Reflections

  “Let’s Start at the Very Beginning”  Bible Reading: :  Genesis 1:1-5  1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good,and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning the first day.   Key Verse:  4 4 “God saw the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness DEVOTION “Let’s start at the very beginning… a very good place to start…!” All of us are familiar with this song from the classic movie “The Sound of Music.” Maria (Julie Andrews) through this song is trying to bring back light and joy into the dull, dark lives of the 7 Von Trapp children, for a new beginning. Likewise a question all of us (a...

  The voice of of the Lord in thunder and majesty  Bible Reading: :  Psalms 29: Key Verse:  4 The voice of the Lord is powerful:  the voice of the Lord is full of majesty DEVOTION   Psalm 29 is a majestic hymn of praise, traditionally attributed to King David that depicts the “voice of the Lord” as a powerful sovereign force that rules over Heaven and Earth. This Psalm is notable for its emphasis on the name: The Lord, using it 18 times in 11 verses; and the Voice of the Lord is repeated seven times; seven signifying completeness in Hebrew thought.    His people of the strength and peace He offers them. The Psalm provides a rich understanding of the leadership of the Lord over all forces in heaven and on Earth. The psalm has three sections. The first section is a request to the heavenly beings to acknowledge the power and glory of God. The second section is all about the Lord’s command over the natural forces that are frightening to huma...

  Silence in a Spiritually Barren Time  Bible Reading: : 1 Samuel 3: 1 - 10  Key Verse:  10 V. 10  “Speak, for your servant is listening”  DEVOTION This passage highlights the importance of fostering a willing obedient heart to discern God’s voice in a noisy world, where our lives are caught up in our race to material success, in our daily struggles to raise our children and to keep abreast of the times. The call to Samuel came at a me when the word of God was rare and there were not many visions, a time  of spiritual barrenness and corruption, and the failed leadership of Eli. During this period, direct communication  from God was infrequent due to Israel’s disobedience, yet God was actively preparing Samuel to bring light to that dark period. God often  speaks in unexpected or quiet ways, even when the world seems silent or dark. We often  go through phases in our lives when we feel that God’s presence is absen...

  Walking by the Spirit: Faithful in Love. Bible Reading: :  Galatians 5:16–26 Key Verse:  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”  DEVOTION The Christian life is not merely about following rules; it is about walking daily under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5, Apostle Paul contrasts two paths.  The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. The flesh leads to division, selfishness, anger, and impurity, but the Spirit produces a life that reflects the character of Christ. To “walk by the Spirit” means to surrender our thoughts, words, and actions to God each day. We cannot overcome sinful desires by our own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live differently,  with love instead of hatred, patience instead of anger, and faithfulness instead of compromise. Among the fruits of the Spirit, love stands first because it is the foundation of Christian living. True ...

  Holy Spirit — The Lord and Giver of Life Bible Reading: :  John 14: 15-21 Key Verse:  16 16: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” DEVOTION In this passage, Jesus prepared His disciples for a time when He would no longer be physically present with them. Yet He did not leave them helpless or abandoned. He promised the coming of the Holy Spirit;  the Comforter, Helper, and Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit is not merely a force or influence, but the Lord and Giver of Life who dwells within every believer. The world often searches for life through wealth, power, or human wisdom, but true spiritual life comes only through the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit gives strength to the weak, wisdom to the confused, peace to the troubled, and hope to the discouraged. He renews our hearts and leads us into a deeper relationship with Christ. Jesus said that those who love Him will keep His commandments. Obedienc...

  Life in the Spirit;  Freedom from Condemnation            Bible Reading: :  Romans 8:1–11 Key Verse:  2  For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death DEVOTION The eighth chapter of Epistle to the Romans opens with one of the most comforting promises in Scripture: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” What a glorious assurance for every believer”? Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the burden of guilt and the judgment of sin have been removed. Those who belong to Christ are no longer prisoners of condemnation but children walking in grace and freedom. Before knowing Christ, humanity lived under the power of sin and the weakness of the flesh. The flesh draws us toward selfish desires, fear, anger, and spiritual death. But God did not leave us helpless. He sent His Son to defeat sin and gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell with...