Pits of Our Souls, Purposes of God 4-30-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My Lord and my God, my Rock and my Refuge, my Father and my Friend, You are my All in All. … "So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, 'Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured of him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams' " (Genesis 37:17-20). Did Joseph's brothers hate him or hate his dreams? Did they hate who he was or who he might become? Or did they just hate their own sense of insecurity and lack of significance, purpose, and destiny in their own lives that they were driven by jealousy, envy, and spite into self-righteous judgment and wrath. They throw Joseph into a pit because they were already stuck in their own -- the dark abyss of self-pity. Perhaps Joseph was not as wise and mature as he should have been in how he handled his dreams. Maybe he was a little too eager to share his hopes and plans and his sense of purpose, calling, gifting, and destiny. He may have been guilty of casting his pearls before swine, sharing the treasures of his heart with those who weren't ready to hear it and didn't know how to handle it. The penalty for dreaming your destiny should not be rejection and abandonment, but often it is in our broken, fallen world in such need of Your redemption and power to change our hearts and nature. As You teach in Your wisdom, "Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you" (Matthew 7:6). Enraged by jealousy they didn't even know they had, driven by deep insecurities they were blinded from seeing, they trampled Joseph's dreams and turned on a brother of their own family. Then they tried to hide their sin and bury their shame in a pit in the ground and a pit deep down in their souls. But You had others plans. You are the God "who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:3-5). You are the God who even works through the sinful choices of human beings made in free will, influenced by spirits of wickedness seeking to destroy and devour. There would come a day of healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation, when tears of grief would be turned to tears of joy (Genesis 45:1-15). Joseph's dreams and destiny came true, and he was even able to see Your hand through all his hardships, causing great good to come out of such evil. With a heart of mercy and a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation that only You can give, Joseph chose by Your grace to come into agreement with the Spirit of his Redeemer instead of the spirit of the accuser: "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Lord, give me courage to dare to dream the destiny You have for me. Give me Your wisdom and let me grow in maturity of how to share it when I should, how I should, and to whom I should. Give me mercy for those who hurt me, misunderstand me, reject me or abandon me along the way. Give me faith to believe You will redeem me out of every pit of discouragement, disappointment, and despair to cause all things to work together for my good and Your glory in Your time and in Your way. And give me eyes to see the self-pity, insecurities, jealousies, and pride down in the deep pits of my own soul, so I can release them to You and let You fill them with the peace and love of Your Spirit. That's how You turn our tears of grief into tears of joy. That's how You redeem our lives from the pit and crown us with steadfast love and mercy to satisfy us with good as long as we live. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'm excited to be preaching all three services at my home church in Lexington this Sunday, May 3rd, Centenary United Methodist Church at 2800 Tates Creek Rd, where we have our Messiah Ministries office as well ( www.CentenaryLex.com ). I pray it will be a time of healing and reconciliation for some deep hurts in our church family, as we choose by God's grace to let go of the pits of the past and move forward into our destiny, personally and a church. Please keep us in your prayers. Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

Endure Through the End 4-29-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. More of You, less of me. More of Your Spirit, less of my flesh; more of Your ways and Your will, less of mine. … "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live upon the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36). Wars, famines, and earthquakes, increasing in severity and intensity, are "but the beginning of the birth pangs" (Matthew 24:7-8). Persecution for faith in Christ and a unification of "all nations" who hate the followers of Jesus Christ will even cause many to "fall away," while "false prophets will arise and lead many astray" (v. 24:9-11). Disrespect for the rule of law and dishonor of the Word of God will increase and "the love of many will grow cold" (v. 24:12). Yet, You give grace to all who will receive it, to all who humble themselves to call upon Your name and entrust themselves to You alone to be our strength and shield in the midst of whatever tribulation may come. And in the security and power of Your love and the measure of grace we need to endure each day of each season as it comes, "the one who endures to the end will be saved" (v. 24:13). In spite of all that comes -- and probably because of all that comes -- "this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to the nations; and then the end will come" (v. 24:14). Some think the followers of Christ will be raptured out of this earth before tribulation begins in order to "escape all these things." Others think we will endure much more of the tribulation times than we could ever imagine we could, all by the grace of God enabling and empowering us to stand firm in the faith as light in the midst of the darkness and as witnesses of the grace of God who will use even the judgments of tribulation to draw every last soul He can into eternity with Him. We will "escape these things" because we will endure these things, standing in Christ as Christ stands in us. As I understand Your timetable and teaching of the end times, rather than my wishful thinking, it's "after the suffering of those days" that "the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will 'see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven' with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:29-31). If Your words and Your warnings are true, then we need to spend more time getting prepared to endure than getting prepared to escape. Build within us the kind of persevering faith You gave the three young men who had the courage to endure the fiery furnace they faced in their day. "If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let Him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods …" (Daniel 3:17-18). As we hold firmly to You with the measure of faith You freely supply, whatever tribulations of fire we must endure, it will have no power over us and we will not even smell of the smoke (v. 3:27). "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22, NKJV). So by the power of Your grace, we will be on guard, we will be prepared, will endure, and we will stand, boldly and triumphantly, before the Son of Man. "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, 'For Your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I'm excited to be preaching all three services at my home church in Lexington this Sunday, May 3rd, Centenary United Methodist Church at 2800 Tates Creek Rd, where we have our Messiah Ministries office as well ( www.CentenaryLex.com ). Please come join us if you're in the area or looking for a home church. Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

Our Goshen, the Place of Protection 4-28-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, abide in me by Your Holy Spirit as I abide in You by my spirit. ... "The hail struck down everything that was in the open field throughout all the land of Egypt, both human and animal; the hail also struck down all the plants of the field, and shattered every tree in the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were, there was no hail" (Exodus 9:25-26). There is a place of protection, where destruction doesn't come. Though plagues and pestilence, darkness and destruction may sweep across the land, there is place of protection under the blood of the Lamb, in the place God has already prepared. Whatever we endure, with persevering faith, we can endure it in You. "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed by not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). For the Israelites in their generation, it was a physical place in the land of Goshen, with the physical blood of an earthly lamb over the door of their homes (Exodus 12:7). For us in our generation, it is a spiritual place in Christ, with the spiritual blood of the Lamb of God over the door of our hearts, opened wide to You and the abiding presence of Your Spirit (Hebrews 9:13-14). Though we may endure "the suffering" of many things through the unfolding of these end times, we will endure them from the place of protection You've prepared in our hearts, as we await the day of Your coming in glory to redeem all things (Matthew 24:29-31). And though You will come in glory in the clouds one day soon, You want to come in glory in our hearts every day now by Your Holy Spirit, who already abides within us in the place of protection (Romans 8:11). "You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust'…. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent" (Psalm 91:1-10). You are our Goshen. You are our dwelling place of shelter and our city of refuge. In You alone is our place of protection. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My good friends at Kentucky Christian Foundation ( www.kentuckychristianfoundation.org ) asked me to pass along this invitation to our Lexington area friends for breakfast May 8th to hear Howard Dayton, co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries speak on financial peace in troubled times through Christ. Information is attached. Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

Faith Overcomes Fear 4-27-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me begin this day grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. … "When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were possessed with demons; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases' " (Matthew 8:14-17). Reports of sickness and even death from a contagious swine flu continue to spread from Mexico and throughout North America. Fear of the potential of a world-wide pandemic of the disease seems to be spreading even faster. So these are days of preparation -- not only preparation with physical precautions and proper hygiene, but also spiritual preparation and precaution, aligning our hearts and minds with Your Word and Your Spirit. Sickness and disease, infirmities and infection are part of the consequences and experiences of life in a broken, fallen world, "subjected to futility" and "bondage to decay," but longing "in hope" for the "redemption" of all creation (Romans 8:18-25). And we can put our hope and our faith in the truth of Your redemption, because You've made perfect provision for our "fallenness" and our brokenness through the suffering of Your cross and the sacrifice of Your love (1 John 4:10). There, You "took our infirmities and bore our diseases," fulfilling Your Word through the prophet Isaiah. There, You were "wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities," taking upon Yourself "the punishment that made us whole" so that "by (Your) bruises we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-6). Your Word expresses Your will and Your nature in all these matters: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits -- who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:2-5). So let us come into agreement with Your Word, revealing Your will, by the power of Your Spirit. Let us not passively accept infirmity and disease, but actively remember and believe that You have already taken them all and borne them for us. We must possess by persevering faith the promises You've provided for us. So let faith overcome fear and truth overcome confusion. No matter what we may encounter or endure through the long process of redemption, You always give us all the grace we need to go through it in Spirit and in truth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for praying for our Celebration Dinner last Friday night. The Lord our God was glorified in every testimony, word, song, and prayer in spirit and in truth. Thank you for joining with us in prayer and ministry "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God," to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. How Great is Our God! God bless you! Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

We Celebrate How Great is Our God 4-24-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. By Your ever-present and Holy Spirit, come Lord, live in me today. … Savior of my soul, Healer who makes me whole, Deliverer who sets me free, come Lord live in me. One who knows my heart, One who's been there from the start, No one else can ever be, come Lord live in me. Take all my brokenness, hold it in Your faithfulness, There for all to see, come Lord live in me. … "With joy they celebrated … for the Lord had made them joyful" (Ezra 6:22). Tonight is our ministry's yearly Celebration Dinner, to celebrate how great You are and how good You've been to us. We'll share stories of Your glory and testify to the power of Your love to change our lives. We'll worship the One who breaks our chains, heals our wounds, and calms our fears. And we'll remember that You restore and redeem because You love us and also because You want to love through us. Through the healing of our brokenness, You'll heal the brokenness of others; through the freedom of our bondage, You'll break the bonds of others. Freely have we received, and freely are we to give (Matthew 10:8). As You have comforted and cared for us, we are to comfort and care for others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). You're still binding up the brokenhearted and setting the captives free. And You love to do it in the power of Your Spirit through the lives of Your people You have healed and freed "to display (Your) glory" (Isaiah 61:1-4). These are the ones who "shall be called priests of the Lord" and "shall be named ministers of our God," because they have been in Your presence and seen Your power and want to take it and share it with all who will hear it and receive it (Isaiah 61:6). "Everlasting joy shall be theirs" (v. 61:7). "One generation shall laud Your works to one another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works I will meditate. The might of Your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall celebrate the fame of Your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness" (Psalm 145:4-7). With everlasting joy, we will celebrate how great is our God! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for joining with me in the journey of prayer and all the ways you've encouraged and prayed for me and Messiah Ministries. You are a part of all we will celebrate tonight. Tonight we'll be sharing our calling and also inviting others to join in our vision through prayer and financial support. I invite you to join with us, especially as Isaiah 35 "Streams in the Desert" Covenant Partners, committing to contribute $35 per month to Messiah Ministries and our part in the kingdom, "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." We believe the Lord showed us this plan for His "steady streams" of provision from our ministry partners to make our ministry available to all. Some information is attached, and I will be glad to talk with you about our vision and calling. More information is included below. God bless you and thank you! Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/ Subscribe by email to me at Messiah Ministries --mailto:--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 Isaiah 35 -- Streams in the Desert

"For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert"

— Isaiah 35:6 Dear Friend, Thank you for your friendship and relationship with me and our ministry. These are exciting days in the Kingdom of God! We are thrilled with all the Lord seems to be doing in the life of Messiah Ministries. He has called us to do our part in our generation to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God, to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free, to prepare the way of the Lord and minister the healing love of God. Thank you for every way you have been a part of fulfilling our calling and vision. Though doors of opportunity for ministry continue to open wide and we continue to work hard in the strength of the Lord to fulfill the vision He has given us, this economic desert season is causing us to be even more desperately dependent upon the Lord alone in faith for all our provision. In seeking His wisdom and answers in prayer, we believe He gave us a strategy for our ministry finances in this wilderness time -- Isaiah 35 Streams. In humility and faith, we are inviting you to partner with us in ministry, spiritually and financially, by contributing $35 a month to the work of the Kingdom through Messiah Ministries this year. We believe the Lord has shown us this will provide "a steady stream" of His provision through these desert days. We praise God for His faithfulness! And we thank God for you, as you join with us as a significant part of His provision for His ministry for the glory of His name and His Kingdom. Please prayerfully consider our invitation. And if this stirs in your spirit with joy to join us as the Lord's answers to our prayers, please covenant with us this year to be a part of Isaiah 35 Streams. I will be very glad to talk with you about this or describe more of our vision and calling in ministry. I pray you see our ministry as good soil in which to sow your seed for God's harvest. May the Lord bless you and pour out His exceedingly abundant blessings and provision for you this year -- "... A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap ..." (Luke 6:38). All contributions, of any amount, are very welcome, tax deductible, and greatly appreciated. We've had a very positive response already. Praise God!

In answer to questions that have come, here are some ways to consider joining with us as the Lord's Streams in the Desert for steady provision: 1) You can contribute on-line at our shopping cart or go to: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

2) You can let us get you set up for automatic withdraw by sending a note to Marilyn Walker at dirofministries@aol.com or calling her cell at 859-317-1591

3) You can send in a check for "Messiah Ministries" to our office at: Messiah Ministries 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, KY 40502

4) You can set up an account on-line and contribute to "Messiah Ministries" and other ministries or churches through the Kentucky Christian Foundation ( www.kentuckychristianfoundation.org ). They can also help with any stock or asset transfers, as well as planned or long-term giving. Please let me know any way I can help or answer questions. Please feel free to introduce me to come have a conversation with anyone who may be interested. Thank you and God bless you, my friend! Tommy Hays Founder and Executive Director Messiah Ministries 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, Kentucky 40502

Angels Sent to Protect and to Serve 4-23-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my life and the foundation of my day. … "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, 'Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.' He did so. Then he said to him, 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me' " (Acts 12:7-8). Thank You, Lord, for Your holy angels, "spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation" (Acts 1:14). Thank You for sending them to watch over us, to walk with us, to protect us, and fight for us in so many ways we never know (Psalm 91:11-13). In some ways, they are like holy policemen, here "to protect and to serve." You've sent them to be with us from the beginning. And they live and move and have their being both here with us in this earthly dimension, while, at the same time, there with You in the heavenly dimension (Matthew 18:10). Yet most of the time, we're unaware of their presence and their mission (Hebrews 13:2). Peter had a hard time realizing that the supernatural realm had invaded his natural realm, that the heavenly dimension had invaded his earthly dimension. "He did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision" (Acts 12:9). But the light that surrounded him was no dream; the breaking of his chains was not wishful thinking; the opening of his prison bars was not his imagination. His chains were gone and he was set free by Your power, at Your direction, through Your holy angel. It was time to fasten his belt and get going. Lord, You seem to be sending Your holy angels to protect and to serve, in Your power for Your purposes. You seem to be opening our spiritual eyes and increasing our spiritual sensitivity to Your spiritual realm. You are setting us free from our chains and prisons to fasten our belts and get going with the work of the kingdom at hand. "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress; He brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind. For He shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron" (Psalm 107:13-16). With Your holy angels and filled with Your Holy Spirit, Your light is shining all around us. By Your grace, we will arise from our prisons and go forth in Your power to fulfill Your purpose. As it was in Peter's generation, let it be so in our generation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

Heart of Jesus, Not Jonah 4-22-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As best as I can and all by Your grace, I give my life and this day to You. … "In fury You trod the earth, in anger You trampled the nations. You came forth to save Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the wicked house, laying it bare from foundation to the roof. You pierced with their own arrows the head of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter us, gloating as if ready to devour the poor who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the mighty waters" (Habakkuk 3:12-15). There are many passages of Scripture about Your judgment and wrath, Your destruction and triumph over wickedness and evil. In reading Your Word and listening for Your Spirit to know Your heart in these warnings and prophecies, You often remind me of two key biblical, spiritual principles: First, You do not desire the destruction or death of anyone, but that all would turn to You in humility and repentance. "Say to them, 'As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live…' " (Ezekiel 33:11). Second, though Your Word speaks of wrath against nations and people, our battle, our hearts, and our prayers are not to be against the people, but against the spiritual forces of evil deceiving, manipulating, and destroying those people and others through the wicked choices they make under the influence of evil. "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). There will be judgment of people and nations. There are consequences for rebellion, sin, wickedness, and evil. But our call is to "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). Our command is to pray for those who persecute us, bless those who curse us, love those who hate us, even as we speak the truth in love and confront evil and injustice wherever it may be found, in the way You lead, not always in the way we want. Your Word says You "will shortly crush Satan" and the spiritual forces of evil of this present darkness "under (our) feet," -- not the human beings he has deceived and manipulated, despite their wicked ways (Romans 16:20). You're "not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). So even the days of judgment and wrath are also, ultimately, days of Your mercy, as You use even that out of Your heart of love for all people, willing to do whatever it takes to save every soul possible. All will not repent and turn to You, but our calling is to pray that they do. If anyone is blinded to the truth and hardened to Your grace and love, it is the wicked work of Satan and the power of darkness. But the good news is: "The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). Give us wisdom to understand Your Word and the whole counsel of God, as we agree with Your heart, Your purpose, and Your Spirit even the days of judgment and wrath (Luke 9:51-55). Give us the heart of Jesus, not the spirit of Jonah (Jonah 4:1). May we pray for repentance and mercy, not wrath and destruction. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, if you're thinking of joining us this Friday Night for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner with worship, inspiration, and stories of God's great power and love to change lives and empower His people for these days to come, please let us know right away. Over 250 people are already coming! We'll be sharing our heart and vision with encouragement to join our calling. You're invited so please come join us and bring some friends, but we need an RSVP for planning to Marilyn right away at DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 If you can't come but would like to support us and help provide for our celebration, please send a contribution on-line or by mail. All help will be greatly appreciated! Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

Trembling and Shaking 4-21-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As the sun of God arises in my day, let the Son of God arise in my heart. … "At this also my heart trembles, and leaps out of its place. Listen, listen to the thunder of His voice and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. Under the whole heavens He lets it loose, and His lightning to the corners of the earth. After it His voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice and He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things that we cannot comprehend" (Job 37:1-5). I believe these are anointed days -- between Passover and Pentecost, between the time we mark and remember Your death on the cross for our sins as a people and the pouring out of Your Holy Spirit for our destiny as Your church. These are days of preparation, days of watching and waiting for Your coming glory. These are days of purification and sanctification, days of the crucifixion of our flesh and the restoration of our spirits. These are days of shaking and trembling, of thunder and lightning, as the great Lion of the Tribe of Judah "thunders with His majestic voice." You are shaking all that can be shaken so that only what cannot be shaken remains. "At that time His voice shook the earth; but now He has promised, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.' … Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks" (Hebrews 12:26-27). You've been waking me in the night with trembling and shaking, moving me into prayer for breakthrough and awakening in our land. I know there is much You are shaking in me, sifting out of me, so that I can stand firm in the strength of the Lord in the days ahead. I know You are doing the same in different ways to all who are called by Your name. You are preparing us, purifying us, empowering us as Your people to shine as Your light in the midst of the darkness and stand firm in Your faith in midst of the great shaking and great awakening to come. As You utter Your voice and do "great things that we cannot comprehend," You also remind us that You are with us, giving us all the grace we will need as each day comes. As in the days of Job, we may not comprehend all that we may endure, but we can trust You and Your goodness through it all. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15, NKJV). Though the heavens and the earth may tremble and shake, we will stand secure in the Lord our strength. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I join with you in agreement in prayer for God's great awakening of His people in your city and region. As in the Great Awakening before the Civil War, He often prepares His people to be able to stand steadfast in faith through troubling days to come, using every opportunity to bring many souls into His kingdom and many sons and daughters of God to glory (Hebrews 2:10). Please Come Join Us This Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP right away to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Subscribe by email to me at 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 My Book, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Great Awakening 4-20-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are One and You are with me. … "Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your steadfast love is high as the heavens; Your faithfulness extends to the clouds" (Psalm 57:8-10). I spent some time yesterday with a prayer group in the little community in central Kentucky where I was speaking at the church on prayer. They come together most every week to allow You to blend together the spiritual gifts You've given them, as Your Holy Spirit leads them and empowers them to pray down heaven. They're preparing the way of the Lord for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. They're vessels of praise touching Your heart and weapons of warfare wielded by Your hand. They each "know in part, and prophecy in part" as Your Spirit wills (1 Corinthians 13:9). But then You weave their parts of revelation and inspiration together through their diversity of gifts to pray and proclaim Your will through their prayers (Romans 8:26-27). You gave one of them a very detailed and colorful dream recently that was simple and comical, yet deeply profound, stirring our spirits in prayer. She saw a giant, old-fashioned coffee pot vigorously percolating and releasing the aroma of fresh coffee as it came spinning and dancing down the street. As soon as my friend, the seer, saw this in her dream she immediately started shouting, "It's here! It's here!" When she prayed for the interpretation and guidance to turn Your prophetic word into intercession and proclamation, You immediately said to her heart, "A great awakening is coming." Yes, Lord. From the Red River Meeting House and the Cane Ridge Revival, You birthed a great awakening from this region of Kentucky before that touched the nation and the nations of the earth. Many of us believe You are re-digging those ancient wells and breaking open those buried springs for another great awakening in our day. You are calling Your people to awaken and arise from our spiritual slumber and be prepared for the great harvest to come. "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you…. be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:14-18). As we gathered at the altar of the church Sunday morning to pray for the people, my right arm and hand was trembling and shaking. I shared that I thought it spoke of Your mighty right arm stretching out through the prayers and hearts of Your people, hungry and desperate for Your Presence. And I see this morning in Your Word that this also speaks of a great spiritual awakening: "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord! Awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago!" (Isaiah 51:9) Lord, let it be so. Stretch out Your mighty right arm. Awake and arouse Your people to pray and proclaim the coming of Your kingdom -- here in our hearts and here in our land. Would You move again mightily in our day "as in the days of old, the generations long ago." Let the glory of Your manifest presence once again fill the earth 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, I join with you in agreement in prayer for God's great awakening of His people in your city and region. As in the Great Awakening before the Civil War, He often prepares His people to be able to stand steadfast in faith through troubling days to come, using every opportunity to bring many souls into His kingdom and many sons and daughters of God to glory (Hebrews 2:10). Please Come Join Us This Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 Subscribe by email to me at 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 My Book, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Messiah's Messenger--April 2009 Newsletter for Friends of Tommy Hays & Messiah Ministries

Dear Friends,

We've just sent out the April 2009 edition of Messiah's Messenger, our ministry newsletter! I hope this will be an encouragement and blessing to you, with updates of our upcoming events, new resources, and articles. Please send me an email at MessiahMin@aol.com if you'd like a copy.

My lead article from page one is included below. Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested in our ministry. Thank you for your encouragement and support. God bless you! Tommy Agreeing with the Redeemer, not the Accuser "But seek the welfare of the city where Ihave sent you into exile, and pray to theLord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7)

In these days of darkness, sin, and rebellionagainst the ways and will of God, I hear of many trusted and prophetic voices calling for God's judgment and wrath upon our cities and nation. Sometimes I hear things like, "If God doesn't judge America soon, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." And there is judgment for sin; there are consequences for our actions, both personally and as a corporate people. But even in recognizing sin, we should be praying for conviction that leads to repentance that then leads to mercy. We should always seek to come into agreement with the Redeemer, not the accuser. We should pray that even in God's wrath may He remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

Even if the Lord shows us an accurate dream of destruction to come, it should turn our hearts to intercession to heed the warning and turn to Him rather than turn us to judgment and pray for destruction. This is not denying the judgment of God, this is praying the heart of God who always desires His mercy to triumph over judgment (James 2:13). This is agreement with the heart of the Redeemer and Savior who is not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance and a knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9). This is yielding to the Father heart of God who says, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live" (Ezekiel 33:11).

In Jeremiah's day, the people of Israel suffered under the judgment of God because of their national sin of rebellion against God, and it was in their time of judgment under the pagan government of Nebuchadnezzar in the pagan nation of Babylon that God told His people to pray for the welfare of the city. It's in that context that He said His famous words, "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says theLord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

These days are not unlike those days in many ways. Though we may be warned even in prophetic dreams of fire and destruction to come, we must pray for the people of our cities and nation to turn to God, and keep on praying for redemption and mercy even if judgment must come. Perhaps judmgent may be averted by repentance as in the days of Jonah.

Perhaps even if judgmnet comes, its severity may be lessened. Perhaps even in the servity of God, His judgment will become His mercy as He shakes everything that can be shaken so that what can't be shaken remains and every last sould who will may choose to turn to Him and the mercy of His grace.

When a Samaritan city rejected Jesus and the Word and will of God, the disciples wanted to call down fire in judgment. But Jesus rebuked them, saying, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them" (Luke 9:51-56).

We must continue to come into agreement with the Spirit of Christ -- the spirit of the Redeemer, not the accuser, even when we are tempted to call down the fire of judgment. This is growing up into spiritual maturity, growing up into Christlikeness -- which is our ultimate goal on this side of heaven.

In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

Messiah Ministries

http://www.messiah-ministries.org/

Good Morning Words 4-15-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Here I am, Lord. And I thank that as I sit down in my prayer chair and speak out these good morning words in the rhythm of my day that seem to call my spirit to attention and into the communion of prayer, here You are. … "Let me hear of Your steadfast love in the morning, for in You I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul" (Psalm 143:8). There seem to be places and times throughout the rhythms of our days that seem to awaken certain feelings and thoughts we don't normally have at other places and times. Like a pair of well-worn jeans, there's something comfortable and consistent that forms kind of a "settledness" and security of the soul. Getting up in the morning before the dawn of the day and into my prayer chair in the corner of my bedroom by my bookcase and window is one of those places and times to me. This is one of those sacred places where You seem to drawn me near and where You're always waiting. Your Holy Spirit begins to move in my human spirit to draw me deeply in the living waters of Your Word and into the strong embrace of Your Presence. No matter what I've gone through the day before or what I'll face in the day ahead, You speak into my spirit Your words of life and security and steadfast love. You begin to form Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. This is one of the deeply personal ways You guide my steps and You teach me the way that I should go, as I lift up my soul and put my trust in You alone. Here in this place and here at this time, as I speak out these good morning words, You remind me that You've already provided the full measure of all the grace I'll need this day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain This Friday Night, April 17th. We have special guests coming with the exciting and anointed Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team. We'll be meeting in the main sanctuary at Centenary United Methodist Church at 7 pm. The Fountain is our ministry's monthly 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. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 My Book, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Deeper Still 4-14-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I seek Your face, listen for Your voice, and embrace Your Spirit, as I begin my day with You. … "While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you' " (Luke 24:36). Your heart for me is always peace. You want me to know the peace -- the shalom -- of God, to be at peace with You, at peace with one another, at peace within myself. You speak to my fears and doubts (v. 24:38). And You remind me to look and see the strength and power of Your steadfast love forever revealed in Your nail-scarred hands and feet (v. 24:39). In the power of Your resurrection, I need not worry or let my heart be troubled, but only believe that You are with me (John 14:1). I need not deny the very real reality of whatever tribulations and troubles I face, because You peace is deeper still. "Behold, I will extend peace to her peace like a river" (Isaiah 66:12). Thank You for the peace of Your resurrection power. Thank You for the freedom to be honest with my struggles and fears. And thank You for the faith to know You always come and stand with me through them all. No matter how deep the waters may rise, Your peace is deeper still. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain This Friday Night, April 17th. We have special guests coming with the exciting and anointed Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team. We'll be meeting in the main sanctuary at Centenary United Methodist Church at 7 pm. The Fountain is our ministry's monthly 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. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 My Book, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

"Risen Indeed!" 4-13-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As on Easter Sunday, let me continue to celebrate the glory of Your resurrection every day … "They were saying, 'The Lord has risen indeed!" (Luke 24:34). As You came alongside two disciples, still discouraged and disappointed by the what they thought was the defeat of the cross, they were also confused by the report that the tomb was empty. But You came to them just as they were and opened their eyes to the truth of Your resurrection and the intimacy of Your presence (v. 24:31). Their hearts were burning within them, as they began to realize every word of Scripture, "beginning with Moses and all the prophets", finds prophetic fulfillment in You. (v. 24:27). As truth filled their minds, faith filled their hearts. And they ran back to the others with renewed passion and spirit to tell all the others what they'd come to know and believe (v. 24:33-35). Lord, let me never take for granted the truth of Your resurrection. Let my heart keep burning within me with passion for You. Keep revealing Your presence in the breaking of the bread of the Your Word and in the intimacy of my personal encounters of worship and prayer. You are risen indeed! And You are ready to rise up in me each day as I rise up to meet each day with You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain This Friday Night, April 17th. We have special guests coming with the exciting and anointed Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team. We'll be meeting in the main sanctuary at Centenary United Methodist Church at 7 pm. The Fountain is our ministry's monthly 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. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Please spread the word and come join us! A Flyer is Attached. Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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 My Book, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

Power of Resurrection Glory 4-12-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. On this Resurrection Sunday, I honor the One who arose in the power of resurrection glory for me. … "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs, that God did through Him among you, as you yourselves know -- this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised Him up, having freed Him from death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its power" (Acts 2:22-24). Crucified, now crowned Executed, now exalted Wounded, now worshiped Rejected, now resurrected Arise, my God, arise! Rejoice, my soul, rejoice! Jesus has taken my sins All my pain and my shame He fills me with life And His power to save So I rise up in praise And worship Your holy name! You are "the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25). You are "the bright morning star" (Revelation 22:16). You are the One who destroys "the works of the devil" and sets the captives free (1 John 3:8). Arise in me, my God and king. Fill my life with Your life and the power of Your resurrection glory. "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever" (Matthew 6:13, KJV). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays God bless you, my friends on this Resurrection Sunday! The journey with Jesus is worth it all, because He says that we were worth it all. "For the sake of the joy that was set before Him (He) endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Friends, we have special guests coming to The Fountain this month on April 17th with the Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team from our friends at The Tabernacle Church in Prestonsburg. Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at 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

Forsaken for Me 4-10-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. When I survey the wondrous cross, I see the One who loves me and suffered for me, the One who calls me to come and live my life in You, as You come and live Your life through me. … "When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?' … Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last" (Mark 15:33-37). You were forsaken in that moment when all the sin and suffering of all the generations of broken, fallen men of a broken, fallen world were borne upon You. In that moment, light became darkness, the sinless One became sin, so that the sinful ones could become the righteousness of God through the blood of Your cross. "For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). In that moment You were forsaken, I was found and forgiven. You were forsaken for me. I can hardly bear it To think of all Your bore I can hardly watch it To see Your crown of thorns I can hardly feel it To know the pain You knew I can hardly hold back From giving all to You You love me And You gave Your life for me You love me, Lord, more than I know You took my sin for me And You took my shame from me You love me, Lord, more than I know So I will look with wonder As I hear the thunder I will stand with awe through the darkest day And I will praise Your glory And share Your awesome story Of my God who loves and dies so I am saved You love me And You gave Your life for me You love me, Lord, more than I know You took my sin for me And You took my shame from me You love me, Lord, more than I know Thank You, Lord, for loving me and giving Your life for me. As I sing this song of praise You've written on my heart today, I forever proclaim my love and my honor to the One who suffered and died for me. Because You were willing to be forsaken in that moment of darkness, I never will be. By Your grace and through Your sacrifice, I will live forever in the light of Your love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have special guests coming to The Fountain this month on April 17th with the Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team from our friends at The Tabernacle Church in Prestonsburg. A flyer is attached. Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. God bless you during this Holy Week. If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we worship together and I share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

Friday Night April 24th Celebration Dinner - You're Invited!

Dear Friends of Messiah Ministries & Tommy Hays Please come join us Friday Night, April 24th for our Annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner! Come hear our calling and join our vision, as we celebrate all the Lord is doing through this ministry He has entrusted to us "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." We will worship together, share a delicious meal, hear amazing testimonies of the grace and power of God's love. Anointed worship leader Rob Poindexter will lead in worship and founder Tommy Hays will share a message of hope and encouragement in these troubled days, filled with prophetic promise. Please come and bring some friends who may have a heart for our ministry. Dinner and Desert is free, with an opportunity to give generously to the vision and calling of Messiah Ministries. To help us plan, please RSVP to Marilyn Walker at DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591 as soon as possible. Many of our ministry friends are also hosting a table of eight or just coming to join in. If you're not able to come, but would find joy in giving toward the dinner or our ministry, please send a check for "Messiah Ministries" to our ministry address or contribute on-line as listed below. I will be happy to personally speak with you or a potential friend of our ministry about our vision and calling based founded upon Isaiah 61 and Luke 4, proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom of God, binding up the brokenhearted and setting the captives free in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of our Father. God bless you and thank you! Tommy Hays Founder and Spiritual Director Messiah Ministries 2800 Tates Creek Rd. Lexington, KY 40502 http://www.shop.messiah-ministries.org/

Fellowship of His Sufferings, Power of His Resurrection 4-9-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Holy are You, Lamb of God, who takes away my sin and all the sins of the world. Worthy are You, Lamb of God, who gave Your life for me that I might live my life in You. … "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11). They mocked You, rejected You, ridiculed You, taunted You, judged You, and condemned You (Luke 22:47 through 23:39). You said to those who came to seize and arrest You, as a lamb led away to the slaughter, and all that they represent in the wickedness and rebellion of man, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:53). Yet somehow, at the same time, "It was the will of God to crush (You) with pain" (Isaiah 53:10). Somehow the rebellion of man, the power of darkness, and the will of God aligned "to make (Your) life an offering for sin" so that "through (You) the will of the Lord shall prosper" (Isaiah 53:10). Somehow, in the mystery of faith and the purposes of God, You set aside the glory of heaven to humble Yourself in human flesh to willingly subject Yourself to the will of man and the power of darkness out of Your steadfast love and incomprehensible love for us "to the point of death -- even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:5-11). Through Your sacrifice of love, You "rescued us from the power of darkness" (Colossians 1:13). "For in (Jesus Christ) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20). And now You call me to prepare to die to my self. You call me to be ready to endure mockery and rejection for the sake of Your name in the spirit of Your love. You call me to "share in the fellowship of (Your) sufferings" if I am to truly "know (You) and the power of (Your) resurrection" (Philippians 3:10, NKJV). You call me to willingly submit to the will of God to pray for those who persecute me, bless those who curse me, and love those who hate me. You call me to say with You, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34). You simply say, "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12). Only through the fellowship of Your sufferings can I know the power of Your resurrection. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we have special guests coming to The Fountain this month on April 17th with the Drum Corp and Drama Dance Team from our friends at The Tabernacle Church in Prestonsburg. A flyer is attached. Please spread the word and come join us! Please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. God bless you during this Holy Week. If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we worship together and I share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Subscribe by email to me at 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

Passover Fulfilled 4-8-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I follow in Your steps through this holy week, let me be more than a spectator. Let me be a worshipper of the One who walked through the suffering and sacrifice of this sacred week for me. … "When the hour came, He took His place at the table, and the apostles with Him. He said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God' " (Luke 22:14-16). In the first Passover, You delivered Your people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. In every Hebrew home that responded in obedience and faith to Your command to apply the blood of the lamb over the door of their house, death passed over them and the power of God set them free. "The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:13). That first Passover was a physical declaration of the spiritual fulfillment in the kingdom of God to come. As Jesus of Nazareth, You would come as God in the flesh, the perfect "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" so that death and the penalty of sin would forever pass over all who respond to the grace of Your sacrifice of love in obedience and faith (John 1:29). Now, every moment of every day, You call me to receive and apply the blood of the Lamb over the door of my heart. As death passes over my sin because of Your blood, the life of the Son of God enters in to set me free from the bondage of slavery to sin and death. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set (me) free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2). By Your grace and the sacrifice of Your love, the Passover now is eternally fulfilled in the kingdom of God by God my King who died for me, that I might live for You. By the Holy Spirit of the Living God, death passes over, life enters in, and Your kingdom comes into the open door of my heart, open wide to my King. Because of You -- the Lamb of God enthroned as King of all -- "the kingdom of God is within (me)" and Your Passover is fulfilled in me today and every day (Luke 17:21). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, God bless you during this Holy Week. If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we worship together and I share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Friends, please Come Join Us Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. Subscribe by email to me at 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

The Emotions of God 4-7-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In this week, I want to remember Your holy journey to the cross, through the grave, and into glory. Give me grace to take up my cross and follow You on a holy journey of a deeper death to my self, as You raise me up into newness of life by the power and glory of Your name for Your kingdom. … "Now My soul is troubled. And what should I say -- 'Father, save Me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.' Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again' " (John 12:27-28). Can God be troubled? Can God have emotions, concerns, heartaches, feelings? Does our sin and rebellion bring You pain? Does our obedience and worship bring You joy? As God of all, having all knowledge and all power, does anything bother You? Certainly in Christ, as both fully God and fully man, You experienced the fullness of emotions, even the fullness of all emotions. "Therefore He had to become like His brothers and sisters and every respect, so that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because He himself was tested by what He suffered, He is able to help those who are being tested" (Hebrews 2:17-18). "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). You are not a distant and detached God, You are a deeply personal and compassionate God. You know all the emotions of our humanity -- not only in Your omniscience as God the Father, but also in Your humanity as God the Son. And You give us the power of Your grace to live our lives without fear of being fully alive to all our emotions, as we entrust our emotions to You by God the Holy Spirit living through us (Romans 8:26). You are a God full of emotion because You are a God who is love (1 John 4:8). And love is unafraid to face the fullness of all the emotions of life -- even the shame of our sin upon the cross as God in the flesh, for the sake of the joy to come by Your sacrifice of love for us. We look to You, Lord Jesus, a God full of emotion and love, "who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2-3). Thank You, Lord, for being fully alive to every emotion for me that I might be fully alive to Your emotion of love for me. You are love, and I love You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we will worship together and I will share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Friends, please Save the Date of Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. Subscribe by email to me at 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 My Book, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org

The Intimacy and the Fear of God 4-3-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. More of You, less of me; more of Your nature, less of mine. … "I tell you friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him, who after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! … And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God; but whoever denies Me before others will be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:4-9). You desire the deep intimacy of a personal relationship; but You also desire the honor and respect of personal surrender. Your first disciples were full of platitudes about their faith and commitment as they journeyed with You through the days of signs and wonders, saying, "I will follow You wherever You go" (Luke 9:57). But in the days of perseverance and sacrifice, they scattered and fled, denying they even knew You (Luke 22:54-62). Lord, give me grace to follow You, be committed to You, be willing to always acknowledge You, refusing to ever deny You. Without the faith of the Son of God living in me, without the power of the Holy Spirit abiding in me, I'll be no different than Peter and the others -- full of platitudes and promises, but empty of integrity of heart and faith. But by the grace of God, I'm not without Your faith or Your Spirit. "And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). I want to be found faithful to the end, even through the days of perseverance and sacrifice, not denying You in my flesh but standing firm for You in the Spirit (Luke 12:11-12). You gave Yourself for me. And by the power of Your grace, I will give myself for You. Love demands nothing less. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays If you are in the Owensboro, Kentucky area, please come join us this weekend. I'll be speaking at a Pastor and Ministry Leaders luncheon on Friday, leading healing services Friday and Saturday nights, and teaching on prayer ministry Saturday morning. Please contact Gaye Rogers with Healing House Ministries: 270-929-3016 healinghouseky@aol.com www.healinghouseky.com I'll be preaching Sunday morning and evening at the Lewisport UMC with Pastor Rob Hughes. Come if you can and spread the word! If you're in the Winchester, Kentucky area, please come join us each morning at 7 am for community-wide Holy Week services, where we will worship together and I will share a word each morning hosted at the Winchester First United Methodist Church with Pastor James Williams www.winfumc.org Friends, please Save the Date of Friday Night, April 24th for our annual Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner in Lexington to celebrate all the Lord is doing through our ministry and share our vision and calling with all our supporters and friends. You are invited and Dinner is Free! Please make plans to come and bring some friends who may have a heart for what we are doing. Our invitation card is attached. For planning, we will need an RSVP to Marilyn or a table host: DirOfMinistries@aol.com We always need lots of volunteers to help also, so please send us a note if you'd like to help in that way. Subscribe by email to me at 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 My Book, Morning by Morning, and our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org