Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

People of God: Ambassadors of Christ

Austin Sanu
St. John’s MTC, NY

v9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”      

    In this passage God is speaking to Joshua about commissioning him to be the new leader. Just like God promised Moses the land of Canaan He did the same to Joshua. To Joshua this task was overwhelming and confusing. However, God promised to be with him always. To be an ambassador of Christ there are certain characteristics and qualities one needs. The person has to be patient, humble, respectable, gentle, etc. To be truly successful as Christ’s ambassadors there are three ways to accomplish this.
 
 The first way to be successful is to know and do what God says: Many people believe that the only way to have success is by having power and influential people. However, God tells Joshua there’s three ways to go against this criteria. God says Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead will not be easy, (2) obey God’s law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law- God’s Word. In society’s eyes this may not meet society’s standards but in the eyes of God this will be right. God commanded Joshua to meditate on His Word day and night. When doing this we will know His will and live a more Godly life.
 
  The second way to be successful is to have faithfulness to God: God advised Joshua never to think he was able to do everything on his own. He cannot be the type of person that can lead a huge group of people by his own strength. He needs to be the person that will represent God to others. By believing and trusting God’s Word all things are possible. God did not place Joshua in this place all of a sudden. He allowed Joshua to spend over forty years watching God’s work with Moses. He was able to show Joshua the right way to do things and test his faith. When one goes through tough situations it helps their faith grow and trust God more.
 
    The third way to be successful is to be ready and able to give reasons for His Faith: We should never be afraid to speak God’s Word because He is always with us. As Christians we have a responsibility to speak the truth about the Scripture. We should not worry if it will make others uncomfortable because if we do that makes us cowards. When one has courage they will have the confidence to speak God’s Word.
We must always remember that in order to achieve this we must always have God’s Word in our hearts.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, please give us the strength to be courageous and spread Your Word. Help us to never doubt You and continue to follow in Your footsteps. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." C.S. Lewis

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