The Death of Death

April 2026

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 

Malachi 4:2

This month’s post was contributed by business executive, Bible teacher and occasional Preacher, Wade Pursell.

Every year on Easter Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus (He is risen!).  Or as I like to say, “the death of death.”  Do we really understand, and grasp, the full meaning of this most important event in human history?  I don’t think so.  Otherwise, our daily behavior would look very different!

I want to attempt to help us grasp the full meaning of this event using the truth of Scripture and our God-given imaginations. Friends, you can never be the same if you believe and immerse yourself in this truth.  Your heart will absolutely “leap like a calf let out of its stall!”

Let’s get started.  Here is our outline:

  1. Glorious Bookends
  2. Groans, Glimpses, Gospel
  3. Genesis Again!

1. Glorious Bookends

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
 
Genesis 1:1

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,… 

Revelation 21:1

One of my favorite things to do is to find a quiet place to sit down and read the first two chapters of the Bible (Genesis 1-2) and then immediately jump to the last two chapters in the Bible (Revelation 21-22).  I suggest you take about 10 minutes and do that now – go ahead, I’ll wait. 

These are incredible bookends to our history. 

The beginning is the story of creation. God created everything, including us, and it was all good… a literal paradise.  The end of the story has God restoring everything, including us, back to the original state of paradise.  This paradise in the beginning has humanity living in ‘perfect community’ with each other, with the animals, and most importantly with God.  We ruled over creation, worked in a garden, gave animals names, and on and on.  Life was perfect, and eternal!  There was NO DEATH.  This was seen by the “tree of life” from which we could freely eat. 

Skip ahead to the end and this “tree of life” has returned (Revelation 22:2), meaning it was gone, and there is “no more death” (Revelation 21:4), meaning there had been death.  What happened between these bookends!?  That is our story. The other 1,185 chapters describe the world we are currently living in.  Let’s look at that now.

2. Groans, Glimpses, Gospel

Groans

Chapter 3 of Genesis begins with Satan entering the garden and tempting Eve.  God had told Adam, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”  (Genesis 2:16-17)  Satan, the serpent, deceived Eve when he accused God of lying, “’You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman.” (Genesis 3:4).

Adam and Eve believed Satan and sinned.  As promised by God, death would be the consequence of their sin (the wages of sin!).  They, and all humanity after them, being born into sin would now die physically AND spiritually through separation from God (Genesis 3:24).  We see immediately in the next chapter, their son Cain kills his brother Abel.  Then notice in the genealogy list in chapter five the emphasis on each person “…and then he died” over and over again.  This is our world – the land of the dying.  And not just us humans but all creation was brought down by our sin. 

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Romans 8:22

This world of brokenness and decay (and death!) is characterized by pain, suffering, and frankly a long series of sad good-byes (loved ones, pets, and even plant-life!).  BUT, when Adam and Eve sinned, God did not destroy all of creation, He cursed it with death and decay.  This means we can still see ‘glimpses’ of the paradise that was.

And, what will be again when restored!

Glimpses

We were made for the Kingdom of God.  I believe something stirs inside us when we see glimpses of the Kingdom.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 says,  “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.” 

C.S. Lewis expanded on this when he said,

“All of the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been but hints of it – tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear…but if it should really become manifest…you would say ‘Here at last is the thing I was made for.’”

Randy Alcorn, in his wonderful book titled Heaven, said these moments are simultaneously souvenirs from paradise and appetizers for “paradise restored.”  Examples for me would be reaching the summit of a 14er in Colorado with my son or daughter, my wedding day with Tracy, a good dinner with a great bottle of wine with a family member or old friend, a long bike ride on a beautiful Colorado day, just to name a few.  And (hello!) every spring and summer God plays out for us the day of the Great Restoration with wild, splashy boldness. 

Of course, the ultimate glimpse, the ultimate “preview” was Jesus!

Gospel

The plan was always for God to demonstrate His love, mercy and grace for us through His Son Jesus Christ.  God, as Jesus would come to earth entering time and space, and live a sin-free life, die on a cross to take our sins/punishment, and then on the third day rise from the dead defeating death and reversing our curse!  That is the Good News, the Gospel. 

The Old Testament pointed to these events all along, culminating on the last page of the last book with one of my favorite verses:

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 

Malachi 4:2

The Sun (Son!) did indeed rise. I mentioned before that Jesus gave us the ultimate glimpse(s) of paradise restored.  Obviously, He previewed our bodily resurrection as the “first fruit” as Paul called it (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).  But also, during His ministry, the miracles He performed demonstrated His power over the effects of the curse.  No more death (John 11:43-44), no more disease (Matthew 9:6), no more demons (Luke 11:14), no more disasters (Mark 4:39). 

This is exactly what J.R.R. Tolkien captured toward the end of his great epic, The Lord of the Rings, when Sam Gamgee said, “Gandalf!  I thought you were dead!  But then I thought I was dead myself.  Is everything sad going to come untrue?” 

Yes, that is exactly what will happen!  The curse will be reversed! 

Jesus gave us our ultimate preview of that and what heaven will be like…paradise restored.

3. Genesis Again!

So, what will heaven be like?  In a world full of “groans,” the land of the dying, a life which is essentially a long series of good-byes, we do not spend enough time meditating on our future ETERNITY. 

Charles Spurgeon said,

“Christian, meditate much on heaven, it will help thee to press on, and to forget the toil of the way.  This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: this world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss.”

Friends, what I am about to describe is breathtaking!  It is astonishing!  And most of all, it is the promise from Almighty God.  It is, as the writer of Hebrews describes, the “unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God.” (Hebrews 6:19 MSG)

Jesus Christ gave His life to give us this hope.  He said in Matthew 19:28, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne…”  The Greek word translated as “renewal of all things” is palingenesia.  Broken down, it is Genesis (genesia) Again (palin).  Wow! 

Think about that.  Paradise restored! 

Peter picks up on this and in his sermon in Acts 3, when he says

“…Heaven must receive Him (Jesus) until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.”   

Acts 3:21

Here the Greek word translated “restore everything” is apokatastasis, which means “put something back in its original condition.”  Wow again! 

Of course, when God is describing paradise restored in Revelation 21, He says, “I am making everything new!”  Not “new things,” EVERYTHING MADE NEW!  This means if we want to imagine Heaven, we can simply look at Genesis 1-2 and the “glimpses” around us every day (and remove the curse!). 

Down deep in our soul, we (and all of creation!) are longing for this moment –

“The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next.  Everything in creation is being more or less held back.  God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead.  Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.” 
 
Romans 8:19-21 MSG

I would like to now imagine what our eternity is going to be like, in the following categories: Who (will be there), Where (will it be), and What (will we do).

Who

Who will be there?

Most importantly, Jesus! 

Spiritual death meant separation from God.  Yes, we have been restored to that relationship here and now, and have the Holy Spirit living inside us, but try to imagine how it will be when we are “face to face” (Revelation 22:4) with our Lord and Savior. 

Next, it is easy to see how we will be with our believing loved ones as Adam and Eve were in the garden.  And the Apostle Paul describes beautifully our reunion when the church is raptured in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

And finally, I believe it is easy to conclude that we will be with our friends from the animal kingdom as well (remember, ALL things new).  After all, we named them in the garden, and we named our pets here!

Calf and lion will eat from the same trough, and a child will tend them…neither animal nor human will hurt or kill on my holy mountain.
  
Isaiah 11:7-8 MSG

Where

Revelation 21:1-3 describes very clearly the fact that Heaven, including God, is coming down to the Restored Earth!  This is astounding to think about. 

It is the final answer to the Lord’s prayer, that God’s kingdom will come and His will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven!  God does not merely scrap creation and our intended roles (more on that later) along with it.  He restores everything!

As John Eldridge said in his wonderful book All Things New, —

“Take a moment; take a deep breath. Get a glass of water if you need to, or something stronger. You’ve just been told your future is ‘the restoration of all things,’ real things, the restoration of everything you love.”

What

So, eternity is a very long time.  What will we do? 

Can I summarize first?  Everything you were born to do.  Everything you’ve always wanted to do.  Everything the kingdom needs you to do. 

Of course, in the beginning there will be those amazing moments with Jesus we described earlier.  Then the wedding feast where we will track down our loved ones and celebrate for who knows how long.  And we will worship the Almighty God for His beauty, His glorious grace, His love and mercy.  This will actually never end.  I believe that is probably where most people stop imagining. 

You should not!

Genesis again – remember we were created in His image (Genesis 1:27).  Created to create.  In the garden we were given jobs!  Govern the earth…reign over the animal kingdom.  Again, to quote John Eldridge –

“God gives us the earth like a wedding present, instructs us to reign, and endows each human being with talents and gifts to carry out that task.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit also included in the earth a latent potency – veiled powers and treasures, things like music, and literature and science ‘hidden’ in creation like Easter eggs so we might have the joy of discovering them.”

Imagine all of this with no curse, no evil, no limitations, as you do everything you were born/created to do.

All things new! 

This means writing music, listening to music, playing instruments we only dreamed of, and some we have yet to dream of. 

It means building things. 

It means continuing to learn (maybe listening to lectures from people such as Lincoln, or Moses, or Paul, or Newton, or Galileo, or Churchill – perhaps even listening to the unrecorded words of Jesus [John 21:25]). 

It means exploring every inch of the Restored Earth and the depths of an infinite God – His love, grace, mercy, etc.  And doing all of this with our beloved family and friends (and yes pets!) forever.

Is your heart leaping like a calf yet???

C.S. Lewis was clearly meditating on our “bookends” (Genesis 1-2, Revelation 21-22) when he wrote the ending to the Chronicles of Narnia.  Let’s close with that, as we long for our Great Restoration.

“It was the Unicorn who summed up what everyone was feeling…  ‘The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this. Bree-hee-hee!’  But, the whole adventure... was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

My friends, it will be the same for us.  Death has been defeated.  The Sun (Son!) of Righteousness has risen!  Our end here is truly only the beginning!  The renewal of all things is coming.  Genesis is coming again!  Please tell me your heart is “leaping like a calf leaving a stall!”

Happy Easter!  The Sun (Son!) has risen!!!

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

Community Through The Storm

March  2026

Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the LORD has commanded you to do.”

Exodus 35:1

In our fast-paced, hyper connected social media age, it is sadly ironic that people increasingly feel more isolated, lacking meaningful social connections and a sense of community. When the noise of daily life fades, and the lists, deadlines, and conversations go quiet, something curious happens—our thoughts emerge.

In alone, quiet moments, questions on what really matters flood in to fill the silence with that gentle nagging toward something undefined. Unoccupied hours stir quiet wonderings about what lies beyond death, an ache for completion that is not just psychological, but spiritual—a signal from the soul that it was made for eternity.

When the mind drifts to what’s next—not tomorrow, but beyond tomorrow, the person brushes up against the eternal part of themselves, whispering that the journey isn’t over, and that all their searching has been leading somewhere. But the hard reality is that on their own, nobody can find the right path to that somewhere.

While the truth won’t break through on its own, Solomon shed light on this for us when he wrote, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Without a breakthrough from beyond, nobody can figure it out. [Paraphrased Credit: Pastor Gary V. Carter; Jews for Jesus]

The concept of community plays a significant role in the biblical narrative. Throughout Scripture, the communal aspect of life is emphasized as a means through which God’s grace is often mediated. The Bible presents community not only as a support system but also as an active participant in the process of salvation—spiritual eternity in God’s presence.

In the Old Testament, the community of Israel is depicted as a covenant people, foundationally bound together by their relationship with God and each other. The communal aspect of life is evident in the laws given to Israel.

Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the LORD has commanded you to do.” (Exodus 35:1) The Hebrew word edah (pronounced ay-DAW) in this Scripture is transliterated in English as assembly, congregation, community. Its essence designates an assembled company bound together by covenant identity, purpose, or occasion, describing Israel gathered as one people, whether in worship, governance, warfare, or repentance. This includes provisions for caring for the sick and the needy.

Leviticus 19:18 the command, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” highlights the responsibility of individuals to care for one another within the community. For example, the account of Job illustrates the importance of community in times of suffering. Although his friends initially fail to provide the comfort he needs, their presence signifies the communal approach to dealing with personal affliction.

A community has no power to remove grief, but they can share it, reminding them and us that only the providence of the Lord can make things right and righteous in God’s eyes.

The New Testament is a wonderful parallel with the early church continuing this communal approach. “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) In this context, the Greek word ekklésia is transliterated in English as church, meaning assembly, congregation, a “calling out,” the community of the Redeemed of Christ whether being on earth or in heaven or both, a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both).

Additionally, Acts 2:42-47 describes the believers as being devoted to fellowship, breaking bread together, and sharing with those in need. This communal life included praying for one another, as seen in James 5:14-16, which instructs believers to call the elders of the church to pray over the sick, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The passage emphasizes the power of communal prayer and confession of sin.

The role of community is further emphasized through the ministry of Jesus, offering salvation, and often healing individuals within the context of community, as seen in the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2:1-12. The faith of the paralytic’s friends, who lowered him through the roof to reach Jesus, underscores the communal effort.

A very loving Christian friend who volunteers as a sports trainer to help my wife, told us of a well-known and long established local Bar & Grille that offers customers their branded porcelain mugs for $40. Then you can pay extra, to get the mug personalized with your name, or whatever. The newly personalized mug is returned to a specific place on the shelf, where it is available for your next visit. Why buy a mug you won’t take home? Because it gives them a small sense of what they seek—community, a place to belong. It becomes a place of community—of friendship, where joys are shared with one another, along with sorrows through the storms of life.

A small portion of the mugs purchased and personalized by customers, pointing to the need for community.

A few months ago, I offered a gospel handout to one of the waitresses, Veronica, for which she accepted with thanks. It is a joy to strike up conversations with strangers there, while I wait for sandwiches—hopefully one day those strangers will become friends, and perhaps leading to their friendship with Jesus and join an eternal community.

I find refuge in God, along with the community of believers—who encourage me, correct me, admonish me, help me, restore me, et. al. And when I find myself in sinful behavior, I confess it to God, and often to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Through the recent winter Olympics, sadly I was confronted with how sports often brings out the worst in me. During the women’s singles ice skating event, a contestant competing resulted in my shameful and sinful response.

As she came off the ice after a difficult performance, the camera focused on her coach and a woman standing in the background. The lady was prohibited from entering the booth, but the skater’s coach, a man, was present with her. Then an unexpected and intense storm happened in my life that shocked and stunned me.

The camera moved in with an extreme closeup of the coach. I seemed to discern his nationality as being apparently from her aggressive, warring home country. At that moment, I felt hatred in my heart for that man. I don’t fully understand all the reasons, but I ended up in tears as I was convicted of my sin. Despite struggling in tears after being confronted with the truth of my impure heart and storm of sinful response, I asked Him to please forgive me, seeking reconciliation. Thankfully, I know God forgave me as I confessed my sin.

I continue wrestling with what happened and have shared with several believing friends through this time of healing and recovery. Through the power of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, I am forgiven and grateful for the community of Christ uplifting, affirming, and encouraging me. I now pray for the salvation of that very man, whose name is unknown to me and whom I’ve never met.

Confronted with the truth of my sin, yet thankful for God’s forgiveness, in community and through the storm.

Since I offloaded a few worldly projects to more fervently devote myself to God, my walk with Him is actually getting harder. The danger of drifting away from my Savior is all too real, as I find myself not paying careful attention to what I have heard (Hebrews 2:1).

If I don’t remain closely aligned with Christ and His community of believers, it’s all too easy for me to pursue my own agenda, even though it may seem like I am doing His work. I’m not really paying attention to where He shows me He is working. Then, I become infatuated, distracted, and even attracted to the things of this world.

God has granted me so many wonderful moments of spiritual community with the body of Christ, even through life’s storms. I met with a pastor friend, Rev. Brad K., for breakfast one morning as we occasionally do. I mentioned to him that God’s work can be hard in our lives, what I call pick and shovel ministry. “Mine is mostly ‘pick,’” he responded!

By pick and shovel, I mean examples such as painstakingly making homemade cards and sending them to those who are in distressful crises—then receiving in return a note: “Thank you for remembering me! And caring.”

As I got into the car to leave the restaurant, that morning I received a call from a brother in Christ at Church, Bill K., who had spoken with another brother, Del S., suggesting he call me, so he asked if I had any Bible tracts for him.

In this “friend of a friend” situation, I was so thankful he called, and we connected later that afternoon. It was so encouraging to me that he was convicted to share God’s Word with others.

The three of us share membership in an unfortunate community. We all have lost our first wives. So, we are uniquely qualified to lighten each other’s burdens, as we grieve through the process of spiritual healing, yet strengthen each other as we evangelize.

Maybe we are simply a worker for the harvest to the unreached literally right next door, or perhaps we are called to be a field worker to make connections in remote village communities halfway around the world, as God has enabled me to do. Whether here or there, may God continue to use us in His work to transform secular, worldly communities into children of God communities.

Sometimes gospel encounters don’t end that well, even with believers! I walked to a pond on the trail near our home, because a sister in Christ mentioned that there were hundreds of geese there. As I approached the pond, the geese had flown away to feed, but a lady named D. was standing still near a pair of geese, of which one was injured. She told me the story of how the partner always returns to the injured goose.

As we parted, I told her that Jesus loved her greatly as I handed her a gospel handout. “I love Him too, but I don’t need your card,” she responded. I was sad the conversation ended as it did—sad that she would not consider receiving it to pass on to an unbeliever in need of encouragement, yet also sad that I had not connected more kindly in relational ministry, as did Jesus.

Sometimes pick and shovel ministry includes persecution, for example, when someone pejoratively challenges me about “this Jesus thing,” refers to me as a “Jesus freak,” or cynically calls me “Reverend S.” Sadly from an Earthly perspective, persecution is often more intense around the world, where followers of Jesus are ostracized, persecuted, imprisoned, martyred, or murdered.

By God’s grace, He can provide and sustain us through any storm, as modeled by Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and the global community of Christ. In our pick and shovel ministry, we need to keep pounding away, digging for deeper community—pick and shovel communities God uses to carry out His will. In some parts of the world, it may not be pick and shovel ministry, but for some Christian widowed women and children it is hard labor with hammer and chisel making gravel in rock quarries. [Paraphrased Credit: Voice of the Martyrs; Jews for Jesus; One Minute Witness, Tom Elie]

As we subordinate our will for God’s, our journey walk may feel like pick and shovel ministry, yet nothing compared to Jesus and the Apostle Paul.

Ministry can be euphoric, discouraging, or even dangerous. In fact, the euphoria can be more dangerous than the discouragement. Many of God’s greatest servants faltered in times of victory and success.

However, Jesus got away from the mayhem of the masses that were enthralled with Him. Regularly, He got away for time to be alone with His Father. Frequently, He got away to be with His closest disciples. Occasionally, He got away simply for time with His family and friends, but always in some sense, in community.

Those of us who want so much to serve Jesus, we must learn this vital lesson: we need rest, nourishment, friendship, family—in community, especially so we aren’t overcome by the storm. Let’s not let the euphoria of being used by Jesus lead us to an arrogance that we don’t need others, a genuine sense of value in being with people we need and who need us. [Paraphrased Credit: Phil Ware]

In the storm, we need community. Jesus needed community with our Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit through the storm on the cross. The Apostle Paul needed community through the storm, especially when he was shipwrecked. Do we not‽

Perhaps your pick and shovel ministry is gospel outreach encounters, as Christ saves others by snatching them from the fire (Jude 23).

Perhaps it is projects that don’t happen until the eleventh hour of life. Why? For most of us, the eleventh hour is when we really begin to trust God. And often our trusting God is manifested by community through the storm—Christian unity; communal, corporate and connected in a deeply divided world.

Sometimes evangelism may be the hard work of forgiveness and reconciliation, where God always opens doors as He works; and He is always working. Metaphorically, this points to Jesus’ tragic—yet triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. [Photo credit – partial image: June Jurcak]

Our Savior’s journey to Jerusalem, communion through the storm.

In community with God, I often pray for the lost, sometimes saying to God something like: 

“May you, God, lovingly, patiently, compassionately, gracefully, mercifully grant them a Damascus Road encounter, a Holy discontent, dissatisfaction apart from true salvation in Jesus Christ, a conviction of guilt in regards to their sin, Your righteousness and judgement, an intense spiritual storm of brilliant light shining in their heart from You to give them the light of the knowledge of Your glory displayed in the face of Christ, to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are saved by faith in Jesus, being led by The Holy Spirit, becoming a believing follower of Christ, truly “knowing” Him, not just knowing about Him, so they will have eternal life, not a false hope with all its consequences, but a true hope rescuing them from the spiritual pit of darkness, forever. Amen.”

Will you pray in community with me for the lost? Pray in your own words. Pray in your own way. But nevertheless, pray for the lost to hear the gospel. For the gospel is of first importance. We can’t get to Heaven any other way—no one can!

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

Theological Friendship

February  2026

The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.

Acts 27:3

At age 81, one of the most vivid examples of Jesus’ loving friendship and faithfulness I have experienced, recently occurred. In obedience to God’s Holy Word and in an effort to be more devoted to Jesus, last year I decided to subordinate two of my selfish interests—Will and Wisdom. This included giving up a dream driven by memories from my youth to acquire a high end three-window chopped deuce coupe hot rod, as well as reducing most all my investment research time. This freed up my time and inspired me to devote that time recouped to God, in order to nourish my hungry heart in search of a greater connection with Him.

Subordinating my selfish interests in obedience to God’s Holy Word, Will and Wisdom.

Many blessings and struggles have emerged from this, which free me up from Satan’s worldly, sorrows, weakness, and temptations of the flesh, and force me to be more spiritually honest and truthful with God. Additionally, it has resulted in several overflowing blessings, that restored my joy, increased my generosity and my time in communication and connection with believers, making friends, and witnessing to unbelievers. This increased meditation time with the LORD caused my love for Jesus to deepen, not just my love for ministry and evangelism.

Building friends is one of life’s highest privileges. One of the first words from God after creating man was, “It is not good that man should be alone…” (Genesis 2:18) We were created for relationships, not loneliness. Yet the reality of sin in our world not only turns us away from a friendship with God, but friendship with others.

Care enough to contend for a friend—invest in others, as others have us.

The following wonderful metaphor is from a small village at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, where the slow work of making coffee, beginning with plucking a coffee cherry from a vine, became the cornerstone of the community: “This is life. People come into the world whole, and over time, they’re peeled back, dried out, roasted, and crushed. But if someone takes the time to pour into them, with warmth and intention, what comes out is transformed. Something richer. Something meant to be shared.”

The relationship experienced between Christ and the twelve grew from a teacher to disciple relationship, into a Lord to servant relationship, and then into the relationship of one friend to another. [Paraphrased Credit: Genesis 2; Satisfy Your Soul, Dr. Bruce Demarest; Too Soon To Quit, George Sweeting; One Minute Witness, Tom Elie; Network Coffee House, Jacob G.]

When the Apostle Paul sailed for Rome, he was in need of his friends. And his best friend to whom he dedicated his life, was Jesus. In John 15:15, Jesus called his disciples friends. The word friends in both passages is the same, transliterated from the Greek word phílos, pronounced FEE-los.

Though phílos can be rendered simply “friend,” the word carries a spectrum of relational commitments that range from informal companionship to covenant loyalty. The root (phil-) conveys experiential, personal affection, expressing experience-based love. The many New Testament appearances of phílos paint a portrait of friendship that is practical, missional, and ultimately theological—someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close bond of personal affection. Depending on the context, these meanings include friend, friendly, beloved, loving, an associate, and neighbor.

The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is one of Jesus’ last earthly messages to His friends—His disciples. While still leading and guiding, Jesus wanted this message to be remembered as His parting command by His disciples. His message stressed emphatically that it was based on His authority over everyone and everything and everywhere.

What is that message? Go and make disciples! So go, just as your best friend Jesus said, and He will go with you. Be the friend that points your friends to our best friend, Jesus.

Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

[Paraphrased Credit: Matthew 28; What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Joseph M. Scriven, 1855. Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia; Biblehub; What Jesus Did, Phil Ware]

The most important thing in the world is the gospel of Jesus Christ—the message of His loving salvation. And friendship plays a big role. We need friendship.

Our friend, Amber, shared that her friend Natausha had a 13-year-old daughter who took the keys to her mother’s car and upon returning home, crashed and died. Natausha needed a friend at that time—Jesus filled that need. He remains faithful even though she struggles daily with her faith, and continues attending Church, despite her anger at God. Friends and family tell her not to lose her faith, and trust God. But she says she is not ready to forgive God. Why did God allow this to happen‽  

I don’t have an answer. But the Bible does.

God granted me a recent treasured friendship with David, who is new to our Church. As God would have it, one of the primary bonds we share in common is that my wife is 16 years into a brainstem stroke, and David’s daughter is 16 years into a mental health struggle. God seems to be encouraging us in our friendship, helping us both press on toward the goal.

We need friends to help us fight the good fight, because the Christian life is not a playground—it is a battleground for our souls. [Paraphrased Credit: A.W. Tozer; Rev. Dr. Brad Strait.]

A friend of ours showed me her tattoo. She has two best friends, all three with the same tattoo, “We shall never drift apart.” I asked why the anchor, but she didn’t know. In Hebrews 6:19 points to our hope in Jesus, an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.

Three best friends, all with the same tattoo.

Anchor your soul in Jesus, our true haven of rest.

Our human friends often drift apart due to time, distance, and other life circumstances. But our one and only true, unconditionally loving, faithful best friend, Jesus is always nearby and always has time for us. [Excerpt Credit: Haven of Rest, H.L. Gilmour, 1885]

The Apostle Paul was not ashamed to ask his friends to pray for him, especially in relation to the gospel (Ephesians 6:19, 20), nor was he remiss in praying for them. Whenever he mentioned his friends at the throne of grace, Paul was loving them “at a distance,” and God recognized this love and honored his faith.

Paul tells us that the gospel is of first importance, and often knowing and befriending others can be an effective enabler for the gospel imperative to go out. In Acts 17, Paul gives us a simple and practical model for sharing the gospel with friends and neighbors. He pays attention to people, learns what matters to them, and then connects their stories to the story of Jesus.

Paul spent time among the people he hoped to reach through real relationships, listening and learning, introducing spiritual truth, connecting the gospels with people’s shown interests, questions, dialogues—having conversations of consequence!

Remember that behind people’s bright smiles, often lie the hidden weight of grief, trauma, and relentless strain of life, with hearts often heavier than the physical weights they may carry. There are always trials in people’s lives; therefore, help them find joy in Christ. Even in chaos, one can find grace, mercy, and spiritual covenant blessings in Him.

In our vanity, we try to acquire all the things of this world, like our wealth portfolios, but comparatively they are infinitely minuscule and don’t even come close to eternity with God, including the majesty of His creation, like the beauty of an evening sunset over the mountains.

Our wealth portfolios can’t compare to eternity with God, and the majesty of His creation.

When we look at what Jesus did for us, for what the Apostle Paul did for the gospel, for how missionaries sacrificially serve, the very least we can do is point our friends to Jesus. Our sacrifice is usually not as extreme as the devotion of, for example, Christian converts from Islam, known as Muslim background believers. You don’t just seek refuge when you leave Islam. If Muslims know who you are, they will come after you, seeking to kill you.

Amber Cook, said of Jesus that Christ’s ancient loving, relational friendship with the Father and Holy Spirit, has been collectively offered to us as believers, from since time began. [Paraphrased Credit: Bless You, Warren W. Wiersbe; God Loves You, Dr. David Jeremiah; Knowing God, J.I. Packer; Jews for Jesus; Rev. Dr. Brad Strait; Wendy Martinez; Y2Believe]

As we pray, and God enables us to meet and befriend people for the gospel, our part is to give them our attention and interest, to show them good-will and to open up in a friendly way from our side, because we never know what storms in life they may be facing, like a Nor’easter!

We never know what storms in life our friends may be facing, like a Nor’easter.

Whether with belief or disbelief, it is how they receive the good news that will determine whether we are going to enjoy their friendship for all eternity.

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

A Really Bad Trap

January  2026

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Matthew 16:23

I was on the phone with my son, a former Marine F-18 aviator, who was driving to the airport to catch a flight for a morning meeting the next day. First, a loud CRASH! Noises. Then quiet…

“Dad I’m ok,” he said. “Got rear ended while sitting still in traffic.”

The next day he called and texted to say, “Hi Dad. I’m OK. Will probably see the doc just to be safe on Tuesday depending upon how things are feeling. Sorry to spook you. It felt like a trap on the carrier…one of the bad ones. Thankful it wasn’t worse …very easily could have been. Love you, Dad.”

Later he expanded on the feeling of a bad aircraft carrier trap.

In a normal carrier landing, the aircraft touches down, the tailhook catches a cable, and the plane comes to a controlled stop. It is rough, but it works as designed. A bad trap happens when the hook catches the wire while the aircraft is still flying. The plane slams into the deck with enormous force. The structure is overstressed, and damage happens instantly. It is dangerous and sometimes catastrophic. That kind of really bad trap is not unlike the spiritual traps we can fall into, yet with eternal consequences.

A bad trap on the aircraft carrier can overstress the aircraft, but a bad spiritual trap can have eternal consequences.

After Jesus told the disciples he would be killed, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “’Heaven forbid, Lord,’ he said. ‘This will never happen to you!’ Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.’” (Matthew 16:23) The words dangerous trap are derived from the single Greek word skándalon, transliterated as stumbling block, hindrance, offense, trap, snare, in my way, et. al.

A deeper look at Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance for expanded word origin derivatives revealed something of interest: [“…the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim); (figuratively) an offense, putting a negative cause-and-effect relationship into motion, “the means of stumbling” stresses the method (means) of entrapment, i.e. how someone is caught by their own devices (like their personal bias, carnal thinking), skándalon is the native rock rising up through the earth, which trips up the traveler, hence, of Jesus the Messiah, to the Jews who refused Him” (Souter); “properly, the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, stumbling-block” (Abbott-Smith); “the stick in the trap that springs and closes the trap when the animal touches it” (WP, 1, 46). <emphasis added>]

Most of us are not unfamiliar with the concept of traps in our lives, of which there are many, and to which the Bible clearly addresses. We usually entrap ourselves! For example, the dangerous trap of worldly success and prideful illusion of self-sufficiency. We see this with Gideon in the Book of Judges. When Gideon knew his own weakness and understood that victory could only come by grace, he worshiped and honored God. Later he worshiped success and the honor it would bring him. He forgot that God called him, equipped him, reassured him, and won the battle for him.

With Sampson, the more God blessed him, giving him strength to fight his foes, the more he grew confident of his own invulnerability, and engaged in irresponsible behavior. Samson’s heart used God’s blessings as a reason to forget God. While adversity is hard on us spiritually, success is even harder. Outward gains ordinarily bring inward losses, yet inward gains such as growth in humility, self-control and wisdom often stem from outward losses of our finances, careers or relationships failing. [Judges Chapters 7, 8, 14, 16; Paraphrased Credit: Judges For You, Timothy Keller; Puritan Pastor John Flavel]

Another example of entrapment is seen in the endless AI arms race, battling for control over weapons of algorithmic warfare, and techno war deploying wafer, thermodynamic and photon computing technology, awaiting the next breakthrough as enticing as they may be—all the while, we ignore deep tension from the very real cosmic battle for our own souls for whom Jesus died, denying and rebelling against God.

We pursue the contagion of space exploration at any cost searching endlessly for the so-called God particle—the Genesis rock so to speak and boast as we speciously proclaim our independence from God’s sovereignty. There is also an inordinate emphasis on the search for extraterrestrial life elsewhere in the universe, what may be called the We Are Not Alone complex, often a camouflaged, deceptive subterfuge effort to deny God’s creation of the Earth and universe, de-emphasizing and denying its beauty and Biblical account.

Image of the Eye of God Nebula.
We pursue space exploration searching for the God particle and signs of extraterrestrial life, while ignoring the fact that we have never been alone.

Regardless of what forms of life might be found beyond Earth, we can always take comfort in knowing we are never alone, in Christ. “In the beginning…” in Genesis 1 and John 1, it is made clear what God did, even though we don’t understand how He did it! We forget God’s Holy Word in Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Ex Nihilo in Latin – from or out of nothing; as in creation ex nihilo) “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand.” (Job 38:4)

In a grocery store, I met Jack for the first time, an employee, with a large tattoo of a cross on his arm, including the words never alone. We, like Jack, should never allow ourselves to get trapped into believing that we are alone in this world, without family, friends or loved ones, even if it feels like it. It could not be farther from the truth, spiritually. We always have the Family of God. Jesus calls you His friend, and He loves you so much, He took your judgement of sin on the cross, redeeming your life forevermore, if you believe and receive the great exchange—His free gift of salvation for your sin.

In Christ, we are never alone.

Traps are like minefields—like a communist minefield, one careful step at a time. When serving in the military, I watched Russian Troops on the East German border probing deadly minefields in the springtime. Similarly, we need God’s wisdom as we take great spiritual steps of care through life, to help us avoid Satan’s minefield of deadly, sinful traps that lead to destruction.

We need God’s wisdom to help us avoid Satan’s minefield of deadly, sinful traps that lead to destruction.

Even in the investment world, there is the so-called bear trap, where an individual or a group of market traders in collusion look to manipulate an investment instrument such as a stock, for example, in order to create a pattern. They may simultaneously sell a large amount of a particular stock, sending fake market signals because it paints a picture on the price chart that looks like a price correction is in order. Thus, individuals are inclined to believe the price will drop even further.

Traders who believe stock prices will decrease are known as bears, and when they think an asset is due for a price correction, they attempt to sell it short to capture profits. When this happens, the one in the group who coordinated the trap buys the stock back, sending its price back up, and thus making a profit. This buyback also causes those who put in short orders to be liquidated. These traps can devastate traders who don’t take the time to perform due diligence and consider multiple factors when trading. It is essential to gain deeper knowledge of technical analysis before trading in any investment class, pointing to a parallel spiritual truth of our deep need for more of God.

Similarly, as in a bear trap, we can become spiritually entrapped if we reject Jesus, our only one, true hope in life because when everything else is gone, only His love remains. One of the worst traps in the world is to be so close to the Savior and miss salvation, so close and yet so far away. Don’t get trapped into missing salvation! Don’t miss salvation, as did Judas in Matthew 27:3-10. To be so close to the seat of mercy and die unreconciled like Judas—to see Jesus’ compassion and kindness and yet bring such a cruel and self-inflicted fate is tragic.

Don’t gamble with your eternal salvation, as the soldiers wagered in Matthew 27:35-37. After they had nailed Jesus to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes probably by casting lots, which is similar to throwing dice. They gambled for Jesus’ clothes as He bled and died on the cross in unspeakable agony while in front of a mocking mob. Those who reject Jesus’ death today are gambling with higher stakes and rejecting greater evidence. These soldiers were not gambling just for Jesus’ clothes; they were openly confessing through their actions that He was just another criminal scum whom they were ordered to execute. So, as they were partners in this brutality, they were gambling that what others had told them about Jesus was correct—that He wasn’t the Christ, wasn’t the Son of God, wasn’t the King of the Jews, and wasn’t their Savior.

But what evidence did they have to believe Jesus? Very little, until the crucifixion scene was finished and Jesus breathed His last words. Then, after seeing the things that had transpired, a centurion saw another set of facts and decided, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54) Those who reject Jesus today, reject the judgment of that centurion—an eyewitness who stood at the foot of the cross. They also reject the transformation of the frightened and hidden disciples who did not expect Jesus’ resurrection only to become world-beaters after they witnessed for themselves the resurrected Lord Jesus.

People have rejected the testimony of millions of believers over the centuries. They rejected the witness of Scripture, which has gone through countless attempts to be silenced and eradicate its message, yet has endured to inspire more and more believers.

Jesus died for sinners.
Jesus died for you.
Jesus died for me.

Every time we take these words lightly or outright reject them, we are gambling that Jesus’ death wasn’t God’s work and our salvation. We are all spiritually broken and fall short of the Glory of God. Do not mistake a bad trap for a safe landing. In humility, repent of your sin—believe and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior today. Now is the day of Salvation. [Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 49:8; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Paraphrased Credit: What Jesus Did, Phil Ware; Frank Pilkington]

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

Peace Is Born

December 2025

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Ephesians 2:17

During my college years, my experience was largely one of depression, especially on Sunday nights, facing another week of meaningless classes, professors, exams and uncertainty. I had no peace, purpose or power to stop sinning. Shortly after graduating with nothing but mediocre achievements, I married my high school sweetheart, Nancy, failed to get accepted into Air Force flight school, and headed off to harassment in basic training as an enlisted airman, avoiding the front lines during the Vietnam war. Fortunately, I began receiving high scores on skill assessment exams, which eventually placed me in the heart of Europe during the Cold War, where my assignment found me working at an antenna farm deep in a German forest, never very far from the enemy. I still had no peace in my unsettled spirit and was faced with wartime reminders everywhere I looked, especially when I reported to my assigned base, formerly German barracks built by Adolph Hitler in WWII. Even when traveling during breaks to spectacularly beautiful settings in the Swiss alps, I couldn’t escape the presence of troops engaged in training maneuvers, missile sites, and fighter aircraft overhead. Invasions were anticipated at any time during the 1960’s in the tense setting of the Berlin Wall. Always on the brink of war, tensions mounted as enemy tanks continuously faced off with one another at Checkpoint Charlie.

Tensions mounted as enemy tanks faced off with one another at Checkpoint Charlie—standoff on the brink of war.

While I tracked Soviet aircraft on the East German border throughout the night, my wife slept alone in our tiny studio apartment, wondering if she would wake up to war. My job was to intercept and transcribe high speed radio transmissions depicting scrambled aircraft, which I could visualize on a large geographic numeric matrix grid, to detect any airspace violations calling for a response. The military drama seemed to mirror the spiritual conflict within me, since I was separated from God at this time—yet I began to slowly but consistently sense God’s provision and protection in my life. Decades later as a civilian, I faced a pivotal point in my life as my wife was staring death in the face one night in the hospital due to a blood clot that could enter her heart at any moment. My business as a new product consultant failed, and then one day sparks flew as my daughter stuck my car keys into an electric outlet. It was in the midst of all this, God inaudibly spoke to me, “Your life is going down a dead-end road.” You might say I was bankrupt spiritually, financially and emotionally. But neighbors lovingly came alongside, gently pointing me to Jesus, especially my friend Chuck who led a two-year Bible study in his home. In time I acknowledged my sin and need for salvation, as I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Never will I forget receiving the sense of peace in my spirit I had desired for so long, as I stood by Chuck’s big brown Buick in his driveway, waiting to go to Church with his family that Sunday morning. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) Just dig in, dig hard and deep for God’s treasure of perfect peace, complete in Christ.

Dig in, dig hard and deep for the treasure of perfect peace in Christ.

Today I continue waging battle in a different type of war, spiritual warfare against Satan, the world, and my own sinful nature, but claiming victory as an overcomer in Christ for over 45 years. His peace was born in my heart, as I became a new creation in Christ. For example, I was ill at peace when an insurance company’s photographer showed up unannounced to start taking pictures of our house, especially the roof. I soon contacted Anna, the insurance agent office manager, who assured me it was done at random, with perhaps some bias toward longer term customers’ homes. As a result, I received a letter stating no overhanging tree branches were allowed over the roof. This cost me over $2,000 to correct. Satan’s desire was to drive me into anger, seeking revenge in unforgiveness. My gut reaction was to go out and get quotes from competitive companies, as I considered dropping this insurance company and switching all my insurance coverage. I wanted to tell Anna, who had always been very helpful, that according to one investment newsletter, the insurance industry is a dirty business. I wanted to ask, “Does that seem unprofessional to you?” However, I knew I should speak the truth in love, keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, and not sin in my anger. (Ephesians 4;3, 15, 26) God’s loving plan is different than mine was—peace, reconciliation, forgiveness. Yet I had hardness in my heart toward the insurance company. I still have impurities in my heart of which God needs to continue chiseling away.

Another example of my struggle in retaining the peace of Christ He granted me through salvation, was what I experienced one night recently. I was up against a writing deadline for this blog right at a time when I was physically and spiritually weary and tired. I could not see progress, nor how I could move forward with my writing. It was in this moment Satan had me believing that after decades of my wife, Barbie, and me trying to witness in our neighborhood, God was bearing no spiritual fruit through me that would last. Yet in the middle of the night as I awoke, God began to give me His Words, as I wrote to help get me to the finish line on time, and a few hours later a knock came at the door, awaking me. On the doorstep was a surprise birthday bag from a wonderful neighbor, with fresh bagels and the following excerpt from a card, “…heart to your biblical followers; to the cul-de-sac you watch over.”

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the promised Messiah hundreds of years in advance of Christ’s birth, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Now we celebrate the fulfillment of that prophesy of peace being born into the world. On the night of Jesus’ birth, the angels proclaimed the good news to the shepherds, again emphasizing the peace that Christ would bring: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). But Jesus also seemed to downplay His role as Prince of Peace, as He warns His disciples of the hardships they will face in their ministry: “Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘A man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household’” (Matthew 10:34–36).

“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” (Ephesians 2:17) The word peace in this context is transliterated from the Greek word eiréné, (phonetic spelling i-ray’-nay), meaning one, peace, quietness, rest. This is not world peace or inner peace, but the Messiah’s peace—peace with God, His perfect peace in the midst of the storm, His peace that surpasses understanding. Through Jesus Christ, peace was born, as He bridged the chasm between sinful man and Holy God. But the hope proclaimed to the shepherds found in God’s indescribable gift of Jesus on the first Christmas is available only to those who believe. To know the pardon, peace, power and joy that comes through Christ, one must personally receive Him by faith. Not unlike the Hollywood celebrity who said, “I’d give a million dollars for one moment of peace,” many long for true peace in their heart. [Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Paraphrased Credit: Biblehub; Got Questions; Decision, December 2010]

Through Jesus Christ, peace was born, as He bridged the gap between sinful man and Holy God.

“Heavenly Father, through the power of your Holy Spirit, my prayer of peace is that we may remember Jesus—and may we learn from, not repeat, and forget our sins of the past which entangled us in bondage, from which Christ has forgiven and cleansed us. We thank you for the full armor of God, including the gospel of peace, and for the fruit of your spirit, which includes your peace. With nearly 200 wars and armed conflicts ongoing at any one time globally, and increasing, our world is desperately in need of the peace of Christ—for without Christ there can be no true peace, physically or spiritually, and in many other respects. May we gently, persistently and unashamedly proclaim the peace of Christ in a war-torn world, with no hope apart from your salvation.
We pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus.”

While at the bank, I met Amal, the cashier behind the counter. She was from Morocco. I was nervous, because I assumed Amal was Muslim, and would be rebellious toward the gospel. But God granted me peace, as I asked, “What brought you to America?” “Life,” she responded stoically. I sensed she was not receptive to a momentary conversation, and I didn’t want to be insensitive. Yet, when I asked what her name meant, she was quick to say, “hope.” I was so excited and hopeful in my spirit, because Jesus Christ is The Living Word who gives us living hope—He is Living Hope. (2 Peter 1:3, 23), As I gave Amal a gospel handout which she graciously received, I shared those verses with her. “I can’t wait to look those up,” Amal responded with a radiant smile. I was shocked! She was kind enough to give Jesus through me a listening ear and a listening heart. I pray that she will be in Heaven one day with Jesus.

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

Eucharisteó

November  2025

…and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

1 Corinthians 11:24

“…given thanks…” Eucharisteó in Greek! (Pronunciation: yoo-khar-is-TEH-o.) What a wonderful word transliterated from the Greek εὐχάριστος: To thank, be grateful, express gratitude. Jesus was deeply thankful to God the Father—even at His death meal, the last supper: How Jesus took the bread and gave thanks at the table—the table of thanksgiving, the table of grace, the table of reconciliation, the sacrament of communion… and then the miracle of Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. [Paraphrased Credit: Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts]

As we speak the gospel truth of Christ in courage, I’m thankful for what Pastor Timothy Keller refers to, in his book, What Is Wrong With The World, as the surprising, hopeful answer to the global, pressing question that cannot be avoided.  Do you often find yourself looking around the world—or just where you live, and seeing injustice and wrongs being perpetrated that make you wonder what’s wrong with the world? The only thing that can account for the world’s pain and chaos is what the Bible calls sin. Thankfully and joyfully, Jesus came into this world broken by our sin. He offers hope, healing, holiness and His righteousness, as our Savior if we so choose to receive His gift of salvation. Repentance isn’t merely turning away from our sin; it involves turning to God. Unbelievers are waiting for us to proclaim God’s good news of Jesus to them, and thankfully, He has given us the command, joy, and privilege to proclaim Him.As our culture bubbles over with stories of violence, darkness, and hate, everyone’s wondering what’s wrong with the world. To be thankful is central to Biblical worship. Far beyond just material blessings, we are thankful for His spiritual blessings. Foremost is His gift of salvation. Apart from Jesus Christ, we only deserve death. We have God’s good news to share with the lost, so they can experience eternal life—not eternal condemnation. But our culture tells us otherwise.

In 1844, a brilliant and troubled atheist philosopher, Friederich Nietzsche, was born in the village of Röcken, Germany. He was best known for his claim, “God is dead,” which he storified in two parables. Nietzsche was not claiming that God had once existed and no longer did. Rather, he recognized what the loss of God meant as the central reference point for Western life, politics, education, art, architecture, and most other aspects of culture. The death of God had, as he put it, “unchained the earth from its sun.” Specifically, the death of God held incredible implications for morality and meaning. Without God, what is up and down, forward or back? What will warm us? What can light our way? Throughout the twentieth century, as the Western world became more secularized and religion increasingly marginalized, God seemed less relevant to much of life and culture. Secular humanists, like the mockers in Nietzsche’s parable, promised a better world without the moral constraints of God, Christianity, or the Bible. Salvation could be found in medicine. Prosperity, comfort, and convenience would be delivered through technology. The existentialists promised meaning, even if life were meaningless. Sexual liberation promised unlimited pleasure, if sex were untethered from the religious hang-ups of morality, marriage, and children. When John Stonestreet began teaching worldviews in the early 2000s, he often highlighted the absurd inconsistencies of attempting to make meaning in a meaningless universe. If truth is relative and words have no fixed meaning, he asked students, what would prevent someone from claiming a stop sign means go? Or up means down‽ Or a man is a woman? Why can’t murder mean healthcare? Or injustice be justified by redefining oppression and justice? Today, some of those examples are the substance of Supreme Court cases. The hypotheticals are actuals, just as Nietzsche predicted. Nietzsche announced God is dead, but promised that humans could be the thriving successor, if only we evolved beyond religion. In the late nineteenth century, many believed in a utopian future without a God weighing us down. Of course, God is not dead, because an eternal God cannot die! Nietzsche was wrong, but he did foresee the coming crises of meaning, truth, trust, and identity. With a clarity unlike most who reject God, he understood that “our only hope in life and death is,” as the Heidelberg Catechism puts it, “that we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.” Nietzsche did not believe that hope was real. He also did not think that, once lost, the Western world would ever rediscover it. We can pray he was wrong about that, too. [Paraphrased Credit: John Stonestreet, Colson Center]

The Bible compels us to share Jesus with others, giving them hope in their brokenness. In the following excerpt, author Kenneth Boa provides us with a compelling motivation as to why we shouldn’t delay in proclaiming the gospel:

“It is my suspicion, though, that what we call discipline on earth will be our pleasure in heaven. Prayer and talking to God will be more fully realized in our resurrected body and state than we can now imagine. Perhaps even the Scriptures will take on new meaning in light of the thousands of things we cannot comprehend until then. All of this unmediated and direct interaction will create a relationship like no relationship we have ever known.

But for now, we live here. And my friend Mark made me realize this important fact about being alive on earth. There are really only two things that you can do here that you will never have the opportunity to do in heaven: share the good news with those who do not have it and serve people who are in need (emphasis added). We would do well to treasure these opportunities. The days are short. We can all be involved in sharing the good news with our lives and our witness. We can preach a message simply by our integrity and the diligence with which we work. We can follow the statement often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: ‘Preach the gospel always; if necessary, use words.’ God has given us an arena of influence and opportunities—and it matters tremendously how we view these things. We are living in his story now; what will we do with the chapters he is giving us?

In the life of Jesus, we see no evidence of a dichotomy between the sacred and the secular, the eternal and the temporal. The Lord lived on this earth in such a way that all things took on the eternal, from the object lessons in his teaching to the scandalous lives he redeemed. Jesus perfectly explained and exemplified the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps it was his unique insight into both that allowed him to be the bridge between the two, showing us things about eternity that we could never dream.

A good friend of mine is fond of asking, ‘What are you taking under your arm to the ultimate show and tell?’ There will one day be a show and tell that takes place before the judgment seat of Christ. This particular ruling is not a verdict of condemnation but one of rewards where we give an account for ourselves and receive recognition accordingly. The Scriptures tell us that we will be so humbled by it all that we will literally cast any rewards back toward the feet of the Lord in recognition of who he is.

God is God, and we are not. He is sovereign and has given each of us just enough time on this planet to accomplish his purposes for us. We need neither one second more nor one second less. Our last years may well be the key years of our lives, and yet all the chapters of our stories will have led up to those moments, converging in such a way that, no matter where we find ourselves now, we may finish well. For now and for then, our theology can go up in a doxology that goes something like this:

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. (Ephesians 3:20-21)”

excerpt from Rewriting Your Broken Story: The Power of an Eternal Perspective
by Kenneth Boa

I’m thankful God opens wide doors for the gospel—allowing us to obey Christ’s command to proclaim His name. One small step of faith may lead to further in-depth, respectful conversations about Jesus. Even though by current criterion, standard and statistic, most Christians do not share their faith in a given year, or even in a lifetime. Despite this grim spiritual malady, there’s hope for the sometimes gospel crippled Church, the broken body of Christ, because His blood set us free! We are apparently suffering an acute case of prosperity paralysis, spirit of scarcity, fear of not having enough, and spiritually more focused on theological arrogance and musical intrigue, than on the gospel, to which the Apostle Paul refers, “…as of first importance.” In caring ministry, I was taught that one option in difficult cases is through the Small Step Approach. God will bless us, empower us with words, and enable us to begin with one small step. In these small steps, for example, when we are shopping in grocery stores, we can greet people with a smile and eye contact, as we tell them Jesus loves them greatly and offer them a gospel handout. If we can elicit a smile and joyful laugh from them, it can help reflect God’s awesome sense of humor. Often, it can be an effective ice breaker to compliment people on their radiant smile or encourage their smile if it is missing in action. Since people are often in a hurry or have just a few items in their cart, I enjoy sharing brief, fun and affirming words with them to encourage, uplift, and point them to Jesus. Here’s a few “four mix and match words” you may find helpful when waiting in line with a grocery cart:

You have fewer items.
I’m in no hurry.
Go ahead in line.
Your time is valuable.
And you are valuable
Jesus greatly values you.
Jesus loves you greatly.

Moments matter for Christ. They are perishable, and we don’t want to regret God ordained opportunities lost forever. Another fun way to glorify and magnify Christ is to quickly and briefly bless many on your computer or smart phone. Just copy one of your favorite graphics, add a few of your own words, and send a text or email to those unsaved, seeking, and even saved individuals, especially someone who is downcast in their soul, needing encouragement and hope. The simple hummingbird example below resulted in many responding expressions of Eucharisteó. [Paraphrased Credit: Tom Elie, One Minute Witness; Pastor Bruce Schoeman, Global Coach, Oasis World Ministries]

Heaven is humming a song of God’s loving delight in you.

At a busy airport restaurant, I asked a waitress named Sarah for the backstory on her many tattoos, and specifically on her arms. Spirited Away was a Japanese children’s animated movie, (left) and Death Note, a Japanese animated show, (right) which she would watch when she was a kid.

I was so blessed by God, as He opened a door wide to offer Sarah a red heart/cross gospel handout with Bible Scriptures, and share the good news that Jesus loves her greatly. She was quick to treasure this in her heart. With a radiant smile on her face, Sarah immediately placed it in her pocketbook for safe storage.

A few additional things for which I am thankful to God.

How about you? What are you thankful for? In a moment of quiet solitude, please express eucharisteó to God, as His Holy Spirit leads you to write, “filling in” the blank, however you choose to do that, even if you just visually and imaginatively capture it in your heart and mind, as gratitude prayers.

Better still, leave us a comment and share what you thank God for. I am sure it will inspire and encourage others as we are reminded of all the blessings God has given.

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

Trusting the Risk of Faith

October 2025

Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:26

The apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian Christians to live in wisdom by “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Because the gospel is of first importance, we understand God’s eternal plan and that we are meant to sacrificially assume risk and even suffering to see it carried out. However, we remain unwise if we are waiting for a favorable time to act. Scripture teaches that we are meant to advance God’s kingdom immediately and always, including amid this world’s ever-present troubles. In John 11:15 “…you might believe…” the transliterated Greek word for “believe” is pisteuó which means believe, to have faith, to trust. As believers we need to lovingly trust God, and take a risk of faith for the gospel, even if it’s just a mustard-seed amount, because through Jesus, it becomes powerful and mighty. Are we ready to answer God’s call, even if it means taking personal risks like Moses leading Israel out of slavery in Egypt; Esther raising her voice to prevent the Jewish people from being massacred; or the apostle Paul becoming a missionary to the gentiles, penning much of the New Testament—or simply stepping out on faith and proclaiming Jesus? [Ephesians 5:5-16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ecclesiastes 1:4; John 4:35-36, 11:15; Paraphrased Credit: Cole Richards, The Voice of the Martyrs; Rev. Dr. Brad Strait; Aaron Abramson, Jews for Jesus; Phil Ware, What Jesus Did]

To empathize with the spiritual bondage of the unbeliever, we should thoughtfully and honestly examine ourselves, to see our own sins. In Confessions book 2, Augustine (pgs. 354–430) probes for an answer to why we sin by considering moments in his own life. But he does so cautiously, clarifying that he looks back on his past sin “not for love of them but that I may love You, O my God” (2.1.1). He does not romanticize past sins like we sentimentally muse over old photos, but rather, like a doctor dissecting tissue to locate a cancerous tumor, Augustine remembers sin in order to discover its root cause. Like Augustine, we should gaze at the darkness of past sin only to better understand our own hearts and, most importantly, to see the brightness of Christ’s mercy more clearly, and give us a true heart for the perilous condition of unbelievers. We never know when life will throw us a curve ball, sinker, slider, change up, knuckler, fast ball, drop ball, or a dust-off pitch! I have a wonderful friend, Joe, with a terminal medical diagnosis who has already planned his own funeral arrangements. Here’s how he feels: “I’m at bat with a full count, 3 and 2. I’ve been swinging at all the fastballs, fouling them off, but I know a slider is coming…” We all need to be ready. Humorously, baseballs have a short lifespan in the major leagues—on average a ball is no longer used in a game after only about 2.5 pitches. There are many reasons for this, however, a lot of it has to do with the shenanigans of the pitchers and their teammates to outsmart the opponent! Joe told me there is so much he didn’t know about baseballs—the ingenuity of the pitchers and their teammates is funny but puts to rest any idea that humans are not depraved. I’ll pray for uniform balls so I can keep fouling them off! [Paraphrased credit: Tyler Kepner, September 18, 2025]

The ingenuity of the pitchers and their teammates is funny but puts to rest any idea that humans are not depraved.

Proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God with all boldness, proclaim in Jesus the resurrection of the dead, proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Messiah, proclaim the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, proclaim the Word of the Lord and testify about Jesus, proclaim through Jesus the forgiveness of sins, proclaim the gospel of God at every opportunity, whether it is convenient or inconvenient. [Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Mark 1:14; Luke 9:60, 20:1; Acts 4:2, 5:42, 8:12, 8:25, 13:38, 17:3; Romans 15:16, 16:25; 1 John 1:3]

I often say to someone, “I have good news for you—Jesus loves you greatly,” as I offer them a gospel handout. This almost always results in a joyful response, like Nadiya an employee in the grocery store. After contemplating briefly what I just shared with her, she responded, “That actually made me happy.” She was leaving the store, not feeling well. The next time I went into the store, I intentionally looked to see if she was working that day. When I saw her, I made eye contact, smiled, and called her by her first name. I asked if she was feeling better. Her face beamed with a radiant smile, as she seemed to be joyfully surprised that I remembered! I find a similar response when the person behind me in the checkout line has far fewer groceries than me, so I like to say as I motion for them to move passed me, “Go ahead, your time is valuable.” When they turn around and smile to thank me, I say, “And you’re valuable too!” Their cheerful smile turns to great joy, as does mine, in which I am trusting God to open more doors for evangelism.

“I have good news for you—Jesus loves you greatly,”

Worthy is the Lamb of God who was slain and takes away the sin of the world. Just before my wife, Barbie, and I served for a time in the land of the Bible, we asked Dr. Lew Sterrett, Sermon on the Mount, a Pastor and professional horse trainer, for his opinion of us taking the risk and a step of faith. Lew responded, “When the pain of not stepping out in faith exceeds the risk, you might as well take a chance.” And Todd Pierce, Riding High Ministries, powerfully illustrates the profound connection between readying an unbroken horse for its first rider, and our relationship with God.

“Okay, so negotiations, it’s like she’s got a lot of stuff running through her mind right now. One, she’s in a really unfamiliar place, but two, not really sure why this doesn’t hurt, by the way. She [they] kick each other and don’t hurt each other. So, what I need her to understand right now is that her world is fixing to change. And that today, this day has made it where we’re gonna start over here. How about we go the other direction, huh? Is that gonna be more comfortable? Not sure what, what’s gone on with her that’s made it where this is, this is how she’s wanted to do life. But it’s like somebody gets stuck and enough has happened to where she shouldn’t have a ton of confidence. She’d literally rather take a beating than take a risk. Come on, sweetheart, we gotta move. We’re not gonna be able to learn if we don’t move. Come on. That’s a good girl. Good girl.”

Are we willing to take a risk for Christ, or would we rather take a beating from the devil‽

Pray! Take a risk for the gospel! What have you got to lose compared with what there is to gain? Someone may gain eternal life. When we take risks, it may not turn out “right” in our eyes, but it’s God’s eyes that matter, and what He is capable of doing with what we think did not turn out “right.” If we are not willing to take risks because we want to be comfortable with what we are doing and know the results of our efforts, remember two things. One, no one can accept the good news until they hear the good news – so we must be willing to tell people. And two, just as Jesus said, apart from Him we can do nothing. So, what do we have to lose? Why would we not want to step out in faith after praying‽

“Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 15:26) The term “…risked their lives…” in this context transliterated from the Greek meaning to deliver, hand over, entrust, give up our breath or spirit. “I don’t take many risks in life, but this is a risk worth taking. I’m not trying to stay hidden,” our friend Amber Cook stated, as she proclaims Jesus to the lost. Once there was an elderly man who worked the cash register in a sporting goods store. He only worked part time, while he looked for another job opportunity to come along. Before then, he had worked in the bicycle field until the company that bought them out had no place for him. Our longtime friend, Terry Madison, took a risk and boldly asked the elderly man if he was a praying man. “No,” the man responded. “Would it be all right if I prayed for you?” Terry asked. “Yes.” So, Terry held his hands at the cash register and prayed intensely for this man. On another occasion, Pastor and evangelist, Bruce Schoeman, was at a car repair facility and took a risk when he complimented the man who waited patiently behind him. “I’ve been retired for 11 years. It took me the first five years to calm down!” the man said, opening a wide door for the calming gospel of peace! We need to take the risk or lose the chance. If you want it, go for it. Take a risk. Don’t always play it safe, or you’ll die wondering. Great things never came staying in your comfort zone. Better an oops than a what if. [Paraphrased Credit: Fritz Chery, September 8, 2025, biblereasons.com]

“I’ve been retired for 11 years. It took me the first five years to calm down!”

As we proclaim the gospel of peace, which is of first importance, we don’t have to worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will teach us, give us wisdom and the words to speak. We don’t have to worry about persecution when we proclaim Jesus, knowing it will come. We live in a world of pain, caused by sin. Our pain leads us to Jesus. His pain led Him to the cross, which secured our salvation. Mankind’s wicked sin brought to God’s creation impurity, deformity, and infirmity, yet even in this deplorable state of creation there is hope. Through salvation in Jesus Christ, God delivered us from bondage in man’s depravity. And the Lord will provide through the rough and long suffering of the saints, as we wait patiently because He shall come, will come, though He seems to tarry. For those who are spiritually lost, whose minds have been blinded by Satan, we need to share this living hope in God’s living Word, Jesus Christ. As we step out in faith for gospel opportunities from God, we don’t know how to pray, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans that are beyond words. In a semi-humorous, semi-serious sense, we can see the damage from the stress of worry in most aspects of our life, often regarding our health, our relationships, and we see it even in the financial world with ‘bearish’ Mom-and-Pop investor sentiment, as the Wall Street saying goes, “Bull markets climb a Wall of Worry.”  [Romans 8; 1 Peter 1; Matthew 10; Luke 12; Jeremiah 1; Exodus 4; Isaiah 51; 2 Corinthians 2 and 4; Paraphrased Credit: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary; Brett Eversole, Stansberry Research]

“Bull markets climb a Wall of Worry.”

How often have you prayed, longing for God to use you? How can He use you if you are not willing to take the risk? When people look back on their lives, they regret the things they didn’t do more than the things they did. Take the risk. You won’t regret it.

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

From Temporal to Eternal

September 2025

So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

One of the few constants in this temporary world is that things are constantly changing – that and math (I mean two plus two has equaled four for as long as I can remember). The very temporal nature of our existence is what defines life on this planet. Jobs come and go. Friends move away. Families break up, and the list goes on and on. With all the comings and goings, we must realize although we often don’t think about it, for every hello, there is an inevitable goodbye that is imminent. With all of us having an unknown expiration date, there is the ultimate goodbye, when we leave this life and enter into our eternal existence.

Some desire to leave this life now, before God has called them home. When He allows me to cross their path and speak with them, I pray and try to encourage them. Yet other starving souls whose names are not found written in the book of life, even if they are in fairy tale denial, will one day awaken to shameful, everlasting contempt and condemnation. Leaving is part of life, even if we are just metaphorically leaving one season of life for another—Spring rains transition into Summer and then into Autumn rains. Perhaps we are in a dark season of life—late Autumn, leading up to and awaiting Winter storms—death. Yet for a Christ follower, the Winter of death transitions into unimaginable beauty, new life in God’s eternal presence—saved from hell…and from hopelessness, futility and despair. God’s eternal peace, the only true peace, transcends all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Just as the Apostle Paul left freedom for captivity, yielding great prison epistles to the Churches, conversely, we can leave Satanic imprisonment, and not go back, for freedom in Christ—our hopes, dreams and plans into His hands. [Deuteronomy 11:13-15; Jeremiah 5:24; Hosea 6:1-3; Zechariah 10:1, 12:10-13; Joel 2:23; James 1:27, 5:7; Mark 8:23, 13:33; Ephesians 3:1 and 4:1; Philippians 1:13; 4:7, 22; Colossians 4:3, 18; Paraphrased Excerpt Credits: Ellyn Schwaiger; The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor, June 26, 2020; Paul and First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and Collection, E. Randolph Richards, InterVarsity Press, 2004; Morning and Evening, Charles Spurgeon; My Life, by Guillaume & René Worship; Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary]

Leaving often involves raining tears of pain, especially leaving loved ones—crying out to God as He washes and cleanses our eyes and heart with tears of mourning and sadness, when we are low in spirit. Yet His loyal love restores us in the valley, strength in our sorrow and victory in our trials, even singing in the mourning! As I approach end of life issues, as the time of my leaving nears—my wife and I contemplate leaving our home for a new season of life in facility living. I must ask myself with all honesty, do I totally trust Him in life’s circumstances, as I prepare to leave our Earthly home for God’s Heavenly home? Do I truly trust Him and in His Son’s promised return‽ In whom else can I trust? For no one else creates, sustains, and freely offers life.

One day, we will leave behind everything in this temporal world – our stuff, our friends, and our family. Have you ever seen a hearse towing a U-haul? How absurd! But all too often we hold onto the things of this world, as if we could actually take it with us.

Conversely, tears of great joy may accompany leaving, especially emerging when we disentangle ourselves from irrational exuberance with temporal things and fix our eyes on Jesus for the joy set before us—Joy-filling in Jesus! Hold on to Jesus, never leave Him, because The Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. Hang in there and hold on through this painstaking journey of fleeting feelings and proclaim the sacrifice of praise in Jesus, because there is no need to try and rush God’s plan for us—we’re almost home, per the song chorus excerpt below. [Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5; Hebrews 13:15; Song lyric and paraphrased credit excerpts: In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul, Dottie Rambo; Almost Home, a hymn of perseverance and hope in the journey of faith, by Matt Boswell & Matt Papa; unknown Pastor; Back to God, by Randy Houser and Dallas Davidson; Pastor Chris Piehl; FamiliesAlive, Becky Shultz; Chaikin PowerFeed, Vic Lederman]

Almost home, we're almost home
So, press on toward that blessed shore
Oh, praise the Lord, we're almost home

Even though we know God always answers prayers of a believer, can we trust Him in the indiscernible mystery and uncertainty of life, when we have no answers and may never know this side of heaven?

No Answers?
Know Answers.
Jesus is The Answer!

The sacrificial atonement on the cross of the sweet and secure Jesus is the answer to life. Leave sin, hell and death—broken relationships with God and others, a guilty conscience, meaningless existence without limitations, worry, doubt, deep fear, anxiety, and the problems of the world. When everything we’ve believed and built our lives upon falters, collapses and explodes, leave them behind. Don’t trade what you know for what you don’t know. Sit in silent solitude on the path of prayer, listening to the voice of God, as He helps you grow deeper and closer in Him. We need to reconcile our sin with God’s Salvation, repent of our sin, trust and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth and receive Him as our Savior. Leave, believe and receive. [Paraphrased Credit: Pastor Phil Bremerman; Pastor Lloyd Stilley; gotquestions.org; Pastor Greg Laurie; Pastor Chuck Smith; Morning and Evening, Charles Spurgeon; National Geographic, Mysteries of Space, pg. 21]

Instead of my friend’s tattoo message, “Respect Few,” and “Fear No One,” leave your life in the hands of Jesus as you fear God alone with reverence and respect.

In case you haven’t figured it out, we were not meant for this temporary world, so prepare for the unavoidable change. Seek with open and hungry hearts and find the Savior, the eternal Kingdom of Christ, here, now, and forever more. Our loved ones in Christ will leave us at death, or we will leave them, rising and delivered to everlasting life never to leave God’s presence again—a permanent Change of Address card; more than we could ever ask, expect or imagine, as in this song lyric excerpt below from Lord Feed Your Children, by Bill Gaither.

So long I have hungered
No man could number
The days that I longed to be
In a land filled with honey
Where the rivers are running
Very soon I will taste and I’ll see

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

Blessings in the Valley

August 2025

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7

This month’s post contributed by Kemper Hipple, Father, husband, evangelist, friend, brother in Christ and business owner.

We often pray for mountaintop experiences in our daily life, times when everything is great with our spouse, our kids aren’t misbehaving, and we have plenty of money. In fact, during these times we can take things for granted and might not remember to praise God for all His blessings. The Bible gives many examples of people experiencing the good things of God on the mountains, but it also gives accounts of many valley experiences. The valley can mean that things are not what was hoped for and often times are down right difficult. Similarly, our lives will have peaks and valleys – times when we experience the mountain, but also have those lows and difficult times, which can make us wonder how we can keep on going.

In Scripture, the valley can represent a place of trouble, tears, and division. David tells us in Psalm 23 of his experiences and how God empowered him in a difficult situation, stating “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4) This assures us, as well, that God is with us in the dark, shadow of death valley, and that we do not need to fear while there, because we aren’t stuck in the valley, and we can walk through it with His help. In the valley, just as God did for David, He sets a feast before us, and we are blessed by putting our faith in the Lord, because we can and will have His peace. The valley is a place where we can become more focused on God and less on circumstances. Remember, that while circumstances may not change exactly as we want them, we will ultimately be changed for the better because God is with us, working in us, on us, and through us; and He never changes.

God is with us in the dark, shadow of death valley, and we do not need to fear.

In Zechariah, we are told, “For this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘After the glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—’” (Zechariah 2:8) The apple of the eye is like the pupil of the eye, a delicate and important part of the eye, and it is needed for vision. When any enemy of God tries to touch His people, they are touching God’s own children. Therefore, when things which are not of God come against you or your family, they are coming against God himself. In those times, we can remember, just as Paul found while in prison, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) When in a low place, remember to praise and thank Him because God will continue to supply all your needs. Another valley in Scripture is the Valley of Achor, which means the valley of trouble. In the valley of trouble, God refines us and supplies a doorway of hope. Hope is our fuel for faith because hope is visionary and opens the door. In Hosea we hear, “There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.” (Hosea 2:15) God tells us that when we walk through the valley of trouble, we will find rest, safety, and new strength. In Isaiah, God called, “…the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me.” (Isaiah 65:10) Our hope and faith are renewed as we experience a valley of trouble.

The last valley I’d like to address is called the Palestinian Valley of Baka, meaning the valley of weeping. It is a valley travelers had to go through to get to Jerusalem. The Scripture shows that God can make a place of weeping into a place of refreshing. In Psalm 84, we are told, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:5-7) [In Hebrew, pools (or blessings); Zion (or Jerusalem)] From this example, we learn that we are made stronger and stronger in the valleys of life.

God strengthens us as we pass through our valley of weeping.

My Pastor often says, “You are who God says you are.” This statement reminds the believer that the enemy may tell you that you are a failure, that things will never get better, that your health issues will never be resolved, and your marriage will never work out. As he comes against you and tells you these things, you need to rise up and remind yourself who God says you are because as the Bible states, “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) God’s Holy Word also tells us in Deuteronomy, “The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.” (Deuteronomy 28:13) In the New Testament, we are told by Peter, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Yes, we all want the mountaintop victory without a battle, but when the valleys do come, if we know who we are in God, and who He says we are, and stand on His Word, then we are equipped to do battle using the most powerful weapons needed to combat Satan’s evil, flaming arrows and win! God’s Holy Spirit gives me the strength to share my faith often with people to help them with life’s situations. I’m currently working with an individual dying from cancer. God gives me the words when we meet, and he is asking me many questions about who God is. I gave him a bible and some verses so he can focus on what is relevant to his situation. I trust he will come to know Christ as his Savior, and God’s love for us as Jesus the Son welcomes him into heaven.

God empowers me to share my faith in Christ, that they may know Him.

One situation I’ve always remembered was serving at Vacation Bible School (VBS), portraying a beggar during biblical times. At the start of the week, I met a little girl and explained my situation as someone having to beg for alms and living in the street. During the week we spoke every day, and she accepted Christ as her Savior. At the end of the week, she had set it up with her family to have me live in their basement. In a week she had the love of Christ and was already showing His compassion towards me. Praise God!

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

Small Beginnings, Great Completion

July 2025

“Do not despise the day of small beginnings…”

Zechariah 4:10

This month’s post contributed by Julie Koornneef, Child of God, Wife of one, Mother of six, Grandmother of four and counting, who enjoys learning, creating, fitness and connecting with people—in collaboration with Dawid Melek.

Pondering playground friendships, small beginnings, living unaware and blessed, I focus on, “Do not despise the day of small beginnings…” Zechariah 4:10, which has become a special verse to me over the years. It gives me encouragement. It helps me have purpose, especially when my work or days seem so ordinary or repetitive, undervalued by the world, meager. “Who dares despise the day of small beginnings, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” The Hebrew transliterated definition for small beginnings, (qatan) includes small, little, insignificant, young or least, meaning abbreviated or diminutive. Isn’t it exciting to see how God often works, in the context of this Scripture—the progression from small beginnings of the foundation, to cornerstone, to great capstone completion‽

Small foundational beginnings, to cornerstone, and great capstone completion.

Sometimes we are disappointed when our expectations are not met or desire a different outcome, as in this case of Zerubbabel’s temple. The foundation showed that this new temple was going to be much smaller than Solomon’s original—to the disappointment of those who remembered the former structure. “Many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid…” (Ezra 3:12). The prophet Haggai addressed their disappointment: “‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD… ‘Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2:3-4). Zechariah, too, told the people not to despise “the day of small beginnings,” (Zechariah 4:10) because God had great plans for this new temple. Perhaps this is often true, when and because, we don’t understand God’s divine, sovereign, providential dominion over our lives, especially when we are faced with opposition from surrounding adversaries. Here the work was eventually brought to a standstill by order of King Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:1–24), yet God caused or allowed delay, rebuilding, then glorious completion. Although Zerubbabel’s temple was smaller than Solomon’s had been, God promised a greater glory: “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the LORD Almighty… (Haggai 2:9).

From small beginnings to glorious great completion.

The glory bestowed on Zerubbabel’s temple came centuries later when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the temple courts. Solomon’s temple never received a visit from the Messiah, but Zerubbabel’s did. He labored to reconstruct the Lord’s house of worship, shining like a beacon toward the coming Messiah. While the temple Zerubbabel started rebuilding paled in comparison to the size and grandeur of Solomon’s, it far outlasted it. In fact, Zerubbabel’s temple was still standing 500 years later when the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, graced its courts. The exact fulfilment of Scripture prophecies is a convincing proof of their Divine original. Though the instruments are weak and unlikely, yet God often chooses such, to bring about great things by them. Let not the dawning light be despised; it will shine more and more to the perfect day. Those who despaired of finishing the work, shall rejoice when they see Zerubbabel giving directions of what to do, and taking care that the work be done. It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant regard to Divine Providence, act in dependence on its guidance and submission to its disposals. Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view Him carrying on his work according to his own glorious plan, and daily bringing his spiritual building nearer to completion. [Paraphrased Credit: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary; gotquestions.org]

Sometimes beginnings are the hardest part of the task! Isn’t it particularly difficult when a beginning has to happen over and over in order for one to take, and promote a next step‽ At times the beginnings seem so small, so insignificant. Other times beginnings seem to happen as unseen events. But whichever the way to a fresh start, the Lord knows it. He knows all things. Scripture says He knows the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10) But of course! He IS the beginning and the end. (Revelation 22:13) All things hold together in Him. (Colossians 1:15-17) What a blessing to know and rely on His love. (1 John 4:10)

Have you ever thought about your playground friendships? Whether they are from your childhood days or the park days you facilitated as a caregiver, parent, grandparent? I have. And I no longer discount them.  Amazingly, the first person that God ever enabled and allowed me to lead to know the Lord came from a playground friendship. Apparently, by just watching me as I engaged my children and the surrounding park children, (some were hers) she decided to put her faith in Christ.

God drew her to Him by watching her!

Perhaps the most interesting part of all is that I don’t even remember having such a life-changing conversation with her! She told me later that I was so friendly and nice, spoke of Jesus, and that afterward she made a personal decision to place her trust in the Lord. Wow! I wish I could remember more of that day, that park playtime, those exchanges. Certainly, mine were not always exemplary, yet somehow this one made an impact for eternity. I was simply the one who reaped while others sowed, watered, and tended the soil, while the Holy Spirit made the seed grow in her life! (1 Corinthians 3:6-11) But to be a participant unaware and then made aware months later—Wow! I thank God that He allowed me to be a part of that day! 

We eventually formed a neighborhood Bible study with four or five other couples including our families and studied the Scriptures together for several years. Later, her husband’s job pulled her and their family to another state, but we kept in touch, communicating regularly and have even traveled across the country to visit each other. Interestingly, she later went back to school to be a Christian counselor and continues to practice in that area, serving the Lord on the East coast. What a blessing to be a part of each other’s stories.

Remembering how God used me on an ordinary day, going about my usual routine, all the while unknowingly playing my part in God’s providential plan, inspires me to carry on in faith. It was passing conversations to me during an ordinary day at the neighborhood playground. Yet, such small beginnings mattered, from initiation to completion—God gets all the praise!

I was reminded of these small, yet significant, beginnings when I meditated upon my journal, where I sketched a watercolor of a peacock, looking away, not proud, but with its tail spread open. How does a peacock’s beautiful tail begin? Not something I ever studied before, but in my mind, it starts with small beginnings, living somewhat unaware. Does a peacock know what his tail looks like? The idea that it just uses it as it’s designed—displaying God’s magnificent handiwork, must apply here! May God grant us the grace to reflect His glory as marvelously as the peacock.

How does a peacock’s beautiful tail begin‽
It starts with small beginnings! 

Today, I’m continuing to trust the Lord to make small things add up and multiply them for His glory, to use me one day at a time, to make oceans from rivers! Afterall, in the Lord’s hands, David’s tiny stone made a giant fall, (1 Samuel 17) and five loaves and two fish can feed them all! (Matt 14: 20-31) [Song Excerpt Credit: Dream Small, Josh Wilson, 2018]

A prayer forms on my lips:  

Lord, from an early age You gave me a desire to make my life count. Purpose is paramount. And I learned at an early age that purpose can only truly be found in YOU! Thank you for ordering my steps and teaching me Your truth. Like many before me have learned at Your hand, and like all need to learn and understand in order to know You and Your ways with men, “Only one life, it will soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last.” [Credit Jim Elliott, martyred missionary to Ecuador] “What does it serve a man to gain the whole world yet lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26) There is no greater thing than knowing You, Jesus, exchanging my life for Yours, receiving as a gift, eternal life that You secured by Your death and resurrection for all who place their faith in You. (John 3:16)
“Only one life, it will soon be passed. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
[Martyred missionary, Jim Elliot, far right side]
So as I journey along through life, as days turn to years, my hairs turn grey and my health and stamina shrink as do all mankind's, Lord, help me not forget that playground friendships surround me still, that small beginnings are admirable and desirable, that even living unaware can work wonders as my life is hidden in Yours, that a soul turning in repentance and faith to You is precious in Your sight and should be for me as well. Use me as You will and help me be faithful to the end, living my life on the small or big days for You alone. May Your will be done in and through my life, until and beyond my dying breath. 
In Jesus name.

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek

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