Morning by Morning, January 16, 2026 — “Hidden with Christ in God”

 

Morning by Morning, January 16, 2026 — “Hidden with Christ in God” Good morning, Lord Jesus. I entrust my life and this day to You as my Lord and Savior, both my Everlasting Father and my Best Friend, embracing Your Spirit within me and Your will before me. ... “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). In this sense, what does it mean to be both dead and alive, at the same time? ... As I journal what I believe I hear back in my heart is this: “To the degree that you entrust your life to Me, that you surrender your will to Mine, that you choose to follow Me by the guidance of My Spirit moving in your heart and your mind, you have died to yourself and are alive in Me. ‘To the degree’ is entirely dependent upon the measure of your willingness to surrender to Me. And your willingness to surrender to Me is entirely dependent upon your trust in Me. How much you trust Me will determine how must you surrender to Me. How much you surrender to Me will determine how much you are dead to your own will and alive to My will, how much you are insisting on your own way or choosing to embrace My way. Your life is ‘hidden with Christ in God’ to the degree you are dead to yourself in this way and alive in Me because you allow Me to live in you and live My life through you.” ... Yes, Lord. As I test these words I sense I’m hearing against the Word of God, these Scriptures come to mind in confirmation: “Then (Jesus) said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23). “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). “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). These Words are more than poetic language. They are Your calling to a lifestyle. A life that dies daily. Daily dying to myself and my will and my ways, apart from You and Your will and Your ways. Lord, help me trust You more today than yesterday. Help me entrust more of me to more of You today than yesterday. Here at the beginning of my day and throughout the moments of my day, as best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to die to myself and live in You—“hidden with Christ in God.” 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 trust Jesus more, to surrender to Jesus more, that your life may be hidden in Christ 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 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. Zoom Link to join us at 6PM CST: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81392201741?pwd=H8iHgLeWaxF01SZ30BYIPsYZmY9Dud.1 Based on My Books: Free to Be Like Jesus and First the Spirit https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays January 19 Join in Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honoring Day with the Gillespie Country Ministerial Association at the the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg, Texas at Noon. All are welcome. January 22-23 Teaching at the Equipping Retreat with Wallshakers Intercessory Prayer Teaching Team for Mid-Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church at Bracken Church, San Antonio, Texas January 28-31, 2026. Setting Hearts Free Revival Meeting at Goshen First Church, Global Methodist Church, in Goshen, Indiana. Bilingual Services in English and Spanish, with Rocio Hays interpreting.  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 and April Return Ministry to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan April 25 Preaching for the Revival Meeting at The Empty Cross on the mountain overlooking Kerrville, Texas at The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden May 23 Officiate the Wedding of Judith and Tom in Fredericksburg, Texas 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 15, 2026 — “We Have the Mind of Christ” and Our Minds are “Being Renewed” at the Same Time

 

Morning by Morning, January 15, 2026 — “We Have the Mind of Christ” and Our Minds are “Being Renewed” at the Same Time Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind, Your desires in my heart, Your words in my mouth, as I wait and seek to follow You. ... “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). In the heavenly realm, the eternal realm, where there is no limitation of time or space, from the moment we are saved “we have the mind of Christ.” In that heavenly realm, You’ve already “made us alive together with Christ (by grace (we) have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:5-6). In that heavenly realm, You’ve already “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). In that heavenly realm, You’ve already made us “a new creation” where “all things have become new” and we have “become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). And at the same time, here in this earthly realm, we still need the power of Your grace at work within us to fully embrace who we are, who You are in us, and all You’ve done for us already through the finished work of the Cross. Here in this earthly realm, there are limitations of time and space, and time unfolds on our spiritual journey into spiritual maturity moment by moment, choice by choice. Every moment is an opportunity to choice well, to come into agreement with what You’ve already done for us, with what You speak to us of who we are and who You are in us. Every moment, in every choice, You call us to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). “For this is the will of God, (our) sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). In this earthly realm, we still need to be “transformed by the renewing of (our) mind” (Romans 12:2). In this earthly realm, it’s not already done as it already is in the heavenly realm. So, You teach us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). That’s a prayer, a request, even a declaration, that as it already is in heaven (in the heavenly realm), let also be so on earth (in the earthly realm). In the heavenly realm, we already have the mind of Christ. In this earthly realm, keep renewing our minds that as You keep forming the mind of Christ in us. Here on earth, here in this earthly realm, You say, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). That’s where we begin, but that’s not where You want us to end. You want us to have Your mind, to think Your thoughts, to move in Your ways, on earth as it already is in heaven, in this earthly realm as it already is in the heavenly realm. In Christ, we live in both realms at the same time. Through the finished work of the Cross, You’ve bridged the gap for us between those realms. So now it’s possible, by the power of Your grace at work within us, for You to put Your thoughts in our minds, so that our thoughts become more like Your thoughts. You’re “renewing” our thoughts in our minds to align with “the mind of Christ” if we’ll let You. Yes, Lord. I let You. I want You to keep “renewing” my mind, to keep aligning my mind with Your mind, my thoughts with Your thoughts, my ways with Your ways. Here in this earthly realm, in all honesty and humility before You, I have to admit I still have a long way to go. But I’m on the journey of spiritual maturity, to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). “He who calls (me) is faithful, who will also do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Thank You for Your grace, that I need and that I have, every day in my “progress and joy of faith” (Philippians 1:25). “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in (me) will (be faithful to) complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). It's already done in heaven. Lord, let it be done on earth—here in my mind, here in my thoughts, here on my daily journey with You in the choices of every moment—as it is in heaven. 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 at work within you to embrace the mind of Christ that you already have in the heavenly realm here in this earthly realm, as He puts His thoughts in your mind, renewing your mind every day, 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 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 15 Meeting with Gillespie County Ministerial Association 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 and April Return Ministry to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan April 25 Preaching for the Revival Meeting at The Empty Cross on the mountain overlooking Kerrville, Texas at The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden May 23 Officiate the Wedding of Judith and Tom in Fredericksburg, Texas 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 14, 2026 – Follow the Science and Follow the Savior at the Same Time

 

Morning by Morning, January 14, 2026 – Follow the Science and Follow the Savior at the Same Time Good morning, Lord Jesus. You’re my Lord and Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And as I speak out Your name to begin my day, I surrender and submit to Your lordship, to Your authority, to Your word in my life. ... As I wait for Your leading today, the arguments before our Supreme Court yesterday come to mind. And in light of the current cultural battles of our times in our nation right now, this simple declaration from the Word of God rises up in my spirit this morning: “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27 NIV). “Male and female.” Either “male” or “female.” This simple distinction is at the core of our human identity. Down to the cells in our DNA, You established our identity at our creation when “You formed (our) inward parts; You knitted (us) together in (our) mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 ESV). I’m no PhD on these matters. I’m a Bible-believing, God-fearing, disciple of Jesus my Lord and Savior on these matters. We can follow the science and follow the Savior at the same time. Science includes biology. And following the Savior includes surrendering and submitting to the Word of God and following the leading and conviction of the Holy Spirit of God as the Authority of our lives (Romans 8:14). As You said long ago, You continue to speak today, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). And if we love one another, with the love of God in our hearts, we will love one another enough to speak the truth in love, to speak the truth because of love (Ephesians 4:15). Because it’s Your truth that sets us free (John 8:32). These matters are not political matters. These are righteousness matters. And I am personally convicted that we are to stand up and speak up on these matters in obedience to Your Word to be “salt” and “light” in our world (Matthew 5:13-16). We are to “shine as lights” as we live out the truth of Your Word in the power of Your Spirit “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” as “children of God” who are “holding fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16). We shouldn’t leave the call to courage to be left only to teen-age girls and college-age women, among many others, who are being ravaged by the insanity of our culture and the assault on our common sense raging in rebellion against the Word of God as our Authority and the Spirit of God as our Advocate of Truth in our world (John 14:15-18). Lord, give us courage to stand up and speak out for what is right and true. You say to us, “My righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back” (Hebrews 10:38). In fact, Your Word warns us “the cowardly, unbelieving” will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). We are to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” that we “may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13). So Lord, let us be “found faithful” to take our stand in our times, in our land, in the battles for righteousness in our day (1 Corinthians 4:2). Let us take to heart Your Command to overcome culture that stands against the heart of Your Word, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may the Holy Spirit move in your spirit to stand up and speak out for God's Word and Truth in every area of life where He leads you, 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 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 15 Meeting with Gillespie County Ministerial Association 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 and April Return Ministry to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan April 25 Preaching for the Revival Meeting at The Empty Cross on the mountain overlooking Kerrville, Texas at The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden May 23 Officiate the Wedding of Judith and Tom in Fredericksburg, Texas 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