Tommy Hays's Posts

Morning by Morning, February 3 - "The Joy of the Lord"

Posted by Tommy Hays on February 3, 2017 at 9:53

Morning by Morning, February 3 - "The Joy of the Lord"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in Your path of life today. ...

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).

Lord, let Your joy be my strength today. The joy of the world is fleeting, but Your joy is deeply satisfying. The joy of our flesh flashes a way in a moment, but Your joy remains and endures. Your joy makes my spirit glad. Your joy makes my heart sing. Your joy is my strength.

So Lord, what is the difference between the joy of the Lord and the joy of the world? ...

It seems what I hear You speaking in my heart and bringing to my mind is this: "My son, My joy is an expression of My heart in yours. As you allow the things that delight Me to become your delight, you are filled with My joy."

Yes, Lord. But what about all the troubles and struggles all around me in my world every day? ...

"My joy is never unmindful of the tragedy and brokenness of My world. But My joy is resilient because I see the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. I know that My light always overcomes all darkness. So let the things that break My heart break your heart, but also let the things that bring Me joy bring you joy. My joy in your heart is powerful and strong. Let My joy be your strength each day."

Yes, Lord. I'm remembering the words You said to Your first disciples, "I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:11). Help me discern and process these words I believe You are speaking into my spirit today. In the power of Your grace, help me grow into a deeper understanding and experience of "the joy of the Lord." In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

May the joy of the Lord be your strength today, in Jesus' name. May you grow in the depth of understanding and experience His joy in your heart, knowing it is His will in your life. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, February 2 - From Rejection to Redemption

Posted by Tommy Hays on February 2, 2017 at 10:19

Morning by Morning, February 2 - From Rejection to Redemption

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Rule and reign in the authority of Your name, here in my heart and every moment of my day. ...

"Now Jephthah the Gileadite, the son of a prostitute, was a mighty warrior" (Judges 11:1).

You created Jephthah with calling and purpose and destiny. As with all Your sons and daughters, his life was in Your hands and his future was in Your plans "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4). One day Your Spirit would come upon him and he would be Your mighty warrior to deliver Your people from the oppression of their enemies (Judges 11:29, 33). Like each of the judges before Israel had a king, he was an imperfect, but prophetic picture of the One who could come to deliver us from the oppression of our spiritual enemies -- our righteous Judge, our mighty Deliverer, our merciful Savior (1 John 3:8; Ephesians 6:12).

But at the same time, Jephthah as also born into some battles he would have to face. He was conceived in sin and would grow up in shame, under the burden of rejection from his own family and community (Judges 11:2). He would finally be driven out and run away to surround himself with the wrong crowd and even come to lead them, when his rejection turned to rebellion (Judges 11:3). Even then, his God-given gifts of leadership and tenacity would cause him to rise to the top and lead others into victories, no matter the circles he travelled in or the circumstances he found himself in -- "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29).

There would come a time when Jephthah's family and community would have to humble themselves to ask him for help and he would have an opportunity to humble himself to forgive them and accept (Judges 11:4-11). Humility was the key to his community's deliverance and humility was the key to his restoration, redemption, and vindication. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10 NKJ).

Like Jephthah, You've created all of us with purpose and calling and destiny, but You've not placed any of us in the setting of a perfect life, full of perfect people. Instead, we live in a broken, fallen world; and we are surrounded by broken, fallen people. We all need Jesus -- our Deliverer -- who comes to heal our brokenness and forgive our fallen-ness, who comes to rescue us in the fullness of life in Him from the oppression of the enemy of our souls coming "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). But as we entrust ourselves to You, our enemy will never have the last word over our identity or our destiny, as You cause "all things (to) work together for good for those who love (You), who are called according to (Your) purpose" (Romans 8:28).

You know my battles and my burdens, Lord. Give me humility and grace to turn to You and remember who You say that I am. I am what You have made me, "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which (You) have prepared beforehand to be (my) way of life" (Ephesians 2:10). Nothing will separate me from Your love (Romans 8:38-39). "No, in all these things (I am) more than (a) conqueror through Him who loved (me)" (Romans 8:37). And by the power of the grace of God, in the power of the Spirit of God, alive and at work within me, I will be confident in my identity and fulfill my destiny. He who began a good work in me 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

I pray you will live into the fullness of your calling and destiny in Christ, overcoming everything that ever say otherwise, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, thank you so much for your prayers for us at the First Wednesday Worship and Prayer Service last night. I shared this message and we had an awesome time of worship and healing in the Presence of the Lord! I pray the say for you! God bless you!

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, February 1 - He "Wakens" His People!

Posted by Tommy Hays on February 1, 2017 at 10:38

Morning by Morning, February 1 - He "Wakens" His People!

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You're always here -- ready to meet me and greet me, while I simply respond to Your embrace in our morning time of communion in prayer. As I wait and listen, what are You speaking into my heart to begin my day? ...

"Morning by morning He wakens -- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught" (Isaiah 50:4).

You waken my ear as You awaken my human spirit to embrace Your Holy Spirit. You speak Your desires in my heart. You form Your thoughts in my mind. You set before me the next step of my path and give me glimpses of the longer journey as You deem best to guide my course into the calling and destiny You've planned for my life. This is a great inheritance we have as children of God. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Romans 8:14). ...

As I ponder Your Word and listen for Your words in the silence before You, I sense You drawing my attention to these words: "He wakens." What are You speaking to me today, Lord? ...

I believe I hear You speaking to my heart, "My son, I am the God who wakens. I waken My children. I waken those to be My children as they embrace Me as their Father. I waken the bride and the body of Christ. I waken the friends of the bridegroom and the bridesmaids for My wedding feast. I waken My handmaidens and My forerunners. I waken peoples and nations for My purposes and the fulfillment of My eternal plans. I waken hearts and voices, gifting and anointing, calling and destiny in My people who are called by My name in every tribe and tongue and nation throughout My creation. I AM the God who wakens!" ...

Yes, Lord! Stir in my heart! Waken me! Waken Your people! Let us "Arise! Shine! for (our) light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon (us). For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon (us) and His glory will appear over (us). Nations shall come to (our) light and kings to the brightness of (our) dawn!" (Isaiah 60:1-3). You are our Light; You are our Dawn; You are the One who shines through us (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14). "Christ in (us), the hope of glory!" (Colossians 1:27)

Many in our day look and only see darkness and dread, confusion and chaos. Many feel discouraged and defeated, detached from their destiny and down for the count. At the same time, many are excited to see what God will do. But it's those who are asleep that must be awakened. And it's those who are dead that must be raised into newness of life. As Your Word says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!" (Ephesians 5:14). By the Word of Your prophecies of hope long ago, it's out of the wilderness that Your living waters break forth and out of the desert that Your streams spring forth (Isaiah 35:6).

This is our time to awaken from our slumber. This is our time to arise and shine. This is our time to prevail and pray, to travail and press through (Galatians 4:19; Revelation 12:2). This is our time to advance and not "shrink back," to "overcome" and not be overwhelmed (Hebrews 10:38; Romans 12:21). By the power of the grace of God who wakens us, we will never surrender, never retreat before the enemies of the cross! May the Lamb have His full reward! (Isaiah 53:11)

In our hearts first, and then in our land, and throughout our world, may we fulfill our divine assignment for our chosen generation toward seeing Your Word come to pass: "The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet" that "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Romans 16:20; Revelation 11:15 NKJ) As You waken us, awaken the dream and the promise of the coming day when "the earth will be filled the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea!" (Habakkuk 2:14; Isaiah 11:9) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray you will be awakened by the One who wakens His people in every tribe and tongue and nation in their generation to fulfill His plans and their destiny, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. I join my prayers with yours for a great wakening in our hearts, in our land, and in our world to let His glory shine through us until His glory fills the earth as the waters cover the sea! God bless you, my friend!

Friends, I'm excited to be sharing the message at the First Wednesday Worship and Prayer Service tonight at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge in San Antonio. Come join us if you can at 7pm. All are welcome! Our Rapha God Ministries team will be joining the Oak Hills Church prayer team to offer personal prayer ministry for all who come. www.oakhillschurch.com

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, January 27 - Especially "Prophesy"

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 27, 2017 at 10:06

Morning by Morning, January 27 - Especially "Prophesy"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I worship You, Lord -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- and welcome You into every area of my life and every moment of my day. ...

"Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Your Word encourages me to pursue love and to pursue service. And in my pursuit of loving You and loving others, of serving You and serving others, You encourage me that above all the other gifts and graces You may express through my life by Your Spirit in Your love, I should seek "especially" to "prophesy."

While many think of "prophecy" as foreseeing the future, like John seeing and sharing the future events as in the Book of Revelation or even Nostradamus recording his visions, Your Word says "those who prophesy speak to other people for their up-building and encouragement and consolation" (v. 14:3). "He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men" (v. 14:3 NKJ). And don't we all need more of that -- more of that, spoken in love into our spirits, from Your heart to ours, through those who are willing to be Your ambassadors of encouragement, comfort, and hope.

Come, Holy Spirit. Help me grow in my capacity to hear the heart of our Father and the voice of our Good Shepherd (John 10:4). Help me grow in grace to hear and speak the word of the Lord -- to "sustain the weary with a word" -- Your words of love that edify and exhort, that build up and embolden, that encourage and empower Your children in the security of Your ever-abiding presence and Your ever-unfolding plans for our lives (Isaiah 50:4).

So help me grow in my intimacy with You, so that I know Your heart, recognize Your voice, and hear Your word -- for me and for those You want to love and encourage through me. "Deep calls to deep" -- so take me deeper still into the deep communion of my spirit with Your Spirit in the daily journey of worship and prayer that unites my heart with Yours (Psalm 42:7). "Anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17).

From that deep place of intimacy and unity with You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- I can obey the commission and command of Your Word: "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever!" (1 Peter 4:10-11) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray you grow in the depth of intimacy and unity with God, that you may prophesy in love, as you hear and speak the word of the Lord into the hearts of His children whenever His Spirit leads you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, January 26 - The "Royal Law" of Love

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 26, 2017 at 9:38

Morning by Morning, January 26 - The "Royal Law" of Love

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Take me by the heart and lead me by Your Spirit into the way that leads to life in You today. ...

"You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (James 2:8).

It's the "royal law" because we are sons and daughters of the King. In Christ, we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that (we) may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called (us) out of darkness into (Your) marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). And the defining character trait of this chosen race is love. The sacramental service of this royal priesthood is love. The law of the land of this holy nation is love. For the Lord our God, who is the King of this kingdom and the Father of this family, is love" (1 John 4:16).

As best as I can and all by Your grace, may I seek to "really fulfill the royal law" of love today. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as You lead me in the way of love. By the power of the grace of God at work within me, let me be patient and kind, not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude, not insisting on my own way, not irritable or resentful, not rejoicing in wrongdoing, but rejoicing in the truth, bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things in the love of God moving through my heart that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

May you "do well" as you "really fulfill the royal law" of love today, all by the power of the grace of God at work within you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, January 25 - Courage of Conviction

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 25, 2017 at 9:45

Morning by Morning, January 25 - Courage of Conviction

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Rule and reign over my life today. ...

"The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.... for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (Romans 14:22-23).

Even my faith is a gift of Your grace. And as I "grow in the grace and knowledge of (my) Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," let me also grow in the courage of my convictions of faith (2 Peter 3:18). Give me the courage to stand firm in what I believe to be true. Your Word says, "If (I) do not stand firm in faith, (I) shall not stand at all" (Isaiah 7:9).

So help me grow in the courage of my convictions today so that when those convictions are challenged tomorrow I will not waiver or shrink back, I will not surrender or retreat, but I will stand firm in my faith because I know You are standing with me (Matthew 28:20). For You have said, "'I will never leave you or forsake you.' So (I) can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6).

When my convictions of faith are challenged, I believe You will rise in my spirit so I can speak from my heart in the power and authority of Your Spirit (1 Peter 4:10). You'll give me the words to speak as "the Spirit of (my) Father speaking through (me)" (Matthew 10:19). So help me learn now to know Your voice, to sense Your leading, to be confident of Your presence, so that when the time comes, I can stand firm in the courage of my convictions of faith -- all by the power of Your grace. I pray now I can be strong then, according to Your command: "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

May you grow in your courage of conviction, ready to stand firm in your faith by the power of the grace of God wherever you go and whenever you speak, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Friends, please keep us in prayer as I continue teaching the Free to Be Like Jesus! weekly series on biblical principles of healing and deliverance prayer ministry in Austin tonight at Life in the City United Methodist Church.

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, January 24 - "Wait for the Lord" and Walk in His Paths

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 24, 2017 at 10:01

Morning by Morning, January 24 - "Wait for the Lord" and Walk in His Paths

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me watch for Your leading as I wait in Your presence, here in these first moments of my morning -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...

"Those who wait for the Lord renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Waiting on You is never wasted time. When I wait on You I'm willingly choosing to humble myself to Your leading and Your will for my day. As I do, You "open doors before (me)" and arrange for me to find "riches hidden in secret places, so that (I) may know that it is (You), the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls (me) by (my) name" (Isaiah 45:1-3).

Waiting on You allows You to put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart so that You can direct my paths and order my steps. "Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand" (Psalm 37:23-24).

To begin my day waiting in Your presence and watching for Your leading as I first take time to sit with You awhile is one of my very practical ways of consciously, deliberately choosing to "Trust in the Lord will all (my) heart, and lean not on (my) own understanding; (but) in all (my) ways acknowledge (You), and (You) shall direct (my) paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). As I do, You renew my strength and refresh my spirit to lift me up on eagle's wings.

You oppose the proud, but give grace to the humble (James 4:6). And as You know, I need all the grace I can get. So by the power of Your grace, I choose to set aside my pride that would insist on my way and first take time to wait and watch, to listen for Your leading, and let You order my steps and direct my paths throughout the moments of my day. It's one of the ways You "set before (me) an open door, which no one is able to shut" -- the open door of Your will for my day and all my life (Revelation 3:8). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

I pray you will be renewed and refreshed as you take time to wait for the Lord and allow Him to order your steps for all He has planned in His good will for your life today, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning, January 23 - "Restart" of a New Week

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 23, 2017 at 9:55

Morning by Morning, January 23 - "Restart" of a New Week

Good morning, Lord Jesus. My Savior, be at the center of my life and every moment of my day. ...

"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).

While it seems like most people don't like Monday mornings, I do. It always feels like a "restart" to me. It's a new day -- the first day of a new week with new beginnings, new challenges, on a new adventures. It's kind of like last week has passed away, and "behold, all things have become new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJ)

Of course, it's not like the problems and challenges of last week have suddenly vanished and gone away. But it's more like I can bring fresh perspective, new eyes, and renewed attitude to every "work in progress" while looking forward to what lies ahead. So whether I'm continuing on or starting anew, You invite me to welcome You into my Monday with me with Your promise that Your steadfast love never ceases and Your mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning.

Great is Your faithfulness. Near is Your presence. Forever is Your love. Why wouldn't I look forward to beginning again in a restart of a new week when I know my God is with me and has really good plans for me? (Jeremiah 29:11) I thank You that as I start off my Monday morning in the communion of prayer before launching into the adventure of my week, I can embrace Your truth that "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him!" (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJ).

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

I pray you will be refreshed and renewed in the abiding presence of God, as you embrace your restart of a new week in His power and grace, mercy and love, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

Healing from the Inside Out

www.Messiah-Ministries.org

Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries

4 Dominion Drive, Building 1

San Antonio, Texas 78257

www.RaphaGodMinistries.com

Please share this word to encourage a friend!

Morning by Morning - Hear from Heaven and Heal Our Land

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 20, 2017 at 9:49

Morning by Morning, January 20 - Hear from Heaven and Heal Our Land

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let Your name be the first word from my mouth this morning and let my relationship with You -- God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit -- have the first place in my life. ...

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJ).

To change the heart of our nation, we have to choose to humble ourselves and allow You to change our hearts. As we seek You in prayer, as we turn to You in repentance, as we embrace You in faith, You hear and Your forgive and You heal.

As You change us, You awaken us and revive us. You remind us of Your calling and Your destiny for us as Your people who are called by Your name here in our land. May we be found faithful in our generation to accomplish all You've intended in Your heart through our hearts that turn to You in prayer, repentance, and faith. We make our appeal to heaven in prayer. And You answer from heaven in power.

O Lord, my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- hear from heaven and heal our land. May the honor and glory of Your name be great again in our hearts and in our land. "Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence -- as fire burns brushwood, as fire cause water to boil -- to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!" (Isaiah 64:1-2 NKJ) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

May you be moved in the unity of God's Spirit with all who are called by His name in prayer, repentance, and faith to turn to Him in your heart, that the Lord may hear from heaven and heal our land, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me as I join with you in agreement in that prayer (Matthew 18:19; Psalm 133; John 17:18). God bless you, my friend!

Morning by Morning, January 16 - Nothing Without Love

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 18, 2017 at 9:59

Morning by Morning, January 18 - Nothing Without Love

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are my Faithful Friend, my Sovereign King, my Lord and Savior. And I begin my day speaking Your name and embracing Your Spirit, here in my heart and every moment of my day. ...

"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.... And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

I'm nothing without love. And the good things I do -- even the most faithful, spiritual, powerful things I do -- mean nothing and gain nothing if I do them without love. It's all just so much "wood, hay, and stubble" that will consumed in Your holy fire on the day of Your judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12 KJV).

The only thing that has any eternal significance is what I do in love. The heart You desire in me is a heart full of love, because that's the heart of God. "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them" (1 John 4:16).

When we open our hearts to receive Your Spirit and allow our hearts to be conformed to Your nature, we are embracing the way of love as we embrace You. "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).

My Father God, I want my life to matter. I want the things I do and say during this short span of time I have in this world to honor You and have significance, even eternal significance (John 4:34-38). So by the power of Your grace at work within me, empower me to love. "Let love be (my) highest goal" (1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT).

Empower me to grow in love and sow in love more every day. "God is not mocked, for (we) reap whatever (we) sow. If (we) sow to (our) own flesh, (we) will reap corruption from the flesh; but if (we) sow to the Spirit, (we) will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:7-10). Even if it seems hard to love, even if I encounter those who are hard to love, give me Your grace to love and not give up, but to grow in love, as I "grow up" in Your nature of Your love by Your Spirit abiding in me (Ephesians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 13:11). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

May you filled with the Holy Spirit of God and conformed into the nature and His love, sowing the love of God in all you do and say and all you are today , in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Morning by Morning, January 17 - Fire and Hammer of God's Word

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 17, 2017 at 9:52

Morning by Morning, January 17 - Fire and Hammer of God's Word

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak to my heart as I listen for Your voice, O Lord, my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"Is not My word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:28).

Yes, Lord. ...

Father God, let Your word burn in my heart and purify my soul. Let Your word break every idol that I'm tempted to allow to take Your place of authority and honor in my life. Come consume what needs to be consumed, and come break what needs to be broken. Let Your word convict me and convince me of Your truth; and let Your word heal me and restore me in Your love (Psalm 107:20).

Lord Jesus, You are the Word of God (John 1:14). And Your words are "spirit and life" to me (John 6:63). As I seek to hear Your voice and embrace Your words, I'm welcoming You into my heart to change my life. I'm welcoming Your Spirit -- "the Spirit of Christ" -- to consume me and break me, then to conform me and transform me into the image of the Son of God more each day (Romans 8:9).

Come, Holy Spirit. Fire of God, burn! Hammer of God, break! Make me more like Jesus today! (Romans 8:29; 1 John 4:17) Let the Word of God, let the words of God have Your way in me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

Tommy, May you embrace the fire and hammer of God's word in your heart and allow Him to transform you and conform you into the image of the Son of God more every day, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!

Morning by Morning, January 16 - Compass and Guide

Posted by Tommy Hays on January 16, 2017 at 18:00

Morning by Morning, January 16 - Compass and Guide

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day grounded in Your Word and growing in Your grace -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.... Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil" (Proverbs 4:18-27).

Guide my steps on Your path of life. Let Your Word be my compass and Your Spirit be my guide. Then, "when (I) turn to the right or when I turn to the left, (my) ears shall hear a word behind (me), saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21).

You said, "The gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there a few who find it" (Matthew 7:14). But by the power of the grace of God at work within me, by the guidance of Your Word and Your Spirit, I want to find it. I want to grow in grace and walk in truth in the fullness of the life I have in You. As I choose to seek You and follow You, You will always be "(my) way, (my) truth, and (my) life" (John 14:6). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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

My friend, May you walk in the way that leads to life every day with God's Word as your compass and God's Spirit as your guide, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!