Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
St. Stephen's day
Acts 7:51-8:3
Vs 59 - While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 
The church observes January 8th as a day to remember the first Christian martyr in the early church, Stephen. Stephen was a Hellenistic Jew (a foreign-born Jew who spoke Greek) who lived in Jerusalem and became a Christian. We see two aspects in his character that will guide us in our walk with Christ and our witness in this world.

1. Willing to serve
In Acts 6, we see that when there was a dispute between the Hellenist and Hebrew Christians regarding the distribution of food to widows. This problem had the potential to break the early church into warring groups and spoil the witness of the church. But in such a situation, we see the whole community addressing this issue under the leadership of the Twelve to select capable men to serve in the distribution. That’s where we see Stephen, a man filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit and of good standing, being chosen for this task. He was capable to be a leader and preacher. At the same time, when he was called to do a task at the time of a great crisis, he did not think lightly of it. He approached the task of serving at the tables with utmost reverence because he knew that it  was a God-given ministry for him as per the need of the Church. His ministry not only solved a major crisis and kept up the ministry of the church but also brought many people including priests to the faith (Acts 6:7). No task is insignificant when we are called for it by God.

2. Glorifying God in life and death
We see how Stephen reflected God’s glory even in his own suffering. When he was called to trial, his accusers saw his face radiant like the face of an angel. When given an opportunity, he chose to boldly witness for Christ in the face of opposition. In his dying moments, his faith is rewarded when he sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And even as he submits his spirit into God’s hands, he prays for the forgiveness of the very people who were stoning him. It is always an inspiration and a challenge when people of God reflect godly perseverance under trials, and love at times of suffering. That is a great witness to their faith and reflects the glory of God in their life.

Stephen’s willingness to serve in whatever capacity God called him to, his perseverance and bold witness in times of tribulations has been an example that outlasted his life and has served as an inspiration to people called to serve God. Today God assigns us with tasks in our family, church and society. No assignment is insignificant when it is given to us by God. Let us remember to do it with utmost diligence and spend our lives reflecting godly love and perseverance.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me to discern the needs and tasks that I see in my family, church and society as opportunities to serve you, Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What is life, if it is not to love; what is love if it is not for service; what is service if it is not for Christ. – Mother Teresa

Rev. Thomas John, Carmel MTC Boston


Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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