Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: This week we are walking through Scripture with the righteous fruit of peace on our minds. In a world that is always producing diverse perspectives on right and wrong, truth and lies, good and evil, belief and unbelief we must decide how we are going to respond to this fruit salad! Peace comes as we draw near to God. Our perspective and decisions about these issues must always be built on the foundation of Christ and obedience to him. Our response must be righteous.
It is easier to deal with the bad fruit production of strangers than trying to sort through the good and bad fruit production in our inner circle of family, friends, and neighbors. Nonetheless, we must continue on with Jesus. We will find greater victory as we identify the fruit; knowledge with understanding comes from God.

Jesus is all about the heart; so, let’s face it he is always going to get to the heart of the matter. If we are not walking “with” Jesus, we are opposing him. It really is that simple. If negative or nasty comments and immoral living is manifesting in our lives, it is because the desire for it lives in our hearts. If we have a rebellious problem in the heart, no amount of self-discipline is going to fix it. Only Jesus can fix and redeem our ungodly attitudes, desires, and motives.

In our passage today, Jesus calls out the Pharisees, because their evil hearts are directing their mouths. These religious leaders have such hardened hearts, they are literally rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit who desires to help them repent, receive forgiveness, and be restored to God. Jesus wants to bring healing to the heart. If we are connected in obedience to Christ, we are connected to the Tree of Life and our fruit will be good. If we are trying to connect to a worldly idea/action thinking our disobedience to Christ doesn’t matter, we are actually connected to a corrupt tree and will bear evil fruit (Mat 7:18).

We are not to judge people, but let’s be real…you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions (Mat 7:20). Lastly, what we say flows from what is in our hearts (Luke 6:45). Don’t let someone producing evil fruit rob your peace. Love them, pray for them, but do not let them steal your treasure.

Matthew 12:33-37 NLT 33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sharing the wisdom your children need about the connection of the heart to righteous or unrighteous fruit production. Create in us clean hearts. Holy Spirit, please empower us to walk in obedience to the Word, so the fruit we bear through our words and actions will please you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: For believers, the holidays can be a beautiful time shared with family and friends coming together to celebrate the birth of Messiah the King of Glory. I truly enjoy the Christmas season and the time I spend with loved ones. Quality time is my dominant love language so naturally all the gatherings and meals shared just fill me up physically, emotionally, and spiritually. However, I do realize being around family, friends, and many people is not everyone’s “happy place.” If we are going to surround ourselves with human beings, then there is a potential for the perfect storm—conflict. Pray about everything and ask God to use each Christmas gathering as a way to live the peace revealed in the Gospel of Christ.

As long as the Father leaves his children on earth, we will be exposed to the conflict experienced by human sin. Sometimes it is our own sin that rises up to rule, sometimes it is the sin in others that screams for satisfaction, and sometimes it is simply because we live in a spiritually fallen or broken world. Even on the best of days, please do not lose tract of that reality or you will be unprepared. Every human being requires deliverance from sin (Romans 3:23). That is why Jesus came to bring us life from above, so we may receive healing and experience inner peace with God (John 14:17). We then must work for peace with others (Mat 5:9). Scripture reminds us to place our hope in God’s promises while guarding our inner peace, because conflict between good and evil will continue to exist in this world until the Father sends Jesus a second time to judge sin in the living and the dead (John 5:26-29; Phil 4:7).

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul finds himself in prison for preaching the Gospel; suffering from the spiritual conflict between good and evil. Paul would love to go home to God and be done with this fallen world; yet, beyond his own desires to be free of the conflict raging against the righteousness of Christ in him, he wants to see more and more people find peace with God. So, Paul presses on with hope, in spite of his present suffering, to reveal to others the peace he found in fellowship with Christ.

Philippians 1:19-26 NLT 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

Paul’s Life for Christ
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the promised peace you always provide as we place our hope in you. Help us to hold fast to our purpose in this life to live the Gospel. May this Christmas season bring us opportunities to be victorious peacemakers in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: What do you have to say about yourself? How we see ourselves in this natural world has everything to do with who we know we are in the spiritual realm. If we have our focus on earthly things and want to gain a sense of identity or belonging from the world, we will demand this present culture and social institutions satisfy us. There is a lot of that going on in our culture now. If we are focused on heavenly things, we will reach for the gracious hand of Christ to provide for us and live satisfied in the abiding presence of God knowing we belong to him. If we know who we are in the Spirit, then we will never be satisfied by the temporal things of this world nor will we ever fit into the culture that demands for the world to be its god.

Scripture teaches John the Baptist is the first to identify Jesus as the Son of God. John knows who he is in the spiritual realm; therefore, John knows who he is in relationship to Jesus. As well, please notice John the Baptist knows who he isn’t when facing the questions issued by the religious leaders. John wants to be known as a voice shouting in the wilderness! As believers, we must know who we are, as well as who we are not. Like John, we are voices calling people from the dark places they have settled to come and meet Jesus who baptizes his own with the Holy Spirit of Truth.

John 1:19-23 NLT
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
    ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us know who we are in relationship to you. We look forward to your Second Coming. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: God is all about giving his children new beginnings; he brings forgiveness, salvation, and hope. God is merciful and he knows how difficult life can be, so his mercies are new each morning and he brings a glorious new beginning with each sunrise (Lam 3:23). We can place our hope in the faithfulness of God. Yet, as God’s children, our part is to align with his nature and live for his purpose. How can we live with that hope?

In our passage today from the prophet Isaiah, Israel is facing a new beginning following the Exile. They have new choices that come with this new life. Although God brings judgment on Israel, he does not completely destroy them. He leaves a remnant to demonstrate his mercy and faithfulness; God helps them gain a truer picture of his nature and his purpose for them. God lives high above human difficulties. So whatever is going on in your life, God is able to help you.

Today’s passage speaks to my heart about the Righteous Branch who brings my life eternal salvation and hope. The Lord promises to cleanse us and sanctify us [transform us by making us holy]. Everything about God is a message of renewal, we just simply have to desire the offer he brings. God’s purpose is to make those called by his name into a new creation in Christ Jesus. As his new creation, God dwells with us and protects us. As followers of Christ, we are the chosen who have become the temple of the Living God (2 Cor 6:16). If you need restoration, Jesus is your answer. Trust him with your life.

Isaiah 4:2-6 NLT A Promise of Restoration
2 
But in that day, the branch of the Lord
    will be beautiful and glorious;
the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory
    of all who survive in Israel.
3 
All who remain in Zion
    will be a holy people—
those who survive the destruction of Jerusalem
    and are recorded among the living.
4 
The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion
    and cleanse Jerusalem of its bloodstains
    with the hot breath of fiery judgment.
5 
Then the Lord will provide shade for Mount Zion
    and all who assemble there.
He will provide a canopy of cloud during the day
    and smoke and flaming fire at night,
    covering the glorious land.
6 
It will be a shelter from daytime heat
    and a hiding place from storms and rain.

Prayer: Lord, to align with your nature and purpose is always difficult for our flesh, but thank you for providing the Holy Spirit and the power to follow you into something so much better than what the world offers. Thank you for your mercy and your many blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Humanity, as a whole, has struggled to recognize or even acknowledge its innate sinfulness and rebellion against Creator. Yet, even in the midst of our indifference, God has promised to provide a place of protection for human life—salvation for seekers (Heb 11:6). For believers, that salvation and protection comes through a relationship with our Creator. We can have that relationship because Jesus Christ took the penalty for our sin upon himself. Because of Jesus, believers will never spiritually perish in God’s future judgment against sin (John 3:16). God cannot overlook sin and a final judgment will come like in the days of Noah, but God has provided a way to eternal life (Mat 24:37).

The flood was an act of God to judge his sinful and wicked creation (Gen 6-8). However, prior to the flood, he sent Noah to proclaim that God’s protection from destruction would be extended to repentant hearts (2 Peter 2:5). Humanity was given a warning and an opportunity to be saved. Yet, only Noah and his family believed in God and that he would fulfill his Word.

God made a covenant with Noah. In Scripture, God’s covenants are many times confirmed by a sign. In our passage today, God confirms his covenant with Noah by placing his “bow” in the clouds. This sign was given to bring hope and a measure of peace to humanity for facing the future. God’s covenant offered three promises: 1) future floodwaters would be accompanied by divine protection; 2) seasons [God’s planned activity under heaven] would continue; and 3) when it rains, the rainbow would be a sign of God’s desire for peace through repentance. If you have never repented from your sin or asked for Christ to save and protect you for all eternity, then please do so, today.

Genesis 9:12-17 NLT
12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant [promise] with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15 and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. 16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” 17 Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the covenant promise you made with Noah; your rainbow in the clouds ministers grace to me. Thank you for the covenant promise you made with the individual hearts of believers to save us no matter what comes in the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 25, 2022

Intro: Did you know the proper use of faith has the ability to earn you a good reputation? Although operating in faith can be a challenge, faith is a divine substance within all believers. A good reputation involves faith and grace [divine favor]. A life of faith is required if we are going to live for God; faith is based on trusting in Creator God’s character to provide for us as the created. Faith is what leads us into manifested Truth.

Many years ago, I heard faith described as, “Acting like I believe the Word of God is true.” God has revealed his will, love, and character in Scripture; so, faith is stepping out on the belief that God wants righteous things for us and he fulfills his promise to provide grace for everything that brings us a challenge.

In our lesson today, the writer of Hebrews lists many heroes of the faith. With each person mentioned, we can witness how he/she demonstrated his/her faith and the outcome of God’s work based on that faith (Heb 11:1-40). It is God himself who calls for the unseen to become seen. We just use faith to get into agreement with the will of God. So, use your faith, today. Have a blessed weekend…

Hebrews 11:1-7 NLT Great Examples of Faith
1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the measure of faith you have given all of your children. May we use that faith to enlarge our hope and trust in your loving care for us. May we desire the righteous things for ourselves that you desire for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Happy Thanksgiving, my amazing brothers and sisters! However you plan to spend this day, please put Christ in the center of it all. God created us and loves us as his people (Col 1:16). We are called by his name unto salvation (Acts 4:12). We are liberated and set free from sin by the Truth for all eternity (John 8:32). Death will never own us (John 3:16). Gratitude should fill us to overflowing, because God cares so much for us (Eph 5:20).

In our passage today, the psalmist invites us to enter joyfully into God’s presence; to come and worship him. Take time today to remember God’s goodness to you. Let your response be one of joy, thanksgiving, and praise. Blessings to you all! Love to you in Christ!
Psalm 100 NLT A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 
    Worship the Lord with gladness.    Come before him, singing with joy.
3 
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!    He made us, and we are his.    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;    go into his courts with praise.    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 
For the Lord is good.    His unfailing love continues forever,    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Prayer: Lord, we worship you with joy and gladness. Your faithfulness overwhelms our souls and we extend to you our sincere gratitude. May the love and appreciation we return to you, today, be a blessing for you! Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Having the ability to know the Truth is precious to me. In Scripture, we can read about how the Truth is what makes humanity holy, because God’s Word is Truth (John 17:17). God’s plan and purpose for the Old Testament is revealed and fulfilled in the Truth found in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, we read about humanity’s sinful nature and desperate need for a Savior; so, God promises to send the Messiah. In the New Testament gospels, we are told about the arrival of Jesus—the long awaited Messiah—whom God has sent to save the world. We are then invited to have a relationship with Jesus; Truth is a person. So, to know the Truth, one must acknowledge and desire God. To reject the Truth is to live a lie.

In our passage today, Luke endeavors to present an accurate historical account of the life and death of Jesus. Although Luke has been inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this gospel, he also wants to acknowledge the work of others who have been involved with or experienced the salvation of Jesus—being restored to the Truth. Luke—a Gentile believer in Messiah—was a disciple of the Apostle Paul, as well as a physician.

Although many things in Luke’s gospel may be in chronological order, not everything is presented that way. Luke relied on eyewitnesses—many times the apostles themselves—in order to share his narrative account; he conducted interviews with the people who saw and heard Jesus, as well as those who had been physically touched and healed by him. Luke was a healer himself, so he knew when a person was gravely ill with some physical affliction and when they had experienced a miracle. Reading Luke’s gospel is always a great joy for me. I will be spending time with Luke during our Advent season.

Luke 1:1-4 NLT
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus [meaning loved by God], 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us as your creation and children. I am certain of the Truth of your nature, love, and goodness. I am also certain of the Truth of my sinful nature apart from you. I am so grateful to know the Truth! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: For the past 38 years my husband, John, has been the sole proprietor of a dental practice—owned an unincorporated business by himself [w/a little help from me]. Essentially, the name and reputation of the practice has rested upon John and his character. As the sole proprietor, John has been the boss, had the task of keeping everything in order, production going, efficient in resource and supply, and has personally established the ethical standard by which the business has operated in order to serve others in his care. Everything about the business has been John’s responsibility to oversee and everyone employed by the practice has answered to him for the service every patient has been given. Because of the weight of John’s responsibilities, taking time off when sick, taking vacations to get refreshed, or enjoying time off during the holidays has been a bit of a challenge over those 38 years—but, that is the reality of sole proprietorship. God has been so good to us!

God is the Creator and Supreme Sole Proprietor of the whole earth. Humanity may want to forget that important fact, but it does not change the reality of Truth. God alone is the rightful Ruler and Judge of everything involving the earth and He has created and appointed human beings to be stewards of His creation. God is the boss, everything belongs to Him, and He decides the standard by which the earth and everything in it operates, because it is a reflection of His character. God has no problem with all the responsibilities involving His earth, because He is Omniscient [knows all—so nothing surprises Him], Omnipotent [has total control and ultimate power], and Omnipresent [is present with His whole Being all the time]. God never slumbers or sleeps (Ps 121:4). No challenge exists that can change the perfect rule of God.

In our passage today, David reminds God’s people about the chain of command regarding the earth. As God’s people, we need to remain committed as stewards of the earth under His sovereign rule. He is the King who leads us to steward His glory…we are His worshipers! We say, “Thank you, Lord!”

Psalm 24 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. 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. Interlude

Prayer: Lord, in every area of our lives, may we be mindful that everything belongs to you and that it is a privilege to be your stewards in the earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.