Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: How are true believers identified in a sinful world? Our passage today is a continuation of the passage from yesterday and it reminds us true believers are covenant keepers; those who faithfully agree and cling to the eternal promises given by the Lord Yahweh. To agree to the covenant means to submit to the rule of God by binding oneself to His commands which lead to a common goal of redemption—the action [prompted by God] of being saved from sin, error, and evil. Although believers are still tempted by sin and struggle to live according to the commands of God, in Christ we are “the forgiven” and that makes all the difference in the world. In Christ, we never stop asking for forgiveness, mercy, and help/grace; we just keep persevering in faith as God works to reveal himself in and through our lives.

A covenant keeper seeks to know the heart of Creator God and learn His ways by studying His Word. If we need further understanding as we read the written Word, we can always pray, ask for the Spirit’s help, and study the life of Jesus because He is the Living Word. After all, Jesus is the Christ [the anointed Savior], as well as the perfect example of a covenant keeper. “God created everything through the Word; nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light [holiness/goodness] to everyone” (John 1:3-4).

A covenant keeper loves Father God and obeys His righteous guidelines for human life. God created us, so it is wisdom for us to invite him into our lives to help us live true to who we were created to be for his glory. Only a covenant keeper can receive the wisdom from God; the world sees God’s Word as nonsense, but for believers we know it is through the covenant that we are saved, as well as enjoy and experience God’s beautiful presence and protection.

Proverbs 2:6-8 NLT

6 
For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
    He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 
He guards the paths of the just
    and protects those who are faithful to him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for granting wisdom to Your covenant children. Help all believers walk in integrity and wholeness with you, today. You are our treasure! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: What resource for healthy living do you treasure the most? People want a sense of well-being—the vital state or condition that we are benefiting from good things in life. As believers, we all want to experience the activity of God’s goodness in our lives.
Sometimes people would rather believe in a fantasy rather than the reality of God’s goodness, but today I am praying our passage from God’s Word spiritually slaps each one of us upside the head. We need to understand how godly wisdom connects us with the goodness of God. Solomon wants his readers to understand the true value wisdom brings to a person’s life WHEN godly wisdom is what a person values the most. When we treasure godly wisdom, it opens our ears to hear truth and it renews our minds with the right understanding of God’s goodness—a goodness that involves righteousness in action or doing what is right.

If you want to experience a right sense of well-being, enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ who has been made godly wisdom for us and taste the goodness [beneficial quality] of God. Christ values every person who comes to him for salvation. When Christ comes to live in human hearts, he becomes the godly wisdom we so desperately need (1 Cor 1:30). If we tune our ear to hear wisdom and obey it, we will live more wisely. In Christ, we get to know the goodness of God from whom all blessings flow…

Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT The Benefits of Wisdom
1 
My child, listen to what I say,    and treasure my commands.
2 
Tune your ears to wisdom,    and concentrate on understanding.
3 
Cry out for insight,    and ask for understanding.
4 
Search for them as you would for silver;    seek them like hidden treasures.
5 
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,    and you will gain knowledge of God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the benefits of wisdom found in Christ the Savior. Help me to live in your goodness and reflect your righteousness in word and action. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: What do you think of when you hear the word “expert?” Most people have an image of someone who not only has extensive knowledge in an area, but also has the skill to apply and perform it in excellence. An expert is someone you would call if you needed assistance in their field of study or occupation. There are plenty of people who may proclaim to be experts in certain areas, but as my mother would say, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating!” In other words, the truth is revealed in firsthand experience.

In our passage today, Jesus is approached by an “expert” in the law who wants to know how to make sure he has eternal life. This expert sums up the law verbatim as Jesus did on a previous occasion. Therefore, we witness the expert has proper knowledge. So, Jesus stretches the faith of this expert by inviting him into a performance application of his understanding; “…do this!” The proof of our loving God, neighbor, and self according to the law—the proof of our pudding—is revealed through our attitudes, words, and actions. Would we want to eat that pudding? Since we all fail to perform as experts before God, may we seek the mercy of God and ask for the Spirit’s help in making us more like Jesus—the TRUE EXPERT!

Luke 10:25-28 NLT
25  An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to have eternal life?”
26 Jesus answered, “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”
27  The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’ ”
28  Jesus said, “You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life.”

Prayer: Lord, let my life be more than just giving someone a right answer. May my life reveal the truth of my heart to love You, my neighbor, and myself in a righteous way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage for today, we will listen to the lyrics of a song written by David. You will notice the word harmony is key to his song. Therefore, we need to explore the biblical meaning/context in order to find and apply the harmony God wants for our lives. This harmony is essential for all humanity to understand; it involves eternity.

In our passage, Israel’s unity has to do with spiritual harmony [Heb harmonia] which essentially means to incline one’s ear (listen) and find oneness with God. David, as Israel’s leader, knows this harmony is essential if Israel is going to experience the abundant grace of God. David, a man after God’s heart, knows to leave God out of Israel’s rule, will actually lead them to self-destruct. How does David know? He remembers and knows Israel’s idolatrous history and God’s action against their sin. Never forget God’s wrath is in perfect harmony with his holy attributes; God destroys sin to preserve holiness. We need oneness with God (John 17:21).

Today, our national unity may be a talking-point goal for politicians, but it will always be superficial tolerance at best until the nation’s spiritual harmony with God is the foundation of our lives. We must bow to God’s commands. David describes the anointing—the precious oil of blessing—that sets people apart in order to bring honor and service to God. This anointing brings a refreshing for the weary soul. Therefore, David wants the people in his care to take notice of God and become one with Him. David knows when God’s people incline their ear (listen and obey) they will taste the goodness of God. I pray for our country’s leaders to wake up to that truth and, like David, genuinely care for the people in their care!

Yet, God always faithfully cares for his own. So pray and praise our Maker; incline your ear and listen to God, because he wants to anoint you and bless you, today. Seek harmonia in Messiah!

Psalm 133 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.
1 
How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!
2 
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
    that was poured over Aaron’s head,
    that ran down his beard
    and onto the border of his robe.
3 
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
    that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
    even life everlasting.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the spiritual harmony that can be found in you. Help me serve with my words a healthy portion of harmony everywhere I go today as a way to witness to your presence with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

May 16, 2022

Two weeks ago, on Monday, May 2nd, our devotion was on Acts 9:18-31. If you recall, Saul of Tarsus, was on the road to Damascus, eager to kill the Lord’s followers. On that journey, he had a life changing encounter with the Lord, and Saul (who would later be called Paul…a.k.a. the “Apostle Paul”) was saved and his life would be eternally devoted to the Lord. During that time, as Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with believers, but they were afraid of him. Rightfully so, as Saul spent much of the first half of his life persecuting Christians. Barnabas even had to vouch for Saul with the apostles. So, the apostles agreed to send Saul home, and he remained there for an estimated seven to ten years.

In our passage today, the leaders of the church in Jerusalem hear that more and more Gentiles are coming to faith. So, they send Barnabas out to see what is happening. Remember, prior to Saul’s conversion to Christianity, his persecution of the church in Jerusalem caused many Christians to flee in fear. These Christ-followers took their stories of Jesus with them, and they shared and shared them with others. Barnabas realizes that these Gentiles have faith in Christ, and they need help being taught about Him. So, he sends for Saul in Tarsus, and this is where Saul’s work among the Gentiles truly begins. From this point, the Book of Acts turns to Saul, or within chapter 13 he uses the Greek variation of his name, Paul, and his evangelistic work explodes for the Kingdom. The Lord gave Paul and Barnabas this command, “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.” (Acts 13:47).

You and I need to hold firm to Paul’s teaching in Galatians 2:20 that “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This Truth needs to be our daily motivator to share the love of Christ with others. Evangelists, share the love of Christ with others. They reveal the kindness, encouragement, forgiveness, and honesty of Christ, which is revealing the heart of Christ. So, really, we all are evangelist for Christ, in one way or another, we are all called to be the light of Christ and to spread salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.

Acts 11:19-26 NLT
The Church in Antioch of Syria

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the evangelistic spirit that the Apostle Paul has and teaches us to have for You and Your Kingdom. Help me, Lord, to be bolder when sharing Your love with others. I cannot thank You enough for what You have done and continue to do for me, and I want to lovingly share Your light with others. Be my guide, Lord. I ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: The Bible is filled with many announcements of God’s purpose and many promises of his faithfulness. God wants his creation to know his intentions and plans about salvation, as well as judgment. Such is the case in our passage from the Book of Revelation today. The Apostle John has a vision in which the angel of the Lord is sent to make an announcement, but it is a bitter-sweet message for humanity—the final judgment of God is coming upon the earth. All of creation—sea, land, and sky—will experience the result of this judgment. Where the previous seal and trumpet judgments of God were limited, this judgment will be complete (Rev chs. 6-9).

In our passage, the Apostle John is instructed to eat the scroll of judgment. It reminds me of a vision Ezekiel had when he was also told to eat the scroll of judgment against the nation of Israel (3:1). We must always remember God’s judgment brings destruction to sin and selfishness, because God exalts the rule of Truth. He places (symbolic of eating) his Word in willing human vessels to issue his warning. For believers who “eat” and “live” the truth it will be a sweet and encouraging announcement. However, it is clear believers will also experience a burden/sour stomach for unbelievers facing the righteous judgement of God. That is why it is so important we witness the Truth of Christ with our lives, because God does not want anyone to perish (John 3:16-17). For those who reject God and his Word, it will be the final warning for repentance—turning to God for salvation.

Believers do not need to worry about tomorrow or about the future, because God has already revealed to us how we are to live in all circumstances. No fear; only faith in his love for us. We are to be people of the Word; to live revealing the Truth of God’s love with our lives in such a way that others want to know our loving and gracious God, too. It is not our place to make others eat the Truth we believe (symbolic of the scroll); however, our lives ought to reveal what produces the righteous fruit of God’s love and what does not. There should be a mark of excellence and integrity on God’s children; righteous influence should permeate believers because we are carriers of our divine Maker and Master. It saddens me when people make life solely about their rights for temporal pleasures and power, because God has made humanity for so much more—to enjoy divine fellowship as we carry his anointing and glory. God’s Word tells us how this is done and the Spirit leads the Way! Put your faith in God’s protective provision found in Christ.

Revelation 10:1-11 The Angel and the Small Scroll
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire. 2 And in his hand was a small scroll that had been opened. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. 3 And he gave a great shout like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered.
4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down.”

5 Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand toward heaven. 6 He swore an oath in the name of the one who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and everything in them, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it. He said, “There will be no more delay. 7 When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets.”

8 Then the voice from heaven spoke to me again: “Go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. “Yes, take it and eat it,” he said. “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” 10 So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.

11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”

Prayer: Lord, help us, as your children, to speak the Truth in love in order to influence others toward your protective salvation. We are desperate for your love and work of grace in our lives. Please empower us to stay strong and faithful amidst the raging tides of a rebellious and angry culture in which many hate your Word. May we joyfully live the Truth for your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage from the psalter today, this worship leader is inviting the singing worshipers of the Lord to come into God’s presence with exuberant praise. This is not a picture of a solemn and mechanical worship time; rather, this is like a love-filled bride running to the altar in order to merge life with her Groom. Worship should be joyful, because we are coming to enjoy our Lord who is our faithful and good Maker! We worship the Lord in a grateful way because we know who we are when we try to live WITHOUT HIM [empty and sinful creatures], as well as know who we can be WITH HIM [made new by his righteousness]. We cannot know ourselves and who we were created to be until we know God! We need the salvation offered by Jesus, because he is the One who connects us with our Creator! If you haven’t asked Jesus into your heart and life, you need to do so, today. Don’t wait!

Father God, who is Love and Life, made us in his image (Gen 1:26). Therefore, we belong to him and our love and worship is due him. It is much easier for me to believe the Scripture, as Truth, which proclaims we have been fashioned and knit together in our mother’s womb by a loving Creator, then to believe that we were developed by a long chain of natural selections from floating atoms which mysteriously assembled and organized themselves into a human being [Psalm 139:13-16]. If I purchased every piece of building material to make a whole house and threw it on my empty lot, would it organize itself and begin to fabricate the house without a builder? Perhaps that is a ridiculous example, but for me it is equally ridiculous to think there is life apart from God (Gen 1:27).

For this reason, I believe at conception a living person is already being formed by the hand of God in a woman’s womb. A baby is the miraculous and glorious workmanship of Creator God; a blessing and life fashioned by love and for love. We did not create ourselves; it is God who is at the center of creative life and it is God who forms us and gives us our unique personalities, abilities, and gifts. Therefore, when we begin to really know and love God, as well as the life he alone can bring, we worship him with joy and gratitude because he alone is our Maker and we live for him!

Psalm 100 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: Father, thank you for being the Creator of love and life. I acknowledge you as my Creator and Lord. Hear my praise and receive my gratitude, because I treasure the life and breath you gave me. I worship you and spiritually run to merge life with you each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage today, Peter leaves Jerusalem and travels to Lydda—about 28 miles from Jerusalem. We know it is God’s plan for evangelism, because the inspiration and power of the Spirit rests on Peter. He goes around and visits with groups of believers near the Mediterranean coast. While Peter is in Lydda, God gives him the ability to perform a miracle with the spoken word of faith, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” Some translation read, “Jesus Christ makes you whole! Arise and make your bed!” As this paralyzed man, Aeneas, responds to this miraculous gift of healing, the people witnessing the miracle begin to desire Jesus, as well. The news and impact of this healing for salvation travels fast.

After the miracle with the paralytic, the Spirit leads Peter to Joppa (about 10 miles away) to perform yet another miracle. Tabitha, (aka Dorcas), a woman who has ministered greatly to the poor through her many acts of kindness, has died. Peter is asked to come to her bedside. This time, Peter kneels, prays, and speaks a word of faith, “Get up, Tabitha!” As she responds to Peter’s words, not only do those witnessing the miracle get a new revelation of faith, but this changes everything for Tabitha. Think about it; one moment she is enjoying the supernatural presence of the Lord and all of a sudden she is translated back into the natural realm, opens her eyes, and sees Peter. What an amazing account of happenings she must have been able to share.

These lessons for the work of faith are amazing and should lead us into a deeper relationship with the Lord. Peter spoke a word of faith and miracles happened. You and I can speak a word of faith and watch the power of God bring salvation and wholeness to others, as well. However, we must remember the Lord may choose to do his work differently in every one of his children. Salvation will always turn someone’s life around; from bondage to sin and death into life eternal. I may never speak to raise someone from physical death, but I pray my very life example lifts people out of spiritual death into life with God. That’s salvation! That’s a miracle! Never forget, if God sends us to do something he will empower us, as well. Grace provides all we need. The Spirit leads the way. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Eph 3:20).

Acts 9:32-42 Peter Heals Aeneas and Raises Dorcas
32 Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. 33 There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. 35 Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.

36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38 But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”

39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.

42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the inspiration of the Spirit who will help me not only know what to say and do, but will bring the power to impact the lives of those around me for the work of salvation. Thank you that every one of your followers is given the same promise in Jesus’ name. Amen.

May 9, 2022

When you hear the word “vindication” what comes to mind? Do you automatically think that if harm has been inflicted that harm must be returned, similar to an eye for an eye situation; and if so, do you think that you have the right to avenge another person? Or, when you hear the word “vindication” do you immediately think of justice, and if so, who provides that justice?

We must remember that God wants to be our Vindicator. He is the only One who brings all injustices into His Light of Truth, and we must be in the right relationship with Him.

So, what does the “right relationship” look like? It is our faith! God cannot work on our behalf, in and through ALL circumstance, if our faith is not firmly rooted in trusting that He is working for our good. The Apostle Paul reminds us of that the great mystery of our faith is that “Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed-in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.” (1 Tim 3:16)

If God vindicated Christ by the Spirit and took Him into heavenly glory, you and I must trust and believe that He will also vindicate us against injustices because we contain the Spirit of Christ. With this being said, we must also remember what Christ endured in the earthly realm. At times, you and I will experience loss and walk-through disasters within this realm, but what we may not realize is that those moments are really victories within the heavenly realm (re-read the great mystery of our faith to see how Jesus is truly vindicated…from flesh by the Spirit and into heaven…the flesh part was painful). God’s economy isn’t always understood by human understanding, because His ways are far greater than our ways, and “we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Rom 8:28)

In today’s passage from Revelation 15, we are being prepared for the pouring out of the bowl of God’s judgement in chapter 16. Today, the beast thought that he got rid of his enemies, but they came back with their sovereign Lord for His vindication. The Holy Spirit gives John another sign of the future world dictator and his religious system. The seven angels seen here are different from previous chapters, and the seven plagues completes the Tribulation period. Next, in chapter 16, the bowl of judgements will conclude God’s judgment on the world. But, for now, the martyrs who conquered the beast stand by the sea of glass and enter into worship for the Almighty Lord God, the King of all nations, for He ALONE is holy, and only His righteous deeds are revealed (because He is the true Vindicator against ALL evil).

Revelation 15:1-4 NLT
The Song of Moses and of the Lamb

1 Then I saw in heaven another marvelous event of great significance. Seven angels were holding the seven last plagues, which would bring God’s wrath to completion. 2 I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. 3 And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations.
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Vindicator. Even when I cannot see it, I know that You are working within the heavenly realm on my behalf and for my good. Help me to grow in my faith, and to press even firmer, into You, when things are hard. Lead me, Father, to bring more hearts to Your Kingdom. I ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant