Not Finished | Oct. 29th

"He reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do."

Jeremiah 18:4

My wife works in education, and for several years, she was involved in special education, which sometimes involved behavioral issues. Some of these students were tracked throughout the day, and they received marks based on performance and behavior.

Sometimes there was a positive note made and then at other times a negative mark. For some students, the negative mark would be discouraging or upsetting. But they would be encouraged that the day was not over and there was time to turn things around. Some days did not end well. However, the following day would start with encouragement and a reminder of a new beginning.

Let us be grateful the Lord we serve extends His mercy towards us over and over again. He constantly reworks us into a clearer image of Christ. We are marred and the vision of Jesus can be blurred at times but the Lord is faithful to bring His likeness into us.

Be encouraged today beloved. The Lord will finish the good work He has begun in you and will not grow weary in this work.

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Wight

Peace for the Day | Oct. 28th

"Be content with what you have, for he has said, ' I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, ' The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

Hebrews 13:5-6

We learn to be content through the assurance of God's faithfulness. If God has promised to always be with and for us, then we can trust that He will also sustain us.

There is nothing in this world we shall face that is outside the Lord's knowledge and providence working in and through us. The things that are needed will come in His time. We may become anxious and need to quiet ourselves as we look to God's promises, but He will help us.

You can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper," and learn contentment through that promise. Be grateful for what you do have and for what the Lord has already done. Recognize the beauty already in your life and His mercy. Every good gift in your life has come from the hand of God.

God's hand is still full of blessings and extended to you. Know that He will provide what is truly needed.

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Wight

Take Away | Job 1:21

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

Job 1:21

It is easy for us to bless God when He gives. It is a challenge to bless God when He takes away. Job, was able to bless God in the giving and taking, a lesson we will have to learn at times.

The Lord will hear our pleas and remove illness and suffering, but there are also seasons when He removes our strength and comfort. Will we continue to bless the Lord in both seasons?

Beloved, we do not always respond as Job did but God is merciful unto us as He helps us to trust His goodness and faithfulness through our sorrow.

We will come to a place where we can still trust the goodness of God despite our pain and loss. This does not come easily but we will find the mercy of God along the way. He is patient and kind though we do not always understand or like when God takes from us.

If we have Him, then we have all that a soul needs in this life and the next. These words are easy to say but difficult to work out in the mind and heart. Through this, the Lord is with us.

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Wight