Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: Every human being stands before God knowing he or she needs divine mercy. To be in God’s presence is to understand his holiness, as well as our sinfulness. Isaiah confessed, “I am in so much trouble! I’m ruined! I’m just a human being—fallible and stammering. My lips are encrusted with filth; and I live among people just like me. But here I am, and I’ve seen with my very own eyes none other than the King, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies” (6:5). While we know we vertically require mercy in our relationship with God for salvation [we have all sinned in word/deed against God’s commands and the penalty for sin is death], it is possible to live horizontally “blameless” [innocent of wrong-doing according to the world] in our moral character with fellow human beings. My friends, being blameless with people will not save you from God’s future judgment against sin or evil.

In our passage today, David declares himself blameless; he has sought to walk uprightly with every earthly “neighbor.” However, he is not overly concerned about his earthly reputation. Whether or not he is a “good” person in the eyes of the world is not his focus. The world has a warped standard; calling good evil and evil good (Isa 5:20). Like Isaiah, David is keenly aware that he will one day answer to the Eternal One and any sin hiding within him will be exposed, despite his “good” actions with his neighbors. Humans cannot hide sin from God and sin cannot exist in the presence of a holy God; we need God’s grace (unmerited favor found in Christ) for salvation. Scripture teaches Jesus is returning to earth to destroy evil once and for all. We need a Savior to wrap us with his righteousness—making us blameless before God—so we are not destroyed along with sin or evil. This is the most important decision any human will ever make and Jesus is the only Way for salvation (John 14:6). Now is the time. If you haven’t already done so, please ask for God’s mercy to cover and forgive you, and by grace save you in the life of Christ.

Psalm 26:1-12 (VOICE) A song of David.
1 
Declare my innocence, O Eternal One!
    I have walked blamelessly down this path.
    I placed my trust in the Eternal and have yet to stumble.
2 
Put me on trial and examine me, O Eternal One!
    Search me through and through—from my deepest longings to every thought that crosses my mind.
3 
Your unfailing love is always before me;
    I have journeyed down Your path of truth.

4 
My life is not wasted among liars;
    my days are not spent among cheaters.
5 
I despise every crowd intent on evil;
    I do not commune with the wicked.
6 
I wash my hands in the fountain of innocence
    so that I might join the gathering that surrounds Your altar, O Eternal One.
7 
From my soul, I will join the songs of thanksgiving;
    I will sing and proclaim Your wonder and mystery.
8 
Your house, home to Your glory, O Eternal One, radiates its light.
    I am fixed on this place and long to be nowhere else.
9 
When Your wrath pursues those who oppose You,
    those swift to sin and thirsty for blood,
    spare my soul and grant me life.
10 
These men hold deceit in their left hands,
    and in their right hands, bribery and lies.
11 
But God, I have walked blamelessly down this path,
    and this is my plea for redemption.
    This is my cry for Your mercy.
12 
Here I stand secure and confident
    before all the people; I will praise the Eternal.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mercy that is new each morning. I need your mercy and your grace to sustain my life and keep me whole. I am grateful you constantly help me live blameless with my neighbors. Thank you for destroying any sin that tries to hide in my soul that would dishonor your abiding holiness. All praise belongs to you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

In today’s psalm, as painful as David’s turmoil is to read, it is also comforting to know that we are not alone in our places of worldly unrest or in our sinful nature. This psalm is not meant to darken a moment in our lives, rather it is meant to lead you and I away from the darkness of this world and it directs us to run to the only Light that exists, and that is the LIGHT OF CHRIST. It also reminds us of the fragility of life. You and I have work to do for the Kingdom of God and time is of the essence.

On Saturday, I attended the “Out of the Darkness St Petersburg Walk” for suicide prevention. I was filled with emotion as my family lost a member to suicide, as well as I battled deep depression and suicidal thoughts many years ago before knowing the Lord. When the emotional turmoil rose within me on Saturday, I looked up, and there in the sky was a rainbow. I smiled as I was reminded that after a great storm comes a rainbow. God spoke to Noah (in Genesis 9:12-17) about this sign, and how after He brought the greatest storm, He would then provide Noah with a sign (the rainbow) which was to represent His covenant with him and all of creation for generations to come. You and I are grafted into that same covenant with God. He wants to use our (storms) most difficult places, challenges, hardships, pain, grief, loss, and despair to bring us closer to Him so that we (rainbows) can shine as bright Lights for others to find or be reminded of His Kingdom. It is David who reminds us that “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18).

Keep running to the Lord, don’t look back, only allow God to use the past to remind you of just how far He has brought you, and how He will use your experiences, and growth from the past, to bring others to Him.

Psalm 39 (NLT)
For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude

6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath. Interlude

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.
13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to run to You. The world is so dark, and You are the only Light. When I feel turmoil, may You quicken me to look up to You. When I feel sin rise within my soul, my You turn me immediately away and towards You. Thank You for Your kids who shine brightly for You. Keep us strong, continue to guide us, cover us with Your protection, fill us with Your joy, and allow us to share Your love with a hurting and needing world. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: In our passage today, the writer of Hebrews reminds those listening of the need to merge knowledge with faith; it is the only way to enter the rest of God. These early Christians were trusting in their own efforts of works to save themselves; in human power to attain a relationship with God instead of just enjoying what Christ has promised. Truly, human effort will always fall short; it is inadequate in the battle against sin. As humans, we can get all wound up with knowledge; even well-meaning Christians can fill their minds with Scripture and never put a bit of it into practice with their faith. It just becomes head knowledge…and knowledge alone does not bring power. Without faith we cannot please God.

Hebrews 4:1-3 TPT The Faith-Rest Life
1 Now the promise of entering into God’s rest is still for us today. So we must be extremely careful to ensure that we all embrace the fullness of that promise and not fail to experience it. 2 For we have heard the good news of deliverance just as they did, yet they didn’t join their faith with the Word. Instead, what they heard didn’t affect them deeply, for they doubted. 3 For those of us who believe, faith activates the promise and we experience the realm of confident rest!

Today, is your day to enter into the faith-rest life; to live in the peace of God and enjoy the relationship he has created just for you. You don’t have to strive to have a beautiful relationship with God, you simply need to believe and trust in Christ to connect you to it. Listen to the Word and put your faith into action by obeying it. Have a blessed weekend…

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me understand how Scripture and faith must merge in my heart in order to be lived out in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The author of Hebrews reminds us Scripture is the truth and the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Therefore, we are to listen and learn from the Word of God. If we are unwilling to listen, we will make the very mistakes from which God is trying to rescue us.

For the Jews, Moses was the greatest prophet, so they honored his authority in Scripture. The author reminds his readers Jesus has supreme authority and is greater than Moses, because he is more than just human…he is God himself. Besides it was the work of Moses to prepare the way for the Lord. The Old Testament helps us understand how: 1) God works through human beings; 2) God uses events and people to reveal truth, 3) God announces the Messiah is coming from heaven, and 4) God lays out the sacrificial system so we can understand the sacrifice of Jesus who brings us into spiritual rest.

Hebrews 3:7-14 (TPT)
7 This is why the Holy Spirit says,
“If only you would listen to his voice this day!
8 
Don’t make him angry by hardening your hearts,
    like your ancestors did during the days of their rebellion,
    when they were tested in the wilderness.
9 
There your fathers tested me and tried my patience
    even though they saw my miracles for forty years
    they still doubted me!
10 
This ignited my anger with that generation
    and I said about them, ‘They wander in their hearts
    just like they do with their feet,
    and they refuse to learn my ways.’
11 
My heart grieved over them so I decreed:
    ‘They will not enter into my rest!’ ”

12 So search your hearts every day, my brothers and sisters, and make sure that none of you has evil or unbelief hiding within you. For it will lead you astray [rebel], and make you unresponsive to the living God. 13 This is the time to encourage [warn] each other to never be stubborn or hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 For we are mingled with the Messiah, [connected partners] if we will continue unshaken in this confident assurance from the beginning until the end.

We are to live as Christ; to courageously live out our faith according to the Word of God. If we set ourselves against God—harden our hearts—we may get our way, but we open ourselves up to the work of Satan. We must stay in close fellowship with Christ and other believers to hold onto the Truth. Do not isolate yourself, my friend; you need the encouragement of the Body of Christ to fight deception and sin.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for keeping my heart soft; I don’t want my heart to wander from you. Please continue to teach me your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 90:12-17 (TPT)

Intro:  In our passage today, Moses reminds God’s family that life is short, but every life matters to the work of God’s salvation in the world.  As well, God desires that we would enjoy our lives by enjoying the beauty of his presence with us.  In order to fulfill God’s plan for our lives, we must operate in wisdom.  Otherwise, rather than living to please God, we will live either to satisfy: 1) the world and culture, or 2) our flesh or sin nature. God wants us to rediscover his heart and will for his beloved human creation and without divine Wisdom—Christ—we cannot find our way.  

12

Help us to remember that our days are numbered,

    and help us to interpret our lives correctly.

    Set your wisdom deeply in our hearts

    so that we may accept your correction.

13 

Return to us again, O God!

    How much longer will it take until you show us

    your abundant compassion?

14 

Let the sunrise of your love end our dark night.

    Break through our clouded dawn again!

    Only you can satisfy our hearts,

    filling us with songs of joy to the end of our days.

Satan lies to the human soul; he tempts us to think God is withholding good things from us.  In fact, he wants us to think the better life was either found in the past or will be found in the present moment. Satan may use grief or a feeling of urgency to stir up our emotions prompting us to act without seeking the will of God.  We must take ahold of the Word of God and keep it close to our souls; it corrects us and keeps us on the righteous path.  

Scripture teaches the very best life for believers lies ahead of this temporal life. My friends, God has something so much better than sin and this evil world for his children.  Think about it this way, one day in the future when Christ comes for his Bride we will no longer experience an internal war with Satan or external divisive emotional battles with other humans that is perpetuated by evil.  It is for that promise that we live—to enter the shalom of God.  Be fully present to the people around you today, but live for more than the moment.  Live with purpose and joy knowing God is the only one who can satisfy you and your days.

Prayer:  Lord, breakthrough the clouds of our spiritual lack and bring us understanding of the great things you have planned and purposed for your loved ones.  This world is not and will never be our home in this present state; our home is you and the glory of your Kingdom awaits us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Intro: In our passage today, Jesus is sharing the heart of the Father regarding oaths—a solemn promise invoking a divine witness—with his disciples, religious leaders, and the crowd gathered on the Mount of Beatitudes. Making an oath was a common practice in Israel based on the influence of Middle Eastern culture. People made an oath by swearing to something greater than oneself. Israel saw heaven, earth, Jerusalem, and a person’s head as sacred. Jesus wanted them to know even their very words should be revealed as sacred.

Matthew 5:33-37
You know that God expects us to abide by the oaths we swear and the promises we make. 34 But I tell you this: do not ever swear an oath. What is an oath? You cannot say, “I swear by heaven”—for heaven is not yours to swear by; it is God’s throne. 35 And you cannot say, “I swear by this good earth,” for the earth is not yours to swear by; it is God’s footstool. And you cannot say, “I swear by the holy city Jerusalem,” for it is not yours to swear by; it is the city of God, the capital of the King of kings. 36 You cannot even say that you swear by your own head, for God has dominion over your hands, your lips, your head. It is He who determines if your hair be straight or curly, white or black; it is He who rules over even this small scrap of creation. 37 You need not swear an oath—any impulse to do so is of evil. Simply let your “yes” be “yes,” and let your “no” be “no.”

It is the Truth—revealed through our words and actions—that makes our lives sacred. We are to live in Christ who is the Living Word of God. I challenge us today to let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no.” If we tell someone we are going to do something, we are making a commitment or giving our “word” to that person. He or she may be counting on us. If then we, as Christ followers, turn around and do not fulfill our commitment, we tarnish the reputation of Christ. Jesus was teaching his disciples the importance of revealing his character—truth—in all that is said and done. Jesus was not telling people to say “yes” to everything. On the contrary, he would rather us say “no” than to misrepresent his character. How strongly do you feel about your words?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me, today, about the sacredness of the Truth and my need to speak and act in it. You are the Spirit of Truth, so I know you will be guiding me every day toward more opportunities that will help me grow in your character. Thank you for the many ways you help me to honor and reveal your integrity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Romans 8:5-6 (NLT) Life in the Spirit

Intro: Our passage today is a continuation of Paul’s letter to the Romans and to future believers. He takes time to explain about two different human mindsets in life: 1) people who think and act based on the desires of their flesh or sinful natures [desires that run contrary to God’s plan for the redeemed], and 2) people who think and act based on the guidance of the Holy Spirit [living in agreement with God’s plan for the redeemed]. We are “controlled” by one or the other. To belong to Christ [the Word of God] is to embrace the work of the Spirit that lifts us out of dead living into a life of peace. To continue living in the flesh is to resurrect the sinful nature God has already condemned to death.

Romans 8:5-6 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. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Do you take time each day to center your life in Christ? As believers, we all want to enjoy the peace that passes all understanding, but how do we stay there? (Phil 4:7). Wisdom will lead us to take notice of our thoughts, because we can very quickly find ourselves distanced from peace. We know if we have found ourselves overly worried or dissatisfied with life we have wandered away from our control Center. It is so very easy to do, my friends. In those moments, the temptation is a default to our flesh. Life brings all kinds of challenges and the enemy of every soul knows when we are approaching our limit of self-control.

We need the strength of God for our moments of weakness. Before we get to the point of acting in our flesh, we need to pause, pray, and petition the Holy Spirit to bring the strength we need to remain in peace. Then, we need to take dominion over every thought and take it captive to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5). How will you spiritually capture your thoughts? Accept your humanity and admit you need the work of the Spirit as your Helper. Spend time in the Word of God, because it renews your thoughts with the Truth. Respond wisely to the issues rather than react fearfully or disobediently. Talk about God’s goodness in your conversations rather than your problems, because greater is He who is in you than anything going on in this world (1 John 4:4).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Word that guards my heart against living in my sinful nature. Help me to be led by your Spirit every day, because then I will not carry out the desires of my flesh. I pray for your children worldwide to be filled with the peace and wholeness you impart. Maybe then, those who live by their flesh will want you Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Galatians 3:23-29 (NLT) God’s Children through Faith

Intro: In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is teaching the Church at Galatia about the law and God’s true purpose for setting it into place—to teach humanity the need for salvation. There is some confusion as to whether or not the Gentiles [non-Jews] have to obey the Jewish rituals and certain laws in order to be saved. There were three categories of laws: Ceremonial law, Civil law, and Moral law. These new believers are struggling to comprehend the difference between faith and legalism, so Paul brings clarity.

23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian [because that is now the Spirit’s job].

26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

This is meaningful to understand, because we can all make faith about attending church and honoring certain things we deem sacred, but faith is really about becoming the redeemed and obedient sons and daughters of God. By faith [a gift from God], we receive Christ and new life. He brings us freedom from sin and makes us right with God. Because we cannot keep the law [in our own strength], we welcome the Holy Spirit who now writes God’s moral law upon our hearts and brings the power to honor it. Yes, we still need to obey God’s moral law because it reveals our need to wholeheartedly love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We know what is righteous and what is unrighteous because of Jesus—the Living Word of God. Now, we are free to love and serve one another. We can carry one another’s burdens, and we can share life together to help one another grow in our relationships with God. In Christ, we are all the same and share the same inheritance of grace. May we learn to love one another deeply in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for new life and the new clothes of your righteousness you have prepared for me to wear. Help me to love others deeply and make myself available to help them connect to you and your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 5 (TPT)

Intro: I love how the psalms express real feelings and emotions; today’s passage is called a lament—it expresses deep regret or sorrow. God created us to experience a full range of emotions, but sin has tainted their beauty. Learning to own and humbly bring every emotion before God is what forms us as a new creation in the image of Christ. Sometimes people think of Jesus as never being challenged by his own emotions. Not true. According to the Word of God, Jesus faced everything we face as human beings. “He understands humanity, for as a man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin (Heb 4:15). In our passage today, David prays and shares his emotions with the Lord…

Morning Watch
5 
Listen, Yahweh, to my passionate prayer!
    Can’t you hear my groaning?
2 
Don’t you hear how I’m crying out to you?
    My King and my God, consider my every word,
    for I am calling out to you.
3 
At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice
    as I prepare [lay out] my sacrifice of prayer to you.
    Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar
    and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.

Making It Right
4 
I know that you, God, are never pleased with lawlessness,
    and evil ones will never be invited into your house.
5 
Boasters collapse, unable to survive your scrutiny,
    for your hatred of evildoers is clear.
6 
You will make an end of all those who lie.
    How you hate their hypocrisy and despise all who love violence!

Multitude of Mercy
7 
But I know that you will welcome me into your house,
    for I am covered by your covenant of mercy and love.
    So I come to your sanctuary [temple of your holiness] with deepest awe
    to bow in worship and adore you.
8 
Yahweh, lead me in the pathways of your pleasure
    just like you promised me you would,
    or else my enemies will conquer me.
    Smooth out your road in front of me,
    straight and level, so that I will know where to walk.
Multitude of Sins
9 
Their words are unreliable.
    Destruction is in their hearts,
    drawing people into their darkness with their speeches [their throat is an open grave].
    They are smooth-tongued deceivers, flattering with their words.
10 
Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their own schemes be their downfall!
    Let the guilt of their sins collapse on top of them,
    for they rebel against you.

Multitude of Blessings
11 
But let them all be glad,
    those who turn aside to hide themselves in you.
    May they keep shouting for joy forever!
    Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice.
    Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy.
12 
Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous.
    Your favor wraps around each one and covers them
    under your canopy of kindness and joy.

Whatever emotions you may be experiencing today, by prayer take your feelings to the Lord. Like David, express the truth of how you are feeling. The Holy Spirit will give you the guidance to know how to view each emotion and how it should play out in your life and relationships. Christ is your Wisdom, so call upon his name. Let your love for the Lord be your first and greatest choice and every emotion will need to get into agreement with the King.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the reassurance that we are all made by your hand and emotions will always play a part in our lives. Thank you for the Spirit of Truth who helps us identify healthy emotions and the power to overcome unhealthy ones. Be the Wisdom your children need, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If I’m being completely transparent with you, I used to get very anxious when I would talk about death. The thought of my own death would make me extremely nervous to the point of almost having a panic attack, and I couldn’t even discuss the death of a loved one. Those feelings were crimpling prior to knowing Christ; but, as my relationship grows with Him, death takes on an entirely new meaning.

In today’s passage, in verses 3 – 5, Peter sings praises to God that we are born again to a new inherited life in Christ Jesus. He reminds us that through our faith, God is protecting us up to when He reveals Himself in the last days for all to see. Peter goes on, beginning in verse 6, to prepare us for the last days. He knows that our faith must endure fiery trials up to that point, and we must remain strong through each trail, that includes death, and every other difficult earthly place for us and our loved ones.

As someone who LOVES Jesus and who will never stop growing closer to Him, I’m excited to say that death is no longer frightening to me because I know that it doesn’t get the last word, only Jesus gets the last word! Obviously, there is pain associated with death, sometimes physical pain and there is always emotional pain, but those are not things to be frightened about, because our hope is in the One who rose from death, and it is through His death that we have the confident reassurance that we live for Eternity now and forever. Physical death is difficult for us who are left on earth, but I can only image what the celebration looks like in Heaven. I look forward to that celebration, but until then I cling to my hope in Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT
The Hope of Eternal Life

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the resurrection in Christ that holds Your promise of the gift of Eternal Life with You. May my hope in You grow as I face trials and even death. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

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