Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Annunciation to  Mary

Ephesians 1: 3-10

V 5   He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will...

       This portion explains Paul’s   intricate theology on the purpose of Christ's entry into the world.  He emphasizes the fact that Christians view their citizenship in heaven, where only Jesus could change our bodies to be conformed to the majesty of His glory. He says that relationship with Christ involves justification as a gift, rather than a personal achievement.  According to Paul, our election for salvation is determined before the creation of the world, which is from God, not ours at all.  We are therefore predestined for an adoption to the heavenly family of God.

          Paul speaks about the mystery of God’s will by which Christ became incarnate at the fullness of time. This mystery that has been hidden for ages is now revealed to His saints. (Colossians 1:26) This mystery is a spiritual knowledge that God has been revealed to those who can see through the faith.

        We see God’s mystery at work in the annunciation to virgin Mary. In this revelation to Mary, we could see the Creator asking his creation to fulfill his purpose of salvation through obedience to His will and submitting unconditionally. In the beginning God said, “Let there be…”, and here Mary, in response to the annunciation, says “let it be…”. Thereby she is inviting the Christ to be born in her womb. This is a mystery - where God incarnates and is formed out of Holy spirit in a woman’s womb.  We see that Mary is a chosen vessel because of her holiness, faith and the favor found in the sight of God.

       The more we submit ourselves in faith to God’s will, God will reveal his works in our lives.

PRAYER
Thank you Lord for choosing us to be your own and cleansing us through your blood and forgiving our trespasses according to the riches of your grace. Enhance our faith to submit to your will, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The impossible becomes a reality when we surrender ourselves unconditionally to God's will.

Dr. John Thomas  Tabore 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