Pastor Mary Haley

“Strange isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around,
it leaves an awful hole, doesn’t it?
—Clarence, the angel

For our Advent devotions—the next 25 days—I have chosen to partner them with the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In my opinion, the movie is a classic. The story helps us better understand God’s redemptive process, the struggle of the flesh, as well as reveals how easily we can become blinded to what actually makes a “rich” life.

The setting is Upstate New York during the first half of the 20th century. Bedford Falls—a fictional town—faces a drastic economic change during the Great Depression which is followed by the United State’s entry into WWII. Risk and persecution surround George; however, he keeps pressing on. Then, by no fault of his own, George’s business comes up $8000 short—landing him in a financial crisis that threatens the ruin of his business, home, and reputation. He struggles to hold onto his hope for a positive future. Have you experienced broken hope?

On Christmas Eve, we meet George Bailey who is now overcome with despair. He contemplates jumping off a bridge into the freezing cold water below. While George is thinking about suicide, a guardian angel named Clarence Odbody, jumps into the water and cries for help. George is unsettled and confused, but jumps in to save him. Even after meeting Clarence and hearing that God sent him, George still wishes he had never been born.

It is then Clarence shows George what life would have been like without him. Without George around, evil would have more power. Clarence wants to see George restored to wholeness, so he reveals the Truth to him about how his life matters in God’s creation.

You matter; we all matter, because we can make a difference in the lives of others. Sometimes, it is easy to feel small and insignificant or that our troubles will never end, but that is not the Truth. You are precious to God.

OT Reading: Psalm 119:13-14 NLT  “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”

NT Reading: Ephesians 2:10 NLT “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Prayer: Father, thank you for the truth that we gain from your Word and our lesson today from Capra’s story about George Bailey. Evil always seeks to make human quitters, but you came to make us more than conquerors. In the best of times and in the worst of times, our lives have value and can make a difference for the advancement of righteousness. We are interconnected in ways we cannot fully comprehend. So, please help us grab ahold of biblical hope and live for Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 27, 2025

Thanksgiving Observance [Author Unknown]

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Psalm 100 VOICE

1 

Raise your voices;
    make a beautiful noise to the Eternal, all the earth.

2 

Serve the Eternal gladly;
    enter into His presence singing songs of joy!

3 

Know this: the Eternal One Himself is the True God.
    He is the One who made us;
    we have not made ourselves;
    we are His people, like sheep grazing in His fields.

4 

Go through His gates, giving thanks;
    walk through His courts, giving praise.
    Offer Him your gratitude and praise His holy name.

5 

Because the Eternal is good,
    His loyal love and mercy will never end,
    and His truth will last throughout all generations.

Prayer:  Lord, today, we pray for the whole world to wake up and bow before your sacred Presence in honor and with thanksgiving.  As your sons and daughters gather and bow to give you thanks, please fill us with joy unspeakable.  Your love and faithfulness leads us forward in confident hope even in the midst of challenges.  We praise you for your goodness toward us and thank you for grace.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

NOTE: I will be sharing our Advent devotions, starting Monday. Blessings!

Delays have become a part of life and we might as well accept it. To name a few, we experience delays when traveling, attending scheduled appointments, or working with technology. Human beings do not graciously welcome delays even if they are connected to positive outcomes. Only the Spirit can develop patience within and produce self-control in us, because our human inclination is to hunger for immediate gratification.

Immediate gratification is all about desire and satisfaction. Our brains want satisfaction now, because otherwise we are uncomfortable. We are inclined to sacrifice what is greater in the future, for something that is immediately before us. For example, we may be willing to put on credit what we know we cannot afford, because we want it now.

Although sometimes God allows certain delays in order to help us grow and develop in the fruit of the Spirit, he never delays in affirming his love for us. We cannot be separated from God’s love. Paul reminds us of this promise, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Ro 8:38).

This week, as we approach Thanksgiving Day, let us remember there are many reasons to praise the Lord; to proclaim our gratitude and give him thanks. I am so grateful for God’s deep and abiding love; a love that never lets us go and never fails us. We can so quickly wander from our secure connection with Christ, because the world is always luring God’s people to reach for that which is tangible—immediate gratification. However, God has promised us a reward in the future that is unimaginable (1 Cor 2:9). If we have to surrender something today—or delay our gratification because the timing is not right—then, we must place our faith and confident trust in the Truth that God never withholds any good thing from us. In time, God’s goodness and blessing will manifest.

Psalm 117 NLT

1
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
    Praise him, all you people of the earth.
2 
For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
    the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, help us to increase in the fruit of patience, so we can hold out for the promise you have made to us. We know our future will be glorious and whatever we sacrifice today, you will make up for it in the days ahead. In the meantime, we want to thank you for your unfailing love and faithfulness. These are two amazing gifts for which we are truly grateful. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yesterday, in our worship service, we focused on God’s sovereignty as Creator; the owner of heaven and earth and everything in it. Think about it this way, God owns everything and our gratitude should constantly be focused toward Him. A spirit of thanksgiving must permeate believers.

We discussed how believers are no longer their own; we belong to God. Because of Jesus, our identity’s have been changed. We have been bought with the blood of Christ and our bodies are now temples of God. We are sons and daughters of the Most High. Therefore, how we live our lives needs to conform to God’s righteous standard if we are claiming to be his worshipers.

In our passage from the psalter today, we are reminded about the coming of the King of Glory—the Creator and Sovereign who is the object of our worship. As human beings covered by the blood of Jesus, we can now ascend to enjoy a vibrant and grace-provided relationship with God. We can worship him in Spirit and in Truth [Christ].

We must focus on Christ vs. ourselves. We came into this world with nothing and we leave with nothing. Our hands are empty and our souls have NO pockets. John Wesley put it this way, “When the Possessor of heaven and earth brought you into being, and placed you in this world, he placed you here not as a proprietor, but a steward.”

So, as stewards, we must manage resources God’s way, for God’s purposes, and for God’s glory. We are wise to hold things loosely. I’ve certainly learned that lesson this past year. We must learn to serve God with open hands and we choose to invest all things wisely to benefit the King and his Kingdom. So, this reality leads us back to remember, God owns it all!

It reminds me of a poem written by Martha Snell Nicholson—
One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth’s highways, grieving,
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
“Lift those empty hands to Me!”
So I held my hands toward Heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches
Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!

Psalm 24 NLT A psalm of David.
1 
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
    The world and all its people belong to him.
2 
For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
    and built it on the ocean depths.
3 
Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
4 
Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
    who do not worship idols
    and never tell lies.
5 
They will receive the Lord’s blessing
    and have a right relationship with God their savior.
6 
Such people may seek you
    and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.[a] Interlude
7 
Open up, ancient gates!
    Open up, ancient doors,
    and let the King of glory enter.
8 
Who is the King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty;
    the Lord, invincible in battle.
9 
Open up, ancient gates!
    Open up, ancient doors,
    and let the King of glory enter.
10 
Who is the King of glory?
    The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
    he is the King of glory.

Prayer: Father, as we move forward this week to celebrate Thanksgiving, we know our greatest expression of gratitude belongs to you. Because of our human spiritual poverty, you have chosen to extend the riches of Christ’s inheritance to believers. We thank you for grace and for the love that you have given us. We praise you our precious King of Glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Faith—trust in God—is necessary for living each day with Hope. It is the foundation under everything that makes life worth living (Heb. 11:1-2). Without faith, we cannot gain a proper perspective of life; therefore, it becomes impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Our Creator has made us anew through faith; the gift of grace delivered by faith in Christ is the only way to know God exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Eph. 2:8; Heb 11:6). So, when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we can connect to our Living Hope and live each day in spiritual abundance. Jesus makes us more than conquerors (Ro. 8:31b). If God is guiding our lives, how can we lose?

In our passage today, the Apostle Peter reminds the early scattered believers—throughout the northern areas of Asia Minor—they are to standout in the culture where they live. These Christians were probably expelled from Rome by the evil emperor Nero. The focus of Peter’s letter is to give these early believers a different perspective of faith during times of persecution. Believers are swimming upstream against the cultural current empowered by allegiance to Christ and the Spirit while unbelievers remain spiritually dead and floating downstream wherever their desires take them.

As followers of Christ, we also struggle submitting to injustice and ungodly people-pleasing authority. We feel the tension in our very souls and rise to see things differently. God is our Author and we live under his Authority. There is no need to demand that others see things the way we do; in fact, apart from Christ giving human beings spiritual eyesight, we are all blind to the things of God. People must seek God if they want to know the One who opens the eyes of the blind to provide Truth (Jo. 8:32; Jo. 9:6-7).

Believers in Christ—our Lord and the Living Word—may be seen in our culture as narrow, foolish, or even strange because we choose to view things from a heavenly perspective. Our faithful God deserves our trust; we can place our faith in his care even when we are criticized, persecuted, or struggle to swim against the cultural current. We must rejoice in our ability to live differently in spite of what is going on around us.

Jesus told his disciples [us] the world would be hostile—hate us because it hated him (Jo. 15:18). If the world loves us and we wait to be affirmed by the world, we have lost our Way. When, by faith, we stay on the righteous path while living on earth, we are given divine protection and promised a reserved place in heaven. God is the Deliverer and he will keep us in his will and safe in his care no matter what we may face. Keep the faith and hang onto your HOPE, because the Savior is with you.

1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT The Hope of Eternal Life
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making us strong conquerors in the midst of this raging cultural flood. We stand on solid ground, because you are our Rock and Refuge. We do not need to be afraid nor do we need to lose our way. We have placed our Hope in you, Lord. The Spirit is our guide for daily living and we need to be listening and following along your divinely perceived righteous path. Continue to keep our eyes open and our way clear in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This morning I am thinking about old and new things [furniture, fixtures, etc.] and how each unique piece can come together to create a welcoming environment. Frankly, I tend to have an eclectic [mixing of vintage and modern] decorating taste. Before hurricane Helene and the flooding [cleansing and purging] of our home, I had a variety of diverse pieces of which most were connected to past family members and precious memories. John and I had some new pieces we had purchased during our married life, but all in all it was a mixture of old and new.

Our home is being repaired now and before too long, we will be able to return to it. Because all but a few pieces of furniture were destroyed, I need to think about bedroom sets, a couch, tables and chairs and how they will fit in the house. What do I want? What will feel welcoming and inviting? I have to reach for replacements, but I am a bit excited about it, because I have the ability of starting over. The Spirit of God will lead me to create a new space. It will just be different when John and I, family, friends, and others enter in.

Our Lord has created a new place for us in heaven and a new life-giving way to enjoy God. We need to get really excited about that NEW, because he will return to gather his worshipers. Under the old covenant, a High Priest was able to enter the Holy of holies once a year to make atonement for himself and the people’s sins through a blood sacrifice. This was repeated year after year as a way to cleanse a person of sin. Now, under the new covenant with Christ as our High Priest, believers can enter a sacred place with God at will—the more the merrier and the happier our Father.

In our passage today, the writer of Hebrews speaks of the old vs. the new regarding the Tabernacle, the worship of the Lord, and entering into the sacred place of God’s presence. In Christ, a new way—invitation—to enter has been issued. For believers, God’s judgment of sin is behind us. There is a huge “WELCOME” sign ready to greet us. For those who live in Christ—make him Lord and give him authority—we can enter in any day and time to enjoy fellowship with God. Today, by the sacrifice of Jesus, even while living in this sin-filled world, we can enter in. However, one day the Lord will call us to enjoy his perfectly adorned HOME in heaven not made with human hands. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (2 Cor. 2:9).

Hebrews 9:23-28 NLT
23 That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.

24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. 25 And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. 26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for preparing a place for us in your sacred love; we have become your Temple. We can come boldly to your throne of grace, receive mercy, and enjoy fellowship with you without limit. Thank you for the old covenant of the law that led to an even better new covenant of grace. Behold, you make all things new. We are blessed as your children called by your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Every relationship will need to be guarded, because we will face times of disagreement or even intense arguments.  It is important to be realistic about what we WILL face as two very different personalities making our individual journeys in life. We are unique people no matter how many things we may share in common.  This is true in marriages, friendships, workplace associates, and in church families [just to name a few].  

In our passage today from the Book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul gives us some great advice about how to settle disagreements and arguments. Kindness and grace go together just like compassion and tenderness. So, even in our disagreements, we must agree to remain kind and tender—speaking the truth in love.

So, let’s explore about five ways to put a guard on our thoughts, words, and actions. This will ensure we will not be taken off-guard:

1. Remain committed to the Truth—talk truth through honest and respectful words
2. Remove the words “always” and “never” from your argument—no verbal weapons
3. Resolve conflict at the right time—agree to keep the fight private and under control
4. Reinforce your comments with carefully chosen words—no profanity or nasty disparaging remarks
5. Refresh the relationship with forgiveness—the goal must be to restore the relationship, so forgiveness will always weigh-in on the life of a believer—Christ always forgives us

Years ago, I had a friend who said when he got into a fight with his wife, he always ended the argument with “I was wrong.  You were right.  I’m sorry.  Please forgive me.”  I thought to myself…what a wise man! lol!  There are times we are simply wrong; it should be easy for us to accept and own it.  Otherwise, we have an issue with pride—the area of the flesh where the devil likes to prowl.  Let’s imitate our Lord and learn to relate to one another in love, kindness, and with a tenderhearted spirit.

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 NLT 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful [like a gift], so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own [placed Christ’s seal upon you] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Living in the Light

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for sealing us with the blood of Jesus; we are marked with righteousness and filled with your love.  As we press in to live in a way that glorifies your name, we will put a guard around our thoughts, words, and actions. Holy Spirit, help us to cling to the Truth, control our anger, choose our words carefully, demonstrate respect and honor, and run to ask for forgiveness when necessary.  The enemy is busy trying to destroy relationships while you are seeking to redeem and restore them.  Help us believe the best and love others as you love us.  In Jesus’ name  Amen. 

God is never indifferent to human need. In the Bible, indifference is described as lukewarmness, joylessness, weariness, or a state of spiritual apathy. This can happen when believers become weary in doing good or even by allowing an attitude of hypocrisy to secretly rise up in us—pretending to be righteous while our attitudes and actions contradict our stated beliefs. Satan is clever and he can make us “feel” good about ourselves even though our primary focus may be self-interest rather than God’s purpose.

Frankly, as human beings, we can all too easily wander into indifference. People may walk on the spiritual path of indifference, but God is pure love and he never waivers from the path of righteousness. Rather than getting angry at us, he comes for us to rescue us from indifference. God makes us victorious. For this reason, we should be filled with gratitude and spiritual fervor—enthusiastic devotion to God that is fueled by the Holy Spirit.

In our passage today, the prophet Isaiah leads God’s people into a song of faith and praise. Through Isaiah, God has already given them the Good News of the Son’s arrival. “For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). The child came—birth of Jesus the Son of God fulfilled (Luke 2:10-11). Yet, God reminds his people there are still future prophecies yet to be fulfilled.

Some of those things yet to come, based on Isaiah’s Old Testament prophecy, will be a change in the economy, a change in physical existence, a change in judicial life, and a change in the spiritual world (Isa 9:7; 11:6-9; 40:23; 42:6-7). In the New Testament, there will be a change in evangelism—every tongue will sing God’s praises (Phil 2:11).
Disobedience to God’s covenant caused great suffering in the past and history tends to repeats itself. So, telling others about Jesus, as our awesome Savior, is key in fulfilling God’s purpose for believers to make disciples. The sooner the whole world knows about Jesus, the sooner our Savior returns. Praise the Lord!

Isaiah 12:1-6 NLT Songs of Praise for Salvation
1
In that day you will sing:
    “I will praise you, O Lord!
You were angry with me, but not any more.
    Now you comfort me.
2 
See, God has come to save me.
    I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
    he has given me victory.”
3 
With joy you will drink deeply
    from the fountain of salvation!
4 
In that wonderful day you will sing:
    “Thank the Lord! Praise his name!
Tell the nations what he has done.
    Let them know how mighty he is!
5 
Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things.
    Make known his praise around the world.
6 
Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy!
    For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

Prayer: Lord, praise should come flowing out of your redeemed sons and daughters like an unstoppable fountain. We must make you known to the world and the way to do that is in the power of the Spirit. You live in us and give us the victory; therefore, we can proclaim and live the Truth. Keep us filled with fervor and focus us on your purpose for making disciples. In Jesus’ name. Amen.