Devotions with Pastor Bill Ritchey

As new creations in Christ, I believe each of us is given a ministry that involves reconciliation of the lost to the one true GOD (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). Many of us quote verse 17—we like to be new creations! Unfortunately, we tend to stay there. But we must move on – we are saved for good works ordained by God (Ephesians 2:10).

This walk we are called to will not always be pleasant, yet we are to pursue it obediently. Blessings follow obedience, they do not precede it. As we walk in obedience through the power and presence of His Holy Spirit, we will appear as “lights in the world” to this “perverse generation.” (Phil. 2:15).

As children of the one true King, how we behave reflects directly back on to how the Kingdom of GOD is seen by others. According to 1 Peter 2:9-12, we are “A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIEST HOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that (we) may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Did conviction about your old life draw you to Jesus Christ, or did the example of His joy and peace that you saw in believers? For me, it took a combination of both. The joy and peace of one believer in particular became part of the conviction that drove me to finally reject the darkness dominating my life and accept the salvation freely offered through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Is His light shining through you? Who needs you to show that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World? Please remember, light dispels darkness.

May His peace reign in your life.
Pastor Bill