Posts by Pastor Wes

Psalm 137:2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. Imagine being a young adult, witnessing atrocities of a waring nation decimating your family, being led away from your homeland in chains, arriving in a foreign country as a slave, and being required to sing. But you’re not being asked to sing any old song but songs of deliverance and hope, so your captors could make fun of you. Sounds like a hopeless picture. In fact, if there were…

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)   Have you noticed how prevalent fear is in our culture? We don’t always call it fear, we offer different names for it—anxiety, panic, apprehension, dread, terror, these either elevate or minimalize the presence of fear but in the end it’s all fear and fear grips all of us. So how does love allay fear? First, it’s important to put the love we’re talking…

One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at the table at Jesus side… John 13:23 John, the son of Zebedee, a fisherman by trade, was called by Jesus to be one of his followers. This man was given the unique opportunity to be one of three who were given premier access to Jesus—part of his inner circle. He was also the longest living of Jesus’ disciples. He wrote a large portion of the New Testament, eclipsed only by…

Family of God Romans12:5 So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Growing up there was a song that we often repeated: I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God, washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod. For I’m part of the family, the family of God. Since I heard it so often, I really didn’t think of the significance…

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews…

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom he has chosen as his heritage!   Yesterday morning I was going through my daily ritual, standing in front of the mirror trying to make something presentable of my rested, but bed-marked face, I saw nothing remarkable, only me. Later though, upon exiting the shower, I noticed something interesting on the steamed mirror; little handprints and artwork of circles and imaginary letters adorned the mirror. Previously…

She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:26-29) ESV It’s Mother’s Day this weekend. What a wonderful time to celebrate the gift of motherhood. The several moms who are…

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth! Psalm 96 bursts forth with a command, a delightful privilege, to sing something brand-new. This new song is an opportunity to delight in, and magnify the Lordship of God. Interesting to me that we should hear this from one of the oldest song books in the world. More than any other complaint about the church over the course of my life, new music has faced…

Psalm 119: 147-149 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, That I may meditate on your promise. Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life. As a young man I heard over and over again the value and benefit of spending time with God. I was the oldest of seven children; Our house was busy…

Luke 1:46-55 (ESV) My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the…

One plus one equals…wait! ONE   Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.   Math in the Bible sometimes doesn’t work the way we expect it to work. Some of the most important elements about God don’t stack up like a box of Legos does, because…