Greetings Church, all in the precious name of our Lord Jesus. It is such a blessing to be able to write to you today. As many of you have heard, I have been going through an ongoing physical challenge. For what begins mid-December as a mild onset of symptoms related to internal infection, it ultimately led to a full period of hospitalization here in early January. All by the grace of God, I am happy to be able to say, I am now home in recovery.
I give all praise to our Lord God for the prayers of his people, which have been what has held and sustained me during these trying weeks. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the Christ Chapel prayer line warriors, who have steadfastly stood in the gap on my behalf. As I look ahead, I ask for the continued prayer of the church as I push toward a full restoration of strength and recovery of health in the weeks ahead.
As I sit today for this writing, I am reminded of an occurrence that happened this past week. My wife, Pastora Marissa, had gone to the post office. While there she commented to the postal clerk on the dish of sprouting seeds sitting on the counter. When the clerk saw Marissa’s interest, she said, if you would like, you can have them! Now I will say, that was music to my wife's ears. The young sprouts have been positioned just perfectly, for full sun exposure, near her office window! And I am sure that she will care for them as they grow from being sprouts to the plants they are to be.
Isn't this just like our Lord God. His Word gives to you, ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2Cor 5:17). Then we find the Lord speaking over His people from Isaiah 41:10 where we witness the promise of the loving and protecting hand of God with, ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’. Church, today I would like to ask you to see yourself as those young sprouts rescued by Pastora Marissa. No matter the situations of yesterday, the struggles, the hurts, the heartache, or even the spiritual frailty; as you yield to faith and trust in Christ Jesus, receiving his saving grace and rescuing mercy, He speaks over your life today ‘I have called you, you are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you! (Isaiah 41:9b). In Christ, you are His, a new creature. The things of yesterday are past. Behold ‘all things’ are new. In Christ, you are in His loving care. As you grow under His care, He is with you. He will strengthen you. He is your caretaker and everlasting help, for He is your God!
May this year of 2021 bring to you and yours, a season of rejoicing in the Lord God. May you realize your full potential as one loved and cared for by Christ Jesus, your Lord and Savior.
Lord bless you,
Pastor Simeon Strauser
Christ’s Chapel
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