Peace is Gone, Joy is Lost | Oct. 24th

 “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.”

      Lamentations 3:17

   Beloved, we do not always have abiding peace and joy. Do not allow others to bring condemnation into your life if you are struggling with depression or anxiety. Some believe that Christians should never face such struggles.

  A careful reading of scripture tells us something very different. Not only do the prophets and the psalmists battle with their own emotions, but the word of God is filled with countless exhortations and promises for those who are bereft of peace and have forgotten what happiness is.

  The remedy is always the Lord and His promises. There is the fellowship of the saints, counselors, and professional help, which God utilizes in restoring His people and enabling them to cope. Let us not be ashamed if we are downcast, but rather seek help while falling upon the Lord’s throne of grace. He is the God of all comfort.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Give and Take | Oct. 23rd

 “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

   Job 1:21

   Beloved, we will never fully understand why the Lord gives and then takes away, but He remains good. We often see the providence of God as His works for us. God provides in some way or permits others to be a part of our lives. Although the providence of God can be understood in this way, we must also recognize that the Lord can do unto us as He sees fit.

  He formed you in body, spirit, and mind. Providentially, He is working through you, for you, and upon you each day. Nothing is outside of His knowledge. Our ways, thoughts, and motives are all known by the Lord. In light of this, may we humble ourselves beneath His mighty hand while proclaiming the goodness of God.

 The intention of God in the process of giving and taking is to make us into a likeness of Christ, to draw us close to Him, and cause us to understand Him more fully. Let us bless the name of the Lord in all His dealings with us.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Assurance | Oct. 22nd

“In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have believed that I came from God.”

   John 16:26-27

   Beloved, what is the assurance that our prayers are answered? Is it the eloquence of our words? Could it be our persuasive and passionate pleas? Perhaps we are heard by our Father because we are so perfect and deserve to be heard and answered?

  There is no assurance in anything from ourselves. Our only hope and confidence is the lovingkindness of the Father. Jesus assures the disciples that the Father will answer because He loves them. They have put their faith in Christ, and the Father loves them.

  This is our confidence today. The Father loves us and has received us in Christ. We have no merit of our own; it is only by God’s grace that we stand. Take heart then, dear one, and make your request known unto your Heavenly Father, for He loves you.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight