What Are Looking For | May 20th

“He is not here, for he has risen.”

   Matthew 28:6

  Beloved, we may sometimes find ourselves asking, “Where is the Lord?” Like the disciples, we may search in the wrong places. The disciples went to the tomb expecting to find Jesus, forgetting that He had told them He would suffer, die, and rise again. Christ assured them they would see Him again before these events occurred. Yet, they remained at the tomb.

  Christ also declared that He would ascend into heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father. He is there now as our high priest. Even when we doubt whether God is with us or for us, Christ continues to intercede for us in heaven. We are not left alone in this world, for the Holy Spirit has come to comfort and sustain us. The tomb remains empty because the Lord has ascended, and we belong to Him.

  We may experience fear and uncertainty, as the disciples did, when we fail to trust the Lord’s word. Yet His promises remain unchanged. He has not abandoned us but has gone to prepare a place for us, so that we may be with Him. The Lord is present with you now. The tomb is empty because the throne of grace is occupied by Christ the Redeemer.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Chaos in the Garden | May 19th

 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

  Hebrews 3:12-13

  Beloved, we can all agree that this past winter was particularly challenging. Recently, I began the late spring clean-up and noticed that the yard reflected both the severity of the season and the effects of delayed maintenance. A mink had emptied the Koi pond of all its fish, and broken branches were scattered throughout the yard. Restoring the garden to its original beauty and tranquility will require significant effort.

  This process reminded me of the importance of tending to our hearts. Our minds and spirits can quickly descend into chaos if they are not guided by the Word of God. We must remain vigilant in guarding our hearts to prevent the resurgence of our old nature or the cares of life from hindering spiritual growth.

  It is reassuring to know that we are not alone in this endeavor. We are called to seek the Lord’s assistance and rely on the Holy Spirit to convict, strengthen, and encourage us. Scripture identifies the aspects of our lives that require transformation so that the life of Christ may be evident within us. Although this work is demanding, it is not without hope. With God, all things are possible. Let us dedicate ourselves to this ongoing process as the Spirit renews the garden of our lives each day.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

News in the Fields | May 18th

  “Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food.”

  Ruth 1:6

  Beloved, sometimes the word that we need comes suddenly and in ordinary ways. For ten years, Naomi lived in Moab. There she suffered loss and gained two daughters-in-law.

  We are not told why she was in the field. Was it pleasure or work-related? Was she still feeling the ache of loss, was going home on her mind, or had she given up on ever returning there? We can only speculate what Naomi was doing on that particular day and what she was thinking, but it did not keep the good word of God from coming to her, even in a foreign land.

  We are privileged to open our Bibles each day and receive the good word of God. Regardless of our circumstances, thoughts, or emotions, scripture is living and active. It accomplishes God’s will in us through the power of the Spirit. Scripture is our daily bread, essential for our spiritual sustenance. Additionally, the Lord uses our circumstances and the counsel of others to convey His providence.

  Whether we are at rest or engaged in labor, alone or among others, God will speak to us. The good report will reach us, stirring our faith and prompting us to respond to what the Lord has prepared for us. The sheep of the Good Shepherd recognize His voice because they belong to Him. He leads us into green pastures and restores our souls for His name’s sake. The Lord continues to visit His people and provide for them. He that has ears let them hear the word of the Lord.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight