Pastor Mary Haley

Acts 20:7-12
7-9 We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master’s Supper. Paul addressed the congregation. Our plan was to leave first thing in the morning, but Paul talked on, way past midnight. We were meeting in a well-lighted upper room. A young man named Eutychus was sitting in an open window. As Paul went on and on, Eutychus (translates fortunate or lucky) fell sound asleep and toppled out the third-story window. When they picked him up, he was dead (lifeless).

10-12 Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him hard. “No more crying,” he said. “There’s life in him yet.” Then Paul got up and served the Master’s Supper. And went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! On that note, they left—Paul going one way, the congregation another, leading the boy off alive, and full of life themselves.

Every preacher and teacher will occasionally experience a “sleeper.” Someone’s head will tilt forward and nod as they drift off for a short snooze. In our passage today, Paul has been preaching for hours and hours; he shares about faith and the power of God. Paul is interrupted by an accident involving a young boy named Eutychus (aka Lucky). Fortunately, God resurrects and restores this young man and Paul uses the event to teach more faith lessons to his congregation.

There is a spiritual truth here in our passage about Eutychus. We may knowingly sit close to the edge of evil or danger thinking nothing will ever happen to us. However, our apathy for our own spiritual growth can cause us to become drowsy. Before we know it, we can find ourselves falling into sin and dead living. God is wonderfully faithful, but we need to guard our hearts against such apathy.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for restoring and energizing my spiritual life time and time, again. You are so faithful! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 6:43-45 The Fruit of Your Life
43 “You’ll never find choice fruit hanging on a bad, unhealthy tree. And rotten fruit doesn’t hang on a good, healthy tree. 44 Every tree will be revealed by the quality of fruit that it produces. You will never pick figs or grapes from thorn trees. 45 People are known in this same way. Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. Likewise, out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.

Like a tree bearing fruit in its season, human hearts bear spiritual fruit, as well. Apart from God, humanity cannot bear righteous fruit–love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Because of sin, every heart hides evil inclinations. We need Jesus to overcome that evil and give us a new beginning; to make us new creatures in his image. Old corrupt ways must be cut away, so new shoots of righteousness can bear good fruit. It is the work of the Spirit who produces righteous fruit in God’s human creation; we cannot take credit for his redemption. We are entirely dependent upon God to do this for us and in us. This is why we submit ourselves to the work of the Spirit who helps us produce the fruit of righteousness.

The evil stored inside of a person will always be revealed by human expression; it is a spiritual principle and the revelation of truth. May our hearts and words reveal the truth of our Master and the work of his holy hand within us. And, may we be honest to ask the Lord for help when we notice an inclination to bear something “rotten!”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the overflow of your righteousness within me to be seen by the fruit of my character and heard in my words. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Revelation 22, 2021 Eden Restored
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, flowing with water clear as crystal, continuously pouring out from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 The river was flowing in the middle of the street of the city, and on either side of the river was the Tree of Life, with its twelve kinds of ripe fruit according to each month of the year. The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.

3 And every curse will be broken and no longer exist, for the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there in the city. His loving servants will serve him; 4 they will always see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

5 Night will be no more. They will never need the light of the sun or a lamp, because the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign as kings forever and ever!

Scripture teaches the Garden of Eden will one day be fully restored; sometimes it is referred to as the heavenly Jerusalem. Like the Apostle John, we cannot comprehend a city without a temple; there is always a structure representing some kind of religion in our cities and communities. However, in this vision, clearly God has no interest in occupying structures made by human hands. Instead, we will meet with him face to face as the Lord’s presence illuminates everything for the citizens of his eternal Kingdom.

When I was a child, we used to sing about meeting the Lord Face to Face:
Face to face! O blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Prayer: Lord, one day your redeemed family will rejoice in your presence. Thank you for promising to banish grief and pain, straighten the crooked ways of humanity, and illuminating the dark things in your pure Light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

June 14, 2021
Galatians 6:2
2 
The Lord looks down in love, bending over heaven’s balcony.
    God looks over all of Adam’s sons and daughters,
    looking to see if there are any who are wise with insight—
    any who search for him, wanting to please him.

I was blessed to be able to spend the last few days enjoying the beach with friends. The Lord knows when we need to rest and recharge; I needed it. My favorite time was sitting on the balcony with a cup of coffee and enjoying the early morning awakenings. The birds had started their singing, a gentle breeze was blowing, the waves were rhythmically lapping the shore, and my coffee was even more tasty than usual. From the balcony, I could see down the beach looking north and south. The canopies were going up along the shoreline and groups of people were gathering to enjoy the day. I was perched in just the right spot to observe it all.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us God looks down over heaven’s balcony; he see everything going on in his world and in the lives of his children. The eyes of the Lord go to and fro searching for those who hearts desire him; he looks for those who seek his wisdom and come with the goal of receiving from him. As you go about your day, I pray you have an awareness of God’s tremendous love for you and that you will seek to serve the Lord with your very life, because you have placed your faith in his pure unfailing love.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for looking over my life from the vantage point of glory. Impart to me the wisdom and insight that only you can give. May my life please you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 11:4-7 (TPT)

4 Faith moved Abel to choose a more acceptable sacrifice to offer God than his brother Cain, and God declared him righteous because of his offering of faith. By his faith, Abel still speaks instruction to us today, even though he is long dead.

5 Faith translated Enoch from this life and he was taken up into heaven! He never had to experience death; he just disappeared from this world because God promoted him. For before he was translated to the heavenly realm his life had become a pleasure to God [Enoch had a reputation of pleasing God].

6 And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God [we are powerless]. For we come to God in faith [anyone who approaches God must believe] knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek him.

7 Faith opened Noah’s heart to receive revelation and warnings from God about what was coming, even things that had never been seen. But he stepped out in reverent obedience to God and built an ark that would save him and his family. By his faith the world was condemned, but Noah received God’s gift of righteousness that comes by believing.

If you know me at all, you know I enjoy baking; it is therapeutic and rejuvenating for my soul. When I was a child, I used to bake with my father’s mother on many Saturday mornings. I looked forward to these times with her and still cherish the memories. If you enjoy making baked goods, you know it is essential to use the proper proportion of ingredients. The right measurement of ingredients can make a very pleasing and delicious product to share with others.

In our passage today, God imparts righteous faith to his worshipers—a measure of faith is meted [distributed] by God. The Lord imparts faith to Abel, Enoch, and Noah; faith to fulfill the call on each of their lives. Through their worship and oneness with God, they will reveal the existence, love, and power of the Lord to others. Abel is given the faith to bring a sacrificial heart to his worship of the Lord. Enoch is given the faith to live righteously before the Lord and overcome death. The Lord opens Noah’s heart and gives him the faith to obey His righteous command to build the ark. My friend, you have been given a measure of faith to fulfill the call of God on your life, too. It is the responsibility of every believer to reveal his or her faith in Christ and obey the Word of God. When we use the faith God has given us, we become very pleasing in the hands of the Lord and a great testimony of His love to the world.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the measure of faith you have imparted to me, so I can fulfill your call on my life. Continue to spur me on in faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 2:5-9 The One Who Leads Us To Be Saved
5 We know that God did not put the future world under the power of angels. 6 Somewhere in the Scriptures someone says to God,

“What makes you care
    about us humans?
Why are you concerned
    for weaklings such as we?
7 
You made us lower
than the angels
    for a while.
Yet you have crowned us
    with glory and honor.
8 
And you have put everything
    under our power!”

God has put everything under our power and has not left anything out of our power. But we still don’t see it all under our power. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels. Because of God’s wonderful kindness, Jesus died for everyone. And now that Jesus has suffered and died, he is crowned with glory and honor!

Do you like the responsibility of being “in charge” of big things? Well, whether or not you enjoy leadership or are uncomfortable with the thoughts of being “in charge,” as a believer you really have no choice. In the beginning, God left his glorious human creation in charge of his world; we have been commanded to take dominion in the power of his Word and loving-kindness. He has never rescinded that command since the Garden of Eden (Ps. 8:4-9). That is why we need Christ who brings salvation, strength, and power to lead us back to being those in charge of the Father’s righteous creation. The Lord will restore the glory and honor humanity once knew with the Father before sin entered the hearts of men and women.

According to Scripture, one day God’s redeemed will rule a new earth through his sons and daughters. Spiritually, we will be exactly like Jesus in how we love, rule, and reign. We, those who are led by the Spirit, will be “in charge” for eternity, because we will love, rule, and reign under the Lordship of our Christ. Let that thought settle in as you pray and thank God for his beautiful vision and plan for salvation.

Prayer: Lord, your Word reminds us one day you will set the earth anew in your righteousness. Your sons and daughters of the Spirit will once again rule under the perfect Lordship of your Word and loving-kindness. There will be no more evil and no more sin. I pray for that time to come quickly, because only then can we perfectly reflect your image and glory. Only then will you receive the honor you are due. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 11:14-20 Jesus Responds to Controversy
14 One day a crowd gathered around Jesus, and among them was a man who was mute. Jesus drove out of the man the spirit that made him unable to speak. When the demon left him, the mute man’s tongue was loosed and immediately he was able to speak. The stunned crowd saw it all and marveled in amazement over this miracle! 15 But there were some in the crowd who protested, saying, “He casts out demons by the power of Satan, the demon king.” 16 Others were skeptical and tried to persuade Jesus to perform a spectacular display of power to prove that he was the Messiah.

17 Jesus, well aware of their every thought, said to them, “Every kingdom that is split against itself is doomed to fail and will eventually collapse. 18 If it is true that Satan casts out his own demons through me, how could his kingdom remain intact? 19 If Satan gives me the power to cast out his demons, who is it that gives your exorcists their power? Let them become your judges! Go, ask them, and they will tell you. 20 But if I am casting out demons by God’s mighty power, God’s kingdom is now released upon you—but you still reject it!

Our heavenly Father is Good with a capital “G.” In other words, Father is kind and benevolent. In the Word of God, Jesus reveals the Father’s heart and instructs his children of the kingdom how they should pray and call upon his perfect goodness. We are to persistently ask, seek, and knock and the door will one day be opened (v.9-10). As we use this childlike faith, we are told the Father will give the Holy Spirit’s fullness to us (v. 13). I want that fullness from my GOOD Father, how about you?

After teaching about the goodness of the Father, Jesus turns to reveal that goodness in a tangible way; he prays and casts a demon out of a mute man (v.14). Rather than recognize the goodness of the Father, some folks in the crowd accuse him of using the power of Satan to accomplish this exorcism (v.15). Jesus responds by reminding them a kingdom divided against itself is not sustainable. Indeed, Jesus brings kingdom abundance to those who will accept the Good News of our Good Father. So, believe in the goodness of the Father, the work of Christ, and the fullness of the Spirit; be persistent in your asking, seeking, and knocking for the fullness of the Holy Spirit, because the door will be opened.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the goodness you always spill into my life. I am so blessed by your love and kindness each day. I am persistently asking, seeking, and knocking for the fullness of your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Revelation 20:7-10 (The VOICE)
7 When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison. 8 And he will crawl out of the abyss in order to deceive the nations located at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog as Ezekiel described them, in order to rally them together for one final battle. They are in number as the grains of sand on the shore. 9 They marched in unholy array over the expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. As they laid siege to the city, fire rained down from heaven and incinerated them. 10 And the devil who had deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown; and the unholy trio will be tortured day and night throughout the ages.

William Shakespeare once said, “Better is not good enough; the best is yet to come!” I absolutely believe the best is yet to come! I believe, “No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Evil must finally be defeated and that will definitely make things better. However, that alone is not good enough. Enjoying the glorious presence of our Lord sitting on his righteous throne ruling the heavens and the earth for the joy of his people…that IS the best yet to come!”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise to finally put an end to Satan and his evil spirits. One day, Satan will cease to be able to raise his head and attack your faithful sons and daughters. Glory to you who sits upon the throne. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Revelation 20:1-3 Binding Satan
1 Then I saw a mighty angel descending from the heavenly realm, holding a heavy chain and a key—the key of the deep [abyss], 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent known as the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 The mighty angel threw him into the pit, locked it, and sealed it so that he could no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years were over. (After that he must be loosed for a brief time.)

Years ago, our neighbors had a cat named Waffle, who loved to prowl around our house; he often laid near the doors. Every now and then one of the Haleys would inadvertently not latch the door securely and, in time, the door would open with the slightest breeze. More than once, I found Waffle inside our house making himself at home. The door was open, so there was nothing to stop him from entering.

As we read our passage today, we must remember the Lord bound Satan at the time of Christ’s death and resurrection to protect his family. For the believer, Satan is a defeated foe as long as we do not open the door to him. Sin opens the door for Satan; if you open the door he is going to enter your “house.” That is why Jesus reminds us to be quick to repent. Jesus then forgives us and shuts the door once again on Satan’s unlawful entry. “Your enemy the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone” (1 Peter 5:8). Let’s keep the door shut the way Jesus commands.

Prayer: Lord thank you for protecting me. Holy Spirit, help me run from sin keeping the spiritual door locked. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 138:1-3 (The Message)
1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”
    Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
    and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
    thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
    most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
    you made my life large with strength.

Prayers and praises of gratitude are the proper responses to all that God has done in our lives. In our passage today, David is overwhelmed with the faithfulness of God to bless him just because God loves him. From the moment David responds to God’s call for relationship, God blesses and empowers David and makes his “life large with strength.” God has certainly done that in my life; his beautiful presence dwelling with me and his favor surrounding me. When my life aligns with God’s Word, he reveals his holy character and releases his abundant love to me. “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything” (Thomas Merton). I am blessed beyond measure, today.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing your holy presence to my life as your Word finds room to dwell in my soul. Please continue to make my life large with your strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen.