Pastor Mary Haley

April 16, 2019

John 12:23-29 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Today is the thirty-sixth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God. This journey we have been making in our prayer time to experience a Kingdom heart is a personal journey that gains momentum with each passing day.  For example, today is Holy Tuesday and it is overwhelming for my heart to think that God would be willing to suffer for my sin, disobedience, and iniquities.  It’s personal.  God suffered for me.  Actually, the Lord suffered injustice, oppression, and abuse because of me; he suffered under the load of my sin, guilt, and shame. He did the same for you. The love of God for us is so great he was willing to suffer the immense weight of our unrighteousness in order to offer us his light righteous yoke as followers (Mat 11:29).  To wear Christ’s yoke, we must be willing to love eternal life more than this present life.  In your prayer time, do you praise the Father for his Suffering Servant?

Isaiah prophecies about the Messiah, “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.  After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge My righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities (53:10-11).  Jesus said he came into the world to suffer for the glory of the Father; to bring about the forgiveness for our sins.  We celebrate the work of Messiah, but let’s not forget the suffering he took upon himself, so we could know and enjoy the fullness of God’s love and grace.  

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 15, 2019

John 12:1-8 Good News Translation (GNT)

Today is the thirty-fifth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God.  As we draw closer, we learn from the Spirit what it means to have life in his name.  This life in his name brings Light or illumination and reminds us of our oneness with Christ; we are in him and he is in us. It is a picture of worship; the Lord is worthy of our worship.  We bring our lives to God and in a holy exchange for salvation we are connected to Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the early church in Colosse teaching them, “Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father (Col. 3:17).  Are you learning to live life in his name?

In our passage today, we note Mary knows what it means to live life in Jesus’ name.  Mary releases extravagant worship for her King.  Remember, worship is at the center of the Christian life.  Although she does not realize it, Mary is a lead worshiper in this moment as she anoints the feet of Jesus with perfume and dries his feet with her hair.  This anointing is a public demonstration and declaration of Mary’s faith in Jesus as the Messiah; she cares nothing about what others around her think because she is focused on worshiping the One who alone is worthy of all praise. Therefore, the Lord honors her. In fact, the gospel of Matthew shares the story about Mary, the anointing perfume, and quotes Jesus, “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what Mary has done will also be told, in memory of her” (26:13).  Within days, Jesus will wrap a towel around his waist and wash the feet of the disciples.  He will tell the other disciples, “If I as your Teacher and Lord have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done” (John 13:13-14). The disciples are learning to live in Jesus’ name. 

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 13, 2019

Psalm 31:6-8, 14-16 The Message (MSG)

Today is the thirty-fourth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God. Because we live in a world where we fight spiritual battles that try to distance us from the Father’s heart, the Lord becomes our Shield of love and protection when we call upon him.  The Lord advances us and causes us to be victorious. King David sings, “We put our hope in the Lord, He is our help and our Shield (Ps 33:20).  Behind this Shield we can experience the unfailing and limitless love of God.  Behind this Shield we can experience healing and rest from torment.  Behind this Shield we can breathe and sort through the many messages that bombard us from our souls—mind, will, and emotions. It is our faith in this Shield that protects us from the fiery darts of the enemy.  This Shield is Jesus Messiah and he wants to protect you by placing you in the center of his love.  Do you know the Lord wants to be your Shield in the time of evil?

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 12, 2019

Hebrews 2:10-18 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Today is the thirty-third day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God. Did you know the heart of God is to walk with you through all the ordeals of your life?  The ordeals of life are tests and tribulations we all must face; they come to every human being and child of God.  But you and I do not have to face these spiritual battles alone. Battles are opportunities to bring attention to the Lord’s excellence. Our Lord is Excellent in battle!  Christ wants to fight our battles; the battle actually belongs to the Lord because we belong to the Father. Therefore, the Lord has the final word over our lives.  We stand by faith on the Word of God calling for our Excellent Lord to show us a way to escape our temptations (1 For 10:13). Obedience to God’s direction is key; trust in and obedience to God is our part in every battle.  As we submit and humble ourselves before God and resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). You and I are from God, we are over-comers because “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). God has provided armor for our spiritual battles and we must put it on or apply it.  The Apostle Paul teaches us, “Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare” (Ephesians 6:13-18).  A Kingdom heart knows the Lord of every battle.  Are you trusting the Lord with all the ordeals of your life?

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 11, 2018

Hebrews 2:1-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

Today is the thirty-second day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God.  If we are going to identify with the heart of God, we must learn to recognize the Truth from false teaching.  Since the arrival of Christ, Satan has been manipulating and lying to people in order to get them away from the Truth. We must learn to listen carefully to God’s Word in order to know we are in the Truth; otherwise, we will be led astray.  Because God gave us the Word, we must base our faith on it and rest in the eye witness accounts of Christ’s disciples and the miracles of which they wrote. Jesus blesses us for this kind of faith.  In fact he told his disciples, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed” (John 20:29). False teaching rejects the authority and supremacy of Jesus as the Messiah.  Yet, the Word teaches God placed Jesus the Messiah in charge of everything and gave him absolute authority before he ascended to heaven (Mat 28:18). We must connect to Christ, because he promised, “I will be with you always even unto the end of the world” (Mat 28:20).  He is our Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  When you find yourself troubled by current events and worried about the future, do you turn to the Truth of Christ’s authority over all things and praise him because you are in his care? Do you know the power of praying in his name and remaining in a lifestyle of worship?

The author of Hebrews called his readers to listen carefully to the Truth that is written about Messiah, so they would not be deceived by false teachings.  It would be easy to believe since God is love, there is nothing else required for humanity to do; however, there is the matter of believing in the work of Christ as our sin sacrifice. As well, there is the matter of listening to the Spirit of Truth for the purpose of making us holy.  We live in a fallen world that rejects Christ.  Scripture identifies the rising of the evil Anti-Christ in end times who deceive the very elect of God. Jesus prayed to the Father for his disciples, “Father, I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth” (John 17:15-19).

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 10, 2019

Luke 18:31-34 The Message (MSG)

Today is the thirty-first day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God. We must want to be taken deeper into God’s thoughts in order to better understand his heart and plan for us.  Understanding God’s ways can sometimes be a challenge; our minds are not conditioned to think the way our Heavenly Father thinks. God’s Word is given to challenge and guide our thinking, so we can gain a bigger picture of our God.  “What is impossible with people is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).  This is a Truth we must never forget.  The disciples were always struggling to understand the literal words of Messiah.  He had to speak to them again and again and again.  Christ was trying to reveal to them something prophetic and spiritual and they were stuck trying to process information in their souls—minds, wills, emotions. Sometimes Christ had to take them away from the crowds; take them aside for the purpose of bringing clarity.  Even then, the disciples did not always get the message until it manifest later in the natural realm. I am so grateful Father God is patient with his children; with me!  Learning the ways of faith in God is hard work that requires our devotion to understand and apply Truth.  The Good News is God never gives up on getting Truth to us.  Are you sometimes tempted to give up the quest for more of God, because you feel uncertain in your thinking when reading the Word?  

In our passage today, Jesus is trying to tell the disciples about his upcoming death.  They could not grasp how what Jesus was saying to them could be even possible.  Just like the disciples, we need the work of the Spirit to help us understand the depths of God’s love and the work of Truth in our lives.  We will never allow ourselves to be taken to the deep places, until we are willing to trust the Lord with our whole lives.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Prov 3:5-6). Keep reading the Word of God and ask the Spirit to impart Truth to your heart. God wants to get it to you.

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 9, 2019

Psalm 20 New Life Version (NLV)

Today is the thirtieth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God.  As we draw closer to God’s heart, we are able to rest in his power. Have you ever found yourself on the verge of a meltdown? You are overwhelmed.  This is when life leaves your faith stretched, emotions raveled, and an inner awareness that you have no ability to sustain yourself.  This is a time of change and you are too weak to embrace it.  My friends, God is our Strength.  During those times, we must trust God and resist acting in fear, because God has promised to be our wisdom, power, and strength (Isaiah 12:2).  If you know King Jesus, you never face a day alone.  The Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy; the King abides in the Kingdom that is within you.  Every day seems to bring some form of approaching change, so as the day plays out will you place your trust in God’s Strength?

David prayed for God to keep his people safe.  He knew the true strength of a nation was found not in military might, but in the worship of Yahweh who was their Strength.  We, too, must place our trust and confidence in God. We were created to be worshippers of Yahweh—the One True God.  He alone can honor the desire of our hearts and make our lives victorious. His strength never fails.

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 8, 2019

Hebrews 10:19-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

Today is the twenty-ninth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God.  Scripture teaches spiritual struggles will be a part of the Last Days before Christ comes for us. We face struggles now and we will face struggles in the future.  Therefore, we must persevere, because we cannot allow the enemy to rob us of our faithful walk with Christ. Do you know what helps Christ’s followers overcome the struggles?  Meeting together in worship, because there we grow in our relationship with God, we can share our faith, draw upon the faith of others, motivate one another, and receive help when we need it most.  Where two or more are gathered in his name, he is in our midst (Mat 18:20).  Jesus is our High Priest and he makes a way for us to connect and remain strong and vigilant.  Do you realize the great value of meeting with other believers in praise and worship? 

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 6, 2019

John 11:45-53 The Message (MSG)

Today is the twenty-eighth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God. People have the freedom to go in two entirely different spiritual directions each day. We can choose to look for God’s presence and grace guiding us along the paths of righteousness, or we can choose to guide our own self-serving paths. God allows us to make the choice. Now, when we choose to yield our lives to God, the Spirit reveals God-Signs to us along the way. It’s like being guided by little symbolic spiritual hugs of assurance for our faith. As we pray and ask for God’s grace, we may see details being brought together or connected to help us while facing challenges or concerns. These are moments of revelation that God is taking care of us. Every day as you pray and ask for a Kingdom heart, do you also expect the Spirit to reveal God-Signs that help you follow and grow in your belief and faith in the saving work of God’s Son? 

In our passage today, Jesus has just resurrected and restored Lazarus. As a result of this miracle, many people were turning to believe in Jesus as the Son of God—the Messiah. Talk about a huge God-Sign! You would think that would be a hard God-Sign to miss, right? It depends on the heart. The hearts of the Pharisees and chief priests were bent on self-serving power. They wanted power over the people; rather than to help God’s people yield and grow under the rule of God. Yet, God used even the hardness and the selfishness of their hearts to bring his will to pass. In fact, he even put the words he wanted spoken in Caiaphas’ mouth in order to save the world. Our lives will move in the direction of our hearts. Choose to believe in the Son of God as the greatest God-Sign of all times!

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart. P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield. May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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April 5, 2019

Psalm 126 The Message (MSG)

Today is the twenty-seventh day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.”  Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God.  God is always able to bring something good out of something difficult.  As believers pray and seek the heart of God, we know we are seeking the heart of the Healer.   How big is your God?   God restores and heals spiritual drought, wounded emotions, infirm physical bodies, fractured relationships, etc.; anything that can be injured God desires to restore and make whole once again. Restoration flows from God’s goodness; a goodness that is evident to believers, as well as non-believers. Grace and favor is a part of every believer’s spiritual garments. When God miraculously works in restorative and healing ways, people who were previously burdened and downcast are suddenly filled with great joy and hope. It is evident that something “suddenly” changed.  We sow our disappointments and look for God to use it for our good; as we yield to God’s plan for our lives he has promised to bring an abundant harvest of his goodness to the forefront of our lives. When our hearts are focused on the Kingdom, we guide others to experience the Healer during times of difficulty, too. Are you quick to pray with others and help them connect with the Healer?

In our passage today, the psalmist remembers God’s past healing work with faith and hope as he prays for God to heal Israel, again.  God brought restoration in the past when he brought his people back from the exodus and exile.  Biblical history demonstrates God’s desire to restore Israel time and time again.  He desires to restore every one of his children. It may seem hard to understand, but God wants great things for you and you must be whole to receive them!  Be healed in Jesus’ name!

During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart.  P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield.  May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.

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