Today’s passage I wrote out from Zephaniah 3:16-17, “The time is coming when they will say to Jerusalem, ‘Do not be afraid, city of Zion! Do not let your hands hang limp! The Lord your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The Lord will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you.’”

I started this week’s devotionals sharing a small glimpse of what I experienced when I lost my mom to cancer 6 months ago. I want to share with you today about my dad and how he embodied this passage on the day of my mom’s funeral.

There are two things that my dad enjoys in this world: sports and music. Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, ESPN and VH1 were always on the television. But it wasn’t until my parents, at a later age when they immigrated from the Philippines with me in tow, experienced what Zephaniah 3:17 describes “in his love he will give you new life” they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. 

My dad loves learning and teaching himself familiar and new songs on his guitar. So when Jesus transformed his life, he began to learn and sing worship songs. My dad led worship with just his guitar every Sunday growing up and he’s still leading worship for a small congregation in a city church of St. Louis. 

Fast forward to the day of my mom’s funeral. My dad stood on the stage of that church and he led worship at her funeral. His hardest performance to date. But all that flowed out of him was what Zephaniah says: “He will sing and be joyful over you.” 

I read a small excerpt in a commentary about the prophet Zephaniah, “The call to rejoice is a call to believe in God’s faithfulness.” That is exactly what my dad will tell you how he lives daily without my mom by his side: he continues to rejoice in the Lord with a song and his guitar because it affirms God’s faithfulness in his life and it upholds his faith in God. 

I leave you with a chorus from a song titled Hard Fought Hallelujah performed by Brandon Lake feat. Jelly Roll:

Yeah, I don’t always feel it

Yeah, but that’s when I need it the most

So, I’ma keep on singing

‘Til my soul catches up with my song

There’s times when my hands go up freely

And times that it costs, oh-oh

There’s days when a praise comes out easy

Days when it takes all the strength I got

I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt

Been-through-hell hallelujah (ooh, ooh)

And I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail

Story-to-tell hallelujah, oh

‘Cause God, You’ve been patient

God, You’ve been gracious

Faithful, whatever I’m feeling or facing

So I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah.

In His Hands,

Angel Kruse

Confession: I spend about 5-10 minutes most days starting my day in God’s word as a pastor’s wife! 

I know, I know, there are some who may find this shocking as I do not devote a longer time deep diving into the Bible on a daily basis. My excuse is probably similar to that of some of you who may be reading this.

I find myself in a season of life running from one thing to another whether it’s for my job, getting my kids from one extracurricular activity to another, calendar meetings with my husband and managing my home. All while maintaining a healthy balance of prioritizing my marriage, nurturing and engaging my kids and, if time allows, taking care of myself!

A practice I have been doing for years to help me start my day off in the right direction and in an encouraging mindset is scripture writing. I followed a blogger by the name of Shannon Long who introduced this concept. She encouraged her readers/“followers” to write Bible verses daily to help with memorization and as Proverbs best describes it “write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Today’s passage I wrote out from Mark 4:39-40, “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

I like the Book of Mark in the Bible. When I participated in Bible Study Fellowship while my children were toddlers through lower elementary age, one of my group leaders described the Gospels of Mark as written for busy moms! Mark is constantly pointing out to the readers that Jesus is truly the Son of God. Mark witnessed that a lot of people around Jesus still did not believe in him, including the religious leaders and when the crowds got to be too much, Mark is always giving account how Jesus was always on the move. 

But here in these passages, we get a glimpse of Jesus resting…but in the middle of a storm! With just three words out of His mouth, he calms it.

This is one of my favorite songs about this verse, #nowplaying 🎧 Peace Be Still performed by Hope Darst:

“Peace be still

Say the word and I will

Set my feet upon the sea

‘Til I’m dancing in the deep

Peace be still

You are here so it is well

Even when my eyes can’t see

I will trust the voice that speaks.”

Jesus doesn’t ask us or tell us to devote hours and hours of deep diving in His word, He simply asks us if we have faith. Is there something in your life that you need Jesus to “calm” and proclaim peace over? Tell and ask Jesus, in faith, your fears and He will “calm” the storm of your life. 

In His Hands,
Angel Kruse

As my husband, Aaron, shared in his “Mother’s Day” sermon with tremendous compassion and gentleness, I lost “The Best Mom in the World”, Julie, on November 27, 2024, the day before Thanksgiving, to a “cancer of unknown origin”. I hold back tears even as I write this out… 

Listening to worship music was my solace during the times I flew back home to St. Louis, Missouri, to be with my mom while she was in the ICU and eventually moved to hospice care in the hospital. This particular song came on KLove and it became my anthem: 

“Still waters run through any valley I could find. I’m laying fear down here at Heaven’s riverside. Your word has been true in every season of my life. I believe, yes, I believe still waters run through any valley I could find” Still Waters (Psalm 23) performed by Leanna Crawford. 

I repeated the chorus “your word has been true in every season of my life” over and over in my head and my heart until my soul believed it. I was experiencing a paradox of rejoicing in the truth that in death as Paul declares in Philippians 1:21, “ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” that my mom was gaining forever life because of her personal relationship in Jesus Christ and yet I wrestled with Philippians 1:22-23, “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two…” – my flesh and my faith battled inside of me as I faced the reality that I would not have my mom with me on this side of heaven. 

What’s your immediate response when you are struck with tragedy: “fight” or “flight”? I chose to “fight”, a spiritual battle. I could have easily allowed the enemy to speak lies in my life that God was no longer good because my mom is dying of cancer. Instead I fought to speak truth to myself, the truth of God’s word which is life in Jesus guarantees and promises eternal hope. Will I still be struck with sudden sadness and moments of grief? Absolutely. But I rest assured daily that God’s word has been and continues to be true in every season of my life and I believe, yes, I believe. 

In His Hands,

Angel Kruse

Today is our last day focusing on Joy in serving, following the way of Jesus, and our focus is looking to Jesus and seeing what The Joyful Life of a Servant looks like.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure… Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. – Philippians 2:14–15

We often associate service with obligation, but Paul speaks of a joy that transforms how we serve. Not just what we do, but how we do it. When we serve without complaining or bitterness, we shine like stars in a world that’s quick to grumble and slow to love. Servants of Christ don’t have to be loud or flashy. They simply show up, faithfully and cheerfully. And that cheerful presence becomes a witness to the world.

Whether it’s in a classroom, hospital, workplace, or kitchen, joyful service stands out. It draws people to Jesus because it reflects His heart. What opportunities do you have today to serve joyfully? What attitude might you need to surrender so you can let Jesus shine through? Let’s pray together Jesus, help me to serve with gladness. Strip away bitterness and fill me with joy. Let my life shine brightly for You. In Jesus Name we pray, amen.

And remember Jesus loves you and so do I.

Pastor Will

Hey family let’s take a look of the how we can experience Joy in Obedience, like Katie Davis Majors did in following Gods call to Uganda. 

“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” -Philippians 2:12–13

Katie Davis Majors never imagined she’d be the mother of 13 children by age 23. But a short-term mission trip to Uganda changed everything. She felt God tugging on her heart to stay, to serve, and to pour her life out. Her obedience was costly—she left comfort, family, and predictability. Yet her testimony is marked by joy. As she writes in her book Kisses from Katie: “People say I’m sacrificing so much, but I feel like I’m the one being blessed.”

Obedience often leads us out of what’s easy and into what’s eternal. It’s not always glamorous, but it is always fruitful. God works in us so He can work through us.

Is there an area where God is nudging you toward obedience? What step can you take today to trust Him more deeply? Let’s pray tougher that God would give us the courage to follow him with reckless abandon. Father, give me faith to obey You fully. Even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain, let me trust that You are working through me for Your good purpose. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

And remember Jesus loves you and So do I.

Pastor Will 

Today’s devotional is focused on the mindset of Christ. We are focusing on Mr. Roger’s as we see how he lived this out.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage… he made himself nothing… taking the very nature of a servant…”-  Philippians 2:5–8

Fred Rogers was a television personality, yes, but more than that, he was a quiet servant of Christ. As an ordained minister, he saw his show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, as a way to minister to children with gentleness, truth, and love.

He didn’t use his platform for fame. He used it to slow down, to make space for hard conversations, and to remind every child: “You are loved just the way you are.” That’s the mindset of Christ. Humble. Gentle. Present. Fred Rogers chose a servant’s posture in a world full of noise. He mirrored Jesus, who emptied Himself not by accident but by choice. Joy was found in laying down status and picking up grace.

Where is God calling you to serve with humility and intentionality? How can you use your influence—big or small—to point others to Christ? Let’s pray together, Jesus, help me to have Your mindset. I surrender pride, status, and selfishness. Make me a quiet force for good, and fill me with joy as I serve.

Always remember Jesus loves you and so do I.

Pastor Will 

Today’s devotional look at the life of Mother Teresa again as she highlights the Joy in Valuing Others. 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3–4

Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” She lived out Philippians 2:3–4 with her hands, heart, and life. In the slums of Calcutta, she bathed the sick, fed the hungry, and held the dying—not for recognition, but for love.

Her joy was undeniable. It didn’t come from applause, but from purpose. She saw Jesus in the eyes of the poor and valued their lives as precious. Her legacy reminds us that joy is not found in being first, but in lifting others up.

Humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself. It means thinking of yourself less. When we truly value others, joy follows. It disarms pride, heals division, and creates space for God’s presence to shine.

Who around you needs to be seen and valued today? How can you put their interests ahead of your own? Let’s pray Lord, give me the eyes to see others as You see them. Help me live with humility and love, finding joy not in being served, but in serving.

And remember Jesus Loves you and so do I.

Pastor Will 

We are in our new series through the book of Philippians on “Joy” I hope this week we can dig into this weeks sermon a little bit deeper, and consider a few points I may have left on the table. If you didn’t get a chance to see it visit our YouTube channel and catch it. So here we go! 

The Call to Humble Service

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:1–2

Joy in the Christian life doesn’t begin with what we do for others—it begins with what Christ has done for us. Paul reminds the Philippians and is, that if we have received anything from our relationship with Christ, any encouragement, love, comfort, fellowship, that we are called to express that through unity and humility.

As pastor Aaron reminded us last week Joy is not just the pursuit of a singular moment,  often we treat joy as a solo pursuit. But here, Paul paints a picture of joy that is corporate. It’s found in the family of God living in unity, putting one another first. Joy increases when we decrease in selfish ambition and increase in mutual love.

When we choose to see others not as competition but as companions, we reflect the love of Christ. It begins not with grand gestures, but with listening better, loving deeper, and living more graciously.

Ask your self:

Have you experienced encouragement, love, or fellowship from Christ or His people? How can you pass that on today in your relationships?

Lets pray together, Jesus, thank You for the comfort and love I have in You. Make me an instrument of that love to others. Let me pursue unity with humility and reflect the joy of Your heart. In your name we pray, amen.

And always remember Jesus Loves you and So do I 

Pastor Will 

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”

Devotion:

People are deeper than they seem. What you see on the outside—a bad attitude, weird outfit, awkward personality, maybe even a mistake they made—usually isn’t the full story. There’s always something underneath. Hurt. Fear. Insecurity. Or even a story you haven’t heard yet.

This verse reminds us: people are deep waters. But most of us settle for surface-level judgment.

If you carry the heart of Jesus, you’re called to go deeper. To ask, “What’s really going on in their heart?” instead of, “Why are they like that?” It’s easier to judge than it is to understand. But love takes effort. Compassion takes curiosity.

Eva’s heart is this: God took time to create you—and He took just as much time to create them. We’re all different on purpose. We all need grace. And Jesus never walked past someone without seeing their heart.

So don’t just be another opinion in someone’s life. Be a mirror of Jesus—gentle, truthful, and deeply kind. Because you might be the first person who ever truly saw them.

Reflection question: