Morning by Morning—Daily Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays

Friday, July 17, 2026

Morning by Morning, July 17, 2026 — David “Strengthened Himself in the Lord His God”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your leading, drawing close to You as You draw close to me (James 4:8). …

As I wait for Your leading this morning, I’m still thinking about the deep struggle of a friend reaching out for help late last night. And I’m thinking about all those in our Texas Hill Country region struggling through the rising flood waters and torrential rains.

So much struggle. And we’re so much in desperate need of our Savior.

You’re not just our Savior from sin. You’re our Savior who’s with us through every struggle. You’re our Savior who’s always reaching out to us and reminding us to reach out to You.

A word of hope rises up in my heart this morning from one of the stories of David. It’s from one of the darkest, most challenging days of struggle in his life. It’s from the day his own people were about to stone him to death in their grief and sorrow and anger at God and projected anger at him:

“So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:3-6).

That’s the key to the turnaround: “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (v. 6).

“David inquired of the Lord” (v. 8). He sought You. He pursued You. He pressed into You as deeply as he could, trusting in You no matter what was to come. In deep humility, he willingly chose to be desperately dependent upon You alone. Not on what the people around him were saying and doing or failing to say or do. He turned to You. He inquired of You. He strengthened himself in You.

And You told him to get up out of his grief and “pursue” his enemies. David called out to You and You reached out to him. David asked and You answered. You said, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” (v. 8).

So he did. Some went with him and some did not (v. 10). But he listened for Your wisdom and acted upon Your word. Then in the power of Your grace, You turned things around in his favor from places and people he didn’t expect, all along the way (v. 11-15). You strengthened his spirit and filled him with hope to overcome his enemies and take back all that was stolen from him and him people (v. 16-17):

“So David recovered all.... And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all” (v. 18-19).

Not only did he recover all from that battle, but three days later David got word that King Saul was dead (2 Samuel 1:1-4). The season of one of the greatest battles in his life was coming to a close, for the next season of great blessings in his life to come, as king of his people to lead his nation in worship and service of the Lord his God who strengthened him and would strengthen them.

Today, in the everyday struggles of our everyday lives, Your Word reminds us to keep turning to You, to keep trusting in You, to keep our hope and faith in You, no matter what:

“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

You’ll get us through these struggles. We’ll even glory in these tribulations, as we look and see what You will do. We’ll overcome these battles. By the power of Your grace, we’ll be “more than conquerors through Him who loves us” (Romans 8:37). Like David, may we take time to turn to You and strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

My friend, may you be strengthened in the Lord your God, our Savior, through every struggle you face and battle you overcome, as He keeps forming His character in you and reminding you of His ever-abiding Presence right there with you, 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 16 Speaking at a Men's Prayer Gathering at Lady Bird State Park in Fredericksburg, Texas

July 20 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

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Morning by Morning, July 15, 2026 — “A Different Spirit” that “Fully” Follows the Lord

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. …

“But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it” (Numbers 14:24).

Others were murmuring and complaining, full of fear instead of faith, questioning Your goodness and doubting Your faithfulness (v. 1-4). But Caleb had “a different spirit.”

Caleb, along with his companion in faith, Joshua, saw the challenges before them, but he also saw Your hand upon them. He knew the road ahead would not be easy, but he also remembered all Your mercy and grace, Your power and protection, Your faithfulness to Your word and Your presence among them along every step of the road behind them.

Caleb was ready to trust You to bring him and his people into the land of their inheritance. He was ready to follow You “fully” because he trusted You “fully.” And that was “a different spirit.”

Lord, let me be one of Yours with “a different spirit.” May You keep renewing a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). May I “be filled with (Your) Spirit” every day (Ephesians 5:18). For “he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

I’m not blinded to the reality of the battles I’ll face. I’m not in delusion that there will not be challenging days ahead. Today, as I stand on this side of the fullness of the inheritance of all You have for me, I don’t know all those battles I’ll have to engage or all those challenges I’ll have to face. But You do. And I know You’ll be with me through them all. I know You’ll even cause them all to work together for my good, as You even use them all to keep conforming me into Your character and making me more like You every day (Romans 8:28-29).

Thank You for “a different spirit.” Thank You for Your Holy Spirit—“the Spirit of Christ” living in me, for “indeed the Spirit of God dwells in (me)” because I’ve given my heart to You in faith because I trust in You and Your goodness and faithfulness (Romans 8:9). I’ve seen it on the road of my life that lies behind, and I know I’ll continue to see it on the road that lies ahead, as You keep leading me into the inheritance of my Promised Land in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

My friend, may you follow the Lord "fully" as you are "fully" trusting in Him with "a different spirit"—filled with His Holy Spirit—into all He has for you, 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 16 Leading a Men's Prayer Gathering at Lady Bird State Park in Fredericksburg, Texas

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 14, 2026 — Passing Through the Waters, Rivers, and Fires in the Presence of the One Who is Always With Us

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart, here at the foundation of my day—for “Christ is all and in all” (Colossians 3:11). …

As the rains continue to pour down upon the land here at our home in the Texas Hill Country, I’m both thankful for the rain and also remembering those devasting rains that rushed down the Guadalupe River about this time last year that took the lives of so many young children and others. And I’m mindful of Your admonition that in this broken, fallen world, where all creation still years for Your redemption, that we will have tribulation and trouble, while at the same time, I’m mindful of Your assurance that You will be with us through it all:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We will not have a life free of trouble in this world. And even more importantly, we don’t have to try to live a life without You. No matter what we’re going through, we can go through it with You. You are “with (us) always” (Matthew 28:20). You “never leave (us) nor forsake (us). So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear…” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

And in times like these, when the rains begin to fall and the winds begin to blow, I’m reminded of Your Word in Your promises to Israel and to us as sons and daughters of God who turn to You and trust You in faith:

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the Lord your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I gave Egypt for your ransom,

Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Since you were precious in My sight,

You have been honored,

And I have loved you;

Therefore I will give men for you,

And people for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you;

I will bring your descendants from the east,

And gather you from the west;

I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’

Bring My sons from afar,

And My daughters from the ends of the earth—

Everyone who is called by My name,

Whom I have created for My glory;

I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:1-7).

By the power of Your grace, we will not fear but trust in You as You bring us through the waters and rivers and fires and whatever else we encounter and overcome with You by our side and Your Spirit in our hearts. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

My friend, may you know the Lord God is with you in whatever you through in this broken, fallen world longing for redemption, as you keep turning to the who is with you and has overcome it all, 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