Discipline and Love | Feb. 25th

 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.”

   Job 5:17

   “In the furnace God may prove thee, Thence to bring thee forth more bright, But can never cease to love thee, Thou art precious in His sight, God is with thee-God, thine everlasting Light.”

    Thomas Kelly

  Beloved, sometimes we forget that in God’s sovereignty, He can do with us as He desires. The Lord is not cruel or relentless in His dealings with us. Rather, His kindness surpasses our understanding. His patience toward us cannot be exhausted, and His lovingkindness is unceasing.

  Let us not mistake God’s reproofs or refining work as misguided. The Son died for us while we were still sinners. If we have been reconciled to God and sealed by the Holy Spirit, we should recognize that we are truly blessed both during and as a result of the Almighty’s reproof.

  Through sanctification in the refining fire of God’s furnace, our faith is proven genuine. In this process, the dross of our heart is burned away, and a greater likeness to Christ is formed. There, we discover the beauty of God and realize the sufficiency of His grace in our weakness. Do not despise the providence of God; instead, trust that He is working all things for the good of your salvation. The Lord is with you and actively at work within you.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Facing Affliction | Feb. 24th

 “For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.”

  1 Thessalonians 3:4

  Beloved, the early church was taught to expect affliction. The Apostle Paul reminds the church that they were forewarned about suffering for their faith in Christ. Opposition would arise both from the world and from the adversary of their souls.

  We are far removed from the first-century church; this warning remains relevant. Christians in every era should be prepared for and anticipate affliction. While there have been periods in history when the church experienced less opposition from the world, Satan has always been at work against God’s people.

Our faith is precious and strong. God has given us faith to trust in Him. The Holy Spirit keeps the flame of faith burning in our hearts. We may feel weak at times and intimidated by the world, but we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God in us is greater than the spirit of this age or any affliction that comes our way.

  Acknowledge before the Father your dependence on His grace. Confess your weakness and affliction to Him. He is ever-present in times of need, and the Holy Spirit will strengthen your spirit to endure in Christ. Embrace God’s word today to receive strength during times of affliction.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Eternal Spring | Feb. 23rd

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, and the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

The other afternoon, we visited our granddaughter's resting place at the cemetery. It was late in the day, and the air felt like winter. Snow covered everything in sight, making the world appear lifeless and still. Then, I noticed some movement near the trees.

  What proceeded was a continual flock of Robins. One wave after another. Their bright colors stood out against the grey evening sky. They flew overhead one after another. A joyful reminder that spring is not far away. The snow has its own beauty, but it will soon melt away, revealing the emerald carpet beneath. Then the tulips planted last spring will bloom. The weeping cherry tree will sway in the warm breeze, its pink flowers blooming, and everything will be vibrant with life.

  Beloved, these subtle reminders point to the greater truth promised in these verses. The eternal spring promised by our Lord will soon dispel the winter of this age, and death and sorrow will cease. He has gone to prepare a place for us and will return so that we may be with Him forever. Encourage one another with these words. We will be with the Lord and with all who have gone before us. The new experience of eternity will be ours and will never be taken away. Maranatha.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight