The Rock of Refuge Tabernacle Blog

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”

          ~Proverbs 16:32        

          Anger is an emotion we have all experienced. We have been either angry or felt the anger of someone else. There are times that we are justified in being upset, and then there are other times it is simply the old sinful nature trying to live. We can even start out by being upset for the right reasons yet handle it in ungodly manner. You can be angry, but scripture exhorts us not to sin in our anger. 

          In all of this before the embers even burst into flame, the godly should be slow to become angry. We do not want to be those who are given to fits of rage but to be temperate in the gentleness of God. This takes more strength than the mighty and is why we need the Holy Spirit’s power and grace. Beloved, may the Spirit remind us how forbearing the Father has been with us. Has not the Lord been patient with you? We can all testify to the kindness and gentleness of God in our lives, even when we did not deserve it. As His people, should we not emulate our Lord in this area? 

          The only way we can rule our spirits is if we have yielded to the Lordship of Jesus. Only when He rules and reigns in our hearts can emotions and actions be kept in check. If we are angry, we should take it to God in prayer, asking Him how we ought to handle it. It would be good for all of God’s people to reflect upon this verse and question if they are acting in a way that is pleasing to God even when they are angry. 

          Beloved, how do you handle circumstances when you are upset? Do your words and actions reflect how God deals with you when you have failed Him or disappointed Him? Be careful how you treat others when you are angry, for they are made in the image of God just as you are; and if you are dealing with them in a way that not even the Lord would, you have set yourself above God. 

          You are blinded by your self-righteousness and think you are right in treating someone in a particular way. It has become your own form of punishment where you have become the judge. We do not often look at our anger towards others this way when it comes to how we treat or speak or do not speak to them. But may we prayerfully consider our moments of anger before the Lord. Are we those who are slow to become angry, and by grace are we in control of our spirits–that is, emotions and attitudes. May the Lord help us all today in being slow to become angry. God’s peace be with you and may His gentleness be evident in you. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.”

          ~James 1:14

“That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”

          ~Ephesians 5:27 

          Here is the vexation and hope of all those who desire to be godly–the carnality and sinfulness of our own hearts and the desire to be blameless before the Lord of heaven and earth. It is a startling truth to realize that there is none to blame for our wayward hearts but ourselves. No matter what form they take, the lusts of the heart come from within. 

          When we come to understand our sinfulness and the poverty of self-righteousness, we cannot help but desire to be made spotless. To know Christ and the beauty of His holiness, we become keenly aware of our blemishes and wrinkles which nothing in this world can cover or smooth away. Only the atoning work of Christ can make us whole. 

          As the people of God, we long to be made right before God. Beloved, this is impossible on our own and is why some of us may be discouraged and defeated, for we are trying to accomplish a work of grace in the flesh. You cannot make yourself blameless; only the Lord can through the Spirit. 

          Notice the scripture declares, “That He might present to Himself the church…” Only He can present us in this way. Our hearts are plagued with weakness and temptation, but there is coming a day when all dross will be removed forever. Today there are the wrinkles of carnality, even though we stand in grace and mercy covers the blemishes of the flesh. Righteousness is imputed to us, and we have the holiness of Christ. 

          So we are constantly aware of this conflict between the flesh and the Spirit–the burnings of temptation but the hunger for holiness. We desire to be godly and to walk in the Spirit. We are fighting the good fight of faith; but one glorious day, beloved, we will exchange this perishable flesh with all its wrinkles, blemishes, and lusts for the imperishable. We will be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. 

          This is our hope, that the position we have in Jesus Christ now will be the condition of who we are in God for all of eternity–glorious, holy, and blameless. The Holy Spirit is transforming your condition right now through sanctification to reflect your position in Jesus. The Lord will finish the work He has begun in you until condition and position become one in eternity’s morning when He will present you to the Father as His own. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“They were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.”        

          ~Acts 16:7  

          The apostle Paul was trying to go into Bithynia during his missionary journey, but the Lord did not permit him to go into this area. However, he was led by a vision in the night from the Lord into Macedonia. God leads us in different ways, beloved. Either way He makes His will known to you and me. 

          We are not told how the Spirit did not permit Paul to go into Bithynia, but it was clear to Paul how the Lord was directing him. The Lord may use the circumstances around you to help steer you into His purposes. Obstacles and trials sometimes are the winds of God pushing us into Macedonia. So be not discouraged, beloved, nor confused. The Lord will make His plans clear to you. 

          Whether the Lord leads you by a vision, a verse in His word, or by the events around you, He will make it clear what it is He has for you. It does not matter day or night, God will speak to you. You can be attempting to fulfill the Lord’s purposes just as Paul was and find that He may redirect you. Your peace is that God will lead and make all things clear. 

          The Lord will lead you not just on the mission field but in every area of our lives for all of our lives. In school, in work, and in retirement He will be leading and directing. Whether young or old, single or married, God will make His purposes clear to those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. There will be times of perplexity, but we never have to be in despair.

          God is with His people. So do not worry over how you will know if obstacles are meant to be climbed over or are tools of redirection. The Lord will make it abundantly clear to you. In the end, Paul knew exactly what God wanted from him. You are no different, beloved. Remember to lean not on your own understanding but to yield to the Lordship of Christ and He will direct your path.    

           Our hope is in the goodness and faithfulness of our Shepherd. “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4) You will know the voice of the Shepherd if His Spirit be in you and you wait on Him through scripture and prayer. Trust the Lord’s leading in this day. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“Then he said to Him, ‘If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.’ ”

          ~Exodus 33:15 

          In whose presence will you travel today? Each day we make a decision in which way we will live. There is no neutral ground in this matter. You and I can walk completely in the flesh or we can also yield to the Spirit and walk with God. 

          Will we have the same resolve of Moses who was not content to be led by an angel of God but rather requested the presence of God Himself? Choose today to walk with God, to be led by Him and not by your own understanding. Do not be dictated to by your own emotions and attitudes. Be not conformed to the spirit of this age. 

          Moses did not want to be led one step farther without God, even if it was into the land of promise. Many would have settled for the angel as long as they made it into the promised land, not understanding that the greatest blessing is being with the God of promise. 

          Do not look only for the promises, but long to be with the One from all promises flow. Choose fellowship with the Lord over anything this world could offer. He is the Lord God Almighty, so let Him lead you as such. Humble yourself before Him, understanding He is all that you need. Moses knew the greatest thing in this life was to have God with you and for you, to be dwelling in His presence and favor. 

          Do not settle for any other presence than the Spirit of God today, beloved. The Comforter has come. Will you walk with Him? 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” 

          ~Hebrews 2:18  

          Today the Lord will aid you in all your temptations and suffering. It is glorious to know all of our sins have been forgiven, but it is also comforting to know that the Lord will aid us today. 

          Christ endured the attacks of the enemy, yet He was without sin. In this, though, He identifies with you and me, having compassion on us in the midst of temptation and suffering. Your Savior is not a one-time deliverer. He is your daily aid. The Lord is not only with you, but for you as well. The Lord wants you to be more than a conqueror in Him, so He has supplied all that you need for life and godliness. 

          You must see the Lord as being for you today, turning to Him in the hour of temptation and trial and believing that God is not waiting for you to fail but to aid you. He alone is the resurrection and the life. The Spirit is the One who can give you a steadfast spirit. Beloved, trust the Lord today in His compassion and mercy towards you. 

          Our Lord came to us in the form of a man and dwelt with us. He is merciful towards you and desires to come to your aid. Do not think you are separated from Him in the midst of being tempted, but look to Him as your aid, the One who will help you and give you power. 

          All the people of God need the Lord as their aid in dealing with their own flesh and the schemes of the enemy. Not one of His people is removed from temptation and dealing with suffering. All experience it; but with every temptation, He has provided a way of escape. God is with all of His people and has provided strength through His own Spirit. The Son of God came as our Savior, and He is our High Priest. He is for you, beloved, and will give you grace. Look to the Lord today for whatever you may be facing and know that He will aid you. You are not alone. The Lord is with you. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously with Me,” declares the Lord. “They have lied about the Lord and said, ‘Not He; misfortune will not come on us, and we will not see sword or famine.’ ”

          ~Jeremiah 5:11-12 

          The nation of Israel was called by God, but they were not exempted from judgment. Why then should this nation think there is no consequence to saying God is not? Beloved, this is not a prophecy of coming famine and sword but one of warning that there is a consequence of saying God is not. 

          God did not spare the nation of Israel, nor will He spare any nation that stands in direct opposition to Him. You cannot reject the Word of the Lord without suffering some form of judgment. The judgment of God is not always a famine, but it is a heart being turned over to itself to the point where it becomes hardened and deceived. When you turn from the truth, you are turning to a lie. What was wrong has now become right. 

          In a nation where there is a constant turning from the truth of God and a leaning on one’s own understanding, the only outcome to sowing to the flesh is suffering. Beloved, will you discern that God’s plan for His people will be fulfilled no matter what nation they may be in. The new covenant is not for a nation but for the body of Christ, the church.

          Beloved, there is a distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous in the coming days–not only of the grace that is within their lives in regeneration, but in the provision and favor of God as well. God has always kept His people in trying times; so no matter what befalls a godless society, His people know Whom they have believed and that He is able to keep them until the end.           On the palace walls in Babylon a hand from heaven inscribed, “You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.” (Daniel 5:27) What are the scales of God saying about the nations? Just as importantly, will we have servants like Daniel who can interpret and speak, “Thus saith the Lord.”? 

          This is not doom and gloom, but a call to those who will determine not to defile themselves with the ways of Babylon and who will stand in the gap. The Lord is asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8) Will you be a life, a voice crying out in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord. Will your words and your life herald, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”? (Matthew 3:2) The Lord is coming in the clouds with a shout, and all that is not of Him will be consumed. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and we will dwell with Him for all of eternity. May we then continue to pray for God’s mercy in our land. “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16) 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

          ~Matthew 5:23-24           

          Shall we consider how many worship services, prayer meetings, and Sunday school lessons would be disrupted if God’s people took this verse to heart? There would be an exodus of people searching for those whom they have offended or by whom they had been hurt. The enemy desires nothing more than dissension and strife among God’s people. If he cannot separate you from the Father, then he will attempt to separate you from your brother or sister in Christ. 

          Sadly, with the advancement of our technology, wisdom and discretion have not kept up. What should be dealt with in private and guided by prayer is posted on walls and tweeted, bringing further shame and strife. 

          The Lord never told us that there would not be trouble amongst us or between us. What He did tell us is how to deal with it. This, beloved, is our responsibility to understand and seek godly counsel. We are not to follow the trends set forth for us on networks. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit. You and I have the Mighty Counselor to turn to. 

          Jesus has given us His love so that we might bear with one another when called upon and by His love cover one another, believing and hoping all things. God’s great love for us who were sinners should cause us to reach out to one another, no matter the offence or who started it. 

          Could it be that we struggle with obedience to such a verse because we lack humility? It takes humility to ask forgiveness or to admit we have been hurt by another. Who would dare to be so vulnerable as to admit that someone has hurt us? Beloved, this is not a license to vent every offence that has ever occurred in our lives or to let everyone know how we feel about them with no discretion. This is a God-given truth to help you and me remain in one accord with those who are one in spirit with us in the Lord. It is God helping you and me to remain in fellowship with one another in the cords of love, recognizing that although we are part of the body of Christ, we are imperfect parts at times and that it is only by the grace of God that we are His and are being held together. 

          Beloved, make amends with whom it is needed in a way that is glorifying to God and redemptive in purpose. Seek forgiveness and give forgiveness as the Lord has forgiven you. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’ And He said to them, ‘I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.’  

‘Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.’ ”

          ~Luke 10:17-18, 20 

          What a wonder it is that our Lord not only saved us but then He uses us for His glory. We have gone from being bound in darkness and held captive by our sin to having authority over our enemy in Christ Jesus. What a privilege it is to be used by God, something we should never take lightly or for granted. 

          The disciples were astonished by the authority they had in the name of Jesus. They taught, they healed, and even cast out demons in the name of Jesus. However Christ warned them by encouraging them what to really rejoice in–not their works, but that God had recorded their names in heaven by grace. 

          Beloved, although it is good to desire to be used by God and to even take pleasure in what He is doing in and through your life, let it never become the sole source of your joy or even your identity. We would never want what we do for God or the abilities He has given us to become idols. We would not want to think too highly of ourselves because of what God has called us to do or by the talents He has equipped us with. Spiritual pride caused Satan to fall from heaven like lightning, and the subtlety of this sin would want to plague our hearts as well. May the Spirit of God help us not to think too highly of ourselves than we ought. 

          Thank God for the gifts and talents He has placed in your life, and use them by grace with all your might for the Lord. However, in the end may you rejoice that your name is recorded in heaven in the Lamb’s book of life, not because of your works but  because of His blood which was shed for you. Rejoice that you do not enter heaven by your merit but by the work of grace in your life. Be glad that as far as the east is from the west so far have your sins been taken from you, and now you stand holy before the Lord. Be at peace that it is not by your power that you will be kept unto the end but by the authority of God’s strength in your life. 

          Be glad today, beloved, and rejoice; for your name is recorded in heaven by grace alone and not by how much you will accomplish today. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.’ ” 

          ~Mark 6:30-31 

          Have you come away with Jesus to a secluded place? How important it is for the servants of God to come away with the Lord, and for all of His people to find that secluded place with Jesus so that we may rest a while. 

          Jesus was not speaking of a vacation, but of getting away alone with Him so one might be refreshed by His grace and power. Much of our weariness and stress could be remedied by us simply sitting at His feet. We tend to get worried and upset about many things because we have not taken the time to sit alone with God. 

          Many ills and fears would dissipate if we would first get alone with our burden bearer and cast all of our care upon Him instead of trying to lug it around in our own strength. How could anxiety take hold of our hearts if we were speaking to the One who knows the beginning and the end? 

          Think of the compassion of our Lord and His understanding of our frailty. He knows that even with His granting us His grace and power we still need that isolated place where He can minister to us after we have been used by Him for others. His loving kindness endures forever, and His mercy is made new every morning. Rest in Him today, beloved. The Lord is the Prince of Peace, the Mighty Counselor, so why let your mind be troubled and your heart wearied. Come to Him, and lay it all at His feet–not only the struggles, but even the victories that have come by grace. Find new grace and power in Christ by coming away with Him. Let Him show you new mercies and speak new truths into your heart. 

          Today, beloved, do not burden yourself unnecessarily, but find rest in Christ. Busyness is not a mark of spirituality or importance. Some may think the busier they are for God the better, that somehow it validates them as being truly spiritual or godly. Beloved, Jesus Himself would come away to a solitary place to pray. He would take His disciples to secluded places to rest. So then even if the Lord gives us opportunity to do much for Him, it must never replace our time alone with Him. After we have reported all that we have done and taught, may we know the importance of coming away with Him. Rest in Jesus today, beloved, finding new grace for your soul. Seek the solitary place with Jesus just for the pleasure of being with Him. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ ” 

          ~Matthew 16:15  

          Beloved, who is Christ to you today? How you see the Lord and understand your fellowship with Him determine much of how you will fare today. 

          If you perceive the Lord as far from you and detached from your circumstances, then it is most likely you will feel discouraged. If you think the Lord is waiting for you to mess up and that everything that occurs to you in life is based upon performance, then you can become weary in doing well or self-righteous and critical. 

          Anxiety and fear come easily to those who have no hope in Jesus and to those who think God is not for them. Some may not think God is against them, yet they do not have the faith to believe the Lord is actually for them. 

          Who is Christ to you, beloved? Do you understand the magnitude of His being your Savior and all that He has done for you and all that is yours in Him? Today will you accept that the Lord is waiting to have fellowship with you? He desires to guide you through your day and give you grace for all circumstances. The God of all creation wants to supply all of your needs this day, no matter the form in which they come. Spiritual, emotional, and physical needs all can be supplied by God. 

          It will make a great difference in your day if you would see Jesus for who He truly is and how He sees you. I wonder how many of God’s people see themselves before God as He would want them to. Could the trust we have in God and the faith we demonstrate in His word be a good indicator as to how we really see our fellowship with Him? 

          Do you say God is with you? Do you see Him for you? Is He faithful, just, and good? How you see the Lord and understand His love and power in your life will shape much of your day. Beloved, see the Lord rightly today and see who you are in Him. Then peace that surpasses all that you understand will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 

          In Christ alone. 

          Pastor Wight 

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB. www.lockman.org