Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Nourishing Theological Reflections from Experiences                

Bible Portion :Acts 28:23-28
Key Verse 
“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will
listen!” -Acts 28:28

Devotion
After Paul’s conversion, he was all set to spread the gospel everywhere he went. In the beginning
of Acts 28, we see Paul arriving miraculously on the island of Malta after being in a shipwreck.
Though the ship was wrecked, he was able to save the people on the ship. Later, he also became
a source of healing and salvation for many on that island. His strong faith in Jesus helped the
land to believe in Jesus. After Malta, he set sail to Rome where he was received with a lot of
love. There were many who wanted to know about Jesus. Nevertheless, there were some Jews in
the city who would not accept what Paul said. They disagreed among themselves and with Paul
and left from where Paul was speaking. That’s when Paul said that Gods salvation had been sent
to the Gentiles and that they would listen, unlike the Jews who considered themselves the chosen
people of God but wouldn’t listen.
Meeting stubborn people, who are unwilling to accept Christ or oppose those who believe in
Christ can be a frustrating experience. Being in this ministry, many a times we had to encounter
situations like this. At times, being human, we might get frustrated thinking, “Why God? Why
are these people so rigid to accept you?” But this passage gives us an insight that salvation and
acceptance of the gospel is a response of human beings to the grace that God extends to them.
Many may decline Jesus in their lives and oppose gospel workers. Yet, God has given us a
mandate to keep working for His kingdom, be his witnesses and share the gospel. We are not to
be discouraged by opposition or negativity to Christ. Rather, we have to trust that God has
prepared some people to be impacted by our witness and at the right time it will yield its fruit. So
lets be faithful in bearing witness for Christ.
 
PRAYER
Father, thank you for everything you do for us. Help us to bear witness faithfully for you, so that
we can influence people for you. Amen.
 
Thought for the Day 
 
No matter what the outcome, let us spread Gods Word and love.
 
Mrs Betsy Chacko (Kochamma)
St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, Delhi.

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