EGM TIMES
EXPOSING | ENCOURAGING | EMPOWERING
PURPOSE
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
-Proverbs 19:21
Conquer Doubt and Defy Discouragement
-Dr. Gladys Childs
A Journey to Fulfillment and
Meaning
-Effie Ochago
How To Find Your God-Given Purpose
-Krista Moon
-Daya Raja
Life in Between 07 11 17 26
All Bible references are from the New International Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, King James Version. EGM Times is published by Elohim Gospel Ministries, USA & India. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. EGM Times has no subscription price and is supported through contributions worldwide. Because all EGM Times editions are preplanned, we are unable to accept unsolicited manuscripts. For more information or to sign up for your free copy of egm times, visit: elohimgospelministries.com | Image credits to georgemuller.com for Page 23.
President: Evg. Jacob Vilgi Oommen | Associate Editor: Gideon Pingkihan | Content Editor: Effie Ochago | Design: EGM Media
Meet Our Writers
Dr. Gladys Childs E e Ochago
Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, religion professor, pastor's wife, and mom helping others be F.R.E.E. to Thrive© for the abundant life God has for them. She serves as a university Chaplain and the Women's Director at LifePoint Fellowship.
Gladys is frequently called authentic, witty, and candid as she shares her journey through life's ups and downs. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of faith and life's difficulties. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and is a trauma survivor. Connect with her at gladyschilds.com.
Effie Ochago is a devoted follower of Jesus and a born-again Christian. She serves as a content editor at EGM Times, where she combines her faith with her passion for writing and editing. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an avid reader and literature enthusiast. In her free time, Effie enjoys exploring the great outdoors through traveling, hiking and finding inspiration in nature's beauty. She lives in Nairobi, Kenya.
Krista Moon founded Gracious Guidance Christian Coaching in 2023. Her passion is to help women live the lives God has prepared for them. She has reached a broad audience with social media that, led her to speaking engagements as a guest on a local talk show, as a guest vlogger and has also written for an online newsletter. Along with her coaching, she directs the Children’s Ministry at her church and is a Prayer Support Responder for YouVersion-Bible App. Krista lives in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Micah and their son and daughter.
Krista Moon
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are already in the middle month of the year 2024. How are you, by the way? I hope this editorial letter finds you well.
In this third edition of our magazine, we will talk about Finding Your Purpose. I hope and pray that these articles will serve as oxygen to your souls and that the messages of each article will fuel those who have lost their fire in serving the LORD.
As we navigate our path in this world, sometimes, we tend to lose our way down the road. We often stumble and question ourselves on where we should go and what our true purpose is. “Why am I here? “What is God’s plan for my life?”. I have these questions as I seek to align my life with God’s will.
When God created the universe, each of us was assigned a specific function and role to fulfill. Finding your purpose is not just about fulfilling personal ambitions; it’s about understanding and embracing the unique role God has designed for you within His grand narrative. Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse reminds us that God has a specific plan for us, filled with hope and promise.
In Ephesians 2:10, we are also reminded that we are uniquely crafted by God for good works, predestined for tasks that contribute to His kingdom.
Understanding your purpose begins with recognizing your unique gifts and talents. Do you find it hard to find these God-given gifts? Spend time in prayer and ask God to reveal His purpose for your life. Listen to His voice and seek guidance through scripture. Talk to your pastors and trusted friends about your journey. Their insights can provide valuable perspective.
Sometimes, our purpose is revealed through action. We cannot find our purpose if we sit pretty and do nothing. Get involved in different ministries or community services to see where you feel most called to contribute.
Finding your purpose is a journey, not a destination. Trust that God will guide you in His timing. It requires partnership with God, faith, and willingness to follow God’s lead. Always remember that you are a cherished part of God’s creation, designed for a specific significant role. Embrace your journey with faith, knowing that God’s plans for you are perfect and purposeful.
Enjoy reading. God bless you.
In His service,
Gideon L. Pingkihan Associate Editor EGM Times
Conquer Doubt and Defy Discouragement
-Dr. Gladys Childs
Doubt and discouragement are like sneaky thieves, robbing us of the joy and clarity we need to see God's purpose for our lives. When doubt creeps in, it clouds our vision, making it hard to know the path God has laid out for us. It's like navigating through a thick fog; we stumble and lose our way. Conversely, discouragement weighs us down with heavy chains, making it difficult to move forward. It whispers lies that we're not good enough, that God doesn't care about us, or that our dreams are too big to achieve. These lies can paralyze us, keeping us in a cycle of despair and hopelessness.
But here's the thing: God's purpose for our lives is not dependent on our feelings or circumstances. His plans are more significant than our doubts and more substantial than our discouragement. Even when we can't see it, God is still at work, weaving together a plan for our lives. (Proverbs 19:21, Isaiah 55:8-9)
Doubt and discouragement are closely related emotions that often occur together. Still, they are distinct in their nature and impact on our lives. In a spiritual context, doubt often involves questioning the truth of religious beliefs, the existence of God, or the reliability of His promises. Doubt can arise from intellectual questioning, emotional upheavals, unexpected life events, or even the influence of others who challenge our faith. It's a cognitive state in which the mind wrestles with the validity of certain truths or the feasibility of outcomes promised or hoped for.
Discouragement, on the other hand, is an emotional response to adverse circumstances or perceived failure. In a faith context, discouragement can surface when there's a perceived delay in God's answers to prayer, when facing continuous obstacles, or when personal or communal expectations aren't met.
Both doubt and discouragement can potentially derail one's spiritual growth and pursuit of God's purpose. However, they can also serve as catalysts for growth. Addressing doubts can achieve a deeper understanding and a more resilient faith. Overcoming discouragement can find renewed strength, deeper reliance on God, and a more joyous engagement with life's challenges. Thus, they pose challenges and provide spiritual deepening and renewal opportunities. So, how do we break free from doubt and discouragement?
To combat these challenges, we must "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand against such tactics. This includes girding ourselves with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, which empower us to persevere through doubt and discouragement. Engaging actively with scripture, maintaining prayerful dependence on God, and staying connected with the community are critical strategies in uncovering and living out God's purpose for our lives.
If you struggle with doubt, here are ways to help you overcome and thrive in your faith.
1. Seek Knowledge and Understanding: Doubts often arise from a need for more information or misunderstandings. Engage with credible sources, biblical scholarship, and theological insights to better understand the issues. This might involve studying the Bible more deeply, reading books by respected theologians, or participating in study groups.
2. Prayer and Reflection: Bring your doubts to God, asking for clarity and peace. Reflect on the moments and experiences where you've felt God's presence or seen His work. This can reaffirm your faith during times of uncertainty.
3. Discuss with Others: Sharing doubts with trusted friends, mentors, or spiritual leaders can provide new perspectives and encouragement. Others have often faced similar doubts and can offer advice or share how they navigated their spiritual challenges.
4. Embrace Doubt as Part of Faith: Recognize that doubt isn't the opposite of faith but a part of its journey. Many biblical figures experienced doubt. It's a natural aspect of human cognition as we grow and deeply understand our beliefs.
“Even when we can't see it, God is still at work, weaving together a plan for our lives.”
If you struggle with discouragement, here are ways to help you overcome and thrive in your faith.
1. Reconnect with God's Promises: Focus on the promises of God found in scripture. Verses like Romans 8:28 (ESV) remind us that "we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good" can offer comfort and reassurance in tough times.
2. Maintain a Gratitude Practice: Keeping a gratitude journal or regularly recounting blessings can shift focus from what is discouraging to what is uplifting and working well. This helps cultivate a positive mindset and counters feelings of despair.
3. Seek Support and Fellowship: Stay connected with your faith community. The encouragement and support from others are invaluable, especially when you feel disheartened. Fellowship reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles.
4. Set Small, Achievable Goals: Large tasks can seem daunting when discouraged. Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate small victories. This helps rebuild confidence and momentum.
5. Rest and Self-Care: Sometimes, discouragement stems from simple burnout. Ensure you rest and engage in activities that rejuvenate your spirit, body, and mind.
In conclusion, doubt and discouragement don't define God's plans for us. They're part of the human condition, calling us to deeper faith. Embracing God's purpose means seeing uncertainty as an opportunity for growth. We face challenges with the armor of God, a supportive community, and continuous prayer. We can be assured that God is at work, shaping our lives according to His love and power.
READ THE PREVIOUS EDITION READ NOW
A Journey to Fulfillment and Meaning
In a world fixated on material success, where many pursue wealth, fame, and status as their ultimate goals, it is easy to lose sight of the unique purpose each of us is born with, a divine purpose only we can fulfill. Solomon, as portrayed in the Bible, exemplifies this. In Ecclesiastes chapter two, King Solomon reflects on pursuing pleasure and achievements to find meaning in life. He indulged in laughter, wine, and folly, built great works like houses, gardens, and parks, amassed wealth, and enjoyed music and many women. Despite all these pleasures and accomplishments, he found them meaningless, a "chasing after the wind." He realized that wisdom, like folly, ends in death, and all the efforts and wealth he amassed would eventually be left to others.
-E e Ochago
How did the wisest king end up here? First, he lived under the law. For beginners, he lived before Jesus came and died on the cross, ushering in the era of grace. Under the law, even the very best can fail. King Solomon disobeyed God and married foreign wives who led him astray. One lesson from this is that as believers when Christ is not at the center of our ventures, we are bound to fail, even when we appear to be succeeding outwardly.
Solomon's story is a good illustration that finding satisfaction in one's labor comes from God, and without divine purpose, all human endeavors are futile. One advantage we have is that today, we do not have to worry about serving God and fulfilling our purpose with our strength. Instead, we do so with the help of the Holy Spirit. Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us will not only make us more effective in living our purpose but also bring inner well-being. This implies a life full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.
The first step to living a purposeful life is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and grow in His knowledge. Psalms 139:16 says: "Your eyes saw my unformed body, and all the days ordained for me were written in your book." The only thing that brings perfect fulfillment to our souls beyond the individual purpose is living in communion with God. How can we achieve this? First, recognize that the word says that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2: 6-7) However, it is different to know something in your head and have it as a reality in your heart. Take such scriptures and ponder over them until they become deeply ingrained in your heart.
Our divine calling will align with who we are, make use of our natural gifts, serve others, and ultimately contribute towards winning souls to God's kingdom. Gifts and talents that we have are a big indicator of where God has called us. Serving in a community of believers in a community of believers is one of the ways of making good use of our God-given gifts. Some gifts mentioned in scripture in Romans 12:6 include prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and being compassionate.
“The first step to living a purposeful life is to accept
Jesus
as your Lord and Savior and grow in His knowledge.”
Another way to catch a glimpse of your unique calling is to look at the people you admire. As human beings, we tend to gravitate towards people who are like us. Take a close look at five people in your life that you look up to and try to see which gifts you admire in them. Most probably, you will discover that you are called to be in the same area as these people.
Overcoming past hurt is often the primary hurdle in discovering one's life purpose. In a world riddled with brokenness, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the events that unfold around us, especially those that occur before we fully mature in our faith. When we fail to surrender these hurts to Jesus, they inevitably influence the course of our lives, consciously or subconsciously. For instance, some individuals pursue fame as a means to compensate for feelings of inadequacy. However, it's crucial to remember that Jesus came precisely for this reason: to offer complete healing, both physically and emotionally, through His sacrifice. By inviting Jesus into our deepest wounds, we open ourselves to the transformative power of his power and grace.
Shifting our focus from our circumstances to Jesus is key in this journey of healing and discovery. It's common to encounter our greatest challenges within the realms of our calling. A preacher once said that problems tend to gravitate toward those who carry solutions. For instance, if battling discouragement is a constant struggle, it might indicate a calling to uplift and encourage others. Similarly, many evangelists blessed with the gift of healing have overcome life-threatening conditions themselves, underscoring the correlation between personal struggles and areas of divine calling. Taking a reflective stance before God, it's essential to examine the areas of our lives where we face the most significant challenges. By surrendering these struggles to God and exercising patience, we may discover that we are uniquely equipped and graced to minister to others in these very areas.
Iknow now that God placed that desire in me. That’s why that desire never changed, like it often does in children.This is God using my individual purpose to bring people into the Kingdom, working together with my divine purpose to fulfill God’s plan.
-Krista Moon
“Ask and expect to hear, and exercise plenty of patience. Obedience is key. You must be willing to do whatever he says even when it doesn’t make sense or you just don’t want to do it.”
Everybody has a purpose in life. We are not here on this earth to live and die, and that’s it. We have an impact to make. As a Christian, I think the body of Christ’s purpose is to bring people into the Kingdom of God. That’s our main purpose. Aside from that, we have an individual purpose that will aid you in your main purpose of leading people to Christ.
So how do we know what our individual purpose is? How do we find out? It’s simple really. Ask God and He will tell you. Go to Him with an open heart and mind, willing to lay aside your own ideas for his. As a Christian Life Coach this is what I tell my clients. I use my own story as an example, so I’m going to share it with you now.
Ever since I was eight years old, all I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a housewife and stay-at-home mom. I’d look at old reruns of Leave It to Beaver and I Love Lucy and say, ‘That’s what I want to be when I grow up. When I played house, that was my role. As I got older, that desire grew. I know now that God placed that desire in me. That’s why that desire never changed, like it often does in children.
So, when I got married and we started our family, the finances were not there to be a stay-at-home mom. I was frustrated and upset because I knew that was God’s will. So, what was going on? I took it to God and prayed for direction. Four months after I went back to work following maternity leave, God worked it out. He told me to trust Him, and He’d take care of it.
I went to work and expected to be at home with my baby. The very next week, my husband was offered a position at his job that came with a significant pay increase. It would cover my salary once I left my job. Praise God! He is faithful. At the same time, I found out that I was pregnant with our second child, our daughter. I put in my two weeks’ notice and have been a stay-at-home mom for 14 years and counting. God made a way. He already had it worked out. I just needed to cast my care (Psalm 55:22), enter His rest (Heb 4:10), and wait for manifestation.
My son and daughter are 11 and 12 now. I’ve homeschooled them since preschool. It’s a rich and satisfying journey. I’m literally living my dream. God has also led me to become an online Christian Life Coach. I specialize in helping women find their purpose and live the life that God has prepared for them to live. My years as a stay-at-home mom, housewife, and homeschooler have led me to minister to women and men as far away as the UK. This is God using my individual purpose to bring people into the Kingdom, working together with my divine purpose to fulfill God’s plan.
This is how I found my purpose. God will not keep it from you. He’s not hiding it. Ask and expect to hear, and exercise plenty of patience. Obedience is key. You must be willing to do whatever he says even when it doesn’t make sense or you just don’t want to do it. He knows and sees things down the road that we don’t. Let peace, God’s peace (not head peace), be your umpire (Col. 3:15). Once you have God’s peace in your heart, then it’s time to act one step at a time. Be selective with who you confide in. Make sure you’re being led by the Holy Spirit on what, when, where, and how to move. This will keep you at the right place at the right time. Be determined; you will probably encounter some hiccups. That doesn’t mean that God isn’t leading you. Stay the course, and God will bring you out where you’re supposed to be.
It is critical in these last days to be where God needs us to be, doing what He needs us to do for the Kingdom. When you are divinely positioned, you will be living your dream life while making an impact for the Kingdom of God.
No one can make excuses for being lukewarm because God created everyone with a divine purpose. He has invested everything a person needs to pursue Godly calling.
-EVG. JACOB VILGI OOMMEN
“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.”
Life in Between
Where are we
dwelling?
-Daya Raja
Just like we live in our physical houses, as we go through the motions of life, our minds are bound to take residence somewhere. And where we set our minds decides the direction of our lives and our fruitfulness.
Through the Bible, we see that this theme is given utmost importance. In the Book of Joshua it says, Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8) In Psalms 1: 2-3 says ‘but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.’) We see similar verses repeated in Psalms Jeremiah and in other books of the Bible.
Does this mean we only think about the Bible throughout the day? I don’t think so. I also don’t think it's practical. But I do think we have to pay attention to what we are thinking, and what we think about the most- considering that the Bible gives so much importance to this subject. When we are not engaged in our daily activities, where do our minds drift to? What are the overwhelming thoughts or topics that occupy our minds? I would like to suggest those are our dwelling places. The more we think about something repeatedly, it creates neural pathways in our brains and then it becomes easier for our minds to drift to that thought which becomes a default residence.
Often, we spend time thinking about something for a long time and, when it begins to worry us, we take it to God. And sometimes, we don’t even know if that’s God’s will for us. But Jesus says, abide in me and let my words abide in you. In other words, take home in Jesus and let His words take home in you. Jesus’ words is God himself. God’s word laid the foundations of this world we live in. It has the power to create, heal and resurrect. God’s word has wisdom, discernment, counsel, power- everything that we need in life to live successfully.
Letting his words take home in us would require us to know his words and have it in our hearts. It would require us to think about it as often as possible so that it works its way into our lives.
Our decision to dwell in God’s word also determines our fruitfulness in God’s kingdom and also the answers to our prayers. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, 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. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
(John 15:5,7,8)
Mentally residing on God’s word provides us with peace and instruction in our time of need. It of course corrects us and keeps us from falling away from God. It also keeps Jesus at the center of our lives and helps us to become more like him.
May God help each of us to create homes for Jesus in our minds. God bless.
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
Daya Raja, Bangalore
HE IS WAITING FOR YOU!
Dear friend,
Thank you for reading this edition. We hope it helped you learn more about finding your purpose.
If you are reading this and have not experienced the love and power of God, we encourage you to embrace His love – offered as salvation through Jesus Christ. In His unending affection for us, God has a lot in store for your life and longs to have you as part of His family.
We also encourage you to rededicate your life to God if you were born again but drifted away from the call. Make the following prayer and accept Jesus as your savior: "Lord Jesus, I come before you today. I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and my sins have separated me from you. Today, I believe that you are the son of God and that you had me in mind when you got 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 now 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 join a family of believers (church) in your area, and we pray that you get established in your faith through studying the word by the grace of God.
God bless you, and see you in the next edition!
In His Service Team EGM Times.
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