Words for Life Articles

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

One of the most profound truths in Scripture is that there is only one mediator between God and man and that is Christ Jesus. The Old Testament gives us a picture of this through the ministry of the high priest, the only person permitted to enter the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. His role was essential in the Old Testament because sinful humanity could not approach a holy God directly. So, the writer of Hebrews puts it this way in -

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This scripture reminds us that we now have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God. Unlike the priests of old, Jesus is not limited by weakness, sin, or mortality. He is both fully God and fully man, able to sympathize with our struggles yet without sin. Because of Him, we are invited to “come boldly to the throne of grace” to receive MERCY and GRACE in our time of need.

So why do we need a high priest and why is Jesus the great high priest.

The Kingdom at the Core of Jesus’ Mission

Matthew 6:9-10

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Luke 11:1-2

11 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus did not just mention the Kingdom; He made the Kingdom central theme of His preaching and His Prayers, His parables, His miracles, and His mission. When we read the Gospels, it becomes obvious. Jesus spoke about the Kingdom more than anything else. Not church growth. Not personal success. Not even heaven as a destination. The Kingdom was important to Him — and He intended it to be ours. Jesus began His ministry with:

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

WALKING IN YOUR HIGH CALLING

There comes a time in the life of every believer, defining moment, of an upward invitation from heaven to rise, to step forward, and to embrace the purpose for which God created them. For Word of Life Church, 2026 is such a time. Our theme, “Walking in Your High Calling,” is not just a slogan or cliché for the year; it is a divine challenge to awaken the gifts God has placed within us and to walk boldly in the destiny He has prepared. It is a call to stir up, a call to keep the fire on the altar burning. A call to arise and be counted. A time to create a legacy.

In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul writes with tenderness and urgency:

2 Timothy 1:6

6 “Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands”

Paul reminds Timothy of the sincere faith passed down from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. He acknowledges Timothy’s tears, his struggles, and his hesitations. Yet Paul does not allow him to shrink back. Instead, he calls him to action—to rekindle the flame of God’s gift within him. This same call is my challenge to us as a Church in 2026. “Stir up the gift of God which is in you”

Many believers hesitate to step into their calling because fear whispers that they are not ready, not capable, rejection, or not worthy. But Paul addresses this lie head‑on when he said to Timothy

WALKING IN YOUR HIGH CALLING

There comes a time in the life of every believer, defining moment, of an upward invitation from heaven to rise, to step forward, and to embrace the purpose for which God created them. For Word of Life Church, 2026 is such a time. Our theme, “Walking in Your High Calling,” is not just a slogan or cliché for the year; it is a divine challenge to awaken the gifts God has placed within us and to walk boldly in the destiny He has prepared. It is a call to stir up, a call to keep the fire on the altar burning. A call to arise and be counted. A time to create a legacy.

In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul writes with tenderness and urgency:

2 Timothy 1:6

6 “Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands”

Paul reminds Timothy of the sincere faith passed down from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. He acknowledges Timothy’s tears, his struggles, and his hesitations. Yet Paul does not allow him to shrink back. Instead, he calls him to action—to rekindle the flame of God’s gift within him. This same call is my challenge to us as a Church in 2026. “Stir up the gift of God which is in you”

Many believers hesitate to step into their calling because fear whispers that they are not ready, not capable, rejection, or not worthy. But Paul addresses this lie head‑on when he said to Timothy

FROM THE MANGER TO THE MISSION”

Luke 2:10-12

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Christmas is a season of joy, family, and love. Every year we look forward to gathering with loved ones, exchanging gifts, and sharing meals together. These moments are precious, and the gifts we give carry meaning when they flow from hearts of love. Yet beyond the warmth of family and the joy of giving lies a deeper truth: the greatest gift ever given was God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-17

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Jesus Christ, was born to give us a second birth, not to condemn the world, but the world through Him should be saved. The gifts we give at Christmas are meaningful when they flow from love, such is God’s ultimate gift of His Son Jesus Christ, a gift from the Fatherly heart of God. It pleased God.

IS CHRIST DIVIDED?

1 Corinthians 1:23

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

In today’s Church, many preach Christ but not the crucified Christ. Paul’s message to the Corinthians was not merely about Jesus as a figure of wisdom or power, but about Jesus crucified, the Lamb of God who bore our sins, the Savior who reconciled us to the Father through the cross.

To the Jews, this message was a stumbling block. To the Greeks, it was foolishness. But to those who are called, it is the power and wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:13

“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

This question echoes across the centuries and demands an answer from the 21st-century Church. Have we allowed personalities, platforms, and preferences to fracture the body of Christ?

Today, we see pastors and preachers striving to outshine one another, building followings rather than fellowship. But Paul reminds us: no man was crucified for us except Christ. No name saves but the name of Jesus.

Peter in the book of Acts 4:12,

Tells the Sanhedrin when questioned about how they could do what they did. Their response was simple.

DO BUSINESS TILL I RETURN

Luke 19:11–13

11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’

In the King James translation, it says

11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return

13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Jesus’ parables were never just stories. They were prophetic insights into the Kingdom of God—metaphors filled with divine intent.

In Luke 19, as He approached Jerusalem, Jesus shared a parable to correct a common expectation: that the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. Instead, He described a nobleman who went to a far country to receive a kingdom and return. Before leaving, he entrusted ten servants with ten minas and gave them a clear instruction:

“Do business till I come.” — Luke 19:13 (NKJV)

“Occupy till I come.” — Luke 19:13 (KJV)