Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: How patient are you? Every time I read Scripture, I have to confess how very patient God is with his human creation; how patient he is with me. The Lord epitomizes the word “long-suffering” in spite of the trouble and disorder on earth caused by human beings. When we think about human corruption or the sinful state of people, we may be tempted to focus only upon our present culture. However, that would be a terrible mistake and a dangerous one, as well. Biblical history is important to know, because it reveals the wickedness of human beings, as well as what happens when God’s patience has been push too far.

In our passage from Genesis today, God said to Noah it was time to get in the boat; the flood was coming in seven days, because the wickedness on earth had become consistently and totally evil (Gen 6:5; 7:1). God sent Noah to be a preacher of righteousness; announcing to the people they needed to leave evil and turn to God, but his announcements were rejected (2 Peter 2:5). Therefore, God promised to keep Noah and his family safe in the ark which is a picture of the salvation we can have in Christ (Gen 6:22).

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers something important to remember about his Second Coming. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People did not realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Mat 24:37-39). We need to wake up and seek God with all our hearts; to live ready in Christ’s righteousness. We have been warned there is a limit to God’s patience.

Genesis 7:1-5 NLT The Flood Covers the Earth
1 When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous. 2 Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the others. 3 Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood. 4 Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.”
5 So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the unfathomable patience you continue to extend to your human creation. Help us to heed the warnings in your Word and live ready for your return. It does not matter if your return is near or far; Holy Spirit, help us to live in a way that honors you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Every human being requires restoration—the act of returning to our original created state. Restoration means we must be willing to embrace God’s purpose for us while on earth, to increase in our knowledge of him, and to bear the righteous fruit of Christ’s character and nature. Therefore, confession is an ongoing way of living as we move toward the restoration God requires. Lastly, true confession brings with it a desire to stop living in a way we know is wrong. God is not mocked; whatever we sow into or plant, we will reap or harvest (Gal 6:7). God knows our hearts, so we must be transparent with him and ourselves to experience restoration.

In our passage today, the psalmist is singing about the victory that has followed a great battle. He testifies to God’s love and faithfulness in the midst of a terrible fight. When we find ourselves in spiritual battles, we are encouraged to pray, confess our sin and need for restoration, because God listens to the prayers of the humble. If you are fighting a battle and growing weary, continue to pray and press on forward, because God is your Rescuer and Restorer. He is faithful to love you and bring good change to your life.

Psalm 66:8-20 NLT
16 
Come and listen, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell you what he did for me.
17 
For I cried out to him for help,
    praising him as I spoke.
18 
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.
19 
But God did listen!
    He paid attention to my prayer.
20 
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
    or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing restoration to the lives of your children. Thank you for not leaving us broken or troubled. Instead, you lift us from sin and death, bring healing for our souls, and lead us into life abundant and free. We place our trust in you as we confess our need for the restoration only you can bring. Many of your children need a miracle, today, Lord. Please hear our prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro:  Yesterday, we started our reading in Proverbs and discovered how wisdom is asking God to help us see life from his perspective and then choosing to follow him on the path of Truth. Our passage continues in chapter three by drawing our attention to the importance of having both divine wisdom [giving God his proper place in our lives/proper perspective] and divine understanding [knowledge of the Holy One/His ways and character] (Pro 9:10).

Wisdom is like eating ripe righteous fruit from the tree of life.  From the beginning of time, God created us to feed on his wisdom. The Bible really connects humanity and how we are to live in wisdom which is to live in Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life with God.  When we ask for wisdom and understanding, our lives experience a greater measure of harmony and peace, because God created us to conform to his righteousness; this is the desire of his heart for us.

Proverbs 3:13-18 NLV 13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding. 14 For it is better than getting silver and fine gold. 15 She is worth more than stones of great worth. Nothing you can wish for compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand. Riches and honor are in her left hand. 17 Her ways are pleasing, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Happy are all who hold her near.

Prayer:  Lord, our hearts long to be filled with your wisdom and understanding.  May we allow  these precious gifts to grow us in your character and in your likeness.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Intro: It would be a natural tendency to think we know what is right or wrong for our lives and call it wisdom, but in reality any inclination or decision that does not have Christ at the center of it is biblically questionable. Wisdom is learning to see life from God’s perspective and trusting him to guide us as we follow. For the children of God, wisdom is associated with godly human conduct—the character of Christ—who “for our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself” (1 Cor 1:30).

Preceding our passage today from the Wisdom Book of Proverbs, God calls to his children, “Store my commands in your heart” (v. 1). God does not call us to memorize his commands, but rather to make his commands an integral part of our being so we are ready to act on them. In our verses that follow, we learn the path of wisdom is the embodiment of God’s Word. If we honor God as the Source of all we have and seek his will in all we do, God will reward and bless the wisdom we demonstrate—an obedient Christ follower receiving God’s covenant blessings.

Proverbs 3:5-9 NLT
5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.
7 
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.
9 
Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
10
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Prayer: Lord, information swirls all around us and we can find ourselves grabbing ahold of what impresses us, but void of wisdom. Help us to discern wisely and live to honor your character and name. You are the Source of all things, so thank you for being our Helper and our Provider. May how we live bring you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: God calls us by name and pursues us for a relationship in order to lead us on the righteous path for our lives. Yesterday, we looked at the call of Abram; to leave what was familiar in order to go to the unfamiliar with God. Today, we look at the call of Moses; to return to an oppressive environment (Egypt) in order to lead more people to the liberating God. Abram’s call was a vocational challenge to build his faith. Moses’ call was a complete reorientation of his life to build God’s people in faith.

Initially, Moses protests God’s call; he is overwhelmed by God’s presence and instruction. Moses experiences the holy One; he sees the supernatural power of God before him in the burning bush that is not destroyed. He feels unworthy to lead God’s people, because he can’t get beyond seeing things from a human perspective. God gives a promise to Abraham; God also gives a promise to Moses. God gives a promise to you and me. Five very important words for us to remember today, “I will be with you!” If God is with you, then you have all you need.

Exodus 3:1-6 NLT Moses and the Burning Bush
3 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.
7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the call that rests on your children; you have a plan for each of our lives. We need to follow you and allow your grace to help us because you are all we need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: It is not unusual for the Lord to lead his children out of the familiar and into the unfamiliar, because this is how we grow. Sometimes, we are called by the Lord out of the familiar yet unhealthy habits or places, because if we stay we will self-slaughter. Still other times, we may be called out of the familiar in order to stretch our faith, trust, and endurance. Out of divine design, venturing into the unfamiliar requires a devotion to the Lord, because it is not a “comfy” journey spiritually, emotionally, or physically.

In our passage today, the Lord calls Abram to leave the familiar, but within that call and suffering there are many promises. If Abram will move toward the unfamiliar, God will provide the grace needed for he and his family to live a blessed life—offering such abundance they will be able to bless others. But there is more. God promises to share his goodness (cup of salvation) or his curses (cup of wrath) with the world one day depending on how others treat his people. Abram is renamed Abraham by God when he was called to be the father of multitudes. Jesus is the true offspring of Abraham; the blessed One of Abraham’s covenant. We are heirs of Abraham’s blessing, because of Jesus.

Genesis 12:1-3 NLT The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Prayer: Lord, when we face the unfamiliar we get anxious and try to figure out how things will work out. Yet, we know we must walk by faith and not by sight. Thank you for blessing us and making us a blessing. Thank you, as well, for dealing with those in the world who would mistreat us as your children. You will have the final say, so we trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The glorious kingdom realm is God’s eternal domain; everything concerning the kingdom or dwelling within it belongs to the Lord. Therefore, God is free to pour his goodness and favor out upon his followers and leaders as he pleases. Scripture reminds us again and again, God views rewards for leadership from a very different perspective than the world. In God’s kingdom, a true leader is humble and quick to serve others—no task too small if God requires it—because he or she loves and values people the way God does. A genuine leader—as a follower of Christ—should model for others the proper attitude followed by humble action.

In our passage today, the mother of James and John requests the honor of her sons sitting next to Jesus in his glorious Kingdom. In all fairness to James and John, Jesus has just shared a previous teaching with his disciples about what to expect when the world is made new and he sits upon his glorious throne. Jesus tells his followers they will sit with him on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Mat 19:28). All by itself, the vision Jesus sets forth in that verse sounds attractive (Mat 19:28). Yet, we find out in the verses that follow, such places of honor—ones greatly rewarded by the Father—are for those who suffer for the sake of righteousness (Mat 19:29-30). For the greatest, suffering and reward go together.

Matthew 20:20-28 NLT Jesus Teaches about Serving Others
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.
25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Prayer: Lord, please groom us to be servant leaders for your kingdom. Help us to push away from worldly ambition, so we can bring glory to your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Encouragement is a blessing every human being needs to experience. That is why the spiritual gifts God has given his children are so precious; such a treasure. Some of God’s children have a wonderful and weighty gift of encouragement they joyfully share with the spiritual family. Encouragement is strengthening; it builds up and gently nudges one forward.

In the Old Testament, we find many priestly blessings of encouragement for God’s people. This was not only a spoken spiritual blessing from faith leaders, it was a provisional blessing because the people’s needs were practical. They needed food, water, health, children, protection, and security; so, a blessing was prayed over the people and, by faith, they began to look for their supernatural God to provide in some way.

The world speaks cutting, shaming, judging, criticizing words over people every day; it is anti-God. To use our words to build and strengthen the hope and trust of others in Christ—our living Lord—brings forward the love of God that unites us in Christ. We care about helping one another. Encouragement helps the weak and weary to gain strength in the Lord. Jesus was always encouraging his followers by nudging them forward toward greater transformation in their lives. In Christ, may we be encouragers of one another.

In our passage today, the writer of Hebrews shares a priestly blessing to encourage believers to stay focused on their relationship with God and his involvement and favor operating in their lives. Our Good Shepherd not only laid down his life for us, he continues to provide out of concern for us as his family; those who do the will of the Father. Our needs matter to the Lord. He has promised to provide strength and equip us to share his goodness with others in spiritual, as well as practical ways.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT
20
Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer: (Num 6:22-26) May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Every person develops a reputation—the opinion people have about us—over time based on the behavior that is demonstrated in our relationships whether personal, work, leisure, etc. If we have a habit of acting unjustly, disrespecting others, or making negative or condemning statements, we will develop a bad reputation. Depending on how often we display this poor character, we can gain a bad reputation very quickly. Unfortunately, it is hard to lose or repair a bad reputation once we have set it into motion. Only humility and grace can bring healing and restoration.

In our passage today, the tax collectors—those working for the Roman government—have established a bad reputation of corruption with the Jewish people. In fact, any Jew who became a tax collector was consider a traitor, as well as a thief—a notorious sinner. Jesus was aware of all these accusations, but the bad reputation of these tax collectors did not detour him from spending time with them. Jesus was determined to be a Voice of Truth for the sinners; he was not worried about his own reputation being soiled. However, the religious leaders and Pharisees saw the tax collectors as unworthy of God’s love, so sharing a meal with them was considered unthinkable, as well as spiritually defiling. The Pharisees’ image of their piety was as wrong as the tax-collectors’ image of their corruption, so Jesus reminded them every person’s way of life needs to be changed.

Jesus uses a parable to explain why he was willing to spend time with sinners: He felt deep sorrow for them because they were like lost sheep in need of a shepherd. In the Old Testament, God is pictured as the Shepherd of Israel who cares about his people’s well-being (Ps 23). In the New Testament, Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. Since the religious shepherds of Israel failed to show concern for God’s people who were lost in sin, Jesus proved faithful as the Shepherd who laid down his life for the lost (John 10:11).

We can all wander away from our Shepherd and the protection of his care; however, we may face the difficult consequences of our sin when we do so. May we never forget the gift of mercy and grace, as well as the goodness of God to come and find us in order to lift us from sin and restore us in relationship with Father. May we live with gratitude that God changes our identity by making us his children, so our reputation can begin anew when we are born again. In Christ, we are a new person—the old life is gone…a new life has begun (2 Cor 5:17). Have a blessed weekend! Hope to see you Sunday!

Luke 15:1-7 VOICE
1 Jesus became increasingly popular among notorious sinners—tax collectors and other social outcasts. 2 The Pharisees and religious scholars noticed this.
Pharisees and Religious Scholars: This man welcomes immoral people and enjoys their company over a meal!

Jesus (with another parable): 3-4 Wouldn’t every single one of you, if you have 100 sheep and lose one, leave the 99 in their grazing lands and go out searching for the lost sheep until you find it? 5 When you find the lost sheep, wouldn’t you hoist it up on your shoulders, feeling wonderful? 6 And when you go home, wouldn’t you call together your friends and neighbors? Wouldn’t you say, “Come over and celebrate with me, because I’ve found my lost sheep”? 7 This is how it is in heaven. They’re happier over one sinner who changes his way of life than they are over 99 good and just people who don’t need to change their ways of life.

Prayer: Father, as your children, may we care greatly about the reputation we are developing while we are in this fallen world. Our lives need to emulate your beauty and holiness. Please continue to bring change to our lives, so by our attitudes and actions we begin to emulate your character and reputation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: I am truly enjoying our new Bible Study Video Series: The Chosen. If you haven’t been joining us on Wednesday evenings, you are missing a blessing. It’s not too late; simply go to our website and click on the Bible Study tab on the menu bar. You will be able to get caught up very quickly. There are so many valuable lessons we can apply to our lives. Each one nudges us forward with a renewed perspective of the Living Word of God—Jesus—and how we grow as his disciples. Christians represent God to others; we witness to the reality of our reconciliation with God made available in Christ. I cannot imagine what life would be like without Jesus and I am so glad I will never know.

The world does not recognize Christ, so we must help them see the Lord in us. In the Old Testament, heaven came to earth symbolically in the Tabernacle/God’s dwelling place. In the New Testament, heaven came to earth in Jesus/God with us. And, at Pentecost, heaven came to earth in the work of the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer. Everything in heaven is directed by God—operates by his principles and authority. So, the chosen should be permeated with the glory of heaven.

Please do not allow the world to define you. Instead, invite God to reveal to you who he created you to be; a person with great worth, value, and special gifts he designed just for you. Truthfully, because believers are loyal to God, we automatically position ourselves in opposition to the world’s way of thinking, speaking, and acting. Being rejected by the world is no big loss; being cherished by God is the greatest treasure.

1 Peter 2:9-12 NLV
9 But you are a chosen group of people. You are the King’s religious leaders. You are a holy nation. You belong to God. He has done this for you so you can tell others how God has called you out of darkness into His great light. 10 At one time you were a people of no use. Now you are the people of God. At one time you did not have loving-kindness. Now you have God’s loving-kindness.

11 Dear friends, your real home is not here on earth. You are strangers here. I ask you to keep away from all the sinful desires of the flesh. These things fight to get hold of your soul.

12 When you are around people who do not know God, be careful how you act. Even if they talk against you as wrong-doers, in the end they will give thanks to God for your good works when Christ comes again.

Prayer: Lord, I am so grateful to belong to you; heaven is my home. Thank you for the love and mercy you extend to anyone who desires a relationship with you. As your children, may we honor you with how we live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.