Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Circumcision of our Lord (Gazurtho)


Reny Varughese,
Epiphany MTC, NY

6 But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises.
    The Feast of Circumcision celebrates the circumcision of Christ on the eighth day of his birth, in accordance with Jewish traditions and practices.  Though these practices aren't traditionally followed by most Christians today in it's physical form, God does expect us to be circumcised in the Spiritual sense. Circumcision is the "cutting of the flesh."  God requires us to rid ourselves of our old self, our fleshly desires, in order to invite God's salvation and work in our lives.
 
Hebrews clearly states the coming of this new covenant, in which there is more than physical implications to change, there is a sense of urgency in the renewal of the mind and spirit.  In taking on this new covenant, there’s a need to cut off the old self.  There is a need to know God on a personal and more intimate level than by word of mouth.  This new covenant presses us to circumcise our fleshly desires for the will of God. Colossians 2:11 states, "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh.”   As we enter this New Year, let us cut off the old, the unwanted and unfruitful areas of our life. Let's take on the image of Christ in our new, circumcised Spirits and step forward into the purposes God has for each of our lives.

PRAYER

Father, we come before You, in awe of who You are and Your immeasurable love towards us.  Thank You for the new covenant in which we are able to know You on a personal level.  Give us the strength to embrace more and more of Your image.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Our hope is not in the New Year, but in the One who makes all things new.”  -Anonymous 

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