Articles by Pastor Matthew featured in THE CITIZEN Newspaper.
March 7, 2026
This weekend we will set our clocks forward and lose an hour of sleep. While the adjustment may leave us groggy on Sunday morning, it offers a meaningful reminder about the value of time itself. Time is one of God’s most precious gifts. The Bible says, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV). Our lives move through seasons—childhood and adulthood, planting and harvesting, joy and sorrow. Each season has meaning, even when we do not fully understand it. And when we lose an hour, we feel it. We are reminded that time cannot be stored, paused, or reclaimed. Scripture urges us, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16, NKJV). To redeem the time means to make the most of it—to live thoughtfully and purposefully. The psalmist prayed, “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NKJV). Numbering our days does not mean living in fear of the future. It means recognizing that our days are valuable and limited, and therefore worth living well. As we move our clocks ahead this weekend, it is an opportunity to move our priorities forward as well. An hour may be lost on the clock, but none of our time is lost in God’s hands. He is the One who stands outside of time and yet walks with us through every moment. So, maybe this is the weekend to begin a new habit—prayer before the day begins, a few minutes reading Scripture, or reaching out to encourage a neighbor. Even small moments, given to God, carry eternal value. Though we may lose an hour of sleep, we need not lose perspective. Each new day is a gift. Each sunrise is mercy renewed. And the God who created time invites us to trust Him with every second He gives. So, let us use our time wisely—and gratefully!
January 10, 2026
Winter settles into a rural community differently than it does anywhere else. Fields lie quiet. Roads empty earlier. The nights grow long, and the work moves indoors. It’s a season that naturally invites reflection— on the year that has passed and the one now unfolding before us. But scripture meets us in these quieter moments. The psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Stillness isn’t always easy. In rural communities especially, our hands are used to motion and our minds to planning. Yet winter offers a gift: a pause. The land rests, and so can we. The Bible frequently connects seasons of waiting with renewal. “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting is not wasted time. Seeds beneath frozen ground are not dead—they are preparing. In the same way, the slow months of winter can shape our hearts, deepen our faith, and strengthen our resolve for what lies ahead. As a new year begins, many people feel a mix of hope and uncertainty. Crops, finances, health, and family concerns remain out of our control. And scripture doesn’t promise easy answers, but it does offer steady assurance: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23). Even in winter, mercy is renewed. Rural life teaches us that growth doesn’t happen overnight. Faith is much the same. This season invites us to trust that God is at work even when we cannot yet see the results. The light may seem faint in winter, but it is enough to guide our next step.
As we look toward spring, it is still distant. But, it is surely coming! May we carry hope rooted not in circumstances, but in the One who promises to be faithful in every season.
November 15, 2025
As November settles in and our kitchens begin to fill with the scent of roasted turkey and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving once again asks us to pause and give thanks. Yet for many, the holiday’s meaning can fade as quickly as the leftovers. But true thanksgiving was never meant to be a one-day feast. It is meant to be a way of life rooted in faith. Scripture reminds us, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV). Notice that Paul does not simply tell us to give thanks for everything, but in everything. Gratitude is not confined to abundance. It is also an act of trust in hardship. When we thank God in times of uncertainty, we declare that His goodness is greater than our circumstances. This Thanksgiving, perhaps we could shift our focus from the table to the heart. Instead of measuring blessings by what is on our plates, let us measure them by what is and who is in our lives: family reconciled; prayers answered; or simply the quiet assurance that God still holds us close. True gratitude grows not from plenty, but from presence – the presence of God who walks beside us every day. Imagine if our communities lived out that kind of thanksgiving year-round. We might see fewer complaints and more compassion, fewer comparisons and more contentment, fewer protest and more praise. Gratitude has a way of transforming not just our outlook, but our relationships and neighborhoods too. So, as we gather over the next several weeks, may our words of thanks rise higher than the steam from the mashed potatoes. May they become daily offerings, continual reminders that our lives—blessed, broken, and redeemed—are evidence of God’s unending grace. This Thanksgiving, let us not just count our blessings. Let us each be one!
SEPTEMBER 21, 2025
In a time marked by confusion, conflict, and division, many are asking: Is there still hope? The Bible gives us a resounding yes. In Matthew 5:14–16 (NKJV), Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Light doesn’t need to be loud or flashy—it simply needs to shine. Even a small candle can drive back the deepest darkness. In a world filled with fear, anger, and spiritual confusion, God calls His people to be that steady, unwavering light. Being a light means living with kindness when others choose cruelty, showing patience when tempers run high, and offering truth when lies are easier. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about reflecting the One who is. As the world grows darker, our opportunity to shine becomes even greater. Your smile, your words, your choices—they all speak. Whether at school, at work, or in your neighborhood, someone is watching and wondering if real hope exists. Let your life be the answer that it does. This September, as the days get shorter and the nights grow longer, remember: your light matters. Don’t hide it. Let it shine.
JULY 26, 2025
Looking at our world – we find uncertainty, sorrow, and division. So, it is very easy to arrive at the conclusion that true and lasting joy is practically impossible. The Bible, however, reminds us that joy is not simply an emotion based on our circumstances that come and go like the tide. Instead, joy is a deep, abiding confidence in God’s presence and His promise. In Psalm 16:11, David (inspired by God) wrote, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The secret to lasting joy is not in what we possess, but in Whom we abide. When we dwell in the presence and power of the Lord, we find a joy that this world cannot ever give and cannot ever take away.
A joy rooted in Christ is not dependent on everything going “right”. Actually, it shines the brightest during times of difficulty and trial. Paul (again, inspired by God) was in prison as he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). The apostle understood that joy flows not from outward comfort and ease but from a personal relationship with Christ. When our hearts are anchored firmly in Jesus, we too can rejoice at all times, knowing that God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
True joy also comes through obedience and trust. Obedience is not a popular concept in our contemporary culture. And trust seems to be at an all time low as well. But Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love… These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10-11). Contrary to popular belief, obeying the Lord is not what robs us of joy—it multiplies it. His ways are not offensive, but life-giving and affirming. As we walk in His Word, we discover a joy that fills our souls!
Finally, joy in the Lord strengthens us. Nehemiah 8:10 reads, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This Word of God reminds us that joy is not a luxury for the Christian. It’s a necessity. Joy fuels our endurance, brightens our witness, and reflects the heart of God to a watching world. Today, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, delight in His Word, and abide in His love. If we do this, we will find joy that is unshakable, unchanging, and eternal.
MAY 31, 2025
One of the most fascinating things about people is our capacity to ask questions. From the earliest age, we inquire about all kinds of thing – “How?” “Why?” “Who?” “What?” As we age, we begin to ask other, deeper questions, like “Why not?” and “What if?” This tendency to ask questions is important. It provides much needed information. It encourages growth. And it helps us to gain a better understanding of the world around us and how we fit into it.
As Christian believers, God desires that we continue to ask questions. In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus challenges His disciples to “ask,” “seek,” and “knock.” Our Savior clearly encourages us to ask questions – simple questions, difficult questions, thoughtful questions, and even stupid questions. By asking questions, we begin the process of searching for the answers. But where we look for these answers is important. Thankfully, God has given us His Word and His Spirit to find the answers to many of these questions of life. Sadly, however, so many (even among the church) do not look to God for the answers. Instead, they look to culture, peers, social media, celebrities, or themselves. Often, the answers given by these diverse sources are quite different.
These different answers result in different understandings – different perspectives – different attitudes. The problem is that some of these answers are wrong. We have all had well-meaning friends that answered a question sincerely – but sincerely and incorrectly. We have listened to media attempt to answer questions and found only agenda-driven opinions. We have seen how culture shifts and changes like the wind. But as Psalm 119:89 reminds us, “Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven.”
We all ask questions. Where we find the answers makes a difference – an eternal difference. I encourage you to look to the Bible – the authoritative, inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God.
