Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Renewal of the Church – Hudos Eetho - Children Expectation of God


Thanu Abraham
 Christos Mar Thoma Church 

1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
The first couple of months into marriage seems to always encourage a time of reflection on your parents and your childhood. Moments of realization lift a veil from your eyes as you begin to understand why your parents were so strict and how much unconditional love they were desperately trying to show you despite their scolding.
It’s hard to hold back the emotions when you think about the times you rebelled or said hurtful things you did not quite mean. No matter what your childhood was like and despite the shortcomings of our earthly fathers, we have a Father God that proudly claims us as His own. In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul reminds us, “Whenever you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.” We are God’s children and He takes that title very seriously. He even makes it a point to call us to care for the widows and orphans, the ones that especially need a reminder of God’s love in the midst of loneliness.
We have an identity in Christ that sets us apart from the rest of the world. Everyday people you interact with should sense something different about you. They should know you are Christians by your actions of love. We are Christ’s hands and feet in this world, set apart to fulfill His purpose on Earth. It’s easy to be a Christian on Sunday mornings, but how often do our actions signify Christ at home, in the workplace, or in our relationships?
Luckily, Jesus gave us a helper, the Holy Spirit, to intercede for us as well as mold us into the children of God through our inner conscience. He serves to purify us daily so that we begin to make a conscious effort to choose to make more right decisions than wrong.
God has authority over us, much like our parents have authority over us as children. We may not understand their rules and restrictions at first, but we have to remember that these rules are set in place for our own good despite our initial unwillingness. We all know that our parents love us and want to protect us. Likewise, God wants to protect us from the Devil’s wicked ways and unsuspecting trickery. Sin can subtly creep in with each wrong decision we make. If we allow it to grow, sin can easily consume us.
We have a hope that frees us from sin. Jesus is the ultimate representation of God’s love for us. His sacrifice on the cross paved the way for us to live in peace for eternity.

PRAYER

Jesus, sometimes this world can be a lonely place filled with temptation and struggles. Help us to remember our identity as Your child and please protect us from the devil’s evil ways. We want to be more like You and show Your love to everyone around us. Please teach us and mold us, Father. In Your name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What are some ways we can impact another person today? Let us try to perform a random act of kindness or pray for someone who really needs a reminder of God’s love. We all need more love around us.

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