Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION: EQUIPPING THE PEOPLE OF GOD
Jeremiah 1:1-10
V2. “ Before I formed you in the womb  I  knew you, and before you were born I consecrated  you ;  I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
                In today's world many  people suffer from depression  along with a feeling of  inadequacy, worthlessness,  and  an inability to find a purpose in life. Jeremiah chapter 1 gives us a sense of hope in that context.  We see a mandate given to Jeremiah as well as to each one of us, a calling, and to walk in a path that pleases God.  Are we able to listen to God's call and respond positively?  We need to remember that our vulnerabilities will not be a hindrance in fulfilling His purpose.
                 Jeremiah was a special child separated for a prophetic ministry for God.  He was from a priestly background, hailing from a village named Ana Thoth, which is 3 miles from Jerusalem.  No prophet ever came up by a human will, but only when ordained by the Holy spirit of God.  It is important for us to understand that we are not here by chance, but God foreknew and created us for a special purpose.   Often, many people continue to live in the world without realizing and listening to His call, and lead a purposeless life.
                  Like filling an empty vessel, God would like to fill his people with blessings to complete His work in this world, when we trust and obey His calling positively. All through the scriptures, we see several people who were handpicked by God for his purpose. Boy David was chosen to fight against Goliath, Timothy and  Paul to guard the church and John the Baptist was consecrated even from mother's womb to serve as the forerunner of Jesus.
                   Sometimes, our sense of weakness or frailty often may become a hindrance in responding to His call.  At times, God does not need a wise and old person to do his will, but a person of low and despised state according to world's standards.  All we need to do is to submit ourselves to the potter who will mold and strengthen us to be useful vessels for His ministry.  Remember, everyone is special and precious in His sight.
PRAYER 
Lord Jesus, we are weak, frail and empty vessels. Fill and mold us according to your will, and   give us a willing and obeying heart to listen to you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You are special to God for a specific purpose, no one else can do.  
   Dr.John K.Thomas Tabor MTC,Staten Island, NY
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