Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Come Holy Spirit Set Us Free
Isaiah 6:1-11
Robin T. Varughese
Epiphany MTC, NY
..The seraph touched my mouth with [the live coal] and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted.” - Isaiah 6: 7
Leading a Christian life has increasingly become difficult in a society that continues to decay into atheism and disbelief. The true struggle of leading a Christian life lies in the pursuit of denying the flesh and dedicating oneself as pure and holy before God.  We try reforming ourselves by our own will, power and strength, not realizing our negligence and refusal of presenting ourselves before God is the primary problem.
    In Isaiah 6: 1-11, we read of the account of Isaiah’s commissioning by God to being the prophet of his time. We know of Isaiah’s prophetic messages, much of which proclaim the coming of the Messiah that are fulfilled within the Gospels, and the numerous visions and proclamations for his time that were crucial for the future of Israel. Isaiah’s extensive history was rooted in humble beginnings as seen in this chapter. Isaiah acknowledged the sin and death of the flesh, especially before the Throne of God, and cried out in reverence before God. It was only when Isaiah humbled himself before God that the seraph approached him and purified him with a live coal to redeem him of his sins and allow him to speak before God’s presence.
    Often times we are reminded of our past, the failures we’ve experienced and our shortcomings, and are overcome with so much guilt that we start to believe the lie that we cannot approach God with our problems and worries. Thoughts race in our heads, “He can’t possibly forgive me this time”, “I’m not worthy to be before God”. These lies constantly plague and hinder us from presenting ourselves before God. The moment we present our worries, our guilt, and our shortcomings before God is when God meets us where we stand, knowing full well of all these setbacks, and blots our sin. “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16). The cross was enough for us to be able to have a close relationship with God once more, and we must be reminded that nothing can separate us ever again from His presence and when we seek Him with humility and reverence, we will ultimately be set free.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we come to You, with reverent and humble hearts, and lay before You all our faults, failures, and seek Your forgiveness. Purify us and sanctify us. Father, in Your Precious Name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Through Christ, we can freely approach the Throne of Grace with humility, and are set free from the bondages of sin. 

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