Home Sweet Home | June 16th

“You saw the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

  Revelation 17:18

  “And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”

    Revelation 21:2

  Beloved, we live in the city of man, but our true life and citizenship are in the city of God. Sometimes, living in this tension is hard. Our minds, bodies, and spirits feel the strain as we move through this world, yet we keep longing for the holy city.

  We live in this world yet we are not a part of it. We have momentary comfort but a nagging emptiness. We see how things constantly shift and pass like mist in the morning, and long for the permanent foundations of the city of God.

  Do not let the great city of Babylon discourage or distract you. It will soon pass away, and everything in it will be lost. Only the city of God lasts forever. There, we find real peace and lasting contentment. The Lord is in the city of God, living with His people. He has already prepared a place for us. Christ the Redeemer welcomes you and will stay with us as we journey through this world. He alone leads us to our true home, where we will live with Him and all God's people forever.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

There is Hope in Pain | June 15th

  “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

  “Follow me.”

“Lord, what about this man?”

“If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

  John 21:18-19,21-22

  Beloved, illness and the transition from this life to eternity are experiences common to all. The timing and manner of these events remain within the providence of God.

  In these moments, let us remember that such experiences do not diminish God’s grace or indicate a lack of rest in the promise of heaven. Jesus informed Peter of his impending martyrdom, prompting Peter to inquire about John’s future. Jesus responded that Peter should not be concerned with John, but rather focus on following Him. In both sickness and death, we are called to follow Christ. Our assurance lies in the sufficiency of His grace and His sustaining presence.

  Not every believer transitions peacefully into eternity. This journey may involve prolonged suffering and pain, yet such experiences do not signify exclusion from the Father’s table. Sickness is not evidence of God’s displeasure. Although we cannot determine the nature of our trials or the manner of our departure from this life, we can place our trust in God throughout every circumstance.

  Paul discovered the sufficiency of God’s grace through the persistent affliction he described as a thorn in his flesh. Consequently, he took pride in his weakness, allowing the power of God to be more clearly revealed. Heaven is a reality, and our Lord awaits our arrival, regardless of the manner in which we cross from this life to the promised shore.

 Until then, let us follow Christ in all seasons, knowing that He has gone ahead to prepare a blessing for us with Him.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Relief | June 12th

 “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

  1 Peter 5:7

  One of my greatest enjoyments growing up and to this day is fishing. I enjoyed the solitude of a stream alone in the woods or the open space on a lake or pond with friends. Those early years seemed much simpler. One thing we would do as kids is see who could cast our line the furthest. We would throw our line over and over again to see how far we could throw our bait into the water.

  Beloved, I believe we often envision a similar image when we encounter scripture encouraging us to cast our burdens on the Lord. We may focus on our own ability to lay our cares at God's feet, only to feel discouraged when we take them up again. However, our burdens are not lifted by the strength of our efforts or the distance we cast them, but rather by the depth of God's care for us.

  Casting our cares is not merely an act of bringing something to God, but a practice of remembering who He is and that He loves us. When we pray and reflect on God's lovingkindness, His faithfulness, and His providential work in our lives, our burdens are lifted. It is through knowing and having fellowship with the Lord that the trials and burdens of life are eased. His peace is present amid the storm, and in Him we find rest as we lean upon the Lord.

  Because God cares for you, you do not have to be anxious for anything.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight