Pastor Mary Haley

Luke 24:44-53 (The Passion Translation)
44 Then he said to them, “Don’t you remember the words that I spoke to you when I was still with you? I told you that I would fulfill everything written about me, including all the prophecies from the law of Moses through the Psalms and the writings of the prophets.”[Old Testament]

45 He supernaturally unlocked their understanding to receive the revelation of the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Everything that has happened fulfills what the Scriptures prophesied of me. The Messiah was destined to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 Now you must go into all the nations and preach repentance [Aramaic reads grace] and forgiveness of sins so that they will turn to me. Start right here in Jerusalem, 48 for you are my witnesses and have seen for yourselves all that has transpired. 49 I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise [Holy Spirit] to you, so stay here in the city until you are clothed with the mighty power of heaven.”

The Ascension of Jesus
50 Jesus led his disciples out to Bethany. He lifted his hands over them and blessed them in his love. 51 While he was still speaking words of love and blessing, he floated off the ground into the sky, ascending into heaven before their very eyes! 52 And all they could do was worship him.
Overwhelmed and ecstatic with joy, they made their way back to Jerusalem. 53 Every day they went to the temple, to praise and worship God.

Today we celebrate Ascension Day or Holy Thursday; this marks the 40th day following Resurrection Sunday and the time when Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives where they watched him ascend to heaven. Christ’s ascension signifies the end of his work as the Suffering Servant here on earth and his exaltation as Ruler and Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father and represents humanity’s need for his divine forgiveness and intercession. Now, just as the disciples were instructed by the angels, we look for Christ to return the same way he ascended (Acts 1:11). In ten days the Body of Christ will celebrate Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples gathered in one place. We, too, welcome the Spirit into our lives and invite holiness to shape us. Keep looking up!

Prayer: Lord, as your angels encouraged the disciples, we thank you for the Holy Spirit who encourages us to wait patiently and watch expectantly for your return at the appointed time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (The Message)
18-21 Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you’ll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth.

In our Old Testament passage today, God commissions Moses to teach His people to love and obey His commands. This is so God’s people can enjoy divine blessings for generations to come. Please note, God’s plan for His people is to reclaim the land that has been under the world’s evil system; they will overcome by their worship and faith in God’s provision. They must not turn from following God’s commands, because if they begin to worship other gods they will experience a curse instead of a blessing.

To guard future generations, God’s people are to fix His words (commands) on their minds and hearts and tie them like symbols on their hands and foreheads. In the New Testament Book of Revelation ch 13, the Antichrist will also require a mark—on the hand or forehead—for people; this is how Satan will provide for them under the evil world’s system. Satan never does anything original; he only mocks and mimics God. The Lord Yahweh desires for his people to experience his love and goodness, but to receive what He has in store for us, we must acknowledge that He exists and that He is a Rewarder of those who seek Him and follow His Word (Heb. 11:6). Let’s seek Him wholeheartedly.

Prayer: Lord, help me talk about your love and commands everywhere I go today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:13-16 (The Voice)
13 Before God—the life-giving Creator of all things—and Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, who made the good confession to Pontius Pilate, I urge you: 14 keep His commandment. Have a spotless, indisputable record until our Lord Jesus the Anointed appears to set this world straight. 15 In His own perfect time, He will come—blessed is the only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. 16 He alone possesses immortality; He makes His home in matchless, blinding, brilliant light that no one can approach—no mortal has ever even seen Him, and no human can. So let it be that all honor and eternal power are His. Amen.

The good confession Jesus made to Pilate is, “My Kingdom is not of this world…I came into this world to testify to the truth” (John 18:36-37). So when we, as Christ’s followers, testify to the truth, we are obeying, with our earthly lives, the commands of our divine and immortal King. Never forget, my brothers and sisters, when people want to point to a purely worldly perspective of truth and not the righteous testimony of God, they serve a different king. We really only know the truth if we accept, welcome, and apply what Jesus reveals is true. Now, when we live the Word of God, we are opening ourselves up to be led and experience the divine truth of our Creator and who we were created to be as his creation. In his perfect time, creation will see Truth exalted on the throne; which immediately will require the world to align itself with the true King. I eagerly await, don’t you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am in search of you each day because you are the Truth my soul requires. Please continue to pour your truth into my spirit and help me live it out of my soul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 93 The Majesty of God
1
Look! Yahweh now reigns as King!
    He has covered himself with majesty and strength,
    wearing them as his splendor-garments.
    Regal power surrounds him as he sits securely on his throne.
    He’s in charge of it all, the entire world,
    and he knows what he’s doing!
2 
Lord, you have reigned as King from the very beginning of time.
    Eternity is your home.
3–4 
Chaos once challenged you.
    The raging waves lifted themselves over and over,
    high above the ocean’s depths, letting out their mighty roar!
    Yet at the sound of your voice they were all stilled by your might.
    What a majestic King, filled with power!
5 
Nothing could ever change your royal decrees;
    they will last forever!
    Holiness is the beauty that fills your house;
    you are the one who abides forevermore!

Our passage today is called the Friday psalm; it was sung every Friday in the Temple. Although it is Monday, every day in Christ is the right day to sing the Majesty of God. Remember, together with other believers, we have become God’s inner sanctuary—his holy dwelling place; the Holy Spirit makes his home in our hearts (1 Cor. 3:16). And, Christ, is the Son in charge of God’s house (Heb. 3:6). So hold fast to your hope and confidence that he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6). What a majestic King!

Prayer: Lord, you are my majestic King and I welcome you to abide forever. When chaos comes to disrupt me, may the sound of your voice bring peace. Thank you for filling me with your Holy Spirit and keeping me still as I remain focused upon you, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 98 David’s poetic praise
1 
Go ahead—sing your brand-new song to the Lord!
    He is famous for his miracles and marvels,
    for he is victorious through his mighty power and holy strength.
2 
Everyone knows how God has saved us,
    for he has displayed his justice throughout history.
3 
He never forgets to show us his love and faithfulness.
    How kind he has been to Israel!
    All the nations know how he stands behind his people
    and how he saves his own.
4 
So go ahead, everyone, and shout out your praises with joy!
    Break out of the box and let loose
    with the most joyous sound of praise!
5 
Sing your melody of praise to the Lord
    and make music like never before!
6 
Blow those trumpets and shofars!
    Shout with joyous triumph before King Yahweh!
7 
Let the ocean’s waves join in the chorus with their roaring praise
    until everyone everywhere shouts out in unison,
    “Glory to the Lord!”
8 
Let the rivers and streams clap with applause
    as the mountains rise in a standing ovation
    to join the mighty choir of exaltation.
9 
Look! Here he comes! The Lord and judge of all the earth!
    He’s coming to make things right and to do it fair and square.
    And everyone will see that he does all things well!

My father was a good and fairly patient man, but he would only put up with disrespect and disobedient behavior from his children for just so long. Eventually, it became very apparent when Dad had “enough.” My father expected that his children would honor his authority, will, and instruction. Well, our heavenly Father is the perfection of my earthly father’s expectations and ways.

In our passage today, David sings about the goodness and justice of God. As believers and followers of Christ, we know we serve the God of justice. Something we must remember is our God never promises to bring “instant” justice to set things right. He promises to one day intervene, judge, and remedy the destructive work of sin and evil. At that time, he will set “all things” right forever.

For now, Jesus stands at the crossroad and bids us come toward his righteousness and right standing with the Father. So, we put our hope in our heavenly Father and trust in his appointed time when he will say to Satan, “enough!” Praise and glorify the Lord, today, because his goodness and loving-kindness endures forever and his promises are sure!

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the world to wake up and realize you will in your appointed time say, “enough!” Sin and evil and those who engage in it, will face the justice you have warned is coming. How loving are you to send your Word ahead and let all the world know the Truth! With the ocean waves I clap with applause, praise with gratitude, and give to you the honor and right to deal with the injustice I have faced in this life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Isaiah 49:5-6 (TPT)
5 
And now, the Lord Yahweh—
    who shaped me in the womb to be his servant,
    to bring Jacob’s tribes back to him
    that Israel would be gathered back to himself,
    for I am honored in the sight of Yahweh.
    I find the source of all my strength in my God—
6 
who says:
    “Is it too small a thing for you, my servant,
    to restore greatness to Jacob’s tribes and the survivors of Israel?
    I will make you to be a light to the nations and
    to bring the light of my salvation to the ends of the earth!”

In our passage today, the prophet, Isaiah, speaks a word of hope to God’s people about bringing freedom to those suffering from exile in Babylon—the world’s system. Our passage exalts the Lord Yahweh, his perfect love, and his power to save and restore. This prophecy is really about the future salvation Jesus Messiah will bring as the sinless and obedient Servant of Yahweh who will die for the sins of the world.

Think about this prophecy and the things we now know God has done, in Christ, to deliver us into freedom and wholeness. We are not bound by the things of this world or the work of Satan, we have been released by the Liberating King. A future of choices awaits us and we are free to make them. Our relationship with God is blessed and strengthened by the righteous choices we make to live in the Kingdom. We know it is a narrow path, but we follow.

Jesus was called from the womb, covered by God’s Spirit and favor, as well as equipped and prepared by God to bring salvation—the greatest miracle of all—to the world. Never forget, Jesus, the Light of the World, was sent to invite not only Israel back to rest or dwell in Yahweh, but the nations, as well. May we have the Wisdom and courage to live in the righteous Hand of Truth.

Prayer: Lord, throughout biblical history, you reveal your love and plan to redeem and restore creation and bring everything back into your righteous Hand. Thank you for loving the world and for making a way for our salvation. I treasure your love, trust your will, and seek to protect our relationship in Messiah. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 14:18-31

18 “I promise that I will never leave you helpless or abandon you as orphans—I will come back to you! 19 Soon I will leave this world and they will see me no longer, but you will see me, because I will live again, and you will come alive too. 20 So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you. 21 Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love him in return and will reveal [personally] myself to him.”

22 Then one of the disciples named Judas [Judah] (not Judas Iscariot) said, “Lord, why is it you will only reveal your identity to us and not to everyone?”

23 Jesus replied, “Loving me empowers you to obey my word. [proves a relationship] And my Father will love you so deeply that we will come to you and make you our dwelling place. 24 But those who don’t love me will not obey my words. The Father did not send me to speak my own revelation, but the words of my Father. 25 I am telling you this while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Spirit of Holiness, the One like me who sets you free,[from the curse] he will teach you all things in my name. And he will inspire you to remember every word that I’ve told you.

27 “I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!
28 “Remember what I’ve told you, that I must go away, but I promise to come back to you. So if you truly love me, you will be glad for me, since I’m returning to my Father, who is greater than I. 29 So when all of these things happen, you will still trust and cling to me. 30 I won’t speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this dark world [slanderer/accuser] is coming. But he has no power over me, for he has nothing to use against me. 31 I am doing exactly what the Father destined for me to accomplish, so that the world will discover how much I love my Father. Now come with me.”

There is so much associated with our passage that it is difficult for me to decide what to highlight, today. I will start by reminding you the Lord promised his disciples, before his crucifixion, they would see him again. They saw him many times after the resurrection, before his accession, and gained a clear understanding of the importance of obedience to the Father. At Pentecost, they saw him in the personal coming of the Holy Spirit and experienced his power. And, the Lord promised they would see him in the parousia—coming or presence. Now, some times Scripture speaks of the parousia in terms of the taking away of the Church before the Tribulation (1 Thes. 4:13-18). Some times Scripture speaks of the parousia as the coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation when he comes to set up the Millennial Kingdom on earth (Matt. ch. 24-25; Rev. 19:11; 20:4-6). I believe we will experience Christ’s coming and presence in both events. Just remember, the parousia is a future and glorious realm for the Lord and those who obey his commands and passionately love him.

My friends, when we ask Christ to come into our hearts, we spiritually experience the Lord of Life. When we ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit and obey his leadership, we experience the Lord of Pentecost power. And, every day, we must keep our hearts open and our souls expectant, because he has promised to come for us. We may find ourselves witnessing a web of conflict and moral chaos in this world, but we as God’s children of love can live in his supernatural peace and provision. As a believer, you have the Lord of Life and Power living in you, so live courageously in his love. Be an instrument of peace wherever you go. Satan has no power over the Lord who lives in you, so don’t give the enemy any room in your life. Stand in Truth, live in love, and watch for our Lord to come.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming personally into my life and saving me from the curse of sin and death. I am blessed abundantly by your presence in me and I know you bring every good and perfect gift for my new life in you. Holy Spirit, help me to abide in your perfect peace and live in your love and power each day as I continue to wait expectantly for you to return for your Church. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom from above is always pure, [holy] filled with peace, considerate and teachable.[easy to correct] It is filled with love [mercy] and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy [never wears a mask] in any form 18 and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.

Many times as human beings we want to think we are wise. In fact, Scripture teaches “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil” (Pro. 3:7). However, human wisdom is very different than divine wisdom. We hear people talking all the time who think they have wisdom, but do they? In our passage today, James tells us about divine wisdom. Please read this short passage over and over again and let it soak into your soul. Be determined to be transparent, extend mercy, and make peace everywhere you go, today.

Prayer: Lord, I am so blessed to know if I lack divine wisdom all I need to do is ask for it. Thank you, Jesus, for being my divine wisdom and for helping me to bear the fruit of righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Galatians 5:16-26 (TPT)
The Holy Spirit, Our Victory
16 Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life. 17 When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.
18 But when you yield to the life of the Spirit, you will no longer be living under the law, but soaring above it!

19 The behavior of the self-life is obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, 20 chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, 21 being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behavior.

Haven’t I already warned you that those who use their “freedom” for these things will not inherit the kingdom realm of God!

22–23 But the fruit [harvest] produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love [agape] in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit (Lordship). Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.

24 Keep in mind that we who belong to Jesus Christ have already experienced crucifixion. For everything connected with our self-life was put to death on the cross and crucified with Messiah. 25 If the Spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives. 26 So may we never be arrogant, or look down on another, for each of us is an original. We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others.

In our passage this morning, the Apostle Paul gives a very powerful reminder of the life we should enjoy when we are connected to the Vine—Jesus Christ. Our flesh may wage war within us, but we cannot give way to the demands of the flesh; the flesh has been crucified in Christ Jesus. Let’s not resurrect that which seeks to destroy our fellowship with the Lord. When we offend the Holy Spirit with our self-centered inclinations, we limit the expression of divine love flowing through us. This world needs to experience the agape love of God flowing through his children of Light. Live in the Holy Spirit; live in victory!

Prayer: Lord, in a culture that hungers to live by sinful flesh and unrestrained emotions, please raise me up by the power of the Spirit so that I might live in your Holy presence. Help me bear the fruit of your righteousness and be the original you created me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 22:25-26 TPT

25 
You’re the reason for my praise; it comes from you and goes to you.
    I will keep my promise to praise you before all who fear you
    among the congregation of your people.
26 
Let all the poor and broken eat until satisfied.
    Bring Yahweh praise and you will find him.
    May your hearts overflow with life forever!

When we call out to the Lord, he hears our cries and answers our prayers. There are two aspects to a right response to such a loving and wonderful Deliverer. First, we should give him public praise; people around us should hear about the goodness of God operating in our behalf. Our witness should be powerful and positive; the Lord is the reason for our praise! Second, we should remain faithful to his commands and covenant of love. Our desire to live in a way that pleases God must be our priority every day. To fear God is to come to him with holy respect and awe for his goodness to his creation; to fear God is the beginning of godly wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always coming to help me when I call. I praise and worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.