Reflections

  Productive Living: The best is yet to come Bible Reading: Joshua 14: 6 - 15. Key verse 12b It may be that the Lord will be with me and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said. DEVOTION Joshua 14:6-15 presents Caleb as a strong example of productive living. At age forty he was assigned along with others to evaluate a region that held potential to become home to his community. Caleb trusted in God’s promise. Others saw only enemies and fortified cities in that region. Moses realized that Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly and promised that the land Caleb had walked on would become his inheritance. Forty-five years later, at age eighty-five, Caleb does not ask for an easier assignment. He asks for the same hill country, Hebron, that still presented adversities. His courage comes not from self-confidence, but from confidence in the Lord who had preserved and strengthened him. Caleb shows us that age, delay, and difficulty do not cancel God’s plan and purpose. The theme ...

  Productive Living: The Best Is Yet to Come Bible Reading:  Psalm 16 Key verse 11  Verse: 11“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.”  DEVOTION Psalm 16 shows us what it means to live with complete trust in God. David begins by asking God to keep him safe because he takes refuge in Him. He recognizes that the Lord is his ultimate good and that nothing else can compare. He chooses God as his “portion and cup” and finds joy in the company of those who faithfully follow the Lord. David’s trust gives him stability. He declares, “I keep my eyes always on the LORD” (v. 8). Because God is at his right hand, he will not be shaken. This is an important lesson for productive living. A truly productive life is not simply about how much we accomplish, but about keeping God at the center of everything we do. Life does not always unfold as we expect. We experience disappointments, missed opportunities, uncertainty and change. Yet Dav...

  Productive Living - The Best is yet to Come  Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 29:10-14   Jeremiah 29:11  For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm,  to give you a future with hope. DEVOTION There is a time in life when we think we are standing still. We wait for an answer for our prayer, hope  for a change in our life' situations. In these times, we really wonder or even question if God is at  work.  The Israelites experienced the same situation during exile in Babylon. They were far from home and were waiting for a real change in life and about their future. They were to build, plant, live, serve,  and seek the welfare of the city where God had placed them while waiting for His promised  restoration. Here, God is assuring that their present situation is not their destination.   This reveals that while we wait, God is still working for us in the background. The resul...

  Productive Living: The best is yet to come  Bible Reading:   Philippians Ch 1 v 19-21 Key verse 21 For me to live is Christ and to die is gain DEVOTION Paul wrote this epistle while he was a prisoner in Rome. At Philippi Paul suffered but he had been instrumental in planting this church. Paul had fatherly care for this congregation and these brethren were kind to Paul. Christ lives in Paul (Gal.2:20, Eph.3:17) and is the source and sustainer of Paul’s spiritual life (Col.3:4). Paul is in vital union with Christ and lives in devotion to Christ. And to die is gain-implies the state after death, not the act of dying. Death does not interrupt our conscious fellowship with Christ. “And absent from body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). One of the martyrs said to his persecutors as they led him to death “You take a life from me that I cannot keep and bestow a life upon me that I cannot lose”. The idea of gain is a precious thought on dying. After...

  Women Who Trust God: Fearless and Faithful Bible Reading:  : Acts Ch 1 v 12-14  Key verse 17 Vs 17,  "The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live”. DEVOTION During a time  when women were considered as second class citizens,their voices or opinions were not heard or respected,  there was a group of women who followed Jesus loyally and boldly. They travelled with Jesus along with His disciples,supported them with their money, remained with him during crucifixion unlike some of the disciples who fled and were first witnesses to His resurrection. In Luke 8:1-3 talks about a few. "Soon afterward He went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary,called Magdalene,from whom seven demons  had gone out, and Joanna,the wife of C...

  Women Who Trust God: Fearless and Faithful Bible Reading:   John: 12  1-8 Key verse 8  “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me”. DEVOTION  Can we imagine the situation at the  dinner arranged in honor of Jesus at the home of Lazarus whom Jesus raised  from dead.  Outside the doors, the religius leaders were actively plotting to kill Jesus.  We find two remarkable women:  Martha and Mary , each embodying the traits of fearlessness and faithfulness in their devotion to Jesus.  In this fearful  atmosphere, Mary stepped forward, taking a bold decision against the cultual ethics of that time, where  women were relegated to the background. Mary brought a jar of pure nard- an incredibly expensive perfume – broke it open and poured it all over Jesus's feet wiping them with her hair.       Her willingness to express her love and reverence publicly was nothng short of radi...

  Women Who Trust God: Fearless and Faithful Bible Reading:   Romans 16: 1- 15 Key verse 4 They risked their lives for me.  Not only I, but all the Churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. (Romans 16: 4) DEVOTION Apostle Paul, with compassion and love, introduces many ardent workers of Jesus Christ in this Bible portion.  He starts with Phebe.  She is a servant of the Church in Cenchrea, of Corinth. Priscilla and Aquila are zealous Christians. The apostle knows them very well.  Then in the following verses many names are mentioned.  St. Paul greets them all, and asks the believing community to welcome all of them warmly and accept them into their midst.   The role of women in the Church and society is very important.  In the Old Testament, we read about prominent women who trusted God and who were faithful and fearless.  In the Book of Judges, in Chapters 4 and 5, we read about the prophetess and judge namely Deborah. ...

  Women Who Trust God: Fearless and Faithful Bible Reading:   Romans 16: 1- 15 Key verse 4 They risked their lives for me.  Not only I, but all the Churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. (Romans 16: 4) DEVOTION Apostle Paul, with compassion and love, introduces many ardent workers of Jesus Christ in this Bible portion.  He starts with Phebe.  She is a servant of the Church in Cenchrea, of Corinth. Priscilla and Aquila are zealous Christians. The apostle knows them very well.  Then in the following verses many names are mentioned.  St. Paul greets them all, and asks the believing community to welcome all of them warmly and accept them into their midst.   The role of women in the Church and society is very important.  In the Old Testament, we read about prominent women who trusted God and who were faithful and fearless.  In the Book of Judges, in Chapters 4 and 5, we read about the prophetess and judge namely Deborah. ...

  Women Who Trust God: Fearless and Faithful Bible Reading:   Exodus 1:15–21 Key verse 17 Vs 17,  "The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live”. DEVOTION In a time when Pharaoh's command threatened the lives of every Hebrew baby boy, two ordinary women, Shiphrah and Puah, displayed extraordinary faith. Though they stood before the most powerful ruler in Egypt, they chose to obey God rather than man. Their courage did not arise from human strength but from a deep reverence for the Lord. They feared God more than they feared Pharaoh. These faithful women remind us that trusting God often requires standing against the pressures of the world. They could have chosen the safer path by obeying Pharaoh, but they valued God's will above their own security. Their obedience became an instrument through which God preserved the future of His covenant people. Through their faithful actions, God continued ...

Women Who Trust God: Fearless and Faithful Bible Reading:   Esther 7:1–10, Key verse 14. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.  DEVOTION Esther 7:1–10 presents one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture. Queen Esther stood before King Xerxes and courageously revealed Haman's wicked plot to destroy her people. She knew that approaching the king and exposing Haman could cost her position, or even her life. Yet her confidence was not in her royal status but in the God who had prepared her for that very moment. Esther did not act impulsively. She first sought God through prayer and fasting (Esther 4:16). Her courage was born out of communion with God. Because she trusted Him, fear no longer controlled her decisions. Instead of remaining silent, she spoke the truth with wisdom, humility, and boldness. God honored Esther's faith. Haman's evil plan was overturned, and justice prevailed. The gallows Hama...

  Women Who Trust God: Fearless and Faithful Bible Reading: Matthew 26: 6–13 Key verse 13 13. “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” DEVOTION The woman who anointed Jesus at Bethany stands as one of the greatest examples of fearless faith in the Bible While others questioned her actions and criticized her for "wasting" expensive perfume, she was concerned only with honoring Christ. Her love for Jesus was greater than her fear of people's opinions. She brought an alabaster jar of costly perfume and poured it on Jesus' head. It was an act of complete surrender, sacrificial love, and unwavering trust. She gave her very best without expecting recognition or reward. Although the disciples misunderstood her, Jesus understood her heart. He defended her, praised her, and declared that her act of devotion would be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached. This woman teaches us that fai...

  Education for the Transformation of Life  Bible Reading:  2nd Peter 1:3-11 Key verse Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble (2 Peter 1: 10) DEVOTION While salvation is a free gift from God, active spiritual growth requires intentional human effort and obedience. I heard a celebrated pastor state, that if Christ forms our belief, our life will remain firm as the world changes. Apostle Peter is stating just that and as we continue to grow in this learning process by adding different virtues to our faith. This 2nd letter of Peter is to address and affirm God’s love and his promises.  God has already equipped us with everything essential, including the gift of discernment. We see this clearly in the experience of the disciples. When Jesus revealed that one of them would betray Him, every disciple except one responded by acknowledging His lordship (Matthew 26:22)...

  Education for the Transformation of Life  Bible Reading:  St. Luke 5:1-11 Key verse Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke  5:10-11 DEVOTION In 1883, at the peak of his career, an English cricketer chose to abandon his wealth, fame, and comfort to travel halfway across the world to China.  He joined the Cambridge Seven, a Christian missionary group. His name was C.T. Studd, and he walked away to pursue something greater than his own success. He wrote, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” Simon Peter faced a similar decision. In Luke 5, Jesus told him to cast his nets again, after fishing all night with nothing to show. The catch was so large the boats nearly sank! Yet at the height of that success, Jesus said, “From now on you will fish for people.” Peter and his partn...

  Education for the Transformation of Life  Bible Reading:  1st Corinthians 1:18-25 Key verse “But we preach Christ crucified.” — 1 Corinthians 1:23 DEVOTION The Wisdom of God and the Education of the Cross What is the wisdom of God? The wisdom of God is revealed in Christ. Often, the knowledge we gain from the world helps us to grow in many ways. However, for that growth to become complete, we must grow in our relationship with God and in our closeness to Christ. The crucified Christ often stands beyond the knowledge and understanding of our world. In today’s world, our education teaches us many different values. Let us take love as an example. The values of the present world can sometimes teach us to love ourselves and, through that self-love, to push others aside or make them feel insignificant. It is precisely in such a world that we need to discover the love of the cross. The love of the cross challenges and transforms the world’s understanding of love. We live ...

  Education for the Transformation of Life  Bible Reading:  Proverbs 2: 1-12 Key verse "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2: 6 DEVOTION The Bible portion reminds us that true education is not mere gaining information; it is allowing wisdom to transform our whole being. The passage teaches that those who obey discipline gain knowledge, while those who oppose correction remain foolish. Education for transformation begins with a receptive heart—one willing to listen, learn, and change. God’s wisdom trains us to follow righteousness, integrity, respect, and compassion. It teaches us that our words have power: they can either heal or hurt, encourage or destroy. Therefore, a transformed learner does not use knowledge for pride or selfishness, but for service and blessing. What we learn should shape the way we speak, work, relate to others, and make decisions. The contrast between the righteous and the wicked in this passa...

Education for the Transformation of Life  Bible Reading: Psalm 119:9-16 Key verse "How can a young person stay on the path of God? By living according to your word." Psalm 119: 9 DEVOTION  Education is not merely the gathering of information. It is the shaping of the heart by God’s word so that our whole life is transformed. The psalmist commits to three practices that guide this transformation: Hiding God’s word in the heart (v.11): When Scripture is treasured inwardly, it becomes a safeguard against sin.  Declaring God’s word with the lips (v.13): Faith is not private; we learn and grow in faith by teaching, confessing, and witnessing to others.  Delighting in God’s word (v.14, 16): Transformation happens when obedience becomes joy, not burden: “I delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (v.16).  For the Mar Thoma Church, the theme of ‘Education for the Transformation of Life’ aligns with our emphasis on Scripture-centered living, family pra...

  Education for the Transformation of Life  Bible Reading: : Proverbs 8: 1-15 Key verse "Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have insight, I have power. By me Kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just." Proverbs  8: 14-15 DEVOTION The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines knowledge as information or awareness about a subject, while wisdom is good sense, judgment, or insight. Proverbs mention wisdom repeatedly. So why put such emphasis on wisdom? Is the Bible telling us to prioritize education? Today, education is closely correlated with progress. It is seen as a requirement for a good job, earning money, and gaining respect. But does having all the facts and expertise really help us make the correct decisions? Proverbs speak about the ability God gives those who fear Him to discern between right and wrong. Education becomes transformative through our deep relationship with Jesus, equipping us to interpret the facts and opinions the world throws at us and ma...

  Education for Transformation of Life Bible Reading: Proverb 4:1-9 Key verse :    V 5 : “Get wisdom, get understanding. ” DEVOTION We live in an age where information is available at our fingertips. We can earn degrees, master technology, and gain professional success, yet still struggle with broken relationships, anxiety and a lack of purpose. Proverbs 4:1–9 reminds us that true education is not measured by how much we know but by how wisely we live. Today's world often values achievement over character, wealth over integrity, and popularity over truth. However, God's wisdom teaches us to make decisions based on His principles rather than the changing values of society. A student may be academically brilliant, but good grades alone cannot transform a life; honesty, humility, and  self-control are also needed. Likewise, a successful professional who lacks compassion and integrity may gain the world but lose what truly matters. This passage also challenges paren...

  Enhancing the Migrants and Refugees Bible Reading: St. Luke 10:25-37 Key verse :    V 37 : “Go and do likewise ” DEVOTION For today’s devotion let’s meditate on the story of the Good Samaritan. We have heard this story  from Sunday School onwards, but are we following it?  St. Luke 10:25–37 presents us with the beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan. A lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with a story of a wounded man who is ignored by others but cared for by a Samaritan. The Samaritan did not ask about the man’s nationality, religion, background, or status. He simply saw someone in need and responded with compassion.  This Gospel speaks directly to our responsibility toward migrants and refugees. Many people leave their homes because of war, violence, poverty, persecution, or the hope for a safer and better life. Almost all of the Malayalee community left Kerala and came to this country to ...