Working the Garden | March 16th

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

    Genesis 2:15

  Beloved, spring is almost here. Buds at the tips of branches are coming to life with color. What looked brown and lifeless is starting to show new life. Soon, many of us will be outside, clearing away winter’s debris and getting the soil ready for flowers and seeds.

  The Garden of Eden was created by God, yet He placed Adam there to tend and care for it. Eden served as a place of fellowship with God for Adam and Eve, but it also required their active stewardship.

  Our salvation is a gift from God. Through Christ, we have been born again, restored to right relationship with God, and granted eternal life. Just as Adam was placed in Eden, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the marvelous light of God. Although our citizenship is founded on grace, we must still allow God to work within our hearts.

  As we notice the needs of a yard cluttered with debris and the remnants of winter, we begin the work of tending and restoring it. We desire to witness the beauty of spring and the abundance of summer in our gardens and flower beds. Let us approach the garden of our hearts with the same intention. As the Spirit and scripture reveal the remnants of our sinful nature, let us remove all that is unlovely, relying on the Holy Spirit to cultivate His fruit within us. Remember, beloved, that whatever we do for the Lord is never in vain. Time spent tending the garden of our hearts is never wasted. God will send showers of blessing upon a dry and weary land, filling it with abundant life.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Playing in the Mud | March 13th

 “Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.’ (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.”

   John 9:6-7

My daughter has been sending pictures of outdoor playsets designed for children to enjoy dirt, mud, water, and other things that make outdoor play both fun and messy. She has requested that I build something similar for our granddaughter, and plans are already underway. This simple project promises to bring great joy, along with a delightful mess.

  Beloved, this miracle is not intended for us to replicate, nor does it prescribe a method for restoring physical sight to the blind. Instead, it highlights how Jesus addressed the spiritual blindness of the leaders who questioned the miracle performed for the poor, blind beggar.

  However, let us reflect on the fact that the Son of God made mud. The Creator of heaven and earth not only became human but also suffered alongside humanity and was willing to touch us in our sins and infirmities. Do you believe that God continues to use ordinary elements of this world to bless and comfort us?

  Scripture teaches us that God is our comforter. The word of God and His presence in our lives provide continual comfort. Each day, the treasury of heaven is opened to us through God's comforts. Consider the refreshing experienced after a restful night, the strength gained from a simple meal, the joy that arises from hearing a familiar voice, and the way both sun and rain refresh all living things.

  It is easy to complain, doubt, and fear. However, this is not the bread of God’s people. Let us ask the Spirit to help us see the goodness of God in our lives and how He comforts us through the simple things of this life. Every good and perfect gift comes from God's hand, even something as humble as mud when touched by Him.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Called by Name | March 12th

  “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

    John 10:3

  Beloved, you have been called by name. Jesus explains that the sheepfold contains many sheep, but among them are those who belong to Him. He knows His own because the Father has given them to Him.

  As the Good Shepherd, Jesus calls by name those who belong to Him. We hear His voice as one awakened from sleep, previously unaware of our condition until He calls us. Awakened by the Holy Spirit, we respond to the Shepherd’s call. Just as the Lord called His first disciples by name along the Sea of Galilee, so too have you been called. Throughout scripture, God’s people are called by name, and you share in this experience.

  Although we may not be prophets or apostles, the calling by name remains the same. God has called you individually to follow Him. The Lord has brought you out of the world and is guiding you. Let our hearts be warmed and surrendered to this truth. We did not seek Him first; rather, the Lord sought us and made us His own. Therefore, He will never forsake you or leave you alone.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight