Morning by Morning, July 10, 2026 — “Three Simple Rules for a Successful Day”

 

Morning by Morning, July 10, 2026 — “Three Simple Rules for a Successful Day” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Awaken my heart to draw near to You to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. … “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As I meditate on these words of Your Scripture, what rises up from my spirit and into my mind is this thought: “Three simple rules for a successful day.” … Yes, Lord. In a way, these are three very simple rules. Each one is something simple, something manageable, something I can set as a goal for this day. As always, I’ll need Your grace to be working in me to remember this goal, to align my heart and my thoughts with this perspective, and to empower me to live this out whenever I’m challenged throughout the moments of my day to get distracted or to give in to something less than “this will of God in Christ Jesus for (me)” today. So by Your grace, I set my mind and my heart toward this goal today to “Rejoice always.” Fill my heart with Your joy. Let the joy of the Lord be my strength. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation. For Your kingdom is within me; and Your kingdom is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So by Your grace, I set my mind and my heart toward this goal today to “Pray without ceasing.” Keep my spirit in constant communion with Your Spirit. Spirit to Spirit, heart to Heart, deep calling out to Deep. Be ever-present in my thoughts as I’m ever-conscious of Your Presence. Keep putting Your thoughts in my mind, Your desires in my heart, Your words in my mouth, Your actions to my hands, Your guidance to my feet, as I continually seek You and Your wisdom and Your strength in my deeply personal, spiritually intimate relationship with You all day long. As I’m asking, You will answer. As I’m seeking, I will find You. As I’m knocking, You will open the door to me of all You have for me throughout the moments of my day. So by Your grace, I set my mind and my heart toward this goal today to “Give thanks in everything.” Fill my heart with gratitude. Grateful for You. Grateful for all Your mercy and love, Your forgiveness and grace, Your protection and provision, Your favor and blessing, even Your correction and discipline as a Good Father who loves and corrects His children and helps them to grow up into all they were created to be. Grateful that “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” Yes, this is the perspective I choose. This is the attitude I embrace. As best as I can and all by the power of Your grace, may I live out this day abiding by these “three simple rules for a successful day” with You. I’m excited now to get out into the rest of my day and see how it goes! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you go through the moments of your day with this perspective and goal in the power of God's grace to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all things, 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 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 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