Merry and Missing 12-21-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. The first thought in my mind and the first sound in my day is Your name. ... "There was also a prophet, Anna ... a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and speak about the Child to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel" (Luke 2:36-38). Christmas is a time to be merry, celebrating the birth of this Child who changes our lives. And for a season -- despite all the efforts to secularize it, materialize it, and marginalize it -- even our hardened, politically correct culture is still filled with greetings of "Merry Christmas," our radio waves are filled with Christmas songs, our lawns are filled with shepherds and angels, and our hearts are filled with joy and cheer. Christmas is a world-wide celebration of the birth of Christ. But it's also a time of missing those we love, who we wish could be with us to celebrate this joy of this season. Anna, the worshipper, never left the temple because she loved You and praised You day and night, always sensing Your Presence. But also Anna, the widow, never went home, where she must have missed the one she loved, maybe always sensing his absence. So there's room in our hearts to be both merry and missing the ones we love. You are our hope and our peace. You are the redemption of Israel and all things, bringing great tidings of comfort and joy, lifting our loneliness, stirring our hearts, drawing us together to worship You and celebrate You in the temple of Your Presence. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Please put on your calendars our City-Wide Strategic Prayer Summit January 11-12 in Lexington to join us if you can and pray with us if you can't. Write for details and a flyer is attached. Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.injesus.com/

"Overwhelmed with Joy" 12-20-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Draw me deep into Your Presence as I focus my thoughts and open my heart to You alone in these first moments of my morning. ... "When they heard the king, (the wise men) set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy" (Mathew 2:9-10). To seek You is faith; to find You is joy. These wise men followed the witness of creation and the Word of God to find the One their hearts where drawn to seek (v. 2:1-8). When they found You, they worshipped You. They opened their treasure chests to You, with giving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh out of the joy of their hearts in finding the Messiah (v. 2:11). Lord Jesus, You are the Messiah of Israel, the Christ of all nations. You are "the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16). You are Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). And all who seek You with all their hearts will find You (Jeremiah 29:13). By the leading of Your grace, I have sought You and I have found You. I am overwhelmed with joy. I bow down before You, worship and adore You. I open my chest and offer You the treasure of all that I have. I give You the gifts of the gold of my heart, the incense of my prayers, and the myrrh of the surrender of my will to Yours'. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

Seek Him and Adore Him 12-19-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the One who is and who was and who is to come (Revelation 1:8). Come now into my thoughts and my heart and my day, I pray. ... "In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the Child who has been born King of the Jews? For we observed His star at its rising, and have come to pay Him homage" (Matthew 2:1-2). As they say, "Wise men still seek Him." The stars and the incredible intricacy of Your design of all creation move upon the hearts of all but the most proud to acknowledge there is One who is Creator. "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). "Ever since the beginning of the world (Your) eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things (You) have made. So (we) are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). As with these wise men, You often use the glory of Your creation to lead us to the Creator. The vain philosophy of life by accident insults the intelligence You have given us. The profound complexity and intelligent design of the heavens above and firmament below leave us all without excuse to seek the One who created us seek You and know You, to worship and adore You. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:15-16). "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Awake and Obey 12-18-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name, seek out Your face, and reach out for Your Presence. ... "When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a Son; and he named Him Jesus" (Matthew 1:24-25). You gave Joseph great faith and great courage to believe Mary's story of a miraculous conception and to believe You would confirm her word by Your word through an angel in a dream. But with that gift of faith and courage, Joseph was free to choose to believe or not, to obey or not. By Your grace, he woke up, he discerned Your truth, and he chose well to trust and obey. He had the honor of naming the Son of God. Give me great faith to believe Your miraculous signs and to hear Your words through the ways You choose to speak to me. Give me great courage to choose well with the freedom You give to trust Your words and obey Your commands. As I wake up each day from sleep, open my eyes to seek Your face, open my ears to hear Your voice, and open my heart to welcome Your Presence. I will have the honor of the joy and peace that comes from living in the trusting surrender of communion with You and obedience to Your words. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Dec. 21th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. Sandra White who is powerfully gifted by the Lord in healing ministry will be leading in prayer while Brooke and Shannon Barrett lead us in worship. All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Joseph's Choice of Mercy 12-17-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I come now before You, to worship and adore You, and welcome You into every moment of my day. ... "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way. When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins' " (Matthew 1:18-21). Before the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, he had a choice to make -- to demand judgment or release mercy. Under the law, if a virgin engaged to be married, found to have had relations with another man could have been stoned at the city gate along with that man (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). "But just when" Joseph choose mercy rather than judgment, the angel appeared to him and spoke to him. Joseph showed himself to be "a righteous man" in his actions by what he had resolved in his heart. "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:12-13). Like Joseph, Lord give me a heart of mercy, not always insisting on my just judgment of those I feel have wronged me or violated my trust. There is room for justice and just judgment, but You also desire there to be room for mercy. You have shown great mercy to each of us by coming to "save (Your) people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). You were conceived and born in the midst of mercy. Then one day You died to release mercy to us all. Thank You for saving me from my sins. Thank You for making room for mercy in Your heart. Give me Your heart of mercy toward others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Prepare His Way" 12-16-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You increase as I decrease. You speak as I listen. ... "And you child will called prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:76-79). John had the spirit of Elijah. You said he was "the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You' " (Matthew 11:10-14). In the days of anticipation of the celebration of Your birth, send Your Spirit to prepare the way. In the days of anticipation of Your return, send Your Spirit to prepare the way. Though we live in a broken, fallen world, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, we look forward to the day Your dawn from on high will break upon us again (1 Thessalonians 4:16). On that day You will come in the skies, but we welcome You each day before then to come in our hearts as Your Spirit prepares the way of the Lord in us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Life in the Womb of Mary 12-15-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit; come be One in me through the communion of the Spirit in prayer (1 Corinthians 6:17). ... "Then (John the Baptist's) father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: 'Blessed by the Lord God of Israel, for He has looked favorable on His people and redeemed them. He has raised up a Mighty Savior for us in house of His servant David, as He spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets from of old ... that we might swerve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days" (Luke 1:67-75). Zechariah proclaimed in the Spirit the coming of the Messiah of Israel. Yet at the time he proclaimed it, You were already conceived by the Holy Spirit in the human womb of Mary but not yet born. Life begins before birth -- at the conception of life in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). Your spiritual life is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting, as Son of God; but Your physical life began at conception in the womb of Mary as Son of Man (Philippians 2:5-8). After conception but before birth, Zechariah was able to proclaim already that God the Father had already looked upon His people, had already redeemed them, and had already raised up a Mighty Savior. Your physical life as Messiah, like each of ours, began at conception and before birth. Lord Jesus, as we celebrate in this season of Christmas Your supernatural conception and Your glorious birth, You are also reminding of the sacredness of life in the womb. We are created by God with calling and purpose and destiny, knit together by Your hands in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). Continue to convict us, so You can forgive us and heal us and deliver us as a people from the sin of abortion, as we turn to You in repentance and faith. Cleanse and heal our hearts and our land as we honor Your Life and all life in these days. You are our Messiah, our Mighty Savior, our Healer and our Redeemer -- the "Light to the Nations" (Isaiah 42:6). Awaken us into newness of life to serve You "in holiness and righteousness before (You) all our days." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Out of the Lowly Places 12-14-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are Emanuel. You are God with us. ... "All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child" (Luke 2:3-5). The Jewish prophets declared long before the days of Joseph and Mary that the Child who would be born the Messiah of Israel would be a descendant of the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7). He would come forth from the generational line of King David (v. 11:1-2). And the light of His glory would shine forth from Galilee (v. 9:1-2). Yet, this holy Child would be born in Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah (Micah 5:2). Just as His earthly father Joseph, this Child would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, yet he would grow up and live in Nazareth of the region of Galilee. Apparently Nazareth was seen as a lowly place in those days. It was asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). And the place of Your birth was a lowly place as well -- in the manger of a stable in the very city where You were a descendant of the King (Luke 2:7). You love to chose "what is low and despised in the world" to be the places where You display Your glory (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). Lord, take the low places of weakness, failure, sorrow, sadness, brokenness, and shame in my life. Let the light of glory shine through these places -- how You love me and give Your life for me even when I sin; how You save me and raise me up from times of hurt and pain; how You keep healing me and freeing me and sending me out to love others with the love You have given me. Thank You, Jesus. You resist the proud, but give grace to the humble. And for all who will admit our desperate dependence on You, You lift us up and let the light of glory shine through -- even out of the most lowly places of our lives (James 4:6-10). If we give it to You, if we keep giving ourselves to You, You cause good to come out of it all in Your timing and in Your way (Romans 8:28). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I can send you a Postcard Flyer for sharing with dates for the City-Wide Strategic Prayer Summit (Jan 11-12, 2008) and for our next School of Spiritual Ministry (Jan 21-24, 2008) if you request it by email to me at: MessiahMin@aol.com Save the date for our City-wide Strategic Prayer Summit to begin the new year in prayer, praise, and proclamation January 11-12, 2008. We'll have a number of city-wide and regional prayer leaders leading us to "Know Our Calling and Fulfill Our Destiny" as the Body of Christ in our city. Our ministry will host it at Church of the Savior. Write or call Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com for details and please spread the word! Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Blessing of Fulfillment 12-13-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I watch and wait for the leading of Your Spirit. ... "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord" (Luke 1:45). I believe You are always speaking to us -- always reminding us of who we are in You and who You are in us, always leading us into the fulfillment of our destiny in our generation. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Romans 8:14). We are to created to hear Your voice and follow where You lead (John 10:3). But we can hear and fail to believe. We can believe and fail to follow. "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it" (Luke 11:28). Mary heard Your word and believed it and obeyed it. Blessed was she, as You fulfilled Your word through her life. Help me be quiet enough in my spirit to hear Your voice and sensitive enough to sense Your leading. Help me be have faith enough to believe what I hear and courage enough to obey it. You created me -- like each of Your children -- with identity, calling, and destiny (Ephesians 1:11-14). Let me never grow satisfied, complacent, or passive, until Your word for my life is fulfilled for Your purposes to the praise of Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be speaking on the blessing and power of gratitude at the Celebrate Recovery ministry at my home church, Centenary in Lexington, tonight. All are welcome. If you're in the area, please come join us for a meal, praise and worship, a message of hope, time of sharing with one another in small groups, and prayer. www.CRLex.com Save the date for our City-wide Strategic Prayer Summit to begin the new year in prayer, praise, and proclamation January 11-12, 2008. We'll have a number of city-wide and regional prayer leaders leading us to "know our calling and fulfill our destiny" as the Body of Christ in our city. Our ministry will host it at Church of the Savior. Write or call Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com for details and please spread the word! Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Emmanuel, God with Us 12-12-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my thoughts and in the foundation of my day. ... "In those days Mary set out with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb' " (Luke 1:33-42). The child in Elizabeth's womb recognized the Child in Mary's womb -- not by words, not sight, but spirit to Spirit. John the Baptist, even before his birth, was "filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 15). Then so was his mother Elizabeth (v. 41), so was his father Zechariah (v. 67), and so was Mary (v. 35). Their human spirits leaped with joy by the stirring of the Holy Spirit. God became flesh in the womb of Mary (John 1:14; Philippians 2:7). Their spirits could not contain the joy of the Presence of God in their midst -- "Emmanuel" -- God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). As the Holy Spirit leaped with joy in the hearts of all those in Your Presence, Mary sang out, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). Lord Jesus, God my Savior, I welcome Your Presence in every area of my life. Let my spirit continually rejoice in Your Spirit. Let me be filled with the Holy Spirit as I magnify Your name and marvel at Your truth -- God is with us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you're in the Lexington area, please save the date for our City-wide Strategic Prayer Summit to begin the new year in prayer, praise, and declaration January 11-12, 2008. We'll have a number of city-wide and regional prayer leaders leading us to "know our calling and fulfill our destiny" as the Body of Christ in our city. Our ministry will host it at Church of the Savior. Write or call Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 for details and please spread the word! Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Response of Faith 12-11-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me follow as You lead; help me listen as You speak. ... "Then Mary said, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word' " (Luke 1:38). When the angel Gabriele declared, "Nothing shall be impossible for God," Mary responded in faith, "Here am I" (v. 37). Lord, let Mary's response be my response. Whether You send an angel, bring a thought to my mind, speak to my heart, stir in my spirit, show me an image, emphasis a verse of Your Scripture, open a door that only You could open, or any other way You choose to speak to me, let my response be the response of faith -- "Here am I." Give me grace to be sensitive Your voice. And give me faith to be obedient to Your call. "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23, NKJV). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Born of the Virgin Mary 12-10-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and open up my soul and welcome in Your Spirit. Possess me with the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). ... "Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be holy; He will be called Son of God' " (Luke 1:34-35). You were conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. It seems to me that those who don't believe in Your virgin birth don't really believe in "the power of the Most High." And a powerless god is no god at all. So they may say they know You, but do they really know You at all? They may say they depend upon You, but do they depend upon You and Your power or do they just depend upon themselves and their own power and call it "God?" Forgive me for any times that I have tolerated that deception as theological diversity -- that's the blasphemy of arrogant pride, the deception of humanism masquerading as faith. It is of the spirit of "antichrist" (2 John 7). A "christ" that was not born of a virgin, according to the Word of God, is no Christ at all. "Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also" (1 John 2:22-23). Holy Spirit of the Living God, cleanse the heart and soul of the Body of Christ. Deliver us from deception, humble us of arrogant pride, and restore us to faithfulness as true witnesses of Your uncompromised truth. The virginity of Mary speaks of the calling to purity of the Church that is "holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). This is the Church You want to overshadow and possess with the power of the Most High. This is the Church of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, proclaiming the True Christ as Savior and Lord for all the world to hear and see. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

No Ordinary Child 12-09-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek You with all my heart. ... "The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end' " (Luke 1:30-33). Isaiah had prophesied eight hundred years before Mary's encounter with the angel that a Child would be born to the throne of David who would be no ordinary Child. His authority would "grow continually" and His kingdom of justice and righteousness would last "forevermore" (Isaiah 9:6-7). This Child would come from "Galilee of the nations" to establish His kingdom throughout all nations (v. 1). Though this Child would be born, as any other child, He would be "born for us" (v. 6). This Child of promise and destiny, though born of human flesh, would be unlike any child ever born before. "He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (v. 6). He would be born form the womb of Mary in the City of David as "a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11). Lord Jesus, You are both Son of the Most High and You are Everlasting Father. You are born of human flesh, yet You are Mighty God. You are the Child of promise who has fulfilled Your destiny, born to die for us that we might live forever in You (John 3:16). Praise Your holy name. Let Your kingdom grow continually in my heart and throughout all the earth forevermore. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Favored One 12-08-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I wait upon You in the quietness of my soul, I prepare room for You in the anticipation of my heart. ... "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you' "(Luke 1:26-28). Mary was favored for You were with her. Your favor is the grace of Your Presence in our lives. The angel said Mary "found favor with God" (v. 30). Lord, how to I find favor with You? It seems I hear You say, "My son, you find favor with Me as you seek Me with all your heart. As you seek Me, as you open your heart to Me, here I am." Yes, Lord. By Your grace, I do seek You. I seek the favor of Your Presence. I welcome You and embrace You here in my heart and in every area of my life. "For whoever finds Me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 8:35). Thank You for Your promises, "When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart, I will let you find Me, says the Lord" (Jeremiah 29:13-14). Like Mary, I want to be a favored one. Wake me every morning to hunger for You, to seek after You, to never be satisfied without more of You in my life. This is the heart after God that finds favor in Your sight. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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.orgOrder our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com Check out AOL Money & Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007.

Hanukkah Fulfilled in the Messiah 12-07-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Light of the world, shine in my soul. ... "At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you and you do not believe.... The Father and I are One.' The Jews took up stones to stone Him" (John 10:22-31). The Festival of Dedication is called Hanukkah today, celebrated by Jewish people around the world for these eight days of the Festival of Lights. As I understand the history (1 and 2 Maccabbees -- from the non-canonical books), this feast celebrates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem in 175 B.C. The Syrian king Antiochus IV, who called himself Antiochus Epiphanes (the visible god), declared himself to be god and desecrated the Jewish temple with the blood sacrifice of a pig on the altar. Filled with the holy anger of God, a Jewish priest named Matthias Maccabbee pulled down the altar and led a miraculous rebellion with Judah Maccabbee and Matthias' other sons the defeat the vast Syrian army. When they rededicated the temple, there was only enough consecrated oil to light the sacred menorah (seven branched candelabra) and keep it burning one night. But the oil continued to burn and shine the light for eight days, the days required to make more of the consecrated oil to light the lamp commanded to never burn out in the temple. So today, a nine-branched menorah is used for this festival of dedication and lights, as they take the center candle and light the other eight candles, one each night for each night of the miracle of the light which continued to burn. All the festivals and feasts, like all the law and the prophets, are ultimately fulfilled in You. They are signs that point to the One to come. You said "I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12). You said, "I and the Father are One" (v. 10:30). You are the Light that never burns out. You are One with the Father, shining Your Light in the hearts and of all who believe, by Your Holy Spirit living in us. When You declared that You were the Messiah, that You were God's Son, that You were One with the Father, many of the Jews that day wanted to stone You, shrieking, "You, though only a human being, are making yourself God" (v. 33). But a remnant came to You, and "many believed" (v. 42). Lord, open my eyes to see You as You are. Open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles alike to see that You are the Messiah, the Light of the World, "the refection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very Being" (Hebrews 1:3). Come and pull down the false altars in our hearts and take Your rightful place in the temple of our souls. Let our bodies be the temple of Your Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). "For it is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Celebrate His Goodness 12-06-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Welcome into my thoughts, my desires, and my day. ... "After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months remained in seclusion. She said, 'This is what the Lord has done for me when He looked favorably upon me and took away the disgrace I endured among the people' " (Luke 1:24-25). For five months, Elizabeth hid her testimony of Your power and grace in her life. You miraculously answered her prayers for a child, but she was too afraid to tell anybody. I suppose she waited until her belly was big enough and her baby could kick hard enough that no one could mock her and shame her any more. And one day she spoke out, "Look what the Lord has done for me!" Lord, forgive us for keeping Your power a secret. Thank You being patient and understanding with us when we are bound by fear of rejection and wounded by the shame of the past. And praise You for loving us enough to never leave us there, but making a way to release Your power, break our bondage, and heal our wounds. Give us courage to testify and experience the joy of sharing the good news of all You have done. Then those who have rejected us can rejoice with us, as we celebrate Your goodness and mercy and power together (v. 58). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Supernatural Signs of God's Presence through Corporate Prayer 12-05-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. By Your grace, I give as much of me as I can to You and receive as much of You as I can in me. Lord God Almighty -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- come abide in me as I surrender to You, I pray. ... "Once when (Zechariah) was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense" (Luke 1:8-11). The angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah in the temple, "when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside" (v. 10). Somehow I've missed that part through all the Christmas seasons of reading these Christmas stories in Your Word. The angelic visitation came when the people gathered together in corporate prayer. You hear us when we pray alone, but at the same time, gathering together in the agreement of prayer with one another is a key spiritual principle to experiencing the supernatural manifestations of Your Presence among us. As You said long ago, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20). Lord, we are hungry for Your Presence among us. We are hungry for the supernatural "signs and wonders" of Your power to change our lives and the witness of Your power to change the lives of those around us in our churches and communities (Hebrews 2:4). As Zechariah served You, while people gathered together in corporate prayer with You, You answered the prayers of his heart (Luke 1:13). Awake within us this desire to join together in prayer, that the needs and desires of those around us may be answered in Your power. You answered Zechariah's prayer by giving him a son, name John the Baptist, who would change the world by preparing hearts for the first coming of our Messiah, Jesus the Christ (v. 17). By the miracle of multiplication, those answered prayers changed Zechariah and Elizabeth's lives, the lives of all their generation, and countless generations to follow -- including our own and those to follow us. Give us grace to serve You and to seek You. Give us wisdom to join together in the power of corporate prayer, with expectant hearts to experience Your supernatural power. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Barrenness will be Broken 12-04-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I wait before You, watching for You, to welcome You into every moment of my day. ... "In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years" (Luke 1:5-7). We can live a righteous, religious life, going by all the rules, and still be barren. If we are not careful, we slip into a religious rut of what becomes familiar, orderly, and controllable, "holding on to the outward form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:5). Like Zechariah the priest, we can even be about the work of the church, while filled with doubt and unbelief of the promises and power of God (Luke 1:18-20). But in these days, You are beginning to silence the voice of the old order, to humble us until we hunger for the manifestation of Your supernatural power in our lives, our churches, and our communities (v. 20). The day we believe and act in obedience, despite our self-centered concerns for our self-promoted reputations, our voice will return to praise Your name and proclaim Your power with authority and faith (v. 59-64). In that day, even those of the old order and "the mainline" of religious tradition will be "filled with the Holy Spirit" and prophecy Your of promises and power (v. 67). Like Elizabeth, You will take away our "disgrace" of religion without power and ministry without fruit, and pour out Your favor (v. 24-25). And as Elizabeth, Your power will produce faith, just as "Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 41). You will fill the wombs of our hearts and our churches with new life, to birth generations to come who will be "prophet(s) of the Most High" and "go before the Lord to prepare His ways" (v. 76). Yes, Lord. "By the tender mercy of God, the Dawn from on high will break upon us" (v. 78). Our barrenness will be broken. And we will arise and shine, for our Light has come, and the glory of the Lord risen upon us (Isaiah 60:1). We will be a people who live in the glory of Your presence, proclaiming Your name and Your power for all to come and behold You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Pray in the Holy Spirit" 12-03-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek You first. ... "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life" (Jude 20-21). Lord, teach me to pray in the Holy Spirit -- not in my flesh, not in my will, but in Your Spirit. Whether with words of earthly language or heavenly language, let them be Your words released through Your vessel to accomplish Your purposes. Build me up in faith, keep me close in love, guide me forward in mercy, as I learn to draw deeply from You in the Spirit of prayer. Use my mind, but don't let my mind get in the way of Your thoughts; use my tongue but don't let my words get in the way of Your Word (1 Corinthians 14:15). Send forth Your Word by Your Spirit through my prayers in submission to Your will and according to Your purpose (Romans 8:26-27). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

All Consuming Fire 12-02-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Purify me, as I glorify You. ... "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may He so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints" (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13). I confess that I am not yet blameless before You. So strengthen my heart in holiness, that I may be ready to receive You at Your coming. By Your grace and in Your power, I choose to obey Your command -- "Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). I hear Your Holy Spirit forming the words of a new song in my human spirit now: All Consuming Fire, Burn within my heart. Come make me More holy. Come set my heart ablaze. All Consuming Fire, Purify my desires. Come prepare me To meet You. Come set my heart ablaze. All Consuming Fire, Fill my life with Your Power. Come make me More like You. Come set my heart ablaze. "For God did not call us to impurity, but in holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). "For this is the will of God, your sanctification ..." (v. 4:3). Yes, Lord. I pursue You and Your nature. Come make me more holy; come prepare me to meet You; come make me more like You each day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Counsel and Wisdom of God 12-01-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of every thought, word, and deed today. ... "You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me with honor. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73-24-26). When I was a lawyer, people sought my legal counsel. Now as a spiritual director, people seek my spiritual counsel. But I have no counsel to give of any value and of any wisdom but the counsel that You have given me. You are the "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6). You are "the Spirit of Wisdom" (v. 11:2). And I have no wisdom apart from You. Forgive me when I have thought and acted as though I did, and release Your grace to those who acted upon the words and counsel of a fool who spoke out of his own wisdom instead of Yours. Help me humble myself each day to seek Your counsel and Your wisdom, to let You form Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Then what I have to share will be "God-given wisdom" to solve the God-sized problems that only You can (Ezra 7:25). "And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:13). Lord, fill me with Your Spirit of Wisdom. Guide me with Your counsel each day. I need it, I seek it, and I receive it by faith, according to Your will. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Redemption, Not Replacement, for Israel 11-30-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek Your face and listen for Your voice. ... "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression of the remnant of Your possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as You have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old" (Micah 17:18-20). Some say You have rejected Israel and replaced her with the Church. But Your Word says no matter what her sins or how long she persists in her rebellion of doubt and unbelief, You will not forget her and You will persist in Your pursuit of her heart, for the remnant of Your possession. You will show Your faithfulness and unswerving loyalty to her, in honor of Your "everlasting covenant" with her (Genesis 17:7). All her sins, like all of mine and those of all who turn to You in repentance and faith, will be cast into the depths of the sea. "On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity" (Zechariah 13:1). "And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, 'Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; He will banish ungodliness from Jacob.' And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins" (Romans 11:26-27). Thank You for being a God who delights in mercy, who has compassion to pardon our iniquities and pass over our transgressions when we turn in repentance and faith to look upon the One we have pierced with our sins of rebellion and unbelief (Zechariah 12:10). My loving, merciful, and compassionate God, "Who is a God like You?" In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 http://www.messiah-ministries.org/Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.injesus.com/

Roadmap to Life and Peace 11-29-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my life and this day be rooted and grounded in You. ... "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Show me the places where I'm taking the easy road. Give me courage to take the hard road -- not just because it's hard, but because it leads to life. I want to follow Your roadmap to life and peace. You said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). You are the Life and You are the Light (v. 14:6). Shine Your light on the road before me today in every choice I will make that will lead to life. It will likely not be the road that many take, but only the few who find it. But by faith, I know I will find it today; because by grace, I have found You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Entrust and Abide 11-28-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, abide in me by Your Spirit, I pray. ... "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God" (1 John 4:13-15). Lord, what does it really mean to "abide in You?" It seems I hear You say, "To abide in Me is to willingly entrust yourself completely to Me, to allow Me to conform you to My nature." Yes, Lord. By Your grace, I welcome You to live in me. Come, Holy Spirit of the Living God, and abide in me (John 14:15-17). Make my thoughts more like Your thoughts and my desires more like Your desires. Teach me and correct me, lead me and change me, to make me more like You each day. I welcome the ark of Your Presence into the tabernacle of my heart. Let the light of Your glory vanquish the darkness of my soul. Let Your cross crucify my flesh. All by your grace and in response to Your love and Your will, I willing entrust myself completely to, as best as I can each moment at a time. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays For my friends in our area, please come join us today at noon downtown at the Kentucky Theater for Worship on Wednesdays with Rob Poindexter. He's making a live recording of a worship CD from the city-wide church at the heart of our city: www.rpm-wow.org Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

"Covenant of Peace" or Pact of Appeasement 11-27-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I wait in the silence of surrender for the leading of Your Spirit. ... "Then the Rabshekah stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah, 'Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you. Do not let Hezekiah make you rely on the Lord, saying the Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.' Do not listen to Hezekiah; for thus says the king of Assyria: 'Make your peace with me ...' " (Isaiah 36:13-16). Delegates of the nations surrounding Judah have gathered in my nation this week. With the loud voice of world opinion, they are calling out for the division of Jerusalem and surrender of much of Judea and Samaria in the name of peace. The words of the great kings of the earth say, "Trade your land for peace; do not rely on the God of your covenant, your so-called 'everlasting covenant,' as written in the so-called words of your so-called Lord." Instead they say, "Trust us rather than the word of your God and make your peace with us." But You are the Lord our God; and You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Your Words are eternal and Your covenant is everlasting. As You said long ago to Abraham and all the generations to follow, "I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God" (Genesis 17:7-8). And at the same time, You make provision for respect and honor among all the people living in the land of Your promise (Ezekiel 47:21-23). I know You love all people, all the sons and daughters of Abraham -- the generations of Isaac and the generations of Ishmael. And I know that Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts in Your infinite wisdom and sovereign purposes (Isaiah 55:9). All "the blessings of Abraham" are fulfilled in You, Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and Messiah (Galatians 3:14). Peace is a Person, the "Prince of Peace," our Mighty God, Everlasting Father, King of kings and Lord of lords (Isaiah 9:6). Only in You and in submission to Your authority, "there shall be endless peace" (v. 7). On behalf of the nations of the earth, let us not pressure the people of Israel, whether Jew or Gentile, to make a pact of appeasement in the wisdom of man and disobedience to Your Word. Instead, lead us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" in the way You would lead us by Your Spirit in accordance with Your Word, Your ways, and Your thoughts, not ours (Psalm 122:6). This is Your "covenant of peace," the "everlasting covenant," that shall never be broken and will be completely fulfilled in Your timing and in Your way (Ezekiel 37:26). "Then the nations shall know that I the Lord sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is among them forever" (Ezekiel 37:28). Will we trust You or not, trust Your Word or not? Will we taunt Your people to trust in our ways or Your ways, in our kings or in the King of kings? In humility, let us confess "we do not know how to pray as we ought," despite our all our worldly wisdom and political sensitivities (Romans 8:26). So "Lord, teach us to pray" according to Your Word, in submission to Your will, as Your Spirit leads (Luke 11:1). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Dear Friends, I know emotions run high and there is not a unity of understanding among all God's children who seek to believe Him and obey Him and His Word. But we can agree with each other and with our God that we want Him to show us what His Word means and how He wants us to pray and to act by the leading of His Spirit, that we want Him to correct us where we are wrong and lead us in the way that is right. God bless you as we pray for one another and for the peace of Jerusalem.Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ Order our Resources On-Line: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.injesus.com/

There's More 11-26-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up the gates of my soul and open up the doors of my heart, that the King of Glory may come in. ... "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do great works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be gloried in the Son. If in My name you ask Me for anything, I will do it" (John 14:12-14). I have tasted and I have seen that You are good. I have heard the mountains tremble and I have seen the fire fall. I have sensed the gentle blowing of the wind of Your Spirit and felt the thickness of Your glory. But I know there's more. All that You did as You walked this earth You want to do through us today and more -- "even greater works than these" -- all in Your power, all in Your name, all in Your grace, "that the Father may be gloried in the Son." Let us not, let me not settle for anything less. We are "the body of Christ" on earth (1 Corinthians 12:27). We are to be continually filled with "the Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9). And we are to continue the ministry of Christ throughout all the earth, teaching what You taught, doing what You did, living like You lived (Matthew 28:18-20). The same Spirit that raised You from the dead now dwells in us (Romans 8:11). There's more because You said there's more. So do what You need to do in me and in my church and in the body of Christ throughout the earth in our generation to step into the fullness of our calling and the fulfillment of Your prophecy -- "If in My name you ask Me for anything, I will do it." That's the kind of church the world is literally dying to see. That's the kind of church You literally died for us to be. That's the kind of church You will return to receive (Ephesians 5:27). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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.orgOrder our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Waiting and Watching to Welcome Him 11-25-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Christ the King of Glory, welcome into my heart and into my day. ... "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet with the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five of them were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps" (Matthew 25:1-4). One day You will return to receive Your bride. Whether You come soon or whether You are delayed, I want to be ready when I hear the shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him" (v. 5-6)! Each day, I want to keep the lamp of my spirit burning brightly with the oil of Your Spirit in worship and prayer. I want to be waiting and watching so I can welcome You here in my heart on that day to come and every day before. One day You will come in glory in the skies, but every day You want to come in glory in my heart. "Christ in (me), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'll be preaching the message of Christ the King of Glory today at my home church in Lexington where our Messiah Ministries office is hosted at Centenary United Methodist Church www.CentenaryLex.com Please keep us in prayer and I pray for the coming of Christ the King of Glory into your hearts and your churches in His power and presence today. God bless you! Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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.orgOrder our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Real Relationship 11-24-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lordship is relational. To yield to Your Lordship is to trustingly yield and willingly submit to Your authority in my life. So by Your grace and in response to Your love, I do. ... "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). I don't want to just know Your title, I want to know Your name. I don’t want to just know about You, I want to know You. There will be many on the last day who will know Your title, who may know Your name, who may have even have done many supernatural things in the power of Your name, but their true hearts will be exposed and their true relationship with You will be revealed (v. 22). But as You gather into Your arms forever all who have willing embraced Your unfailing grace and Your steadfast love, Your heart will break for those You will have to turn away, because they have turned away from You. They will hear the most horrible words ever to be spoken -- "I never knew you, depart from Me" (v. 23). Lord Jesus, open every eye to see You as You are and to see ourselves as we are. Humble our pride to bow to Your authority. Intensify the famine of our souls to hunger and thirst for relationship with You. You are "not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). But the choice is ours -- to respond to Your grace in humility and faith or reject it, to know You personally or to just know about You factually, to live life every day with You living through me or to just do things for You out of some sense of duty or fear of punishment in shallowness and hypocrisy. I want the real thing -- a real relationship with You -- so that I can spend eternity with You. And eternity includes right now. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe/unsubscribe by email to 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.orgOrder our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com Check out AOL Money & Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007.

Foretaste of the Feast to Come 11-23-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I open wide my heart to feast on Your presence. ... "On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines made clear. And He will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken" (Isaiah 25:6-8). Our days of feasts and celebrations are a foretaste of the great wedding feast to come -- "the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:19). On that day, from Your holy mountain, the eyes of Jews and Gentiles will be opened by Your grace, as the shroud and sheet of spiritual blindness is cast off and swallowed up forever. Blessed are they who feast with You now, and blessed are they who will feast with You on that day (v. 9). Let us rejoice and be glad and be ready (v. 7). "It will be said on that day, 'Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, so that He might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation" (Isaiah 25:9)! 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 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

A Thankful Nation 11-22-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I give You thanks with a grateful heart; I thank You, my God, for who You are. ... "Let those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. And those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God ..." (Romans 14:6). This day my nation remembers the day early in our history when our forefathers gave You thanks for a land of freedom from an oppressive world and a blessing of abundance through a harsh winter. Thank You for the privilege of living in a land where we are free to honor and worship the God we believe to be the true Creator and Sustainer of our lives. Thank You for showing me that God is You -- in every dimension of Your Being -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are real; You are personal; You are loving and good; You are worthy of all honor, thanksgiving, and praise. With my nation and with those from every tongue and tribe and nation, I honor You and thank You this day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, here's a great article on the history of Thanksgiving from the Christian Law Association: www.christianlaw.org/articles/thanksgiving_origin.html Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Thank You 11-21-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Come into my thoughts and my heart and my day. ... "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given to you in Christ Jesus .... God is faithful; by Him you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:4). Thank You for always being with me, never leaving me and never forsaking me. Thank You for reaching out to me and reaching down to me, for always holding on to me. Thank You for loving me and for loving me through the fellowship -- the communion of love of the body of Christ -- all those who have laughed with me, cried with me, prayed with me, and sometimes just listened to me. Some I know by name, some I know by the Spirit, and some I may not know until we see one another face to face in the glory of the resurrection, but I thank You for each one of them. And in my thankfulness, I also come to You in prayerfulness for each of those who feel isolated or alone. I pray for the widowed and orphaned, for the divorced and rejected, for the discouraged and depressed. May they find Your fellowship and the fellowship of those You desire to bring into their lives to be an expression of Your arms, Your words, and Your love. I remember Thanksgivings when that was me, whether anyone else knew it or not. And I remember those this Thanksgiving who need to know Your grace and Your love, that You never leave us nor forsake us, always drawing us in the faithful fellowship of the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Happy Thanksgiving, my praying friends! And if are in our area and would like a place for fellowship on Thursday, please come join my friends for food, worship, and a message Thursday night at our Celebrate Recovery ministry at my home church in Lexington: www.CRLex.com I'll also be preaching the message at my home church this Sunday 11/25, and would love for you to come join us if you can (8:30, 9:45, 11:15, 5:15): www.CentenaryLex.com We don't have to be alone. We can be thankful because we are loved (John 3:16). God bless you! Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.orgDaily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Christ the King of Glory 11-20-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of Glory, come into my heart and my home, come into my church and my city. Let Your glory cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. ... "Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up , O ancient doors! that the King of Glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle" (Psalm 24:7-8). Who this King of Glory? Your name is Jesus. You are the King of Glory -- the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). You are the King of the Kingdom of God, the everlasting God of the everlasting Kingdom. "To Him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and His kingship is one that shall never be destroyed" (Daniel 7:14). This prophecy, as with all the law and all the prophecies, is ultimately fulfilled in You, as You "enter into (Your) glory" (Luke 24:26-27). I was asked to preach the message at my home church this coming Sunday. On the liturgical calendar which marks the seasons of Your life, resurrection, and ascension to glory, it is the pinnacle and fulfillment of all other Sundays, called "Christ the King" Sunday. And in preparation, my thoughts and heart have been filled with Your glory. May Your Holy Spirit keep filling me up with a passion to proclaim Your glory. And may the glory of Your manifest Presence fill and overflow in our hearts and our church. I pray this for all of the people of all Your Church throughout the earth, that all "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea!" (Habakkuk 2:14). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you're in the area, please come join us at one of our services this Sunday at my home church, Centenary, in Lexington, KY (8:30, 9:45, 11:15, 5:15). Come if you can and please pray for us if you can't. www.CentenaryLex.com To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Ministry Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Mountain-Moving Power 11-19-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I want to lean in as You lead on. ... "Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever" (Ephesians 3:20-21). Lord, what is this power at work within me? It seems I hear You say, "This power is My Spirit, living in you. I am Love. The power of My love expressed through My people moves mountains -- mountains of pride, indifference, injustice, infirmity, and unbelief -- every mountain that stands between My people and My will. I display My glory through My people who release the power of My love." Yes, Lord. Love through me in Your power today. Move mountains through me today. Let the "Spirit of Christ" dwell in me, the Spirit of Your Power and Love (Romans 8:9). "As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:9-12). Thank You for loving me and empowering me to release Your love to others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's city-wide gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary in Lexington. All who are thirsty are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 Come to The Mountain! on Monday Nights for our ministry's weekly prayer for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray. 7 pm in the upstairs Community Room at First Southern National Bank on Harrodsburg Rd. in Lexington. All are welcome. Call or write for details: 859-422-1794 To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Ministry Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

The Throne of My Soul 11-18-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb upon the throne of heaven. Worthy is the Lamb upon the throne of my soul (Revelation 7:17). ... "Thus says the Lord (literally, YHWH -- Yahweh): Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool; what is the house that you would build for Me, and what is My resting place? All these things My hand has made, and so all these things are Mine, says the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look, to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:1-2). Teach me what it means to be humble and contrite in spirit, to tremble at Your word. Forgive me for the ways I exalt myself on my own throne in my life or in the lives of others. Come and take Your place every moment of every day upon the throne of my soul. And let my words be submitted to Your words, my ways submitted to Your ways. Thank You for Your grace and patience with me that flows from the throne of Your steadfast love and mercy that flows forever from Your throne. "But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house, I will bow down toward Your holy temple in awe of You" (Psalm 5:7). 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 -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Ministry Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Right Mind 11-17-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Renew my mind and shape my heart as I entrust my life and this day to You. ... "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). You came in the power of Your love last night to touch each one of us at The Fountain. It was my friend Ghuna Kumar's last night in America before leaving to return to his ministry in southern India. He said throughout his time here these past few weeks, he saw minds that were discouraged and depressed, with heaviness and fear. And as he anointed our heads, he prayed for us to have the mind of Christ (v. 2:5). You are "the One who searches minds and hearts" (Revelation 2:23). Search my mind and my heart every day. Reveal what is wrong in my thinking and my desires, and release me from it. Bind Your thoughts to my mind and Your desires to my heart. Loose away from me all anxiety and confusion. Lift every heaviness of heart from me and deliver me from every cloud of depression and discouragement. Keep setting me in my "right mind" -- a mind rightly related to You and the truth and power of Your love for me (Luke 8:35). 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 -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Ministry Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Stretch Out 11-16-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Increase, as I decrease -- decrease in the prominence of my thoughts and my desires over Yours'. In the silence of surrender, I watch and wait for You and Your leading in these first moments of the morning with You. ... "I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirst for You like a parched land" (Psalm 143:6). A runner stretches before a race. And You call me to "run with perseverance the race that is set before (me), looking to Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1-2). So every morning in prayer, centering my thoughts and my day on You alone, I stretch out my hands and my heart -- looking to You, thirsting for You, embracing You, and welcoming You into the moments of my day. And as I breathe in the breath of Your Spirit, You stretch out my soul and fill up my spirit, ready to go at the start of another day. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you can, Come to The Fountain Tonight 11/16 at 7 pm. My good friend I have ministered with from India, Ghuna Kumar, who oversees 700 church plants, an orphanage, Bible College, and sends out evangelists to villages all over south India with be with us to pray for us: www.gospelfriends.in Phil Jackson will lead us in worship. Please spread the word! To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Ministry Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com

Creativity and Beauty 11-15-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I watch for Your face and listen for Your voice. ... "See, I have called by name Bezalel ... and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft" (Exodus 31:2-5). Bezalel was a forerunner who experienced a foretaste under the Old Covenant of all who would be filled with Your Holy Spirit under the New Covenant. You built Your tabernacle with creativity and beauty through the thoughts and hands of those You called by name and anointed with Your Spirit (v. 6). And You continue to build Your dwelling place among us -- not in tents or temples or church buildings -- but here in our hearts, anointing us for Your purposes to display Your creativity and beauty. "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.... As for you, the anointing that you received from Him abides in you.... And now, little children, abide in Him" (1 John 2:20-27). The other night, my son Elijah came running in from his room, excited, saying, "Mommy, Jesus was talking to me in the air by my bed!" Somewhat astonished, Tricia asked him, "What did He say?" Elijah said, "He just told me to think of something to make Him at school tomorrow." And the next day, with great creativity and joy, our little boy brought home a little clay cross he crafted and painted with such care and childlike faith, no doubt anointed and inspired by the Spirit of God abiding in him. Lord, give me ears to hear You speaking to me -- whether audibly in the air by my bed or here in my heart or with Your thoughts and images in my mind or in whatever means You chose. We are created to hear Your voice (John 10:27). Inspire me and anoint me to do all things for Your glory with Your creativity and beauty. Thank You for anointing my son and all the children of God of every age with Your Spirit to express Your heart through each of us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! This Friday night Nov. 16th at 7 pm for Messiah Ministries' monthly city-wide gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship in the chapel of Centenary, 2800 Tates Creek Rd in Lexington. Come be refreshed and renewed as we drink deeply from the Living Waters. My friend Ghuna Kumar of India, apostolic leader with Gospel Friends will be ministering to us http://www.gospelfriends.in/ All are welcome! Call us for information at 859-317-1591 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 http://www.messiah-ministries.org/ Daily Archives: http://www.morningbymorning.injesus.com/

Dominion of the Earth 11-14-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me as I listen. ... "The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth He has given to human beings" (Psalm 115:16). In Your sovereignty, You have chosen to entrust the care of the earth to us. Our choices have consequences -- for one another, for all animals, for all land and sea and air, for all creation. You have given us "dominion" and empowered us to "subdue" the earth and all that is in it (Genesis 1:28). And each moment of each day, You look to see how we will use our power and authority in light of the responsibility You have entrusted to us. And so does creation itself. "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God" (Romans 8:19). Our choices reveal whether we are children of God. The works of our hands reveal the faith in our heart (James 2:17-18). And every choice becomes an opportunity to grow in Your character and nature or not. So every relationship is a spiritual issue. Our system of justice is a spiritual issue. The environment is a spiritual issue. Every system we establish for the governing of the earth, whether in our personal lives or in our nations, is a spiritual issue. As I submit to Your nature, then everything under my dominion becomes submitted to Your nature. Through each choice of submission to You, Your kingdom comes and Your will is done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). So give me grace to choose well, willingly submitting my will to Yours', my ways to Yours', to live for Your glory and not mine. "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory" (Psalm 115:1). Let it be so on earth as it is in heaven. 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 -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.orgOrder our Ministry Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com