Look Up and Believe 9-6-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My eyes are on You. No matter what else I see or hear or experience throughout the journey of my day, my eyes are on You. ... "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life" (John 3:14-15). In the wilderness, poisonous serpents tormented Your people. As Moses interceded in prayer, You gave the answer to their healing, deliverance, and peace. You led him to form the shape of the thing they feared and lift it high on a pole. As they looked up to the serpent of bronze, You healed them and freed them from their torment (Numbers 21:4-9). You took the cause of their pain and redeemed it by Your power into salvation instead of suffering. In You, their curse became a blessing, as they obeyed Your command to look up and believe in Your provision by faith. Through Your cross, You were lifted high on a pole. You took upon Yourself all the causes of my pain -- sin, sickness, sorrow, and shame (Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-6). By faith and obedience in response to Your Provision, You turn my curses into blessings and Your perfect love casts out my fear (1 John 4:18). When You are lifted up, You draw all people to You and draw all the poison out of us --freeing us from fear, healing us of pain, and filling us with hope (John 12:32). You redeem all things, when we look up to You. So through whatever may come this day, I choose by Your grace to look up to You. You are my Healer, my Deliverer, my Hope, and my Provision. You are my Blessing, my Peace, and my Salvation. You are my Rock and my Refuge, my Savior and Lord, my "All in All" (Ephesians 1:23). "For I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I would appreciate your continued prayers for Nanny's healing and peace. God bless you! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

With God on Our Side 9-5-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. A new day is another chance to start it off centered and grounded in You alone. ... "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side -- let Israel now say -- if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:1-8). My grandmother Hays in Texas -- we call her "Nanny" -- had a heart attack last night. But the life of Your blood is filling her heart and the wind of Your Spirit is filling her lungs. As we prayed together over the phone, Your peace steadied her heart and mine. She has survived this "attack" and death has not won its victory (1 Corinthians 15:55). The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but You come to bring life (John 10:10). Sometimes we see the deliverance of that victory on this side of heaven and sometimes on the other. But either way, You are on our side, fighting to deliver us from the snare of the fowlers, in ways we can't always see at the time. But as we hold on to You and You hold on to us, "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54). As someone has said, "God is on both sides of the grave." One day, Your Word will be completely fulfilled before our eyes, despite every attack from the enemy of our souls, whether by spiritual or physical means or both -- "The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (v. 15:26). Until that day, I join with You in this fight against the attacks of our enemy, through prayer and praise and proclaiming Your Word. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31, KJV). "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep my grandmother, Edna Hays, in your prayers, now in the hospital in Lubbock, Texas, but steady and stable. She is in good spirits and my brother Greg is there with her. Please keep our church in prayer -- Centenary United Methodist in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as our ministry, Messiah Ministries. Many sense attacks from every side amidst the advances of God's kingdom. I join in the agreement of prayer for you and your church and ministry as well, as the Lord advances His kingdom through His people, despite the plans of the enemy of our souls. God bless you! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Legacy of Faith 9-4-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Faithful Friend, Everlasting Father, I welcome Your comfort, Your strength, and Your Spirit. ... "Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'See how He loved him!' " (John 11:35-36 NKJV). We journeyed up to Indiana yesterday to join with my friends and pastors, David and Karen Thomas, to celebrate the life and faith of Karen's parents, Art and Gloria Muselman. As David testified to honor the self-less lives of this godly family who lived and loved with such passion and integrity, our hearts joined with theirs' as we wept and laughed through the moments of their lives. And the words of blessing and release written by the grandchildren were such a reflection and honor to the lives and legacy of the faith of this family. But I won't soon forget the love and grief of my dear friend at graveside of these parents she loved so much. As she stood between the caskets with arms stretched out to touch her mother and father for the last time this side of heaven, I know You were her strength standing within her, with Your arms stretched out through hers'. I know You wept as she wept in her loss and rejoiced as she rejoiced in their gain. These same hands that reached down to touch her parents' hearts one last time in sorrow and sadness were also the hands that reached up to touch Your heart in worship and trust, as we sang songs of assurance and trust in that holy mixture of grief and joy that only a heart changed by Your Spirit can know in moments like these. You are, and You always will be, the Source of her comfort and strength on this day and in the days to come (Psalm 121:1-2). What a legacy of faith she received and what a legacy of faith she has lived before us all. As my friend's parents looked on in spirit from the "great cloud of witnesses" above, I know they are pleased and proud of the woman of faith and love their little girl has become (Hebrews 12:1). And in these tender moments of releasing all the fullness of emotions to come in the days and months ahead, fill her with the love she has been so faithful to pour out to others. Bless David and Karen, Luke, John Paul, and Mary Ester with the peace and power of Your constant presence and steadfast love through this season of entrusting the lives of these they love to You. And I magnify this prayer out to all who have known and all who will know the sadness of loss of those we love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Treasures in Heaven 9-3-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek Your face and ask for Your grace to live my life well today. ... "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.' Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that' " (James 4:13-15). Death and tragedy have a way of making me stop and think. What is important? What am I doing with my life? Am I living the fullness of my destiny? If I looked back on my life from the perspective of heaven, would I like what I see? In that moment, when You wipe away every tear, will they be tears of joy of what You did through my life or tears of sadness of what You wanted to do but couldn't do through my life (Revelation 21:4)? These short days of flesh and blood on earth are but a mist in the perspective of all eternity. But every day counts, every relationship matters, every choice has consequences. And it could all end tomorrow. For some, it will. So I choose to trust You -- to trust that You know best, that You know the desires You've placed in my heart and the purposes You've planned for my life. I choose to look to You each day, asking You to put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. I want to be found faithful, having stored up "treasures in heaven" instead of earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Then my life will have eternal meaning. I may not always know it now, but I trust You that one day I will. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Anchor of the Soul" 9-2-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I direct my thoughts to You alone in these first moments of my morning. ... "We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul ..." (Hebrews 6:19-20). My hope is in You, Lord -- not in a hope to have an easy life; not in a hope that nothing bad will ever happen in a broken, fallen world; not in a hope in my own power or strength or wisdom to handle the hardships that come. My hope is in You -- in Your nature that You are love and You love me; in Your promise that You are always with me through whatever comes, never leaving me and never forsaking me; in Your ways to work everything together for good if I will entrust everything to You. Not everything that happens is Your will, but You will use everything that happens to draw me closer to You and make me more like You. You are a sure and steadfast anchor to my soul. You keep me steady when sea billows roll. You give me freedom to express my pain and even my disappointment in my sense of Your failing of promises to me at times, but You do not let Your anchor slip. No matter how high the seas may rage, the anchor of Your presence and the certain hope of Your power to bring me through will not fail. Trusting in You alone as my refuge and strength, I am free "to seize the hope set before (me)" (v. 6:18). " 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him' " (Lamentations 3:24). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Comfort in Sorrow 9-1-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me close to You, where I find my comfort and peace, security and strength. ... "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word" (Psalm 119:28). Both parents of a close friend were just killed in a tragic car accident. The hearts of all who know her and her wonderful family are heavy with sorrow and torn in grief. As they have spent their lives comforting others, as pastors and friends, they need Your comfort now. Release them to grieve the sorrow of this incomprehensible loss, even as they release these treasured loved ones into the embrace of Your arms. Strengthen them according to Your Word. Comfort them in the presence of Your Spirit. Lead them through this valley of the shadow of death, knowing You go with them and carry them through to the other side. As they are able to release it to You, draw out their pain and pour in Your peace. There will be time for celebrating the resurrection life of these saints in heaven; and there will also be time for grieving the loss of their lives on earth. But whether sadness or joy, You are with us through it all. You give us permission to grieve and You give us peace in Your presence. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Home from the Harvest with Joy 8-31-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the One who sends me out and You are the One who brings me home. I welcome You to be at home in my heart today. ... "After this, the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of them in pairs to every town and place where He Himself intended to go. He said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into this harvest. ... The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, in Your name even the demons submit to us!' ... At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit ..." (Luke 10:1-21). Thank You, Lord, for sending me out into Your harvest and thank You for bringing home with joy. Thank You for letting me sense a measure of the pleasure in You heart for our team who were obedient to go and serve in the harvest fields of Estonia and for those of our team who were faithful to stay and serve in the war room of prayer at home. Thank You that we can join You to rejoice in the Holy Spirit for the lives You touch through the lives of Your church when we are obedient to go where You send us and do what You send us to do. We rejoice that our names are written in heaven, and that through the ministry of Your love and power through laborers of Your harvest, many others will know their names are now written in heaven too (v. 10:20). You are the Lord of the harvest and You are the Lord of my heart. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Dear Friends, thank Your for covering my family and ministry and our team in prayer on our ministry trip to Estonia these past ten days. The people were wonderful and we believe the Lord used us as His vessels to minister His encouragement and love to His people in many ways. We saw spiritual, emotional, and physical healing, and the strengthening and cleansing of the laborers for His great harvest to come. Thank you for being with us in the ministry of prayer. Thank you for all the ways you encourage us and support us to make this ministry possible. May You receive a hundred-fold and more of the blessings the Lord poured into us and through us in this time of ministry to others. God bless you! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Go Through the Gates" 8-29-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Arise in my heart and shine through my life today. ... "Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples" (Isaiah 62:10). Yesterday we stood at the disputed border between Estonia and Russia. We prayed for the cleansing of the land from any defiling sins of the past. We prayed that the gates of unrighteousness would come down that You would establish Your gates of righteousness in this place. We prayed the gospel of Your kingdom would go forth and Your missionaries of Your good news would go forth through these gates. In Your power and according to Your promises, the gates of hell will not prevail against Your church. And as we go through the gates You open, proclaim the words You speak through us, and minister the power of Your love You release through us, we prepare the way for the people to receive You as Lord. Here and throughout all the earth, open wide the gates for the gospel of the kingdom of God to go forth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Extravagant Grace 8-28-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, be Lord of my life today. ... "Then you shall again obey the Lord, observing all His commandments that I am commanding you today, and the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as He delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing His commandments and decrees that are written in the book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 30:8-10). What amazing things we saw yesterday in ministering to Your people of this land. At the morning prayer meeting, a woman's mourning was turned to laughter, a man's hearing began to be restored, a woman's daughter continued to be set free at deeper levels to be restored in her mind, a marriage began to be reconciled. And You will be faithful to bring to completion all you have begun (Philippians 1:6). As we turn to You, You are eager to answer our prayers and delight in prospering Your people with Your grace and power and presence. Even in the asking and the persevering when the answers seem slow, You bless us with the relationship You form through the intimacy of prayer. But I was astounded at Your extravagant grace for a single mother Methodist pastor. She was living in an apartment with her children in a noisy part of town with many bad influences. It was the cry of her heart to have a place of peace to raise her family and serve her church. At the same time, You were moving on the heart of another one of Your servants. She was a woman from Estonia now living in Canada. Their family's farm house was taken by the communists in the Soviet occupation and destroyed. The freed government of Estonia gave her a replacement farmhouse, that's not really used much now that she no longer lives here. She knew of the pastor's needs through the Baptist pastor and his wife from their weekly interdenominational prayer meeting to pray for their city. We were so honored to be asked to come and pray a blessing upon this house if some arrangement were worked out as these ladies met yesterday at the farm. We were astonished as the woman chose to completely give the house and farm to this pastor and her family. Praise You, Lord! Both were thrilled and so were we! You delight in prospering Your people with the extravagance of Your grace. And we delight in praising You for Your Father's heart for Your children. What a blessing we prayed and what a blessing we received. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Thank You, Lord 8-27-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see You. Open the ears of my spirit, I want to hear You. ... "On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached Him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!' When He saw them, He said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him. And he was a Samaritan" (Luke 17:11-16). Thank You, Lord Jesus. You are the Healer. You are the Lord who heals us (Exodus 15:26). You are the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). You are still binding up the broken-hearted and setting the captives free, as You proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God and demonstrate it through Your power (Luke 4:18). Thank You for the gift of using Your people as Your vessels to be instruments of Your healing power through prayer (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Yesterday, I had the joy of sharing Your gospel and ministering Your healing love to the Estonian people in two churches at Varoos and Vitka, just miles away from Latvia and Russia in the southeastern-most region of this nation. What tears of joy I had when a couple came up for prayer and the husband said, "I wanted to personally thank you for praying for my wife when she had her terrible car accident last year." She was crying and smiling and said she was doing very well now. Pastor Kaupo Kant from this community had been in America last year and we were having a time of prayer together at Bob and Doris McCray's house. This accident had just happened and we went to You in prayer for this lady and her family at our breakfast table. And here she was, healed and whole, praising You, as we thanked You together. In the mystery of faith, our prayers are not limited by time or space, and neither are Your answers through the power of Your love. Thank You, Lord! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Thank you for all your prayers for us, my friends. Doris, Bob, and I will be ministering at a men's retreat and women's retreat today, as well as joining in a prayer meeting and other opportunities of ministry. We saw the tops of the trees across the border into Russia yesterday and this seems like such a spiritually strategic region. God bless you! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

The Light of Your Glory 8-26-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts with Your words, lead me in Your paths. ... "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light" (Colossians 2:11-12). Yesterday in the "prayer tent" at our campground, an elderly Russian-speaking woman asked me to pray a blessing for her life. As we prayed she began to smile. The more I prayed the more she smiled. She suddenly opened her eyes and lifted her hands up to the center of the tent. She said, "The light! The light! I see so much light!" Praise You, Lord. You are the Light. You are our Inheritance. Thank You for letting me share with this saint of God in her experience with You of receiving a deep measure the joy of her inheritance in the Light. Continue opening the eyes of all the hearts of all Your saints -- all the children of God -- to experience Your glorious power and walk in Your glorious light. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

One Spirit, Many Languages 8-25-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You and seek You and serve You. ... "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to then one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). We have gathered at a retreat center on the shores of the Baltic Sea from churches across the country of Estonia. People are hungry to hear from You. They want to hear Your voice and sense Your leading in their lives. And through the prayers and messages, through visions and prophetic words, You are speaking to us in many ways. Even as all the words are being spoken and translated into the Estonian, Russian, and English languages, You are speaking by Your One Spirit in many ways. Open our hears to hear what Your Spirit it saying to each of us, personally and as the one body of Your church bound together by one faith in You. As we hear, let us be encouraged and let us faithful. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Tent of Meeting 8-24-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I hear Your calling to come and spend our time together in the communion of prayer -- Father and Son, abiding in me by Your Holy Spirit. Help me look and seeing what You're doing; help me listen and hear what You're saying. Then help me obey, so I can join in what You are doing and desire to do through me this day. ... "Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp" (Exodus 33:7). We're here at Camp Gideon now on Estonia's northeastern coast of the Baltic Sea, not too far from the Russian border. This land was once occupied by the Red Army under the Soviet communist occupation forces, where young people were once indoctrinated in atheism. Now young people come here to learn the love of God and the ways of Jesus. Once this land was occupied by Nazi troops under the German occupation of World War II. Now a German couple have traveled here to this camp to set up a huge tent, without cost, for the preaching of the Word of God and where we will minister freedom to the captives and healing to broken. My, how You love to redeem the land and cause the earth to manifest what You have done in the heavens. This tent is our "tent of meeting." It's filled with pastors and people of their churches from all regions of this nation of Estonia. We are hungry for You, seeking Your presence, and welcoming Your power to change our lives and welcoming Your Spirit to move us in prayer for release of revival in this land. Let Your "pillar of cloud" descend, let the glory of Your manifest presence come down (v. 33:9). We want to see You "face to face," and grow in the gift of hearing Your voice "as one speaks to a friend" (v. 33:11). We want to experience this for ourselves and we want to prepare the way for the next generation who will see You and hear You, ever more clearly with each generation of Joshuas who grow nearer to You (v. 33:11). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"A Precious Stone" 8-23-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me hear Your voice, so I can speak Your word. ... "To you then who believe, He is precious; but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,' and 'A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall' " (1 Peter 2:7-8). You've sent me to Estonia to speak Your words of life and encouragement to the pastors and people of this land who have endured centuries of oppression, yet the spirit of the faithful remnant remains strong and alive. I've been hearing stories about the four Methodist ministers who were martyred for their faith, defiantly refusing to renounce it in the face of communist tyranny. But their blood cries out from this land, and the seeds of their lives sown in faith will yet yield a great harvest of souls (Revelation 6:9-10). Nations will stumble and kingdoms will fall, but the Stone rejected -- "this Jesus" -- "has become the Cornerstone" (Acts 4:11). It seems I hear You say, "Estonia is to Me a precious stone." You are flooding my mind with Scriptures of stones -- with messages to encourage the people of Estonia -- "es - stone -- ia." As they arise into newness of life in their calling and destiny as a people of God, they are "living stones" being built up into Your spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-10). Though they are small in numbers, they are as one of David's "five smooth stones" gathered on his way to battle the oppression of the people of God, striking the head of the enemy that the people might be set free from the threat of tyranny and the taunting of their God (1 Samuel 17:40-49). As the stone is rolled away from the tomb of their past and the bondage of death to their destiny, they are as Lazarus coming forth in response to Your call (John 11:39). They are as the "white stone" given to those who overcome and hear their new name to walk in their God-given identity and calling (Revelation 2:17). They will be as the stones crying out in praise of Your name (Luke 19:40). You are removing their "heart of stone," and giving them a "heart of flesh" with a "new spirit," refreshed, renewed, and empowered by Your Holy Spirit to be Your holy people to live out their destiny for Your glory (Ezekiel 36:26). I see with the eyes of my heart for this people two visions from a world map of this region of the earth. In one, I see their nation as a cornerstone, positioned at the northwest corner of Russia and all Asia. In the other, I see their nation as a cornerstone positioned at the northeast corner of Europe. Now I see the nation of Estonia in the center of an arch, like a keystone, between Europe and Asia at the top center of a gothic arch over the top of this eastern side of the earth. Yes, Lord. Use this tiny nation to be a cornerstone and a keystone -- strategically positioned -- to birth a revival in the harvest to come. Though there are now few believers of Christ in this nation, You love to use the "weakest" and "least" for Your glory, as in the days of Gideon (Judges 6:15). Yes, Lord. The seeds of the martyrs will reap a harvest -- "a hundredfold" of all they have suffered and all they have lost (Mark 10:28-30). Though it may seem now they are last and left behind, "many who are first will be last, and the last will be first" (v. 10:31). I am honored to join my heart with theirs as You fill my spirit with Yours to speak Your words of truth and life, encouragement and exhortation (1 Corinthians 14:3). All that is of You will come to pass in Your timing and Your way for Your glory (Isaiah 55:11). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

"What Pleases Him" 8-22-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our God. Come rule and reign this day in the kingdom of my heart. ... "Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we obey His commandments and do what pleases Him" (1 John 3:21-22). What pleases You, Lord? ... It seems I hear You say, "You please Me. You please Me when You seek Me with all your heart -- not holding back, not looking back." But what about my sins and failures and ways I've disappointed You and others? "You please when You seek Me with all your heart -- not holding back, not looking back. As You look to Me, you become who I created you to be." Yes, Lord. Remind to always find myself in You -- in Your eyes alone. In You, I am forgiven of my sins, I am learning from my mistakes, I am pressing in and moving on with You -- which never disappoints You, but only delights You. You love me as I am, but never leave me as I am -- constantly changing me into Your image, from glory to glory, as I seek You and worship You, wanting to become more like You (2 Corinthians 3:18). Thank You, Daddy Abba, my Father God. Thank You, Lord Jesus, my Savior and King. Thank You, Holy Spirit, the Living Presence of the Living God living in me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Continual Intercession 8-21-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Wherever I go, there You are. Wherever I go, here You are in me by Your Holy Spirit. ... "Immediately aware that power had gone forth from Him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched My clothes?' ... He looked all around to see who had done it" (Mark 5:30-32). Going through airports, surrounded by people, I know You go with me and You go within me wherever I go (John 14:20). As I go, let my eyes be attentive and my heart be aware of the people I pass along the way. Stretch out Your hand, send forth Your Word, release Your power to touch them, encourage them, convict them, and heal them as each has need. Give me a heart of continual intercession, as You continually live in me -- always living to intercede for the souls and needs of the people You died to save (Hebrews 7:25). Then even layovers and weather delays become opportunities for ministry and the advance of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for joining with me in ministry on this trip to the Baltic Republic of Estonia. We've had some weather delays and it looks like we'll be stopping over in Denmark instead of Sweden, but will be praying for the people all along the way. Your prayers, encouragement, and support make all this possible. God bless you! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Go Into All the World" 8-20-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear Your heart. Bring mine into align with Yours. ... "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation' " (Mark 16:15). Today I'll be going into a part of the world where I've never been before, to the nation of Estonia, on the northwestern border of Russia. We'll also stop in Sweden for a moment and cross over the lands and people of many other nations along the way. Everywhere I go -- through the skies and upon the land -- the light of the glory of Your gospel goes with me, because You are within me. Everywhere I go, the kingdom of heaven is at hand because the God of heaven and earth is living in me. I go as an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). I go as one sent to proclaim the good news of Your kingdom, to bind up the broken-hearted and to set the captives free, all in Your power and all as You lead for Your glory (Isaiah 61:1-4). I go in desperate dependence upon You, because apart from You, I can do nothing (John 15:5). So lead me to the places and people where I am to give and where I am to receive. Put Your words in my mouth, Your prayers on my lips, Your love in my heart. Let Your light shine through my life, as a son of Your light (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Let Your signs follow me, as one who believes (Mark 16:16-18). Use this experience to change lives; use this experience to change my life. I wouldn't go if Your weren't sending me, and I wouldn't go if You weren't going with me. I praise You, Lord God Almighty, that You are. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'm not sure how much access I will have to the internet, but I'll plan to send out my devotional as I am able and I thank you for your prayers. We will be ministering in Estonia in the capital city of Tallinn, at a ministers' retreat at Camp Gideon, and other places of Divine encounters along the way. Bob and Doris McCray, will join with me August 20th through 30th. Please keep us and our families and all the lives the Lord will touch in prayer. Here's a couple of links to know more: http://www.bmk.ee/indexenglish.html and http://gbgm-umc.org/europe/estonia/ God bless you and thank you so much for joining with us in ministry! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Blessing of Kindness 8-19-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Spring up, O well of the waters of life. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit as You awaken me to Your will for me today. ... "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show mercy and kindness to one another" (Zechariah 7:9). As we moved Elizabeth into her new home in the dorm of her university yesterday, Your favor and grace was upon us all day. Strangers volunteered helpful information, security guards guided us with courtesy, the morning was surprisingly cool. Somehow we arrived at a time when the lines were short and even parked right in front of the door to unload all her worldly possessions to sustain her new life for the next four (or so) years. But as we began to unload, we were surrounded by a team of Christians from a local Baptist church who welcomed us and helped us gather all her belongings and move them into her room, with overflowing kindness and hospitality. They were witnesses of the gospel without words to us and all the families taking these first steps of a new season. They made it easy to see the Spirit of Your presence is everywhere You have Your children ready to love and serve with kindness and joy. Let me pass on the blessing of kindness in the opportunities You bring to me today. Let me share Your gospel, with words and without, in the ways You lead. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Strength, Wisdom, and Favor 8-18-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Live Your life through my life today. ... "The Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40). As my oldest daughter Elizabeth moves into her dorm at college today, I feel many emotions. But above all, I entrust her into Your care. Many years ago Your Holy Spirit led me to craft a simple prayer to teach my children to pray as they began their day: "Lord Jesus, make me more like You each day." It was to be simple, personal, and powerful. I pray for them and all of their generation and the ones to follow. My they grew in Your grace, depend upon Your strength, be filled with Your wisdom, and be blessed by Your favor. May they know You personally in every dimension of Your Being -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- as they surrender and entrust to You every dimension of their being -- spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). May they become more like You each day because they turn to You each day to welcome Your Spirit into their spirits, Your thoughts into their thoughts, and Your desires into their desires. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in and through their lives, as You make them more like You each day. And may this be my prayer each day as well. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Destruction of Divided Hearts 8-17-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In You all things have become new. I start this new day with a clean slate and a fresh start. I start it with You. ... "So these nations worshipped the Lord, but also served their carved images; to this day their children and their children's children continue to do as their ancestors did" (2 Kings 17:41). The people who came to live in the land of Samaria learned about You and Your nature and Your law. They learned to worship You as "the God of the land," but at the same time, they continued to worship gods of their own -- the false gods carved by their own hands and made in their own image (v. 17:27-34). But You do not share Your glory with any god; You will have no other gods before You. You are not one God among many, content to be included as an option of worship. And their sin of idolatry defiled the land and defiled their souls in their generation and the generations to come. Their idolatry and blasphemy, compromise and spiritual adultery brought their lives out from under Your hand of protection and opened themselves and their children to destruction (v. 17:25-26). You love us and Your created us for a relationship with You alone. You are jealous for our love and devotion, never willing to tolerate compromise or complacency in our dedication to You. All roads do not lead to heaven. All worship is not acceptable worship. What husband would tolerate a divided heart from his wife who loved him but also loved others? What covenant is honored by compromise? Love demands loyalty. And loyalty is an undivided heart. We may not bow down to carved images of wood and stone or burn our children in the fire to false gods as in the land of Samaria (v. 17:29-32). But we often allow our hearts to be divided; we allow other things to take Your place as the priority in our lives; we compromise with the cultures around us and subtly make room for both the material and spiritual gods that gain control and power to influence, if not dominate, our lives. And it breaks Your heart as we open up our lives and our land to destruction -- not only for our generation, but also for those to come. Forgive us, Lord. Deliver us from divided hearts and the destruction it brings. Cleanse our hearts from idolatry and adultery, from compromise and complacency. Draw our hearts to worship You and You alone. You are the road to heaven; You are the road of heaven to us. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com