Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Promise of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:12-14
 
In Acts 1, we see the immediate aftermath of the disciples deciphering what life is like after Jesus had risen from the grave. The disciples had the opportunity to experience Jesus daily in the flesh. With Him, they learned how God envisions humanity to lead a life on this earth to glorify His name. But with Jesus physically gone from this earth, the disciples and followers of Jesus are left to determine how to implement His teachings without His physical presence. Acts 1:14 says, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” While in mourning over the loss of their friend and Savior from this earthly plane, they sought out the presence of the Holy Spirit for guidance through prayer, in full devotion together. They knew God was there with them and needed His strength and guidance to move forward with the mission and ministry entrusted to them and so they prayed in unity and with devotion to prepare their hearts and minds for the journey ahead. 
 
In our own lives, it can be hard to feel the presence of God. When we go through struggles, grief, doubts, and fears - we often ask “Where are you, God?” But how often do we sit with patience to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit? Are we devoted in seeking Him first to truly experience the Holy Spirit in our lives daily or are we dissatisfied because God is not present in our expected timing? Do we invite others to pray with us and intercede on our behalf or do we try to fight our own battles? How can we invite the Holy Spirit to be present in our lives today? 

Prayer
Dear Lord, we ask for Your presence to be evident in our lives today. Allow us slow down and seek you truly to experience Your presence in our lives through our thoughts, words and interactions with others. Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless. - C.H. Spurgeon 


Ms. Shilpa Abraham 
The Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Carrollton, Texas

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