Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Journey with the Risen Christ

1st Kings 19: 1-13
In 1st Kings 19, we find a prophet on the run. The prophet Elijah had been informed by a messenger that Jezebel seeks to take his life. This message alone was enough to drive Elijah into the wilderness. There, Elijah prayed a melancholic prayer “that he might die” (1st Kings 19: 4 NKJV). A prayer of this nature might be perplexing to us as modern day readers and believers of Scripture. At that moment, Elijah did not have the energy to continue running the race of faith. He was, on the surface at least, a defeated prophet. In our study of Scripture, do we fail to humanize the men and women that God mightily used? Looking ahead to the New Testament, Elijah is referenced quite a few times. James writes in his epistle that “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5: 17 NKJV). In other words, he was just like one of us. 
When the enemy presses near in our lives, we may feel as discouraged and hopeless as Elijah did. In his time of crisis, the Lord sent a messenger of His own to Elijah. Now this angelic messenger was unlike the messenger we read about earlier in the chapter. The angelic messenger came to provide physical and spiritual nourishment to Elijah. Here, we are reminded of God’s watchful gaze. He is well aware of the needs of His children. Can we recall a time when we were in need and God sent a timely reminder to us? Perhaps it was a family member who called or sent us a text message. Or maybe it was a friend who invited us to get food together. Time and time again, God sends His peace that surpasses all understanding into the lives of those who trust in Him. Not only is this evidenced in Scripture, but also, in our own daily lives.
In this spiritual season of journeying with the risen Christ, let us take a moment to examine Elijah as he hit a wall of uncertainty. He laid out his heart before the Lord. God heard the prayers of his afflicted soldier, and He met him exactly where he was: in the wilderness. The same principle applies with Jesus Christ. When the force of our burdens seemingly crush us, Jesus invites us to come to Him. One of the most comforting promises to hold onto is that He will give us rest when we draw near unto Him.
 
Prayer
 Heavenly Father, we come to you as our shield and rampart. You have promised to journey alongside us and not to abandon us as orphans. We place our complete trust in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Thought for the day:
“No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand. The battle belongs to the Lord”. 
– John Michael Talbot


Christin Mathew
Epiphany 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