Jesus Leads the Way | Jan. 25th

  “He leads me.....

   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

   Psalm 23:2, 6

    Many years ago, my childhood friend and I went hunting in Montana. Don and Dora were an extended part of the family, and we stayed with them. Don, a lumberjack and skilled hunter, took us out for a couple of days in Big Sky country. He guided us through terrain we did not know, accounting for altitude and changing weather. Those days with Don, who is now with the Lord, have stayed with me, leaving lasting memories and lessons that continue to shape my understanding of guidance and trust.

   Reflecting on this experience, I am reminded to ask: Beloved, is the Lord your Shepherd? Have you entrusted yourself to Him, and are you following Jesus by faith? Just as Don guided us in the mountains, the Lord guides us in life, there is not a step in your life’s path that the Lord has not known and already traveled ahead of you. No pain or joy that He does not know the full scope of. Don pointed out things along the way and taught us to track in unfamiliar terrain, much like how the Lord offers His guidance. Don even provided a roaring fire with an old tree stump in 20 inches of snow, a welcome sight on a cold day in the woods, reminding me that God’s provision can come in unexpected ways.

  In much the same way, as Don led us up mountain paths and kept us safe, the Lord desires to be your Shepherd, guiding you through life. He will teach you in the paths of righteousness, protecting you while supplying all your needs. Over time, you will come to understand that His mercies are made new each morning with the dawn of a new day. He does make all things work for your good. That is the only true comfort in life and death, knowing that you belong to Christ.

  The goodness and mercies of God not only surround us but, like the warm fire Don made in the snow, endure in the memories of His unwavering faithfulness. These memories, like fires in the cold, sustain us through life’s trials. Resolve to follow Christ, confident that His presence leads you forward and His promises never fail.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Thorns in the Garden | Jan. 23rd

“ A thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”

   2 Corinthians 2:17

  Living in the country often means encountering thorns. Whether walking a trail or working in a garden, it is almost certain that you will get pricked. These thorns, big or small, are painful and bothersome, and if left unattended, can cause irritation. While much has been debated about Paul’s thorn, let us simply recognize that he had one, saw it as a messenger from Satan that harassed him, and prayed to have it removed.

  Beloved, all of this unfolded under God’s providence for Paul and his spiritual good. If you are facing difficult situations or people, or if you feel harassed, take time to prayerfully consider God’s purpose in your current struggle.

   The Lord may be at work within you, perhaps even protecting you from something worse than the thorn. We often focus on removing challenges or troublesome people from our lives, but God does not guarantee us a life without difficulty. Wisdom tells us to set boundaries, but if God is working in you through these hardships, seek humility and understanding of His purpose.

  Eventually, Paul recognized that his messenger from Satan was for his good, that when he was weak, God’s grace was sufficient. Do you truly want to discover how sufficient God’s grace can be? The Lord knows exactly what you need and is working all things for the good of your salvation.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight

Living by Faith in Christ | Jan. 22nd

 “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into the grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

    Romans 5:2

  Beloved, I hope we stand firm in the conviction that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This assurance lets us rest, knowing our salvation is secure in Christ. Christ the Redeemer saved us with His very life, and we belong to God.

  But how do you stand today? Is sanctification something we do on our own, or does the grace of God still work in us? Let us remember that we are justified by faith, and, in the same way, sanctified by faith, because God’s grace continues to transform us through Christ.

  From beginning to end, we stand on the grace of God through faith. This does not mean our faith has no evidence in works. Faith in sanctification is the same as in justification, a complete dependence on Christ. Rely not just on what He did, but on Him as our daily bread. The Holy Spirit is also working in and through us.

  So, as you did at salvation, keep your eyes on Christ. He alone is our strength and hope. Stand confidently in His relentless grace today and every day, assured that He will carry you through all things until the end.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight