Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Peace in the Midst of the Storm
Ephesians 6:10-20
Mrs. Neethi Prasad 

w/o Rev. Christopher Daniel
Bethel MTC, Frankfort, IL

12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
 

There were once two parents who used to cover the eyes of their only child whenever there was a fight, quarrel, or action-oriented scene in the movies they were watching together. So, according to the child, movies had no struggles, no fights, no bad times, and everything was happy and good all the time. Growing up, this child always compared his life to the movies and thought that there would be no struggles in life. Similarly, he grew up to believe that everything in life was going to be one smooth ride with everything ending in happiness.

When we read and study the Word of God, we are taught that while we are in the world, we will have to face various types of struggles which may include those which are physical in nature and those which affect us spiritually. We also learn from the Bible that God also promises to strengthen us through such challenging times. St. Paul even reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we can put on the full armor of God which enables us to stand our ground in the midst of the stormy experiences of life. We can be at peace even when the storm around us is raging.

I am also reminded of a painting by Jack E. Dawson, in his “Seek and Find” series, titled “Peace in the Midst of the Storm.” This painting includes an image of a bird which rests peacefully in its nest in the cleft of a rock while thunder, lightning, the roar of the ocean, and other things that cause restlessness surround it. The comforting message of this painting is that in the midst of the intense storms of life, we should take refuge in Jesus Christ, our rock. Although we know that we are not promised a life without storms due to the presence of evil in the world, through the cross, we can overcome and through our trust in God, we can be at peace.  

PRAYER

Dear Lord, as the song reminds us, when the storms of life are raging, tempests wild on sea and land, help us O Lord to seek a place of refuge in the shadow of Your hand. Safely hide us, O Lord, where no harm can ever betide us and turn what seems to harm us into everlasting joy. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Peace is not the absence of the storm but the calming strength God provides in the midst of it. 

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