Romans 6:5-7 reads:
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”

Have you heard the saying birds of a feather flock together? There was a similar saying my mother would tell me in Spanish, that went “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” This is the social proximity effect; this is a principle of how we tend to become like the people we spend the most time with.  We see this in high school, college and even in the workplace and our social groups. We can be defined by the people we chose to surround ourselves with. Sometimes this can determine our trajectory and how we are perceived by others. This could work in our favor or against us.  

As Paul writes this passage of scripture the word that stuck out to me was the fact that we have been UNITED with Christ. We are united with Christ in death, united with him in his resurrection. We died with Him on the cross, our old sinful man was crucified along with Christ. On the third day we also were resurrected with him in newness of life.  All of this is due to our proximity to Christ, we benefit from being united with him. This has freed us from the bondage of sin and death. Our faith in Christ signifies our union with Him in both His death and His resurrection. Just as Christ died and rose again, we too have died to our old sinful selves and have been given new life. This new life is characterized by freedom and righteousness. I would venture to say the proximity we have to Christ is directly proportional to the amount of the “resurrected life” we get to experience.  

What is your proximity to Christ? Are you spending time with Him, in prayer, in meditation, in reading your word? How about those you surround yourself with – are they bringing you closer to Jesus or further away from him?  My prayer is that you would experience the social proximity effect of spending so much time with Jesus that you would be mistaken for being one of his followers just by how you live your life. As a quote that is attributed to St. Francis says, “preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” Let your life and proximity to Jesus sanctify you in such a way that the manner in which you live your life would proclaim the Gospel as loudly as you preaching it.  

Remember Jesus loves you and so do I,

Pastor Will

Colossians 3:1-4 reads: “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

As we continue our walk through these powerful verses in Colossians, the next truth this passage teaches us is that we are hidden with Christ in God. Paul reminds us that our old selves have died. The life we now live is hidden with Christ in God. This hidden life speaks of security and intimacy. Our true identity and value are found in our relationship with Christ, not in what the world sees or judges. Galatians 2:20 affirms this truth: “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.”

Living the hidden life means trusting in God’s protection and provision. It means knowing that, regardless of our circumstances, we are secure in His love. It also means embracing humility, knowing our worth comes from God, not from human accolades or achievements. 

Early church father Augustine of Hippo wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” He understood that it’s when we rest in Christ and when Christ rests in us that we can experience the Resurrected life, the security and intimacy that comes from being One with Christ. 

Moses understood this, when he wrote in Psalm 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” May you experience the resurrected life more and more every day as you live the hidden life in Christ!

Remember Jesus loves you and so do I,

Pastor Will

As we continue our venture in this powerful passage from the book of Colossians, let us consider the next verse: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

To live the resurrected life, we must also renew our minds. Paul specifically encourages us to keep our minds on the things above; to be heavenly minded. This involves a conscious effort to focus on spiritual realities rather than being consumed by earthly concerns. Romans 12:2 encourages us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Our thoughts shape our actions, so a heavenly mindset will lead to godly living. Philippians 4:8 tells us this: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  This does not mean we ignore our earthly responsibilities. Rather, it means we approach them with a heavenly perspective. Our work, relationships, and daily activities should reflect our commitment to Christ. We live in this world, but our minds are not confined to it. We see everything through the lens of eternity. 

Are you living your life through the lens of eternity? C.S. Lewis wisely said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” Be Heavenly Minded!

Colossians 3:1-4 reads:“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

We are going to focus on specific principals from each of these verses as Paul instructs us to live by a higher standard.  As Christians we are called to a deeper walk with Christ, something we can call the resurrected life – no longer living according to the pattern of this world.  These verses call us to a higher standard of living—a life that reflects our identity in Christ. Let’s explore what it means to live the resurrected life.

Our New Identity in Christ “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

Paul begins with a reminder of our new identity. We have been raised with Christ. This is not a future promise but a present reality. Our baptism symbolizes this transformation—dying to our old selves and rising anew with Christ. Romans 6:4 states, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Because of this new identity, Paul urges us to set our hearts on things above. This means our desires, ambitions, and priorities should align with the heavenly reality where Christ reigns. The pursuits of this world—wealth, power, and prestige—should no longer captivate us. Instead, our hearts should yearn for the things of God: love, justice, mercy, and truth. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

We are new creations and now have been given a new identity, let us set our hearts on the things above. Remember, the past no longer has a hold on us and we don’t have to live according to the identity we once had. Instead, we are free in Christ and have been set free from the things that once entangled us – what an amazing truth to meditate on today.  May you be refreshed at the start of your week and walk in this new identity. 

Remember – Jesus loves you and so do I,Pastor Will

17 And to Adam he said, 

      “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife 

      and have eaten of the tree 

      of which I commanded you, 

      ‘You shall not eat of it,’ 

      cursed is the ground because of you; 

      in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 

      18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; 

      and you shall eat the plants of the field. 

      19 By the sweat of your face 

      you shall eat bread, 

      till you return to the ground, 

      for out of it you were taken; 

      for you are dust, 

      and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:17-19

I am not a farmer who has to contend with the hard dry ground or thorns or the heat of the sun but I do have to contend everyday with a body that is not always anxious to check the boxes of perfection. It will groan at me for hard work that requires sweat. It is repulsed by vegetables and fruits that will bring it needed vitamins and minerals. It is lazy to concentrate on reading when scrolling through images and videos on media sites is more entertaining. Perfection is nearly impossible and paying the rent everyday is a challenge everyday.

Yet in all of this I recognize the grace of God that I am more than what I am. I am a child of God who is a conqueror through Christ who has saved me. In His strength I can do more than I can imagine. I do not have to be bound by the desires of this flesh and this world. Through prayer, faith, and hope I can overcome through the one who is my overcomer.

Pastor Aaron Kruse

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. Luke 23:50–53 (ESV)

I think Jack Barsky was correct when he said, “You always want to belong to something.” Too many times as a follower of Christ we become more interested in belonging to the kingdom of this earth rather than the kingdom of God. We forget that the kingdoms of this earth are passing away and the kingdom of God is eternal. 

Joseph of Arimathea had a choice to make on the fateful night Jesus was on trial. Which kingdom would he choose? He kept his righteousness and did not consent with his peers in the crucifixion of Christ. In fact he put his life in his hands by approaching Pilate to request the body of Jesus to have a proper burial. At times we need to remember our citizenship is in heaven and have courage to brave against the kingdoms of earth to do what is right. This may mean being the only one standing. What in your life right now may mean standing alone? Do you consider being a part of the kingdom of God or are more of your thoughts about building your own kingdom here on earth?

Pastor Aaron Kruse

In our text today, the Prophet Ezekiel is called by the Lord to give a prophetic calling to the nation, Israel. The Lord even tells him that “you must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen.” Let’s take a moment to read the vision that Ezekiel receives from the Lord.

9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. Ezekiel 2:9–3:3 (ESV)

I have wondered about the last verse. Why is this scroll sweet as honey to Ezekiel? I assumed it would be bitter to him since it is a scroll containing laments, mournings, and woes. In thinking about this verse I recalled how my wife loves eating dark chocolate with 80 to 90 percent cocoa solids. When I first tried it, I spit it out of my mouth thinking it was too bitter. The problem was that I expected it to taste sweet rather than tasting it for the rich cocoa flavor. Once I realized what should be tasting I found that the bitterness did not bother me anymore.

I think the same is true about God’s Word. When we read the Bible we are offended at the language in some of the passages because it does not line up with our preconceived notions. We read it to verify our own thinking or understanding of the world instead of reading it with an open mind and a teachable spirit. I think many times we think God is the one who needs to change to fit with the current times but maybe we need to change. What if we were to read a passage with the idea of what needs to change in my life today? Instead of being angry with God or the world maybe there is one thing that you can change. Instead of waiting for someone to make a difference, you could be the difference in someone’s life.

Pastor Aaron Kruse

Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:1-9 that we are to remain patient with the Lord. His time table is very different from our own, especially in this fast paced world. Peter writes the following to us.

2 Peter 3:1–9 (NKJV): 3 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

People are quick to dismiss those things that do not happen immediately. In fact this will be proof positive that those things do not exist. In our illustration Germany is a real place you can fly to but it will definitely take more than a minute to arrive. The fact that God has not answered your prayer or changed things does not discount your prayer or prove that God does not care. It only means that His plans are different from your plans. God does not need to bend to us. We need to bend to Him and His plans for they are the best. Maybe we need to repent of our plans and begin seeking God’s plans. Today, what do you need to give to the Lord for a better plan?

Pastor Aaron Kruse

As we look at Lamentations today we see a city in ruin and the prize lost to another civilization. Those who remain are either enslaved or sit in the ashes of poverty. This is the same group of people who were looking to the promised land and the future of being a privileged nation. Now they are on the list of just another conquered civilization.

Lamentations 1:1–3 (ESV): 

1 How lonely sits the city 

      that was full of people! 

      How like a widow has she become, 

      she who was great among the nations! 

      She who was a princess among the provinces 

      has become a slave. 

      2 She weeps bitterly in the night, 

      with tears on her cheeks; 

      among all her lovers 

      she has none to comfort her; 

      all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; 

      they have become her enemies. 

      3 Judah has gone into exile because of affliction 

      and hard servitude; 

      she dwells now among the nations, 

      but finds no resting place; 

      her pursuers have all overtaken her 

      in the midst of her distress.

Sometimes we sit in the unfairness of life believing that we are the only ones who are receiving unjust treatment. In these times we believe we are alone and defenseless. We can be mad at God, others, and maybe even ourselves. Yet Lamentations remind us that it is healthy to lament over our circumstances. The definition of lamenting is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. In this moment of lament we are reminded of the brokenness of the world we live in. If we sit in lament it should move us to remember our desperate need for a Savior. This is the beginning of the road of repentance to forgiveness. Forgiveness is hard to discover if we do not have a need for repentance and repentance only really comes from the grief of a broken situation in our life and not from a disappointment in being caught in something. 

I am always amazed in our flower garden when I see life blooming from a dead plant or from the ashes of some forgotten piece of soil. This is forgiveness. When we receive it from a place of lament, it brings life and it renews our souls. 

Pastor Aaron