Pastor Mary Haley

Hebrews 1:5-14 NLT
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.[revealed you as My Son]”
God also said,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.”
6 And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
7 Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds,
his servants like flames of fire.”
8 But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
9
You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
10 He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
11
They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
12
You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”
13 And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”
14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

The writer of Hebrews wants to clarify for the Church the role of the Son, as well as the role of the angels. The Son is God; holy utterance, Creator, and Savior. Angels are God’s heavenly messengers who herald God’s plan, worship and bow before the Son, guard God’s people, and will one day execute God’s judgment on the world. Salvation is through the Son, but the angels play important roles in salvation, as well.

The angels announced Jesus the Christ’s birth and proclaimed his resurrection. They minister to us as God’s family all the time, because they see us “in Christ!” They take care of those who have chosen to inherit salvation; receive the indwelling Christ. Let that soak in. During this Advent season, as you think about Christ’s first coming, please remember he came because he loves justice and hates evil. When Christ returns the second time, please remember he is establishing justice and destroying evil forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing salvation and justice to my life. I look forward to the day evil is destroyed forever. As well, thank you for positioning your angels around your family in Christ to protect us and care for us. I place my trust in you each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 1:1-4
Jesus, the Language of God
1 Throughout our history God has spoken to our ancestors by his prophets in many different ways. The revelation he gave them was only a fragment at a time, building one truth upon another. 2 But to us living in these last days, God now speaks to us openly in the language of a Son, the appointed Heir of everything, for through him God created the panorama of all things and all time.

3 The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendor, the exact expression of God’s true nature—his mirror image! He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of his spoken word. He accomplished for us the complete cleansing of sins, and then took his seat on the highest throne at the right hand of the majestic One.

Scripture is God’s self-revelation. God reveals himself from the Beginning of Creation in Genesis all the way to the Last Days in Revelation. Therefore, each book and chapter reveals something about God to hungry souls. As you read the Word of God, keep in mind that Jesus is the perfect revelation of God; he is the language of God throughout all Scripture.

Sometimes people want to just read the New Testament because they like the demeanor of the manifested Word—Jesus—found in the gospels better than the Word of God revealed in the Old Testament. News flash: Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever; he is the whole Word of God. The LORD in the Old Testament is the same LORD in the New Testament; the building of one truth upon another. If we do not want to experience the judgment of God that is revealed so clearly in Scripture, we will turn to the righteous sacrifice of Jesus and by faith accept his blood as the atonement for our sins. Jesus the Son restores our relationship with the heavenly Father. The cross is the beginning of a new life with God. What an exciting journey we can live now with God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself through the Word; I do not have to guess how you feel about things or what your purpose is for humanity. You want a relationship with a holy people and only Jesus can make that happen. Thank you for your beautiful and perfect heart for your human creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Malachi 4:1-4
1 Eternal One: “For behold the day of burning will come, smoldering like a furnace. The arrogant and the evil will be set ablaze like the worthless chaff of grain. Neither roots nor branch will remain. I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, promise this. 2 But for you, the ones who tremble at the sound of My name, a warm sun of righteousness will come forth with healing in its rays, and you will go out, springing from the stalls like calves in open pasture. 3 Then you will trample the criminal; your feet will make them ash on the day I am preparing. I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, promise this.

4 Remember the instructions which Moses, My faithful servant, received from Me at Mount Sinai and gave to all Israel. Remember its statutes and judgments.”

To whom does the world turn for salvation? A politician? A military strategist? A spiritual leader? A prophetic leader? An intelligent scholar? A shrewd businessman. A dead martyr? According to Scripture, salvation is found in the name of Jesus; there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). He is the Creator of all things; the Living God! Therefore, every day we need to call upon the name of the LORD, because salvation is found in no other name.

Jesus brings supernatural power to his spiritual family. Whatever we face as believers and followers of Christ, we face it with the indwelling King of kings and the LORD of lords. No devil in hell can triumph over the sovereign Rule of Truth; Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for believers. If we love Jesus, we will follow his commands to make him LORD of our lives.

The unbelieving and unrepentant world must face the judgment of Creator God. He has warned us over and over again throughout Scripture that one day—the Day of the Lord—judgment will be poured out on this rebellious and sinful world. Therefore, humanity must repent and turn back to the Lord as our King. In our passage today, a warm sun of righteousness will come forth with healing in its rays for believers; we will leap around in the great JOY of our salvation! (v.2). Please do not put the weight of your hope in any other human person for salvation. That is idolatry; God will not tolerate it in the lives of believers nor unbelievers. Jesus is our Hope. Jesus is our Peace. Jesus is our Joy. Jesus is unfailing LOVE who comes to save humanity. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Prayer: Lord, I am excited about your return; I am hungry for the rule of righteousness in this world. I look for your second coming each day, but I wait for your perfect timing. I am seeking to keep my mind, will, and emotions focused upon you. Thank you for sustaining and refreshing me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 3:17-21

17 “My fellow Jews, I realize that neither you nor your leaders realize the grave mistake you made. 18 But in spite of what you’ve done, God has fulfilled what he foretold through the prophets long ago about the sufferings of his Anointed One. 19 And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence. 20 And he will send you Jesus, the Messiah, the chosen one for you. 21 For he must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things has taken place, fulfilling everything that God said long ago through his holy prophets.

In our passage today, Peter is preaching in the temple about the God of Abraham and the work of God’s Son—Jesus the Messiah—on the cross. He tells the people to repent—to return home to God’s grace and truth. Peter explains God sent his Son to reveal the appointed time—the fulfillment of prophecy—for refreshing. The refreshing God brings through Christ is such an amazing gift—the cross begins the restoration of paradise within the hearts of believers and followers of Christ. If you have accepted Christ into your heart, the journey has begun. Praise God! Please continue to follow the Spirit as he reveals the Word manifesting in your life; only then can you experience the beauty and fulness of his love for you. Every day is a new day with Jesus; he wants to reveal his will for your life one day at a time.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the refreshing you continually bring my life. I am so grateful for the work you have been doing in my life to restore paradise in my heart. As you bring that refreshing, I begin to see more clearly your heart, as well as my destiny. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

December 14, 2020
Ephesians 6:10-18 (TPT)
Spiritual Warfare
10 Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

11 Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! 12 Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. 13 Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.

14 Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. 15 Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
16 In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! 17–18 Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God.
Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers.

Every day at some level we are engaged in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil. Satan comes against believers because we refuse to serve him. Since it is a spiritual battle, we must fight with spiritual weapons. So, make a decision to resist Satan, use your faith and stay true to God, pray constantly, protect your thoughts from lies, and embrace Christ’s saving work. Be an influence as you fight in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for supernaturally infusing me with your strength and power. I will put on your armor and pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Philippians 3:12-16
12 I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. 13 I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 14 I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. 15 So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires,[running this direction] God will reveal it to them. 16 And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.

One of the true mark of a Christian in the loving hands of Father God is humility; Christ is humble, gentle, meek, and lowly. Humility is a heart attitude not only an outward demeanor. Jesus humbled himself in order to follow the Father’s plan for his death on the cross in saving his human creation. In his saving grace, we remain vessels in our Father’s hands who need regeneration and ongoing restoration. Humility helps us be submissive to God’s pruning and shaping of our lives; we acknowledge Father knows best. Humility helps us to be more compassionate with one another while we endure God’s grooming process; we acknowledge humility is the attitude that brings more grace and power into our own lives. We all desperately need God’s grace.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul demonstrates humility. He is humble—open and honest before God and others—about the fact that Father is still grooming and shaping him. He is bold, yet humble. Paul has not reached the fullness of God’s abundance, but he runs with passion toward it and he encourages others to do the same. Put on the humility of Christ and let’s run together, my friends!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for demonstrating true humility for all your children. May my heart remain humble before you as you shape and prune my life for the work of your hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 126:5-6
5 
Those who sow their tears as seeds [a sacrifice]
will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee.
6 
They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow,
but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness
as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!

God is always busy restoring life and bringing redemption even when we don’t see or understand his work. In the will and name of Yeshua bodies heal, broken bones heal, relationships heal, and broken and grieving hearts heal. Sometimes our tears become the very seeds God uses to bring salvation and righteous restoration to us and our neighbors. In our connectedness, we share many experiences. We may cry for a while, but then God brings good out of something bad and we are able to find abiding joy once again.

In our passage today, the psalmist reminds the Israelite exiles that returned to Jerusalem about the restoration and joy they experienced in Yahweh after years of captivity. We should never forget our God’s faithfulness to us. It is his faithfulness that should inspire our faithful obedience to him. If you are going through a rough time this holiday season, please be patient and hold on to your faith in God’s restorative plan. Be willing to sow your tears in the fertile ground of his love and look for a harvest of good things. He has promised an abundance of blessing for you. He knows how to love you, your neighbors, and his world. May joy be on its way to your heart.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing good out of the challenging times in life. I’m trading my sorrows for your joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 27:5-6
In his shelter in the day of trouble, that’s where you’ll find me,
for he hides me there in his holiness.
He has smuggled me into his secret place,
where I’m kept safe and secure—
out of reach from all my enemies.
Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise,
singing and shouting with ecstatic joy!
Yes, listen and you can hear
the fanfare of my shouts of praise to the Lord!

My husband, John, and I did some hiking with our family on the Appalachian Trail during our vacation to the Smokey Mountain National Park last month. Approximately three-quarters of the way up from Newfound Gap toward Charlie’s Bunion (planned destination) I noticed a sign directing hikers to a “shelter.” I was curious, so I left the Trail and checked it out. This shelter is a bit hidden off from the main Trail; a small roofed yet primitive three walled structure with a canvas curtain that becomes its fourth wall. The purpose of the shelter is to provide a place for male and female hikers to spend the night out of the extreme elements, as well as protect them from bears or other animals looking for food. Now, honestly, I am not sure how that canvas curtain is going to stop any curious or hungry bears looking for food (or scavenging rats/mice for that matter), but nonetheless that is the “shelter.” As I studied the shelter, I asked myself, “Would I feel safe and secure staying here?”

In our passage today, David speaks about a shelter, but it is not a primitive physical structure. He is talking about the presence of the Lord who has become his Shelter of love and care. David is overcome with praise and filled with joy by how the Lord shelters him in His glorious presence. We, too, can know true holiness, safety, and security as we stay in the presence of our Shelter. Truly, in the Shelter of my Almighty Savior, I do feel safe, secure, and never hesitate to stay there!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sheltering me in your presence. I need you to keep me and my loved ones safe and secure! I am filled with joy because I know you alone are faithful. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 27:4-6

4 
Here’s the one thing I crave from God,
the one thing I seek above all else:
I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, [in his presence]
finding the sweet loveliness of his face,
filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace.
I want to live my life so close to him
that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.

I really enjoy the season of baking and cooking that precedes our Christmas celebrations. The Haleys find joy in delicious food, some sweet and special baked goods, and family time. But, if we cannot enjoy any of these meaningful things, will we still celebrate the joy of Christmas? Absolutely!

David teaches us all about priorities and cravings, today. One thing he asks and seeks from God; it is the most important craving he has in this world. He wants to be near God, because he knows God loves him with a perfect love and will take care of him while he is the world. David realizes God is the Source of true Joy! May we be filled with such cravings!

Prayer: Lord, I crave your presence above all things. Please fill me with the joy of my salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Isaiah 26:12 TPT

12 
Lord Yahweh, you will establish peace and prosperity for us,
    for all we have accomplished is the result
    of what you work through us.

In our passage today, Isaiah reminds God’s people of the amazing love of God extended to humble hearts; he establishes us in peace and prosperity. Spiritual prosperity is God’s way of meeting our needs from his unlimited resources. He knows what we need, as well as what we do not. He knows when to bless us and when to withhold certain things in order to help us grow in Christlikeness. Every good thing in our lives is a result of God’s love and grace—unmerited favor.

The apostle Paul shares a similar message in Ephesians Chapter 2, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (vv. 8-10).

Prayer: Lord, I want to thank you for establishing me in peace and prosperity. I am learning all the time how to stay in your Kingdom shalom where I can receive your tender care. In Jesus’ name. Amen.