Friday, July 09, 2021

“Soon!” - July 9, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 9 - “Soon!”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12).

One day soon, You’ll come again. One day soon, You’ll set things right again.

And at the same time, as we yearn for Your coming, we also can’t help but wonder just what You mean by “soon.” It seems it’s been over 2,000 years since You spoke those words to the Apostle John and through John to us.

The Apostle Peter wrestled with the same question. And it seems You gave him this revelation, which he recorded by Your Holy Spirit in the Word of God, to help guide our hearts as we ponder Your sense of timing. He wrote to Your disciples in that first generation of the promise of Your coming, and continues to speak to Your disciples in every generation who are longing for Your coming:

“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.  

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity!” (2 Peter 3:1-18).

That’s the key -- “be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace.... Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 

Every generation of Your disciples has that same sense of urgency in their spirit -- that You are coming “soon.” Your sense of days and our sense of days are not the same. Neither is our sense of “soon” and the timing of “the day of the Lord.” 

But every day is “the day of the Lord” between today and the day You come again. Every day is the day to be growing in grace, growing in our knowledge of You, growing in the surrender of our heart and sanctification of our souls, seeking to live out each day forgiven and free, with Your peace in our hearts, as we pray for and even hasten the coming of the day of God.

So give me grace, Lord, to be found faithful in You -- as best as I can and all by Your grace. Come soon, Lord Jesus! “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 keep growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to be found faithful in Him by His Holy Spirit at work with you until the day of His coming, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My New Book Just Published!

--Now Also in Hardback--

Friends, I'm so excited to publish my new book on right alignment of spirit, soul, and body called First the Spirit!
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 10th
Preaching at Canyon Lake, Texas Aglow International Meeting

July 14-17
Speaking on the Power of the Holy Spirit
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Annual Conference at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky

August 11th
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Meeting
10-2:00

August 29-30th
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Friday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Saturday 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and any contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

“Be Patient and Stand Firm” - July 7, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 7 - “Be Patient and Stand Firm”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name be high and lifted up -- here in my heart and every moment of my day. ...

“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8).

Come, Lord Jesus. One day You’re coming again in the skies. And every day between now and then, You’re coming again in my heart. Every day You invite me, “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (v. 4:8)

So I pray for Your grace to “be patient.” I pray for Your grace to “stand firm.”

There’s a difference between being “patient” and being “passive.” You didn’t say “be passive.” You said “be patient.” So in my patience, may I actively continue to be prepared, to grow in grace, to be poised and ready, steadfast and standing firm. 

In my patience, may You keep me grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit, on call for Your command -- not just passively waiting for You to take me to heaven, but actively and patiently, persistently standing firm for what is right and true as You bring heaven into my heart and my world now. 

That’s one of the ways “(Your) coming is near” and “(Your) kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). That’s one of the ways Your kingdom comes and Your will is done, here on earth and here in my heart, as it is in heaven (Matthew 3:10). 

So by the power of Your grace, give me patience for that, as I stand firm in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you be patient and stand firm, as you actively, patiently, and persistently stand firm in what is right and true by the power of the grace of God in you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My New Book Just Published!

--Now Also in Hardback--

Friends, I'm so excited to publish my new book on right alignment of spirit, soul, and body called First the Spirit!
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 10th
Preaching at Canyon Lake, Texas Aglow International Meeting

July 14-17
Speaking on the Power of the Holy Spirit
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Annual Conference at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky

August 11th
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Meeting
10-2:00

August 13-14th 
Leading a Prayer Ministry Equipping Weekend at
Centenary Church in Lexington, Kentucky

August 29-30th
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Friday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Saturday 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and any contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.



Tuesday, July 06, 2021

“Christ Who is (My) Life” - July 6, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 6 - “Christ Who is (My) Life”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of all I am and all I do. Help me begin my day and live out my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit ...

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

Lord, what does it mean for Christ to be my life? ...

It seems I hear in my heart these words in Your voice:

“I am your life to the degree that you allow Me to live My life through you. Less of you, more of Me, in the sense of you living less for your will and living more for My will. Then My will is expressed through your life.” ...

Yes, Lord. What comes to mind is Your Word: “The mystery hidden for ages and generations now revealed to His saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27).

How do I “live into this?” How do I embrace this life of “Christ in (me), the hope of glory?” ...

As I wait and listen, what I believe I hear You saying in my heart now is this:

“Set your thoughts on Me. Surrender your heart to Me. Deliberately, consciously, intentionally. Pursue Me and allow Me to form My nature in your character by My Spirit. It’s your choice, and it’s My power. It’s not by your might nor your power, but by My Spirit. It’s My Spirit at work in your spirit, forming My nature in your character, as you intentionally entrust your life to Me, so that I may live My life through you.” ...

Yes, Lord. Help me do that. Give me both the desire and the power to choose that and do that -- as best as I can and all by Your grace (Zechariah 4:6; Philippians 2:13). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you deliberately, consciously, intentionally set your mind on Christ and open your heart to Christ, that the Spirit of Christ may form the nature of Christ in you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My New Book Just Published!

--Now Also in Hardback--

Friends, I'm so excited to publish my new book on right alignment of spirit, soul, and body called First the Spirit!
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 10th
Preaching at Canyon Lake, Texas Aglow International Meeting

July 14-17
Speaking on the Power of the Holy Spirit
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Annual Conference at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky

August 11th
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Meeting
10-2:00

August 13-14th 
Leading a Prayer Ministry Equipping Weekend at
Centenary Church in Lexington, Kentucky

August 29-30th
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Friday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Saturday 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. Starting over a New Course in September! Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and any contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.



Friday, July 02, 2021

Learning from Our Past and Growing into Our Destiny as “One Nation, Under God” - July 2, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 2 - Learning from Our Past and Growing into Our Destiny as “One Nation, Under God”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I bow my knees before my God and stand to my feet to face the flag of the nation where You’ve called me to live. “(You) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God....” (Acts 17:26-27). ...

For every human and the heart of every nation, You call us to honor what is good and to change what is wrong. You call us to learn from our past without denying the truth of our past -- whether what is to be honored or what is to be changed. And on our journey to grow up into maturity, we’re to humbly acknowledge that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), as we turn to You to forgive us and free us, affirming what is right and changing what is wrong, secure in our identity and fulfilling our destiny, receiving “grace upon grace” (John 1:16) and being changed into a people of Your character “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

As we come to the day we honor the birth of our nation and remember those who have fought and died to keep her free -- learning from our mistakes, repenting for our sins, while affirming what is good and right and true -- I’m remembering the words of an old hymn that speaks of Your truth and Your glory being revealed in our nation, even through its most desperate and painful days. It’s called “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and His faithful He shall save;
Our God is marching on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on!”

-- “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe

Lord Jesus, You “died to make men holy, let us live to make men free.” You’re “sifting out the hearts of men before (Your) judgment seat.” And You’ve “sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat.” So in the freedom of religion and freedom of speech that I have under the Constitution of this nation that I love, I join an indivisible, undivided heart with all who will honor all You’ve entrusted to us and all we seek to become -- “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you grow from grace to grace and be changed from glory to glory, in your heart and in your nation, as you learn from the past and honor what is good, secure in your true identity and living into the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My New Book Just Published!

--Now Also in Hardback--

Friends, I'm so excited to publish my new book on right alignment of spirit, soul, and body called First the Spirit!
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 10th
Preaching at Canyon Lake, Texas Aglow International Meeting

July 14-17
Speaking on the Power of the Holy Spirit
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Annual Conference at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky

August 11th
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Meeting
10-2:00

August 13-14th 
Leading a Prayer Ministry Equipping Weekend at
Centenary Church in Lexington, Kentucky

August 29-30th
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Friday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Saturday 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. All are welcome to come join us at any time along the course. Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Tuesday Mornings
Teaching by Zoom on Deliverance Ministry Training for leaders of MorningStar Ministries Online Connect Groups.

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and any contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.



Thursday, July 01, 2021

“One Spirit with Him” - July 1, 2021

 

Morning by Morning, July 1 - “One Spirit with Him”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Catch up my spirit, up into Your embrace -- my Abba Father, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit of the Living God. You are One; and I receive Your invitation and Your embrace to become one with You in every way I can, as I begin my day with You. ...

“He who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

How can that be, Lord? How can I become one spirit with You? ...

As I listen for Your leading, I’m listening as one of Your sheep waiting to hear the voice of my Shepherd (John 10:3). I’m listening as one of Your children waiting in my human spirit to be led by Your Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). And what I believe I’m hearing now in my heart is this: 

“Surrender. Yield. Look to Me and allow Me to fill your heart with My heart, your thoughts with My thoughts. Allow Me to be at work within you to make you more like Me. Allow Me to remove every barrier between us -- every barrier of guilt, regret, doubt, fear, confusion, and hesitation. Allow Me to lift you up into My embrace through the communion of worship and prayer, surrender and trust. Allow Me to make you one with Me. Not just one time. Not just in your morning time. But throughout the moments of your day, throughout the memories of your past, throughout the unfolding of every day I’ve set before you on your spiritual journey to learn to become one with Me.” ...

Yes, Lord. Let it be so. As I ponder and seek to discern what I believe I’m hearing as Your word in my heart, this written Word of Your Scripture comes to mind to confirm it:

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Come, Holy Spirit of God. Free me from hesitation. Free me from confusion and fear and doubt and regret and guilt and everything else that would ever try to separate me from Your Spirit, Your Presence, and the intimate embrace of Your mercy and love. Free me to believe this is Your word and Your will for me and for every one of Your children.

As Your Word confirms, You want none of these things to separate us from the communion and union You desire and empower us to receive:

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure 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 8:37-39). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, may you become one spirit with the Lord, with nothing separating your heart and spirit from His, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Please share this word to encourage a friend!
Anyone can sign up for free to receive them at:

My New Book Just Published!

--Now Also in Hardback--

Friends, I'm so excited to publish my new book on right alignment of spirit, soul, and body called First the Spirit!
Order your copy today in Hardback, Paperback or Kindle!

All purchases support the calling and vision of 
Messiah Ministries
Join us and Pray for us!
Some of Our Upcoming Events:

July 10th
Preaching at Canyon Lake, Texas Aglow International Meeting

July 14-17
Speaking on the Power of the Holy Spirit
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Annual Conference at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky

August 11th
Speaking at San Antonio Aglow International Meeting
10-2:00

August 13-14th 
Leading a Prayer Ministry Equipping Weekend at
Centenary Church in Lexington, Kentucky

August 29-30th
Healing Prayer Services
at Coker UMC in San Antonio, Texas.
Friday 8/29 at 7PM in person; Saturday 8/30 at 7PM by zoom.

Tuesday Nights
Teaching Freedom Equipping Course live in person every week at the Bridge Church in Fredericksburg, Texas from 6 to 8:00. All are welcome to come join us at any time along the course. Based on the principles of my book Free to Be Like Jesus!

Tuesday Mornings
Teaching by Zoom on Deliverance Ministry Training for leaders of MorningStar Ministries Online Connect Groups.

Personal Ministry Appointments
Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer MinistrySessions of Inner Healing & Deliverance by Appointment and as the Holy Spirit leads. Please keep us in prayer for spiritual breakthrough and transformation! Let us know if you'd like to set up a session: 


Sessions are without cost and any contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries.