Reflections

  Faith that turns ashes into glory Bible Reading: :Hebrews 11:1-12 Key verse :    Bible Verse::  Hebrews 11:1 “ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see “  DEVOTION Hebrews Chapter 11 is often referred to as ‘Chapter of Faith ‘. This chapter elaborates the power and importance of faith in the lives of believers.  The chapter gives us glimpses that outline the impact of faith in life of various Biblical characters in the Old Testament.  The unwavering faith that fortifies and guides those who trust in promises of God.  As we focus on today’s devotional portion, the chapter starts in verses 1-3 off with the definition of faith and the foundational understanding of what faith is in the life of believer. Faith as the definition goes is defined as having an emotional as well as intellectual dimension. This twin aspects means faith involves an unwavering belief in God’s promises and deep-seated trust of how God...

  Celebration of hope : from dishonor to honor   Bible Reading: : Luke 1:39-45 Key verse :    Bible Verse::  Luke 1: 45  “ And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled."  DEVOTION The first chapter in the Gospel of Luke, is rich with theological meaning, historical context, and spiritual depth. This will help each of us in our Christian understanding and knowledge, on  the life of Jesus here on Earth and the origins that sparked the birth of Christianity.  We focus on today’s devotional of Mary the mother of Jesus visiting her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist.  We see Elizabeth filled with the holy spirit, and truly recognizing  Mary as the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Chapter sets the stage of the miraculous birth of Jesus and of John the Baptist and highlighting the faith of their parents and their obedience to God.   Mary ‘s meeting ...

  Grace that enriches and strengthens   Bible Reading: : 1 Corinthians 1: 3-10 Key verse :    Bible Verse:: 1 Corinthians 1 :2 ‘ to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  DEVOTION The First Epistle to the Church in Corinth authored by Apostle Paul , addresses the growing concerns, challenges and issues faced by the Corinthian Church. The First Chapter establishes the purpose of Paul’s letter emphasizing the basis of unity and openly confronting the divisiveness among the members of the Church.  As we start reading the devotional portion for today, we see Apostle Paul including Sosthenes perhaps suggesting this letter was collaborative effort by Paul and Sosthenes.  Paul addresses the first verse to the Church of God in Corinth, highlighting the sacred nature of the assembly of believers and phrase ‘ san...

  From Fear to Favor  Bible Reading: : Genesis 33 : 1-15 Key verse :    Bible Verse:Genesis 33.10 “ " Now that I have seen your face and you have accepted me, it is as if I have seen the face of God. ( New English Translation) DEVOTION Genesis Chapter 33 recounts the emotional reunion between two estranged brothers Jacob and Esau after years of being separated from each other. Esau, completely moved by Jacob’s humility and generosity,  forgives Jacob and they both reconcile with each other. This chapter highlights the power of mutual forgiveness and the restoration of broken relationships that is brokered by God’s grace and mercy. The chapter opens with Jacob preparing to meet his estranged older brother, Esau. The sight of Esau arriving with about 400 men must have paralyzed Jacob with fear especially considering their past rivalry. Jacob positioned Rachel and Joseph further away at the rear of the contingent as Jacob had soft corner for both Racheal and J...

  Comfort in the midst of trials. Bible Reading: : 2 Corinthians 1 :3-10   Key verse :    Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:10 ‘ He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again ( New English Translation)  DEVOTION The devotional today from 2 Corinthians 1:3-10 is one of the Pauline Epistles that offers for us, powerful view  into Paul’s personal experiences, theological reflections, pastoral care and above all the resurrective power of Almighty God.  Paul praises God as the Father of mercies and God who is the comforter to all, and these are attributes of the character of God. As Believers, we experience God’s comfort during tribulation and we in turn are asked to extend that comfort to others experiencing trails and tribulation. This becomes a potent weapon for us as believers, as we support each other during a time of need. As we further read, we see an important the...

  From Tears to Triumph   Bible Reading: : 1 Samuel 1 :9-20   Key verse :    1 Samuel 1:20  “ And in due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called him Samuel , for she said ‘ I have asked for him from the Lord ‘ (New Living Translation)  DEVOTION Our Devotional today from 1 Book of Samuel Chapter 1 verses 9-20, focuses on very familiar passage about Hannah (mother of Prophet Samuel) and her husband Elkanah pilgrimage to Shiloh.  The pilgrimage to Shiloh involves sacrifices, feasts and worship at the Sanctuary where Eli and his sons officiate as priests.  As we read verse 9-20 in this chapter, the central theme in this chapter is the plight of Hannah. Hannah’s  distress is further exacerbated by Peninnah (Hannah husband Elkanah had two wives and Peninnah was the other wife) demeaning and humiliating verbal abuses. Peninnah’s behavior demonstrates the rivalry and extreme tension in Elkanah’s household since Hannah is witho...

  A New Heaven, A New Joy    Bible Reading: :   Isaiah 65 : 17-25  Key verse :    Isaiah 65:17-18 “See, I will create new heaven and new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind . But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be delight and its people a joy “  (New Living Translation)   DEVOTION The Book of Isaiah Chapter 65 is considered one of the profound chapters in the Prophetic Book of Isaiah. The Chapter contains the theme of divine judgement, restoration and renewal.  As we read through the book of Isaiah, we see this chapter as the intersection of rebellion among God’s people and the hope of the renewed world. Additionally, this chapter explores God’s relationship with his people and how despite all their rebellion and disobedience, God offers His People hope, peace and harmony in the new world.  As we focus on the selected portion for toda...

  Living as children in God's perfect timing Bible Reading: :  Galatians 4:1-7 Key verse :    “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son…” (Galatians 4:4) DEVOTION This passage reminds us that God’s timing is never accidental or random. St. Paul explains that before Christ came, God’s people were like children who were still growing into maturity, not yet ready to receive what was already promised to them. Then, at the perfect moment, not early and not late, God acts. This teaches us something important about our own lives. There are seasons where we feel delayed, overlooked, or unsure of what comes next. Scripture tells us that God is preparing us in ways we may not see. As His children, we are invited to trust that every stage of life is held in His wisdom. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is forgotten. When the time is right, God moves. When we live as His children, we learn to rest in the assurance that His timing is not only intentional, but also p...

  Willingness to be the will of God Bible Reading: : St. Luke 1:26-38 Key verse :    And the angel answered her "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of he most high will overshadow you. Vs 35 DEVOTION St. Mary’s story in Luke shows that God’s will can show up when we are not ready. Mary did not get all the answers. She did not understand everything. But she still listened. When the angel spoke, she said, “I am the Lord’s servant… may it be to me according to Your word.” That took trust. God’s will can be hard. It can change our plans. But it is always good. St. Mary shows us that real faith is not just knowing God’s will. It is being willing to say yes. Jesus asks us today, “Will you trust Me even when you do not understand everything?” There will be moments when God asks us to take a step of faith, or forgive, or serve, or trust Him when life feels confusing and uncomfortable. Yet Mary shows that God is not looking for perfect people. He just ...

  God Chooses The Humble For His Purpose: Bible Reading: :1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Key verse :    v27-29 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.” DEVOTION A question that often runs through our minds is “Am I worthy enough?”. It is an inner battle we face. We try to come up with all of these answers and it leads us to doubt ourselves. But the truth is this: even though none of us are truly worthy on our own, God still chooses to use us—and He does so intentionally. God doesn't wait for us to be perfect or qualified. Instead, He meets us in our weaknesses to reveal Himself. When we lack the strength, He supplies it. When we lack the wisdom, He provides it. When we feel unseen or insignificant, He lifts us up and places His pur...

  The Healing Power of Thankful Hearts Bible Reading: :Luke 17:11–19 Key verse :    “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.” — Luke 17:15 DEVOTION A thankful heart does not come from having a perfect life. It comes from knowing that God is close, even when life feels heavy. Thankfulness does not erase our pain, but it helps us see the ways God is working in the middle of it. When we choose to thank God for His presence, His promises, and His care, something inside us begins to heal. Fear slowly becomes smaller, joy grows stronger, and our hearts become lighter. In the St. Luke’s Gospel, ten lepers cry out and all ten are healed. Yet only one returns to give thanks. That one man sees something the others missed: healing is not complete until gratitude draws us back to God who has healed us. Jesus tells him, “Your faith has made you well.” His thankful heart led him straight back to the presence of Jesus. Gratitude doe...

  Called to Obedience of Faith Bible Reading: :Romans 1:1-7  Key verse :    “Vs5 Through Him  we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name  among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ. DEVOTION Glory Be to The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God Forever!  In these verses from St. Paul to the Romans, he is reminding the believers that they are called not to just believe in Christ Jesus, but to obey him through their faith. This type of obedience is not about following directions to please God. It is about allowing our faith to grow stronger by trusting who God is, and what He has already done for each of us. When St. Paul writes, “called to belong to Jesus,” he means that our every direction, identity, and purpose in life should come from him. As said before, we don’t obey to earn God’s love. We are to be obedient because he already gave us His sacrificial love.  In verse 2, St, Paul also...

  Be Silent and Trust in God’s Presence Bible Reading: :Zechariah 2:10–13 Key verse :    Be silent all flesh,  before the Lord, for He is aroused from  His holy habitation. Vs 13 DEVOTION As we continue to experience a new liturgical year in the Church, we are coming to picture God drawing near to His people. In Zechariah  2:10-13 , verse 10 says, “Shout and be glad…for I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. In the end of the verse, it says, “Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.” These verses are very important in today’s society, especially since we live in an environment where there is noise, disruptions, and endless striving for something always. God is calling and inviting us to quiet our hearts and trust that he is actively dwelling within each of us. The silence before God is not empty silence. It is the stillness of a calm heart that believes that God is working even when we...

  Rejoicing in God’s Sovereign Plan Bible Reading: :1 Samuel 2:1-11 Key verse :    “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.” — 1 Samuel 2:1 DEVOTION Hannah’s story is one many of us can relate to. She prayed for years, hoping for something her heart deeply wanted. She cried, she waited, and she wondered if God even saw her. But even with all that pain, she held onto her faith. And when God finally answered her prayer and gave her a son, she didn’t rush to celebrate herself. She didn’t forget the years of tears. Her first response was to praise God. Hannah reminds us that real joy doesn’t come from finally getting what we want. Real joy comes from knowing God, trusting Him, and believing He is good, even when life feels slow or confusing. In her prayer, Hannah talks about how powerful God is. She says God lifts up people who feel small and gives strength to those who feel weak. She shows us that God is the One who can turn a hard story into a hop...

  Assured by God’s unchanging promise  Bible Reading: : Hebrews 6:9-12 Key verse :    “Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” - Hebrews 6:12  DEVOTION God intends for us to inherit His promises. An important aspect to remember is that His promises are inherited NOT earned. There is nothing in this world we could do to earn His love or earn salvation, it was only by the saving work of Jesus on the cross that we have the opportunity to enter the Holy of Holies. Jesus conquered death and poured out His love on us, which we spread not only to other believers but the whole world.   God never overlooks us and the work we do to further His Kingdom, He will never be unjust to forsake us. God doesn’t want us to be spiritually dull, He wants us to stay firm and grow in our faith and inherit His promises. The examples of othe...

  God who gives promises of possibilities Bible Reading: :Luke 1:5-23 Key verse :    "But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.'" (Luke 1:13) DEVOTION Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple beyond their childbearing years, marked by the sorrow of barrenness. Despite their righteousness, their fervent prayers for a child had seemingly gone unanswered for decades, settling into what felt like a permanent impossibility. Yet, God, in His infinite wisdom and perfect timing, chose this very scenario to display His power. In the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, announcing that his "prayer has been heard", a prayer perhaps long forgotten in its intensity, but never by God. Elizabeth would bear a son, John, who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Zechariah’s immediate response was human doubt, rooted in his advanced age and Elizabeth's b...

  God who gives promises of possibilities Bible Reading: :Luke 1:5-23 Key verse :    "But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.'" (Luke 1:13) DEVOTION Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple beyond their childbearing years, marked by the sorrow of barrenness. Despite their righteousness, their fervent prayers for a child had seemingly gone unanswered for decades, settling into what felt like a permanent impossibility. Yet, God, in His infinite wisdom and perfect timing, chose this very scenario to display His power. In the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, announcing that his "prayer has been heard", a prayer perhaps long forgotten in its intensity, but never by God. Elizabeth would bear a son, John, who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Zechariah’s immediate response was human doubt, rooted in his advanced age and Elizabeth's b...

  Order in God’s Plan of Promise Bible Reading: : 1 Chron. 24:1-19 Key verse :    This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the Lord, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him. 1 Chron. 24:19 DEVOTION In 1 Chronicles 24:1–19, God’s hand is seen in David’s careful organization of the priesthood. What may appear as mere administration is, in truth, divine orchestration. Each priestly division was appointed “by lot,” yet it was the Lord who directed the outcome. This reveals a timeless truth - God’s promises are fulfilled through divine order, not disorder. God is not random in His dealings; He arranges every detail with precision to ensure His covenant purposes unfold perfectly. The priestly divisions preserved the continuity of worship, proving that even generations later, His faithfulness depends not on human spontaneity, but on holy structure. In our...

  God Turns Barrenness into Blessing Bible Reading: :Judges 13:2-14 Key verse :    An angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah and said to her “Though you are barren and have had no children, you will conceive and bear a son.  Judges 13:3 DEVOTION In the days of old, people often believed that sickness, disability, or childlessness were signs of divine punishment for sin. Even in John 9, Jesus’ disciples asked, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus gently corrected their thinking, saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” In Judges 13, we meet Manoah and his wife—an ordinary couple facing the pain of childlessness. For years, their prayers seemed unanswered. Yet, in the quiet of their waiting, God was preparing a miracle. The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and declared that she would bear a son—Samson.  Samson’s birth was not just a ...

  Rooted in Christ, growing in Grace Bible Reading: : Colossians 1:1–14 Key verse :    “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” — Colossians 1:10 DEVOTION Paul’s prayer for the believers in Colossae reminds us that the Christian life is not just about believing, it’s about growing. We are called to be “rooted in Christ” and to keep “growing in the knowledge of God.” Like plants that thrive only when their roots go deep, our faith flourishes when we remain connected to Christ through prayer, His Word, and obedience. In Colossians 1:10, Paul describes the life God desires for us: one that bears fruit, pleases Him, and grows continually in grace. Spiritual growth isn’t instant; it’s a lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus through His power working in us. Jesus illustrated this truth in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4–15). The seed that fell on rocky ground sprout...

  Be Courageous: God is with you Bible Reading: : Joshua 1:1–9 Key verse :    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 DEVOTION The book of Joshua opens with a moment of transition and uncertainty. Moses, Israel’s great leader, has died, and now Joshua must lead God’s people into the Promised Land. Standing before the Jordan River, with challenges ahead, Joshua receives God’s unchanging promise: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” The name Joshua means “The Lord is salvation.” Just as Joshua led Israel into the land of promise, Jesus (whose name comes from the same root) leads us into eternal life. God’s words to Joshua came during change and fear, a reminder that His purpose continues even when seasons end. When the Israelites faced the flooded Jordan River, they had to step forward in faith before it parted. Likewise, we often meet our “Jordan Rivers”, the problems...