Reflections

     Life: To Be Reformed Through the Word of God   Scripture :Joshua 3:1-17 This passage describes a monumental moment in the history of Judaism. After spending years in exile, a young Israelite nation now stands on the banks of the Jordan River looking into the promised land. They may have been overwhelmed to see that after forty years of wandering in the desert, they were at the doorstep of the land promised to them generations ago. They may have been distracted by all the wealth, power and freedom that awaited them Under Joshua’s leadership, however, they put aside all their own emotions and priorities and instead focused on one thing: the ark of the covenant. In such overwhelming circumstances they made it a priority to honor God and literally set his word before them. Careful attention was paid to every detail regarding the ark and how it was handled. Yet not a single verse in this passage considered the details of their own personal lives and possessions. Many...

  Holy Qurbana – Commemoration & Experience of the Salvic Event   Scripture:  John 1:1-10 Key Verse:   The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1: 9   The opening of John’s gospel reminds us of the opening of Genesis. From the phrase “in [the] beginning,” to the emphasis on God’s Word as a creative force, to the language of light and darkness, Genesis is ever-present in this gospel. Why did this light have to come into this world? To remove darkness. Salvation is saving human beings from darkness to light, from sin and its consequences (which include death and separation from God), by Christ's death and resurrection and when we are saved, we are justified before God the father. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Acts  4:12  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. God's Word says that we are saved by grace thr...

  Holy Qurbana – Commemoration & Experience of the Salvic Event   Scripture:  St. Mark 14:22-25 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." (V. 24)  In this chapter St. Mark describes how Jesus and his observed the Passover festival. After that they went to the mount of Olives and Jesus was betrayed by Judas. Jesus was knowing that he will be betrayed by Judas. So this Passover festival has a special reverence. Jesus knows that he is going to face the worst time in this world. So, with all agony and greatest anguish Jesus is celebrating this Passover. He knows what is next. Before going to cross he is establishing what he intended. 1.  Each Holy Qurbana is the remembrance of His living commemoration. Jesus said “celebrate this till I come “This is a command, and we must observe it. That is why there is an urge in us to go to church on Sunday and participate in Holy - Communion. We experience the touch of Jesus when we participate in...

  Holy Qurbana – Commemoration and Experience of the Salvic Event   Scripture:1 Corinthians 11:23-34 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes” – Verse 26. Our God is omniscient. When He created Adam and Eve, He knew that they would not be keeping His commandment to abstain from eating the fruit of the tree of knowing good and evil. As time went by, He saw that humanity was filled with sin and corruption, and He repented that He made man in His own image. However, in His abounding love and mercy, He made a provision for man to escape the eternal punishment. God’s plan of redemption was revealed in a series of events that manifested in the lives Adam and His descendants.     The first event that point in the direction of the escape plan is illustrated in the life of Noah, the servant of God. The righteousness of God would not allow sin to go unpunished. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesi...

  Holy Qurbana – Commemoration & Experience of the Salvic Event   Scripture: 1 Corinthians  10:14-22 Key Verse:   1 Corinthians 10:16 - The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  The Early Church, the Lord’s Table was centered around the Breaking of Bread during the fellowship gatherings at the homes of believers with glad and sincere hearts (Acts 2:42-46), reminiscing the joyful post-resurrection meals of the Risen Lord with His disciples (Luke 24:30; 41-44; John 21:1-14; Acts 1:4,  10:41 ). Subsequently, Apostle Paul emphasized the significance and importance of the death of Christ and the Last Supper—detailed in the Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:7-22; John 13:21-30)—in relation to the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). Apostle Paul founded the Church in Corinth—the most important Greek city at the time—d...

  Holy Qurbana – Commemoration & Experience of the Salvic Event   Scripture: Genesis 14: 17-24 Key Verse:   Genesis 14:20 – “Worthy of praise is the Most High God, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.  Genesis chapter 14 begins with a description of an alliance between 4 kings (Amraphel, Arioch, Kedorlaomer, and Tidal) who went to war against 5 kings (Bera, Birsha, Shinab, Shemeber, and Zoar).  These were all kings of city states in those times and the war took place in the valley of Siddim.  In today’s time this is the valley of the Dead Sea.  This happened in the 13th year of the rebellion of the 5 kings against the 4 kings alliance.   Verses 5-7 describes the fighting between the two groups and the ultimate result (verse 8-11) of the 4 kings prevailing over the 5 kings.   In verses 12-16, we see that Lot (Abram’s nephew) was a part of the group that was conquered by the 4 kings....

  Holy Qurbana – Commemoration and Experience of the Salvific Event   Are you forgetful? Scripture: (Exodus 16:9-21) The Lord said… “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” Exodus  16:11-12 How Quickly Do You Forget God’s Past Faithfulness? Exodus 16 takes place about 2 months after the Israelites left Egypt, and they have now run out of the provisions they brought with them. Although it has only been a short time since the Israelites witnessed God’s amazing deliverance from Egypt, as well as God’s miraculous parting of the Red Sea, these astounding events seem to have faded from their memory. Even more remarkably, they seem to have forgotten how God had recently turned the bitter water of Marah into drinkable water for them. Because of their short-term memory of God’s past faithfulness, the Israelites don’t trust God to help them with their next challenge: providing food in the...