Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Annunciation to Zechariah

Psalm 145:1-21
v14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
 

This “psalm of praise” is David’s final psalm. David speaking from his experience, recounts God’s goodness and faithfulness in this overwhelming expression of praise.
 
David says in verse 14, “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” How true this was in the example we read in Luke 1, that of Zechariah, a priest during King Herod’s reign and his wife Elizabeth who were both righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But then the Bible tells us that they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
 
Verses 18 and 19 say - “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” God heard the prayer of these faithful servants and sent His angel Gabriel to reveal to Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear him a son, whom they should call John. He would grow up to be the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. What a privilege for this old, faithful couple and in Elizabeth’s words, God had shown His favor on them.
 
A British submarine lay disabled on the ocean floor. Several days passed and the crew lost hope of being rescued. The commanding officer told the men that they would all die shortly and suggested that they sing a hymn. So together they sang: “The darkness deepens – Lord with me abide.” As the oxygen supply began to run out, the men gradually grew weak. One weakened sailor lurched forward crashing against the vessel’s surfacing equipment which suddenly began to operate, and the vessel slowly rose from the ocean floor. They all made it back to port safely. (Our Daily Bread, April 29, 2007)
 
God is our Deliverer in times of trouble. Have you ever felt helpless and all alone? Have you longed for an answer from God? Call on Him; He is just a prayer away. Praise God for He is our Strong Deliverer.

PRAYER 
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being our Strong Deliverer. Help me to be faithful in times of trouble because You are always faithful, no matter how many times I disobey You and cause You grief. Teach me to hold on to You for then I have victory over sin and death. Praise be to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When you think you have fallen; He is always there to lift you up.                      

 Roy Samuel, Christos Mar Thoma Church, Mumbai
 
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