Christianity is built on faith in Christ. It is the foundation of our relationship with God, in whom we overcome (see 1 John 5:4). More than a mere hopeful feeling, it is the confident trust in God’s promises for the believer grounded in His Word (see Hebrews 11:1). While hope looks at uncertain outcomes and affirmations centering on the self, faith is spirit-led and rooted in the unshakable foundation of Scripture. True faith is personal, tailored by God’s Rhema—His spoken Word for specific seasons—making it essential for navigating life with certainty and divine purpose.

Faith is the cornerstone of a life that pleases God, requiring trust in His promises even when outcomes are unseen (see Hebrews 11:6). A person of faith is characterized by an intimate fellowship with God’s Word, devoting time to the study of Scripture (see Romans 10:17). From this is born a heart rich in joy rooted in the knowledge of God’s promises and consistently offering praise as an expression of gratitude and reverence. True faith is demonstrated through action, as deeds align with beliefs (James 2:14-20). Additionally, a person of faith speaks God’s Word over their reality, declaring His truth with confidence and ensuring their words align with their heart’s trust in Him.

The faith that pleases God is practical, serving as an anchor through life’s challenges when we consider God’s perfect plans for us. Scripture provides specific responses to difficult situations: in hurt, we find comfort (Psalms 34:18); in lack, provision (Psalms 23:1); in fear, strength (Isaiah 41:3); in sickness, healing (Isaiah 53:5); and in spiritual attacks, protection
(Psalms 91:1-7). To practice faith is to speak God’s Word over these circumstances to override negative realities, allowing faith-filled declarations to shape outcomes (see Ezekiel 37:4-10). By aligning our speech with Scripture, we activate God’s power and direction in every season of life.

Our Faith is prone to grow through hearing, meditating, and acting upon God’s Word (James 1:22). It rises from glory to glory as we continually align our thoughts and declarations with Scripture, allowing God’s truth to shape our realities. Faith in action means the specific Word of God tailored for our circumstances, just like Apostle Peter, who obeyed Jesus’ instruction and experienced abundance (Luke 5:5–6). Obedience is the bridge between Faith and fulfillment. Our lives can only experience transformation when our faith is exercised in obedience to the word of God, to His instruction for us. Once we have adopted the faithful lifestyle, we will speak God’s Word, not merely from the emptiness of the word of men.

This week we dive into the topic “Walk by Faith and Overcome Depression.” The causes of depression differ from person to person. Depression spares no one; it may happen to anyone, often as a result of loss, threat, or being a slave to unmet personal expectations. Nowadays, social media adds to the weight of others’ expectations, contributing to depression. This raises a feeling of loneliness, leaving someone to their own thoughts and fostering bitterness towards themselves, others, and God. The truth is that God is aware of our situations and the battle in our minds. He understands and loves us even more amid our negative emotions.

God is still intentional about using us for mighty things, even in our depression. In James 5:17, Elijah, the God-fearing and powerful prophet, is said to share our nature: he experienced depression. However, he was powerfully used by God . By causing a drought, he challenged Baal, the god of rain, an idol of the Israelites (see 1 Kings 17:1). He did so despite everyone turning against him, aware of the presence of God with him. As in 1 Kings 17:1, “The Lord before whom I stand” is a posture we must adopt in the face of threatening situations.

The challenges that crush us, sometimes to the point of depression, may arise from bodly going to places God has sent us to. Do we blame God? Of course not! He does warn us that troubles await those who take a stance to follow Him. We ought not to question the leadership of God just because things do not work out like we want them to. Just as God’s people in the wilderness, the devil may cause us to doubt our deliverance in the foreign land of “depression”. Bombarding us with thoughts of condemnation, he keeps us in the cycle of guilt and hopelessness.

In the pilgrimage of sadness and low spirit, God still cares for us as He did for His servant Elijah the Tishbite (see 1 Kings: 7-11). Feeding him with food that strengthens and comforts, He will give you hope. Help will come! He will go as far as making you a blessing for the very people He sends to help you, just as Elijah brought provision and life to the widow and the son that gave him a roof. God does not want us alone to be blessed, but He rejoices in us being a blessing to others as well. He is a God of balance.

Prioritizing the well-being of others and the Will of God for His people over our present situation in prayer forfeits the cycle of sadness and the weight of impossibilities. This godly burden for others leads us out of our hopelessness if we are willing to follow God’s lead. In leaning on the Grace God has shown us, we can remind others of the power of the Cross which takes on the judgement we deserve. We see this illustrated in 1 Kings 18 wherein Elijah prayed, giving glory to God and the fire of God’s judgement fell on the bulls instead of the Israelites, Ahab, Jezebel and the followers of Baal who deserved it.

In conclusion, God knows exactly what you are going through. He knows the secret struggle, the depression, the worry. He even knows the things you do not talk about. Yet, He loves you and wants you to dwell in the fellowship of His love. A love capable of casting out all fears. When you know that you are not alone, the heaviness of the depression is lifted and hope returns.

Whether it is water, air or food, all represent fundamental needs to mankind. Similarly, faith is indispensable to our spiritual life. The “Just shall live by faith” in Romans 1: 17 highlights how vital faith is. As the force by which we live, we need to understand what it is and its principles as God intends them.

The reality is that there is a type of faith we all possess. A natural faith that we are born with. One that relies on what we perceive with our senses. One with which we can predict situations to be successful by human logic, by our “gut feeling.” As rational people, we find safety in human faith when a previous experience guides our current expectations.

Human faith falls short of providing a foundation to believe in when there is no evidence. How do we believe in God when we have not seen Him? The dire need for a Saviour in Jesus Christ is not comprehended, as sin cannot be perceived. Yet its effect is tangible, painful, and devastating.

In Romans 1:17, the apostle Paul states that the only type of faith that allows us to enter eternal life is the faith of Jesus Christ. This faith taps beyond the limitations of our senses into an experience of the supernatural, saving power of God through the righteousness of Christ. It is not earned, but this faith is a gift of God. Received as we hear the preached Word of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Before we recapitulate how the faith of God operates, let us learn about a challenge we stumble upon. In Matthew 17: 14-21, Jesus Christ exposes the infirmity in our exercise of the faith of God: unbelief. Like the disciples, we let unbelief creep in despite receiving the power of God’s Faith (Matthew 10:1). We may experience the healing and redeeming power of God on several occasions. Only to be found stuck in a particular situation.

To overcome unbelief, Christ points us to prayer and fasting, which rids us off the doubt and fear that our senses infuse into us (Matthew 17: 21). We struggle to operate in God’s Faith because of our human faith, which acts as a stumbling block. With different foundations, both cannot withstand the same storms. If we are to do the impossible with God, we are to operate on the principles of the Faith He gives. Knowledge about how the faith of God works is what makes it effective (Philemon 1: 6).

To walk in the faith of Jesus Christ means speaking with our mouth from the conviction of our heart. It calls us to command to situations the very Will of God, regardless of the reality. Ultimately, it is not about the size of the problem. The mustard seed faith can accomplish the impossible as long as its substance is of God.

Doing The Impossible

The Word of God teaches that we can accomplish all things through Jesus Christ, who strengthens us (see Philippians 4:13). In this, faith helps us focus on what is already ours in Christ, without whom, we are limited. Without faith, we turn obedience into religion, actions into sin (see Romans 14:22-23). Faith in us is what moves God to accomplish the impossible through the finished work of the Cross.

The Law of Faith (Romans 3: 27)

Faith operates by consistent principles established by God. They are universal and their principles work similarly for everyone, everywhere. Misunderstanding how faith operates leads to disappointment. When we understand these laws, we will do the impossible!

• Faith Speaks – In Mark 11:22-23, Jesus prompts us to have faith in God and then to speak. We must speak what we see in order to bring it into existence. However, it is also important to note that death and life are in the power of the tongue (see Proverbs 18:20-21). In this, we must learn to speak sparingly. Jesus always spoke life so we must learn to speak life more.
• The Mouth and the Heart Must Work Together – Sometimes we speak with our lips but not our hearts (see Matthew 15:8). Romans 10:10 stresses the agreement of what we say with what we believe in our hearts. Genuine faith-based speech starts with a seed sown in our hearts from God’s Word.
• Faith speaks to the Mountain (Your Situation) – It is important to orientate who we speak to because, although faith speaks, who or what we speak to matters. We must address our situations directly with the authority God has given us. These situations speak to us; and instead of being victims of their speech, we ought to speak back with faith. Mark 11:14 Jesus, hungry, saw that the fig tree had good leaves and thought it would have fruits, however, there was none, so He answered to the tree (the situation).
• Faith Acts – Faith without works is dead (see James 2:26). Faith prompts action, often bold and risky. The woman with the issue of blood (see Mark 5:25-29) exemplified this bold faith. She was supposed to be isolated but her faith acted and she received healing! Additionally, persistent faith, like the woman before the unjust judge (see Luke 18:1-8), is what Jesus commends. If an evil judge could grant her request because of her persistence, what about God who is good?

Faith from God is perfect yet understanding the law of faith doesn’t guarantee automatic results; unbelief must be overcome. Faith and unbelief can coexist in the form of ignorance, disbelief and natural unbelief.

• Ignorance originates from the lack of knowledge concerning God’s Word. Its remedy is being taught the Word of God.
• Disbelief comes from holding onto incorrect teachings, it may be more difficult to overcome and requires the renewal of the mind with God’s Word.
• Lastly, Natural Unbelief happens from the influences of our senses -what we see, hear, feel- leading to doubt. Its remedy is praying and fasting. This tames our senses.

In summary, by understanding the principles by which faith operates, we can transcend our limitations and achieve the extraordinary. In overcoming unbelief, we align ourselves closely with God’s Will, enabling us to “see the invisible and do the impossible!”

PART 1

Seeing the unseen and accomplishing the impossible is a paradoxical statement. It pertains to God’s jurisdiction to create out of nothingness. No wonder, God, who values both natural and spiritual perception, wants you to not only read His Word but see it too! What you see in the spirit through God’s Word strengthens your faith. For this reason, you are to approach the Bible with the simplicity of little children, to whom the kingdom of God is likened.

How does one gaze at things that are not visible? 2 Corinthians 4:18 gives us a major reason to perceive the invisible because of its eternal value. In Ephesians 1:17–18, the word “fotorizo” denotes “clear pictures,” which relates to our imagination —the image that we develop within and then display publicly. Scriptures prompt our mind to visualise images; these should not be undermined. We suffer most when we entertain spiritual blindness.

Everything begins with an idea, which gives imagination its creative force. Thus, God spoke to Himself, “Let us create,” an expressed thought that invites our imagination to consider Trinity at work. Likewise, Jesus Christ demonstrates to us that adultery and lust in thought are sins in action. This implies that the deed was performed as we thought. What thoughts do you entertain? For nothing comes from the outside to corrupt man; it all begins within.

We must be open to the positive influence of the Holy Spirit in our thinking, whether through dreams, visions, or prophecies (Acts 2:17). The unifying factor among these is imagery. What we see spiritually, we do with conviction. That is why Jesus promises that “if you believe, you will see the glory of God. God communicates through visuals. We must see! When we dwell on God’s Word, we see. Psalms 1:3 – being like a tree planted (somebody planted); and that’s Jesus! You then bore fruits and observed it.

PART 2

Our senses can often influence how we see ourselves and the world around us. A personal view of ourselves can arise from family backgrounds and bad experiences, distorting one’s perception of themselves. In this way, the devil has caused many to lose sight of God’s goodness through their bad experiences.

Just as Adam and Eve’s perception of God was distorted by the deceptive influence of the serpent in the Garden of Eden (read Genesis 3:4-7), we too can be negatively affected by our perceptions of ourselves or the world around us (read Proverbs 4:20-23). However, the Bible teaches us that we can withstand these negative thoughts with the truth of God’s Word by refusing, rebuking, and replacing them.

Most importantly, we learn in Genesis 15:5 how the vision God gives overrides all negative memories and perceptions picture. The Lord told Abraham to look at the stars, which could not be counted, to see how He would bless him (Genesis 15:5). Destinies shifted when Abraham’s perception was given new light (also see Luke 6:46).
God’s perspective is much greater. He sees us through the lens of our true identity found in Christ, refining us to resemble His perfection as we fellowship with Him daily. God’s Word transforms our thinking, so we may see ourselves as He sees us—unique, beloved, and with a purpose. As we allow God to change our hearts and minds, we find greater peace, joy, and satisfaction in our lives.

The Holy Spirit communicates with us through pictures, and what we see influences our beliefs and actions. It is important to focus on Christ and His victory over death and sin (the serpent of bronze in Numbers 21:9), rather than on negative images and thoughts. Through faith and trust in Christ, we replace negative images with life-filled ones, and believe that we have received what He has promised (Mark 11:24). By doing so, we can live in the power and freedom of God’s love and truth.

Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of negativity, as if going through the motions, but something is missing? This feeling of being trapped is called sin, and it separates us from God. But there is incredible news: redemption! It’s a powerful gift of God that offers freedom, purpose and a deep connection with Him. Let’s dive into what redemption means and how you can experience it in your life.

Understanding Your Brokenness

Imagine being a slave, yearning for freedom but with no hope of escape. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Through Adam’s disobedience, we inherited this state of separation. Sin acts like a chain, binding you and preventing you from experiencing the fullness of life God intended for you.

The Gift of Redemption

But God, in His immense love, didn’t leave you hopeless. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the ultimate price for your freedom. Jesus, sinless and perfect, took your place on the cross. His sacrifice is the ransom that sets you free (Romans 5:19). Redemption is like a kind master purchasing a slave’s freedom, but instead of money, Jesus paid with His own life.

Embracing Redemption Through Faith

So, how do you experience this incredible gift of redemption? It’s not something you can earn or achieve on your own. It’s a gift, but it requires a choice. You need to believe in Jesus and confess Him as your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9). This faith is the key that unlocks the door to a new life, a life redeemed from sin and reconciled to God.

A Lifelong Transformation

Redemption isn’t a one-time event; it’s a lifelong journey of transformation. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you, renewing your spirit (Ephesians 1:13). This is just the beginning. Redemption unfolds in three key areas:

Salvation in the past is in your Spirit: When you accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit fills you, transforming your inner being. This is the proof of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13). Your spirit is just like Jesus because it has been transformed into a new man. This is the very first form of salvation every believer experiences.

Salvation in the present is in your Mind: Your mind, constantly bombarded by the world’s messages, needs constant renewal. The Bible is your guide. By immersing yourself in God’s Word, you learn to think differently (Romans 12:1-2). We trade worldly desires for God’s will, becoming more like Christ daily. You have been living in the world and now understand that you are not of this world. Go beyond the shape of the world; don’t just go with the form of this world. Exposure to the Word of God births a transformation within you (John 17:17), and this same Word helps you become successful in all you do.

Salvation in the future is in your body: Your body is also part of redemption. While you’re waiting for your future glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:52), you “tame” the present body by submitting it to God’s Will (Romans 12:1). This means saying no to sin and choosing to live a life that honors Jesus Christ.

Living as Redeemed People

Redemption isn’t just about avoiding bad things; it’s about embracing the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). It’s about experiencing peace, purpose, and a joyful connection with God. As redeemed people, we are free to live passionately, guided by the Holy Spirit, and empowered by God’s Word.

Mark 1:1 reads, “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” The Gospel means the Good News, that of freedom. It is great joy when prisoners, bound and chained, learn that their freedom is not a thing of tomorrow but today! Thus, the decision is ours to embrace the Good News. We have joy today because of salvation. We have been set free to rejoice!

To speak of freedom, a situation of bondage or slavery needs to be active. Colossians 1:13 tells us that we have been set free from the power of darkness, which keeps man enslaved. Jesus Christ came to set us free from the power of darkness, adopting us into the kingdom of light. Therefore, life without Jesus is one without hope, because without Him, we will remain enslaved and in bondage our entire lives, struggling with addictions, unforgiveness, hatred, and all kinds of sin. Yet, when we are set free, we are able to enjoy a life of purpose in Jesus Christ, but outside of Him, our lives become meaningless.

Similarly, the death of Jesus Christ without the resurrection is meaningless, as it renders our faith vain and invaluable. Luke 24:34 states that Jesus Christ really rose from the dead and Peter saw Him. This was crucial for the disciples, as He had promised them He would return and be among the living (Matthew 17: 22-23). The resurrection thus confirms that He is who He says He is, affirming that His promises are true. The truth cannot be proven by reality but by using God’s Word. Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus is the truth that reveals the reality of His life and death.

Freedom is the deliberate gift of God to us, demonstrated by the death of Jesus on the Cross for our sins. John 3:16 tells us about God’s intentionality. He gave up His only Son so that we would have eternal life. The intention of God to grant eternal life is reflected in the phrase “so that.” However, we often misinterpret His intentions when things don’t go our way. The Israelites lost sight of God’s good intentions to deliver them to a land abundant with milk and honey. Yet they had to cross the desert to get there.

In facing deserts or experiencing our wilderness on the way to the Canan of our lives, we remain joyful, strong, and hopeful when we hold onto the knowledge of God’s good intentions for us. Doubt and unbelief are on the enemy’s agenda but the Will of God is that we rejoice in the life we have through Christ. This life contains many packages, of which, the foremost is the guarantee of eternal life: the life of God in us.

It does not start when we die; it starts when we accept Jesus Christ. Instantly, His life starts to flow in us. That is why, in the life of man, it is the spirit that matters, not the body, because our body does not define who we are but the spirit does. When we understand this, we will experience our freedom differently. This difference is soon visible in the joy we radiate, no longer joy depending on what we see but on the Lord, for His joy is our strength. We rejoice because we know that God’s intentions for us are good and perfect.

Finally, the Bible teaches us that “repentance” is the change of one’s mindset and direction. Jesus, before His death on the cross, emphasised the narrow road to heaven compared to the wider road of destruction. After His death on the cross and His resurrection, He planted the cross on the wide road that leads to death so that those who are going in that direction can encounter the cross and change direction. He came for sinners—to transform them into saints, removing their guilt and giving them hope.

Summarily, somebody who is still in bondage does not rejoice because they are still enslaved. So such a life without Jesus is meaningless, as it lacks hope and purpose. Moreover, true peace and joy are not guaranteed by our environment but are found only in Jesus Christ. He has good intentions for our lives, and when we encounter His love, we should take advantage of it. God did not keep His love from us; He gave His love so that all might experience it. As beneficiaries of God’s love, Christ appointed us to bear the testimony of His Cross in us, presenting others with the opportunity to be recipients of this love.

Study Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-22

Faith brings what has already been established in the spiritual realm, to the physical realm. It serves as evidence of the rightful spiritual blessings that have already been given to us by God through Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit; spiritual blessings established in the heavenly places. In the profound verses of Ephesians 1:1-22, Paul explains the richness of these spiritual blessings that transcend what is temporal and remain throughout eternity.

At the core of this passage is Ephesians 1:3 that declares God ‘blessed’ and that we have been ‘blessed’ with every spiritual ‘blessing’. Notice that the word ‘bless’ is mentioned three times. The number three, throughout the Bible, has symbolised harmony, wholeness, new life, completeness, and intensity (because of who He is). This is similarly seen in the fellowship of the Holy Trinity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Hence, we can appreciate that the significance of these blessings in our lives is threefold.

Take into account that these blessings are spiritual, placed in the spiritual man (read Job 32:8), inspires us to focus on the unseen since the visible is subject to change from corrupted influences (2 Corinthians 4:18). Unlike what is visible, these blessings are deposited in heaven, where they can neither be stolen or perish. We, as believers, partake in them through Christ Jesus, as we are seated in heavenly places with Him (see 1 Peter 1:4, Matthew 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Romans 3:22).

Alluding to Ephesians 1:3, the subsequent verses offer these spiritual blessings, namely, election, adoption by predestination, acceptance in the beloved, redemption, forgiveness of sin, knowledge of God’s Will, inheritance, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the guarantee of the inheritance. They cover both past and future eternity, going back before the world was made (Ephesians 1:4) and continuing even after the end of the world (Ephesians 1:14).
Moreover, these blessings can be subdivided into the Holy Trinity. In the Father (verses 3 to 6) we are elected and adopted granting us believers the highest position through Christ, further reflecting His acceptance of us as His beloved (John 15:16; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 1:12).

Continuing with the Son (verses 7-12), Christ’s redemptive work through sacrificial love on the cross, portrayed in 1 Peter 1:18-19 and Galatians 3:13, brings us back to God through forgiveness as He paid the price (1 Corinthians 6:20). We have now been brought closer to God, and enlightened in the knowledge of His Will (1 Corinthians 2:12; John 14:8-9; Colossians 1:19-20). We also have the assurance of the inheritance (Colossians 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Genesis 22:18; and Galatians 3:16).

Pertaining to the Holy Spirit (verses 7-12), He has now been given unto to man. This, in other words, means that God has chosen to dwell among us! (Psalm 42:7). As a result, we have now been sealed with the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing the redemption of our bodies and our sonship. As Romans 8:14 states, “for as many as are led by the Spirit, these are the Sons of God” (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:11).
In order to take advantage of our blessings, we must acknowledge their existence. In disregarding their spiritual basis, we forsake its practical benefits in our daily lives. Hosea 4:6 warns against this devastating effect of ignorance, with consequences extending to future generations.

Thus, our resolve should be to know and understand what God has accomplished, highlighting the emphasis of Proverbs 18:15 on the quest for knowledge (God’s Word). Hence, acting from this wisdom, we affirm our victory in knowing what has already been done for us (Proverbs 4:7).

Matthew 16:19, reminds us that Christ empowered us with the key of the Kingdom, to also bind or loosen these blessings, bringing spiritual realities into the physical realm. This entails prayer, of which Philippians 4:6-7 informs us, carries the Father’s Will (what He has already done in the spiritual realm) on earth. That is why every time the enemy attacks our prayer life, our supply chain gets obstructed. Effective prayer establishes God’s Will by communicating His Word back to Him (Matthew 18:19–20; James 5:16).

Rest in the finished work of the cross means understanding the rich blessings God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have bestowed upon us and actively engaging with the keys of the kingdom. In using these keys, we access our increase as children of God. Let us then exalt the name of Jesus in faith and persevere, as these are catalysts for unlocking God’s blessings and fully stepping into our spiritual inheritance.

Amid life’s bustling chaos, there is a divine call to rest. Unlike worldly views that associate rest with external activities or achievements; rest, as depicted in the Kingdom of God, is a by-product of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Laying your burdens in Him, a rest that transcends temporal pursuit is found as you accept His solemn invitation (Matthew 11:28). True rest is a transformative journey, leading you into the heart of God’s purpose for your life.

While some relationships give a sense of peace, perfect rest is found in one with the Creator (Matthew 11:38; Genesis 2:18). A rest worth all the effort has been prepared for you. Operating in the good works God has for you, abandoning the earthly pursuits that have no eternal value, those that leave you wanting for more, makes the experience of your rest sure in Christ (Psalms 127:2).

Matthew 11:38 calls on all those who labour to gather in Christ. Jesus Christ provides; find rest in Him whether you are searching for meaning in life or battling for inner peace. The delicacies of a vacation, the charm of a quiet place or the attainment of a milestone are but a shadow of true rest; but Christ quenches the depth of the soul (John 4:14). Nothing that happens apart from Him leads to repose. In a relationship where He is the first priority, rest is assured.

Giving up on your burdens, soon, you operate in the good works that Christ prepared. In exchange for a loaded life, He gives an easier yoke, a lighter burden, providing a clear focus and orientation as the Holy Spirit leads you into the meaningful assignment of your life, the hope of your calling. Exhaustion comes when the believer operates outside the good works provided. Where countless activities demand your attention, resting in Christ grants focus, saving you from running after many things.

Only in a life lived in communion with Jesus Christ can rest and productivity coexist. As you abide in Him and Him in you, much fruit is born (John 15:5). Trust in Jesus Christ requires that the believer abandon anxiously working out every little detail of their journey. As you walk with Christ, you become. In the steadfastness of your discipleship in Him, you are transformed. You can trust His words when He says to His disciples to walk with Him and He will “make them” (Matthew 4:19).

In dealing with the early church, the apostle Paul noticed, to his astonishment, that God’s people perished due to their ignorance of the finished work of the cross, out of which flow all spiritual blessings bestowed upon those found in Christ (Ephesians 1). These are for you and me, treasures that are secure in Christ in the heavenly places.

Reality may tell you otherwise but you are blessed by God. What is visible is subject to change, but the Truth is established in the spiritual, just as the Bible teaches us that the Word, which was spiritual, was with God in the spiritual realm and became flesh in Jesus Christ, in whom Redemption came.

Reality will soon adjust to the blessed state of your spirit. God is Spirit and out of who He is, He has passed on the blessing onto you (Job 32: 8). In harmony, your spirit, soul, and body are once and for all blessed.

In conclusion, faith in Christ brings the physical in accordance with what is already established in the spiritual, translating the spiritual blessings of Ephesians 1 into the good works of your rest. Therefore, today, you are empowered in knowing the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross.

Diving deeper into our series on “Being Out and About for Jesus Christ,” let’s explore the journey of arising in our calling. Last week, we discussed how God has set you apart and covered you with His righteousness, empowering you for the noble calling before you.

Your disciplined life showcases God’s grace in holiness. Arising in your calling has various aspects that should ignite your enthusiasm. Firstly, you are called to make Jesus known to the world.

Like Moses who led the Israelites, Jonah who preached repentance, and Daniel who displayed godly wisdom as a government official, you are an heir of this glorious calling to share the Gospel by sharing your testimony.

Looking at Daniel 1:4-20, it becomes clear that taking care of your body and enriching your mind with knowledge relevant to your calling is crucial. How you present yourself and your intellect plays important roles in interactions.

As a vessel of God, even if you fall short, God provides His grace and supernatural gifts to complement your abilities. He equips you beyond your capabilities, as shown in Daniel 1:20.

Challenges are common, especially at the beginning of your calling, like Daniel faced. Consider the ways you might stumble and remember that God, who loves you, provides a way out when you endure temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

In your divine calling, God positions people who will show you favor as you step into new places. Even in the face of resistance, God can turn hearts in your favor when you seek refuge in prayer (Daniel 2:26-28).

Lastly, remember not to take credit for your achievements. Give glory to God, and in situations where you’re tempted to seek glory for yourself, point people back to God.

Your light has an impact when you give glory to Him. Be kingdom-minded, ensuring that your success benefits those around you, just as Daniel demonstrated in his calling.