Friday, February 21, 2020

Morning by Morning, February 21 - "Come, Enter the Joy of the Master"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take me deep into Your presence to hear Your voice and sense Your leading -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...
 
"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last -- dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on. His trip. The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money. After a long time their mast returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money" (Matthew 25:14-19 NLT).
 
You've created each of us uniquely from anyone else on the face of the earth. We are each "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). No two leaves on a tree, no two fingerprints on our hands, no two snowflakes that fall from the sky are the same; and neither are any of the children of Your creation. And You have called us and gifted us and anointed us "in proportion to (our) abilities" and according to Your purposes. And in a sense, You've "entrusted" Your Kingdom to us. "God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him.... We are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NLT).
 
One day soon, You will return. And like the master in the story, You will call us each one to give account of all You've entrusted to us and commissioned us to do in the authority of Your name in security of our identity as sons and daughters of God, as ambassadors of Christ. "Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God" (Romans 14:12 NLT).
 
As in the story, we won't be judged in comparison to one another, but by what we've done with what You've entrusted to each of us based upon our abilities and assignments. Two servants served the master well. "The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'" (Matthew 25:21 NLT). But one servant buried what he had in a hole. He didn't waste the master's money, but he did waste his opportunity to please his master as a faithful steward and servant. His fear held him back so that he wasted what he had and squandered his opportunity to find fulfillment in his master's joy (Matthew 24:25).
 
Lord, I know Your love for me will never change, no matter what I do or don't do, even if I were to waste every moment of my life and squander away every opportunity and assignment You entrust to me. Nothing will separate me from Your love (Romans 8:38-39). The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). Like Billy Graham always said "There's nothing I could ever do to make You love me more; there's nothing I could ever do to make You love me less." And at the same time, I know You desire so much more for me. I know You desire for me to be found faithful in obedience, to be found fruitful in service, and to find fulfillment in bringing joy to Your heart, as I live into my identity in You as a child of God and ambassador of Christ. 
 
You're the One who given me the abilities and entrusted me with the calling that fits exactly who You've created me and called me to be, unlike anyone else. You're the One who's put the very desire in my heart to please You with my life. And when it's all been said and done, I long to hear Your words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant, My beloved child. Come, enter your reward. Come, enter the joy of your Master" (from Matthew 25:21). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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


My friend, may you find fulfillment as you enter into the Master's joy, being found faithful in obedience and service to Him in all He has uniquely entrusted to you, 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, February 19, 2020

Morning by Morning, February 19 - "The Fullness of Time"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear, as I listen; help me see, as I look -- waiting here in Your presence for Your leading to begin my day in communion with You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
 
"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 4:4-5).
 
My Father God, give me grace to trust in Your timing -- in "the fullness of time." Give me patience to wait, faith to trust, determination to endure, even as I press in for the breakthrough with expectant faith for all that is to come. It will come. All that You've purposed and planned will all come, all will be fulfilled, but all in Your time. 
 
So between this time and that time, between today and the day to come of "the fullness of time," help me believe and rest in the truth that You make all things beautiful in Your time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
There's a tension between expectant faith and waiting on the Lord. Both are important to learn. And only You can us the grace to live in the tension between the already and the n0t-yet, between resting in the truth that it is already done, already accomplished, already finished through the work of the cross, while at the same time, expectantly praying for all to come together, for all to come forth, here on earth as it already is in heaven.
 
In a sense, I can say, "It can't happen for me soon enough." And at the same time, in another sense that's just as true, I'd have to admit, "I couldn't handle it if it all happened to me at once." So You invite me to trust You, to trust Your timing, to trust Your wisdom, to trust Your ways. You invite me to "lean not on (my) own understanding (but) in all (my) ways to acknowledge (You), (trusting You) shall direct (my) paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
 
You're the One who gives me faith to expect the good things to come. And You're also the One who give me patience to let You have Your way in me and in everything and everyone else around me so that the good things come at just the right time -- in "the fullness of time." Whether we like it or not -- and it's usually "not" -- patience is one the fruit of the Spirit You've developing in us (Galatians 5:22). And it's one of the principles of the Kingdom of God that "through faith and patience (we) inherit the promises" of God (Hebrews 6:12).
 
So Lord, I'm excited and expectant and full of faith for this season at hand! But at the same time, let me also be full of patience, as You unfold it all in Your beautiful way, in Your time, in "the fullness of time." In the meantime, I'm confident of this:  Not one of Your words will fall to the ground unfulfilled; and not one of Your words will return to You void, but all will be accomplished and fulfilled (Isaiah 55:11). He who began a good work in me and my world will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you be filled with expectant faith and trusting patience in the One who is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in His beautiful way and in His perfect time, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

 


Pakistan Ministry. Praising God for another mighty move of His Holy Spirit in Pakistan through our Skype Internet Ministry last night! Each month we set up a big screen for me to preach through our interpreter on site in a different village, with a follow-up ministry team. We just received this report from Pastor Fazal with these pictures and exciting testimonies coming in so far!  "Dear Pastor Tommy, Thanks very much to share Powerful Word of God in unreached Village. Thanks Lord 345 Souls are Saved and 38 People are healed now!" (Some specific testimonies were healing from breathing problems, freedom from ten years of joint pain, healing from kidney stone pain). Amen!! Praise God!! 
 
Thank you to all my friends who pray for us and support us to make this ministry possible!
            

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, February 18, 2020

Morning by Morning, February 18 - Through the Storms
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to guide my steps in Your paths -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
 
"On that day, when evening had come, (Jesus) said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side.' And leaving the crowd behind, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. Other boats were with Him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him up and said to Him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, Be still!' Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the seas obey Him?' (Mark 4:35-41)
 
You never said we wouldn't face storms. Even if we're following You. Even if we know You're right there in the boat with us. The winds can still come and try to blow us off course. The waves can still come and try to beat us down. The seas of circumstances that suddenly rise up and try to overwhelm us rarely seem to wait for the best timing.
 
But we are not alone. And You are right here with us. You're still Lord of the wind and the waves. You're still sovereign over all our circumstances. And we turn to You in faith -- even in the midst of the fear we're facing at the moment -- You rebuke our storms and You steady our spirits. "Peace! Be still!"
 
Many are afraid of the Coronavirus. Many are afraid of the direction of the country, the protection of our children, the sufficiency of our bank accounts, the fulfillment of our dreams. And many of those storms are very real. But so are You! And so is Your presence and Your power to rise up and speak to our storms and to our spirits to "Be still!" to "Be at peace!" to "Trust in the Lord for You are good and You are God and Your mercy endures forever!"
 
So whom shall I fear? So what shall make me afraid? Just like those first disciples of Yours, I began this journey with You and I'm trusting in You -- as best as I can and all by the power of Your grace -- to get me to the other side! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you be filled with faith to trust in the One who is with you through every storm and will be faithful to get you to there other side of whatever you're going through, for He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, so for the delay in getting my prayer out this morning. I was preaching into Pakistan through our Skype Internet Ministry, where I get to preach once a month into a different village. We set up a protector and screen, with an interpreter and team to share the healing love of Jesus Christ! This message about the storm was my message to them this morning (Tuesday night there). Praying to hear reports and testimonies of salvation, healing, and freedom in the mighty name of Jesus! Excited to see what God will do!  Thank you so much for all your prayers!

           

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, February 17, 2020

Morning by Morning, February 17 - Humility and Authority, Unity and Power
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I turn my eyes upon You and open up my spirit to You, in adoration and surrender, to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...
 
"After (Peter and John) were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, 'Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is You who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, Your servant:  'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers gave gathered together against the Lord and against His Messiah.' For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to Your servants to speak Your word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus!'" (Acts 4:23-30)
 
When Your church was persecuted, they prayed. When the voices of dead religion and worldly power turned against them, they turned to You. "They raised their voices together to God." In humility they sought the One who is sovereign over all.
 
And You responded to their humility in power! "When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness!" (Acts 4:31)
 
From the humility of prayer to the authority of boldly proclaiming the word of God, You turned the attack of the enemy into an advance of Your Kingdom. You were teaching Your church both humility and authority, just as You were teaching them both the unity of Your Spirit and the power of Your Spirit. They raised their voices together in prayer so that then they raised their voices together in proclamation. "Those who believed were of one heart and soul" (Acts 4:32). Then "with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all!" (Acts 4:33).
 
Come, Holy Spirit of God! Fill us afresh in Your church today! We need Your great grace upon us all -- now more than ever! Teach us to walk in both humility and authority, to come together in unity and power, to see the word of God boldly proclaimed and Kingdom of God boldly advanced. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My Friend, may you be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit, learning to walk in both humility and authority, in unity and in power, to seek the Kingdom fo God boldly advance through your life and those in relationship with you, 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, February 14, 2020

Morning by Morning, February 14 - "Above all, ... Love"
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day. Put Your thoughts in my mind to have the mind of Christ, put Your desires in my heart to have the Father heart of God, put Your steps before for me to walk out my journey this day by the leading of Your Holy Spirit. ...
 
"Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).
 
Above all, love. 
 
Love is a great key of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:19). Loving God and loving one another are the "greatest commandments," and the fulfillment of "all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40). Love is at the heart of the Father heart of God, and love is to be at our heart for You and for one another. "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:7-8).
 
Our journey of faith through all the challenges of this broken and fallen world is to learn to love and conform us into the image of Your love. Through all we face with every injustice we see, every wrong we endure, every resistance we encounter to the ways of God in our world, You're teaching us and empowering us to overcome in the power of Your grace and grow in the power and nature of Your love. In all the ways we could never live out in our own human will, human strength or even human desire, You rise up by Your Spirit within us to love through us no matter what comes against us, so that by the power of Your grace we can even obey Your command to "love (our) enemies, do good to those who hate (us), bless those who curse (us), pray for those who abuse (us)" (Luke 6:27-28). We can't do anything that apart from You (John 15:5). But I praise You that we are never apart from You and Your Spirit is always within us to love through us in Your resurrection power of Your never failing love (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 13:7).
 
Surrendering to You in obedience to Your truth, yielding to Your heart, Your nature, and Your will, makes us more like You -- more like the One who is Love. When we "have purified (our) souls by (our) obedience to the truth (we) have genuine mutual love (and) love one another deeply from the heart" (1 Peter 1:22).
 
On this day when the world celebrates love, I first open my heart to You -- to the One who first loved me. "We love because (You) first loved us" (1 John 4:19). As I do, Your love flows in Your power through me. So keep teaching me to love, empowering me to love, to learn to love "deeply from (my) heart" just as You love me deeply from Your heart. In Jesus' name I Pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you be filled with the love of God, learning to love and growing in love, to allow the love of God to flow powerfully through you, loving deeply from the 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, February 12, 2020

Morning by Morning, February 12 - Lay Down Your Nets and Follow Me
 
Good morning, Lord Jesus. You're with me always, just like You said (Matthew 28:20). And I acknowledge Your Presence, here as I begin my day embraced by My Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...
 
"And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to the them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.' They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him" (Matthew 4:28-22 NKJV).
 
Over twenty-five years ago, You called me to lay down my nets and get out of my boat and follow You. I wasn't a fisherman; I was a trial lawyer. The tools of my trade weren't using my hands and nets for catching fish but using my words for making a case for my clients.
 
But no matter what our desires and gifts and talents, You'll take them and redeem them and sanctify them for Your glory if we'll surrender them and entrust them to You. Peter and Andrew, James and John, became fishers of men. And I became an advocate for Christ.
 
Through my own journey of redemption and healing from brokenness and pain along the way, You turned my heart towards healing prayer ministry, especially inner healing, what I've come to call "healing from the inside out." Speaking to my spirit by Your Word, You've called me and empowered me by Your grace to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God, to heal the brokenhearted, to set the captives free, to prepare the way of the Lord in peoples' hearts and in the earth, to prepare the bride and body of Christ to be set free from all that would hold her back from all she was created to be, at home and to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 61; Luke 4:18-19; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7). You've burned in my spirit with a passion from Your Spirit, laboring like a woman in travail "until Christ is formed" in those You've entrusted to me in the ministry of Your healing love and power (Galatians 4:19). "The Lord has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning He wakens -- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught" (Isaiah 50:4).
 
It has been a joyful journey, but it has not been easy, nor without sacrifice and great cost. But no sacrifice I have made is worth comparing to the Sacrifice You have made. And I have no doubt that when it's all been said and done, I will stand amazed in Your Presence and know it was worth it all and You are worthy of it all.
 
So help me keep listening and keep following and keep laying down my nets to take hold of Your heart and Your will for my life and calling every step of the way. "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). 
 
By the power of Your grace, I'm an advocate for Christ, a fisher of men, a disciple of Christ, and a son of God (Romans 8:14-17). Give me courage and confirmation to keep following You and never "shrink back" from such a grace and calling You've entrusted to me (Hebrews 10:39). I'm part of Your bride and Your body, positioned for Your purposes and preparing the way of the Lord for our soon and coming King -- in our hearts and in our land. "Revive us again!" (Psalm 85:6) "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!" (Ephesians 5:14)
 
Yes, Lord. I want to be a part of all You're doing in these great and awesome days, and fulfill my part in all You're doing (Jeremiah 33:3). I'm thankful and honored to be alive in this exciting and expectant generation! "The Spirit and the bride say 'Come!'" (Revelation 22:17) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


My friend, may you be confirmed and fulfilled in your calling  and destiny in Christ, knowing you are uniquely, fearfully, wonderful made to you part out of who you are 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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