Trees bring the fruit of life, yet hanging on one means death. Trees were meant for life; yet life came from His (hanging/crucified) death. Even in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden with Adam & Eve, The Fruit from the Tree of Life, was meant to give us Life. However, it was also said, "cursed was anyone who hung from a tree" (Gal 3:13; Deut 21:22-23). Jesus hung on that tree that was meant for life. Yet from Jesus, He actually gives us the fruit of that tree for eternal life (Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-12). Jesus is the Eternal Fruit of Life that Hung from the Tree. Instead of our sin leaving us in death on that tree, Jesus reverses that curse by bringing the fruit of everlasting life.

The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus Christ is the First-Fruit of what is to come!
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him." (1 Corinthians 15:20–23 (NIV))
 
And like Him, through the Resurrected Power of the Holy Spirit, we'll be transformed from the perishable mortal body to the imperishable immortal body...
"I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:50–58 (NIV))

Because of Jesus through His Holy Spirit, we have been spiritually resurrected to new life, shining His resurrection power through us now, shining brightly even in the darkest of places. This through the Holy Spirit in us is just the down-payment (2 Cor 1:22) in our life for the resurrection hope that we have for eternal life with our Life-Giving God through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. [Rom 6:3-5; 7:4; 8:11; Col 2:12-13]

We're reminded that we join Jesus in our own death, burial, and resurrection as we do this through our Baptism, into life through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We live Resurrected Life now spiritually as we look toward the Resurrection Hope that we have through Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection. [1 Peter 1:3, 23]

So we live this life together now as Paul had shared:
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)

- Daryl Struemph

BibleProject has helpful illustrated videos to help us see some of these themes throughout the Bible, and the Tree of Life is one of those images that can greatly bless us when we consider the tree Jesus died upon to give us the fruit of life with and through Him. I invite you to take a couple minutes to consider this as you watch this four minute video from BibleProject.

BibleProject: "In the opening pages of the Bible, God gives humanity a gift that they quickly forfeit—eternal life that comes by eating from the tree of life. In this video, we explore the meaning of this powerful image and how sacred trees play a key role throughout the story of the Bible. It all leads up to Jesus himself, who died upon a tree so that he could become a new tree of life for all humanity."

Click here to watch the "Tree of Life"

2 Corinthians 3:18
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
 

At the end of February, it seemed every family was being hit with some sort of sickness: stomach bug, fever, cold, etc… So when I opened up my daughter’s prayer book to the month of March, the prayer was a much needed prayer -- talking about the healing that spring brings. We’re moving out from the winter sicknesses, as new life begins to bloom and bud from the trees, the birds are flying around and singing, and we get to walk around after the rain storms to see the fresh “living” flowing water run down the hill. Lot’s of different reminders that spring can be the season of healing with new life. Though we may not know what is up ahead, it does help to know that there are seasons for healing, and if nature is one of those ways God can remind us of this in His creation, then we’ll be able to look forward with hope in this season, seeing what God does throughout each day.

What might God be healing in your life?
It may be scars, questions, or hurt, but we can be thankful that He doesn’t just push those aside and pretend they’re not there. Instead, He brings life, even from the things that seemed dead or dormant for the entire winter.
 
- Daryl Struemph

John 7:38 (NIV) 
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 

Isaiah 55:10–11 (NIV) 
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven, 
and do not return to it 
without watering the earth 
and making it bud and flourish, 
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: 
It will not return to me empty, 
but will accomplish what I desire 
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

John 6:16–21 NIV
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
 
Today is different.
But, Every Day is different.
Uncharted territory for us, is just the next minute.
 
We know the destination,
but what's along the way?
With the change of the winds,
the storm blows in, 
bringing the unexpected along that way.
 
How far have we gone?
Maybe 2 some miles? 
With 6 miles total, 
weren’t we just starting?
 
But how that storm makes
the rowing much harder
makes the trip seem farther;
Yet, in the middle, 
there’s nothing to barter.
 
Now, I’ve not been stuck in a boat through a storm,
but it’s hard enough when someone shakes it for fun...
But yet, they assured me, they had some control.
It’s different when the winds are now out of control.
 
The winds have changed, and the waves do the shaking.
It’s not just one wave, but each wave that quakes...
“Is this the wave that will take us under? How much more before we plunder?”
 
And just when each wave is the brand new threat, 
your mind starts to wander “what’s next?”
 
What was it like for you disciples out there?
6 miles total is all you were going
From one side of the lake to the other, not far.
Till that evening wind brought in that sudden strong storm,
No wonder your minds were not at all calm.
 
Each row that they did,
what good did that do?
Were they going forward or back?
It’s hard to keep track.
 
They saw with great fear, 
their potential next squeal;
At this point, anything could be real.
 
“Is this the haunting,
after all of this daunting,
trip that this has been?”
 
Yet then it spoke, 
the words of great hope;
“It is I; don’t be afraid.”
 
Then they were willing
to bring Him on in,
and it seemed with Him present
that all the rest could begin.
 
Don’t reject out of fear, truly Jesus drawing near.
“It is I [He says]; don’t be afraid.”
 
The 5th Sign of Wonder, 
Walking across the water...
Only with Him, 
is there space to ponder:
 
“Who is this man, 
who walks across water?”
One day we’ll blink and we’re the new man
 
All because of Him
who came within, 
This is the man
who brings us to land.
 
So even in fear, 
when those storms have come near
Don’t reject out of fear, truly Jesus (is the one) drawing near.

Yes, we usually hear the “love chapter” read at weddings for the newly wed couple, reminding many of us in relationships how to love; yet, this chapter has an even bigger context that helps all of us even more. The “Love Chapter” referenced comes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth, chapter 13. He goes in detail of what love is in the midst of talking about doing all of these great things for people, all of those great things mean nothing if there is no love in it. As Disciples of Jesus, as adopted Children into God’s Kingdom Family, we get to experience what love really is from God and toward each other.

What is this love that we receive from God, and give to others? Well, we read and experience that...
“love is patient and kind; it is not jealous nor is it boastful (bragging), it is not proud/arrogantly puffed up. It does not dishonor others (by being rude or acting disgracefully). Love does not demand its own way in self-seeking matters, nor is it easily angered (irritable/provoked). Love keeps no record of wrongs (leading to resentfulness). Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing (does not delight in evil), but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things (to protect with confidence), it believes and trusts all things, it hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.”
[1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. A collection of several different translations together]

This is already a beautiful reminder for our relationships, though it’s a beautiful reminder of the love God shows us, and the love that we share with each other as Jesus’ Church here in our communities, and with brothers and sisters in Christ around the world of all nations. As we celebrate Valentine’s, the “love” month, I pray that we each will receive, walk-in, and share God’s Love toward each of us.
 
- Daryl Struemph

How do you survive 40 days in the wilderness without food? 40 days without food?! Actually, 40 days in the wilderness without food! What do you eat on to sustain you in the wilderness where there is no food?

Jesus was led (by the Holy Spirit) into the wilderness for 40 days and nights without food, to fast and pray, to be tempted by the devil [Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1–13]. What was Jesus eating during that time frame? Perhaps it was God’s Words of Life that He grew up learning, that He just kept eating and munching on throughout those days. In fact, after all of those days of fasting and prayer, Satan tries to tempt Jesus -- the Son of God -- to use His divine power to turn the nice looking stone into bread. But Jesus having treasured God’s Words in His heart replied from experience, almost like ‘do you not realize the past 40 days “that man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from God.” During the past 40 days, it wasn’t food that sustained Jesus’ life, but every Life-Giving Word from God & every breath that He breathes life into us. And Jesus wasn’t even trying to do this alone either by His own willpower, God was with Jesus through the Holy Spirit as well.

So in the Wilderness seasons, remember that we live by every word God has breathed, giving us life each day; and that we are not lone-rangers in the wilderness season, but that God is there with you through that season, whether you hear His voice or not during that season, He is speaking through every Word He has breathed in His Life Giving Word that we get to read and treasure in our hearts.

In the Wilderness seasons, live each day with God & His Words. Even when the devil comes to tempt or test us, we have experienced God’s Presence with us each day as we choose each time to Submit to God, Resist the Devil, and that devil will flee [James 4:7]. Go Through the wilderness seasons with God & His Words.

- Daryl Struemph

1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13 (NIV)

Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

As we spend time with God, we draw close to Him by His Word & Spirit. We get to know who God is by the Words He has shared with us about Himself. What is God like, what is His heart & character like? Even when we read the beginning of the New Testament or the Old Testament, we already get to see God’s love and intentionality in what He does and makes. What does this tell us about God’s character? We don’t see God being haphazard, accidentally throwing things together without any thought. He cares and makes with intentional thought. He has made this world and you with intentional thought; and we can intentionally get to know Him more through the Words & Spirit He has shared with us. Do this together with other people too as God has given us the church as the Body of Christ here on earth. Jesus has made the way for us to know God not only as our creator but as Our Father. As children of God through Jesus, get to know who our Father is, leave behind our own ideas of who we think He is and let Him reveal Himself to you through His Word & Spirit. Live in His Presence. Participate in what He is doing. Love Him as He loves you; Jesus Christ has revealed the Father’s Love for us… that even while we were still left in our sin, Christ died for us, the ungodly (Romans 5:8). Now through what God our Father has done and is doing, He is making us into godly people with Him. All Glory and Honor to Him & His Name :)

2 Peter 1:3–4 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Titus 2:11–14 (NIV) 
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

- Daryl Struemph

I learned a poem several years ago: “God made the sun to give the day light, and God made the moon to brighten the night, and God made a family to start His world right!” I’ve just started reading Genesis and the whole creation story this New Year. I believe it happened just the way it is described in that passage. I believe God spoke and the world leapt into existence. I believe it because God is powerful enough to do it just like He says. I believe it because intelligent design makes more sense than believing the lie that we came into existence by happenstance or accident. How silly it is to suppose that this marvelous creation called the human body came as a result of chaos producing a finished person made in the image of the invisible God? And I believe God is Creator because I want to believe it. I don’t want to even doubt that the very foundational principals of my faith are second guessed by someone who has never met the Maker of the Universe! So as this New Year dawns on us, read the Story for yourself and meet the One who made you special and loves you so much that He gave up Himself to get to know you.

- Alan McNeely

Psalm 119:11 (NIV) 
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. 

Psalm 1:2 (NIV) 
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. 

1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (NIV) 
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

New paint for the baby room, baby showers, expecting parent books/podcasts, questions, thoughts, concerns, fears, joys, visions, and so on. Expecting parents, families, and friends try to prepare and make preparations for what the future may hold while they are expecting this new baby in the world. Yet, in all the ways we try to prepare during this season of expecting, we usually find what we were expecting in preparations does not equate to the real present moments. These moments bring much more than what we could have expected or prepared for! We welcome new joys, we face new challenges, we may face new pains, we experience new support, we ask new questions, we experience life in a new way. There are new sides of us that we discover, parts of us that are rekindled and developed as this new born also grows beyond what we imagined in our preparations.

When Jesus was born, He may have not been born exactly as many of the Jews were expecting; nor would Jesus grow up to be what many of the Jews were expecting. Yet, God would surpass their expectations, even if they couldn’t see it. Even for us, we may at times have a hard time seeing what all God has done and is doing; but with God being faithful, we get to have hope in the expectation, knowing He is doing far more and better things than we can even grasp or imagine for all eternity. In this season of expecting, we get to celebrate God fulfilling His promise through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, while also rekindling the hope we have in God’s Faithfulness for today and the expectant future of Jesus’ return in His full kingly glory :)

- Daryl Struemph

Romans 16:25–27 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. 

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps. 

 Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV)
 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

To experience Christ's Church in action is such a joy and a gracious gift! Thank you to each of you, in every way you have helped in each of our community events these past two months! Whether it was the Fall Festival in October, the Operation Christmas Child packing party (500+ boxes) in November, our Free Thanksgiving Community Meal in November (300+ meals), and/or preparing cookies and treats for surrounding businesses and locals in the community this month (30 trays)! It's a joy to share these events with each of you, to share the joy of each season with community members, and to see how God continues to be working in and through each of us in the surrounding communities as well. Thank you for letting Christ's love shine through you in any way He does :)

As the Apostle Paul shared to the Christians in Thessalonica,
"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
[1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV]

- Daryl Struemph

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.

In Awe. Utter Awe. No words, it’s beyond comprehension, just awe of who God is and what He can do far beyond what we can do on our own. When you’re in awe of God, there’s no longer fear of other power or authority because of the grandeur and majesty of God.God remains in full glory forever and ever, and we get those glimpses of His glory as His creation [Psalm 19] cries out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” [Revelation 4:8].

At the “See-You-At-The-Pole” day of prayer, the theme was from Habakkuk 3:2, “Lord, I have heard/seen of your works, in you I am in fearful awe” (my paraphrase). It seems to be a common theme here of late! Standing in awe of what God is doing, far beyond what we could ever imagine or try to do on our own by our own strength. It’s been a season of trusting what God is doing as He remains faithful to His good plan, providing us with hope and trust each day on Him. I heard someone say, “you find out what your rock is when you hit rock bottom.” In those seasons, you learn pretty quickly what or who your rock is, and when it’s God, you find that in your weakness, you continue to see His faithfulness and strength. As the Apostle Paul had said, “If I am to boast about anything, I will boast all in the more in my weaknesses because it’s in my weaknesses that we see and realize Christ’s strength strengthening us - (all boasting and glory to Him)” [paraphrasing 2 Corinthians 12:9-10].

We stand in awe of how God is at work, in His creation and in each of our hearts, again, doing far more in His strength than we could ever try to do to our own hearts alone. This goes beyond any self-help that directs glory to ourselves, this instead gives glory back to what God has been doing in us. In His grace through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice of Himself, we are given new life, now and into eternity with Him; we are reconciled with God through Jesus our Lord and Savior! Stand in awe of that! In awe, we trust and see Him at work through His Word in our lives, directed and lived out by God’s Spirit in us, guiding and empowering us to be the body of Christ here on earth. Love God and Love our Neighbors. God’s Spirit at work is a heavenly taste of what God’s Kingdom is like.

May we stand amazed at God’s glory and what He is doing. May we bow in obedient trust to His Work in us, through us, and around us (training us with discipline to keep our eyes on Jesus through any storm [summarizing Hebrews 12:1-17]). His glorious light will continue to shine in this world, through His Church, guided by His Word, empowered and equipped by His Spirit.
 
The question then is, which kingdom are you part of?

• Are you building your own kingdom, or participating in God’s Kingdom?

God’s Eternal Kingdom will remain forever unshaken, and at that, we can stand in awe of God, His power and authority, and in trust of where God is leading us.

- Daryl Struemph

Psalm 19 (ESV)
TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

      The heavens declare the glory of God,
      and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
      Day to day pours out speech,
      and night to night reveals knowledge.
      There is no speech, nor are there words,
      whose voice is not heard.
      Their voice goes out through all the earth,
      and their words to the end of the world.
      In them he has set a tent for the sun,
      which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
      and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
      Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
      and its circuit to the end of them,
      and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

      The law of the LORD is perfect,
      reviving the soul;
      the testimony of the LORD is sure,
      making wise the simple;
      the precepts of the LORD are right,
      rejoicing the heart;
      the commandment of the LORD is pure,
      enlightening the eyes;
      the fear of the LORD is clean,
      enduring forever;
      the rules of the LORD are true,
      and righteous altogether.
      More to be desired are they than gold,
      even much fine gold;
      sweeter also than honey
      and drippings of the honeycomb.
      Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
      in keeping them there is great reward.

      Who can discern his errors?
      Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
      Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
      let them not have dominion over me!
      Then I shall be blameless,
      and innocent of great transgression.

      Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
      be acceptable in your sight,
      O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

I look forward to our regular 60 second conversations. We don’t have a lot of time to catch up, but when we get to regularly catch up for the few seconds we have, we end up sharing more of our stories together. This may be with the regular cashier you’ve grown to know, or the bank teller you routinely work with, or one of the store employees that usually helps you gather your supplies for your vehicle, the mail delivery person at your house, the first person you regularly walk by at work, that same pharmacist you routinely see, the welcoming school staff when you drop off or pick up the kids, the same hair beautician/barber [though that provides more conversational time], yet we see the list goes on and on.

We regularly have 60 second interactions throughout our weeks. This week, the 60 second conversation may be about what our families did over the weekend. Maybe last week was the rush when a main appliance broke down so they rushed to find and install a different one. Another week, it may be seeing how the transition into the new school year is going. The next time may be finding out how sick they were over the past week. The following week may result in the anticipating to hear if they are feeling better. Maybe they share about the stress of a new transition for the family who either moved or are making new living arrangements for some family members. You may hear about how their parents are doing or kids are doing. Each of these 60 second conversations add up to sharing life, knowing how you can be praying for them, and sometimes for you to be able to honestly share how you are doing that day and how God has been shaping you through each of those kind of days. Does it seem like you have hope, why? Has it been a struggle the past couple weeks, how are you navigating the strength needed for each day, what keeps you going? Knowing your hope and faith in those situations may be the very encouragement they are needing as well.

There are so many ways that we get to share life as disciples of Jesus, loving and praying for the people around us. What a gift God has given to us each day, to share life with Him and each other.

Honestly, I’ve been so encouraged by you all, to hear the prayer requests you’ve been sharing from your neighbors, co-workers, community members, and family friends. I’ve heard and witnessed over time how your love and care for the people around you has continued to grow as we get to see and know how much God loves you and the people around us. I hope you may be encouraged as well as I’m so grateful to see how God has been shaping us and helping each of us grow in the unique areas where we live and share life at. We get to shine God's Light as we abide in Him through any situation and conversation.
 
May God’s grace, love, and light continue to shine more and more through each of you as you grow to love the people around you, investing into the people you regularly see, even if it’s only in 60 second intervals. God does amazing things in even the “smallest” moments!

- Daryl Struemph

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
1 Corinthians 3:6
 
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another…”
Hebrews 10:24–25

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35

God has blessed us each uniquely with unique talents and gifts, and those may also change in the changing seasons as well. The ways God created me are different than the ways He created you, and we are far better that way together. We get to grow and work together! I do always love the picture we’re given as the body of Christ, many different members faithfully functioning in their unique ways to make up the one healthy functioning body with Jesus as our Head [1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12]. It may be the season again to see how we can function in new ways as we’ve navigated into new seasons of life, or we’re wanting to work out to build up the muscles we’ve already been given. Again, I’m thankful that we get to be part of what God is doing wherever we each are uniquely placed at, letting our faith lead us into action.

Some of you may be struggling to find what to do now as your navigating the changes in your current season. How could you be stewards of your time to help encourage and build up the people who are already in your life? Similarly, maybe your life is already overflowing at the rim, and there seems to be no more room for anything else. It may not mean adding anything, but just adapting and integrating new ways of serving in the places you are already routinely at. We ask God to show us, to guide us, and to open our eyes up to the opportunities to shine His light in the places we are already at, with the people we are already around, sharing life together in whatever we’re going through that day. It may be shared words in conversation, it may be physical action that we engage in to help serve each other. It may be the written letter or email of encouragement to the teacher, or to your neighbor whose life has just had a drastic change. It may be offering to help teach when you are already at that place. You may have a desire to see something new happen, so you may be part of helping plan and brainstorm with some other friends or community members as well. We get to be part of so many things, and the greatest blessing is when the main thing is faithfully participating in what God is doing through every aspect of our lives together. I continue to have hope because God is at work, and we get to trust Him as we each follow Him with Faith-Filled Obedience.

- Daryl Struemph

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 
- Luke 10:2

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
- 1 Peter 3:15

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
- Galatians 6:9

“True education is a kind of never ending story — a matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent newness.”
— J. R. R. Tolkien

“You can’t teach people everything they need to know. The best you can do is position them where they can find what they need to know when they need to know it.”
— C. S. Lewis

“...from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 3:15

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding...”
Proverbs 2:6

It could be the same mundane routine, another school year that could just come and go; or it could be intentional days filled and rooted in God working through each of us. He's excited to get to do that, sharing His love for each of us through each of us. As the body of Christ, we get to share life with families and students who are getting to learn and grow together. There’s a lot to learn here, but we also get to learn how each day is filled with God in our lives, guiding us in our words, thoughts, prayers, and actions. Whether that is taking place between parents and children, teachers and students, peers, bus drivers and students, coaches and students, families and families, and so on. Each day, you are being reminded of God’s presence, and how you can help bring to mind the ways God is working in each of us, through every relationship we are experiencing.

We’re praying for you as you interact with students, teachers, your children and parents, peers and school families, community members who are working together to help build up each other through God’s Word and Spirit in us. We're praying for your compassion and wisdom, your heart, care, and love for each other, working through the easy and challenging days by God's love, grace, mercy, and compassion. We pray that you may be intentional with each unique day and conversation that God blesses us with.

What a gift to know God through Jesus, and to share His love, compassion, care, and relationship with each other. We look to Him to see what He is doing, as we get to trust Him through every moment. I encourage you to be the disciples of Jesus in each other’s lives, discipling one another in God’s love through each day this school year brings.
 
- Daryl Struemph

It’s amazing to see everything come together, at least, the beginning of that fruit. We got to experience the week of VBS with the kids “On the Case”, looking into the parables from Jesus, showing us how we can grow, serve, care, and love.

• Spending time with God is how we grow (Sower - Lk 8:4-15)
• Using our gifts is how we serve (Bags of Gold - Mt 25:14-29)
• Spending time with others is how we care (The Good Samaritan - Lk 10:25-37)
• Sharing our story is how we love (Lost Coin, Sheep, and Son - Lk 15:1-32)

We say it's amazing to see just the beginning of that fruit because VBS is one of those ways God continues to work in us and through us as we are each growing in our relationship with Him. It was exciting to see how excited and involved the students were, and to see how every volunteer came together to grow and serve as well, even the students found ways to help serve each other. We continue to look toward what God is doing in and through each of us.

Thank you to everyone who helped make VBS possible, the hours of preparing the content, the decorations, and organizing each day. It’s a joy to see how the Body of Christ continues to come together as God works through each of it’s members. We praise God!

- Daryl Struemph

So Christ himself gave [as gifts to the church] the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. […] we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:11-16).

It seems like this past month, the constant theme everywhere was “the heart”. Whether we were having side conversations during camp about looking at the heart rather than outward appearance, or going through Dallas Willard’s book on “The Renovation of the Heart”, or the warning from the book of Hebrews “If today you hear His Voice, do not harden your heart”, at a wedding talking about how we can do all of these amazing things but without love [without your heart] those things are meaningless, or preparing the VBS lesson on the different soils of our heart, or even at the nursing home when the nurse unexpectantly said “it really isn’t about all the material things in this world, it’s about the heart.”

The message has been clear throughout the month, “the heart matters.” This month, that has been my personal challenge to myself, and hopefully to you too, let your heart be exposed to God, to let Him continue to shape you from the inside out. Jesus was telling the religious leaders [Matthew 23:25-27], don’t clean the outside appearances of the cup while leaving the inside all dirty; first clean the inside of the cup and then the outside will be clean too.

The other challenge that has been shaping me throughout the past few months is “to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and then all of these other things will be added to you” [Matthew 6:33]. I almost always want to ask, “well, what are these other things? I would like to have those things!” But then I am immediately reminded, “Am I seeking God or those things? Seek FIRST God… those other things will be the fruit of a life with God.” Does it matter what those other things are? If I’m too focused on what those things are, then I might only be seeking God to get those other things, and that’s an issue. As some have said concerning worship, “Are we worshipping God or are we worshipping the experiences?” Let God do His Work in our lives, in our hearts, let that be the natural fruit that comes from His Active Word; but for us, seek God and let our hearts be exposed to Him, His Words, and His Works in and through us.

- Daryl Struemph

Those were the words that caused me to turn around and see a man hollering “I need your help”. He had hooked a shark while fishing and wanted me to help unhook it. I said I'm not the man for the job. I suggested he cut the line and leave it in the ocean.

The story got me to thinking about how we address people. Sometimes in a frantic cry we call out, even to God "I need your help." Paul, the writer of Ephesians, in chapter three mentions another way to address God when he says in verse 14 "I kneel before the Father." Another translation puts it this way "I bow my knees before the Father." In many countries bowing is a symbol of honor and respect for dignitaries, family members, elders, etc. When we say to God "I bow before you" we are really indicating a willingness on our part to submit to His rule and authority in our lives. When we do this we are saying “I want you to be in charge of every aspect of my life”. This is a gigantic step for most of us because we have been used to controlling what we do, when we do it, and now we have given someone else permission to make decisions for us. It's like when you set up a power of attorney for someone to make decisions about your affairs. You first choose someone you trust. That's the thing about God - You Can Trust Him To Do What Is Best For Your Life! So I hope you "bow before the Father" and I hope you don't hook a shark!

- Alan McNeely

There are times when I’ve noticed, the words I say, the things I think are simply flowing from whoever I’ve been following the most lately. I've then been asking myself, “am I becoming a disciple of this person (or group) more than to Jesus Himself?” We start to notice it when we are saying the same things they say, think the same ways they think, know the same verses they know, and look to them as the final authority for interpreting God’s Word (“what they say goes”). Looking back, I realize the years I had become a disciple of a Genesis group, or a group on Evangelism, or a disciple of specific Biblical scholars (or commentaries), or a disciple of specific famous people or pastors, or even a disciple of specific church members. The words we say, the ways we think, became a copy of them as our main source for our faith.  At times, I realized I spent more time studying them than I spent studying Jesus Himself.

Thankfully, one of the times I became aware of this is when I had the chance to be with someone for a week who just simply lived and breathed the Word of God [Acts 17:28]. Almost every sentence they said just effortlessly flowed with God’s Word. It’s not that they quoted everything by pointing out what verse it was, it’s just that they had been shaped by God’s Word so much that it had become a part of them, it permeated their speech and thoughts. God’s Word was being applied in their life, shaping them in every way. I witnessed what it meant to “live and breathe the words of God.” They had become a disciple of Jesus through God’s Word. They had become a living and breathing disciple of Jesus.

We’re thankful for the people in our lives who have helped guide us, who have mentored us, who are discipling us; yet, they are additional helpful instruments in our life, helping us along the way in our primary relationship with Jesus. Together, as the body of Christ, we build each other up as disciples of Jesus. [Read & pray through Ephesians 4:11-16 in the "guided prayer" section below]

So we are left with that reflective question again, “who are a disciple of?” Have you become a disciple of your favorite pastor, author, historical figure, philosopher, psychologist, politician, celebrity, worship leader, friend, mentor, humanitarian organization, religious group, or are you first and primarily a disciple of Jesus?

Again, these are not bad in themselves, other brothers and sisters in Christ are not bad in our life, but it does help to check once in a while to see if we’ve idolized them, and have become a disciple of them more than to Jesus and His Words first.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ...What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
(1 Corinthians 1:10, 12-13)

No, instead, we are united together in Christ our Lord, in One faith, in One baptism, united in the same mind and spirit of God. [Eph 4:5; Phil 1:27; 1 Cor 3:4; Mt 23:10]

As we’re in this series going through the book of Hebrews, we’re continuously reminded that though Moses, Angels, Abraham, and the High Priests shared great messages from God, the message & ministry from God’s own Son, Jesus, is superior to any other message and ministry that the people had received before. We are His disciples, the body of Christ here on earth. Jesus is our Head, who we follow first and foremost -- our Lord and Savior.

- Daryl Struemph

I was taken aback when my kids were helping dig the potting soil, when I dumped some seeds into their hands for them to put into the soil, when they took the rest of the seed pouch and dumped all the seeds in, when they covered the seeds up with the dirt, when they took turns watering them until the other one dumped the last half of the bucket out, when they then wanted to find the helicopter seeds to put in there too, when they just stood there looking at the pots saying "now we just have to watch them grow!", I just cherished the moments and reflected back to when I shared these similar memories with my mom. Those bonding times that leave us with a lasting influence in our lives. I look back at the years my mom was not only patiently watching the plants grow, but also patiently listening and watching me grow. It's now been my time to listen to those late night thoughts from my kids, as I also get to patiently watch them grow. We may not always have the right words to say in every moment, but the time we share have a lasting influence as we are all growing as Disciples of Jesus. We have more influence than we may sometimes realize.

Young Timothy’s mom and grandma had a shaping influence in his life. His dad was a greek who may have been more influenced and familiar with the greek gods from his culture, but Timothy’s mom and grandma were both believers, following after God. Paul later writes to Timothy saying, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5). Don’t neglect the influence you actually have on people, which goes both ways. We can reflect back to the people God placed in our lives -- thanking Him for their time in our lives, the conversations we shared; while also prayerfully and sincerely living out our faith that dwells in us with the people around us. Those moments shared in sincere faith leave each of us with a lasting influence in our lives.

2 Timothy 2:1-2
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

- Daryl Struemph

The other day I found some documents I had never seen before.  It was then I realized the only person who could answer my questions about them was mom, and she passed away a few years ago.  So those questions will have to go unanswered.  Since we just celebrated Easter I was also thinking about Mary and all the things she was a part of by being the mother of Jesus.  In Luke chapter one the visit by Gabriel to Mary announcing God’s plan to bring Jesus into the world, is foretold.  In Luke two, the shepherds tell Mary and Joseph what the angels had proclaimed to them; and Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.  In verse 34, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary “Behold this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed –and a sword will pierce even your own soul –to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  The gospel accounts record that she watched as he grew up and even encouraged his first miracle in John 2:1-11.  Then she had to watch him be crucified (John 19: 26).  But the story doesn’t end there for her or for us—Three days after His death He arose from the grave and appeared to many to show for certain that God keeps His promises.  The resurrection from the dead is the most authenticated event in history even apart from scriptural accounts.  It was no secret in the world where He defeated death once and for all.  So what are you going to do about it?  Romans 6 says His resurrection has implications for us as well. “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. . .”  What a promise!  And don’t forget to say thank you to your mother if you still have the chance.

- Alan McNeely

Romans 8:11 (ESV) 
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

2 Timothy 1:8–10 (ESV)
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

A friend recently said, “things need to start slowing down a bit, this will be our 9th funeral in 5 weeks.” Several of us around here may relate. We’ve been praying together, grieving together, supporting each other, visiting with each other, and reflecting on each day God has given to all of us. We grieve when there are changes. Those changes may be a change of plans, an old part of ourselves, a move from a job or a house, or a change in who’s in our lives around us (they may have even moved too). We realize that there are many ways that we mourn throughout our lives, and at some point in time, we start to lift our head to look up and see what’s in front of us up ahead.

The Disciples of Jesus had been mourning the loss & death of Jesus, their rabbi, master, and friend. Jesus had experienced the humanity of life and death, and now the disciples were experiencing the wake of his death as well. They witnessed Jesus mourn the death of His friend Lazarus, and yet they also witnessed Jesus interrupt the “finality” of death when Lazarus awoke from the grave, when the little girl woke up from her “sleep”, and here again, now Jesus interrupts His own “finality” of death. Jesus shows us that though there are seasons of mourning, and that there is also hope after death.
 
The late pastor John Stott wrote…
“Christianity offers life – eternal life, life to the full. But it makes it plain that the road to life is death. ...Life through death is one of the profoundest paradoxes in both the Christian faith and the Christian life. ...In Galatians he [Paul] declared that he had been crucified with Christ (2:20), and that all who belong to Christ have crucified their fallen nature with all its passions and desires (5:24). This is ‘mortification’, that is, putting to death or repudiating our fallen, self-indulgent nature.”

The Apostle Paul wrote about our own death, the death of sin in our lives as we are raised to new life in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:11, 23; 8:13; Gal 2:20; 5:24), who gives us life now and into eternity with God (John 17:3), who we’ve been reconciled to (Romans 5:8-11). When we look at Jesus, we have hope and life, even while we go with our Great Shepherd through the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil for we have hope each day through our resurrected savior, Jesus. “Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55)

John 12:23–25
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Philippians 3:10–11
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

- Daryl Struemph

Moving furniture can be a big task. There are some pieces of furniture that you really just need some extra help, it's practically impossible to move on our own (without getting seriously hurt). We realize we need help to get the big heavy couch moved through the doorway, to move the heavy dresser up the stairs, or even extra hands to move a piano. There are several things we really can't do on our own, so in order to accomplish the task at hand, we need to not do it alone. But sometimes, realizing we need the help is challenge number one. We are used to trying to be independent, to do things on our own -- I mean, someone tasked us with this anyway, right?

There’s a phrase that goes around sometimes that says, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” I know it usually has some initial roots from 1 Corinthians 10:13 when God “won’t let you be tempted beyond your ability”, but it goes on to say that God “will provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure the temptation.” It reminds me that it’s not by our own strength that we endure but by what God provides us. I’d like to say it like this instead, “God won’t give us more than we can handle, alone.” He doesn't want you to do this alone, He wants us to do it together by His strength. God isn't a boss that just tasks you with something meant for a team but expects you to somehow do it by yourself.

What do you rely on when you are weak, when you are poor in spirit, when you mourn?
I know I don’t have the strength everyday to make it each day. There are many days I pray, “God, give me the strength I need today, I know I won’t be able to make it through today on my own strength, awareness, ability.” By the end of the day, I saw how God provided the strength I needed for that day, to take it one day at a time, to live in the day, with the breath and strength God blessed us with. We often realize how much we need God & His strength when specific seasons of life have become too much for us to bear on our own. We need Him for life each day through any season.

The Apostle Paul actually shared this as well when he wrote his second letter to the Christians in Corinth.
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.”  (2 Corinthians 1:8–10)

The late pastor John Stott shared in his chapter about death for disciples...
“By no means all beleaguered Christians are repeatedly rescued from death as Paul was. Christians are promised neither immunity nor deliverance. Instead, even in the midst of death we can experience life.”

The Apostle Paul went on to say…
"We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” (2 Corinthians 4:10–11)

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7–10)

- Daryl Struemph

Has someone ever misrepresented you? They went to relay your message to someone but they didn’t relay the message the way you meant it. The words they said were slightly different, the tone and emphasis of the message came across differently than what you intended or what you were trying to say. Afterward, you were left trying to correct the misinformation/miscommunication. In a way, your name was tainted, dragged through the mud, because your name was misrepresented, used carelessly in vain.

Oftentimes, when we hear, “Don’t take God’s name in vain” (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11), we usually think, “Don’t cuss. Don’t say “Oh My G. ...”! But there is more to this that we may not realize up front. God was bringing the Israelites out from being in the Egyptian culture for 400 years, and as God is telling them who He is, they would also now be representatives and reflections of God among other people. They have become His people. He tells them to have no other gods and to not take His name in vain -- carelessly using His name in empty vain ways. His Name is worthy of honor, praise, and is powerful. But carelessly using God’s name can also mean slapping His name on things that do not reflect Him and His character. "Israel, this is how you represent me in this world." Do not use God’s name in vain. As Disciples of Jesus, representatives of God in this world, made new and are living in new life through Jesus Christ, guided and empowered by His Holy Spirit, we bear God’s name. We cannot take what we say or do lightly as we bear God’s name in this world. Instead, in everything we say and do (Col 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Cor 10:31), may it glorify God, pointing everything back to Him.

There are times when we’ve used God’s name in vain (on social media, in the community, among our family (household and extended family) and friends, or just carelessly slapping a “christian” badge to get the “perks” of being accepted among some people). There are times when we’ve misrepresented God by what we were saying or doing. Yet, as limited and fallible humans, we realize (and God knows) that we won't perfectly represent God every single moment of every day. He continues to shape us, sanctify us as we grow/mature in Christ. Thank God that He has given us the ministry of reconciliation with Him through Jesus Christ, that we get to confess, repent, and walk with Him each day as we live out that ministry of reconciliation with the people around us (read the following article, "What the World Needs Now...").

When it comes to “not taking God’s name in vain”, there is a pretty high calling on disciples of Jesus, who are made new in Jesus, bearing the image of God as representatives of Him with everything we say and do. That’s why we look forward to the ways God continues to shape us through His Word and Holy Spirit, as we continue to grow by living in the light and truth of Jesus Christ.

The last night in the Garden before Jesus faced darkness, sin, and death head on, Jesus prayed...
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth." (John 17:17–19)

- Daryl Struemph

Additional Passages:
2 Corinthians 4:5–6
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Colossians 3:8–10
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Ephesians 4:24
and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
 
2 Timothy 2:14–16
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 

2 Timothy 2:22–26
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 

1 John 1:5–9
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Ephesians 4:1–3
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The answer to that song lyric which was written by Hal David and first released by Jackie De Shannon on April 15th, 1965, was “love sweet love.” These past few months I have noticed an increase in arguments, bitterness, divisions, lack of civility, and even hatred as groups of people defend their particular beliefs to one another. It sounds like what the country and whole world needs is reconciliation. I’m reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:17 and the following verses. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

So we see in these verses that God wants both groups; us and our adversaries to be reconciled to Him because of Christ. That certainly makes it clear and easier for me to dish out “love sweet love” to those who may have a different view than I have. If they become reconciled to God, they are my Christian brothers and sisters. Listen to the next two verses “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” So our mission as Christians is to share the news (be an ambassador) about what Christ did for each one of us and to live out a reflection of what God looks like to the world.
 
- Alan McNeely

We are bombarded with notifications from the news concerning everything else going on in the world, all the drama, this and that, the accusations, the mistreatment, what one person said or how someone else responded. News notification after notification from all these different sources and apps… oh how quick it is to be bombarded by all of these notifications… but how often do we get a notification reminding us of God and His Word? A quick notification to remind us of the daily verse or to take a moment to pray once a day so as to not bombard us with another notification? 

After dealing with the bombarding notifications from the news, it would be nice to be bombarded with reminders of who God is and what He is doing, that He is present and working. The voices and events don’t necessarily stop, but we have an anchor for our soul, a firm foundation to stand on, a place to rest on high ground above enemies. In the battle of what is flooding your life, or trying to take siege in your life, what will you continue to surround yourself by? Will you be isolated to stand on your own against all of the noise, or will you remember God who is the King of His Kingdom as we continue to trust, pray, and participate in this world as Citizens of God’s Kingdom? May His Will be done for His Kingdom on earth as His Kingdom is in Heaven.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

- Daryl Struemph

Ephesians 4:11–15 (ESV)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Colossians 2:8–9 (ESV)
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
 
Jude 24–25 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

In the past few months, I’ve continued to read the reminders that your windshield is larger than your rearview mirror for a reason. It’s good to be able to look behind you and see what’s there, but it’s even more important to see what is currently in front of you and where you are headed.

One of my friends from college, Grant Roth, reflected on this and wrote:
“Checking the rearview mirror is important, but if we’re only focused on what’s behind us, we’ll miss what’s going on right in front of us.
We face that same danger as we reflect on our past. It’s possible to get so caught up with the sins or the successes of our past that we miss what God is doing in the present. When we reflect on our past, it’s not to relive our wins or reopen our wounds, it’s to remember God’s power and presence. Reflecting on our past is valuable because it can give us the encouragement needed to press on and keep moving forward in our relationship with God.” [Grant Roth, The Penny Toss: Diving Deeper in Your Relationship with God and Experiencing the Reward]

It’s this beautiful reminder to reflect back on what God has done in the past to help us trust Him as we continue to yield and partner with what God is doing and going to do ahead. We get that opportunity as we bookend the year of 2024, reflecting on what took place in that timestamp as we look to partnering with what God is going to be doing in 2025. He continues to love us, shape us, and grant us the grace of life today as disciples of Jesus to shine His light in the communities we are part of. I’m not sure what this year entails, and neither do you; but I do know who has continued to be my firm foundation in past years, and am thankful to continue to have God as my firm foundation for years to come.

I hope as you look ahead on Route 2025, you may be able to yield to God’s good and perfect plan, partnering with Him as He continues to guide and shape us.

Proverbs 19:21
"Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the advice of the Lord will stand."


Lord, may your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth just as your Kingdom and will is in heaven.

- Daryl Struemph

Commitment is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.  It can also be described as an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.  Let me give an example.  If I said I was training to run a marathon, I would restrict what I ate.  I would also start building lung capacity by running, doing calisthenics, etc.   So when I say I want to be a Christian (follower of Christ), I also need to determine my level of commitment.  Does it mean my level of commitment is going to church on Sundays?  Or is it more intense; I’m going to read and study His Word, spend time in prayer, give generously, spend time with His people and love them the way He does.

Acts 21:10-13 gives some insight so that I can learn what my real commitment level should be.  “As we were staying in Caesarea for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, This is what the Holy Spirit says ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ When we had heard this , we as well as the local residents began begging Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered “I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  That shouts something about Paul’s commitment level, doesn’t it?  He wasn’t just going through the motions, playing church.  He was sold out in his love for the Lord.

I think I can learn some things from Paul as I contemplate what 2025 holds for me and my level of commitment.  As I wake up and read God’s love letter to me, I want to be open to change my thought patterns, my prejudices about others, my schedule, my finances to reflect that God is really the one in control of me.  I know it will sometimes be hard to change because “old habits die hard.”  But as I think about Saul who God miraculously converted into Paul”, I think if He can do that for Paul—then He can change me too!
 
- Alan McNeely

In the midst of all the presents being shared -- the gifts, being present with each other, the present season where family get-togethers look different, God is still present. While this can be a full season with schedules, families, shopping, meals, etc… remember that God is present even in the midst of the “full” season. It’s not that we have to try to find a spot to squeeze God into our lives because He’s already present. But, it may mean taking the time to remember His presence with us. We are reminded of this through Jesus Christ, who was also named Immanuel - “God with us”. The Magi/Wise Men of the east travelled over 700 miles to come pay homage to this King who was born, by being present with this young child and to bring presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were fairly common yet highly valued gifts for royalty. But these magi remind us to be present with our present God, presenting the presents we can to praise our God who is present with us (who knew “presents” could hold so many meanings). Which presents/presence are you bringing to our King of all kings?
- Daryl Struemph

Matthew 2:1–2, 10-11 (ESV)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”...
...When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Over the past two years, we’ve been posting all of our Revealing Light newsletters to our website and are taking the next step to fully move our newsletters (starting 2025) to the digital medium to reach people who are living outside of our Eugene mailing route. This will allow members who live outside of Eugene and additional community members to continue to stay connected and informed without the limits of where you all live. You are able to “subscribe” to these monthly newsletters still which you will receive by email as the full newsletter is posted on our website. If you would like to still receive a printout of our newsletter by mail, you can request these by calling us at 573-533-0624.
- Daryl Struemph

We are so thankful for everyone who donated food, prepared meals and decorations, helped out, showed up, and enjoyed the time to visit! There were 250+ meals that were served either at the hall, through carry-outs, or through deliveries! We love getting to serve this community with this meal as we continue to thank God for what He has given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us each year to enjoy this meal together in fellowship.

A country is mortal, it doesn't have a soul, it's a functioning system to govern people. We pray for the hearts of people who direct and lead those different systems around the world.

Any direction a country goes, that doesn't mean that Disciples of Jesus stop living out God's Kingdom here on earth. Though any country around the world may not perfectly represent or follow after God's heart and Kingdom here in tangible ways, it does mean that we as Disciples of Jesus continue to look first to God's Kingdom anyway which is eternal. How we live as Disciples of Jesus and citizens of God's Kingdom matters here and now. How do we as Disciples of Jesus love and have compassion with each other, family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, as people created in God's image, even if they voted differently than you did? “How can we say we love God yet hate our brother who we can see?” [1 John 4:20]

We continue to pray for ever human being as God has created each of us in His image, from before we were created in our mother's womb till we return to dust in the ground, we pray for each person - that they may know who has created us and loved us, and has given us life each day and life with Him eternally through Jesus Christ. We pray for those who face injustice, or destroyed by deceptions and caught in the middle of strife between people. We pray for people as they learn to navigate with God through darkest seasons of their life (family deaths, job losses, depression and anxiety of the unknown). ...We pray for the loving and compassionate hearts of disciples of Jesus as they walk alongside people with grace and truth. We pray for the truth to be revealed as light shines in darkness, we pray that we may not be deceived by conspiracies based in lies (“all things in darkness will be revealed when light shines on it” [Luke 8:17; 12:2-3; 1 Corinthians 4:5]). We pray for families affected by wars, on either side and those caught in the middle. We pray that we may not idolize any human to a savior position in our life (church leader, family member, friend, government leader), replacing our true savior, Jesus Christ. We pray for the hearts of our leaders, that they may look to God, our creator and savior, for guidance and to be shaped by His goodness, truth, justice, love, grace, and mercy. May we continue to be empowered by God's Spirit given to us through Jesus Christ, to courageously yet humbly live out God's heart as Disciples of Jesus. Amen.

- Daryl Struemph

Those are the words the old Army veteran spoke, as he leaned over the table and whispered them to me. He had served overseas to protect these freedoms that we all hold dear. I could see the pride in his eyes as he spoke, knowing he had “done his part.” So I’m asking you to do your part: Go Vote! I’ve heard some of my dearest Christian friends saying this year I’m not going to vote. I don’t like Mr. _______ or I don’t like Ms. _______. My response is an easy one: “you’re not voting for the candidate” which you might like or hate his or her personality—you are voting for the platform and principles they represent. In the past (many years ago) it was harder for me to make a decision about which platform to support because both parties had some of the same ideals I cherish. Both were in favor of life—that’s right both were opposed to abortion—both valued the worth of the human life which is in line with my beliefs. Proverbs 6:17 “God hates those hands that shed innocent blood.” One party changed their platform to reflect the unborn child has no “equal protection under the law.” I have difficulty believing that those who claim they speak for the “rights of the women” haven’t considered the rights of those women who are being killed by abortion. It’s not a mass of tissue—it is a human being made in the image of God and he or she has worth because of that. When the democrats said they “didn’t want God in their platform” my long time democratic friend said “I didn’t leave the Democratic party—the Democratic party left me.”

So even if I don’t particularly like either candidate it is easy to decide this year which party is closer to my ideals and beliefs. All I had to do was compare what each party says is their platform. One yard sign I saw on the way home from Kansas City sums it up pretty well: “Vote the Bible.” So exercise your privilege and pray about your decision and then vote.  

- Alan McNeely

There is this unique relationship and history that we share with neighbors. At first you were strangers, but overtime, you’ve shared history together. Something happens in the area, an ambulance goes flying down your road, a fire happened, balloons are hanging up on the mailbox, lots of cars in the driveway for different reasons, kids running in the yard, flowers and gardens taken care of when someone is out of town, phone calls made, doorbells rung, weathered through storms together, arguments heard outside, celebrations and cheer ringing outside of the walls too. Whether you’ve said much to each other, done much together, or just simply experienced much together, it’s a special relationship and bond that you share with neighbors. Even the simple waves across the street or down the road has made a special bond with your neighbors.

It makes sense that Jesus would share one of the ways we would shine His light in this world is by loving our neighbors. Even with all of our different backgrounds and stories, these unique relationships we have with our neighbors are one of the ways we learn to live out Jesus’ love to other people. We may only see a stranger once, but with neighbors we have multiple times when we interact by our words and/or deeds. Our words and deeds communicate something to our neighbors, even if we choose to ignore those neighbors, it still communicates something.  Instead, we consider how can we embrace loving people who are already our neighbors. We are living, breathing, walking Disciples of Jesus who are shining His light with our neighbors through words and deeds.
[...theme continues in next section]

- Daryl Struemph

“For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal 5:13-14 [CSB])

“You are light in the Lord (Eph 5:8), ...shine as lights in this world.” (Mt 5:14-16, Phil 2:15)

If you wanted to make a change in your community, would you be able to do it all by yourself? Probably not. Example: If you were tired of people throwing trash out in the grass around your community, would anything change if you went out to pick up all that trash by yourself? It might be clean for a day, but other people are going to keep throwing trash out, so it will be back tomorrow. But what if more people over time decided to not throw trash out, and if they saw trash, then they  also picked it up? Overtime, that community would be changing. More people wouldn’t throw trash out in the grass, and if they saw trash, they would pick it up, and that community’s culture would be changing. But that change doesn’t happen nor is it sustained by one person alone, other people would need to help make those changes as well.

This is similar to a community that has a loving culture. However, if you decided you wanted to love people more, that would mean getting to know people around you at a deeper level. But, we can’t know everyone at that deep of a level, there’s too many people. But what if you took the time to love the people closest to you, your neighbors? Your neighbor might be 100 feet from your door, or a mile down the road. Yet, if other people intentionally loved their neighbors too, then communities would be impacted by love through words and deeds. It wasn’t because one person reached the entire community in love, but by many people loving their neighbors, the community becomes a place that is loving.

It then makes sense why Jesus didn’t try to reach every single person in the world but chose to love the people around him deeply, who would also love the people around them deeply, which continues to spread that kind of love and care to different communities around the world. Jesus discipled these people who would then disciple other people who would also disciple other people, sharing the message of what Jesus Christ has done for us through His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. He has paid the price to save us from our sins and reconcile our relationship with God, now and into eternity. Today, we are those living, breathing, walking, talking disciples of Jesus who are shining His light with our neighbors in our communities. Again, you have a shared unique history with your neighbors that no stranger has who comes knocking on the doors. Embrace your unique relationships with your neighbors, get to know them, love them as God loves them. With God’s Spirit in us, working in words and deeds, we continue to love our neighbors as God loves them, shining Jesus’ light with our neighbors in our communities.

 - Daryl Struemph

You may have grown up saying or hearing the beloved, “Lord’s Prayer”, or otherwise known as the “Our Father” prayer. The Disciples of Jesus had noticed how the other rabbis prayed and taught their disciples, and they wanted to hear from their rabbi, Jesus. “Can you teach us how to pray?”

The prayer is very simplistic, yet, there are these levels of beautiful life-shaping depth in this prayer Jesus gave us.

Our Father...
It isn’t just a time that you pray alone with God but this prayer brings us together under our Father, “OUR Father.”
One of the books mentioned how this prayer is “OUR Father”, even when we are praying “alone”. Yet, it actually unites us with all the other brothers and sisters in Christ around the world when we say, “Our Father”. It’s a communal prayer, almost praying for them without them even praying. It’s bringing to mind all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, around the World, helping us see the bigger picture of Our Father, present and in action.
“Father”, so intimate. Loving and knowing us as His children, guiding us, and building us up as children through the power of the Holy Spirit. Again, not just my father, but ours! Our Father is so big and loving toward all of His children around the world - past, present, and future!

...in Heaven, Holy is/Hallowed be Your Name
Yet, even though He is so intimate in knowing us, He remains distinct, holy, set apart -- there is nothing like Him in all creation. He remains Holy, even His name is undefiled and holy/set-apart. His name stands for who God is. “I AM WHO I AM” [Ex. 3:14].

May Your Kingdom come, and Your Will be done on earth as your will is in heaven.
We know our God is King, reigning and ruling, and we humbly surrender to God’s ultimate plans. We partner in what He is doing on earth as is His plans in His Heavenly Kingdom. We want to see His Kingdom continue to reveal itself through us and in this world.

Give to us this day our daily bread...
God continues to provide us with even the breath we have today, let alone the things that we need to be able to live each day. It may not always be a lot, but it is sufficient. As the Psalmist said, “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I lack.” (Ps 23:1). Paul said that in times of having lots or little, he found contentment because he had Christ who gave Him strength each day (Phil 4:11-13). Jesus is the living water, and the bread of life; providing us with not only today but eternal life with Him. (“Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Mt 4:4).

And Forgive us our trespasses/wrongs/debts (toward you); in the same way we forgive the trespasses/wrongs/debts of other people toward us.
This has always been a very eye-opening, vulnerable, alarming request. In some ways, it helps us remember to forgive other people in the ways God has forgiven us. But it also helps hold us accountable by requesting that God forgives us to the same “level” that we have forgiven other people. Wow. “God, forgive me at the same level I have forgiven other people. If I have not forgiven them, then...” Well, yeah, it helps me forgive other people as well. Thankfully, we are forgiven because of what God has done through Jesus Christ; but still, it helps hold us accountable to taking that next step to forgive other people.
(“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Mt 5:23-24)

Do not lead us into temptation/tests, but deliver us from evil.
“Father, please, as our good shepherd, don’t lead us into temptation/tests, but as our good shepherd, you know what will help us the most. If it’s necessary in our growth to go through these hard life-shaping moments, please deliver us through those moments from the evil one.”
(Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested to be crucified, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Mt 26:39)

When you don’t know what to say or how to pray, Jesus gave us this prayer that would speak to more areas of our lives together than we may have first realized. It’s a prayer that can be memorized and prayed through throughout your day, word-for-word, or even in your own words, letting the Lord’s Prayer be your guide. I continue to love praying to God through our Lord’s prayer more and more throughout the years. May it also help guide you in your growing relationship with our God and Heavenly Father, in Christ, empowered through the Holy Spirit.
 
- Daryl Struemph

Additional Resources:

• BibleProject, “Matthew 6:9-13: The Prayer of Jesus”
• Rick Hamlin, “10 Prayers You Can’t Live Without”
• N. T. Wright, “The Lord’s Prayer“

When you make something -- whether that be a building project, an art project, a meal, class project, or even your family/household environment -- how do you go about doing it? Do you always do the same thing for everything or does it change? Maybe you like to save time so you try to complete the task ASAP. But other times, you may need to focus on every little detail so you take up more time in order to do it right (quality over quantity). Sometimes, you may do these projects all in one go; however other times, you may have to take breaks to refresh, take a step back, think about it for a bit, get some energy back, and then continue on the project again (it may take more than one day to work on some of these projects). You may even find that you get into the zone, get many hours done on the project one day, and then struggle to get back into that zone later. The point is, there isn’t just one way that we go about making something, or forming something.

On the other side of this, what is it like when we are the ones being formed? We may have times in our lives that we have been greatly shaped by an event that took place in our lives (“life-shaping” moments). Other times, it feels like a dry season in our life that nothing seems to be happening or growing. Lately, I’ve been considering each of those kind of seasons more often trying to notice how I might be shaped in the fast growing seasons and those dry seasons (times that force me to slow down and work on those fine details). In Ecclesiastes, the preacher says that there is a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). The Apostles in the New Testament write about these times in their lives of having a lot and having little (Phil. 4:11-13), of facing persecution and suffering, all because they claim Jesus is the long awaited and promised Messiah, our Savior -- not necessarily of earthly things but our Savior of eternal things. The earthly things pass away, but we focus on Christ and His Kingdom which is eternal. These seasons in our lives are temporary and short when you compare it to the span of eternity (Rom. 8:18). Knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior for eternity is worth any temporary things we may face here and now on earth. And who knows, in each of those seasons, we may find that we are being formed as disciples of Jesus, adopted sons and daughters of our eternal heavenly Father, who loves us, cares about us, and is shaping us into His good nature by His Word and Holy Spirit in us through Jesus Christ. We are a new creation in Christ. (2 Cor. 3:18)

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB 2020)

Additional Readings:
Romans 8:9-23
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
James 1:2-4
1 Peter  5:9-10

 - Daryl Struemph

Last year my baler would hardly bale the dry fescue stems, and it took about three trips around the field to make one bale. This year every field made five times more bales than last year. I was emptying rain out of the gauge every other day it seems. The garden is lush with tomatoes and peppers and I haven’t had to water it one time. And the yard, I have had to mow every five days to keep up. So the rain or lack of it can make all the difference in the world.

I began to wonder if I watered myself everyday on the truth of God’s word, how much more productive would I be? Now there is something to ponder, how much fruit would it be possible to produce if one cared and watered and drank in the nourishment from God? Would it be like my hayfields this year that produced five times more than last year? The Bible uses a word “renewed” in Eph. 4:23,24 “and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” The Living New Testament translates it this way: “Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. 24 Yes you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature.” So my life is to be continually changing as I let God and His word influence the way I think, the decisions I make, and the way I grow. Will you consider letting Him make you more productive as well?

 - Alan McNeely

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [1 Timothy 1:15–17 (NIV)]

There are times we feel like we don’t deserve what God has done for us, we feel like we haven’t earned it, and that would be correct. But it’s in this that reveals God’s grace, mercy, love, and as Paul said, even God’s patience. Right before Paul wrote this passage, he listed off several things that he was doing that should have left him “too far gone”, the worst of sinners. Yet, Paul became a living testimony of God’s patience and mercy in that God would save even Paul through Jesus Christ! Paul is telling other people this good news for them too!

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” [1 Timothy 1:12–14 (NASB 2020)]

Paul, you, and I are not too far gone or too messed up from being able to receive God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life with Him through Jesus Christ! To Him be all honor and glory!

- Daryl Struemph

As disciples of Jesus, be “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following. ...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.” [1 Timothy 4:6-10 (NASB 2020)]

What areas of your life do you try to be disciplined in?
As a culture, we do try to be disciplined in attaining our goals, such as careers, daily habits and routines, fitness and health, our families and healthy relationships, money management, time management, reading, development in hobbies, etc...

I love how the Apostle Paul doesn’t neglect that these do have some benefits to them, but in comparison to eternity, most of those disciplines are temporary with temporary results. If we work so hard at putting our time, attention, and energy into these temporary disciplines, wouldn’t it be good to also focus on our godly disciplines that are beneficial in all areas of our life, including life into eternity?

Jesus told the crowds who followed him a distance (after they were miraculously fed in a crowd of 5,000 people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish)... “Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.” [John 6:27 (CSB)] Jesus went on to explain to these crowds about this food that lasts eternally. “For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (v.33). ...For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (v.40). ...Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life (v.47-48).”

Bringing together what Paul and Jesus shared, it makes me pause to consider what kind of disciplines I’m investing my time and energy into. It’s easier to aim at disciplines that we can see tangible results right here and now, but even some of those goals that have temporary results (in comparison to eternity) are ones that we have to work toward for a long time. These disciplines are shaping us each day as we strive toward the goals.

As you continue to grow in discipline, remember that you can be constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following, being disciplined for the purpose of godliness which is beneficial for all areas of our lives (both now and into eternity through Jesus Christ, the bread of life.) Grow in your godly disciplines of being with God in prayer, His Word that He’s given to us, and the people around us. Not that we make ourselves righteous in this since it’s Christ’s righteousness that we have gained, but that we are being shaped in godliness as disciples of Jesus, shining as His light in this world.

 - Daryl Struemph

For many families, summertime means adjustments. School is out, family schedules change, students are home or with other family members, trips are taking place together, etc. Overall, family members may find that they are spending more time together than they usually do. But there is this gift in having this time together, it gives us the opportunity to have the space to get to know each other more, work through some things that the school year seems to rush, and gives each of us time to be challenged to grow together.

The truth is, kids can teach adults as much as adults try to teach them. It’s okay to take some pressure off from trying to always teach children (kids, grandkids, your adult daughters and sons) and provide the space for children to teach each of us as well.

Jesus told His Disciples, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” [Mt 18:3]. The Disciples needed to learn from the children because the Kingdom of God belongs to people like the children [Mt 19:14].

Maybe it’s because we need to learn from children and learn like children. They are so inquisitive and haven’t limit God to what He can or can’t do. Maybe it’s because they have a different perspective on life than adults do, or they share their unfiltered minds (like unfiltered prayers with God), or they want to feel safe with their parents. Ultimately though, children depend on their parents, and the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are dependant on Him as our Heavenly Father and Savior.

- Daryl Struemph

[Jesus] said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” [Matthew 18:3–6 (ESV)]

In other words:
Receive the Kingdom of God as dependent children of God; but as Disciples of Jesus, don’t hinder others from receiving God’s Kingdom, or else it’d be better for us to get out of the way. Don’t cause these little ones to stumble, it would be better for a millstone to be around our neck and thrown into the sea than to cause these little ones to stumble in their excited nurturing relationship with God.

Shortly after Jesus tells the Disciples these things, the opportunity comes for the Disciples to put Jesus’ teaching into practice — to receive children in Jesus’ Name.
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There had been large crowds gathering to hear Jesus, to ask Jesus questions, and even debates to trap Jesus. In the midst of these important “adult” conversations...

“...they were bringing children to him that he might touch them [to give a Rabbinic Blessing], and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. [Mark 10:13–16]

On one side, we see Jesus become indignant in which He rebukes the rebukers [His Disciples]. He then turns toward the children and receives them, and not only puts His hands on them to bless them but embraces them as God’s children.

Tim Harlow, from Parkview Christian Church, wrote in his book, What Made Jesus Mad?,
"Everything Jesus came to accomplish had to do with reuniting the Father with his children. So if access to the Father was Jesus’ purpose on earth, then it logically follows that it angered Jesus the most when people created barriers to that access.”

Overall, we are reminded to not hinder the children; instead, nurture their faith. Don’t quench it, encourage and empower them in the ways they are God’s children, how God has made them. In many ways, they are actually teaching us how to be dependant children of God.

I’ve been left asking, how are we nurturing their developing relationship with Jesus in the ways God has uniquely made each of them?

We’re left with this question for all of us, how are we nurturing each of our developing relationships with Jesus as disciples and children of God?”
 
- Daryl Struemph

Camp Mocomi is taking place throughout the month of June!
You can register at campmocomi.com

Questions. We all have them. Either you’ve gotten something new and didn’t know how to use it, or had moments of feeling lost and confused, or you were taking the time to get to know someone. Often times, we discover that answers only lead to more questions. Do we need to be afraid of asking questions then? I don’t think so.  Questions are relational. Questions lead us into diving deeper, into knowing a person more, learning more about a specific topic. It’s like a spark that keeps us moving forward. Throughout the Bible, people asked God questions. Let those questions and that curiosity help you dive into knowing our God, like the curiosity that sparks us to get to know the people we love. Yet humbly understand when it comes to God, we have questions and a hard time wrapping our finite limited minds around our vastly complex infinite God; hence, leaving us unable to perfectly comprehend the vastness of our God who has created us and the world out of His love!
But, should that stop us from getting to know our God? If this is who we worship and love with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then it helps getting to know Him to the best of our ability - like getting to know and love the person closest to us in our life [even if we will never get to know them perfectly]!
Be willing to develop critical thinking skills that help us ask and navigate questions, while having the humility to say, “this may be one of those questions I cannot give a definitive answer to”. Those skills are good to develop and are important as we study and have conversations with each other. Even with questions, we can still be united in the truth of who God is by the ways He has revealed Himself through His Word, through Jesus Christ, and His Spirit with us.

- Daryl Struemph

In my past participation in the elder’s corner, I shared the experience I had in Puerto Vallarta, a vacation spot in Mexico, which receives national and foreign tourists from all over the world. but mainly from Mexico, Canada and the United States. I also mentioned, that I usually walked early and see how people started their day, and I met a Canadian, “a tourist”, and I wrote that the thing that most surprised me, was that this tourist, had in one hand a broom, and in the other a dust pan. And not wanting to missed the opportunity, I approached him to ask him about it. I learned his name and origin, and especially my curiosity was to know what he would say about the broom and the pan. What was a Canadian tourist doing cleaning the streets of our country?
He answered me that his name was Rich, “the stupid one” who was from Canada and was retired and collected garbage in the mornings in Puerto Vallarta without being paid. His answers led me to continue questioning him even more, since I had never seen that attitude in a “tourist,” since most of tourist come to the place and their attitude is very different. That is, they come to rent a place to live and rest, eat, visit others. Some others, come to see if they make some money, or simply dedicate themselves to the opportunities that the place offers.
Then, I asked him to explain to me, if he could, the reason that led him to collect garbage in Mexico. without being remunerated, thanked, or recognized. Need to say that, although living in the US I have also witnessed how Mexicans and other nationalities are busy working in various jobs close to a lake there, but with a remuneration whether small or large.
Since in Mexico we say: no one dances it without huaraches, or without music. In other words “nobody do nothing for free”. His response surprised me a lot, when he told me, that he picked up garbage to “redeem myself.” He explain to me that, since he was young, he smoked a lot (or too much!) and that when he saw people picking up his cigarette he threw on the floor, he purposely, continue to throw it away “so they can keep picking them up.” He says of himself, that he was a stupid and conceited young man!
His explanation made me think, reflect, marvel, and make me communicate to my fellow countrymen and people, or to anybody would like to listen to me -- my wife is a witness that I told more than one person my experience. And a few days later, as I continued walking, I saw more than one of my countrymen, eat something and throw the packaging or personal items on the floor, in the middle of the street. Once, I saw a ‘drunk beggar’ who was eating a sliced mango in a plastic glass container and suddenly, he threw it, even with a some product inside, I reached for him and told him, “Hey listen, you dropped your glass with mango back over there.” ”Oh yeah!” he answered me, “I threw it on purpose! I do not like it anymore!” “Oh yes!” I told him, “and why do you throw it on the side walk or the street?” I asked him, and he couldn’t or [didn’t] want to answer me. Maybe because there are not many trash cans in that port. I saw that neither authorities nor businesses want to invest in deposits to put garbage [cans] on the streets where people consume and throw garbage away, because in the afternoon when everybody had ate, you can see an uninspiring
scene of the city, with piles of garbage everywhere and the few garbage cans that there are, are full and with animals of all sizes, swarming around, which is bad for health, the environment, the city, mainly in the ocean where the locals depend. And I thought that my perception or ignorance took me to several questions or applications.

Firstly and more important, spiritual, which is similar to what the apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 6. Paul asks the Romans, and also ask ourselves: Should we continue throwing garbage voluntarily, (being able to avoid it) because there is someone who gathers or cleans it? Or in biblical applications and words: should we continue to sin so that grace may abound? And unnecessary and enormous amounts of effort and
money will continue to waste for not wanting to discipline ourselves. And think about the negative results we produce, in our relationship with God, spiritual situation and spiritual health. Now referring to the world and environment, even if this proves to be counterproductive by littering, making a fool of ourselves (throwing litter) -- in the words of Pablo and the tourist -- and sending a clear message that we should [do this even] less since it is not my body, house, street, city or our country! I can say that this Canadian friend taught a very early morning lesson, during my stay in this port: “there can be this sense of shame or guilt for what we’ve done.” [But here’s a man who was trying to redeem himself, has lived in his shame and guilt, enslaved to it as it became his identity. But what happens when Jesus is involved? Do we stay there? Keep watch for part 3] And although not all of us are doing it, we are suppose to “preach by example” how to pick up trash and other unspeakable things that are done and thrown away in the streets of the world! There is a leader called Jesus and his followers who are preaching to us and saying: “don’t do it, I did it and it’s embarrassing.” Even though the word of God says that in the future, 3:1 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.” [2 Tim 3:1-9]

God bless you!
- Enrique Muruato

“We desperately needed the cross and have received hope with Jesus’ Resurrection.” That was a note I made after reading John Stott’s book called The Cross of Christ. It’s so true. I know with confidence that I am guilty of going against our creator several times throughout my life. I am confident that I would not be in heaven if it was based solely on what I have done or haven’t done. You and I both desperately needed the cross, where God humbled Himself by putting on flesh and bone, to then die a shameful criminals death in my place, all while being the perfect reconciling “lamb” sacrifice between us and God. We desperately needed the cross. Yet, that’s not the end of the story. It didn’t end in death but in hope, resurrected new life by God’s power. We’re thankful that we have life today and into eternity with God by both the blood on that cross and resurrection. We are now in this age (the church age) where we see the power of resurrected life at hand.

In a recent sermon from Philippians 3, I shared this heart shift that I had from the Ephesians class I was in. We were talking about living life now as the brothers and sisters in Christ, saints, holy, set apart, treating each other now as we would be treating each other in heaven. To practice living the resurrected life that we will be living in God’s Kingdom as brothers and sisters in Christ.

In my reflection notes, I wrote, “whether we are friends now or not, these people will be our companions, brothers and sisters in Christ for eternity, so we might as well start living like it now. We should practice the resurrected life together as the saints we are called because of what God has done through Christ -- not what we’ve done.” [MAML820: Unit 1 - Eph 1, Peterson “Practice Resurrection”]

Because of Jesus’ Resurrection that He is living in now, we have the hope of resurrection when Jesus returns, joining Him in His resurrected life.

The Apostle Paul points this out by saying...
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. [Romans 6:4–5 (ESV)]

We are given this hope with Jesus’ resurrection!
But, this hope doesn’t stop with us, God is sharing it with people around us! Don’t forget the people around us that don’t have this hope yet.

[Before Christ] ...remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
[Ephesians 2:12–22 (ESV)]

The Apostle Paul reminds us of what our lives look like now in Christ:
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. [Ephesians 4:1–7 (ESV)]

Practice what is to come! If that is how we are going to be living together in heaven, why not start living like that now, treating each other with that care, love, unity, etc…
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Practice living our lives as Kingdom citizens and disciples on this side of the cross, the victorious life giving resurrection of Jesus Christ.

- Daryl Struemph

You won't find this parable in any of God's Holy Scriptures, although there are some similar parallels to Luke 13:7-9. A few years ago I planted a raised strawberry bed. It produced wonderfully for several years and I had all the freezer jam I needed each year. Last spring I cleaned and tended the plants hoping for an abundant crop again. Then the drought happened. I had some berries early but didn't remember to water the bed as much as I should have. And our weatherman predicted many rains that never made it our way. (See how easy I can blame others, for my own neglect!) Since these were only June bearing plants I wasn't as interested in taking care of them when they weren't producing anything for me. It's the old "You help me and I'Il help you syndrome."
So yesterday I surveyed my strawberry patch to find only five plants had survived the harsh summer without proper watering. So I set out 40 new plants. Twenty were June bearing, and twenty are ever bearing (Maybe that will motivate me to keep tending them all summer long.) Well parables always have a Morel (wait a minute -that's a mushroom!), to the story. The moral to this story is "take care of the needs of people - just like plants; even if it seems you aren't getting anything in return." God ultimately is the one who gives the return anyway. So keep watering, keep cultivating those relationships with people and you will fulfill the law of Christ --Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39) And it's okay if you invite them over for a piece of strawberry shortcake and ice cream.

 - Alan McNeely