Pastor Mary Haley

March 14, 2022 (Monday)

Today we will be looking at the first 6 verses of Psalm 105. These verses can also be found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-13. They are a portion of verses that are presented there from King David and were most likely sung as the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem. Although this Psalm is addressed to Israel, there is so much that you and I can glean from it today. Let’s break it down into a couple of sections:

Verses 1-3: Within these verses we are reminded that as the people of God we are called to a place of:

Gratitude – we must “give thanks to the Lord” for all that He has done, is doing, and will do.
Praise – we must “sing His praises” because He is so good.
Evangelism – we must “tell everyone about his wonderful deeds” in order to spread His truth.
Worship – we must “worship the Lord” and exult His holy name all of the time.

Verses 4-6: Within these verses we are reminded that as the people of God we must seek His:

Strength – in order to make it in this fallen world we must seek the Lord’s strength each day.
Miracles – YOU are alive and breathing, that is a daily miracle, never forget all that God is doing.
Godhead – we are a part of God’s great nation through Abraham, we are children of God.

Psalm 105:1-6 NLT

1 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
2 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
3 Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
4 Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
5 Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
6 you children of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for all that You have done, are doing, and will do within my life and in the lives of those who call on Your Holy Name. Help me, and all of my brothers and sisters of faith, to speak the Good News of Your eternal love. Keep each of us filled with Your strength so that we can continue to move forward in doing Your Kingdom’s work. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

Intro:  In our passage today, the Apostle Paul challenges some well meaning but self-indulgent Christians.  These Christians do not emulate the life and character of Christ, yet they profess to know him.  Paul uses himself as a model, not because he thinks he is perfect—he has told us he is not—but his motive for living is righteous before God. In other words, Paul has committed to live for God’s glory and he wants others to witness this truth by how he lives each day by faith in Christ.  

Paul’s motive to be an example of Christ is a profound challenge that causes me to spend time reflecting on my life this morning.  Do the people around me see the character of Jesus revealed in my actions?  Do they understand I desire to emulate him, not out of duty, but out of the depth of my love for him?  Do they see I am willing to pick up my cross—death to my carnal will and desires—in order to better reflect his character? 

If our minds are always focused on the people and things around us and how we are affected by them—positively or negatively—we have made the pleasure of self the center of life.  If we are self-indulgent we tend to live how we want especially if it satisfies our personal desires for pleasure. When Jesus is our greatest Pleasure, we are filled with joy and satisfaction, because we have chosen to live for his glory above all other things.  This means there will be times we must deny ourselves.  Paul wants us to know living for the glory of God is what brings the most satisfaction.

Philippians 3:17-20 (NLT)

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to be an example of your character by giving me an ever-increasing appetite for holiness. In Jesus’ name.   Amen. 

Intro: Human achievements, no matter how fantastic they may be, never bring salvation for our souls nor can those deeds produce eternal life in us. Our credentials in the world really do not impress God. Our hearts on the other hand—should we bow our wills before God and serve one another in Christ’s love—have the power to please God immensely. When we are obedient to allow Christ to work a spiritual rebirth in us, by our faith Christ immediately ushers us into God’s presence to provide us with grace for our needs. This is why the prayer of the righteous has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16).

May we all gain the revelation no matter how kind, understanding, merciful, or loving we think we are salvation comes by grace through faith in the resurrecting work of Christ (Eph. 2:8-9). I don’t care who you are and how long you have profess to “know” God, we all need Christ to lift us out of dead living; it is a process made available by our commitment. If we try to bring change in the power of our human flesh, we are not welcoming the supernatural work of Christ for salvation.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds the Philippians that if salvation was about his human achievements or his religious training he would be at the top of the heap before God. He used to think those things were important; but, since meeting Jesus he views them as “garbage” compared to the life he now experiences. To have a personal relationship with Christ that is flourishing with righteous fruit should be the goal of every Christian. Today, let’s each ask ourselves, “What do I value most in life?” Be careful when you come to the answer, because we can make certain people, material things, self-sufficiency, and even success an idol that displaces Christ in our lives. To really know Christ is to actively experience his resurrecting power in our lives—to become more like Christ!

Philippians 3:5b-11(NLT)
5 I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ [through Christ’s faithfulness]. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for causing me to grow in your righteousness. You are what I value most. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Attending the Festival of Unleavened Bread—Passover—was mandatory for Jewish males ages 12 years and older. This was a very important time in Israel’s history to remember; multitudes would have faithfully attended this seven day festival. In the midst of what should have been a joyous and holy time drawing near to God, the religious priests and teachers are planning to kill Jesus. These wicked leaders are not afraid of killing the Son of God; they are afraid of the people’s reaction. So, they look for earthly political leverage to manipulate what they want to do.

In our passage today, Satan enters Judas which tells us evil thought the death of Jesus would end God’s mission and plan for redemption. Maybe when Jesus starting talking about his death, Judas decided he wasn’t the real Messiah; therefore, he decided to make his betrayal of Christ financially lucrative. Little did Satan/Judas know he was playing right into the righteous plan of God for the salvation of the world.

Be aware of the tactics of Satan. First, Satan uses a false religion to work in opposition to God. Secondly, people may think they are right with God because they attend a worship assembly, but it is possible they do not even know the true God. Third, if we really know Jesus, we understand He invites us to come and die to our selfish and rebellious ways against the commands of God. “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Mat 16:24-25). To live any other way and think we are professing Christ is to betray him.

Luke 22:1-6 (NLT) Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
22 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

Prayer: Lord, Satan is always trying to get your people to betray you, but help us to remain faithful to leave our selfish desires behind and surrender to your will and way. In Jesus name. Amen.

Intro: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). That means every word in Scripture we read has a spiritual meaning that is to “activate” something within us. God’s Word is active and purposeful to protect us, as well as move us forward in His plan for redemption (Heb 4:12).

Let’s keep those two Scriptures in mind as we come to our main passage for today. Dr. Luke wants us to listen to the warning of Christ who is telling his disciples what to expect about His return; calamities will shake the earth (Luke 21:25-26). Jesus wants his followers to be spiritually prepared for action, so if he lists certain things it is because those things cause people to be unprepared or too weighed down to take the proper action. The trials of life ahead may be so difficult that if we are not spiritually fit, we will not discern them accurately nor will we handle them righteously.

It is to our advantage that we see life from God’s perspective; to allow the Light of God’s Word to lead our way. If God’s kids are more interested in the sensual pleasures of the world, we will not be able to properly observe the signs God brings that the Kingdom is drawing near. If you and I are worried about worldly challenges, we will not focus on the one thing that is essential; to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive from him the love, peace, and wisdom found in His care. We must pay attention to our spiritual lives, because a healthy spirit will be focused on all the ways we can love other believers the way Christ loves us (John 13:34).

Luke 21:34-36 34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this passage today recorded by Dr. Luke. May we be waiting and watching for Your return each day. I pray for strength, Lord; help Your children escape the calamities of judgment by living in your righteous care. I pray for the people of Ukraine, Lord, they are suffering and being scattered; please raise Your children up in surrounding countries to welcome and care for them. Inspire within us, as a country, how to love them from a distance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

March 7, 2022

Today we will be learning from the first epistle (or letter) of John. Since we will be in the second chapter, let’s take a moment to recall how this letter began in the first chapter. John opens with an introduction, and he reminds us that he has actually seen and heard from the One who is Eternal Life, Jesus Christ. John wants us to have fellowship with Jesus, so that we may fully share in His light, love, and joy. John goes on to share the message of living in light. He declares that God is light, and that there is no darkness in Him. “So, we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.” (1:6) By living in the truth we are living in fellowship with one another and allowing Jesus to cleanse us of our sins so that we can live in His light and in true fellowship with Him.

When I think of fellowship I think of friendship or communing with someone. So, do you seek to sin against your friends? Do you want to hurt them with your words, actions, or inactions? If your answer is “no”…then, is your fellowship, or friendship, with Jesus less important than what you have with your friends? If again, your answer is “no”…then why do you sin against Jesus? Jesus tells us that when we sin against one another, or that whatever we do to His brothers and sisters, we are doing to Him. (Matt 7)

John urges us in today’s portion of his letter to not sin. He goes on to remind us that if we do sin that we have an advocate, One who will plead our case before the Father, and that is thankfully Jesus. He gives Jesus the title of “truly righteous”, and that means that He is in the right relationship with the Father, and with us, so He is the only One who can act as an advocate on our behalf between us and the Father. John also reminds us that we are to obey God’s commandments. Let’s face it, God is our Creator and only He knows what is best for us. His commandments come from a place of wanting the best for us. So, if we are seeking to grow closer to God, and if we truly love Him, then we must obey Him and His Word. In this place we are living for Him, and our lives should reflect the light and life of Christ.

1 John 2:1-6 NLT

1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for being my advocate to the Father. Help me, Lord, to be more and more obedient to Your Word, and to be growing in fellowship with You. I ask for Your forgiveness of my sins. If there is anything that is sinful against You that I am not aware of, please bring awareness to me so that You can help me to change it. I want my life to reflect You, Jesus. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

ommandments. ⁴ If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. ⁵ But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. ⁶ Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for being my advocate to the Father. Help me, Lord, to be more and more obedient to Your Word, and to be growing in fellowship with You. I ask for Your forgiveness of my sins. If there is anything that is sinful against You that I am not aware of, please bring awareness to me so that You can help me to change it. I want my life to reflect You, Jesus. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Intro: Doing what is right in the eyes of the heavenly Father is not always an easy decision to make; we may not be eager to follow righteousness because most of the time it calls for a sacrifice to our souls. Our souls—minds, wills, and emotions—demand earthly fulfillment while our spirits crave and cry out for the things of heaven. Satan tempts us to follow our flesh, but the Spirit brings the power to follow righteousness. Therefore, there may be internal opposition in our souls. When we faithfully obey the Word of the Lord no matter how it affects our flesh/souls, we bring glory to God—we shine!

In our passage today, Jesus does not want to be separated from the Father; yet, to take on the sins of the world means he must be separated and judged in order to bring salvation. Christ has delivered us from Satan’s rule by his sacrifice. To remain free we must live by the Word of God and turn from evil. Jesus is the Light for the dark places in our hearts and in the world; he draws us to himself. We must walk in the Light, so we can become children of the Light.

John 12:27-36 (NLT)
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.

30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.

34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”

35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

Prayer: Lord, help me live today in Your powerful Light of Truth.

Intro: Many people profess to know and love God; however, Scripture teaches we prove we know and love God by calling on the Spirit to help us obediently follow His commands. It is possible to love and honor God from a distance, but that spiritual stretch yields no power to bear righteousness in our lives. We must draw near, connect to Christ, pick up our cross, and follow him; He is the living Word of God.

The cross of Christ gives us a new relationship with God, draws us into an authentic posture of worship, helps us better understand our own hearts and desires, calls us to engage in God’s mission to the world, and gives us hope and courage to navigate our own challenges and sufferings. We know God, because we draw close and learn about His love and will for our lives. When we seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, He will give us everything we need (Mat 6:33).

In our passage today from the Psalter, David sings about the Lord coming as his Rescuer and Shelter. When David wandered into the wilderness of sin by his weakened flesh, he called upon the Lord for salvation and restoration. David realized his great need for God’s protecting guidance. God offers that protection to those who turn from sin and “dwell” or “draw near” to Him.

Today, Curtis Tumicki and I will be teaching the first session of our Lenten Bible Study: Drawing Near to the Cross. Please join us each week as we explore how the cross—the symbol of Christianity—reveals the true purpose of God, the way to salvation, and the eternal life that leads to victory over death. “Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8).
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
1 
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 
This I declare about the Lord:He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;    he is my God, and I trust him.
9
If you make the Lord your refuge,    if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 
no evil will conquer you;    no plague will come near your home.
11 
For he will order his angels    to protect you wherever you go.
12 
They will hold you up with their hands    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 
You will trample upon lions and cobras;    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.    I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 
When they call on me, I will answer;    I will be with them in trouble.    I will rescue and honor them.
16 
I will reward them with a long life    and give them my salvation.”

Prayer: Lord, I am looking for even more growth in my relationship with You; I know You want that, as well. As I draw near to you in Christ, be my place of safely and protection. Help me to feast on your Word and produce with my life the things that are precious to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: According to Scripture, hypocrisy is a sin. A hypocrite has a spirit of self-righteousness while looking down on others. Humbly remember we are all sinful a part from the salvation of Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. As fallen human beings sometimes we notice other people’s sin and shortcomings before we notice the Holy Spirit convicting us of our own. The arrogance that rises up to make such judgments is a part of our own sinful nature. As Christians, we must grow more mature in this area. God is not impressed when we outwardly sound or appear holy if inwardly our hearts are actually profane.

Sometimes people think because they have been faithful church attendees for many years, they are somehow “holier” than others and can stand in a place of judgement. It is possible to look righteous on the outside and still be a hypocrite on the inside. Perfect attendance does not equal perfect piety. As Christ’s followers, we are to avoid hypocrisy. How do we do it? We are to put on love and look for ways to bless and honor God, as well as be a blessing to others; to love others the way Christ loves us (John 13:34). God is not impressed with appearances; He is impressed with self-sacrifice!

In our passage today, Jesus helps us understand how we can love one another without being hypocrites: We give because the Spirit of compassion draws us to help the needy, we fast and pray in the Spirit to draw near and make ourselves available to God, and we sow financial seeds into the work of the Kingdom to share the gospel as the Spirit draws others to Christ…all without drawing attention to ourselves. Our motives matter to God; selfishness does not earn eternal rewards. We do these things in secret, because we love God and know that he sees the Truth in our hearts.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Teaching about Giving to the Needy
1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Prayer: Lord, during this Lenten season, let me reflect on the strength you displayed against sin while in the wilderness. Help me to approach this Lenten study with strength anew in your Spirit. Give me a humble and compassionate heart; to see others the way you see them and to offer them help in the power of your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOTE: Hope to see you tonight at Bible Study (7PM). At the end of the study, I will offer the imposition of ashes for those interested.

Intro: No matter how far God’s children may wander from the Truth [Jesus], He is always ready for us to be reconciled (restored in peace) with Him. But, even though God is ready for us to return, how much better would it be if we would allow the power of grace to keep us from sinning. Let’s not forget, sin is rebellion against God’s commands [the Truth we were created to live], so living in sin and indifference to what we know is true is NOT a good place for us. We must repent and turn from what God identifies as sin, because it is reckless and dangerous to moved beyond His boundaries.  He is a good and loving Father, but let’s never forget He is also Holy!

We never have to be concerned that God will not respond to us when we cry out for salvation; unless of course in our stubbornness we wait too long. One day, Christ is going to return for His Bride—the obedient Church—and we need to be ready. No one knows that day, but when Christ splits the eastern sky, we want Him to find us faithfully living in the Truth of His love.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday; we will be starting our Lenten journey. We must recognize our sinful state as we honor Christ and his time of temptation and testing in the wilderness. We must draw near to the cross and gaze upon the extravagant gift of eternal life. May this time of reflection bring us closer to the heart of God.

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 (NLT)

5:20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin [to become sin itself], so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

6:1 As God’s partners,[as we work together] we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,

“At just the right time, I heard you.

    On the day of salvation, I helped you.”[I responded to you]

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being there for me; for being my sin offering and bringing me salvation. As I enter into these next forty days of reflection, may I not only be grateful for your gift of kindness, but may I respond quickly to you, Holy Spirit, as an obedient servant partner. In Jesus’ name. Amen.