Guilty Yet Pardoned

Read: 1 Tim. 1:12-17

A man was filling out a job application and he came to the question “Have you ever been arrested?” He wrote, “No.” The next question was intended for people who had answered “Yes” to the previous question. That question was “Why?” Anyway the applicant answered it: “I never got caught.” He clearly knew he was guilty of many offences.

Paul the apostle was such a person. He knew he had personally done wrong and sinned against God. He wrote, “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man” (1 Tim. 1:13). He even called himself “chief” of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15).

We also were once separated from God because of our sin and were considered His enemies (Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21). But when we confessed our sins and acknowledged our requirement for His forgiveness, He cleansed us and made us new. That is the grace of God.

Those of us who have known the Lord for many years may have the tendency to forget what we have been rescued from and forgiven of. Sharing about our past and present failures and giving praise to God for forgiveness will help us not to have a “holier than you” attitude to people who don’t yet know the Lord.

For those who are God’s children through Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13), we need to always remember that we have all been guilty of many offences, but God forgave us in Christ. And God alone deserves the glory for His grace and mercy towards us. Someone once said, “Grace is everything for those who deserve nothing.”

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Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios
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God’s Word is Not Chained

Read: Jeremiah 36

The Bible was originally written in Greek and Hebrew. The first English New Testament Bible was translated by William Tyndale in 1525. He was martyred for his actions, but God’s Word continued to spread worldwide. Even though people tried to destroy God’s Word, the verses were memorised in people’s hearts and passed on to their next generation. History also recalls the prohibition of the Bible and possession of the Bible as a crime in communist countries. It was very difficult for the believers to possess the Bible. They treasured it even if they had just one page of the Bible.
God’s Word is like fire and a hammer that can break a rock into pieces (Jer. 23:29). God’s Word can cut hearts and bring them to repentance and true knowledge of the Saviour. When Jeremiah received the revelation from God to write what He commanded on a scroll, Jeremiah wrote with the help of the scribe Baruch and delivered it to the Israelites. But King Jehoiakim burnt the scroll without any remorse. God commanded Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll again. God’s Word cannot be chained. God’s judgement was passed on King Jehoiakim and the Israelites for ignoring God’s warning and hence they had to be captives in Babylon (Jer. 36).
Paul the apostle wrote to Timothy about his sufferings in prison saying, “I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:8-10). Let us make an effort to spread His Word to people around us.

Warning Lights

Read: Joel 2:12-17

The cars of modern times are technologically sophisticated and they have many warning lights on the dashboard for the driver to be alerted if something is wrong. It is always wise for the driver to pay heed to those warning lights and check the car’s systems so as to avoid needless trouble on the way, and costlier repairs. Ignoring such lights will also lead to loss of time and serious inconveniences to the owner.
In Joel 2:12-17, we read that God used the prophet Joel to encourage His people to pay attention to the warning light on their spiritual dashboard. Immense prosperity had caused them to become satisfied and complacent, and also negligent in their commitment to the Lord. Their faith had degenerated into empty ceremonies and their lives into moral bankruptcy. So God sent a locust plague to ruin their crops in order to get His people’s attention, causing them to change their behaviour and turn to Him with their whole hearts.
What warning lights are flashing in your life? Are you able to see them? Conviction itself is God’s warning light. If you feel convicted now, what needs to be tuned up or repaired through confession and repentance? Do not ignore those warnings from God. Pay attention to them today and do the needful. Get right with God today.

Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios
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Our Great Joy Giver

Read: Philippians 4

Are we joyful at all times, even when we face difficulties? Jesus gives us the joy and peace and fills our heart with contentment. Even when early Christians were persecuted for their faith, they rejoiced in the Lord. Even if you do not have riches as others do, Jesus can give you the joy and contentment in Him. Habakkuk wrote, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour” (Hab. 3:17-18).

Genuine servants of God who left their families to follow Jesus and serve Him are very joyful in spite of the hardships and persecution they face. Their greatest joy is that one day they would meet the Saviour in heaven face to face and spend eternity with Him. Nothing else can be compared with that. Paul the apostle said, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10). God’s presence fills us with joy even when we are lonely or lost or weak.

Following God’s commandments and statutes can also bring us great joy. David felt the same, that he treasured God’s Word in his heart. David wrote, “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart” (Ps. 119:111). Jesus can bring joy and contentment in our hearts if we put our trust in Him alone. Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4). Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Rom. 12:12).

Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios
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Detecting Falsehood

Read: Galatians 1:3-10

The American cities San Francisco and New York City are using bluegill fish to check for the presence of toxins in their water supply, which could be a possible target for a terrorist attack. A small number of bluegills are kept in a tank at the bottom of some water treatment plants because the fish are sensitive to chemical imbalances in their environment. When a disturbance is present in the water, the bluegills react against it.
Like those bluegills, Paul the apostle wanted the Galatians to beware of and react against any deviation or disturbance in the “true gospel” that was being preached. The toxin was defined as the false principle that God grants acceptance to people and considers them righteous on the basis of their obedience to a set of rules (circumcision and dietary regulations). Obedience to the law was needed for salvation, apart from faith in Jesus. This false teaching was a poison or toxic disturbance of the truth and the Galatians were told to react strongly against it. Paul said that anyone preaching a gospel that is not based on grace through faith in Christ alone should be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).
Let us be diligent and faithful in studying the Scriptures so that we can detect the false teachings and their dangers, and proclaim the truth of God’s wonderful salvation through faith in Jesus. If you know the truth, you can discern what is false.



Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios
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Popularity of Jesus

Read: John 6:60-69

Popularity is unpredictable. Check a politician. Many of them watch their ratings to see how their constituents view their policies. They may start with a high rating, but then those ratings may steadily decline during their term.

Jesus also experienced a sharp fall in popularity. His popularity reached its peak after He fed the 5,000 (John 6:14-15). It fell when He told His listeners that He had “come down from heaven” (John 6:38). Their response to His profound claim was, in a way, Who does He think He really is? (John 6:41).

Jesus’ popularity continued to fall when He explained how they could have Him as spiritual bread (John 6:51-52). Confused by what they heard, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (John 6:60). As a result, many left Him.

The crowds followed Jesus conditionally. They were happy only as long as Jesus supplied their needs and met their wants. They drew back when He asked for absolute commitment. Jesus’ question to His disciples was “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67). Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Like Peter, will you choose to ignore the world’s rating of Jesus and follow Him daily and unconditionally? Remember Jesus does not want your half-hearted or 99 percent commitment. He expects yours 100 percent commitment, devotion, and faithfulness. Do not forget that on the cross He gave Himself completely for you.

Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios
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Visible Reminder

Read: Colossians 3:1-10
What is the first image you see when you turn on your computer or smartphone? Maybe it’s a family picture, or a beautiful scenery. Or perhaps your favourite car or motorbike.
A man once wrote about his lengthy battle with pornography – a depressing cycle that alternated between seasons of victory with crushing defeats back into an online world of empty lust. Finally, he found that putting a visible reminder of Jesus in the corner of his computer screen helped him achieve lasting victory. That constant reminder of the One who set him free caused the obscene websites to lose their appeal. That man was giving himself a simple reminder of the teaching of Col. 3 where Paul says, “put to death…fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness” (Col. 3:5).
When we turn our eyes to Jesus, He becomes a powerful reminder that our old life “died, and (our) life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). Whether it is a verse taped to your desk, or a picture on your computer, choose a noticeable way to lift your thoughts into the presence of Jesus. As you lift your thoughts to Jesus, He will surely help you out. The best way to keep sin at a distance is to make sure Jesus stands between you and temptation.

Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios
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Perfect Church

Read: Exodus 26:1-11
Too big. Too small. Too long. Too short. Too tight. Too loose. Too bright. Too dull. These words describe most of the clothes we try on at a clothes store. Finding the perfect fit seems to be an impossible task.
Finding a church that is a “perfect fit” poses similar problems. Every church has something that is not quite right. Our gifts are not recognised. Our talents are not appreciated. Our sense of humour may be misunderstood. Certain attitudes, beliefs, people, or programmes make us uncomfortable. We feel as if we don’t fit. We struggle to find our place.
However, we know that God wants us to fit together with one another. The apostle Paul said we are being “built together to become a dwelling in which God lives” (Eph. 2:22). As the tabernacle in the days of Moses (Ex. 26) and the temple in the days of Solomon (1 Kings 6:1-14) were the dwelling places of God on earth, the believers in the church today are the temple of God. God wants us to fit together, so that there are no divisions in His church. This means that we, the building blocks, are to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement” (1 Cor. 1:10).
No church will be a perfect fit, but we can all work at fitting together more perfectly. We need to realise that the love of Christ creates unity in the midst of diversity.


Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios

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Trouble Ahead

Read: Numbers 13:25-14:9
At some point in our lives, trouble will come up. A bad report from a medical test, the betrayal of a trusted friend, a child who rejects us, or a spouse who leaves us. The list of possibilities is long, but there are only two options: move forward on our own, or turn to God.
Going alone into the face of trouble is not a good idea. It can lead to bad behaviour patterns, blaming God, and retreating into defeat. Like the Israelites, we may spin out of control and into despair (Num. 14:1-4). When the majority of the spies brought a report of intimidating giants and dangers ahead, they used the pronoun “we” seven times with no reference to the Lord (Num. 13:31-33). The Israelites were on the tip of the ultimate blessing that God promised to them. They were eyewitnesses to the miracles in Egypt and their feet had walked the dry bottom of the Red Sea as an incredible miracle. God’s faithfulness had been amazingly evident. How short-lived were their memories! What disappointing faithlessness! Sadly, they turned their backs on God and left the blessing behind.
God’s punishment was pronounced on the others except Joshua and Caleb: “Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in…” (Num. 14:30). Unlike Joshua and Caleb, the other Israelites followed the Lord’s calling out from Egypt, but they did not follow Him into the land.
Caleb and Joshua, on the other hand, chose to turn to the Lord with this confidence: “The Lord is with us” (Num. 14:9). In fact, those two were the only adult Israelites in that first generation who went “into the fullness” of God’s calling. When your giant problems show up, what will you do? Will you turn to God and trust Him?

Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios

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Friend of Jesus

Read: John 15:9-17

Someone has defined friendship as “knowing the heart of another and sharing one’s heart with another.” We share our hearts with those we trust, and trust those who care about us. We confide in our friends because we have confidence that they will use the information to help us, and not harm us. They in turn confide in us for the same reason.

We often refer to Jesus as our friend because we know that He wants what is best for us. We confide in Him because we trust Him. But have you considered that Jesus confides in His children?

Jesus began calling His disciples friends rather than servants because He had entrusted them with everything. He had heard from His Father (John 15:15). Jesus trusted His disciples to use the information for the good of His Father’s kingdom. Although we know that Jesus is our friend, can we say that we are His friends? Do we listen to Him? Or do we only want Him to listen to us? Do we want to know what is on His heart? Or do we only want to tell Him what is on ours? Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). He again said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

To be a friend of Jesus, we need to listen to what He wants us to know and then use the information to bring others into friendship with Him. We need to be faithful to Him in everything if we are His friends. 


Author: Georgy Mathew Alexios

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