An enlightening and spiritually enriching programme dubbed “Lunch Time: Food for Your Spirit” launched on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
Hosted by Joyous Ocran, convener of Joyous Trainings & Consult, the virtual session, which centred on “Personal Experience with Jesus,” provided participants with a unique feast for the soul, drawing inspiration from the transformative encounter of Thomas and the Apostle Paul with Christ.
It brought together a diverse audience seeking moments of reflection, inspiration, and spiritual guidance during their lunch break. This programme sought to let individuals discover truth that is based on God’s word and stand out as a beacon of light for individuals or groups.
Weaving together anecdotes, insights, and lessons derived from the life-altering encounter of Thomas and between Apostle Paul and Christ. The programme aimed not only to nourish the soul but also to provide a moment of respite and reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Setting the tone for the session, Mr. Ocran cited John 20:24–29, which spoke on the doubt of Thomas in receiving the news of Christ’s Resurrection. Mr. Ocran noted that though Thomas doubted, nonetheless, one lesson Christians can deduce from the context is: Thomas’s desire to have a “personal encounter” with Christ and not base his encounter on what others are saying—he encouraged believers to adopt this pattern in seeking the Lord on a personal level instead of relying on others.
He continued that “Thomas’s example teaches us that every man needs to have a personal experience with Christ for themselves. You may have heard a preacher or evangelist talk about Christ or been born into a Christian family, but have you had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ? Thomas submitted to Christ when he had his encounter with Christ.”
“It is about time we all seek that encounter,” he added.
The discussion delved into the profound impact of Apostle Paul’s encounter with Christ, exploring themes of transformation, redemption, and the power of personal encounter. Listeners were treated to a rich tapestry of wisdom as Mr. Ocran drew parallels between Paul’s journey and his encounter with Christ from Acts 9:3–9.
In the scripture, “Paul was on his way to Damascus, but along the way he had an encounter with God, which transformed his life from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the gospel.”
“From Paul, we learn that a personal experience with Jesus is life-transforming; it removes entanglements and struggles with sin and other struggles one may go through in his or her life. “I hear people saying I am struggling with my Christian life; I cannot pray, I cannot read my bible, and I cannot walk in righteousness. The thing is, you need a personal experience because when you come to know Christ for yourself, there will be nothing but submission to Christ,” he preached.
He noted that another benefit of a personal encounter with Christ learned from Paul’s experience is that it clarifies purpose, grows our faith, deepens one’s knowledge and love for God, and helps them grow in him.
Concluding the session, Mr. Ocran urged Christians to speak the truth at all times in love in order to mature in the faith, referencing Ephesians 4:10–15.
“The height of an experience with Christ is for you to attain the full measure of the stature of Christ because the reason you need to have an experience with Christ is that it will help you grow to become more like Christ; you can encounter God through His word, prayer, or sermons, so I will encourage you to desire Christ from today,” he said.
Initiatives like “Lunch Time: Food for Your Spirit” demonstrate the enduring power of shared wisdom and the ability to use digital spaces to facilitate moments of reflection and connection.
“Lunch Time: Food for Your Spirit” streams on X (formerly Twitter) Spaces via Joyous Ocran this and every Wednesday at 12.30 p.m. GMT.
