Morning by Morning, December 10 - Generation of Zechariah Preparing the Way for the Generation of Elijah Preparing the Way for the Lord

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Awaken my soul to rise and follow You. Let me hear what Your Spirit is saying to me as I begin my day in the communion of prayer.  ...

 

"Once when he was serving as priest before God ... (Zechariah) was chosen ... to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense.... Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord.... When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before Him, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord'" (Luke 1:13-17).

 

The generation of Zechariah prepares the way for the generation of Elijah; and the generation of Elijah prepares the way for the Lord. Zechariah was a priest, chosen and faithful to serve God and the people of God. He had supernatural encounters in the presence of God, yet also found himself struggling with fear at the same time (v. 12). He also struggled with faith to fully believe the promises of God, even in the midst of these powerful encounters (v. 18). But in the end, by the power of the grace of God, he learned both obedience and faith through all he suffered and endured to fully embrace his strategic destiny in the unfolding of the plans of God (v. 63).

 

As the generation of Zechariah overcomes fear and doubt and unbelief to be faithful and true in their calling and destiny to raise up the next generation of sons and daughters of the faith, their generation will rejoice (v. 58). They will look with eyes of wonder and faith upon this generation of Elijah, expectantly asking, "What then will this (generation) become?' For, indeed, the hand of the Lord is with (them)" (v. 66).

This generation of Elijah is "filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 15). And "with the spirit and power of Elijah," this generation of Elijah will "turn many people ... to the Lord their God ... (and) turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (v. 15-17).

 

By the Holy Spirit of God within us, we are both the generation of Zechariah and the generation of Elijah. By the power of Your grace, we overcome everything with us that would hold us back from being all You've created us to be and we look beyond ourselves to those You've entrusted to us to help raise up into their calling and destiny as well. By the same power of Your grace, we also go in Your spirit and Your power to turn many hearts to You to prepare the way of the Lord -- here in our hearts and here in the earth. We are the priests who serve You and the prophets who proclaim You; we are the children of God, sons and daughters of the King, who honor You and love You (1 Peter 2:9). And we prepare the way for You.

 

Come, Lord Jesus. "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let everyone who hears say, 'Come!' And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift" (Revelation 22:17). As the generations of Zechariah and Elijah, we prepare Your way and long for Your coming. In obedience and faith, we believe Your promise:  "The One who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon" (Revelation 22:20). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray you will be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit to know your identity and fulfill your destiny, to raise up the generation entrusted to you, and that the spirit and power of Elijah will arise within you to prepare the way of the Lord, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

 

 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, December 9 - Healing and Hope for Discouragement and Disappointment

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My spirit comes to attention as I speak out Your name and welcome You in to my morning and the moments 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 age" (Luke 1:5-7).

 

When know the rest of the story -- of how the angel Gabriel would come and encourage Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth would miraculously have a child, even in her old age, who would "make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (v. 17). But at the same time, it's also good to see the first part of their story -- the years and years of longing and praying for a child that never came, though they both faithfully served God and sought to walk in His ways.

 

Sometimes we're discouraged and disappointed by unanswered prayers. Sometimes we look around and we're envious of the favor and blessings upon the lives of others, when it seems like we are trying to be just as faithful and committed, if not more. And if we let ourselves admit those thoughts and feelings are there, no matter how hard we try not to have them or try to keep them suppressed, we also see how we can be tempted to give in to self-pity, jealousy, and resentment.

 

But like with Zechariah and Elizabeth, You are always at work in ways we don't always see. Their lives -- even the hard seasons of their lives -- were part of Your unfolding story. You were never blind to the burdens that broke their hearts and never distant to cries of their hearts in prayer. Every word from Your heart "would be fulfilled in their time" (v. 20). And in the fullness of time, they would be filled with "joy and gladness" and their son, John, would be "filled with the Holy Spirit" to great Jesus the Messiah even from his mother's womb (v. 14-15, 41).

 

As we remember the old Christmas stories of those who have gone before us, let us also be encouraged for the stories of Christ unfolding before us in the journey of our lives and our faith every day. Let discouragement, jealousy, self-pity, or resentment have no place in our hearts. But rather, keep filling our hearts with Your Holy Spirit and the hope of the joy and gladness that come in the moments our encounters with You all along the way. That's the gift of healing and hope You invite us to embrace through faith in You and Your words for us. "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

I pray your heart will be filled with Holy Spirit and the hope of the joy and gladness to come in the unfolding of God's story through your life, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

 

 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, December 8 - Generations of Faithfulness Leading to Jesus

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to lead me in Your ways today.  ...

 

"An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah.... and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah" (Matthew 1:1-16).

 

Through the genealogy of generations, the plans of God were at work. Before the foundations of the earth the Father eternally determined the day and place and family of Your birth as His Son and our Messiah -- both fully God and fully man, to fully redeem all mankind in the fullness of time. "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children" (Galatians 4:4).

 

Father God, You are patient to take Your time through the generations and You are faithful to bring every promise to pass according to Your plans, all in Your way and all in Your time. Give me patience and faith to believe Your plans are also at work within me. Morning by morning, day by day, precept upon precept and line upon line, You are at work to make me more like You (Romans 8:29). 

 

Just as You are at work within me, You are at work in our world, seeking to redeem all who would embrace the fullness of Your grace through Jesus Your Son and our Messiah. "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life. Indeed God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:16-17).

 

Come, Holy Spirit. In this season of Christmas, when You move in hearts and minds around our world to consider the Messiah, Christ Jesus the Lord, lead us to see Your love for us and Your redeeming grace available to all. "Many will see and fear, and put their trust in Lord. Happy are those who make the Lord their trust" (Psalm 40:3). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I join with you in prayer to our Father for a move of His Holy Spirit in this Christmas season to lead many to faith in the Son of God and to move in our hearts to make us all more faithful to Christ, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, December 7 - "His Star in the East"

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome Your Word and Your Spirit here in my heart and the moments of my day.  ...

 

"Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him'" (Matthew 2:1-2 NKJV).

 

Long before the day of Your birth, the heavens were proclaiming Your coming. Long before Christmas day, wise men from the East began their journey to seek and worship the newborn King. They saw the signs of Your coming in the heavens and were moved to worship in their hearts.

 

And though that guiding star no longer lingers over Bethlehem, Your creation still proclaims Your glory and moves us to worship the One who stills comes into every heart that seeks You. "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is not speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:1-4 NRSV).

 

Open my eyes to see the stars that shine and the mountains that stand and the seas that roar to declare Your glory and Your Presence. As I behold Your creation I'm filled with anticipation. And I'm moved to seek and to worship the One who still comes into our world and into our hearts in the unfolding story of Your glory in the midst of our lives, O Emmanuel -- God with us (Matthew 1:23). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray you'll be moved to seek and to worship the One whose glory is proclaimed in all creation around us and by His Spirit within us, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, December 3 - Shhh.... Waiting in the Silence for the Fullness of Time to Come

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. God the Father, God the Son, the God the Holy Spirit -- You are One; and You are holy; and You are here. As I begin my day in the communion of prayer, I welcome You here into my heart and every moment of my day.  ...

 

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because (we) are children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So (we) are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God" (Galatians 4:4-7).

 

For the four hundred of silence of Scripture between the prophecies of Malachi and pronouncements of Matthew, all heaven and earth awaited the fullness of time to come. Like in the days of Amos, but with regard to the writings of Scripture during this time, "there was a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" (Amos 8:11). No doubt You were speaking to the hearts of those who were seeking You and the fullness of Your salvation to come, like Anna (Luke 2:36) and Simeon (Luke 2:25), but Your written Word was silent.

 

In a way, it seems as if Your Spirit was speaking through the silence of Scripture, "Shhhh.... Just wait. Wait for the One to come. Wait for the One who is My Son. Wait for the One who will reveal My heart in human flesh to set all things right between you and Me, My children"

 

Come, Holy Spirit. In this season of preparation for the coming of Christ, stir in my heart with deeper hunger and thirst for Your Word and Your Presence. Give me grace to live in the tension of both the patience of waiting and also the eager anticipation of welcoming the One to come. Even though in the birth of Christ the fullness of time has come, may I never stopping longing for more -- more of You in my life, as I entrust more of my life to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray the Holy Spirit will stir in your heart with a deeper hunger and thirst for the Word and the Presence of God, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Max Lucado & Tommy Hays - Healing Service Tonight in San Antonio

Please join us Tonight if you can in San Antonio or join us by prayer if you can't for the First Wednesday Healing & Worship Service at 7pm at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge Campus on I-10 in San Antonio, Texas:  www.oakhillschurch.com

I'm excited to be joining Max Lucado to share a message of hope and healing. Our Rapha God Ministries Prayer Team will be joining the Oak Hills Prayer Team to offer personal prayer ministry following the worship and message in English and Spanish.

May the name of Jesus be high and lifted up as we encounter the healing love of God in spirit, soul, and body. May you also experience the Lord's power and presence in your church and community. Thank you for your prayers!

God bless you,

Tommy Hays

 

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

Founder | Messiah Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Bldg 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

 

Morning by Morning, December 2 - See the Great Light

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Awaken my soul, let my spirit arise, as I begin my day in the communion of prayer in the presence of God.  ...

 

"But there will be no gloom for those who are in anguish. In the former time He brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them a light has shined.... For a Child has been born for us, a Son given for us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:1-6).

 

You are the Great Light that breaks into our darkness. You are the Joy that casts off our gloom. You are the Child of Bethlehem and the Man from Galilee. And You are our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace.

 

Almost eight hundred years before You birth as the Son of God who humbled Himself to also be the Son of Man, Your Spirit spoke through Your prophet Isaiah to a people who sat in darkness, desperately needing a word hope for the Light to come. You invited them to look with the eyes of faith through the darkness of their day to see the One who would be their Great Light to come. 

 

You promised, "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (v. 9:7). And You did (Matthew 4:13-16 fulfilling Isaiah 9:1-6 in Jesus Christ). You broke through our darkness to be "the Light of the world," forever proclaiming, "Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

 

Your Holy Spirit still speaks to our hearts, inviting us to look through the darkness with our eyes of faith to see the Great Light. You're still inviting us to seek the One who breaks "the yoke of (our) burden" and "the rod of (our) oppressor" to free us for joy, as we "rejoice before You as with joy at the harvest" (Isaiah 9:3-4).

 

Lead us, Wonderful Counselor. Free us, Mighty God. Love us, Everlasting Father. And fill our hearts with the peace that surpasses all understanding in the shalom of God, our Prince of Peace. Come shine in our land and in our hearts, Great Light of God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray the Great Light of Jesus Christ will break into your heart and fill you with joy as you keeping seeking Him with your eyes of faith -- our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

   

Friends, I'm excited to be sharing a message of healing and hope with Max Lucado this Wednesday Night, December 3rd, at the First Wednesday Worship & Healing Service at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Crownridge Campus at 7pm. Our Rapha God Ministries team will be joining the Oak Hills Prayer Team to pray for everyone personally. Please come join us! All are welcome! 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, December 1 - Seeking "the One of Peace"

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You're welcome in my heart and every moment of my day.  ...

 

"But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days. Therefore He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of His kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they shall live secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; and He shall be the One of Peace" (Micah 5:2-5).

 

In the cycle of the seasons of our culture, we turn our hearts from Thanksgiving to Christmas. And despite all the discussions of the origin of the holiday and literal day of the birth of Christ, it's still a season when people of faith from every tribe and tongue and nation turn their attention to the coming of the Messiah of Israel and Christ of all nations. In our hearts we long for the One of Peace.

 

Your Spirit spoke through the prophet Micah long before the day of His birth that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5-6). The "one who is in labor" would be a young girl named Mary, with her husband Joseph of the family of David, who would give birth to her Child in a humble barn that seemed hardly fit for a King (Luke 2:6). And there in Bethlehem, three kings from the east ("magi") would come follow His star to bow down before Him and lay gifts at His feet (Matthew 2:11). They would find the Child who was destined to be the One of Peace -- the One eternally "named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

 

In this season, I pray Your Holy Spirit will lead me again on a spiritual journey to seek more deeply the One of Peace. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I'm thankful for all You are and all You've done; and now I look forward with excitement and anticipation for all You will do and all You'll reveal. In Jesus' name Pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray the Holy Spirit will stir in your heart to lead you on a spiritual journey more deeply seeking the One of Peace who's name is Jesus -- our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

   

Friends, I'm excited to be sharing a message of healing and hope with Max Lucado this Wednesday Night, December 3rd, at the First Wednesday Worship & Healing Service at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Crownridge Campus at 7pm. Our Rapha God Ministries team will be joining the Oak Hills Prayer Team to pray for everyone personally. Please come join us! All are welcome! 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, November 30 - Delight Overcomes Doubt

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me start this day centered in You -- embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...

 

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday" (Psalm 37:3-6).

 

As I trust in You, You empower me to do good. As I delight in You, You delight me with the desires of my heart. As I commit my way to You, You move mightily on my behalf in Your unfailing commitment to me. And as You set things right within me, You set things right before me. 

 

So as best as I can and all by Your grace, I choose to trust You this day. I will "be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for (You); I will "not fret" or get worked up in a frenzy of impatience or worry, anxiety or fear (v. 7-8). For in "a little while," I will see all You've promised and all You've provided come to pass, so that "the meek (who humbly, willingly choose to be desperately dependent upon You alone) shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity" (v. 10-11).

 

Your Word will not falter and Your faithfulness will never fail. "Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand" (v. 23-24). In Your power and Your grace, I will "depart from evil, and do good; so (I) shall abide forever," knowing You "will not forsake (Your) faithful ones" (v. 27-28). You will always be my "salvation" and my "refuge in time of trouble" (v. 39-40). So I need not ever doubt that all in Your time and all in Your way, I "shall inherit the land (of all You've promised and purposed in Your heart for my life) and live in it forever" (v. 29). Trusting in You, my delight overcomes every doubt. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray your delight in the Lord will overcome every doubt, as you inherit the fullness and abundance of all He has purposed in His heart for your life, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

   

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, November 20 - "Strong and Courageous" in the Days of Weariness and Fear

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I begin my day focused on You.  ...

 

"Again one in human form touched me and strengthened me. He said, 'Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous!' When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, 'Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.' Then he said, 'do you know why I have come to you? ... I am to tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth" (Daniel 10:18-21).

 

Daniel's spiritual eyes were opened to see a vision of things to come. And the things he saw made him weary and afraid. He said, "My strength left me, and my complexion grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength" (v. 8). But You sent Your angel to strengthen him and revealed Your Word to him to encourage him. The angel touched him and lifted him to his knees and spoke to him, 'Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you' (v. 10-11).

 

In the strength of the Lord, Daniel stood up, though still trembling in the face of what he had seen (v. 11). But the angel from the Lord continued to speak words of spirit and life to encourage his heart, exhorting him, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.... and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days" (v. 12-14).

 

As you open our eyes to see the unfolding of these days, both on the earth and in the spiritual realm around us, we have days where our strength seems to fail and we begin to grow weary and afraid. So we need Your supernatural strength and power. We need to be encouraged by Your Book of Truth. We need to know we are safe in the security of Your eternal embrace no matter what we endure on this earth. So just as in the days of Daniel, You lift us to our knees in prayer and exhort us to stand to our feet in faith. 

 

Father God, You've sent us Your angels, You've sent us Your Word, You've sent us Your Holy Spirit, and You've sent us Your Son. You're awakening us in our spirits to arise and "pay attention to the words" that You are speaking to us (v. 11). And now in these days and the days to come, by the power of the grace of God at work within us, we will not fear, but "be strong and courageous" (v. 19). By the unbreakable promises of Your Book of Truth, "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray you will be strong and courageous in these days of weariness and fear, bowing on your knees in prayer and rising to your feet in faith in the supernatural strength and power of our God, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

  

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, November 19 - The Holy War for Hearts and Minds

 

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice.  ...

 

"Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

 

There is a holy war, but it's not called jihad. There are weapons of our warfare, but they are not suicide vests and butcher knives. It's a war for hearts and minds to hear the truth and embrace the grace of a loving God who's created us all to live in peace. His kingdom is not a worldwide caliphate of terror and fear under an oppressive and cruel form of law, but rather "the kingdom of God is ... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

 

According to Your Word, there is "a time for war," and I thank You for the men and women who courageously answer the call of duty to defend our lives, our land, and our freedom (Ecclesiastes 3:8). But at the same time, we must also wage war in the war room of prayer and in the war room of our own hearts and minds.

 

By the power of the grace of God, we must take negative and fearful thoughts captive. We must continually humble our hearts to allow Your Holy Spirit to uproot hatred or vengeance, arrogance or pride, self-righteousness or judgment. And we must also continually embrace the leading of Your Spirit to fill us with hope and persevering faith to courageously confront the evil unleashed in this world (James 4:7). 

 

Sometimes, You call us to take up a sword of steel, to fight for what's right, in the power of Your Spirit, rather than compromise and appease to settle for a false peace that only allows evil to grow. As You said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). But at the same time, You always call us to also take up "the sword of the Spirit," the sword of the truth of the word of God, to speak the truth in love that true peace may be established in this world (Ephesians 6:17). As You also said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid" (John 14:27).

 

So come, Lord Jesus. Let Your Holy Spirit arise within us, as the sons and daughters of our Father God -- our God who is love and whose perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). This is no time to cower or appease, paralyzed or numbed by the aftermath and effects of terror and fear, but to arise and fight in this holy war for every soul on this earth. You're "not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). With the weapons of our warfare, You "urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:2-4).

 

We are Your ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). And we are Your warriors (2 Corinthians 10:4). In Your sovereignty and will, You have chosen to enforce the victory of Your cross through our lives and prayers here in our world (Matthew 16:18-19). Thank You for the promise that "the God of peace will shortly crush Satan under (our) feet" (Romans 16:20). "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

I pray you will be empowered with courage to arise and fight in the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus as the child of our Father God you are to see the victory of the cross that makes way for the love and grace of our God to be poured into the hearts and minds of every soul in our world, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 

 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org 

  

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com 

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, November 18 - Increasing Contrast of the Light and the Darkness before the Harvest

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit and lead me in Your ways, here at the start and throughout the moments of my day.  ...

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 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 4:4-6).

Your Word calls our spiritual enemy “the god of this world” who “has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” -- those who do not believe “the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” And “the god of this world” is at the source of the evil of this world. You called him “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30). Bur Your Word encourages us to not lose heart when we see his evil work of deception and destruction, but to rise up in faith:  “Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith...” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

One way we resist him, steadfast in our faith, is by letting Your light shine in our hearts. Give us a love for those who are deceived. Move us to intercede for them instead of condemn them, that their eyes will be opened to the truth -- “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Stir in our hearts to pray for those who persecute us, to bless those who curse us, to love those who hate us (Matthew 5:44). Break the blindness from their minds to know the truth who will set them free (John 8:32).

This is not a time to fear, but to arise in faith. This is not a time to lose heart, but to be stirred in our hearts to pray for great contrast between the light and the dark, between good and evil, between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of God.

As You explained long ago, both light and darkness, both good and evil, are all growing to full maturity at the end of this age -- “to grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:24). Let us be encouraged when we see these things coming of age in our day -- the time of a great harvest is near! (Mathew 13:39)

You are “not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). And You will use this ever-increasing contrast of the light and the dark, the good and the evil, to expose the deception of the ruler of this age so that all can see the truth and know the One who is the truth -- “the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).

So give us Your harvest perspective. Give us Your kingdom perspective. In the midst of this darkness, as we hold fast to our faith and let the light of Your glory shine through our faces and move powerfully through our prayers, “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of (our) Father” (Matthew 13:43). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.