Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Annunciation to Joseph
Philippians 4:4-9
VS. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
 Paul writes to the people in Philippi from prison where he was in chains and urges them to not worry about anything and never to be anxious. Whatever be the situations in life one is undergoing, Paul is instructing us to handle it with prayer and complete submission to His will. The antidote to worry is praying incessantly. We shall have the absolute faith in our Lord that He will guide us through all our life situations. He will not lead us into misery and trouble but instead will ultimately lead us to eternal happiness and joy. Paul was confident that no matter what happened to him, it was only happening with the knowledge of the Savior.
 We can easily get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or wrong turn of events in our lives. Let us be assured that the ultimate joy, guidance and peace comes only from Christ who dwells in us.
Joseph was a just and righteous man. He was betrothed to Mary. He was very concerned about her as he loved her so much. Since he was a just man he did not want to put Mary to public disgrace when he knew that she was pregnant. Joseph instead was planning to cancel the betrothal agreement. It was then that God interfered in Joseph’s life and explained the situation and told him to accept Mary as his wife. Having the absolute faith in God without fearing the consequences of accepting a pregnant woman as his wife in the Jewish society he lived, he obeyed and submitted to God’s will completely. This made the prophecy and the scripture come true; that the Messiah will be born in the royal lineage of David.
Let us in this advent season, which is a season of expectation and preparation take Joseph as one of our role models. Let us have absolute faith in God and in His words and program our mind with thoughts that are true, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent words of praise.    
PRAYER
Almighty Lord, as we are in the advent season  getting ready to celebrate  your birth into this world, prepare our hearts to accept and take you in. Prepare and equip us for the great things you have intended to do in our lives. Enable us to walk daily with you in absolute faith and enjoy the heavenly peace, joy and love that you have given us free through your son who is our Immanuel.  Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you." - Matthew 6:30
Dr. Thomas K.Jose, MTC Staten Island, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church 

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