Reflections

Proclamation and Acts of the Kingdom of God MISSION MINDED  Bible portion: ROMANS  1:13-17 V16”For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek”. Devotion It has been infamously quoted by Late Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan, “Every Marthomite is a missionary.” This has been taken on as the motto for the Edavaka Mission.  The word "mission" comes from the Latin verb missio, meaning "to send". Although the word itself is not used often in the Bible, the concept of God sending people to announce his work of judgment and redemption on earth is evident. Through Paul’s letters, it clearly states to preach the gospel to everyone, regardless of their background. His mission is inclusive and universal, reflecting the expansive reach of God's love and salvation. Paul not only wanted to bear fruit in Rome, but wherever he was. Wherever Paul went he tried to communicate the Gospel o...

  Proclamation and Acts of the Kingdom of God Bible portion:Acts 19: 8-12   V11” God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them”.    Devotion What is in a name? Are they prophetic about our Character and Calling? A name is a universal phenomenon. A name is a universal phenomenon even for our pets. Imagine you are at an airport, and you hear an announcement “Mr. Thomas, please come to the check-in counter.” Clearly, you will not respond. What if the announcement was a little more specific, “Mr. Thomas Mathew, please come to the check-in counter?” You might hesitate, but most likely you will get up and walk to the check-in counter. At least you want to make sure it is not your name that was just called. Now what if the announcement is very specific, “Mr. Thomas Mathew along with your family name?” Without wasting any time, yo...

    Proclamation and Acts of the Kingdom of God Bible portion: Isaiah 6:1-8 V5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips. V8”And I said, "Here am I. Sent me!" Devotion This scripture is an experience of the Kingdom of God seen by the prophet Isaiah and the events that followed are described. This passage shows us what our worship should be like. From here two thoughts are singled out for our meditation. 1)  Proclamation of the Kingdom of God Here we can see a state where the human heart is humbled before the Divine Splendor and man realizes his insignificance when he sees the sublime, indescribable and delightful sight of the divine glory filling the entire earth. Isaiah realizes his impurity in God's presence, when the seraphim praise God's holiness as 'Holy Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty'. Throughout the book of Revelation, the glory of God is revealed as seen by Saint John. As all creation is filled with God's glo...

  GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Bible portion: Roman 12: 3-8   Verse: 5 So we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.   Devotion   Every believer recieves the exact gift and resources, he needs to fulfill the role in the body of Christ.  As  we use these gifts to carry out our unique roles, God gives us everything  we need in order to use those gifts efficiently.   Paul reminds everyone who is a recipient of God's gifts, to think of ourselves properly, and keep in mind the mercies and grace of God.  He also admonishes believers that in order to have a proper church life, high esteem must be torn down so as to be sober minded. We should esteem ourselves only according to the God's element that  is transfused into us.                 We are one body in Christ having an organic union with him Just as  each body part has distinct function...

  Gifts of the Holy Spirit-spiritual nourishment  Bible portion: John  20:19-23   When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you.” (v. 19).         DEVOTION                                 In this passage, Jesus is imparting the gift of the Holy Spirit to His disciples, empowering them for their future ministry and mission. This event is seen as a precursor to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).  Jesus' announcement of his departure from this world filled the hearts of his disciples with sorrow and obviously they felt a sense of void and uncertainty in their minds. Jesus who was sensitive to their anxiety immediately promised an alternative presence that would take care of them...

GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Bible portion: Ephesians   4: 11-15 Verse: 13 Until  we all arrive at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the son of God, at a full grown man, at the measure of the stature of the” fullness of Christ. Devotion       Paul in Ephesians 4, continues to teach the people  about the importance of God's gifts of leadership.   It is important to realize that  leadership gifts centers on the word of God which is fundamental to a mature  church.  When the study of the word is diminished, the church will not sustain properly.   That's why expository teaching is important on the part of the teachers.  Apostles are a called out  in groups by the Lord , anointed  to do a special ministry commissioned by Lord Jesus. Missionaries are evangelists equipped for preaching the gospel to the end of the world.  New testament prophets received direct revelation from G...

  GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Jesus Christ Who Restores Bible portion: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Devotion   At a local parish, there was once an older gentleman who although modest in nature, was gifted in his own way. He was not a singer, nor did he have strengths in administration duties. Yet every Sunday without fail, he would welcome his fellow congregants with a warm smile and a handshake. He would also go out of his way to converse with the youth boys saying, “It’s nice to see you today” and go out of his way to dress up as Santa Clause for every Carol Service. Although his gift was never recognized among his peers, it was apparent that he was presented with the gift of speaking and serving in his own unique way. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 talks of two general types of spiritual gifts: speaking (verbal gifts) and serving (nonverbal gifts). Both are freely given to ALL believers in Christ in a vast variety.  In this passage, Paul emphasizes the diversi...

  GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT     Bible portion: II Chronicles   15: 15-18 Verse   15 – And Judah  rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and he was fond of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about. Devotion      2nd Book of Chronicles focuses on the history of Jerusalem – specifically about the temple and the Kings.  The temple needed restoration. But people became concerned about their own properties than the temple. Full tithe was not brought in, priests began to leave Jerusalem. Leaders and prophets  encouraged  people to rebuild and restore the temple, still the congregation failed to come together as one.   Now we read the spirit of the Lord came on Azariah  a prophet  who  was asked to meet King Asa who reigned Jerusalem 41 years from 910-869 B.C.  Unlike his predecessors, as soon as he began to reig...

  Co-workers in Building Up the Kingdom of God   Bible portion: 2 John 1: 7-11 Devotion   Merriam Webster Dictionary : Foundation   – an underlying base or support.  Without a stable foundation, a building will not be stable nor last a long time. For our faith to be stable and last a long time we must have a strong foundation rooted in the truth and love of God.  In the 2nd epistle John 1: 1-6, John identifies himself as the Elder and the addressee as the elect lady and her children. We are not sure if he is addressing a family or members of a church but John counsels them by saying that the truth is what abides in all Christians. He goes on to say that Grace, peace and mercy comes from God himself in truth and love. John reinforces to the church the need to walk in truth and love and be obedient to the teachings of Christ and always be rooted in the doctrine that was presented to them from the very beginning. Why does John emphasize to stick to the do...

  Co-workers in building up the kingdom of God   Bible portion: St. Luke 10:25-28 Devotion Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we reflect on our calling as co-workers in building up the Kingdom of God. Our guiding scripture is from St. Luke 10:25-28: “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’ He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’”  Loving God Wholeheartedly In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the greatest commandment: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. This wholehearted love for God is the foundation of our faith and the cornerstone of building His Kingdom. What does ...

  Co-workers in building up the kingdom of God   Bible portion Romans   14: 13-19 Devotion We know Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, but what does this look like? Does this mean we can’t disagree with our neighbors, even the Christian ones? Certainly not, but Paul gives us some guidelines. In his letter to the Romans, he teaches us how to address and treat fellow Christians. In the days of the early church, some of the converted gentiles and incumbent Christians didn’t see eye to eye on various practices, and in some serious cases, pertinent doctrine. Paul recognized some Christians wanted to keep certain ceremonial laws, like certain festivals and staying away from meat, even though Jesus declared all foods as clean. Disagreements are common in any workplace, and the church is no stranger to this. But Paul instructs us not to disagree to the effect we create a “stumbling block” unto our neighbors.  What exactly is this? As you c...

  Co-workers in building up the kingdom of God   Bible portion: Ephesians 3:1-7 Devotion Building the kingdom of God involves breaking, building, and relying on God's grace. Charles Spurgeon wisely said, "Where God works, He works with men that work." Ephesians 3:1-7 reveals this divine collaboration, highlighting three key pillars: individual dedication, collective revelation, and inclusive unity. The Apostle Paul exemplifies these principles, showing that through breaking down our old selves and receiving God's grace, we become instruments in His grand design. In Ephesians 3:1-7, Paul identifies himself as a servant of Christ, dedicated to spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. His unwavering commitment, even in the face of imprisonment, illustrates the first pillar: individual dedication. Paul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle highlights the breaking process necessary for building the kingdom. Personal surrender and acceptance...

  Co-workers in Building Up the Kingdom of God   Bible portion: 1st Corinthians 3:4-9 Devotion   Summer 2024 is in full swing, and this year, at the pinnacle of all the summertime fun and enjoyment are the Paris Olympic Games. As the start of the Games rapidly approaches, a palpable sense of nationalism sweeps across countries around the globe. Flags and national colors begin to adorn homes and public spaces, reinforcing a sense of pride and collective identity and unity. In a similar sense, within the context of Christianity, this very idea of unity among believers stands at the forefront in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. The Corinthians were a divisive people, with believers both aligning themselves with and pledging loyalty to different church leaders and teachers, namely Paul and Apollos, thereby establishing separate factions within the church. Paul criticizes the division within the church and arguments that followed, associating it with spiritual imm...

  Co-workers in building up the kingdom of God   Bible portion: 1 John 4: 1-6  Verse Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Devotion We liv...

  Co-workers in building up the Kingdom of God:   Bible portion: Exodus 19: 3-9 Devotion   This passage emphasizes the collective effort required to build up the Kingdom of God, illustrating how co-workers in faith play a crucial role in fulfilling divine purposes. God calls Moses to relay His covenant to the Israelites, setting the foundation for the people who are chosen to embody His values and laws. God's message to Moses underscores the importance of unity and collective identity. He refers to the Israelites as His "treasured possession" and "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:5-6). This highlights that each member of the community is integral to the divine mission.  Just as the Israelites were called to work together in obedience to God's covenant, modern believers are invited to collaborate in building His Kingdom. This partnership is not limited to individual efforts but is a shared journey of faith, mutual support, and collective wit...

  Priests — Servants in Pastoral Ministry Priests are called to be Good Shepherds and Emulators of Jesus.   Bible portion: John 10. 7-12 Key Verse  “I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”. Devotion   Today we reflect on a powerful and profound verse from the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, verse 11, where Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." This image of Jesus as the good shepherd is central to understanding His ministry and mission. As priests and leaders in the faith community, are called to emulate this example.     What it means to be a good shepherd like Jesus. 1. The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep: A good shepherd knows his sheep intimately. Jesus says in John 10:14, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." As priests, they are called to know their flocks intimately. This means being present in their lives, understanding their joy...

  Priests: Servants in Pastoral Ministry   Bible portion:  St. John 10:1-11 Devotion   Today our church observes Clergy Sunday. Today we should pray and remember for the clergy who has helped us in shaping our faith and encouraged us for a witnessing life. The theme to ponder upon is, Priests: Servants in Pastoral Ministry. Who is a priest? Peter gives the best answer that in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood…”. It denotes that we the faithful are part of the priestly ministry of the Lord, and the ordained clergy among us are chosen from the royal priesthood of God,  to minister the Lord’s people. The ministry of a Priest is pastoral ministry. A pastor is a spiritual overseer of the people of God. Thus the ministry of a pastor or a priest is to oversee the flock so as to lead them to Christ and Salvation in Christ. Then what is that God demands of us priests through the ministry? Priests:  Gate keepers of Christ. “The gatekeeper ...

  PASTORAL MINISTRY   Bible portion:  1 PETER 5: 1 -7 Key Verse “I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly.  Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5: 2 – 3). Devotion   The first letter from Peter was addressed to Christians, who are called “God’s chosen people,” who were scattered throughout the northern part of Asia Minor.   The main purpose of this letter is to encourage the faithful who were facing persecution and suffering for their faith. Today we are meditating on the subject “Pastoral Ministry.” We cannot understand the Pastoral Ministry unless we understand the Ministry of Jesus Christ. All other ministry is subsidiary to His and derives its authority from Him. He is the “Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2: 25). Hi...

  Priests — Servants in Ministry   Bible portion: :2 Timothy  2:1-8 Key Verse "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:1 (NIV) Devotion   In his letter to Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to be strong, not in his own abilities, but in the grace that is found in Christ Jesus. Paul also emphasizes the importance of passing on the teachings of Christ to reliable people who can, in turn, teach others. As Christians were being persecuted throughout the Roman Empire, many deserted Paul, and probably Christ. Paul does not shy away from the reality of suffering. He invites Timothy to join him in enduring hardship, likening it to the experience of a soldier who faces difficulties with courage, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Paul elaborates on this by using three vivid metaphors: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. The Soldier Paul likens the Christian life to that of a soldier who is dedicated to his mission and aims to please hi...