Pastor Mary Haley

Intro:  Have you ever struggled to forgive someone who has deeply wronged you? If we wait to feel like forgiving someone, we will wait a really long time. Our flesh does not want to forgive; it wants to blame.  As believers, we don’t always understand how forgiveness and faith go together; however, we cannot truly forgive unless we use our faith and ask for God’s help.  We are the most like Jesus when we forgive; by the act of forgiveness we reveal the essence and wholeness of the eternal realm to others.  

In our passage today, Jesus is teaching the disciples [us] about forgiveness and faith.  We place our faith in God, trust he knows the truth, and will one day right the wrong.  God does not need us to hold onto anger in order to prompt his memory.  This anger is poison for our souls; a poison that grieves the Holy Spirit.  Nor does God need us to judge the sincerity of a person’s repentance.  If someone says, “I’m sorry” we must forgive him or her. It takes Christ’s compassion and power to genuinely forgive someone; as well, it takes admitting and knowing how many sins for which Christ has forgiven us. 

Therefore, forgiveness is an act of holiness. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32). When we forgive others our hearts remain pure; the enemy has no place to plant his evil seeds of offense, bitterness, or anger.  As incredible as it sounds, forgiveness is God’s way of delivering us from evil.

Luke 17:1-4 (NLT) Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith

17 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 So watch yourselves!  “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the many, many times you have forgiven me for sinning against you.  Help me to follow your example of holiness in how I forgive others who sin against me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Intro:  The caves in the wilderness of En-Gedi were used many times as places of refuge. En-Gedi was a town near the west coast of the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert.  David and more than likely 600 of his men hid in these caves.  Don’t be surprised by the capacity; many of the caves could hold thousands of people. The terrain around En-Gedi was rocky and home to wild goats, but also very beautiful.  The waterfalls made this area an oasis in Israel. Today, En-Gedi is a nature preserve and one of the most popular places in Israel for nature enthusiasts.

In our passage today, David and his men are hiding in the caves of En-Gedi, because they are being hunted by King Saul.  Even though David has displayed great respect for the king, Saul wants David dead.  He sees David as a threat to his leadership.  However, that really is not the case and our passage reveals it.  David understood God’s anointing on Saul. Saul was God’s choice; David respected God’s will.  Even when Saul was vulnerable and he had the chance, David would not harm Saul. 

Our lesson today is a good one.  Like David, we must trust the timing of God with our lives. If we try to make things happen in our own strength and in our own time, we will regret the outcome.  May the Spirit help us be patient as we rest in God’s plan. It always takes more courage to do what is right and wait for God’s timing than to rush in and make a mess of things.  David chose to be an example of honor.

1 Samuel 24: David Spares Saul’s Life

1 After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-Gedi. 2 So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats.

3 At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave!

4 “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe.

5 But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” 7 So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul.

After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way, 8 David came out and shouted after him, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him.

9 Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? 10 This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord’s anointed one.’ 11 Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.

12 “May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. 13 As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you. 14 Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? 15 May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!”

16 When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you, my son David?” Then he began to cry. 17 And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. 18 Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. 19 Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. 20 And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!”

22 So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for this lesson of honor and courage from David.  It is a wise word for our faith, because you are the One who makes good things happen in our lives.  May we live with patience knowing, as your children, we can trust you to position us for your will and work in this world.  Blessing be unto you, Lord, as we live each day for your glory.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

February 21, 2022

Today we will be reading Psalm 38, which is one of several penitential or confessional psalms. David, the Psalmist, brings us to the very painful and dark places of his sinful guilt. We experience his physical, emotional, and spiritual pain which he openly expresses to God.

Dear Friends: I initially did not want to share this psalm, because it is so painful…but the Spirit of Christ quickly moved to help me realize that is exactly WHY it has to be shared.

Reminder: YOU & I ARE SINNERS! We are ALL in need, just like David, of the Lord’s forgiveness on a daily basis, and at times, on a second-to-second basis.

Questions: Are you as open, raw, and honest with the Lord, as David, when you sin and seek His forgiveness? Is your relationship with Him so intimate that you grieve when you sin against Him and others by your actions, words, thoughts, or inactions?

Reminder: No earthly relationship compares to the one that you and I have with Jesus…not friends, not family, and certainly not those who consider themselves your enemies. Listen to David and choose to not hear them or to reply when they forsake you; rather, wait on the Lord (v.14-15).

In Closing: Friends, we need to hold the final verses of this psalm close to our hearts: “21 Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.” In the midst of pain and darkness, David never loses sight of WHO is most important, the Lord. He knows that he needs Him, close by and quickly, as He is the only One Who can help. That is the same Truth for our lives.

Psalm 38
A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.

1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage!
2 Your arrows have struck deep,
and your blows are crushing me.
3 Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
my health is broken because of my sins.
4 My guilt overwhelms me—
it is a burden too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds fester and stink
because of my foolish sins.
6 I am bent over and racked with pain.
All day long I walk around filled with grief.
7 A raging fever burns within me,
and my health is broken.
8 I am exhausted and completely crushed.
My groans come from an anguished heart.

9 You know what I long for, Lord;
you hear my every sigh.
10 My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
and I am going blind.
11 My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
Even my own family stands at a distance.
12 Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
All day long they plan their treachery.

13 But I am deaf to all their threats.
I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
14 I choose to hear nothing,
and I make no reply.
15 For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me
or rejoice at my downfall.”

17 I am on the verge of collapse,
facing constant pain.
18 But I confess my sins;
I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
19 I have many aggressive enemies;
they hate me without reason.
20 They repay me evil for good
and oppose me for pursuing good.
21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.
Do not stand at a distance, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my savior.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to recognize sin before it takes place and to rebuke it in Your Name, Jesus. Quicken me, Lord, to seek Your forgiveness. Thank You for never abandoning me, and for always being available. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

Intro: I deeply enjoy my life and am grateful every day for the blessings of God. These blessings are nothing I deserve, but rather promises of grace God has given to me because I love Jesus and have accepted him as my Lord. If you know and serve Jesus, those blessings are there for you, too. Life is filled with challenges, so please do not think I enjoy my life because everything I face is easy or even pleasant. I experience challenges just like everyone else in the world. As a leader of God’s people, I may face more times of testing because I love others in my care; the challenges I face help me minister to others in an empathetic and loving way.

We can all enjoy our lives, because God is good and faithful to lead believers into his promises. He is not going to stop short of providing the blessings that accompany spiritual salvation, safety, and sustenance. Honestly, those are the things I crave most. I need the Lord to save me every day from the temptations to crave and follow the ways of the world. I need the Lord to cover me with grace, so I do not crave the sin that takes me away from my abiding place in Him. I need to Lord to bring me sustenance, because when I feed on the spiritual truths of the pure Son’s life found throughout Scripture, I will be less tempted to crave the pleasures of this world that cause me to rebel against the Living Word’s authority operating in my life.

The god of this world—Satan—tries to lure God’s children into darkness and evil by promising pleasure or enjoyment that is forbidden by God. Don’t believe the lies of Satan; God’s promises are better than any fleeting pleasure this world has to offer: physical pleasure, accumulating possessions, or pride in one’s status or importance. God offers you eternal promises and an invitation to enter into his never-ending glory. I taste a bit of God’s glory now, so I can only imagine the weight of God’s glory that awaits believers when heaven [divine order] overcomes earth [man’s rebellion].

1 John 2:15-17 (NLT) Do Not Love This World
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for blessing me with your indwelling presence. You help me resist the evil of the world by helping me remain focused on your goodness and grace extended to me each day. I love you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Power struggles are certainly common these days. We can witness them in every area of life. When people have strong opposing opinions, finding a compromise is very difficult. As human beings, we tend to dig in our heels in order to hold onto our positions for control. This causes us to become more polarized and unyielding.

These power struggles are not limited to the natural world or human relationships. If we are determined to hold onto our opinions and demand autonomy, we may find ourselves in the midst of a spiritual power struggle. The Holy Spirit is the power to live in the Word of God; apply God’s principles to our lives as we discover his guidelines. If we find our opinions contradict the Word of God, we may find ourselves in the midst of a power struggle with the Holy Spirit. If we find ourselves there, who’s going to win control?

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul encourages the Romans to understand life in the Spirit. He wants them to be real about the power of their fleshly desires that may contradict the work of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power for every believer’s rebirth—the power to live for God. To let our sinful desires control us—things the Word of God tells us to avoid—opens the door for our minds to become hostile toward God. We simply cannot please two masters. When the Holy Spirit places righteousness on our hearts, may we be quick to obey.

Romans 8:1-8 Life in the Spirit
8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you [me] from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature [our flesh]. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit to guide me away from sin and into righteous living. Thank you for my rebirth; for delivering me into a life of peace and wholeness. I am so glad I belong to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Last week, I shared a devotional about religious spirits—demonic influence that seeks to deceive and lead people away from the truth of God’s redeeming love for them, as well as his perfect work of grace to deliver them from evil. Jesus dealt with these wrong spirits all the time, because they masqueraded as the purity of God [pretending to be angels of light] in outward physical appearances, but Jesus knew on the inside their souls were a mess and their hearts were far from his love. In fact, Jesus’ greatest correction took place with the religious leaders [Pharisees] and religious scholars whom he left to shepherd and guide his people toward the Kingdom, so they could be healed by the truth. These leaders were so busy exalting themselves and accusing others of unrighteousness, Jesus declared judgment over them.

In our passage today, Jesus has an encounter with religious spirits; it takes place at a Pharisee’s dinner table. Jesus does not stop to do the usually ceremonial hand washing before eating; therefore, the hateful accusations directed at the true Light begin. Jesus is deliberately provoking these demonic spirits, so he can get the attention of these deceived hosts. Sometimes I marvel at the fearlessness of Jesus each time he confronts evil. He is always motivated by love [wanting their wholeness], so he never budges from speaking the whole truth.

God has compassion on his human creation, because he remembers we are made from the dust. May we have mercy, a heart for justice [help others rise to the righteousness of Christ], and love unconditionally without enabling the destructive habits of others. If all we do is focus on the failures and sinfulness of unbelievers or the spiritually immature, like the scholars and Pharisees, we have not passed through the Kingdom’s doorway ourselves. God is love—regenerating and compassionate—so start praying for God to move in miraculous ways to bring new life to those around you. Be the Light!

Luke 11:43-48, 52 (VOICE) Woe to you, Pharisees! Judgment will come on you! What you really love is having people fawn over you when you take the seat of honor in the synagogue or when you are greeted in the public market.44 Wake up! See what you’ve become! Woe to you; you’re like a field full of unmarked graves. People walk on the field and have no idea of the corruption that’s a few inches beneath their feet.

Scholar (sitting at Jesus’ table): 45 Rabbi, if You insult the Pharisees, then You insult us too.

Jesus: 46 Well, now that you mention it, watch out, all you religious scholars! Judgment will come on you too! You load other people down with unbearable burdens of rules and regulations, but you don’t lift a finger to help others. 47-48 Woe to you; you don’t fool anybody! You seem very religious—honoring the prophets by building them elaborate memorial tombs. Come to think of it, that’s very fitting, since you’re so much like the people who killed the prophets! They killed the prophets; you build their tombs—you’re all in the same family business!

52 So, religious scholars, judgment will come on you! You’re supposed to be teachers, unlocking the door of knowledge and guiding people through it. But the fact is, you’ve never even passed through the doorway yourselves. You’ve taken the key, left the door locked tight, and stood in the way of everyone who sought entry.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making your children lights in the world. May we have the wisdom to stay the course in love, so we can help others enter into your Kingdom living. Help us to speak the truth with compassion and listen carefully as the Spirit guides our way each day. Cause us to be bold and fearless against evil, because greater is the One who lives in us than anything or anyone we encounter in the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: What we put into our minds makes a great deal of difference. What we watch on television, what we read, how we handle our conversations, actually develops and shapes our thoughts and attitudes. We are to deliberately think upon the things that are true like the Word of God, because our thoughts become words, actions, and habits that either reflect the righteousness of God or reflect the unrighteousness of the world. We cannot have the peace of Christ if we feed on the stinking thinking of this sinful world.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul teaches the church at Philippi about true peace which is confidently knowing that God is in control of all things. The peace of God can be found and experienced even when we face conflict and challenges, because true peace radiates from the indwelling Christ. God’s peace is not bound to this natural realm in which we live. To practice appropriating God’s peace we need to pray, express our needs to God, and thank him for the goodness he brings into our lives, every day. Then, we can breathe and know the peace of God is guarding our hearts and minds. God is with you, today. Enjoy Him!

Philippians 4:6-9
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for guarding my heart and mind as I live making you Lord of my life each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

February 14, 2022

Intro: As many around the globe are celebrating Valentine’s Day, you and I know that we do not need one “man created” day out of the year to celebrate love. Rather, we get to celebrate love every day as we learn, meditate, pray, put in, grow with, lean on, live out, and share the best love story ever…it’s the Truth about the living and loving Word – Who is Jesus Christ our Savoir.

In today’s passage, Paul reminds us that Christ is the first of the great harvest through His resurrection. Paul then goes on to contrast Adam and Christ. Through Adam, and his disobedient and sinful actions against God, all have died. So, Adam led the whole human race into dead spiritual living and into physical death apart from Christ. By contrast, everyone who chooses to belong to Christ is given a new life. All who are united to Christ by faith, His resurrection secures our resurrection in our spiritual life today and in our bodily resurrection to come when Christ returns.

Friends, our greatest love story is the one that we have with Jesus. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit, that graciously moves through our salvation in Christ, that makes it possible for us to know true love. If you want to share love on this “day of love”, be sure to share the love of Christ with someone before it is too late.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NLT

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for removing the scales from my eyes so that I can see You. Thank You for allowing the Spirit to overshadow my soul so that the Truth about Your resurrection could be revealed to my heart and life. I look forward to Your return. Please continue to prepare me for that day, Lord. I want to be raised up with You, as I belong to You and only to You, Jesus. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

Intro: In our passage today, we must remember Peter knows how easy it is to fall into the temptation of denying Christ’s power—the Living Word—who makes us holy. Peter denied Christ three times while trying to save himself from death; he immediately suffered in his soul for doing so. However, once Peter experienced the resurrection of the Lord, he was no longer afraid to die. Peter was suddenly motivated to boldly live for Christ in the grace provided; eternal life became his new focus.

Peter writes to the Jews who were driven from their homes in Jerusalem; they were fleeing death. He encourages these early Christians to keep their hope firmly planted in Christ and the grace he offered at the cross. Peter wants these disciples to be prepared for the second coming of Christ by getting their minds ready for action: they are to be self-controlled, remain hopeful, and walk obedient to God. He tells them they must deny their flesh and its desires, so they can be holy in all they do. Notice Peter redirects these disciples; he encourages them to take their focus off from what they have lost and place it on what they have found that is so much greater in Messiah—a holy eternal connection. To be holy is to be totally devoted to God, set aside for his use, as well as set apart from sin.

You and I cannot make ourselves holy, but we can choose to invite the Holy Spirit to make us holy. We are becoming holy when God’s love empowers us to love one another—the family of faith—deeply. There is no room in our lives, gatherings, or relationships for deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, or unkindness. The world desires to feed on that garbage, but God calls us to a holy menu of fruit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control “ (Gal 5:22-23). Call on God’s power today, to help you live as a devoted disciple of Christ. Have a wonderful weekend! Hope to see those of you living in the local area this Sunday; let’s worship the Giver of eternal life who raises us from dead living as we trust him.

1 Peter 1:17-2:1 (NLT)
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart [a pure heart].

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
    their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 
    But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this amazing day and for the love you have poured into your children. Continue to love us into well-being and wholeness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Recently, I have been participating in a stretching class. It is my time to focus on this physical temple of God. Are you deliberately doing things that contribute to your wholeness? Seems like this body of mine needs some stretching in order to maintain a right posture and flexibility. I had been noticing I was physically slouching; not sitting up straight. The more I thought about it I was also aware I was mentally slouching; not focused on the joy of my salvation that keeps me thinking straight. And lastly, I was suddenly aware I had allowed my emotions to start slouching; my soul was wounded by the pride of mockers [spiritual know-it-alls; those who falsely judge other Christians]. Please remember this, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light in order to attack our faith and confidence in Christ (2 Cor 11:14).

I needed this passage today, my friends. God always knows what we need and sends his Word to the rescue, doesn’t he? As God’s children, we are blessed at every turn; we must spiritually look for the blessings of our salvation. That is why the enemy works so hard to get us bent, burdened and burned out. Certainly, as believers how we view things must be seen through the cross of Jesus Christ; God’s love given to us. We all need discernment these days, because Satan is certainly crafty. However, the Holy Spirit makes our spirits sit up straight, directs the focus of our souls upon the goodness of God for salvation, and helps us rest knowing we belong to him alone and He writes our life stories according to His plan. So, the next time you become aware Satan has caused you to do some slouching, call for the Holy Spirit to help you listen up to the Truth, stretch your faith muscles, and send that liar Satan back to hell where he belongs. God watches over you, today. Hugs!

Psalm 1
1 
Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
2 
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
3 
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.
4 
But not the wicked!
    They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
    Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for life and for faithfully caring for me. Thank you for being my Rescuer each day; your love is always there catching me and guiding me into a deeper place in your love. Grant to me today a full measure of your loving grace, strength, and power as I delight in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.