Reflections

  The Lord Who Mercifully Awaits Bible Reading: St. Luke 13:6–9 Key verse :  ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.'  (Luke 13:8) DEVOTION Luke 13:6–9 records the parable of a fig tree that bears no fruit. For three years the owner comes looking, and for three years he finds nothing. The verdict due to fruitlessness was:  “Cut it down.”  Why should barren ground be wasted? But the gardener spoke on behalf of the tree, “ Sir, leave it alone for one more year.”  He asks not for denial of justice, but for  time  to dig around the roots, time to add manure, time to care again. In this parable, the gardener became the Lord of the tree, as well as the one who take responsibility for the improvement of what is entrusted to be taken care of.    This parable is not about a cruel God impatient with failure. It is about a God who takes care of, and who extend the possibility of finding me...

  Continuous Encouragement and Spiritual  Renewal Bible Reading: ::Thessalonians 5:14-28 Key verse :    Bible Verse:  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. DEVOTION “Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren’t rubbed in but rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice.”-Rick Warren We are often misled by the fact that what God expects from us is just to be Spiritually stable. Paul reminds us that God expects more than that from us The church in Thessalonica was young and eagerly awaiting Christ’s return. Paul  instructs the church with a few key points for the church to achieve spiritual maturity, how to grow in faith, care for one another, and live as a Christ-centered community. 1.  Care for One Another According to Spiritual Need   Paul instructs believers to warn the idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, and be patie...

  Renew and Rejoice in the Responsibility Bible Reading: ::5:14–16 Key verse :    Bible Verse: Verse “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” DEVOTION Jesus uses the metaphor of light to describe who His followers are and what their responsibility is. Light is not only who we are, but also what we are called to be. He tells His followers that they are the light of the world and that this light should not be hidden, but seen. Light has one purpose—to shine. There is darkness in life, both external and internal. Jesus encourages His followers to bring light into a dark and broken world. Darkness appears as fear, injustice, loneliness, hatred, and broken relationships. Into this darkness, Jesu...

  Freedom From Anxiety Through Godly Perspective  Bible Reading: :: Luke 12:22-34 Key verse :    Bible Verse: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” - Luke 12:32 DEVOTION As we celebrate the Savior's birth and look ahead to the new year, it is important to remember the true reason behind Jesus' birth. Isaiah 9:6 prophesized, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” For all those who carry worries in their heart, this promise gives us the freedom from anxiety through a Godly perspective.  Wonderful Counselor: The Calmer of All Our Storms “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7 It is known that the best form of relief is talking to someone we trust. Jesus, our own counselor, gives us the opportunity to speak to him freely. We talk to Jesus through prayer, where we can share all...

  Be the space for Christ Bible Reading: ::Colossians  1:15-20 Key verse :    Bible Verse: Verse 18: And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. DEVOTION Christology is the branch of theology that specifically examines the nature, being, and work of Jesus Christ. This passage is considered one of the most profound statements of Christology in the New Testament. It is often called “Christ’s Hymn” and is an example of High Christology. The passage presents two major themes: Jesus’s supremacy over the Original Creation and the Supremacy over the New Creation. In v 15-17, Paul presents an image of Jesus as fully divine. He says that Jesus was part of the design of the original creation and that hence the title of the “firstborn”. Here Jesus is being given the image of the visible Son of an invisible Father. Just at a time when we have celebrated Christmas with al...

  Repentance and communal restoration Bible Reading: :: 1 Samuel 7: 1-12 Key verse :    Bible Verse: “Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and he named it Ebenezer saying,” Thus far the LORD has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7: 12) DEVOTION The context of today’s devotion begins when the Israelites, acting in pride, took the ark of the Lord into battle, believing it would guarantee victory—as though God Himself were obligated to lead them. Instead, they were defeated by the Philistines, and the ark was captured. However, God demonstrated His power by sending plagues upon the Philistines, who became fearful and ultimately returned the ark to Israel. During this period, Samuel called the people to repentance, urging them to turn away from foreign gods and to “direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him only.” In response, the Israelites mourned before the Lord, removed the Baals and other idols, fasted, and confessed their sins (1 Samuel 7:2–6). This p...