Pastor Mary Haley

The human mind produces countless thoughts throughout the day, and many scientists describe it as the control center of human life. At times, it can even seem to operate independently of our conscious awareness. While the mind is an extraordinary part of God’s creation, we must ask: Was it ever meant to be the driver of our lives?

Scripture reveals a deeper truth. We are not merely intellectual beings—we are spiritual beings. In Genesis, God breathed life into man (2:7). In Romans, we see that apart from Christ, our spiritual condition is one of separation from God (7:4). Because of sin, the human spirit became disconnected from the life of God, and no amount of mental discipline or behavior modification can restore that relationship.

This is why we must be born again. God, in His mercy, gives us a new, righteous spirit when we turn to Him in faith. This is not something we achieve through effort—it is something we receive through grace. Only then can true transformation begin.
Jesus came not merely to improve our thinking, but to resurrect our spirits. Through Him, we are made alive to God again. Now, we have the capacity to worship Him in spirit and in truth—to live a genuinely new life.

From that place of spiritual renewal, the mind finds its proper role. It is no longer the master, but the servant. It is renewed, shaped, and governed by the truth of God’s Word. As Scripture says, we are given the privilege of having “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

This is why the Word of God must become the true control center of the believer’s life. As we read, meditate, and obey, our thoughts are brought into alignment with God’s will, and our lives begin to reflect His holiness.

1 Peter 1:13–16 (NLT)
“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’”

A renewed mind is not the source of transformation—it is the result of a transformed spirit. And as our minds are continually renewed, we grow in self-control, obedience, and holiness, reflecting the life of Christ within us.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for teaching us to put-on the mind of Christ. From our reborn spirits we can grow in Your holy character. Thank You for providing Your Word, so we can know your heart, as well as renew our minds. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The voice within—the Spirit of the living Christ—is eternal and sees all things in their fullness. Yet we, as human beings bound by time, often struggle to understand the spiritual vision God gives us because we try to measure it within the limits of our lifetime. At times, God reveals things anchored in eternity—realities that may not unfold for months, years, or even generations. Our natural inclination is to expect immediate fulfillment, but God’s timeline stretches far beyond our own.

The Old Testament prophets experienced this firsthand. They were moved by the Spirit to speak of the coming Messiah—the promised Gift of God. Yet they did not know when these things would come to pass. Many of them lived and died without seeing the fulfillment of what they proclaimed. Still, they remained faithful stewards of God’s Word, trusting fully in His promises. There were even long seasons of silence—hundreds of years when no new prophetic voice was heard. During those times, the people of God had to cling to what had already been spoken, believing that His Word, though seemingly delayed, was still alive and certain.

In our passage, today, the apostle Peter writes to believers [many Jews] who were facing persecution—people who had come to know the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. They understood that their salvation rested on His death and resurrection. Yet Peter reminds them of something profound: there were those before them who believed without ever seeing. Prophets who longed to understand what had been revealed to them. People who trusted in a promise they would never experience in their lifetime.

And now, Peter calls these believers—and us—to that same enduring faith. We, too, live in a space of promise. We do not see Christ physically, yet we love Him. We trust Him. And through the Spirit, we experience a joy that cannot be fully expressed—a joy rooted not in what we see, but in what we know to be true. We are recipients of what the prophets anticipated and carriers of what the Spirit reveals.

We are people who wait—not passively, but faithfully—for the return of Christ. So, we hold on with joy. In fact, we rejoice in the present reality of our salvation, even as we look forward to its full completion when we will stand before God face to face. Until then, the Spirit sustains us—filling us with hope, strengthening our faith, and keeping our witness alive in a world that desperately needs Him.

1 Peter 1:8-12 NLT
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your letter from Peter this morning. We need to know the power of the Spirit to inspire our faith and keep the flame of godly love and hope burning in our hearts. You have promised to return for us and we believe. In the meantime, keep our faith strong and our witness constant. This fallen and evil permeated world needs You, Jesus, and the salvation and healing only you can offer. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you for letting us be a part of it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Evidence—information or facts—is helpful when we are assessing a belief or seeking to gain the truth about something or someone.  We watch the news hoping to learn the truth and stay updated on relevant and important issues in the world.  In a more powerful way, Scripture serves humanity as divine evidence.

The Old Testament provides a narrative revealing the evidence of God’s existence and His creative and sovereign interaction with humanity.  The New Testament gospel writers provide the evidence of Christ’s birth, ministry, death, and resurrection from eyewitnesses.  As we spend time in Scripture, the evidence of Truth becomes increasingly clear—not just intellectually, but spiritually.

Preceding our passage for today, Jesus has been performing miracles and revealing the nature and character of God.  He calls people to repent and believe; many do and begin to see the truth that Jesus is the Son of David—the Messiah (Matthew 12:23).  But the scholars and religious leaders feel like they need more evidence to be convinced.  Without more proof, these leaders refuse to accept that God has come to earth [as God-Man] to reveal the greatest miracle of all—providing salvation from sin and death while offering the gift of eternal life.

Jesus—all-knowing God—has discerned everyone’s hearts—whether faithful or not to God—so, he responds to the Pharisee’s request with the Old Testament Scripture lesson of Jonah.  The Pharisee’s have leaned on their own understanding and logic for so long they cannot see the truth standing before them.  Jesus’ response was a rebuke and a prophetic seed for future revelation—will they put the pieces together when they witness Jesus being crucified, buried, but rising again?

I am convinced the Truth stands before humanity every day in many difference situations and circumstances. We love earthly concrete proof, so we become doubters until our quest for information is satisfied.  Faith is required; we must believe God exists and He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  The evidence of God is not in His actions—although they are wonderful.  The evidence of God is Him living in each one of us as we reveal His loving nature and character to the world.  You are the proof!

Matthew 12:38-42 NLT  The Sign of Jonah

38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”

39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba[a] will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see beyond our need for constant proof and to recognize the evidence You have already given. Soften our hearts where pride or doubt has taken root. Teach us to walk by faith and not by sight. May Your truth not only be something we understand, but something we live. Let our lives reflect Your love and become evidence of Your presence to the world.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Because Christ lives [risen indeed] our hope is not limited to temporary relief, fleeting joy, or earthly success. Our hope is eternal and anchored beyond the grave. Jesus is called the “first of a great harvest,” meaning His resurrection is not an isolated miracle—it is the beginning of a promise. What happened to Him will happen to all who belong to Him.

Paul’s contrast should fill us with awe: Through Adam came death, but through Christ comes life. We were all born into Adam’s condition—fragile, fallen, and destined to die. But in Christ, we are invited into a new identity—redeemed, restored, and destined for resurrection life.

This passage also reminds us that history is moving toward a divine conclusion. Christ is reigning now, even when the world feels chaotic. Every power, every authority, every force that opposes God will ultimately bow to Him. And the final enemy—death itself—will be completely destroyed.

The very thing that causes humanity the greatest fear will one day be no more. Until that day, we live in the tension of “already but not yet.” Christ has already secured the victory, but we are still walking it out. This means we do not lose heart in trials, grief, or uncertainty. Our present struggles do not define our future—the resurrection does.
And in the end, everything returns to the Father, perfectly ordered, perfectly redeemed, with God reigning supreme over all. This is not just theology—it is our living hope. Thank you, Lord!

1 Corinthians 15:21-28 NLT
21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man [Adam], now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man [Jesus]. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. 26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that our hope is not limited to what we see or experience, today. Because Jesus is alive, we have a future that is secure and eternal. Help us to live with resurrection confidence—to trust You in every circumstance and to remember that even death has no power over us. Strengthen our faith to rest in Your victory and to walk daily in newness of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The resurrection is more than a beautiful theological concept—it is the very foundation of our faith and the framework of our hope. Our salvation rests completely on the finished work of Christ and His victory over the grave. If Christ had not been raised, we would have no hope beyond this life. There would be no assurance of forgiveness, no promise of eternal life, and no power to transform us. But because Christ has been raised, everything changes.

Because of the resurrection:
Our faith is anchored in unshakable Truth.
Our sins are fully forgiven.
We are raised to new life—right now.
Death is no longer the end of the road.

We do not have to live defeated lives. Christ lives within us, and His resurrection power is already at work. We are not waiting for victory—we are living from Christ’s victory.
In our passage, today, the Apostle Paul addresses a dangerous misunderstanding among early believers—some were denying the resurrection of the dead. Paul responds with urgency and clarity, showing that the resurrection is not optional; it is essential to the gospel. He explains that if there is no resurrection, then Christ Himself has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then preaching is empty, faith is useless, sin still holds us captive, and hope is lost. Without the resurrection, the gospel collapses.

But Paul does not leave us there. He declares with confidence: “But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died” (v. 20).

1 Corinthians 15:12-20 NLT The Resurrection of the Dead
12 But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

This is our assurance. Jesus is the “first-fruits”—the beginning of what is to come. His resurrection guarantees our resurrection. What happened to Him will happen to all who belong to Him.

So today, let resurrection hope rise above every fear and silence every doubt. The empty tomb is not just a moment in history—it is the power shaping our present and securing our future.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the truth and power of the resurrection. Help us to live each day anchored in this reality—that Christ is risen and alive in us. Teach us to walk in victory, not defeat, and to trust fully in the hope You have secured for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The resurrection of Christ calls us to hold fast to the unshakable truth of God’s love for us. Genuine love always reveals absolute truth. When we truly receive God’s love, we come to know who He is—and, in turn, we discover who we are as His sons and daughters. Christ’s resurrection assures us not only of His victory over death, but also of our own resurrection—both spiritual and physical.

God’s love makes us brand new—something only He can do. This is our spiritual resurrection: being brought from dead living to life in Christ. “Dead” is a life apart from Him, without His presence and power. But now, through Christ, we are alive. We can live victoriously in this newness of life, empowered by the living God within us.

If you are a believer, the power of God is at work in you. He dwells with you and desires what is good, holy, and life-giving for your journey. None of us deserve this pure and perfect love, yet God pours it out freely. Oh, the depths He went to in order to bring us the Good News of salvation! This truth should awaken in us a deep, unshakable joy and a life marked by continual gratitude.

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul reminds the believers in Corinth of the truth they first received—the message of Christ’s death and resurrection. Though some doubted, many eyewitnesses had seen the risen Lord. Paul himself testifies to encountering Christ after the resurrection, reinforcing the certainty of this truth.

In a culture that often becomes divided over titles and status, Paul redirects our focus. Our identity is not rooted in position, but in transformation. Here is who you are in Christ: You are reborn. You are made new. You are a child of God. And you are being led by the Spirit to grow into maturity—becoming a son or daughter who lives in truth, proclaims the gospel, and testifies to the transforming power of God’s love.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 NLT The Resurrection of Christ
1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place [never believed].

3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.

10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 11 So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the favor You pour over our lives as we believe Your truth. Thank You that You are transforming us from glory to glory and inviting us into Your mission in the world. Jesus, You alone make us worthy of this beautiful gift of eternal life. By Your Spirit, fill us with deep assurance of our salvation. Strengthen our faith to believe in the resurrection power that lives within us. Give us courage to testify—to boldly share the hope and salvation You offer, a gift no one should refuse. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you have an unwavering commitment to prayer and the purposes of God? I know many people pray at times, but making a commitment to prayer and the purposes of God is all about voluntarily pursuing and honoring our covenant-keeping God and His Word. I am convinced that if we bring this kind of devotion and spend time lifting all things to God in order to gain His Wisdom and live out the teachings of Christ, we are honoring the servant-life God created for us.

We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1a). In fact, this is our spiritual act of obedience and worship (Romans 12:b). God knows this kind of devotion [being set-apart for service] will lead to sharing His love with others—fulfilling His missional purpose.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul encourages the believers in Colossae to devote themselves to living wisely. This exhortation points to the power of prayer, an alert mindset, and, of course, gratitude for the salvation God has provided. When our words are seasoned with salt [Truth/Love], we gain favor for a righteous response with every individual we encounter—opportunities to share the love of Christ. Remember, people are important to God and they must be to us, as well. Let’s devote ourselves…

Colossians 4:2-6 NLT An Encouragement for Prayer
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive [seasoned w/salt] so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make a steadfast commitment to prayer and Your missional purpose for the world. Guide us as we seek You daily in faith and gratitude. Provide us with the grace and wisdom we need in Christ. Help us to live in a way that reveals Your presence; we offer our lives to You. Help us tame our words and actions to reflect Your heart and open doors for us to share Your love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Lord is alive and desires to lead us through the ever-changing—and often challenging—circumstances of this fallen world. Obviously, we can only do so much in our human strength—we are limited. Yet, this reality does not lead us to despair; instead, it becomes the very foundation of our joy.

In the midst of fragile hope, when life presses in on every side, the Lord’s strength comes to rescue us. We can all relate to seasons where we feel stretched in faith, burdened by the weight of decisions, and weary in the waiting. Delays and struggles are a part of life, but God has promised to provide what we lack in those moments—revealing His strong right arm that brings deliverance and restores joy to our souls. The Lord is working on our behalf, and He is powerful!

As I continue learning about the joy of my salvation, I find myself longing to go deeper. Joy is priceless—it anchors my soul and keeps my focus on God’s faithfulness and His ability to save, sustain, and guide me into His purpose.

Because of God’s love and faithfulness, the Israelites sang songs of joy as they followed Moses through the Red Sea toward the Promised Land. Later, joy filled them again as Joshua led them across the Jordan River and into Jericho, where they witnessed the mighty power of God. What once seemed impossible became a testimony of His goodness and deliverance. Joy marked their journey, and the people worshiped the Lord.

The joy of our salvation is found in Jesus—not only in being rescued from sin and death, but also in being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not just delivered; we are empowered. Empowered to live differently. Empowered to reveal the presence of the Lord within us. Empowered to proclaim His goodness.

Whether we reflect on God’s faithfulness in the Old Testament or the New Testament accounts of Christ’s resurrection, we see that joy is the proper posture of the believer. From the empty tomb, Jesus instructed Mary Magdalene, “Go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” In that moment, sorrow was overtaken by purpose, and purpose overflowed into joy. Victory was already secured.

Mary became the first joy-filled witness and evangelist of the risen Christ—a reminder that when we encounter Jesus, we are called to go and tell. Joy is not meant to be contained; it is meant to be shared.

Psalm 118:14–17 (NLT)
14
The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has given me victory.
15 
Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
    The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
16 
The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
    The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
17 
I will not die; instead, I will live
    to tell what the Lord has done.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for saving us from sin and death. You are our Deliverer. Teach us each day to live in obedience to this truth. Remind us of Your strength when we feel weak, empty, or uncertain. Empower us by Your Spirit to recognize Your goodness at work in and around us, and guide us as we serve You. Fill us with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Today, we choose joy because we trust in Your faithfulness. You are alive, and we desire to tell others what You have done in our lives. Grant us holy boldness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Motives are fundamental and responsible for turning what we value into action. Our motives are important to God. They answer the “why” of our goals; why we think the way we do, speak the way we do, act the way we do, and even worship the way we do.

God discerns, weighs, and judges our motives to reveal if they are based on obedience and wholehearted love for the Lord and our fellow human beings (Proverbs 16:2; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Hebrews 4:12). Scripture refers to God as a “devouring fire’ for a reason; He purifies us and whatever He leaves remaining is what pleases Him (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Just doing good deeds that make us feel good or look altruistic to others does not make us holy. We must have the right “heart-attitude,” because God is not honored or moved by superficial performance. When we have the right “heart-attitude” it means we have chosen Christ’s holy garments and a humble spiritual posture before God. So, today, let’s get dressed from the inside out with the identity of Christ!

Colossians 3:12-17 NLT 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Prayer: Lord, we are so blessed You want to fill us with the richness of Your glorious presence. May we be filled with excitement and joy to put on the character of our Christ. Help us to humbly treat one another with tenderness, gentleness, and patience. Empower us to believe the best of one another and be quick to forgive. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The resurrection of Christ calls us to a new perspective of life; we are to live in the eternal realities of heaven.  “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  

Change is necessary—some stuff has to go and some behaviors must experience a holy makeover.  We have a new identity in Christ and the Apostle Paul reminds us we must make a clean break from sinful behavior. We have been raised with Christ to new life and daily we are being transformed into His glorious image.  

Our conduct should reflect our resurrection reality. Living the new life means we don’t just believe in the resurrection—we embody it. Our thoughts are lifted, our desires are reshaped, and our conduct begins to mirror the character of Jesus.

Colossians 3:1-11 NLT Living the New Life

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your [our] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming [on all who disobey Him]. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,[Greek] circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the gift of new life in Christ.  Teach us to set our hearts and minds on heavenly realities.  Give us the strength and courage to let go of the things that dishonor you and hinder our growth.  Renew our thoughts and desires on a daily basis and help us reflect your beautiful presence.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.