Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

  FAMILY A PLACE OF FAITH FORMATION: Anchoring our Faith in God

JOSHUA  24:14-22 

The hallmark of a biblical living is “faith”. Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith" or the "Faith Hall of Fame." In this noted chapter, the writer of the book of Hebrews introduces an impressive list of heroic figures from the Old Testament, whose stories stand out to encourage and challenge the faith. Joshua too was one such leader though not mentioned in this chapter. He was a tower of faith in Israel’s pilgrimage.

Faith comes from hearing, hearing the word of God, trusting in the word of God and believing in the word of God. When Joshua was a hundred and ten years old, he called the Israelites to Shechem to hear his farewell speech. In chapter 24, we see Joshua telling the people of Israel to look at their past and see how God delivered them. Remembering past grace gives us the motivation to trust God with the future grace. Displaying spiritual leadership, he challenged the people to make a conscious choice to always serve the living God. In Joshua 24:14, he tells the people of Israel to “Fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness”. In verse 15, Joshua makes a commitment to God by setting an example by saying, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”. 

Joshua stayed close to the Lord’s call. He allowed the Lord to make him a blessing to Israel. He spoke strongly to turn the hearts of the people of Israel to the Lord. He asked the people of Israel not to serve any other Gods expect the Lord Almighty. Christians should not blend in with everyone else in this world. When we compromise our Christian life styles and adopt the ways of the world we are being unfaithful to God. 

Joshua was a leader who lived in faith. What is faith and how does it work? Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.  Faith must have substance in which we can rely on. If we have faith in bad substance then our living will be bad. A little faith in good substance can produce great result.  This “good substance” is God himself. That’s why Joshua, in his farewell speech reminded the people to trust in the track record of the Lord and build up their faith in God.  Faith is the engine that moves us forward. It’s important to retrospect our life off and on, so we can discover God’s presence in our lives, build our faith and live purposefully for the Lord like Joshua. 

 
PRAYER
Sovereign Lord empower us to  walk with sure -footed faith every day that crosses generational lines.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God.
 
Regi  Mathew
The Mar Thoma Church Staten island.
 
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 who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
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 tell a child as to why they’ve been a
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