Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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THE WOUNDED HEALER

2 Corinthians 4: 1-10
"Since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart... we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. "(2 Corinthians 4: 1&5)
 
 To be effective witnesses in our daily life requires obedience when no one is watching. Loving obedience may be the greatest prayer God ever hears. Jesus could have performed every miracle, preached the finest sermons, or led the greatest multitude to God, but if in the Garden of Gethsemane he did not obey, all else would have been useless.
A Divine Knowledge of the Father: When no one, except THE FATHER was watching our LORD in the Garden, HE OBEYED. He knew that his earthly body, like ours, was like a fragile clay jar. He knew that though His body would be pierced for us, and buried, His father would give Him the power to rise from the grave. He knew that the same power would be given to us if we would accept it. (John 14.12) How amazing is this truth? Like Christ, we can know a lot about GOD, but if that does not translate into knowing our father, then there will be no fruit in our ministry.
A commitment to obey the will of the Father: We too have access to the same power. WHY? Is it to accomplish man-made goals? No. It is to allow GOD in establishing His Kingdom of Grace, Love and Mercy. The power comes to us ONLY through the person of the Holy Spirit, which GOD gives to us freely. We must be mindful that it DOES NOT come to us through church attendance, conference participation, or Bible reading. Christ said "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." Jesus' lifestyle was one of pleasing the Father. He even said he could not do it of himself. The Lord knew His power and ability came from someone else. We must live knowing this, not just believing it. God promises each of us "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26) Like Christ, we are called to bring healing to others, as we are His Body on earth. We cannot lose heart as Paul says here because God is the sole author of the treasure within us. He put this treasure in us for His Glory, to manifest His beauty in this sin-torn world.

We have to RISE & MOVE forward from our past wounds and failures, as CHRIST said to the disciples in the GARDEN, "Rise, let us Go!" (Matt 26.46)
Prayer:
Loving Father, help us to know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Wounded Healer can heal us by his touch.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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