November 2025 Revealing Light Newsletter

I would often see cartoon drawings of a few people walking along a narrow path that would lead up to the narrow gate of heaven… “just stay on the path and you’ll get in” is the implied message. Then the drawing would also have a wide path with crowds of people heading toward the gates of hell. However, this has severally impacted our perspectives on “making it” into heaven by pulling up your bootstraps and getting there by your effort. The question, “where is Jesus in this picture?” When we read what Jesus shared in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 7:13-14, we read that there are two different gates that people enter. One gate is narrow and few find it. The other gate is wide, many will go through that gate toward the easy path which actually leads toward destruction. When we read this account, Jesus is showing us that He is the Narrow Gate that leads to eternal life.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

In other words, the gate doesn’t go at the end, but at the beginning. The gate of life that we enter isn’t at the end of our lives but at the beginning of our new life through Jesus.

John 10:7, 9-11, 14-15 (ESV)
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
...I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
...I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

We realize we enter into this new life through Jesus, this narrow path that few go on -- yet leads to eternal life -- is because of Jesus! All glory to Him for making the way! He is the Way to the Father; no one comes to Him but through Jesus [John 14:6]. We do face many challenges on this narrow path [several may even be refining challenges for the shaping of our hearts], but it’s following the path of Jesus now into eternity toward His Glorious Eternal Kingdom when we will see God in His Full Glory. [1 Peter 3:17-18; 4:1-2, 12-16, 19]

I hope you may be encouraged by what Jesus accomplished, making the way for each of us to the Father. We enter into life because of Jesus. He made it possible for us to enter through the gate which leads to life. Now, we join together on Jesus’ path as we encourage each other onward into eternity with Him [...as we read from the warnings in Hebrews: there’s nothing to turn back to for life than Jesus]. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, be strengthened by God’s Spirit in you, stand firm in God’s Word, as He guides us along this path of life. Blessings to each of you.

-Daryl Struemph

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:1 (ESV) 
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.


1 Peter 3:17–18 (ESV) 
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 

1 Peter 4:1–2 (ESV)
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 

1 Peter 4:12–16 (ESV)  
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

It scares me when I see people sitting in the same room texting each other instead of verbally communicating. I want the warmth of seeing someone in person and looking them in the eye. I would rather go to the bank and see the teller face to face instead of taking a photo of my deposit. I guess that means “I’m old” because my kids would just as soon handle it online. I’m afraid this generation is becoming isolated by avoiding personal contact with others.

I know one of the most rewarding things I do each week is meet with a group of guys where we discuss Bible verses (we read a chapter each day and note what is important to us.) Sometimes we share a meal or snack and somethings we meet to help others with projects. We conclude with prayer for one another. We are putting into practice what the early church did as spoken of in Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” I feel more fulfilled by this time we spend together than any other endeavor. I plan to continue this for as long as God allows me to spend on earth. So, find one or two guys and mentor them as you make disciples and encourage them to find a couple of people to share their stories. It’s the blueprint that Jesus established while on earth. As you find “real” people to visit with they will also bless you.

-Alan McNeely

Colossians 3:12–17 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.