Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Renewal: Witnessing the Eternal Light
Revelation 1: 12-20Shelvin George
St Thomas MTC,Yonkers, NY
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades
 


Many times we find ourselves caught up in the organized chaos we call our lives - snooze alarm, brush teeth, drink coffee, skip breakfast, catch our breath on the way to work or class. The general public, as well as the up and coming generations of our youth all too fondly share this system. Morning Bible study and prayer is altogether detached from the routine, or brought back as an add-on item when something is needed. Can we allow this to remain the norm?

In this passage, John speaks to us about a vision where he hears a voice, sees seven golden lampstands and someone resembling Jesus who is holding seven stars in his right hand. These seven stars signified the seven angels of the seven churches and the lampstands symbolize the seven churches of the era. These churches, like us, all have faults and lacked something in their relationship with God. These seven churches would backslide, suffer persecution, need to repent, have false prophets, fall asleep, and be lukewarm. How many of us suffer through this on a monthly, maybe weekly, basis? How many times do we catch ourselves so far away from our walk with Christ that we are taken aback and long to press the reset button?
The church is referred to as the lampstand because it serves, not to create, but to display the light. Hebrews 3 provokes us to spread this light into the darkness, for once we have witnessed the light we must not harden our hearts. How much longer shall we remain on standby as we see those around us disappear without having accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour? How selfish would it be for us to hold the keys to heaven and not share it with those around?

Like the seven churches, God gives us a chance to repent of our sins and re-join Him on the walk that we had strayed away from. We must encourage each other daily whether at work or on campus to come closer to God. Whatever may be the circumstance, the arms of God are always open to embrace his children.


PRAYER


Heavenly Father, help us to bear witness to the light wherever You
have placed us.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Is it enough for us to say that we have been saved, as we watch our brothers and sisters fall around us?

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