Suffering | Feb.27th

"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."

Philippians 3:10

Do we possess the desire to know Christ? Reading this devotional is a small reflection of that desire brought forth into action. Our prayer life, the daily reading of scripture, and gathering to worship on the Lord's day with God's people are evidence of a desire to know Christ.

Paul speaks of something that we do not often entertain, that is suffering. The Apostle desired to share in the sufferings of Christ. God providentially walks us through the sufferings of Christ through our daily experience and our faithful obedience to His word.

If we follow Christ, we have taken up our cross, counting ourselves dead to the world and our desires. We suffer at the hands of others for our faith in Christ, buffeted by the enemy of our soul, and experience the strain of resisting the spirit of this age.

The Holy Spirit enables us to be a servant of the Lord, and in turn, we serve others. We sacrifice time and set our needs aside to help others. In this way of following Christ, we share in His sufferings. Let us not shrink back today but take up our cross and follow Him. There is a depth of knowing Christ that can only come by suffering for Him.

Joy is Coming | Feb. 26th

"He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."

Psalm 126:6

Beloved, what seeds have you planted with tears? It is hard to imagine that there will be a harvest of rejoicing when all there is is grief. In the moment of pain, we do not anticipate a time when there will be shouts of joy.

The promise is the place of sorrow will turn into a harvest of joy. You do not think joy will spring from pain. God, who works all things for the good of our salvation, can turn our mourning into dancing. He can change the nature of seeds and cause them to multiply so that we return with sheaves of rejoicing.

In this life, we will know the depths of sadness and hope for times of rejoicing. The promise is that there is comfort in all of our days and times of great rejoicing, but there is coming a time of abundant harvest when joy and peace will have no end. Sighing and sorrow will flee away one final day. Let us anticipate the sheaves of rejoicing for our prayers planted with tears.

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Wight

Pray for One Another | Feb 25th

"I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf."

Romans 15:30

Paul the Apostle was calling for help. If the great Apostle sensed his need for the prayers of others we should not hesitate in making our needs known. Do not be ashamed in seeking prayer for yourself.

Ultimately our trust is in the Lord but it is good to have our hands lifted with others before God. Knowing that our brothers and sisters in Christ are trusting in the Lord with us.

We must carry one another in prayer. We weep with those who mourn and rejoice with others when the answer comes. We must encourage one another through the Word of God while interceding for one another. Let us begin striving in prayer for each other today.

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Wight