Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Affirmation of Christ as Lord and God
Isaiah 43:8-13
“ I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior”. (Isaiah 43:11)
The book of Isaiah highlights God’s judgment and salivation. This particular passage highlights the fact that Israel was chosen as God’s witness in this world. Also, God declares himself as the gracious redeemer and savior. It is this nation that God considered as his own people and whom God cared to reinstate whenever they departed from God’s ways. In verse 8, God asks to encourage his people to come forward to stand as his witnesses. They are still deaf and blind. But they are the ones who have experienced God’s mighty ways to declare in front of the world. Who in the world can proclaim God’s ways in the best way? It is only Israel who can do this.
Commissioning with a mission (Verse 8)
God wants his people to declare His uniqueness in front of all in the world. If we say that we are His children, He wants us to make known the great things He has done in our life. Many times we are like the children of Israel who were deaf and blind spiritually even if they were not so physically.  We forget the blessings and try to dwell the way we want. Here God is commissioning the deaf and blind Israel with a great responsibility. They are no more a group of people who should close their eyes to the truths. They should come out from their idle life. Many times we also follow the same pattern. Materialism of the world makes as deaf and blind. Understanding the dangers of this attitude is very important.
Witnessing Christ (verse 10)
This is an important faucet that a believer should exhibit in every walk of life. Witnessing becomes meaningful when it is done at every point of our life. Witnessing becomes a reality only when we testify Jesus in front of others not only through words but also through actions. Also, we should be bold to proclaim the authenticity of our faith. Only a true disciple of Jesus Christ will be able to do this. Witnessing Christ is a responsible action. It always comes with a price to be paid at the end. Many times, it will not be a golden crown that we will get but it will be a crown made of thorns.
Source of Salvation (verse 11)
Salvation comes only from God. That is why He sent his own begotten son to redeem this world through his blood. Christ is the only savior that mankind can rely upon. When we enjoy that gift of salvation, it is very important to understand the cost that Christ paid for that. No other person or power in this world can be the source of this salvation.
Power of God (verse 13)
God proclaims the fact that there is no other force in this world which is powerful than him. People of Israel knew this truth but many times they saw the problems bigger than their redeemer. In Him, we have the full hope of deliverance. He is alpha and omega. Psalm 147:3 says, ‘He heals the broken- hearted’. He heals not only our physical wounds but also our emotional wounds. Many times physical wounds can be cured by a physician. But a wound of heart is something which requires immediate attention. When we are immersed in Him, He is all capable to heal those wounds.
Prayer: Almighty and Sovereign Lord, Help us to understand the spiritual deafness and blindness in our lives. Strengthen us to witness you in all situations....Amen
Thought for the day: We can trust Christ, our Lord even when we cannot trust ourselves.

                        Reji  Joseph , NJ

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

-
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

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