Word for the day day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Freedom in Christ (Independence Day)
Luke 6: 20-25
When we think about the history of the world and the wars that have been fought in the name of freedom, we can recognize why freedom is certainly worth the fight. To be free is a universal right, granted to every person regardless of color, creed, or class. Spiritual freedom, however, takes on a whole other dimension. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 
                                    - 2 Corinthians 3:17

2 Corinthians 3:17 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Its message is quite simple: spiritual freedom is found where the Spirit of the Lord is. When we are spiritually free, we can approach the throne of God without shame. Unworthy as we are, we can be self-aware of our sin, but still give all the praise and glory to the Lord because He’s worthy of all of it. 

In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, He says: 
 
“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.
23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

Though the worries and stresses of the world weigh heavy on our hearts, we have spiritual hope and freedom to recognize that we are still blessed. We have a God who looks after us and cares for us so deeply and tenderly. 

As we pray today, let’s give thanks to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides us in our daily lives. Let’s smile today knowing we have a God who loves us and desires for us to experience the richness of all his gifts and blessings. 
PRAYER
Abba Father, Thank you for the freedom you have gifted us to worship you. Thank you for the peace you bless us with in the midst of all our challenges. Help us spread the richness of all your gifts and blessings into others lives. Amen

Meenu Johnykutty

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