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President: Evg. Jacob Vilgi Oommen
Associate Editor: Gideon Pingkihan
Content Editor: Effie Ochago
Design: EGM Media
Christ: Our Salvation
Dr. Gladys Childs,
06 11 16
Ndubuisi Okafor
Brandi Beck Smith
MEET OUR WRITERS
Ndubuisi Okafor is a Christian writer and blogger at www.paulkristie.com who writes about Christ and Christian lifestyle. He is passionate about teaching young people and nurturing them in the way of Jesus Christ. He believes that a fulfilling and rewarding life can only be lived when one finds his/her purpose in God and lives by that purpose. Ndubuisi lives in Nigeria with his beautiful wife Christy.
Dr. Gladys Childs,
Dr. Gladys Childs, the 'Truth Doctor,' meets people at the crossroads of faith and life’s challenges, offering clarity, hope, and practical wisdom. As a Religion professor, pastor’s wife, author, speaker, and mom, she empowers individuals to navigate life’s toughest moments with unwavering truth and faith. Learn more at gladyschilds.com. Follow on Instagram or Facebook.
Brandi Beck Smith (www.brandibecksmith.com) is a published author of numerous books & bible studies. She teaches part time at Chess Academy. Brandi is a Pastor’s wife & mother of four sons. She has served in ministry for over twenty years. She enjoys watching her son’s play basketball & reading & writing of course.
Ndubuisi Okafor
Brandi Beck Smith
EDITORIAL
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
It’s a new season and a new beginning once again as we enter this year 2025. It’s been a rough start for some, but I believe that through the grace of God, we’ll be able to conquer whatever the circumstances are coming.
As we open the pages of our very first issue for 2025, we are reminded of one truth that ascends time, place, and culture; the centrality of Jesus Christ. As we journey together this new year, let us reflect on His highlights in the Bible and how they continue to resonate in our daily lives.
Jesus Christ stands as the central figure of Christianity. His life, teachings, and actions have profoundly influenced billions around the world, shaping the moral frameworks and spiritual beliefs across cultures and generations.
From the humble manger in Bethlehem to the victorious cross at Calvary, Jesus’ life is a testament to God’s immeasurable love for humanity. In the Gospels, we meet Him as Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), walking among us, teaching, healing, and performing miracles. He fed the hungry, comforted the weary, and forgave the sinner – showing us what grace and compassion truly mean.
Yet, it was on the cross where Jesus made His ultimate mark. Through His sacrifice, He bore the weight of our sins, offering us salvation and eternal life. As He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He completed the work of redemption on the third day and became the cornerstone of our faith, a powerful reminder that death has no victory over those who belong to Him.
Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new year, Jesus remains as relevant as ever. His words echo in our hearts as we navigate the uncertainties of life. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Whether we are facing challenges in the perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
This 2025, let us carry the spirit and teachings of Jesus Christ. Let us remember that His story is not just one of the past but one that lives in us today. Together, may we live out His love, walk in His truth, and hold firm to the hope of His promises. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)
Enjoy reading! To God be all the glory.
In His Service, Gideon Pingkihan Associate Editor EGM Times
Jesus Christ: Our Salvation
-Ndubuisi Okafor
Salvation is the deliverance from sin and its consequences, including death and separation from God, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is received by accepting His grace and placing faith in Him. Salvation signifies being forgiven, restored to a right relationship with God, and granted the gift of eternal life in heaven.
“HE LIVED FOR THIRTY-THREE AND HALF YEARS ON EARTH WITHOUT ANY RECORD OF SIN AND WENT TO THE CROSS TO DIE FOR OUR SINS. HE PAID THE PRICE SO THAT WE CAN LIVE A LIFE FREE FROM SIN.”
Never be confused by myriads of religions that appear to call on the name of God; they bow down and worship a certain god, but it is all an illusion. Jesus Christ made it clear in John 14 verse 6: "Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". He is the way, the only way! Nobody has access to the Father without Jesus Christ. He is the way of Salvation, the truth about Salvation, and the life that brings Salvation. Since the beginning of time, no one has ever laid down their life as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the entire world; only Jesus Christ did. Scripture reveals that the only pathway to Salvation is through the shedding of blood, for without it, there is no forgiveness of sins. No religious leader or figure has ever shed their own blood for the forgiveness of their followers' sins. Even if they had, it would not have been acceptable, as they, too, inherited the sinful nature passed down from Adam. Jesus Christ's birth was supernatural and miraculous; He was not conceived of a sinful man who has been corrupted by sin; rather, he was birthed by the Holy Ghost. This made him qualified to be our Savior. Also, he lived a sinless, blameless, and spotless life, a life that was free from allegation and suspicion of sin. He declared that the God of this world comes to him and finds nothing implicating him. He lived for thirty-three and half years on earth without any record of sin and went to the cross to die for our sins. He paid the price so that we can live a life free from sin. If you accept the Lord Jesus Christ, he will give you the power to overcome all forms of sin.
Many people are of the erroneous belief that different religions are pathways to getting Salvation and encountering God; the following scriptures provide an insight into Jesus Christ being the only Savior and the means to obtain Salvation:
Matthew 1 Verse 21: "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Before Jesus was born, his assignment was clear; there was no iota of doubt about the purpose of his coming; he came to save the world, and he is the author of eternal Salvation. His name is synonymous with Salvation.
John 1 Verse 29: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world". John, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, was also convinced about the mission of Jesus. He came to take away the sins of the world. It did not matter how big, how chronic, how long, or how habitual the sin was; he came to take away the sin of the world. He came to offer us eternal Salvation.
Luke 19 Verse 10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Jesus Christ reiterated again why he came to the world. It was obvious he was not on earth to party, to be crowned king on earth, to make a name for himself; no, he came to seek those who have strayed away, who are lost in sin and trespasses, those who are battling depression, hard drugs, immoral life, living in lies and delusion, so that he can offer them Salvation. He's still searching today on every corner of the streets, in our homes, at the offices. Jesus is still searching for the lost, not to condemn them but to save them.
Matthew 11 Verse 28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Here, Jesus is calling all, small, great, young, old, male and female, who are under the burden of their own sin, those whose philosophies and psychologies have failed to deliver from their yoke of sin. He is calling those whose resolution and personal confessions have failed. He is calling all, no matter how far they have traveled in sin, no matter how deep they have sunk in sin. Jesus is the Savior. He is the author and finisher of eternal Salvation.
In conclusion, let me remind you that no religion, personality, or character has ever promised anyone salvation. Jesus Christ did not only promise to save you, but he also died to save you. Jesus is not an illusion or an imaginary being; He is so real that once you accept his Salvation, he instantly gives you peace, and you'll begin to feel him lead you and speak to you through prayers and meditation on his words.
Jesus has the power to save you and to keep you safe. He will not save and abandon; he will save and keep you to the end.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
JOURNEY OF JESUS CHRIST
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Isaiah 9:6
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.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 28:6
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Acts 1:10-11
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
The Emotional Humanity of Jesus: When God Wept
Dr. Gladys Childs
In the Gospel of John, we encounter a moment of intense humanity when Jesus stands before the tomb of Lazarus and weeps—God, in His full humanity, weeping with those He loves. "Jesus wept." These two simple words reveal depths we often overlook. This brief verse (John 11:35, ESV) is more than just a quick reference to Jesus' sorrow; it serves as a window into the heart of God, offering a fresh and powerful understanding of His compassion and deep connection to our suffering.
At first glance, it might seem that Jesus' tears are merely an expression of sadness at the death of a friend. But His weeping is far more than a display of sympathy; it's a sacred moment in which the Son of God fully enters the human condition. In these tears, we see Jesus' deep empathy and divine compassion, which move toward healing and resurrection.
The Humanity of Jesus
To understand the weight of this moment, we must grasp the reality of Jesus' humanity. Jesus wasn't an aloof deity who floated above human emotions—He was, and is, fully human. His life marked real experiences of joy, sorrow, and pain, and He lived in the same world as us, sharing the struggles and losses of those around Him.
What's extraordinary about Jesus' emotional response here is that He isn't just an observer of grief; He becomes part of it. He is moved in His heart when He sees Mary and the others mourning Lazarus. The Bible doesn't simply say He sympathized with them; it says He was "deeply moved" (John 11:33) and "greatly troubled" (John 11:38). These words indicate an intense emotional reaction—Jesus wasn't standing apart from their pain, He was feeling it with them. In this moment, we see the fullness of God's humanity as Jesus experiences the raw grief that comes with death and loss.
The Tears of God
But here's where it becomes even more remarkable: Jesus' tears are not merely a man's but God's. The very God who created the world, who spoke life into being, is standing at a grave, weeping. His tears reveal something beautiful about God's character: He is not distant or indifferent to our suffering. He enters it, feeling its weight deeply.
These tears show us that God's compassion is not a detached feeling but a visceral, active response to the world's pain. Jesus' weeping reveals the heart of God—One who is deeply moved by the suffering of His creation, not an isolated moment of sadness. He is not above or beyond our grief but is intimately present in it, sharing in the sorrow of those He loves. In this moment, we see God is not a distant observer but a God who suffers with His people.
The Compassion of Jesus
Jesus' tears also illuminate the depth of God's compassion. In the biblical sense, compassion is not simply a feeling of pity; it is a powerful, active force that moves God to act on behalf of those who suffer. The word for compassion in Scripture often conveys a gut-level, emotional response—a deep, inward heart movement.
In this scene, Jesus reveals His compassion not just through His weeping but through His subsequent actions. His tears are not a sign of helplessness but a powerful expression of the love driving God to restore, renew, and redeem. Just as Jesus weeps for Lazarus, He moves toward resurrection and life. His compassion is not passive; it is transformative.
A Powerful Invitation
In this moment at Lazarus' tomb, we are invited to reflect on the nature of God's emotional engagement with us. How often do we think of God as distant from our pain or as one who is too holy to care about our sorrow? Jesus' tears challenge this misconception, offering a vision of a God who is deeply involved in the struggles of our lives. God does not abandon us when we experience grief, loss, or suffering. Instead, He invites us to see Him as one who weeps with us, enters our pain, and promises to bring healing and restoration.
Moreover, these tears remind us God's compassion is not merely about feeling sorry for us—it is compassion that acts. Jesus' tears lead directly to the resurrection of Lazarus. In the same way, God's mercy for us moves toward transformation when we face the "deaths" in our lives—whether in relationships, dreams, or hopes—God's tears remind us He is not just present with us, but He is moving toward life and renewal.
“HIS
TEARS ARE NOT A SIGN OF HELPLESSNESS BUT A POWERFUL EXPRESSION OF THE LOVE DRIVING GOD TO RESTORE, RENEW, AND REDEEM. JUST AS JESUS WEEPS FOR LAZARUS, HE MOVES TOWARD RESURRECTION AND LIFE. HIS COMPASSION IS NOT PASSIVE; IT IS TRANSFORMATIVE.”
The
Weeping God Who Acts
The weeping of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus is a decisive moment of theological significance. In these two simple words, "Jesus wept," we see the intersection of God's full humanity and His divinity. Jesus does not merely observe our suffering from a distance; He enters it, feeling its weight and grieving alongside us. Yet His tears are not just expressions of sorrow; they are the first indication of the resurrection and restoration He brings.
Ultimately, God's tears are not signs of weakness—they manifest strength and compassion, a strength moving toward resurrection and healing. When God weeps, it is not an acknowledgment of defeat but a promise of transformation. Just as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He promises to raise the brokenness in our lives, bringing healing and hope where there once was death.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
-JOHN 3:16
IS JESUS
THE ONLY WAY ?
-Brandi Beck Smith
Irecently listened to a podcast, and the mega influencer who was being interviewed said that she believes there are many different paths people can take to get to faith. A red flag went up in my mind because I knew that was not true. The Bible teaches that there is only one path, one way to heaven, and that is through Jesus.
You may be thinking, “Say what? Only ONE way?” People are encouraged to “Live your truth,” “You do you,” and “Whatever makes you happy!”. All the while, the Bible says,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
I grew up in a church that taught us the Roman’s Road to salvation and how to use scripture to lead people to Christ. If we don’t use the Bible, God’s Word, as our foundation for truth, then we have nothing to stand on.
John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
Jesus is the Word, the truth, and life. Hell is separation from Him. The Bible says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
Eternal life is knowing Jesus. Remember, He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
My husband is a Pastor of a church in a small town and God is really moving. We have seen about 115 people get saved the past 20 months. I am one of the altar workers at church and I get the privilege of talking and praying with the people who raise their hand or come forward wanting to get saved.
When the gospel is preached, it goes to work. People need to hear it to receive it. You cannot make anyone get saved. The gospel must be shared, then if the Holy Spirit convicts the heart, they can choose to accept Christ.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).
The Bible says, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
(Romans 10:14)
I heard a man say that Billy Graham, the famous gospel preacher, always had the same message- the gospel. It never changes. The Bible never changes. The sinner still needs to be saved. Heaven is still real, and hell is still hot.
God is still calling young men to be preachers. But you don’t have to be a preacher to share the gospel. The woman at the well had a personal encounter with Jesus, and she went and told her town about Him and what He did for her.
When a person raises their hand during the altar call at church, I ask them, “Are you coming forward because you want to be saved?”
I open my rebound red leather Bible, unwrapping the red cord that hangs down from it, and I turn to the book of Romans.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
I explain that we ALL have sinned. I point to myself and say that I have sinned right along with them. We have all fallen short.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)
Then I explain that wages means a payment. Instead of a death in hell, Jesus offers us a free gift of eternal life in heaven with Him.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
That verse explains it plain and simple. Sometimes we overcomplicate the gospel message. There are no hoops to jump through.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
I show them these scriptures (also known as the Romans Road) by pointing to them in my Bible. I read them aloud to the person wanting to get saved.
“Do you want to get saved now?” They grin and nod yes.
We pray together. They smile big as a tear runs down their face.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation comes from Jesus Christ alone. Jesus is the only way to salvation. It is not our works that save us. It is not our baptism that saves us. It is not our heritage or traditions that save us.
“Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
(Hymn by Robert Lowry)
“IF WE DON’T USE THE BIBLE, GOD’S WORD, AS OUR FOUNDATION FOR TRUTH, THEN WE HAVE NOTHING TO STAND ON.”
HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU ?
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Jim Elliot (1927-1956) was a passionate evangelist, devoted husband and father, and martyred Christian missionary. His life and legacy are an exemplary testament to the world of the absolute worthiness of Christ, and the costly call of the Christian to follow Jesus. The defining pursuit of his life was to intimately know God, to tell others of Him, and to obey His every call.
IMPACT
Partners in ministry following the call of the Lord, Jim and Elisabeth traveled into the Ecuadorian jungle. On January 8, 1956, while attempting to make contact with the people of the Auca/Waodani tribe, Jim and four other missionaries were speared to death; slain by those they came to minister to. Elliot’s most famous words were written in a journal on October 28, 1949. They represent the great paradigm of the Christian faith and the hope of the Gospel:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
His life’s work and legacy would continue as Elisabeth later moved into the Auca/Waodani village with their young daughter to live among those who had killed him.
Shortly thereafter, Elisabeth Elliot (Jim Elliot's wife) and Rachel Saint (Nate Saint's sister - Nate Saint is one of the missionaries who got killed with Jim Elliot.) returned to Ecuador and soon returned to the Waodani tribe to live among them. Elisabeth also took her young daughter. Over time, these ladies were successful in bringing the gospel to the Waodani people. Many came to the saving faith in Christ, and now they walk the trail of Jesus by following his "markings" (The Bible).
WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM SAYING YES TO THE CALL OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE? SAY YES TO THE CALL OF GOD BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
HARD TRUTH
HHYPER & THEOLOGY DELIVERANCE
-EGM Times Editorial Team
yper-deliverance is no longer strange in this generation; many talk against it and for it. But "hyper-theology" is often overlooked. In this edition, through our new column, "Hard Truth," we wanted to address this growing problem among Christians, especially among Western Christians.
What is Hyper-Deliverance?
Hyper-deliverance emphasizes on spiritual warfare, finding and casting out demons in every aspect of a person's life, resulting in fear and religious bondage. In simple words, hyper-deliverance always tries to propagate and convince the people that Christian life is all about being prosperous, so if you face any challenges in life, you need deliverance, giving very little importance to genuinely understanding the word of God and challenging the people to be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ. In this modern world, many believe and practice hyper-deliverance on a whole new level, which is unbiblical.
What is Hyper-Theology?
Hyper-theology takes the opposite approach. It focuses too much on understanding faith intellectually, often neglecting how it should be applied in daily life or within the community. It's all about propagating and convincing the people that being a disciple of Jesus Christ is all about reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, understanding each book in Greek and Hebrew, filling your memory with all the hardcore theological knowledge, and giving very little importance in the power of God to deliverance, signs, and wonders. Often, it even provides less priority for the Holy Spirit to move among people. While theology is vital for sound teaching, this extreme focus can lead to pride and division.
Hyper-deliverance and hyper-theology are both at extreme ends, which is not Biblical. You cannot be all about deliverance without sound theological doctrine, and you cannot be all about being satisfied with core theological knowledge without believing in the power of God to bring deliverance, signs, and wonders.
Just because hyper-deliverance is wrong doesn't mean deliverance is wrong. As the children of God, we do have authority over demons, but it's not under our name but in the name of Jesus Christ. So, we must practice the authority and power God has made available to us in the name of Jesus Christ by understanding God's word authentically. One hard truth is when many try to prove hyper-deliverance is wrong, knowingly or unknowingly, they sound like deliverance is also wrong; miracles and the work of the Holy Spirit are not for today's Christians, which is absolutely wrong.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus performed miracles, even supernatural ones. But he also shared the pure Gospel that leads people to eternal life.
The Bible says in Luke 10:17-20
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name. "He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Here, when the seventy-two came back to Jesus after a successful service, with great excitement, saying Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name, first of all, they didn't take credit for what had happened in their ministry but gave to Jesus alone, and Jesus said "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." That means don't dwell and rejoice over the submission of demonic spirits in your ministry, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven, and you can never do that without being rooted in the word of God.
As Christians, we must take a balanced approach to it. The right approach is to have sound theological doctrine and knowledge with the help of the Holy Spirit and believe and practice the authority God has given us for deliverance.
Embracing hyper deliverance without truly understanding God's Word leaves you vulnerable in the face of challenges. Likewise, pursuing hyper theology solely through intellectual comprehension, without actively exercising your authority in Christ, will not equip you for spiritual warfare. To become an authentic and fruitful disciple of Jesus Christ, you must know the word of God and how to apply it in your life.
The prevalence of hyper-deliverance practices can lead believers to view their struggles primarily through a lens of spiritual warfare. This distracts from the transformative power of Christ's grace and creates a culture of fear rather than one of hope and healing.
True deliverance emphasizes trusting in the power of God to deliver us from spiritual warfare and the devil's plans. Moreover, we, as Christians, should maintain a balanced view of spiritual warfare. While recognizing that demonic influence exists, they do not possess the same power as God.
Churches must emphasize holistic Bible teaching that encourages theological doctrine and practical application. Believers should learn that Scripture supports deliverance but also teaches personal growth, accountability, and living in God's peace.
We should avoid making spiritual practices overly dramatic or sermons too complicated. Instead, ministers should encourage meaningful, Spirit-led messages that bring people closer to Jesus Christ, making them disciples with a strong Biblical foundation by practicing them daily, instead of using pulpits as a platform to show your Biblical knowledge.
The ministry of Jesus balanced deliverance, teaching, and compassion. By following His example, the Church can promote a faith that delivers people from fear, teaches sound truth, and equips them for real-life challenges. We must stay grounded in the Word of God and God's sure humility and always remember that the ultimate goal of faith is to glorify God and love others. Hypertheology overemphasizes the word and leaves no room for God's manifest presence.
In the book of Acts, we see the Apostles ministering the word and the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the blueprint for the Church today. When the word is taught correctly with Jesus at the center, the manifest presence of God will become real, and we shall experience miracles. This is because the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus.
John 16:14 says He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
“JUST BECAUSE HYPER-DELIVERANCE IS WRONG DOESN'T MEAN DELIVERANCE IS WRONG.”
Therefore, we can avoid hyper theology by encouraging the use of spiritual gifts during fellowships, encouraging God's people to get filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and allotting more time for worship during services to allow believers to soak in God's presence, as God inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalms 22:3)
To become an authentic disciple of Jesus Christ, you must avoid hyper-deliverance and hyper-theology. Be rooted in the word of God through prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit. Practice the authority you have in Jesus Christ to experience deliverance and lead a fruitful life.
WHAT HAVE YOU SET BEFORE YOU?
Life presents us all with mountains and valleys, and some seasons can be particularly challenging. As we navigate these difficult times, we tend to worry, complain, and often lose hope.
However, in Psalm 16, David presents a way we can stay grounded irrespective of what we are navigating. He says, “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” David is saying there is a relationship between focusing on God and experiencing His presence, which eventually results in us being grounded.
Looking at this verse closely, we realize that it is a matter of intentionality—deliberately focusing on God continually. It means actively bringing to mind who God is and how great He is. In biblical terms, it means meditating on the goodness and greatness of God. However, when numerous life realities, which are so real, fight for our attention and mind space, it requires God’s grace and conscious effort on our part to bring our attention back to God. This is all the more difficult in hard seasons when challenges seem to engulf us, and all we hear from circumstances and people around us are voices of fear.
The writer of Hebrews also seems to echo the same message: “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
Thinking about God’s past record of faithfulness and greatness somehow brings His presence closer to us in a special way. David says, “Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” You see, we become shaken when we are not aware of God’s presence with us. Where our focus is determines how we feel and respond. Setting our focus on God helps us navigate our day-to-day with a revelation of God’s presence. And in Hebrews, it says fixing our eyes on Jesus will stop us from becoming “weary and losing heart.” But we have to remember it is an active process and it is a continual process.
God has given us the choice and power to deliberately fix our attention on Him, dear friend. This translates as courage, faith, and hope to face our day. So what have you set before you?
Daya Raja, Bangalore
Daya thinks it’s absolutely cool to be known by Jesus. She deeply appreciates nature, art and silence. Her dream is to fall in love with Jesus and humanity every day. Daya can be reached at dayaraja95@gmail.com
JOHN 14:6
JESUS SAID TO HIM, I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.
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Dear friend,
Thank you for engaging with this edition. We hope it inspired you to deepen your understanding of Jesus Christ!
If you're reading this and haven't yet felt the incredible love and strength that God offers, I invite you to open your heart to Him. His love, which is beautifully embodied in the salvation found through Jesus Christ, is a gift that can transform your life in profound ways. God cares deeply for you and has wonderful plans designed just for you. He longs to welcome you into His family with open arms, offering hope and eternal life.
We invite you to rededicate your life to God if you have been born again but have drifted from His call. Say this prayer and accept Jesus as your Savior: "Lord Jesus, I come before you today, acknowledging that I am a sinner, and my sins have separated me from you. Today, we believe that you are the Son of God and that you had me in mind when you were crucified and died. I believe that you are resurrected and seated at the right hand of the Father. I accept you today as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for paying the price for my eternal redemption. I am now the righteousness of God in Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Spirit. Amen."
Congratulations on surrendering or rededicating your life to God. You are now a new creation in Christ! We encourage you to connect with a family of believers (church) in your area, and we pray that you grow in your faith through the study of His word by the grace of God.
