Pastor Rajiv's Mid Week Message

 

Your "Aha" Moment

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1

Have you ever had an aha moment in life?

Of course you have. We all have.

Archimedes had it in a bathtub.

Newton had it under an apple tree.

And Christians—believe it or not—have it again and again.

Today, the 6th of January, marks one of the greatest aha moments in human history.

Twelve days after Christmas, the world outside the Jewish community met Jesus for the very first time. The wise men arrived, knelt, and worshipped. And in that moment, the light of Christ stepped beyond Bethlehem and into the nations.

This is why we call today "Epiphany"—the day the world said, “Oh! This is who He is.”

It was the divine "aha" moment that changed everything.

🌿 Why does Epiphany matter to us today?

Because the story of Epiphany is not just historical.

It is deeply personal.

There are moments in our walk with God when something suddenly clicks.

A truth we’ve heard a hundred times becomes alive.

A Scripture we’ve skimmed for years suddenly breathes.

A burden we’ve carried for too long suddenly lifts.

These are the Aha moments of epiphany—

holy interruptions where God turns on the light inside us.

Epiphany is not merely about understanding; it is about recognition.

It is the moment when the heart catches up to what the mind already knows.

It is when Jesus—who has been walking beside us all along—becomes unmistakably visible.

Your Personal Epiphany

Ms. Francis Taylor describes it beautifully:

“Think back to the moment when you accepted your faith in Christ as your Savior. Perhaps it was a gradual realization that what you have been taught over the years was true. Perhaps it was a particular event of joy or sadness that caused you to welcome Jesus into your heart. This was your epiphany.”

Your epiphany may not have involved a star in the sky or gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But it involved something far greater—

the King of Kings revealing Himself to you.

And the truth is, God doesn’t stop at one epiphany.

He keeps giving them.

He keeps opening our eyes.

He keeps surprising us with light.

Your history is Not Your Destiny.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Think about that.

There is something incredibly powerful about the clean slate of January 1st. It’s a natural moment to exhale the weight of the past year and inhale the possibility of the new one.

But what does ​Scripture say about this?  

​"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." — Isaiah 43:18-19

​​We often treat the phrase "the first day of the rest of your life" as a motivational cliché, but spiritually, it is a profound truth. In God’s economy, His mercies are new every morning. This means that your history—whether it was defined by mountain-top successes or valley-low mistakes—does not have to be your destiny.

When I look at my history, I shudder with fear for the future. But the fact is - that is not my destiny. My destiny is to serve the Lord.

​The "rest of your life" doesn't start when you reach a certain goal, lose the weight, or fix the relationship. It starts the moment you decide that today is the pivot point.

​so, 

Break that Rearview Mirror!

​It is impossible to run forward effectively if you are constantly looking over your shoulder. Dwelling on "what could have been" or "what went wrong" acts like an anchor, keeping you tethered to a version of yourself that no longer exists.

​To embrace this first day, you must give yourself permission to:

• ​Release the Guilt: Forgive yourself for the habits you didn't break last year.

• ​Release the Glory: Don't let yesterday’s trophies make you complacent today.

• ​Accept the Unknown: You don't need to see the whole map to take the first step. There are some who also take a leap of faith - a step into the unknown.

​Living as if today is the first day of your life brings a sense of holy curiosity. When everything is new, you notice the details. You listen more closely. You treat people with more kindness because you aren't carrying the baggage of old grudges. You approach your work with "beginner’s eyes," looking for ways to grow rather than just ways to finish.

​Let's think about this: 

• ​If I truly believed today was a completely fresh start, what is one "weight" I would choose to stop carrying right now?

• ​What is one "new thing" (a habit, a mindset, or a goal) I feel a nudge to begin today?

​At the end, remember - Today comes every day. Not just on the 1st of Jan.

Stepping Into God’s New Mercies

As we step into a new year, we don’t walk in with our strength — we walk in with God’s mercy. The year behind us may hold moments we didn’t expect, prayers still waiting for answers, and chapters we’re still learning to understand. But the year ahead begins with a promise: 

“His mercies are new every morning.”

You don’t need to have everything figured out.

You don’t need a perfect plan.

You don't need new resolutions. 

You just need to take the next step with Jesus.

He goes before you.

He walks beside you.

He carries what you cannot.

May this new year be filled with quiet courage, renewed hope, and the gentle assurance that God is already in your tomorrow.

Happy New Year — grace is going ahead of you.

The Week After Christmas

​The Power of Small

Sometimes the biggest miracles begin in the smallest moments.

📝 Reflection:

The week after Christmas can feel strangely quiet. The lights dim, the celebrations fade, and life returns to its ordinary rhythm. But God often does His greatest work in the ordinary.
Jesus came to us as a baby — small, unnoticed, wrapped in simplicity. Yet through that small beginning, heaven touched earth.
Maybe your life feels small right now. Maybe your prayers feel small. Maybe your strength feels small. But God delights in using the small to reveal the extraordinary.

❓ Think about this: What “small thing” is God asking you to trust Him with this week?

🙏 Prayer: Jesus, thank You for meeting us in the small places. Open our eyes to see Your presence in the ordinary moments of our week. Give us faith to trust that nothing is too small for You to use. Amen

The Star of the Show: Pastor Rajiv's Xmas Message

 

Have a Blessed Christmas

 

The Great Rescue Mission

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..." — Isaiah 9:6

​In the middle-class of the "Christmas rush"—the tangled lights, the final grocery runs, and the mountain of wrapping paper—it is so easy to treat Jesus like a guest we forgot to invite to His own party. We deck the halls and set the table, but sometimes the "Birthday Boy" gets pushed into the corner of our hearts while the festivities take center stage.

​But think about that first Christmas. There was no tinsel, no matching sweaters, and no perfect lighting. There was just a cold stable, a humble manger, and a King who chose to become small so that we could know how big God’s love truly is.

Christmas isn't just a holiday; it’s a rescue mission. God didn't send a program, a policy, or a philosophy to save us—He sent a Person. When we focus on the "Birthday Boy," the pressure of the season starts to melt away. We realize that:

- Peace isn't the absence of a busy schedule; it’s the presence of Christ.

- Joy isn't found in what’s under the tree, but in who hung on the tree for us.

​- Love is a God who stepped out of heaven to be "Immanuel"—God with us.

Today, as you look at the lights and hear the music, take a second to pause. Imagine the manger sitting right in the middle of your living room. Before the food is served and the gifts are opened, give Him the gift He wants most: your attention, your gratitude, and your heart.

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Son. In all the noise of the season, help me to hear the quiet cry of the Baby in the manger. Help me to remember that You are the reason we celebrate, the hope we cling to, and the light that never goes out. May my life be a " Birthday" message to You today. Amen.

The Paradox of Power

Small is Big and Big is small? Sounds strange in this world of the GOATs and BOATs !

Humility often feels soft or passive in our modern world, but its origins tell a different story. It is derived from the Latin word humus, meaning earth or soil. In fact, the word human is etymologically linked to humus, meaning earth or soil! To be humble is to be "grounded"—to have your feet planted firmly on the truth of who you are and who God is.

​In the Kingdom of God, humility isn't just a personality trait; it is the very foundation of faith. Without it, the structure of Christianity collapses.

​Throughout scripture, God bypasses the palaces of power to write His story in the dust of the earth. He chooses the "grounded" to shake the world. Think about it: 

1. The Prince of Peace in a Feeding Trough: Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe, did not enter through a marble archway. He was born into a carpenter’s family and laid in a manger—a stone or wooden box for animal fodder. The King of Kings chose the scent of hay over the scent of incense.

2. The Prophet in the Wilderness: Moses was raised in the pinnacle of Egyptian royalty. Yet, to become the deliverer of Israel, he had to leave the golden halls of Pharaoh to become a penniless wanderer. It was in the dirt of the desert, tending sheep, that he finally became "the humblest man on earth" and was ready to hear God’s voice.

3. The Shepherd on the Throne: David was the youngest son, the one left in the fields while his brothers were considered for kingship. God did not look at his stature or his status; He looked at a heart that was grounded in worship.

The Paradox of Power

​We often spend our lives trying to "rise above" others, seeking higher status and greater recognition. Yet, the Gospel teaches us that the way up is down. When we remain close to the "humus"—when we stay grounded in the realization that we are made of dust and sustained by grace—we become the most fertile soil for God’s miracles. Pride makes us hard and impenetrable like rock; humility makes us soft and ready for the Sower’s seed.

​"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." — James 4:6

​A Daily Mantra for Humility

​Consider carrying this short thought with you throughout the day:

“For dust you are, and to dust you will return.”

This is the line God speaks to Adam after the fall, and it’s the foundation for the connection between humus (earth), humility, and human. Humility isn’t just a virtue — it’s embedded in our identity.

Kofi & The Baboon

While the story of Kofi and the Baboon is a popular West African folktale used to teach children about honesty, greed, and cleverness, it carries a profound spiritual lesson about the "traps" we encounter in life.

In the story, Kofi sets a trap for a baboon by placing a treat inside a narrow-necked jar. The baboon reaches in and grabs the prize, but because his fist is now clenched and full, he cannot pull his hand out. He is caught—not because the jar is holding him, but because he doesn't want to let go. 

Scripture Reflection: The Power of Letting Go

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." — 1 Corinthians 10:13

Like the baboon in the story, we often find ourselves stuck in "tight spots." We might feel trapped by a habit, a grudge, a material desire, or a toxic situation. When we pray for God to deliver us, we sometimes wonder why the "jar" won't break or why the situation won't change.

However, the story of Kofi teaches us a difficult truth: Sometimes the only thing keeping us trapped is our own grip.

The baboon had the "way out" the entire time—all he had to do was open his hand and let go of the bait. In our lives, the "bait" might be the need to be right, the pursuit of money at the cost of our integrity or holding onto past hurts. We want the freedom, but we also want the "treat."

God promises to provide a way out, but that exit often requires us to surrender what we are "white-knuckling". True freedom is found when we realize that what God has for us in the future is far greater than the small "prize" we are currently clinging to. Because if we want to hold onto Jesus, we must let go of the other "desires". 

Today let us reflect: 

* Is there something I am holding onto so tightly that it is actually keeping me stuck?

* Am I asking God to change my circumstances, or am I willing to change what I am prioritizing?

* What would happen if I "opened my hand" in surrender today?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being a God of freedom. Help me to recognize the traps in my life that are fueled by my own desires or fears. Give me the courage to let go of the things that keep me bound, even if they seem valuable in the moment. I trust that Your hands are full of better things for me. Amen.