Reflections

   Do not be afraid , I am with you  Bible Reading:  Acts 18:1-11 Key Verse:  9-10 " And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” - Acts 18:9-10 DEVOTION In Acts 18:1–11, Paul arrives in Corinth and lives with Aquila and Priscilla, working as a tentmaker. Each Sabbath he reasons in the synagogue, but when opposition grows, he turns to the Gentiles. Many begin to believe, and in this moment—amid both resistance and new openness—the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision. In a vision at night, the Lord says, “Do not be afraid…for I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” These words are not just comfort; they are direction. God does not remove Paul from Corinth—He reassures him within it. The presence of God becomes Paul’s courage to...

  An Invitation to the Lord's Hospitality Bible Reading:   Luke 24:13-35 Key Verse:  30 When he was at table with them  he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. DEVOTION *Luke 24: 13-35* An Invitation to the Lord’s Hospitality Today’s gospel is about changing the path of two disciples going to Emmaus. It is an event of brokenness and restoration. The journey of Cleopas and companion from Jerusalem to Emmaus and back to Jerusalem is a journey that we often makes or repeats. We have a Jerusalem and an Emmaus within us. Both are the reality of our lives. Have we ever felt the need to escape from Jerusalem, which is our real life? Or do we feel that life is too complicated for us to handle? Have you ever felt like the world was turned upside down? Have expectations been dashed and disappointed? It is Easter morning, and the two disciples are leaving Jerusalem. Who can blame them? Jerusalem is a place of pain, sorrow, and loss. It is a place of...

  Do not be afraid , I am with you  Bible Reading:  Acts 18:1-11 Key Verse:  9-10 " And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” - Acts 18:9-10 DEVOTION In Acts 18:1–11, Paul arrives in Corinth and lives with Aquila and Priscilla, working as a tentmaker. Each Sabbath he reasons in the synagogue, but when opposition grows, he turns to the Gentiles. Many begin to believe, and in this moment—amid both resistance and new openness—the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision. In a vision at night, the Lord says, “Do not be afraid…for I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” These words are not just comfort; they are direction. God does not remove Paul from Corinth—He reassures him within it. The presence of God becomes Paul’s courage to stay....

  The Devine Presence that Moves with Us  Bible Reading:  (Exodus 33: 12 -16) Key Verse:  14-16 “And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:14-16. DEVOTION Moses knew the value of God’s presence.  Moses is pleading with God to go with them. God said that I will not go with you because you are stiff necked people, you will sin, and I will destroy you.  Moses is saying, Lord, we don’t want your blessings, what we want is your presence.  This is the prayer that unlocks heaven. When we value his presence more than his presents, it will transform everything. When we desire his face more than his favor, we will tap...

  EVERLASTING PRESENCE  Bible Reading:  Psalms 121 Key Verse:  4  “Behold He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” DEVOTION God called Abraham from the land or Ur and promised to bless him and his descendants. Thus God designed His plan of salvation for humankind at the right time through Jesus Christ in the earthly line of Abraham. Israel’s journey through the centuries was not a pleasing tale to God. However, because of His abounding love and His promise to Abraham, He did not allow Israel to be consumed. A remnant always survived the catastrophes of war, famine, pestilences and slavery. King David marks a pivotal point in Israel’s history. In addition to being the most successful King of Israel, he is also known as the “Sweet Psalmist of Israel.” He was able to bring Israel closer to God through his psalms. The history of Israel also presents psalms written by other musicians at various times. Psalm 121 is one such song written by an unknown...

  Presence on the Unfamiliar Road Bible Reading:  Exodus Chapter  13:17-22 Key Verse:  21 “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and b y night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. (vs.21) DEVOTION Life often takes us down roads we did not plan or think of. The people of Israel had just been delivered from 430 years of slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. Instead of leading them by the shortest route, God led them on an unfamiliar path. God’s path is not always the shortest. In verse 17 we read when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might return to Egypt”. In our life too, the shortest is not the easiest path, but the path where God’s presence is felt and experienced, God shows His love in ways we may overlook or be unaware. As children of God...