Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: I’m a veggie and fruit eater. I love salads filled with all kinds of goodies (no cheese, please) and delicious fresh fruit is like dessert for me because I really do not crave refined sugar sweets. Scripture teaches us a lot about fruit, but just like when we go grocery shopping, not all fruit is good to eat. Sometimes fruit looks really good on the outside, but is rotten on the inside. Let’s remember there was righteous seed-bearing fruit, as well as good-looking unrighteous fruit in the Garden of Eden.

Today, as Christ’s followers, we are to hunger for God’s goodness and produce the righteous fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Producing the fruit of God’s love— is a commandment in the life of Christ’s followers (John 13:34). Love for God leads us to obey his commands (1 John 5:3). Authentic love for our neighbor leads us to push aside our selfishness to come along side others and share the gospel of peace that is available with God through Christ (Mat 22:35). Fruit production is about character and actions and we lead others to God with the good fruit of the Spirit of Truth. Actions speak louder than words.

In the Old Testament, prophets brought messages to the king and the people. The king was responsible for seeing to it that God’s will was done among the people. So God provided prophets to help guide the people. Some prophets—called anointed prophets—genuinely shared a message from God for the king, so he could lead the people toward righteousness. This was not always a popular message, because it shined a light on the people’s sin and many times these prophets were killed in order to silence them. Some other prophets—called false prophets—were deceptive; they came saying they had a message from God, but in reality they arrived to share a message that everyone wanted to hear and would make the prophet popular. Their message never addressed sin in the light of the truth.

In our passage today, Jesus is concluding his Sermon on the Mount where he has been guiding people in recognizing righteous actions that please God, as well as warning them about unrighteousness that is being taught by false prophets. Therefore, Jesus wants the people to know how to tell the difference in their teachers. Jesus instructs his people to continue to move forward in the truth—walking the narrow way into God’s presence and Kingdom living (Mat 7:13). Live the truth, today!

Matthew 7:15-20 NLT The Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us a hunger for spiritual fruit. Please continue to help us produce the fruit of righteous living. May our actions identify the fruit of the Spirit living within us. Fill us with your love, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: You never know what you’ve got till it’s gone is an idiom that always resonates value within me. I hold onto it, because it reminds me to live each day enjoying my relationship with God, the reality and power of the truth, the blessings I have been given in my loved ones, my calling and work, the people around me, and my freedom; all imparted to me because of the love of Jesus. In this selfish and self-aggrandizing world, it is all too easy to become spiritually distracted from the truth and take these blessings for granted until they are no longer available.

The work of sin is to distract and divide humanity from the truth of God’s love. In the beginning, when Eve saw the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge—the fruit God said was off limits—it outwardly appeared extremely desirable to the senses and distracted her from the truth. Yet, inwardly that fruit, when eaten, quickly divided the heart and brought both physical and spiritual death.

In our passage today, David asks God to deliver him from evil, as well as heal and reconnect his divided heart. David wants help being loyal to God; he knows he cannot live in a way that honors and glorifies him without divine intervention. He needs a Savior. He needs the Lord.

So, our faithful and loving Lord created a way for humanity to regain what the enemy robbed in the garden. For this reason, salvation in Christ begins in the heart of human beings. There is grace for today; tomorrow is not promised. While there is time, please tell others about the need for Christ. Like David, may we crave an undivided heart. Love is the Way…

Psalm 86:11-13 VOICE
11
O Eternal One, guide me along Your path
    so that I will live in Your truth.
Unite my divided heart so that I will fear Your great name.
12 
O Lord, my God! I praise You with all that I am.
    I will rightly honor Your great name forever.
13 
For Your loyal love for me is so great it is beyond comparison.
    You have rescued my soul from the depths of the grave.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding our understanding of the Truth. Continue to teach us to walk in wisdom, by staying connected to Christ. Holy Spirit, grow the fruit of love within us, so we can live as victorious sons and daughters. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The other day I was trying to describe something complex in structure and layout to my husband, but I was struggling to find the right words; so, I quickly grab a piece of paper and drew a picture. There is an old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” It simply means a picture can bring together complex or perhaps multiple ideas and convey them with a single image. Truthfully, the picture I drew as I spoke was a lot more effective than just my words.

The Old Testament is filled with words and images which form pictures that convey truth about God—the Creator of heaven and earth. The New Testament Gospels contain many lessons that explain truth by drawing visual word pictures. For example, Jesus told parables that brought together complex spiritual things and ideas so his listeners could understand the mystery of God who brings blessings, as well as judgment. Jesus wants people to know the love of God for humanity, as well as the anger of God against the sin living within. Human beings were created to bear the glory of God not the sin of the world.

In our passage today, Jesus is focused on getting clarity to his disciples—those who have committed themselves to his message and way to be in right standing with Father God [Gospel of Grace]. Jesus has spent a great deal of time speaking with the crowds and dealing with the Pharisees, but now he is specifically focusing on those who are listening to him and taking his Word into their hearts. When humanity seeks God’s will, spiritual understanding is released.

Jesus knows the hearts of those who are sincerely seeking him to bring righteous salvation from sin; their hearts return to God (which means a reversal in direction and living). Therefore, Jesus allows the disciples to receive the spiritual truth and understanding from his illustrations and parables. The parable of the four soils found in Matthew 13:1-9 speaks of sown seed in soil and reveals a separation of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [filled with living water] from those who are simply full of themselves [dry as dirt] (Mat 5:6). “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:6-7). Thank you, Jesus!

Matthew 13:10-17 NLT
10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets [mystery] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see.    They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,
‘When you hear what I say,    you will not understand.When you see what I do,    you will not comprehend.
15 
For the hearts of these people are hardened,    and their ears cannot hear,and they have closed their eyes—    so their eyes cannot see,and their ears cannot hear,    and their hearts cannot understand,and they cannot turn to me    and let me heal them.’

16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.

Prayer: Lord, with all our knowledge of your Word, please give us understanding. As we seek you, we know you will provide the Truth for our hearts. Thank you for abundant life and our freedom in the Spirit. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Intro: The biblical definition of confuse is: to mix or blend things so that they cannot be distinguished. Therefore, confusion is associated with a lack of clarity, misunderstanding of the truth, and a state of disorder. According to Scripture, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Cor 14:33). So, confusion is the work of evil; it is sent by the enemy to divide, separate, and destroy the Truth. Because of sin, the world is confused about God and his authority to set the standard for his human creation.

Even though the world is confused by sin, believers can live in the clarity of the Truth. The Holy Spirit lives in believers and convicts us of sin—gives us a new way to think—so we do not make a practice of what we know is unrighteous. True, we all sin, but because of the light of Christ and his Word, we know what grieves God and we quickly repent and seek to live separated from those things the enemy uses to bring confusion. Remember, obedience to God thwarts the work of evil.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul asks the believers in Ephesus to stop sinning: any thought, word, or action that does not conform to God’s will. Now, you might think no believer would be all right with lying, stealing, or acting out their rage or lust; however, Paul has to correct the believers because they are, in fact, acting just like unbelievers.

This can happen when we grieve the Holy Spirit by not honoring his conviction in our hearts. When we choose to grieve the Spirit, we open a spiritual door and confusion enters to harden our hearts and darken our minds. Things that were once clear are now distorted. So, Paul releases the following challenge to the early believers as a warning: Get rid of your evil behavior…and imitate God in everything you do (Eph 4:31, 5:1). Such a great reminder for us, as well.

Ephesians 4:17-5:2 NLT Living as Children of Light
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles [unbelievers] do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[put his seal/mark on you] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Living in the Light
5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Prayer: Lord, please help us to listen and obey the convicting work of the Spirit. We want the Holy Spirit to guide us, so we do not fall into a state of confusion over things you make clear in your Word. We want our lives to glorify you as we choose to live in the truth. So, please help us live in the Light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: On July 1st, John and I celebrated forty-five years of marriage. Yikes! Where did the time go? Over a lovely dinner, we reminisced about the many challenging experiences we had shared, as well as the joy of things we accomplished together. People who know us well will testify to how different John and I are in our natural inclinations, likes, and dislikes, but we are deeply connected by our commitment to God and to one another. Only with God could two young self-focused people like us come together and learn to become one in Christ’s love. (Please don’t ask me or John about the pain-scale involved in that process! lol!)

In Scripture, the word commitment communicates “giving over” something of value to another person. As well, commitment brings with it the responsibility to “practice” a certain pursuit. For example, when we marry, we are “giving over” [surrendering] our singleness [focused only on what is good for self] and now joining into a relational bond that considers what is best for two people.

In our passage today, David speaks about his commitment to becoming one with God’s Word. David knows only God can give him the right perspective and guidance for life in this dark world. It is through his Word that God initiates a relationship with us. God brings wisdom to our lives, so we can navigate the challenges effectively and learn to love one another the way God loves us. For the believer, Christ is our Bridegroom; through the Holy Spirit, we become one with him in flesh. We are the recipients of Christ’s affection and we are invited to focus our affections wholly on him. Let’s follow the Light of the World, today.

Psalm 119:105-106 VOICE
105
Your word is a lamp for my steps;
    it lights the path before me.
106 
I have taken an oath and confirmed it:
    I pledge to do what You say is right and just.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for initiating a relationship with your children. Help us to keep our focus on you and to remain committed to following your Word. Holy Spirit, we want to become One with Christ in your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: I love sitting around a campfire or fire pit. There is something so mesmerizing for me about a “controlled fire.” As a child growing up in Michigan, I would sit and sometimes sleep near the fire place, because the glow and warmth of it was comforting to me. Now that I live in Florida with 90 degree temperatures, I have a fireplace that puts off zero heat and I can still enjoy the glow before me! lol! When scripture portrays God as a pillar of fire, a bush of fire, a fiery furnace, fire on the mountain at Sinai, tongues of fire, or even a consuming fire it is a comfort, because fire reminds me of the glorious and holy presence of God revealed to humanity. Sin may not be safe in the fire of God, but as his daughter in Christ I am.

In our passage today, while shepherding near Sinai, Moses is drawn to a blazing fire nestled inside a bush which remarkably is not destroyed. This ground around the fire is holy and this will be the first of several times Moses encounters the revealed Word of the Lord at Sinai. With his sandals off, Moses speaks with the Angel of the Lord around the fire—I love this picture. The Lord knows Moses’ name and has a plan for his life as they chat there. Through this experience, Moses has no doubt that God is holy and powerful, requires respect, and is not of this world. God pursues Moses and makes a commitment to deliver his people from oppression and evil.

God is love and he pursue us with a passion to enjoy fellowship. Because of the redeeming work of Christ, we can boldly approach the throne of our gracious God (Heb 4:16). Today, may we turn to our Pursuer, take off the sandals that carries the residue of the world, bow in complete respect to our Creator, enter the holy presence of our loving Father, and find there is no one like the Lord!

Exodus 3:1-6 NLT Moses and the Burning Bush
1 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”

4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied.

5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our fireside lesson from Moses. Please continue to pursue us, heal us, sanctify us, and reveal yourself to us as your sons and daughters. We need and want you, Lord. Be our Comforter and warm us in your glorious presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Last Sunday, I shared about the dangers of pride to our relationship with Christ and how destructive a lack of empathy is to our relationship with others. Certainly, the struggle to fight against this sin is real and we must seek the power of the Spirit to help us maintain a humble attitude, so we can produce righteous actions. Living our lives in a spirit of humility is a struggle even though Jesus made it look easy.

In our passage today, Jesus is getting ready to share a Passover meal with his disciples. It is not an ordinary Passover; it is a set up for salvation and every aspect of the evening reveals the love of God to redeem the world. The events of the evening are permeated with profound spiritual lessons that touch the lives of the disciples, as well as the lives of believers throughout time.

Judas chooses to be led by evil; no surprise, because a betrayal is necessary and Jesus came to destroy the work of Satan (Gen 3:15; Zech 11:12-13). Our scripture teaches Jesus knew the timing for his return to heaven had arrived; no surprise, because it was prophesied (Dan 7:13-14). Jesus knew the Father had given him the power he needed to bring salvation to earth; no surprise, because Jesus is the Passover Lamb to be slain and this is the time (Ex 12:21-27). What is a surprise is how difficult humility is for human beings even when we are told serving brings joy to our souls.

John 13:1-17 GNT Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1 It was now the day before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end.

2 Jesus and his disciples were at supper. The Devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, the thought of betraying Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him complete power; he knew that he had come from God and was going to God. 4 So he rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured some water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Are you going to wash my feet, Lord?”

7 Jesus answered him, “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.”

8 Peter declared, “Never at any time will you wash my feet!”
“If I do not wash your feet,” Jesus answered, “you will no longer be my disciple.”

9 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, do not wash only my feet, then! Wash my hands and head, too!”

10 Jesus said, “Those who have taken a bath are completely clean and do not have to wash themselves, except for their feet. All of you are clean—all except one.” (11 Jesus already knew who was going to betray him; that is why he said, “All of you, except one, are clean.”)

12 After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer garment back on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I have just done to you?” he asked. 13 “You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am. 14 I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. 16 I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them. 17 Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your perfect example of humility. You humbled yourself and left the glory of heaven in order to save us. You humbled yourself by washing the sin off from us through your cleansing Word of Truth. You humbled yourself to die for our sin on the cross even though you were innocent and pure. Thank you for your love! So, Lord, please help us assume a humble posture and put on a servant’s heart to minister to others, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: God values everyone; he desires for all of humanity to humbly enter into a personal relationship with him so he can express his healing love for them; all things are made whole in God’s presence. God is the Creator, Provider, Savior, and Sustainer of Life and humanity is called to enter into his godly presence and plan for our well-being/wholeness. Every believer has been gifted and equipped by and through God to be a blessing within creation, so we certainly have something to add to the whole picture as we love God and one another. This world was never created to function without God filling our hearts and directing our paths (Pro 3:5-6). I want to remind you, today, God loves you!

If we are going to succeed as a human race, we are going to need to lose our arrogance and pride, because it is a form of self-worship or idolatry. No person is better than another; we are all sinners who need God’s love and salvation. So, may we gain some wisdom and reject prideful arrogance, because God resists the proud (Pro 3:34). Having godly aspirations for our lives is good, but selfish ambitions that are only focused on our personal advantage is prideful and will rob us of the contentment God offers his children.

In our passage today, David reminds us to have a proper vision of the chain of command put in place by God. Some things only God knows; therefore, his standard should not be questioned. When humanity goes too far into sin, biblical history reminds us God will wean us from our self-sufficiency and self-focus and help us see things from a higher perspective. This is called discipline and it is painful, but necessary if we are going to learn dependence upon God. May we all choose to be weaned from self, because only then will we truly value others and see life more clearly. Trusting in God’s plan is required.
Psalm 131 GNT A Prayer of Humble Trust
1 
Lord, I have given up my pride
    and turned away from my arrogance.
I am not concerned with great matters
    or with subjects too difficult for me.
2 
Instead, I am content and at peace.
As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms,
    so my heart is quiet within me.
3 
Israel, trust in the Lord
    now and forever!

Prayer: Lord, please continue to help me assume a humble posture before you and others. Please help us as your children to put on grace and reflect your righteous attitude and conduct. We know contentment is only found in living out your plan. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: When we have a right relationship with God through Christ and are seeking to be led by the Spirit, every day brings along little spiritual victories even if we are not aware of them. Our faith is active and moving. God is good and with Christ as Lord of our lives, we are filled with his presence and that makes believers more than conquerors in the world.

Believers are on the same page when it comes to Christ’s authority and victorious Kingdom living; we all must come with childlike faith and trust. Every victory, whether small or large, is important to God and makes a difference for the Kingdom. The only thing that can stand in our way of experiencing miraculous victories is spiritual pride. Do you have childlike faith?

Leading up to our passage today, seventy-two disciples return from a mission directed by the Lord. The disciples had been sent out to other towns in pairs—as lambs among wolves—to heal the sick and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now’ (Luke 10:8). They followed Jesus’ instructions. The disciples return filled with joy over the victories they had over demons, because Jesus had given them authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:18). Although Jesus rejoices with them, he wants them to focus on what should fill them with the greatest joy: their names are registered in heaven” (Luke 10:17-18).

In our passage today, Jesus takes time to pray and thank the Father for allowing the childlike to experience the power of the Kingdom. Jesus thanks the Father for his plan, because everyone who knows the Son can be victorious. Truly, if we did not have childlike faith, we would never go out and mingle with wolves, would we?

Luke 10:21-24 NLT Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving
21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
22 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving believers the privilege of joining you in ministry to the world. Help us live each day with childlike faith, knowing every day can bring the Kingdom closer to earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The burdens many people face in life can really be heavy and too much for them to carry alone. I minister to people all the time who are standing in the merging intersection of those weighty challenges and they are trying to decide which way to turn or what to do to bring healthy change. Although I seek to help in spiritual and tangible ways, my greatest responsibility is to help people connect with the God to whom nothing is impossible. God is able and we must, by faith, stand in that place of belief and know the Lord will provide a way of salvation. He has given us his promise that nothing can separate us from his love; therefore, victory is ours through Christ (Rom 8:35-37).

In our passage today, David stands in the midst of challenges and proclaims the sufficiency of God. David wants God’s people to remember, the Lord is great and righteous, he acts on behalf of his children doing wonderful works, his glory reaches the heavens, he is filled with patience and compassion, and he is all we need each day to flourish as we seek his kingdom (Mat 6:33). Developing a thriving relationship with the Lord is the wisest action a human being can take, because the Helper (Spirit) moves through that relationship.

In the Old Testament prayers and praises, David tells us the Lord is the Lifter of our hearts, as well as the Helper we need for every burden. In the New Testament Jesus tells us something very similar, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Mat 11:28-30). Jesus offers his followers spiritual rest and an opportunity to come to him (yield) for learning and refreshment, because we must stop trying to carry the load of life alone.

Psalm 145:8-14 NLT
8
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 
The Lord is good to everyone.    He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 
All of your works will thank you, Lord,    and your faithful followers will praise you.
11 
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;    they will give examples of your power.
12 
They will tell about your mighty deeds    and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.    You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;    he is gracious in all he does.
14 
The Lord helps the fallen    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for pouring your goodness into our lives and providing the strength we need while you bring salvation. Thank you for the spiritual rest and the glorious help of the Spirit who leads our lives forward into good things. Like David, may we be a witness to others of your faithfulness to walk through life with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.