Lent2026: The Spiritual Marketplace

 

Many of us, when we are plagued with fear, often pray for a solution to our problem, be it health, finances, work etc., and even consult astrologers, mediums and so called spiritual "gurus", for an answer. We think God may need some help.

But there is a story in the Book of Acts 19:13–16 which serves as a dramatic, almost dark-comedy warning about trying to use spiritual power as if it were a magic trick or a business formula. It is known as the seven sons of Sceva. The text identifies Sceva as a "Jewish chief priest." While historical records of a high priest by that name are thin, he was likely part of a high-priestly family or claimed the title to give his sons "professional" credibility in the busy spiritual marketplace of Ephesus.

The seven brothers were itinerant exorcists—essentially "ghost hunters" for hire. Seeing the "extraordinary miracles" Paul was performing (like the ones in verse 12 we just discussed), they decided to upgrade their "incantation" by using Jesus' name as a new magical keyword.

The "Formula" They Used (v. 13): "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims."

When they tried this formula on a man possessed by an evil spirit, the spirit's response was chilling:

"Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"

The possessed man then attacked all seven brothers with such supernatural strength that they fled the house naked and wounded. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Jesus did warn us of false prophets, false beliefs and trusting mediums, talismans etc. The questions is: Why not simply trust God? Is that so difficult? 

Monday Reset: The Manual of Life

 

Today, our Monday Weekly Reset, is focused on the sufficiency of Scripture, in a world moving at the speed of AI, where "answers" are generated in seconds. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of modern life, business, and relationships. We often look to the latest trends, experts, Social media or algorithms to tell us how to navigate our challenges.

However, the greatest "Answer Engine" ever created isn't digital—it’s the Word of God. Whatever your challenges this week, the Bible doesn’t just offer suggestions; it offers the Truth. It is the only source of wisdom that remains unchanged while everything else shifts. When we say "the Bible has the answers," we aren't saying life becomes easy; we are saying life becomes clear. It is THE Manual of Life. 

Here are a few examples 

1. When you feel overwhelmed by your workload:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:3

The Reset: Stop carrying the weight of the "how." Hand the "what" over to Him this morning.

2. When you are facing a difficult decision or uncertainty:

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." — Psalm 119:105

The Reset: You don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. Trust the light you have for today.

3. When you feel inadequate or "behind" in life:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." — 2 Peter 1:3

The Reset: You are already equipped. The "answers" aren't missing; they are waiting to be uncovered in your relationship with Him.

4. When the noise of the world causes anxiety:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." — Romans 12:2

The Reset: If the world's answers are leaving you drained, change your source. Let the Word reset your perspective.

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The 3-Step Reset

• Consult the Manual First: Before you check your email or news feeds this week, check the Word. Let God have the first word of your day.

• Speak the Answer: When a challenge arises on Wednesday or Thursday, don't just complain about the problem. Find a verse that addresses it and speak it out loud. You will find in it the science of data analytics, of complex problem solving, of leadership and so on. 

• Operate in Authority: Walk into your meetings and your home knowing that you aren't guessing. You are operating on a foundation that has stood for thousands of years.

The Bible is not just a historical text, but a living, breathing manual for every modern challenge. The Bible Has THE Answer, No Matter the Challenge

Sabbath Prayer: The Glory of God

(Dear Readers, we bring our Sabbath prayers and requests to you for inclusion of people who need you to pray for them. We have seen the power of prayer working in the lives of a number of these people for whom you have prayed in the past and we earnestly request you all to continue). 

As we go about our daily lives, let us keep our eyes open for moments when the Glory of the Lord shines around us. It may be in a sunset, a kind word from a friend, a healing we may have experienced, fears calmed, or a sudden unexpected sense of peace. And when we feel that radiance, let us remember the good news that the shepherds heard. That God's love and grace are for all people, and through Jesus we can experience the fullness of God's glory.

In Psalm 19:1 (KJV) we read - "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." How much so should we. 

This Psalm reminds us that we can experience God's glory every day simply by looking at the world around us, and consciously experiencing His hand in our lives everyday.

Today, because of His glory in our lives we can confidently pray thus: 

Dear Lord, thank you for mending my broken places and broken body and healing, with your grace. Now help me to be an instrument of your healing by sharing the good news of what you have done, and, are doing, in my life. Help me to never waste my sorrows but invest the riches of my story with those in need.

We thank you for the healing you have provided Samira, Joan and Lisa's daughter who is stable. We thank you for the healing of mind you have provided Jen and we pray for her clinical trials. We also pray for Alison's daughter, for relief from her disease and peace for Lisa and Alison.

We pray for Wendy's job, for Paladin who is struggling to keep up financially and dependent on others. We join Montana as she prays for the souls of the 100-plus Iranian elementary school children who were bombed.

We pray for Randy to be freed from his affliction. for peace for Trishey, for people all over the world suffering the outcome of war.

We look toward India and lift up Your servants. Be with Pastor Ben and his family, covering them with Your protection. We especially pray for the family facing a father’s serious illness. Guard his heart against despair; let him feel the tangible weight of Your grace. Empower his daughter as she cares for him—give her supernatural stamina and a peace that surpasses the gravity of the situation.

Lord, we very specially pray today for peace. The world is in the grip of hatred and war; killing of innocent people. we pray that you empower the leaders with sanity and the intelligence to carve our a peaceful solution as well as look to you for their guidance.

We shoin Jana who is in a serious crisis of faith and  lost hope of anything ever getting better exhausted now. Let us support Jana in our prayers as well.

As we go through this day, may this Sabbath be defined by: Rest that mends the weary.

Peace that silences the storm. Gratitude that births new joy.

Light that makes the next step clear.

Amen.

Please join us every week in our Sabbath Prayer for the week. We request your support in adopting prayer points for people mentioned, in your own prayers this week and become vessels of His healing. 

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Fear of the Unknown: Jen Tan

                                       

Standing in the Promise of His Presence

In the middle of a difficult journey, the world can often feel like it is shifting beneath your feet. On days when the road ahead looks long and the shadows feel deep, there is a singular, unchanging promise you can lean on.

The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV):

"And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

One of the most overwhelming parts of facing dangerous situations is the "unknown." You may be worried about the next step, the next scan, the next treatment, or the next conversation. But this promise reminds us that you are never walking into a "tomorrow" that God hasn't already visited. He is the pioneer of your path, clearing the way and preparing the strength you will need before you even realize you need it.

He Is With You

There is a profound difference between being supported from a distance and being accompanied in the struggle. God does not just watch over you; He walks with you. When you feel helpless or isolated, remember that His presence is your primary source of sustenance. You are abiding in a Vine that never withers.

When dismay—that feeling of being overwhelmed and discouraged—strikes, try to shift your focus: From Fear to Peace: Remember, "Peace" is not the absence of the storm, but the presence of the One who goes before you.

In this regards Jen Tan says -

"Throughout my life before my cancer diagnosis, everything seemed to go smoothly. I often told my friends that I had been lucky since young. When I was first diagnosed, I thought that since I had always been ‘lucky,’ this illness would pass quickly too. But that was not the case. And it was in this very moment that I finally realised God had been faithful all along—He never gave me up. Most of all, in my most difficult moments, He has surrounded me with a peace I have never experienced in my good days"

A Cloudy day does not mean the Sun is extinct. It is still these, waiting behind the clouds. 

Standing Firm in the Shadow: A Devotional for the Hard Days

 

The Strength of Stillness: Abiding

There are days when the weight of a journey—especially one involving weakness or illness or a loss—feels like an impossible burden. When your body feels frail and your spirit feels exhausted, it is easy to feel helpless. However, the Scripture reminds us that even when we feel we cannot move forward, we are sustained by a power greater than our own.

The Principle of the Vine

In the Gospel of John, Jesus provides a beautiful image of our relationship with Him: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

This is the core of Abiding. A branch does not struggle or strive to produce fruit; it simply stays connected to the source. The life-giving nutrients flow naturally from the root to the branch. In the same way, when we choose to "abide," we stop trying to manufacture our own strength and start receiving His. 

Shift the Effort - Be Still. Leave it to God. 

How do we move from a life of striving to a life of abiding? It starts by changing our metrics for peace:

From Doing to Being: On days when your physical & mental strength is low, your connection to God is not measured by your activity, but by your presence. Like Mary of Bethany, simply sitting with Him is enough.

From Noise to Silence: Abiding often happens in the quiet moments—a "God-consciousness" where we are aware of Him even when no words are spoken.

From Anxiety to Trust: Abiding is the act of leaning your full weight on God, trusting that He is the one sustaining you, even when you cannot see the path ahead.

The Natural Harvest: The Fruit of the Spirit

When we abide, the Holy Spirit naturally produces an outward manifestation of Christ’s character in us. We do not have to "work" to find peace; it is the natural harvest of a life connected to the Vine:

Peace: A quiet confidence, not in our strength but in His strength. 

Patience: That confidence will create patience, to wait on His timing and trust in His judgement. 

Joy: Dealing with yourself and others with humility and grace, especially when you feel vulnerable, will produce joy in the moment, an essential ingredient to achieving wellness. 

A Moment of Rest

Today, give yourself permission to stop striving! You do not need to be a great communicator or have boundless energy to be loved by God. You simply have to be His.

Today’s Reflection: Find five minutes everyday to sit in absolute silence. Don't ask for anything; don't list your worries. Simply tell God, "I am here, and I am abiding in You." Let His presence be the nutrient that sustains your soul.

A Victorious Life: Pastor Rajiv

                                       

The Heart of the Battle: Finding Victory in Prayer

To live a truly victorious life, we must recognize a fundamental truth: Prayer is the Christian’s battlefield. Victory is not found in our own effort, but through the strength we receive when we stand firm in the presence of God.

Before we can experience victory, we must be properly equipped. The Apostle Paul urges us to "put on the whole armor of God" to withstand the spiritual challenges we face. We are not fighting against physical opponents, but against "spiritual hosts of wickedness" that require spiritual protection.
The Foundation: Our waists are girded with Truth, and we wear the Breastplate of Righteousness.
The Preparation: Our feet are shod with the Gospel of Peace.
The Defense: We take up the Shield of Faith and wear the Helmet of Salvation.
The Offense: We hold the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The Strategy for Victory
Once equipped, we enter the battlefield through prayer. Real victory is achieved by following the "Four Alls" of spiritual warfare found in Ephesians 6:18:
Comprehensive Prayer (All Prayer): Use every element of prayer—confession, thanksgiving, praise, intercession, and petition. To pray with "all prayer" is to bring every part of your heart before the Lord.
Continuous Prayer (At All Times): Victorious living means staying in constant, unbroken communion with God. This is a "God-consciousness" where your entire life becomes a continual conversation with Him.
Courageous Prayer (With All Perseverance): Do not give up when the battle feels long. We are called to pray with boldness and courage, knowing we are backed by the power of God.
Collective Prayer (For All the Saints): We do not fight alone. Victory involves praying for others, even those who may have wronged us, which frees our own hearts from bitterness.
The Evidence of Victory
A victorious life is marked by the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). These virtues—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the metrics of our spiritual progress, as we saw yesterday. When we abide in Christ, these qualities are produced by the Holy Spirit within us, allowing us to lead by example and draw others to God's light.
Today’s Reflection: Are you entering your daily battles fully armored? 

Choose today to live "A Victorious Life" by staying constant in prayer and bold in your faith.