Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Theological Education: Equipping the People of God

Jeremiah 1:4–10

“Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now, I have put my words in your mouth.” Hebrews 5:4

Ravi Zacharias, a renowned apologist, stated, “Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.”

God Knows Us
In verse five, God is telling Jeremiah that He has known Jeremiah even before he was born. God had a purpose in Jeremiah’s life, and by calling him, God is revealing to Jeremiah the main purpose for his life. God was going to use Jeremiah to prophesy in the land of Judah. Note that Jeremiah simply was not appointed as a prophet to just the people of Judah, but at the end of verse five, we see that God appointed Jeremiah, “…as a prophet to the nations.” He is a prophet even for our times, as we read and understand God’s truth. God knows our lives, and just like Jeremiah, God has a specific purpose for us. Just as David says in Psalm 139:14, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God knows what is in store for our lives. In order for us to live out God’s purpose in our lives, we are called to become better equipped in our knowledge of Him.

God Doesn’t Want Excuses
The first response Jeremiah gives is that he is a child, and that he does not know how to speak. As humans, our tendency is to give excuses. We’re too young, or we are inadequate, but God just asks that we make ourselves available for His use. As God’s people, we are all part of the royal priesthood; it’s not selective, so we shouldn’t assume there’s someone better for the job.

God Provides
In verse nine, God is saying that He puts His words into Jeremiah’s mouth. In order for us to truly be effective in sharing Christ to others, we must be rooted in Scriptures. Our prayer should be that God pours His words into our mouths as well. Through the Holy Spirit, we will be equipped in being witnesses for Christ.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You that You have given each of us a specific calling and purpose. Help us to live our lives where we fulfill what You have called us to do, without making excuses. Enable us to be effective witnesses, sharing the love of Christ to those around us. Amen.
Thought for the Day: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” –John 8:32

Mathew Stan Samuel, St.Paul's  MTC Dallas

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