Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Glorious Appearance of Christ & the vigilant Disciples

  Bible portion: Malachi 3:13-18, 4:1-2
“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. (v17)
 
Devotion:
God calls one his treasured possession when they are obedient to the Law and committed to the Lord. The prophet challenged the people to be faithful to the Lord in their personal stewardship and obedience. This includes far more than bringing a simple tithe but a total commitment. Malachi criticizes the attitude of the people.
1. They say insolent things (3:13): The people criticized faith, because it was not what they expected. God says “You have spoken arrogantly against me”. They doubted about the validity of faith. They had false and selfish expectations. They thought that God owed them something. They expressed extensive impiety in their words and attitudes.
2. They say it is vain to serve the Lord(3:14,15): Israelites wanted to test God. Their insolent words formulated three claims. i) A dramatic statement that it is vain to serve the Lord. ii) An unyielding business in keeping the Lord’s Law. iii) A false idea that the wicked prospered.
These are amazingly sharp words against God. So, the prophet warms them about the Day of the Lord. Yet, God never forgets his own. God will remember his covenant which he made with the ancestors. He will enable them to discern and realize the importance of serving the Lord.
In Ephesians 2:10, we read “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good work.” The simple acrostic SHAPE helps us remember five factors of serving:
Spiritual Gifts – Special God-empowered abilities given to believers.
Heart – that which motivates you; what you care most about.
Abilities – natural talents that you are born with.\
Personality – affects how and where you use your spiritual gifts.
Experience – what we’ve gone through in the past prepares us for ministry today. May Almighty God continue to shape us towards fulfilling our role as God’s treasured possession.
Prayer:
 Lord, help us to be faithful to obey your word and commit ourselves to your service, Amen. 

  Rev. Mervin Joe Mathew | Ebenezer MTC, Vivekanand Nagar

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