Reflections

  Wrestle with God, Walking in Grace Bible Reading:   Genesis 32:22-32 Key Verse:  Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28) DEVOTION   In our daily lives, we face challenges across various levels. Every challenge that we experience serves the purpose of helping us grow stronger in our relationship with Christ. In the passage, Jacob was all alone and vulnerable when he was encountered for the wrestle. Yet despite this, he persevered. In our daily lives, when we are faced with struggles, the easy and more convenient option is to give up. We are afraid of taking that extra challenge in the fear of what will happen next. However, at the end of our pain and struggles, a bigger gift is waiting for us: God’s Blessing. God protected and provided for Jacob in the midst of his struggle, and by taking that extra step of faith, Jacob was able to receive God’s guidance and stren...

         From Darkness to Light in Christ Bible Reading:   Acts 26:8–18 Key Verse: "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light.”   Acts 26:18 DEVOTION Acts  26 records St.  Paul’s defense before King Agrippa and Governor Festus. This speech is a testimony of his transformation. Paul recounts his own encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his apostolic legitimacy, commission to the Gentiles, and the resurrection hope. The rhetorical presentation of Paul, a former persecutor, standing trial as a witness to the very faith he once tried to destroy illustrates the theme of moving from darkness to light. Paul mentions why belief in resurrection is considered incredible. For him, the resurrection of Christ is a historical reality that demands personal response. It is a decisive act of God breaking into history, defeating death, and beginning new creation. In verses 9–11...

  Christ Reigns Forever Bible Reading:   Revelation 1:1–8 Key Verse: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’”   Revelation 1:8 DEVOTION Take a moment to breathe that in: Christ reigns forever. Before time began, He was. Today, He is. And in every moment yet to come, He will be. In a world of shifting foundations and uncertain tomorrows, this truth remains unshaken; Jesus Christ is the eternal King. John’s vision in Revelation opens with majesty and awe. This is no ordinary message. This is a divine unveiling from the One who holds all of history in His hands. The same Christ who humbly walked among us now stands in glory, reigning over heaven and earth. But His eternal reign isn’t distant. It is deeply personal. He’s not just the Alpha and Omega on a cosmic scale but in our life. He knows our beginning, He’s present in our now, and He holds our future. Through trials and triumphs, thr...

         “The Heart of Our Faith” Bible Reading:   1 Corinthians 15:17 Key Verse:  “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." DEVOTION Easter is more than just a holiday; it is the foundation of our faith. At the heart of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the moment that changed everything. Without the resurrection, our faith would be empty, and our hope would be in vain. But because Jesus conquered death, we have the assurance of eternal life and victory over sin. On Good Friday, the disciples were devastated. Their Teacher, whom they believed to be the Messiah, had been crucified. But three days later, their sorrow turned into joy when they found the tomb empty. Jesus had risen! This was not just an event in history; it was the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem His people. The resurrection is proof that Jesus is who He said He was, the Son of God. It validates His sacrifice on...

  The Resurrection that gives hope of a new life Bible Reading:   St. Luke 24:1-12 Key Verse:  Luke 24: 5-6; And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.  DEVOTION  I went to coffee with a friend and we talked about how we spent time with the Lord. She said that when driving, she would invite Him to sit in the car with her and talk. Sure, I had prayed many times in the car and spoken with the Lord, but the idea of giving Him a seat in my car and inviting His living presence in with me for conversation felt different. As I was meditating on this passage, I felt convicted by the Holy Spirit to re-evaluate my time with Jesus. Oftentimes, I feel like those women who went to the tomb looking for a dead Jesus. They have come with hearts full of love and devotion to worship at His corpse. However, they have forgotten the fundamental promise Jes...

  Body that turns Seed Bible Reading:   1st Corinthians 15:35-38 Key Verse: But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 1st Cor.  15:38 DEVOTION We are the chosen seeds that are planted not just for ourselves but for our generation’s generation. The bloom we carry isn’t just for display—it’s for legacy. Just like trees that offer shade, fruit, and beauty long after their initial planting, our lives are meant to nourish and impact others. When God planted us, He knew exactly what kind of soil, environment, and season we would need to grow. And just as spring reminds us that growth is inevitable when rooted in the right place, our lives will flourish when rooted in Christ. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, nurturing our growth and helping us bloom in our own time. We walk through this season of life and see flowers reminding us of resurrection, let’s remember: you are planted with purpose...

  The redeeming suffering & death of Jesus Christ Bible Reading:  Galatians  3:11-14 Key Verse: “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” Galatians  3:11-14   DEVOTION  Jesus’ suffering and death show God’s deep love for us. Though completely sinless, He endured pain and humiliation to bring us back to God. His sacrifice wasn’t random—it was part of God’s plan to save the world. Paul explains that the law exposed sin but couldn’t save anyone. We couldn’t meet its perfect standard, so Jesus stepped in to take our place. He carried th...

  Celebration of the Divine Plan of Salvation Bible Reading:   Genesis  22:10-18 Key Verse: “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day, it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” - Genesis 22:14 DEVOTION Genesis 22 is a story which teaches us the importance of trusting God and being faithful to Him during uncertain times. Here we see Abraham having to almost sacrifice his only son Issac. But looking at the bigger picture, this story teaches us the importance of trusting God’s promises, even if they seem impossible, and surrendering to God, even when difficult.  The three points conveyed in this chapter are: trusting God’s promises, recognizing God’s sovereignty, and embracing faith. One, trusting God’s promises. When Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, he still believed and trusted in God’s promise (Isaac would be the father of a great nation). Even when we cannot understand His plan, we must trust God’s promi...

  Preparation for Eternity Bible Reading:  Matthew 25:31-46 Key Verse: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you whatever you did for one of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” DEVOTION Eternity is not something the average person thinks about on a daily basis. Our days are filled with activities, a never-ending ‘To-Do’ list, and scarcely enough time to catch a breath.  Yet, here in this passage, Jesus is encouraging us to look up from our very busy lives and change our orientation to point towards our true future – an eternity with Him. Curiously enough, the passage does not mention any overly strenuous requirements that seem to separate the sheep from the goats – there is no mention of deep theology, spending hours in prayer, reading Scripture extensively, or anything else we would normally associate with a spiritual life.  Instead, the differentiation is made on simple activities – feed, clothe, visit. There are many ministries formulated on th...

  Watchfulness in Tribulation Bible Reading:  Matthew 24:3-14 Key Verse: Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah’ and will deceive many.  You will hear of wars & rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Mathew 24:4-6 DEVOTION In Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus warns His disciples about the tribulations that will precede His second coming. He calls us to be watchful in times of trial, offering guidance for how to navigate the challenges of life. Jesus begins by urging us not to be deceived (Matthew 24:4). In times of crisis, false teachings can easily creep in, leading us away from the truth. We must stay rooted in God’s Word and discern the voices around us. He also tells us not to be alarmed by wars, famines, or earthquakes (Matthew 24:6-8). These struggles are part of a larger plan unfolding according to God’s will. While difficult, they are not signs of abandonment, but reminde...

  Christ’s Path to the Cross Bible Reading:   Hebrews  2:10-18 Key Verse: “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” Hebrew  2:10 . DEVOTION As we reflect on the theme Christ’s Path to the Cross, today’s passage reminds us that it was “fitting” for Jesus to suffer and die on the cross for our salvation. Jesus was fully human and fully divine. We see His human nature revealed in this passage when it says He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. Because He was fully human and yet without sin, He became the perfect sacrifice on our behalf. He went before the Father as our great High Priest and made atonement for our sin. Because He suffered and was tempted, He is able to help us when we suffer and are tempted. He is not distant from our pain. It is during the difficult times in our lives that He carri...

  Walking in Strength and Spiritual Maturity Bible Reading: Colossians  1: 10-14    10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,  Colossians  1: 10-11   DEVOTION As we read this text, Paul reminds us through his prayer that we are called to walk in strength and spiritual maturity as followers of Christ. Through each verse, Paul lays out a pathway for us to grow deeper in faith and live lives that reflect his glory. In verse 10, we see that Paul talks about how, as followers of Christ, we should live a life that pleases the Lord and be a light to the people around us by being role models. In verse 11, Paul discusses how this journey of discipleship will be filled with challenges; therefore, Paul prays that we be strengthened with a...

  The Cry for Salvation: The Coming of the Messiah Bible Reading: Matthew 21:1-17 "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9).  DEVOTION Introduction The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem fulfilled prophecy, yet many mistaken His exact mission. The people cried out for salvation, expecting a political king, but Jesus came as the Savior of their souls. His entry, the cleansing of the temple, and the praises of children reveal how God’s kingdom operates differently from worldly expectations. "The same crowd that shouts 'Hosanna' today may cry 'Crucify Him' tomorrow. Faith must go beyond emotions to a true surrender." 1.  The Expectation of a Savior The people of Jerusalem rejoiced, crying “Hosanna”—which means "Save us, Lord." However, their focus was on earthly liberation rather than spiritual renewal. Jesus came to offer salvation from sin, not just political ...

  Discipleship that Transcends Temptations Bible Reading: Luke 4: 1-13  “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone’” Luke 4:4  DEVOTION Discipleship is learning to love and follow Jesus while becoming more like him in our attitudes and actions. It’s not a journey of ease but a path marked by surrender, spiritual warfare, and unwavering allegiance to Christ. In this passage, we see Jesus fresh from his baptism and affirmation, and he is led by the Spirit into the wilderness—a place of isolation, hunger, and intense spiritual testing. Yet, in this crucible of temptation, Jesus shows us what true discipleship looks like. I often assumed that being filled with the Spirit meant being shielded from hardship, at least that's what I thought during my freshman year. But Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested and tried. Discipleship means blindly following where God leads, even when it’s uncomfortable. The wilderness in this case isn't ...

  The Temptation of Complaining and Doubt . Bible Reading:  Numbers 11:4-15 Numbers 11:11 Moses said to the Lord, 'Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all these people on me? DEVOTION In Numbers 11:4-15, we find the Israelites grumbling against God because they were tired of eating manna. They longed for the food they had in Egypt, forgetting that Egypt was a place of slavery. Their complaints displeased the Lord and burdened Moses, who felt overwhelmed by their constant dissatisfaction. How often do we find ourselves in the same trap? When life becomes difficult, we are tempted to look back at what we left behind, doubting God’s provision. We complain about our current circumstances, forgetting His past faithfulness. Like the Israelites, we focus on what we don’t have instead of being grateful for what God has given us. Complaining is rooted in doubt—it questions God’s goodness and wisdom. Whe...

  Endurance in faith amid trials Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3: 1-8 “But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love…….long to see you.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭ DEVOTION Persecution has always been associated with Christianity. Church was under persecution from the first century and this is still going on and will continue until Jesus comes back.The only comfort we have is the promise Jesus gave us that He will be with us. Paul was an itinerary evangelist, and church planter. Whenever he moved on to the next station with his missionary work, he always wondered about the place he left; if the new converts would be swayed by Satan. They were in his thoughts, he was concerned regarding whether they would go back to their old way of life or stick to the new faith in Christ that Paul had introduced them to. Paul had founded the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary trip. He had to leave that place due to persecuti...

  Remaining faithful and avoiding spiritual pride. Bible Reading:  Romans 11:16-24   “do not consider yourself to be superior……………….but the root supports you.” Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭18‬ ‭ DEVOTION Paul used the metaphor of the olive tree representing Israel to explain the relationship of the Gentiles and the Jews. The roots of the olive tree is Judaism. The Old Testament Jews were proud and thought that God belonged only to them. The unbelieving Jews were the natural olive branches cut off from the tree by God. The wild olive branches, representing the believing Gentiles were grafted into the good olive tree by the grace of God. The wild olive branches are growing spiritually, nourished by the sap from the original olive roots (Abrahamic faith). The roots support the branches and not vise versa. Salvation came to the Gentiles by faith and grace, so that God could provoke the jealousy of the unbelieving Jews. The Gentiles must not boast about their being grafted into the oliv...

  Victory through humble and faithful discipleship Bible Reading:  Zechariah 9: 9-17   Zechariah: 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a Colt, the foal of a donkey. DEVOTION Based on Zechariah 9:9-17 the concept of “Victory through humble and faithful discipleship” highlights that true victory in Christian life comes not through worldly power or mighty, but through following Jesus’ example of humility, serving others and faithfully adhering to God’s teaching, just as the prophesy describes the Messiah arriving  on the donkey, signifying a peaceful and lowly reign.              The prophetic message of Zechariah 9:9 is that a humble and righteous king, often interpreted as Jesus Christ will come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, bringing salvation and peace to his people signifying a reig...

  New Purpose and Goal in Christ Bible Reading:  Philippians  3:14-17 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. DEVOTION Paul’s letter to the Philippians commemorates encouragement and gratitude to the people in Philippi. He suffered the loss of all things, having been imprisoned for his faith while writing this letter. Paul reminds the people of Philippi to value God’s kingdom over materialistic treasures. In these passages, Paul focuses on two key points: 1.  Spiritual Maturity     i) Spiritual maturity is not simply the mastery of scripture; rather,...

  Jesus Christ Who gives New Vision to Life Bible Reading:   St. Luke 18:35–43  “Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. St. Luke 18:40–41 DEVOTION A large crowd followed Jesus on his final journey to Jerusalem. As He drew near Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the roadside. Though the man was physically blind, he had the insight to realize that Jesus is the Messiah and the only solution to his problems. With the utmost desire, he was waiting for the opportunity to meet Jesus, and one day he perceived that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. His determination and intense desire to get healed were very much visible in his actions. He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me”. His humble, earnest, and persistent prayer stopped Jesus. His request was granted and he was healed at that very moment. This healing teaches us that God a...

  Spiritual Sight and calling in Christ Bible Reading:   Acts  9: 10-18  Acts  9: 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” DEVOTION  In this passage, we see a man named Saul. He was a man deeply devoted to Judaism, believing, protecting, and defending the Law of Moses as told in the first five books of the bible; also called the Torah.  Saul, in fact, had a clear agenda to arrest, by force, if necessary, all followers of Jesus, including Ananias, and deport them to Jerusalem.  It was a mission intended to create terror among the Christian community in Damascus. On the other hand, we see Ananias was directed by Jesus to minister to the deadliest enemy of the Christian faith at that time. Jesus was at work in Saul’s life, preparing him emoti...

  New life through the Holy Spirit Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 37:1-14 Ezekiel 37:3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” DEVOTION In the depths of despair and hopelessness, the promise of new life through the Holy Spirit shines brightly, offering hope and restoration. Ezekiel 37:1-14 presents a powerful and vivid vision of the transformative power of God's Spirit, illustrating the renewal and revival that can come to even the most lifeless and desolate situations Ezekiel, a prophet during the Babylonian exile, was led by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with dry bones. This vision is symbolic of the desolation and hopelessness experienced by the Israelites, who had been scattered and lost their homeland. The valley of dry bones represents their spiritual death, their loss of purpose and identity In this vision, God poses a question to Ezekiel: "Son of man, can these bones live?" This question challenges the limits...

  Deliverance and a new future Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 30: 1 - 10 Jeremiah 30: 3 The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land, I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.” DEVOTION Are we currently in a plateau of life? Tired and not sure what is next. No light ahead in the tunnel. No hopeful voice to be heard. Everything seems monotonous with no change in sight. Most, if not all, of us have been through this valley and it is not pleasant. We pray, fast, keep positive thoughts but nothing seems to make a difference. Perhaps sin has carried us too far. Maybe there is a place that is beyond God’s reach and an end to His grace. Anxious thoughts… Disturbing thoughts grip all of us.  Israel might have had similar thoughts. A group of people who had been chosen by God… Who witnessed God’s extraordinary providence through the ten plagues, parting of the red sea, heavenly rain of ma...

  Hope of renewal in hardships Bible Reading:   Psalms 126 Psalms 126:5 - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. DEVOTION Tears can represent a wide range of emotions and experiences like sadness, grief, joy, relief, and compassion. In spiritual context tears can be seen as a manifestation of God’s grace, allowing individuals to connect with the divine God and find solace in difficult times. In our personal life, tears are often associated with prayer, repentance, deliverance and spiritual growth.  Psalm 126 is one of the 15 songs of Ascend (Psalms 120-134). The Israelites sang as they ascended to Jerusalem annually for three festivals: the festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest and the Festival of Shelters (Deut.16:16). They were captive under the Babylonian rule for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11). Psalm 126 reflects upon the past, present and future of the Israelites when they returned from the bondage of slavery and sin due to disobedience a...