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

Peace in the Wilderness | March 11th

 “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

   Mark 1:12-13

  The Son of God entered the wilderness before all His people. Christ ventured alone among the wild animals and without provisions. In that place, Jesus experienced vulnerability to all that humanity would ever encounter. The adversary confronted Him with schemes and fiery darts. For forty days and nights, Jesus endured isolation, hunger, weariness, and opposition from the enemy.

  Christ did not falter. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, He prevailed. As His people, we find hope in our own wilderness experiences. When we encounter the wild beasts of this life, loneliness, and the strategies of the enemy, our confidence rests not in our own resolve but in the one who has already passed through the valley of the shadow of death. Because of Christ, we fear no evil.

  We look beyond the hills to the Lord, our source of help. In His grasp, we are securely held, and nothing can remove us from the hand of God. Beloved, do not fear your present wilderness. Christ is present with you and will sustain you until you reach the green pastures.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight