Pastor Mary Haley

Psalm 4:1 (TPT)
God, you are my righteousness, my Champion Defender.
    Answer me when I cry for help!
    Whenever I was in distress, you enlarged me.
    I’m being squeezed again—I need your kindness right away!
    Grant me your grace, hear my prayer, and set me free!

In our passage today, King David prays such a transparent and real prayer. David finds himself squeezed by life. Can you relate? David begins his prayer by acknowledging and praising God for his faithfulness to be his Defender in the past. God spiritually ‘enlarged’ David to deal with things when he struggled before. That word ‘enlarged’ translates “You created room for me!”

When I think of God spiritually enlarging me, I think about how he desires to make room for new things in my life and I must allow that expansion. It may seem painful for a time, but in the end God really desires to fill that new space with more of himself; more blessing. Wouldn’t this be the “kindness” of God we all desire? So pray and ask God to provide you with the grace you need. Invite the Lord to spiritually enlarge you and fill that space with his perfect shalom—wholeness.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many blessings you have always brought into my life. Continue to enlarge my capacity to trust you and depend upon your strength. When life squeezes me, may I pray for you to enlarge me so I can supernaturally deal with what is before me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 John 2:12-17 (NLT) Do Not Love This World
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Sunday evening, as I looked into fixing dinner, nothing in the refrigerator or pantry really sounded good or was just too much work to prepare. I was tired, but hungry. Sigh. When John said, “Hey, let’s go to Untouchables Pizza,” a powerful craving for an Italian calzone rose up in me! I was just thrilled and within thirty minutes we were on our way to enjoy dinner with some great friends!

Our passage today is a powerful message of truth for me and I hope for you. Although I crave a vibrant relationship with God and daily discipline myself to grow in the love and grace of the Lord, I can never forget I am a human with cravings for earthly pleasures that are real and powerful with my soul. I don’t think craving a calzone on Sunday evening is an evil thing and I don’t feel guilty in any way. (Laugh with me) But, this natural world brings some cravings to our souls that are evil and certainly not of God. So, we must be on guard and ask ourselves, “What is my greatest craving each day? To please God or to please myself?” Because we live in a fallen world, every day a platter of worldly cravings will be served to our senses. We must allow the Word of God to satisfy us first thing each day, so we will not yield to unrighteous cravings.

Prayer: Lord, your Word is satisfying and your grace provides eternal blessings galore. Thank you for meeting my needs and giving me wisdom to handle the cravings the world serves up. May my life please and glorify you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 John 2:1-5 Christ, Our Answer for Sin
1 You are my dear children, and I write these things to you so that you won’t sin. But if anyone does sin, we continually have a forgiving Redeemer [ends the curse] who is face-to-face with the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice [satisfaction] for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

A New Commandment
3 Here’s how we can be sure that we’ve truly come to know God: if we keep his commands. 4 If someone claims, “I have come to know God by experience,” yet doesn’t keep God’s commands, he is a phony and the truth finds no place in him. 5 But the love of God will be perfected within the one who obeys God’s Word.

Just believing God exists and that Jesus is the Son of God does not bring redemption. In our passage today, John reminds us that not living under the authority of God’s Word is sin—rebellion against God. Keeping God’s commands is the proof and evidence of coming to know God. God’s forgiveness of our sins, the shalom that we share together, and the ongoing resurrection of Christ in our lives is the foundation for our witness as the Body of Messiah. May we continue to seek the perfection of God’s love in us as we live the Word.

Prayer: Lord, through your Word, you help me understand my sin, your sacrifice, and humanity’s invitation into eternal salvation. Help me proclaim the forgiveness of sins by living the Truth in your Love, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 4:23-24, 29–31 The Church Prays
Just prior to our selected passage for today from the Book of Acts, Peter and John are brought before the council of religious law. They are ordered to stop spreading their salvation propaganda about Jesus any further. Peter and John reply to the demands of the legal council, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” The council threatens them, again, but cannot stop them, because since discovering the empty tomb people are experiencing the love of God, praising him for salvation, and living in the Spirit of Truth which changes lives!

23 As soon as they were released from custody, Peter and John went to the other believers and explained all that had happened with the high priest and the elders. 24 When the believers heard their report, they raised their voices in unity and prayed, “Lord Yahweh, you are the Lord of all! You created the universe—the earth, the sky, the sea, and everything that is in them.

29 So now, Lord, listen to their (the law council) threats to harm us. Empower us, as your servants, to speak the word of God freely and courageously. 30 Stretch out your hand of power through us to heal, and to move in signs and wonders by the name of your holy Son, Jesus!”

31 As they prayed the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness [translates freedom of speech—flowing from the heart].

The disciples choose to remain devoted to God and speak from their hearts whatever God inspires. This delivering of words is not tailored to make everyone happy, but to speak the Truth in Messiah’s Love regardless of the cost because people need to hear it. The believers pray for holy boldness to fill them and God answers their prayers. The disciples are not disrespectful or unloving to anyone, but they are purposeful and honest about sharing what they have experienced. People around them can see the Truth changing these believers; a spirit of love permeates them. May we pray for such boldness knowing God desires to answer our prayers and empower us to share the Truth in Messiah’s Love, as well.

Prayer: Lord, it is a sensitive balancing act to communicate the Truth in Love; however, you are both and, as believers, we need to become One with you. For us to speak the Truth of Your Word without Messiah’s holy love comes across legalistic and harsh. To think we are sharing holy Love without standing on the foundation of the Truth is heresy. You empowered the early disciples to speak the Truth in Messiah’s Love and I pray for myself and all believers to rise up to do the same every day. Our world needs to hear and experience both. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 133:1 How truly wonderful and delightful it is to see brothers and sisters living together in sweet unity!

In our passage today, it is clear King David understood the power of unity in the spiritual family while remaining One with God. In fact, David became the king of a united monarchy by connecting the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. David brought those once divided back together to worship Yahweh in Jerusalem. How do you feel about unity—the sharing of Christ’s love with one another—in the Body of Christ?

When the Body of Christ is united and working together, we become a powerful example to the world; it is really a glimpse and taste of heaven. Unity brings blessing and revival to the Body where tension and division actually drains the joy of believers. We see the effects division has brought upon our world, so be vigilant to remain united in purpose with fellow believers. It is hard work some times, but do it anyway!

Prayer: Lord, may the world take notice of how your children love you and one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 118: 19-24
19 
Open to me the [temple] gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
20 
This is the gate of the Lord;
The righteous will enter through it.
21 
I will give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me;
And You have become my salvation [my Rescuer, my Savior].
22 
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.
23 
This is from the Lord and is His doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 
This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

In our passage today, the psalmist sees the Lord’s salvation as a new beginning; a new day in which God will do amazing and great things. The Lord is the Cornerstone—the first and most important stone laid for a secure structure—and we are built upon him. He gives his temple the shape it needs by guiding us in righteousness. Every day, there are many reasons why we should rejoice. So, even when we face difficulties, let’s praise the Lord and be glad, because this day ushers in the ongoing salvation of our perfect Rescuer.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that no matter how I am feeling, I can praise you because every good and glorious thing I could say about you would be true. Thank you for knowing my heart and inviting me to share it with you. You always make a safe place for me; a solid foundation on which to stand in our relationship. Mold me and shape me as a temple you delight to inhabit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 118:14-17
14 
The Lord is my strength, and He is the reason I sing;
    He has been there to save me in every situation.
15 
In the tents of the righteous soldiers of God,
    there are shouts of joy and victory. They sing:
    “The right hand of the Eternal has shown His power.
16 
The mighty arm of the Eternal is raised in victory;
    the right hand of His has shown His power.”
17 
I will not die. I will live.
    I will live to tell about all the Eternal has done.

Our Scripture, today, reminds us the Lord is our Strength, Song, and Salvation. We cry out to the Lord when our situations in life overwhelm us and he reveals himself by bringing inner strength and support. We sing songs of praise to the Lord even in trying times and he reveals his presence by spilling joy and purpose into our souls. We trust the Lord for salvation and he reveals his faithfulness to bring us eternal life. These are all promises God makes to us as his children, so rejoice today by proclaiming him as your Strength, Song, and Salvation to someone who desperately needs him but may not know it!

Prayer: Lord, I sing a new song with my life every day in some way because each day is a beautiful beginning in my ongoing experience with you and your powerful grace. Thank you for your wonderful gifts of love poured into my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.

Do you need to feel more secure? Then fill your words with extravagant praise and watch how God manifests his goodness in your life. In our passage today, the psalmist reminds us that even in the midst of a changing world, we can always rest confidently in God’s love.

Charles Spurgeon once wrote: “This is reason enough for giving him thanks; goodness is his essence and nature, and therefore he is always to be praised whether we are receiving anything from him or not. Those who only praise God because he does them good should rise to a higher note and give thanks to him because he is good.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing a way of salvation for me and for leading my life forward in righteousness each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 51:10-11
10 
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 
Do not banish me from your presence,
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit [Spirit of holiness] from me.

In our passage today, David prays and invites the Lord to renew a right spirit within him, as well as take away his sin and guilt. David knows he needs the work of the Spirit to help him in his relationship with Father. As we begin to prepare our hearts for the Lenten season of reflection, may we desire the cleansing power of God to wash over our lives these next forty days and may we grow in our loyalty to Almighty God and his Word.

Prayer: Lord, I invite you to renew my spirit, cleans me from any unrighteousness hidden in my soul, and continue to develop holiness within me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 2:1-4 tot

A Warning Not to Drift from Truth
2 This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course. 2 For if the message of the law spoken and confirmed by angels [who participated in giving the Torah] brought a just penalty to every disobedient violation; 3 then how would we expect to escape punishment if we despise the very truths that give us life? The Lord himself was the first to announce these things, and those who heard him firsthand confirmed their accuracy. 4 Then God added his witness to theirs. He validated their ministry with signs, astonishing wonders, all kinds of powerful miracles, and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which he distributed as he desired.

Our passage today is written to the early church believers, as well as all of us as modern day believers. Paying careful attention to the Truth that flows from God’s Word is hard work, but we must listen and obey if we are going to stay on course with Christ. To pay attention the way we should, we need to focus our minds, senses, wills, and bodies on the Lord, so we can carry out his instructions. The Lord is our Anchor and we need to stay connected to him, so the currents of culture and worldly ways do not cause us to depart from the Truth. Certainly, salvation is a great gift to receive; but, may we never neglect the understanding that God came to rescue us from sin and Satan’s work of destruction. May we allow the Spirit to build up our lives and help us be strong and mature in his love. And, may the gifts of the Spirit—signs, wonders, and miracles validate our ministry in the community and beyond.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my Anchor and Truth. I will stay focused on you knowing you will rescue me as needed so I can grow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.