Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Journey with the Risen Christ

Acts 8: 26-40
In Acts 8: 26, we identify the Lord coming in the form of an angel to Philip telling him to go south to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza. Here we can see Philip encountering an Ethiopian eunuch who was an official, in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake. The man was in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet, and the Spirit told Philip to stay near the chariot. Philip then asked the man if he understood what he was reading, however the man needed further explanation of what he was reading. They traveled with one another and came to the water in which the eunuch wanted to be baptized. Both Philip and the eunuch went to the water and Philip baptized him, however the Spirit of the Lord immediately took Philip away and the eunuch hasn't seen him since. The eunuch continued to rejoice and call on the Name of the Lord.

We can identify two major claims represented:

1) God puts us in the right place at right times:

In all things that may come up in our lives, it is for a specific reason. We may face a certain trial, temptation, or something lively that can impact our lives. However God does this to affect our lives in a positive manner. As we saw the eunuch had experienced the presence of Philip at the specific time when he was in his chariot. God had also told Philip to go over to the chariot, and Philip was able to introduce the love of Christ into the eunuch’s heart.

2) The uplifting of the Holy Spirit

Once the eunuch had met Philip and they were walking, the man spotted water and wanted to be baptized. We can experience that the eunuch was spiritually grown by the first encounter of knowing God. Right after he was baptized we can see that he was rejoicing, and haven’t seen Philip since. This shows the spontaneous love of Christ and his rapid love that grows in our hearts constantly. 
 
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for constantly reminding us of your great love. Please strengthen us to identify your true grace and to understand that all things are from you. Please allow us to greatly experience the Holy Spirit and live according to thy will. In Jesus’ Most Precious Name. Amen

Thought for the day:
““When we invite the Holy Spirit into our decision-making processes he will always bear witness through the peace of Christ Jesus.” - John Bevere


Jason Mathew
Epiphany 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