Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Creation Proclaims the Glory of God
Luke 8:22-25
Vs. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm.
             In this passage, creation proclaims the Glory of God not by singing, but by complete and immediate obedience to the voice of its creator. Jesus calming the storm is an example of creation positively responding to its creator.  The wind and the water instantly obey the rebuke Jesus uttered.  A windstorm and raging waves were transformed and immediately become calm.    
                   There are many humans who proclaim the Glory of God with their lips but not with their lives.  To truly proclaim the Glory of God requires not just words but action. Some people may not pay attention to what we say, but they will pay attention to what we do. The wind and the water underwent a drastic change, which resulted in the disciples realizing the Jesus was like no one they had ever encountered before.  In a similar manner, when people praise God by obeying his word, they undergo a drastic change.  The positive change in the life of a disciple will cause others to be drawn to Christ.
                 By calling Jesus Lord, we acknowledge that He is our master and we need to obey him.  When we listen to the word of Jesus, sometimes we will hear him rebuking us. But that rebuke is said in love and in order for us to become the person God intended us to be.  Similarly to Jesus rebuking Peter because Peter was setting him mind on human things and not divine things, we also need to be rebuked (Matthew 16:21-23.)  Jesus rebuked Peter because he loved Peter and wanted him not to miss the Glory of God because he was focused on human things. When we focus on human things – fame, fortune, position, power, etc… we are not setting our mind on divine things. 
        Jesus Christ was constantly doing the will of God and praising God while he was doing it. Christ came into this world to save us.  He not only died for our sins but he also wants us to set out mind on divine things not human things. The restoration that Jesus brings is for all creation, so that as one -all of creation can praise God. When we listen to the voice of Jesus and bring our life in accordance with God’s will – we will truly be praising God.
 PRAYER
Lord Jesus allow us to worship you not just with our lips, but with our lives.  Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:14a
Rev. Shibi Abraham, Youth Chaplain, North East Region

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