Morning by Morning, October 17, 2025 – “Iron Sharpens Iron”

 

Morning by Morning, October 17, 2025 – “Iron Sharpens Iron” Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I rise for my day, may Your Spirit rise in me. ... “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17 NLT). I’m away at a men’s retreat down by the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country of Texas for a few days. I’m blessed to be soaking in the relationship of friends and new friends under the leadership of a great friend, Dr. Dave Gentry of Selah Ministries. It’s nice that I’m not the teacher, preacher, pastor or evangelist, just one of the men, here to receive. And at the same time, here to give — as we each give and receive from one another in our encounters and conversations, along our walks and around our table, up on the ridge or under the stars, sharing our lives and hearts to the degree each one desires at the time. In the mix, “iron sharpens iron,” hearts open up, life is exchanged, and we all see some of You in one another in some way that we’re needing — both needing to receive and needing to give. And in the interweaving of relationships with You and with one another, we’re also resting, refilling, recharging in spirit, soul and body. Sharpen me, Lord. Sharpen my wits, sharpen my spirit, sharpen my understanding of Your Word and it’s every-day application in my life. Whittle away more of my flesh as You rekindle more of my spirit. We all know there are battles ahead where we’ll need “the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17) to be sharp in our hearts, clear in our minds, ready to be wielded in the power and guidance of Your Spirit, whether within our own souls or for the souls of those we love and the souls You love. This is not a vacation. This is a forge. And in this forge, in this purifying, sanctifying, empowering Fire of Your Spirit, “iron sharpens iron” and warriors are made ready for battle. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be sharpened and ready for battle, as iron sharpens iron in your life by the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name. God bless you 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 your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" We Welcome Your Financial Support to Fulfill our Vision and Calling https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night: Teaching my annual 9 Month Discipleship and Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time  Zoom link available by request to my email.   tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays  October 16 Thank you for your prayers! Joining the Bridge Church outreach team at Fredericksburg High School for Devos and Donuts (Devotionals and Donuts) October 21 Yee Haw Ranch Gathering in Fredericksburg, Texas. Speaking at Around the Table Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters. 6:30pm. All are Welcome. Dinner is Provided, So please send an email if you are coming: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  November 1 Speaking at Aglow International Ministries in Kerrville, Texas hosted at First Christian Church, led by Dr. Sandy Kirk of the Brownsville Revival Fire School, at 10am. All are welcome! October through December, 2025 Blocks of time writing my next book. Welcoming your prayers for the inspiration and flow of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, friends! Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. 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 Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol

Morning by Morning, October 16, 2025 – God Fills the Holes of Our Hearts with His Goodness

 

Morning by Morning, October 16, 2025 – God Fills the Holes of Our Hearts with His Goodness Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of the world, be Lord of my life, this day and every day (Psalm 24:1). ... “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9). This morning before praying and writing my devotional, I got up extra early to join our local church’s outreach at the Fredericksburg High School, offering “devos and donuts” (devotionals and donuts) before the kids and teachers started their day at school. What a joy to worship God and proclaim the name of Jesus in the freedom we have in our nation, right under the flagpole of our public school! Naomi, who helps disciple the young people, shared an illustration of the love of God with a donut: Only God can fill that hole! Thank You for filling the hole in our hearts, where we hunger for Your goodness, where we long for the satisfaction that only You can provide. Thank You for filling our holes to make us whole in You. May these young people embrace Your love in their hearts, just like those who gave their lives to Jesus Christ did this morning! And may You take the emptiness of lives all across this world, the emptiness of lives of every age, and lead them by Your Spirit to the One who satisfies and fulfills, to the One who takes our holes and makes us whole. Only You can satisfy the longing soul. Only You can fill the hungry soul with goodness. You will and You do for all who open the holes of their hearts to You (John 3:16). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be filled up with the love of God that satisfies your soul to make you whole in the way only He can do and then share His love wherever you go, in Jesus' name. God bless you 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 your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" We Welcome Your Financial Support to Fulfill our Vision and Calling https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night: Teaching my annual 9 Month Discipleship and Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time  Zoom link available by request to my email.   tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays  October 16 Thank you for your prayers! Joining the Bridge Church outreach team at Fredericksburg High School for Devos and Donuts (Devotionals and Donuts) October 21 Yee Haw Ranch Gathering in Fredericksburg, Texas. Speaking at Around the Table Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters. 6:30pm. All are Welcome. Dinner is Provided, So please send an email if you are coming: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  October through December, 2025 Blocks of time writing my next book. Welcoming your prayers for the inspiration and flow of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, friends! Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. 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 Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol

Morning by Morning, October 15, 2025 – Pray for Those Who Persecute You, Bless Those Who Curse You, Love Those Who Hate You

 

Morning by Morning, October 15, 2025 – Pray for Those Who Persecute You, Bless Those Who Curse You, Love Those Who Hate You Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. ... “Do not gloat when your enemy falls;    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice” (Proverbs 24:17). Rather than gloating over my enemy’s falls, rather than celebrating my enemy’s failures, let these be opportunities for You to develop Your character in me. I admit my temptation. But I also submit to Your invitation to embrace a different Spirit than the spirit of the world: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45). That’s so hard to do. But by the power of Your grace, I can. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). “(Your) grace is sufficient for (me), for (Your) strength is made perfect in (my) weakness.... Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). So by the power of Your grace at work within me, developing Your character in me, creating in me a clean heart and renewing a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10), I choose to pray for those who persecute me, to bless those who curse me, even to love those who hate me. Not gloating or rejoicing over the falls and failures of my enemies, but seeing them with the eyes of Heaven and the heart of Father, but praying for them that their falls and failures would lead them to You as Lord and Savior, redeeming them and freeing them to be all You created them to be. Just like You’ve done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you have a different Spirit than the spirit of the world, allowing the character of the Lord to be developed in you, in Jesus' name. God bless you 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 your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" We Welcome Your Financial Support to Fulfill our Vision and Calling https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night: Teaching my annual 9 Month Discipleship and Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time  Zoom link available by request to my email.   tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays  October 21 Yee Haw Ranch Gathering in Fredericksburg, Texas. Speaking at Around the Table Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters. 6:30pm. All are Welcome. Dinner is Provided, So please send an email if you are coming: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  October through December, 2025 Blocks of time writing my next book. Welcoming your prayers for the inspiration and flow of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, friends! Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. 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 Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol

Morning by Morning, October 14, 2025 – “Blessed are the Peacemakers”

 

Morning by Morning, October 14, 2025 – “Blessed are the Peacemakers” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit and lead me in Your steps throughout the moments of my day. ... “Blessed are the peacemakers,    for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). All the world is stunned there’s peace in the Middle East. Incredibly, impossibly, all the hostages are released; and for a moment, the war between Israel and Hamas is over. Peace came at a price. Not just appeasing evil but confronting evil. And there will be much work to be done to enforce this peace. But today, we celebrate the peace we see in answer to so much prayer. Right now, we celebrate the One who is our “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Your peace You give and Your peace we receive (John 14:27). In Your peace, we thank You for “the peacemakers.” We thank You for President Trump and his team, for the world leaders and influencers who acted in this moment of world history. May they be blessed with a deep relationship with You, a deep dependence upon You, and all the wisdom and guidance that comes from You. For ultimately, You alone are the True Source of all Godly Peace. You alone are the One who blesses “the peacemakers” and the peace-receivers. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be filled with peace from the One who is our Prince of Peace, as we celebrate the peace He has brung in our world, in Jesus' name. God bless you 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 your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" We Welcome Your Financial Support to Fulfill our Vision and Calling https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night: Teaching my annual 9 Month Discipleship and Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time  Zoom link available by request to my email.   tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org Based on My Book, Free to Be Like Jesus:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays  October 21 Yee Haw Ranch Gathering in Fredericksburg, Texas. Speaking at Around the Table Faith Based Social Gathering at Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters. 6:30pm. All are Welcome. Dinner is Provided, So please send an email if you are coming: tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  October through December, 2025 Blocks of time writing my next book. Welcoming your prayers for the inspiration and flow of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, friends! Personal Ministry Appointments Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. 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 Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol