Rest | July 31st

 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

   Matthew 11:28

  Beloved, are you weary? Recently, someone expressed concern about my appearance, noting how tired I seemed. Their observation was accurate and offered in kindness. I replied that I simply needed rest and that everything would be fine.

  At times, our spiritual or emotional exhaustion is not readily apparent to others. When it is recognized, the solution is the same. The essential question is whether we actively seek rest in Christ.

  We know that if we are physically tried, we nap, lie down for a little while, and, if time permits, we go to bed early or wake up late. There are moments when the body says enough, and alarms can no longer wake us because we are so exhausted.

  Why do we delay approaching the Prince of Peace? Why do we withhold our concerns from the God of all comfort, or resist entrusting our burdens to the only One capable of bearing them?

  Just as we pursue physical rest, let us also come to Christ today. Bring your weary mind, your broken heart, and the weight of sin and temptation to Jesus. In Him, you will find true rest.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

In the Storms of Life | July 30th

 “He saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them.

  He came to them.”

  Mark 6:48

  Beloved, do you feel as though your life is like a turbulent storm? That the winds and waves torment you and you cannot move forward. That everything is harder than it should be or taking longer than it should? Let it be known, Jesus saw His disciples on the sea, and He sees you.

  You are not concealed from the sight of God. Your circumstances are fully known to the Lord. The weariness, doubts, fears, and anxiety you experience are not unknown to the God of all comfort. In Christ, we have a High Priest who understands our experiences, described as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

  The Lord sees you, has come to you, and will continue to meet you at every point of need. Do not despair; the Lord sees you, knows you, and is actively working on your behalf. Turn to Him now, and you will find grace that is sufficient and peace that will sustain you.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

We Need More | July 29th

 “Whenever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were healed.”

   Mark 6:56

  Beloved, Jesus had compassion on the multitude and taught them many things. He fed them, and they were satisfied. The crowds heard of Jesus and all the marvelous things He had done, so they brought their sick to Christ, and He healed them. The Lamb of God never lacked compassion or time for those who were drawn to Him. Jesus fed the multitude until they were full and healed of all their diseases, but how many of these ventured further into coming to Christ as their Savior?

  We should reflect on our motivations for approaching Christ and consider how we present Him to others. Jesus is not merely a miracle worker or a teacher who imparts advice and moral principles for individuals or societies. Rather, Jesus is the Savior of the World, Christ the Redeemer.

  We should not be content with only a superficial encounter with Christ. Instead, we ought to seek to know, believe, obey, and follow Him fully. True disciples of Jesus listen to Him, place their faith in Him, and act in obedience. Today, let us commit to taking up our cross and following our Savior, striving to know Him more deeply and recognizing that meeting temporal needs is insufficient if our souls lack life in Christ.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight