Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Embracing Diversity in God's Creation

Bible Reading: 1 Cor. 12:12-13

Key verse: V12 “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  

DEVOTION

The theme for the day is “Embracing diversity in God’s Creation.” Paul compares the Church, the body of Christ to the human body with numerous parts that perform the integrated physiology for a healthy living. Though each part is structurally and functionally different, they must work together to keep the body healthy. The church is composed of people of different backgrounds with diverse abilities. Despite our different backgrounds and talents, we have one thing in common—faith in Jesus Christ. On that essential truth, Church must find unity and growth, and Christ is the source for the spiritual nourishment of all. 
This “unity in diversity” is seen in God’s majestic creation in the universe also.  It is on this same principle that God created different plants and animals in the ecological community. In an ecological community, several species live in the same geographical area, working together, performing their assigned functions making the environment pristine clean for the wellbeing of all creatures. Apostle Paul also noted diversity in the celestial bodies, which are different in their brightness as the Sun’s radiance is different from Moon or the stars (1 Corinthians 15:40-41). The entire Psalm 104 is a praise to God’s majesty of diversity in nature.  We must use our different abilities collectively for witnessing and glorifying God.

PRAYER

 Gracious Lord, we thank you for the different talents you gave us, and help us to use them to edify one another so that we become one body in Jesus Christ. Amen 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Unity in Diversity” is God’s design for the Church through Christ as He modeled the universe at creation.   


Dr. P. V. Cherian, M. Div., Ph. D. 
Chicago Mar Thoma Church,  Chicago, Illinois.
 

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