Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Dignity of Labour and Divine

 1 Kings 17: 17-24

V. 18 "And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!"

There are many circumstances in our lives where we may feel defeated. Many families go through hardships such as the loss of a loved one, battling cancer, having a child with disabilities, marriage struggles, or financial difficulties. We may ask questions similar to the widow who owned the house where Elijah was staying. Why me? Why is it that I have to go through hardships while I see so many families that do not? Is it because I have sinned and this is my punishment? This theme was also seen when Jesus came upon a man who was born blind. It was assumed that the blind man or his parents had sinned and therefore was punished. In John 9:3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” We should not assume that hardships are an act of punishment, but God may be preparing us for the works of God to be displayed in us.

Elijah performs a miracle and brings the widow’s son to life. We find the meaning of hope in this passage. For in this life, we may suffer, but we must look to the future and find hope in the eternal life to come. As we see in 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Our life may have many ups and downs, but we can find hope in that if we put our faith in God we will be led to eternal glory.

It’s often thought that bad things should not happen to good people. There was a pastor whose daughter was murdered. How could this be? Shouldn’t bad things only happen to “bad” people? Matthew 5:44-46 says, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even tax collectors do the same?” The rain falls on both the just and unjust. God extends mercy and grace to those who don't deserve it. We should cast our worries and doubts on him through times of trouble or wavering faith. We should remember that God is faithful in his love for us. He can transform and strengthen us through our pain.

Prayer

Dear God, help us to continue to trust in you through our daily struggles. Let us be able to find hope in you and continue to follow the path to eternal glory. Amen.

Thought of the day

"There is not a single thing that Jesus cannot change, control, and conquer because he is the living Lord." - Franklin Graham

 

Mrs. Sonia Varughese
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY

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