Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Education That Leads to Divine Truths

Bible portion: Acts 12:11-16

Key Verse: “…he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. (Acts 12: 12)


Devotion

The women followers of Jesus were passionate witnesses and advocates of the Gospel. After Jesus’s resurrection and ascension, they supported the ministry of the apostles through teaching the Gospel and leading home churches. We read in the passage today of the home Church run by Mary, mother of John Mark. Women have such significant roles to play even today in spreading the Gospel.  And it is often not in merely the stereotypical nurturing and hospitality capacities that women play their parts in the kingdom building work.  Women can play crucial roles in spreading the gospel in many ways. We think sometimes that we are too small, or our lives are too insignificant to make a huge difference to Kingdom work. The narrative of the temple wall rebuilding in Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:1-32) is a great reminder of the need to do what we can, where we are. We lose our opportunity to be useful to God if we keep waiting for the right time or place. The Israelites rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem by each family just focusing on the bit that was in front of their house. And bit by bit the entire city wall was rebuilt. We can miss a crucial kingdom building activity if we do not act where we are. We may think that there must be an event or circumstance that will put everything into motion for us to do something big for God. We may be waiting to hear a great calling out or divine appointment, when we think we are ready and can be used for God. But let us be reminded through this chapter that we can do God’s work wherever we are placed. Let us strive to be God’s hands and feet and build His kingdom. When we intercede for others, when our speech and actions reflect our faith in God, and when we put God first, we are transforming ourselves and others into the people God wants us to be- we are building his Kingdom.

So, like Mary, let us pray for the courage to do the little things that make a difference. Let us pray for the courage of Rhoda to keep believing in miracles. Let us pray for the courage to pick up a shovel and stat work on the part of the wall front of our homes.  


 
PRAYER
 

Father God help to have the courage and wisdom to act for your mighty name’s sake. Help us to know that we can be of best use to you wherever we are, as we cannot be of use to you, where we are not.
 

Thought for the Day 
 

we can do God’s work wherever we are placed

Bindhu George 
Melbourne Marthoma 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 who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
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 tell a child as to why they’ve been a
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