning Tuesday Night, March 23th at 6:30.  Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus! March 26-27th - Kerrville, Texas Mens' Retreat at Cowhead Creek Ranch May 14-16th - Kerrville, Texas Keynote Speaker at 2021 Spring Conference of Central Texas Area Aglow in Kerrville, Texas featuring international worship leader Terry MacAlmon in an outdoor worship evening Friday Night at the Empty Cross at Kerrville Coming King Prayer Garden. Contact Christina Roberts at christinaroberts@att.net Register Online for RiseUpAglow2021

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries "Preparing the Way of the Lord"

Free to Be Like Jesus —Transforming Power of Inner Healing & Deliverance Amazon/TommyHays/ FreeToBeLikeJesus Morning by Morning, 365 Day Prayer Devotional for Deeper Intimacy with God Amazon/TommyHays/ MorningByMorning

Saved in Christ and “Raised with Christ” - March 11, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 11 - Saved in Christ and “Raised with Christ” Good morning, Lord Jesus. You’re my Vine and I’m one of Your branches. I abide in You and You abide in me as I embrace Your Spirit in every level and depth of my being to begin my day centered in You. ... “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). I was dead in my sins, but now I’m forgiven and free to be fully alive in Your grace. I was lost but now I’m found. I was on my own -- having to depend upon my own will power, my own wisdom, trying make my own way in my journey through this world -- but now I’m never alone and never left to depend on myself alone, because You’re always with me and even abiding within me by Your Spirit. “Christ in (me), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). You’ve saved me and raised me up with You. You’ve set my mind free, set my heart free, set my life free to be “hidden with Christ in God” so that Christ is my life and my life is Christ’s. So keep lifting my eyes up to “seek the things that are above” so I can keep setting my mind on the things that are above -- above my sins, above my past, above all my failures and regrets, and all that would pull me down and keep my heart and spirit from soaring with You in the heavenly place of Your embrace. That’s where I was created to live. That’s who I was created to be. As the old worship song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” ... As I begin my day -- embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit -- I’m turning my eyes upon You, I’m opening my heart wide to You, and I’m taking hold of the truth that I’m raised up with You so that “Christ who is (my) life” will be “revealed” through my life today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be raised in Christ, secure and fulfilled in the truth you are saved by Christ and Christ abides in by His Spirit you, the hope of His glory display through you and your life in Him, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

Join us and Pray for us! Some of Our Upcoming Events: March 19-20th  Speaking at Voice of Joy Ministries' 2021 Spring Conference hosted at Cornerstone Church, Danville, Kentucky.  Contact Pastor Amy Barkman: amyb_love@att.net March 21st  Preaching Sunday morning at All Nations UMC Church,  Nicholasville, Kentucky. Contact Pastor Hunn Choi: moc.nsm@iocnnuh Starting March 23rd  Tuesday Night Series teaching Life Transformation Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas beginning Tuesday Night, March 23th at 6:30.  Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus! March 26-27th Mens' Retreat at Cowhead Creek Ranch May 14-16th Keynote Speaker at 2021 Spring Conference of Central Texas Area Aglow in Kerrville, Texas featuring international worship leader Terry MacAlmon in an outdoor worship evening Friday Night at the Empty Cross at Kerrville Coming King Prayer Garden. Contact Christina Roberts at christinaroberts@att.net Register Online for RiseUpAglow2021

Prepare the Way of the Lord!” - March 10, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 10 - “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin this day and every day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ... “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken’” (Isaiah 40:3-5 NKJV). I hear in my heart this morning, “Prepare the way of the Lord! Prepare the way of the Lord!” ... Yes, Lord. That’s been the heart of my calling and focus of ministry for nearly twenty-five years -- to “Prepare the way of the Lord” in the hearts of Your people, to prepare the body and bride Christ for the coming of our King, not just on the earth at the second coming of Christ, but also in our hearts every day between now and then through prayer and inner healing and spiritual freedom, ministering the healing love of God in the powerful name of Jesus, at home and abroad. It’s been my yearning desire to see the nature of Christ formed in me and in Your people, growing up to maturity, set free from all that would hold us back from being all You created us to be (Galatians 4:19). What are You speaking to me this morning in this cry I hear in my heart? ... I believe I hear You saying: “This is a new season of preparation. A season of deeper preparation. More thorough preparation. My people are more desperate for change, more desperate for hope, more desperate to pursue Me and My Spirit in their hearts that I may make a difference in their lives and in their world. But there are high places in their hearts that must be brought low. There are low places in their spirits that must be lifted up. There are crooked places in their paths and in their ways that must be made straight. And only I can do that. They must turn to Me and yield to Me and allow Me to uproot and remove everything in them that is not yet like Me, that I can fill them afresh with My Spirit and display My glory through their lives. I am releasing this fresh anointing of My Presence and My power to “Prepare the way of the Lord” in this new season of preparation.” ... Yes, Lord. Let it be so in me. As You do this in me -- more deeply than ever before -- do this through this ministry You’ve entrusted to me more powerfully than ever before. “Prepare the way of the Lord” in me and through me, by Your Spirit.  Bring down the high places of pride that would rise up in resistance and rebellion to Your authority in our lives. Lift up the law places of depression, discouragement, hopelessness, confusion, and despair. Make the crooked places straight in our hearts, our thoughts, our desires, and our actions so we can walk in righteousness and holiness of heart and life in You by the power of Your Holy Spirit at work within us (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). “Christ in (us), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Father, set us free from all that would hold us back from being all You created us to be. Set us free from our sins and sorrows, our wounds and regrets, our strongholds and chains, our lies and false beliefs, and all that’s less that who You say we are and all You’ve created us to be by the power of Your grace. Set us free to be like Jesus in our world, with His character in our hearts and His power in our words and prayers in the authority of His name! Yes, Lord -- Free to be like Jesus! “Because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17) Father, You’ve sent Your Holy Spirit to prepare a holy bride for the coming of the King of Glory, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Prepare the way of the Lord! Prepare the way of the Lord in me, in us, in our world! “The Spirit and the bride say ‘Come!’” (Revelation 22:17) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may our Father send His Holy Spirit to prepare the way of the Lord in your heart for the coming of our King Jesus today and every day, in you and through you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries "Preparing the Way of the Lord"

Free to Be Like Jesus —Transforming Power of Inner Healing & Deliverance Amazon/TommyHays/ FreeToBeLikeJesus Morning by Morning, 365 Day Prayer Devotional for Deeper Intimacy with God Amazon/TommyHays/ MorningByMorning

Unrelenting and Unashamed - March 9, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 9 - Unrelenting and Unashamed Good morning, Lord Jesus. I surrender to Your Lordship in every area of my life. ... “Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the Gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. For this Gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the One in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to Him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the Good Treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us” (2 Timothy 1:8-12). Paul suffered persecution and imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel. But his message to those he was discipling -- like Timothy, his spiritual son, and the generations being raised up to herald that same gospel of hope and truth -- was not to back off or lay low or just go with the flow. His word of wisdom was not to be careful not to offend anyone with the truth or hurt anybody’s feelings by holding fast to the authority of the Word of God. His counsel was not to find ways to compromise with the culture or appease their demands or bow down to their gods or worship the ways of the world as the way to win some to the Gospel. No. Paul’s message to those he was mentoring in the faith was “Do not be ashamed” (v. 8); “Join with me in suffering for the Gospel” (v. 8); “Hold (fast) to the standard of sound teaching” (v. 13); and “Guard the Good Treasure entrusted to you” (v. 14). His message was to stand firm in the faith. No surrender. No retreat. It was in this context that Paul spoke those famous words to Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (v. 7). “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice” (v. 7 NRSV). Forgive us for our cowardice. Forgive us for our compromise. Forgive us for apologizing to the culture for standing firm when we should be repenting for bowing down to any god but You. You have “saved us and called us with a holy calling” (v. 9). Remind us every day. Empower us every day. By the power of Your grace at work within us, may we “Guard the Good Treasure entrusted to (us), with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us” (v. 14).  Now is the time to stand firm. Now is the time to hold fast. Now is the time to show the world we’re not going anywhere. We will not be silenced. We will not surrender. But we will declare the goodness of God as Savior of all. “For this gospel (we) were appointed,” even if we suffer the persecution of the culture (v. 11). Unrelenting and unashamed, we will never stop honoring and exalting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Good Treasure of His Word of Spirit, Life, and Truth to a world literally dying to hear Your Good News of this Gospel. 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, never silenced and never cancelled, boldly proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God despite any persecution we endure through these days, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

Persecution Only Results in Greater Power! - March 8, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 8 - Persecution Only Results in Greater Power! Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be welcome here and at home, here in my heart and every moment of my day -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... “That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:1-8). The church of Jesus -- the body and the bride of the Lord Jesus Christ -- has thrived under persecution from the very beginning. Despite the persecution, You always rise up and flow out of Your people with Your power. Stephen was a martyr of the faith, full of the Holy Spirit, whose life was ended and voice was silenced on this earth. But the Spirit who lived in his heart lived on! Though Your disciples were scattered, they refused to be silenced. They “proclaimed the Messiah” and the Good News of the kingdom of God “from place to place” and everywhere they went. And You confirmed Your word to all who were drawn near and “listened eagerly” to their words of hope and were “hearing and seeing the signs” of the power of Your name. Salvation, healing, and deliverance, followed by “great joy” were the “signs” that followed Your followers. Even one of their greatest persecutors, Saul of Tarsus, who was “ravaging the church” would soon be changed forever by a powerful and personal encounter with You (Acts 9:1-19). He would become Your chosen instrument of great revival and awakening to set the world ablaze with a passion for Jesus despite the times of great persecution (Acts 9:15). Persecution would only result in greater power! So give us courage to not be discouraged. Give us power in the midst of the persecution. The Message of the Cross will not be cancelled. The Spirit of the Living God will not be silenced. In fact, this great movement for this great harvest is just beginning! (Matthew 13:39)  Lord, we are so honored to be Your chosen instruments alive on the earth as the body and the bride of Christ in our days for such a time as this! Send Your Spirit, confirm Your Word with Your signs of great awakening in the midst of this growing persecution. By the power of Your grace, we will not be silenced nor cancelled. No surrender and no retreat! 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, never silenced and never cancelled, boldly proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God despite any persecution we endure through these days, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

Not Mustard-Making but Mountain-Moving Faith! - March 5, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 5 - Not Mustard-Making but Mountain-Moving Faith! Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to teach me Your ways and make me more like You today. ... “When they came to the crowd, a man came to Him, knelt before Him, and said, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.’ Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you’” (Matthew 17:14-21). You weren’t speaking to Your disciples about mustard-making faith, but mountain-moving faith. And as You were, You weren’t rebuking the father for his compassion for his son or the son for the burden of his affliction. You said nothing about their measure of faith. No, You rebuked the demon and the disciples! As insidious as the demon of destruction was that tormented the boy, so was the insidious demon of doubt that was limiting the ministry of the disciples. There was something about the quality or quantity of their faith that was “little.” And their “little faith” was limiting their ministry and leaving the people who were suffering and struggling for healing and freedom in the power and authority of Your name stuck in the grip of the enemy of their souls. What about us as Your disciples today? What about me as Your disciple today? ... You said in the “red letters” of Your own words that “if (we) have faith the size of a mustard seed, (we) will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for (us).” We can try to explain it away or water it down or come up with doctrines and teachings that try to excuse our lack of experience of the Word of God, but it’s still the Word of God -- the “red letter” words You spoke Yourself.  Just as You also said, “All things are possible for the one who believes” (Mark 9:23). And just as You also said, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in My name you ask Me for anything, I will do it” (John 14:12-14). We can mock and ridicule and say that’s “out of balance” and “out on the fringes” all we want at our own peril of being disobedient to the Word of God. But those aren’t the words of some “wild-eyed charismatic preacher.” They are the words of Jesus straight from the Word of God.  Lord, forgive us for our mockery and blasphemy that tries to justify in religious language our lack of faith and lack of obedience to You. We repent. I repent. Let us no longer settle for something far less than who You say we are, falling far short of all You send us to do in the authority of Your name. In these days and the days to come, we’re going to need mountain-moving faith instead of mustard seed excuses. We need deliverance from the demon of doubt, freedom from the spirit of religious-excuses, and a fresh infusion of the Spirit of Faith! Whether it’s quality or quantity, we just need more -- more of You, more of Your Spirit, more of Your Presence, more of Your power, expressed through our faith as Your disciples in this world that’s desperate to encounter the Living Presence of the Living God in the mighty name of Jesus! Lord, let us settle for nothing less. Lord, let me settle for nothing less. With the character of Your nature in our hearts and the authority of the power of Your name in our words and our prayers, let us see some mountains move! We not here on this earth for such as time as this to make mustard but to move mountains! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.  Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be filled afresh with a Spirit of Faith to be empowered and obedient to the Word of God and see some mountains move in the authority and power of the name of Jesus, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  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: Messiah-Ministries.org

“God Himself Will Provide” - March 4, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, March 4 - “God Himself Will Provide” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me close to You. Never let me go. Lead me in Your ways and make me more like You today. ... “Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘Father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son’” (Genesis 22:7-8). Your Word says, “God tested Abraham” (Genesis 22:1). And so many times our questions test us, just as the questions of those entrusted to our love and care can test us. Our wonderings about where our provision will come from, where our hope will come from, where our clear guidance and blessed assurance will come from all try us and test us to see where we’ll turn and to whom we’ll turn. The questions of Isaac tested the faith of Abraham. But as “the father of all who believe” -- the father of our faith -- Abraham responded in a faith that trusted the character and nature of our God, no matter what his present circumstances looked like (Romans 4:16). He was teaching us through his testing to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). He was teaching through his testing how to “follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had” (Romans 4:12). Abraham’s response of faith -- “God Himself will provide” -- is the response of faith that passes every test. It’s the response that opens the doors of our hearts and the windows of heaven for all we need to get us through every question we have -- trusting in the character and nature of our God that we continue to learn through every test. “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let (my) foot slip -- He who watches over (me) will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over (me) will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4). “My God shall supply all (I) need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (Philippians 4:19-20) “Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:10). Thank You for the freedom to ask the questions, Father. And thank You for the grace to trust You in faith -- first for who You are and then for every good thing I need. As Abraham learned and forever declared, for himself for all who believe, “God Himself will provide” (Genesis 22:8). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you grow in faith and trust in the Lord your God to personally provide all you need according to His riches in glory, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!  Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries: Tommy & Rocio Hays Messiah Ministries 17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407 San Antonio, Texas 78257 Messiah-Ministries.org Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at: Messiah-Ministries.org

“Stand Firm and Take Action” - March 3, 2021

 Morning by Morning, March 3 - “Stand Firm and Take Action”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Arise in my heart and flow through my words, as I entrust my heart and my words to You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...

“He shall seduce with intrigue those who violate the covenant; but the people who are loyal to their God shall stand firm and take action” (Daniel 11:32).

Through seduction and deception, there’s a spirit at work in hearts and minds to turn against the will and the Word of God. But at the same time, there is a Spirit who is at work in the hearts and minds of all who humble themselves to call on Your name, who will be loyal and faithful to the end, no matter what. They will “stand firm and take action.”

Now is the time we must pray for greater courage. Now is the time we must develop stronger character. Then when the day comes when we’re being forced to bow down and renounce the truth we know in our hearts, to deny the ways of righteousness and be swallowed up in the ways of the world with no distinction between the culture of Your Kingdom and the culture that’s destroying and denying all that’s holy and right and true, we will still “stand firm” and we will still “take action” no matter the cost.

By the power of Your grace at work within us, by the power of Your Spirit moving through us, we will even “carry out great exploits” to exalt Your name and display Your glory (v. 32 NKJV). We will “instruct many” and teach them the ways of the Ancient Path set forth in Your Holy Word and led by Your Holy Spirit (v. 33 NKJV). 

Then even in the face of intimidation and persecution being unleashed by the culture of the world, even in the face of the threats of “sword and flame,” of “captivity and plunder,” we will continue to “stand firm” by the grace of God. Even their attacks will be turned around and redeemed by You, as You cause even those things to work together for our good, that we may be further “refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end” (v. 35).

Come, Holy Spirit. Refine us, purify us, cleanse us. Strengthen us, encourage us, empower us. With Your courage in our hearts, we’ll overcome the onslaught of the culture of this world, standing firm in the culture of Christ and taking action for the cause of the Kingdom and the glory of God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you stand firm and take action, strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit in the character and authority of Christ, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you! 

Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:

Tommy & Rocio Hays

Messiah Ministries

17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407

San Antonio, Texas 78257

Messiah-Ministries.org

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

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