Word for the day by Christian Education Fourm

-
Waiting for God
Matthew 25:1-13
 Vs. 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
This Bible passage is Jesus’s reply to the disciples, who came to Him privately and asked, “tell us, ”they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of age?” (Matthew 24: 3). Here, Jesus is not addressing the general public or the Pharisees but His disciples who are His followers.
As Christians and followers of Jesus, we believe that our Lord will return but what we do not know is the exact time.  If Jesus (the bridegroom) did come back today, how will He find us? Ready to go with Him or unprepared like the foolish virgins.  In the above passage, all ten virgins were invited to the wedding and all of them brought their lamps, as was the custom in Jewish weddings.  We also read that all 10 slept when the bridegroom was delayed and all 10 heard the call, “Here’s the bridegroom, come out and meet him.” The 10 virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps but only 5 had oil for their lamps and were ready to go inside the house with the bridegroom.
The Bible says in Matthew 22:14, “For many are invited but only few are chosen.” God in His mercy has given us many opportunities to hear His word and be saved through faith.  Just like the wise virgins who had oil for their lamps, we need the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us live a life that is filled with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  If we do not have the fruits of the spirit then sinful nature like envy, strife, jealousy, selfish ambition and impurity are seen in us. The word of God clearly says in Galatians 5:21 “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  The kingdom of God may or may not come in our lifetime but we need to be ready, always alert, and keep our eyes focused on Jesus so that we will not be lead astray by this world and its cares.  We will be asked to give an account of our life.  Did we truly believe in Christ? There will be a clear division between the believers and the non-believers just like the wise virgins and the foolish virgins. What will our Savior say to us? “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you?” or “well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23
 PRAYER
Lord, Jesus we ask You to forgive us our sins of unpreparedness for Your coming. Fill us with Your holy spirit that we may live our lives according to Your word. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,  the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2.

Anne Mathew, Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, Connecticut
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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

-
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

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