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Pastor Mary Haley

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-8-21

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Revelation 20:7-10 (The VOICE)
7 When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison. 8 And he will crawl out of the abyss in order to deceive the nations located at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog as Ezekiel described them, in order to rally them together for one final battle. They are in number as the grains of sand on the shore. 9 They marched in unholy array over the expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. As they laid siege to the city, fire rained down from heaven and incinerated them. 10 And the devil who had deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown; and the unholy trio will be tortured day and night throughout the ages.

William Shakespeare once said, “Better is not good enough; the best is yet to come!” I absolutely believe the best is yet to come! I believe, “No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Evil must finally be defeated and that will definitely make things better. However, that alone is not good enough. Enjoying the glorious presence of our Lord sitting on his righteous throne ruling the heavens and the earth for the joy of his people…that IS the best yet to come!”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise to finally put an end to Satan and his evil spirits. One day, Satan will cease to be able to raise his head and attack your faithful sons and daughters. Glory to you who sits upon the throne. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-7-21

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Revelation 20:1-3 Binding Satan
1 Then I saw a mighty angel descending from the heavenly realm, holding a heavy chain and a key—the key of the deep [abyss], 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent known as the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 The mighty angel threw him into the pit, locked it, and sealed it so that he could no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years were over. (After that he must be loosed for a brief time.)

Years ago, our neighbors had a cat named Waffle, who loved to prowl around our house; he often laid near the doors. Every now and then one of the Haleys would inadvertently not latch the door securely and, in time, the door would open with the slightest breeze. More than once, I found Waffle inside our house making himself at home. The door was open, so there was nothing to stop him from entering.

As we read our passage today, we must remember the Lord bound Satan at the time of Christ’s death and resurrection to protect his family. For the believer, Satan is a defeated foe as long as we do not open the door to him. Sin opens the door for Satan; if you open the door he is going to enter your “house.” That is why Jesus reminds us to be quick to repent. Jesus then forgives us and shuts the door once again on Satan’s unlawful entry. “Your enemy the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone” (1 Peter 5:8). Let’s keep the door shut the way Jesus commands.

Prayer: Lord thank you for protecting me. Holy Spirit, help me run from sin keeping the spiritual door locked. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-4-21

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Psalm 138:1-3 (The Message)
1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”
    Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
    and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
    thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
    most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
    you made my life large with strength.

Prayers and praises of gratitude are the proper responses to all that God has done in our lives. In our passage today, David is overwhelmed with the faithfulness of God to bless him just because God loves him. From the moment David responds to God’s call for relationship, God blesses and empowers David and makes his “life large with strength.” God has certainly done that in my life; his beautiful presence dwelling with me and his favor surrounding me. When my life aligns with God’s Word, he reveals his holy character and releases his abundant love to me. “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything” (Thomas Merton). I am blessed beyond measure, today.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing your holy presence to my life as your Word finds room to dwell in my soul. Please continue to make my life large with your strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-3-21

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Mark 4:21-25 (TPT) Parable of the Lamp
21 He also gave them this parable: “No one lights a lamp only to place it under a basket or under the bed. It is meant to be placed on a lampstand. 22 For there is nothing that is hidden that won’t be disclosed, and there is no secret that won’t be brought out into the light! 23 If you understand what I’m saying, you need to respond!”[do what the Word tells you]

24 Then he said to them, “Be diligent to understand the meaning behind everything you hear, for as you do, more understanding will be given to you. And according to your longing to understand,[live in the truth] much more will be added to you. 25 For those who listen with open hearts will receive more revelation. But those who don’t listen with open hearts will lose what little they think they have!”[we must have an open heart to receive the truth of God.]

Do you long to live in the truth of God? That has always been the Father’s pure desire for us as his human creation. He wanted truth for us so much that in the Old Testament God gave the Torah as a lamp to give light on how Israel was to live if they wanted fellowship with him. Satan deceived with lies, but God was faithful to reveal the truth. In the New Testament, God gave the living Torah, his Son the Light of the world, so we would have a perfect human example to follow. Jesus gathered more and more disciples around him and taught them how to live in the truth. “Jesus explained, ‘I am the Way, I am the Truth, [true reality] and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father [our destination] except through union with me [we must connect to Christ through faith]. To know me is to know my Father too’” (John 14:6).

In our passage today, Jesus shares a parable; a story that explains with examples from every day life the truth about the Kingdom. The parables not only challenged Jesus’ listeners, they have the power to challenge us today as readers of the Word. We must pay attention to what we hear from Scripture and ask the Spirit to bring understanding on how it should influence the way we live. The Spirit desires to bring the truth about our God out into the open. Jesus tells just enough to get his listeners to seek God in order to learn more about the mysteries of life. The Word becomes like a seed that sits in the soil of our hearts and eventually grows into spiritual fruit as we seek to apply the truth to our lives. Then, we go out and tell others the Good News.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing the Light of truth to my heart. With every Word I read, help me to listen for the mysteries you want to reveal to my heart about your will and purpose for me. I long to live in your truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-2-21

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1 Peter 4:12-19 (TPT) Suffering and Glory
12 Beloved friends, if life gets extremely difficult, with many tests [fiery trials], don’t be bewildered as though something strange were overwhelming you [because these things are your communion in the inheritance]. 13 Instead, continue to rejoice, for you, in a measure, have shared in the sufferings of the Anointed One so that you can share in the revelation of his glory and celebrate with even greater gladness! [after we pass through the suffering]. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are greatly blessed, because the Spirit of glory and power, who is the Spirit of God, rests upon you.

15 Let none of you merit suffering as a murderer, or thief, or criminal, or as one who meddles in the affairs of others. 16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t consider it a disgrace but a privilege. Glorify God because you carry the Anointed One’s name. 17 For the time is ripe for judgment to begin in God’s own household. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?

18 And:
If the righteous are barely saved,[harvested to salvation]
    what will become of the wicked and godless?
19 So then, those who suffer for following God’s will should enfold their lives into the Creator, who will never fail them, and continue to always do what is right.

In our passage today, Peter wants us to look at tests and trials as proof of our connection to Christ; we are experiencing the sufferings we share in our communion with him. We carry his name AND his anointing. When we suffer for living righteously in Christ’s love, we glorify God ‘in’ our suffering as opposed to glorifying God ‘for’ our suffering; these are two very different prepositions. God uses these times of suffering not to punish us but to refine and purify us; to bring us into his glory which should lead us to rejoice. God’s glory has the supernatural power to transform us into the image of his Son. We must never forget our Creator is faithful and he will always supply the grace we need each day as we grow and develop.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of bearing your name and sharing your anointing. Help me to look beyond times of testing and trials to see the transformation you are offering me in the Spirit. New Covenant power and glory awaits me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-1-21

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1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Wisdom from God
6 However, there is a wisdom that we continually speak of when we are among the spiritually mature [those who have been initiated into the mysteries of God]. It’s wisdom that didn’t originate in this present age, nor did it come from the rulers of this age who are in the process of being dethroned [human governments and rulers of darkness]. 7 Instead, we [church apostles] continually speak of this wonderful wisdom that comes from God, hidden before now in a mystery [beyond the scope of human reasoning]. It is his secret plan, destined [decreed] before the ages, to bring us into glory [so glory may be ours]. 8 None of the rulers of this present world order understood it, [powers of darkness] for if they had, they never would have crucified the Lord of shining glory [all glory belongs to him]. 9 This is why the Scriptures say:

Things never discovered or heard of before,
things beyond our ability to imagine [entered the heart]—
these are the many things God has in store
for all his lovers [those who wait and long for the Lord].

10 But God now unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit [through revelation]. Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through the Holy Spirit, who constantly explores all things.

In our passage today, we reflect upon some very fundamental truths about God’s plan for his human creation. The Apostle Paul speaks of human wisdom, as well as the work of evil to thwart God’s plan from the very beginning. The enemy of God—the evil Accuser—thought he had the upper hand when Christ died on the cross. The principalities and powers of darkness had no ability to comprehend the efficacy [effectiveness] of Christ’s crucifixion to realign the universe and initiate a new kingdom under our Lord Jesus Christ. God used that prideful ignorance of darkness to usher in salvation and eternal life.

So many times things just do not make sense to the human mind, but God is in the process of making all things new and he begins with human hearts that will become devoted to his authority—something Satan knows nothing about. Paul teaches the Corinthians, as well as you and me today, about the power of God that cannot be grasped by our eight pound brain. We must humbly approach God as our Maker and stop trying to explain what cannot be reasoned. Our duty to God is all based on awe, love, and trust. Those who live in this way become mature and lacking nothing, because God’s Spirit continues to flow divine revelation into the willing and seeking soul [mind, will, emotions]. That’s how believers learn the mysteries of God which escape human comprehension. For this reason, Satan pours deception into the world to accuse God’s children who are governed by the law of grace.

Prayer: Lord, I stand in awe of you. Truly, your ways are not my ways and your thoughts are not my thoughts, but I do not feel the need to wrestle down all that I do not understand about you, myself, others, evil, and this world. Instead, I simply trust you have a divine plan that you will reveal to me as I live surrounded by your divine mysteries. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 5-31-21

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Psalm 20:7-9
7 
Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom,
    but my miracle-deliverance can never be won by men.
    Our boast is in Yahweh our God,
    who makes us strong and gives us victory!
8 
Our enemies will not prevail; they will only collapse and
    perish in defeat while we will rise up, full of courage.
9 
Give victory to our king, O Yahweh!
    The day we call on you, give us your answer!
Today, we remember and honor the men and women who have died while serving our country in the U.S. Armed Forces. This is a time to respect the sacrifice they made and to remember those who gave everything to ensure our nation’s freedom. They went to war and served to ensure hope for the future of this country. Today, we may watch parades, raise flags, or maybe visit a Veteran’s Cemetery. Just don’t forget the sacrifice that was paid, so you and I can live and worship in freedom. Remember!

In our passage today, David proclaims that his trust in not in horses, chariots, weapons, or human wisdom; rather, his trust is in the name of the Lord Yahweh. So, let’s add to our Memorial Day of remembrance by also thanking God for his faithfulness to take us through the physical and spiritual wars humanity faces because of sin. Like David, may we put our confidence in Christ the Savior who died to overcome sin, death, and evil; he has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. “For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Remember!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sacrifice my fellow Americans made to secure my ongoing freedom. I pray blessings over those who lost their lives protecting mine; I pray a blessing over their families for generations to come. Thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul and protecting my life and my freedom to worship you as you so greatly deserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 5-28-21

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Romans 8:9-11 (TPT)
9 But when the Spirit of Christ empowers your life, [makes his home in you] you are not dominated by the flesh but by the Spirit. And if you are not joined to the Spirit of the Anointed One, you are not of him [you are not your true self].

10 Now Christ lives his life in you! And even though your body may be dead because of the effects of sin, his life-giving Spirit imparts life to you because you are fully accepted by God [and ready for his cause of righteousness]. 11 Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!

I love being home; it is my joyful place. Certainly, it is not about the stuff that surrounds me; I simply relax and breathe differently within the atmosphere of our home. Can’t describe it but, for me, home is so much more than a place to eat and sleep. Home is where I reflect upon what is most important to me, where I take the time to process and sift through the issues of life which encircle me, and where I rest in the security of knowing I will be valued here as I live the Truth of who I am. I realize this is not everyone’s experience, but it is mine.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us, as believers, that Christ makes his “home” in our hearts—the core of our being. He brings rest, peace, and hope to our weary souls, because he is always “home.” We can enjoy the atmosphere his presence provides, because Jesus’ breath fills his “home.” The competition of ongoing spiritual warfare does not have to control us, because he is always “home.” Satan has no power to rob us, because Jesus never leaves his “home” unprotected. We are always valued, accepted, and offered the power outflowing Christ’s resurrection as we make Jesus the Lord of his “home!” I imagine I love being home, because Jesus loves his “home,” too!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making your home in my heart and bringing the beauty and tranquility of heaven to my soul. I continue to make this journey with you each day with the goal of making you the King of all I encounter. Thank you for always being “home” with me. I am never home, alone! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 5-27-21

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Romans 8:1-8 (TPT) Living by the Power of the Holy Spirit
8 So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One [we cannot be condemned]. 2 For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us [set us free] from the “law” of sin and death. 3 For God achieved what the law was unable to accomplish, because the law was limited by the weakness of human nature [weakness of our flesh]

Yet God sent us his Son in human form to identify with human weakness. Clothed with humanity, God’s Son gave his body to be the sin-offering so that God could once and for all condemn the guilt and power of sin. 4 So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit! [released in and through us]

5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities [what pleases God]. 6 For the sense and reason of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
7 In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, [refuses to submit to his law] because it cannot! 8 For no matter how hard they try, God finds no pleasure with those who are controlled by the flesh.

Peter Marshall—preacher of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington DC and chaplain of the United States Senate [1946]—once said, “May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” Over the years, many of our military servants have died to protect this gift of freedom which first came from our Creator God. This freedom has been translated into the preamble for the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Spiritual freedom from the law of sin and death is a “priceless” Gift from Creator God. Our country maintains our earthly national freedom, so we can live out our spiritual freedom. In Christ, we can live by the impulses and dynamic power of the Holy Spirit. Never take your freedom as citizens of heaven and citizens of the United States for granted. There has never been nor will there ever be a greater Gift or a greater nation under God! Live your freedom out each day as an opportunity to do what is right before God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing for my spiritual freedom and thank you for leading so many men and women to secure our national freedom. Help us value both of these priceless gifts. We will remember all these benefits as coming from your righteous Hand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 5-26-21

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Psalm 104:24-34
O Lord, what an amazing variety of all you have created!
    Wild and wonderful is this world you have made,
    while wisdom was there at your side.
    This world is full of so many creatures, yet each belongs to you!
25 
And then there is the sea! So vast! So wide and deep—
    swarming with countless forms of sea life, both small and great.
26 
Trading ships glide through the high seas.
    And look! There are the massive whales
    bounding upon the waves.
27 
All the creatures wait expectantly for you
    to give them their food as you determine.
28 
You come near and they all gather around,
    feasting from your open hands,
    and each is satisfied from your abundant supply.
29 
But if you were to withhold from them and turn away,
    they all would panic.
    And when you choose to take away their breath,
    each one dies and returns to the dust.
30 
When you release your Spirit-Wind, life is created,
    ready to replenish life upon the earth.
31 
May God’s glorious splendor endure forever!
    May the Lord take joy and pleasure in all that he has made.
32 
For the earth’s overseer has the power to make it tremble;
    just a touch of his finger and volcanoes erupt
    as the earth shakes and melts.
33 
I will sing my song to the Lord as long as I live!
    Every day I will sing my praises to God.
34 
May you be pleased with every sweet thought I have about you,
    for you are the source of my joy and gladness.

Knowing you are loved and appreciate is a great feeling, isn’t it? In fact, I will confess feeling appreciated brings me a sense of great joy. We are made in the image of Creator God. When we genuinely appreciate God for the beauty and goodness he has created, it must be a source of great joy to him, as well. Never forget, the Lord has surrounded us with everything we could possibly need.

In our passage today from the psalter, we recognize and appreciate the sovereignty of God. It is the outpouring of the Spirt-Wind who brings life and regeneration to the world, as well as sustains it. So, if the Spirit who gives breath to all things is withdrawn from this world what will happen to creation? Take time to thank the Lord for the breath that fills your lungs and his goodness that fills your life.

Prayer: Lord, I love and appreciate you and all you have provided for my life. Your grace is abundant and I am so blessed to live in your favor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.