Pastor Mary Haley

The resurrection of Christ calls us to hold fast to the unshakable truth of God’s love for us. Genuine love always reveals absolute truth. When we truly receive God’s love, we come to know who He is—and, in turn, we discover who we are as His sons and daughters. Christ’s resurrection assures us not only of His victory over death, but also of our own resurrection—both spiritual and physical.

God’s love makes us brand new—something only He can do. This is our spiritual resurrection: being brought from dead living to life in Christ. “Dead” is a life apart from Him, without His presence and power. But now, through Christ, we are alive. We can live victoriously in this newness of life, empowered by the living God within us.

If you are a believer, the power of God is at work in you. He dwells with you and desires what is good, holy, and life-giving for your journey. None of us deserve this pure and perfect love, yet God pours it out freely. Oh, the depths He went to in order to bring us the Good News of salvation! This truth should awaken in us a deep, unshakable joy and a life marked by continual gratitude.

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul reminds the believers in Corinth of the truth they first received—the message of Christ’s death and resurrection. Though some doubted, many eyewitnesses had seen the risen Lord. Paul himself testifies to encountering Christ after the resurrection, reinforcing the certainty of this truth.

In a culture that often becomes divided over titles and status, Paul redirects our focus. Our identity is not rooted in position, but in transformation. Here is who you are in Christ: You are reborn. You are made new. You are a child of God. And you are being led by the Spirit to grow into maturity—becoming a son or daughter who lives in truth, proclaims the gospel, and testifies to the transforming power of God’s love.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 NLT The Resurrection of Christ
1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place [never believed].

3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.

10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 11 So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the favor You pour over our lives as we believe Your truth. Thank You that You are transforming us from glory to glory and inviting us into Your mission in the world. Jesus, You alone make us worthy of this beautiful gift of eternal life. By Your Spirit, fill us with deep assurance of our salvation. Strengthen our faith to believe in the resurrection power that lives within us. Give us courage to testify—to boldly share the hope and salvation You offer, a gift no one should refuse. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you have an unwavering commitment to prayer and the purposes of God? I know many people pray at times, but making a commitment to prayer and the purposes of God is all about voluntarily pursuing and honoring our covenant-keeping God and His Word. I am convinced that if we bring this kind of devotion and spend time lifting all things to God in order to gain His Wisdom and live out the teachings of Christ, we are honoring the servant-life God created for us.

We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1a). In fact, this is our spiritual act of obedience and worship (Romans 12:b). God knows this kind of devotion [being set-apart for service] will lead to sharing His love with others—fulfilling His missional purpose.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul encourages the believers in Colossae to devote themselves to living wisely. This exhortation points to the power of prayer, an alert mindset, and, of course, gratitude for the salvation God has provided. When our words are seasoned with salt [Truth/Love], we gain favor for a righteous response with every individual we encounter—opportunities to share the love of Christ. Remember, people are important to God and they must be to us, as well. Let’s devote ourselves…

Colossians 4:2-6 NLT An Encouragement for Prayer
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive [seasoned w/salt] so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make a steadfast commitment to prayer and Your missional purpose for the world. Guide us as we seek You daily in faith and gratitude. Provide us with the grace and wisdom we need in Christ. Help us to live in a way that reveals Your presence; we offer our lives to You. Help us tame our words and actions to reflect Your heart and open doors for us to share Your love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Lord is alive and desires to lead us through the ever-changing—and often challenging—circumstances of this fallen world. Obviously, we can only do so much in our human strength—we are limited. Yet, this reality does not lead us to despair; instead, it becomes the very foundation of our joy.

In the midst of fragile hope, when life presses in on every side, the Lord’s strength comes to rescue us. We can all relate to seasons where we feel stretched in faith, burdened by the weight of decisions, and weary in the waiting. Delays and struggles are a part of life, but God has promised to provide what we lack in those moments—revealing His strong right arm that brings deliverance and restores joy to our souls. The Lord is working on our behalf, and He is powerful!

As I continue learning about the joy of my salvation, I find myself longing to go deeper. Joy is priceless—it anchors my soul and keeps my focus on God’s faithfulness and His ability to save, sustain, and guide me into His purpose.

Because of God’s love and faithfulness, the Israelites sang songs of joy as they followed Moses through the Red Sea toward the Promised Land. Later, joy filled them again as Joshua led them across the Jordan River and into Jericho, where they witnessed the mighty power of God. What once seemed impossible became a testimony of His goodness and deliverance. Joy marked their journey, and the people worshiped the Lord.

The joy of our salvation is found in Jesus—not only in being rescued from sin and death, but also in being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not just delivered; we are empowered. Empowered to live differently. Empowered to reveal the presence of the Lord within us. Empowered to proclaim His goodness.

Whether we reflect on God’s faithfulness in the Old Testament or the New Testament accounts of Christ’s resurrection, we see that joy is the proper posture of the believer. From the empty tomb, Jesus instructed Mary Magdalene, “Go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” In that moment, sorrow was overtaken by purpose, and purpose overflowed into joy. Victory was already secured.

Mary became the first joy-filled witness and evangelist of the risen Christ—a reminder that when we encounter Jesus, we are called to go and tell. Joy is not meant to be contained; it is meant to be shared.

Psalm 118:14–17 (NLT)
14
The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has given me victory.
15 
Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
    The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
16 
The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
    The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
17 
I will not die; instead, I will live
    to tell what the Lord has done.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for saving us from sin and death. You are our Deliverer. Teach us each day to live in obedience to this truth. Remind us of Your strength when we feel weak, empty, or uncertain. Empower us by Your Spirit to recognize Your goodness at work in and around us, and guide us as we serve You. Fill us with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Today, we choose joy because we trust in Your faithfulness. You are alive, and we desire to tell others what You have done in our lives. Grant us holy boldness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Motives are fundamental and responsible for turning what we value into action. Our motives are important to God. They answer the “why” of our goals; why we think the way we do, speak the way we do, act the way we do, and even worship the way we do.

God discerns, weighs, and judges our motives to reveal if they are based on obedience and wholehearted love for the Lord and our fellow human beings (Proverbs 16:2; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Hebrews 4:12). Scripture refers to God as a “devouring fire’ for a reason; He purifies us and whatever He leaves remaining is what pleases Him (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Just doing good deeds that make us feel good or look altruistic to others does not make us holy. We must have the right “heart-attitude,” because God is not honored or moved by superficial performance. When we have the right “heart-attitude” it means we have chosen Christ’s holy garments and a humble spiritual posture before God. So, today, let’s get dressed from the inside out with the identity of Christ!

Colossians 3:12-17 NLT 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Prayer: Lord, we are so blessed You want to fill us with the richness of Your glorious presence. May we be filled with excitement and joy to put on the character of our Christ. Help us to humbly treat one another with tenderness, gentleness, and patience. Empower us to believe the best of one another and be quick to forgive. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The resurrection of Christ calls us to a new perspective of life; we are to live in the eternal realities of heaven.  “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  

Change is necessary—some stuff has to go and some behaviors must experience a holy makeover.  We have a new identity in Christ and the Apostle Paul reminds us we must make a clean break from sinful behavior. We have been raised with Christ to new life and daily we are being transformed into His glorious image.  

Our conduct should reflect our resurrection reality. Living the new life means we don’t just believe in the resurrection—we embody it. Our thoughts are lifted, our desires are reshaped, and our conduct begins to mirror the character of Jesus.

Colossians 3:1-11 NLT Living the New Life

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your [our] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming [on all who disobey Him]. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,[Greek] circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the gift of new life in Christ.  Teach us to set our hearts and minds on heavenly realities.  Give us the strength and courage to let go of the things that dishonor you and hinder our growth.  Renew our thoughts and desires on a daily basis and help us reflect your beautiful presence.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Sometimes, as we face life’s challenges and God seems silent, we are tempted to take matters into our own hands—to act in our own strength rather than wait on His. Yet Jesus reminds us that we can only bear fruit when we remain connected to Him (John 15:5). There is a real tension in the soul between waiting and trusting, isn’t there?

On this Holy Saturday, we reflect on the silence and darkness of the tomb that held our Savior. It seemed as though nothing good could come from it. The disciples were scattered in fear, and hope began to fade. A spirit of despair lingered at the door of their hearts: “We had hoped He was the one…” (Luke 24:21).

When God is silent and leads us into seasons of waiting, it is not passive—it is an invitation to active trust. The enemy wants us to forget God’s past faithfulness, but we must remember: God brings life out of death. From His Tree of Life we receive nourishment; in His righteous character we find rest. Only there do we gain the strength to press on and witness His salvation.

Those who do not receive Christ remain spiritually entombed, but believers are invited to live in the power flowing from the resurrection. The Apostle Paul urges us that if we want to experience this power, we must draw near to our Source of true Life (Philippians 3:10). We must believe and trust in the Truth to see the goodness of God revealed.
So let us remind one another: remain in active trust when life feels dark, when it seems we are sealed in a tomb, cut off from the Light. Weep no more. Just when despair whispers its loudest, God is already at work.

The stone will be rolled away from Christ’s tomb to reveal a resurrection.

Sunday—Yom Rishon, the “First Day”—is about to break forth, revealing the glory of God. A Glorious Day is coming. The prophet Isaiah reminds us about active trust and the power it reveals.

Isaiah 40:31 NLT “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the power to sustain our active trust in You when our hope is severely challenged. On this Holy Saturday, we refuse to be overwhelmed by the darkness. Instead, we trust You to roll the stone away and reveal the eternal life you died to provide those who call upon You for help. Bring new strength and vitality, so we can run the race of faith in the Spirit and victory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yesterday, we were reminded of the necessity of remaining connected to Jesus—the Truth. Apart from Him, we become vulnerable to deception, misunderstanding both the nature of God and the ways of His Kingdom.

Judas walked with Jesus, yet never truly received Him. He witnessed Truth but did not absorb it. Viewing everything through a worldly lens, he longed for political power rather than spiritual transformation. While Judas looked for an earthly kingdom, God was unveiling a heavenly one—one that transforms hearts before it transforms circumstances.

Today, we reflect on what is called Good Friday. At first glance, there seems to be nothing “good” about betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion. Yet, this day reveals the deepest goodness of God. What humanity meant for evil, God used for eternal redemption—GOOD (Genesis 50:20).

The “goodness” of this day is not found in the pain of the cross—but in the purpose of the cross. At the cross:
Sin is paid for
Death is defeated
Mercy triumphs over judgment
And the door of salvation is opened for all

From the very beginning, this was God’s plan. The angel’s announcement declared “good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10). The birth of Jesus was always pointing to His death—and His death would lead to our NEW life. May all people reach for this amazing Gift of grace!

On this holy day, the King of Glory stood silent before mockery. The soldiers dressed Him in royal garments—not in reverence, but in ridicule. They bowed in sarcasm, crying, “Hail! King of the Jews!” (Mark 15:18). Yet even in mockery, Truth remained unshaken. He is the righteous King. Above His head hung a sign declaring His identity, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews!” (Mark 15:18). Intended as accusation, it became a proclamation of Truth. And, in the midst of rejection, one man saw clearly. A criminal, broken and repentant, recognized what others could not—a King. This sinner proclaimed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom,” and he was promised eternity with the King (Luke 23:42).

This is the dividing line of humanity: Some mock what they do not understand and others humble themselves and believe. All of us, because of sin, stand guilty. The sentence is death. But God, in His love, stepped in.

Jesus was not overpowered by men—He surrendered Himself. He willingly laid down His life. The cross was not a tragedy—it was a divine exchange.
Our sin for His righteousness
Our shame for His glory
Our death for His life

From the manger to the cross, and from the cross to the throne, Jesus revealed the fullness of God’s heart. And now, the invitation remains: Will we willingly and humbly bow?

As Philippians declares, one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (2:6-11). But today, we are given the grace to choose that surrender freely. Those who bow before Him now do not bow in fear—but in love, gratitude, and worship. And, in that surrender, our eternal victory is secured.

Closing Prayer: Father, on this sacred day, we stand in awe of Your goodness revealed through the cross. What we could never earn, You freely gave. What we deserved, You took upon Himself. Jesus, thank You for choosing the cross. Thank You for enduring suffering, mockery, and death—not because You had to, but because You loved us. You are the true King—humble, holy, and full of mercy. Please forgive us for the times we have seen through worldly eyes, like Judas, missing the beauty of Your Kingdom. Open our hearts to receive Truth—not just to hear it, but to live abundantly in it. Holy Spirit, soften our hearts. Remove pride, remove blindness, and lead us into a holy surrender. Teach us what it means to bow before You—not just with our words, but with our whole lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Bible teaches us that Truth is a Person—Jesus—incapable of lying and unchanging in His nature (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Living Word, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). To know Him is to know Truth, and to abide in Him is to be set free from the power of sin, death, deception, and every work of evil (John 8:31-32).

As we journey to the cross, Holy Week invites us to go deeper than intellectual understanding. Truth is not merely something we believe—it is Someone we follow. It is lived out through righteousness, holiness, and speaking truth in love.

In the upper room, while the disciples debated who was the greatest, Jesus quietly demonstrated what Truth looks like. He took on the role of a servant and washed their feet (John 13:4-5). The One who is Truth knelt low in humility. He knew their hearts—He knew betrayal and denial were coming—yet He loved and served them anyway. At the time, the disciples could not see the truth about their hearts. For this reason, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth” (John 13:11, 21, 38).

Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, as Judas approached with those who would arrest Him, Jesus called him “friend.” (Matthew 26:50). The Truth was not shaken by betrayal. Instead, He responded with unwavering love.

John 15:12-15 NLT Jesus says, 12 “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”

There is no greater love than this…
To lay down one’s life in daily surrender.
To release pride, let go of offense, and choose forgiveness.
To love those who misunderstand, reject, or even betray us.

We cannot live this way in our own strength. That is why Jesus promises the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Truth—who leads us, teaches us, and empowers us to abide in Him (John 14:17). As branches connected to the Vine, His life flows through us, enabling us to bear the fruit of His love (John 15:5).

In a world filled with deception, we must remain rooted in Christ. Satan is a liar—the father of lies (John 8:44). Many seek truth, just as Pilate once asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Yet the answer is not found in ideas, but in a relationship with Jesus.

Today, Truth calls us higher—not just to believe, but to become. Lord, help us!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Truth—the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Thank You for loving us even when we have failed You. Teach us to abide in You and to walk in Your ways. Help us to live the Truth with humility and courage. Give us a heart that forgives, serves, and loves like Yours. Holy Spirit, lead us into all truth and guard us from deception. May our lives reflect Your character—that others may see Your love through each of your children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

As someone who loves beautiful fragrances, I find joy in the aroma of good food and freshly baked goods. I delight in nature walks, breathing in the scent of trees, flowers, and even fresh-cut grass. Fragrance is a gift—perceived through our olfactory system—and throughout history, aromatherapy and essential oils have been used to bring healing to sick bodies, worried minds, and stressed emotions.

As we continue our Lenten journey to the cross with Jesus, we pause this Wednesday to recline at a dinner table in Bethany. Jesus is among friends, His body at rest, surrounded by the quiet comfort of love. Then, in a profound act of devotion, Mary—the sister of Lazarus—breaks open an alabaster jar of spikenard, a costly and treasured perfume, and its fragrance fills the entire house (John 12:3).

Spikenard, an ancient oil known for its medicinal and aromatic value, was precious beyond measure. Judas saw Mary’s offering as wasteful, but Mary was not concerned with cost—she was compelled by love. She gave her very best to the Lord as her worship.

Jesus defended her, knowing what lay ahead. He understood that in the coming hours of suffering—the false accusations, the arrest, the scourging, the mocking, and the crucifixion—the fragrance of that moment would linger. It would remain on His skin as a reminder of love—love that sent Him, love that sustained Him, love that would save the world. The fragrance of Mary’s worship clung to Him.

Because of Christ’s love, our lives now carry His fragrance. Yet just as not everyone appreciates certain scents, not everyone welcomes the aroma of Christ in His followers. What is pleasing to the Father is offensive to the world, because it proclaims victory over sin and death.

2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT) “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.”

When our lives are fully devoted to God, the Father delights in the fragrance of Jesus upon us. And wherever we go, that fragrance fills the atmosphere—sometimes drawing others in, sometimes stirring resistance—but always carrying the power of His presence.

Take a moment now. Sit still. Place yourself at that table with Jesus. Watch Mary pour out her offering. Breathe in the fragrance—not just of perfume, but of forgiveness, surrender, and redeeming love. So precious…so needed…so healing.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the strength and courage You showed in laying down Your life so that You might live in us. Thank You for covering us with the sweet fragrance of Your righteousness. Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the love You have demonstrated and the grace that continues to heal us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As we continue our journey to the cross, we must not look away too quickly. The suffering of Jesus was not symbolic—it was real, brutal, and intentional. The scourging tore His flesh. The crown of thorns pierced His brow. The mocking voices, the spitting, the blows—all of it reveals the depth of human sin and the greater depth of divine love (Matthew 27:21-31).

The crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus. They rejected the very One who came to save them. And still, Jesus did not turn away (Matthew 27:26).
He endured:

Physical pain from the beating and crucifixion
Emotional pain from rejection and humiliation
Spiritual pain from carrying the weight of our sin

This was not forced upon Him—He chose it. The prophecy of Isaiah reminds us that none of this was accidental: “I offered my back to those who beat me… I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6).

Jesus saw the cross before it ever happened—and still walked toward it. Love held Him there. And in the midst of unimaginable suffering, Jesus remained faithful. He did not retaliate. He did not resist. He surrendered fully to the will of God so that we could be forgiven, redeemed, and transformed for the glory of the Father.

Today, don’t rush past the cross. Sit in the reality of what it cost our precious Jesus. Because when we truly see His suffering, we begin to understand His love.

Prayer: Father, today we pause and reflect on the suffering of Your Son, Jesus. We confess that sometimes we move too quickly past the cross without truly considering the depth of His sacrifice. Forgive us for taking lightly what cost Him everything. Lord Jesus, thank You for enduring the pain—the scourging, the mocking, the rejection, and the cross. Thank You for choosing love when You could have chosen to walk away. Thank You for carrying our sin, our shame, and our brokenness. Help us not to turn away from Your suffering, but to let it transform our hearts. Teach us to live in gratitude, humility, and obedience. May we remember that it was our sin that held You there—but it was Your love that kept You there. Holy Spirit, open our eyes to see the beauty of the cross and the power of Christ’s sacrifice. Strengthen us to follow Jesus faithfully, even when the path is difficult. In Jesus’ name. Amen.