Reflections

  Repent for Promised Restoration Bible Reading:   Acts  3:19-23 Key Verse:  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts  3:19 DEVOTION As Christians, we are promised restoration because of the grace of God and his crucifixion. Ephesians 2:8 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”. We have a God that cares for us, that loves us, and by having faith in Him, we are saved. But what is faith when not accompanied by deeds? James  2:18-19 , “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder”. God calls us to have faith in him, and faith in itself requires not only believing in Him, but also acting in Him.   We, as Christians, are called to repent, and then turn to God so that our sins may b...

  Christ Our Peace Maker Bible Reading:   Ephesians 2:4-18   Key Verse:  “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…” Eph.  2:14 DEVOTION As Christians who are walking in our faith journey, we are brought into various seasons of our lives where we may face adversity. These seasons are unpredictable. One minute everything is good, but the next moment your faith is being tested. We don't know when these seasons will arise in our lives, but in the midst of our trials we have easy access to peace. Our peace comes from Jesus Christ. He provides a peace that covers all understanding. It is something that mere human beings are unable to understand. But that is the beauty of God! He works in ways beyond our comprehension to orchestrate all things for His glory. Paul describes peace as being one with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For many of us, this is hard. There are often barri...

  The Righteous Branch Reigns Bible Reading:  Isaiah 11:1-5 Key Verse:  “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord…” Isaiah 11:2: DEVOTION We see this uplifting passage as written for a people and a nation in conflict. Our world is always in a state of conflict - political, social, economic and so forth. Peace seems to be elusive in both personal and public life. If there is peace, it is but a brief prelude to conflict. However, the promise of this passage is of one who will possess a divine balance that will foster peace – something that is foundational to a just society and highly sought after by many leaders and governments of the world, but that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to actually realize. This descendant of Jesse, and hence of King David, will possess wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, faithfulness and fear of th...

  Christ: Son and King Bible Reading:  Hebrews 1: 5-9 Key Verse: “Your Throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.” - Hebrews 1:8  DEVOTION In Hebrews 1:5-9, we are reminded of the unique identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the eternal King. This passage sets Jesus apart from the angels, declaring His divine sonship and supreme authority. Unlike angels, who serve as messengers, Jesus is exalted as the radiance of God’s glory, ruling with justice and righteousness. These angels worship Him, thus proving His divine authority. Although Christ is fully God, He is also distinct from the Father. When God brings His only Son into the world, He is to be worshiped. The throne of Christ is eternal, and His kingdom is marked by righteousness. In verse 9, we read: "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." This ...

  Joseph’s Obedience & Courage in Response Bible Reading:  Mathew  1:18-23 Key Verse :Matthew 1:22  “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophets” DEVOTION The promises of the Lord are everlasting. A Christian can bank on the Lord’s words in all situations and under all circumstances. Psalm 119 : 96 reads I have seen a limit to all perfection but your commandment is exceedingly broad.  This advent season we are again reminded of the faithfulness of the Lord of the old Testament incarnated to bring redemption to us sinners. This Christmas as we sing carols and decorate the trees let us think about a character in the whole celebration Joseph. Just imagine the ridicules he might have faced when he decided to support a pregnant Mary. What courage of conviction and compassion must Joseph have had to endure all the snide comments and whisperings! Unconditional faith and acceptance of the instructions from the angel of t...

  Following the Call to Obedience & Service Bible Reading:  1 Thess.  5:12-22 Key Verse :“…always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” 1Thess.5:15 DEVOTION In his epistle to the Thessalonians, St. Paul expresses heartfelt gratitude for their unwavering faith and encourages them to embody love, resilience, and mutual support as they face life's challenges. Specifically, in 1 Thessalonians  5:12-22 , Paul underscores the significance of living out Kingdom values, particularly in the realms of community and service. Call to Kingdom Values : Paul's message urges believers to be an alternate community that reflects Christ’s teachings, particularly through acts of kindness and compassion. He draws parallels with the Good Samaritan, highlighting the need to re-evaluate how we perceive those on the margins of society. This involves taking time to understand and support those who are downtrodden, embodying a spirit of sacrificial love similar t...