Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: The enemy is always busy trying to get people to compromise their moral ethics and integrity in order to draw them away from the righteousness of God. Greed instigates compromise. A greedy person is self-centered; there is little concern for others. Empathy is overshadowed by greed, so relationships become vulnerable as accumulation becomes the goal.

Balaam, a prophetic sorcerer [magician] who would place curses on people for pay, lived near the Euphrates River. He had knowledge of Yahweh, but Balaam was polytheistic—believed there were many gods. Balaam went along with any religious practice, but his heart and actions were only aligned with Yahweh when it would benefit him; he had a mixture of motives—obedience if it would increase his financial wealth and accomplish his goal.

The king of Moab, Balak, wanted to hire Balaam to curse Israel. Balak’s servants were sent to escort him to Moab. The Moabites were afraid of Israel’s power, so the thought was if Balaam would curse Israel, the Moabites might be able to drive the Israelites out of their land. Balak and Balaam underestimated Yahweh’s love for His people. God communicated with Balaam and told him “You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.”

God gave Balaam permission to go with the servants of Balak, but he was angry with Balaam’s greedy attitude. The next morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and started out toward Moab. He did not go far when God rebuked him in a very unusual and inconceivable way…

Numbers 22:22-28 NLT
22 But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, 23 Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. 27 This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.
28 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.

Prayer: Lord, we know when you are correcting us and we thank you for how loving you are when you do. You are so generous with your love; please help us to be people who are empathetic to the needs or challenges of others. Help us to be generous in love and mercy when we deal with the people around us. Open our spiritual eyes to recognize your messengers of Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Is life fair? Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it. As human beings, we want the events and happenings of life on earth to line up with our sense of justice. We will think life is fair when circumstances line up with our desired outcome. This expectation may make sense in our human minds and understanding, but grace is not about fairness. God is faithful to His covenant of grace; only God knows the heart or attitude of each human being and his or her response to saving grace. Is fairness the issue when a person rejects what God is offering?

Grace [favor] isn’t fair even though our God who provides it is perfectly fair. We do not deserve grace, nor can we in any way earn it. Grace is a gift to move us by faith in Christ toward loving God righteously, as well as loving and treating others with the fairness of God’s love for us. Human beings with unredeemed hearts are the source of unfairness…not God.

God is in charge of all things in heaven and on earth; each day His sovereignty, as well as our human weakness toward righteous thinking is revealed. We cannot and will never be able to understand the whole plan and purpose of God, but that does not seem to stop us from the mental gymnastics we go through in our heads wrestling down what is holy and infinite because we want to be able to judge whether or not things are “fair.”

When you are tempted to think life is unfair, please remember believers serve the God of all justice. God never said life would align with our mental image of fairness. He simply reminds us He is good and everything will be used to accomplish His purpose. Therefore, faith in God’s promise is essential, because fairness is not even a possibility in this fallen world that many times rejects the power and authority of God. Believers long for true justice because it has been planted in our hearts by God, but the day of justice still lies ahead. In the meantime, let’s remember justice is about the pure love and mercy of God toward His rebellious creation.

In our passage today from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians [and believers throughout time], we are reminded of God’s perfect ability to know the hearts of people. He knows the ones who will humble themselves, repent, and respect His authority, as well as the ones who will remain hard-hearted and reject the mercy, love, and transformation Christ brings. Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. God desires for the world to come into relationship with Him, so He provides faith, a Savior, and grace and asks for us to choose wisely; this is the justice of God. Is He fair?

Romans 9:6-18 NLT
6 Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! 7 Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. 8 This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children. 9 For God had promised, “I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
10 This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins. 11 But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; 12 he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.” 13 In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”
14 Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not! 15 For God said to Moses,
“I will show mercy to anyone I choose,
    and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”
16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
17 For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” 18 So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for knowing the things we are incapable of knowing. In this fallen world our understanding needs revelation and guidance. We need you to be our standard and example for living. You know every heart, because you created each person; therefore those who call upon your name for salvation are the chosen. We are always treated fairly by you. Thank you for liberating us in Christ and giving us the Holy Spirit to guide our choices. We praise you for making our freedom clear throughout Scripture and for making a way of salvation through Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: If we have a proper fear of the Lord, we will have a focused attentiveness toward God’s authority and power. As well, we will hate what is evil, because Satan uses it to rob people from a vibrant relationship with God. Believers know we can do nothing without Him; therefore, humility is our proper response to life with God, because victory is found in Him alone. We need to rely on God’s wisdom and trust Him wholeheartedly. The proper application of God’s wisdom will affect our relationships, work, speech, and bring us success for living.

In our passage today, Solomon shares a series of short proverbs—a concise sentence that conveys moral truth. The word “proverb” comes from a Hebrew word which means “to rule or to govern.” God wants us to focus on wise thoughts, because how we think will influence and govern our actions. When God is first in our lives, other things usually find their proper place, as well. One thing God seems to be intolerant about in His children is an attitude of arrogance—when we exalt the value of our own thoughts leading us to become competitive, critical, and self-centered. God’s love does not behave pridefully nor arrogantly. Since God will be the One evaluating our earthly lives and how we have live them, we need to spend some time thinking about our attitudes because they are revealed in how we treat others.

Proverbs 8:12-21 NLT
12 
“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
    I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
13 
All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
    Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
    corruption and perverse speech.
14 
Common sense and success belong to me.
    Insight and strength are mine.
15 
Because of me, kings reign,
    and rulers make just decrees.
16 
Rulers lead with my help,
    and nobles make righteous judgments.
17 
“I love all who love me.
    Those who search will surely find me.
18 
I have riches and honor,
    as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19 
My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
    my wages better than sterling silver!
20 
I walk in righteousness,
    in paths of justice.
21 
Those who love me inherit wealth.
    I will fill their treasuries.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for these wise sayings inspired by your Spirit and penned by Solomon. Challenge us to look honestly at our attitudes about our relationships, work, and speech in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: It is not unusual for Scripture to use imagery to convey an important message. So, in our passage today from the Book of Proverbs [the Book of Wisdom] we should note divine Wisdom is portrayed as a woman who offers wise counsel, as well as leads and guides Gods people into righteous living. The Wisdom of God has been present from the beginning of creation and—despite the work of darkness—through the work of Christ is present for us, today. God has promised to provide the work of divine Wisdom to believers and it is revealed in humble lives bearing the loving fruit of Christ’s goodness and peace.

In Proverbs chapter 7, the voice of folly [foolishness] is portrayed as an adulteress who seeks to trap God’s children. The son [symbolic of you/me] must decide between the two voices he hears: the voice of folly [temptation to follow the wisdom of the world] or the voice of Wisdom [Word of God or Truth]. Anything but God’s wisdom is a false god—the voice of deception shouting in our streets making herself look mighty attractive.

Choices are being made every day to bow to a false and twisted perception of the Truth. Knowledge does not necessarily provide divine Wisdom; the application of God’s Word or Truth is Wisdom. Therefore, we must listen for the Voice of Jesus who has been made divine Wisdom for us. As believers, we know the Voice of our Shepherd and we do not need to follow lies or find ourselves deceived (John 10:27-28).

Throughout my life, a very wise woman often reminded me, “Grace is given to make us holy, not to be some kind of an apology for the practice of sin.” That woman was my mother and she had taken to heart and paraphrased a famous quote offered by evangelist and preacher, Charles Spurgeon. Wisdom leads us toward righteous desires and grace. Wise people know the importance of emulating Christ’s character and sharing His love in every day life. This is the narrow way to abundant living in God’s care.

Proverbs 8:1-11 NLT
1
Listen as Wisdom calls out!
    Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2 
On the hilltop along the road,
    she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 
By the gates at the entrance to the town,
    on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 
“I call to you, to all of you!
    I raise my voice to all people.
5 
You simple people, use good judgment.
    You foolish people, show some understanding.
6 
Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
    Everything I say is right,
7 
for I speak the truth
    and detest every kind of deception.
8 
My advice is wholesome.
    There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9 
My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
    clear to those with knowledge.
10 
Choose my instruction rather than silver,
    and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 
For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
    Nothing you desire can compare with it.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for speaking to our spirits and sharing divine Wisdom for living. Within your proverbs, we can gain an understanding of what pleases you. We know when we have a proper reverence for your authority guiding our lives, we are stepping into Wisdom. Thank you for making things clear for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The new life Jesus brings his followers is certainly something to shout about each day. Whatever is going on in our lives, Jesus is ready to bring abundant Wisdom and the Spirit is positioned to bring victory. Our part is to be willing to receive a higher perspective [God’s Word modeled by Christ] of life and to reach for our Helper—the Holy Spirit of truth and power—in order to please the Father.

I tend to be a rather tenacious individual when it comes to my life with Jesus; I cling to the unshakable One, because I perceive this world as a chaotic domain of unrighteous thinking and living. I need wise guidance from my Creator. I can only live the victorious life I was created to live if I know the heart of my Maker—the Lord of heaven and earth. The same is true for you.

Our passage today is from the Book of Acts—the Acts of the Apostles—written by Luke. According to Scripture, since the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter and the other apostles have been performing signs and wonders, as well as healing many people. News has gotten out about this new life filling and spilling out of the apostles. Peter has been called by the Lord to establish the early church and, as a result, he and the other apostles face unrighteous persecution from the jealous Jewish priests and leaders. So, these religious folks have the apostles arrested. However, jail can’t hold the Word and the Spirit back, so before long an angel comes to free the apostles and immediately they are back teaching in the temple courts about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When asked why they were teaching about Jesus when they were given strict orders not to do so, these new believers, filled with the life of Christ, responded, “We must obey God rather than men.” Of course, they find themselves in trouble again!

Acts 5:33-42 NLT 33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! 36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. 37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing a way for us to know the truth and for the strength to cling to you each day. Make us bold, strong, and resolved to honor and obey you. We want to do things in your strength for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: It is not unusual to see examples of scoffers to Christian values in our world today. For some reason, we have been labeled, “narrow-minded;” but Christ’s followers are not to view others critically nor are we to be intolerant of opposing views, we just personally choose to follow Jesus along the narrow and godly way toward the invisible realm of God’s Kingdom—righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit. As well, we want as many people as possible to join us in devotion to God, so we share our experience and invite others to enjoy Jesus, too. Christ’s followers know something amazingly great and supernatural—a Gift that is absolutely priceless to save lives for eternity—and we want others to know about the Living Savior.

Jesus prepared His followers for mocking and public rejection; He called it suffering persecution and He tasted it first. So, when we face false accusations and public attacks, we should be grateful because it affirms we are on the right path. What drives Christians is seeking to live by grace and taste a realm no one can experience without Jesus. We need to encourage ourselves to stay calm and remain faithful to live for Christ who will one day return for us. While we wait, we have a commission to fulfill.

In Peter’s second letter, he mentions the biggest threat and public rejection will come from within the Church—false Christian teachers who pervert the true gospel of Jesus Christ w/false teachings to sway the people from righteous living (2 Peter 2:2). In our passage today, Peter brings Scripture to a unified whole by connecting creation with the flood, as well as the future destruction of the world by fire. He wants the people to understand the power of God to control nature; something God has used in the past to judge the world. We must not focus on the amount of time that has occupied “the last days” because God will fulfill His Word at the appointed time. Peter was an eyewitness to many miracles, as well as the transfiguration, so he knows the power and glory of God. May we listen and learn…

2 Peter 3:1-7 NLT The Day of the Lord Is Coming
1 This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. 2 I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.
3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our passage from Peter, today. Help us to remain faithful as we look for your return. Keep us passionate and living righteously while we wait; we pray for the strength to shrug off public mocking or rejection. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Sometimes the take away message we read and receive from the Word of God is simple and straightforward. For example, when Jesus comes to live on the inside of us, we become a living container for His holy spiritual presence. Whether or not someone understands “how” such a thing is possible, the concept or plan of God to live within us is pretty simple and forthright. God with us!

Jesus tells the unbeliever Nicodemus he must be born again; born of the Spirit. (John 3:3-5). When we are born again, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live on the inside of believers [those who accept Christ’s sacrificial death for our sins]; it is the work of the Spirit who seeks to help us live like Jesus. The Spirit is like an internal GPS [God’s Positioning System]. So when believers choose to live like the world, our consciences and convictions fight an inner battle as the Spirit rises up to be our Protector and Rescuer from evil. If we demand our own way, we grieve the Spirit with our sin which sears our consciences. When believers choose disobedience and practice sin we are resisting the blessings of the rebirth.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul gives the early church in Corinth what can be viewed as a warning, as well as encouragement. He warns them to be diligent with their relationships, because many of them have been slipping away from their devotion to God. They certainly love God and desire to serve Him; however, because of their binding relationships with unbelievers, their vision of God begins to change. It can be terribly hard to stand solid on our convictions of Truth from the Spirit when many people we love have a very different view.

Paul encourages these early Christians by giving them examples of just how different the life of a Christ follower must be then an unbeliever. A believer works in the power of the Spirit by the grace of God. Paul wants these Corinthians to understand they are allowing themselves to be vulnerable and influenced by the world in their thinking instead of allowing the Spirit to renew their minds. Paul never tells the Corinthian believers to leave their unbelieving spouses or families. He does not teach them to refrain from reaching out to unbelievers with the liberating gospel of Christ. He simply encourages them to understand the battle going on between light and darkness, so they must press in deeper for the grace of God to remain faithful to the Truth.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 NLT The Temple of the Living God
6:14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
    and walk among them.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
17 
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
    and I will welcome you.
18 
And I will be your Father,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.”

7:1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes we feel such a pull from the world. The enemy works to make us feel guilty if we disagree with others even though we love them. Truth is not agreement with the world; truth is agreement with you, Lord. So, help us to share and speak the Truth of Christ in your agape whenever we can do so. We know Light and darkness will never coexist; there will always be a separation in Christ. Yet, Holy Spirit, help us to be people of influence and integrity in all of our relationships, so we represent you well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Children are gifts from God to help us learn and better understand: 1) How Father God loves us, 2) How we should love our heavenly Father in return, and 3) How we are to love our children and everyone else. As parents, we are to honor God by how we live. We are to teach our children to follow our lead in honoring God, as well as honoring us as parents. Lastly, we are to instruct our children in the ways of agape love [Father’s love], and to lead them toward righteous living by our example.

Children tend to mimic their parents, so we need to keep our lives aligned with God, because our habits will become our children’s habits. When we are willing to humble ourselves under the authority of God as parents, we are less apt to portray a prideful attitude in front of our children. When we take responsibility for growing our spiritual lives, our children are more apt to be influenced toward a relationship with God, as well.

Loving God is more than just an emotional response to His love; we are to love God by keeping His commands. So, we need to teach our children to love God, by honoring His Word. If parents do not know Scripture, they cannot teach their children the Truth. Being a good person is important, but being a saved person by faith through grace because of Jesus and His commands is what our children need to see and understand.

In our passage today from the gospel of Luke, Jesus brings instruction to His disciples about allowing children to come to Him. The disciples are under the impression Jesus has better things to do than to be cornered about children; but, Jesus takes this time to educate his disciples in the Truth of how little children understand faith better than many adults.

Luke 18:15-17 NLT Jesus Blesses the Children
15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Prayer: Father, it is so important for parents to introduce their children to Jesus and His righteous way of living. As parents and grandparents, may we pay attention to our attitudes and actions around our children and grandchildren, so we can emulate the love you have given us from above. As a spiritual family, may we make children a priority and may you trust us to care for many. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The Spirit of Truth is such a good Teacher of righteousness for God’s children. We are so blessed to have our Helper. It’s important that we listen to the Spirit because God has expectations for how we conduct our lives and the Spirit has been given to us as a Gift to guide us into living lives pleasing to the Lord. One thing we should never lose track of is God’s desire for His children to walk in integrity. Dishonesty has no place in the family of God; therefore, the Body/Church must adhere to the character of our Head—Christ—the Truth. Otherwise, we are not genuinely interested in living for Jesus in sincerity; because, when we are dishonest we have opened the door for the father of lies—Satan.

The early Church had its issues; dishonesty in the hearts of some believers was one of them. Telling the truth is a choice each day. We are never exempt from Satan’s attempts to deceive us or tempt us to do the things we know have no place in our lives. We will all be tempted to lie, because Satan wants us to serve him. God’s ninth commandment is clear; we must not bear false witness—lie (Ex 20:9). When we lie, we are only loving ourselves. Jesus summed it up: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mat 22:37-39).

In our passage today from the Book of Acts, the believers find themselves surrounded by persecution; many people struggling to buy goods or make a living in the midst. So, through the work of the Holy Spirit, the believers volunteer to share their possessions in order to eliminate poverty in their spiritual family. Many people shared the belief that every aspect of their lives—including wealth—belonged to God first.

Ananias and Sapphira choose to sell some land and give the money to the Church who would then distribute it among those in need. No one forced them to sell or make this decision; no one told them to give all of the money from the sale of the property to the Church. It was not demanded or even expected of anyone. So, the fact that this couple lied about the true price for which they sold the property would lead us to believe they wanted to look more generous and be honored by others more than wanting to honor God in Truth.

Acts 5:1-11 NLT Ananias and Sapphira
1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

Prayer: Lord, although there are many parts of this passage that may be difficult to understand, we know how you feel about walking in the Truth—because you are Truth. Help us to lean on the work of the Holy Spirit to groom us each day with integrity. May our garments remain unstained by dishonesty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.