Pastor Mary Haley

I am a planner; however, no matter how organized my day begins, something unexpected seems to find its way onto my lap of experience. I can only see so much when making my plans, but God is not bound by this natural realm we live in; he sees and views things—past, present, and future—all at once. Think of all the stages and aspects of God’s long-term plan to reveal his existence to his human creation throughout the millenniums. It’s unfathomable; all planned before time began.

In our passage for today, we hear from the Apostle Paul and we are reminded once again about the mysterious scope and expanse of God’s view. God’s plan started long before his Voice was heard at the creation of the heavens and the earth, long before the documentation of humanity’s struggle in relationship with him due to sin, and long before the witnesses experienced the God-Man and Savior—Jesus—in the New Testament.

God knew human beings would sin against his righteous rule, knew they would choose to be their own god rather than bow to his authority, knew their choices would take them into captivity to evil, and knew he would have to bring judgment to gain humanity’s attention. Therefore, God’s plan always included a Rescuer—Himself—to be the blood sacrifice for the sins of the world. God chose a people group and nation to begin his rescue plan; he would be the God of the Jews.

The world was to watch how God took care of his chosen people; blessed and provided for them. God sent the Rescuer first to the Jews; yet, many of the Jews rejected Jesus at his first coming. Because of this rejection, God temporarily handed off the stewardship—of making him known to the world—to the gentiles or non-Jews.

When the Lord Jesus returns at his second coming, the Jews will recognize their Messiah and pick up the torch of God’s plan to make him known. God’s merciful plan has always involved the salvation of his people and he will fulfill his promises to Israel. God has mercifully fulfilled amazing promises for believers already. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14). What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Romans 11:25-32 NLT God’s Mercy Is for Everyone
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
    and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
27 
And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.”

28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share [someday] in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the amazing plan you put into place to save your creation. Although we see in part, we praise you for seeing the whole. Help us, as believers, to continually place our faith in you as we pray for Israel. May every promise you made to them soon be fulfilled. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Because of where we find ourselves as a compromised and deceived nation [struggling to find and follow God’s standard of Truth], I spend a lot of time praying and seeking God for wisdom on how to bring loving and relevant spiritual guidance to the Lord’s people in my care. I have always held the conviction, by the Spirit, God’s plans for Israel and the United States are connected in divine righteousness; we share a vision to be a free society on the pathway to peace by honoring God’s standard and protecting the rights of our citizens.

In fact, history reveals the Jewish nation stood as an example upon which the early American colonists would build. The moral standard God provided Israel proved to produced a more civilized nation; manifesting God’s divine nature of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23 NLT). The righteous fruit of God’s character was produced in government leaders, released in policies, and revealed to individuals, as God was positioned before the people as the righteous Ruler.

This, of course, was always the plan and purpose of God for Israel; to be a righteous fruit-bearing example to other nations (Ex. 19:6). Keep in mind Israel was not more valuable to God than other nations, they were simply the ones chosen to be the model for the mission of God. The message was clear as nations listened: When God was leading the nation, the people would experience true freedom, as well as divine blessing. “The nation whose True God is the Eternal is truly blessed; fortunate are all whom He chooses to inherit His legacy (Ps. 33:12 VOICE).

However, human beings void of a dependent and devoted relationship with God, act upon the sinful attempts of evil to lure them from freedom into bondage. It happens one idolatrous and unrighteous choice against God’s standard at a time. In Scripture, we read about Israel’s struggle to remain devoted to righteous living in a sinful unbelieving world. Foolish choices cost Israel the blessing over and over again, but God still remained faithful to restore her as we saw in our reading from yesterday with the remnant enduring God’s judgment through the Assyrians (Isa. 10:20 NLT). Listen and learn.

In our Old Testament passage, today, Israel once again learns the consequences of compromise. God had position his daughter—the prophet Deborah—to bring guidance to Israel and for forty years they had experienced peace (Jdg. 5:31). However, the people chose to wander from God’s standard once again. In doing so, they lost control of their homeland; the Midianites [a nomadic tribe] were allowed and used by the Lord to oppress Israel for seven years in order to draw his people back to righteousness. Listen and learn.

The Midianites drained Israel’s resources and supplies. Because of Israel’s disobedience to God, they opened the door for the enemy to come in and rob them leaving the entire nation vulnerable to starvation and lack. Here’s some Good News…When the people finally unite and cry out—realizing and repenting from their sin against God—the Lord rescues them by bringing in Gideon [translates “warrior,” “destroyer,” “one who cuts down”] to walk Israel back to God, rid the land of invaders, and move the people out of their barrenness and back into blessing. God chose a very unlikely man, Gideon, and empowered him to become a hero of the faith in delivering Israel. Gideon told the people, “I will not rule over you…the Lord will rule over you” (Jdg. 8:23). Again, may we listen and learn from history.

As I started this post, I will continue and end with my prayers for this nation. This is our wakeup call. Our choices must be to follow the righteous standards of God. Government will not and cannot save us; government was created by God to lead people toward the righteous Ruler (Rom. 13:1 NLT). Oh, we might survive a bit longer with one human leader over another based on God’s will, but friends…Jesus is making us choose whom we will serve and be assured compromising with evil has temporal, as well as eternal consequences.

Judges 6:1-10 NLT Gideon Becomes Israel’s Judge
1 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. 2 The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, 4 camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. 5 These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare. 6 So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

7 When they cried out to the Lord because of Midian, 8 the Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt. 9 I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land. 10 I told you, ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.’ But you have not listened to me.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding us about Israel and your plan for her and all nations. May we pray for Israel, America, and the world to recognize Jesus Messiah—the Rescuer of the human soul from sin, destruction, and death. There are so many ways to live that seem right in our human minds, but you are the only One who knows the righteous Truth; so we must follow your lead and rule without compromise. We bow before your authority and cry out for mercy. We repent and reach for grace and forgiveness. We pray for you to heal our lands and raise up leadership that will hold fast to your standard of justice; righteousness that leads to true freedom found only in the divine blessing. We praise you, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We begin this morning by pausing to recognize and praise the Lord who knows all things; only our self-existent God is Omniscient. I cannot imagine the weight of knowing all things, but it is remarkable to be able to know the One who does. I have to chuckle a bit when people act like know-it-alls; guess they will have a surprise one day when they actually meet the Omniscient One.

God is Truth and he is not hindered, concerned, or confused about who he is or the standard of righteousness he has set for his human creation. He is the Lord—the God of great mystery whom we can never fully understand with our natural minds, but also the God who is as close to us as our very breath. So, we can only imagine how God will one day respond to humanity’s desire and demand for self-autonomy; rather than bow to God’s Omnipotent—all powerful rule. Foolishness for sure!

In our passage today from the Prophet Isaiah, Assyria has been boasting over her military conquest and Israel’s exile. The Assyrians did not realize God was using them to judge Israel and Judah for their apostasy and rejection of God’s moral law. The King of Assyria’s victory over Israel was actually an act of God’s power not Assyrian power. It is unfortunate for the Assyrians, because all the boasting and gloating over their perceived power, was setting them up for a wrath-filled “humbling” from the Lord—God was going to terminate the Assyrian’s existence. Assyria faced God’s wrath first by the decimation of her leadership. Then, civil war finished off the nation.

Yet, hope was found in the remnant of Israel [God’s people] who never set aside their trust. Therefore, God grew that remnant and established his rule with them. There is a reward for remaining faithful to the Lord.

Believers must also be encouraged, because God sent the Righteous One to draw a remnant of people to himself; those willing to surrender to his rule. Christ’s followers are not in danger of God’s judgement, because we live for the King and his eternal Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. No matter what is going on in this world, remain faithful to God, because he has promised to be faithful to his own.

Isaiah 10:12-20 AMP
12 Therefore when the Lord has completed all His work [of chastisement and purification to be executed] on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, it shall be that He will inflict punishment on the fruit [the thoughts, words, and deeds] of the stout and arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the haughtiness of his pride.

13 For [the Assyrian king] has said, I have done it solely by the power of my own hand and wisdom, for I have insight and understanding. I have removed the boundaries of the peoples and have robbed their treasures; and like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones and the inhabitants.

14 And my hand has found like a nest the wealth of the people; and as one gathers eggs that are forsaken, so I have gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved its wing, or that opened its mouth or chirped.

15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him who wields it back and forth? As if a rod should wield those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift itself up as if it were not wood [but a man of God]!

16 Therefore will the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send leanness among [the Assyrian’s] fat ones; and instead of his glory or under it He will kindle a burning like the burning of fire.
17 And the Light of Israel shall become a fire and His Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour [the Assyrian’s] thorns and briers in one day.

18 [The Lord] will consume the glory of the [Assyrian’s] forest and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; and it shall be as when a sick man pines away or a standard-bearer faints.

19 And the remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, so that a child may make a list of them.

20 And it shall be in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more lean upon him who smote them, but will lean upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

Prayer: Lord thank you for using all things to bring about your plan and purpose for our salvation. We pray for humble leaders across the globe; those who will bow to your wise, powerful, and righteous rule. As believers, we pray for our hearts to remain faithful as we cling to your righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I don’t always take the time to read the product labels while grocery shopping, but I have certainly become more and more aware of the ingredients in food items these past few years. There are ingredients I must avoid due to allergic reactions, fats I should restrict for maintaining healthy blood vessels, and added chemicals I need to identify and avoid because they are harmful to my overall health. Advertising makes everything sound so good, but is everything actually good for our bodies?

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul wants us to understand God has placed his label on his children; we are his offspring revealing the details and instructions for spiritual life with God. Believers bear God’s name and we communicate the life-giving details of salvation to others through our attitudes, words, and actions. We are sealed by the Spirit who desires to convey truth to us and through us. It is hypocrisy to say we believe and serve God and then follow the cultural standards of the world. Is living as an example of the world good advertising for God’s powerful Kingdom and rule?

Therefore, the ingredients we bring into our lives matter to our spiritual health. We cannot consume sin and be spiritually healthy. We cannot fill our souls with worldly ideas and still operate in the attitude of Christ. The Word of God helps to define Christ’s nature and character for us, so what we take in needs to produce Christlikeness in us. If what we take into our spirits and souls is not godly, it will not produce spiritual health.

Can you imagine God’s label of ingredients for believers reading: 50% anger, 20% immorality, 10% foul language, and 20% evil deeds to meet our 100% daily requirement for spiritual health? Ridiculous! I am so grateful for God’s grace, but I know it was not given as a gift to help me avoid the consequences of my sin. I need the power of grace to live righteously; Christ in me is all that matters for my spiritual health. He wants to help me make wise choices for what I consume…keeping me spiritually healthy.

Colossians 3:1-11 NLT Living the New Life
3 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 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 those 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, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for placing your label upon our lives; we desire to honor your name in how we live in relationship with you and with others. Holy Spirit, help us to be honest with you about what upsets us and makes us experience anger toward others; we need you to help us get rid of anger. Our words can be so hateful and mean; our jesting can be slanderous and cruel. We can post things on social media that are just awful about others in order to demand our own way. Please forgive us; we claim to be believers in the Truth [the Christ] and we must grow up and live in him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our attitudes and actions throughout our lives either validate or invalidate our faith. We cannot separate faith from obedient actions to God’s Word [prophetic guidance], because together faith and actions make a whole. It’s like the body and spirit coming together at creation; it’s worshiping God in Spirit and then living the Truth (John 4:24).

When a believer has genuine faith, they produce works of love and compassion; they manifest the heart of Jesus in the natural realm. If a person claims to be a believer, but never produces the righteous fruit of God’s love, then it is likely they have had a religious experience but not tasted an intimate relationship with Jesus. Religion based on Jesus’ work on the cross for salvation may connect people to God’s family which is good, but a personal relationship with Jesus calls for the applied Truth that brings new life and transforms the heart.

In our passage today, James presents several examples of faith in action, by highlighting the faith and deeds of a Jewish man, Abraham, as well as a Gentile woman, Rahab. Abraham was a man of faith; a wealthy and respected person [a friend of God]. Rahab was a woman of faith with a questionable reputation; an innkeeper and marginalized woman of little importance [but later is listed as a mother in the lineage of Jesus]. Yet, both of these people demonstrated their faith in God by their actions. Both Abraham and Rahab are biblical heroes of the faith; most assuredly both were affirmed as a part of God’s family in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, because they put their faith to action (Gen 12:1-3; Josh 2:8-11).

You and I must do the same each day. We want our faith in God to be genuine and powerful. Anyone can attend a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue; that takes only a decision and does not translate into a life that pleases God. Instead, like Abraham and Rehab, believers in Christ must not only verbalize the truth, we must put the truth into practice. I pray we take the opportunity by faith in the compassion of Christ, to share good deeds, today.

James 2:17-26 NLT
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the conviction of the Spirit who guides us into genuine faith and good deeds. Help us to remain stable, loving and humble in our actions. May the faith we proclaim honor your name and your compassionate mercy. May we continue to grow in this personal relationship with you, Jesus; to know the Truth that sets us free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

As much as I anticipate and enjoy a beautiful sunrise every morning, there is something equally awe-inspiring about a color-filled sky at sunset [especially as it momentarily reclines over the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico]. “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known!” (Ps 19:1-2).

God displays his presence, nature, and character throughout all his creation. With the rising and setting sun, we should give thanks for God’s merciful nature and faithful promises. In fact, as his human creation, we should humble our rebelliously prideful souls, bow in worship, and turn from evil to live for God, because faith in our Creator’s plans and promises, through his glorious Son, is the only acceptable response to our merciful and gracious Maker. Presently, I pray you can see the faith of believers—in the Son’s power to save, deliver, and guide lives into righteousness—is being tested by God.

In our passage today from the writer of Hebrews, it is clear obedience to God is what brings blessings. Now, in order to walk in the obedience that pleases God, we need to know how God designed us to live and what pleases him, right? Well, these heroes of the faith—listed in Hebrews chapter 11—based their trust and decisions on the Word of God to their hearts. They were convinced that God would do as he promised, even though following him called for sacrifice on their parts. These heroes knew allowing God to reveal their individual life paths—who they were created to be and how they were created to live in his character despite their human strengths and/or weaknesses—was the only way to live in the glory of the Son.

God has promised to bless those who place their faith in him, so we can be a blessing in the world. Blessings come from an intimate relationship between God and human beings resulting in favor, provision, and protection. Believers are to be channels of those blessings. In fact, God established religious and government institutions, in order to help fellow human beings recognize the righteous authority of God’s rule over ALL creation and to lead the world by example into a life of faith in our Creator (Ro 13:1). However, it seems clear every day the sun rises and sets, the eternal Son is being diminished in the eyes of the people by the very groups of leaders designed to help them cling to God’s authority and promises found in his Living Word. We cannot displace and dishonor our Creator’s rule and anticipate being able to appropriate the power or blessings of God for lives and lands—such a notion is deception-led and irrational at its core.

Scripture teaches us about the blessings of God and how to appropriate his power for living. By faith, we need to anticipate the power and blessing of God by living according to his planned design for us. By faith, we need to acknowledge it is only through obedience to God we enjoy the blessing and peace or well-being he offers. Lastly, by faith, we need to accept and follow the true Source of eternal power over hearts and lands. Otherwise, we are on the wrong side of an all-presence, all-knowing, and all-powerful eternal Ruler.

May we return to the fear the Lord and quickly gain some wisdom before it is too late. “Fear [holy awe/respect] of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment” (Prov 9:10). “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Gal 6:9). The Wisdom writer proclaims, “There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak” (Prov 12-13). Pause and Ponder!

Hebrews 11:17-22 NLT
17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.

21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

Prayer: Lord, please make your glorious Son shine in our hearts today and help us to live by placing our faith in you. We accept the testing of our faith; it is such an honor to serve you as you have so mercifully saved the faithful from the penalties of sin and death. We pray for our hearts and our lands to return to your Righteous rule. You are the Giver of miraculous blessings and perfect justice, so may the leaders of our religious and government institutions wake up to proclaim the Truth. Then, send your Spirit to bear witness to the Truth. Your Word teaches there is a way that seems right to the human soul [mind, will, emotions], but it ends in destruction. We know you said it and your Word will fulfill it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Christian message is about faith in God’s power and compassion to touch and restore lives. Surrendering to the will of God is the purpose of genuine faith. Certainly, we must remember it is the power of God that actually performs a miracle, not the faith of human beings. Only God can do the supernatural and impossible. However, we do have a responsibility to use faith in cooperation with God’s power and aligned with his will to be done.

Preceding our passage for today, Jesus, Peter, James, and John are returning from the Mount of Transfiguration. It has been a miraculous time on the mountain with the glory of the Christ, but it is time to descend to the valley of human need. At the base of the mountain they meet up with the other disciples, a crowd, and a desperate father asking for mercy and a healing touch for his demon-possessed son. I can only imagine how awful it was for this father to watch his son suffer for years with such injuries and seizures.

We need to remember the disciples had been given the power in the past to cast out demons (Matt 10:1). In our passage, their failure was brought to the forefront and we can surmise the disciple’s faith was not in appropriating the power of Christ; rather, their failure came from misdirected or vacillating faith. Interestingly, this father does not waiver in his faith. Sure the disciples fail to cast out the demon, but this man’s faith is in Christ not the disciples. So, this father goes to the source of the power—Jesus—and the miraculous happens. At the rebuke of Jesus, the demon leaves and this boy receives a new life.

This passage begs us to look at our faith and where we place our trust. When things take time and the results we pray for are not immediately obvious, where do we find our faith? Is it still in Christ’s power? Or is our faith resting primarily in our natural ability, skills, or plan to get things done in human strength? We can be powerful when we draw on Christ’s powerful anointing, but he must send us. So, we need to rebuke the temptation to do things in our own strength apart from God.

Matthew 17:14-20 Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”
20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing your powerful grace as you send us to touch the lives around us. We are so grateful for your power in working salvation and deliverance. Only you can bring the miraculous. Our faith is in you alone. We pray for our country, today, as we remember the precious lives lost in the terrorist attack twenty-three years ago.  Evil is always seeking to rob, kill, and destroy lives. May we hunger for righteousness, humble ourselves before your throne of grace, and pray for your power to rebuke evil across this land! We know evil masquerades as light, but actually brings death through deception. Help us to be alert and wise. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

For many reasons and in many circumstances, anger is present; evil is actively crouching at the door of the human soul (Gen 4:7). Even the people who rarely find themselves getting angry, are facing the temptation to lose the righteous battle for love and self-control. Yet, the Lord has told us we must subdue that which is unrighteous and be its master; otherwise, it will master us (Gen 4:7). In the midst of hostility, we do get weary in doing what is righteous, don’t we? (Gal 6:9).

In our passage today, the writer of Hebrews wants us to know even in the midst of hostility and feelings of rejection, God is present and lovingly using these things to transform us. So, let’s look at two words in our passage this morning that are commonly misunderstood: discipline and punishment. Now, most of the time we use human images and perspectives [e.g. as parents, children, bosses, employees, law enforcement, etc] to be our guide for understanding these two words, but we really need to press in for discernment in the wisdom of God. Human thinking will fail us.

It is by faith, we belong to the Lord and are learning to live under his authority. Our heavenly Father actually has perfect love for us and knows how to get our attention. It would be a sin to see ourselves other than sons and daughters of God following Christ for the purpose of being made in his holy image. So, if life brings discipline or punishment, it is for our good to move us toward righteousness and his glory (Ro 8:28).

God disciplines his children. The Hebrew root of the word ‘discipline’ translates instruction or training in obedience. God disciplines his disciples by helping us learn holiness. Jesus guides us by his humble example and submission to the Father. The work of the Holy Spirit bears witness to the Truth of the Word in our spirits and helps us to subdue all unrighteousness that seeks to master our souls. We can never be separated from the love of God, so let’s not forget we are being faithfully guided toward the narrow and righteous Door leading to eternal Life. Therefore, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Ro 8:37).

God also punishes his children. The Hebrew root of the word ‘punishment’ translates attending to. We receive equal consequences for our righteous or unrighteous attitudes and actions. We learn by the consequences we face. When we sin against God or others, God attends to it by letting us face the consequences of our unrighteous action. When we choose righteous actions, God attends to it by welcoming us to experience his blessing and glorious presence.

Judgement will come in the future, when those who have chosen to live in unrighteousness and death will be held accountable for their actions—the ones whose names are not written in the Book of Life (Rev 20:13). But, for those who call upon the name of the Lord and live in the Life Christ provides, we are assured of a heavenly home in the glory of God. Oh, the JOY that floods my soul at the thought!

Hebrews 12:3-13 NLT
3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words [proverbs] God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t give up when he corrects you.

6 
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the discipline you lovingly bring to our lives. As your sons and daughters, we know you want to teach us the Truth about your holy nature, so we will leave our sinful one behind. Thank you for your patience when you must punish us for selfish living. We were not born again to remain selfish; love does not demand its own way. So, we ask for your holy presence to protect us as you continue to form us in the loving image of your Son; the Righteous One. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we invest our time learning Scripture and what it teaches about God, as well as what it means as it transforms our lives, it prompts the reader to notice a striking contrast between the world’s way of striving [struggling to reach what is temporarily perceived as good but elusive] and God’s Kingdom way of thriving [resting and trusting in the eternal goodness and sufficiency of the ever-present Christ]. These are two very different viewpoints; yet, both having the potential to steer or direct our lives. Jesus came to offer human beings spiritual life and the opportunity to thrive [breaking forth and growing stronger] (John 10:10). Our perspective makes all the difference. Are we striving or thriving?

For the believer, it is in Christ we live, move, and exist (Acts 17:28). Therefore, we should not only notice these striking opposites, but actually experience the physical, emotional, and spiritual difference Christ makes in our lives. We belong to Christ and we commit ourselves to feed on the truth, walk in his integrity, and radiate his character as we trust in God. He is “Jehovah Jireh”—the LORD will provide!

Jesus is God’s finest provision for us; our Father has promised to meet our needs, as well as bring the resources for growing and thriving. According to God’s Word, the righteous [those who place their faith in Christ’s righteousness] can thrive in every season because God is faithful even in times of adversity (Ps 92:12-13). We are saved by grace through faith for the glory of our God! (Eph 2:8). The Apostle Paul announces to the church in Philippi, “I have learned the secret of living in every situation…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:12-13). Paul is thriving!

In our passage today, Jesus encounters a non-jewish woman and mother of a young girl striving to overcome a demon—evil spirit. Even in her present unbelieving state, this mother recognizes that Jesus is the promised Christ and, by faith, she presses in for the grace [Bread or spiritual sustenance] his presence provides to bring her daughter from striving to thriving, “Lord, help me!” (Mat 15:25). Jesus is moved with compassion to feed—just as he was with Israel in the wilderness—even though his disciples are weary. Faith in Christ heals, blesses, and grows lives. Christ wants his followers to learn the secret of living strong in every situation…

Matthew 15:21-31 NLT The Faith of a Gentile Woman
21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for healing our souls from the work of evil by bringing new life to our spirits. You are so compassionate; you never turn a worshiper away. You offer refreshing relief in order to help us thrive in a world that seeks to diminish and destroy the truth. Develop within us great faith and help us to discover the secret of living and thriving in every situation. We believe truth leads the way to Kingdom life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Concentrated flavors and food items line the grocery shelves and coolers. More than just removing a significant amount of water, many concentrated foods have a higher density of flavors and or nutrients. For example, I just recently purchased a package of very tasty concentrated beef protein sticks—filled with dense protein and good fats that I can grab on the go. It was a wise purchase as sometimes I need to eat something that will give me the fuel to keep going until I can eat a meal.

Moving beyond concentrated physical food, truth is concentrated fuel for our souls and the Book of Proverbs many times provides profound and nourishing wisdom in a simple concentrated sentence. Essentially, a proverb is a statement of truth that wraps up an enormous amount of wisdom which has the potential to change a person’s life for the good. Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs which is filled with principles for wise living. Within the sentences, we will recognize problems common to humanity, our need for wise counsel, and the call of God for correction.

Jesus is Wisdom incarnate, so we must read the wisdom writings with Jesus in mind who emulated them perfectly (1 Cor 1:30). We are being made in the image of Christ (1 Cor 15:49). Did you know there are thirty-one chapters in the Book of Proverbs? One chapter a day for most months; then it’s time to start over. If we truly desire to apply the Word of God, Solomon’s wisdom literature is packed with highly concentrated truth nuggets to sustain spiritual life. So, dig in…

Proverbs 1:1-7 NLT The Purpose of Proverbs
1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
    to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
    to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 
These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
    knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
    Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Prayer: Every day we need you, Lord; your wisdom sustains us and helps us navigate in this menacing and sinful world. In reverence and deference to you and the way you get truth to our hearts, we submit to the work of the Living Word and ask for you to keep us moving forward in spite of the obstacles we may face each day. Allow Wisdom to rise up within us and helps us radiate your glorious image, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.