Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Lord Worthy of Praise

Exodus 15: 1-18

Exodus Chapter 15, verses 1-18, tells of the story of the children of Israel along with Moses singing praises to the Lord following their safe passage through the Red Sea. The ferocious sea hurls the chariots, horses, and the best of the Pharaoh’s army, while it offers a safe passage for the Israelites. While water is death for the Pharaohs, it is symbolic of life and salvation for the Israelites. In many ancient cultures and religions, inducing Hinduism, the ritualistic use of water for purification is a common practice. Followers of John the Baptist, known as Mandaeans, even today continue their religious practice called “Mandaeism.” A key feature of their faith practice is baptism, not as a onetime activity, but as a regular ritual for salvation of the soul. Here again the power of water as a source of transformation is obvious. 
In this chapter, the God of Moses is also the God of his forefathers. It is an everlasting relationship and a legacy that we cherish and continue through our children. When Moses says, “I will sing to the Lord,” he is singing to the Lord and not to anyone around them, and the praise is filled with singing and dancing. For Moses, Miriam, and the Israelites, the Lord is their strength and song. When we let God be our strength, He will also be our song. They are singing because the victory they accomplished is God’s victory and something they could never achieve. Man had no role in this victory.  When they say that the Lord has become our salvation, they also recognize that they cannot save themselves. The turbulent water, while it is death for the Pharaohs, is a source of salvation for the Israelites. It is beginning of the end of their slavery to the pharaohs. It gives them a new identity. When we are a new being in Christ, our bondage to the old ways of life end, and we take on a new identity.  
 
Prayer 
Thank you Lord for giving us the grace to navigate the difficult pathways in our lives, to reconcile differences, and to accept with serenity the things we cannot change.

Thought for the day:
As I walked out of the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison. – Nelson Mandela

Dr. Dennis Cherian
MTC Greater Washington

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