Reflections

  Lord who Acts at the Perfect Time Bible Reading: Exodus  14:10-22 Key verse :    “and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land”  (Exodus 14: 21). DEVOTION Exodus 14 narrates how Israelites crossed the Jordan river and escaped from the hands of Egyptians. As the Israelites stand at the edge of the Red Sea, fear griped their hearts. Behind them was Pharaoh’s army, advancing with power and rage. Before them was an impassable sea. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Panic turns into complaint, and hope seems to disappear. Along with this moment of utter helplessness, the text presents the Lord who act at the perfect time. God does not part the sea immediately. God allowed His people to feel the weight of their fear, to face the reality of their bondage, and to recognize that salvation cannot come from their own strength. Therefore, the delay was not abandonment rather it was preparation. Th...

  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...

  Humility in Spiritual Renewal  Bible Reading: :1 Peter 5:6-11 Key verse :    Bible Verse::“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7  DEVOTION As the new year approaches, I’m sure many of us have different resolutions on our minds. The new year is a time of reinventing yourself and making changes - transitioning into a new stage in your career, maybe going to the gym and exercising more, saving more money, and more are all common resolutions. As with many things this season, they can be exciting and fun, but also cause stress and worry - the anxiety that you may fail, the exhaustion at facing obstacles while trying to accomplish your goal, or the stress at the uncertainty that lies ahead.  In this passage, Peter wrote his letter to other believers who needed counsel. He encouraged all believers to stay strong and resilient, even when enc...

  Renewed Strength Through Divine Exaltation Bible Reading: :: Isaiah 40:25-31 Key verse :    Bible Verse:V. 29-31: “He gives strength to the weary… Even young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength”. DEVOTION “He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.” - C.S. Lewis. We are often misled into believing that education, financial success, connections, or ‘lots of family’ will equip us to handle every situation in life. While these are valuable, there are times when none of these can pull us out of hardship. Isaiah 40 reminds us that if we walk with God, we have all the hope and strength we need to be sustained during difficult seasons. In this chapter, Isaiah comforts the Israelites, who question the brokenness around them and wonder if God truly cares. We might fall victim to this very question ourselves, however, Isaiah responds with a reminder and promise: The Reminder: God’s character The Promise...

  Church: The Way of Christ (Sabha Dinam) Bible Reading: ::John 11: 5-16 Key verse :    Bible Verse::Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us go, that we may die with him.”  John 11: 16 DEVOTION The Mar Thoma Church celebrates December 21st as Sabha Dinam or Mar Thoma Church Day, every year.  The Church believes that St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, is the founder of the Christian Churches in Kerala.  It is believed that St. Thomas reached Kerala in 52 A.D. We conduct special thanksgiving services on December 21st which is also our Sabha Dinam. In today’s Bible portion we see Jesus telling his disciples about revisiting Judea from where they had retreated owing to a threat from Jews.  The disciples reminded him of this fact.  But Jesus insisted because he loved the family of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Lazarus is dead.  Jesus said that his disciples would get a chance to believe in him when he rai...

  CELEBRATION OF LOVE:  THE LORD IS COMING Bible Reading: :: John 14: 1-7 Key verse :    Bible Verse:: 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back  and take you to be with me that you  also may be where I am. DEVOTION   This passage beautifully intertwines the themes of love, hope and divine presence.  In John 14: 1-7  Jesus comforts His dsiciples, assuring them not to get their hearts troubled. He speaks of His Father's house, where there are many rooms, emphasizing the promise of eternal life, and a place for each believer. REFLECTION ON CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND ANTICIPATION OF THE LORD LOVE AS A FOUNDATION: Jesus begins with a call to peace and faith. His words reminds us that love is the foundation of our relationship with God. In our celebrations of love – whether in our families, friendships, or communities- we reflect the love, Christ has for us. 2.   THE PROMISE OF HOME   : The imager...

  REPENTANCE AND RESTORATION IN THE MESSIANIC PROMISE Bible Reading: ::Acts 3: 19-26 Key verse :    Bible Verse:: 25   Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. DEVOTION Acts 3:19-26 provides an emphatic message about repentance, restoration and the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ.  As we explore these verses in  details, following reflections are worth discussing. CALL TO REPENTANCE:   Apostle Peter urges people to repent and turn to God so that their sins may be wiped out. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging wrong doing and seeking forgiveness.  What specific actions or attitudes do we need to turn away from, in order to draw closer to God? REFRESHING FROM THE LORD :  The promise of spiritual refreshment highlights the transformative power of repentnance. Turning to God...

  IMITATING FAITHFUL LEADERS AND SACRIFICIAL WORSHIP Bible Reading: : Hebrews 13: 7-16 Key verse :    Bible Verse::12  And so. Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. DEVOTION  Hebrews 13:7-16 offers profound insights into Christian life, emphasizing the importance of spiritual leadership, serving the community, and the pursuit of holiness.         A deeper exploration of this  passage encourges believers to remember and honor their spiritual leaders who have taught them the word of God.  It is good to reflect on how the teachings and examples of leaders  in your life ,have shaped your faith.   2. It  calls for an examination of the lives of leaders, encouraging believers to look at the fruit of their faith. It is good to assess your own life in the light of faith you observed in your leaders.  3. Verse 8 affirms the unchanging nature of Christ amidst changing...

  Messianic Leadership and Peaceful Order Jesus Christ who Restores. Bible Reading: :: Isaiah 11:1-9 Key verse :    Bible Verse::“But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.” -Isaiah 11:4 DEVOTION Isaiah 11:1–9 paints a radiant picture of Messianic leadership—the coming of a ruler from the “stump of Jesse,” upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rests in wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might. This is no ordinary leader. His reign brings righteousness for the poor, justice for the meek, and harmony throughout creation. In contrast to the prideful and oppressive rulers of the world, Christ leads with divine discernment and holy equity. His leadership flows from perfect communion with the Father, establishing a kingdom not built on coercion or fear, but on truth, mercy, and love. As Jesus declared, “My...

  The Church is a divine dwelling Bible Reading: ::Ephesians 2:19 to 22 Key verse :    Bible Verse::21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. DEVOTION This passage begins by dismantling the prior condition of alienation and establishing a new, privileged standing. Believers are no longer outsiders, but they are “fellow citizens with the saints” and “members of the household of God.” The term “fellow citizens” speaks to a political and communal belonging, suggesting a shared, eternal kingdom. This is complemented by the profoundly intimate title, “members of the household of God,” which places the believer within God's immediate family. This shift moves the Christian from a separated status—marked by distance and exclusion—to one of immediate intimacy and profound spiritual kinship. To describe this new community, Paul i...

  Covenantal Faithfulness is Communal Guidance    Bible Reading: :Joshua 24: 1-14 Key verse :    Bible Verse::“13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’” DEVOTION The Book of Joshua provides an early proclamation of the covenantal faithfulness of the LORD (YHWH)—the one true God, like no other (Isaiah 44:6-8)—to His chosen people of Israel, fulfilling the promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). The Book details the conquest of Canaan, the Promised Land, under the leadership of Joshua, who served a Moses’s attendant and helper (Numbers 11:28) and successor (Joshua 1:1-9). Joshua and Caleb—who followed the LORD wholeheartedly (Joshua 14:8–9)–were the only people that God allowed to enter the Promised Land, from a total of ~600,000 men, aged 20–50, as per the Bible (Exodus 12:37, Numbers 1:46), an estimated total population of ~2...

  Joy in spiritual Insight and God's Glory Bible Reading: :: Ephesians  1:15-23 Key verse :    Bible Verse::Vs 21 far above all rule and authority ,power and dominion and every name that is invoked not only in the present age but also in the one to come. DEVOTION The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ leads a believer towards sanctification. And sanctification of a believer does not happen by itself but by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the prayers of others. Our prayers may draw us closer to God and, at the same time, reveal God's wisdom, so that our hearts will become increasingly enlightened in our day-to-day life. Here are the three questions this passage asks us, and they help us check our lives toward total sanctification.     • What is the hope of his calling for us     • What are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints     • What is the immeasurable greatness of his power While our Calli...

  IMMANUEL – Celebration of Joy        Bible Reading: :: Mt 1:18-25 Key verse :    Bible Verse::‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ Mt  1:23 DEVOTION This last Sunday of Advent is a time when we finally get around to the celebration at the heart of Christmas. The passage is not the one with the journey to Bethlehem and the manger and the shepherds as on eve rather it is told from Joseph’s perspective who plays a secondary role throughout, emphasizing three things:   God of surprises  The birth of Jesus was completely unexpected for everyone and was a surprise in all sorts of ways. Joseph’s life had taken an unexpected turn, in the blink of an eye, and he really wasn’t sure how to proceed. What Joseph would later find out is that God had a plan for him the whole time. When life takes us on a detour, it is very comforting to remember that God has a plan and that God is still in con...

  Joy Unshaken by Adversity Bible Reading: ::  Romans 8:31–39 Key verse :    Bible Verse::“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” V-31 DEVOTION Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes the downs feel heavier than we can handle. Illness, family struggles, loss, or daily pressures can weigh us down and make it hard to even smile. But there’s something incredible God gives that no one can take from us: a joy that stands firm, even in the middle of life’s storms. In Romans 8:31-39, Paul reminds us that no matter what we face, nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ. When Paul wrote these words, he had seen all kinds of suffering, hunger, prison, rejection, and danger. Yet his heart stayed strong. He could still speak of joy, not because life was easy, but because he knew God’s love would never leave him.  That is why our joy is different from the world’s joy.  It isn’t based on perfect days.  It isn’...

  Rejoicing in God’s Redemption Bible Reading: ::Zephaniah  3:14-20 Key verse :    Bible Verse::“For I will make you renowned and praised…..when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.” (v.20) DEVOTION The book of Zephaniah speaks about Israel’s and Judah’s relationship with the Lord. They had turned away from Him and suffered the consequences of their disobedience. Zephaniah reminds them of the importance of being watchful for the Day of the Lord. All people are called to revere Him and turn back to the Lord. When you return to Him, your sins will be forgiven, He will dwell in your midst, and the Lord will restore your fortunes. The Joy of Returning to the Lord Zephaniah assures us that the Lord will not reject those who return to Him. The boundless possibility of forgiveness is emphasized in the teachings of Jesus, and Zephaniah echoes this same theme. The Lord loves the sinner and is always willing to forgive when he or she turns back to Him. The ...