Reflections

  Singing with Spirit and Understanding Bible Reading:  I Corinthians  14:15-19 Key Verse:   “I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” – 1 Cor.  14:15 DEVOTION   The church in Corinth was a diverse body of believers planted in a city known for widespread immorality and sinful practices. Within the church, internal struggles with sin and division were prevalent. Yet despite its shortcomings and even as some struggled with sin, many members of the Corinthian church actively exercised the spiritual gifts with which they had been richly endowed. Recognizing both the blessings and the potential for misuse, Paul offers clear guidance on the proper use of spiritual gifts, especially in chapters 12 through 14 of this Epistle. He compares the church to a body with many parts, each fulfilling a unique role, working together in unity to grow and build up one ano...

  A New Song of Deliverance and Testimony Bible Reading:   Psalms 40:1-10 DEVOTION Key verse:  Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. (Ps. 40:4)   In a world of same-day Amazon deliveries, rapid innovation, and high-speed processors, the Bible reminds us of the power of patient trust in the LORD. In psalms 40 we read the testimony of David. He declares that deliverance from trouble doesn’t come through haste, but through patiently waiting on God. In verse 2, David describes being brought out of a horrible pit and miry clay. He wasn’t just stuck in the pit, but he is drenched in the mess of his circumstances. It’s also a description of those instances in our lives, when we’re not only failing inwardly, but our scars and struggles are visible to others. Friends, colleagues, roommates mock us for our scars and pain. But that is not the end of the story. The passage continues to say, “ He set...

  “Worship that invites the glory of God” Bible Reading:  2 Chronicles 5:11–14 Key Verse: V13-14  “The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” (2 Chr.  5:13-14 ) DEVOTION In 2 Chronicles 5:11–14, we see a stunning moment in Israel’s history. As they worship, the temple fills with a cloud; the very glory of God. So overwhelming is His presence that the priests cannot continue their duties. This text leads to meditate about worship that invites God’s glory 1. Worship in Spirit Jesus tells the Samaritan woman in John 4:23–24 that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” Worship in spirit is about the heart, awakened and led by the Holy Spirit. It’s worship that flows from a life surrendered to God. Paul echoes this in Romans 12:1, urging believers to ...

  PRESSING FORWARD WITH CHRIST BESIDE US  Bible Reading:    Philippines 3 :4-14  Key Verse:Philippines 3:8  I consider everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of Christ Jesus my Lord. DEVOTION Apostle Paul’s definition of a Christian is one who is in Christ. All the salvation one can  attain takes place in Christ and Christ alone. Through our absolute faith in Jesus, we are  justified and sealed in him and further during our continued life in him we get sanctified by  the shed blood on the Calvary. Here in today’s devotion from Philippines chapter 3 we see  Paul’s great desire to be found in Christ is highlighted.  What does it mean to be in Christ? What are the obstacles that stand in the way of knowing  Christ and be in Christ? To be in Christ involves obedience,surrender,faith and hope.  Unless we have an earnest desire to know Christ and grow in him daily, we cannot press  forward to reach o...

  Jesus Christ, the Co-Traveler Bible Reading:  Acts 8:26-40 Key Verse:  “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.”   (Luke 24:30) DEVOTION   After His resurrection, Jesus didn’t appear only to those who followed Him and not to everyone. One such appearance was to two disciples walking to Emmaus. Though they were troubled and disheartened, the risen Lord chose to walk with them. At first, they didn’t recognize Him. It was only later, at the dinner table, when He broke the bread, that their eyes were opened. This passage reveals two profound truths about Christ and our walk with Him: 1. Jesus Walks With Us in Every Circumstance Luke 24:16 says,  “but they were kept from recognizing him.”  These two disciples were talking about Jesus, their hearts heavy with grief. Although they knew much about Him and were even discussing His crucifixion and resurrection, they did not realize that it was Jesu...

  Divine Opportunities on the Road Bible Reading:  Acts 8:26-40 Key Verse:  Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts  8:26 ) DEVOTION The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch offers a powerful reminder of how God leads, equips, and uses His people to accomplish His purposes. This Philip is not the Apostle, but one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6:3; described as “a man full of the Spirit and wisdom.” Though his name first appears during a time of crisis, we soon see him become a vital instrument in God’s hands. After the martyrdom of Stephen, intense persecution broke out in Jerusalem. As a result, many believers, including Philip, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. While this might have looked like a setback, it was actually the unfolding of Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8, that the gospel would be preached in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Sometimes, what seems...