Word for the day by Christian education forum

-

 

Repent for Promised Restoration

Bible Reading:  Acts 3:19-23

Key Verse: Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19


DEVOTION

As Christians, we are promised restoration because of the grace of God and his crucifixion. Ephesians 2:8 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”. We have a God that cares for us, that loves us, and by having faith in Him, we are saved. But what is faith when not accompanied by deeds? James 2:18-19, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder”. God calls us to have faith in him, and faith in itself requires not only believing in Him, but also acting in Him.
 
We, as Christians, are called to repent, and then turn to God so that our sins may be wiped out and that times of refreshing may come. Peter’s invitation for the people is not about just regret for past actions, but also transformation and renewal that comes from humbling oneself in front of the Lord, an active intention and action. Repentance is an act of surrendering ourselves, our way of thinking and being, and trust in what God has deemed good for us. When we turn to Him, He restores us of our sins which have acted as shackles. This Christmas season, let us remember God’s desire to restore us, to lead us, and to renew a steadfast spirit within us.
 

  PRAYER

O Lord, you are an amazing and loving Father, from the beginning to the end of days. Yet we are a sinful people that have turned away from you. As you reach out your hand to us, let us repent and reach out to You. Fill us with your Spirit that we may turn away from temptation and that we may be your people. Amen.

Thought of the day

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10


Jonah Mathew
Epiphany MTC, NY

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