Reflections

Glorifying God Together Bible Reading: Romans 15:1-7 Key Verse:   (vv. 1-2) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. DEVOTION The theme reminds us that glorifying God requires a life of selflessness. In our culture and community, selfishness often becomes ingrained in our character in subtle and overt ways. We frequently hear the phrase, "It’s a dog-eat-dog world," and this mindset drives us to prioritize our own advancement, often at the expense of those around us. We strive to prove our worth, showing others that we are relevant and capable. But how often do we genuinely consider the needs and well-being of others? On our own, it’s nearly impossible to rise above this selfish nature—we are often led astray by our own desires. This is why we must remain deeply connected to Christ. As verse 3 reminds us, Christ did not live to please Himself. Instead, He ...

  Trust in the Promise of Divine Intervention Bible Reading: Genesis 18: 10 - 14   Key Verse: Genesis 18: 13 – 14 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” DEVOTION All of us have craved a bit of divine intervention at some point in our lives. I remember wishing it even in the simplest of circumstances, like rushing through traffic to make an important appointment and praying for divine intervention to make all the lights turn green!  Most of us would wish for divine intervention at the peak of an issue we are going through. Imagine if you get a health diagnosis that is worrying! We would definitely be praying in the months and days leading to the exam and/or treatment. Even during the treatment itself, we would pray for some intervention to delay the effects or for swift healing. But would...

  Embracing New Beginnings Bible Reading: Acts 9:26-31 Key Verse:   27 “But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.” DEVOTION While finishing up my last two years of medical school, I became friends with Benji Kurian, a member of Chicago MTC. (If the Gurnee guys are reading this, hope you are well, and I miss you all!) Benji invited me and another friend Sunil to dinner with his client whose name I’ll leave out to maintain his privacy. We came to learn of the story of the individual we’d be meeting up with. He was a former member of one of the most dangerous international gangs in the world. However, he had found God and gave his life to Jesus. He was married and had a family now. We  sat at dinner , mesmerized by his transformation story. The testimony we were listening to was a real-life Pauline conversion and we embr...

  Accept one another Bible Reading:  Philippians 2: 1-4 Key Verse:     “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2: 2 DEVOTION The world today is increasingly marked by selfishness, greed, and an unhealthy fixation on self-love. From financial markets driven by unchecked avarice to the daily rat race to maintain living standards, society reflects the warning Paul gave in 2 Timothy 3:1-2: “In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud…” These perilous times, fueled by narcissism and greed, sap our strength and peace. Yet, the Bible offers a cure for this condition in Philippians 2:1-4, urging us to embrace humility, compassion, and the transformative practice of accepting one another. Greed has infiltrated nearly every facet of modern life, creating a world where anxieties over daily matters—such as healthcare, retirement, ...

  Walking In the Light of God’s Word Bible Reading: Psalms 119: 105-120 Key Verse:   105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” DEVOTION When I used to visit India as a child, one of the things I looked forward to navigating between my families’ homes in the dark, with nothing but a flashlight. We would have to maneuver along the path amidst the darkness, with a single stream of light illuminating any pitfalls that lay ahead. Without the light, it would have been easy to find myself off the path or lost entirely.  The Psalmist starts the passage by focusing directly on the practical aspects of God’s word. The reference to the Word relates not only to the law, but the wisdom that it imparts as it informs our actions. The latter passage reflects on the dangers, risks and traps that were waiting in the world that the word of God would help in avoiding.  Navigating this world is very much like the path I would walk at night. With nothing illuminating t...

  God’s Power in the Midst of Resistance Bible Reading:  Exodus 7:1-7 Key Verse:     Vs5 : And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt  and bring the Israelites out of it. DEVOTION Resistance is defined as the “refusal to accept or comply with something, the attempt to prevent something by action or argument”.  We all face many forms of resistance in our lives. Some of us resist in following the rules of driving or following the rules at our jobs or other establishments. We believe that we are thinking and doing what we feel is correct or sometimes what feels convenient to us.   Children often resist listening to their parents and believe that they know what is right and what they need.  Parents can also resist in listening to their children’s   perspective without acknowledging their   own mistakes and shortcomings.  All resulting in conflict, frustration and poor communication. The Bible...

  DIASPORA SUNDAY  Bible Reading: 1 Peter  2: 11-12   Key Verse:     Verse: 12 Live such good lives among pagans that though they accuse you of doing  wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.  DEVOTION It is the sunday in a year we celebrate to remember the abundant blessings  we the marthomite community  enjoyed in this part of the world as immigrants, as well as all christian immigrants   at large,  moved to different parts of the world leaving their native state of kerala, India, and union territories. It is a time to thank and worship for the grace the almighty  bestowed, and sustained us, thus far, in our stay in this adopted land. It is also the time to pray for the grace to keep us in steadfast faith and equip us to lead a God centered life. It is time  to pray to empower us to worship you in spirit and truth, and be able to preach the gospel  even in a limited capacity,...

  Annunciation to Virgin Mary Bible Reading:  Luke 1: 26-38. DEVOTION The Church enters the season of annunciation (Suboro), in which the main meditation topics are annunciations to Zechariah the priest, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Annunciations reveal God’s plan of salvation and the importance of humans’ creative response to it. This divine-human encounter speaks volumes about divine presence, human faith, and the transformative power of love and obedience. The Annunciation to Mary is a moment of profound mystery and grace. In this passage, God prepares an ordinary woman for a remarkable mission. It is the fulfillment of the divine prophecy through the 8th-century prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14). Scripture reveals a God who always keeps His promises (more than 8000 recorded). The fulfillment of divine promises is the basis of the annunciation, that reveals the mind, will, and plan of God. Divine encounters are beyond human comprehension. Mary is greeted by the angel Gabriel, wh...

  MIND RENEWED, LIFE PURSUE  Bible Reading:  Roman 12:1-2  Key Verse:     Verse2: And do not be fashioned according to this age, but be transformed by the  renewing of the mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good  and well pleasing and perfect.  DEVOTION   Paul in the first 11 chapters of Romans, revealed the glory of God and His power  and mercy to save the people through the doctrine of Christ. And the next 5 chapters  Paul taught us how to respond to God's mercy to us. Apostle is asking us to present  our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptale to God. Christian life involves the   whole life – body ,soul, and spirit which is to be presented as a sacrifice to God.   While God owed us nothing, he showed us great mercy – how should we respond? A life of self sacrificing worship spent in serving the Lord and other beilevers, refusing  revenge and overcoming evil with ...

  Son sent, Grace meant Bible Reading: Galatians 4: 1-7 Key Verse:     Galatians 4:6 “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’.” DEVOTION Jesus is the divine son of God the Father.  The people of Galatia came into faith and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior.  But after sometime they were influenced by some others and began to swerve from their original faith.  St. Paul comes to know about this and write this epistle to chastise and bring them back to their former faith in Jesus Christ.  This is a gospel of faith from the part of Apostle Paul.  He talks of himself and explains how he came to faith life by the grace of God.  Jesus Christ, the son was sent sent from above because God the Father loved the world so much.  It is by grace that man gets salvation and not by any other merit of man.  And because of the grace of God the son Jesus became a sacrificial...

  Hannah’s song, God’s grace prolonged Bible Reading: 1Samuel 2:1-11 Key Verse:     "Then Hannah prayed and said: 'My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord, my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.'" (1 Samuel 2:1) DEVOTION I Samuel 2:1-11 is a song of praise and thanksgiving offered to God. This passage also known as “Hannah’s Prayer”, is a poetic summary of chapter 1 and as she looks back on her life, she sees God’s goodness, faithfulness, and blessings. It is a prayer of adulation and exultation, to the Lord who has answered her earlier prayer. Her prayer of thankfulness breaks down into three parts: first, Hannah expresses praise to God simply for who He is (vv. 1-2), second, she thanks God for what he has done (vv. 3-8), and lastly, she looks forward with hopeful anticipation to what God will do (vv. 9-10). Hannah’s prayer is much more than a thanksgiving for her son; it’s a profound reflection on the character...

  Faith Shown: Love Grown  Bible Reading: 1 Thess  3: 11 -13 Key Verse:   Vs  12 May  the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. DEVOTION  This passage underscores the immense power of faith and love. Paul's faith in God sustained him, even in the face of adversity. He trusted that God would work all things together for the good of His people, and this belief gave him the courage to persevere. His love for the Thessalonians, a love rooted in Christ, motivated him to sacrifice his own comfort and well-being for their spiritual growth. In the heart of Paul, the apostle, burned a fervent love for the Thessalonian church. His desire to be with them, to strengthen their faith, and to offer comfort and encouragement was a testament to the depth of his spiritual connection. This longing, however, was often thwarted by circumstances beyond his control. Faith is the foundation of our Christian ...

  OPEN HEART, GOD'S START  Bible Reading: Acts  16 : 13-15   Key Verse:     14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira one that worshipped God heard us. whose heart the Lord opened to give heed to the things being spoken by Paul.  DEVOTION  Though Paul and his companions were planning to preach in Phyrgea, Galatia, and Troas , the spirit of the Lord prevented them going there and led them to  Philippi – which was a leading city in Macedonia a roman colony. This bible portion  mentions about Lydia's conversion to Christian faith. On the sabbath day Paul and  companions went outside the city gate to a worship place, where most of the  audience were Jewish women. Among them was a Greek business woman by the  name Lydia who was in Philippi, for selling purple linen a costly item. She was a  god fearing lady following the faith of Jewish religion. Lydia responded to the  messag...

  Assurance of fulfilment of prophecies through Zachariah Story Bible Reading: Malachi 4:5-6 Key Verse:   “ See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” Malachi 4:5 DEVOTION The story of Zachariah in the Bible is deeply connected to the assurance of the fulfillment of prophecies, particularly those concerning the coming of the Messiah. The Book of Malachi, the final book of the Old Testament, emphasizes the need for faithfulness to God and highlights a prophecy about a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. This prophecy, often interpreted as referring to John the Baptist. Therefore, it is pivotal in understanding the fulfilment of God’s promises. In Judaism, Malachi’s prophecy (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6) foretells the return of Elijah before the "great and terrible day of the Lord." Jewish tradition sees Elijah as a forerunner to the Messiah, reconciling families and preparing hearts for the messianic age....

  The prescriptive God who works out His divine plan Bible Reading: Luke  1:13-17   Key Verse:     But the angel told him: Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you must name him John.  (Luke 1:13) DEVOTION   Luke  1:13-17  portrays God as a prescriptive, purposeful deity who provides clear instructions to fulfill His divine plans. In this passage, Zechariah, visited by the angel Gabriel, learns that he and his wife Elizabeth, despite their old age, will have a son named John. God prescribes John’s name: The name “John,” meaning “The Lord is gracious,” symbolizes God’s grace towards individuals and the nation of Israel. Zechariah, however, doubts the angel's message and is temporarily rendered mute. It is a reminder of the consequences of disbelief in God’s gracious instructions. By trusting and obeying God's guidance, believers can experience His blessings and presence. If we follow ...

  Assurance through Trust in God’s Promises Bible Reading: Romans 10:9-11  Key Verse:    For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and its with your  mouth that you profess your faith and are saved ‘  Romans 10.10 DEVOTION In Romans 10, the Apostle Paul expresses a deep longing for the Israelites to draw near to the Living God through salvation. His heart's desire is that they would come to know the fullness of God’s grace and attain salvation through faith in Him. Paul, himself an Israelite, acknowledges their zeal for God and their commitment to the commandments laid out in the Torah. However, he notes a critical issue: the Israelites believed that by their works and strict adherence to the law, they could achieve righteousness before God. Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes not through works, but through faith in Christ Here, St. Paul reveals the foundational truth of salvation: to be saved, one must confess with their mouth ...

  Overcoming Challenges Through Faith in God’s Promises Bible Reading: Isiah 41:8-10  Key Verse:    So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isiah 41:10) DEVOTION In this portion we find a touching message of giving hope and strength from God in times of distress and suffering to the people of Israel. The circumstance of this passage is crucial, as it forms part of a larger section where God reaffirms His support and protection for His chosen people during times of fear and uncertainty. These verses resound with enduring truths found throughout the Bible, such as Psalm:46:1, Deuteronomy:31:6,and Joshua:1:9, which all echo the theme of God’s steadfast presence and support in times of trouble. Today, during our personal or multiple crises, these words offer comfort and strength, reminding us that God is with us, affirming us with His virtuous right hand...

  The Importance of Communal Prayer in the life of the Church Bible Reading: Acts  12: 11-16 Key Verse:  Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” (Acts  12:11 ) DEVOTION Acts 12 emphasizes that even amid persecution, God is in control, offering deliverance and justice. Most importantly, it highlights the role of communal prayer in God’s sovereign plan. The fervent prayers of believers underscore the power of communal prayer in the Church. In Acts 12, King Herod imprisoned Peter, intending to execute him, just as he had with James, to win favor with the Jews. Though Peter’s fate seemed sealed, the door of prayer remained open. The earnest prayers of the early church altered Peter’s outcome; God responded by sending an angel to rescue him. Communal prayer stands as a strong defense against evil. An old poem refle...

  Faithfulness in waiting for God's promises Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25   Key Verse:   And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works (Heb:  10:24 ) DEVOTION Hebrews 10: 19 – 25 converses the practical exhortation of faith. Jesus is our gateway to the presence of God  (v 19-21). The veil that separated God and men was torn apart opening a new and living way to enter into communion with God. The veil represents the body of Jesus which was broken and torn apart upon the cross shedding the life-giving blood. It was at the cross that people really saw God. Jesus is our high priest over the house of God in heaven which leads us to the holy presence of the almighty God. Jesus is the only one who can cleanse us internally from our sins. ( v 22-23). Jesus died for us once- and- for- all on the cross of Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. In the Old Testament, the high priest performed sacrifices and rituals repeatedly for the forgivene...