Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: I so appreciate it when people are courteous [show polite behavior] to me and others around me. Showing respect or being courteous as we encounter other people should be something adult human beings have already mastered; it should be a fundamental start in childhood development that is matured in us as we grow into adulthood. Every human being has been given life [created] by the Creator. Yet, as much as we may share in common, we have no clue about the environment in which a person has been raised or what he or she is enduring in their personal lives. Therefore, our default behavior, as believers, should be to treat others the way we would want to be treated (Mat 7:12). But is extending courtesy or respect to others—no matter how they treat us—enough for those who represent Christ and the love of God?

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica [and all believers] to encourage faith as they [and we] endure wrongful persecution from others. Paul exhorts the faith and strength of character these Thessalonians have demonstrated; yet, he takes things a bit further to challenge them in their love walk. Courtesy can be taught human-to-human, but the measure of love God requires through the action of his children demands a connection to Christ!

A dear friend sent me an article and true story the other day about a Palestinian man [Don Shachar] who, as a 12 y/o child, ran away from his father and his home in Gaza to Israel, because he was being indoctrinate with hatred for the Jews and he did not understand the mindset. This man [thirty-six years later] is now speaking out, because he has tasted and knows the love of God in his new homeland of Israel. I will share just a paragraph from his story, but he shares a great deal more about his life of abuse from his biological father, family, and homeland: “They told us at school, ‘It’s a great commandment to kill Jews because they took your land, and you will fight until the last drop of blood to regain the land.’ After I ran away, I started working in security and later in construction in Israel. I worked in that industry for several years. The place where I worked was a neighborhood of villas in the final stages of construction. One day, a Jewish man came. I greeted him, and he asked me where my father was. I told him I didn’t have a father. He went home and came back with hot soup, food, clothes, games, a stereo system, and a cassette of a famous singer in Israel. I connected with him.’” In the article, it appears this man later became Don’s adopted father.

Jesus reminds us God’s love must spill out of our lives into the lives of others. The gospel is not just to be read; it is to be lived out. Being courteous or polite to others is good; however, showing love to our enemies requires the supernatural strength and forgiveness of God. Jesus said it this way, “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27-28). The gospel takes us to a much deeper place of living than simply extending courtesy. May we listen!

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 NLT
6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. 8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our lesson, today, and the conviction we experience knowing we need more of your love operating in our lives. We pray for the supernatural love of Christ to fill us and the work of the Spirit to lead us into opportunities of revelation and service in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: God is great! As the Eternal King, he has absolute rule over all things, endless resources to release by his goodness, and unmatched power as he sustains all of creation. There are so many ways for us to proclaim to the world that our God is great! It isn’t a difficult proclamation; to know God is to taste his greatness and goodness.

When I was a small child, I learned a prayer about the greatness of God: “God is great! God is good! And we thank him for our food. By his hands we all are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread!” As simple as that prayer is, it proclaims great faith in our Great God! He alone is the Provider and Savior!

In our passage today, David asks God to respond quickly to his cry for help. He boldly prays for the evil plans of his enemies to fail. However, even in his desperate need, David does not forget to praise and magnify God’s greatness.

We should always be praising God as we place our petitions and needs before him. Praise helps us remember who God is and how good he is to love us and care for us. David is most assuredly having to fight fear as he prays and asks God for help, so he takes time to offer praise so it touches his soul with confidence. May we overflow in praise, today, because no matter what we may face…God is great!

Psalm 70 NLT For the choir director: A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.
1 
Please, God, rescue me!
    Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
2 
May those who try to kill me
    be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who take delight in my trouble
    be turned back in disgrace.
3 
Let them be horrified by their shame,
    for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”
4 
But may all who search for you
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “God is great!”
5 
But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    please hurry to my aid, O God.
You are my helper and my savior;
    O Lord, do not delay.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for always being there to answer our desperate cries for help. Help us to magnify you and minimize our struggles. Holy Spirit, put praise on our lips today as we invite the joy of our salvation to rise up within us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: I have no doubt we have all shouted in the midst of chaos or an argument. However, do you shout when you experience a great spiritual victory or answer to prayer? The Hebrew word for shout is ר֫וּעַ [rua or roo-ah’] and can be described as the following: A shout commands the believer’s victory. It stills or silences the enemy. This kind of praise is a battle cry; a cry of victory. This is the word used when the Israelites shouted and the walls of Jericho came down. A praise shout is a weapon of spiritual warfare.

In our worship times, does the Spirit motivate you to sing, clap your hands, shout with joy, or dance to our Lord’s honor and glory? If not, is it because you see those things as irreverent or inappropriate in a worship service setting? Scripture is very clear there is a place for singing, clapping, shouting, and dancing in worship, because it is the Lord who brings victory to our lives. The psalmists were worship leaders and they were positioned and called by God to lead His people into a deeper place of worship with the Lord. Here are just of view examples of how the psalmists led God’s people:

Psalm 27:6, “Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At His sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.”
Psalm 32:11, “So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!”
Psalm 33:3, “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”
Psalm 47:1, “Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!”
Psalm 66:1–2, “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!”
Psalm 71:23, “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.”

So, today, “Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with a joyful praise!”(Psalm 48:1). Jesus has already overcome evil in his goodness and he fights our battles as we trust and worship him; so, every day is a day to clap our hands and shout to God with a voice of victory!

Joshua 6:12-16 NLT
12 Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests again carried the Ark of the Lord. 13 The seven priests with the rams’ horns marched in front of the Ark of the Lord, blowing their horns. Again the armed men marched both in front of the priests with the horns and behind the Ark of the Lord. All this time the priests were blowing their horns. 14 On the second day they again marched around the town once and returned to the camp. They followed this pattern for six days.

15 On the seventh day the Israelites got up at dawn and marched around the town as they had done before. But this time they went around the town seven times. 16 The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the town!

Prayer: Lord, there are many things in the Spirit we do not understand, but your Word gives us glimpses and opens our eyes to a greater measure of truth. There are times for us to be silent before you and times to clap and shout. So, today, hear our applause for you and our shouts of joy for all you do in our lives each day. Hear them and know we are honored to bring you the worship you deserve the way you desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: God continuously moved to show his miraculous power in leading Israel toward His promises, so Joshua knew this next adventure into Canaan would reveal the supernatural work of God, as well. For example, the military strategy God uses for the battle of Jericho is peculiar: He orders the priests to march around the town with the Ark, seven priests blowing horns, and the military honor guard leading the way in order to keep them all silently focused on God. Can you imagine that line up being a strategy? Well, that is how God chose to lead Israel into this battle.

The people of Jericho must have viewed this all as very odd and a bit terrifying. They not only watched Israel march around their town for one day; they watched Israel encircle them for six days. None of this would make sense to the natural mind, so God must have placed great courage and endurance within his people for them to obediently follow these instructions. Every day they looked at the tremendous walls of the city; walls they knew they could never penetrate on their own.

Are you facing some walls that are intimidating you? Perhaps the battle is God’s and not yours and He wants to show you His power. So, the marching order are: focus on God, follow God’s instructions, reach for courage, and hang onto your endurance. God is faithful!

Joshua 6:6-11 NLT
6 So Joshua called together the priests and said, “Take up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and assign seven priests to walk in front of it, each carrying a ram’s horn.” 7 Then he gave orders to the people: “March around the town, and the armed men will lead the way in front of the Ark of the Lord.”

8 After Joshua spoke to the people, the seven priests with the rams’ horns started marching in the presence of the Lord, blowing the horns as they marched. And the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant followed behind them. 9 Some of the armed men marched in front of the priests with the horns and some behind the Ark, with the priests continually blowing the horns. 10 “Do not shout; do not even talk,” Joshua commanded. “Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 11 So the Ark of the Lord was carried around the town once that day, and then everyone returned to spend the night in the camp.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being faithful in your love and steadfast to fight evil in our behalf. Each day brings some form of battle and we are so grateful to have you in our lives. Keep us focused on you and obey even when we do not always understand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The Old Testament can be very difficult to read at times, because the situations involving people and God may seem cruel and unethical to our natural minds. So, in the writings of Moses [Torah], let’s remember there are many symbolic and spiritual layers to every biblical story, because we cannot comprehend the mind of God. We tend to focus on the physical aspect of things more than the theological aspect of what God is trying to reveal to us in His Word about His character and holiness. Scripture is the self-revelation of God to His human creation; God is trying to help human beings grow in understanding so we can worship Him as Spirit and Truth (John 4:24).

In our passage today, God instructs Joshua [Yehoshua] to prepare the people of Israel for a spiritual battle. We must remember God is commanding the obedience and unmilitary actions of Israel. This is not something Israel has plotted to do, but rather what God—their Life-Leader—intends to do as He fights for Israel against sin and wickedness.

In order for God to be present with his people, evil has to be destroyed. Unfortunately, for generations, the Canaanites have chosen to invest themselves in sinful living: idolatry, child sacrifice, adultery, incest, murder, and other oppressive actions. So, God chooses to fight evil by bringing His justice to their wickedness. We must never forget the world is God’s vineyard and the seeds of wickedness humanity sows will produce a harvest that God will judge.

The instructions Joshua receives for Israel are very specific and theologically focused. We see the symbolism that resembles Creation with six days of God’s work and on the 7th day with the blowing of the ram’s horn [sounding the Sabbath rest]. To stir further thought about biblical symbolism, the blowing of a ram’s horn [shofar] can be symbolic of many things: announcing the coronation of the King, moving people toward repentance, reminiscent of God’s revelation for humanity to follow His Word/Commands, summoning people to return to the service of God and neighbor, calling for Israel’s renewed freedom in fellowship with God, reminiscent of the ram who took Issac’s place, the calling of humility before God, and Judgement Day. So when God calls his priests to blow the ram’s horn as they walked around the town once a day for six days, it can actually be symbolic of all of the above, because it calls God’s people to a place of worshiping in Spirit and Truth.

For the next few days we will read about the Fall of Jericho and seek to focus on the theological aspects of God’s story. For today, please focus on the fact that Canaan is already a defeated foe because it has abandoned allegiance to God. Canaan chose sin. As Christians, we face a defeated foe—satan—because Christ has already won the victory over evil and sin. Therefore, today, shout in a voice of triumph, because nothing satan tries to do can rob you of your salvation in the Lord! You are a mighty conqueror in Christ!

Joshua 6:1-5 NLT The Fall of Jericho
1 Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. 2 But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. 3 You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. 4 Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark [signifying God’s presence and a spiritual battle], each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. 5 When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many lessons throughout Scripture to help us better understand your nature and plan for the world. Help us to walk in obedience to your word and look for the victory only you can bring our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro:
As I watch the news about the ground operations in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces—the military of the State of Israel comprised of Jews, Christians, and Muslims—there is a progressive plan of action being taken to accomplish its objective: “To preserve the State of Israel, to protect its independence, and to foil attempts by its enemies to disrupt the normal life within it.” Israel has faced years of evil attacks from oppressors sent by the freedom thief—Satan. I pray for the peace of Israel, Palestine, and the world; however, I know peace will only come through a divine act of God. Every war has to do with sin against God and others. Therefore, every attempt at securing lasting peace apart from the eternal Christ—the Prince of Peace—is temporary.

In our passage today, the psalmist sings a prayer of lament; he desires for God to liberate His people from their evil oppressors. Israel needs hope during a time of discouragement and light for the path they must follow. So, the psalmist seeks to turn the people’s attention away from their troubles and onto God who is the only true Rescuer who can bring restoration and vindication.

Psalm 43 NLT
1 
Declare me innocent, O God!
    Defend me against these ungodly people.
    Rescue me from these unjust liars.
2 
For you are God, my only safe haven.
    Why have you tossed me aside?
Why must I wander around in grief,
    oppressed by my enemies?
3 
Send out your light and your truth;
    let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
    to the place where you live.
4 
There I will go to the altar of God,
    to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp,
    O God, my God!
5 
Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending divine help to rescue us from evil. Be the support and strength Israel needs; please provide protection for all your people called by your name. Forgive us and save us from sin and self-destruction. We pray for all hearts to turn toward you and recognize humanity’s desperate need for redemption. May your love and mercy bring light in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Because of sin, this world is a very difficult place to live—creation needs the redeeming grace of Almighty God. There are two spiritual leaders active in the world looking for followers: Jesus the Holy One and satan the evil one. Based on the spiritual leader chosen, human flesh will respond to this unholy or debaucherous environment in one of two ways: 1) Submit to God and resist evil’s temptation, or 2) Submit to evil and reject God. There are really only two options and it becomes more and more clear every day. Faith works through a God-centered love and submission to the Holy Spirit. Fear works through a self-centered love and submission to evil desires hiding in the flesh. We are commanded to walk by faith and not by fear, so we can receive God’s strength and power for our weaknesses (Joshua 1:9).

In our passage today, by God’s decree, Joshua [Yehoshua] has become Moses’ successor and will begin to lead Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land of Canaan. Although Joshua has faithfully been in the service of God, he has a new role as “the leader.” To be successful in this new responsibility, Joshua must think, speak, and live the Word of God. The Word has been given to instruct and help people understand who God is and who we are to become.

God knows all things, so He is aware of the satanic fear that will try to dissuade Joshua and the people. Remember, it was fear that stopped Israel from crossing over into the Promised Land forty years earlier. God wanted to lavish is love and provision upon Israel, but they were too afraid to do what it would take to receive it. So, three times in our passage God reminds Joshua he must be strong and courageous as an example for the people.

The land of Canaan is symbolic of everything we have received in Jesus [Yeshua] our Leader. We must be strong and courageous in Jesus as we fight our many battles to live in the blessing of God—a life of victory as believers. God has blessings for us every single day, but we must be willing to do what it takes—be strong and courageous—and overcome evil with good as we place our faith in “the Leader.” Do not allow yourself to become discouraged or afraid. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and he will establish you in his blessing and care (Pro 3:5-6).

Joshua 1:6-11 NLT The Lord’s Charge to Joshua
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua’s Charge to the Israelites
10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Prayer: Lord, life is filled with an unholy and oppressive pressure that can lead us to a place of fear rather than faith and trust. So, today, please guide us into the truth of your provision and help us to rest in what you have promised. Give us your strength and help us to submit ourselves to your care in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Recently, I had a discussion with a friend about the word “commitment.” Every conversation I have had with others about commitment ends up revealing some very different ideas or interpretations. Some people have use words like love, devotion, or faithfulness in their interpretation of “commitment.” Others have used words like promise or loyalty. How would you define the word “commitment?”

In order to understand the biblical meaning of the word “commitment,” we must also look at the Hebrew word “khesed” [love] because these two words are bound together and describe God’s character perfectly. Listen to what God is like and how He describes Himself in Scripture: “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty (Exodus 34:6).

God’s love is not conditional; He IS love and He is merciful, generous, and deeply committed to us. As members of God’s family—who we are—we are to become reflections of God’s loyal love or khesed. Our sense of worth and value is built on God’s loyal love for us. Thus, the destiny before us is to become like Christ—loyal love incarnate—and one day, we will be just like him! God has already made the commitment.

1 John 3:1-3 VOICE
1 Consider the kind of extravagant love the Father has lavished on us—He calls us children of God! It’s true; we are His beloved children. And in the same way the world didn’t recognize Him, the world does not recognize us either.

2 My loved ones, we have been adopted into God’s family; and we are officially His children now. The full picture of our destiny is not yet clear, but we know this much: when Jesus appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him just as He is. 3 All those who focus their hopes on Him and His coming seek to purify themselves just as He is pure.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your commitment and loyal love. As we receive Your love and allow it to grow in us, we realize our true sense of worth to You. Help us to remain committed to Your pure love while we wait for Your return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Through our worship and Bible study lessons, as well as our daily devotionals, we have been looking at the power of faith expressed through genuine love. I have always gained greater knowledge with understanding from visual illustrations; it makes the things being explained more clear for me. So, when Scripture offers me an illustration that can paint a mental picture of faith and love for me, I am able to grab ahold of what is being explained. Did you know genuine faith in Christ works to offer visual illustrations of God’s love?

As a spiritual person being recreated in the image of Christ, how important are your actions? Well, if we are going to be the Chosen—a people of faith—we must put our faith into action in order to reveal the indwelling Christ. This is who we are…the people who have chosen to reveal the presence and character of our living Lord. Jesus is the Living Word of God.

In our passage today, James reminds the early church about doing more than talking about faith; they must illustrate their love for God and their love for others. To put our passage into context, the early Jewish believers in Christ thought it was enough to honor their religious practices and traditions. James wanted them to know it was not their Jewishness that brought them salvation; rather it was their faith in God through acts of loving service. Otherwise, faith is really useless—not going to fulfill God’s expected purpose.

James uses the illustration that our spiritual gifts are not to be separated from our acts of faith. For example, one believer might have a strong gift of faith [trust in God], another believer might have a strong gift of service [mission work], while yet another believer has a strong gift of proclamation [teaching and preaching]. Does that mean the preacher or teacher of faith does not have to share in works of service? Absolutely not; clearly, every believer needs to be illustrating God’s love for the world in tangible ways [works] of service every day. Jesus did and we must!

James 2:14-19 VOICE
14 Brothers and sisters, it doesn’t make any sense to say you have faith and act in a way that denies that faith. Mere talk never gets you very far, and a commitment to Jesus only in words will not save you. 15 It would be like seeing a brother or sister without any clothes out in the cold and begging for food, and 16 saying, “Shalom, friend, you should get inside where it’s warm and eat something,” but doing nothing about his needs—leaving him cold and alone on the street. What good would your words alone do? 17 The same is true with faith. Without actions, faith is useless. By itself, it’s as good as dead. 18 I know what you’re thinking: “OK, you have faith. And I have actions. Now let’s see your faith without works, and I’ll show you a faith that works.”

19 Do you think that just believing there’s one God is going to get you anywhere? The demons believe that, too, and it terrifies them!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the illustrations your Word offers for our lives. We can understand and know your character by spending time reading how you lived and what is important to you. We thank you for our gifts and for the grace and power to operate in them. Help us to use and partner them with acts of love for others each day. You are living within us and are wanting to reach the world around us. May we allow you the honor you are due by obeying and living your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.