Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
DISCIPLESHIP - CALL TO WITNESS
Mathew 16: 13-20
v16  Simon Peter  replied,”You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.
                      How  often  we  fail  to realize that we are called to be Christ's witness to the world?  Martin Luther said, “ A  religion that gives nothing - costs nothing, suffer nothing  is worth  nothing.” A christian disciple is one who is a dedicated follower of Jesus, who  is adherent  to the teachings ,  lifestyle and commandments of the Lord Jesus. Disciple is to become Christ like in all respects, before  making someone, or leads one to Christ  - which is Discipleship.  Late Abraham  Mar Thoma  Metropolitan  said,  Every Marthomite is an evangelist". Probably one might feel  it is very  easy to  be  a disciple.   Being a true disciple is not a bed of roses. It is not a way of success or prosperity.  Paradoxically, the modern disciples use the term  to misuse the ministry and to  use it for their  gain.  It is worth  remembering  that  all disciples  are  believers, but NOT all believers are disciples.  Cost of discipleship  is  crucial, because our life style  should become a challenge, and glorifying the  living God, for another  follower to see, and may he be  won to the Lord's side. 
                       Jesus said to the people who followed him, that one cannot be a disciple who cannot take up his cross.  Jesus talked about relationships that tie up people, and prevent them to be  fruitful  servants.  Though  family relationships are divine, but  it  should not be more than your intimacy with Jesus.  Through the baptism we became  witness  to the gospel. If we truly believe in the gospel, we must take Christ  seriously and follow his commandment  he gave to the apostles and every believer, before ascension  that  “ Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them  in the name of Triune God, and teaching them to obey all I commanded  “. May the Good Lord help us  to be  faithful and devoted servants in his vineyard.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,  we admit that though we are believers, we  are not yet worthy enough  to be your disciples.  Strengthen us by the  holy spirit  to   be  a fruitful  and useful servant  for your  ministry.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Cost  of discipleship  may be your life itself for  Him.
Dr.John K.Thomas  Tabor MTC  Staten Island, New York
                      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

-
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