Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Good News To All


Aswathi Varughese
St. Thomas MTC, Lombard, IL
9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

The phrase ‘Good News to all’ is usually associated with the Christmas season. The joy, wonder and glory of the birth of Christ as proclaimed by celestial messengers. But can the parameters of redemption and salvation be defined by season, society or religion? My definition of “good news for all” took on a completely different perspective as I prepared to pen this reflection.

My commute to work is usually interspersed with prayers, calls to India, calls to family, friends, more prayers, work related conference calls and of course music: sometimes Maramon convention CD’s and sometimes the Gospel music channel with a sprinkling of News (when bad weather is forecasted!). Then there are days when I’m tired and quiet and in a ‘listening only’ mode. The songs played often echo my need of the moment…in what I term ‘GOD incidences’.  So, it is no surprise that as I was contemplating this meditation, I heard the following (I abbreviate and purposely do not disclose the entire conversation for privacy reasons):

Radio commentator: Good morning….welcome!  How have you been encouraged?
Woman responds (Crying) My Jesus healed me! My Jesus healed me!
Radio commentator: Were you sick?
Woman responds: HE healed my brokenness…He healed me…JESUS is for REAL….HE LOVES ME
Radio commentator: And what happened??
Woman responds (crying with joy): I was a Muslim.  I was on drugs and an alcoholic…my husband left me….with 3 children.  I prayed, JESUS if you are real, please help me. And HE came into my life and healed my brokenness.  I LOVE MY JESUS…my family, my children; we are all believers in JESUS.
 
Needless to say, there were probably many listeners like myself who were deeply moved and unashamedly shed a few tears.

Paul, the epitome of discipleship had the vision of a man from Macedonia, begging him for help as a result of which he took the Gospel to Macedonia on his second missionary journey. 

The term aptly used is ‘begging’. Why? Because they NEEDED JESUS…to heal their brokenness?!!!

Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 

How often do we have preconceived notions about who is a true Christian? Who needs to hear the message of CHRIST? What are our filters? Do we see the brokenness around us and are we willing to reach out and be the hands, feet and eyes of our LORD?


PRAYER


LORD, You came heal and forgive.  You came to Love completely and without boundaries. Teach us LORD to be your eyes, your hands your feet...to be your messenger of Hope for the hopeless. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
We are telegrams for Christ

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