Reflections

  Holy Qurbana—Foretaste of the Kingdom of God   Today’s Bible text: Genesis  22:10-17   Key Verse:  “Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied.”  — Genesis  22:10-11   DEVOTION The story of Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22 can be seen as a symbolic expression of the sacrificial love of God revealed in Christ. God asked Abraham to offer his son, a command that echoes through the ages as a picture of ultimate trust, obedience, and sacrifice. Yet at the crucial moment, God intervenes, sparing Isaac and providing a ram for the offering in his place. This pivotal moment foreshadows the greatest act of love, where God Himself would provide the ultimate sacrifice; His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The theme of sacrifice outlines our understanding of God’s plan of salvation. It also connects deeply with the meaning of the Holy Qurbana. In the Qurbana, w

  Model for the Generations   Today’s Bible text: Titus 2:6-11 Key Verse: …the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 DEVOTION Apostle Paul’s epistle to Titus serves as a guide for maintaining sound doctrine and Christian conduct. In Titus 2:1-11, St. Paul provides practical guidelines for different demographic groups within the church, underscoring the need for both doctrine and lifestyle to align with Christian values. These instructions on how different groups within the church should live out their faith, emphasizes that sound doctrine should shape both belief and behaviour. By addressing different age and social groups, Paul shows that every member has a role in nurturing according to the doctrines.  The term "sound doctrine" derived from Greek word "hygiaino" implies teachings that promote spiritual health and well-being. This serves as a foundation for godly living, where what one believes directly impacts how one behaves. I

  Model for generations   Bible portion: Luke: 2:25-35   Key Verse:   “there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him” (Luke 2:25)   Devotion In Luke 2:25-35, the evangelist introduces Simeon, an elderly devout man, who waited for the "consolation of Israel." The narrative is from a time when Israel lived under Roman rule, stripped of political autonomy and subject to the whims of an empire that controlled their land, culture, and religious practices. Simeon's anticipation of the Messiah symbolizes yearning for liberation from bondages. Simeon represents a generation that remembers a free Israel, a people who have lived through oppression and domination. His actions and words embody hope for deliverance, not merely spiritual but also in a socio-political sense. The "consolation of Israel" is more than a personal salvation; it is a restoration of identity, auto

  Model for generations Bible portion: Titus 2:1-5   Key Verse:   “You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine” Titus 2:1   Devotion In Titus 2:1-5 apostle Paul asks Titus to urge the elders to teach younger generation how the art of life should be. It is not merely about upholding traditional roles or maintaining the status quo. Instead, it calls for transformation and dignity for all people. These instruction to Titus focuses on the need for sound teaching, that promote the full flourishing and freedom of every individual, within the Christian community. This is not a set of restrictive rules, but a guide toward mutual respect, equity, and wholeness. Older men, are to model leadership that liberates others, rooted in love, faith, and endurance. This is leadership not based on domination, but on self-giving service, reflecting the way of Christ. Paul elevates the role of older women as teachers of what is good. They are recognized as central to the moral and spiritu

  Model for generations: Equip, Encourage and Embrace Bible portion: 1 Samuel  3:10-18 Key Verse:   “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” (1 Samuel 3:17)   Devotion 1 Samuel  3:10-18  records the inauguration of the prophetic ministry of Samuel. The text explains how Samuel has been equipped, encouraged and embraced by Eli- his mentor. Equipping: 1 Samuel 3:10 portrays Samuel as a youth living in a time when the word and vision of the Lord were rare. Samuel had no basis on which to recognize the Lord’s voice (V.7). However, his readiness to listen and respond reflect the equipping ministry that Eli has faithfully carried out. It is Eli’s wise counsel that helped Samuel discern God’s calling. Samuel’s days serving under the instruction of Eli at Shiloh equipped him in recognising the revelatory experience of the Lord. Encourage: Verses 15-17 presents Eli’s initiative to encourage Samuel to inform about God’s ju

  Model for the Generations Bible portion: Genesis 47:7-10   Key Verse:   “Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh” (Genesis 47:7) Devotion Family is of profound importance to God’s plan and purpose. When we recollect families in the Bible, Abraham’s family is probably the first one that comes to mind. After all, God promised that He would bless the whole world through Abraham’s family. As believers in a rapidly changing and devolving world, we can shift our focus to this family to see how God uses His faithful servants to bring forth His kingdom.   Abraham’s grandson and great-grandson, Jacob and Joseph, are spotlighted in today’s devotional passage. In Genesis 47, Joseph brings his father before Pharaoh. Although their interaction is brief, it is packed with meaning. We can imagine Pharaoh’s astonishment to see Jacob standing before him in his advanced age. Jacob’s presence alone is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His

  Model for the generations Bible portion: Genesis 22: 9 - 19   Key Verse:  I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. Genesis 22:17   Devotion Genesis 22:9-19, presents a profound test of faith, a demonstration of God's mercy, and a blueprint for a life lived in obedience to the divine. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. This was not merely a test of obedience; it was a trial of the very core of Abraham's faith. Yet, without hesitation, Abraham prepared to obey. This act of unquestioning obedience reveals a depth of trust that is truly inspiring (Hebrews  11:17-19 ).  Similarly, Job's unwavering faith in the face of suffering shows us that trust in God extends beyond understanding (Job  13:15 ). Just as Abraham raised his knife to strike Isaac, an angel of the Lord intervened. A ram was provided as a substitute, sparing Isaac's life. This miraculous event demon

  Model for the generations Bible portion: Genesis 22: 1 - 5   Key Verse:  So, Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. (v. 3) Devotion Life has to be filled with Godly morals to be a model before all. Such models are few to find around. What has happened to us Christians? Where is us in relation to our God? Do we value His Word or this world the most?   Abraham the Father to all the faith-filled ones, through this passage is showing how all we can be models for the generations. He begins his conversation on hearing God by answering, ‘Here I am.’ He shows the readiness to hear and do whatever God commands him. Whether the words of God may affect him in a positive manner or negative, Abraham is ready to obey God. He does so in this text. How is our first response to God's call?   The key verse shows how Abraham

  Samaritan Woman: Witness of the Messiah Bible portion: St. John 4:25-34   Key Verse:    “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4 :29) Devotion John 4 presents Jesus’s meeting with the Samaritan Woman near Jacob’s well.  It narrates how Samaritan woman ‘found the Messiah’ that she was seeking for all her life. Jesus on seeing a Samaritan woman reached out to the woman and asked her for a drink of water from Jacob’s well. Her first reaction was ‘how can you Jew ask me for drink’ and Jesus replied ‘I am the stream of living water’ that is given to many who ask for it. She imagined ‘water of life’ as that will sustain her and give her joy for the rest of her life. Therefore, she asked Jesus for the water of life, eventually that turned out to be life changing event for her. Hearing Jesu’s prediction about her own life, she assumed Jesus was prophet.  The conversation further clarified the debate on place of worship, with the clarification th

  Women: witnesses of the Gospel Bible portion:  Luke 8:1-3   Key Verse:   “These women were helping to support them out of their own means”. Luke 8:3 Devotion Jesus loved all his children immensely regardless of their age, gender, status, ethnicity and nationality. Luke 8:1-3 talks about women who accompanied Jesus and disciples in his ministry. It tells us Mary Magdalene had seven demons. Mary likely didn’t love her past, but she let God use her past to save others healed by Jesus. On her repentance she found mercy and was transformed to become a fervent disciple for Christ. This Mary Magdalene was the one who was present at Christ’s cross and his tomb and was the first to see the resurrected Jesus. Luke 8:3 also tells us that Joanna’s husband Chuza, was Herod’s household manager. Following Jesus would have been a huge risk she willingly undertook. Herod’s household was filled with Roman idol worshipers. Joanna had a mission field in front of her and God used her to save the lost. Al

  Women: witness of the Gospel Bible portion: Galatians 3 :26-29 Key Verse:   So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3 :26) Devotion   The context of St. Paul’s opinion “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,” makes it clear that “neither male nor female” refers to our salvation status. All people, whether male or female, you must be saved the same way, through faith in Christ, and once they are saved, they have the same rights and privileges of salvation, being equal members of the family of God. Faith is not just a belief; it is a source of immense power and resilience. It is what helps us rise above challenges and see our true potential. Our experience of being underestimated or undervalued does not define what we are or what we can achieve. According to Paul, our worth is immeasurable, and our value is not determined by societal standards but b

  Women witness of the Gospel Bible portion: Acts  16:11-15 Key Verse:   One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts  16:14 ) Devotion   Lydia Becomes a Believer: Lydia is not called as a follower of Christ or a follower of “The Way” but simply a worshipper of God suggesting that she was a gentile who had begun to worship God but had not encountered the good news and the resurrection of Jesus. Acts notes that she was from the city of Thyatira and was a dealer in purple cloth. Despite her successes as a famous businessperson, she had a real hunger for the Lord. Regardless of her all obligations to her business, she faithfully and regularly attended the prayer meetings at the riverside. Lydia knew that it was not enough just to listen to the word, she must pay attention to what she had heard, so she received it wholeheartedly. Lydia’s R

  Education That Leads to Divine Truths Bible portion:  Acts 9:36-39 Key Verse:   “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.” (Acts  9:36 ) Devotion In Acts 9:36-39, we find a very brief, yet powerful narrative about a woman named Tabitha, also known as Dorcas. These verses present a profound testament to the impact that she had on the community that she lived in and interacted with. She was a disciple, a Christ-follower, however, the narrative does not highlight whether, she had teaching skills, or preaching prowess, or ability to heal the sick, or her powerful prayer life. Instead, Luke emphasizes her devotion to good works and acts of charity. More than her words, her deeds are highlighted as a testimony of faith in action, characterized by her tireless efforts to help the poor and needy. Tabitha's commitment to service was a lifestyle that focused on those in need. It stemmed from her deep-r

  Education That Leads to Divine Truths Bible portion:  Acts  12:11-16 Key Verse:   “…he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. (Acts  12: 12 ) Devotion The women followers of Jesus were passionate witnesses and advocates of the Gospel. After Jesus’s resurrection and ascension, they supported the ministry of the apostles through teaching the Gospel and leading home churches. We read in the passage today of the home Church run by Mary, mother of John Mark. Women have such significant roles to play even today in spreading the Gospel.  And it is often not in merely the stereotypical nurturing and hospitality capacities that women play their parts in the kingdom building work.  Women can play crucial roles in spreading the gospel in many ways. We think sometimes that we are too small, or our lives are too insignificant to make a huge difference to Kingdom work. The narrative of the temple wall rebuilding in Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:1-32) is a gr

  Women: Witnesses of the Gospel Bible portion:  Ruth  2:18-22 Key Verse:   “The Lord bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” (Ruth 2:20)    Devotion In Ruth chapter 2 we see, in spite of all the hardships Naomi has experienced in her life; God ordained her tragedy to set the stage for great triumph. Mosaic Law allowed for widows, foreigners, and orphans to gather from the fields what was left over from the harvest. The hand of the gracious God led Ruth to a field owned by Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband.  Boaz, heard of all what Ruth has done for Naomi and responded with grace and kindness towards her. He made sure Ruth stayed with the other women and worked alongside them. He also made sure that no men tried to be immoral towards Ruth. Ruth was faithful and loyal towards her commitment. She was also a women of great character, hardworking, loving and brave. She did not do what she did in order to wi

  Education That Leads to Divine Truths Bible portion:  St. James 3:13-28 Key Verse:   “…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (St. James 3:17)    Devotion In the Epistle of St. James, a clear distinction is made between two types of wisdom: earthly and heavenly. The passage asks, "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." True wisdom is not just about intellectual knowledge; it is also about humble and righteous living. Education that aligns with God transforms not just our minds but also our hearts and actions. However, St. James warns us about the dangers of worldly wisdom. In verses 14-16, it is described as bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Friends, this comes not from God but rather from the earth. When our education is rooted in selfish desires and pride, it leads to disorder away from what God has bles