Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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OUR LORD IS COMING: Living by Faith
Romans 1:8-17
v11-12 “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is , that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."

The passage for our meditation is a part of the introduction to the church in Rome by the apostle Paul. He mentions the Good News about Jesus as the very reason for his service to the people in Rome. 

We, as individuals and as a community, are called to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. And one of the ways we do this is by forming meaningful partnerships with our spiritual leaders, and, also by engaging in activities that uplift the faith of our people. Just like Paul who forms a partnership with the Roman church in this text, may we, also, be thankful for the partnerships that God has given us. May we always be generous in our support, and faithful in our intercession, so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 

It’s vitally important for us to have faith during a crisis. Looking back at 2020, we have been pretty much isolated from our faith community. And yet, we see that we have not been ashamed of the gospel. We have been willing to proclaim the Good News using whatever was available. We have seen how our church services and prayer meetings have evolved and Sunday School activities being run with equivalent vigor and energy.

In verse 17 we see that God is the one who brings people into a right relationship with himself. The great news about the gospel is that Jesus offers his own righteousness as a substitute for our unrighteousness, and it can only be accessed through faith. Faith is a relationship, and like any other relationship, it either grows and matures, or stagnates and dies. It’s not about the amount of faith we have, instead, it’s about the object of our faith. God is the source and object of our faith. We’re to put our faith in Him and make His Word the foundation of our lives. It’s important for us to remind ourselves of His second coming. And to continue to stay in relationship with him, to receive his grace, so that we can grow in faith, both individually and as a community. Let’s continue to be a people of faith. Let’s learn to trust the Lord even in the stormy seasons of life.

PRAYER
O Lord, give me a patient, understanding, faithful, and courageous heart. Fill my soul with devotion to your service, and strength to get through these difficult times; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“The righteous will live by faith”.
 
Sheba Thomas Oommen
Carmel Marthoma Church, Boston

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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