Reflections

  From Doubt to Devotion Bible Reading:  Psalms 73:21-28 Key Verse Vs 24 you guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory DEVOTION Psalms 73 is attributed to Asaph, the leader of one of David’s three Levitical choirs. The Asaphite psalms frequently focus on the theme of God’s rule over His people and the nations. They include prayers for God to rescue His people from foreign oppression, and often describe a God who brings down the wicked and lifts up the righteous. Asaph’s psalms also portray God as the savior of Israel, a judge presiding over His people, and the One who performs saving acts for His followers. In Psalm 73, Asaph initially struggles with doubt, confusion, and envy as he observes the prosperity of the wicked. His faith is shaken and he experiences inner turmoil. However, as the psalm progresses, there is a reversal in his attitude. Asaph gains confidence and trust in God, shifting from turmoil to renewed devotion. Like Asaph, when we...

  Hope in Despair Bible Reading:   1st Peter  4:12-20 Key Verse Vs 20 b 1 Peter 4:12–19 (NIV): So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. DEVOTION We are often asked or perhaps have asked ourselves, the question: If God is good, why is there suffering in the world? Why do Christians suffer? While suffering can come from many causes, 1 Peter 4:12–19 focuses on suffering that arises specifically because of our faith. The world around us is increasingly becoming a place where morals and values are often ignored or compromised. How do we then continue to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ?  For example, how do we choose not to cuss, cheat, or compromise our integrity in environments where such behaviors may seem normal? Standing firm in our Biblical values may lead to mockery, exclusion, or even outright rejection, challenges that are often especially hard for young people when...

  Resurrection: Victory over Death Bible Reading:    Mark 16:1-11 Key Verse Vs 6 “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” (Mark 16:6) DEVOTION The time between Friday’s crucifixion and Sunday early morning, the gospel story stands in a quiet space- a stillness- between deep sorrow and wavering hope. The message of this verse breaks through fear with astonishing hope. The women came to the tomb expecting death, silence, and finality—but instead encountered the unexpected triumph of life. The resurrection is not merely a comforting idea; it is a divine announcement that death does not have the last word. As Augustine once wrote, “We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.” This truth calls us to live not as prisoners of despair, but as witnesses of victory. Often, like the women at the tomb, we approach life burdened by grief, confusion, or unmet expectations. Yet the angel’s words remind ...

  Testing and Temptation Bible Reading:    Genesis 3:1-13 Key Verse Vs  3 b  “He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’” — Genesis 3:1b DEVOTION t began not with an explosion, but with a question. The serpent didn’t deny God’s existence; he simply introduced doubt in Eve’s mind. By reframing God’s protection as a restriction, the enemy shifted the focus from the thousands of “Yeses” in the garden to the one single “No.” This is the anatomy of temptation. We see this play out in verses 1–13 as the dialogue moves from doubt to disobedience, and finally, to distance. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, their eyes were opened, but their hearts were closed. The immediate result wasn’t the “god-like” enlightenment they were promised; it was shame.  The Creator comes back into the garden, asking, “Where are you?” Instead of running to the One who could heal them, they hid among the trees and began the “blam...

  Purification through Penitence Bible Reading:    Luke 15:17-24 Key Verse Vs 17-18 “But when he came to himself, he said… ‘I will arise and go to my father…’” (Luke 15:17–18) DEVOTION The turning point in the story of the prodigal son begins with a moment of awakening: “when he came to himself.” This is the essence of penitence—an honest recognition of where we are and how far we’ve drifted. The son’s purification did not start when he reached home; it began when he acknowledged his brokenness. Penitence is not merely feeling guilty—it is a transformative decision to return. The son didn’t justify his actions or blame his circumstances. Instead, he took full responsibility and chose to arise. That decision set in motion a journey from shame to restoration. What’s remarkable is that purification was not achieved through punishment, but through the father’s embrace. Before the son could finish his rehearsed confession, grace interrupted him. The father’s response...

  Worship: An Offering Bible Reading:    Hebrew 9:22-28 Key Verse Vs 28 “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many…” (Hebrews 9:28) DEVOTION Worship, or Aradhana, is often understood as reverence and adoration toward God. But Hebrews 9:22–28 reminds us that worship is also an offering, something surrendered from the heart. Let us reflect on what the Word of God teaches us in this portion: ∙ Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness ∙ Christ entered heaven itself, not an earthly sanctuary ∙ He did not offer Himself repeatedly ∙ He appeared once for all to take away sin ∙ He will come again to bring salvation When I reflect on this, I often wonder, if Christ gave Himself as the perfect offering, what then is my offering to Him?  Unlike the old covenant, we are not called to repeated sacrifices, but to a life of response. Our worship is no longer ritual alone, but a life surrendered.  How then may I worship my Lord, with my lif...