Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: Ezekiel is a prophetic visionary used by God to gain Israel’s attention. God’s people—Israel—have been worshiping other gods while trying to worship the one true Lord; therefore, they are experiencing judgment. (Note: remember judgment can be translated “to distinguish”). The Word lends Light to help us distinguish, but it’s our choice. This situation is really no different with many professing Christians, today. The pleasures of this tangible world can lure us to compromise our commitment to follow God’s Word and ways. According to Romans 12:2, humanity can easily try to live with one foot in the world [conforming to the behavior and customs of the world] and one foot in the Kingdom [renewed in thought and transformed by God’s Word]. Eventually the Word will make us choose between the things that call for our allegiance or devotion. It’s the same with Israel in our passage this morning. God will bring a symbolic fork in the road and at the appointed time God’s people will choose the Sovereign Lord of lords and the King of kings—Jesus—the Living Word.

Ezekiel 20:39-44 NLT
39 “As for you, O people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go right ahead and worship your idols, but sooner or later you will obey me and will stop bringing shame on my holy name by worshiping idols. 40 For on my holy mountain, the great mountain of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord, the people of Israel will someday worship me, and I will accept them. There I will require that you bring me all your offerings and choice gifts and sacrifices. 41 When I bring you home from exile, you will be like a pleasing sacrifice to me. And I will display my holiness through you as all the nations watch. 42 Then when I have brought you home to the land I promised with a solemn oath to give to your ancestors, you will know that I am the Lord. 43 You will look back on all the ways you defiled yourselves and will hate yourselves because of the evil you have done. 44 You will know that I am the Lord, O people of Israel, when I have honored my name by treating you mercifully in spite of your wickedness. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

Prayer: Lord, I ask You to help me distinguish and make wise choices for my life, today. I profess my love and devotion to Christ and the work of Grace. Continue to renew my mind, so I may fully live in your Kingdom of Love. I realize the proof of my choice will be manifest in my actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 22, 2021

Today we are looking at the first 8 of the 11 verses of Psalm 63. The context of this Psalm is that King David is fleeing from his son, Absalom. If you go on to read verses 9 – 11 you will clearly see that David felt that his life was in grave danger, and it would be at the hands of his own son. During this time, David was in the desert of Judah, which was not only a dry and barren place, but it was not David’s home, which was Jerusalem. So, David longs for the presence of God in this physical and spiritual place within his life.

You and I can find ourselves in places like David. Ok…so, maybe we currently do not have a family member seeking to kill us, but each of us have many physical and spiritual moments in the “desert”. There are times when we feel lost and are searching for the Lord. Times when our souls (our minds, wills, and emotions) are so thirsty that all we need is a sip of the refreshing and renewing baptismal water of the Living Christ to follow through and around us. So, how do we get that “water”? Friends, we PRAY, we spend daily time in the WORD, and we begin to cling to the Truth that the Lord will “satisfy me more than the richest” of this world, more than your family, more than your friends, more than time on your electronics, more than your job, more than your favorite hobby, more than anything else that is coming to your mind right now. All you have to do is “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

Pastor Mary shared many sections of the New Testament during Wednesday’s Bible Study, but there were three verses that so beautifully connect to today’s verses within the Old Testament. So, here are those verses so that you can be remind of just how much Jesus wants to care for you before you go into today’s verses:

“Then Jesus said, ‘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.’” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Psalm 63 (NLT)
A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.

1 O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for being my Home, my safe place to rest, my place to be renewed, my place to be restored. I ask for Your renewing baptismal water to flow through and around me each day, because I am not capable without You. Help me to grow closer to You, Lord. Fill my days with more of You, and less of this world. I ask all of this in Your Precious and Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

Intro: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed [honored] be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven” (Mat 6:9-10). The Lord’s prayer is a great blessing for believers, because it is an example of how we should praise the Lord and pray for his work in the world, as well as ask him to provide the things we need and for the strength to meet the challenges we face each day.

Lately, I have been praying and asking the Lord to bring his spiritual reign to earth. According to Scripture, God’s kingdom was announced through the covenant the Lord made with Abraham (Luke 13:28-29), the kingdom is present in the heart of every believer (Luke 17:21), and one day God’s kingdom will be complete when all evil is destroyed and God establishes the new heaven and earth (Rev 21:1).

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us completion comes to the kingdom when the Lord humbles every other earthly government, authority, and power; it all must come to an end, because there is no place for any hostility against Father God or his Word. In the meantime we wait for Jesus to defeat Satan and evil. May it be soon.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (TPT)
20 But the truth is, Christ is risen from the dead, as the firstfruit of a great resurrection harvest of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a man, Adam, it is fitting that the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man, Christ. 22 Even as all who are in Adam die, so also all who are in Christ will be made alive. 23 But each one in his proper order: Christ, the firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ in his presence.

24 Then the final stage of completion comes, when he will bring to an end every other rulership, authority, and power, and he will hand over his kingdom to Father God. 25 Until then he is destined to reign as King until all hostility has been subdued and placed under his feet. 26 And the last enemy to be subdued and eliminated is death itself.

27 The Father has placed all things in subjection under the feet of Christ. Yet when it says, “all things,” it is understood that the Father does not include himself, for he is the one who placed all things in subjection to Christ. 28 However, when everything is subdued and in submission to him, then the Son himself will be subject to the Father, who put all things under his feet. This is so that Father God will be everything in everyone!

Prayer: Father, I thank you for bringing all things under the authority of Christ. Every last enemy must go. I pray for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage today from the Book of Acts, Luke reminds us of how angry people can get if they do not want to hear the truth about Christ—God’s true Word. According to Luke, Stephen was led of the Lord to affirm the identity of Christ to the Jewish leaders. Stephen reminded them they killed the Son of God; it was not what they wanted to hear. The leaders were only interested in those who were willing to support their point of view. The Jews were filled with such rage as Stephen was speaking, they justified murder [breaking a command of God]. Without a trial, the Jews dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him in order to silence him.

During his ministry, Stephen never took his gaze off from Jesus and the work of the Kingdom. Even when it meant ending his earthly life, he stayed focused. We may not be opposed by evil the same way Stephen was, but you can be certain the enemy always wants to silence your proclamation and exaltation of Christ. So, don’t worry so much about what others think about your witness for Christ and share your love for him, anyway. Paul was opposed to Christ, but in God’s appointed time he became a great follower of the Lord. Maybe those who oppose us now will one day turn to Christ, too.

Acts 7:54-8:1 (TPT) Stephen Is Stoned to Death
54 When they heard these things, they were overtaken with violent rage filling their souls, and they gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, overtaken with great faith, was full of the Holy Spirit. He fixed his gaze into the heavenly realm and saw the glory and splendor of God—and Jesus, who stood up at the right hand of God.

56 “Look!” Stephen said. “I can see the heavens opening and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God to welcome me home!”

57 His accusers covered their ears with their hands and screamed at the top of their lungs to drown out his voice. 58 Then they pounced on him and threw him outside the city walls to stone him. His accusers, one by one, placed their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul of Tarsus.

59 As they hurled stone after stone at him, Stephen prayed, “Our Lord Jesus, accept my spirit into your presence.” 60 He crumpled to his knees and shouted in a loud voice, “Our Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.” And then he died.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this lesson and inspiration from Luke about Stephen. Some days we feel the opposition of your enemies, but no matter what life brings may we be faithful to stay focused on you and the work of your Kingdom. And, may we be willing to forgive our enemies or those who seek to persecute us. As we stay the course, may your Kingdom come soon, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: When we face problems and challenges in life, it can be helpful to talk things over with a trusted friend. Sometimes these conversations can put things into perspective for us. Our faith may need affirming and our feelings more than likely need guidance. In our passage today, David is struggling, so he decides he is going to talk things over with his Friend—the Lord Yahweh. Our passage is his prayer.

David has so many questions that need answers, yet he must remain patient because God is silent. By all appearances, evil has gained the upper hand and David wonders when God is going to stop the advancement of evil. As a result of God’s silence, David suffers with depression and despair; in his soul he feels abandoned. However, while his spirit waits for God to respond, David grows in his character and he draws closer to the destiny God has prepared for him. God uses even silence for the good of his beloved. May God continue to strengthen the souls of his children.

Psalm 13:3-6 (TPT) Prayer Turns Depression into Delight
1
I’m hurting, Lord—will you forget me forever?
    How much longer, Lord?
    Will you look the other way when I’m in need?
2 
How much longer must I cling to this constant grief?
    I’ve endured this shaking of my soul.
    So how much longer will my enemy have the upper hand?
3
Take a good look at me, Yahweh, my God, and answer me!
    Breathe your life into my spirit.
    Bring light to my eyes in this pitch-black darkness
    or I will sleep the sleep of death.
4 
Don’t let my enemy proclaim, “I’ve prevailed over him.”
    For all my adversaries will celebrate when I fall.
5 
I have always trusted in your kindness, so answer me.
    I will spin in a circle of joy
    when your salvation lifts me up.
6 
I will sing my song of joy to you, Yahweh,
    for in all of this you have strengthened my soul.
    My enemies say that I have no Savior,
    but I know that I have one in you!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this encouragement from David’s prayer, today. Breathe life into my spirit and help me to patiently trust your plan. I know you are leading me into good things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The writer of Hebrews spends many chapters speaking to Christ’s followers about the superiority of Christ over everything else in life. Basically, there is nothing better to experience in life than sharing oneself with Christ; life in Christ is the BEST! The writer then moves to the superiority of the Christian’s faith over religious expressions and traditions; faith is more powerful in its practice—it moves spiritual mountains. Faith is what connects us in Christ throughout each day. We live by faith not by site; therefore, we never really know when we might need endurance and extra strength, but Jesus has promised to provide for our present needs, as well as our future needs. Our faith must mature and it will as we follow Christ even during momentary times of suffering.

In our passage today, the Hebrew Christians are trying to cope with the pressures of life. They are receiving religious and social persecution from the Jews, as well as physical persecution from the Romans. Life is difficult for them, yet they suffer with patience. Some times we, too, have to suffer in life. With patience, we hold on to the hem of Christ’s garment until things change or until God changes us. Certainly, suffering causes us to look at life differently. If you are going through a hard time, please stay focused on the maturing of your faith and never stop living righteously for the King and his eternal Kingdom. This sinful world will one day pass away, but God’s Kingdom is eternal.

Hebrews 10:32-39
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
37 
“For in just a little while,
    the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 
And my righteous ones will live by faith.
    But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise that better things lay ahead for all your children. Therefore, I place my confidence in you; I trust your plans, purpose, and provision for my life and the lives of my loved ones. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 15, 2021

Today, we are looking at 5 verses from Hebrews 10 that are an EXTREME WARNING. There seems to be two common interpretations of these verses: 1. many believe it is a warning for saved Christians about the consequences of their sin, and 2. many believe it is a warning for those who reject salvation in Christ for the world of sin.

Jesus, Himself, declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6); and so, it seems that these 5 verses are a dire warning for ALL.

We, as Christians, know that apart from Christ “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12). This means that the Blood of Christ took the place of the old covenant sacrifice after sacrifice to atone for sin. We are beyond blessed by this One sacrifice, and through our salvation in Christ we need to become quicker to turn from our sin, we need to be repenting each day, we need to be in prayer multiple times each day asking Jesus to take our sinful nature away from us, and we need to be focusing our time, words, thoughts, actions, etc. on eternity with Christ. Friends, when the time comes for you and I to meet Jesus face-to-face, don’t you want Him to intimately know you because you worked diligently, here, to grow closer and closer to Him?

In contract to Christians, there are those who have heard about Christ, or may have been a part of a religion that has included Him, but they do not choose salvation in Him, rather they choose the world’s ways. They reject the Truth of God’s atoning sacrifice by Christ.

Here is the warning in Hebrews (note: verse 30 quotes Deuteronomy 32:35-36):

Hebrews 10:26-30 NLT

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said,

“I will take revenge.
I will pay them back.”

He also said,

“The Lord will judge his own people.”

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for being the truth, the way, and the life to the Father. I ask for You to continue to guide my days. Help me, Jesus, to be more like You. Forgive me for when I cling closer to the world, than I do to You. Help me to put You in front of my ways, my words, my thoughts, and all that I do. I look forward to Your return and I want to be ready. Please continue to grow me in Your Truth and in Your likeness. I ask all of this in Your Precious and Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

Intro: It is easy for us as believers to shout on Sunday mornings “Jesus is Lord,” but it takes the power of God operating in us to actually follow our Lord’s leadership the rest of the week. Our obedience to follow him causes us to be separated from the world, so we can be rooted and established in his strength. In the midst of a culture that seems to be bedazzled by the deception of darkness, aren’t you glad you know the person who lived the Truth as God intended when he created humanity. Jesus is the only way for you to know who you were created to be for eternity.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reiterates the essential need for us to connect to Christ and to other believers. In fact, Paul’s letters to the church at Colosse are all about making righteous connections. Deception, division, and false deities will always permeate this world seeking to rob people of Christ’s rightful place as Lord and Ruler of every heart. We must be connected to the Righteous and Anointed One, so we never follow the lies. Worldly teachings and opinions are empty; so, it is fruitless to try to blend sinful human ideas into Christianity and call it Truth. A Christian is a person whose heart and behaviors reflect Christ and his righteousness, as well as work to increase and further his Kingdom rule. Live the new life in Christ and find completeness in his love.

Colossians 2:6-10 (TPT) New Life in Christ
6 In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him! 7 Your spiritual roots go deeply into his life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to him!

8 Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you [takes you captive] in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One.

9 For he is the complete fullness of deity living in human form. 10 And our own completeness is now found in him. We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us. He is the Head [Source] of every kingdom and authority in the universe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this new life you have called me to live. Each day I grow in my devotion to your authority and need for your strength. Some days I feel weary as I listen to the arguments of arrogant human flesh, but I realize it is important to understand how different your Kingdom is from this present world. Thank you for making a place for me in your Kingdom! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Most every day, as we listen to the news reports we will hear about cases of injustice. A common definition of injustice is “unfairness or inequity.” Injustice is actually something human sin has created, because many have chosen to live outside the righteousness of God. When God uses the term “justice” he means “to make right” or righteous before him.

Today, we celebrate Veteran’s Day; a time to honor our military veteran’s and appreciate their service to our country. Justice according to God’s written word is a relational term meaning people living in right relationship with God, in right relationship with one another, and in right relationship with creation. We are called to reflect our Creator’s love and exercise his justice while we live, move, and have our being. So, may we pray for the pursuit of justice or righteousness, today, for the honor and glory of God.

Psalm 94:20-23 (NLT)

20 
Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—
    leaders whose decrees permit injustice?
21 
They gang up against the righteous
    and condemn the innocent to death.
22 
But the Lord is my fortress;
    my God is the mighty rock where I hide.
23 
God will turn the sins of evil people back on them.
    He will destroy them for their sins.
    The Lord our God will destroy them.

Prayer: Father, today I want to thank you for every veteran who has served this amazing country of America—One Nation Under God. Bless every military veteran, Lord, who has served in the armed forces. May they receive the honor they are due for the freedoms they have protected on behalf of our citizens, as well as the injustice they have fought against for the sake of every human life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage today, the psalmist reminds us evil cannot stand against Yahweh’s righteous outflow of grace. His grace is so powerful—like a righteous River—we can only hold one day’s supply. But never fear, because when tomorrow arrives, so does more of the Lord’s grace. Even though we may pass through times when it looks like the wicked are not being punished and justice feels diminished, remember God has promised to use what the enemy meant for harm and make it work for the good of his children.

Rejoice my friends because Lord Yahweh is our Protector. He sends his Word and calls us to obey in the power of the Spirit. Our flesh has the opportunity to reveal the Truth of God’s righteous love and provision. So focus on the “bigness” of our Lord, today, and believe he is all you need because he can impart inspiration to your thoughts, he will release strength through his Spirit to support you, and he will lead you into victory even though sometimes you feel yourself slipping. Praise God, his grace has got you!

Psalm 94:16-19 (NLT)

16 
Who will protect me from the wicked?
    Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
17 
Unless the Lord had helped me,
    I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
18 
I cried out, “I am slipping!”
    but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
19 
When doubts filled my mind,
    your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for supporting me and helping me to stand in your righteousness. All praise belongs to you! Please continue to be my Protector against evil and use everything the enemy has meant for harm in my life to reveal Christ in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.