Reflections

  Unity in Faith and Action  Bible Reading:  Mark 6:32-44  Key verse :   “They all ate and were satisfied.” Mark 5:42  DEVOTION In life it is easy to forget anything is possible with God, especially when things get hard both  physically and mentally. Mark 6:32-44 describes when Jesus fed the five thousand with only five  loaves of bread and two fish despite the disciples thinking they did not have enough.   Even when the disciples thought that they didn’t have enough, they still listened to Jesus, which  provided a great outcome! In verse 42 it says “They all ate and were satisfied”. Jesus is able to  satisfy so many people with such little resources. If Christ can satisfy the physical hunger of so  many people, we can point people to the way to quench their spiritual hunger.   Many of us have experienced the love of Christ first hand and saw how he quenched our spiritual  hunger. As Christians we are called to point ...

  One Work, Many Servants, One God  Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9  Key verse :   “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded  according to their own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8  DEVOTION Have you ever been found comparing yourself to others, and becoming envious of what they have  achieved? Jealousy is a master at curtailing love for others and hindering the purpose of our life.   1 Corinthians 3:1-9 is an example of how throughout the ministry of the gospel message, jealousy can  create a strong division between believers. The key to overcoming this jealousy is understanding that it  takes more than one servant to build up the kingdom of our Lord.   With this, one should understand that each servant has a different role: Paul explains, “The one who  plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose (v8). The one purpose we have as  believers is to bring mo...

  Stones of Unity: Remembering God’s Acts Together  Bible Reading: Joshua 4:1-11  Key verse :    “tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it  crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people  of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:7  DEVOTION Joshua 4:1-11 describes how after over 40 years the Israelites have finally reached Canaan! The Israelites  must have been eager to enter the promised land especially with preparations for their families and all  belongings on their mind. But first, they needed to remember how they got there. When Joshua obeys  God’s command to gather one man from each tribe, he is honoring the faithfulness God showed not only  the Israelites who traveled the last forty years, but also God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the promises made  to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Though each of the twelve men ...

  and favor, so that “His ways will  be known throughout the earth, His saving power among people everywhere” (v2).   You see, brothers and sisters, we are called to be a blessing to others just like how God has  abundantly blessed us. As we continue to seek Him, may our lives be pleasing to God, so that  others may have that opportunity to know the Lord by His grace and unfailing love.  PRAYER Father God, we thank you for today and for giving us another day to experience your goodness. We thank you for all the blessings that you’ve poured on our lives. Jesus, we pray that you will help us to reflect your love to others and to help us treat others the way you want us to treat them. I pray that you may help us to be the blessing that you called us to be to others so that they may come to know you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  THOUGHT FOR THE DAY As Christians, let us take time each day and reflect on how to show God’s love for those around  us. May we be...

  United in Prayer, United in God’s Revelation Bible Reading:  Daniel  2:17-23 Key verse :    “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:22 DEVOTION When Daniel was faced with a situation that could cost him his life, he did not try to solve it on his own. Instead, he went home and shared the problem with his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Together, they prayed and asked God for mercy. Their first response was not fear or panic, but unity in prayer.   That night, God revealed the mystery to Daniel in a vision. What is powerful is how Daniel responded. He did not take credit for what happened. He immediately praised God, recognizing that wisdom and power belong to Him alone. Daniel understood that God controls time and seasons, raises up leaders, and brings light into the darkest situations.  This passage teaches us the power of group prayer and that prayer is not only meant to be do...

  United in Compassion Bible Reading:  Mark 2:1-12 Key verse :   “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 DEVOTION In Mark 2:1-12, we are shown that compassion is most powerful when shared through others. In this passage, we read that a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus by four men. Unable to reach Jesus through the crowd, they worked together to create an opening in the roof to lower their friend down. Their unity shows that compassion is shown through not only sympathy, but action.  In Mark 2:5, Jesus not only recognizes the faith of the paralyzed man, but the group of four men who carried him: “When Jesus saw their faith…” Healing begins when a community works together in faith. True faith is shown through how we carry each other, especially when someone is unable to stand on their own.  Before healing the paralyzed man, Jesus forgives his sins. True compassion looks beyond what is visible and seeks co...