Pastor Mary Haley

Daily Reading 11-1-16

Luke 6:20b, 31 New Living Translation (NLT)

I like simple or elementary ideas and tasks.  Do you like it when things are simple to understand or do?  You don’t have to spend a long time thinking about how to accomplish the task, because it is not complicated. When something is simple to understand and do, we should have no trouble doing it, right?

I have shortened our passage today to one verse in order to keep it simple, but as uncomplicated as the verse truly is to understand, every human being has difficulty consistently applying it to his or her life.  

Read more

Daily Reading 10-31-16

Psalm 32:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

Have you ever wanted to do something for someone so badly, but you realized you needed to wait until that person allowed it?  Well, I believe that is how God feels sometimes about our sin.  He desperately wants to forgive us, but we have to confess our sin.  When we confess our sin, we are actually agreeing with God.  We are telling God he is right and we have been wrong.

In our passage today, David found joy when he finally confessed his sin to God; he got into agreement and the weight of sin fell away.

Read more

Daily Reading 10-28-16

2 Peter 1:3-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Through the years, people have made some great promises to me and have delivered them; a tremendous blessing in my life.  God makes promises to His children, too.  His promises are associated with giving us the ability to share in His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption.  Talk about some great promises!  Since we cannot turn on news broadcasts without hearing the word “corruption,” God’s promises sound like something we all need.  Amen?

Read more

Daily Reading 10-27-16

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Life is full of opportunities to share our stories with others.  We may share our life lessons of success or we may share our life lessons of loss and failure.  Every lesson is important.  But, did you know when we suffer or face troubles, God comes to comfort us?  Scripture tells us God comes to shower us with his comfort.  What a shower of blessing!  And here’s an important lesson to be gained about God’s comfort.  He brings it so we will turn and share our lessons of comfort with others.  People around us may be hurting; let’s share the comfort through Christ.

Read more

Daily Reading 10-26-16

Matthew 21:28-32 New Living Translation (NLT)

Today’s passage is one of my favorite parables shared by Jesus.  It reminds me of how off track we can get with what God is really asking of us.  God desires that we might go into the world and share the Truth of His love with others; to share that when we repent of our sin Christ is faithful to forgive us.  As believers we vow, “I will go!”  But, do we?  We must believe AND follow.  Let’s remember to obey our Father.

Read more

Daily Reading 10-24-16

1 Peter 5:5-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Every day most of us dress ourselves and go out into the world.  Depending upon where we go, our physical clothing changes.  Did you know there is some spiritual clothing that is always appropriate and pleases God?  In fact, this spiritual clothing is perfect for wherever we go.   What is the appropriate spiritual clothing that is attractive to God?  Humility.

Read more

Daily Reading 10-21-16

2 Timothy 3:10-15 New Living Translation (NLT)

Some of us reading this devotional today were taught the Scriptures by our parents or grandparents. They passed down what they knew to be true about the love of God for the world. That is the case with Timothy. He was taught the Scriptures (which would have been portions of the Old Testament) by his mother and grandmother long before he met the Apostle Paul who taught him that Jesus was the fulfillment of everything he had learned from his family.

Read more

Daily Reading 10-20-16

2 Timothy 3:1-9  New Living Translation (NLT)

How would you describe godliness?  What behaviors would be consistent with a godly person?  Would it be attending church services, quoting Scripture, and practicing religious traditions?  All Scripture teaches that godliness is consistent with the character of Jesus Christ who is Truth.  The Holy Spirit brings forth love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, thoughtfulness, and self-control.  Devotion to Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit is the only way to grow in godly character.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy that in the last days godlessness not godliness would be advancing.  In fact, Paul describes future societies and cultures driven by godlessness.  In the last days, even people who identify themselves as Christians will deny the power that could make them godly.  That means the Holy Spirit is grieved or quenched and not welcome to make even professing Christians holy and set apart from the world.

Read more

Daily Reading 10-19-16

Luke 22:39-46 The Message (MSG)

As you and I are willing to turn our wills over to God and invite His will to rule and reign over our lives, we will need greater strength to remain faithful. Surrendering to God is an act that radiates great light and darkness doesn’t like it.  Temptation comes. The enemy always wants us to get discouraged and feel like God’s will is going to fail to provide something even better for our lives than what we want for ourselves. Darkness lurks to rob us of something supernatural.  When we need help fulfilling God’s will, we gain access to the help of heaven.  How do I know?  Jesus received angelic help when he needed it the most and in Christ we will too when we ask. 

It was a dark night for Jesus.  His friends abandoned him.  He had to surrender to the will of the Father and it was hard for him.  The Father knew it would not be easy, so He sent the angels to Christ’s side to strengthen him.  I love the image of God’s provision that bursts in my mind as I read our passage for today!

Read more

Daily Reading 10-18-16

James 5:7-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

I trust God and believe he has everything under control in his world. Sometimes it feels like certain things are charging toward a very unstable state, but that’s when we must pray the hardest and resist the temptation to get caught up with all the negativity and grumbling.  I have chosen to be a follower of Christ (a follower of the Word) and my “yes” must remain fervent in spite of opposition. Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he/she will keep my Word” (John 14:23). So, I will remain patient, but I do get excited when I think about Christ’s return.  What a celebration that will be! 

Patience and Endurance

7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your Word that brings encouragement and direction.  Help me to remain patient and courageous while waiting for Jesus to return.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.