Pastor Mary Haley

Daily Reading 7-7-17

Luke 10:21-24 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Although truth is for everyone to discover and receive, we all come to Christ through childlike trust.  Scripture teaches the Lord opposes the proud, so we cannot be full of ourselves and full of Christ.  In our passage today, Jesus demonstrates the importance of thanking God that we have access to Him and for helping us to trust the work of grace in our lives.  

 

If you desire a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Christ, take the humble road, listen to his instructions, pay attention to his actions, and obey him.  It’s a privileged position; to know and be known by Almighty God.

 

 Luke 10:21-24 Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving

21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

 

22 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

 

23 Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”

 

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the privilege of being a participant in your grace.  Keep teaching me and guiding me in your ways.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 7-5-17

Jeremiah 18:1-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

God has granted us freedom in His Son, Jesus Messiah.  Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. God has always existed in freedom; He is free to do His will, because His will is always righteous and just.  

 

In our passage today, we will read about how God is free to remake us into whatever vessel he chooses. He is our Creator; He knows the image into which we are to be made.   Remember, God will only choose good things for us, because He is Love and Light.  There is no darkness in the Lord.  That is why it is so important to allow God as the Potter to remake us into the proper image as His children.   If you believe God only wants good for you, then invite Him to fashion you as He chooses.  It means discipline, but God only disciplines those whom He loves. You are free.  How will you use your freedom?

 

Jeremiah 18:1-11  The Potter and the Clay

18 The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, 2 “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” 3 So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. 4 But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

 

5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6 “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. 7 If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, 8 but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. 9 And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, 10 but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.

11 “Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’”

 

Prayer:  Lord, I want to be made in the image that is right as your daughter.  So, mold me and make me as you have willed.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 7-4-17

 

Happy Independence Day!  In America, we are a free people because we are one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.  How grateful I am to live in the United States and for our military and law enforcement who keep order and maintain mutual respect among its people.  

 

Because of Jesus, we are spiritually free.   We are free to receive the love of God so we may love Him in return and extend love to all people.  We are free from the penalty of sin.  We are free to turn away from practicing sin.  In Christ, we are free to serve one another in His love.  The Spirit makes us free and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.  

 

Take time to thank God for your freedom, because He is the Maker of heaven and earth; He is the One in control. I have chosen to share some Scriptures that highlight freedom.  Enjoy!

 

Luke 4:18-19 NLT

18 

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

    that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

19 

    and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

 

John 8:31-32 NLT

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT)

 

2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

 

Galatians 5:13-14 NLT

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

1 Peter 2:16 ESV

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the freedom you provide. I celebrate the independence you have granted me; but I choose to be fully dependent upon you because you are abundant life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Daily Reading 7-3-17

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12a Living Bible (TLB)

 

I want to thank the leadership of Connect2Christ Church, as well as the membership at large in how they have loved me and my family especially this past year. Loving and caring for my Mom has been and continues to be a great honor; it also consumes much of my time and energy.  Although we are home, I am taking this week to rest and enjoy some time with John as we celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary.  

 

How Christians actively love one another is a big deal with our Father; because Father God is Love.  As His children we are to exemplify His holy character in how we display our love and concern for one another.  We are to be a positive force in society; acting independently in the liberating love the Spirit of the Lord brings us. 

 

In our lesson this morning, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Church at Thessalonica to remind them of the importance of being responsible in every area of life.  It is a developmental journey of allowing the Holy Spirit to make us good examples of how grace and love are operating in our lives. The results should be that others who do not know the love of God, will see it in action and desire a relationship with God, as well.  Every day we should honestly examine our love walk to make sure we are living in the character, integrity, and moral courage provided to us by the Lord.

 

9 But concerning the pure brotherly love that there should be among God’s people, I don’t need to say very much, I’m sure! For God himself is teaching you to love one another. 10 Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christian brothers throughout your whole nation. Even so, dear friends, we beg you to love them more and more. 11 This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before. 12 As a result, people who are not Christians will trust and respect you;

 

Prayer:  Lord, your love is perfect and all consuming.  Help me to love as you love and to be responsible in every area of my life.  Thank you for this time of rest and recuperation.  Thank you for the love of my spiritual family.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Daily Reading 6-30-17

Galatians 5:7-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Since the coming of Christ, humanity has experienced a propensity for choosing a legalistic approach to faith rather than the gospel of grace Christ actually modeled and taught.  Christ modeled the perfect fulfillment of the Law given to Moses by God; therefore, as we live and move and have our being in Christ we will learn how to obey God’s true Word as it is spoken to our hearts.  The Spirit speaks and we listen and obey.  Christ’s followers are not to be burdened by the “job description or code” of how to earn salvation by following the Law in our own strength.  Apart from Christ and the power of his Spirit, we cannot begin to obey.  If we try to make ourselves holy by practicing a do’s and don’ts list, we will fail every time.

 

Either we believe in the work of Christ on the cross to save us from our sins or we do not.  Grace provides forgiveness for our sins when we believe.  The cross is where the truth of grace actually begins; where we begin the training race of faith in the Spirit who brings holiness to human life.   If we are being taught anything other than obedience to the Word in us, we are leaning toward false teaching or legalism.  Christ came to set us free, so we could learn from him as we live life.  How loving is he?  Thank Amazing Grace!

 

In our passage, today, the Apostle Paul continues his letter to the Church at Galatia.  Legalism is an issue and the person teaching it is distorting the gospel. Mary paraphrasing the Apostle, “Come back to the truth and run the race in Christ!”  Blessings for your day…

 

Galatians 5:7-12 Christ Has Set Us Free

7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

 

Prayer: Father, please help me to stay focused on learning, because that is what you have called me to do in my connection to Christ.  Today, I am going to take steps and I want each one to count for your Kingdom.  Thank you for taking my sin, so I may learn from you how to operate in holy love.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Reading 6-29-17

Galatians 5:4-6 The Message (MSG)

 

Over the past few days we have been reminded in our readings to keep Jesus, the Living Word, our first love by inviting the Spirit to teach us how to honor his name.  It is a consistent message we find in the gospels, because Jesus taught his disciples, “If you love me you will obey my commandments” (John 14:15).  In other words, if we have really taken to heart the gospel of grace, we will respond with respect to the Word of the Lord by allowing its authority to bring a change in our thoughts and behavior.  Obedience to God’s Word or Commands is how we are conformed to the image of God’s Love.

 

Today, we will gain a glimpse of what I just mentioned above from a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Galatia reminding them the gospel is not about an exterior practice of a religious system.   Rather, the gospel is a faith-instigated internal obedience to the Word that becomes externally visible in our love walk.  How do you see the authority and work of the Word?  Do you understand and appropriate the power of the gospel of grace?  Pray and ask the Lord to reveal His heart to you regarding this Word, today.

 

4-6 I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.

 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to be quick to obey your Word to my heart, today.  I will recognize my level of obedience by how well I love and extend the fruit of the Spirit, today.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 6-28-17

Psalm 86:11-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

We can all testify to times when we really needed help.  In our passage this morning, the psalmist is reaching out to God in prayer in order to gain help.  What does he want help with?  He wants the Lord to teach him how to honor His name.  Let our prayer today be, “Lord, teach me how to honor your name, today!”  

 

Teach me your ways, O Lord,

    that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

    so that I may honor you.

12 

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.

    I will give glory to your name forever,

13 

for your love for me is very great.

    You have rescued me from the depths of death.

 

Prayer:  Lord, please hear my prayer and teach me anew how to honor your name.  I want to bring glory to you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Daily Reading 6-27-17

Psalm 89:14-18 Living Bible (TLB)

 

Are you aware you need the Lord’s support: A vertical support system?  The Lord is the strength we need in every relationship and in every detail of life.  His ways are righteous and just; it is how He rules.  If we find ourselves dealing with others in an unrighteous, unmerciful, or unjust way, we are not walking in the light of His presence.  In order to reflect his reputation, we must rest on His support system.  Evaluate your ways before the Lord and receive His strength for Life.  He wants to be your King.

 

14-15 Your throne is founded on two strong pillars—the one is Justice and the other Righteousness.  Mercy and Truth walk before you as your attendants. Blessed are those who hear the joyful blast of the trumpet, for they shall walk in the light of your presence. 16 They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation and in your perfect righteousness. 17 You are their strength. What glory! Our power is based on your favor! 18 Yes, our protection is from the Lord himself and he, the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king.

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the solid foundation you place in my soul for your throne in my life.  Help me to walk in righteousness and justice.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 6-26-17

Revelation 2:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

In our reading today, we turn to the Book of Revelation and read a letter to the Church in Ephesus.  Ephesus was surrounded by pagan worshipers; they worshipped the goddess Diana and many people in the community had no fear/respect of the Lord.  Although Christ commends the Church for being faithful with a variety of things, he corrects them for leaving their first Love.  Do you love Jesus today as much as you did when you first met him?

 

Revelation 2:1-7  The Message to the Church in Ephesus

1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

 

2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

 

4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

 

7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

 

Prayer:  Lord, I love you and desire to be a light shining for you in this world.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Daily Reading 5-2-17
1 Peter 2:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)

Scripture teaches we have been given new birth by Christ’s atoning sacrifice for our sins. He has extended mercy and kindness in dying for our sins (the penalty for our sin is death) and our response for this gift of life should be gratitude and surrender. Our new birth means a new beginning and a new way to live; living by the Word of God rather than our feelings and our flesh. Our flesh thrives on doing what makes us feel good; however, that is usually exalting the flesh over the Lord. In order to move beyond infancy, we must be nourished by the Word.


1 Peter 2:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)
2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Prayer: Lord, I am going to spend time every day in your Word; feed me until I can hold no more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.