Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Witnessing Christ

2 Tim. 4. 9-18
 “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth” (17)

This verse gives us a glimpse of the hardship that Apostle Paul endured in bringing the gospel to the Gentile world of the first century. He was pulled out of the jaws of death several times, including the instance mentioned here. The early Church that Paul and other Apostles planted grew throughout the ancient world, despite severe persecution at the hand of Roman government, through the witnessing of individual believers. We do not face the kind of peril that Paul and the early Christians faced. However, witnessing the gospel is a challenging task today also. Most people do not feel comfortable discussing their faith. Religion is considered a personal matter and often portrayed as a source of social conflicts. As a result, believers feel considerable inhibition in sharing their faith with non-believers.

Christians are messengers of God’s hope and love for the world. The Great Commission that the risen Lord gave his disciples was to witness the gospel throughout the world. We may not all have the same calling and gifts for mission works, but every one of us has a role to play. An effective way to witness Christ is by showing our Christian character in everyday life. St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” St. Francis did not rely on eloquence or oratory to spread the gospel; instead he adopted a lifestyle identifying with the poor and the deprived of the society. The Bible teaches us that we should be imitators of Christ in our life. Although we cannot reach Christ’s level of perfection, our striving should be in that direction.

Another way we can be effective witnesses is to look for opportunities around us. Everybody has gifts that can be put into the Lord’s service. Someone who is good in playing guitar or piano can use that talent in praise and worship; someone who is a medical professional can do God’s work by caring for somebody who cannot pay back. A person who has technical skills in computer and software can think of donating some time to help spread Christian media and literature. People who have preaching and teaching skills can use those skills; administratively gifted individuals can donate time for church administration. Finally, all of us can support God’s ministry financially to varying degree. God has a plan for each one of us to serve him. We just need to identify our role.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for all the mission works that are going on in the world in your name, and please show me how I can help. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thought for the day: When we are determined to do the Lord’s work, the Lord will provide us opportunities and resources.

Samuel Chackalamannil, Ph. D, MTC Randolph





.



Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more