Reflections

Called to be Sen Philippians 3:1-21 Tanya Alexander Epiphany MTC, New York 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. “You have arrived at your destination.” I felt pure bliss as those sweet words echoed through my car speakers. Earlier that day, my seemingly twenty minute drive warped into 2-hour journey, when I missed the last exit before a bridge. I realized I was just blindly following GPS directions without fully understanding where I was going. I was so focused on reaching my destination that I forgot to pay attention to my journey.   In this passage, the apostle Paul writes about his own struggle with God’s purpose for his life.  Paul knew that God had deliberately taken hold of his life for a reason. Yet, like many of us believers, he did not know what role he had to play in God’s master plan.  Paul’s struggles can easily relate to our own struggles with faith. Paul was one of the most prominent lead...

Called to be sent 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Daisy John Epiphany MTC, NY 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues   We live in a society where we are always watching.  We stay home and watch the world events on the television.  We go outside to watch people play games or listen to others make music etc. We have no involvement, commitment or responsibility.  Church too has fallen in this category where the congregation sit back and watch others do the work.  We complain that we do not have special gifts from God to be a part of the church.  While few others will seek for spiritual gifts for self glorification and ego manifestations.    In Corinthians 12, we read of the Corinthian Church who were als...

Called to be sent Hebrews 10:32-39   Gilsy M. Saji Epiphany MTC, NY 36 For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.   In today's society, it has become increasingly difficult to answer the Lord's call and live a life pleasing to Him. Our Creator satisfies our basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. Yet, we fail to seek Him amongst all the noise in our life. It is a struggle to submit our God-given talents and answer His calling without wavering in our faith. The world tests our faith and only with His grace can we overcome the storms that life has in store for us. In Hebrews 10: 32-39, we read Paul's letter encouraging the people to stand firm and persevere in faith. Paul's message reminds the people of the earlier days when they faced persecution and struggled to uphold the name of the Lord. Although they may have faced many trials, Paul urged them to stay firm and proclaimed, “in a very litt...

Called To Be Sent Jeremiah 1:1-12 Mary Roy Epiphany MTC NY “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations ” (Jeremiah 1:5)   Jeremiah was born to a Levitical priest named Hilkiah and was from a small village named  Anathoth. He is best known by the name “weeping prophet.” Before birth, God set Jeremiah aside to bring a message to the nations. God’s mission for Jeremiah was to urge the nations to change their hearts and turn to the one true God.  A prophet is a chosen and authorized spokesman for God who declares God’s word to the people. Jeremiah 1:5 states “ I chose you before I formed you in the womb: I set you apart before you were born”. God knew Jeremiah, He chose Jeremiah and appointed Jeremiah. He was handpicked by God and commissioned to serve. These acts show that before Jeremiah was even born God had a purpose for him. God used Jeremiah to prophesize in the ...

Called to be sent John 15:15-18 Jason Thomas, Epiphany MTC, NY 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.   In 2002, the cover of a well-known sports magazine Sport Illustrated contained a picture of a high school basketball player called LeBron James with the title ‘Chosen One’ as the headline.  LeBron James was labeled as the next Michael Jordan, a player who would transcend the sport and win multiple NBA championships. Being the ‘Chosen One’ put a target on James’ back and a huge yoke on his shoulders before he even played one NBA game. In John 15:16, we read “You did not choose me, but I (God) chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit”. Not only are we chosen, but we are chosen with a purpose – to bear fruit.  But God doesn’t leave the yoke of bearing fruit on our shoulders alone; no, he ack...

Stewardship of Environment Genesis 2:8-15 Daniel Thomas Orlando MTC, Florida 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.   Life becomes meaningful when we are in relationship with the Creator and His creation.  The intention of the Creator is not that we live in isolation, but that we include everything that was created.  In creation the life system is mutually sustaining.  Together it is effective and powerful.  A rope is strong and effective, not each individual fiber.  The very existence of every living being is dependent upon the equilibrium of the environment.   Genesis chapter 2 highlights the role of humans as fellow creatures and caretakers of the earth.  "The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it "(Gen. 2:15).  Being a caretaker doesn't involve total dominion or freedom to do as he/she likes but to obey God's rule on earth...

Nurturing God’s Creation Colossians 1:15-20   Aleyamma Thomas St. Peter’s MTC, Kottayam, India 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.   In this world of ever-growing non-believers, it is becoming very difficult to live as a Christian. Many of us can recall encounters with people who have questioned our faith, the presence of a living God, and the credibility of the church and its’ doctrine.  C.S. Lewis, once wrote, "A man can't be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it".  We often tend to neglect this point as we are constantly attacked on the truth of the Gospel.     The Colossian church was scrutinized and attacked by false teachers. The best way possible to fight the many arguments brought forth was to exemplify who Jesus Christ really was and what He had done through His death and resurrectio...