Lover Over Deeds | July 13th

  “If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

  1 Corinthians 13:2

  Beloved, it is common to equate ministry activities with godliness. However, without genuine love, we do not exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

  It can be easier to be busy for the Lord than to be like Him in loving others. Busy hands and much speech are not always done in love or reflect Christ-like love. So the Lord needs to help us prefer others to ourselves, to be patient and kind even when it costs us the most. How are we loving those closest to us? Do we speak kindly to them? Are we patient and quick to forgive if offended?

  Loving others as Christ does exceeds our natural ability. The love we are called to express is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Only the Spirit can fill our hearts with God’s love and empower us to live accordingly. This love demonstrates neither partiality nor manipulation, nor does it harbor pride or keep a record of wrongs. Pray that the Lord fills you with His love, so that you might be known for the love of God in your life.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Freed | July 10th

  “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have  redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

   Colossians 1:13-14

  Beloved, let us reflect on the profound despair and the gravity of our condition prior to Christ’s redemption. The joy of our salvation is rooted in the recognition that we were once captives in the domain of darkness, yet Christ came to liberate those held captive.

  We must acknowledge the extent of our sinfulness. Self-righteousness can mislead us into believing we were not among the worst of sinners; however, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Apart from Christ, we were without hope and estranged from God, counted as His enemies, held captive by His adversary, and deserving of His wrath. Yet Christ died for us.

  Christ redeemed His people through His sacrifice, granting forgiveness of sins. We have been delivered from the prison of darkness and now hold citizenship in the Kingdom of God. In Christ, we possess eternal life and belong to the Heavenly Father. We are no longer slaves to sin and death. This is the joy of our salvation; let us rejoice in it today as we delight in the goodness and mercy of God.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

The Struggle | July 9th

“Fight the good fight of the faith.”

   1 Timothy 6:12

  Beloved, we must recognize that in our walk with the Lord, we are called to engage in spiritual struggle. This struggle is not waged with physical means or contemporary tools, but through the strength of the Holy Spirit and by relying on the fruit He produces in our lives.

  We strive, resist, contend, debate, call others to repentance, and wrestle with temptations of the heart as well as the prevailing spirit of the age. However, all of these actions are accomplished through the power of God. The weapons we employ in this spiritual warfare are not of this world; they are mighty through God alone.

  The Holy Spirit helps, equips, and guides us throughout this struggle. We are not left alone; He is the Comforter who empowers both the people of God and the church. Therefore, be strong today in the power and might of the Lord. The Holy Spirit remains with you.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight