Morning by Morning, March 11, 2025 - “Let Him Deny Himself, and Take Up His Cross, and Follow Me”

 

Morning by Morning, March 11, 2025 - “Let Him Deny Himself, and Take Up His Cross, and Follow Me”   Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind, Your desires in my heart, Your words in my mouth, as I seek to follow You today. ...   “When (Jesus) had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels’” (Mark 8:34-38).   For us to “take up (our) cross and follow (You)” is a day-by-day choice. It’s part of what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). And when he declared, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). It’s part of what the Apostle Peter was expressing when he taught, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that (we) should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).   So many of the choices set before us day-by-day are so hard, even gut-wrenching at times. Some seem easier like choices between good and evil, right and wrong, walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh. Others are much harder, requiring much more discernment, prayer, humility, and faith. Like choices between what’s best and what’s ok, what’s expedient for the moment and what’s lasting and eternal, even what’s love and what’s tough love.   So we desperately need Your guidance, Your wisdom, Your way. To humble ourselves and seek Your face and pray. To be willing to be led by Your Spirit no matter how hard the choices. To trust Your Word that You will “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133). To trust Your Word that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14).   Lead me Spirit of God in the choices I make today. I pray for wisdom and guidance, taking You at Your Word to provide it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5-6). By the power of Your grace, I’m humbly, desperately depending upon You and faithfully trusting You to obediently take up my cross and follow You in the choices and challenges set before me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be empowered by the grace of God to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him in your choices today, in Jesus'name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in their identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling their destiny"

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night Teaching my 9 Month Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time Zoom link available by request to my email. Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus: https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org March 12 Speaking at Fredericksburg Middle School at 7am for Devotionals and Donuts sponsored by our local Bridge Church March 11-13 Attending the Patriot Experience Course at Patriot Academy's new headquarters outside Fredericksburg, Texas led by Rick Green March 17-24 Rocio and I Travel for Ministry in Morelia, Mexico and Toluca, Mexico April 2 New Wine Worship at our ministry home base in Fredericksburg, Texas. 1st Wednesday of Every Month at 7pm April 20, 2025 Preaching Easter Sunrise Service at The Empty Cross, The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas April 25-26, 2025 Preaching Revival at the Barn at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters, Fredericksburg, Texas https://messiah-ministries.org/events April 27 -May 11 Return Travel to Pakistan for Ministry in Pattoki, Karachi, and Lahore, Pakistan! Please cover us in prayer for another Outpouring of the Holy Spirit! June 16-29 Teaching at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 28-August 10 Making plans of returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyrie, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team Wednesday Mornings Leading Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups of MorningStar Ministries from around the world by appointment.   Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Morning by Morning, March 10, 2025 - “Seek My Face,” says the Lord

 

Morning by Morning, March 10, 2025 - “Seek My Face,” says the Lord   Good morning, Lord Jesus. Before any of the issues and challenges I’ll face today, I seek Your face first. ...   “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’” (Psalm 27:8).   Your Holy Spirit speaking to my human spirit, Your Heart reaching out to my heart, the depths of Your love for me, Your care for me, Your desire for me to turn to You, to open up to You, to trust in You, to entrust my day and all my life to You calls out to the depths of my innermost being to seek Your face.   And I have a choice. ...   I can say I’m turning away, I’m pulling back, I’m too shy, I’m too unworthy, I’m too ashamed, I’m not there yet, I’m not ready for that level of intimacy or surrender or risk of being disappointed. Or say nothing at all, as if my silence or resistance will somehow just go unnoticed. “Unnoticed” by the God who knows it all, sees it all, knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end and everything in-between. “Unnoticed” by the God whose Word reminds me that You are there with me no matter where I go, either with my heart or mind or feet:   “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’ Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You” (Psalm 139:7-12).   Or I can simply choose to answer Your invitation with my simple response in humility and faith, as best as I can and all by Your grace, saying, “Your face, Lord, will I seek” (Psalm 27:8).   To seek is a pursuit. To seek is a journey. It doesn’t mean I’ll see it. But it does mean this is the condition of my heart, the alignment of my spirit, the priority of my pursuits on my spiritual journey of ever-increasing trust, surrender, and intimacy with You.   Lord, give me courage and grace to keep seeking Your face—day by day, moment by moment, morning by morning, from deep to deep (Psalm 42:7), heart to heart (John 15:4), faith to faith (Romans 1:17), and glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you seek the face of the Lord first and throughout the moments of your day in your pursuit of deeper intimacy with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in Jesus'name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in their identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling their destiny"

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night Teaching my 9 Month Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time Zoom link available by request to my email. Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus: https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org March 12 Speaking at Fredericksburg Middle School at 7am for Devotionals and Donuts sponsored by our local Bridge Church March 17-24 Rocio and I Travel for Ministry in Morelia, Mexico and Toluca, Mexico April 2 New Wine Worship at our ministry home base in Fredericksburg, Texas. 1st Wednesday of Every Month at 7pm April 20, 2025 Preaching Easter Sunrise Service at The Empty Cross, The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas April 25-26, 2025 Preaching Revival at the Barn at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters, Fredericksburg, Texas https://messiah-ministries.org/events April 27 -May 11 Return Travel to Pakistan for Ministry in Pattoki, Karachi, and Lahore, Pakistan! Please cover us in prayer for another Outpouring of the Holy Spirit! June 16-29 Teaching at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 28-August 10 Making plans of returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyrie, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team Wednesday Mornings Leading Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups of MorningStar Ministries from around the world by appointment.   Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Morning by Morning, March 6, 2025 - Chosen One. Beloved One. Heart-Open One.

 

Morning by Morning, March 6, 2025 - Chosen One. Beloved One. Heart-Open One.   Good morning, Lord Jesus. What a Father, what a Savior, what a Friend You are (John 15:15). So I begin my day calling on Your name and listening for the leading of Your Spirit (John 10:27). ...   As I wait, this is what I hear in my heart:   “Chosen one. Beloved one. All who open their hearts to Me, I have chosen. All who would receive My love in their hearts by My grace, I have loved. I am willing to choose all because I love all. Pray that all would open their hearts to Me.” ...   Yes, Lord. I do pray that all would open their hearts to You. Your Written Word comes to mind to confirm what I believe I hear in my heart as Your spoken word to me in my intercession with You:   “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).   “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all...” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).   And of course, this Verse my praying Grandmother taught me to memorize before she taught me how to write my name on the chicken house wall out in the dusty fields of west Texas:   “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).   You’re not willing that any should perish. You are willing that all would believe, all would trust, all would come to a knowledge of the truth and turn to You and open their hearts to You and receive Your mercy and grace and love.   Just as You said to Your first disciples, You continue to speak to us as Your disciples today:   “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35) “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).   Yes, Lord. I lift up my eyes to You. I lift up my prayers for the harvest and for the laborers You’re calling and sending out into Your harvest. Let none be left behind without a chance to hear and open their hearts to receive Your mercy and love that You desire for all.   “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.... For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’   “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:   “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”   (Romans 10:9-15)   By Your mercy and grace, I choose to believe I’m a chosen one, a beloved one, a heart open-one. I’m one who’s willing to pray for the harvest, to pray for the laborers of the harvest, to be one of Your laborers in Your harvest of hearts that will be saved and know the love of God through Jesus Christ. Here I am, Lord. Send me (Isaiah 6:8). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you embrace your invitation as a chosen one, beloved one, heart-open one to pray for the laborers in the harvest, to pray for the laborers of the harvest, to be a laborer in the Lord's harvest in whatever way He is calling you to say, "Here I am, Lord. Send me", in Jesus'name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in their identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling their destiny"

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night Teaching my 9 Month Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time Zoom link available by request to my email. Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus: https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Praising God! Our Annual Fundraiser was March 1st. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, and financial support for God's Provision and Fulfillment of His Vision for Messiah Ministries! Please prayerfully consider joining as partners: https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute March 5 - Thank you for your prayers for us. A beautiful, deeply spiritually intimate night in the Presence of the Lord at New Wine Worship last night. Join us in prayer or in person on the 1st Wednesday each month at our Messiah Ministries Home Base in Fredericksburg. All are welcome! March 12 Speaking at Fredericksburg Middle School at 7am for Devotionals and Donuts sponsored by our local Bridge Church March 17-24 Rocio and I Travel for Ministry in Morelia, Mexico and Toluca, Mexico April 2 New Wine Worship at our ministry home base in Fredericksburg, Texas. 1st Wednesday of Every Month at 7pm April 20, 2025 Preaching Easter Sunrise Service at The Empty Cross, The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas April 25-26, 2025 Preaching Revival at the Barn at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters, Fredericksburg, Texas https://messiah-ministries.org/events April 27 -May 11 Return Travel to Pakistan for Ministry in Pattoki, Karachi, and Lahore, Pakistan! Please cover us in prayer for another Outpouring of the Holy Spirit! June 16-29 Teaching at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 28-August 10 Making plans of returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyrie, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team Wednesday Mornings Leading Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups of MorningStar Ministries from around the world by appointment.   Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays

Morning by Morning, March 5, 2025 - God of Hope

 

Morning by Morning, March 5, 2025 - God of Hope   Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name is above every name; and I lift up Your name over every moment of my day (Philippians 2:9). ...   As I wait for the leading of Your Spirit, what I hear in my heart is “God of Hope.”   Just the word “Hope” lifts my spirit, lifts my eyes up to You. And two Scriptures come to mind immediately:   “I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).   The same place “from whence comes my help” is the same place “from whence comes my (hope).” My help and my hope come from You—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. You are my Help; You are my Hope. And embracing Your help and Your hope, lift up my spirit as I lift up my eyes to You.   And the other Scripture You’re bringing to mind fills me with just as much hope and joy to start my day embracing Your Presence and Your Promises:   “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).   “In believing” You, “in believing” You’re with me, You’re for me, You’ll never leave me nor forsake me, You’ve already gone before me into every moment I’ll experience, every challenge I’ll face. You’re filling me “with all joy and peace.” You’re filling me with “the power of the Holy Spirit.” You’re preparing the way before me today to “abound in hope!”   So I do lift up my eyes to You; I open up my heart to You. I get ready now to arise and go out into my day with You--O God of Hope! Ready to “abound in hope” with You today! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may the God of Hope fill you with His Spirit and go before you to abound in hope today, in Jesus'name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all they were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in their identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling their destiny"

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night Teaching my 9 Month Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time Zoom link available by request to my email. Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus: https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Praising God! Our Annual Fundraiser was March 1st. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, and financial support for God's Provision and Fulfillment of His Vision for Messiah Ministries! Please prayerfully consider joining as partners: https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute March 5 New Wine Worship at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday each month at our Messiah Ministries Home Base in Fredericksburg. All are welcome! March 12 Speaking at Fredericksburg Middle School at 7am for Devotionals and Donuts sponsored by our local Bridge Church March 17-24 Rocio and I Travel for Ministry in Morelia, Mexico and Toluca, Mexico April 20, 2025 Preaching Easter Sunrise Service at The Empty Cross, The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas April 25-26, 2025 Preaching Revival at the Barn at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters, Fredericksburg, Texas https://messiah-ministries.org/events April 27 -May 11 Return Travel to Pakistan for Ministry in Pattoki, Karachi, and Lahore, Pakistan! Please cover us in prayer for another Outpouring of the Holy Spirit! June 16-29 Teaching at Selah Men's Ministry Retreat in Cloudcroft, New Mexico July 11-13 Preaching at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Meeting at Grafton Methodist Church, St. Paris, Ohio July 28-August 10 Making plans of returning to Preach Crusades and minister in Kenol, Kenya and Nyrie, Kenya with Pastor Jeff Bealmear and Team Wednesday Mornings Leading Online Restoration Ministry Sessions for Online Connect Groups of MorningStar Ministries from around the world by appointment.   Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays