This Week With Jesus

  Salvation is not a singular event, so we shouldn't treat it as such. It is an ongoing process that began at the cross and continues throughout our earthly lives, involving faith, repentance, and transformation. Lent plays an important role along the way. Phil Ashey, pastor of South Riding Church in Virginia, observed, "Our culture is so focused on an event rather than a process. Even as evangelicals, I think we've been trapped by the idea that salvation is a one-time event, like a sale that we've got to close. But often, it's a process in which people ask questions again and again and approach God repeatedly to consider faith. I see Lent as a door—an entryway—for people to connect or reconnect with Jesus." Engaging in this process means approaching God, understanding His will and power, and reflecting on our faith in Him. Lent offers a unique opportunity to dedicate time toward this reflection. Over these 40 days, we examine our lives, confront our baggage a...

Moses' first speech in Deuteronomy is a profound historical review that serves to remind the Israelites and us, of their/our past, instruct them in the present, and prepare them for the future. The speech is found in Deuteronomy 1:1–4:43 and is a foundational text for understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel and, today, between God and us. Through this speech, Moses calls the Israelis to remember God's faithfulness, learn from their history, and commit to a life of obedience and trust in the Lord as they stand on the brink of the Promised Land. This speech is as relevant today as it was then; we too have travelled the Christian's road and many of us stand ready to be prepared for the future. Our memories of "good" are short but we seldom forget the "bad" - and which necessitates a hard look at the past so that we do not forget God's infinite blessings and so that we can be strong and confident of the future. "As Moses is gi...

                                                                   Since we are talking about Covid days this week, and you think Covid turned our lives upside down, well, think of this scenario: A strange person appears before you, someone whom you have never seen before, stands before you in your room, and starts talking to you about your future - pretty freaky!! isn’t it? Today I want us to wind back 2025 years and look at the life of a 16 year old Jewish teenager in Israel. This teenager had her life turned completely upside down by the visit of a stranger, in circumstances similar to what we mentioned. We are first introduced to her by name in Matthew’s gospel but we are told of her by Isaiah in his prophecy ‘ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and s...

The COVID times were extraordinary. Today it is five years, or half a decade, that it was declared a Pandemic.  As of April 2024, the virus had infected over 704 million people worldwide, and the  number of deaths  had reached almost 7.5 million. During the peak, o ne saw relatives, friends & neighbors drop like flies. Tragedy was all around us.  My family and I had been stuck in two different countries, 6000 miles apart, away from our home and each other. Yet were brought together, under His shadow against mighty odds and impossibilities. While thousands, nay millions, fell at the sides, we were kept safe in a safe country, in the safe home of a Pastor and his family. COVID was all around us, yet did not come near us. Our daughter in India too remained safe as we tried to come back and she tried to get back to us.  Over those three years, as our savings disappeared, business dwindled and stopped, we never went hungry or in want. Everything was provided fo...

The chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer.    R. A. Torrey Too many Christians live their Christian lives inside their heads; it never gets out through hands and feet and lips. - Vance Havner God gives us people to love and things to use, not things to love and people to use. - Max Lucado There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God - Brother Lawrence Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength. - Dwight L. Moody The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.' - Billy Graham Creative words generate energy; negative words drain out energy. - Robert H. Schuller It is not the bee's touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates mo...

Matthew 17: Verses 1-9 About eight days after Jesus had made certain statements (likely referring to his impending suffering and death), he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.  As Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. The three of them were looking at God! One wonders how and when and if we too will see God or encounter God in our earthly life. Ms. Francis Taylor answers this question in a simple and beautiful way, and we reproduce it here: "When I asked myself that question (if I will see God), I came up with so many answers they were too long to list! However, I will name a few: looking into the faces of my newborn children and grandchildren, watching the waves break on a stormy day, standing in Denali, looking up at Mt. McKinley, a crocus peeking out of the snow, seeing the sunrise and/or sunset over the ocean, seeing the look of love in the eyes of a spouse or a ch...