Pastor Mary Haley

Mark 4:30-34 (TPT)
Parable of the Tiny Mustard Seed
30 And he told them this parable: “How can I describe God’s kingdom realm? Let me illustrate it with this parable. 31 It is like the mustard seed, the tiniest of all the seeds, 32 yet when it springs up and grows, it becomes the largest plant in the garden. And with so many enormous spreading branches, even birds can nest in its shade.”[God’s realm will become the greatest Kingdom of all]

Jesus Always Taught Using Parables
33 Jesus used many parables such as these as he taught the people, and they learned according to their ability to understand. 34 He never spoke to them without using parables, but would wait until they were alone before he explained their meanings to his disciples.[Jesus unveils things to his disciples when we are alone with him]

Christianity seems to be under attack in different places in the world. If we listen to the news or read current event articles we are aware of the attacks against Christ and his followers—the Church. Such things should not take us by surprise, because the Word—Jesus—said it would happen. Still, by faith we look for God to make a community of believers in every nation before Christ returns, so we faithfully pray and ask for God to increase us and enlarge our territories. In our passage today, Jesus teaches how the Kingdom has small beginnings, but as people connect to the Word, the Kingdom grows and grows in size and influence. Abide in the Word of God and find yourself growing; thinking and living more like Christ. Make no mistake you need your spiritual armor; Satan is never far from believers. What is his goal? To attack the living Word of Truth in the hearts of believers in order to diminish faith and trust in God’s love and care for his own. You belong to Christ and you are his treasure. Don’t believe Satan; he’s a liar!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your perfect love and care of me each day. I walk by faith knowing I belong to you and I pray for the advancement of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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 [weapons] 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! [Satan] 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.

Truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and peace are powerful weapons to fight the Accuser when we apply all of them to our lives; they make us strong against an enemy that strategically remains hidden from view. Study what the Word of God has to say about this armor; it is like putting on Christ. When we stand in Truth we stand in agreement with Christ—the Living Word. When we understand the work of righteousness, we will welcome godliness to guard our hearts and invite Christ to live in our actions. Faith is more than a feeling, it is confident trust in Christ’s love and care for us no matter what the enemy may throw our way. Salvation is ongoing deliverance from the power and effects of sin, danger, or difficulty, so we remain obedient to the Word and the Spirit of Christ. If God is for us, who or what can be against us? Peace is something we desperately need, because the enemy is persistent in bringing oppressive and tormenting thoughts in order to destroy our commitment to live with the attitude of Christ—cling to the Prince of Peace. So, let’s make a decision today to lay hold of the promises and enjoy a place of protection in God’s power.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing me with the armor of a divinely guarded life. May I live to bring you glory as I put this armor on each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 3:13-18 (TPT)

Live Well, Live Wisely
13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.

17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

I want to build a reputation for wisdom; to be real, honest, and sincere before God and in my dealings with others. I am not nor will I ever perform perfectly, but I can still be wise. I won’t always preach the perfect sermon, but I can still be wise. I won’t always receive the applause of people, but I can still be wise. To be wise is to be right with God and to live humbly and lovingly while treating others with dignity and respect. In our passage today, the Apostle James teaches believers if we are actually living in the wisdom of God, our lives will radiate the proof of that wisdom because we will be humble and peace-loving. When we are filled with selfish ambition and we are willing to diminish or hurt others by setting ourselves up to judge them, we are actually opening up a door for evil.

Prayer: Father, thank you for placing within me the desire to build a reputation for wisdom. May I live well and wisely, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 7:48-50 (TPT)
48 “However, the Most High God does not live in temples made by human hands, as the prophet said:
49 
‘Heaven is my throne room and the earth
    is but a footstool for my feet.
    How could you possibly build a house
    that could contain me?’ says the Lord Yahweh.
    ‘And where could you find a place where I could live?
50 
Don’t you know that it is my hands
    that have built my house,[all these things] not yours?’

In our passage today, Stephen endeavors to speak Truth about the temple to the religious leaders. They come with limited mindsets and He wants them to know that God’s plan for salvation is far greater than a building. For these religious leaders, their affection for the temple had actually turned into idolatry; God would judge them accordingly. Although we may not worship the church building, we can certainly step into idolatry if we try to confine God to a certain place. God’s plan is redemption and he wants to be invited into every area of our lives. The earthly temple gives way to the spiritual temple where contrite hearts worship the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making my heart your dwelling place. Help me to release your love into the lives of other each day. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Psalm 119:129-133 (TPT) I Long to Obey You
129 
Your marvelous words are living miracles;
no wonder I long to obey everything you say.
130 
Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out!
Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.
131 
I open my mouth and inhale the word of God
because I crave the revelation of your commands.
132 
Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace
like you do to every one of your godly lovers.
133 
Prepare before me a path filled with your promises,
and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me.

When our hearts are open to God’s perspective, it brings revelation of his love and justice to our understanding; in Christ the infinite communes and communicates with the finite. We do not have to guess about sin or the righteousness God requires, we simply need to turn toward God and listen to his Word. From there the Holy Spirit will let us know if repentance and change is necessary. As we obediently turn our hearts toward his ways, he responds by turning his heart toward us. In that moment of obedience and in the power of grace, our paths are filled with the miraculous promises of God for salvation and deliverance. Obedience is actually a set up for spiritual triumph or victory.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making a way, in Christ, for me to be spiritually triumphant. I rest on the work of the Word within me; so, break the word open and help my life shine for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Matthew 12:15-21 (The Voice)

15 Jesus knew that the Pharisees were plotting to kill Him and left the area. Many people followed Him, and He healed them all, 16 always insisting that they tell no one about Him. 17 He did this in keeping with the prophecy Isaiah made so long ago:
18 
This is My servant, whom I have well chosen;
    this is the One I love, the One in whom I delight.
I will place My Spirit upon Him;
    He will proclaim justice to all the world.
19 
He will not fight or shout
    or talk loudly in the streets.
20 
He will not crush a reed under His heel
    or blow out a smoldering candle
    until He has led justice and righteousness to final victory.
21 
All the world will find its hope in His name.

In our passage today, Jesus does not want the people he heals to tell others about his miracles, because he does not want them coming to him for the wrong reasons. Christ wants people to hunger for the truth of God’s justice—to be made right in relationship with God, one another, and the natural creation. The Pharisees have cared more about their animals than the people; an act of hypocrisy and injustice for which Jesus will take issue. The people care more about having a Messiah who will step up as the king of Israel and fight all “their” visible enemies; an act of immaturity and injustice in their response to God. Neither group understand Christ’s mission to provide salvation from spiritual enemies, as well as provide a way to genuinely know God’s love for all nations and his heart for wholeness. Christ’s invitation goes way beyond Israel to the nations; therefore, the world will find its hope in His name. He is the King of kings. I pray for the nations of the world to see the revelation of their righteous King—the Lord who proclaims justice and makes things right.

Prayer: Lord, when I am tempted to think your salvation is narrow in focus because of what is visible, help me to remember you have come to save the world and as I trust you I can be a part of it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 139: 17-22
17-22 
Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
    God, I’ll never comprehend them!
I couldn’t even begin to count them—
    any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!
    And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!
And you murderers—out of here!—
    all the men and women who belittle you, God,
    infatuated with cheap god-imitations.
See how I hate those who hate you, God,
    see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.
    Your enemies are my enemies!

As believers, we strive to be in the Word of God all the time in order to better understand God’s love and holy character. According to Scripture, God’s character goes into the creation of every single person. You have been created in the image of God; so, learning to see yourself through the lens of awe and respect for God—the fear of the Lord—is the beginning of wisdom (Pro. 9:10). Wisdom reveals we are the Lord’s treasure; fearfully and wonderfully made to praise and live for him (Ps. 139:14). When we gain understanding of that truth, we begin to better understand our lives as a whole.

Two spiritual powers—good and evil—exist and vie for human carriers and devotion. God who is good brings an invitation to experience his love, forgiveness, grace, and eternal life in salvation. Satan who is evil brings self-serving temptations followed by berating accusations to shame people and weigh them down, so they lose hope for salvation. If we desire to receive from the love of God [which is something God has offered], we must submit to the holiness of God. The Holy Spirit has been given to help us grow in God’s holy character. Therefore, rejection of evil is a mark of divine wisdom.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the wisdom to know the difference between good and evil, as well as the power and purpose of grace so I can choose to live for you. In Jesus’ name.

Psalm 139:13-16
You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside
and my intricate outside,
and wove them all together in my mother’s womb.
14 
I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex!
Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking.
It simply amazes me to think about it!
How thoroughly you know me, Lord!
15 
You even formed every bone in my body
when you created me in the secret place,
carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something.
16 
You saw who you created me to be before I became me!
Before I’d ever seen the light of day,
the number of days you planned for me
were already recorded in your book.

How precious are the conceived yet unborn children to the Lord; each child is unique and a sacred creation formed by his Almighty Hand. Creator God places an eternal life-spirit inside the conceived child and watches over him or her as they develop and grow. God creates us out of nothingness—out of the darkness—shapes us inside and out, and determines who we will be and how we will serve him, as well as our communities. For this reason, God knows everything about us and how to guide our lives toward fulfillment. This is why Satan has generated deception that has caused a desensitization regarding abortion and the very real injustice it inflicts upon the unborn. A society moved by true justice will form and enforce laws to protect the marginalized and oppressed, as well as the most vulnerable—the unborn—from violence and death.

Prayer: Lord, today, I pray for mercy, revelation, repentance, and the salvation of human hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 6:13-20 TPT

God’s Faithful Promise
13 Now when God made a promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater than himself, he swore an oath on his own integrity to keep the promise as sure as God exists! 14 So he said,
“Have no doubt, I promise to bless you over and over,
    and give you a son and multiply you without measure!”

15 So Abraham waited patiently in faith and succeeded in seeing the promise fulfilled.

I just love the passage for today. God makes a faithful promise or oath to Abraham, as well as his descendants and seals it by swearing to the reputation of his own name. God is incapable of lying or not fulfilling his Word. What he says is Truth and he places his integrity on the line for generations of people to witness until Christ returns to set up his Kingdom on earth.

I am so grateful our pledge or oath of allegiance to the flag (to the Republic it represents) still bears the phrase “under God,” so as to remind us of the integrity of God. According to our passage, if we honor God’s ways, we can experience multiplied blessings based on his oath alone. When people take an oath of office it may include “so help me God,” but many states have asked for the phrase to be removed. It is perceived as specifically “religious” and therefore culturally divisive and offensive to some. The message of such an oath “so help me God” is to communicate a greater degree of seriousness and accountability in the performance of one’s duty; taking the oath before the One with flawless integrity who will one day serve as Judge. That does not seem religious to me, but of course the name of God is involved and instead of being viewed as the essential Creator, Savior, and Guide for humanity in every area of life, God is viewed by some as religious garnish.

The states that have removed the phrase “so help me God” prefer an affirmation “I swear” or “I affirm” which is only as valuable as the level of that person’s integrity; without the work and grace of God it is sinful and self-serving at best. I am waiting patiently to see how God is going to justify (prove) his perfect integrity to a country that was formed under his authority and yet has employed government leaders, judges, representatives, and lawmakers, as well as state and civic leaders and workers that devalue God’s Word or oath and reject his righteous Ways. I pray all the time for mercy and forgiveness, because I know one day we will all give an account for our allegiance, love, and devotion to God, as well as how our “deeds” to love our neighbors have actually aligned with his will. My duty is to vote; my name and integrity is on the line before Almighty God in that moment. Please pray for our country, leaders, representatives, officials, law enforcement and first responder heroes, and for people’s hardened and unbelieving hearts to be open to the goodness of Almighty God, his ways of love, and the blessings he has given his oath to extend to those who call upon his name.

Prayer: Lord, I take a deep breath today in your love, goodness, and the hope of my salvation found in Jesus Christ. Please guide me in the duties to which you have called me. Keep me accountable as I serve you and my neighbors. I pledge my life so help me God! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 2:1-4 (TPT)
A Warning Not to Drift from Truth
1 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 of 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 [disciples]. 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.

The author of Hebrews set forth a series of warnings for the early church: 1) do not drift away from the truth of salvation (Heb. 2:1-4); 2) do not fail to enter the faith-rest life (Heb. 3:7-4:13); 3) do not diminish in your devotion to God throughout your earthly life (Heb. 5:11-6:12); 4) do not willfully sin after you know the truth (Heb. 10:23-39); 5) do not be surprised at God’s discipline (Heb. 12:1-17); and 6) do not close your heart against God’s voice (Heb. 12:25-29). Believers are to cling to and obey the truths found in God’s Word; otherwise, we may drift off course from the Truth of eternal life.

Prayer: Lord, to be adrift is to be neither moored or steered. I want you to be my Rock and my Captain, so I will remain attentive to the truths found in your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.