Morning by Morning, July 9, 2026 — The Word of God is “Very Near” to the Children of God

 

Morning by Morning, July 9, 2026 — The Word of God is “Very Near” to the Children of God Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. … “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). Your word is very near to me. Let Your commandment be very dear to me. Let Your word be in my mouth and in my heart. Give me a deeper hunger for Your word, a greater sensitivity for Your word. Not just that I may hear it, but also that I “may do it.” Even under the Old Covenant and the commandments You spoke through Moses, You called Your people who are called by Your name to listen and trust and obey. How much more for us? Through You and Your ever-abiding Presence with us and within us by Your Spirit, we now have “a better Covenant, which as established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 8:8-10). Your word is now in our mouths and in our hearts every moment of every day because You are the Word of God (John 1:14) and the Spirit of God lives in us (Romans 8:9). You are very near and You are very dear. With You and Your words in my heart and in my mouth, may I listen and speak, may I trust and obey. May I embrace Your promise as my identity as a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ, grounded in Your Word and led by Your Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God…. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:14-16). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you listen and trust and obey the word of God as He lives in you and leads you in His will, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events July 6 Teaching in Pakistan on-line at New Life Bible School July 13 New Weekly Prayer Meeting at 9am for Messiah Ministries at our Cabin at Messiah Ministries July 24-26 A Keynote Speaker at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Conference in Ollie, Iowa Aug 25 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Gillespie County Commissioner's Court Aug 30 Preaching at Lake Toxaway Chapel in Lake Toxaway, Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina Sept 1 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Fredericksburg City Council Sept 3 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Aglow Lighthouse at Kendall Inn Conference Center 7PM. All are welcome! Sept 8 Beginning My Annual Free to be Like Jesus Tuesday Night Classes at Bridge Church in FBG, TX Sept 18-20 Leading our Free to Be Like Jesus seminar in Belgium, then traveling to Slovenia Sept 24-27 Teaching a 4 Day Conference in the nation of Slovenia Oct 4 Preaching at Crossroads Church in Greenville, Texas Oct 22-25 Teaching Free to Be Like Jesus seminar, Healing Service, and preaching Sunday services at St. James Methodist Church in Athens, Georgia Personal Ministry Appointments, Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol

Morning by Morning, July 8, 2026 — “One Thing:” Forgetting the Past to Press On to the Future

 

Morning by Morning, July 8, 2026 — “One Thing:” Forgetting the Past to Press On to the Future Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit as I open Your Word and listen for Your leading. … “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). When the Apostle Paul says, “one thing I do,” whatever follows those words must be very important. He didn’t say things like: “One thing I do, I try harder” or “One thing I do, I read the Bible more” or “One thing I do, I pray longer” or “One thing I do, I give more money to the poor” or “One thing I do, I spend more time serving at the church” or even, “One thing I do, I go preach the gospel in more places to more people and write more letters to more believers to encourage more faithfulness and discipleship.” All of those are good things, important things, even Spirit-led and spiritually fruitful things. But those are not the things he states here, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as the “one thing.” His “one thing” is “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Why is that so important? So critical? Such a priority? Because we can get stuck on our spiritual journey: We can get stuck in the past of our failures and sins, our regrets and mistakes, overcome and overwhelmed in shame by the things we have done that were less than Your will. We can also get stuck in the past of our wounds of rejection or abuse, injustices and afflictions, bound up in bitterness or resentment, overcome and overwhelmed in shame by the things that were done to us. We can also get stuck in the past of our own reliance on self, in our own form of control and pride, depending on our own achievements and accomplishments, thinking it comes from own wisdom and strength, our own talents and abilities, as if it were all apart from You, overcome and overwhelmed by the never-ending burden of constantly depending up ourselves to live in the agonizing fear of failure. Through the Apostle Paul, Your Word says, “Let it go.” “Forget what lies behind so you can take hold of all You have for us now.” This is not denial. This is not taking on some form of spiritual amnesia to forget the facts of our past. But it is saying, “My past will not define my identity or determine my destiny.” It is saying, “My God has redeemed it all, even causing it all to work together for good in me and my life, despite my past and even using my past for His glory.” Thank You, Lord! I don’t have to live a day stuck in regret or resentment or reliance upon myself. I can take hold of You because You’ve taken hold of me. As the Apostle Paul declared, “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). Now, I am in You and You are in me. You are setting me free from everything that would hold me back from being all You have created me to be. By the power of Your grace, I’m forgetting the past and pressing on to the future. In You, I’m not a victim; I’m victorious! I’m not overcome; I’m an overcomer! I’m not conquered; I’m more than a conqueror! You’ve saved me and raised me up out of my past and positioned me to advance into all You have more me and all You desire to do through me. To God alone be the glory! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you let go of the past and press on to all God has for you now to the glory of God in and through your life, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events July 6 Teaching in Pakistan on-line at New Life Bible School July 13 New Weekly Prayer Meeting at 9am for Messiah Ministries at our Cabin at Messiah Ministries July 24-26 A Keynote Speaker at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Conference in Ollie, Iowa Aug 25 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Gillespie County Commissioner's Court Aug 30 Preaching at Lake Toxaway Chapel in Lake Toxaway, Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina Sept 1 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Fredericksburg City Council Sept 3 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Aglow Lighthouse at Kendall Inn Conference Center 7PM. All are welcome! Sept 8 Beginning My Annual Free to be Like Jesus Tuesday Night Classes at Bridge Church in FBG, TX Sept 18-20 Leading our Free to Be Like Jesus seminar in Belgium, then traveling to Slovenia Sept 24-27 Teaching a 4 Day Conference in the nation of Slovenia Oct 4 Preaching at Crossroads Church in Greenville, Texas Oct 22-25 Teaching Free to Be Like Jesus seminar, Healing Service, and preaching Sunday services at St. James Methodist Church in Athens, Georgia Personal Ministry Appointments, Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol

Morning by Morning, July 6, 2026 — In the Name and Nature of Jesus

 

Morning by Morning, July 6, 2026 — In the Name and Nature of Jesus Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name over everything in my life and anything I’ll encounter today, as I begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:9). … “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved’” (Acts 4:8-12). Like Peter, when we’re “filled with the Holy Spirit,” we’re full of faith in You and the power of Your name. There’s power in the name of Jesus. Speaking Your name is more than reciting some religious incantation or even a heart-felt prayer that simply ends with the words “in the name of Jesus.” Your name speaks of Your nature. To speak in Your name, to pray in Your name, with authority and power has to come from the nature of Your name being formed in us as Your personal relationship is growing within us. The “seven sons of Sceva” learned that lesson when they tried to cast out demons in the name of Jesus without have a personal relationship with Jesus. The demons laughed and mocked them, saying, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then they beat them up and sent them running away naked and ashamed (Acts 19:13-16). But when we know You, when we’re drawing near to You and allowing You to draw near to us, when we’re abiding in You and You’re abiding in us, when we’re pressing in for more of Your Presence and more of Your nature to be formed in our nature, the power of Your name rules over our lives and through our lives. It’s not our power, but Yours. It’s not our authority, but Yours. All power and authority has been given to You (Matthew 28:18). With that authority, now You entrust us with the authority of Your name to “Go” and be Your disciples as we “Go” and make disciples (v. 19). In the power and authority of Your name, we are Your “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). So fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit today (Ephesians 5:18). Keep putting Your thoughts into my mind, Your desires in my heart, Your words in my mouth, as You keep developing Your nature in my nature. May I be a true disciple, truly representing Your heart in my world as one of Your ambassadors this day and every day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you continue to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus and continually be filled afresh with His Holy Spirit, as one of His ambassadors in your world, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events July 4 Celebrating Independence Day on 4th of July in Fredericksburg July 24-26 A Keynote Speaker at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Conference in Ollie, Iowa Aug 25 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Gillespie County Commissioner's Court Aug 30 Preaching at Lake Toxaway Chapel in Lake Toxaway, Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina Sept 1 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Fredericksburg City Council Sept 3 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Aglow Lighthouse at Kendall Inn Conference Center 7PM. All are welcome! Sept 8 Beginning My Annual Free to be Like Jesus Tuesday Night Classes at Bridge Church in FBG, TX Sept 18-20 Leading our Free to Be Like Jesus seminar in Belgium, then traveling to Slovenia Sept 24-27 Teaching a 4 Day Conference in the nation of Slovenia Oct 4 Preaching at Crossroads Church in Greenville, Texas Oct 22-25 Teaching Free to Be Like Jesus seminar, Healing Service, and preaching Sunday services at St. James Methodist Church in Athens, Georgia Personal Ministry Appointments, Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol

Morning by Morning, July 3, 2026 – America at 250 Years: May We Continue to “Ask the Assistance of Heaven”

 

Morning by Morning, July 3, 2026 – America at 250 Years: May We Continue to “Ask the Assistance of Heaven” Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of kings and Lord of lords, in all the earth and in my heart, I turn to You to call on Your name to begin my day. … “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Tomorrow on July 4th, our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—the declaration of the birth of our nation, the United States of America. I’m reflecting on many of the prayers, proclamations, and speeches surrounding those early days of our nation’s birth. One speech that especially stirs my heart is the passionate call to prayer offered in humility, faith, and remembrance of You by one of our Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention a few years later. He quoted Psalm 127 from the Word of God as the foundation for his plea to the political leaders of our young nation: “We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labour in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel….” “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men… And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?… Let us daily… ask the assistance of Heaven.” Yes, Lord. Now 250 years later—after two and a half centuries of our nation’s life—having made many mistakes, yet also repenting, learning, and continuing to seek to be the nation You’ve called us to be. Let us continue to pursue the vision You’ve placed in our hearts to be one nation under God, the home of the brave and the land of the free. Above all, let us continue to turn to You. For You are the God who raises up nations and brings down nations (Daniel 2:21; Acts 17:26). And as Your Word declares, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). Through both triumph and failure, we are always desperately in need of Your assistance. Let us continue to “ask the assistance of Heaven.” Let us never forget that we are daily, desperately dependent upon the assistance of Heaven. In the words of the Psalmist, may this be the prayer of our nation: “Whom have (we) in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that (we) desire besides You. (Our) flesh and (our) heart fail; But God is the strength of (our) heart and (our) portion forever. “For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. “But it is good for (us) to draw near to God; (We) have put (our) trust in the Lord God, That (we) may declare all Your works” (Psalm 73:25-28). Yes, Lord. On behalf of our nation, and with the heart of those in every tribe and tongue and people and nation who seek Your face in humility and prayer and faith, let it be so. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. My friend, may you continue to turn to God, for yourself and for your nation, and ask the assistance of Heaven for America and every nation, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! God bless America! And you have a great day! Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760 Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays “Setting hearts free to be all you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny" https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Please Keep us in Prayer for These Messiah Ministries Events July 4 Celebrating Independence Day on 4th of July in Fredericksburg July 24-26 A Keynote Speaker at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Regional Conference in Ollie, Iowa Aug 25 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Gillespie County Commissioner's Court Aug 30 Preaching at Lake Toxaway Chapel in Lake Toxaway, Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina Sept 1 Leading in Opening Prayer Invocation for Fredericksburg City Council Sept 3 Speaking at Boerne, Texas Aglow Lighthouse at Kendall Inn Conference Center 7PM. All are welcome! Sept 8 Beginning My Annual Free to be Like Jesus Tuesday Night Classes at Bridge Church in FBG, TX Sept 18-20 Leading our Free to Be Like Jesus seminar in Belgium, then traveling to Slovenia Sept 24-27 Teaching a 4 Day Conference in the nation of Slovenia Oct 4 Preaching at Crossroads Church in Greenville, Texas Oct 22-25 Teaching Free to Be Like Jesus seminar, Healing Service, and preaching Sunday services at St. James Methodist Church in Athens, Georgia Personal Ministry Appointments, Spiritual Direction Sessions and Personal Prayer Ministry Sessions of Inner Healing & Spiritual Freedom by Appointment in Person and Online through Zoom. tommyhays@messiah-ministries.org  Sessions are without set cost and all contributions help support the calling and vision of Messiah Ministries. https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

Free On-line Video Series: Setting Hearts Free!  My Core Teaching and Ministry https://messiah-ministries.org/resources

https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute

https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays Some of My Books are Now in Other Languages (Spanish, French, Urdu) For Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/tommyhaysenespanol