Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 18 - Living Stones on the Breastpiece of Our High Priest
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift up my eyes and listen with my heart for the leading of Your Holy Spirit, here in arms of my Father. ...
 
"Of the blue, purple, and crimson yarns they made finely worked vestments, for ministering in the holy place; they made the sacred vestments for Aaron; as the Lord had commanded Moses. He made the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen.... He made the breastpiece, in skilled work, like the work of the ephod, of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson years, and of fine twisted line. It was square; the breastpiece was made double.... They set in it four rows of stones. A row of carnelian, chrysolite, and emerald was the first row; and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a moonstone, and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper; they were enclosed in setting of gold filigree. There were twelve stones with the names corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they were like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes" (Exodus 39:1-14).
 
As high priest, Aaron was commanded to wear the twelve stones of the twelve tribes of Israel upon his breast as he ministered to the Lord in the holy place. Each stone was unique and precious. And each had its purpose and place.
 
Lord Jesus, You are our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). And You hold our names upon Your breast, near to Your heart, as You carry us in to the holy place of God our Father, even the Holy of Holies of His Presence. You've created each one of us uniquely, with identity and purpose and destiny. We are carefully chosen, precious and beloved to You.
 
Let us also be precious to one another. Give us eyes to see and honor the uniqueness of the other stones, the other precious jewels You treasure and embrace as near to Your heart as ourselves. Free us from jealousy and envy, from pride and comparison. Uproot our insecurities and implant within us a sincere confidence in You. 
 
"Like living stones, let (us) be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5). Like precious treasure, let us shine with the light of Your glory and praise You for the light of Your glory that shines on one another. In Jesus' name I pray Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray you are confident and secure as the carefully chosen, precious and beloved child and treasure of God you are, honoring the same uniqueness in one another,  in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 

   
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Monday, April 16, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 16 - My Morning Time with God
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. You're one with the Father and one with the Holy Spirit; be one within me, as I abide in You and You abide in me.  ...
 
"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.... Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good Spirit lead me on a level path" (Psalm 143:8-10). 
 
I settle in to my place of prayer and center in with my focus on You. I lift up my heart and open up my spirit, as I greet You and welcome You into the moments of my day. "Good morning, Lord Jesus."
 
I could say, "Good morning, heavenly Father" or "Come, Holy Spirit" or "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!"  But for many years, from when I first began to journal my morning prayer, this has been my simple way to focus my heart and begin my day centered in You--embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit.
 
And every morning is a good morning because Your good Spirit is with me--to love me and lead me on the level path of life in You, to teach me and tell me the ways of Your will--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. You put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. You take me by hand and lead me by the heart on my journey of faith that begins each day in worship and prayer, in trusting surrender and faithful obedience.
 
In these morning moments of deep communion in prayer, You begin my daily journey of making me more like You, as I intentionally, deliberately entrust my soul again completely to You. "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--make us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image" (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NLT).
 
Thank You for letting me hear Your steadfast love in the morning. Thank You for letting me experience the peace and joy of Your Presence as I seek to simply be still and know that You are God, here at the foundation of my day with You at the center of my life (Psalm 46:10). "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your Presence and the pleasures of living with You forever" (Psalm 16:11). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray you experience the peace and joy of the Presence of God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--as you intentionally, deliberately entrust you soul to Him every morning and throughout the moments of your day, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 

   
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Friday, April 13, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 13 - "The Throne of Grace"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Through the blood of the Lamb that cleanses my soul, I enter into the Holy of Holies of Your Presence in worship and prayer to begin this day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit of God.  ... 

"Since, then, we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 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 test as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

With both boldness and humility I come before Your throne of grace--with boldness because I'm fully forgiven; with humility because it's by everything You've already done and nothing that I could have ever done. You are "the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey (You)" to put our hope and trust in You, allowing You to cleanse our souls and fill our hearts with Your mercy and love (Hebrews 5:9). 

So let me never dishonor Your sacrifice and Your love by shrinking back from Your Presence or failing to faithfully and joyfully embrace Your eternal invitation to boldly approach Your throne of grace. Remind me each day of Your mercy and love, so that I "never neglect so great a salvation" (Hebrews 2:3). That would be the greatest sin of all, rejecting the power and love of the blood of Jesus, already poured out for me at inconceivable cost out of Your unfathomable grace. "We are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved" (Hebrews 10:39). 

Just as You welcome me into the Holy of Holies of Your Presence, I welcome You into the holy of holies of my heart. Just as You welcome me to abide in You, I welcome You to abide in me (John 15:4). Let there never be any wall, any veil, or anything else in all creation that would ever separate me from You and Your love for me. "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the power of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord!" (Romans 8:38-39 NLT) 
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray come boldly before God's throne of grace and welcome Him to come boldly abide in the Holy of Holies of your heart everyday, never neglecting so great a salvation we have in Him, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 

   
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Thursday, April 12, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 12 - The "Brighter and Brighter" Path
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good Shepherd, help me hear Your voice here in my heart to begin my day centered in You.  ...
 
"But the path of the righteous is like a light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.... Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil" (Proverbs 4:18-27).
 
If I'm walking in Your ways, my path should be getting "brighter and brighter." My spirit and my steps should be steady. And if my path is not getting brighter and my steps are no longer steady, I should be quick to humble my heart to cry out to You and ask for Your help and correction and guidance. And You'll be quick to lead me back to the place where I got off Your path so I can continue on with my journey in Your will. You're the God who makes my path straight and my steps secure (Psalm 40:2).
 
Come guide my steps today. Give me the discernment and wisdom to recognize if my path is growing "brighter and brighter." I don't want to take any detours on the way to my destiny. "Keep my steps steady according to Your promise" (Psalm 119:133). And I thank You for Your promise that "our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; (even) though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand" (Psalm 23:23). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray your path grows brighter and brighter before you each day, as the Lord orders your steps and guidance you into the fullness of His will and your destiny in Him, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 

  
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 11 - "Led by the Spirit of God"

 Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my life and every moment of my day.  ... 

"Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Romans 8:12-14 NLT). 

Throughout the encounters and decisions I'll face today, just like every day, I will have the opportunity at every turn to choose to be led by the sinful nature of my flesh or the righteous nature of Your Spirit. My flesh--grounded in my own selfishness and self-centeredness-- will urge me to make one choice, while Your Spirit--grounded in Your Word and Your will--will urge me to make different choice. As a child of God, I want to make right choices led by the right Spirit. As a child God, I want to be "led by the Spirit of God" (Romans 8:14).  

So here at the beginning of my day, I want to be centered in You--grounded in Your Word, filled with Your Spirit, embraced in the communion of Your Presence. I'm asking You to put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, so when the opportunities to make my choices come, I'm already connected with You, abiding in You as You abide in me (John 15:4).  

Then listening for Your leading and seeking to discern Your direction, I'll be able to more clearly sense Your will and Your ways in every decision I'll make. Then "when (I) turn to the right or when (I) turn to the left, (my) ears shall hear a voice behind (me), saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21). This is one of the greatest gifts and most precious, powerful blessings of God to be led by the Spirit of God as a child of God. So Holy Spirit of God, come lead me today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray you begin this day and every day centered in Christ--grounded in the Word of God, filled with the Spirit of God, and embraced in the communion of God--so you can clearly discern His will and His ways in every decision you face, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 

  
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Friday, April 06, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 6 - Our Walk to Emmaus 
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart to see You--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God--as I look and listen for Your leading today.  ...
 
"Now on that day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.... So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?'" (Luke 24:13-32).
 
The two disciples on their walk to Emmaus, after all the events of the cross, had known You and loved You. But in their grief and sorrow and disappointment, they couldn't see You. They "had hoped" that You were the Messiah, but now they thought all their hopes and dreams were shattered (v. 21). They had even heard stories of Your resurrection, but they were still "slow of heart to believe" (v. 22-25). Even when You came alongside them, they couldn't sense that it was You, they couldn't recognize Your voice, even though they had had such a personal relationship with You.
 
That may be a picture of many of us at times along our journey of faith. We know You, we have a real and personal relationship with You, we know the stories of Your resurrection; but at the same time, down deep inside, we still find ourselves "slow of heart to believe." When our dreams and hopes are shattered, when we find ourselves in those times of grief and sorrow and disappointment, we find it hard to see You and hear You and even recognize and remember that You are with us--that You're with us "always," just like You promised (Matthew 28:24), that Your sheep "hear (Your) voice," just like You said (John 10:3).
 
But even in those times--maybe even especially in those times--You'll come near and go with us (Luke 24:15). You'll come in and dine with us in the communion of our hearts if we'll invite You in to come abide with us (v. 29). Just as You did with those two discouraged disciples who desperately needed an encounter with You, You're ready to come and commune with all who would "urge (You) strongly" to come and stay (v. 29). 
 
In the breaking of the bread with them, "their eyes were opened, and they recognized (You)" (v. 30-31). In the breaking of the Bread of the Word of God with them, "(You) interpreted to them the things about (Yourself) in all the Scriptures" (v. 27). Then their hearts burned within them in fresh fire and faith, in renewed hope and excitement, from their personal encounter in Your Presence with Your Word (v. 32).
 
Thank You for walking with me on my journey with You, Lord Jesus. Thank You for opening up the Word of God to me, for revealing Yourself in Your Scriptures to me, "beginning with Moses and all the prophets" (v. 27). Thank You for coming to abide within me, for opening the eyes of my heart to see You, for making me more and more sensitive in my spirit to hear You. Thank You for the grace and faith to believe in my heart form my personal encounters in Your Presence with Your Word that "the Lord has risen indeed!" (v. 34) And thank You that every day You want to arise in me! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray your heart burns within you with fresh fire and faith, in renewed hope and excitement, every day of your journey with Jesus, as you encounter His Presence in His Word in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 

  
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Thursday, April 05, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 5 - Turning Wavering Doubts into Bold Declarations of Faith

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As deep calls to calls, my spirit calls to Your Spirit in the deep communion of prayer. Help me begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  ... 

"But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe.' A week later His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it in My side. Do not doubt but believe.' Thomas answered Him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those have not seen and yet have come to believe'" (John 20:24-28). 

I like Thomas--not just because he has my name, but because I see a lot of me in him. What some would call doubt, I would call determined discernment, insistence upon truth, a high value for un-flaky faith, keeping it real. Before I was a minister, I was a lawyer. And as I began to grow in my faith, it was important to me to believe what true before I could preach it or teach it as true. And I suppose after these many years of my personal journey of faith, I'm still that way. 

But like Thomas, what's helped me so much in my journey of faith are my personal encounters with You. Thomas' personal encounter with the risen Lord made him a believer. And it's the same with me. 

I've encountered You in the midst of my guilt and shame where I've deeply regretted what I've done. In Your resurrection power, You forgave me and empowered me to forgive myself and cleanse me from my shame. I've encountered You in the midst of so many moments of failure and heartache, of feeling rejected and unloved, of being misunderstood and judged, of confusion and frustration, of finding myself weary, discouraged, and worn out, and in so many more of those moments when I wish I could just put my finger in Your hands and my hand in Your side. But every time, You've put Your hands around my heart and breathed Your Spirit into my life to lift me up and dust me off and send me along with even more faith, more trust, and more love for You than ever before. Every one of my personal encounters with You have made me a believer, believing even more strongly in every encounter. 

In that powerful moment of Your undeniable Presence, You turned all of Thomas' wavering doubts into a bold declaration of faith--"My Lord and my God!" It's actually the highest and most direct declaration from any person in all the Bible that Jesus is Lord and God. And it's a boldness of faith that never left him after that encounter. I've been to the very place on my ministry travels to India where Thomas was martyred for his faith with a spear through his heart that never stopped loving You or beating passionately for You to preach Your Word and minister in the power of Your name until the day he died. 

I love how You take our greatest weaknesses and turn them into our greatest strengths. In the very places where we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the power of Your grace, You give us authority and passion in Your Spirit to testify to Your love help others encounter the One who's done so much for us. I love how You turn sinners into saints, brokenness into breakthrough, and even lawyers into preachers! Thank You for turning my doubts into declarations and my failures into faith. Lord Jesus--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--You are "my Lord and my God!" And I love You with all my heart and offer all my life to You again this day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray your personal encounters with the risen Lord turn your doubts into declarations and your failures into faith, with a passion to love and serve your Lord and your God with all your heart, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 

 
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Wednesday, April 04, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 4 - Breathe on Me, O Breath of God
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Arise in Your resurrection power in my life today.  ...
 
"Then He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (John 20:22 NLT).
 
Breathe on me, O Breath of God. Let Your Spirit fill my lungs with praise. Let your Breath fill my mouth with Your words. Let Your Presence abide in my soul.
 
Breathe on me, Lord. Breathe new life, fresh passion, renewed determination to seek Your face, to follow Your ways, to be the child of God and disciple of Christ You created me and called me to be--not in my strength but in Your power, not in my goodness but in Your righteousness. 
 
I desperately need You. I breathlessly await You. Increase my capacity to breathe You in as You breathe on me. Fill me afresh that You can overflow anew through me this day and this next season of my life in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray you are filled afresh with the Breath of God to overflow anew with His life and love flowing out of you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 



Friends, if you're in the San Antonio area, please come join us Tonight, Wednesday Night, April 4th at 7pm, for the First Wednesday Service of Worship and Healing Prayer at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge. I'm excited to be sharing a message of hope and healing this month. Personal Prayer Ministry will be available. All are welcome! More Info: First Wednesday Service
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

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Tuesday, April 03, 2018

Morning by Morning, April 3 - "So I Send You"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to lead me in Your ways today--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.  ...
 
"When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' After He said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.' When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them. 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained'" (John 20:19-23).
 
Just as the Father sent You, so You send us. Just as the Father sent You to proclaim the good news of the gospel of the kingdom of God, to demonstrate the power of the gospel of the kingdom of God, so You send us -- all in the authority and the power of Your Holy Spirit. 
 
As You are, so are we to be in this world (1 John 4:17). We are the "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27). We are filled with the "Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9). And now we continue the "ministry of Christ" through our lives for Your glory in Your name (Romans 16:13 NLT;  Matthew 28:18-20). All who truly believe in You will continue to honor and obey You by doing the works that You do in the same power of the Holy Spirit You had when You walked this earth (John 14:12). "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.... He went about doing good and healing all were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38).
 
Though You were crucified, buried, raised from the death, and ascended into heaven, You are with us always (Matthew 28:20). Your Spirit--"Spirit of Jesus Christ"-- is with us and within us (Philippians 1:19). As the Father sent You, so You continue to send us--in Your Spirit, in Your power, in Your name. Here I am, Lord. Send me today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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




My Friend, I pray you go with boldness, faith and joy everywhere the Lord sends you to fulfill all He has for you in His Spirit, in His power, and in His name, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend! 



Friends, if you're in the San Antonio area, please come join us Wednesday Night, April 4th at 7pm, for the First Wednesday Service of Worship and Healing at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge. I'm excited to be sharing a message of hope and healing this month. Personal Prayer Ministry will be available. 
All are welcome! Information at: First Wednesday Service
   
 

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
  
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

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