Morning by Morning, January 7, 2025 — Hearing the God “Who Speaks from Heaven”

 

Morning by Morning, January 7, 2025 — Hearing the God “Who Speaks from Heaven” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Thank You for Your promise that when I draw near to You, You draw near to me—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God (James 4:8). ... As I wait, the Word that comes to mind this morning is from Hebrews 12: “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven” (Hebrews 12:25). You’re the God “who speaks from heaven.” Lord, give me ears to hear. You speak in many ways. Through Scripture. Through nature. Through signs and wonders. Through the still small voice we hear in our hearts if we take time to wait and listen, learning to discern Your voice from any other. Through every story of Scripture, every example of every experience of faith—whether walking by faith or outside of faith—You are speaking and inviting us to see and hear, to learn to listen, to grow in our desire through Your power to trust You and obey You. To become not only hearers of Your word, but also doers of Your word (James 1:22). That’s the point of drawing near to God. To hear the God who speaks from heaven into our hearts. Then to trust the One we hear. To obey the One we hear. To believe by faith that what we hear, we can trust, that when we trust and obey, we will be fulfilled. Not only in this age but also in the age to come. Not only in the age to come, but in this age as well—right here, right now. Here in our hearts and in every moment of our lives and every step of faith on our spiritual journey with You. Beginning this new year, I’m sensing a deep desire to learn to hear You more clearly than ever before. I’m understanding it’s part of truly knowing You. As You said spoke long ago, You’re still speaking today to all who will hear the voice of the One who speaks from heaven, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you hear in your heart the voice of the One who speaks from heaven, in Jesus' name. Happy New Year and 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 you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night: (Starting up our 2nd Semester on Tuesday January 13 at 6pm) Teaching my annual 9 Month Discipleship and Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time Based on My Books Free to Be Like Jesus —Transforming Power of Inner Healing & Deliverance and First the Spirit—Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul and Body https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays January 22-23 Equipping Retreat with Wallshakers Intercessory Prayer Teaching Team for Mid-Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church at Bracken Church, San Antonio, Texas January 29-31, 2026. Setting Hearts Free Revival Meeting at Goshen First Church, Global Methodist Church, in Goshen, Indiana February 17-18. Healing From the Inside Out Seminar at Hondo Methodist Church, Global Methodist Church, in Hondo, Texas February 2025 Return Ministry in Cartagena, Colombia March Return Ministry to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan June 14 Preaching both Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. My past sermons available in the Sermon Archives: https://www.bridgefbg.com/messages 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, January 6, 2026 — “Discern What Is The Will of God”

 

Morning by Morning, January 6, 2026 — “Discern What Is The Will of God” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I begin my day looking to You and centered in You. ... This morning, Your Word comes to mind from Romans 12: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Sharpen my discernment of Your will. Help me discern what’s true and what’s false. What’s of Your Spirit and what’s my flesh. What’s of Your thoughts, Your desires or just my own. What’s Your plan, not my plan. What’s Your guidance, not my good ideas. So that I can say in my heart and know in my mind, “Not my will but Thy will be done.” We are to “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Especially, we need to test what we believe we’re hearing from You or from someone else who believes they’re hearing from You to help guide us in discerning Your will. Along the way of life and ministry, I believe You’ve given me a simple way that I use and that I teach to help discern Your voice and Your will. I’ve come to call them my Five Steps of Discernment in what I try to live and teach: 1. Does it conform to the written Word of God? “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the person of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God will never speak anything that contradicts His written Word. Not everything we face in life is specifically addressed by chapter and verse, but nothing truly from Him will violate the principles and truth of Scripture. 2. Does it bear witness with our spirit? “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14). Do we have a sense in our spirit that this “rings true”? Or do we have a check in our spirit that this may not be fully from the Lord? Does what we believe we have heard lead us toward God with conviction and hope, or away from God with confusion, condemnation, and despair? Does it bring clarity or chaos, peace or torment? 3. Does it conform to the character of God? “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). Does it sound like something Jesus would say or do? Does it seem to carry the Father-heart of God, the mind of Christ, and the holy nature of the Holy Spirit? God is love—His voice will always be consistent with His nature. 4. Does it bear good fruit? Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18). Does the word or act seem to display the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-26)? Over time, does it lead to greater Christlikeness, freedom, and love—or the opposite? Does the life of the person sharing the word or doing the act seem to display the character of Christ, seeking to “follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). At the same time, we must humbly remember that “there is none righteous, no, not one” and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). There is always some mixture of flesh and spirit, wheat and tares, within us all, so no one always says and does everything perfectly in line with the perfect will of God. 5. Does it bear witness with the counsel of others we trust? “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). When trusted, mature believers pray and weigh it with us, is there a shared sense of peace and agreement, or a check and lack of clarity? As others we trust and respect seek to discern it, what do they see that we may not yet see? “We know in part and we prophesy in part,” but when we bring our parts together and seek to discern the truth in humble submission to God, do we come to a place of consensus and peace within our own hearts? Lord, help me apply these discernment principles, asking these discernment questions. And show me if they need to be corrected in any way to help me hear Your heart and follow Your ways, as closely as I can and as best as I can—all by Your grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be empowered by the Holy Spirit to test and discern and know what is the will of God for you today and every day, in Jesus' name. Happy New Year and 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 you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night: (Starting up our 2nd Semester on Tuesday January 13 at 6pm) Teaching my annual 9 Month Discipleship and Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time Based on My Books Free to Be Like Jesus —Transforming Power of Inner Healing & Deliverance and First the Spirit—Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul and Body https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays January 22-23 Equipping Retreat with Wallshakers Intercessory Prayer Teaching Team for Mid-Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church at Bracken Church, San Antonio, Texas January 29-31, 2026. Setting Hearts Free Revival Meeting at Goshen First Church, Global Methodist Church, in Goshen, Indiana February 17-18. Healing From the Inside Out Seminar at Hondo Methodist Church, Global Methodist Church, in Hondo, Texas February 2025 Return Ministry in Cartagena, Colombia March Return Ministry to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan June 14 Preaching both Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. My past sermons available in the Sermon Archives: https://www.bridgefbg.com/messages 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, January 5, 2026 — Listening to Hear the “Still Small Voice”

 

Morning by Morning, January 5, 2026 — Listening to Hear the “Still Small Voice”   Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice to begin my day looking to You. ... “Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12). Elijah had seen You move in power in his past. He had walked in obedience and faith. He had experienced fire fall from heaven and hearts turned back to God. And at the same time, he had questions about what would come next and wondered about his place in Your plans. He had seen an awakening of revival in his nation, but now came the backlash and counterattacks, trying to intimidate him and discourage him. You called him out of his cave and onto Your mountain. Though You were moving in power all around him in the wind, in the earthquake, in the fire, You wanted him to hear You in his heart. You gave him room to speak out to You all his questions, even his complaints and concerns. You patiently listened. Then You told him where to go and what to do for his next season of life in ministry with You. He continued in the anointing of Your Presence with Your mantle of authority, but he also began to more diligently focus on raising up the next generation. Elijah’s renewed sense of spiritual direction didn’t come from all You had done in his past or even all You were doing around him. It came from hearing Your “still small voice” in his heart. Lord, help me hear Your “still small voice.” Those who seek to follow You know You and hear You (John 10:27). They hear the voice of One speaking Your word, saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Thank You for calling me and every one of Your sons and daughters out of our caves and onto the mountain of Your Presence. To know You, to hear You, to follow You. Thank You for patiently listening to us get out of our hearts and minds everything that we think we need to express, so we can get quiet and wait and listen for Your leading. Thank You for giving us hearts of obedience to go in the power of Your grace in obedience and faith to fulfill our part in Your plans in every season of our lives and ministry. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.   Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you hear in your heart the still small voice of the One you know and hear in order to follow in obedience and faith, fulling your part in God's plans, in Jesus' name. Happy New Year and 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 you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events Every Tuesday Night: (Starting up our 2nd Semester on Tuesday January 13 at 6pm) Teaching my annual 9 Month Discipleship and Equipping Course Free to Be Like Jesus! at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. 6:00PM Central Time Based on My Books Free to Be Like Jesus —Transforming Power of Inner Healing & Deliverance and First the Spirit—Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul and Body https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays January 22-23 Equipping Retreat with Wallshakers Intercessory Prayer Teaching Team for Mid-Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church at Bracken Church, San Antonio, Texas January 29-31, 2026. Setting Hearts Free Revival Meeting at Goshen First Church, Global Methodist Church, in Goshen, Indiana February 17-18. Healing From the Inside Out Seminar at Hondo Methodist Church, Global Methodist Church, in Hondo, Texas February 2025 Return Ministry in Cartagena, Colombia March Return Ministry to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan June 14 Preaching both Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. My past sermons available in the Sermon Archives: https://www.bridgefbg.com/messages 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, January 2, 2026 – Ready. Set. Go! — Running the Race of Faith

 

Morning by Morning, January 2, 2026 – Ready. Set. Go! — Running the Race of Faith Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take my heart and lead my life, as I begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. ... “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). One way Your Word describes my journey of faith in You is like running a race. First, I get ready. I lay aside every weight that would weigh me down. That’s healing and freedom through the One who endured the cross for me. I get set free from every sin that would ensnare me or trip me up. That’s forgiveness and mercy through the One who endured the cross for me. Then, I get set. I position myself to listen for the shot to sound. That’s waiting on You, listening for You, learning to recognize Your voice in the intimacy of prayer, ready to trust and obey. Then, I go. When I hear the sound of Your command, I take off. Not too soon; not too late. But right in step and right on time because You’ve made me ready and I’m set to go. That’s active participation in Your plan and purpose. Not sitting back passively, waiting for somebody else or something else to happen. Not waiting for You to do something You’ve commanded me to do. But to “Go” in obedience and faith to run my race (Matthew 28:20). And nobody can run my race but me. As I go, as I’m running my race, I’m not looking at my feet. I’m not looking at the crowd. I’m not looking at myself. I’m looking to You, “looking unto Jesus.” Because You are the Goal. You are the Prize. You are the “Finisher” of my faith. The goal of this race to become more like You. As You are, so am I to be in my world (1 John 4:17). I become like the One I’m looking to, like the One I behold, being “transformed” into Your “same image” every step of this race “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). All by Your “same Spirit” empowering me, energizing me, making me more like You as I’m looking unto You (v. 17-18). Lord, let me run my race today and every day so as to win “the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24). You are the Prize. You are the Goal. Becoming like You is the purpose of this race—to “be conformed to the image” of the Son of God who endured the cross for me (Romans 8:29). You endured Your cross for me so I could run my race for You, all for the sake of “the joy” set before You and now for the sake of the joy You set before me. By the power of Your grace, may I run well, may I finish well, may all be well with my soul on this journey of faith, this race of faith in transformation and conformation into Your image You set before me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.   Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you run your race well by the power of God's grace, looking unto Jesus and being transformed and conformed into His image, in Jesus' name. Happy New Year and 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 you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" 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 Based on My Books Free to Be Like Jesus —Transforming Power of Inner Healing & Deliverance and First the Spirit—Right Alignment of Spirit, Soul and Body https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays January 22-23 Equipping Retreat with Wallshakers Intercessory Prayer Teaching Team at Bracken Church, San Antonio, Texas January 29-31, 2026. Setting Hearts Free Revival Meeting at Goshen First Church, Global Methodist Church, in Goshen, Indiana February 17-18. Healing From the Inside Out Seminar at Hondo Methodist Church, Global Methodist Church, in Hondo, Texas February 2025 Return Ministry in Cartagena, Colombia March Return Ministry to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan June 14 Preaching both Services at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, Texas. My past sermons available in the Sermon Archives: https://www.bridgefbg.com/messages 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